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2004 Saturn L300

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

40 reports with mileage · 21 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

61 reports
74,000 miles · Jan 23, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

2004 SATURN L 300, 6 CYLINDER . MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF, LOOSING ALL POWER AND ALL SERVICE LIGHTS APPEARED. HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE. HOOKED UP A OBD SCANNER TO CAR. 8 CODES APPEARED. BCM/ECM MALFUNCTION.(4 CODES OF THIS), CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (2 CODES OF THIS), ENGINE RUNNING TOO RICH (2 CO…

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2004 SATURN L 300, 6 CYLINDER . MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF, LOOSING ALL POWER AND ALL SERVICE LIGHTS APPEARED. HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE. HOOKED UP A OBD SCANNER TO CAR. 8 CODES APPEARED. BCM/ECM MALFUNCTION.(4 CODES OF THIS), CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (2 CODES OF THIS), ENGINE RUNNING TOO RICH (2 CODES OF THIS). I HAVE READ MANY CASES ONLINE THROUGH FORUMS, AND THIS SEEMS TOO BE A BIG PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10678617

66,010 miles · Nov 22, 2014
Electrical System

THE CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN WHILE IN MOTION. MOST OF THE TIME IT SHUTS OFF WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT WILL EVENTUALLY CRANK UP IN ABOUT AN HOUR ONLY TO SHUT DOWN AGAIN. THE CAR SHUT DOWN AS I WAS WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ON I-95 GOING 65 MPH. WE WERE STRANDED FOR ABOUT 3 HRS. ON THE INTERSTATE BEFORE THE CAR CRANKED BACK U…

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THE CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN WHILE IN MOTION. MOST OF THE TIME IT SHUTS OFF WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT WILL EVENTUALLY CRANK UP IN ABOUT AN HOUR ONLY TO SHUT DOWN AGAIN. THE CAR SHUT DOWN AS I WAS WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ON I-95 GOING 65 MPH. WE WERE STRANDED FOR ABOUT 3 HRS. ON THE INTERSTATE BEFORE THE CAR CRANKED BACK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THROUGH DRIVE TIME AND HAS A WARRANTY ON IT . AFTER COMPLAINING TO THE COMPANY ABOUT THE VEHICLE THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO HAVE A DIAGNOSIS DONE ON IT TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT A RECALL WAS OUT FOR SATURN CARS FROM THE NEWS. I CONTACTED GM AND EXPLAINED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER BUT ALSO STATED THAT THE MODEL CAR I HAVE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND FOR ME TO TAKE IT TO A GM DEALERSHIP NEAR ME TO HAVE ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS DONE ON THE CAR WHICH WAS AN EXTRA $125. U.S.A AUTO SERVICE PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS ON THE CAR THE TO SEE IF IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT WAS CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUT COMPLETELY OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING. THEY COULD NOT GET A DIAGNOSIS FROM THE IGNITION. I CONTACTED THE WARRANTY COMPANY FOR DRIVE TIME AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT NOTHING WAS COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS ELECTRICAL. THEN I CALLED GM BACK AND TOLD THEM THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND WHAT THE DIAGNOSIS REPORT SAID AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNLESS I PAID THE $125 WITH THEM TO HAVE ANOTHER ONE DONE. THEN THEY WOULD DETERMINE IF IT WAS THE IGNITION. I AM AT MY WITS END BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT WILL COST CLOSE TO $1,000 TO HAVE FIX. I AM CURRENTLY MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR AND CAN'T AFFORD ALL THIS MONEY. I HAD THE CAR SERVICED WITH U.S.A AUTO SERVICE BECAUSE DRIVE TIME REQUIRES YOU TO KEEP UP WITH THE MAINTENANCE OF THE CAR WHICH I FAITHFULLY DID. NOW THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660232

127,000 miles · Nov 20, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PROCEEDING THROUGH TRAFFIC LIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER FAILED TO SEE THE CONTACT IN THE INTERSECTION AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A BRUISE LEFT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PROCEEDING THROUGH TRAFFIC LIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER FAILED TO SEE THE CONTACT IN THE INTERSECTION AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A BRUISE LEFT ARM AND PAIN TO THE NECK AND LOWER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #10659646

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2014
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING, THE LAST BEING ON APRIL 1, 2014, WHEN I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL, BEING THE L300, SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST, AS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY…

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I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING, THE LAST BEING ON APRIL 1, 2014, WHEN I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL, BEING THE L300, SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST, AS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY OTHER DRIVERS AND STILL NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO ALLEVIATE ANY OF THE ISSUES RAISED. I CANNOT COMPREHEND WHY OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE, BEING A SATURN, ARE BEING RECALLED, YET INDIVIDUALS OWNING THE L300 EXPERIENCING THESES SAME ISSUES ARE BEING IGNORED. IT IS CLEARLY APPARENT THAT NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN AND ARE BEING BY INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCE THESE PROBLEMS WHICH ARE BLATANTLY BEING IGNORED. I STRONGLY URGE THAT THIS MODEL, THE L300 BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST. IT SHOULD NOT BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER FOR SOMETHING THAT IS SO EGREGIOUSLY DEFECTIVE THAT WAS CLEARLY KNOWN ABOUT FOR OVER 10 YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #10577673

62,129 miles · Mar 2, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

I OWN A 2004 SATURN L300 AND MY DAD OWNS A 2002 SATURN LW300 (WAGON). WE BOTH HAD TROUBLES WITH A LEAKING FUEL PUMP WHICH IS A TERRIBLE FIRE HAZARD. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY RECALLS ON THE SATURN IONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THE L300 HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED. 2004 SATURN - I HAD MY FUEL PUMP REPLACED ON 5/23/2012 WITH 62,129 M…

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I OWN A 2004 SATURN L300 AND MY DAD OWNS A 2002 SATURN LW300 (WAGON). WE BOTH HAD TROUBLES WITH A LEAKING FUEL PUMP WHICH IS A TERRIBLE FIRE HAZARD. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY RECALLS ON THE SATURN IONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THE L300 HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED. 2004 SATURN - I HAD MY FUEL PUMP REPLACED ON 5/23/2012 WITH 62,129 MILES. I WOULD PARKED THE CAR AND SMELL FUEL SO I DECIDED TO BRING MY CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC. THE FUEL WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP TOWARDS THE TOP OF THE PUMP. IT COST ME $881.01. AT THAT TIME I THOUGHT I SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH A FUEL PUMP FOR ANOTHER 75 TO 100K MILES. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 55 TO 60 MPH AND MY CAR STALLED OUT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A COMPUTER GLITCH OR JUST A BAD SENSOR. NEXT DAY SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR STALLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. SO I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC. AT THE END RESULT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP AGAIN. MY CAR WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL PRESSURE WHEN THE CAR REACHED 50+ MPH. THE MECHANIC WAS VERY NICE AND DIDN'T CHARGE ME FOR THE PART, BUT IT COST ME ANOTHER $283.78 JUST FOR LABOR. BETWEEN THE FIRST PUMP / SECOND PUMP IT HAPPENED WITHIN 22 MONTHS AND 24,143 MILES. I HAVE SPEND $1165 BETWEEN THE FIRST / SECOND FUEL PUMPS NOT COUNTING MY FATHER. I DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND PARTS WEARS OUT AS CAR AGES. REPLACING TWO FUEL PUMPS WITHIN 86K MILES IS UNACCEPTABLE. I SHOULD BE REIMBURSE FOR GM NEGLIGENCE AND I HOPING YOU LOOK INTO THIS SO OTHER DRIVERS AND CARS DO NOT CATCH FIRE AND CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ON THE HIGHWAY. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND YOUR CAR STALLS OUT. IT IS NOT FAIR AND CAR MANUFACTURES DO NOT WANT TO HELP CONSUMERS LIKE ME UNTIL PEOPLE GETS KILLED AND LOVE ONES LOOSE FAMILIES. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ME TO CLARIFY ANYTHING UP, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566680

75,000 miles · Apr 26, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I OWN A 2004 SATURN L300; ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS I HAVE SEEN WISPS OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, FOLLOWED BY A STRONG SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC. THE AREA BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL IS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH, AND I AM TOLD IT IS A FIRE HAZARD AND THAT THE HEADLAMP STALKS NEED TO BE REPLACED…

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I OWN A 2004 SATURN L300; ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS I HAVE SEEN WISPS OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, FOLLOWED BY A STRONG SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC. THE AREA BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL IS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH, AND I AM TOLD IT IS A FIRE HAZARD AND THAT THE HEADLAMP STALKS NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR OVERHEATING, WHICH MAY RUN UP TO $600 WITH LABOR. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO PULL MY CAR OVER ON BUSY ROADS, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TO LET IT COOL BEFORE RESTARTING, AND AM WORRIED THAT THE FAULTY WIRES WILL CAUSE A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509633

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

CPSC#20121128. 2004 SATURN L300. CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP CRACKED, RELEASE FUEL AND HEAVY GAS SMELL INTO CAR MAKING CAR UNDRIVEABLE. *LN THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 350.

NHTSA ODI #10489661

91,000 miles · Dec 9, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

PROBLEM SYNOPSIS: WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (65 MILES PER HOUR) THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, CAUSING THE "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" (REP) AND "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" (SVS) LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. UPON PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, IT WOULD IDLE ROUGHLY UNTIL SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF. VEHICLE WOU…

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PROBLEM SYNOPSIS: WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (65 MILES PER HOUR) THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, CAUSING THE "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" (REP) AND "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" (SVS) LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. UPON PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, IT WOULD IDLE ROUGHLY UNTIL SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF. VEHICLE WOULD START IMMEDIATELY AFTER, WITH HIGH RPM AT IDLE AND HARD SHIFTS INTO GEAR. VEHICLE WOULD ONLY EXHIBIT THESE PROBLEMS WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT GEARS, USUALLY BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. /// REPAIR HISTORY: A REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED ENGINE CONTROL MODULE, AND A NEW ONE WAS INSTALLED INTO THE VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR WAS APPROXIMATELY $1,100. THREE MONTHS LATER (OCT. 2011), THE VEHICLE STARTED EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEMS. RETURNED TO THE SAME SHOP, AND REPAIRMEN COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM, SIMPLY CLEARING THE OBD-II CODES IN THE COMPUTER. VEHICLE EXHIBITED SAME SYMPTOMS ONCE IN NOVEMBER 2011 AFTER A RAIN STORM; NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AS VEHICLE DID IT ONLY ONCE. IN DECEMBER 2011, VEHICLE EXHIBITED SAME PROBLEMS FOUR TIME DURING A 25-MILE DRIVE. CODES REVEALED P0606, P0700, P1811. VEHICLE TO BE TAKEN FOR A THIRD TIME TO REPAIR SHOP TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439123

80,150 miles · Apr 29, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS FILLER PIPE NECK RUSTY AND FLAKING. COULD START LEAKING CAUSING A FIRE AND LEAKING ON THE GROUND IF NOT FIXED. WANT TO KNOW WHERE , HOW AND HOW MUCH TO GET THE PART. SATURN DEALERSHIP SAID SATURN HAS STOPPED MAKING MANY PARTS AND THIS IS ONE. IF STARTS LEAKING WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET STICKER. TRYING TO TALK WITH GM AND AT F…

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GAS FILLER PIPE NECK RUSTY AND FLAKING. COULD START LEAKING CAUSING A FIRE AND LEAKING ON THE GROUND IF NOT FIXED. WANT TO KNOW WHERE , HOW AND HOW MUCH TO GET THE PART. SATURN DEALERSHIP SAID SATURN HAS STOPPED MAKING MANY PARTS AND THIS IS ONE. IF STARTS LEAKING WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET STICKER. TRYING TO TALK WITH GM AND AT FIRST SAID THEY COULD HELP BUT NOW JUST ASK IF IT'S FIXED. CAN NOT FIX UNTIL I CAN GET THE PART. TALKING WITH RUBY AT GM 866-790-5700 EXT 42627 CASE # [XXX] . THANKS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328137

21,000 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKES VERY GENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE MOTORED ROARED AFTER ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TRAILER THAT WAS IN FRONT OF IT. THE CONTACT THEN PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKES VERY GENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE MOTORED ROARED AFTER ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TRAILER THAT WAS IN FRONT OF IT. THE CONTACT THEN PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IN REVERSE AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BUT NEVER INFORMED HER WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23000.

NHTSA ODI #10316014

Official recalls

2

05V245000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

Jun 2, 2005

ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW TAIL LAMP REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

05V158000 · Seat Belts

Apr 20, 2005

CERTAIN WAGONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HOLDING THE REQUIRED TEST LOAD FOR THE REQUIRED TIME.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT CENTER BELT ANCHOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

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.