Component
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL FILTER
18 NHTSA complaints about fuel system, other:fuel filter issues across 6 makes and 13 models.
The fuel system, other:fuel filter is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 18 filings from 6 manufacturers and 13 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, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD F-350 with 5 filings, followed by CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 and VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. 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-350 | 5 |
| 2 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 | 2 |
| 3 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 1 |
| 4 | RAM 2500 | 1 |
| 5 | RAM 1500 | 1 |
| 6 | MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500 | 1 |
| 7 | MERCEDES-BENZ S550 | 1 |
| 8 | MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350 | 1 |
| 9 | MERCEDES-BENZ E350 | 1 |
| 10 | FORD F-550 SD | 1 |
| 11 | FORD F-450 | 1 |
| 12 | FORD F-250 | 1 |
| 13 | BMW 335D | 1 |
Recent Complaints
Operator was driving a 2021 Ford F550 equipped with an Altec AT48M aerial upfit. As he was driving the operator noted that the check engine light came on and almost immediately followed by the messag
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that a second motorist alerted
The fuel filter housing cracked and started pouring diesel out the top and back of the engine. No warning lights going to dealer for replacement. This can be very dangerous for vehicle occupants and a
I keep on hand a set of fuel filters and other filters for my personal vehicle. The set I just installed (fuel filters), the upper one, made of plastic, exploded while purging the air out of the dies
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The conta
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the reduced engine power and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power. In ad
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335D. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed on a 6-hour trip, there was thick fumes coming into the cabin of the vehicle from the exhau
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-350. The contact stated that an unknown warning code was illuminated on the screen display. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the cold side
I developed a diesel fuel smell coming from under the hood. They traced it down to the engine fuel filter on top of the engine. The filter housing is made of plastic. The filter housing failed and the
Kept smelling faint diesel fuel odor would come and go while driving for 11,000 miles, never saw a leak, then became worse and saw drops on driveway size of a dime. Found a steady drip of fuel only wh
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON REFUELING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BE
PLASTIC SEAL ON GASKETS FOR GAS TANK FAILED ON BOTH SIDES OF CAR. CAUSES LEAKING OF FUEL AND ODOR INTO PASSENGER AREA OF VEHICLE AND DANGER OF EXPLOSION DUE TO LEAKING FUEL. IT OCCURS WHEN GAS TANK IS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING 45-65 MPH AND TOWING A WORK AND PLAY TOW TRAILER, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO DE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE TOWING A HORSE TRAILER AND DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (BACHMAN-BE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DCH CHRYSLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARK PLACE MOTORCARS MERCEDES-BENZ DALLAS (6113 LEMMON AVE, DALLA
NOTICED A FAINT SCENT OF DIESEL COMING FROM THE TRUCK, YET DID NOT SEE ANY LEAKS ON THE PAVEMENT. DROVE TRUCK APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES AND NOTICED LEAKING FUEL ON THE PAVEMENT. LOOKED FROM UNDER THE E
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERNA
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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.