2002 Ford Mustang

Routine

Owners filed 118 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags › frontal. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
45,000 milesMedian miles at failure

53 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 20,00030,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal11
905
Vehicle Speed Control8
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline7
000
Air Bags7
506
Seat Belts6
000
Tires5
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal4
100
Engine and Engine Cooling4
100
Unknown or Other3
000
Suspension3
000

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.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights08E050000
Filed Aug 11, 20081,921 vehiclesK2 Motor Corporation

Defect. K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior Lighting06E064000
Filed Jul 17, 20064,029 vehiclesTradesonic

Defect. CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Fuel System, Gasoline06E056000
Filed Jun 13, 200658,640 vehiclesUfi Filters Usa

Defect. CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Risk. FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Mar 31, 2023VA

On or about 01/28/2023 I purchased a 2002 Ford Mustang GT for a N.J. used car dealer. I was assured by the sales person that the Mustang had been thoroughly inspected and there were no mechanical problems whatsoever. Upon delivery of the Mustang, that had only 68,886 miles, I took the Mustang for a required Virginia Safety Inspection and learned that the front brakes were completely worn out and must be replaced. I had a complete front brake job done, to include: new brake pads, rotors, calipers and hoses. The front brake job cost $637.17. Mula Auto Group 117 E Main St Somerville, NJ 08876 mulaautogroup.com (908) 231-1777 - Main (908) 231-1799 - Fax On Mon, Mar 13, 2023 at 5:19 PM [XXX] wrote: Dear sir: On or about 01/28/2023, I purchased a 2002 Mustang GT from Mulaj Auto. Before I purchased the car from [XXX], he told me there were no mechanical problems whatsoever and the car had been inspected. It took almost three weeks for me to get the Mustang transported from New Jersey to Virginia. After the Mustang arrived on February 13, 2023, I was away for two weeks and did not drive the car until early March. I recently had a Virginia state safety inspection done and the Mustang barely passed inspection because of the badly worn front brakes. Both pads were worn to minimum limits, both rotors were badly grooved and the left caliper was seized. I just had the front brake work done today, for a total of $637.17. Invoice #[XXX] is attached. If I had been told the Mustang needed fron

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 28, 2021CA

No

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 31, 2021KS

THE FUEL PUMP IN MY 2002 3.8L MUSTANG STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I LOWERED THE GAS TANK TO REPLACE IT, I FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC PART THE FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT SETS DOWN INTO IS OFFSET FROM THE HOLE AND THE FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT CAN NOT BE REMOVED WITHOUT BREAKING THE PART THAT IT SETS DOWN INTO. SO NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO REPLACE THE PUMP, I HAVE TO BUY AN ENTIRE GAS TANK SINCE THAT PART COMES PRE-INSTALLED

Electrical System
Filed Dec 26, 2020150,000 milesNJ

WHILE IDLING MY CAR SUDDENLY HAD CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE AND THE SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD.

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Nov 5, 20191,128,000 milesCA

TEN MINUTES PRIOR TO AIR BAGS DEPLOYING I COMPLAINED TO MY TWO PASSENGERS THAT MY EYES WERE BURNING. I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE IN CENTER LANE IN CITY TRAFFIC, WHEN I HEAR A LOUD BANG AND INSTANTLY BOTH AIRBAGS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. THE NOISE AND FORCE STARTLED ME TAKING MY FOOT OF BRAKE AND ROLLING FORWARD. THE AIR BAGS BLEW BOTH MY PASSENGER AND MY GLASSES INTO THE BACK SEAT OF CAR. THE PASSENGER BAG WAS SMOKING BADLY AND I QUICKLY PUT DOWN BOTH WINDOWS AND I PULLED OFF STREET INTO SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHOM I ROLLED INTO PULLED OVER AS WELL. WE CHECKED BOTH THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND REAR BUMPER OF HER CAR AND BECAUSE NO VISIBLE DAMAGE. I TOOK A PICTURE OF HER BUMPER AND LICENSE PLATE TO SHOW NO DAMAGE. MY PASSENGER IN FRONT SEAT WAS BRUISED FROM AIRBAG AS FOR MYSELF AND THE OTHER PASSENGER WE WERE SHAKEN BY THE EXPERIENCE.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 14, 201998,000 milesRI

WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A IN TOWN ROAD SHE CAME UPON CONSTRUCTION, ALL TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED BECAUSE THE 2 LANES WERE DOWN TO 1. AS SHE WAS WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO START MOVING HER BOOT GOT CAUGHT UNDER SEAT LEVER (THIGH HIGH BOOTS FLAP GOT CAUGHT) AND IT MADE HER FOOT SLIP FROM BRAKE, SHE THEN BUMPED INTO THE VAN IN FRONT OF HER, LESS THEN 5MPH AND BOTH WHICH THERE WAS NO PASSENGER OR ANYTHING ON HER SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DESTROYING HER COLUME. ABSOLUTELY NO FRONT END DAMAGE, NO DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE, CAR STILL RUNS AND SEATBELTS STILL WORK. HAVING IT CHECKED FOR MALFUNCTIONS.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed May 30, 201870,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND, AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 7, 2017115,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 2, 2016114,000 milesSC

HEADLIGHT

Engine
Filed May 18, 201572,500 milesFL

WHILE IN DRIVE, WITH THE CAR STOPPED, THE CAR TRIES TO SURGE FORWARD BY ITSELF. YOU HAVE TO BE WEARY THAT YOU KEEP ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE OR THE CAR WILL BURST FORWARD.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Nov 14, 2014146,000 milesOR

THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING AT THE SAME SPEED. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ANCHORED THE BRAKES. I WAS 3 CAR LENGTH BEHIND. TH ABS FAILED AND DID NOT ALLOW THE BRAKES TO RESUME. WE HIT THE BACK END OF THE CAR IN FRONT AT 35MPH. THE PASSENGER SEATBELT BROKE ENDING MY FIANCE HEAD INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE TOYOTA DID NOT HAVE A SCRATCH: MYSELF AND MY GIRL ARE BOTH INJURED. I PURCHASED THIS CAR 5/14. I BELIEVE THERE MAY NOT BE AIRBAGS AND I ALSO THINK THIS CAR ESCAPED HAVING TO HAVE A SALVAGE TITLE. WE ARE UPSET TO SAY THE LEAST. AS IT IS ONE THING BUT TO PUT A CONSUMERS LIFE AT RISK IS ANOTHER. THIS IS THE SECOND CAR FROM THIS DEALER SINCE MARCH 2014 THAT WE HAD BEEN GIVEN A DEATH TRAP. *TR

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Jul 11, 2014148,000 milesVA

MY WIFE WAS PULLING IN TO THE DRIVE WAY ON HER WAY FROM DOING SOME ERRANDS A DRIVE OF LESS THAN 5 MILES AND ITS A RURAL ROAD WHERE YOU CANT DRIVE MORE THAN 30 MILES AN HOUR WHEN SHE SMELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. SHE CHECKED THE GAUGES AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE AND THEN SAW SMOKE COMING OFF THE HOOD. SHE ONLY HAD TIME TO PARK THE CAR AND GET OFF AS THE WHOLE ENGINE BAY GOT ENGULFED IN FLAMES.THE FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED AND WERE ABLE TO CONTROL THE FIRE FROM SPREADING BUT THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 25, 201331,000 milesPA

FIRST INCIDENT: I WAS APPROACHING MY MAIL BOX TO STOP AND GET MY MAIL OUT, WHILE BRAKING INSTEAD OF STOPPING THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WENT RIGHT PAST MY MAILBOX. I DROVE INTO MY STONE DRIVEWAY, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY EVEN THOUGH I HAD STOPPED, THE TIRES WERE SPINNING SO FAST THEY MAD RUTS IN MY DRIVEWAY. EVEN SITTING THERE IN PARK, THE RPM NEEDLE WAS RACING UPWARD. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS GO ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. NEXT DAY I WENT OUT, AND CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING WITHOUT ME STEPPING ON THE GAS. SCARED TO DRIVE IT, I HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER. THEY HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND A HALF, NEVER HAPPENED FOR THEM, AND SAID UNLESS IT HAPPENS WHILE THEY HAVE IT, COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. (ALTHOUGH THEY DID MENTION A FEW POSSIBILITIES: THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, LEAKAGE, COMPUTER) AS I WAS TAKING MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP ON 8/9/13 FOR OTHER SERVICE, I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID ALSO UNLESS THE CAR DID IT WHILE IT WAS THERE THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CHECK IT OUT. SECOND INCIDENT: WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, PROBABLY ABOUT 55-60 MPH, THE CAR ON ITS OWN SPED UP, THE RPM NEED SEEMED STUCK AT 3, EVEN THOUGH I WAS BREAKING THE CAR WASN'T SLOWING DOWN; AND JUST LIKE THAT, PROBABLY IN 30 SECONDS, IT RECOVERED AND RAN FINE. I WROTE A LETTER ON 9/6/13 TO FORD MOTOR CO EXPLAINING WHAT IS HAPPENING AND ASKING FOR THEIR HELP IN IDENTIFYING A SOLUTION. I RECEIVED A LETTER BACK FROM FORD MOTOR CO DATED 9/16/13, THEY OFFER NO ASSISTANCE AT ALL. *JS

Seat Belts
Filed Jul 18, 2013OR

THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT COME OUT OR RETRACT. IT STUCK IN A HALF WAY OUT POSITION. IT CANNOT BE USED. IT HAS BEEN REPLACE TWICE ONLY TO GO BACK THE EXACT SAME WAY AND IS NOT SAFE TO USE. THE COST IS OVER $400.00 TO FIX IF YOU FIND THE PART. *TR

Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer › Lpg Systems › Lines and Fittings
Filed May 18, 2013CA

THE MOTORCRAFT FUEL FILTER ON MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG CRACKED AT THE SEAM WHERE THE INLET NIPPLE IS ATTACHED TO THE BODY OF THE FILTER. GASOLINE WAS SPRAYING OUT OF THE CRACK AND LEAKING ON THE GROUND. THE WYNN FILTER I PURCHASED TO REPLACE IT WITH USES A ONE PIECE FILTER BODY WHICH IS MUCH SAFER. HAS ANYONE ELSE REPORTED THE FILTERS BREAKING AND LEAKING? *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 31, 201382,700 milesCA

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SLOW TO RETRACT. NOW IT WILL NOT RELEASE AT ALL. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX OR REPLACE AS A DEFECT. WILL CHARGE OVER $500 TO FIX. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED AS THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 83K MILES. I THOUGHT SEAT BELTS WERE GUARANTEED FOR THE LIFE A VEHICLE! *TR

Structure › Body › Hood
Filed Feb 19, 2013MO

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE HOOD SEPARATED AND FLEW OVER THE TOP OF THE CAR. INTO TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT. THE TOP PANEL FLEW OFF WHILE THE HOOD REMAINED LATCHED TO THE CAR. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 7, 201250,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS JAMMED. THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT MOVE AND THE CONTACT FELT THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO KNOWN SIMILAR FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 11, 2011CA

REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT DOES NOT RETRACT; UNUSABLE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 6, 2011103,000 milesGA

THE FOURTH SPARK PLUG ON MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG GT 4.6L VEHICLE BLEW OUT. THIS RESULTED HEAVY LOSS OF POWER, SHAKING, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY FUEL FUMES TO COME OUT. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON AN INTERSTATE AT HIGH-SPEED AND I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO SAFELY MAKE IT OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE COST TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR IS ESTIMATED AT $2500. THIS IS A VERY COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE FORD 8-CYLINDER ENGINES FOR WHAT I GATHERED THROUGH INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AFTER THE INCIDENT. THE THREADS ARE TOO THIN AROUND THE SPARK PLUG AND THE HEAT CAUSES THEM TO BLEW OUT - LITERALLY. *TR

20 of 118 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20266500Routine
202517600Routine
2024771200Do not drive
202315600Routine
202249910Routine
202155600Routine
2020120850Routine
2019148610Routine
2018191410Routine
2017265680Above average
2016376562Fatalities reported
20154361170Above average
2014359410Do not drive
2013271620Do not drive
2012469721Do not drive
2011466510Do not drive
2010261622Do not drive
2009181620Do not drive
2008347800Do not drive
2007615951Do not drive
2006424932Do not drive
2005705970Do not drive
2004116600Routine
2003145640Routine
2002 — this page118660Routine
2001173822Fatalities reported
2000311992Fatalities reported
19992131022Fatalities reported
199823614121Fatalities reported
19971761132Fatalities reported
19962461260Above average
199560216297Fatalities reported
199435613191Fatalities reported
19931017292Fatalities reported
1992695210High concern
1991776220High concern
1990855290High concern

Compare every Mustang year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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.