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 — Power Train:automatic Transmission (42.4% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 9.0× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 376 · 42.4% | Recalled | Recall 12V006000 |
| Power Train | 265 · 29.9% | Recalled | Recall 12V006000 |
| Electrical System | 84 · 9.5% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 53 · 6% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 38 · 4.3% | Investigation closed | PE10033 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter | 36 · 4.1% | Recalled | Recall 12V006000 |
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 886 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 13V081000 · 2013 · reported 03/07/2013
In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V006000 · 2012 · reported 01/09/2012
THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06V069000 · 2006 · reported 03/09/2006
IN THE EVENT OF A LIFTGATE STRUT MALFUNCTION, THE LIFTGATE CAN FALL FREELY WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. ANYONE STANDING BENEATH THE LIFTGATE MAY BE INJURED IF THE LIFTGATE FALLS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06E056000 · 2006 · reported 06/13/2006
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. 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.
“THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2005 FREESTAR WILL NOT ENGAGE EITHER R, D, 3 OR 1. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS WHATSOEVER AND THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE…”NHTSA complaint 10280032 — filed 08/10/2009 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“THE TRANSMISSION FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. FORTUNATELY THIS HAPPEN AT A VERY LOW SPEED IN OUR RESIDENTIAL…”NHTSA complaint 10279682 — filed 08/07/2009 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE VAN STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH. I DRIFTED OFF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND IT WOULD…”NHTSA complaint 10279588 — filed 08/06/2009 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 376 of 886 NHTSA complaints (42.4%), followed by power train (265), electrical system (84), engine (53). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
886 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 18 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 13V081000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 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.
