NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 11Nov 2005
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Hudson, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON HIS WAY HOME FROM WASHING VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE STARTED FILLING UP WITH SMOKE. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED A FIRE UNDER THE TRUNK. THE RUBBER HANGER THAT HOLDS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM MELTED, BUT THE MUFFLER WAS STILL ON. THERE WAS A FOOTBALL SIZE HOLE IN THE TRUNK. HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE HIMSELF, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A MECHANIC TO DETERMINE WHERE THE FIRE HAD STARTED.
NHTSA complaint #10142317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesSAN Diego, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE CRAHED INTO A POLE. NO INJURIES REPORTED.
NHTSA complaint #10099554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burbank, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
FIRE STARTED UNDER DASH,FIRE ALSO IN FUSE RECEPTICLE.
NHTSA complaint #741906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burbank, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
FIRE STARTED UNDER DASH,FIRE ALSO IN FUSE RECEPTICLE.
NHTSA complaint #741906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EAU Claire, WIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
STEERING AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #540835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kalamzoo, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE SOMEWHERE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED NEXT TO THE ENGINE WHERE FUEL COMES IN.
NHTSA complaint #806573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Hudson, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON HIS WAY HOME FROM WASHING VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE STARTED FILLING UP WITH SMOKE. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED A FIRE UNDER THE TRUNK. THE RUBBER HANGER THAT HOLDS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM MELTED, BUT THE MUFFLER WAS STILL ON. THERE WAS A FOOTBALL SIZE HOLE IN THE TRUNK. HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE HIMSELF, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A MECHANIC TO DETERMINE WHERE THE FIRE HAD STARTED.
NHTSA complaint #10142317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesSAN Diego, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE CRAHED INTO A POLE. NO INJURIES REPORTED.
NHTSA complaint #10099554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK SHE SAW SMOKE FROM UNDER THE DASH. SHE DROVE HOME IN A SNOW STORM FOR 1.5 HOURS AND AFTER GETTING HOME TURNED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, AND CAR OFF. I NOTICE THE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON. IT SMELLED LIKE A FIRE WAS GOING TO START. I DROVE IT INTO MY SHED AND CHECKED IT OUT AND IT WAS A SHORT IN THE SWITCH. I REPLACED THE SWITCH AND IT COST ME OVER $100 TO REPLACE IT. IT PROBRABLY WOULD OF COST ME OVER $200 DOLLARS IF I WERE TO HAVE A DEALER OR GARAGE DO IT. THIS TO ME IS A VERY HIGH SAFETY CONCERN AND DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10072473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesSanta Maria, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, STRONG GAS FUMES CAME THROUGH THE VENTS. *AK THE SMELL WORSENED PER CONSUMER. THE MECHANIC TIGHTENED THE GROUND TO THE COMPUTER, CHECKED FOR EXHAUST LEAKS AND FOUND NONE. THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE FLANGE AT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, THE WIPERS DID NOT WORK, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK WERE INOPERATIVE AS WELL, AND NOISE OCCURRED WHEN THE A/C WAS IN USE. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF REPAIRS THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED. *SC THE BATTERY, TIRES, LOWER RADIATOR HOSE, FRONT STRUTS,WATER PUMP, DISC BRAKE, CALIPERS, PADS AND STARTER SOLENOID WERE ALL REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10057476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesSanta Maria, CA
TIRES
WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, STRONG GAS FUMES CAME THROUGH THE VENTS. *AK THE SMELL WORSENED PER CONSUMER. THE MECHANIC TIGHTENED THE GROUND TO THE COMPUTER, CHECKED FOR EXHAUST LEAKS AND FOUND NONE. THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE FLANGE AT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, THE WIPERS DID NOT WORK, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK WERE INOPERATIVE AS WELL, AND NOISE OCCURRED WHEN THE A/C WAS IN USE. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF REPAIRS THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED. *SC THE BATTERY, TIRES, LOWER RADIATOR HOSE, FRONT STRUTS,WATER PUMP, DISC BRAKE, CALIPERS, PADS AND STARTER SOLENOID WERE ALL REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10057476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesSanta Maria, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, STRONG GAS FUMES CAME THROUGH THE VENTS. *AK THE SMELL WORSENED PER CONSUMER. THE MECHANIC TIGHTENED THE GROUND TO THE COMPUTER, CHECKED FOR EXHAUST LEAKS AND FOUND NONE. THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE FLANGE AT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, THE WIPERS DID NOT WORK, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK WERE INOPERATIVE AS WELL, AND NOISE OCCURRED WHEN THE A/C WAS IN USE. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF REPAIRS THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED. *SC THE BATTERY, TIRES, LOWER RADIATOR HOSE, FRONT STRUTS,WATER PUMP, DISC BRAKE, CALIPERS, PADS AND STARTER SOLENOID WERE ALL REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10057476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesSanta Maria, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, STRONG GAS FUMES CAME THROUGH THE VENTS. *AK THE SMELL WORSENED PER CONSUMER. THE MECHANIC TIGHTENED THE GROUND TO THE COMPUTER, CHECKED FOR EXHAUST LEAKS AND FOUND NONE. THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE FLANGE AT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, THE WIPERS DID NOT WORK, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK WERE INOPERATIVE AS WELL, AND NOISE OCCURRED WHEN THE A/C WAS IN USE. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF REPAIRS THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED. *SC THE BATTERY, TIRES, LOWER RADIATOR HOSE, FRONT STRUTS,WATER PUMP, DISC BRAKE, CALIPERS, PADS AND STARTER SOLENOID WERE ALL REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10057476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesSanta Maria, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, STRONG GAS FUMES CAME THROUGH THE VENTS. *AK THE SMELL WORSENED PER CONSUMER. THE MECHANIC TIGHTENED THE GROUND TO THE COMPUTER, CHECKED FOR EXHAUST LEAKS AND FOUND NONE. THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE FLANGE AT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, THE WIPERS DID NOT WORK, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK WERE INOPERATIVE AS WELL, AND NOISE OCCURRED WHEN THE A/C WAS IN USE. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF REPAIRS THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED. *SC THE BATTERY, TIRES, LOWER RADIATOR HOSE, FRONT STRUTS,WATER PUMP, DISC BRAKE, CALIPERS, PADS AND STARTER SOLENOID WERE ALL REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10057476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesSanta Maria, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, STRONG GAS FUMES CAME THROUGH THE VENTS. *AK THE SMELL WORSENED PER CONSUMER. THE MECHANIC TIGHTENED THE GROUND TO THE COMPUTER, CHECKED FOR EXHAUST LEAKS AND FOUND NONE. THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE FLANGE AT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, THE WIPERS DID NOT WORK, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK WERE INOPERATIVE AS WELL, AND NOISE OCCURRED WHEN THE A/C WAS IN USE. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF REPAIRS THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED. *SC THE BATTERY, TIRES, LOWER RADIATOR HOSE, FRONT STRUTS,WATER PUMP, DISC BRAKE, CALIPERS, PADS AND STARTER SOLENOID WERE ALL REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10057476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO RESTART. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK IGNITION MODULE FAILED, BRAKE SENSOR FAILED, STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE, HOOD CABLE BROKE, STARTER FAILED, RADIATOR CRACKED, FUSES CONTINUE TO BLOW AND THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #8006318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO RESTART. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK IGNITION MODULE FAILED, BRAKE SENSOR FAILED, STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE, HOOD CABLE BROKE, STARTER FAILED, RADIATOR CRACKED, FUSES CONTINUE TO BLOW AND THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #8006318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO RESTART. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK IGNITION MODULE FAILED, BRAKE SENSOR FAILED, STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE, HOOD CABLE BROKE, STARTER FAILED, RADIATOR CRACKED, FUSES CONTINUE TO BLOW AND THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #8006318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO RESTART. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK IGNITION MODULE FAILED, BRAKE SENSOR FAILED, STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE, HOOD CABLE BROKE, STARTER FAILED, RADIATOR CRACKED, FUSES CONTINUE TO BLOW AND THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #8006318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO RESTART. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK IGNITION MODULE FAILED, BRAKE SENSOR FAILED, STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE, HOOD CABLE BROKE, STARTER FAILED, RADIATOR CRACKED, FUSES CONTINUE TO BLOW AND THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #8006318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scranton, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY FAIL, BRAKES DO NOT TAKE HOLD IMMEDIATELY , COMPLETE FAILURE DURING INLCLEMENT WEATHER. ABS LIGHT ON.
NHTSA complaint #757641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewiston, ME
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THIS CAR FROM THE GET GO WAS A LEMON. I CONTACTED THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM, THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE CAR, SO THERE WAS NOTHING THAT ANYONE COULD DO FOR ME. I NEVER EVEN KNEW THAT NTSA EXISTED BEFORE TODAY. I AM NOT SURE THERE IS ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO BUT I DO KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE OUT THERE WITH A "BAD" ACHIEVA. ANOTHER THING WRONG WITH THE CAR IS THE PAINT CHIPS RIGHT OFF!!! THIS CAR HAS BEEN FALLING APART AS SOON AS I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT!! IT MAY BE TOO LATE FOR ME BUT THESE CARS SHOULD BE PULLED OFF THE ROAD SO PEOPLE DONT GO BROKE LIKE I DID KEEPING THEM RUNNING. NOT TO MENTION THAT THE HEAD ON THE ACHIEVA IS ALUMINUM AND THE GASKETS BREAK AFTER SO MUCH PRESSURE. I HAD TO REPLACE THAT TOO!! THE HARD PART WAS FINDING A MECHANIC THAT WOULD EVEN TOUCH THE ENGINE. NO MECHANICS ARE WILLING TO DEAL WITH QUAD 4 ENGINES!!! IF THAT DOESNT TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT THESE CARS THAN I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY BUT HELP!!!
NHTSA complaint #748647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmette, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I TRIED TO START MY CAR TO GO TO WORK ON 3/12/01 AND I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A PROBLEM. I APPEARED TO WORK FINE THE DAY BEFORE. THE CAR DID START BUT IMMEDIATELY IT STARTED TO POOR SMOKE OUT THE EXAUST PIPE. I ALSO NOTICED THE SMELL OF ANTI-FREEZE. I DROVE IT APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE TO MY NORMAL SERVICE STATION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BLOWN CYLINDER HEAD GASKET. AFTER RECEIVING THIS INFORMATION I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR (REGENCY OLDSMOBILE) AND THEY TOLD ME THE CAR DID NOT MEET THE CRITRIA BECAUSE OF ITS AGE. THEY CONFIRMED THE VIN NUMBER I GAVE THEM HAD THE PROBLEM, BUT MY PROBLEM WAS THAT MY CAR WAS TO OLD. I THEN CALLED OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE OFFICE AT 1-800-442-6537 WHERE THE LADY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO REPAIRS AGAINST THAT SAME VIN NUMBER THAT THE DEALER TOLD ME WAS. CAN YOU HELP ME?
NHTSA complaint #742549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burbank, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
FIRE STARTED UNDER DASH,FIRE ALSO IN FUSE RECEPTICLE.
NHTSA complaint #741906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burbank, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
FIRE STARTED UNDER DASH,FIRE ALSO IN FUSE RECEPTICLE.
NHTSA complaint #741906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hemed, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
AFTER DRIVING COULD STOP AND ENGINE WILL STALL WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. ENGINE WILL NOT START UNTIL CONSUMER WILL LET VEHICLE SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES. THEN, IT WILL RESTART AND WORK AGAIN. DEALER SAID THAT PROBLEM IWAS WITH TORQUE CONVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #881027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hemed, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AFTER DRIVING COULD STOP AND ENGINE WILL STALL WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. ENGINE WILL NOT START UNTIL CONSUMER WILL LET VEHICLE SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES. THEN, IT WILL RESTART AND WORK AGAIN. DEALER SAID THAT PROBLEM IWAS WITH TORQUE CONVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #881027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winser, CD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT ANY SPEED STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO REDUCE OR STOP, AND ENTIRE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING, THEN IT STALLED. WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO RE-START VEHICLE, IT VIBRATED. BUT, WHEN PUT IN DRIVE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #863077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winser, CD
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT ANY SPEED STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO REDUCE OR STOP, AND ENTIRE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING, THEN IT STALLED. WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO RE-START VEHICLE, IT VIBRATED. BUT, WHEN PUT IN DRIVE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #863077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakersfield, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
ALTERNATOR OUT 96/UPPER RAD HOSE OUT 97/ OXYGEN SENSOR OUT 98/DOOR LOCK OUT 98/TIMING CHAIN,GEARS,GUIDES, WATER PUMP OUT 99/TRANS. PAN LEAK 2000/HEAD GASKET OUT 2000** HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE A FEAR OF GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A VEHICLE NOT GET PAID FOR WITH ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #722770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakersfield, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ALTERNATOR OUT 96/UPPER RAD HOSE OUT 97/ OXYGEN SENSOR OUT 98/DOOR LOCK OUT 98/TIMING CHAIN,GEARS,GUIDES, WATER PUMP OUT 99/TRANS. PAN LEAK 2000/HEAD GASKET OUT 2000** HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE A FEAR OF GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A VEHICLE NOT GET PAID FOR WITH ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #722770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.