Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Electrical System:ignition:switch (11.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Electrical System:ignition:switch complaints here are 2.1× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:ignition:switch | 23 · 11.8% | Recalled | Recall 96V071000 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 18 · 9.2% | Recalled | Recall 91V189000 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly | 18 · 9.2% | Recalled | Recall 98V190000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 · 7.2% | Investigation closed | EA96030 → recall 98V190000 · PE96050 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 14 · 7.2% | Recalled | Recall 98E010000 · Recall 89V223000 |
| Electrical System:ignition | 13 · 6.7% | Recalled | Recall 96V071000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 195 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 90V144000 · 1990 · reported 08/06/1990
IN THE EVENT OF VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT COULD PIVOTFORWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 98E010000 · 1998 · reported 04/08/1998
LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 98V190000 · 1998 · reported 08/11/1998
IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 91V164000 · 1991 · reported 09/20/1991
VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 89V223000 · 1989 · reported 12/11/1989
THIS WOULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS ANDINCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR COLLISION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 96V071000 · 1996 · reported 04/25/1996
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 91V189000 · 1991 · reported 11/04/1991
DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“RECALL # 96V071000 FORD/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION. ON DECEMBER 13, 1998, WHILE VAN WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DASH AND THE ENGINE AREA…”NHTSA complaint 832509 — filed 12/22/1998 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
“HAD PARKED VEHICLE. HEARD HORN BLASTING. LOOKED OUT & CHECHED VEHICLE. SAW VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT, THEY ARRIVED & PUT FLAMES OUT…”NHTSA complaint 823435 — filed 05/18/1998 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
“WHILE DRIVING IGNITION SWITCH EXPERIENCED A SHORT CIRCUIT, CAUSING A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. OWNER WILL CONTACT A DEALER AND OR THE MANUFACTURER. *AKACCORDING TO…”NHTSA complaint 816094 — filed 09/08/1997 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical system:ignition:switch issues are the most-reported category, cited in 23 of 195 NHTSA complaints (11.8%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (18), fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (18), vehicle speed control (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
195 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 24 involved a crash, 57 involved a fire, and 20 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 90V144000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
