1992 Subaru Svx Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1992 Subaru Svx, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Transmission18765.6%
- Powertrain (other)3211.2%
- Suspension196.7%
- Brakes82.8%
- Electrical72.5%
- Driver assistance72.5%
- Other / unspecified62.1%
- Engine51.8%
- Steering51.8%
- Visibility41.4%
- Airbags20.7%
- Interior & seats10.4%
- Tires & wheels10.4%
- Heating & air conditioning10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NO SPECIFIC EVENT OR ACTIVITY LEAD TO THE FAILURE. TRANSMISSION WORSENED OVER A PERIOD OF WEEKS - ROUGH SHIFTS AND EVENTUALLY UNABLE TO GET INTO ALL GEARS. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH 64000 MI. TRANS SHOP "REBUILT" IT AND ADDED A TRANS COOLER FOR 2200$ AS SOON AS I FIST DROVE IT I NOTICED THE CAR "BINDING UP" DURING TURNS AT SLOW SPEED. SHOP OWNER SAID HE COULDN'T REPLICATE OR FEEL ANYTHING WRONG, WITH ME IN THE CAR AND IT WAS CLEARLY BINDING DURING SLOW TURNS, HE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEM. ALSO THERE IS A NOISE, LIKE A BOLT INSIDE THE TORQUE CONVERTER THAT I HEAR WHEN I AM OFF THE THROTTLE. ALSO HAVE REPLACED BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. CABIN TRUNK RELEASE HAS FAILED AND ALL OF THE HOOD/TRUNK STRUTS HAVE FAILED. *TR
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 SUBARU SVX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH 64000 MI. TRANS SHOP "REBUILT" IT AND ADDED A TRANS COOLER FOR 2200$ AS SOON AS I FIST DROVE IT I NOTICED THE CAR "BINDING UP" DURING TURNS AT SLOW SPEED. SHOP OWNER SAID HE COULDN'T REPLICATE OR FEEL ANYTHING WRONG, WITH ME IN THE CAR AND IT WAS CLEARLY BINDING DURING SLOW TURNS, HE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEM. ALSO THERE IS A NOISE, LIKE A BOLT INSIDE THE TORQUE CONVERTER THAT I HEAR WHEN I AM OFF THE THROTTLE. ALSO HAVE REPLACED BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. CABIN TRUNK RELEASE HAS FAILED AND ALL OF THE HOOD/TRUNK STRUTS HAVE FAILED. *TR
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASES A SUBARU SVX 1992 MODEL. I TEST DROVE IT AND IT SEEMED FINE. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT LOOKED OVER AND IT CAME BACK CLEAN EXCEPT FOR SOME SUGGESTIONS TO CHANGE BRAKE PADS , FLUIDS ETC. THIS WAS ALL DONE. HOWEVER A COUPLE MONTHS LATER A MAJOR PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE GEAR WOULD SOMETIMES NOT SHIFT, THE CAR WOULD MAKE A LOUD THUD SOUND IN REVERSE AND OVER REV ON HIGHWAY DRIVING. I FOUND OUT FROM VARIOUS FORUMS THAT THIS CAR HAS A FLAW , THE TRANSMISSION IS DUE TO FAILURE. EVERY CAR OWNER IN THIS FORUM HAS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE COST TO HAVE THIS COMPLETELY FIXED COSTS OVER $4000. A PROBLEM THAT OWNERS SHOULD NOT PAY FOR BECAUSE OF FAULTY ENGINEERING. THE LATER MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT AS PRONE TO IT. WHY DID SUBARU NEVER HAVE THESE CARS RECALLED OR PARTS RECALLED? ANOTHER PROBLEM OCCURRED, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR BACK FROM THE PURCHASE LOCATION, THERE WAS A HUMMING SOUND FROM THE TRUNK, IT GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER AND AT 500 MILES LATER IT WAS A GRINDING AND LOUD SOUND. MY MECHANIC LISTED IT AS A WHEEL BEARING PROBLEM. ON SUBARU FORUMS AS WELL AS ADVICE FROM MECHANICS THE SUBARU IS PRONE TO SEVER WHEEL BEARING PROBLEMS. IN SOME CASES GENERATING HEAT THAT THEY HAD RECOUNTED CARS WITH MOLDED BEARINGS AND BROKEN AXLES. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE ABS SYSTEM. I GUESS THE BRAKE PUMP IS ALSO A COMPONENT THAT LEAKS. I NEED TO HAVE MY BRAKED REFILLED EVERY OTHER DAY AND THE FUEL PUMP COSTS AROUND 2000$ I WISH FOR YOU TO SEND THIS REPORT TO SUBARU TO VOICE THIS CONCERN FOR ME AND ON BEHALF OF THE MANY SUBARU SVX DRIVERS THAT ARE FACED WITH ENDURING THESE COSTLY MISTAKES DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING. SUBARU SHOULD HAVE A PROGRAM TO FIX THESE PARTS OR ALLOW A TRADE IN FOR CURRENT BLUE BOOK REFUNDS OR SOME WAY OR LETTING INDIVIDUALS KNOW THAT THEY ARE SORRY. THE CAR IS A FINE PIECE OF ART AND THESE MINOR PROBLEMS MAKES IT A PIECE OF JUNK. *NM
UPON PURCHASE OF CAR 1-2 WEEKS PRIOR, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR, AND WAS SLIPPING AT INITIAL ACCELERATION FROM A STOP UNTIL AROUND 1500 RPM, CAUSING WHEELSPIN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. ON THIS DATE, TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED TO BE ABLE TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR, LIMITING TOP SPEED TO LEVELS BELOW SAFE LIMITS ON MOST HIGHWAYS. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, AND WAS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. TOWED TO DEALER, DEALER RECOMMENDS REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION, ASKING APPROXIMATELY $4000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I DIDN'T (AND STILL DON'T) HAVE THE MONEY FOR THAT, SO I MANAGED TO LIMP HOME WITH IT WHERE IT HAS SAT SINCE. AT SOME POINT SINCE THEN IT HAS LOST THE ABILITY TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. DEALER ALSO FOUND POSSIBLE WHEEL BEARING AND FRONT ROTOR PROBLEMS, IN ADDITION TO FAILURE OF FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. WANTS ROUGHLY $6000 TO FULLY REPAIR VEHICLE. *NLM
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASES A SUBARU SVX 1992 MODEL. I TEST DROVE IT AND IT SEEMED FINE. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT LOOKED OVER AND IT CAME BACK CLEAN EXCEPT FOR SOME SUGGESTIONS TO CHANGE BRAKE PADS , FLUIDS ETC. THIS WAS ALL DONE. HOWEVER A COUPLE MONTHS LATER A MAJOR PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE GEAR WOULD SOMETIMES NOT SHIFT, THE CAR WOULD MAKE A LOUD THUD SOUND IN REVERSE AND OVER REV ON HIGHWAY DRIVING. I FOUND OUT FROM VARIOUS FORUMS THAT THIS CAR HAS A FLAW , THE TRANSMISSION IS DUE TO FAILURE. EVERY CAR OWNER IN THIS FORUM HAS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE COST TO HAVE THIS COMPLETELY FIXED COSTS OVER $4000. A PROBLEM THAT OWNERS SHOULD NOT PAY FOR BECAUSE OF FAULTY ENGINEERING. THE LATER MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT AS PRONE TO IT. WHY DID SUBARU NEVER HAVE THESE CARS RECALLED OR PARTS RECALLED? ANOTHER PROBLEM OCCURRED, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR BACK FROM THE PURCHASE LOCATION, THERE WAS A HUMMING SOUND FROM THE TRUNK, IT GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER AND AT 500 MILES LATER IT WAS A GRINDING AND LOUD SOUND. MY MECHANIC LISTED IT AS A WHEEL BEARING PROBLEM. ON SUBARU FORUMS AS WELL AS ADVICE FROM MECHANICS THE SUBARU IS PRONE TO SEVER WHEEL BEARING PROBLEMS. IN SOME CASES GENERATING HEAT THAT THEY HAD RECOUNTED CARS WITH MOLDED BEARINGS AND BROKEN AXLES. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE ABS SYSTEM. I GUESS THE BRAKE PUMP IS ALSO A COMPONENT THAT LEAKS. I NEED TO HAVE MY BRAKED REFILLED EVERY OTHER DAY AND THE FUEL PUMP COSTS AROUND 2000$ I WISH FOR YOU TO SEND THIS REPORT TO SUBARU TO VOICE THIS CONCERN FOR ME AND ON BEHALF OF THE MANY SUBARU SVX DRIVERS THAT ARE FACED WITH ENDURING THESE COSTLY MISTAKES DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING. SUBARU SHOULD HAVE A PROGRAM TO FIX THESE PARTS OR ALLOW A TRADE IN FOR CURRENT BLUE BOOK REFUNDS OR SOME WAY OR LETTING INDIVIDUALS KNOW THAT THEY ARE SORRY. THE CAR IS A FINE PIECE OF ART AND THESE MINOR PROBLEMS MAKES IT A PIECE OF JUNK. *NM
UPON PURCHASE OF CAR 1-2 WEEKS PRIOR, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR, AND WAS SLIPPING AT INITIAL ACCELERATION FROM A STOP UNTIL AROUND 1500 RPM, CAUSING WHEELSPIN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. ON THIS DATE, TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED TO BE ABLE TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR, LIMITING TOP SPEED TO LEVELS BELOW SAFE LIMITS ON MOST HIGHWAYS. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, AND WAS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. TOWED TO DEALER, DEALER RECOMMENDS REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION, ASKING APPROXIMATELY $4000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I DIDN'T (AND STILL DON'T) HAVE THE MONEY FOR THAT, SO I MANAGED TO LIMP HOME WITH IT WHERE IT HAS SAT SINCE. AT SOME POINT SINCE THEN IT HAS LOST THE ABILITY TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. DEALER ALSO FOUND POSSIBLE WHEEL BEARING AND FRONT ROTOR PROBLEMS, IN ADDITION TO FAILURE OF FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. WANTS ROUGHLY $6000 TO FULLY REPAIR VEHICLE. *NLM
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
STARTED OUT WITH THE ALTERNATOR, AND TOOK OUT ALL ELECTRONICS. *AK
THE BATTERY GAUGE OCCASIONALLY DROPS TO THE LOW END WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, IDLING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, WITH THE HEATER ON AND RADIO ON CAUSING THE DASH LIGHTS TO DIM BUT ONCE THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE AIR COMPRESSOR, ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE, THE HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON ALTHOUGH THE SWITCH WAS OFF, THE LIGHT ON THE STEREO IS INOPERATIVE, AT TIME THE VEHICLE WILL CRANK BUT NOT START THE DEALER REPLACED BY PASS VALVE, PCM AND DA PUMP BUT THERE WAS NO CHANGE. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE BEGAN TO REV WHILE THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONSUMER THEN ACTIVATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *MR THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DOWN GRADE. WHEN THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED THE CONSUMERS SON HAD TAKEN HIS FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND COASTED BEFORE APPLYING THE BRAKES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED UP, AND IDLED NORMALLY. THE SUBARU DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ON THE SECOND INCIDENT THE MOTOR STARTED TO REV AND WAS VERY LOUD AND NOISY. THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE DASH AND THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SHOT OUT OF CONTROL FROM THE PARKED ANGLE SPACE INTO THE LANE FOR TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE REVVING WAS DUE TO CARBON BUILD UP. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A LEAK. *SCC *JB
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A LOT, WHEN CONSUMER STARTED THE IGNITION, INSTANTLY THE RPMS "REVVED" UP TO THE MAXIMUM. CONSUMER TURNED VEHICLE OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, AND THEN RESTARTED. WHEN GEAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD ALMOST HITTING PEDESTRIANS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
REPLACED 4 WHEEL BEARING DUE TO PERSISTENT ROARING AT ALL SPEEDS, BUT ESPECIALLY ABOVE 45MPH. REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED 20K MILES EARLIER. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE ABS WHEEL SENSOR FAILED, ALLEGEDLY DUE TO CORROSION, BUT POSSIBLY DEALER NEGLIGENCE WHILE REPLACING WHEEL BEARINGS.
LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING FIRST FAILED AT 55000 MILES; REPLACEMENT FAILED 59000; NEW REPLACEMENTS FAILING @ 65000. (AT TIME OF 2ND REPLACEMENT, DEALER INSISTED I BUY A NEW WHEEL -- PROBABLY UNNECESSARY.) HOW MANY COMPLAINTS BEFORE RECALL MANDATED?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
UPON PURCHASE OF CAR 1-2 WEEKS PRIOR, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR, AND WAS SLIPPING AT INITIAL ACCELERATION FROM A STOP UNTIL AROUND 1500 RPM, CAUSING WHEELSPIN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. ON THIS DATE, TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED TO BE ABLE TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR, LIMITING TOP SPEED TO LEVELS BELOW SAFE LIMITS ON MOST HIGHWAYS. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, AND WAS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. TOWED TO DEALER, DEALER RECOMMENDS REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION, ASKING APPROXIMATELY $4000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I DIDN'T (AND STILL DON'T) HAVE THE MONEY FOR THAT, SO I MANAGED TO LIMP HOME WITH IT WHERE IT HAS SAT SINCE. AT SOME POINT SINCE THEN IT HAS LOST THE ABILITY TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. DEALER ALSO FOUND POSSIBLE WHEEL BEARING AND FRONT ROTOR PROBLEMS, IN ADDITION TO FAILURE OF FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. WANTS ROUGHLY $6000 TO FULLY REPAIR VEHICLE. *NLM
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 1992 SUBARU SVX AT 88,000+ MILES. DEALER SERVICED ONLY AND I WAS NEVER ADVISED BY ANY DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE OR BULLETIN THAT I SHOULD BRING MY VEHICLE INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR MAINTENACE PREVENTION. I VISITED NORTHPARK SUUBARU IN SAN ANTONIO, TX. ONE WEEK PRIOR TO MY TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND WAS GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH FOR MY VEHICLE. OTHER OWNERS AND NATIONAL PUBLICATIONS E. G. AUTOMOBILE JULY 1999 "THE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE BEEN TROUBLE-PRONE AND SEEM TO LAST ABOUT 60,000 MILES". IN RETURNING TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, I ALSO CALLED THE SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE AND RECEIVED ABSOLUTELY NO HELP FROM THE COMPANY. THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED WITH THE FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY. THE PART IS UNABLE TO HANDLE THE TORQUE OF THE ENGINE AND FAILED. THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED AS PER MANUFACTURER GUIDELINES PRIOR TO THE PULLEY FAILURE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE BEGAN TO REV WHILE THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONSUMER THEN ACTIVATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *MR THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DOWN GRADE. WHEN THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED THE CONSUMERS SON HAD TAKEN HIS FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND COASTED BEFORE APPLYING THE BRAKES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED UP, AND IDLED NORMALLY. THE SUBARU DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ON THE SECOND INCIDENT THE MOTOR STARTED TO REV AND WAS VERY LOUD AND NOISY. THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE DASH AND THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SHOT OUT OF CONTROL FROM THE PARKED ANGLE SPACE INTO THE LANE FOR TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE REVVING WAS DUE TO CARBON BUILD UP. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A LEAK. *SCC *JB
VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE WHEN PULLING INTO AN INTERSECTION, HOWEVER IT DID NOT GO INTO GEAR AND CONSUMER HAD TO FORCE IT INTO SECOND, VEHICLE HAD VERY LITTLE POWER, SINCE DECEMBER IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES FOR SHIFTING PROBLEMS AND A TRANSMISSION SHOP STATED THAT THESE CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR TRANSMISSIONS FAILING BETWEEN 55 AND 80 THOUSAND MILES. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED STEERING SYSTEM PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BATTERY GAUGE OCCASIONALLY DROPS TO THE LOW END WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, IDLING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, WITH THE HEATER ON AND RADIO ON CAUSING THE DASH LIGHTS TO DIM BUT ONCE THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE AIR COMPRESSOR, ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE, THE HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON ALTHOUGH THE SWITCH WAS OFF, THE LIGHT ON THE STEREO IS INOPERATIVE, AT TIME THE VEHICLE WILL CRANK BUT NOT START THE DEALER REPLACED BY PASS VALVE, PCM AND DA PUMP BUT THERE WAS NO CHANGE. NLM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE PULLING INTO GARAGE. VEHICLE SLIGHTLY BUMPED THE WALL OF THE GARAGE WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE BUMP WAS SO MINOR THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE ANY DAMAGES. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED FROM SCRATCHES AND BRUISES IN THE FACE. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG. DUP OF 539368 *AK
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG WHEN VEHICLE BUMPED GARAGE.829213 DUP OF 539368; POSTED ON 09-07-1999. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING COMPLETELY DEFECTIVE - HAVE HAD REPLACED. WHEN FIRST STARTING THE CAR, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT OPERATE UNTIL THE CAR HAS WARMED UP AT LEAST 5 MINUTES. ENGINE SOMETIMES DIES WHEN CAR IS PUT INTO REVERSE GEAR. GEARS CHANGE WITH A JOLT AND CAR JERKS WHEN TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. TRUNK LATCH IS INOPERATIVE FROM DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL. BRAKES "CATCH AND RELEASE" WHEN APPLIED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
SIDEWALL BUBBLES - TWO ON SAME TIRE 1/4 AROUND TIRE APART. I UNDERSTAND THAT A BUBBLE CAN BE CAUSE BY A POTHOLE IMPACT, HOWEVER, AFTER TALKING TO A NHTSA EXPERT AND VIEWING THE TIRE I AM NOT CONVINCED IT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. THE TIRE IS A HIGH END TIRE (NOT CHEAP) AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO HOLD UP TO REGULAR DRIVING. SINCE THERE ARE TWO BUBBLES IT LENDS ITSELF TO THE VIEW THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE CORD ITSELF WHICH PERHAPS MADE IT WEAK . I AM CONCERNED AS MY CAR IS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE AND I HAVE ALL FOUR MICHELIN PILOT ALPIN TIRES (SNOW TIRES) ON THE CAR. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN NOV. 2000, AND WERE ONLY ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE WINTER. THEY HAVE APPROX. 3-4 K MILES ON THEM. I JUST HAD THEM PUT BACK ON MY CAR ON OCTOBER 29, 2001. I NOTICED THE LARGER BUBBLE WHEN I HAD MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON NOV. 6, 2001. THE OTHER SMALLER BUBBLE I NOTICED AS I WAS LOOKING FOR THE DOT NUMBERS FOR THIS REPORT. ON NOV. 6, 2001 I HAD A TIRE DEALER LOOK AT THE TIRE ( I DON'T KNOW IF THE NEW BUBBLE WAS THERE AT THAT TIME - IT IS APPARENT BUT MUCH SMALLER IN APPEARANCE) COULD THE CORD BE SO WEAK THAT WITH HAVING TAKEN OFF AND PUT THE TIRE BACK ON BOTH ON 10/29 AND 11/6 CAUSED IT TO BUBBLE? I AM CONCERNED AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FIND CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AS IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THEY ARE LISTED AS THE PILOTS OR XSE IN YOUR DATABASE. IN FACT WHEN I CALLED THE HOTLINE HE SAID HE COULD NOT FIND THIS TIRE AT ALL IN YOUR DATABASE (I DID ONLINE). IF HE HAD TROUBLE, ARE OTHER COMPLAINANTS HAVING THE SAME DIFFICULTY AND PUTTING THEM IN THE WRONG CATEGORY, OR JUST GIVING UP? PLEASE CHECK THOUROUGHLY FOR OTHER COMPLAINTS, ESPECIALLY PILOT ALPIN AND XSE AS BOTH ARE ON THE TIRE.*AK (DOT NUMBER: EX9X518 TIRESIZE: 225/50R-16)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR CONDITIONER REPAIRED, COST $800. ALSO, REPLACED RIGHT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, COST $500. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .