Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SUMP/TANK:DRAIN PLUG

16 NHTSA complaints about engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:sump/tank:drain plug issues across 5 makes and 12 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:OIL/LUBRICATION:SUMP/TANK:DRAIN PLUG

16 filings · 12 models · 5 makes · vintage August 2026

  • FILINGS SPARSE 16 ODI rows
  • MODELS 12 nameplates citing this part
  • MAKES 5 manufacturers in corpus
  • CRASH 0.0% 0 crash-flagged
  • RANK #424 of 696 categories
  • SEV QUIET 0 deaths · 0 injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SUMP/TANK:DRAIN PLUG (this)ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EN…16ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:COILELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:C…16LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH:EMERGENCY MECHANICAL RELEASELATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK…16STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS:ACTIVE SHUTTERS/GRILLSTRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS:ACTIV…16
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SUMP/TANK:DRAIN PLUG vs nearest complaint-total peers

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SUMP/TANK:DRAIN PLUG sits SPARSE on ODI intake volume (#424 of 696 standardized categories) with a QUIET severity stamp (0 reported fatalities across 12 models). Open Hyundai Santa FE (category leader) →

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SUMP/TANK:DRAIN PLUG severity reading

The standout signal for engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:sump/tank:drain plug is severity: 0 reported fatalities and 0 injuries (QUIET stamp) on 16 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 Santa FE against ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:COIL on filing totals before treating engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:sump/tank:drain plug volume as a purchase signal.

16
Complaints
12
Models Affected
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 Hyundai Santa FE
3
2 KIA Sorento
2
3 Hyundai Sonata
2
4 Nissan Rogue
1
5 KIA Soul
1
6 KIA Seltos
1
7 KIA Optima
1
8 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
1
9 Hyundai Kona
1
10 Ford Mustang
1
11 Ford F-150
1
12 Audi Q3
1

Recent Complaints

2008 Ford Mustang

See attached document for complaint.

2018 Ford F-150

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while having routine maintenance at the local dealer, it was determined that the plastic oil pan drain plug was leaking around the gasket. T

2022 Nissan Rogue

The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that after an oil change, the technician informed the contact that the metal drain plug on the oil pan had been over tightened, and while remov

2024 KIA Seltos Fire

Daughter driving back to college from home in her new 2024 Kia Seltos. We leased this vehicle for her for reliability and dependability throughout her years at college. 9 months into lease, 10,000 mi

2020 Hyundai Santa FE

Oil leak from oil pan area. Took the car to the dealer twice to get it fix and the problem temporarily stop but now is continuing to leak again. All they did was retighten the oil plug the first time

2012 KIA Sorento

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine seized due to a missing oil plug How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?

2020 Hyundai Santa FE

Driving down the road I heard a loud noise when I stopped I noticed oil under my car. When I was 0.1 mile from my house the oil light came on. I arrived home called Hyundai and they towed the vehicle

2020 Hyundai Santa FE

Vehicle not moving transmisión fail after u turn off the engine it will work again Oil leak by bolt in the oil pan

2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Engine oil plug backed out while driving causing loss of all engine oil in the mountains. Drive time was one hour when oil lamp turned on as we reached our destination. Oil check stick had no oil on i

2012 Hyundai Sonata

3 Months post oil change June 2022, oil plug fell out on highway and motor seized. Dealership advised motor no longer manufactured and recommended used motor supplier. Purchased a used motor with 80K

2020 Audi Q3

The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q3. The contact stated that while driving or idling, the electrical system started malfunctioning. The contact then stated that the rear-view camera screen became distorte

2018 Hyundai Sonata

My car started leaking oil from the oil drain bolt area. I took it to the dealer and they said the oil pan had a defect, they called it a “weld crack”. A quick internet search shows that this is a ver

2014 KIA Optima

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle was shaking with unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over safely and smoke started

2012 KIA Soul

Oil plug loosened and fell out resulting in engine failure.

2021 KIA Sorento

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while reversing, she noticed a trail of oil on the ground. The contact parked the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle

2019 Hyundai Kona

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated she was informed at the service inspection that her vehicle was low on engine oil however, the oil had recently been refilled. There were no wa

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