Component

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

1,302 NHTSA complaints about power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive) issues across 36 makes and 194 models.

Data updated August 2026. Counts render from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation standardized component field; severity flags cross-reference NHTSA ODI complaint flags for owner-reported crash, fire, and injury markers. This page is for informational purposes and does not replace NHTSA recall notices or a vehicle-specific inspection. Methodology · Corrections.

NHTSA ODI component intake brief

ODI category POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

1,302 filings · 194 models · 36 makes · vintage August 2026

  • FILINGS MODERATE 1,302 ODI rows
  • MODELS 194 nameplates citing this part
  • MAKES 36 manufacturers in corpus
  • CRASH 4.0% 52 crash-flagged
  • RANK #136 of 696 categories
  • SEV INJURY 3 deaths · 35 injuries
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) (this)POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4…1,302EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY1,313STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THA…1,285SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER1,347
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) vs nearest complaint-total peers

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) sits MODERATE on ODI intake volume (#136 of 696 standardized categories) with a INJURY severity stamp (3 reported fatalities across 194 models). Open Chevrolet Trailblazer (category leader) →

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) filing-volume reading

The standout signal for power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive) is ODI intake volume: 1,302 filings (MODERATE band · #136 of 696 standardized categories) across 194 nameplates. Crash-flag share is 4.0%.

Moderate-volume categories still show a fingerprint in the model table below, cross-check each nameplate's recall and investigation history before inferring a defect pattern.

Next step: compare Chevrolet Trailblazer against EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY on filing totals before treating power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive) volume as a purchase signal.

1,302
Complaints
194
Models Affected
52
Crashes
19
Fires
3
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 Chevrolet Trailblazer
91
2 Ford Explorer
90
3 Chevrolet Silverado
57
4 Mitsubishi 3000gt
54
5 Jeep Grand Cherokee
50
6 Eagle Talon
48
7 Chevrolet Blazer
42
8 Mitsubishi Eclipse
33
9 Dodge Durango
32
10 KIA Sportage
30
11 Ford F-150
29
12 Dodge Stealth
29
13 Jeep Cherokee
28
14 Ford Aerostar
28
15 GMC Envoy
27
16 Nissan Murano
26
17 Dodge Dakota
24
18 Oldsmobile Bravada
20
19 Ford Expedition
18
20 Chevrolet Tahoe
16
21 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
16
22 Ford Ranger
15
23 Chevrolet S10
15
24 Chevrolet Suburban
14
25 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
14
26 GMC Jimmy
13
27 Ford Edge
13
28 Mitsubishi Galant
11
29 Jeep Wrangler
11
30 GMC Sierra
10

Recent Complaints

2020 Jeep Cherokee

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a grinding sound coming from the vehicle while accelerating, while the vehicle was idlin

2024 Ford F-250 SD

The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-250 SD. The contact stated that while the dealer was performing a routine service on the vehicle, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was designed with 2 di

2016 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, w

2021 RAM 1500

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V754000 (VISIBILITY). The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started to lose power. The ch

2019 Ford Edge

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a burning odor inside the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed an abnormal whining

2017 Nissan Rogue

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. N

2016 FIAT 500x

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, several messages stating that the 4-WD system and the drive mode selector system were not available were displayed. The v

2015 Jeep Cherokee

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the shifter light and the 4WD lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was infor

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and making a turn, the rear wheels suddenly locked. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the

2020 Ford Explorer

Our explorer has had cascading warnings each time we drive the car for the past 7 days. Sometimes it takes a mile, sometimes it is immediate. The safety warnings include: 4-wheel drive fault, passe

2024 GMC Sierra 2500

The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated before returning to normal functionality. The check engine warning

2014 Jeep Cherokee

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, he observed a clicking noise coming from the front undercarriage of the vehicle. Ad

2016 Jeep Cherokee

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the 4WD warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was d

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle seized in 4WD mode, causing the steering wheel to become firm and difficult to t

2020 Ford Escape

I've started to get a message on my dashboard - AWD fault. This car was built in 2020 with less than 25,000 miles and no accidents. A search on Ford forums revealed multiple complaints about 2020 Fo

2016 Jeep Cherokee

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the 4X4 warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagn

2016 Jeep Cherokee

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the 4WD intermittently failed, causing the rear tires to not engage. The 4WD warning light was illumina

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact was unable to shift the vehicle out of 4WD-Low. The vehicle hesitated while attempting to accelerate.

2017 Jeep Cherokee

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Service 4-Wheel Drive message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who

2018 Jeep Wrangler

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated

Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.