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 — Electrical System (17.5% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Electrical System complaints here are 1.6× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 38 · 17.5% | No official action | — |
| Steering | 18 · 8.3% | Recalled | Recall 04V268000 |
| Suspension:front:wheel Bearing | 17 · 7.8% | Recalled | Recall 08E033000 |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 · 7.8% | Recalled | Recall 09E012000 |
| Engine | 14 · 6.5% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags | 11 · 5.1% | No official action | — |
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 217 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 08E033000 · 2008 · reported 04/14/2008
THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V268000 · 2004 · reported 06/03/2004
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. 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.
“2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED AND THE FOG LIGHTS ON THE CAR REMAIN ON EVEN WITH THE SWITCH OFF AND THE KEY…”NHTSA complaint 10285334 — filed 09/26/2009 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FAILURE - FOG LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON - HEADLAMPS FLICKER - DEALERSHIP REPORTS THERE ARE CURRENTLY OVER 3000 OF THESE ON BACKORDER…”NHTSA complaint 10274885 — filed 06/24/2009 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“FOG LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON, EVEN WHEN CAR IS OFF. SMOKE FROM STEERING COLUMN. DEAD BATTERY. 395 INSTANCES OF…”NHTSA complaint 10268365 — filed 05/11/2009 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 38 of 217 NHTSA complaints (17.5%), followed by steering (18), suspension:front:wheel bearing (17), exterior lighting (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
217 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 15 involved a fire, and 18 reported injuries. 3 deaths were reported.
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08E033000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 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.
