Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 136 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports7 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
136 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 1999
Power Train
SHIFT INDICATOR NEVER FELECTED CORRECT SHIFT, NEUTRAL SHOWED REVERSE, D1 WAS IN OVERDRIVE AND VARIOUS OTHER COMBINATIONS. SHIFT INDICATOR MOVED UP AND DOWN REQUIRING REPEATED SHIFTING CHANGES TO CORRECT GEAR. WHEN CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND STOPPED HAD TO GO BACK TO PARK OR SWITCH TO ANOTHER DRIVE ON INDICATOR FOR CAR TO MOVE. I BR…
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SHIFT INDICATOR NEVER FELECTED CORRECT SHIFT, NEUTRAL SHOWED REVERSE, D1 WAS IN OVERDRIVE AND VARIOUS OTHER COMBINATIONS. SHIFT INDICATOR MOVED UP AND DOWN REQUIRING REPEATED SHIFTING CHANGES TO CORRECT GEAR. WHEN CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND STOPPED HAD TO GO BACK TO PARK OR SWITCH TO ANOTHER DRIVE ON INDICATOR FOR CAR TO MOVE. I BROUGHT TO TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT AT THE COST OF $1,200. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716306
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY/STALL INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING A POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853145
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1999
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE WAS NOT IN A CRASH, IGNITION MODULE AND DISTRIBUTOR WIRES CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSE UNKNOWN
NHTSA ODI #713366
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 1999
Suspension
DESIGN FLAW OF REAR AXLE SUPPORT BROKE WHILE CROSSING A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS. *YC
NHTSA ODI #548583
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #846771
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM IS LEAKING, AND CAUSING AIR CONDITIONER TO MALFUNCTION. DEALER SAID THE TUBING IN THE AIR DUCTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #840845
Mileage unknown · May 17, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN VEHICLE STALLED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A COLLISION. DRIVER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #838022
Mileage unknown · May 15, 1999
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING, OPERATOR NOTED ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASH FLASHED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND WENT OUT. OPERATOR IMMEDIATELY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, STOPPED VEHICLE. OPENED HOOD. FLAMES WERE COMING FROM LEFT FRONT SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT, MIDWAY BETWEEN DASH & LEFT FRONT TIREWELL. …
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WHILE DRIVING, OPERATOR NOTED ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASH FLASHED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND WENT OUT. OPERATOR IMMEDIATELY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, STOPPED VEHICLE. OPENED HOOD. FLAMES WERE COMING FROM LEFT FRONT SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT, MIDWAY BETWEEN DASH & LEFT FRONT TIREWELL. FIRE MELTED WIRING, BATTERY, LIQUID CONTAINERS AND DAMAGED REMAINING COMPONENTS. NO PRIOR INDICATION NOR WARNING OF POTENTIAL PROBLEM OBSERVED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #706523
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
AFTER STARTING CAR IN THE MORNING IT IDLES AT 2-3 TACHOMETER AND WILL REV UP TO 3.5 AND WILL NOT DROP TO 1 OR LESS. WHEN IT IS PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE YOU MUST DROP TO NEUTRAL OR THE BRAKES WILL NOT STOP THE MOVEMENT. AFTER GOING 2-5 MILES THE ENGINE WILL SLOW DOWN AND THE BRAKES WORK BETTER. IT HAS BEEN IN …
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AFTER STARTING CAR IN THE MORNING IT IDLES AT 2-3 TACHOMETER AND WILL REV UP TO 3.5 AND WILL NOT DROP TO 1 OR LESS. WHEN IT IS PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE YOU MUST DROP TO NEUTRAL OR THE BRAKES WILL NOT STOP THE MOVEMENT. AFTER GOING 2-5 MILES THE ENGINE WILL SLOW DOWN AND THE BRAKES WORK BETTER. IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO BE TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM. EVERY MORNING IT IS LIKE THIS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #705700
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL.
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN A COLLISON, STRESS CAN CAUSE THE ATTACHMENT METAL TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHORAGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ANCHOR BOLTS WITH A NEW SHOULDER BOLT AND THREAD LOCKING ADHESIVE. ADDITIONALLY, NOISE CONTROL PATCHES WILL BE APPLIED AT EACH ANCHORAGE.
THE OPTIONAL REMOTE ENTRY MODULE MAY HAVE A FAULT WHICH CAUSES RANDOM ACTUATION OF INTERIOR LAMPS, DOOR LOCKS, AND/OR TAILGATE RELEASE. THIS ACTUATION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TAILGATE RELEASE ACTUATES, THE TAILGATE WILL OPEN.UNRESTRAINED PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEAT AREA COULD FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLEWHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, AND RECEIVE SERIOUS INJURIES.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REMOTE ENTRY MODULE WITH A NEWLY REVISED MODULE TO PREVENT RANDOM ACTUATION.
THE REVERSE SERVO APPLY PIN MAY BIND IN THE CASE WHICH COULD CAUSE REVERSE BAND DISTRESS (LOSS OR SLIPPING OF REVERSE), REVERSE BAND DRAG IN DRIVE RANGE (POOR PERFORMANCE -- POOR POWER), OR THE TRANSMISSION TO REMAIN IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL GEAR POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFTINDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE REARWARD AND RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE WHERE REQUIRED.
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
2
PE94063 · Corroded Rear Disk Brakes
Opened Aug 12, 1994 · Closed Dec 21, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE94048 · SUB-FRAME Absorber Failure
Opened Jun 21, 1994 · Closed Dec 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
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