2001 Mitsubishi Galant

Routine

Owners filed 151 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags › frontal. It has been recalled 8 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
60,000 milesMedian miles at failure

79 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000105,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal15
1407
Power Train › Automatic Transmission10
110
Air Bags9
605
Structure › Body8
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor7
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip7
301
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine7
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc6
100
Vehicle Speed Control5
211
Electrical System › Horn5
100

8 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.

Equipment › Other › Labels04V428000
Filed Sep 1, 2004100,432 vehiclesMitsubishi Caribbean

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy. MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly01V069000
Filed Mar 8, 2001192 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A BULGE IN THE FUEL TANK CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS RESULTED IN THINNING OF THE MATERIAL DURING A WELDING OPERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF FUEL LEAKAGE.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 26, 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 MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit and Lines01V011001
Filed Jan 16, 2001277,227 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A HOSE WAS MIS-MANUFACTURED AND COULD WEAKEN OVER TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Risk. FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE COOLER HOSES CAN CAUSE TRANSAXLE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS AND SMOKE IF THE OIL CONTACTS THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING WILL BE PHASED OVER A FIVE-MONTH PERIOD STARTING MARCH 26, THROUGH JULY 23, 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 MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

Seats01V005001
Filed Jan 8, 200147 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUMBER OF INCORRECT DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE INSTALLED INTO VEHICLES.

Risk. THE REAR ANCHOR BOLTS SECURING THE DRIVER'S SEAT MAY NOT PROPERLY SECURE THE SEAT AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF DRIVER INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND THEN REPLACE THE BOLTS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 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 MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings00V320001
Filed Oct 27, 200010,510 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OUTER LAYER ONLY OF THIS 3-LAYER FUEL RETURN HOSE DOES NOT CONTAIN THE DESIRED OZONE PROTECTION DUE TO A PROCESSING ERROR.

Risk. THIS HOSE IS CONSIDERED TO BE INADEQUATE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

Electrical System › Wiring › Rear Compartment/Trunk00V339000
Filed Oct 24, 200013,974 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE REAR SEAT COULD ALLOW THE HARNESS TO CONTACT THE BODY. THE WIRES IN EACH HARNESS CONTROL THE STOP LAMP CIRCUIT, BACK-UP LAMP CIRCUIT, AND THE TURN LAMP CIRCUIT.

Risk. IF ANY OF THESE WIRES BECOME SHORT-CIRCUITED, THE INTERIOR LAMPS, TURN SIGNAL LAMPS, AND REAR STOP LAMPS COULD STOP WORKING. THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING OR BRAKING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE AND SECURE THE HARNESSES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR ANY PRE-EXISTING WIRE INSULATION DAMAGE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine00V299001
Filed Oct 2, 20006,037 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HARNESS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH A NEW PROTECTIVE SHIELD CAUSING A GROUNDED CIRCUIT.

Risk. PROLONGED WIRING HARNESS CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD WILL CAUSE THE WIRING INSULATION TO WEAR AND EVENTUALLY TO GROUND OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DIE-OUT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HARNESS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power TrainFire
Filed Jan 2, 2020220,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPERATE IN THE DRIVE AND REVERSE POSITION. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A LEAKAGE AND SMOKE WAS ALSO PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS HEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AND WAS REPLACED IN 2013. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

Engine
Filed Jan 8, 2016160,000 milesMO

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED IN AUG 2014 SO I BOUGHT ONE AND REPAIRED IT AND CHANGED THREE MOTOR AND TRAIN MOUNTS DROVE FOR TWO MONTHS AND CRACKED AGAIN RIGHT BEHIND THE THROTTLE BODY IT STARTED STALLING WHEN COME TO A STOP ROUGH IDLE.

Seats
Filed May 29, 2015NC

I HAD ISSUES WITH MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT FOR YEARS AND CURRENTLY STILL AN ISSUE. I NEVER REALIZED THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE. I HAD A NUMBER OF ISSUE/PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE AND ALWAYS TOOK MY CAR TO THE MITSUBITSHI DEALER AND THEY TOO NEVER MENTIONED ANY RECALL REGARDING DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY SECURE THE SEAT AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF DRIVER INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 20, 201592,000 milesMI

WHEN STARTING OUT, THE GAS PEDAL STICKS. THIS STARTED WHEN OUR TEMPERATURE WAS VERY COLD FOR A FEW DAYS. MY VEHICLE IS ALWAYS PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 28, 201513,000 milesCA

PROBLEM CODES WRONG WITH MY CAR. P0431 P0174 P0176 OR P0171 P0441 P0335 P0300. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 24, 201498,000 milesDC

I HAVE HAD REPEATED INCIDENTS WHERE MY HORN WILL SOUND DURING THE NIGHT, AND IF I WAS USING IT AS A WARNING TO ANOTHER DRIVER. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES, AND I WAS FINALLY TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG IS PROBABLY WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. NOW MY HORN DOESN'T SOUND AT ALL AND THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME, MY CHILDREN AND ANY OTHER PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Aug 26, 2014125,000 milesNV

THERE IS A MAJOR GAS IN MY CAR. THE SPELL IS THERE 100% OF THE TIME. WHEN YOU COME WITHIN 20 FEET OF THE CAR...YOU GET THE OVERWHELMING GAS SPELL. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL NOW. I'M A SINGLE FATHER ON FULL DISABILITY, WITH A 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WITH NO MOTHER. I CAN'T AFFORD THE GAS WHICH DOUBLED DUE TO THE GAS LEAK. MORE IMPORTANTLY...I CAN'T DRIVE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL...ANYWHERE. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed May 11, 2014250,000 milesTX

THIS CAR HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE O2 SENSORS, FUEL LINE, OIL LEAKS, FUSE AND ELECTRICAL SHORTS FROM THE START. WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEMS, BUT THE REPAIRS NEVER LASTED LONG. THE BRAKE LINE RECENTLY STARTED LEAKING. TODAY WE WERE IN A WRECK BECAUSE THE BRAKES WENT OUT. WE WERE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND SHOULD HAVE HAD TIME TO STOP. THE CAR SLID UNDER A TRUCK, AND WAS TOTALED. WE WERE NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT ANY RECALLS INVOLVING OUR CAR. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 30, 2014176,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A DIRT HILL, DESTROYING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 18, 201422,000 milesFL

THE CAR LEAKS WATER INSIDE THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WEATHER RUNNING OR NOT THE CARPET IT MOLDY AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE IN ANY WET CONDITION. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 22, 201360,000 milesNY

AS OF APPX 8 MONTHS AGO, VEHICLE HAS BUCKED ON STARTUP. IT JUMPS OUT , AND THEN STOPS. CAR IN FORWARD OR REVERSE JOLTS OUT BUT THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT OCCURRENCE. YESTERDAY, BEST DESCRIBES PROBLEM, AS I APPROACHED RED LIGHT AND PUT FOOT ON ACCELERATOR AND CAR JUMPED OUT 3 OR 4 TIMES BEFORE ACTUALLY MOVING FORWARD....THIS HAPPENED FOR THE WHOLE LENGTH OF MY TRIP...NECESSITATING HAVING TO PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON SO I WOULD NOT BE HIT FROM BEHIND. REPEATED TRIPS TO REPUTABLE MECHANIC AND TRANSMISSION GARAGE ARE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION OIL AND FILTER AND CLEANING OF SOLENOIDS HAS BEEN DONE. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 7, 2012159,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE MAIN ECU RELAY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 4, 2012RI

MY HEATER STOPPED WORKING. THEN THE HEAT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST A HALF AN HOUR BEFORE COMING ON BUT WOULD ONLY STAY WARM WHEN I WAS DRIVING. CANNOT KEEP MY WINDOWS DEFROSTED IN THE WINTER! VERY UNSAFE! ALSO, MY LEFT, FRONT HEADLIGHT WILL GO ON BY ITSELF AND WILL BLINK, WITHOUT ANY KEY IN IGNITION, IT WILL STILL COME ON. DRVING AT NIGHT, HEADLIGHTS WOULDNT COME ON BUT THAT FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT WOULD BLINK. I CAN ALSO HEAR A CLICKING SOUND WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 30, 201050,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. ONCE THE VEHICLE REACHED A STOP THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. HEAVY PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD UNTIL HE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO DIRECT THE VEHICLE ONTO A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO AND HE WAS ABLE TO TURN IT OFF. UPON RESTART THE IT OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. IT WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 11, 201090,000 milesLA

MY 2001 MITSUBISHI GALANT HAS BEEN LEAKING VERY BAD ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSANGER SIDE EVER SINCE I GOT IT. I NOT ONLY HAVE TO FOLD MY PANT LEGS WHEN I RIDE IN MY CAR BUT IT IS ALSO GROWING MOLD, WHICH CAN'T BE HEALTHY. IT ALSO HAS NEVER HAD GOOD EXTERIOR LIGHTING. MY HEADLIGHTS ALWAYS SEEM DIM AND THEY POINT UPWARD RATHER THAN AT THE ROAD WHERE THEY BELONG. *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jul 26, 2010115,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI GALLANT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE AUTOMATIC FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MECHANISM IN AN UPWARD MOTION WHICH FAILED TO OPERATE. HOWEVER, AFTER WAITING A PERIOD OF TWENTY TO THIRTY MINUTES THE WINDOW BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ANY SPEED TRAVELED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SERVICE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

Steering
Filed Jul 14, 2010NC

RIGHT REAR TIRE HIT HOLE OR BUMP IN PARKING. ACTIVATED ANTI-LOCK BRAKING FOR FIRST TIME SINCE BUYING CAR IN 2001. LOST STEERING CONTROL AT SAME TIME. COULDN'T TURN IT. STOPPED BEFORE ENTERING HIGHWAY. PUT CAR IN PARK; THEN DRIVE AND SLOWLY TOOK OFF. STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I WAS IN TRAFFIC OR MEETING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT PARKING LOCK. FAINT ODOR OF FUEL. NO OBVIOUS LEAK ON GROUND. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 17, 2009NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH SHE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND THE OCCUPANT WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Structure
Filed Aug 11, 2009170,000 milesIL

THE PAINT ON MY 2001 MITSUBISHI GALANT IS DISAPPEARING-TURNING WHITE ON THE ROOF AND REAR TRUCK. GROWING RAPIDLY!! BEEN HAPPENING OVER 4-5 MONTHS. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 5, 2009108,900 milesMI

SUDDEN LOSS OF FORWARD MOVEMENT AND DISABLED IN THE TRAFFIC WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. FOUND TRANSMISSION IS NOT MOVING THE DRIVE WHEELS IN ANY GEARS FORWARD OR REVERSE. *TR

20 of 151 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20129000Routine
20113000Routine
20109100Routine
200916000Routine
20086000Routine
200724100Routine
200624110Routine
200526310Routine
200461101Fatalities reported
2003126341Fatalities reported
20021353101Fatalities reported
2001 — this page1518110Routine
20001367160Routine
19992156101Fatalities reported
199853200Routine
199780210Routine
1996136440Routine
1995209650Above average
1994198452Fatalities reported
19939000Routine
199239120Routine
199163110Routine
199021110Routine

Compare every Galant 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.