Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
9,765 NHTSA complaints about electrical system:ignition issues across 44 makes and 676 models.
The electrical system:ignition is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 9,765 filings from 44 manufacturers and 676 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 220 crashes, 436 fires, 162 injuries, and 30 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD FOCUS with 1,253 filings, followed by FORD TAURUS and HONDA ACCORD. 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 | FORD FOCUS | 1,253 |
| 2 | FORD TAURUS | 273 |
| 3 | HONDA ACCORD | 243 |
| 4 | SATURN ION | 230 |
| 5 | VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | 217 |
| 6 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 209 |
| 7 | NISSAN MAXIMA | 180 |
| 8 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 160 |
| 9 | HONDA CIVIC | 136 |
| 10 | DODGE CARAVAN | 136 |
| 11 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 122 |
| 12 | FORD EXPLORER | 117 |
| 13 | FORD TEMPO | 116 |
| 14 | FORD ESCORT | 113 |
| 15 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 108 |
| 16 | FORD F-150 | 106 |
| 17 | CHEVROLET COBALT | 106 |
| 18 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 99 |
| 19 | AUDI A4 | 96 |
| 20 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 89 |
| 21 | FORD MUSTANG | 88 |
| 22 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 83 |
| 23 | FORD AEROSTAR | 83 |
| 24 | FORD WINDSTAR | 82 |
| 25 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 73 |
| 26 | MERCURY SABLE | 73 |
| 27 | LINCOLN TOWN CAR | 69 |
| 28 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 68 |
| 29 | FORD ESCAPE | 65 |
| 30 | SATURN VUE | 63 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Dart. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V674000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while turning off the vehicle, the key was difficult to
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that on several occasions, while inserting the key into the ignition, the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, on several occasions wh
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the ignition switch was locked and failed to release the key. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the cause of the failure
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V438000 (Electrical System). While placing the
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition switch malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to turn off. The contact stated
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the ignition switch was hot. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer w
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon arriving at the destination and turning off the vehicle, several attempts were needed to release the key from the ignitio
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that at start up, the contact became aware that the ON/OFF ignition switch was fractured, and a half of the ignition switch was missing. No wa
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that there were several mechanical failures with the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a failure with the ignition switch, and the key
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle jerked violently and downshifted unintendedly. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the g
The contact's wife owns a 2014 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle failed to start with the key in the ignition. The failure persisted and a yellow anti-theft warn
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifted in park(P), the key failed to release while the engine was running. The contact drove to a local O'Reilly's where one of the
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the ignition key was stuck inside the ignition key slot, and the vehicle failed to start. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. T
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The contact was able to turn the key to start the vehicle; however, the contact was unable to
The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 7 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle suddenly shut off, causing the driver to lose control of the ste
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact waited for a while to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle did not start as intended. The contact stated that on sever
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it was difficult to place the key into the ignition, and it was also difficult to remove the key from the ig
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 15 MPH and making a right turn, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn
The contact owns a 2018 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it failed to start. The contact attempted to remove the key from the ignition; however, the key was st
Related Vehicle Components
Learn More
Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve electrical system:ignition issues? ▼
How dangerous are electrical system:ignition defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most electrical system:ignition problems? ▼
Where does PlainCars get its safety data? ▼
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.