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 (11.5% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Electrical System:ignition:switch complaints here are 1.7× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:ignition:switch | 18 · 11.5% | Recalled | Recall 99V029000 · Recall 99V028000 |
| Air Bags:frontal | 9 · 5.7% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 9 · 5.7% | Recalled | Recall 97V204000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 7 · 4.5% | Recalled | Recall 06E022000 · Recall 98E010000 |
| Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 7 · 4.5% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift | 7 · 4.5% | Recalled | Recall 97V204000 |
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 157 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 06E022000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 95V037000 · 1995 · reported 02/28/1995
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE INCORRECTLY SIZED REAR TIRE WOULD NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT LOAD CAPACITY FOR THE VEHICLE'S SPECIFIED GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 99V029000 · 1999 · reported 02/09/1999
THIS CAN CAUSE OVER HEATING AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 99V028000 · 1999 · reported 02/09/1999
HEAT DAMAGE, INCLUDING MELTING OR CHARRING OF THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDER ASSEMBLY WIRE HARNESS AND ASSOCIATED WIRING HARNESSES CAN ALSO RESULT. THE SHORT CIRCUIT COULD ALSO HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 97V204000 · 1997 · reported 11/13/1997
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND, IF THE EXPELLED FLUID CONTACTS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 94V239000 · 1994 · reported 12/01/1994
THIS CAN RESULT IN REDUCED VEHICLE BRAKE CAPABILITY. 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
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 # 99V029000 FORD/IGNITION SWITCH ELECTRICAL SHORT; DEALER DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO CORRECT RECALL. OWNER HAS CONTACTED DEALERSHIP IN MAY/SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER. VAN WAS…”NHTSA complaint 854245 — filed 12/21/1999 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
“YOU CAN PULL THE KEY OUT AND THE VAN WILL STAY RUNNING. CRANK THE VAN AND ALL THE LIGHTS SUCH AS ABS BRAKE, AIRBAG, OIL…”NHTSA complaint 715983 — filed 12/13/1999 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
“RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 99V029000 IN MAIL. CONTACTED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE ON DATE. MECHANIC REPAIRED VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE RECALL REPAIRS DONE. PRIOR…”NHTSA complaint 849470 — filed 09/30/1999 · 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 18 of 157 NHTSA complaints (11.5%), followed by air bags:frontal (9), power train:automatic transmission (9), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
157 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 18 involved a fire, and 19 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E022000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
4 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.
