Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID
111 NHTSA complaints about electrical system:starter assembly:solenoid issues across 23 makes and 76 models.
The electrical system:starter assembly:solenoid is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 111 filings from 23 manufacturers and 76 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, 13 fires, 3 injuries, and 5 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD EXPLORER with 7 filings, followed by FORD TAURUS and FORD FOCUS. 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 EXPLORER | 7 |
| 2 | FORD TAURUS | 6 |
| 3 | FORD FOCUS | 4 |
| 4 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 3 |
| 5 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 3 |
| 6 | FORD F-150 | 3 |
| 7 | TOYOTA SIENNA | 2 |
| 8 | PONTIAC SUNFIRE | 2 |
| 9 | PONTIAC FIREBIRD | 2 |
| 10 | MERCURY COUGAR | 2 |
| 11 | LINCOLN TOWN CAR | 2 |
| 12 | LINCOLN MARK VII | 2 |
| 13 | HONDA ACCORD | 2 |
| 14 | FORD RANGER | 2 |
| 15 | FORD F-250 | 2 |
| 16 | FORD CONTOUR | 2 |
| 17 | FORD AEROSTAR | 2 |
| 18 | DODGE RAM 2500 | 2 |
| 19 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 2 |
| 20 | CHRYSLER PT CRUISER | 2 |
| 21 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 2 |
| 22 | VOLVO VN660 | 1 |
| 23 | VOLVO V70XC | 1 |
| 24 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 1 |
| 25 | VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE | 1 |
| 26 | TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | 1 |
| 27 | TOYOTA 4RUNNER | 1 |
| 28 | SATURN SW | 1 |
| 29 | SATURN ION | 1 |
| 30 | PONTIAC MONTANA | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the battery warning light and power steering assist warning light illuminated. The steering wheel seized, a
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle later failed to restart. The
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated upon driving from a complete stop, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The vehicle then accelerated independently. The contact depressed the brake
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. There was an abnormal clicking sound detected. The vehicle was inspected by an independent me
2008 MERCEDES BENZ E350W. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WIRING HARNESS ON CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER SOLENOID SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES INCLUDING THE SUSPENSIO
2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO RECALL ON SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID ASSEMBLE, BUT DEALERSHIP NOTIFY HER PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *VA *JS
2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. CONSUMER WRITES RECALL 17V-657 SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID ASSEMBLY & EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF SPARE TIRE DEALER OUT OF STOCK. *VA THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL REPAIR EXCEEDED A REASONA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER IT COOLED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAITED TEN MIN
1995 FORD F250. CONSUMER STATES ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING. *TGW WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED, THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUT THE SHIFTER INTO PARK OR NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE WOULD RESTART. HE ALSO, STATED THE FU
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY AND THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL ROARING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN B
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40MPH AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE
UPON STARTING THE 2009 KIA SORRENTO ONE DAY, I SHIFTED TO REVERSE AND NOTICED A VIOLENT JERK WITH A LOUD POPPING SOUND. UPON PUTTING IT INTO DRIVE, THE CAR WOULD BARELY ACCELERATE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD
2007 SATURN ION. CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS STARTER WAS ABLE TO ALLOW WATER OR SALT BRINE INTO THE STARTER DURING WINTER CONDITIONS. HIS VEHICLE LEFT HIM AND HIS THREE YEAR OLD STRANDED IN COLD WEATHER
I PURCHASED THE CAR ON 2/11/08 AND THEN TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE THE DOOR PANEL BROKE OFF AND THE CAR WAS IDLING HIGH WHEN I DRIVE IT. THEY KNOCKED $1,000 OFF OF THE SALES PRI
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE SPEED TO DECREASE. THERE WERE SEVERAL REPAIRS PERFORMED
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPT
KEY WILL NOT TURN ALL THE OFF AND CAN'T BE REMOVED. *TR
2001 FORD FOCUS ZTS - IGNITION WOULDN'T START DURING SUMMER MONTHS (NOT PREDICTABLE); HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON SIDE OF ROAD A FEW TIMES UNTIL ENGINE COOLED DOWN (30 MINUTES TO 1 HOUR) BEFORE WOULD START
Related Vehicle Components
Learn More
Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve electrical system:starter assembly:solenoid issues? ▼
How dangerous are electrical system:starter assembly:solenoid defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most electrical system:starter assembly:solenoid 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.