Filed Sep 6, 1996224,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. NOTE: DRIVER'S SIDE (LEFT) PASSIVE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WILL BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE DRIVER SIDE AND INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT TRACK ASSEMBLIES.
Filed Sep 6, 1996224,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. NOTE: PASSENGER SIDE (RIGHT) SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WILL BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE DRIVER SIDE AND INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT TRACK ASSEMBLIES.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Drum93E035000
Filed Oct 13, 1993300 vehiclesMidas International Corp.
Defect. THE GROOVE FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RETAINER RING WAS INCORRECTLY MACHINED.
Risk. IF THE RETAINING RING DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THEGROOVE, THE AXLE LUG NUTS WILL BREAK, CAUSING THE BRAKE DRUM, WHEEL, AND TIREASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy. MIDAS SHOPS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE DRUMS WITH OTHER BRAKE DRUMS FROM ANOTHER SUPPLIER.
All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Seat Belts › Front › Webbing
Filed Aug 13, 2010108,000 milesTN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD PROBE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SHE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT AND THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THEY NO LONGER HAVE ANY BOOKS ON HOW TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELT. SHE REFERENCE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V172001, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING AND STATED THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY HAVE SENT HER SEVERAL LETTERS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 11/08/10 * BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS BEEN WITHOUT THE SHOULDER BELT FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR. UPDATED 11/10/10
Seat Belts › Front › Webbing
Filed May 4, 2010106,000 milesTN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD PROBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, IT WOULD NOT RETRACT TO SECURE THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT DISENGAGED THE BELT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD FOR THEM TO LOOK UP THE REMEDY IN THE DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE (96V172001 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 07/06/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING. UPDATED 09/21/10
Seat Belts › Front › Webbing
Filed Mar 29, 2010106,000 milesTN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD PROBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR RECALL 96V172001 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING) WAS PERFORMED IN 2007 BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THE COMPLAINT DOES NOT EXPLAIN WHAT WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE PERFORMED AGAIN FREE OF CHARGE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000. UPDATED 7/06/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/09/10.*JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 1, 200869,000 milesPA
SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING A 92 PROBE V6 WITH 59,000 MILES ON IT I HAD TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING ONE WEEK WHEN I WAS TRAVELING TO SCHOOL AND WHEN I CAME HOME THAT WEEKEND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. AFTER LETTING IT SIT I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT HOME, ALTHOUGH IT SHIFTED ROUGH FROM NEUTRAL TO 1ST AND TO SECOND, THEN WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO THIRD AT ALL. I HAD TO USE MANUAL SHIFT MODE TO KEEP IT FROM SHIFTING INTO THIRD. WHILE CHANGING TRANSMISSION FLUID IT WE NOTICED A BURNT OIL SMELL TO IT. CHANGING THE FLUID HAD LITTLE EFFECT. THE WORST THING IS THAT I WAS ALSO LOOKING AT A 91 GRAND AM 4 CYL FOR $200 LESS. *TR
Seat Belts › Front › Webbing
Filed Sep 8, 2006111,528 milesOH
DRIVERS SIDE (LEFT) PASSIVE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT HAS WORN SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY HAS BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE. ACCORDING THE LETTER WRITTEN BY MR. JONATHAN D. WHITE RECALL ANALYSIS DIVISION OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION SAFETY ASSURANCE. "FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REMEDY OF THESE VEHICLES FROM THE DATE OF AUG 22, 1996 FORWARD,REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE AGE MILEAGE OR OWNERSHIP." NOT GIVING AN ENDING DATE. THERE RECALL INVOLVES 224,000 FORD MOTOR COMPANY VEHICLES 1990 THROUGH 1992 FORD PROBE MODEL EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MOTORIZED (PASSIVE) SHOULDER BELTS AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURED FROM AUG 14, 1989 THROUGH FEB 7, 1992. MY VEHICLE WAS MADE NOV 1, 1991 WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE RECALL. RECALL NO.96S48. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AT 800-392-3673. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE AND THE RECALLS ARE DIFFERENT IN DIFFERENT STATES. *JB
Seat Belts › Front › Webbing
Filed Apr 1, 200475,000 milesNJ
AUTOMATIC DRIVER'S SEAT BELT IS INOPERATIVE. THE SHOULDER STRAP IS JAMMED IN THE RAIL BEHIND THE SHOULDER OF THE DRIVER. RECALL 96V172001 WAS ISSUED ON MAKE,/MODEL AND YEAR, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.*AK *LA
Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Apr 24, 2003TN
THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE, AND HE SOON DISCOVERED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *JB
Seat Belts › Front › Webbing
Filed Mar 3, 2003OH
SEAT BELT BROKE. IN 1996 THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT TRACK, AT THAT TIME THE CONSUMER SEAT BELT WAS ALREADY BROKE, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WROTE A LETTER TO FORD ABOUT THE SEAT BELT AND EVENTUALLY IT WAS FIXED UNDER THE RECALL. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS CHECKED AND THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS FINE. IN 2000 THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. NOW THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT IS BROKE, THE CONSUMER CALLED FORD TO INQUIRE ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL. *JB
Seat Belts › Front
Filed Feb 10, 2003MS
THE SEAT BELT WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT.*JB
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jun 4, 2002MO
BOTH DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELTS LOCK UP CONTINUOUSLY. THERE WAS A RECALL ON FEBRUARY 2, 1997 ON BOTH OF THEM. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAS HAD THEM REPLACED. BOTH SIDES STILL LOCK UP ALL THE TIME PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF ANY KIND.*AK
Seat Belts
Filed Mar 12, 2002OR
AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR DOES NOT RETRACT, VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 96 V 172 000. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
Seat Belts
Filed Feb 5, 2002FL
NHTSA RECALL ID# 96-V-172-002/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 96S99, AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON PASSENGER'S SIDE IS STUCK IN ONE POSITION. AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT IS SUPPOSE TO RETRACT BACK AND FORWARD ACROSS CONSUMER WHEN DOOR IS OPENED AND CLOSED. PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS BEING REPLACED FOR SECOND TIME. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AN DRECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ONCE. PLEASE PROVIDE THE VEHICLE ID NUMBER AND MILEAGE.*AK
Seat Belts › Front › Webbing
Filed Sep 20, 2001NY
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED, PRIOR TO RECALL AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED 18 MONTHS AFTER BEING FIXED AS PER RECALL NOTICE. *YH
Seat Belts
Filed Aug 29, 2001ME
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO COME BACK AFTER THE DOOR WAS OPENED AND CLOSED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DID THE SAME THING. NLM
Seat Belts
Filed May 18, 2001FL
PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS ARE FROZEN. CABLES ARE JAMMED. THERE IS A RECALL 96V172000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 96S48. RECALL IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK AT TIME OF RECALL, CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO STATED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS, THEREFORE NO CORRECTIONS NEEDED TO BE MADE. *SLC
Seat BeltsCrash
Filed Mar 29, 2001NY
PASSENGER'S AUTOMATIC SET BELT CAME OUT OF T TRACK AFTER HITTING A DEER. SEAT BELT WAS IN USE AT TIME. PASSENGER WAS THROWN FORWARD WHEN BELT BROKE. HAD NO AIRBAGS. NO INJURIES. *AK
Seat Belts
Filed Mar 5, 2001IN
REGARDING FORD RECALL # 96S48 AND 96S99 - SEAT BELT RECALL. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THEY PERFORMED REPLACEMENT OF SEATBELT TRACK AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY ON FEBRUARY 25, 1997. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR HAS FAILED JUST AS THE RECALL DESCRIBED THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM. FORD WILL NOT AGREE TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE CLAIMING THAT THE WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. I CONTEND THAT I RECEIVED EITHER FAULTY PARTS AND / OR SHODDY WORKMANSHIP FROM THE DEALERSHIP. CAN YOU HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH FORD? THANK YOU. MI. *AK
Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Dec 14, 2000FL
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE IGNITION WAS REWIRED, CONSUMER BELIEVES THESE IGNITION PROBLEMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEMS IN CALIFORNIA WITH THE TFI MODULE AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Oct 19, 2000CA
VEHICLE SHUTDOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO IGNITION, AND STARTED TO RUN HOT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE MOTOR. *AK
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jul 30, 2000OH
WINDSHIELD WIPERS PARK IN VERTICAL POSITION ON WINDSHIELD OBSCURING VISION. DEALER REPLACED WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY, WIPER SWITCH AND HARNESS. TOTAL $820.87 FOR REPAIRS. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM-MANY PROBES BEING DRIVEN WITH WIPERS PARKED ON WINDSHIELD. FORD ISSUED SERVICE BULLETINS #9546 AND#9582. CAN I GET REIMBURSED FROM FORD FOR THIS SAFETY RELATED REPAIR? *AK
Seat Belts
Filed Feb 7, 2000MO
MOTOR BELT NEEDS REPLACED, THE UNIT WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL TWO YEARS PRIOR AND WAS WORKING AT THE TIME OF REPLACEMENT, FAILURE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *MJS
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Jan 7, 2000OK
REQUEST INFORMATION ABOUT 96S48 RECALL FROM FORD AND WARRANTYWORK FROM IT. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Dec 12, 1999OH
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 12, 1999MO
THE OIL PAN SEAL WAS REPLACED BY ADAMS FORD IN BELTON MISSOURI TWICE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONCE AFTER THE PART REPLACED WAS OUT OF WARRANTY !!! NOW THE PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN AFTER JUST A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND A HALF OF DRIVING!! ADAMS FORD WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THAT 4 TIMES IN 7 YEARS IS A LITTLE MUCH. *AK
Trailer Hitches
Filed Nov 23, 1999UN
HITCH THAT WAS ATTACHED TO VEHICLE (DIXIE TRAILER HITCH) IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO CARRY 2,000 LBS AS STATED, ATTACHED TO THIN SHEET METAL. MJS
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Oct 29, 1999OH
REAR SEAT BELT'S WON'T RETRACT, AND CONSUMER CAN'T PULL THE SEAT BELTS OUT. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Oct 18, 1999WI
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH & WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE IS STALLING AND THERE IS SOME TYPE OF KNOCKING NOISE. *AK
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Aug 27, 1999IL
HEAD LIGHT WIRING SHORTED,CAUSED FUSE TO TRIP AND I SMELLED SMOKE
ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT EITHER 30 OR 60 MPH .ENGINE CUT OFF. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 22, 1999MN
BRAKING SYSTEM IS PREMATURELY WEARING OUT. BRAKE CALIPERS AND MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Mar 28, 1999OR
CONSUMER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE RECALL REPAIR OF LEFT/RIGHT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES REPAIR PROMPTLY DUE TO LACK OF PARTS AND DEALER PROBLEM. (RECALL 96S48 AND 96S99) NLM.
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Mar 17, 1999MT
POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK WITH FAST TURNS, ELECTRIC MIRRORS HAVE FAILED TWICE, FOGGING UP DURING WINTER, PLASTIC TRUNK COVER KEEPS FALLING DOWN. HOOD ALWAYS MAKES VIBRATING NOISE.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 12, 1999MI
MOTOR REVS AT EXTREMELY HIGH RPM'S. ACCELERATES WHEN DRIVING WITH NO FOOT ON THE GAS PEDDLE. WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND IN NEUTRAL STILL REVS AT HIGH RPMS.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Jan 7, 1999WI
RADIATOR, WHERE THE METAL AND THE PLASTIC ARE JOINED AND SEAMED TOGETHER, LEAK FLUID WHICH MAY CAUSE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED TWICE IN 54,000 MILES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Seat Belts › Front › Webbing
Filed Oct 13, 1998KY
ON 26-OCT-96, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT WAS REPLACED, AND THE PASSENGERS SIDE WAS INSPECTED AND WORKING. CURRENTLY, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT BROKE THE SAME WAY, THE DEALER IS NOT HONORING THE RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BECAUSE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED. *AK
Seat Belts
Filed Sep 25, 1998AZ
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE FAILED TO OPERATE DUE TO PLASTIC COVER OVER CABLE WEARING OFF ,CAUSING CABLE TO SLIP OUT OF TRACK AND JAM. PREVIOUSLY, CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ON DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUT DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR PASSENGER'S SIDE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. DEALER WANTED TO REPAIR IT IF CONSUMER PAID THE CHARGES. 96V-172-002. *AK
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Aug 26, 1998MO
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR AFTER THEY HAVE HONORED THE RECALL. PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED, AND DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK
Structure › Body
Filed Aug 26, 1998GA
FADED PAINT.
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Jul 20, 1998AL
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR RAIL FAILS TO WORK/STUCK. WILL NOT RETRACT BACK. SITS IN FRONT. TOOK TO DEALER. REPAIRED DRIVER'S SIDE, NOT PASSENGER (#96V172001). DRIVER'S UNDER RECALL (#96V172002). *AK
Seat Belts
Filed Mar 25, 1998KS
PASSENGER'S SIDE MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. *AK
Seat Belts › Front › Webbing
Filed Jan 14, 1998NC
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#96V172002). CALLED DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT. WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS, THAT THEY ARE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *AK
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Nov 5, 1997UN
SEAT BELT RECALL REPAIR REFUSED DUE TO UNVAILABILITY OF PARTS.
Seat Belts
Filed Aug 28, 1997NM
RECALL 96V-172002, CANNOT GET RECALL DONE FOR A YEAR. *AK
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 8, 1997AZ
UNKNOWN
Seat Belts
Filed Jul 14, 1997FL
SHE HAS A RECALL NOTE TO REPAIR THE FRONT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS. THE DEALERSHIP WILL ONLY REPAIR THE PASSENGER'S AND NOT THE DRIVER'S EVEN THOUGH THE LETTER STATES BOTH NEED TO BE RAPIRED. *AK
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 20, 1997MA
THE TRANSMISSION WENT, THE CAR STOPPED AND WANTED TO STALL. HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL THEN WHEN TAKING OFF HAD TO APPLY A LOT OF GAS FOR IT TO GO, COULD CAUSE A RUNAWAY ACCELERATION PROBLEM. *AK
Seat Belts
Filed May 7, 1997WA
CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND THE PARTS AREN'T STILL AVAILABLE. *AK
Seat Belts
Filed Apr 29, 1997PR
AUTOAMTIC SHOULDER BELT RECALL #96V-172. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS ON JAN. 14, 1997 AND THEY SAID THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT FIXED THE VEHICLE. *AK
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Apr 17, 1997NJ
TRANSAXLE FAILED.
Complaints 1-50 of 79, newest first, reproduced as filed.
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 6, 1996. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.