Component
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
12 NHTSA complaints about equipment:mechanical issues across 9 makes and 12 models.
The equipment:mechanical is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 12 filings from 9 manufacturers and 12 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, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS with 1 filings, followed by HONDA RIDGELINE and GMC ENVOY. 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 | OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS | 1 |
| 2 | HONDA RIDGELINE | 1 |
| 3 | GMC ENVOY | 1 |
| 4 | FORD F-250 SD | 1 |
| 5 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 1 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER | 1 |
| 7 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 1 |
| 8 | CHEVROLET HHR | 1 |
| 9 | CHEVROLET EQUINOX | 1 |
| 10 | BMW X5 HYBRID | 1 |
| 11 | AUDI QUATTRO | 1 |
| 12 | ACURA CL | 1 |
Recent Complaints
I purchased a rear pickup cover. I used it without problems. I took the top off and stored it in my garage. When I put it back on, I noticed nothing wrong. When I went to open the cover to put garb
New vehicle purchased this past Saturday. Found out that BMW no longer ships the lug adapter in the vehicle. Sales person and BMW telephone call center rep. confirmed this. They said to order one thru
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD TO BE USED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND REGISTERS 65 MPH WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THE FAILURE PREVENTS HIM FROM KNOWING HOW
NO EVENT LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE. GOODYEAR ALLEGRA 185/65R15 WITH 23K MILES ON THEM. FOUND CRACK ON TIRE ON 12/21/05. PURCHASE AT SAM'S CLUB ON 03/09/03, SAM'S REPLACED TIRE. ON 12/30/05 FOUND FLAT ON DI
FORD FULL SIZE PICKUP TRUCKS (150/250/350 ETC) SPARE TIRE HELD BY CABLE, CABLE WEARS AND BRAKES W/OUT WARNING. SPARE TIRE HELD UP BY CABLE UNDER TRUCKS COMES LOOSE ON HIGHWAY @ SPEED !*AK
MOLDING POSSIBLE COME LOOSE, NO ASSIST HANDLES ON AUTO. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE IS NO HELP AIDS TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TC
SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. *BF SMALL CRACK OF 2 INCHES LONG WITHIN A WEEK MOVED ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE DASHBOARD AND BECAME 5 CRACKS AS TIME WENT ON. THE CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING T
THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE SPOKES ON THE HUBS OR THE LUG NUTS ON THE TIRES BECAUSE THE WRENCH PROVIDED FOR THE VEHICLE WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *JB
THE CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY GMC ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG 02 V 222 000 AND MECHANICAL OVER RIDE 03 V 075 000, ALTHOUGH THE RECALL APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *JB
STEP ATTACHED TO VEHICLE FOR PASSENGERS TO STEP UP TO GET INSIDE OF VEHICLE HAS A RAISED SURFACE BUT IS VERY SLICK WHEN DUMPING OR PRESSING ON IT. CONSUMER SLIPPED DUE TO INCLEMENT WET WEATHER.
AFTER SLOWING DOWN IN WARM WEATHER THEN ACCELERATING THERE IS A LAG TIME OF ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS BEFORE VEHICLE RESPONDS. IT LUNGED FORWARD. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE 10 TIM
Related Vehicle Components
Learn More
Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve equipment:mechanical issues? ▼
How dangerous are equipment:mechanical defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most equipment:mechanical problems? ▼
Where does PlainCars get its safety data? ▼
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.