Oil burning / catastrophic engine failure
progressive oil burning that can end in spun bearings and a full engine replacement
Check engine light: On
The most serious non-recall issue for this generation is oil burning that can progress to spun bearings and catastrophic engine failure, requiring a full engine replacement — documented at $4,800. That figure comes from a single reported case, so treat it as a rough guide rather than a firm estimate. This kind of failure reliably trips a check-engine code well before the point of total failure, which is why the light is marked as typically on — noticing it early matters.
no mileage point given for the $4,800 figure — not widened into a range.
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EGR valve clogging
check engine light, tied to a P0401 diagnostic code from carbon buildup
Check engine light: On
A recurring EGR valve fault for this generation, caused by carbon buildup, with a check engine light and the specific P0401 diagnostic code as the directly stated symptom, which is why the light is marked as typically on. Cost ranges widely, from $710 to $1,800, reflecting everything from a simple valve cleaning to a full replacement.
$710 – $1,800
wide range reflects everything from a simple cleaning to a full valve replacement — not broken out by which specific fix was needed in each case.
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Turbocharger seal leak (turbo trims)
blue or grey smoke visible during acceleration
Check engine light: On
Applies to turbo trims of this generation only. A turbocharger seal leak shows up as blue or grey smoke during acceleration — oil burning off in the exhaust — and has been documented at $1,800, whether that means a seal replacement or a full turbo swap depending on severity. We don't have a mileage point for this figure, so we're not widening it into a range. Turbo boost issues commonly set a check-engine code, which is why the light is marked as typically on.
no mileage point given — not widened into a range. Applies to turbo trims only.
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AC compressor failure
warm air needing a recharge, an audible bearing failure while driving, or the clutch failing to engage
Check engine light: Off
By far the most common Electrical/AC issue for this generation, reported at least 10 separate times across a wide mileage range — 66,000 to 257,000 miles. Symptoms vary: warm air needing a recharge, an audible bearing failure while actually driving, the clutch not engaging, or in one description, "the whole system went down." Full compressor replacement runs $600 to $1,200, while smaller repairs (clutch coil, bearings alone) run $150 to $950. This is a comfort-system fault, not an engine issue, so it doesn't trigger a check-engine light.
$600 – $1,200 (compressor); $150 – $950 (smaller repairs)66,000–257,000 mi
reported at least 10 separate times independently — one of the best-corroborated problems for this generation.
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Alternator / battery failure
a charging-system failure or a battery that won't hold a charge, especially in cold weather
Check engine light: Off
Alternator failures for this generation have been documented at $300 to $1,100 — one case failed on the highway, a useful reminder this isn't purely a convenience issue. Battery failures are often cold-weather-related and run $500 to $210. These are charging-system faults rather than engine issues, so they don't trigger a check-engine light — though a failing alternator can sometimes trigger a separate battery/charging warning light.
$300 – $1,100 (alternator); $500 – $660 (battery)
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Thermostat failure ("stuck open")
check engine light paired with rough idling
Check engine light: On
A recurring thermostat fault for this generation, with check engine light and rough idling as the directly stated symptoms, which is why the light is marked as typically on. Cost ranges widely, $400 to $650, reflecting a mix of simple and more involved repairs.
$400 – $650
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Airbag warning light illuminated
Airbag warning light stays on
Check engine light: Off
Airbag warning light stays on. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 179 owner reports on file.
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Vibration felt at 55 mph
Noticeable vibration at highway speed around 55 mph
Check engine light: Off
Noticeable vibration at highway speed around 55 mph. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 153 owner reports on file.
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Rear suspension rattle, loose stabilizer bar links
Rattle from the rear suspension traced to loose stabilizer bar links
Check engine light: Off
Rattle from the rear suspension traced to loose stabilizer bar links. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 123 owner reports on file.
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Rear brakes squeaking
Squeaking noise from the rear brakes
Check engine light: Off
Squeaking noise from the rear brakes. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 47 owner reports on file.
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Defective engine mount, excessive vibration and noise
Excessive vibration and noise traced to a defective engine mount
Check engine light: Off
Excessive vibration and noise traced to a defective engine mount. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 33 owner reports on file.
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Difficult to start in extremely cold weather
Hard starting in very cold weather
Check engine light: Off
Hard starting in very cold weather. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 28 owner reports on file.
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Ignition switch failure, key reminder chimes continuously
Key-reminder chime sounds continuously due to an ignition switch fault
Check engine light: Off
Key-reminder chime sounds continuously due to an ignition switch fault. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 26 owner reports on file.
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Brake rotor grinding against caliper bracket
Grinding noise from a brake rotor contacting the caliper bracket
Check engine light: Off
Grinding noise from a brake rotor contacting the caliper bracket. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 21 owner reports on file.
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Engine stalling at lower speeds
Engine stalls at lower speeds
Check engine light: On
Engine stalls at lower speeds. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 15 owner reports on file.
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Heavy steering effort, power steering fluid leak
Steering effort becomes heavy due to a power steering fluid leak
Check engine light: Off
Steering effort becomes heavy due to a power steering fluid leak. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 12 owner reports on file.
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Of the issues we're confident aren't recall-related, the most serious is oil burning progressing to catastrophic engine failure (spun bearings, full engine replacement), documented at $4,800. Separately: this generation's NHTSA data is dominated by an active steering recall (Electric Power Assist System, Campaign 10V374000) involving sudden loss of power steering and at least one crash. See the recall notice below and check your VIN — that issue is unrelated to engine wear but matters more.