Component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
74 NHTSA complaints about engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm) issues across 23 makes and 58 models.
The engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm) is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 74 filings from 23 manufacturers and 58 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, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the HYUNDAI SONATA with 3 filings, followed by CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 and VOLKSWAGEN TAOS. 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 | HYUNDAI SONATA | 3 |
| 2 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 3 |
| 3 | VOLKSWAGEN TAOS | 2 |
| 4 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 2 |
| 5 | SUBARU OUTBACK | 2 |
| 6 | NISSAN ALTIMA | 2 |
| 7 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 2 |
| 8 | GMC TERRAIN | 2 |
| 9 | FORD FOCUS | 2 |
| 10 | FORD FIESTA | 2 |
| 11 | FORD ESCAPE | 2 |
| 12 | DODGE DART | 2 |
| 13 | CHEVROLET EQUINOX | 2 |
| 14 | CHEVROLET CRUZE | 2 |
| 15 | VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | 1 |
| 16 | VOLKSWAGEN GOLF | 1 |
| 17 | TOYOTA VENZA | 1 |
| 18 | TOYOTA SIENNA | 1 |
| 19 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 1 |
| 20 | SUBARU FORESTER | 1 |
| 21 | SUBARU CROSSTREK | 1 |
| 22 | RAM 2500 | 1 |
| 23 | NISSAN PATHFINDER | 1 |
| 24 | MINI COOPER | 1 |
| 25 | MERCEDES-BENZ E550 | 1 |
| 26 | MERCEDES-BENZ C250 | 1 |
| 27 | MAZDA TRIBUTE | 1 |
| 28 | LINCOLN MKS | 1 |
| 29 | KIA SOUL | 1 |
| 30 | KIA OPTIMA | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving uphill at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power, with several unknown warning lights illuminated
The contact owns a 2022 Kenworth T680. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the Engine Control Module (ECM) or the Engine Control Unit (ECU), started to lose power, eventually d
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that the vehicle jumped the curb while driving, but he was able to regain control. The driver turned off the vehicle and restarted it. Rece
See attached document for complaint.
The contact's mother owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. While the contact's mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the warning lights i
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was running rough. The message "Service ECM" was displayed. The vehicle was
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond and hesitated. The brake and the hybrid syst
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the parking brake engaged independently while idling at a stoplight. The contact activated the hazard lights, shifted to park, turned off
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. An independen
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and lost motive power. The contact stated that
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. Th
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the vehicle jerked abnormally with the check engine warning light and the VCM warning light illuminated. The veh
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, and an abnormal sound was coming from the engine. Several unknown w
The contact owns a 2025 BMW X5. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that there were twenty-one failure codes
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle also lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Taos. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the check engine and ECM warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated and would only ope
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving in a parking lot, and the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The vehicle failed to immediately
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be resta
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a sharp turn, the steering wheel seized, the vehicle lost motive power, stalled, and s
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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.