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 (23.6% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 3.8× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 308 · 23.6% | Investigation closed | EA09013 |
| Structure:body | 209 · 16% | Investigation closed | RQ08003 |
| Power Train | 108 · 8.3% | Investigation closed | EA09013 |
| Structure | 80 · 6.1% | Investigation closed | RQ08003 |
| Visibility | 59 · 4.5% | Recalled | Recall 07E104000 |
| Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments | 58 · 4.4% | Investigation closed | RQ08003 |
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 1,304 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 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
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.
“2004 FORD EXPLORER-DELAYED THEN HARSH SHIFT OF TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE, WAS IN SHOP TO REPLACE SOLENOID AND BAD TRANSMISSION FLUID INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY"-PROBLEM PERSISTS-CAR…”NHTSA complaint 10113873 — filed 03/10/2005 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT 22,000 MILES. VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE UNLESS YOU STEP ON THE ACCELLERATOR. THEN IT ENGAGES WITH A LOUD BANG…”NHTSA complaint 10112776 — filed 03/09/2005 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 04 EXPLORER IS FAILING. FORD ISSUED A RECALL TO ADD AN ADDATIVE TO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM…”NHTSA complaint 10112267 — filed 02/28/2005 · 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 308 of 1,304 NHTSA complaints (23.6%), followed by structure:body (209), power train (108), structure (80). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
1,304 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 58 involved a crash, 15 involved a fire, and 83 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E049000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is 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.
