1994 Chevrolet Corsica

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 123 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the brakes. It has been recalled 1 time.

Avoid One of the Chevrolet Corsica years to avoid: an unusual share of fires, crashes and deaths for a car of its age. Which Chevrolet Corsica years to avoid →

Most common 1994 Chevrolet Corsica problems

29 of the 123 complaints (24%) are about the brakes.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes19
112
Seats6
101
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags6
401
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar5
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components · brakes5
010
Unknown or Other4
000
Exterior Lighting › Headlights › High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch · headlights4
000
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor · brakes3
000
Seat Belts3
202

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front93V157000
Filed Sep 24, 199339 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE SUSPENSION SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES DO NOT MEET GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION'S SPECIFICATION FOR WELD INTEGRITY AND THE AFFECTED WELD CAN FAIL CAUSING THE FRONT OF THE CONTROL ARM TO SEPARATE FROM THE SUSPENSION SUPPORT ASSEMBLY.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE AFFECTED TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN MOVESUBSTANTIALLY FROM ITS DESIGNED POSITION AND STEERING CONTROL CAN BE SEVERELYIMPAIRED WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. INSTALL REVISED SUSPENSION SUPPORTS WITH ADEQUATE WELD INTEGRITY.

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed May 4, 201756,000 milesMO

SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING.

Seat BeltsCrash2 injured
Filed Oct 24, 2008168,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET CORSICA. INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD DETACH. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, THE SPOUSE WAS IN A ONE CAR CRASH AND SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES. HIS SON SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES WHILE ACCELERATING OR DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

Suspension › Front › Stabilizer Bar
Filed Jun 22, 200669,900 milesMN

THE 2 BOLTS HOLDING THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR IN PLACE BROKE APART DUE TO RUST. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE BUT I WASN'T GOING THAT FAST SO I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. *NM

Seat Belts › Front
Filed Oct 6, 2005100,000 milesNY

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED SHOULDER AND LAP BELTS ARE CONNECTED TO THE DOOR, NOT TO THE FLOOR. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF HER CAR WITH THE SEAT BELT ON. THE CONSUMER DOES NOT FEEL SHE SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT WITH THE SEAT BELT ON. SHE FEELS THIS IS A DEFECT IN DESIGN ONLY.*AK *JB

Structure
Filed Jul 27, 2004AR

PAINT PEALING FROM THE HOOD AND TOP OF CAR. 1994 CHEVROLET CORSICA 4 DOOR. *AK

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Jun 20, 200473,000 milesNY

ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO I PURCHASED 4 GOODYEAR REGETTA TIRES.SO FAR I HAD TO REPLACE 2 OF THEM DUE TO CRACKING ON THE SIDEWALL.SHORTLY I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE OTHER 2.I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ANY OTHER TIRES I HAVE EVER OWNED.THIS IS VERY UNUSAL THAT THIS SHOULD HAPPED TO TIRES.BUT,I HAD PEOPLE TELL ME ITS COMMEN WITH THE REGETTA BRAND. *AK

Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered Axle AssemblyCrash10 injured2 killed
Filed Apr 29, 2004127,490 milesWI

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT COLLIDED WITH TWO OTHER VEHICLES. TEN PEOPLE WERE INJURED, AND TWO PEOPLE DIED IN THIS COLLISION. ENGINEERS FOUND A STRUCTURAL FAILURE IN THE REAR AXLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTROL ARM TO SEPARATE. CONSUMER WAS INCARCERATED DUE TO THE FATALITIES. *AK

Structure
Filed Jan 14, 2004TX

THE PAINT ON MY 94 CORSICA IS COMING OFF IN SHEETS. POSSIBLY DUE TO FAULTY PRIMER.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jan 10, 2004100,000 milesIA

THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON MY 1994 CHEVY CORSICA IS LEAKING. I HAD THE CAR TO THE SHOP LAST WEEK AND HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE GM 3.1L ENGINES. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH I CAUGHT MINE BEFORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS OCCURED, IT IS STILL A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO WEREN'T AS FORTUNATE AS ME, AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR ENGINES. EVEN THE OWNER OF THE LOCAL SMALL TOWN REPAIR SHOP HERE SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND UPWARDS OF $500 TO GET THIS FIXED, THAT MAY NOT BE MUCH FOR A GOVERNMENT AGENCY SUCH AS YOURSELVES, BUT IT IS FOR MY FAMILY. MY HOPE IS THAT YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION FROM WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU, AND THE HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AND MAKE GM DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. IT IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM, AND A VERY COMMON ONE TO SAY THE LEAST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ERIC GENGLER. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm
Filed Oct 21, 2003IA

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH DRIVER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER STOPPED VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END. THE WELD BROKE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, SEPARATING THE FRONT CONTROL ARM FROM THE SUSPENSION. THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT PER MANUFACTURER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash3 injured
Filed Oct 13, 2003147,000 milesIA

SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION OF MY DAUGHTER'S 1994 CHEVROLET CORSICA RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF CORSICA, DAMAGE AND INJURY TO MY DAUGHTER AND (2) DRIVERS OF OTHER VEHICLES STRUCK BY THE CORSICA. *LA

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Aug 27, 2003CA

FRONT PASSANGER SEATBELT SPRING BROKE FRONT DRIVER SEATBELT SOMTIMES COMES UNDONE. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed May 3, 2003MN

LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. *BF THE CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING WHEATHER OR NOT HIS VEHICLE WAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THE RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE DID NOT PERTAIN TO THE PROBLEM CONSUMER WAS HAVING WITH HIS VEHICLE. *TC

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Apr 14, 2003DC

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 7, 2003NJ

OIL PAN LEAKED OIL, ROOF BRACE INSIDE BENT, AND THE SEAL OUTSIDE COWL BELOW FRONT WINDSHIELD LEAKED WATER FROM OUTSIDE. *AK *JB

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Dec 9, 2002NY

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS BROKE, THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING OIL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. AS WE SPOKE JUST ONE RECALL NHTSA#6818-93-V-157-3000 SEP-16-1993 THE SUSPENSION SUPORT ASSEMBLIES. THE AFECTED TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN MOVE SUSTANTIALLY FROM ITS DESIGNED POSITION AND STEERING CONTROL CAN BE SEVERELY IMPARED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Aug 6, 2002OR

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY LET GO, AND VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Apr 4, 2002MO

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AREA, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND THE BLINKER SWITCH WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTINOUS SMOKE WAS POSSIBILY DUE TO FRESH OIL ON NEW WIRES.*JB

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodCrashFire1 killed
Filed Mar 5, 2002IL

HAD STARTED TO TURN A CORNER, AND WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND BURST INTO FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. POSSIBLE INDICATION WAS FIRE IN STEERING. DRIVER DIED. POLICE REPORT.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Feb 18, 2002AR

I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD THIS CAR FOR A WEEK AND THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE AND I AM STRANDED WAY IN MILWAUKEE AND THE CAR IS STRANDED IN MT. VERNON, IL AT A CAR PLACE CALLED "THE CAR DOCTOR".*AK

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 18, 2001MI

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. PROBLEM WAS DUE TO FIREWALL AROUND STEERING GEAR BOX RUSTING. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *TT

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Aug 16, 2001IL

TURN SIGNALS ACTIVATED, SMOKE CAME FROM STEERING COLUMN. TURN SIGNAL ERRATIC, NOT SHUTTING OFF. THEN ON NEXT SLIGHT TURN OF WHEEL, TURN SIGNALS ACTIVATED THEMSELVES IN DIRECTION OF TURN. ODOR OF BURNING FROM STEERING COLUMN.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Apr 13, 2001MN

BALL JOINTS WORN OUT AND BECAME LOOSE, CAUSING POOR STEERING CONTROL AND MAKING WHEELS WOBBLE. REPLACED BALL JOINTS. *AK THE BALL JOINTS WERE SEALED AT FACTORY, CAUSING THEM TO NOT BE LUBRICATED AND CAUSING THEM TO FAIL. *YH *TC

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 13, 2001IL

WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK CAN TURN ON IGNITION SWITCH AND VEHICLE WILL JUMP FOWARD. PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN EVERY OTHER DAY.*AK *SLC

Electrical System
Filed Mar 7, 2001WY

SMOKE WAS COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING, BATTERY WILL NOT KEEP CHARGE. DEALER FOUND ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Feb 9, 2001CT

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH CONSUMER HIT A TREE HEAD-ON, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Feb 2, 2001MN

BRAKES BEGAN MAKING NOISES, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER THAT MADE A BRAKE ADJUSTMENT, BRAKES CONTINUED TO MAKE NOISE, 11000 MILES LATER, BOTH ROTORS WERE WORN AND REPLACED. *SLC

Suspension › Front
Filed Dec 28, 2000PA

WHEN VEHICLE IS MAKING A TURN TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT THERE IS A POPPING SOUND AS IF THE SUSPENSION IS LOOSE. WHEELS & BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND THEY ARE ALRIGHT. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipFire
Filed Dec 1, 2000OK

WHEN PUSH ON BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR AND THEN COMES BACK UP HAVE HAD TO FIVE MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT PROBLEM!PLEASE HELP!! ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER HOOD WHICH CAUGHT THE CHIME BOX ON FIRE AND BURNED MAY WIRES. HAS BEEN FIXED SINCE. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
Filed Oct 8, 2000TN

UNABLE TO USE DIMMER SWITCH WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPLACED THE SWITCH ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt1 injured
Filed Sep 14, 2000FL

FRONT RIGHT FIRESTONE TIRE TREAD CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMERS TIRES ARE NOT APART OF THE VOLUNTARY RECALL. NLM

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 13, 2000TN

THIS TYPE OF MAJOR EXPENSIVE FAILURE SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING WITH A VEHICLE WITH LOW MILEAGE. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET (GM REQUEST # G01479570). THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I AM NOT UNHAPPY WITH QUALITY OF THIS AUTOMOBILE, BUT NOT HAPPY WITH THE SERVICE AND RESPONSE FROM CHEVROLET FOR NOT WILLING TO HELP. IS THIS HAPPENING WITH OTHER VEHICLES MAKE AND TYPE.**** DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****731233. *AK *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 6, 2000KY

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK THE OWNER BELIEVES THE OLD MASTER CYLINDER IS A POSSIBLE CAUSE FOR BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR. *YH

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Jun 22, 2000VT

RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING (REAR) CAME OUT OF THE CONTROL ARM CAUSING EXCESSIVE SHAKING AND PULLING OF THE STEERING WHEEL ALONG WITH A BANGING NOISE IS HEARD WHILE DRIVING AND BREAKING.*AK

SeatsCrash1 injured
Filed May 5, 2000MT

UPON FRONTAL IMPACT, RIGHT REAR OF DRIVER'S SEAT CAME OUT OF TRACK. THIS ALLOWED THE SEAT TO SHIFT FORWARD. THIS FORWARD SHIFT OF THE SEAT ALLOWED THE KNEES TO MOVE FORWARD AND IMPACT BOTTOM OF LOWER DASH PANEL, BREAKING IT. GM HAS BEEN CONTACTED BUT DOES NOT SEEM INTERESTED IN PURSUING ANY INVESTIGATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IN THE SEAT COMPONENT. GM FILE NUMBER FOR THIS INCIDENT IS 000175282. CONTACT PERSON IS AMY DRURY, CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGER, PRODUCT ALLEGATION RESOLUTIONS TEAM, GENERAL MOTORS, PONTIAC, MI. 1-800-231-1841 EXT. 58242. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 25, 2000TX

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 28, 1999OK

PAINT PEELING FROM THE HOOD AND TOP OF THE CAR, MUCH LIKE THAT OF THE 88 AND 89 PICKUPS THAT WERE RECALLED FOR THE PAINT PEELING A FEW YEARS AGO. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Nov 7, 1999ME

TURN SIGNAL WAS REPLACED ABOUGHT A YEAR AGO DONT KNOW IF IT IS THE SAME PART

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch
Filed Oct 25, 1999MN

HIGH BEAM FAILED TO TURN ON 10/11, INCREASED PRESSURE/EFFORT TO LIFT TURN SIGNAL LEVER UP AND DOWN. TURN SIGNALS, LOW BEAMS AND CRUISE CONTROL STILL FUNCTIONAL UNTIL 10/13 WHEN TURN SIGNAL LEVEL BROKE OFF IN MY HAND WHILE FLIPPING LEVER DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. LEVER BROKE ABOUT 1.5" FROM POINT WHERE BASE OF LEVER INSERTS INTO WHEEL COLUMN. NO PROBLEMS WERE EXPERIENCED PREVIOUSLY WITH THE LEVER, HIGH/LOW BEAMS OR CRUISE CONTROL.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Oct 4, 1999CT

SERVICE BULLETINS ON IGNITION/SIGNAL SWITCH MALFUNCTION - SEVERAL ON FILE. REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. ALSO DISC BREAKS CONTINUOUSLY NEED REPLACING AROUND 12,000 MILES. MANUFACTURER DISC AND ROTORS. NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 21, 1999CT

FUEL GAUGE CONTINUOUSLY SURGES TO PAST FULL MARK AND COMES BACK TO NORMAL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SEEMS TO OCCUR WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THEN RETURNS TO NORMAL WHEN GAS IS GIVEN AGAIN.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 15, 1999MI

SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 7, 1999UT

WHILE DRIIVING AT ANY SPEED THE ABS LIGHT IS ON, AND THE ABS BRAKES ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP SEVEN TIMES, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Aug 25, 1999NH

THERE IS A HOLE WITHIN THE GAS TANK, CAUSING FUMES WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS RESULTING IN DISCOMFORT. *AK *YC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Aug 20, 1999OH

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR CHANGED, AND THE TENSIONER , WHICH WAS RUSTED , FELL OFF. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
Filed Jul 26, 1999KY

BEAM DIMMER SWITCH ISN'T WORKING. CONSUMER ISN'T A NIGHT TIME DRIVER. DEALER CAN'T DETEMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 22, 1999GA

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES DURING NORMAL STOPPING ON DRY PAVEMENT, THERE IS A NOISE LIKE THE SYSTEM IS RESETTING AND PEDAL TRAVELS TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. CONSUMER STILL EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEM BUT IS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. *AK *ML

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 22, 1999KY

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Jun 25, 1999NC

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN RESULTING IN BURNING/SMOKE. MJS

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Jun 9, 1999OH

WHENEVER DRIVING THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. *AK

Complaints 1-50 of 123, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1992
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
19971000Routine
1996110100Routine
1995102030Routine
1994 — this page123183Fatalities reported
1993100080Routine
1992125172Fatalities reported
1991108150Routine
199055240Routine

Compare every Corsica year →

Reading this record

3 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 24, 1993. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.