Component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

107,173 NHTSA complaints about unknown or other issues across 69 makes and 1793 models.

The unknown or other is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 107,173 filings from 69 manufacturers and 1793 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 3,965 crashes, 2,498 fires, 3,927 injuries, and 289 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD EXPLORER with 2,942 filings, followed by FORD F-150 and JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. 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.

107,173
Complaints
1793
Models Affected
3,965
Crashes
2,498
Fires
289
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD EXPLORER 2,942
2 FORD F-150 2,269
3 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 1,978
4 FORD ESCAPE 1,921
5 JEEP CHEROKEE 1,727
6 HONDA ACCORD 1,592
7 HONDA CR-V 1,560
8 FORD FOCUS 1,510
9 TOYOTA CAMRY 1,468
10 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 1,467
11 NISSAN ALTIMA 1,464
12 FORD EDGE 1,453
13 CHEVROLET TAHOE 1,316
14 FORD FUSION 1,293
15 HYUNDAI SONATA 1,286
16 HONDA CIVIC 1,276
17 SUBARU OUTBACK 1,261
18 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1,238
19 KIA SORENTO 1,216
20 JEEP WRANGLER 1,215
21 NISSAN ROGUE 1,162
22 RAM 1500 1,154
23 HONDA PILOT 1,063
24 TOYOTA RAV4 1,010
25 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 931
26 TESLA MODEL S 844
27 HONDA ODYSSEY 840
28 KIA OPTIMA 805
29 GMC SIERRA 1500 795
30 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 787

Recent Complaints

2023 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

On December 17, 2025, I brought my 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe (30th Anniversary Edition) to Los Angeles Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for safety recall 68C involving the high-voltage (HV) battery. The dea

2025 KIA SORENTO

Currently at a Kia dealership for the 3rd time since the end of December. While driving the electric refuses to switch to gas after the battery drains, it is a hybrid. Maxes out at 18 mph and then

2015 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500

The 2nd stage of this truck was not completed and the title was done in fraud in 2015 by Jon Hall Chevy in Daytona. I need this inspected as it shouldn't be on the road. Only 1 MCO without water Mark

2024 JEEP WRANGLER

I took this vehicle to the dealership for two recalls, but there is no remedy available. I Keep having these issues, every time I drive my vehicle to keep cutting off sometime it wouldn’t start and

2019 ACURA RDX

THE BACK TAILGATE GLASS SHATTERED. IT WAS PARKED, I HAD JUST TURNED IT ON. AND AS I WAS STARTING TO SHIFT IT TO REVERSE IT SHATTERED. A POP THE SOUNDOF GLASS FALLING. I SLAMMED ON BREAKS GOT OUT TH

2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA

I have 2013 Toyota, Sequoia blizzard pearl and my paint started chipping. I have reached out to corporate 3 separate times and they have refused to assist me in this matter. Based off the article list

2022 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE L

Touch screen display "blacks" out. Screen goes completely blank for a few moments then returns to normal. Has been ongoing for a few years but dealership can't find anything wrong. Now it happened whi

2018 JEEP WRANGLER

My 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL only now has 77,700 miles and got a blown head gasket!? This is so UNACCEPTABLE! Makes me regret ever purchasing! There is a ton more with same issue some with less miles and

2019 FORD F-150

The tailgate latch actuator came open while I was driving home spilling all my tools out into the roadway including extension ladders that were folded down I had a bed cover on so I never seen or hear

2011 LEXUS IS

The dashboard on our vehicle has started to "melt." While there was a warranty enhancement program in the past (we did not receive notice), the problem has developed after the window for repair close

2005 DODGE RAM 1500

I have three recalls on my 2005 Dodge Ram - driver air bag, passenger air bag and rear axle pinion nut. I called the Dodge dealer in my city and was told the Dodge dealer cannot work on vehicles over

2022 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS CROSS SPORT

Vehicle shimmies/shakes when braking of speeds over 50 mph. It is currently at the VW service center and was informed the Electro-Mechanical Steering gear needs to be replaced. The repair tech also

2021 FORD F-250

I was driving on I-77 WV Turnpike when suddenly my moon roof shattered. No other vehicles were around and no overpasses in sight. When I pulled over, the glass was raised as if the blowout came from

2016 HONDA PILOT

Three times at a stop light my car goes into the engine idle stop mode and when the light turns green my car won’t get out of the mode. I have to put it into park and restart the car to go. I have a

2024 JEEP GRAND WAGONEER

Late last year I reported that while towing a trailer, the dash indicated that the trailer had disconnected from the trailer as looking back I noticed the lights were off when the vehicle lights were

2017 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

Water coming from top part of the front windshield. This was previously fixed but after few years problem persists and started causing electrical issues. I already had to replaced computer out of my p

2023 HYUNDAI TUCSON

All systems warning lights came on

2019 HONDA ODYSSEY

The sunroof/moon roof glass suddenly popped and exploded. No debris of any kind or any car was near me. My car was alone. The roof spontaneously made a “pop” sound and exploded. I’m lucky I wasn

2024 ACURA ZDX

On Sunday, February 15th at approximately 9:00 AM EST, I took my vehicle to Wash Co Car Wash (1020 Dolsontown Road, Middletown, NY 10940). This was the first and only time I have taken this vehicle th

2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

Dashboard cracking - not overly parked in sunlight.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve unknown or other issues?
The NHTSA has received 107,173 complaints about unknown or other problems across 1793 vehicle models from 69 manufacturers.
How dangerous are unknown or other defects?
UNKNOWN OR OTHER issues have been linked to 3,965 crashes, 2,498 fires, 3,927 injuries, and 289 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most unknown or other problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for unknown or other issues is the FORD EXPLORER with 2,942 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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