Component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
2,032 NHTSA complaints about engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly issues across 44 makes and 407 models.
The engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 2,032 filings from 44 manufacturers and 407 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 25 crashes, 43 fires, 34 injuries, and 2 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD TAURUS with 108 filings, followed by NISSAN PATHFINDER and FORD EXPLORER. 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 TAURUS | 108 |
| 2 | NISSAN PATHFINDER | 93 |
| 3 | FORD EXPLORER | 64 |
| 4 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 52 |
| 5 | MERCURY SABLE | 50 |
| 6 | NISSAN XTERRA | 41 |
| 7 | FORD MUSTANG | 38 |
| 8 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 31 |
| 9 | DODGE CARAVAN | 29 |
| 10 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 28 |
| 11 | NISSAN FRONTIER | 28 |
| 12 | FORD WINDSTAR | 28 |
| 13 | DODGE NEON | 28 |
| 14 | NISSAN ALTIMA | 26 |
| 15 | DODGE INTREPID | 25 |
| 16 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 24 |
| 17 | BMW 540I | 24 |
| 18 | BMW 540IA | 20 |
| 19 | GMC JIMMY | 17 |
| 20 | FORD F-150 | 17 |
| 21 | FORD CONTOUR | 17 |
| 22 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 17 |
| 23 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 16 |
| 24 | MAZDA 626 | 16 |
| 25 | JEEP WRANGLER | 16 |
| 26 | HONDA ACCORD | 16 |
| 27 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 16 |
| 28 | FORD RANGER | 15 |
| 29 | FORD ESCORT | 15 |
| 30 | DODGE DAKOTA | 15 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the deal
The contact owns a 2023 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a coolant odor coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact noticed a puddle of conden
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Acadia. While the vehicle was at the dealer for maintenance, the contact was informed that the radiator was leaking and needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact was
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the radiator was leaking fluid. There was no warning light illuminated. A dealer
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. In addition, the contact stated that several days later, the check engine w
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH on the highway, the A/C vents started blowing cold air; causing the vehicle to become extremely cold. There w
The contact owns a 2015 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH on the expressway, the check engine warning light illuminated, and there was an engine misfire. The
The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. The contact stated that there was unknown fluid leaking from the vehicle. There was an unknown amber warning light illuminated. The contact added
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle with the remote, the vehicle was leaking coolant fluid. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was
The contact owns a 2023 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the radiator tube joint was fractured. The contact became aware there was coo
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH uphill and hauling a loaded trailer, the contact noticed that the radiator fan had engaged, and the vehicle made an abnor
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his nephew who is a mechanic was replacing the front passengerâs side ball joint, he observed that the radiator was hanging down an
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the radiator started overheating, and the vehicle started to leak coolant. The contact added water into the radiator. The
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle was making abnormal sounds and was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the engine hot me
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that on six occasions over 12 months, the vehicle overheated while driving at various speeds. Additionally, the contact observed white smok
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, there was smoke co
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was a loud pop in the engine compartment. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where condensation was
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for an oil change, she was informed that the radiator was leaking. The dealer determined
Related Vehicle Components
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly issues? ▼
How dangerous are engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly problems? ▼
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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.