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 (51% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Power Train complaints here are 6.2× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
An open NHTSA investigation (PE25020, opened Dec 2025) covers Engine, but no recall has been issued for it yet.
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 | 514 · 51% | Recalled | Recall 18V169000 · Recall 26V376000 |
| Engine | 169 · 16.8% | Under investigation | PE25020 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 136 · 13.5% | Recalled | Recall 18V735000 · Recall 26V369000 |
| Steering | 92 · 9.1% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 61 · 6.1% | Recalled | Recall 15V436000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 40 · 4% | No official action | — |
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 1,008 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 18V735000 · 2018 · reported 10/22/2018
The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, 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 18V169000 · 2018 · reported 03/12/2018
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V643000 · 2016 · reported 09/06/2016
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V698000 · 2016 · reported 09/28/2016
With only a single press needed, the driver may accidently unlatch the hatchback, increasing the risk of injury to any unsecured passengers in the back. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V436000 · 2015 · reported 07/08/2015
If the engine does not turn off as expected, someone could move the transmission shifter out of park and the vehicle may move unintentionally, 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 20V331000 · 2020 · reported 06/08/2020
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 26V011000 · 2026 · reported 01/15/2026
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 26V369000 · 2026 · reported 06/09/2026
An engine that stalls while driving increases 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 26V376000 · 2026 · reported 06/09/2026
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase 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.
“WHEN YOU STEP ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL, VEHICLE HESITATES, TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT'S SLIPPING, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU MAKE A TURN. I BROUGHT THIS CONCERN UP WITH…”NHTSA complaint 11014798 — filed 08/12/2017 · POWER TRAIN
“I BOUGHT A NEW 2015 FORD FOCUS. FOR THE LAST 24 MONTHS THE VEHICLE HAS DRIVEN VERY POORLY ON MANY OCCASIONS. I HAVE HAD THE…”NHTSA complaint 11014579 — filed 08/11/2017 · POWER TRAIN
“SINCE PURCHASING MY 2015 FORD FOCUS BRAND NEW IN JULY 2015, I WAS STONEWALLED BY TWO DEALERSHIPS OVER THE CLUTCH SHUDDERING/JERKING/JUMPING ISSUE BEFORE A THIRD…”NHTSA complaint 11013823 — filed 08/08/2017 · POWER TRAIN
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 514 of 1,008 NHTSA complaints (51%), followed by engine (169), fuel/propulsion system (136), unspecified/other issues (117). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
1,008 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 30 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 28 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 9 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V735000. 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. NHTSA has an open investigation (PE25020) into engine that has not led to a recall. 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.
