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 — Air Bags:frontal (16.2% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Air Bags:frontal complaints here are 2.4× the median for that category across the 1998 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:frontal | 32 · 16.2% | No official action | — |
| Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint | 30 · 15.2% | Recalled | Recall 99V066001 · Recall 00V421001 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 13 · 6.6% | No official action | — |
| Structure:body:door | 12 · 6.1% | No official action | — |
| Suspension:front:control Arm | 11 · 5.6% | Recalled | Recall 99V066001 · Recall 00V421001 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 10 · 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 198 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 99V066001 · 1999 · reported 04/05/1999
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 00V421001 · 2000 · reported 12/18/2000
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 98V212000 · 1998 · reported 09/08/1998
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07E055000 · 2007 · reported 07/26/2007
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD 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.
“CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 50 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.”NHTSA complaint 841711 — filed 07/06/1999 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
“WHEN TRAVELING 40 MPH AND UPON HITTING A DEER HEAD-ON, NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE HAD OVER TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS…”NHTSA complaint 839144 — filed 06/09/1999 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
“ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE THE COVER OF THE AIRBAG ON THE DASH PANEL IS COMING APART, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD.”NHTSA complaint 838728 — filed 06/02/1999 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags:frontal issues are the most-reported category, cited in 32 of 198 NHTSA complaints (16.2%), followed by suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint (30), power train:automatic transmission (13), structure:body:door (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
198 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 33 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 17 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 99V066001. 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.
