Component

Other/Unknown

10 NHTSA complaints about other/unknown issues across 5 makes and 8 models.

The other/unknown is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 10 filings from 5 manufacturers and 8 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 1 crash, 1 fire, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the RAM 1500 with 2 filings, followed by DODGE CHARGER and SMART FORTWO. 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.

10
Complaints
8
Models Affected
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 RAM 1500 2
2 DODGE CHARGER 2
3 SMART FORTWO 1
4 NISSAN SENTRA 1
5 NISSAN PATHFINDER 1
6 JEEP COMPASS 1
7 JEEP CHEROKEE 1
8 DODGE DURANGO 1

Recent Complaints

2017 JEEP COMPASS

MY CAR EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT BUTTON HAS TURNED ON ALL BYITSELF WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE CAR STOPS AND SHUTS OFF. THEN I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND I HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK, PRESS THE PULL ON

2016 DODGE CHARGER

I HAVE A 2016 DODGE CHARGER SXT. THE CARS DOOR PANELS ON ALL DOORS HAVE BEGAN TO PEEL BACK. THIS IS CAUSING THE WINDOW FRAMING TO BE EXPOSED AND CAUSING THE WINDOW TO NOT BE PROTECTED. THIS HAS BECOME

2009 SMART FORTWO Fire

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I NOTICED THE CAR WAS ON FIRE BEHIND ME AND I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AS THE FIRE ENGULFE

2006 DODGE CHARGER

AFTER FILLING UP WITH FUEL MY CHARGER WILL STALL. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 OR 6 SEPARATE OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS. I GENERALLY DO NOT FILL THE CAR UP ALL THE WAY BECAUSE OF THIS. HOWEVER JUST TODAY I

2019 RAM 1500

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS "COLD" (36 DEGREES AND BELOW) THE BACKUP CAMERA DOES NOT WORK. THE SCREEN DISPLAYS A COMPLETELY BLUE SCREEN WHEN THE BACKUP CAMERA ENGAGES (WHEN REVERSING, OR WHEN SELECTING T

2015 RAM 1500

THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE HORN, AIRBAG AND STEERING/ELECTRICAL. THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM FOR 2012-2014 RAM 1500S THAT WERE RECALLED, MILEAGE FOR THE TRUCK IS

2012 DODGE DURANGO

BEGINNING IN DEC 2017, WE'VE HAD SPORADIC ISSUES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND LOCAL ROADS WITH SOME PORTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CENTER LCD DASH SCREEN POWERS OFF, AND WE

2016 NISSAN PATHFINDER Crash

I DROVE UP TO 16,000 MILES AND THEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY MADE A WEIRD SOUND. I WENT TO 2 NISSAN DEALERSHIPS TO CHECK IT OUT AND IT SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR 2016 PATHFINDER.BUT WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES IT

2014 JEEP CHEROKEE

VEHICLE PAUSESES BETWEEN SHIFTS AND SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL ON HIGJWAY.

2015 NISSAN SENTRA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN SENTRA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HANLESS HILLTO

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve other/unknown issues?
The NHTSA has received 10 complaints about other/unknown problems across 8 vehicle models from 5 manufacturers.
How dangerous are other/unknown defects?
Other/Unknown issues have been linked to 1 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most other/unknown problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for other/unknown issues is the RAM 1500 with 2 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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