COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Nissan Altima electrical problems

1,770 distinct owner reports with an electrical-system component in this snapshot.

Includes the electrical-system component and its detailed subcategories. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

56 crash reports69 fire reports35 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,194 reports with mileage · 576 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 owners actually said

1,770 reports
2008 model year · Mileage unknown · May 5, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED LAST MONTH TO DRIVE IN THE STATE OF VA AND TO ACCESS THE NAVAL BASE FOR WORK. I FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT AND HAD TO PAY $705 FOR A NEW SEAT. I SAW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD BY NISSAN RECALL DEPARTMENT …

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THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED LAST MONTH TO DRIVE IN THE STATE OF VA AND TO ACCESS THE NAVAL BASE FOR WORK. I FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT AND HAD TO PAY $705 FOR A NEW SEAT. I SAW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD BY NISSAN RECALL DEPARTMENT MY CAR WASN'T COVERED. HOW CAN THAT BE POSSIBLE? I AM REQUESTING A FULL REFUND FROM NISSAN AS THE ISSUE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED IN 2008. I APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN HELPING ME ACCOMPLISH IT.

NHTSA ODI #10983702

2008 model year · Mileage unknown · May 3, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED LAST MONTH TO DRIVE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA AND TO ACCESS THE NAVAL BASE FOR WORK. I FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT AND HAD TO PAY $705 FOR A NEW SEAT. I SAW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD BY NISSAN RECALL DE…

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THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED LAST MONTH TO DRIVE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA AND TO ACCESS THE NAVAL BASE FOR WORK. I FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT AND HAD TO PAY $705 FOR A NEW SEAT. I SAW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD BY NISSAN RECALL DEPARTMENT MY CAR WASN'T COVERED. HOW CAN THAT BE POSSIBLE? I AM REQUESTING A REFUND AS THE ISSUE WAS A SAFETY RECALL IN 2008.

NHTSA ODI #10983357

2009 model year · Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

I BOUGHT THE CAR AT ROUGHLY 54K MILES. APPROXIMATELY AROUND 62K, THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR. I WORK ON RESIDENTIAL AC UNITS. MY PRESSURES ARE EQUALIZED. I BYPASSED THE PRESSURE SWITCH TEMPORARILY DURING DIAGNOSTICS TO SEE IF THE PRESSURE SWITCH WAS THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WHEN BYPASSED.THE ISSUE IS EIT…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR AT ROUGHLY 54K MILES. APPROXIMATELY AROUND 62K, THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR. I WORK ON RESIDENTIAL AC UNITS. MY PRESSURES ARE EQUALIZED. I BYPASSED THE PRESSURE SWITCH TEMPORARILY DURING DIAGNOSTICS TO SEE IF THE PRESSURE SWITCH WAS THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WHEN BYPASSED.THE ISSUE IS EITHER THE CLUTCH SPECIFICALLY OR THE COMPRESSOR IS BAD. HERE RECENTLY, I HAVE NOTICED A "JERKING" MOTION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. OBVIOUSLY, THIS WILL BE THE SHIFT SOLENOID OR THE CVT. CVT FLUID IS GOOD. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN GOING ON WITH 2009 ALTIMAS FOR OVER 8 YEARS NOW. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL? WHAT IS REQUIRED TO GET A RECALL IN EFFECT? THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING CVTS, START/STOP PROCEDURES, AND AC PROBLEMS, BUT NOT ONE RECALL CONCERNING THIS HAS HAPPENED. NISSAN REFUSES TO HELP.

NHTSA ODI #10980786

2015 model year · 33,000 miles · Apr 22, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

PUSH BUTTON START DOESN'T WORK DUE TO FAULTY STEERING WHEEL LOCK SYSTEM. CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS I USE REMOTE START, OPEN AND CLOSE DOOR THEN HIT BRAKE.

NHTSA ODI #10979891

2012 model year · 95,500 miles · Apr 17, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System

JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND NOTICED ON THE TEST DRIVE THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT WAS LIT UP INDICATING IT WAS OFF, EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE WAS IN THE SEAT. BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION, 5 MINUTES LATER THEY BROUGHT IT BACK CLAIMING IT NEEDED RESET DUE TO A SENSOR HAVING SOMETHING TO DO WITH A CARSEAT. THE LIGHT WASN'T…

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JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND NOTICED ON THE TEST DRIVE THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT WAS LIT UP INDICATING IT WAS OFF, EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE WAS IN THE SEAT. BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION, 5 MINUTES LATER THEY BROUGHT IT BACK CLAIMING IT NEEDED RESET DUE TO A SENSOR HAVING SOMETHING TO DO WITH A CARSEAT. THE LIGHT WASN'T ON WITH A PASSENGER SO I ASSUMED IT WAS FINE. NOW THE LIGHT BRIEFLY ILLUMINATES AT START UP, BUT STAYS OFF REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT. I HAVE SEEN ABOUT 20 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND IT IS VERY UNSAFE, I NOW HAVE ZERO FAITH THAT THE AIRBAG WILL EVEN DEPLOY. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!

NHTSA ODI #10978727

2005 model year · 176,000 miles · Apr 13, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

I WAS DRIVING MYSELF AND CO WORKER HOME FROM WORK. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET MY CAR JUST STALLED OUT AND WOULD NOT START. I COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, OUR LIVES WERE PUT AT RISK DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE CAM SHAFT POSITION CENSOR ON MY 2005 NISSIAN ALTIMA. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE ON THE INVESTIGATION INTO …

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I WAS DRIVING MYSELF AND CO WORKER HOME FROM WORK. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET MY CAR JUST STALLED OUT AND WOULD NOT START. I COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, OUR LIVES WERE PUT AT RISK DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE CAM SHAFT POSITION CENSOR ON MY 2005 NISSIAN ALTIMA. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE ON THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAMSHAFT POSITION CENSOR AND THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE RECALL THAT WAS PERFORMED ON THE CAMSHAFT CENSOR. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10972248

2013 model year · 32,000 miles · Apr 7, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

2013 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S WAS SERVICED ON DECEMBER 19, 2016 AT PLANET NISSAN 5850 CENTENNIAL CENTER BLVD. LAS VEGAS, NV 89149 DEALER PERFORMED R1609 OCS RECALL & PC490 CVT REPROGRAM RECALL. DURING THESE PROCESS SOME ELECTRICAL ITEMS DAMAGE. NOW CVT (CONTINUES VARIABLE TRANSMISSION) IS FAILING. ON APRIL 6, 2017 TOOK VEHICLE TO …

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2013 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S WAS SERVICED ON DECEMBER 19, 2016 AT PLANET NISSAN 5850 CENTENNIAL CENTER BLVD. LAS VEGAS, NV 89149 DEALER PERFORMED R1609 OCS RECALL & PC490 CVT REPROGRAM RECALL. DURING THESE PROCESS SOME ELECTRICAL ITEMS DAMAGE. NOW CVT (CONTINUES VARIABLE TRANSMISSION) IS FAILING. ON APRIL 6, 2017 TOOK VEHICLE TO AUTONATION NISSAN LAS VEGAS 5800 W. SAHARA AVE THE SERVICE CONSULTANT SAID CVT IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACE BUT NISSAN DO NOT WANT TO PAY. VEHICLE DRIVES BUT WHEN YOU REACH 25-35 MILES PER HOUR IT JERKS, ALSO 65 MILES PER HOUR IT JERKS THEN IT LOOSES POWER, VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP AND IT DOES NOT MOVE. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. NISSAN NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #10971220

2012 model year · 127,668 miles · Apr 5, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I JUST RECENTLY REPLACED THE BATTERY IN MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA AND NOW I AM HAVING THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: GAUGE CLUSTER IS NOT WORKING AT ALL (ENGINE TEMP, RPM, SPEEDOMETER, GAS). EVERYTHING ELSE IS WORKING FINE. I HAD ALL THE FUSES CHECKED AND ALL ARE WORKING PROPERLY. I TOOK TO DEALER, THEY ARE SAYING REPLACE INSTRUMENT CLUSTE…

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I JUST RECENTLY REPLACED THE BATTERY IN MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA AND NOW I AM HAVING THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: GAUGE CLUSTER IS NOT WORKING AT ALL (ENGINE TEMP, RPM, SPEEDOMETER, GAS). EVERYTHING ELSE IS WORKING FINE. I HAD ALL THE FUSES CHECKED AND ALL ARE WORKING PROPERLY. I TOOK TO DEALER, THEY ARE SAYING REPLACE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, PROGRAM AND RETEST FOR BCM FAILURE(2 CONCERNS-INST CLUSTER NO COMM, POWER AND GROUND PRESENT, U1000 AND CAN SYSTEM DIAG FAILED CLUSTER CAN NOT GET MILEAGE) RETEST FOR BCM FAILURE AFTER INSTALL CLUSTER IS REPLACED (2ND CONCERN IS CAR IS HARD TO TURN ON AND OFF NEED TO REPLACE CLUSTER AND RETEST FOR POSSIBLE BCM FAILURE. MY CAR WAS FINE 1 WEEK AGO AND PASSED THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION ON 03/25/2017 AT A CERTIFIED INSPECTION PLACE. I HAVE PROOF OF ALL THOSE COPIES IT IS TRULY MANUFACTURE ( NISSAN ) PROBLEM WITH KIND OF VEHICLE MANUFACTURING PRACTICE. I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN IN MY LIFE.

NHTSA ODI #10970695

2012 model year · 113,090 miles · Mar 29, 2017
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED BY THE KEY FOB. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED BY THE KEY FOB. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,090.

NHTSA ODI #10969266

2013 model year · Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATES AIRBAG IS "INHIBITED" EVEN THOUGH MY WIFE IS RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SHE HAS NO PROTECTION FROM THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10967892

Related Official recalls

3

14V138000 · Air Bags:frontal; Electrical System:software

Mar 25, 2014

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Consequence: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Air Bags:frontal

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Consequence: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

08V521000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:software

Oct 7, 2008

NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Air Bags

NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

07V599000 · Electrical System:ignition:module

Dec 28, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACED DURING SERVICE AT A DEALERSHIP, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE SOFTWARE. IF THE TPMS IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT ALERT THE DRIVER TO A DECREASE IN THE TIRE PRESSURE AS DESIGNED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TPMS FUNCTION AND REACTIVATE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

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

Related NHTSA investigations

0

No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.