Component
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
2,469 NHTSA complaints about power train:axle assembly issues across 48 makes and 463 models.
The power train:axle assembly is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 2,469 filings from 48 manufacturers and 463 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 250 crashes, 57 fires, 215 injuries, and 12 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD WINDSTAR with 186 filings, followed by FORD EXPLORER and JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. 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 WINDSTAR | 186 |
| 2 | FORD EXPLORER | 107 |
| 3 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 78 |
| 4 | FORD F-150 | 60 |
| 5 | FORD TAURUS | 52 |
| 6 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 51 |
| 7 | NISSAN TITAN | 45 |
| 8 | DODGE DAKOTA | 33 |
| 9 | DODGE RAM | 32 |
| 10 | DODGE CARAVAN | 31 |
| 11 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 30 |
| 12 | FORD RANGER | 27 |
| 13 | FORD FOCUS | 27 |
| 14 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 24 |
| 15 | DODGE DURANGO | 23 |
| 16 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 22 |
| 17 | FORD EXPEDITION | 22 |
| 18 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 22 |
| 19 | FORD MUSTANG | 21 |
| 20 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 21 |
| 21 | CHEVROLET S10 | 21 |
| 22 | PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM | 20 |
| 23 | MAZDA 626 | 20 |
| 24 | DODGE SPIRIT | 20 |
| 25 | DODGE INTREPID | 20 |
| 26 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 20 |
| 27 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 19 |
| 28 | JEEP LIBERTY | 19 |
| 29 | JEEP WRANGLER | 17 |
| 30 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 17 |
Recent Complaints
The contact was driving a 2006 Dodge Viper. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the rear differential locked, causing the rear tires to not rotate. The rear of the vehicle then skidded an
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Prologue. The contact stated that there was a clicking noise coming from the front axle while turning the steering wheel to the left or the right. The contact stated that
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Prologue. The contact stated that while attempting to make a left turn, the contact heard a clicking sound coming from the driverâs side wheel. A dealer was contacted.
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Prologue. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front end while making a left or right turn. There were no warning lights illuminat
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Prologue. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clicking sound coming from the front wheels while turning in either direction. The vehicle
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. While the contactâs son was driving approximately 20 MPH, there was a screeching sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovere
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Prologue. The contact stated that while attempting to make a left or right turn, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front passengerâs side axle. A dealer was c
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was later taken
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon inspection underneath the vehicle, there was a fluid leak coming from the rear passengerâs side axle. No warning lights were illumina
The contact owns a 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the message "Rear Axle Malfunction" was displayed, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and restarted. The contact stated
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Maverick. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brakes made a loud screeching sound and the vehicle surged forw
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was smoke and a squealing sound coming from the passengerâs side rear wheel. The vehicle was taken to the resi
The contact owns a 2019 Lexus NX300. The contact stated there was a misfire in the engine and the engine was idling rough. The contact heard a clicking sound coming from the steering wheel while drivi
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle became very difficult to steer, and the rear end of the vehicle became unstable. The vehicle was tak
Purchased this car on [XXX] from Alpina Motors on Eastern Blvd in Maryland. In February took the car to Ron's Auto Repair, and he said that the brakes were metal on metal, so he replaced the Brakes an
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 55 MPH, the contact became aware that the vehicle was not exceeding 55 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine w
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Maverick. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced severe front-end shaking and vibrations while depressing the accelerator pedal. The c
The contact owns a 2016 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 25 MPH, there was a loud clicking sound coming from underneath the vehicle on the front passenger side of the vehi
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered that the front driver's side CV-boot had cracked and was leakin
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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.