Component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
78 NHTSA complaints about engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication issues across 14 makes and 39 models.
The engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 78 filings from 14 manufacturers and 39 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, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the HYUNDAI SONATA with 11 filings, followed by KIA OPTIMA and KIA SOUL. 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 | 11 |
| 2 | KIA OPTIMA | 8 |
| 3 | KIA SOUL | 6 |
| 4 | CHEVROLET EQUINOX | 5 |
| 5 | KIA SORENTO | 4 |
| 6 | HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT | 4 |
| 7 | TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | 2 |
| 8 | KIA SPORTAGE | 2 |
| 9 | JEEP COMPASS | 2 |
| 10 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 2 |
| 11 | HYUNDAI KONA | 2 |
| 12 | FORD F-150 | 2 |
| 13 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 2 |
| 14 | VOLVO XC60 | 1 |
| 15 | RAM 2500 | 1 |
| 16 | MAZDA CX-5 | 1 |
| 17 | KIA TELLURIDE | 1 |
| 18 | KIA SELTOS | 1 |
| 19 | KIA SEDONA | 1 |
| 20 | JEEP WRANGLER | 1 |
| 21 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 1 |
| 22 | HYUNDAI TUCSON HYBRID | 1 |
| 23 | HYUNDAI TUCSON | 1 |
| 24 | HYUNDAI SANTA FE | 1 |
| 25 | HYUNDAI PALISADE | 1 |
| 26 | HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT | 1 |
| 27 | HYUNDAI ELANTRA | 1 |
| 28 | HYUNDAI AZERA | 1 |
| 29 | HONDA CR-V | 1 |
| 30 | GMC TERRAIN | 1 |
Recent Complaints
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption, which required the oil reservoir to be refilled after 3-4 weeks. Additionally,
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 50 MPH. The check engine warning
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that there was oil leaking underneath the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local deale
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that oil changes needed to be performed more frequently than
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "Electronic Parking Brake" warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle failed to properly accele
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission overheated, and the oil warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while reversing in a parking lot, the contact became aware that there was a significant amount of engine oil had leaked onto the ground. The co
See attached document for complaint
Related Vehicle Components
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Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication issues? ▼
How dangerous are engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication defects? ▼
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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.