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.
The power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive) is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 1,302 filings from 36 manufacturers and 194 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 52 crashes, 19 fires, 35 injuries, and 3 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER with 91 filings, followed by FORD EXPLORER and CHEVROLET SILVERADO. 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 | 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
Related Vehicle Components
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive) issues? ▼
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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.