Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE
60 NHTSA complaints about electrical system:instrument panel:fuel gauge issues across 17 makes and 40 models.
The electrical system:instrument panel:fuel gauge is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 60 filings from 17 manufacturers and 40 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 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD FOCUS with 7 filings, followed by SUBARU OUTBACK and FORD ESCAPE. 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 | 7 |
| 2 | SUBARU OUTBACK | 6 |
| 3 | FORD ESCAPE | 3 |
| 4 | TOYOTA SIENNA HYBRID | 2 |
| 5 | SUBARU LEGACY | 2 |
| 6 | RAM 1500 | 2 |
| 7 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 2 |
| 8 | FORD F-150 | 2 |
| 9 | FORD EXPLORER | 2 |
| 10 | CHEVROLET COLORADO | 2 |
| 11 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 1 |
| 12 | TOYOTA TUNDRA | 1 |
| 13 | TOYOTA TACOMA | 1 |
| 14 | TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | 1 |
| 15 | NISSAN XTERRA | 1 |
| 16 | NISSAN VERSA | 1 |
| 17 | NISSAN TITAN | 1 |
| 18 | NISSAN FRONTIER | 1 |
| 19 | MERCEDES-BENZ E350 | 1 |
| 20 | KIA TELLURIDE | 1 |
| 21 | KIA SPORTAGE | 1 |
| 22 | JEEP WRANGLER | 1 |
| 23 | HYUNDAI TUCSON | 1 |
| 24 | HYUNDAI SONATA | 1 |
| 25 | HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ | 1 |
| 26 | HYUNDAI GENESIS | 1 |
| 27 | HONDA HR-V | 1 |
| 28 | GMC ENVOY | 1 |
| 29 | FORD F-53 | 1 |
| 30 | FORD F-350 SD | 1 |
Recent Complaints
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owned a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while fueling the vehicle, the fuel gauge became inoperable. The contact stated that the fuel gauge displayed a full tank while dri
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that at start-up, the fuel gauge indicated that the fuel tank was on empty, even though the fuel tank was full. Additionally, the check engine warn
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was providing an inaccurate fuel reading. The contact stated that the fuel gauge indicated that there was more fuel i
The instrument cluster failed to operate
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving, the fuel gauge indicated there was 121 miles of fuel available. The contact stated that within twenty miles, the fuel gaug
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon refueling, the fuel gauge indicated that there was 1/8 tank full, even though the fuel tank was full. There was no warning light ill
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the fuel tank gauge decreased from 1/4th to empty almost immediately. The contact arrived at a gas s
The car's gas gauge and fuel range indicator are problematic. The fuel gauge quickly drops from a higher reading, like 3/4 full, to empty. After this, the gauge and the fuel range both fluctuate while
There is an open recall that is unrepaired on the door but my problem is same as thousands of customers reporting a fuel issue to Ford. I spoke to Ford and the case manager agreed that it's so many cu
The contact owns a 2015 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH on the expressway, the check engine warning light illuminated, and there was an engine misfire. The
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing inaccurate fuel gauge readings. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the fuel gauge reading
I was driving on the road going up a hill and my fuel was just alittle low about 120 miles my car sputtered and died and didn't start back up stuck on the road with barley any gaurd rail so I'm partia
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available
The owners manual states I have a tank capacity of 36 gallons. On E I can only fit about 26 gallons. If I were to take my average MPG and use the advertised 36 gallons to figure out how far I would ru
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that upon refueling the vehicle, the fuel gauge failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the fuel gauge remained on FULL despite d
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350W. The contact that she noticed a fuel odor throughout the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diag
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was later taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the purge
The gas gauge isnât reading correctly. Iâm a mother of a one year old son and I didnât noticed that my car was reading wrong until I put in gas and it didnât give me the correct reading. I hav
2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO LEATHER INSTRUMENT PANEL SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE IS OVER 3 YEARS PAST THE TIME OF THE RECALL AND STILL IS STARING AT THE SHRIVELED
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.