1999 Ford Taurus

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 874 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension › front › springs › coil springs. It has been recalled 7 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

336 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 50,00060,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs125
201
Vehicle Speed Control74
9217
Power Train › Automatic Transmission55
202
Steering › Rack and Pinion46
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip21
200
Air Bags › Frontal20
18013
Suspension17
000
Engine and Engine Cooling17
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor15
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine15
000

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
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 Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN 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. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs04V332000
Filed Jul 15, 2004899,060 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH SALT USED ON THE ROADWAYS DURING THE WINTER. A FRACTURED SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE TIRE MAY RUPTURE RESULTING IN A RAPID AIR LOSS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELDS. IN ADDITION, FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS IN ALL OTHER STATES, FOR FRACTURE ONLY, UP TO 10 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY ACCUMULATED MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2005. IF EITHER FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. AN INTERIM NOTICE WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON AUGUST 2, 2004. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE 2000-2001 MY VEHICLES AND OWNERS WERE SENT A LETTER ON JANUARY 10, 2005, ADVISING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLES FOR REPAIR PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE 1999 MY VEHICLES BY THE END OF FEBRUARY 2005 AND OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE NOTIFIED THEN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage99V250000
Filed Sep 20, 199925,306 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SWITCHING MECHANISM COULD BECOME NONFUNCTIONAL, PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING FROM BEING EXTRACTED FROM THE RETRACTOR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT MALFUNCTION OF THE MECHANISM COULD PREVENT THE BELT FROM BEING SWITCHED INTO THE ALR MODE. THE ELR MECHANISM IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION.

Risk. IF THE MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONS AND DOES NOT ALLOW THE WEBBING TO BE EXTRACTED, THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT COULD NOT BE WORN BY A VEHICLE OCCUPANT. IN THE EVENT THAT THE MECHANISM DOES NOT ALLOW THE ALR MODE TO BE ENGAGED, THE OPERATOR MAY BE UNABLE TO PROPERLY INSTALL A CHILD SEAT IN THAT SEATING POSITION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES. ASSEMBLIES WITH JULIAN DATE CODES OF 200 THROUGH 223 ARE SUSPECT AND WILL BE REPLACED.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit and Lines98V288000
Filed Nov 9, 19981,800 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUPPED WITH THE "CALIFORNIA" EMISSIONS PACKAGE. AN INCORRECT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE WAS INSTALLED. THE LINE CONTACTS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MODULE SUPPORT BRACKET AND OVER TIME, CAN WEAR AND DEVELOP A LEAK.

Risk. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE APPROPRIATE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE.

Vehicle Speed Control98V204000
Filed Sep 1, 19986,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A DASH INSULATOR RETAINER CLIP WAS NOT FULLY ASSEMBLED TO THE ACCELERATOR CABLE DASH FITTING. THE CLIP CAN DISENGAGE FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND FALL INTO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM PIVOT AREA.

Risk. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ENGINE MAY NOT FULLY RETURN TO IDLE. ALSO, THE INSULATOR MAY NOT STAY IN THE INTENDED LOCATION AND COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES TO ENSURE PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CLIP, AND RE-INSTALL IF NEEDED.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage98V198000
Filed Aug 25, 19987,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL SEAT TRACKS. THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ATTACHING STUD MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED. THIS HEAT TREATMENT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN CRACKS DEVELOPING IN THE STUD.

Risk. IF THE STUD IS CRACKED, IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND STUD ASSEMBLY.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 25, 202065,000 milesNC

THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE HAD CONDENSATION INSIDE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. WITH TORRENTIAL RAINS TWO WEEKS AGO, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT TOOK ON AN INCH AND A HALF OF WATER INSIDE THE COVER, AND THE DRIVER SIDE HAD INCREASED CONDENSATION TO OBSCURE THE WHOLE COVER. THE CAR IS COMMONLY PARKED OUTSIDE MY APARTMENT (URBAN AREA) WHEN NOT IN USE. DATES ARE APPROXIMATE, AND I'VE PUT THE CAR IN THE AAA SHOP TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED (BIG EXPENSE, AS THE CAR'S OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE!)

Engine
Filed Sep 16, 2019187,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT'S FRIEND OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT'S FRIEND HEARD KNOCKING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THERE WERE ANY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S FRIEND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Jul 23, 2019100,580 milesAK

I WOULD SAY 7 TIMES OUT OF 10 WHILE DRIVING IN MY CAR THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RANDOMLY POPS UNBUCKLED OR IF I REACH FOR SOMETHING IT UNBUCKLES. IT IS A LITTLE SCARY TO BE HONEST. SOMETIMES WHEN I BREAK THE SLIGHTEST PRESSURE CAUSE IT TO FAIL

Power Train
Filed Nov 19, 2017148,725 milesCA

WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED JUMPING AROUND, WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE RPM'S REVED UP HIGH. I STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AND THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF INTO THE INTERSECTION I CAME CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER CAR! I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR REPLACED TWICE ALREADY AND THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED . AS I WAS DRIVING IT HOME THE CAR HESITATED IN THE INTERSECTION THEN JERKED YOU CAN FEEL THE PULSING OF THE CAR AS IT ACCELERATES AND DEACCELERATES. IT IS A SAFETY HAZZARD

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 25, 2017CA

THE CAR HAS HAD YRANSMISSION REBUILT LAST YEAR AND IM STILL MAKING PAYMEMTS ON THE CAR. THEN 4MONTHS AGO I HAD THE SPEED SENSOR REPLACED RAN GOOD UNTIL DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY WHEN IT STARTING ACTING THE SAME WAY IT WAS BEFORE I GOT IT FIXED SO I JMOW ITS THE SPEED SENSOR AGAIN HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO FIX THIS CRAP BEFORE IT GETS RECALLED OR BEFORE SPMEONE GETS INTO AN ACCIDENT OR DIES

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 16, 2017132,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR ROW SEAT BELTS ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

Power Train
Filed Jan 20, 2017145,861 milesCA

MAY 2016 I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ALL OUT OF WHACK, THE RPM'S WERE GOING HIGHER AS I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, THE CAR HAS HAD MORE PROBLEMS AND WAS BROKE DOWN FOR ALMOST THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR. DEC. 2016 HAD A NEW STARTER, POWER STEERING PULLEY, AND SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED. CAR RAN GREAT FOR 3 DAYS THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WASN'T WORKING AND FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OR COMPLETELY GOING OUT. I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPAIR THIS CAR I JUST FINISHED PAYING OFF THE $900 TRANSMISSION JOB, PLUS I AM STILL PAYING ON THE CAR! I AM A SINGLE MOTHER ON DISABILITY WITH NO MONEY FOR REPAIRS OR ANOTHER CAR. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 3, 2016130,000 milesWA

MY AC UNIT BLEW OUT AND STOPPED WORKING THIS SUMMER, NOW THAT IT IS RAINY SEASON THERE IS A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FLOOR OF MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE CALL REF NUMBER: 03V087000. COMPLAINT NUMBER: 10184014. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THEY HAVE DONE BUT IT RAINS IN WASHINGTON STATE AND MY CAR IS GOING TO STINK. THE AC UNIT JUST UP AND STOPPED WORKING, AND THE PUDDLE OF WATER ONLY SHOWS UP WHEN IT IS RAINING. I AM UNCLEAR IF THIS PUDDLE GETS BIGGER WHY DRIVING BUT I WOULD ASSUME THAT AS LONG AS THERE IS RAIN FALLING ON THE VEHICLE, THAT IT IS GETTING INTO THE CAR. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 2, 2016162,000 milesND

FRONT SPRING COIL IS BROKEN

Electrical System
Filed Dec 5, 2015166,879 milesDC

VOLTAGE REGULATOR, OR ITS FUSE, IS FAILING TO CHARGE BATTERY

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 22, 2015150,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DAY TIME RUNNING HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Steering
Filed Oct 3, 2015TN

I'LL COPY ANOTHERS POST TO REFLECT EXACTLY THE WAY I FEEL AND MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS STEERING ISSUE... RACK AND PINION SEAL LEAKS FLUID INTO THE RIGHT HAND BOOT AND THEN THE GROUND, CAUSING THE POWER STEERING NOT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND FAILURE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I CAN'T BELIEVE FORD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE SAFTY AND LOYALTY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND TAKE STEPS TO CORRECT THIS CONSISTANT DEFECT QUITE COMMON IN THIS MODEL.

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 11, 2015122,450 milesCT

PASSENGER SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT OUT OF HOLDER TO BE PUT ON PASSENGER. DRIVERS SEATBELT STAYING OUT, NOT RETRACTING BACK IN AS TO WORK PROPERLY.

Tires › Markings
Filed Jun 29, 2015152,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRES, SIZE: P225/60R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE TIRES EXPERIENCED CRACKS AND LEAKS. THE DEALER FOUND NO FAILURE WITH THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE GOODYEAR TIRES ON HIS 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

Suspension
Filed Apr 26, 2015NH

I JUST BOUGHT A 1999 FORD TAURUS AND FOUND THE COIL SPRING FRONT DRIVER SIDE OUT OF PLACE CHECKING ON RECALLS SAYING THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR THIS CAR IM GUESSING THIS ISSUE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED THEN WHY IS IT OUT OF PLACE AGAIN IN SAYING I DO NOT KNOW IF ANY OF THE OTHER RECALLS MIGHT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY REPAIRED CAN I STILL HAVE THIS REPAIRED UNDER RECALLS AND ANY OTHER ISSUES. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 26, 2015MI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM AND THE VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED EVERY TIME THEY WERE TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTNING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 7, 201474,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Jul 1, 2014133,000 milesNH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUPPORT BEAMS AND THE SUB FRAME WERE CORRODED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THE SEAT COULD FALL OUT AT ANYTIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Suspension
Filed Apr 17, 201485,796 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD POPPING NOISE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THAT THE STRUT FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/27/14*LJ UPDATED 07/3/2014 *JS

Suspension
Filed Apr 2, 2014112,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A RATTLING NOISE. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT SPRING STRUTS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION) WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

20 of 874 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1993
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201915200Routine
201849410Routine
201744400Routine
201681410Routine
2015275610Above average
2014229510Above average
2013583960Above average
201278530Routine
2011187421Fatalities reported
2010204352Fatalities reported
200964010Routine
2008175170Routine
2007149100Routine
2006318341Fatalities reported
20057741102Fatalities reported
20043752132Fatalities reported
20031,2234122Fatalities reported
20021,4264110High concern
20011,03710155Fatalities reported
20001,1958251Fatalities reported
1999 — this page8747164Fatalities reported
19985454144Fatalities reported
19977705124Fatalities reported
19968258121Fatalities reported
19951,2056542Fatalities reported
19949235233Fatalities reported
19931,5578493Fatalities reported
19926816212Fatalities reported
19916495210High concern
19903818230High concern

Compare every Taurus year →

Reading this record

4 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: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.