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 (22.3% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Electrical System complaints here are 3.4× 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 | 120 · 22.3% | Recalled | Recall 14V400000 |
| Electrical System:ignition:anti-theft:control Module | 53 · 9.9% | Recalled | Recall 14V400000 |
| Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch | 33 · 6.1% | Recalled | Recall 09E012000 · Recall 06E064000 · Recall 03V327000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 32 · 5.9% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor | 26 · 4.8% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System:ignition:switch | 25 · 4.6% | Recalled | Recall 14V400000 |
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 538 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 14V400000 · 2014 · reported 07/03/2014
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY 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 06E064000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY 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 00V372000 · 2000 · reported 11/13/2000
IN THIS SITUATION, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN A FORWARD GEAR, WHICH IS NOT PERMITTED BY THE STANDARD. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V327000 · 2003 · reported 08/28/2003
WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V250000 · 2003 · reported 07/15/2003
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. 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.
“2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, FLOORBOARD WAS DRENCHED AND TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED.THEY SAID IT WAS;HOWEVER, THE NEXT BIG RAIN THE CAR WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10050624 — filed 12/16/2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, CALIPERS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND ONLY 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE UNTIL NOW I HAVE HEARD A GRINDING, SCRUBBING…”NHTSA complaint 10041297 — filed 10/06/2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM HAS PROBLEMS CRANKING. IGNITION TURNS OVER BUT ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK UNTIL 3-4 TRIES. DOES NOT DO IT ON A CONSISTENT…”NHTSA complaint 10014277 — filed 04/11/2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 120 of 538 NHTSA complaints (22.3%), followed by electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module (53), exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch (33), engine and engine cooling (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
538 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 21 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 16 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V400000. 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.
