Terms of Use
By using ProblemsByVin, you agree to these terms. Plain-language summary of what this site is, what it isn't, and the relationship between you and us.
Editorial commentary, not advice
Content on this site is editorial commentary about vehicle reliability patterns. It is not:
- Mechanical, legal, financial, or insurance advice
- A substitute for professional inspection of a specific vehicle
- A warranty or guarantee of any kind regarding any vehicle's condition
Decisions you make about buying, selling, repairing, or insuring a vehicle are your responsibility. We make no representation that any specific vehicle's actual condition matches the aggregate patterns we describe.
Data sources
Vehicle defect, recall, and complaint data on this site comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. We aggregate this data and present it with editorial commentary. NHTSA is the authoritative source; if our data conflicts with NHTSA's current published records, NHTSA controls.
We sync NHTSA data on an ongoing schedule but we do not guarantee real-time accuracy. Recent recalls or complaints may not yet appear in our database.
Affiliate disclosure
Some links on this site are affiliate links. When you click a link to Chaiz (extended vehicle warranty service) or other affiliate partners and complete a qualifying action, we may receive a referral fee. This does not change the price you pay.
We only feature affiliate partners we believe offer legitimate value to our readers. Our editorial commentary is not influenced by affiliate relationships — engines and vehicles we recommend caution about sometimes have warranties recommended specifically because the underlying defect patterns make coverage genuinely valuable.
Intellectual property
Editorial commentary on this site is original work by ProblemsByVin contributors and is copyright ProblemsByVin. Data points sourced from NHTSA are public records.
You may quote our editorial commentary in reasonable amounts with attribution and a link back. Wholesale republication or scraping for republication elsewhere is not permitted.
Limitation of liability
ProblemsByVin and its contributors are not liable for any decision you make based on content from this site, including but not limited to:
- Purchase or sale decisions about specific vehicles
- Repair decisions
- Warranty purchase decisions
- Decisions to forgo professional inspection
- Any indirect, consequential, or punitive damages
If you have an issue with a specific vehicle, consult a licensed mechanic. If you have a legal issue, consult an attorney.
Manufacturer relationships
ProblemsByVin is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any vehicle manufacturer. Trademarks and brand names referenced on this site belong to their respective owners and are used for identification purposes only.
Changes
We may update these terms. The "Last updated" date above reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance.
Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, USA.
Contact
Questions about these terms: contact@problemsbyvin.com