Component
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:TV/RADIO/SPEAKERS
118 NHTSA complaints about equipment:appliance:tv/radio/speakers issues across 8 makes and 19 models.
The equipment:appliance:tv/radio/speakers is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 118 filings from 8 manufacturers and 19 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 0 crashes, 0 fires, 15 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD F-150 with 51 filings, followed by FORD F-150 HYBRID and FORD FOCUS. 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 | FORD F-150 | 51 |
| 2 | FORD F-150 HYBRID | 37 |
| 3 | FORD FOCUS | 5 |
| 4 | FORD BRONCO SPORT | 5 |
| 5 | FORD F-150 LIGHTNING BEV | 3 |
| 6 | FORD EXPEDITION | 3 |
| 7 | FORD MUSTANG MACH E | 2 |
| 8 | LINCOLN MKX | 1 |
| 9 | LINCOLN MKS | 1 |
| 10 | KIA EV6 | 1 |
| 11 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 1 |
| 12 | HYUNDAI PALISADE | 1 |
| 13 | HONDA PILOT | 1 |
| 14 | HONDA ACCORD | 1 |
| 15 | FORD MAVERICK | 1 |
| 16 | FORD EDGE | 1 |
| 17 | DODGE CHARGER | 1 |
| 18 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 1 |
| 19 | CHEVROLET CAMARO | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The audio system in my car blares When car is cold and after 5 minutes it turned off, and once it turned off a loud static noise that makes my vehicle unsafe to drive. The only way to get the noise to
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH, the speaker made a static noise. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle, will sporadi
Started truck then we heard a loud pop, similar to a gun shot. Then we heard crackling through the speakers. Audio volume controls were ineffective as well as radio on/off controls. Turned truck off
Speaker system/amplifier created a loud sonic boom type noise while I was driving. Made my ears ring and felt very unsafe to drive afterwards. First time this happened, making an appointment with de
Approximately 90 seconds after startup, every speaker emitted a deafening sound that can be described as a high-powered air compressor. The sound was debilitating, and in the moment it felt like the c
I have a 2022 Ford F-150 Platinum with B&O Sound system. Yesterday, while driving I experienced a loud boom followed by loud staticky crackling sounds coming from the sound system. I thought I had b
I started my 2022 F150 with B/O Audio and an extremely loud blast that sounded like a cannon shot out of the speakers. My volume dial didn't work and loud crackling and popping sounds were coming out
It happened several times already. My F150 Tremor randomly has extremely loud electrical sound POP through the speakers followed by the loud static, no matter I listen to radio or connect to android s
I had parked and turned off my Bronco after a 2 hour drive. When I went back outside about 30 minutes later, I started the vehicle only to get an ear piercing noise coming out of the speakers. I tur
This complaint was already documented here: NHTSA ID Number: 11487857 Turned my truck on to hear a LOUD pop, scared everyone inside. Speakers continued to crackle and pop, at a lower volume. No audi
This morning, as soon as I started the vehicle and started backing down the driveway, an unbelievably loud popping sound emitted from the speakers. I immediately slammed on the brakes having no idea w
On more than one occasion, the speakers have emitted an ear piercing startling noise while driving. The first time it happened, i was driving and I could not get the noise to stop despite turning off
I was in the process of turning onto a two lane road when all of a sudden I heard an incredibly loud noise, much like speakers blowing out that seemed to be progressively getting louder. I remained ca
My radio stopped working and is now making horrible loud screeching and popping noises loud enough to startle me and almost cause a crash from the reaction I have to the loud sudden noises
-The surround sound speaker system has produced a load popping sound as if being struck by lightning on several occasions upon starting the truck. It is extremely loud and normally goes away after a
I am having multiple electrical glitches with the vehicle. While I was in bluecruise the self driving mode the vehicle warned me to take control and when I did the vehicle was stuck in a loop on the h
Loud, oscillating static through speakers when starting vehicle. Measured at 106db. Audio controls non-responsive. Shutting off vehicle and opening door eventually caused it to stop. Resumed again whe
Upon starting vehicle, loud pop sound and then excruciatingly painful white noise throughout the sound system. No controls will work to turn audio down. Upon shutting vehicle off, painful white nois
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact was informed by his wife that when the start button was depressed, there was a loud boom coming from the vehicle. There was an odor of smoke comi
The radio will make a loud popping static noise that is louder than a gun shot. Damaging to my ears and children.
Related Vehicle Components
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.