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 — Steering (32% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that closed with a recall campaign (15V340000).
Steering complaints here are 5.2× the median for that category across the 1655 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 1,639 · 32% | Investigation closed | EA17004 · PE16011 · PE14030 → recall 15V340000 |
| Power Train | 810 · 15.8% | Recalled | Recall 10V222000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 789 · 15.4% | Investigation closed | EA12009 → recall 14E028000 · PE10019 |
| Engine | 700 · 13.7% | Investigation closed | PE13003 |
| Air Bags | 590 · 11.5% | Recalled | Recall 19V001000 · Recall 21V158000 · Recall 21V081000 · Recall 21E013000 · Recall 18V775000 · Recall 18V046000 · Recall 16V384000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 484 · 9.4% | Recalled | Recall 15V793000 |
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 5,125 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 19V001000 · 2019 · reported 01/07/2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 21V158000 · 2021 · reported 03/10/2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 21V081000 · 2021 · reported 02/16/2021
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 21E013000 · 2021 · reported 02/16/2021
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 18V775000 · 2018 · reported 11/01/2018
If the air bag does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 19V904000 · 2019 · reported 12/18/2019
If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop 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 18V046000 · 2018 · reported 01/11/2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V793000 · 2015 · reported 11/24/2015
The pressure changes may cause the tank to crack and leak fuel. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases 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 14E028000 · 2014 · reported 05/29/2014
The floor mat could shift such that it could interfere with the accelerator pedal, preventing its return to an idle position, which could result in unintended vehicle speeds, 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 16V384000 · 2016 · reported 05/31/2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 11V574000 · 2011 · reported 12/07/2011
WHILE DRIVING, MULTIPLE STUD FRACTURES COULD OCCUR AT THE WHEEL LOCATION, AND THE OPERATOR MAY EXPERIENCE VEHICLE VIBRATION AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION, 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 10V161000 · 2010 · reported 04/20/2010
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, 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 10V222000 · 2010 · reported 05/24/2010
A VEHICLE PARKED WITHOUT AN ENGAGED PARK PAWL AND WITHOUT AN APPLIED PARKING BRAKE MAY HAVE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE 2 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 10373154 — filed 12/28/2010 · STEERING
“I HAVE A BRAND NEW 2010 FORD FUSION THAT HAS APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES ON IT. I HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE WHERE THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY…”NHTSA complaint 10363555 — filed 11/01/2010 · STEERING
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES FROM ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SLIGHTLY TURN TO THE…”NHTSA complaint 10339693 — filed 06/23/2010 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 1,639 of 5,125 NHTSA complaints (32%), followed by power train (810), vehicle speed control (789), engine (700). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
5,125 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 122 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 74 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 13 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V001000. 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.
