Component

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

1,512 NHTSA complaints about power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift issues across 39 makes and 262 models.

The power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 1,512 filings from 39 manufacturers and 262 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 97 crashes, 14 fires, 54 injuries, and 2 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD EXPLORER with 131 filings, followed by EAGLE TALON and FORD AEROSTAR. 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.

1,512
Complaints
262
Models Affected
97
Crashes
14
Fires
2
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD EXPLORER 131
2 EAGLE TALON 81
3 FORD AEROSTAR 80
4 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 79
5 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 42
6 KIA SPORTAGE 39
7 MITSUBISHI GALANT 34
8 JEEP CHEROKEE 34
9 DODGE DAKOTA 33
10 CHEVROLET BLAZER 33
11 DODGE DURANGO 31
12 MITSUBISHI 3000GT 28
13 FORD F-150 28
14 DODGE RAM 2500 25
15 FORD EXPEDITION 24
16 CHEVROLET S10 23
17 DODGE RAM 21
18 DODGE CHARGER 21
19 JEEP WRANGLER 17
20 FORD RANGER 17
21 TOYOTA TUNDRA 14
22 FORD TAURUS 14
23 CHRYSLER 300 14
24 FORD F-250 13
25 DODGE RAM 1500 13
26 DODGE STEALTH 12
27 CHEVROLET TAHOE 12
28 FORD ESCAPE 11
29 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 11
30 CHEVROLET ASTRO 11

Recent Complaints

2023 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER

The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that after shifting into park(P), there was an abnormal beeping sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated.

2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350

The contact owned a 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while attempting to shift to drive(D), the gear shifter detached from the steering column. No warning light was illuminated. Neithe

2023 FORD F-150

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the button located on the shift lever had detached. The vehicle was taken to

2024 FORD F-350 SD

The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-350. The contact stated that upon moving the gear shifter into drive, the vehicle failed to immediately shift into drive with a delayed response to the driver's input. N

2019 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the gear shift lever was shifted to park(P); however, the gear shift lever failed to function as inte

2019 CHEVROLET BLAZER

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that the gear shifter had repeatedly become loosened, causing the gear shifter to move in a circular motion while in park(P). The contact s

2016 FORD FUSION

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while the vehicle was started, the gear shifter was shifted in drive(D); however, the vehicle rolled backward. The contact depressed the brake p

2011 FORD F-150

Transmission Range Sensor issues causing the truck did not recognize the gear correctly. Cluster did not recognize(light did not turn on) when the car is on gears. I called the dealer and they recogni

2018 FORD FUSION

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while parking, the vehicle failed to shift to the drive position. The contact opened the hood and pushed the cap back on the bushing. While

2016 KIA SORENTO

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while pulling the gear shift lever to shift the vehicle into reverse, the lever then would not shift into drive or any other gear. The check eng

2014 BUICK VERANO

The contact owns a 2014 Buick Verano. The stated that while he was pressing the shift knob to select drive, the vehicle failed to shift into the desired gear. The contact stated he pressed the shift k

2016 FORD ESCAPE

2016 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-413. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A LOCAL SHOP PRIOR

2015 FORD ESCAPE

2015 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THEIR SHIFTER NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND LOCKING UP. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR RECALL 22S25/22V254.

2016 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The vehicle had previously been serviced by an independent mechanic who replaced the engine and two engine cylinders. The contact stated that while driving at an

2019 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

Silverado is telling me to shift my truck into Park, when the truck is actually already in Park. This does not allow me to physically turn the ignition off on my truck, forcing me to start and shut of

2016 NISSAN ALTIMA

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift into the intended gear and often failed to shift into any gear, which is an overt and considerable safet

2019 GMC ACADIA

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P) however, the "Shift to Park" message was displayed. The contact shifted

2018 GMC ACADIA

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after shifting into park(P), the gear shift indicator showed the vehicle was in park(P) however, while attempting to turn off the vehicle, t

2006 HUMMER H3

The contact's husband owns a 2006 Hummer H3. The contact stated that while she was attempting to park the vehicle, the gear shifter seized in the neutral (N) position as she attempted to place the gea

2011 GMC SIERRA 2500

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle remained in the PARK and failed to shift into DRIVE. The steering wheel was locked preventing t

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift issues?
The NHTSA has received 1,512 complaints about power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift problems across 262 vehicle models from 39 manufacturers.
How dangerous are power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift defects?
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT issues have been linked to 97 crashes, 14 fires, 54 injuries, and 2 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift issues is the FORD EXPLORER with 131 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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