Catastrophic engine failure (cracked block)
a catastrophic engine failure involving the block, connecting rods, and pistons
Check engine light: On
The most serious issue we found for this generation: a cracked engine block leading to catastrophic failure involving the connecting rods and pistons, documented at $1,200 — widened to $960–$1,320 to reflect the normal spread in labor rates and parts sourcing. What stands out is the mileage: just 46,900 miles, notably low for a failure this severe, which is worth knowing if you're evaluating a lower-mileage example of this generation. A failure like this reliably trips a check-engine code well before total failure, which is why the light is marked as typically on.
$960 – $1,32046,900 mi
based on a single documented case at a notably low mileage — treat as a real, serious possibility rather than a guaranteed outcome for every car.
↑ Back to the problem table
Purge valve failure (evaporative emissions)
check engine light, or a ticking/knocking noise that can be mistaken for something more serious
Check engine light: On
This is one of the best-documented problems for this generation — the evaporative-emissions purge valve has failed independently at least 4 times across different owners: an engine knocking noise later deemed normal (15,900 mi), a check engine light (46,500 mi, documented at C$350), the valve sticking with incorrect trim levels (21,000 mi), and a ticking noise that in one case became a lemon-law complaint (45,200 mi). We're not converting the Canadian-dollar figure to USD given exchange-rate uncertainty. Because this is part of the emissions system, it reliably triggers a check-engine code, which is why the light is marked as typically on — worth checking before assuming a ticking noise is something more serious.
15,900–46,500 mi (reported repeatedly across this range)
reported independently at least 4 times — one of the strongest patterns in this vehicle's data. The C$350 figure is in Canadian dollars, not converted to USD.
↑ Back to the problem table
High pressure fuel pump failure
the car won't run past idle, or idles with a lean-condition code
Check engine light: On
Two documented cases stand out for how early they happened: one at just 7,500 miles (the car wouldn't run past idle) and another at 20,000 miles (a lean-condition code at idle) — both suggesting this is an early-life weak point rather than something you age into. A lean-condition code is a directly sourced, confirmed check-engine trigger, which is why the light is marked as typically on.
7,500 mi and 20,000 mi (both notably early)
both documented cases happened unusually early in ownership, a possible early-life weak point.
↑ Back to the problem table
Turbocharger issues (turbo trims)
smoking at idle or under boost, an oil leak near the turbo, or a failed bypass valve
Check engine light: On
Applies to turbo trims of this generation only. Multiple distinct turbo-related faults show up in the available data: smoking at idle or under boost (reported at both 47,000 and 134,000 miles), an oil leak from the turbo seals (19,840 miles), and a bypass valve that failed twice by 51,000 miles on the same vehicle. Turbo boost issues commonly set a check-engine code, which is why the light is marked as typically on.
19,840–134,000 mi (spans several distinct fault types)
applies to turbo trims only. Bypass valve failed twice on at least one vehicle in the sample.
↑ Back to the problem table
Water pump / water pump housing failure
a coolant leak, in several reports traced specifically to the plastic water pump housing rather than the pump itself
Check engine light: Off
Multiple separate reports of coolant leaks for this generation trace specifically to the plastic water pump housing rather than the pump itself — worth knowing, since that's a distinct part from a standard water pump replacement. Documented costs run $500 to $800, with one case at $762. Reported between 98,000 and 122,000 miles. This is a mechanical coolant-system fault, so it doesn't typically trigger a check-engine light unless it progresses to overheating.
$500 – $80098,000–122,000 mi
multiple reports specifically implicate the plastic housing rather than the water pump itself.
↑ Back to the problem table
Motor mount wear
noticeable engine vibration
Check engine light: Off
Motor mount wear for this generation — including the rear motor mount specifically — has been reported multiple times on individual vehicles, with costs ranging from $256 up to $700 or more. Reported between 70,600 and 115,100 miles. Engine vibration is the giveaway symptom rather than a warning light, so this doesn't typically trigger a check-engine light.
$256 – $700+70,600–115,100 mi
the "+" reflects open-ended reported costs, with no firm upper limit.
↑ Back to the problem table
Engine overheating due to failed cooling fan control module
Engine overheats when the cooling fan control module fails
Check engine light: On
Engine overheats when the cooling fan control module fails. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 165 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
Ticking noise from valve lash adjusters
Ticking noise from the valve lash adjusters, more common with infrequent oil changes
Check engine light: Off
Ticking noise from the valve lash adjusters, more common with infrequent oil changes. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 139 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
Transmission slipping between 1st, 2nd, and 4th gears
Transmission slips between 1st/2nd/4th gears with the automatic-transmission light on
Check engine light: On
Transmission slips between 1st/2nd/4th gears with the automatic-transmission light on. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 71 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
PCM software update helps stalling under light acceleration
Stalling under light acceleration addressed by a PCM software update
Check engine light: On
Stalling under light acceleration addressed by a PCM software update. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 62 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
Battery cable corrosion requiring wiring harness replacement
Corrosion at the battery cable leads to starting issues and a wiring harness replacement
Check engine light: Off
Corrosion at the battery cable leads to starting issues and a wiring harness replacement. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 27 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
The most notable issue we've found is catastrophic engine failure from a cracked block, documented at $1,200 and notably low mileage (46,900 mi) for a full failure like this. This generation's NHTSA data is otherwise dominated by industry-wide Takata airbag recalls — see the recall notice below.