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 (13.9% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Steering:rack And Pinion complaints here are 4.1× the median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering:rack And Pinion | 70 · 13.9% | Investigation closed | EA99031 · PE99044 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System | 40 · 7.9% | Recalled | Recall 98V184000 |
| Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly | 38 · 7.5% | Investigation closed | EA99031 · PE99044 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System | 30 · 5.9% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 26 · 5.1% | Recalled | Recall 04V021000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 25 · 5% | 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 505 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 04V021000 · 2004 · reported 01/13/2004
EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 98V184000 · 1998 · reported 08/06/1998
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A 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.
“VEHICLE WANDERED BADLY. REPLACED RACK & PINION. THEN FOUND BROKEN FRAME WELD FROM FACTORY. FACTORY REPAIRED WELD. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED . CAR WANDERS AND WEARS…”NHTSA complaint 708895 — filed 07/21/1999 · STEERING:RACK AND PINION
“TIE RODS ARE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME LOOSE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. 2. A LEAK FROM WATER PUMP IS DRIPPING ONTO TIMING BELT…”NHTSA complaint 839908 — filed 06/16/1999 · STEERING:RACK AND PINION
“REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER LESS THAN A MONTH OF OWNING THE CAR. NO RESPONSE. NO DEFECTS DISCUSSED IN SUMMARY.”NHTSA complaint 704798 — filed 03/23/1999 · 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 70 of 505 NHTSA complaints (13.9%), followed by fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system (40), steering:linkages:tie rod assembly (38), engine and engine cooling:cooling system (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
505 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 32 involved a crash, 22 involved a fire, and 23 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 04V021000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 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.
