Engine — Vehicle Component Safety Report

Engine failure reports: 1454 total complaints across 100 vehicles from 3 makes. See which models are most affected.

1454Total Complaints
100Affected Vehicles
3Makes Affected

Engine Decision Cockpit

This component hub groups real NHTSA complaint signals by make, model year, and vehicle page. Use it as a spoke from individual vehicle reports into the broader engine safety pattern.

Top Makes for Engine Complaints

Volkswagen — 831 Toyota — 569 Volvo — 54

Top Years for Engine Complaints

2019 — 324 2022 — 199 2015 — 160 2020 — 155 2017 — 137 2016 — 126 2023 — 114 2018 — 88

A high complaint count does not automatically prove a defect, but it is a strong inspection signal when the same component appears repeatedly across related vehicles, years, recalls, or crash narratives.

Common Engine Issues

The engine component is one of the most commonly reported areas of failure in NHTSA consumer complaints. Issues range from minor inconveniences to serious safety hazards including potential crashes and fires. Below are the vehicles most affected by engine problems.

Most Affected Vehicles

VehicleComplaintsRecalls
2019 Toyota Rav4 132 0
2020 Toyota Rav4 118 0
2022 Toyota Tundra 71 0
2019 Volkswagen Gti 66 0
2023 Toyota Tundra 55 0
2019 Volkswagen Jetta 54 0
2022 Volkswagen Taos 53 0
2024 Toyota Tundra 45 0
2018 Volkswagen Atlas 40 0
2015 Volkswagen Golf Gti 38 0
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan 36 0
2017 Volkswagen Golf Gti 25 0
2021 Volkswagen Atlas 25 0
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan 23 0
2016 Volkswagen Touareg 20 0
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 20 0
2015 Volkswagen Passat 20 0
2017 Volkswagen Golf R 20 0
2016 Volkswagen Golf Gti 20 0
2019 Volkswagen Golf 19 0
2019 Volkswagen Golf Gti 19 0
2015 Volkswagen Jetta 17 0
2017 Toyota Tacoma 17 0
2016 Toyota Tacoma 17 0
2023 Volkswagen Taos 15 0
2016 Volvo Xc60 14 0
2017 Volkswagen Touareg 14 0
2016 Volkswagen Jetta 14 0
2017 Volkswagen Golf 14 0
2022 Volkswagen Atlas 14 0

Frequently Asked Questions About Engine Safety

What are the most common engine problems in cars?

Based on 1454 NHTSA complaints across 100 vehicles, engine issues range from minor malfunctions to serious safety hazards. The most affected vehicles are listed in the table below — click any vehicle to see its specific engine complaint details.

Which vehicles have the most engine recalls?

The Toyota Rav4 is among the most affected. See the ranked table below for the full list of 100 vehicles with engine complaints filed with NHTSA.

How dangerous are engine failures?

Engine failures can range from minor inconveniences to serious safety hazards. Some engine complaints involve crashes, fires, or injuries. Always have engine issues inspected promptly by a qualified mechanic, especially if your vehicle is subject to a related recall.

How do I check if my car has a engine recall?

Search for your vehicle using our search tool or enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If a engine recall exists for your vehicle, the repair is free at authorized dealerships.