Component
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
346 NHTSA complaints about power train:axle hubs issues across 30 makes and 126 models.
The power train:axle hubs is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 346 filings from 30 manufacturers and 126 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 22 crashes, 3 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD EXPLORER with 42 filings, followed by KIA SPORTAGE and FORD F-150. 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 EXPLORER | 42 |
| 2 | KIA SPORTAGE | 26 |
| 3 | FORD F-150 | 25 |
| 4 | FORD F-250 | 16 |
| 5 | FORD F-250 SD | 10 |
| 6 | DODGE DAKOTA | 9 |
| 7 | GMC JIMMY | 7 |
| 8 | FORD RANGER | 7 |
| 9 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 7 |
| 10 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 7 |
| 11 | BUICK RENDEZVOUS | 6 |
| 12 | PONTIAC AZTEK | 5 |
| 13 | GMC SIERRA | 5 |
| 14 | FORD F-350 | 5 |
| 15 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 5 |
| 16 | TOYOTA COROLLA | 4 |
| 17 | HONDA VTX1800 | 4 |
| 18 | GEO TRACKER | 4 |
| 19 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 4 |
| 20 | PONTIAC MONTANA | 3 |
| 21 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 3 |
| 22 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 3 |
| 23 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 3 |
| 24 | GMC YUKON | 3 |
| 25 | FORD FOCUS | 3 |
| 26 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 3 |
| 27 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 3 |
| 28 | CHEVROLET S10 | 3 |
| 29 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 3 |
| 30 | VOLVO XC90 | 2 |
Recent Complaints
Please see attachment: To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally request NHTSAâs review and further action regarding Ford Motor Companyâs handling of Safety Recall 23Vâ896 and 23S-65, af
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the rear differential, with the vehicle vibrating. The vehicle was take
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after placing the vehicle in the park in the driveway, the vehicle started to roll backwards. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated while reversing,
I purchased a 2021 Ford F-150 pick-up truck for my business in September 2022 with ~12,000 miles. I took it to my local auto mechanic on Sa-11/26/22 for it's first oil change & tire rotation at ~15,0
The bolt on the end of the axle on the right side sheared off. When this happened the only thing holding the wheel on is the brake caliper. The oil from the broken axle seal leaked onto the brake pads
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, an abnormal whining sound was coming from the rear axle hubs. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer whe
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE HUB ASSEMBLY DETACHED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE HUB ASSEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE TRACTION AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED DURING ACCEL
2004 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR POWER STEERING AND WHEEL HUB REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPERIENCED STEERING FAILURE, TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR FACILITY FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT FIVE OF THE SEVEN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING AN OIL CHANGE THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE FRONT RIGHT AXLE NUT HAD COME LOOSE. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED T
ABS LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH A LOUD HUM AND RATTLING FROM FRONT TIRE AREA. HAD TO GET THE HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACE. THIS HAPPENED AROUND 90,000 MILES WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE, AND AROUND 130,
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD RECURRING FAILURE WITH HER ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. WHILE BRAKING, THE ABS AND TRACTION SERVICE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBO
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCKOUT HUB WAS BROKEN AND IT CAUSED THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO DISENGAGE. THE LOCKOUT HUBS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER ST
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH HE NOTICED A LOUD CLANKING NOISE COMING UNDER THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE AUTO HUB LOCK NEED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. HE HAS TO EXERT GREAT FORCE DURING BRAKE APPLICATION TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE THEN AD
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR OR FROM THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO REMAIN IN SECOND GEAR NO
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HUB ASSEMBLY ON HER VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE. SHE HEARD A BUZZING OR HUMMING NOISE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE DEALER STATED T
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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.