Most Common Vehicle Problems

Ranked by frequency in NHTSA complaints

Problem Rankings

Most frequently reported issues across all vehicles

Rank	Component/Issue	Total Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
1	Engine	73,251	505	3,050	449
2	Power Train	57,020	1,486	208	637
3	Air Bags	53,276	11,589	199	8,601
4	Steering	41,596	1,398	77	627
5	Electrical System	39,051	365	3,179	296
6	UNKNOWN OR OTHER	33,288	893	626	712
7	Structure	29,884	353	84	1,058
8	Brakes	20,567	1,644	82	471
9	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC	20,326	1,945	224	550
10	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	17,231	4,037	1,026	1,408
11	Exterior Lighting	15,123	119	236	32
12	Suspension	14,438	487	28	222
13	Tires	13,610	874	27	694
14	FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	12,321	96	107	72
15	Visibility	11,470	65	127	210
16	Fuel System	10,932	79	323	93
17	VISIBILITY/WIPER	9,667	44	23	53
18	Seats	7,027	383	289	817
19	Seat Belts	6,846	496	10	636
20	POWER TRAIN,ENGINE	6,416	56	65	31
21	Latches/Locks	5,091	34	5	188
22	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE	4,763	51	394	44
23	WHEELS	4,243	154	11	69
24	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3,457	40	126	30
25	ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	3,332	33	100	28
26	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING	3,054	18	119	5
27	FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	2,978	142	1	106
28	UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE	2,552	26	114	29
29	STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2,502	66	31	26
30	POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2,332	84	22	28
31	AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS	2,251	922	17	781
32	EQUIPMENT	2,236	31	67	54
33	STEERING,SUSPENSION	2,021	97	0	32
34	POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	1,996	129	7	41
35	POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE	1,796	29	35	19
36	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE	1,780	69	21	23
37	ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	1,711	36	4	11
38	SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE	1,695	36	1	26
39	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN	1,561	16	15	7
40	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES	1,557	49	28	19
41	POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	1,547	25	28	15
42	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	1,533	36	147	24
43	STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1,482	63	17	48
44	SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1,445	130	4	43
45	BACK OVER PREVENTION	1,406	41	0	4
46	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE	1,395	16	56	39
47	POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE	1,302	23	5	14
48	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE	1,295	12	146	17
49	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS	1,285	126	31	92
50	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES	1,180	302	11	111

About This Data

This ranking shows which vehicle components and systems have the most complaints filed with NHTSA. Components with high crash, fire, or injury counts indicate potentially serious safety issues. Always investigate specific complaints before making a vehicle purchase decision.