Owners filed 324 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel system, gasoline › fuel injection system. It has been recalled 4 times.
When it fails
125000125,000 milesMedian miles at failure
29 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000–150,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
37
0
2
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
28
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
12
1
1
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
10
2
0
4
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
10
0
0
0
Structure
9
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
9
0
1
0
Steering › Rack and Pinion
8
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
8
0
2
0
Fuel System, Gasoline
8
0
1
0
4 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift04V021000
Filed Jan 13, 20042,315,768 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation
Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Risk. EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm99V215000
Filed Aug 9, 1999402,830 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BRACKETS CAN CRACK DUE TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE CRADLE.
Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE TRANSMISSION HALF-SHAFT COULD PULL OUT OF THE TRANSAXLE AND RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE ENGINE CRADLE AT THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO IT.
Filed Aug 6, 1998722,600 vehiclesChrysler Corporation
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM CAN LEAK FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE THERMOSET FUEL INJECTION RAIL.
Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL REPLACED WHICH INCLUDES CHANGING THE UPPER AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS OR FROM A CRACKED FUEL LINE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Electrical System › Wiring94V024000
Filed Feb 8, 1994110,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation
Defect. THE RIGHT STEERING TIE ROD CAN RUB THROUGH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH RESULTS IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING AND AN INOPERATIVE PARK/STARTER INTERLOCK SYSTEM.
Risk. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION CAUSING STALLING WHILE IN MOTION OR AN INOPERATIVE PARK/STARTER INTERLOCK SYSTEM, WHICH ALLOWS ENGINE START WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION, MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy. INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS BRACKET AND A PLASTIC CONVOLUTED SLEEVE TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Feb 27, 2017NY
TAKATA RECALL; MY TRANSMISSION GOES IN "LIMP MODE" OFTEN AND I SMELL ELECTRIC WIRING BURNING IN SIDE MY VEHICLE, UNDER DASH OR UNDER HOOD SOME WERE?! THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREETS.
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Oct 18, 2016123,300 milesOH
RECALL 883 DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIX INBOARD PIVOT BRACKET. SAID ANOTHER PART COULD NOT BE FOUND OR WELDED. CHANGED BRACKET MYSELF. DEALERSHIP HAD CAR 16 DAYS AND WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. NOW AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK AFTER RECEIVING CAR. THERE WAS NO OTHER PART NEEDED. *TR
EngineFire
Filed Oct 3, 2016105,000 milesNY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHRYSLER LHS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Air Bags
Filed May 24, 2014752 milesVA
MY FATHER NOTICED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIFTING, AND WARPING SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL NEW, YET CHRYSLER REFUSED SAYING THAT IT WAS NORMAL DUE TO THE MATERIAL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG FOR THE 1994 LHS AND NUMEROUS TECHNICAL BULLETINS. EVEN THOUGH IT IS 20 YEARS OLD, THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE AIRBAG CONDITION HAS WORSENED TREMENDOUSLY, AND POSES A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 13K MILES, HAS BEEN GARAGED, AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THERE IS NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE. THIS POSES AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, AND RESULT IN DEATH. CHRYSLER SAID THAT THEIR SEATBELTS AND AIRBAGS HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY, YET THEY REFUSE TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. PLEASE ASSIST. *TR
Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 19, 2012175,000 milesIN
DRIVING ALL OF SUDDEN CAR LUNGED AND ALL LIGHTS AND MOTOR AND FORWARD MOTION STOPPED, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN JERKED AND STARTED RUNNING NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES IN LAST YEAR. LOCAL DEALER CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM. SO WE CONTINUE TO HOPE AND PRAY IT DOESN'T RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. NOW WHEN YOU START THE ENGINE, ONE TIME ALL GAUGES WORK AND THE NEXT TIME NONE WORK. DEALER STILL HASN'T LOCATED PROBLEM. DEFINITELY ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS. GLAD WERE OLDER, RARELY DRIVE AT NIGHT. *JS
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel PumpFire
Filed Jan 11, 2011145,000 milesWA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHRYSLER LHS. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS OF PARKING HIS VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, THEN HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. HE AND THE PASSENGER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND RAN AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE FLAMES WERE AT LEAST 30 FEET IN THE AIR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED WITHIN 5 MINUTES AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITHIN 15 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND HE WAS NOT SURE IF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ALSO FILED A REPORT. THE CONTACT HAD SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR JANUARY 3, 2011 BECAUSE HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. HE REFERENCED RECALL 98V184000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. HIS PARENTS WERE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NEVER PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 145,000. UPDATED 8/6/12 *CN UPDATED 08/15/2012 *JS
Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed Jan 9, 2011145,000 milesWA
I OWN A 1994 CHRYSLER LHS. ON JAN 2, 2011, I PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. THE CAR HAD BEEN MAKING A STRANGE SOUND (LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR) FOR APPROX 2 MONTHS. I HAD SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY MECHANIC FOR JAN 4,2011. WHAT I THOUGHT WAS STEAM START RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, BUT THEN I SAW BRIGHT RED, YELLOW AND ORANGE FLAMES ALONG THE HOODS EDGE. MY PASSENGER AND I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN RUNNING. WITHIN 15 SECONDS FLAMES SHOT 30 FEET IN THE AIR. I CALLED 911 AND FIRE AND POLICE RESPONDED. THE FIRE DEPT WAS THERE WITHIN MINUTES AND THE FIRE HAD ONLY BURNED APPROX 15 MINUTES. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. JUST THE ENGINE BLOCK SAT ON THE TAR STREET. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID FOR THE FIRE TO HAVE BURNED SO HOT, SO FAST, IT MUST HAVE BEEN LEAKING FUEL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS OR EVEN A YEAR. HE ALSO TOLD ME ABOUT THE FUEL INJECTOR RECALL, THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND I ONLY CARRIED LIABILITY INSURANCE. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE. *TR
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Jun 3, 2010OH
1994 CHRYSLER LHS, HOOD CAME UNLATCHED AND STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. *BF OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0165-91 *JB
Electrical System › WiringCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 11, 2008NY
I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JUNE 06, CAR WAS OK, BARELY DROVE IT, WHEN THE SUMMER ARRIVED MORE DRIVING. CAR STARED TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, NUMEROUS TIME, CALLED TOW TRUCK, MECHANIC. MECHANIC SAYS CAR FUSE BLOWING, MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUE. COULD NOT FIND PART TO REPLACE WIRING CHASSIS AND HARNESS. SO I KEPT DRIVING THE CAR, SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING LEFT CAR DIES OUT, MIGHT RESTART BUT MIGHT NOT. PARKED THE CAR FOR A WHILE TO SELL, CANT GET A BUYER 4 AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. DROVE AGAIN, SAME TROUBLE ALMOST ALWAYS WHEN TURNING LEFT, ENGINE CONTROL FUSE 20AMPS, BLOWS OUT, REPLACE MAY RESTART MAY NOT. HAD AN ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST LOOK HE SAYS THIS WAS A RECALL, I CHECKED LOOKS LIKE MY CAR NOT IN THE VIN# SEQUENCE, CHRYSLER SAYS NO WAY WON'T HELP. *TR
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 24, 200751,000 milesNY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHRYSLER LHS. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED WHEN APPROACHING A HILL. THE CONTACT SWERVED AND ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SHE STATED THAT SHE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WILL SUBMIT HER CASE NUMBER WITH THE HARD COPY OF THE IVOQ. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 51,000. *AK
Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 25, 2006132,063 milesOH
1994 CHRYSLER LHS ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING CONSUMER TO STRIKE TWO VEHICLES AND A TELEPHONE POLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 25, 2006132,000 milesOH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND STRUCK TWO OTHER VEHICLES BEFORE STRIKING A TELEPHONE POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A CHRYSLER INSPECTOR TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 20, 2006147,000 milesMI
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK, THE ENGINE AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE REMAINED FOR A MONTH. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE COMPUTER MODULE (OR CHIP) AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COUPLED WITH A FUEL INJECTION CLEANSE. TWO MILES LATER AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER THE VEHICLE PRESENTED THE SAME PROBLEM AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER.
Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Mar 17, 2006CA
WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPS WORKING (NO POWER) DURING RAINSTORM. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TO CHANGE LANES TO THE SHOULDER IN THE RAIN WITHOUT WIPERS. SLAMMING HOOD STARTS WIPERS AGAIN. ALL GAUGES (SPEED, TACK, GAS ETC) EITHER GO FULL ON/OFF OR STOP AT 1/2 ACTUAL SPEED/ RPM WITHOUT ANY APPARENT REASON. AT THE SAME TIME, THE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. POUNDING ON DASH SOMETIMES RETURNS THE GAUGES. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RE-STARTING CORRECT THE GAUGES/LIGHTS BUT NOT THE WIPERS. CAR IS AT DEALERS FOR REPAIR AND THEY CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM(S).*JB
APROX. 2 MONTHS AGO I TOOK MY 1994 CHRYSLER LHS TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT WERE ON. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE " BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL SENSOR" , ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER. I WAS ADVISED THE PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM CHRYSLER. IT WAS DISCONTINUED, AFTER 1995, BUT IT WAS 2005, SO THE 10 YEAR RULE ON PARTS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IMPOSED YET.*JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter
Filed Jan 2, 2006124,500 milesMD
IN JULY 2004, I PURCHASED A USED '94 CHRYSLER LHS W/95,000 MILES IN VERY GOOD CONDITION (EXTERIOR/INTERIOR) BUT WITHIN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS I EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (ELECTRIC CURRENT NOT GOING TO GAUGES, GAUGES GOING HAYWIRE), TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS (PERIODIC 'LIMP MODE', CAR ERRATICALLY SURGING) AND STEERING PROBLEMS (RACK 7 PINION, INNER/OUTER TIE RODS). WITHIN A FEW MONTHS I REPLACED THE INNER/OUTER TIE RODS AND FRONT/REAR STABILIZER LINKS THAT ALL IMPROVED MY FRONT SUSPENSION. JUST RECENTLY ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I HAD MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER REPLACE ONE BROKEN TRANSMISSION MOUNT ($305) THEN THE FOLLOWING WEEK AT 124,500 MILES WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON MY LOCAL HIGHWAY MY TRANSMISSION FAILED, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF DRIVE GEARS, I WAS ABLE TO EXIT SAFELY ONTO MY JOBS PARKING LOT BEFORE IT FINALLY GAVE OUT. I HAD IT TOWED TO AN EXCLUSIVE AUTO TRANSMISSION SHOP, THEY HAD TO REBUILD/OVERHAUL THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER ($1,800). A WHOPPING $2,100 IN REPAIRS IN ABOUT A MONTH. THERE WENT MY CHRISTMAS MONEY. *JB
Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Oct 17, 2005120,000 milesGA
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHRYSLER LHS. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE SKIDDED, AND WHEN SHE TURNED THE WHEEL, IT WOULD NOT TURN. A MECHANIC PULLED UP BEHIND AND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT IT COULD BE RACK AND PINION STEERING. IF ANY VEHICLES HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A COLLISION.*AK
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Jul 22, 2005NC
1994 CHRYSLER LHS DEVELOPED A HAIR CRACK IN THE FUEL INJECTOR RAIL.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT THE RECALL, HE WAS TOLD THE RECALL WAS ONLY FOR THE O-RINGS, DESPITE WHAT THE INTERNET STATED AND THE O-RINGS ON THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPLACED IN THE PAST, SO THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CURRENT PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE THEY HONORED THE RECALL. IN DEC 2004 WHILE DRIVING, THE FUEL PRESSURE HOSE BURST, THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE FIRST DEALER AND AGAIN INQUIRED ABOUT THE RECALL, ONCE AGAIN THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED THE RECALL REPAIR. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHICH IS ALWAYS TURNED TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT OR SOMETIME STRAIGHT. THE RACK BUSHING WERE REPLACED 3 ALIGNMENTS WERE PERFORMED. THE PROBLEM WAS THE ENTIRE FRAME UNDER THE HOOD MOVED WHEN THE WHEELS WERE TURNED. (RECALL 98V184000)*JB
Electrical System
Filed Jul 11, 2005CA
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CAR IS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING, THE DOOR LOCKS BY ITSELF. THE TRUNK IS ALSO OPENING BY ITSELF. THE OWNER HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT YET. SHE HAS CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK ON RECALLS AND THERE WERE NOT ANY ON HER CAR, ACCORDING TO HER DEALERSHIP. THE OWNER BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM A FRIEND AND SHE IS ALSO THE THIRD OWNER. THE PREVIOUS OWNER PUT IN A NEW MOTOR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH THE TRUNK FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS AND THE LOCK FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THE OWNER IS LOCKING HER CAR DOORS AT NIGHT AND THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR IS UNLOCKED AND THE TRUNK WAS OPEN. SHE IS GOING TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED TODAY, BUT SHE DOESN'T WANT TO PAY $85.00 TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT AND CHECKED. THIS CAR IS A 1994 CHRYSLER LHS. THE OWNER SUGGESTS THAT THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE INFORMATION IS ALL THAT THE CONSUMER HAD AVAILABLE TO HER. THE OWNER HAS THE VEHICLE REGULARLY MAINTAINED. *NM
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column ShiftCrash
Filed Mar 29, 2005125,000 milesOH
PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE FLOOR SHIFT IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK RECALL 04V021000 NOTICE, THE DEFECT OCCURRED. THIS RESULTED IN VEHICLE ROLLING BACKWARDS, DOWN THE DRIVEWAY INTO A NEIGHBOR'S YARD, AND CRASHING INTO A TREE, BREAKING THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS.*AK
Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.
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: Jan 13, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.