Which complaint categories are rising
Every complaint filed with NHTSA names one or more vehicle components. Rolling those components up into categories shows which systems owners are reporting across the whole database, rather than one vehicle at a time.
Complaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
Categories by new reports in the last 30 days
Each category also shows the vehicles behind the largest share of its reports
Rank 1: Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
+1,657
new in 30 days
+5,401 in 90 days
283,064 complaints across 14,982 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 2: Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
+1,480
new in 30 days
+4,167 in 90 days
243,288 complaints across 15,012 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 3: Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
+1,091
new in 30 days
+3,313 in 90 days
149,346 complaints across 10,794 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 4: Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
+940
new in 30 days
+2,704 in 90 days
134,100 complaints across 11,242 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 5: Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
+555
new in 30 days
+1,713 in 90 days
125,106 complaints across 12,079 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 6: Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
+539
new in 30 days
+1,467 in 90 days
142,102 complaints across 10,262 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 7: Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
+533
new in 30 days
+1,659 in 90 days
187,432 complaints across 14,126 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 8: Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
+273
new in 30 days
+866 in 90 days
101,523 complaints across 12,161 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 9: Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
+229
new in 30 days
+687 in 90 days
153,579 complaints across 9,456 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 10: Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
+211
new in 30 days
+572 in 90 days
74,213 complaints across 9,238 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 11: Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
+205
new in 30 days
+583 in 90 days
84,449 complaints across 10,121 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 12: Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
+154
new in 30 days
+440 in 90 days
57,623 complaints across 7,477 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 13: Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
+110
new in 30 days
+315 in 90 days
40,447 complaints across 7,829 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 14: Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
+109
new in 30 days
+360 in 90 days
52,753 complaints across 8,158 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 15: Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
+90
new in 30 days
+273 in 90 days
38,757 complaints across 10,209 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 16: Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
+37
new in 30 days
+122 in 90 days
40,603 complaints across 9,799 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 17: Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
+13
new in 30 days
+23 in 90 days
66,244 complaints across 6,966 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 18: Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
+1
new in 30 days
+1 in 90 days
7,906 complaints across 2,874 model years
Most reports in this category
A single complaint can name several components and is therefore counted in every category it touches; category totals sum to more than the number of distinct complaints. Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.