IllustrationPOWER STEERING FAILS
2010 Pontiac G6
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Fewer warning signs than most model years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Pontiac G6 are lower than the model-year median of 679.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all G6 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
1225–50K
4550–75K
6475–100K
67100–150K
46150K+
243 reports with mileage · 29 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.
- Steering. Review the 173 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
Steering complaints
173 reportsHAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES PAST TWO WEEKS. ISSUE TYPICALLY OCCURS AT STARTING OF CAR, A COUPLE OF TIMES WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY: A CHIME IS HEARD, THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS POWER STEERING, THE ESC OFF INDICATOR COMES ON, AND POWER STEERING IS LOST. TURNING OFF CAR AND RESTARTING CAN RESET AND POWER STEERING WORKS. WHEN POWER ST…
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HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES PAST TWO WEEKS. ISSUE TYPICALLY OCCURS AT STARTING OF CAR, A COUPLE OF TIMES WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY: A CHIME IS HEARD, THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS POWER STEERING, THE ESC OFF INDICATOR COMES ON, AND POWER STEERING IS LOST. TURNING OFF CAR AND RESTARTING CAN RESET AND POWER STEERING WORKS. WHEN POWER STEERING IS WORKING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHILE AT A STOP, CAN SOMETIMES BE FELT WHEN DRIVING, I'VE CHECKED THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH G6'S. IN FACT, MANY GM MODELS, ALTHOUGH THE PONTIAC 2010 MODEL YEAR IS NOT INCLUDED. IT'S OBVIOUS THIS PROBLEM IS THE SAME PROBLEM AND 2010 G6'S NEED TO BE INCLUDED. I'M SETTING UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ASAP.
I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING ON THIS VEHICLE. I CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING. I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME. IT TOOK ALL THE STRENGTH I HAD TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. I WAS TOLD TO RESTA…
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I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING ON THIS VEHICLE. I CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING. I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME. IT TOOK ALL THE STRENGTH I HAD TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. I WAS TOLD TO RESTART VEHICLE WHICH FIXED THIS ISSUE FOR THAT DAY THEN HAPPENED AGAIN ON ANOTHER THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
GOING DOWN HIGHWAY ABOUT 60 MPH. STEERING LOCKS UP, TRACTION CONTROL WENT OFF.BARELY MADE IT OVER TO EMERGENCY LANE.. I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, RECALL UP TO 2009 G6 BUT NOT MY 2010 PONTIAC G6. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS.
OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS MY VEHICLE WOULD INDICATE 'POWER STEERING' SERVICE ESB' 'TRACTION' AND THEN THE INDICATOR WOULD GO OFF AS ODDLY AS IT CAME ON. I TOOK IT INTO DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR CHECK AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUE OR RECALL AND SAID TO JUST KEEP DRIVING.... NOW OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS I CANNOT DRIVE WITHOUT MY …
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OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS MY VEHICLE WOULD INDICATE 'POWER STEERING' SERVICE ESB' 'TRACTION' AND THEN THE INDICATOR WOULD GO OFF AS ODDLY AS IT CAME ON. I TOOK IT INTO DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR CHECK AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUE OR RECALL AND SAID TO JUST KEEP DRIVING.... NOW OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS I CANNOT DRIVE WITHOUT MY POWER STEERING ACTUALLY LOCKING UP, VERY DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL ROCKS SIDE TO SIDE WHEN IDLE. I WAS ABLE TO REMEDY FOR ABOUT A WEEK WITH SIMPLY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON BUT THIS NO LONGER WORKS AND THE POWER STEERING WILL NOW LOCK UP WHILE I AM DRIVING.
POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WENT OUT. I HAD TO STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN IT CAME BACK ON. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE FOR EARLIER YEARS OF THE G6. MY MECHANIC SAID IT'S THE SAME ISSUE BUT NO RECALL. I CAN'T PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND IT'S A HUGE S…
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POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WENT OUT. I HAD TO STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN IT CAME BACK ON. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE FOR EARLIER YEARS OF THE G6. MY MECHANIC SAID IT'S THE SAME ISSUE BUT NO RECALL. I CAN'T PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND IT'S A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN.
FIRST THE POWER STEERING LIGHT KEEPS ILLUMINATING AND THE THEN SERVICE ESC IS NOW ON AND IT SHUT OFF. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT WASN'T FIXED IN THE 2014 RECALL. ALSO THE SERVICE ESC AND BRAKE LIGHTS SOMETIME ILLUMINATE AND THEN GO OFF. NOW IT'S JUST ON ALL THE TIME AND HAS SHUT OFF MY ESC. IT IS LIT WHEN DRIVING AND …
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FIRST THE POWER STEERING LIGHT KEEPS ILLUMINATING AND THE THEN SERVICE ESC IS NOW ON AND IT SHUT OFF. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT WASN'T FIXED IN THE 2014 RECALL. ALSO THE SERVICE ESC AND BRAKE LIGHTS SOMETIME ILLUMINATE AND THEN GO OFF. NOW IT'S JUST ON ALL THE TIME AND HAS SHUT OFF MY ESC. IT IS LIT WHEN DRIVING AND IN PARK.
PURCHASED CAR USED IN 2013 CAR WILL NOT START SOMETIMES CAR WILL LOOSE POWER STEERING AND JERK GOING DOWN THE ROAD LOSE GAS INDICATOR AND SPEEDOMETER HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN 4 YEARS NOT THE BATTERY OR THE ALTERNATOR POSSIBLY THEFT DETERRENT DEVICE SEEMS TO BE A THEME WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL HOWEVER NO RECALL BY PON…
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PURCHASED CAR USED IN 2013 CAR WILL NOT START SOMETIMES CAR WILL LOOSE POWER STEERING AND JERK GOING DOWN THE ROAD LOSE GAS INDICATOR AND SPEEDOMETER HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN 4 YEARS NOT THE BATTERY OR THE ALTERNATOR POSSIBLY THEFT DETERRENT DEVICE SEEMS TO BE A THEME WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL HOWEVER NO RECALL BY PONTIAC PROBABLY BECAUSE THEY ARE OUT OF BUSINESS AND DONT CARE
REPEATEDLY THIS CAR IS WORKED ON DUE TO SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HAS SHORTED OR BURNED BEFORE AND AFTER THE RECALL (MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES). NOW AIRBAG SENSORS SHORTED OUT AND WIRING WAS BURNED. THAT WAS JUST REPLACED HOWEVER MECHANICS CAN'T FIGURE OUT CLICKING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN THAT CAUSES CRUISE CONTROL …
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REPEATEDLY THIS CAR IS WORKED ON DUE TO SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HAS SHORTED OR BURNED BEFORE AND AFTER THE RECALL (MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES). NOW AIRBAG SENSORS SHORTED OUT AND WIRING WAS BURNED. THAT WAS JUST REPLACED HOWEVER MECHANICS CAN'T FIGURE OUT CLICKING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN THAT CAUSES CRUISE CONTROL AND AIR CONDITIONING TO TURN OFF. THIS HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. 2014 INTERMEDIATE SHAFT RECALL DOES NOT COVER MY CAR. THIS CAR IS A MONEY PIT AND THE RECALLS DO NOT EVER FIX THE ISSUES. I HAVE VIDEO OF THE CLICKING YET NOBODY CAN EXPLAIN IT OR FIX IT. THE CLICKING IS NEW (LAST FEW WEEKS) YET ELECTRICAL ISSUES SHORTING OUT HAS BEEN REOCCURRING FOR YEARS.
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, CITY & RURAL DRIVING, SLOW AND FAST SPEEDS, WHILE TURNING AND WHILE ON STRAIGHT, IN MOTION AND WHILE PARKED, SMOOTH ROADS AND ROUGH, RAINING AND DRY. HOWEVER, PROBLEM OCCURRED ONLY A HANDFUL OF TIMES DURING THE WINTER. STARTED OVER 6 MONTHS AGO, APPROX 93,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING, 3 BELL-DINGS, "POWER ST…
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INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, CITY & RURAL DRIVING, SLOW AND FAST SPEEDS, WHILE TURNING AND WHILE ON STRAIGHT, IN MOTION AND WHILE PARKED, SMOOTH ROADS AND ROUGH, RAINING AND DRY. HOWEVER, PROBLEM OCCURRED ONLY A HANDFUL OF TIMES DURING THE WINTER. STARTED OVER 6 MONTHS AGO, APPROX 93,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING, 3 BELL-DINGS, "POWER STEERING," "DISABLED ESC," AND "SERVICE ESC" DASH LIGHTS COME ON, ALONG WITH ICON OF CAR W/SWERVY LINES. CONTINUE DRIVING AND STEERING SEEMED OK. DASH CONTINUES TO CYCLE "POWER STEERING" AND "SERVICE ESC" WARNINGS. ISSUE REPEATS RANDOMLY. AFTER A PERIOD OF NORMAL USE, PROBLEM INTENSIFIES TO DASHBOARD GAGES, RADIO SCV, AND CRUISE TO OFF ; AUTO SHIFTING BECOMES ROUGH. ALL GAGES THEN FLUTTER UP AND DOWN INTERMITTENTLY. WORK DONE: MECHANIC = 9 PAGES OF CODES. NEW BATTERY/BATTERY CABLES. DROVE A WHILE, RECURRED - NO CODES. DROVE A LITTLE WHILE LONGER, RECURRED; CLEANED BATTERY, CHECKED FUSES. PASSED INSPECTION. DROVE A WHILE; 5 PAGES OF CODES. APPLIED ELECTRIC GREASE TO BCM TERMINALS. DROVE 3 DAYS; "POWER STEERING" AND "SERVICE ESC" ISSUE RECURRED. HAVE VIDEO; FORMAT NOT ALLOWED
Official recalls
214V252000 · Electrical System:wiring; Electronic Stability Control (esc); Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
May 14, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Electrical System:wiring
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
12V460000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Sep 18, 2012
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.