1999 Dodge Intrepid

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 997 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

654 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles; the median is 82,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine360
220
Engine and Engine Cooling166
010
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline75
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission46
210
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys30
100
Steering › Rack and Pinion27
000
Electrical System21
000
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls20
011
Vehicle Speed Control14
704
Air Bags › Frontal13
11013

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

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.

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner03V035000
Filed Feb 5, 20031,066,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.

Risk. IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. 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 DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor01V119000
Filed Apr 11, 2001161,682 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Risk. IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. 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 DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Seat Belts00V034000
Filed Feb 4, 2000204,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) TOP MOUNTING BOLT WAS INADEQUATELY MANUFACTURED.

Risk. THE AFFECTED MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT WITHSTAND SUFFICIENT FORCE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY IN CERTAIN IMPACT SITUATIONS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A BELTED OCCUPANT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MOUNTING BOLTS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Jul 1, 2018142,000 milesOH

THE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEAT WENT OUT IN CAR. WINDOWS POWER KEEP GETTING STUCK.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 21, 2018172,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED, REPAIRED, OR TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

Seats
Filed Apr 21, 2017166,000 milesWA

I BOUGHT THIS 1999 DODGE INTREPID FROM CLIFFS USED CARS SALES TWO MONTHS AGO. EVERYTHING SEEMED GOOD ONE MONTH OR LESS LATER DRIVER SEAT BREAKS GOES BACKWARDS. THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT. TRIED EVERY TYPE IF BULB ITS THE HOUSING UNITS. NOW FRONT EBR CLYNKS OVER EVERY BUMP AND MAJESA THUNP WHEN HARD TURBUBG LFT OR RT. STEERING IS OUT IF LINE. HAVE NO MEANS OF GETTING IT REPAIRED STILL PAYING IN IT. 166000 NILES AND OWE $1500.00. CAN ANYONE HELP ME? THIS SHOULD FALL UNDER THE RECALLS

Power Train
Filed Nov 2, 2016160,000 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED, THE GEAR SHIFTER MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION ON ITS OWN. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V021000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 29, 2016120,785 milesIA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS PUSHED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,785.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail PipeFire1 injured
Filed Jan 12, 2015AZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. AFTER PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A STOMACH INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Structure › Body › Trunk Lid1 injured
Filed Nov 20, 201495,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GETTING BAGS OUT OF THE TRUNK, THE TRUNK LIFT SUPPORT FAILED AND IMPACTED THE CONTACT'S HEAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BUMP ON THE HEAD BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 29, 201466,903 milesMD

SEVERELY CORRODED BRAKE LINES, LINES BLEW. NEAR MISS ACCIDENT. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ACROSS MFRS. HAD THE SAME INCIDENT 1 MONTH AGO ON 1997 GM PRODUCT. WELL MAINTAINED CARS WITH SEVERELY CORRODED FUEL AND BRAKE LINES. I BET IT CAN BE TRACED TO A CHEAP SUPPLIER THAT SUPPLIED THE BIG 3 FOR A PERIOD OF YEARS. NO CORROSION RESISTANCE ON THE STEEL. CAN'T BLAME THIS ON NE WINTER SALT. MY OEM 1964 LOOKS BETTER THAN MY LATE MODEL VEHICLES. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 24, 2014MO

DRIVING DOWN ROAD GOING APROX. 35 MPH. CAR DIED, HAD TO PULL OVER ON SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WOULDN'T START. WAITED ABOUT 5 MIN. THEN IT FINALLY STARTED UP. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 26, 2012163,900 milesMO

DRIVING 30 MPH AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30 PM AND THE CAR JUST DIED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC HAD TO PUSH TO A SIDE STREET AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART, AFTER RESEARCHING I HAVE FOUND THIS IS COMMON TO THIS MODEL AND SO FAR HAVE FOUND NO SOLUTIONS BUT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AS YOU LOOSE YOUR POWER STEERING AND BRAKES THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY DODGE AS OTHER REPORTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE REPORTS I HAVE READ THUS FAR HAVE FOUND NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIND AS YOU JUST GUESS AT WHICH PART TO CHANGE OR WHERE TO LOOK, WE NEED HELP. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 26, 2012163,900 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT THEN MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO SIT FOR A DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,000.

Engine
Filed Sep 5, 2012153,024 milesCA

PURCHASED VEHICLE 01/30/12,TEST DROVE,CHECKED FLUIDS,MADE SURE EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE. SELLER SAID HE JUST HAD OIL CHANGE AND SMOG 1 MONTH PRIOR, HE PROVIDED ME DOCUMENTS CONFIRMING. HAD NO ISSUES WITH VEHICLE, UNTIL ABOUT 03/20/12,THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH WAS ODD. I CHECKED THE OIL,FOUND IT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY, PUT 2 QUARTS IN IMMEDIATELY,LIGHT WENT OFF. I STARTED CHECKING DRIVEWAY DAILY FOR SIGNS OF OIL LEAKING EVEN THOUGH THE CAR DROVE FINE.03/28/12, CAR STALLED,WENT COMPLETELY DEAD, AS I EXITED FREEWAY, LEAVING MYSELF AND MY 3YR. OLD STUCK IN LANE ON OFF RAMP FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES.A PASSERBY ATTEMPTED TO JUMP IT,THAT DIDN'T WORK,CAR HAD NO POWER AT ALL,WE PUSHED IT TO A SAFER SPOT. I WALKED 2 BLOCKS HOME. CAME BACK NEXT DAY,JUMPED IT,IT STARTED BUT NOW THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT WAS BACK ON. I CHECKED THE OIL IT READ FULL,I DROVE CAR HOME IT STALLED 3 TIMES IN THE 2 BLOCKS HOME. KNOCKING SOUND CONTINUED I PARKED THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC THE OIL LIGHT WAS STILL ON THE ENGINE WAS STILL KNOCKING. HE CHECKED OIL AGAIN AND CONFIRMED THE CAR DID HAVE OIL,AND DETECTED NO SIGNS OF LEAKING. HE RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON ENGINE, IT DETECTED NO ISSUES,HE RAN IT AGAIN,AND THE RESULTS WHERE THE SAME. HE DROVE THE CAR,ME IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT SO HE COULD GET A HEAR THE KNOCKING SOUND WHEN CAR WAS MOVING.BACKED OUT OF LOT DRIVING ABOUT 10 TO 12 MPH, WE GOT MAYBE HALF A BLOCK AND THE CAR WENT DEAD. HE WAS ABLE TO GUIDE CAR TO

EngineFire
Filed Jul 5, 2012172,533 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DROVE TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED AND IMMEDIATELY DISPENSED WATER INTO THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR. IN ADDITION, THE RADIATOR HOSE FRACTURED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,533.

Engine
Filed Jun 26, 201267,000 milesCA

MY SISTER BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW AT A DEALER IN COLUMBUS OHIO..TOOK THE CAR TO SAME DEALER FOR ALL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS...LAST MONTH THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT GOING ON ...THEY DID SEVERAL REPAIRS TO FIX IT THE LAST BEING PUTTING IN A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO THE TUNE OF 2500. THE BLUE BOOK IS 3000....THE NEXT DAY THE ENGINE BLEW...THE DEALER WANTED TO PUT IN A NEW ENGINE...CHRYSLER IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. THEY CLAIM TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT A SLUDGE PROBLEM...BUT IF YOU GOOGLE THE CAR YOU WILL FIND PAGE AFTER PAGE OF COMPLAINTS VERY SIMILAR TO MY SISTER'S PROBLEM...AND NEITHER IS THE DEALER TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY...MY SISTER IS ALMOST 70 AND HAS A HUSBAND WHO IS A STROKE VICTIM...HER HANDS ARE FULL.......MY SISTER WAS RIPPED OFF AND SO HAVE A LOT OF OTHER AMERICANS....I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP FIND SOME JUSTICE... *JB

Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Dec 9, 201184,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE HOOD WAS RAISED WHILE SHE WAS CHECKING THE OIL. DURING THE PROCESS, THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM THAT HELD THE HOOD UP FAILED AND THE HOOD COLLAPSED ON HER HEAD. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 01/24/12*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED SHE HAD THE HYDRAULIC LIFT REPLACED ON THE TRUNK SEVERAL YEARS AGO. UPDATED 01/27/12

Electrical System
Filed Apr 24, 2011CA

1999 DODGE INTREPID COOLING SYSTEM AND ENGINE TROUBLE

Suspension › RearFire
Filed Feb 20, 201173,400 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE WAS OBSERVED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. AFTER FINDING A SAFE PLACE TO QUICKLY PULL OVER, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR STRUT HAD FAILED COMPLETELY AND WAS RESTING ON A BRAND NEW TIRE. THE TIRE WAS SMOKING AND DESTROYED. IT HAD ONLY MILLIMETERS OF TREAD LEFT BEFORE THE STRUT WOULD HAVE PUNCTURED AND EXPLODED THE TIRE. LATER AT A GARAGE, THE STRUT WAS SHOWN TO HAVE BROKEN COMPLETELY. ALTHOUGH I SURVIVED THIS NEAR DISASTROUS INCIDENT, IT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN MUCH WORSE FOR ME AND OTHER INTERSTATE USERS NEARBY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 10, 2011144,001 milesTX

I PURCHASED A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. I HAVE COMPLETE SERVICE RECORDS FOR THE VEHICLE SHOWING THAT ON AVG. THE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3000 TO 3600 MILES. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT DURING ONE OF THE SNOWFALLS, THE ENGINE STARTED TO PUTTER AND EVENTUALLY FAIL. I HAVE MY RECEIPTS SHOWING THAT THE OIL WAS CHANGED JUST THREE WEEKS PRIOR AND THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY ISSUES. I HAD THEE CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALER BY TOW THE NEXT MORNING TO ONLY BE TOLD A FEW DAYS LATER THAT IT IS GOING TO COST ME $6400 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED? *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 6, 2010145,000 milesTX

EXCESSIVE STEERING PLAY. AT TIMES VEHICLE WILL GO ON ITS OWN IN THE DIRECTION THAT I PREVIOULSY TURNED. IT WONDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER SAFELY THEN IT TAKES AN EXTRA SECOND FOR STEERING TO RESPOND. IT STEERS LIKE A BOAT. NO INJURIES VECHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AFRAID TO DRIVE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 19, 201097,054 milesVA

1999 DODGE INTREPID - 2.7 LITRE ENGINE. RPM'S PERIODICALLY DROPPED (LIKE THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO CUT OUT), BLACK SMOKE FROM TAILPIPE (SIGNIFYING BURNING OIL) WHILE IDLING OR UPON TAKEOFF FROM A DEAD STOP. ENGINE SEIZED 08/19/10 - NO WARNINGS WHATSOEVER. TOTAL FAILURE - MUST REPLACE IT AT A COST OF $6000. *TR

20 of 997 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2004129250Routine
20031062101Fatalities reported
2002329391Fatalities reported
20016565220High concern
20001,0659220High concern
1999 — this page9976133Fatalities reported
19983775125Fatalities reported
19973442262Fatalities reported
19965052220High concern
19955893277Fatalities reported
19947184230High concern
19934085100Above average
19922000Routine

Compare every Intrepid 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: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.