Component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
329 NHTSA complaints about engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv) issues across 37 makes and 149 models.
The engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv) is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 329 filings from 37 manufacturers and 149 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 2 crashes, 9 fires, 4 injuries, and 5 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the NISSAN ALTIMA with 27 filings, followed by BMW 328I and CHEVROLET EQUINOX. 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 | NISSAN ALTIMA | 27 |
| 2 | BMW 328I | 19 |
| 3 | CHEVROLET EQUINOX | 14 |
| 4 | DODGE INTREPID | 12 |
| 5 | FORD F-150 | 10 |
| 6 | NISSAN SENTRA | 9 |
| 7 | FORD TAURUS | 8 |
| 8 | MERCURY SABLE | 7 |
| 9 | KIA SORENTO | 6 |
| 10 | BMW 528I | 6 |
| 11 | KIA OPTIMA | 5 |
| 12 | CADILLAC DEVILLE | 5 |
| 13 | BMW X3 | 5 |
| 14 | DODGE DURANGO | 4 |
| 15 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 4 |
| 16 | VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | 3 |
| 17 | SATURN LS | 3 |
| 18 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 3 |
| 19 | HONDA ACCORD | 3 |
| 20 | GMC TERRAIN | 3 |
| 21 | FORD FUSION | 3 |
| 22 | FORD F-250 SD | 3 |
| 23 | DODGE STRATUS | 3 |
| 24 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 2 |
| 25 | TOYOTA SIENNA | 2 |
| 26 | TOYOTA COROLLA | 2 |
| 27 | PLYMOUTH NEON | 2 |
| 28 | NISSAN MURANO | 2 |
| 29 | NISSAN 350Z | 2 |
| 30 | MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE | 2 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle on a cold, snowy day, there was oil on the driveway. There was a fuel odor inside the vehicle, and the en
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 58 MPH, the message âEngine Power Reducedâ was displayed, and the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to
The contact owns a 2020 BMW M340I. The contact stated that after an oil change was performed by an independent mechanic, there was a large amount of gray smoke coming from the exhaust pipe while accel
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle jerked abnormally. There were t
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a yellow check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was di
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used an OBD2 scanner and retrieved diagnosti
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH in cold weather, the vehicle was shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the wo
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the Emiss
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was leaking oil. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Cascada. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal squealing sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. T
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the alternator warning light illuminated. Additionally, the Service stabili-trak soon message was displayed, and the
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that upon pulling out of the driveway, she observed that oil had pooled underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The ve
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle then made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was towed
The contact owns a 2017Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon having the vehicle inspected, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed and produced code: P052E. Th
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to dealer, where it was diagnosed that the crankcase ventila
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328I. The contact stated that she smelled an abnormal odor inside her vehicle, and the thermostat warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mec
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle, and the re
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv) issues? ▼
How dangerous are engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv) defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv) problems? ▼
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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.