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 (25.4% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Electrical System complaints here are 2.9× 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 | 35 · 25.4% | Recalled | Recall 03V231000 |
| Exterior Lighting | 11 · 8% | Recalled | Recall 05V245000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 9 · 6.5% | Investigation closed | PE06006 · DP05008 |
| Engine | 9 · 6.5% | Investigation closed | PE06006 · DP05008 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 8 · 5.8% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System:ignition:module | 8 · 5.8% | Recalled | Recall 03V231000 |
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 138 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 05V245000 · 2005 · reported 06/02/2005
THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 05V158000 · 2005 · reported 04/20/2005
IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 02V283000 · 2002 · reported 10/29/2002
IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN SEVERE WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD 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 03V231000 · 2003 · reported 06/23/2003
FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO 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.
“CAR IGNITION DOES NOT WANT TO TURN TO "OFF" WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND IN PARK, REFUSES TO RELEASE KEY UNTIL WE PRY IT…”NHTSA complaint 10521799 — filed 06/25/2013 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L-SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START AND SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE…”NHTSA complaint 10409190 — filed 06/28/2011 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“WHEN DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL GAUGES TURN OFF AND COME BACK ON BUT NOW THE GAUGES DON'T WORK THE HEAD LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN…”NHTSA complaint 10327339 — filed 04/25/2010 · 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 35 of 138 NHTSA complaints (25.4%), followed by exterior lighting (11), engine and engine cooling (9), engine (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
138 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 7 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 05V245000. 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.
