The first L-series car was built in May 1999, and the last one rolled off the Wilmington line on June 17, 2004, after a short run of 2005 models.

Consumers reported repeat problems with tire noise and vibration linked to poorly designed control arm bushings and nonadjustable rear alignments.

The resulting recall affected only a small number of vehicles built in a four-month period in late 2000 and early 2001.

The organization reported that complaints of engine failure due to a defective timing chain design persist to this day and requests for recall expansions have largely been ignored.

The organization has gone so far as to make its first recommendation against the purchase of a vehicle in its more than forty-year history due in part to this timing chain defect.