Component
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
127 NHTSA complaints about equipment:electrical:anti-theft devices issues across 22 makes and 76 models.
The equipment:electrical:anti-theft devices is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 127 filings from 22 manufacturers and 76 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, 2 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET MALIBU with 16 filings, followed by PONTIAC GRAND AM and CHEVROLET IMPALA. 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 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 16 |
| 2 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 10 |
| 3 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 8 |
| 4 | FORD FOCUS | 4 |
| 5 | NISSAN MAXIMA | 3 |
| 6 | HONDA ACCORD | 3 |
| 7 | FORD TAURUS | 3 |
| 8 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 2 |
| 9 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 2 |
| 10 | OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE | 2 |
| 11 | HONDA CIVIC | 2 |
| 12 | FORD RANGER | 2 |
| 13 | FORD F-150 | 2 |
| 14 | CHRYSLER PT CRUISER | 2 |
| 15 | CHEVROLET LUMINA | 2 |
| 16 | CHEVROLET CORVETTE | 2 |
| 17 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 2 |
| 18 | BUICK RENDEZVOUS | 2 |
| 19 | TOYOTA COROLLA | 1 |
| 20 | SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7 | 1 |
| 21 | SATURN LS | 1 |
| 22 | SATURN ION | 1 |
| 23 | PONTIAC SUNFIRE | 1 |
| 24 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 1 |
| 25 | OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME | 1 |
| 26 | OLDSMOBILE AURORA | 1 |
| 27 | OLDSMOBILE ALERO | 1 |
| 28 | NISSAN ALTIMA | 1 |
| 29 | MERCURY SABLE | 1 |
| 30 | MERCURY MARAUDER | 1 |
Recent Complaints
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, there was a knocking and ticking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle continued driving but then stal
Electrical system makes a glitching noise as if it wants to start something. Lights go on, then about 5 minutes later the alarm goes off. My alarm has been going off now for the last 18 months and
My car was stolen from in front of my home, they were able to steal my brand new car because they popped off the bottom steering wheel cover and used an iphone charger to start the ignition and drive
2006 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ANTI THEFT SYSTEM AND MANUAL TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *LD *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE HORN ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE PERSISTED UNTIL THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON SHIFTING GEARS IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ANTI-THEFT SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SENSOR WAS ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN FROM AN OFF PO
THEFT SYSTEM KEPT CAR FROM CRANKING. *JS
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR OVER THE YEARS. THE FIRST WAS WHEN THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND MY CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC IN 2006 AND REPAIR WAS $600. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS FAILED ABOUT 10 MON
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTO-THEFT SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY UNLESS THE CONTACT USED THE KEY FOB, WHICH WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. TH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE ENGINE STALLED AS THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT ME
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED WITH THE ANTI-THEFT ENGAGED. HE THEN ERRONEOUSLY ENGAGED THE LIFT GATE BUTTON AND THE LIFT GATE OPENED WITHOUT
BELOW A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE IF THE CAR IS NOT WARM OR THE IGNITION IS NOT WARM WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE; THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM TURNS ON. ONCE THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS ON I CANNOT START THE VEH
MY CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSKEY/PASSLOCK SYSTEM. IT IS A ANTI THEFT FUNCTION INSTALLED ON SEVERAL OF THE GM MODELS THAT WHEN IT FAILS TO WORK IT ACTUALLY KEEPS THE OWNER FROM US
ANTI THEFT DEVICE SHUTS FUEL PUMP DOWN WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING . THEN WONT RESTART . DOES IT REPEATEDLY AND RUINS FUEL PUMPS. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILIZED, THE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT ENTERED AND STARTED THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATED. THE WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT S
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ANTI THEFT DEVICE ENGAGED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTANTLY. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTAC
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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.