Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
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 (12.5% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 2.6× the median for that category across the 2391 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 141 · 12.5% | Investigation closed | EA09013 |
| Structure:body | 135 · 11.9% | Recalled | Recall 04V442000 · Recall 03V094000 |
| Power Train | 110 · 9.7% | Investigation closed | EA09013 |
| Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate | 90 · 8% | Recalled | Recall 04V442000 · Recall 03V094000 |
| Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments | 55 · 4.9% | Recalled | Recall 04V442000 · Recall 03V094000 |
| Structure | 44 · 3.9% | Recalled | Recall 04V442000 · Recall 03V094000 |
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 1,131 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 06E049000 · 2006 · reported 05/24/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07E104000 · 2007 · reported 12/11/2007
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
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 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 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V442000 · 2004 · reported 09/13/2004
IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V094000 · 2003 · reported 03/07/2003
THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE 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.
“2003 FORD EXPLORER- 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY DISENGAGES. REPRODUCED BY FIRST ACCELERATING FROM 1ST OR 2ND GEAR AND BACK OFF GAS JUST BEFORE THE…”NHTSA complaint 10072332 — filed 05/10/2004 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“WHILE ON ANY TYPE OF INCLINE OUR FORD EXPLORER XLT ROLLS BACK WHILE IN DRIVE. AFTER TELEPHONING FORD MOTOR COMPANY, I WAS TOLD BY ANN…”NHTSA complaint 10064339 — filed 04/01/2004 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY.THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETTY ISSUE.THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM YET.TOOK IN THE SHOP FOR MORE…”NHTSA complaint 10064017 — filed 03/27/2004 · 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 141 of 1,131 NHTSA complaints (12.5%), followed by structure:body (135), power train (110), structure:body:hatchback/liftgate (90). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
1,131 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 60 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, and 57 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E049000. 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.
