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Your vehicleHome›Audi›RS› 2019
Audi · Compact Wagon

2019 Audi RS

Gas
Subcompact Cars
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
D
Safety Signal
65 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 7
Complaintsnone reporting a crash, fire or injury 8
Crash ratingnot rated by NHTSA —
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 22 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019

The 2019 Audi RS is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact wagon with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RS 3, is EPA-rated at 22 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 8 complaints, most often about the engine.

Audi RS7 — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Audi RS7 (2013 generation) · Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
RS 3GasAWD2.5L 5-cyl turbo192822$3,750
RS 5GasAWD2.9L 6-cyl turbo182721$3,900
RS 5 SportbackGasAWD2.9L 6-cyl turbo172620$4,100

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 41423, 40993, 41010.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
RS 33 / 10California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
RS 5, RS 5 Sportback5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleHatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Cylinders6
Displacement2.9 L
Engine configurationV-Shaped

Engine Output

Horsepower444 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Transmission

DrivetrainAWD/All-Wheel Drive
TransmissionAutomatic

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes one configuration rather than every trim (seen: quattro). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Also on file Beside the 2019 RS
Other years The 2027 RS Recalls Audi recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2019 Audi RS is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

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Recalls (7)

Source: NHTSA recall database
●moderate

Suspension

42L5
31,058 vehicles 98% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed. Risk Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V034000 reported Jan 26, 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seats

74E3
208,332 vehicles 84% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag. Risk A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V874000 reported Nov 10, 2021 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Suspension

42L1
40,993 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion. Risk A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V295000 reported Apr 26, 2021 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

69BY
153,152 vehicles 73% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied. Risk A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V198000 reported Mar 22, 2021 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

27i6
2,355 vehicles 95% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Coupe vehicles. An incorrect positive battery terminal cover was installed. Risk In the event of a rear crash, the incorrect cover can cause the 12-volt power supply to be compromised, preventing the vehicle doors from being opened from the outside, or the hazard warning lights from functioning, increasing risk of injury. Fix Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive terminal cover, free of charge. The recall began January 19, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 27i6.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V760000 reported Dec 9, 2020 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

74D9
145,337 vehicles 92% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag. Risk A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Fix Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V547000 reported Jul 24, 2019 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

69Z4
138,896 vehicles 82% reported repaired built Mar 8, 2019 – Apr 30, 2019
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag. Risk A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash. Fix Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V474000 reported Jun 19, 2019 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Fuel System, Gasoline — Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647) closed

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which c

Opened Dec 12, 2023 · closed Jul 1, 2024 · action RQ23007 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific RS

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2019 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Audi publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Audi’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2019 Audi RS, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2019 Audi RS

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this RS →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
8complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 4

Most-cited components

Engine 3
Electrical System 3
Power Train 1
Air Bags 1
Fuel/Propulsion System 1
Back Over Prevention 1

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

SOS malfunction , B18BD11 code, is set off intermittently while driving. A Loud SOS alert distracts driver due to imtermittemt cable short. Defective cable needs replacing
Electrical System Jul 24, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11676069
The water pump has failed twice in under 46,000 miles, first was at 3000 miles 2nd was at 46000 miles
Engine Sep 3, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11684862
I first began noticing symptoms of a cooling system issue on May 23, 2024, including engine temperature fluctuations and loss of coolant, on my 2019 Audi RS3. Over time, the issue worsened, eventually requiring a full replacement of both the water pump and thermostat on January 10, 2025, at 53,981 miles.
Back Over Prevention Mar 26, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11650727
Unable to fill the vehicle with fuel normally, with the nozzle clicking off repeatedly, required trickle of fuel to partially fill tank. Same day system failure under normal driving conditions with fuel leak spraying fuel from the gas tank and overflowing under excessive pressure creating serious risk of injury or death due to fire or…
Fuel/Propulsion System Oct 16, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11620220
My husband and son were driving down the road and the sunroof exploded causing glass shards to go everywhere. Temp was 43 degree. According to my husband, it sounded like a bomb went off. Both my husband and son were covered in glass. We had to pull small glass pieces from my son. The vehicle is currently at the dealership.
Structure Apr 3, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11515193
My vehicle has the Audi recall 69BY that came out on March 22, 2021. There is currently still no remedy and its November 19th, 2021. Its been nearly 8 months. The pre-sense warning light and the airbag light are glaring on the dash at all times. Nobody can sit in the passenger seat as the airbag would not deploy in the event of a crash.
Air Bags Nov 19, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11441059

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆11%
4 DR AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 1,783
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-25
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 1754 service bulletins, 28 others, 1 service campaign

Most often about: Electrical System, Equipment, Unknown Or Other, Structure, Engine.

  • TSB_2083409_1 Service bulletin
    2026-09-25 · Unknown Or Other
  • This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
  • TSB_2052680_2 Service bulletin
    2026-09-25 · Unknown Or Other
  • This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
  • TSB_2074846_5 Service bulletin
    2026-09-22 · Steering
  • This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
  • TSB_2065871_4 Service bulletin
    2026-09-22 · Steering
  • This bulletin provides informaiton when DTC B200FF0 is stored.
  • TSB_2020552_15 Service bulletin
    2026-09-22 · Visibility/Wiper
  • This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
  • TSB_2078648_4 Service bulletin
    2026-09-18 · Structure — Body
  • This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.
  • TSB_2068573_6 Service bulletin
    2026-09-18 · Electrical System
  • This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.
  • TSB_2030471_9 Service bulletin
    2026-09-15 · Unknown Or Other
  • This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2019 Audi RS failed the emissions check on 5.3% of first inspections — higher than the 2.7% for every 2019 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.49% (every 2019 vehicle: 1.7%).

New York inspections 5.3%

failed emissions

206 initial inspections of 198 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2019 RSEvery 2019 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check5.3%2.7%206
Failed the safety inspection0.49%1.7%206
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0%0.20%206
Miles driven a year6,8149,904odometer at inspection
Average odometer49,51672,084odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2019 vehicle” is every 2019 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

RS by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 A 0 0 22 mpg2026 A 1 1 23 mpg2025 A 1 2 23 mpg2024 A 1 2 23 mpg2023 B 3 0 23 mpg2022 C 8 1 23 mpg2021 F 13 10 21 mpg2020 A 1 1 23 mpg2019 this page D 7 8 22 mpg

Common questions about the 2019 RS

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2019 Audi RS have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 7 recall campaigns for the 2019 Audi RS. The most serious on file is 21V874000, covering Seats. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2019 Audi RS?

NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2019 Audi RS yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it D (65/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Audi RS?

Across the 3 EPA-rated configurations of the 2019 Audi RS, the best EPA combined figure is 22 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What do owners complain about on the 2019 Audi RS?

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Audi RS, most often about engine, electrical system, power train. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2019 Audi RS?

The EPA smog rating for the 2019 Audi RS runs 3 to 5 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV125, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2019 Audi RS?

The manufacturer has filed 1783 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2019 Audi RS, most often covering electrical system, equipment, unknown or other. The most recent is dated 2026-09-25. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2019 Audi RS do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2019 Audi RS failed the emissions check on 5.3% of first inspections — higher than the 2.7% for every 2019 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.49% (every 2019 vehicle: 1.7%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations3 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates3 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls7NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints8NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins1783NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations1NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA10 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2027 RS The RS model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every Audi recall on file All campaigns filed against Audi vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this RS by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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