Component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
30,199 NHTSA complaints about engine and engine cooling:engine issues across 52 makes and 1042 models.
The engine and engine cooling:engine is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 30,199 filings from 52 manufacturers and 1042 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 344 crashes, 991 fires, 407 injuries, and 84 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD WINDSTAR with 1,685 filings, followed by DODGE INTREPID 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 WINDSTAR | 1,685 |
| 2 | DODGE INTREPID | 1,494 |
| 3 | FORD TAURUS | 1,362 |
| 4 | FORD F-150 | 856 |
| 5 | DODGE NEON | 842 |
| 6 | MERCURY SABLE | 719 |
| 7 | DODGE STRATUS | 588 |
| 8 | FORD MUSTANG | 439 |
| 9 | FORD EXPLORER | 438 |
| 10 | NISSAN ALTIMA | 432 |
| 11 | FORD EXPEDITION | 397 |
| 12 | PLYMOUTH NEON | 382 |
| 13 | DODGE CARAVAN | 368 |
| 14 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 362 |
| 15 | DODGE DURANGO | 360 |
| 16 | CHRYSLER CONCORDE | 348 |
| 17 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 341 |
| 18 | HONDA ACCORD | 312 |
| 19 | VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | 294 |
| 20 | FORD FOCUS | 294 |
| 21 | FORD THUNDERBIRD | 293 |
| 22 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 281 |
| 23 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 266 |
| 24 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 248 |
| 25 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 248 |
| 26 | LINCOLN CONTINENTAL | 235 |
| 27 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 219 |
| 28 | MERCURY COUGAR | 211 |
| 29 | SATURN SL | 203 |
| 30 | SATURN LS | 200 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed and the dealer retr
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The low oil message was displayed. The contact added oil to the engine. The vehicle was take
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled in traffic. The vehicle was misfiring, and the RPM was abn
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph and making a left turn, there was an abnormal rattling noise. There were no warning indicator ligh
The engine is experience the COOLANT INTRUSION problem . This is a SAFETY problem driving on the roads. It may at some point emit white smoke out the exhaust and causing the engine to run poorly. Th
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a stop light, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the oil pressure war
I made a purchase a civic Honda 2017 on February 2020 and now in April 2022 stops working the A/C unit only blowing hot air
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, there was an excessive amount of coolant fluid leaking from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle approximately 30 minutes later flames were discovered coming from under the engine compartment. The fire depart
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the contact noticed a strong odor of gasoline in the interior of the vehicle. Additionally, the check engine warning ligh
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) however, while pulling into the driveway the contact heard
Service light came on then overheat light - took to dealer to check. Told by service guy that the tech has performed a long pressure test on the coolant system to find a leak. There are no external le
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 1500. AFTER THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V757000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LOW INSIDE THE
2018 TOYOTA CAMRY XSE. CONSUMER WRITES WITH CONCERN TO A SAFETY HAZARD REGARDING UNEXPECTED SUDDEN BRAKING WITH VEHICLE. *AS *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT STATED T
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V229000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTAC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS
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.