Engine block porosity (coolant leaking into oil)
coolant mixing into the engine oil, sometimes visible as a milky residue on the dipstick
Check engine light: On
This is a more serious, costlier failure mode than routine engine wear: a porous spot in the engine block lets coolant leak directly into the oil rather than out onto the ground where it's easy to spot. It's a likely contributor to the high-cost tail in the available data — 16% of documented engine repairs for this generation ran over $2,500 — though we can't yet isolate a dollar figure to this specific failure versus the other costly items (like turbo failures) in that same bucket. Coolant contamination reaching the oil is exactly the kind of thing that trips a check-engine code, which is why we've marked the light as typically on for this one.
part of a bucketed cost distribution (16% of engine repairs over $2,500) — not isolated to this specific failure yet.
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Sensor and turbocharger-related engine faults
reduced power, rough running, or stalling — traced to any of several sensors or the turbocharger
Check engine light: On
Our data groups a wide range of named components under general engine-repair volume for this generation: the mass air flow sensor, the turbocharger itself, cracks in the intake housing, the cam position sensor and actuator, the throttle body sensor, and others. We don't have symptoms broken out per individual part, but sensor and turbo faults like these commonly set a check-engine code, which is why we've marked the light as typically on. Failures show up across the full ownership range — as early as 3,000 miles, clustering again around 28,000–51,000 miles, and continuing out to 136,000 miles.
3,000–136,000 mi (spans full ownership range)
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Recurring airbag warning light (not crash-related)
the airbag or passenger-airbag warning light stays on, unrelated to any collision
Check engine light: Off
To be clear, this is a distinct issue from the ignition-switch recall described above — this is a recurring warning-light fault reported early in ownership (7,000–12,000 miles), not the crash/airbag-disable scenario the recall covers. It's a dashboard-light nuisance rather than a confirmed functional airbag failure in the reports we found, so it doesn't trigger a check-engine light (it's a separate warning system). Still worth having looked at, since an airbag warning light is not one to just ignore.
7,000–12,000 mi
distinct from the ignition-switch recall described in the recall notice — this is a recurring warning-light fault, not a confirmed crash-related airbag failure.
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Minor electrical accessory failures
headlight or turn-signal faults, power window failure, or a battery that won't hold a charge
Check engine light: Off
A cluster of smaller electrical faults rounds out this generation's complaint data: headlight failure or misalignment, turn signal malfunction, power window failure, body control module issues, and battery problems. Most of these run cheap — 86% of repairs in this category came in under $100. Two costs are documented: an AC recharge at $650 around 64,400 miles, shown here as $500 – $700 to reflect the normal spread in labor rates, and a battery replacement at $110. These are accessory-level electrical faults, not engine issues, so they don't trigger a check-engine light.
$500 – $700 (AC recharge); $150 (battery)5,580–64,400 mi (category range)
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Ignition key stuck due to failed shifter
Key won't come out of the ignition after parking
Check engine light: Off
A failed shifter mechanism is reported to leave the ignition key stuck on this generation.
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Check engine light and misfire due to ignition module or coil failure
Misfire, check engine light
Check engine light: On
A failed ignition module or coil is reported to cause misfires and a check engine light on this generation.
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Broken timing chain
Rattling or knocking noise from the engine, potential loss of power
Check engine light: On
A broken timing chain is reported on this generation — a serious failure that can cause significant engine damage if not caught early.
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Check engine light due to gas cap issue
Check engine light, often resolved by tightening or replacing the gas cap
Check engine light: On
A loose or failing gas cap seal is a common, low-cost check engine light cause on this generation. It is reported often by owners.
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Tachometer jumping, transmission jerking, and door locks clicking
Tachometer needle jumps erratically, transmission jerks, door locks click on their own
Check engine light: Off
A distinctly described multi-symptom electrical complaint (8 reports) with a specific, recognizable symptom cluster.
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The most serious non-recall issue we've found is engine block porosity that lets coolant leak into the oil — part of a cost tail where 16% of documented engine repairs ran over $2,500, though we can't yet isolate a cost figure to this specific failure. Separately, and more urgently: this generation is also subject to a well-known, serious ignition-switch safety recall. See the recall notice below and check your VIN before anything else — that issue matters more than any wear item on this page.