Component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
39,068 NHTSA complaints about engine and engine cooling issues across 63 makes and 1260 models.
The engine and engine cooling is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 39,068 filings from 63 manufacturers and 1260 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 588 crashes, 2,182 fires, 510 injuries, and 47 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD ESCAPE with 1,638 filings, followed by FORD F-150 and NISSAN ALTIMA. 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 ESCAPE | 1,638 |
| 2 | FORD F-150 | 1,139 |
| 3 | NISSAN ALTIMA | 1,018 |
| 4 | DODGE INTREPID | 821 |
| 5 | FORD ECOSPORT | 793 |
| 6 | FORD FUSION | 642 |
| 7 | FORD EDGE | 610 |
| 8 | FORD EXPLORER | 598 |
| 9 | FORD FOCUS | 586 |
| 10 | DODGE DURANGO | 544 |
| 11 | FORD EXPEDITION | 535 |
| 12 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 513 |
| 13 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 462 |
| 14 | NISSAN PATHFINDER | 458 |
| 15 | BMW 328I | 409 |
| 16 | FORD TAURUS | 382 |
| 17 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 381 |
| 18 | FORD WINDSTAR | 349 |
| 19 | HONDA ACCORD | 342 |
| 20 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 341 |
| 21 | CHRYSLER PACIFICA | 332 |
| 22 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 330 |
| 23 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 327 |
| 24 | DAEWOO LEGANZA | 326 |
| 25 | VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | 325 |
| 26 | SATURN LS | 310 |
| 27 | TOYOTA COROLLA | 294 |
| 28 | NISSAN XTERRA | 294 |
| 29 | NISSAN SENTRA | 290 |
| 30 | HONDA CIVIC | 289 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated and almost stalled. The failure was i
The contact owns a 2019 BMW M5. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under Technical Service Bulletin Number: SIB 17 03 24. The dealer replaced the coolant expansio
The contact owned a 2019 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-52 MPH, there smoke coming from the front passengerâs side wheel well of the vehicle. The contact stated t
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact had previously received notification of Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03 (Engine Cam Phaser Replacement), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, w
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Taos. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started and running, the low coolant warning light illuminated. The coolant reservoir was topped off, and the war
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, with the odor of burning oil inside the cabin of the
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and lost motive power. The ETC warning light illuminated, and the message "Ser
See attached document for complaint. I received a safety recall notice on my 2023 Nissan Rogue back in August 2025. We are in December, 2025 and the dealer sti ll states that Nissan has not provided
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the engine was knocking at startup. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); and the VIN was inc
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Prior to the failure, when the vehicle was started, th
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The failure was a consistent failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The mes
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed after the vehicle
The contact owns a 2025 Cadillac Escalade. While driving 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle experienced sudden and catastrophic engine failure. The contact was able to pull over safely onto the servic
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and DTC: P0301, P0
See attached document for complaint
Related Vehicle Components
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Related Safety Data
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.