NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
412 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · May 30, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting
SIGNAL SHOWING AIRBAG NEEDS SERVICING GOES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. HEADLIGHTS, LOW BEAM (BOTH OF THEM) JUST STOPPED WORKING. NEW BULBS AND NEW FUSES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM. NOW, I CAN'T EVEN KEEP MY HIGH BEAMS IN "ON" POSITION. ONLY IF I HOLD THE SWITCH. I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR UNDER 3 MONTHS. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK SOMETIME…
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SIGNAL SHOWING AIRBAG NEEDS SERVICING GOES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. HEADLIGHTS, LOW BEAM (BOTH OF THEM) JUST STOPPED WORKING. NEW BULBS AND NEW FUSES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM. NOW, I CAN'T EVEN KEEP MY HIGH BEAMS IN "ON" POSITION. ONLY IF I HOLD THE SWITCH. I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR UNDER 3 MONTHS. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK SOMETIMES WORKS, SOMETIMES DOESN'T. I HAVE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR MANUALLY (SOMETIMES). I FIND THAT ODD. MY LARGEST PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT, EVEN IN AN EMERGENCY.
NHTSA ODI #10992126
55,699 miles · May 1, 2017
Electrical System
ENGINE STARTED JERKING.MALFUNTION ENGINE BLOCK LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD.CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET GOING ON A STRAIGHT LINE.AFTER DEALER INSPECTION DIAG-NEEDS CODE P0300-#1 MISFIRES-NEEDS IGNITION COIL AND MODULE.
NHTSA ODI #10981654
187,000 miles · Apr 5, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN OR IDLING, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND SEIZED WHILE IN PARK. AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN OR IDLING, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND SEIZED WHILE IN PARK. AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.
NHTSA ODI #10970726
180,000 miles · Mar 31, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
IGNITION LOCK - CAR GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WON'T RELEASE. LOCKS ON DOOR MOVE UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN AND EVENTUALLY RUN BATTERY DOWN GEAR SHIFT TRIES TO SHIFT ON ITS OWN AND CLICKS FREQUENTLY
NHTSA ODI #10969730
102,000 miles · Mar 5, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering
WHILE DRIVING MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON THEN MY POWER STEERING FLASHED ON AS WELL. MY CAR JERSEY LIKE IT WAS GONNA CUT OFF. I CUTHINK IT OFF AND IT STARTED BACK UP. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH COBALTS.
NHTSA ODI #10958692
148,000 miles · Jan 26, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE ACCELERATING TO 5 MPH FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. HE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
NHTSA ODI #10947821
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering
JUST BOUGHT 2006 CHEVY COBALT SS I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE RECALLS I GAVE THEM THE VIN AND OVER THE PHONE THEY SAID THERE IS STILL 3 RECALLS FOR THE CAR I WENT THERE TODAY AND THEY SAID THERE WAS ONLY ONE THEY FIXED IT BUT IT WASN'T THE POWER STEERING HE SAID IT …
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JUST BOUGHT 2006 CHEVY COBALT SS I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE RECALLS I GAVE THEM THE VIN AND OVER THE PHONE THEY SAID THERE IS STILL 3 RECALLS FOR THE CAR I WENT THERE TODAY AND THEY SAID THERE WAS ONLY ONE THEY FIXED IT BUT IT WASN'T THE POWER STEERING HE SAID IT WAS ALREADY FIXED BUT THERE BEEN TIMES THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT ON ITS OWN AND I'M CURIOUS IF THEY ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THAT RECAL. ANOTHER THING WAS THE AIRBAGS WHICH I BELIEVE WAS ANOTHER RECALL FOR THE CAR THE AIRBAG LIGHTS IS ON AND ONCE AGAIN THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT.
NHTSA ODI #10945226
249,900 miles · Jan 6, 2017
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. UPON MERGING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SWITCH LANES, PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, AND COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. UPON MERGING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SWITCH LANES, PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, AND COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 249,900.
NHTSA ODI #10940111
178,000 miles · Dec 1, 2016
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE DOORS UNLOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED. THE REARVIEW MIRROR DOME LIGHT WAS THE ONLY LIGHT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE DOORS UNLOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED. THE REARVIEW MIRROR DOME LIGHT WAS THE ONLY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.
NHTSA ODI #10929464
117,638 miles · Nov 16, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSteeringCrash
THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME 5 TIMES ALL AT DIFFERENT TIMES. ONE TIME I WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT. THE OTHERS HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN CITY STREETS, TURNING CORNERS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR JUST START MY CAR AND THE GAUGES JUST GO NUTS. MY SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON MY FUEL GAUGE, RPM GAUGE. AND MPH …
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THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME 5 TIMES ALL AT DIFFERENT TIMES. ONE TIME I WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT. THE OTHERS HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN CITY STREETS, TURNING CORNERS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR JUST START MY CAR AND THE GAUGES JUST GO NUTS. MY SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON MY FUEL GAUGE, RPM GAUGE. AND MPH GAUGE WILL JUST GO TO ZERO. THE RPM GAUGE BOUNCES UP TO 900-1000 THEN BACK TO ZERO. THE WORDS ON THE DASH WILL READ LOW FUEL (EVEN IF I ACTUALLY HAVE A FULL TANK) AND THEN IT'LL CUT MY POWER STEERING AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO TURN AT ALL OR BARELY. I ALSO HAVE A VIDEO OF IT DOING IT WHILE I WAS STATIONARY. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAS MADE ME ALMOST CRASH MULTIPLE TIMES. AND ONCE I ACTUALLY HIT A CURB IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT DECIDED TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA ODI #10926329
Official recalls
5Apr 10, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
Feb 10, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Electrical System:ignition:switch
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Mar 3, 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED IN THE RECALL FILE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Oct 29, 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA; AND MODEL YEAR 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT, PONTIAC G5 AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND TEXAS. THE PLASTIC SUPPLY OR RETURN PORT ON THE MODULAR RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. IF EITHER OF THESE PORTS DEVELOPS A CRACK, FUEL WILL LEAK FROM THE AREA. IF THE CRACK BECOMES LARGE ENOUGH, FUEL MAY BE OBSERVED DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE MAY BE AFFECTED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME FOR MODEL YEAR 2006 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE AND TEXAS AND MODEL YEAR 2007 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN: ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Jan 18, 2007
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.'
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN A CRASH, HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION MAY BE INADEQUATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ENERGY ABSORBING PLASTIC TO THE HEADLINER TRIM TO REDUCE THE SEVERITY OF HEAD IMPACTS IN A CRASH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 21, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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