Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
4,279 NHTSA complaints about electrical system:wiring issues across 50 makes and 649 models.
The electrical system:wiring is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 4,279 filings from 50 manufacturers and 649 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 58 crashes, 1,320 fires, 95 injuries, and 17 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD F-150 with 134 filings, followed by FORD ESCORT and FORD TAURUS. 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 F-150 | 134 |
| 2 | FORD ESCORT | 89 |
| 3 | FORD TAURUS | 80 |
| 4 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 73 |
| 5 | FORD EXPLORER | 71 |
| 6 | FORD CONTOUR | 70 |
| 7 | FORD FOCUS | 65 |
| 8 | DODGE NEON | 53 |
| 9 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 52 |
| 10 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 47 |
| 11 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 45 |
| 12 | FORD F-250 SD | 44 |
| 13 | LINCOLN TOWN CAR | 43 |
| 14 | FORD WINDSTAR | 43 |
| 15 | FORD AEROSTAR | 41 |
| 16 | DODGE DAKOTA | 40 |
| 17 | FORD EXPEDITION | 39 |
| 18 | DODGE CARAVAN | 39 |
| 19 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 39 |
| 20 | FORD RANGER | 38 |
| 21 | KIA SPORTAGE | 36 |
| 22 | HYUNDAI ELANTRA | 36 |
| 23 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 36 |
| 24 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 36 |
| 25 | FORD F-350 SD | 35 |
| 26 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 35 |
| 27 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 35 |
| 28 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 34 |
| 29 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 32 |
| 30 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 31 |
Recent Complaints
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an electrical burning odor inside the vehicle. The ABS, brakes, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Th
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken t
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering and jerking while driving. The check engine warning light was flashing. The contact stated there was another unkn
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the driverâs side front door panel became loosened due to failed adhesive exposing wiring in the door. The front door
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while performing routine maintenance on the vehicle, he moved the wires located near the engine compartment and the wire coating crumbled
Electrical wiring problems. Parking light wouldn't go off and clicking noise under dash in front seat
No remedy to fix in over three months. Told not to drive car if installed
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 68 MPH, the vehicle started to stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not wi
My VIN number is [XXX]. A recall was issued for Suzuki Vstrom. The recall was issued for 2012-2016 Suzuki V-Strom 650 stator due to a wiring issue. The wire burns. The problem is that the 2008 mod
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that the front and rear passengerâs side windows activated and rolled down independently and without warning. The contact als
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while at a traffic signal, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that he shifted the vehicle into p
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to operate as needed. The service parking brake, check engine, and other unknown w
Wiring harness rubbed on frame. It blew a fuse, disabled hill assist, traction control, and AWD.
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. T
2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINEERING DEFECT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ATTRACTS RODENTS THAT CHEW THROUGH THE WIRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DEN
UPDATE TO COMPLAINT NO 11302124 DATED 2/26/2020 SPOKE WITH FORD CUST SERVICE REP REGARDING THE ISSUES AND WAS TOLD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE SEAT AND ELECTRIC SYSTEM. THE
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.