Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
49 NHTSA complaints about electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery issues across 15 makes and 30 models.
The electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 49 filings from 15 manufacturers and 30 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 1 crash, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET BOLT EV with 7 filings, followed by HONDA CIVIC HYBRID and TOYOTA PRIUS. 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 BOLT EV | 7 |
| 2 | HONDA CIVIC HYBRID | 5 |
| 3 | TOYOTA PRIUS | 4 |
| 4 | TESLA MODEL S | 2 |
| 5 | KIA OPTIMA HYBRID | 2 |
| 6 | JEEP WRANGLER | 2 |
| 7 | HONDA CIVIC | 2 |
| 8 | FORD ESCAPE HYBRID | 2 |
| 9 | CHEVROLET VOLT | 2 |
| 10 | VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 | 1 |
| 11 | TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID | 1 |
| 12 | RIVIAN R1T | 1 |
| 13 | NISSAN LEAF | 1 |
| 14 | KIA NIRO EV | 1 |
| 15 | JEEP COMPASS | 1 |
| 16 | HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID | 1 |
| 17 | HYUNDAI KONA | 1 |
| 18 | HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 | 1 |
| 19 | HONDA INSIGHT | 1 |
| 20 | GMC ACADIA | 1 |
| 21 | FORD F-150 LIGHTNING BEV | 1 |
| 22 | FORD C-MAX HYBRID | 1 |
| 23 | FIAT 500E | 1 |
| 24 | CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX | 1 |
| 25 | CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID | 1 |
| 26 | CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO | 1 |
| 27 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 1 |
| 28 | BMW 535I US | 1 |
| 29 | AUDI Q4 E-TRON | 1 |
| 30 | AUDI E-TRON | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact's daughter owns a 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5. The contact stated that the vehicle had been delayed in starting on several occasions. Additionally, the contact stated that while the contact's dau
Around 14 months ago (march 2024) I purcheded a replacment battery pack for our 2011 Toyota Prius form NexPower Energy (also going by, project lithium, sodiumhybrid) based out of CA. The battery pack
Reduction of power , impossible to charge the kilometre says 21 kkm drops from 21 to 0 and the mountain settings dont run, I drive on maintenance , when charging at paying station does not charge,
See attached document for complaint.
Lithium batteries Depletion
On June 28, 2022, I set my Juicebox Pro 40 charger to charge my car overnight. The car did not charge and I discovered that the breaker had tripped. I tried resetting the breaker and it immediately tr
My first two years of ownership of the Juicebox 40 were pretty uneventful. However, over the last few months my Juicebox 40 became very unpredictable. Sometimes it would charge outside of the Time o
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle suddenly shut off and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that
The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500E. The contact stated that the vehicle could not immediately be started. The "Service Electrical System" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local deal
The contact owned a 2019 Audi E-Tron. The contact had pulled into a charging station and had plugged the vehicle in to charge the battery. The contact stated she heard a loud boom 20 minutes after hav
None of my local dealers will service recalls on this vehicle. They either tell me that they only perform work on vehicles purchased at that dealership or they continually reschedule my appointment.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the messages "High Voltage Power Train Fault" and âStop Driving and Contact Your Nearest Dealer" were displayed. The cont
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while at a stop light, she attempted to drive however, the vehicle failed to exceed 25 MPH. The HC battery, ECU, and check engine warning
I picked up this vehicle brand new from a Rivian service center. On the way home after approximately 90 miles, the screens lit up with a message saying Critical Battery Issue: Service Vehicle Immediat
2019 CHEVROLET BOLT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-560. THE CONSUMER IS DISSATISFIED WITH THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES TO PERFORM THE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE.
2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-560. THE CONSUMER STATED VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE DEALER ON RECALLS NOT BEING HANDLED IN A TIMELY MANNER, FOUR BATTERIES
Battery popping sounds As I charge my vehicle, or drive the vehicle, the battery makes one sporadic loud "Pop" sound that is felt and heard from anywhere you are sitting in the vehicle. I was told thi
The car Battery caught fire!
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while at a stop light and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would not drive forward and the gear shifter lights began blinking. Sudde
Related Vehicle Components
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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.