Component

EQUIPMENT

5,289 NHTSA complaints about equipment issues across 57 makes and 744 models.

The equipment is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 5,289 filings from 57 manufacturers and 744 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 337 crashes, 130 fires, 401 injuries, and 131 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE with 113 filings, followed by FORD EXPLORER and TOYOTA CAMRY. 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.

5,289
Complaints
744
Models Affected
337
Crashes
130
Fires
131
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 113
2 FORD EXPLORER 100
3 TOYOTA CAMRY 99
4 FORD FOCUS 97
5 HONDA ACCORD 96
6 FORD F-150 82
7 TOYOTA SIENNA 78
8 DODGE RAM 1500 78
9 HONDA CIVIC 69
10 DODGE DURANGO 68
11 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 64
12 TOYOTA PRIUS 58
13 FORD TAURUS 56
14 CHEVROLET IMPALA 55
15 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 49
16 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 48
17 NISSAN ALTIMA 46
18 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 46
19 HONDA ODYSSEY 45
20 CHEVROLET MALIBU 45
21 FORD WINDSTAR 44
22 CHEVROLET COBALT 44
23 TOYOTA COROLLA 42
24 PONTIAC GRAND AM 42
25 JEEP LIBERTY 42
26 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 42
27 HONDA CR-V 41
28 FORD EXPEDITION 40
29 HYUNDAI SONATA 39
30 DODGE CARAVAN 38

Recent Complaints

2016 FORD ESCAPE

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The rearview camera failure was intermittent. The contact received noti

2017 HONDA RIDGELINE

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: (20E068000 (EQUIPMENT) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local de

2025 FORD RANGER

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Ranger equipped with an aftermarket truck bed cover, Product Line: BAK Industries, Product Type: Tonneau Cover, Product: BAK 80342, Serial Number: RVO193745. The contact

2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500

Had new Western Wideout snowplow (recommended by western) installed by Western dealership on a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500hd with snow plow prep package. Vehicle's Instrument cluster, HVAS, Radio an

2025 GMC SIERRA 2500

The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact researched online and became aware that there was a recent recall under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V815000 (Equipment) for the Owner's Manual. The co

2019 ALFA ROMEO STELVIO

The contact owns a 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the contact became aware of water entering the cabin of the vehicle from under the glove compartment on the

2015 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the heater engaged, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The “V

2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V393000 (EQUIPMENT). The contact stated that the fuse on the modified Tire Mobility Kit failed after it

2019 BMW 530E Fire

The contact owned a 2019 BMW 530E. The contact stated that while driving at a moderate rate of speed, a warning message that stated" This car will not start again" appeared on the instrument panel. Up

2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Corvette equipped with Silver's North America NEOMAX coil-overs. The contact stated that while driving through a parking garage at less than 10 MPH, there was an abno

2018 LINCOLN MKC

The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnos

2025 JEEP WRANGLER

We were flat towing our Jeep Wrangler behind our RV using a new Blue Ox Avail tow bar and the right-side tow arm failed. Once the tow bar failed it was difficult to keep the Jeep within the lane behin

2021 MERCEDES-BENZ METRIS

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V463000 (Equipment, Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was una

2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

See attached document for complaint.

2015 CHEVROLET SPARK

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Spark. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V257000 (Equipment, Electrical Systems). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was

2024 MERCEDES-BENZ CLE 300 Crash

The contact owns a 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V688000 (Park Brake, Back Over Prevention, Equipment). The contact stated that while the v

2025 ACURA MDX

The contact owns a 2025 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse(R), the rear-view camera display failed to function as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respo

2019 GMC SIERRA 3500 Fire

The contact owned a 2019 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle went into “Engine Power Reduced Mode” and the contact attempted to pull over to the

2025 LINCOLN NAUTILUS HYBRID

The contact owns a 2025 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the panoramic and center display went blank, failing to display critical safety information. The veh

2024 CADILLAC LYRIQ

The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac Lyriq. The contact stated that upon engaging the drive mode of the vehicle, the vehicle unintendedly switched back to parking mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve equipment issues?
The NHTSA has received 5,289 complaints about equipment problems across 744 vehicle models from 57 manufacturers.
How dangerous are equipment defects?
EQUIPMENT issues have been linked to 337 crashes, 130 fires, 401 injuries, and 131 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most equipment problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for equipment issues is the JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE with 113 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

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.

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