Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Autocar AUTOCAR recalls by model year

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

2 owner complaints analyzed

16 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1956 to 1988 model years. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1972
1
1973
1
1974
3
1975
2
1976
2
1977
2
1978
1
1979
2
1980
3
1981
2
1982
3
1983
4
1984
4
1985
5
1986
4
1987
3
1988
1
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
19721
19731
19743
19752
19762
19772
19781
19792
19803
19812
19823
19834
19844
19855
19864
19873
19881

1972: 1; 1973: 1; 1974: 3; 1975: 2; 1976: 2; 1977: 2; 1978: 1; 1979: 2; 1980: 3; 1981: 2; 1982: 3; 1983: 4; 1984: 4; 1985: 5; 1986: 4; 1987: 3; 1988: 1

Year-by-year records

Autocar AUTOCAR model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
195601Not available
1957010
1958010
1959010
1960010
1961010
1962010
1963010
1964010
1965010
1966010
1967010
196802+1
1969020
197001-1
1971010
1972010
1973010
197403+2
197502-1
1976020
1977020
197801-1
197902+1
198003+1
198102-1
198203+1
198304+1
1984040
198505+1
198614-1
198713-1
198801-2

Recall history

16 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

73V140000 · Suspension:Rear:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:Hanger/Bracket

Reported: 1973-07-02 (July 2, 1973) · Model years: 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974

NHTSA campaign record ↗
68V100000 · Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)

Reported: 1968-10-22 (October 22, 1968) · Model years: 1968

NHTSA campaign record ↗
69V042000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Reported: 1969-04-09 (April 9, 1969) · Model years: 1969

NHTSA campaign record ↗
75V194000 · Service Brakes, Air:Drum

Reported: 1975-11-04 (November 4, 1975) · Model years: 1974

NHTSA campaign record ↗
77V236000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages

Reported: 1977-12-28 (December 28, 1977) · Model years: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977

ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM MAY BREAK AT THE PIVOT PIN WELD AREA. THIS WOULD RENDER BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT HAND WIPERS INOPERATIVE.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A NEW WIPER LINKAGE WITH PIN COLLAR SUPPORT WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
81V122000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

Reported: 1981-10-14 (October 14, 1981) · Model years: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981

STEERING SHAFT BINDER BOLTS ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ARE EITHER LOOSE OR OVER-TIGHTENED. EITHER CONDITION CAN LEAD TO A SEPARATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN IF THE FACTORY INSTALLED BOLT HAS BEEN PROPERLY RETIGHTENED.

Remedy: UNIQUE BOLTS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED FOR THIS CAMPAIGN AND WILL BE INSTALLED ALONG WITH NEW NUTS. THIS WILL BE DONE AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
83V030000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch

Reported: 1983-03-17 (March 17, 1983) · Model years: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982

IN CERTAIN TYPES OF COLLISIONS, THE DOOR LATCHES MAY RELEASE AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN. THE DOOR LATCH SYSTEM FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS".

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL NEW DOOR LATCH CONTROL RODS AT NO COST TO THE OWNER.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
81V044000 · Steering:Linkages:Drag:Link:Connection

Reported: 1981-04-01 (April 1, 1981) · Model years: 1980

THE BALL STUD NUTS USED TO FASTEN THE DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS TO THE PITMAN ARM AND STEERING ARM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED ON SOME VEHICLES. IF THE NUTS ARE NOT SECURELY FASTENED THE BALL STUD COULD PREMATURELY FAIL AND DRAG LINK WOULD BECOME LOOSE.

Remedy: THE BALL STUD NUTS WILL BE CHECKED AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL BE SECURELY FASTENED FREE OF CHARGE.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
82V102000 · Steering:Linkages:Drag:Power Assist System

Reported: 1982-10-14 (October 14, 1982) · Model years: 1982

THE FRONT AXLE DRAG LINK CLAMP ASSEMBLIES INSTALLED ON THE SUSPECT VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN BOLTS WHICH HAVE QUENCH CRACKS AND ARE SUBJECT TO FAILURE. FAILURE OF THE BOLT WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CLAMPING ACTION AND CONTINUED OPERATION COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT AND DRAG LINK.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE BOLTS IN THE DRAG LINK CLAMP ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
85V074000 · Service Brakes, Air:Supply:Reservoir/Tank

Reported: 1985-06-06 (June 6, 1985) · Model years: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985

TRUCKS MAY NOT MEET THE AIR RESERVOIR VOLUME OF 12 TIMES THE COMBINED VOLUME OF ALL BRAKE CHAMBERS AT FULL STROKE AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 121. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS COULD BE REDUCED CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: AIR RESERVOIR VOLUME WILL BE INCREASED TO MEET REQUIREMENTS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
85V103000 · Parking Brake:Driveline:Air

Reported: 1985-08-14 (August 14, 1985) · Model years: 1983, 1984

THE QUICK RELEASE AIR VALVE MAY CONTAIN A VALVE DISC THAT BALLOONS WHEN THE PARKING BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND PREVENT THE PARKING BRAKES FROM SETTING. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: ALTHOUGH THE PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKES MAY NOT BE SET. THIS COULD ALLOW AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE TO ROLL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE VALVE DISC IN THE QUICK RELEASE AIR VALVE.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
87V145000 · Service Brakes, Air:Controls:Foot Control/Valve

Reported: 1987-09-15 (September 15, 1987) · Model years: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987

FOOT CONTROLLED BRAKE VALVE MAY MALFUNCTION BY ALLOWING AIR PRESSURE TO BYPASS CONTROL PISTON O RING.

Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE OVERLY AGGRESSIVE TRUCKBRAKING DURING NORMAL BRAKE APPLICATIONS CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLECRASH.

Remedy: REPAIR SO AS TO PREVENT BRAKE VALVE MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
88V150000 · Seat Belts:Front:Retractor

Reported: 1988-09-13 (September 13, 1988) · Model years: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987

THE SEAT CUSHION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MECHANISM KEEPING IT FROM LOCKING.

Consequence: SEAT BELT WOULD BE INEFFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT RESTRAINOCCUPANT IN EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSTALL A SPACER BEHIND THE BELT ASSEMBLY MOUNT.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
87V138000 · Suspension:Multiple Axle:Torque Arm

Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987) · Model years: 1985, 1986

THE TANDEM SUSPENSION CURVED TORQUE RODS MAY FAIL AT A POINT WHERE THE TWO PIECE CENTER TUBE IS WELDED TOGETHER.

Consequence: A BROKEN TORQUE ROD WOULD AFFECT THE HANDLING AND THESTABILITY OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: INSPECT AND MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO PRECLUDE ROD SEPARATION AT THE WELD POINT.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
88V092000 · Equipment:Other:Labels

Reported: 1988-06-10 (June 10, 1988) · Model years: 1985, 1986, 1987

DECALS WARNING NOT TO USE ETHER OR STARTING FLUIDS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED FROM THE AIR CLEANER AND/OR INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Consequence: INJECTION OF THESE FLUIDS INTO THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEMCOULD POSSIBLY BE IGNITED BY THE HEATING COILS AND AN EXPLOSION MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: INSTALL WARNING LABELS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
88V068000 · Suspension:Rear:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:U-Bolt, Leaf Spring To Axle

Reported: 1988-04-20 (April 20, 1988) · Model years: 1988

INCORRECT BOLTS MAY HAVE BEEN USED TO ATTACH THE REAR SUSPENSION TO THE CROSSMEMBER.

Consequence: BOLTS MAY NOT PROPERLY RETAIN REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER

Remedy: INSTALL CORRECT BOLTS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 2 records
100.0%Valid incident date2 / 2 records
100.0%Valid filing date2 / 2 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates2 / 2 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component197419751976197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988
Service Brakes, Air:Controls
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 537998

AIR TANK VALVE OPENED CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK UP RESULTING IN COLLISION.

Look up ODI 537998 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 533463

BRAKES FAILED.

Look up ODI 533463 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-102026-09

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

1987: 0 complaints · 1988: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1987000
1988000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1987100
1988000

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentService Brakes, Air:ControlsService Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
Service Brakes, Air:Controls—0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components0—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 50.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 533463

BRAKES FAILED.

Look up ODI 533463 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b