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2006 Mazda Tribute

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Mazda Tribute do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 143.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

107 reports with mileage · 23 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

130 reports
28,000 miles · Nov 5, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

WHEN THE AIR TEMP IS BELOW 60 DEGREES, THE ACCELERATOR STICKS UPON ACCELERATION. ONCE THIS HAPPENS, THE GAS PEDAL CANNOT BE DEPRESSED UNLESS YOU EXERT EXTREME FORCE ON IT WITH YOUR FOOT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE TO CROSS TRAFFIC OR SIMILAR TYPE OF SITUATION. ONCE THE ENGINE WARMS UP, OR IF THE …

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WHEN THE AIR TEMP IS BELOW 60 DEGREES, THE ACCELERATOR STICKS UPON ACCELERATION. ONCE THIS HAPPENS, THE GAS PEDAL CANNOT BE DEPRESSED UNLESS YOU EXERT EXTREME FORCE ON IT WITH YOUR FOOT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE TO CROSS TRAFFIC OR SIMILAR TYPE OF SITUATION. ONCE THE ENGINE WARMS UP, OR IF THE AIR TEMP WARMS UP ABOVE 60 DEGREES, THE PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434315

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. RUNS FINE DURING WARM WEATHER. AT THE SLIGHTEST OUTBREAK OF COLD WEATHER, ACCELERATOR DOES NOT DEPRESS, UNABLE TO GET ANY POWER FROM THE ENGINE. WILL FREEZE UP AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING OR NOT WORK AT ALL. HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS, MAZDA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. HAS ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS …

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2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. RUNS FINE DURING WARM WEATHER. AT THE SLIGHTEST OUTBREAK OF COLD WEATHER, ACCELERATOR DOES NOT DEPRESS, UNABLE TO GET ANY POWER FROM THE ENGINE. WILL FREEZE UP AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING OR NOT WORK AT ALL. HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS, MAZDA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. HAS ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS WHEN ACCELERATING AROUND A TURN DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. MAZDA HAS RECALLED PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RECALL THIS MODEL. PLEASE CHANGE THAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433578

130,000 miles · Oct 24, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

TRIBUTE GAS PEDAL IS LOCKING (STICKING) AND UNABLE TO BE PRESSED. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES LATELY THE LATEST BEING THIS MORNING WHILE TAKING MY CHILD TO SCHOOL TRYING TO GO UP A HILL I WAS UNABLE TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL WHICH I HAD TO ABRUPTLY PULL OVER NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND SCARING MY CHILD AND MYSELF. TH…

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TRIBUTE GAS PEDAL IS LOCKING (STICKING) AND UNABLE TO BE PRESSED. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES LATELY THE LATEST BEING THIS MORNING WHILE TAKING MY CHILD TO SCHOOL TRYING TO GO UP A HILL I WAS UNABLE TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL WHICH I HAD TO ABRUPTLY PULL OVER NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND SCARING MY CHILD AND MYSELF. THIS IS OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY AND THUS BECOMING MORE HAZARDOUS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, IT GOING TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR FATALITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10432530

93,000 miles · Sep 18, 2011
Power Train

I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT, AND STARTED TO HIT THE GAS, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I FINALLY GOT THE CAR TO WORK FOR ABOUT 200 FEET, AND THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I STARTED MY CAR AGAIN, AND AGAIN IT WENT FOR 200 FEET BEFORE STORPPING AND STALLING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT MY TRA…

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I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT, AND STARTED TO HIT THE GAS, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I FINALLY GOT THE CAR TO WORK FOR ABOUT 200 FEET, AND THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I STARTED MY CAR AGAIN, AND AGAIN IT WENT FOR 200 FEET BEFORE STORPPING AND STALLING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT MY TRANSMISSON HAD FAILED, AND THERE IS A HIGH FAILURE RATE WITH MY CAR AND ITS TRANSMISSION. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE, AND DISCOVERED SEVERAL MAZDA OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10425945

58,000 miles · Mar 24, 2011
Power Train

NEEDED AN OVERHAUL OF THE TRANSMISSION. INTERNAL DAMAGE WAS DONE YET THE CAR ISN'T OLD. THE MECHANICS SAID THEY HAD A TRIBUTE 2006 WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, AND THEN ANOTHER SHOP NEXT CITY OVER HAD AGAIN ANOTHER TRIBUTE SAME ISSUE. WHEN I'D DRIVE IT WOULD NO LONGER STAY IN GEAR UNTIL I TURNED IT OFF AND LET IT SIT A WHILE TH…

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NEEDED AN OVERHAUL OF THE TRANSMISSION. INTERNAL DAMAGE WAS DONE YET THE CAR ISN'T OLD. THE MECHANICS SAID THEY HAD A TRIBUTE 2006 WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, AND THEN ANOTHER SHOP NEXT CITY OVER HAD AGAIN ANOTHER TRIBUTE SAME ISSUE. WHEN I'D DRIVE IT WOULD NO LONGER STAY IN GEAR UNTIL I TURNED IT OFF AND LET IT SIT A WHILE THEN WOULD GO AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10393308

50,000 miles · Feb 13, 2011
Fuel System, OtherCrash

ON 2/10/11 MY SON WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH OUR 2006 MADZA TRIBUTE. THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK EVERY NOW AND THEN, AND THE ONLY WAY TO RELEASE IT WAS TO PUSH DOWN ON IT WITH YOU FOOT AND IT WOULD RESUME. UNFORTUNTLY, HE WAS DRIVING ON THE I-5 FREEWAY NEAR GRANTS PASS, OREGON WHEN IT STUCK AND HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE H…

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ON 2/10/11 MY SON WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH OUR 2006 MADZA TRIBUTE. THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK EVERY NOW AND THEN, AND THE ONLY WAY TO RELEASE IT WAS TO PUSH DOWN ON IT WITH YOU FOOT AND IT WOULD RESUME. UNFORTUNTLY, HE WAS DRIVING ON THE I-5 FREEWAY NEAR GRANTS PASS, OREGON WHEN IT STUCK AND HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE HIT A SEMI TRUCK, THEN A 2ND SEMI TRUCK, AND WAS CITED FOR RECKLESS DRIVING, ALTHOUGH DRIVING THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT ON DRY PAVEMENT. MY SON IS 31. THE STATE POLICE GAVE HIM A BLOOD TEST FOR ALLEGED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, BUT IT CAME UP NEGATIVE. HE IS SUFFERING MUSCULAR INJURIES AS IS HIS GIRLFRIEND WHO WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE GAS PEDAL STICKING WOULD HAPPEN A COUPLE OF TIMES A MONTH, JUST OFF AND ON, AND I CURRENTLY ONLY WORK PART TIME SINCE LOOSING MY FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT THIS PAST JUNE (2010). THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. I AM NOW WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION AND HAVE TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE, AND/OR HAVE REPAIRED AN OLD CAR I HAVE SITTING AT HOME. I WONDER IF OTHER MADZA TRIBUTES ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10382490

46,000 miles · Feb 8, 2011
TiresVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY MAZDA TRIBUTE 4 CYLINDER 2WD. THE #1 PROBLEM IS THAT THE GAS PEDDLE FREEZES ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. I TRY TO PRESS DOWN ON IT AND IT DOESN'T MOVE. I HAVE TO DO THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE IT STARTS WORKING AND THEN I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL THAT I DON'T GO SHOOTING ACROSS THE RODE. I W…

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I HAVE SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY MAZDA TRIBUTE 4 CYLINDER 2WD. THE #1 PROBLEM IS THAT THE GAS PEDDLE FREEZES ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. I TRY TO PRESS DOWN ON IT AND IT DOESN'T MOVE. I HAVE TO DO THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE IT STARTS WORKING AND THEN I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL THAT I DON'T GO SHOOTING ACROSS THE RODE. I WAS TOLD THIS COULD BE CARBON BUILDUP BY THE DEALERS SERVICEMAN. I ALSO HAVE TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRES EVERY WEEK WHEN IT'S COLD AND EVERY OTHER WEEK WHEN IT'S NOT. I HAD A TIRE PRESSURE VALVE LEAK IN ONE OF THE TIRES AND NOW I THINK I HAVE ANOTHER. MY VEHICLE HAS 54440 MILES ON IT AND THE FURTHER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN IS 36 MILES. IT IS USED FOR LOCAL DRIVING ONLY AS I WOULD BE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANY FURTHER THAN THAT. I ALSO NEED FRONT STABILIZER LINKS. I JUST REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT NOW WHEN I TRY TO START THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING LIGHTS UP BUT IT DOESN'T START OR MAKE ANY SOUND WHEN I TURN THE KEY. I HAVE TO TRY THIS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY STARTS. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW AND I HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS. THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE IS WORTHLESS, I SLIDE ALL OVER THE PLACE AND FISH TAIL BACKING UP IN MY DRIVEWAY. THESE PROBLEMS ARE SEVERAL TIMES A DAY AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP FIXING THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES MAY NEED THE RIMS CLEANED TO HELP WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMING ON. OF COURSE MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED AS IS MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I WOULDN'T BUY ANOTHER MAZDA TRIBUTE OR RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE. AND SINCE WHEN DOES IT COST $600 PLUS FOR A TUNE UP? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10381126

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS SHE NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE TO HIGHER SPEEDS. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE SHE WOULD RELEASE HER FOOT FROM THE PEDAL AND TRY TO KICK IT UNTIL IT RETURNED TO THE NORMAL POSITIO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS SHE NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE TO HIGHER SPEEDS. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE SHE WOULD RELEASE HER FOOT FROM THE PEDAL AND TRY TO KICK IT UNTIL IT RETURNED TO THE NORMAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10380232

155,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE PASSING A SLOWER VEHICLE ON A TWO LANE ROAD, THE MAZDA TRIBUTE'S ACCELERATOR STUCK. I LET OFF THE GAS AT 65MPH BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE TO OVER 4000 RPM AND 85 MPH. THE BRAKES DID LITTLE TO SLOW THE CAR(I GOT IT DOWN TO 80MPH). TRYING TO RAISE OR MOVE THE GAS PEDDLE DID NOTHING TO CHANGE THE SPEED. I WAS ABL…

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WHILE PASSING A SLOWER VEHICLE ON A TWO LANE ROAD, THE MAZDA TRIBUTE'S ACCELERATOR STUCK. I LET OFF THE GAS AT 65MPH BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE TO OVER 4000 RPM AND 85 MPH. THE BRAKES DID LITTLE TO SLOW THE CAR(I GOT IT DOWN TO 80MPH). TRYING TO RAISE OR MOVE THE GAS PEDDLE DID NOTHING TO CHANGE THE SPEED. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND AS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN, I APPLIED THE HAND (EMERGENCY) BRAKE AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD ONTO A WIDE SHOULDER. STARTING THE ENGINE AGAIN LATER, IT STARTED AT THE PREVIOUS HIGH RPM'S. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND DID NOT DRIVE IT FURTHER .I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SUDDENLY ACCELERATING FOR AN INSTANT BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL SETTINGS. THIS HAS BEEN ERRATIC AND CANNOT BE REPRODUCED FOR THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. TWO WEEKS AGO, THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTED DROPPING OUT (TURNS OFF) WITH OUT WARNING. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM., BUT REPLACED A SWITCH WITHOUT ANY EFFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378529

105,000 miles · Jan 19, 2011
Fuel System, OtherVehicle Speed Control

MY GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK..HELP!! I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WAS STUCK. I QUICKLY PUSHED THE BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. I REMEMBER HEARING ABOUT THIS SO I PULLED UP MY CARPET THINKING IT MIGHT BE THAT. I STARTED BACK ON MY WAY TO WORK AND THE PEDAL WAS "STICKY". AFTER WORK I WAS TRYING T…

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MY GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK..HELP!! I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WAS STUCK. I QUICKLY PUSHED THE BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. I REMEMBER HEARING ABOUT THIS SO I PULLED UP MY CARPET THINKING IT MIGHT BE THAT. I STARTED BACK ON MY WAY TO WORK AND THE PEDAL WAS "STICKY". AFTER WORK I WAS TRYING TO PULL OUT OF MY PARKED SPOT. MY GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK AGAIN. MY CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS' OWN. I TRIED THE BRAKE IT WOULD NOT HELP. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT SLOWED DOWN. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT. I GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND TRIED AGAIN, IT WAS STILL STUCK. THIS WAS SO BAD BECAUSE NOT ONLY WAS IT DANGEROUS FOR ME, I AM A TEACHER AND THE STUDENTS WALK THROUGH THE PARKING LOT ALL THE TIME. IT WAS DANGEROUS FOR EVERYONE. I CALLED THE MAZDA DEALER ( I HAVE A 2006 TRIBUTE) ASKING IF THERE WAS A RECALL, THEY SAID NO. I CAME HOME AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM (THE FORD ESCAPE IS THE SAME AS MY CAR) THEIR GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK!!! THIS IS HORRIBLE, COMMON, AND DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10377135

Official recalls

2

12V357000 · Engine And Engine Cooling; Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Jul 27, 2012

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

05V525000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Nov 17, 2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TEETH TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.