Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
3,812 NHTSA complaints about electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery issues across 50 makes and 636 models.
The electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 3,812 filings from 50 manufacturers and 636 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 79 crashes, 186 fires, 78 injuries, and 11 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET SUBURBAN with 105 filings, followed by CHEVROLET TAHOE and CHEVROLET BLAZER. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 105 |
| 2 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 75 |
| 3 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 68 |
| 4 | FORD FOCUS | 58 |
| 5 | FORD TAURUS | 57 |
| 6 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 52 |
| 7 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 51 |
| 8 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 48 |
| 9 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 47 |
| 10 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 47 |
| 11 | GMC SUBURBAN | 46 |
| 12 | KIA SEPHIA | 44 |
| 13 | BUICK LESABRE | 43 |
| 14 | FORD EXPLORER | 42 |
| 15 | CADILLAC DEVILLE | 42 |
| 16 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 41 |
| 17 | DODGE NEON | 40 |
| 18 | DODGE CARAVAN | 40 |
| 19 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 39 |
| 20 | TOYOTA PRIUS | 35 |
| 21 | HONDA CIVIC | 35 |
| 22 | CHEVROLET S10 | 35 |
| 23 | HONDA ACCORD | 34 |
| 24 | SUBARU OUTBACK | 33 |
| 25 | PONTIAC BONNEVILLE | 33 |
| 26 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 33 |
| 27 | BUICK PARK AVENUE | 32 |
| 28 | SATURN SL | 31 |
| 29 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 30 |
| 30 | FORD WINDSTAR | 29 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2025 Mazda CX-70. The contact stated that while attempting to stop at a stop sign, the vehicle shut off unintendedly. The engine malfunction warning light was illuminated. The vehic
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, and the vehicle de
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to restart
The contact owns a 2024 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving on the expressway at 60 MPH, the battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle then lost motive power while stopped at a stopli
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended, and the vehicle needed to be jump-started. The vehicle was tak
The front battery kept getting drained then one day it just wouldn't crank opened up the generator thing and noticed that it had been fried now my car won't crank or nothing and I don't understand why
PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The c
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Maverick. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the deal
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the 12-Volt battery had become inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power while attempting to start the vehicle. The
2023 Mazda cx50 with 28k miles. This vehicle was purchased 3mths ago. The cx50 has locked me out 5 times & had a dead battery each time. Has been to dealership 3 times. No repairs made after deale
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. Several unknown warning lights were illu
I entered then attempted to start my Lexus on November 11, 2025. The car would not start - the dashboard lights fleshed briefly, then the car was completely dead. There was not a light on anywhere.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving on the highway, the hood unexpectedly opened. The instrument cluster was blank, and while it was raining, water entered the ve
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact exited the vehicle, unlatched
This incident appears to relate to NHTSA ongoing investigation at Tesla's low voltage battery system failure causing door handle malfunction. (September 26, 2025) 2021 Model Y front and rear doors (
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact st
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the instrument panel was illuminated while att
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery issues? ▼
How dangerous are electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery problems? ▼
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Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.