CAR STALLED AFTER AUTO STOP WHILE TRYING TO EXCELERATE. ERROR MESSAGE SAYING EMISSIONS CONTROL. MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WAS UNKNOWN AND POSSIBLE A RECALL. HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES.
2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Malibu years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu 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
525 reports with mileage · 312 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.
- Engine. Review the 302 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 222 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 166 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
837 reportsWHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK MON MORNING FOR THE 5 OR 6 TIME THE ENERGY REDUCTION LIGHT CAME ON IM THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSES ME TO GET REAR ENDED IN THE ROAD I QUICKLY TURNED MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON TO KEEP FROM BEING HIT PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY TELL ME…
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WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK MON MORNING FOR THE 5 OR 6 TIME THE ENERGY REDUCTION LIGHT CAME ON IM THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSES ME TO GET REAR ENDED IN THE ROAD I QUICKLY TURNED MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON TO KEEP FROM BEING HIT PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY TELL ME ITS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLES THERES NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME TO CONTACT THE GMC DEALERSHIPS I PAY ALMOST 500 ON CAR PAYMENTS TO BE EXPERIENCING THIS DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY HURT I NEED HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE POSITION OF THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WARNING LIGHT INFORMING THE CONTACT TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE TO PARK EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY IN PARK. OCCASIONALLY, THE PUSH TO START BUTTON FAILED TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE POSITION OF THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WARNING LIGHT INFORMING THE CONTACT TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE TO PARK EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY IN PARK. OCCASIONALLY, THE PUSH TO START BUTTON FAILED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN CONTINUOUSLY. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FAIRWAY CHEVROLET (3100 E. SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89104; (702) 522-0580) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON OCCASIONS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE…
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WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON OCCASIONS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SLID BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80877
"SHIFT TO PARK" ISSUE ON DIC WHEN VEHICLE ACTUALLY IS IN PARK, AS INDICATED BY THE SHIFTER LIGHT AND EVEN ON THE DIC, BUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHUT DOWN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FULLY. YOU CAN NOT EVEN LOCK THE DOORS, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEMS WILL NOT ENGAGE, AND THE BATTERY WILL DISCHARGE OVERNIGHT. THE MANUAL CLEARLY STATES THAT IF…
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"SHIFT TO PARK" ISSUE ON DIC WHEN VEHICLE ACTUALLY IS IN PARK, AS INDICATED BY THE SHIFTER LIGHT AND EVEN ON THE DIC, BUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHUT DOWN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FULLY. YOU CAN NOT EVEN LOCK THE DOORS, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEMS WILL NOT ENGAGE, AND THE BATTERY WILL DISCHARGE OVERNIGHT. THE MANUAL CLEARLY STATES THAT IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT PROPERLY IN PARK WHEN TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. BUT IT IS NOT, EITHER BY GM OR THE NHTSA.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY TODAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. IT WAS AFTER THE EXPLOSION THAT SMALL SHARDS OF GLASS STARTED TO RAIN DOWN ON US. WHEN I LOOKED UP THE ENTIRE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE INSIDE SUN SHADE CLOSED BEFORE ANYONE WAS INJURED. I LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY TODAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. IT WAS AFTER THE EXPLOSION THAT SMALL SHARDS OF GLASS STARTED TO RAIN DOWN ON US. WHEN I LOOKED UP THE ENTIRE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE INSIDE SUN SHADE CLOSED BEFORE ANYONE WAS INJURED. I LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING HITTING THE CAR, HOWEVER THERE WAS NONE. THE SUNROOF WAS IN THE CLOSED POSITION WHEN IT EXPLODED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON PLACING THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE SHIFT TO PARK WARNING LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NAPLETON BUICK GMC CRYSTAL LAKE (630…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON PLACING THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE SHIFT TO PARK WARNING LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NAPLETON BUICK GMC CRYSTAL LAKE (6305 NORTHWEST HWY, CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014) AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE GEAR SHIFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED OUT OF POCKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000.
ON THE BOTH BACK SIDE, WHERE THE SEAT BELTS ARE NEXT TO SMALL WINDOWAND TOP PART OF ROOF WATERBIS LEAKING IN WHEN I WASH MY CAR AND MAYBE EVEN WHEN IT RAINS. THERE PROBABLY MILDEW, AND RUST. ALSO WHEN I PARK MY CAR THE WARNING LIGHT SAYS PUT CAR IN PARK, BUT ITS IN PARK.
WHEN SHIFTING TO PARK THE CAR DOESN'T KNOW IT'S ACTUALLY ON PARK AND AFTER TURNING ENGINE OFF IT DISPLAYS THE MESSAGE 'SHIFT TO PARK'
I OWN A 2016 CHEVY MALIBU PREMIER I BOUT IT ON THE SAME YEAR WITH 3 THOUSAND MILES IN IT EVER SINCE I BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR IN 2017 THE CAR HAD OVER 10 THOUSAND MILES IN IT N WATER WAS GETTING INSIDE THE VEHICLE SO I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP N THEY SED IT WAS A WEATHER STRIP OF THE BACK WINDOW SECOND TIME SAME YEAR IT W…
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I OWN A 2016 CHEVY MALIBU PREMIER I BOUT IT ON THE SAME YEAR WITH 3 THOUSAND MILES IN IT EVER SINCE I BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR IN 2017 THE CAR HAD OVER 10 THOUSAND MILES IN IT N WATER WAS GETTING INSIDE THE VEHICLE SO I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP N THEY SED IT WAS A WEATHER STRIP OF THE BACK WINDOW SECOND TIME SAME YEAR IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OF THE SEATS 3RD PROBLEM IT WAS SUSPENSION NOW THIS IS 2020 NOVEMBER 27 N NOW THE CAR HAS 74 THOUSAND MILES IN IT N THE CAR SHAKES WILE ON DRIVE MODE JUST ON DRIVE MODE N THE WEIRDES THING IS THAT THERE'S NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOTHING EVERYTHING SIMS TO BE WRONG I NEED HELP I DO THINK IT'S FACTORY MADE
Official recalls
921V649000 · Seat Belts:critical Fasteners; Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
Aug 20, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
Seat Belts:critical Fasteners
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
18V400000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Jun 14, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.
18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
May 31, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
16V781000 · Air Bags:side/window
Oct 26, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured November 18, 2015, to June 7, 2016. The fabric of the side-impact air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air bag tears during deployment, the air bag may not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 27, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 16079.
16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Jul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
16V272000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)
May 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured March 7, 2016, through March 12, 2016. The memory chip in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may fail and cause the loss of electronically controlled brake systems including anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC). As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a replacement EBCM, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020). GM's number for this recall is 39440.
16V151000 · Air Bags:side/window
Mar 11, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016. The two weld studs that mount the front and rear side impact air bags may fracture and separate from the air bag during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 31820.
16V125000 · Air Bags:frontal
Mar 2, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 28030.
16V084000 · Electrical System:software
Feb 11, 2016
Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15808.
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.
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