Component

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

1,678 NHTSA complaints about power train:driveline issues across 44 makes and 383 models.

The power train:driveline is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 1,678 filings from 44 manufacturers and 383 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 39 crashes, 11 fires, 31 injuries, and 2 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the NISSAN TITAN with 332 filings, followed by FORD EXPLORER 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.

1,678
Complaints
383
Models Affected
39
Crashes
11
Fires
2
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 NISSAN TITAN 332
2 FORD EXPLORER 69
3 FORD F-150 56
4 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 45
5 DODGE RAM 1500 30
6 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 28
7 FORD WINDSTAR 25
8 CHEVROLET EQUINOX 24
9 BMW K1200LT 24
10 TOYOTA TUNDRA 22
11 TOYOTA TACOMA 20
12 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER 18
13 CADILLAC CTS 15
14 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 14
15 JEEP LIBERTY 14
16 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 13
17 NISSAN FRONTIER 12
18 FORD RANGER 12
19 SUZUKI VZR1800 11
20 NISSAN MURANO 11
21 HONDA CR-V 11
22 FORD FREESTYLE 11
23 FORD FREESTAR 11
24 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 11
25 DODGE DAKOTA 11
26 CHEVROLET COBALT 11
27 SATURN VUE 10
28 HONDA CIVIC 10
29 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 9
30 HONDA VTX1800 9

Recent Complaints

2019 BMW 330I

The contact owns a 2019 BMW 330I. The contact recently purchased the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the rec

2020 BMW X3

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the message "Drivetrain Malfunction" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the heat ma

2023 BMW I4

The contact owns a 2023 BMW I4. The contact stated that while driving into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly shut off with the message "Drive Train Malfunction" displayed. The vehicle was restarte

2015 BMW 750LI

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 750LI. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle shutoff. The contact stated that the drivetrain malfunction message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the

2017 FORD F-350

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while her grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound emanating from underneath the vehicle, after which the ve

2020 FORD ESCAPE

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, various unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagno

2014 FORD F-150 Crash

2014 ford f150 raptor, built in 11/13 in Dearborn Michigan plant. Driving down wet highway in slow lane doing 55mph, speedometer goes to 0, airbag light illuminates, odometer changes to dashes, wrench

2015 DODGE CHARGER

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was vibrating. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer,

2012 BMW 528I

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528i. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The drivetrain malfunction warning light illuminated. The

2015 INFINITI QX60

My vehicle only 67k miles and wheel bearing already bad, replace 2 weeks ago and hmm noise get worsen without warning light, diagnosed from infiniti dealer saying that Transfer case costing $6400 to r

2014 JEEP CHEROKEE

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped at a STOP sign, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle hesitated and jerked forward. The contact he

2014 FORD FIESTA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FIESTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED, LUNGED FORWARD, AND HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL BURNI

2014 BMW 528I

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 528I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS

2011 GMC ACADIA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A HEAVY METAL NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (JIM ELLIS BUICK GMC ATLANTA, 5862 PEA

2017 FORD F-550

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-550. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SHULTS FORD (10401 PERRY HWY, WEXFORD, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNO

2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA

TRANSMISSION REPLACED FOR THE 3RD TIME WITH 140009 MILES ON 2006 IMPALA SS

2008 CADILLAC CTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WERE CRACKS IN TH

2015 JEEP WRANGLER

AFTER HAVING THE CHRYSLER JEEP MOPAR PERFORMANCE PART# 77072353AB_FS INSTALLED BY A JEEP DEALER, THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT I HAVE DISCOVERED. WITH JEEP VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN LIFTED USING THE OE

2011 BMW 550I

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE DRIVE TRAIN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE LOST MOMENTUM. ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL DID

2005 DODGE RAM 1500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEA

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve power train:driveline issues?
The NHTSA has received 1,678 complaints about power train:driveline problems across 383 vehicle models from 44 manufacturers.
How dangerous are power train:driveline defects?
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE issues have been linked to 39 crashes, 11 fires, 31 injuries, and 2 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most power train:driveline problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for power train:driveline issues is the NISSAN TITAN with 332 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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