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2010 Ford Focus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 Ford Focus are lower than the model-year median of 864.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

249 reports with mileage · 38 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 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports4 fire reports16 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

43 reports
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1,500 miles · May 28, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2010. A FEW MONTHS LATER MY CHILDREN SAID THEY COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR EVEN THOUGH I HAD OPENED MY DOOR. I TRIED TO MANUALY UNLOCK THIS DOOR AND WAS UNABLE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED BUT ON ARRIVAL AT FORD SERVICE IT HAD STARTED WORKING AGAIN. WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN I MADE THE SAME APPOINTMEN…

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2010. A FEW MONTHS LATER MY CHILDREN SAID THEY COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR EVEN THOUGH I HAD OPENED MY DOOR. I TRIED TO MANUALY UNLOCK THIS DOOR AND WAS UNABLE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED BUT ON ARRIVAL AT FORD SERVICE IT HAD STARTED WORKING AGAIN. WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN I MADE THE SAME APPOINTMENT THIS TIME THEY SAW THE PROBLEM FOR THEMSELVES. THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT KNEW IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEREFORE CHANGED THE DOOR ACTUATOR,LATCH AND LINKAGE.IT WORKED FOR A WHILE AND THEN FAILED AGAIN ALONG WITH TWO OTHER DOORS. FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS STUMPED. THEY THEN CHANGE ALL THE DOOR ACTUATORS,LATCHES AND LINKAGE STILL NOT KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED. SOME MORE TIME PASSED AND THEN AN ALL DOOR LOCK FAILURE HAPPED. SAME THING ALL LOCKS STUCK IN LOCK POSITION UNABLE TO UNLOCK WITH KEYPAD, INTERIOR DOORS SWITCH OR MANUALLY. WITH THERE HAND IN THE AIR UNABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG THEY PUT ALL NEW UPDATED ACTUATORS, LATCHES AND LINKAGE IN ALL DOORS .THIS WORKED FOR A MUCH LONGER PERIOD OF TIME AND JUST RECENTLY JAMMED IN LOCK POSITION AGAIN . I BROUGHT IT TO MY SALESMAN AND HE WROTE A REPORT AND WE GOT ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED AGAIN .THE DAY BEFORE I BROUGHT IT IN IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN AND LIKE THEY ALWAYS TELL ME ' IT HAS TO ME MALFUNCTIONING IN FRONT OF US ". THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR . I HAVE HAD SERIOUS ISSUES REGARDING PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT IN A MEDICAL CONDITION SITUATION AND MY LOCKS WERE STUCK .NOW MY WARRANTY IS UP IN A FEW MONTHS AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR AS SOON AS THAT HAPPENS AGAIN .I TRIED TO GET A WARRANTY EXTENSION JUST ON THE LOCKS AND JUST UNTIL THEY FIGURE OUT THIS ONGOING SAFETY ISSUE BUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY WOULDN'T HERE OF IT EVEN MOCKING MY SAFETY CONCERNS ON THE PHONE .FORD KNOWS THERE IS MORE TO THIS PROBLEM!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513833

50,000 miles · May 8, 2013
Electrical System

THE DRIVER DOOR AJAR ALARM SWITCH SUDDENLY THINKS THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE 1) THE CAR LEAVES THE DOME AND MAP LIGHTS ON FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL THEY FADE OUT, EVEN WHILE DRIVING, WHICH IS HAZARDOUS AT NIGHT AND 2) THE CAR WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK THE DOORS WHEN THE CAR STARTS MOVIN…

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THE DRIVER DOOR AJAR ALARM SWITCH SUDDENLY THINKS THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE 1) THE CAR LEAVES THE DOME AND MAP LIGHTS ON FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL THEY FADE OUT, EVEN WHILE DRIVING, WHICH IS HAZARDOUS AT NIGHT AND 2) THE CAR WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK THE DOORS WHEN THE CAR STARTS MOVING, AND IF I LOCK THEM MYSELF THEY INSTANTLY UNLOCK SINCE THE CAR THINKS THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPEN. I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT SINCE I HAVE OVER 36,000 MILES THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. INSTEAD, IT WILL BE $182 FOR THE PARTS AND ABOUT $150 FOR THE LABOR SINCE THE 2010 FOCUS HAS HAD A LOT OF REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM AND FORD HAS REDESIGNED THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM SO YOU NOW HAVE TO REPLACE FIVE PARTS (DOOR LATCH, DOOR AJAR SWITCH, SEVERAL RODS AND PLATES) INSTEAD OF JUST THE DOOR AJAR SWITCH. THE FORD PARTS DEPARTMENT MANAGER SAID THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM TO THEM, BUT THAT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM SO IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR A FIX. THIS JUST DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT. FORD SHOULD RECOGNIZE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ITEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511151

21,649 miles · May 1, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

FIRST AUTOMATIC POWER DOOR LOCK PROBLEM: THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT RESPOND TO FOB, INTERIOR DOOR LOCK OPENER OR MANUAL INTERVENTION. REPAIR SHOP CHECKED FUSE, CHECKED GOOD. SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR. STARTED WORKING AGAIN AFTER I LEFT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. SECOND AUTOMATIC POWER DOOR LOCK PROBLEM: 21649…

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FIRST AUTOMATIC POWER DOOR LOCK PROBLEM: THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT RESPOND TO FOB, INTERIOR DOOR LOCK OPENER OR MANUAL INTERVENTION. REPAIR SHOP CHECKED FUSE, CHECKED GOOD. SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR. STARTED WORKING AGAIN AFTER I LEFT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. SECOND AUTOMATIC POWER DOOR LOCK PROBLEM: 21649 MILES. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT RESPOND TO FOB, INTERIOR DOOR LOCK OPENER OR MANUAL INTERVENTION. SHOP NOTES: CUSTOMER STATES PASS REAR DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, SERVICE WRITER VERIFIED. HAPPENS WHEN HOT OUT, WORKS WHEN COOL IN THE MORNING. FAILED DOOR LATCH RIGHT REAR, TEST VERIFIED PINPOINT TEST LEAD TO LATCH REPLACED RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK LATCH ASSEMBLE 901. THIRD POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE. MILEAGE 49826, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT RESPOND TO FOB, INTERIOR DOOR LOCK OPENER OR MANUAL INTERVENTION. 4/29/2013 RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP, SERVICE WRITER VERIFIED, SCHEDULED SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR 5/1/2013. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF DRIVERS DOOR LOCK FAILS AND DRIVER NEEDS EMERGENCY EXIT OF VEHICLE, DRIVER COULD NOT EXIT. WE ALSO OWN A 2010 FORD FUSION WITH APPROXIMATELY SAME MILEAGE AND HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT. FORD COULD RE-ENGINEER THE 2010 FOCUS POWER DOOR LOCKS LIKE THE ONES THEY ENGINEERED FOR THE 2010 FUSION AND REPLACE ALL LOCKS UPON FAILURE OF FIRST LOCK. I FOUND 14 OTHER REPORTS OF FAILURES OF POWER LOCKS ON THE 2010 FORD FOCUS. I DIDN'T REPORT THIS UNTIL MY THIRD FAILURE. I WOULD THUS ASSUME FOR EVERY REPORTED FAILURE, THERE ARE OVER 100 NOT REPORTED, MAYBE MORE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS ADDITIONAL ACTION BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510193

780 miles · Jan 27, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

I AM WONDERING WHY THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT IS COMING ON. I ONLY HAVE 780 MILES ON THE CAR EVENTHOUGH I BOUGHT THE CAR JAN 2010. I AM RETIRED AND ONLY NEED THE CAR TO GO FOOD SHOPPING AND GO ON A FEW ERRANDS. I WAS SICK IN MAY 2011 AND JUST STARTED DRIVING MY CAR AGAIN TO THE STORE IN NOV 2012. IN JAN 2013 THE TRANSMISSION LIG…

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I AM WONDERING WHY THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT IS COMING ON. I ONLY HAVE 780 MILES ON THE CAR EVENTHOUGH I BOUGHT THE CAR JAN 2010. I AM RETIRED AND ONLY NEED THE CAR TO GO FOOD SHOPPING AND GO ON A FEW ERRANDS. I WAS SICK IN MAY 2011 AND JUST STARTED DRIVING MY CAR AGAIN TO THE STORE IN NOV 2012. IN JAN 2013 THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS OR STALLED ON THE ROAD AS OF TODAY. I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR FORD FOCUS 2010. I RECEIVED MAIL FOR RECALL ON 2011-2013--BUT I HAVE A 2010 FORD FOCUS. THE CAR DEALER TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR IN--IT'S DUE FOR INSPECTION IN APRIL AND I PLAN ON TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER IN APRIL UNLESS I STALL OR FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL. THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AND I ONLY DRIVE AT THE MOST 25 CITY SPEED LIMIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494848

52,000 miles · Aug 28, 2012
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE WHICH DAMAGED THE STARTER. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE WHICH DAMAGED THE STARTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #10472749

28,000 miles · Aug 6, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineEquipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS EMITTED THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING DUCT AND LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE VEHICLE. A REPRESENTATIVE WAS SENT BY THE MANUFACTURER TO INSTALL A COOLANT FAN MOTOR ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS EMITTED THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING DUCT AND LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE VEHICLE. A REPRESENTATIVE WAS SENT BY THE MANUFACTURER TO INSTALL A COOLANT FAN MOTOR ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE INSTALLATION, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. ..UPDATED 09-26-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN COOLANT CAME OUT OF THE AIRDUCTS IT GOT ON THE CONSUMER'S FACE. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WENT IN REVERSE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AGAIN, THE CONSUMER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED. THE COOLANT THAT CAME OUT OF THE AIRDUCTS ALSO REACHED THE INTERIOR FLOOR AND BEHIND THE CONSOLE. OTHER ISSUES WITH VEHICLE ARE THE TIRES THAT HAVE ALWAYS LOOKED WORN, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE, RPMS WOULD INCREASE AND ENGINE REVS, TOXIC AND BURNING WIRE ODORS, EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE ENGINE, METAL GRINDING SOUNDS FROM UNDER THE HOOD, VIBRATING AND ROUGH RIDING, THE TRUNK OPENS ON ITS OWN, COMPRESSING SOUND WHILE AIR CONDITION IS RUNNING, WINDOWS WERE ICING ON THE EXTERIOR OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS, AND RUST ON THE IGNITION. UPDATED 10/01/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10469340

58,000 miles · Jul 13, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER. SOMETIMES, IT WOULD JUST SLOW RANDOMLY, AND MANY TIMES IT WOULD JUST LOSE ALL THROTTLE AND STOP. IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY GOING OVER 65 MPH, ON A BUSY STREET TRAVELING 40 MPH, AND IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. APPARENTLY, THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY FORD FOCUSES (HT…

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WHEN I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER. SOMETIMES, IT WOULD JUST SLOW RANDOMLY, AND MANY TIMES IT WOULD JUST LOSE ALL THROTTLE AND STOP. IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY GOING OVER 65 MPH, ON A BUSY STREET TRAVELING 40 MPH, AND IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. APPARENTLY, THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY FORD FOCUSES (HTTP://WWW.FOCUSFANATICS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=271461), AND SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT THIS. IT IS DANGEROUS. NOT ONLY IS IT NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, IT IS $600 TO FIX! THIS IS AWFUL, AND IT SHOULD BE RE-CALLED. SOMEONE WILL END UP GETTING KILLED, AND FORD SHOULD BE SUED FOR THEIR DEATH. IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO SO MANY CARS THEY SHOULD NOT PAY TO FIX IT, IT SHOULD BE RECALLED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465574

700 miles · Apr 9, 2012
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

ALL BUT THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. I TRIED THE INSIDE DOOR LATCH, THE OUTSIDE DOOR LATCH, KEY FOB, AND EVEN TRIED TO UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE. CAR WAS TAKEN TO FORD DEALER TWICE WHEN GETTING THERE EVERYTHING WORKED FINE THIRD TIME IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK FOR THEM THEY REPLACED DOOR LOCK LATCH 'ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY …

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ALL BUT THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. I TRIED THE INSIDE DOOR LATCH, THE OUTSIDE DOOR LATCH, KEY FOB, AND EVEN TRIED TO UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE. CAR WAS TAKEN TO FORD DEALER TWICE WHEN GETTING THERE EVERYTHING WORKED FINE THIRD TIME IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK FOR THEM THEY REPLACED DOOR LOCK LATCH 'ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND DOOR LOCK SWITCH ASSEMBLY. WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND STARTED DOING THE SAME THING CALLED AND GOT APPOINTMENT FOR THAT FRIDAY GOT READY TO TAKE IN AND THEY STARTED WORKING AGAIN AND HAVE WORKED SINCE BUT STILL CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING AND US NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR PERIOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454632

38,000 miles · Sep 26, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

I WAS LOCKED IN MY OWN CAR! THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. I TRIED THE INSIDE DOOR LATCH, THE OUTSIDE DOOR LATCH, KEY FOB, AND EVEN TRIED TO UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAD FRIENDS TRYING TO HELP ME GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED, WITH NO LUCK. I HAD TO CRAWL OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER LETTING THE…

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I WAS LOCKED IN MY OWN CAR! THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. I TRIED THE INSIDE DOOR LATCH, THE OUTSIDE DOOR LATCH, KEY FOB, AND EVEN TRIED TO UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAD FRIENDS TRYING TO HELP ME GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED, WITH NO LUCK. I HAD TO CRAWL OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT OF OVER AN HOUR, THE DOOR WOULD FINALLY UNLOCK. THE DEALER IS SAYING IT IS THE ACTUATOR MOTOR GOING OUT, COST FOR THE MOTOR ALONE IS $400. THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE LABOR TO INSTALL IT. I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT AN ELECTRICAL MOTOR WOULD GO OUT WITH ONLY 38000 MILES ON IT. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THERE MOST CERTAINLY SHOULD BE A RECALL. HOPEFULLY IT WILL NOT REQUIRE SOMEONE GETTING TRAPPED IN A CAR AND LOOSING THEIR LIFE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10427237

16 miles · Jun 28, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WERE DEFECTIVE. WHEN THE CONTACT PUSHED THE UNLOCK BUTTON IT WOULD NOT RESPOND OR THE DOOR WOULD CONTINUE TO STAY LOCKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR LOCKS NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WERE DEFECTIVE. WHEN THE CONTACT PUSHED THE UNLOCK BUTTON IT WOULD NOT RESPOND OR THE DOOR WOULD CONTINUE TO STAY LOCKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR LOCKS NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,127. UPDATED 8/30/11 *CN UPDATED 09/28/11

NHTSA ODI #10409189

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.