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 (21.1% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that closed with a recall campaign (08V156000).
Electrical System:ignition complaints here are 2.9× the median for that category across the 2547 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:ignition | 134 · 21.1% | Investigation closed | EA11002 · PE10027 · EA07014 → recall 08V156000 · PE07024 · DP05004 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 56 · 8.8% | Recalled | Recall 14E007000 |
| Electrical System | 52 · 8.2% | Investigation closed | EA11002 · PE10027 · EA07014 → recall 08V156000 · PE07024 · DP05004 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 45 · 7.1% | Recalled | Recall 14E007000 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 28 · 4.4% | Recalled | Recall 08V156000 · Recall 02V026000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 24 · 3.8% | Investigation closed | PE07018 |
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 636 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 14E007000 · 2014 · reported 03/07/2014
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 08V156000 · 2008 · reported 04/07/2008
A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V154000 · 2003 · reported 04/22/2003
THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH TIRES HAVING THE LOAD RATING INDEX 97H. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 02V026000 · 2002 · reported 01/25/2002
FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE. 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.
“WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT ONE OF…”NHTSA complaint 10004214 — filed 01/21/2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
“I STARTED LEASING A 2002 VW PASSAT 1.8 IN OCTOBER OF 2001, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON(FLASHING) IN SEPTEMBER OF 2002, AND THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 10003057 — filed 01/20/2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
“COIL PACK FAILURE - IGNITION COIL FAILURE. VEHICLE BEGAN RUNNING EXTREMELY ROUGH (LOST 1 OF 4 CYLINDERS) COULD BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN.”NHTSA complaint 10003046 — filed 01/20/2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical system:ignition issues are the most-reported category, cited in 134 of 636 NHTSA complaints (21.1%), followed by engine and engine cooling (56), electrical system (52), engine and engine cooling:engine (45). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
636 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 10 involved a crash, 46 involved a fire, and 19 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14E007000. 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.
