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.

Data updated August 2026. Counts render from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation standardized component field; severity flags cross-reference NHTSA ODI complaint flags for owner-reported crash, fire, and injury markers. This page is for informational purposes and does not replace NHTSA recall notices or a vehicle-specific inspection. Methodology · Corrections.

NHTSA ODI component intake brief

ODI category ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

74 filings · 58 models · 23 makes · vintage August 2026

  • FILINGS SPARSE 74 ODI rows
  • MODELS 58 nameplates citing this part
  • MAKES 23 manufacturers in corpus
  • CRASH 1.4% 1 crash-flagged
  • RANK #315 of 696 categories
  • SEV QUIET 0 deaths · 0 injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM) (this)ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EN…74EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCHEXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS…73FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTERFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAG…75EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCHEXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHT…76
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM) vs nearest complaint-total peers

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM) sits SPARSE on ODI intake volume (#315 of 696 standardized categories) with a QUIET severity stamp (0 reported fatalities across 58 models). Open Hyundai Sonata (category leader) →

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM) severity reading

The standout signal for engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm) is severity: 0 reported fatalities and 0 injuries (QUIET stamp) on 74 filings (SPARSE volume).

Sparse categories can swing on a single high-volume nameplate; treat the leader row as the actionable signal, not the category headline alone.

Next step: compare Hyundai Sonata against EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH on filing totals before treating engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm) volume as a purchase signal.

74
Complaints
58
Models Affected
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

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

2025 Nissan Pathfinder

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

2022 Kenworth T680

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

2015 Volkswagen Golf Crash

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

2025 Subaru Outback

See attached document for complaint.

2004 Toyota Sienna

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

2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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

2013 Hyundai Sonata

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

2020 Jeep Cherokee

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

2010 Toyota Venza

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

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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

2021 GMC Terrain

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

2013 Honda Odyssey

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

2014 Ford Fiesta

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

2025 BMW X5

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

2013 Chevrolet Cruze

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

2019 Honda Pilot

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

2022 Volkswagen Taos

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

2022 GMC Terrain

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

2013 Chevrolet Cruze

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

2016 GMC Sierra 1500

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

Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.