1993 Toyota Corolla

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 130 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags › frontal. It has been recalled 6 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal31
28024
Air Bags11
304
Structure › Body › Door9
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System7
000
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls5
000
Vehicle Speed Control5
100
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor4
102
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module4
100
Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages3
102
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner3
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension10E002000
Filed Feb 11, 201012,657 vehiclesRide Control, Llc

Defect. RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.

Risk. THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

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 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 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-inactive96V107000
Filed Jun 20, 1996627,858 vehiclesToyota Motor Co., Ltd.

Defect. IF LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE BOX AREA, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND STAY "ON" DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Risk. THIS LEAKAGE CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO PREVENT POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY THE SPILLING OF LIQUID SUBSTANCES ON THE SENSOR. AIR BAG SENSORS DAMAGED BY PREVIOUS LIQUID SPILLAGE WILL BE REPLACED.

Electrical System › Wiring94V220000
Filed Nov 8, 199416,497 vehiclesToyota Motor Co., Ltd.

Defect. AN UNUSED HARNESS CONNECTOR FOR POWER WINDOWS, POWER DOOR LOCKS AND SUNROOF WAS IMPROPERLY ROUTED UNDER THE FLOOR CARPET IN THE LEFT KICK PANEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS WHERE LARGE AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED, THE SALT WATER OR SNOW CARRIED INTO THE VEHICLE BY THE DRIVER'S SHOES CAN PENETRATE THE CARPET AND DRIP ONTO THE CONNECTOR RESULTING IN THE FORMATION OF A SALT BRIDGE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS.

Risk. THIS CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT INSIDE THE HARNESS, AND CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE UNUSED HARNESS CONNECTOR.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Mar 31, 2015NJ

ACCORDING TO YOU, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A KILLER CAR SINCE 2013. CONTACTING MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, SEVERAL TIMES AND BRING IN MY VEHICLE FOR REPAIR HAS FAILED. YOU REGRET ANY INCONVENIENCE? DOES THAT COVER INJURY OR DEATH? I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA VEHICLE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Seat Belts
Filed May 27, 2012112,000 milesNY

CAR IN STORAGE ENTERED VEHICLE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN PLACE WOULD NOT RETRACT. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 2, 2011123,000 milesMA

CAR WAS PERFECT JUST CAME HOME FROM PICKING MY MOTHER UP..SON CAME HOME A FEW MINUTES LATER, LESS THAN FIVE MINS. AND TOLD ME MY HORN WAS MAKING A FUNNY SOUND AND CAR LIGHTS WERE FLASHING, I THEN WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE AND NOTICED LIGHTS WERE ON , AND WHEN I WENT TO SEE IF I LEFT THEM ON, I OPENED THE DOOR AND NOTICED THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR. AS I RAN INSIDE THE HOUSE TO GET WATER TO PUT FIRE OUT, I HAD MY WIFE CALL THE FIRE DEPT. AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES I CAME OUTSIDE AND SAW THE VEHICLE INTERIOR COMPLETELY ENGULFED. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE. THE WEATHER WAS COLD AND SNOWING WITH SALT ON THE GROUND . *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 27, 201040,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME STUCK. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PLATE IN WHICH THE TRANSMISSION WAS SITTING ON WAS BENT ABNORMALLY AND BELIEVED IT TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 killed
Filed Feb 23, 201040,000 milesFL

TL* 1993 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM ONE PARKING SPACE TO ANOTHER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED CAUSING INTERNAL INJURIES THAT KILLED THE DRIVER ON IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLES SUDDEN ACCELERATION MILEAGE WAS 18 MPH WHEN IT CRASHED INTO THE TREE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 03/14/10 *BF UPDATED04/16/10. *LJ DOCUMENT WRITTEN IN SPANISH. UPDATED 10/12/10 UPDATED 9/21/2011*CW

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jun 15, 2006123,000 milesCO

EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAD A LATENT DEFECT IN THE FORM OF A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. AS TIME PROCEEDED, THE CRACK BECAME AN ENTIRE SEPARATION OF THE MANIFOLD NEAR THE CENTER. THIS SITUATION ALLOWS POISONOUS EXHAUST GASES TO ESCAPE WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS OPERATING. THESE GASES ARE PRIMARILY CARBON MONOXIDE -- AN UNSCENTED AND DEADLY GAS -- ALONG WITH OTHERS LESS HAZARDOUS. SINCE THIS IS AN INHERENT DEFECT, EITHER IN THE DESIGN OF THE MANIFOLD OR IN THE QUALITY OF THE MANIFOLD (OR BOTH), I DEFINITELY BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD RECALL THE 1993 TOYOTA COROLLA VEHICLES WITH 1.6 LITER ENGINES AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Oct 13, 2005MO

I HAVE REPLACED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THREE TIME,THE MATERIAL USE TO MANUFACTURE THIS PART WAS CHEAP CAUSING IT TO CRACK. *NM

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Aug 2, 2005229,000 milesMD

DT: 1993 TOYOTA COROLA. THE CONSUMER TOOKV EHICLE TO A MECHANIC BECAUSE THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT WORK. THE MECHANIC TOOK A WIRE THROUGH THE VEHICLE AND ATTACHED IT TO THE SECONDARY FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. EVERYTHING STOPPED WORKING ON THE VEHICLE ON 7-17-05. *AJK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed May 31, 200590,000 milesDC

ON JULY OF 1999, I WAS DRIVING MY 1993 TOYOTO COROLLA WHEN I WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD BY ANOTHER DRIVER, THUS CAUSING ME TO HIT A GUARD RAIL ,AND THE CEMENT HIGHWAY DIVIDER, MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND MY PASSENGER RECEIVED PERMANENT DAMAGE TO HIS FINGER, I RECEIVED BURNS ON MY STOMACH, ARMS AND 5 FRACTURED RIBS, ALSO WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED THE PLASTIC FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FLEW OFF CUT ME IN MY LIP, CAUSING PERMANENT DAMAGE. I ALSO RECEIVED SEVERE BRUSING AND PERMANENT NERVE DAMAGE IN MY CHEST . MY CAR HAD NO WARNING SIGNS ABOUT THE DANGER OF THE AIR BAG, AND I ALONG WITH MY PASSENGER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. I RETAINED A LAWYER AND I WROTE TOYOTA AND TO THIS DATE NO ONE RESPONDED, I JUST FOUND YOUR WEBSITE TODAY. I ALSO HAVE PICUTURES OF MY INJURIES. I FEEL THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WARNING SIGNS, AND THE FORCE OF THE AIR BAG SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO GREAT , THUS PREVENTING ME FROM SUSTAINING SO MANY PERMANENT INJURIES. I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY TOYOTA NEVER ANSWERED MY LETTER. I RETAINED AN ATTORNEY AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG COMPANIES HAVE GOOD LAWYERS AND I WOULD NOT WIN.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Mar 10, 2005MD

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. IT COLLIDED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HA NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 10, 2004NJ

I OWN TOYOTA CAROLLA (1994 MODEL) AND MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT - FRONT IMPACT. SHE MUST BE TRAVELLING BETWEEN 20-25 MPH WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCUR AND STILL THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T INFLATE. BECAUSE OF THIS SHE HAD BRUISED HER JAW AND BROKE THE BONE ON HER SIDE FACE. NO CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY REPEITION LIKE THIS. I WOULD EXPECT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS TO INFLATE ON FRONTAL IMPACT.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Jul 25, 2004177,000 milesVA

THE FUEL LINE THAT COMES FROM THE GAS TANK TO THE FUEL LINE THAT GOES TO THE ENGINE RUPTURED AT THE CONNECTOR AND STARTED LEAKING WHICH COULD HAVE BLOWN UP MY CAR. TOYOTA HAS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THEIR FUEL LINES. THERE IS A CONNECTOR WHICH JOINES THE TWO FUEL LINES AND THAT IS WHERE THE LEAK OCCURRED. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN NOW I WILL TRY TO AVOID BUYING A TOYOTA WITH THIS TYPE OF CONNECTOR. THE CONNECTOR IS EXPOSED UNDERNEATH THE CAR, AND IT SEEMS IT CAN EASILY BE BROKEN. TOYOTA DID NOT PUT ANY PROTECTION AROUND THIS COUPLER WHICH SEEMS IT CAN EASILY BE BROKEN AND BECOME A HAZARD. I HAD TO GET IF FIXED AND IT COST ME OVER $1,000.00 WHICH INCLUDED A NEW GAS TANK. WHEN I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THIS, THEY DID NOT EVEN CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. THEY ARE LUCKY THAT MY CAR DID NOT BLOW UP OR CAUSE A FIRE. ONE DAY I CAME OUT AND SAW GASOLINE DRIPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR, IT WAS THE FUEL LINE THAT STARTED LEAKING. THE COUPLER RUSTED OUT. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT.*AK

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Jul 25, 200447,000 milesVA

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1993 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE INSIDED DOOR HANDLE BROKE ON ME AROUND 1997, AND AGAIN A ABOUT A YEAR LATER. THE HANDLE JUST BROKE IN HALF. I DID NOT REPORT THIS AT THE TIME, BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW THIS WEBPAGE EXISTED. AFTER READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS YOU WOULD THINK THAT TOYOTA WOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND ADMIT THEY MADE DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLES ON THEIR CARS. WHAT IS WORST YET, WAS THAT A PERSON COULD BE TRAPPED IN THEIR CAR, AND NOT GET OUT IF THEY WERE IN A CRASH OR IF SOMETHING HAPPENED. I THOUGHT TOYOTA CARED ABOUT ITS CUSTOMERS. YOU WOULD THINK THE NHTSA WOULD HAVE SEEN ALL THE SERVICE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND MADE TOYOTA FIX THE DOOR HANDLES. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Jul 25, 2004170,000 milesVA

EXTERIOR LIGHTS. I HAD THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS MEANING BRAKE LIGHTS AND PARKING LIGHTS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. ABOUT A COUPLE YEARS LATER MY BRAKE LIGTHS WOULD NOT WORK NOR MY PARKING LIGHTS AND TURNING LIGHTS. WELL I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALER, AND ON THE LIGHT BULBS THERE ARE TWO SOLDER JOINTS ON THE BULB AND THEY MELTED TOGETHER CAUSING A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THEY GOT TOO HOT, AND THEY COULD HAVE EVEN MELTED IN THE SOCKET HARNESS. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT REPLACEMENT BULBS THE TOYOTA DEALERS ARE USING BUT BUYER BEWARE. THEY HEATED UP IN THE WIRING HARNESS AND I AM VERY LUCKY THEY DID NOT CAUSE A FIRE. I HOPE THE NHTSA LOOKS AT THE BULBS THAT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS ARE USING AND AT LEAST MAKING SURE THEY ARE SPECT OUT FOR HEAT BUILDUP INSIDE THESE PLASTIC SOCKETS WHICH COULD MELT.*AK

Air Bags
Filed Jul 6, 2004MD

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jul 6, 2004MD

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE , AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Oct 31, 200310,000 milesCA

REAR SEAT BELT HAS A FAILURE THAT DOESN'T ALLOW THE BELT TO RETRACT BACK INTO IT'S HOLLISTER. AS A RESULT, THE BELT BECOMES INOPERATIVE. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Structure
Filed Sep 9, 2003FL

I PURCHASED MY 93 TOYOTA COROLLA IN 94 AND MY CLEAR COAT IS COMING OFF ON THE DOORS AND BUMPERS. I`VE TALKED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP MONTHS BACK AND THEY SAID THAT YEAR WAS A BAD TYPE OF CLEAR COAT. I WAS WONDERING WHAT I SHOULD DO ABOUT IT? I CAN`T AFFORD A BRAND NEW PAINT JOB. BUT I WANT SOME TYPE OF CLOSURE OUT OF THIS. THE CLEAR COAT CHIPS OFF LIKE ITS A VERY THIN PIECE OF ICE ON IT. IT JUST LOOKS TERRIBLE. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Sep 2, 20035,000 milesIL

DRIVER'S WINDOW REGULATOR HAS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED TWO SEPARATE TIMES AT $500 EACH TIME. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Jun 19, 2003CA

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK

20 of 130 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2009
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202615100Routine
202531010Routine
202463201Fatalities reported
202373310Routine
2022100000Routine
2021185120Routine
2020305311Fatalities reported
2019202511Fatalities reported
2018133351Fatalities reported
2017178310Routine
2016214110High concern
2015219110High concern
2014269231Fatalities reported
2013201510Above average
2012446510Above average
2011584920Above average
20101,24417100High concern
20091,45913122Fatalities reported
2008314611Fatalities reported
2007836673Fatalities reported
20068391080High concern
20058531041Fatalities reported
20044771334Fatalities reported
20037201391Fatalities reported
2002117510Routine
2001133430Routine
2000145531Fatalities reported
1999155450Routine
1998225480Above average
1997135650Routine
19961296130Routine
19951767121Fatalities reported
1994172851Fatalities reported
1993 — this page130651Fatalities reported
199263230Routine
199171130Routine
199027100Routine

Compare every Corolla year →

Reading this record

1 death 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: Feb 11, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.