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 — Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler (12.3% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler complaints here are 2.5× the median for that category across the 344 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler | 86 · 12.3% | Investigation closed | EA04010 · PE03052 |
| Air Bags:side/window | 63 · 9% | Investigation closed | PE04081 |
| Electrical System:ignition | 61 · 8.7% | Investigation closed | DP05004 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 56 · 8% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 51 · 7.3% | Investigation closed | DP05004 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 41 · 5.8% | Recalled | Recall 14E007000 |
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 702 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 14E007000 · 2014 · reported 03/07/2014
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially 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 07V063000 · 2007 · reported 02/20/2007
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V584000 · 2004 · reported 12/16/2004
THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07E023000 · 2007 · reported 03/29/2007
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06V183000 · 2006 · reported 05/24/2006
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 02V031000 · 2002 · reported 01/31/2002
THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V096000 · 2004 · reported 02/20/2004
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. 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.
“HELLO. MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE 2002 JETTA 1.8T. I PURCHASED MINE IN MAY 2002 FROM CURRAN VW IN STRATFORD, CT. WITH JUST 400 MILES…”NHTSA complaint 10008228 — filed 02/27/2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
“WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED MOMENTARILY AND THEN ACCELERATED. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY A 3-5 SECOND DELAY IN ACCELERATION. DEALER WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10008879 — filed 02/20/2003 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE WORK AND WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE THE CAR WOULD NOT BACK UP. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE…”NHTSA complaint 10005593 — filed 02/10/2003 · PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler issues are the most-reported category, cited in 86 of 702 NHTSA complaints (12.3%), followed by air bags:side/window (63), electrical system:ignition (61), power train:automatic transmission (56). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
702 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 31 involved a crash, 71 involved a fire, and 75 reported injuries. 10 deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14E007000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is 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.
