Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 | 0 |
| 2003 | 5 | 0 |
| 2002 | 2 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 | 4 | 0 |
| 1999 | 6 | 0 |
| 1998 | 12 | 0 |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | 6 | 0 |
| 1995 | 4 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 | 1 |
| 1991 | 2 | 1 |
| 1990 | 3 | 2 |
| 1989 | 1 | 3 |
| 1988 | 1 | 4 |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Vehicle speed control14
- Engine and engine cooling13
- Seat belts4
- Power train4
- Engine4
- Electrical system4
- Unknown or other3
- Tires3
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 14 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 11.0–13.5 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Vanden Plas · Full-size · Premium gasoline | 14.6 | 9.6 | 12.3 |
| 2008 | Vanden Plas · Full-size · Premium gasoline | 14.6 | 9.6 | 12.3 |
| 2007 | Vanden Plas · Full-size · Premium gasoline | 14.6 | 9.6 | 12.3 |
| 2006 | Vanden Plas · Full-size · Premium gasoline | 13.2 | 8.2 | 11.0 |
| 2005 | Vanden Plas · Full-size · Premium gasoline | 14.8 | 9.5 | 12.4 |
| 2004 | Vanden Plas · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 14.4 | 9.3 | 12.1 |
| 2003 | Vanden Plas · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.3 | 10.7 | 13.3 |
| 2002 | Vanden Plas · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.3 | 10.7 | 13.3 |
| 2001 | Vanden Plas · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.3 | 10.7 | 13.3 |
| 2000 | Vanden Plas · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.5 | 10.5 | 13.3 |
| 1999 | Vanden Plas · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.7 | 10.7 | 13.5 |
| 1997 | Vanden Plas · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.5 | 11.0 | 13.5 |
| 1996 | Vanden Plas · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.1 | 10.9 | 13.2 |
| 1995 | Vanden Plas · Compact · Premium gasoline | 15.1 | 10.9 | 13.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
1 Vanden Plas cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
6 campaigns cover the Vanden Plas.
THE NORMAL LOCKUP FUNCTION OF THE AUTOMATIC (PASSIVE) BELT REEL CAN CAUSE THE BELT MOTOR WINCH ASSEMBLY TO LOCKUP SUCH THAT THE PASSIVE BELT SYSTEM WILL NOT DEPLOY/FUNCTION OR GETS STUCK AT VARIOUS POINTS ALONG THE TRACK CAUSING THE KINKING OR BREAKING OF ITS CABLE OR DETACHMENT OF THE TONGUE.
BRAKE ACCUMULATOR SWITCH WHICH CONTROLS HYDRAULIC FLUID FLOW TO AND FROM THE ENGINE DRIVEN PUMP, COULD LEAK, CAUSING LOSS OF FLUID IN THE POWER BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM. THIS LEAK IS ALSO IN THE VICINITY OF ELECTRICAL WIRING.
HIGH PRESSURE FLUID SUPPLY HOSE COULD RUPTURE CAUSING LOSS OF FLUID OF THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST SYSTEM.
HEAD OF REAR CALIPER FIXING BOLT COULD BREAK OFF, LEAVING ONLY BOLT SHANK IN PLACE.
CERTAIN FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER SPRING PAN FIXINGS MAY FAIL DUE TO STRESS CORROSION.
CRUISE CONTROL MAY FAIL TO DISENGAGE IN A NORMAL MANNER UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, AND THE REAR BRAKE LAMPS MAY FAIL DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF BRAKE LAMP MICROSWITCH ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA recalls