Component

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

2,479 NHTSA complaints about power train:driveline:differential unit issues across 45 makes and 377 models.

The power train:driveline:differential unit is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 2,479 filings from 45 manufacturers and 377 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 55 crashes, 36 fires, 56 injuries, and 4 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD EXPLORER with 234 filings, followed by JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE and NISSAN TITAN. 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.

2,479
Complaints
377
Models Affected
55
Crashes
36
Fires
4
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD EXPLORER 234
2 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 191
3 NISSAN TITAN 183
4 CADILLAC CTS 109
5 DODGE RAM 1500 80
6 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER 73
7 FORD F-150 64
8 DODGE DURANGO 51
9 DODGE DAKOTA 48
10 LAND ROVER NEW RANGE ROVER 39
11 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 38
12 CHEVROLET BLAZER 38
13 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 35
14 DODGE RAM 33
15 JEEP CHEROKEE 30
16 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 29
17 CHEVROLET TAHOE 29
18 CHEVROLET ASTRO 25
19 DODGE CARAVAN 23
20 BMW K1200LT 22
21 TOYOTA TACOMA 21
22 FORD MUSTANG 21
23 JEEP LIBERTY 19
24 FORD EXPEDITION 19
25 GMC SIERRA 16
26 FORD RANGER 16
27 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 16
28 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER 15
29 FORD TAURUS 15
30 TOYOTA TUNDRA 14

Recent Complaints

2020 BMW X5

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was fluid and lubricant on the ground underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicl

2005 DODGE RAM 1500

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the recall repair. During ins

2019 CHEVROLET TRAX

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while his wife was making a left turn, the rear wheels locked up. The contact stated that his wife shifted into reverse(R) and attempted

2021 BMW X5

The contact owns a 2021 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal grinding and clanking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was tak

2021 FORD BRONCO SPORT

The contact's son owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver heard an abnormal grinding sound coming from the rear differential. The check e

2023 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS

The contact owns a 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the independent mechanic for a service appointment, the contact was informed that the front and rear

2024 GMC SIERRA 1500

The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle rolled over a bump in the highway, and the message to "Slow Down" was displayed on the

2018 NISSAN ROGUE

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was slightly uncont

2021 FORD BRONCO SPORT

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds and turning in either direction, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the rear of the vehicl

2012 HONDA CR-V

The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking, and the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously

2021 FORD BRONCO SPORT

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds and attempting to turn to the left or the right, there was an abnormal rubbing sound coming from the r

2019 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

See attached document for complaint.

2015 CADILLAC SRX

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while responding and made an abnormal squeaking sound. The vehicle was taken to an indep

2015 CADILLAC CTS

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and made an abnormally loud sound. The contact exited the highway and drove to the nearest mechanic

2015 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that after driving on the highway and driving uphill, the rear differential started grabbing. There were no warning lights illumina

2019 JEEP CHEROKEE

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and was la

2019 FORD EDGE

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and turning to the left, the rear end of the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The vehicle wa

2019 JEEP CHEROKEE

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a humming sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The following morning, the contact discovered

2016 FORD EXPEDITION

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, the accelerator was depressed, and there was a grinding sound coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. There were no wa

2015 JEEP CHEROKEE

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was a thumping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The contact stat

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve power train:driveline:differential unit issues?
The NHTSA has received 2,479 complaints about power train:driveline:differential unit problems across 377 vehicle models from 45 manufacturers.
How dangerous are power train:driveline:differential unit defects?
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT issues have been linked to 55 crashes, 36 fires, 56 injuries, and 4 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most power train:driveline:differential unit problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for power train:driveline:differential unit issues is the FORD EXPLORER with 234 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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