1994 Mazda Navajo

Routine

Owners filed 49 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the brakes. It has been recalled 4 times.

Most common 1994 Mazda Navajo problems

8 of the 49 complaints (16%) are about the brakes.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes5
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration3
000
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut · body and frame3
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission3
000
Unknown or Other2
000
Tires › Tread/Belt2
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder · brakes2
000
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner2
010
Wheels › Rim1
102
Wheels1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Tires › Tread/Belt00T005000
Filed Aug 21, 200014,400,000 vehiclesBridgestone/Firestone, Inc.

Defect. TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.

Risk. IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy. THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut99V310002
Filed Nov 24, 19996,800 vehiclesMazda (north America),inc

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.

Risk. WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDER BALL STUD TO DISENGAGE, UNEXPECTEDLY ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL FROM AN OPEN POSITION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL LIFTGATE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. DEPENDING UPON THE CONDITION OF THE LIFTGATE SHEET METAL IN THE AREA OF THE BRACKET, DEALERS MAY ALSO INSTALL A LARGER REINFORCEMENT.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Hydraulic96V024002
Filed Feb 28, 19962,500 vehiclesMazda (north America),inc

Defect. THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.

Risk. IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM FULLY ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

Parking Brake › Conventional94V169002
Filed Oct 31, 199448,609 vehiclesMazda (north America),inc

Defect. THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.

Risk. WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.

Remedy. A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

All 4 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
VisibilityFire
Filed Mar 2, 200965,000 milesVA

STARTED VEHICLE SNOWY DAY TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER - SMOKE STARTED COMING IN THROUGH HEATING AND DEFROST VENTS, SMELLED LIKE PINE NEEDLES. TURNED CAR OFF SMOKE PROCEEDED TO GET WORSE - CALLED FIRE DEPT. SUV WAS THEN ON FIRE, SUV IS COMPLETELY TOTALED - FROM READING OTHER INCIDENTS I REALLY THINK THIS A FAULT WHERE DEBRIS GETS IN THE FAN COMPARTMENT AND CATCHES ON FIRE - SOME TYPE OF NOTICE SHOULD BE SENT TO PEOPLE WITH NAVAJO MAZDAS AND FORD RANGERS/EXPLORERS THAT HAVE THIS TYPE OF FAN COMPARTMENT.*TR

Wheels › RimCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 3, 2005PA

CONSUMER'S MAZDA SUV WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF FAULTY WORK PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BY TECHNICIANS AT PEP BOYS.*MR THE CONSUMER PURCHASED RIMS FROM A LOCAL RETAILER, HOWEVER WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED ALL 4 OF THE RIMS HAD STAINS, RUST/ BLEMISHES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP DESTROYED HIS TRANSMISSION AND THE IGNITION.*JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jan 23, 2003MA

WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS FUEL PUMP AND CRANK SENSOR FAILURE. TS

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Apr 17, 2001CA

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE AND DIFFICULT TO DRIVE, CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, WAS ABLE TO PULL VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER, GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES AND SAW THAT ONE OF THE TIRES HAD COME COMPLETLEY APART AND WAS IN SHREDS AROUND THE WHEEL, ALL 4 TIRES WERE REPLACED AND CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

Steering › Linkages › Arm › Idler and Attachment
Filed Feb 28, 2001MN

SERPENTINE BELT IDLER PULLEY IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN BEARINGS WENT, IT WOULD CAUSE BELT TO OVERHEAT AND THEN SNAP. WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING CONTROL. STEERING WOULD GO INTO A HARD MANUAL STEERING INSTEAD. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 7, 2001MN

PULLEY WAS DEFECTIVE AND REDESIGNED. OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED THAT PULLEY CAN DISENTEGRATE CAUSING BELT TO BREAK RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, OVERHEATING, AND BATTERY CHARGING. THE COMPANY REDESINGED THE PULLEY SO THEY KNOW THEY HAD A PROBLEM, BUT THE CONSUMER IS AT RISK. IT ALSO COST $165.00 PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX. IF IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM, I THINK I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS STOPPED AT THE TIME THE BELT SEPARATED. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE LOST MY STEERING AT 70 MPH.*AK

Power Train › Axle Hubs
Filed Feb 1, 2001MI

AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUB FOR THE FRONT WHEELS DOWS NOT WORK. WHENEVER SWITCHING FROM 2-WD TO 4-WD HUBS FAILED TO LOCK IN PLACE. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WOULD NEED A NEW LOCKING HUB. GAVE NO INDICATION WHAT CAUSED PROBLEM. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Nov 27, 2000LA

THE IGNITION MODULE SWITCH IS FAILING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *SLC

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 2, 2000NY

THE THROTTLE WAS DIRTY CAUSING THE PEDAL TO STICK AND THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. NLM

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Sep 20, 2000MD

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 99V310002 AND IS WAITING FOR DEALER TO RECEIVE PARTS. *SLC

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Aug 20, 2000NY

ON AUG 7, 2000 I WAS ON ROUTE 17, WHEN I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY, MY GAS PEDAL JAMMED AND STARTED EXCELERATING VERY QUICKLY, I WAS DRIVING AT 85 MILES PER HOUR, WITHIN SECONDS OF ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. THANK GOD, I WAS CAPABLE, TO HANDLE THE SITUATION AND WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD SAFELY! I CONTACTED MAZDA CORP TO INFORM THEM OF THIS. THERE REPLY WAS MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRENTY AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR MY VEHCILE. THE MECHANIC WHO FIXED MY VEHCILE SAID IS WAS BECAUSE MY THROTTLE WAS DIRTY. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS MY GAS PEDDAL BECOMING JAMMED LIKE THAT SO EASILY I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS VEHCILE BECAUSE THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.

Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages
Filed Aug 9, 2000NY

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE VERY FAST ON ITS OWN. ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE THE VEHICLE TO STOP. VEHICLE DROVE ABOUT 3 MILES WHEN CONSUMER HAD A CHANCE TO PLACE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL WHICH EVENTUALLY STOPPED VEHICLE. DEALER HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL'S CABLE HAD BINDED AND FREID (WEAR AND TEAR) WHICH CAUSED PROBLEM. *AK

Tires › Tread/BeltCrash
Filed Aug 4, 2000FL

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A THUMPING NOISE. SHE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT RIGHT PASSENGER'S TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM RIM. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 3, 2000MO

THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. YOU CAN SLOW THE CAR, BY BRAKING, BY 15-20 MPH AND THE SYSTEM CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. THE ONLY WAY TO SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TO HIT THE OFF SWITCH ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS COULD LEAD TO UNCONTROLLED SPEED AND POSSIBLE CRASH.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 20, 2000OH

VEHICLE ABS LIGHT STAYED ON AND CAUSED ABS SYSTEM TO DISENGAGE. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND DEALER IS STILL UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Feb 25, 2000UT

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 17, 2000NY

MAZDA DEALER REFUSES TO FINANCIALLY ASSIST WITH NECESSARY REPAIRS. NO SAFE DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Feb 7, 2000VA

RECALL99V310002 CONCERNING HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS. DEALER SAYS IT'S NOT A RECALL, AS WELL AS OWNER'S MILES HAVE EXPIRED. *AK

Fuel System, Other › Storage
Filed Aug 25, 1999OR

THE FUEL SHUTOFF SWITCH UNPLUGS CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › Lock
Filed Jun 6, 1999OR

THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXED BY MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT NO CHARGE TO ME. HOWEVER ,IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER MODEL YEARS (1992 & 1993) BUT NOT MY PARTICULAR YEAR (1994). I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE REPARED ON ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS TYPE OF WELD ON THE HATCH, IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS, IF THE HATCH WAS TO FALL ON SOMEONE.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 5, 1999VA

NO SUMMARY

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed May 4, 1999MA

MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY ATTACHED GARAGE ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON , SOMETIME DURING THE NIGHT THE DASH WAS ON FIRE , SUNDAY AFTERNOON WE WENT TO GET IN THE VEHICLE AND THE ENTIRE DASH WAS BURNED, WE CALLED THE FIRE DEPT AND WAS TOLD WE WERE VERY LUCKY THE VEHICLE DID NOT BLOW THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE OFF AND IT APPEARED TO BE ELECTRICAL, WE CALLED OUR INSURANCE AND KOONS OF WESTMINSTER. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HIRED AN INVESTIGATER TO FIND THE CAUSE , HE SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN THE TAPE DECK. PRIOR TO THIS I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VIHICLE. I FEEL THIS WAS A MAZDA PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD REPLACE MY VEHICLE (SAME TYPE AND SAME MILEAGE) BUT THEY WANT MY INSURANCE TO PAY FOR THIS, I WILL GET BOOK VALUE AND THIS WILL NOT REPLACE MY VEHICLE . I DO NOT WANT ANYTHING FREE , I JUST WANT BACK WHAT I HAD. I ALSO WANT THIS RECORDED BECAUSE HAD THE WINDOWS IN MY VEHICLE NOT BEEN UP AT THE TIME , IT WOULD HAVE EXPLODED AND COULD HAVE KILLED MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF. PLEASE HELP!

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 8, 1999CA

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AND WOULD POP OUT. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE BOUNCES OR DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT AND EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY/MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN PUSHED IN, AND THERMOSTAT OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED OF ALL PROBLEMS, SOME REPLACEMENTS WERE MADE, MAJOR PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *ML

Tires
Filed Nov 15, 1998IL

TIRE FAILED COMING OFF EXPRESSWAY AT RAMP. THIS TIRE PICKS UP NAILS, GLASS AND OTHER OBJECTS EASILY AND OFTEN.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 2357515 )

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Aug 6, 1998CA

QCONSUMER STATES THAT THE HATCHBACK CYLINDER BROKE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 4, 1998CA

AFTER 48,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS REPLACED IT. *AK

Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Filed Sep 16, 1997IL

THE SPARE TIRE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE IS NOT OF THE SAME CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL AS THE ORIGINAL TIRES. THE CONSUMER HAD TROUBLE INSTALLING SPARE TIRE. THE SPARE TIRE IS MOUNTED ON A STEEL WHEEL AND THE ORIGINA TIRES ARE MOUNTED ON ALUMINUM WHEELS, WHILE INSTALLING SPARE TIRE AND TIGHTENING THE LUG NUTS THE LOCKING HUB UNIT BEGAN TO CRACK.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Aug 20, 1997FL

SUNROOF: SUN ROOF LATCH CONSTANTLY BREAKS, HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR THE ROOF JUMPS UP AND BENDS. *AK

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Jun 24, 1997NY

BROKEN SUN ROOF WAS OPEN AND THE GLASS JUST FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING. *AK *NLM

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed Jun 17, 1997FL

DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR FAILED, CAUSING VIBRATION.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed May 23, 1997NC

ABS: WHEN APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL FELT SPONGY, TRAVELED TO FLOOR, CAUSED BY CORROSION OF BRAKE PAD RETAINER, RETAINER DETACHED FROM BRAKE PAD, BRAKE PADS REPLACED. *AK

Suspension › Front
Filed Apr 16, 1997FL

VEHICLE VIBRATES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 5, 1997CO

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Nov 26, 1996NJ

ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE BRAKES LOCKS UP, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AT LEAST (3) TIMES. THE SYSTEM HAS ABS. *AK

Suspension › Rear
Filed Oct 16, 1996MD

REAR END SIFTS DURING ACCELERATION PERIODS. *AK

Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft
Filed Aug 29, 1996NY

REPLACED WHEEL BEARINGS THREE TIMES. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 12, 1996NY

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT UNDER MODERATE TO HARD BRAKING/MORE NOTICEABLE DURING SNOWY OR RAINY CONDITIONS. *SD

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Jun 3, 1996PA

DRIVER GETS POPPING NOISE ON RADIO INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURN SIGNALS ARE IN USE.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch
Filed May 7, 1996TN

BRAKE SWITCH REPLACED. *SD

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 7, 1996GA

FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE , THE THROTTLE IS STICKING. TT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Feb 1, 1996TN

AFTER DRIVING THE CAR PRESS ON BRAKE GOES TO THE FLOOR HAVE ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE . TT

Equipment › Appliance › Air ConditionerFire
Filed Jan 31, 1996MA

AIR CONDITION UNIT STOPPED WORKING AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. TT

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Jan 31, 1996MA

REPLACE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FOUR TIMES, DUE TO GRINDING NOISE IN THE WHEEL. TT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Nov 2, 1995MD

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER COLLAPSED. RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES. TT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Nov 1, 1995AK

CONSUMER THINK SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER SEPARATION . TT CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, HOWEVER NOTHING HAPPENED, CONSUMER APPLIED MORE PRESSURE AND STILL NOTHING HAPPENED, CONSUMER FINALLY SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND COULD FEEL THE ABS KICK IN AND VEHICLE STOPPED, PAVEMENT WAS DRY AND CONDITIONS WERE PERFECT. *SLC

Wheels
Filed Oct 24, 1995MA

WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. *DSH

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Jun 23, 1995NY

PLASTIC SEAL ON A/C HOSE FAILED, CAUSING HOSE TO LEAK. *AW

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Jun 23, 1995NY

STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. *SD

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Mar 22, 1995NY

DURING EMERGENCY STOPPING AT HIGH SPEED VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND SOMETIMES TO LEFT, REPLACE FRONT END BRAKE SYSTEM, TO NO AVAIL, ABS SYSTEM. TT

All 49 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
1994 — this page49430Routine
199322600Routine
199212400Routine
199139600Routine
19901000Routine

Compare every Navajo 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: Aug 21, 2000. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.