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.
+2,140
new in 30 days
+3,011 in 90 days
280,621 complaints across 14,906 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 2: Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
+1,401
new in 30 days
+2,045 in 90 days
241,103 complaints across 14,924 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.
+1,136
new in 30 days
+1,682 in 90 days
147,682 complaints across 10,740 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.
+877
new in 30 days
+1,329 in 90 days
132,690 complaints across 11,185 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 5: Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
+650
new in 30 days
+898 in 90 days
124,244 complaints across 12,020 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 6: Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
+555
new in 30 days
+854 in 90 days
186,562 complaints across 14,038 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 7: Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
+485
new in 30 days
+694 in 90 days
141,269 complaints across 10,194 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 8: Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
+301
new in 30 days
+461 in 90 days
101,052 complaints across 12,091 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 9: Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
+230
new in 30 days
+335 in 90 days
153,180 complaints across 9,404 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 10: Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
+197
new in 30 days
+278 in 90 days
84,082 complaints across 10,055 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 11: Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
+155
new in 30 days
+264 in 90 days
73,858 complaints across 9,192 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 12: Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
+136
new in 30 days
+211 in 90 days
57,356 complaints across 7,435 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 13: Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
+135
new in 30 days
+204 in 90 days
52,560 complaints across 8,121 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 14: Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
+109
new in 30 days
+149 in 90 days
38,569 complaints across 10,138 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 15: Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
+100
new in 30 days
+155 in 90 days
40,251 complaints across 7,793 model years
Most reports in this category
Rank 16: Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
+42
new in 30 days
+65 in 90 days
40,517 complaints across 9,768 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.
+6
new in 30 days
+10 in 90 days
66,224 complaints across 6,959 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.