Owners filed 230 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 7 times.
When it fails
07500075,000 milesMedian miles at failure
170 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000–105,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Electrical System
38
1
3
1
Engine
31
1
15
3
Exterior Lighting
15
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
12
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
9
0
0
0
Air Bags
9
4
0
6
Steering
7
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
7
0
0
0
Air Bags › Frontal
7
3
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
5
0
0
0
7 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe15V701000
Filed Oct 26, 20151,003,556 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc
Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Risk. Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy. The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Defect. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Defect. GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.
Risk. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Steering09E005000
Filed Feb 17, 2009979 vehiclesDorman Products, Inc.
Defect. DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Risk. A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
Steering08E063000
Filed Oct 17, 20083,855 vehiclesDorman Products, Inc.
Defect. DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Risk. IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices07E021000
Filed Mar 12, 2007742 vehiclesDelphi
Defect. CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy. DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Air Bags › Frontal02V222000
Filed Aug 9, 2002133,221 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Risk. PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 7, 2024TX
My car has the engine 3.1 L automatic. On January 4, I was going to go run errands so I went out to my car and cranked it to start the engine but instead, I heard a loud explosion, causing the front tires of the car to go up in the air and then land back on the ground. Smoke started coming out from the hood and a fire almost got started. I was scared to half to death causing me to almost have a heart attack. Morning inspection, I found that the intake manifold had exploded on the car and pieces of it were all over the engine. I feel that the pressure regulator may have been the culprit, but the plastic upper intake just literally blew up. Nobody was injured neighbors came out to see what the explosion had been, the window on my windshield cracked and major damage has been done to the Plenum. I have pictures but I’ve been unable to upload them but they are available. If you need them I went to Mission Chevrolet where I purchased the car but was referred to contact you in general. no recalls sent over this issue, but have I been driving when the explosion occurred it may have caused fatalities to myself, and perhaps other drivers on the freeway.
Electrical System
Filed Apr 13, 2021180,000 milesMO
MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL RESET WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE GUAGES WILL SWEEP AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR WILL DING AS IF IT WAS JUST STARTED HOWEVER THE CAR NEVER STALLS AND THE RADIO STAYS ON ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE.
Fuel System, DieselFire
Filed Apr 12, 202196,000 milesWV
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT APPLE VALLEY CHEVROLET (650 FOXCROFT AVE, MARTINSBURG, WV 25401) FOR A FUEL CONTROL SENSOR REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER IT WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALER THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS TRYING TO START IT UP. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH A HOSE. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
EngineFire
Filed Mar 22, 2020126,000 milesOH
STARTED CAR AND HEARD A LOUD BOOM AND THEN SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND INTAKE COVER AND HARNESS ON FIRE
Electrical System
Filed Nov 5, 2019240,000 milesIL
WAS GOING ABOUT 55-60 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY RPMS STARTED TO DROP AND I LET OFF GAS AND IT JUST DIED. IT CRANKS AND TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT FIRE
Engine
Filed May 11, 2019165,000 milesOH
THE CAR'S FUEL GAGE STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN OVER WHEN I STARTED IT SO I GOT A NEW BATTERY SINCE IT SAID MY OLD ONE WAS BAD, BUT IT'S STILL NOT WORKING. THE SECURITY LIGHT IS ON AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY AND IF THIS IS AFFECTING IT FROM TURNING ON
Service Brakes
Filed Mar 11, 2019PA
THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES IT IS SITTING OUTSIDE BUT ON BLACKTOP IN OUR DRIVE WAY. WE WENT TO USE IT AND THE DASH LIT LIKE MAD CHECKED BRAKE FLUID IT WAS LOW DROVE IT AND ALMOST DID,NT MAKE IT HOME WITH BRAKES.
Air Bags
Filed Aug 16, 2018KY
ABS LIGHT TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT ARE CONSTANTLY ON..,SINCE IVE OWNED IT
Service Brakes
Filed Nov 19, 201760,000 milesIN
ABOUT OCTOBER 10TH, 2017 I WAS COMING UP ON A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN. I WAS GOING ABOUT 45 MPH BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WAS ABLE TO BLAST THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND MISS EVERYONE, EVERYTHING!. RATTLED I GUESS I SHUT THE CAR OFF WHEN I REGAINED MY COMPOSER I STARTED THE CAR AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I DID NOT WANT TO BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED! I THOUGHT I DID SOMETHING WRONG MAYBE HAD MY FOOT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL OR SOMETHING. HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR SINCE 2 WEEKS AGO WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT, WOULD NOT START. HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME, TRIED TO START IT AND STARTED RIGHT UP. NOW SERVICE TRACK LIGHT IS ON AND ANTI LOCK BRAKES IS ON AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON SOMETIME AND THE CRUISE LIGHT IS ON. YESTERDAY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SAME THING NO BRAKES, YOU COULD NOT PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN IT IS AS IF THERE IS SOMETHING UNDER THE PEDAL IT'S THAT SOLID. MY CONCERN FOR MY OWN SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHER MONTE CARLO OWNERS IS MOST IMPORTANT. IF EITHER TIME WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A EXPRESSWAY WHERE WE COULD NOT TURN TO A SHOULDER THIS WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC . CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, ALSO HARBOR CHEVY IN MICHIGAN CITY, IN AND GATES CHEVY IN SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ALL SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. GOT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SIMILAR POSTS IN CAR COMPLAINTS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM, SEEMS ODD GM DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. FOR EVERY ONES OWN SAFETY THIS SHOULD BE A REDUNDANT SYSTEM IN OLDER CAR
Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 5, 2017MS
RECALL NO.14V400
Fuel/Propulsion SystemFire
Filed Jun 27, 201732,000 milesKS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED FLAMES UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE OCCURRED DUE TO A FUEL LEAK. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WERE NO LEAKS PRESENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FIRE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FUELED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A CASE MANAGER WOULD BE ASSIGNED TO THE CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.
Electrical System
Filed Jun 25, 2017121,000 milesMI
PASSLOCK SYSTEM; CAR WILL RANDOMLY (TEMPERATURE BASED?) REFUSE TO START DUE TO POORLY CONSTRUCTED PASSLOCK SENSOR. I KEEP MY DASH APART SO I CAN POKE AT THE CONTACTS (CORRODED? CHEAP TIN PLATING) TO HOTWIRE MY CAR WHEN IT LOCKS OUT. TOOK 20 MINUTES TO GO SEE IF MY WIFE WAS OK AT THE ER, THANKS CHEVY!
Engine
Filed Jun 8, 2017FL
2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR ENGINE REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE FAILED WHEN OIL GOT ONTO THE ENGINE AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL UNTIL AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *JS
EngineFire
Filed May 22, 2017170,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Unknown or Other
Filed May 16, 2017GA
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO HAVE SERVICE DONE ON A RECALL INVOLVING POTENTIAL UNDER HOOD FIRE TO REPLACE VALVE COVERS. THE OIL WAS/IS LEAKING ONTO THE MANIFOLD AND CAUSING THE CAR TO SMOKE. I BARELY DRIVE THIS CAR AND IT IS STILL LEAKING OIL ONTO THE MANIFOLD AND SMOKING. NOW THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX WHAT THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED.
Electrical System
Filed Apr 25, 2017VA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN THE VEHICLE, WHICH PREVENTED THE WINDOWS FROM GOING UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical System
Filed Dec 23, 2016140,000 milesWI
HAD ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL IN 2015 IN WHICH GAS GAUGE AND OTHER GAUGES, SPEEDOMETER WERE "BOUNCING". AUTO REPAIR DETERMINED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED IT TO THE TUNE OF $600. THIS YEAR, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN CAR SUDDENLY LOOSES ALL POWER AND TURNS OFF. BROUGHT BACK TO SAME REPAIR SHOP WHO STATED BATTERY CABLES WERE LOOSE AND TIGHTENED THEM FREE OF CHARGE. NOW 4-5 MONTHS LATER AND SAME ISSUE IS OCCURRING WHICH HAPPENED 4 TIMES TODAY. TWICE WHILE MAKING A HARD TURN. TERMINALS ARE COMPLETELY TIGHT. EARLIER THIS YEAR COULD NOT TURN IGNITION KEY AND TAPPED IT WITH A HAMMER TO GET IT TO TURN. I HAVE BEEN READING QUITE A BIT ABOUT AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, BUT NO MENTION OF IT BY THE DEALER FOR TWO RECALL FIXES THIS YEAR REGARDING THE IGNITION KEY AND FOB, AND SOME COVER ON THE ENGINE. *TR
Engine
Filed Nov 15, 201621,571 milesNC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE BACK COVER GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,571.
Electrical System
Filed Aug 15, 2016170,000 milesMI
ISSUES WITH THE BCM AND PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THE CAR WHILE ON AND DRIVING WILL DISPLAY SECURITY ALONGSIDE THE BATT GAUGE QUITS WORKING. IF SHUT OFF CAR WILL NOT START, AND LIGHT STAY ON. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATT FOR SOME TIME. WITH THE THE AUTO LIGHTS SOMETIMES COME ON DURING MID DAY WITH THE SUN SHINING. THIS IS BECOMING A HASSLE. I'D RATHER PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR THAN GO THREW DEALERSHIP HOOPS.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 6, 201657,000 milesIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE CAUSED BY THE EMITTING OIL FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. .....UPDATED 08/11/16 *BF
A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.
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: Oct 26, 2015. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.