Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Steering:rack And Pinion (11.9% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Steering:rack And Pinion complaints here are 3.1× the median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.
5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering:rack And Pinion | 36 · 11.9% | Recalled | Recall 09E005000 · Recall 03V527000 |
| Electrical System | 33 · 10.9% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 29 · 9.6% | Recalled | Recall 15V701000 · Recall 09V116000 · Recall 08V118000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 26 · 8.6% | Recalled | Recall 15V701000 · Recall 09V116000 · Recall 08V118000 |
| Steering | 23 · 7.6% | Recalled | Recall 09E005000 · Recall 03V527000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 14 · 4.6% | Recalled | Recall 15V701000 · Recall 09V116000 · Recall 08V118000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 302 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 15V701000 · 2015 · reported 10/26/2015
Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09V116000 · 2009 · reported 04/08/2009
IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 08V118000 · 2008 · reported 03/12/2008
CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E005000 · 2009 · reported 02/17/2009
A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 99V356000 · 1999 · reported 12/17/1999
DRIVER VISIBILITY MAY BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V527000 · 2003 · reported 12/11/2003
IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 98V102000 · 1998 · reported 05/15/1998
IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“HAVE 1998 BUICK REGAL WITH SYMPTOMS IDENTICAL TO RECENT SAFETY RECALL 03V527000 FOR STEERING DEFECT. HOWEVER, SINCE CAR WAS BUILT IN FEB 1998 IT APPEARS…”NHTSA complaint 10052918 — filed 01/12/2004 · STEERING:RACK AND PINION
“WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT TURN LEFT. THE VEHICLE GAVE NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG IT HAD GONE…”NHTSA complaint 10042810 — filed 11/12/2003 · STEERING:RACK AND PINION
“PROBLEMS WITH RACK AND PINION CAUSED THE STEERING ON VEHICLE TO BECOME HARD WHILE TURNING.”NHTSA complaint 10044076 — filed 10/12/2003 · STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Steering:rack and pinion issues are the most-reported category, cited in 36 of 302 NHTSA complaints (11.9%), followed by electrical system (33), engine (29), engine and engine cooling (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
302 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 7 involved a crash, 41 involved a fire, and 3 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V701000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
