Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
239 NHTSA complaints about electrical system:software issues across 32 makes and 131 models.
The electrical system:software is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 239 filings from 32 manufacturers and 131 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 5 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the HONDA CIVIC with 11 filings, followed by JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE and JEEP CHEROKEE. 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 | HONDA CIVIC | 11 |
| 2 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 10 |
| 3 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 9 |
| 4 | NISSAN ALTIMA | 6 |
| 5 | FORD FOCUS | 6 |
| 6 | FORD F-150 | 6 |
| 7 | TOYOTA PRIUS | 5 |
| 8 | HONDA CR-V | 5 |
| 9 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 5 |
| 10 | TOYOTA SEQUOIA | 4 |
| 11 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 4 |
| 12 | RAM 1500 | 4 |
| 13 | HONDA PILOT | 4 |
| 14 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 3 |
| 15 | TOYOTA RAV4 | 3 |
| 16 | TOYOTA COROLLA | 3 |
| 17 | TESLA MODEL S | 3 |
| 18 | NISSAN ROGUE | 3 |
| 19 | NISSAN QUEST | 3 |
| 20 | NISSAN MURANO | 3 |
| 21 | HYUNDAI TUCSON | 3 |
| 22 | FORD ESCAPE | 3 |
| 23 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 3 |
| 24 | VOLVO XC90 | 2 |
| 25 | TOYOTA AVALON | 2 |
| 26 | SUBARU OUTBACK | 2 |
| 27 | SATURN LS | 2 |
| 28 | NISSAN ARMADA | 2 |
| 29 | MERCEDES-BENZ C300 | 2 |
| 30 | JEEP WRANGLER 4-DR 4X4 | 2 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2024 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that after an update was performed over the air (OTA), the scroll option changed, and the contact was unable to control the speed of the vehic
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the "Door and Window Open" message was displayed. The information screen indicated that the driver moni
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking erratically. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that it was a s
As I stated, the Hondalink information feature stopped working on October 1, 2024. I have sent screenshots to Honda showing the app keeps crashing, yet I only get the same email every few weeks saying
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 20â40 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken t
See attached document for complaint
2017 FORD ESCAPE- Consumer states: " I would like to lodge a safety hazard complaint with N.H.T.S.A. Prompt resolution is requested. I purchased this vehicle from Peoria Ford in December 2018. Unfortu
2022 VOLKSWAGON TIGUAN- Consumer states "Approximately (6) months after purchase. I began having trouble with software module I took my vehicle back to the dealer for repairs on 11-29-2022 with one at
2006 MAZADA TRIBUTE- Consumer sent a request to Mazda North America to request estimate for cost of repair for replacement of the sensor and switches on the doors and service to the "door ajar" alarm
2016 HONDA PILOT ELITE- Consumer is writing to about the exceptional service provided at the motor company after a software update. After the motor company installed TSB 23-0087, PGM-FI Idle Stop Soft
2021 Volkswagen ID.4-Consumer sent Copy of letter sent to Volkswagen Group of America attached. Consumer has not received the 1st software update after 2 years. Mentions Safety Recall 9722 and Service
The contact owns a 2020 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the speedometer and the infotainment system screen turned blank. The vehicle then lost m
My Kia 2021 Hybrid EX has a message warning to "refill inverter coolant". Took it to dealer and they said it's a software issue, but no remedy is available.
The contact owns a 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar. The contact stated that the vehicle was designed with the auto Stop/Start system that allowed the vehicle to turn off while at a complete stop and
The contact owned a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated she was informed by her daughter that the inside passenger side of the vehicle was on fire. The contact extinguished the fire with water. The f
2022 HYUNDAI TUCSON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE 'FAVORITES' OPTION FOR CONTACTS WAS REMOVED AS WELL AS RADIO PRESETS. THE CONSUMER STATES THIS REQUIRES THE
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine was overheating. Additionally, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle wa
2017 LEXUS ES350. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING VEHICLES SAFETY CONNECT SYSTEM BEING DISCONNECTED. *LD *JS
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.