{
  "dataset": "engine-complaint-density",
  "title": "Engine-Family Complaint Density",
  "description": "Curated problematic engine families (documented defect patterns — class actions, NHTSA investigations, or 100+ fleet complaints), with total NHTSA complaints, recalls, and complaints normalized per model-year entry. Density lets you compare families of different production volumes.",
  "methodology": "Families are the editorial set powering /engines/. For each family we sum complaints/recalls/harm flags across every matching (year, make, model) in the DB. \"complaints_per_modelyear\" = total complaints ÷ model-year entries present. Complaints are unverified consumer reports.",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
    "attribution": "ProblemsByVin (https://problemsbyvin.com)",
    "source": "US NHTSA owner complaints + recalls (public record), MY 2005–2025"
  },
  "generated": "2026-05-31",
  "columns": [
    {
      "key": "family",
      "label": "engine_family",
      "desc": "Engine family name"
    },
    {
      "key": "manufacturer",
      "label": "manufacturer",
      "desc": "Manufacturer"
    },
    {
      "key": "displacement",
      "label": "displacement",
      "desc": "Displacement"
    },
    {
      "key": "configuration",
      "label": "configuration",
      "desc": "Engine configuration"
    },
    {
      "key": "years_produced",
      "label": "years",
      "desc": "Production years"
    },
    {
      "key": "vehicles_in_db",
      "label": "modelyear_entries",
      "desc": "Matching model-year entries in DB"
    },
    {
      "key": "total_complaints",
      "label": "complaints",
      "desc": "Total NHTSA complaints across the family"
    },
    {
      "key": "complaints_per_modelyear",
      "label": "complaints_per_modelyear",
      "desc": "Complaints ÷ model-year entries"
    },
    {
      "key": "total_recalls",
      "label": "recalls",
      "desc": "Total recalls across the family"
    },
    {
      "key": "total_fires",
      "label": "alleged_fires",
      "desc": "Complaints alleging fire (unverified)"
    },
    {
      "key": "total_deaths",
      "label": "alleged_deaths",
      "desc": "Complaints alleging death (unverified)"
    },
    {
      "key": "url",
      "label": "url",
      "desc": "Source page on ProblemsByVin"
    }
  ],
  "row_count": 21,
  "rows": [
    {
      "family": "Hyundai/Kia Theta II 2.4L",
      "manufacturer": "Hyundai/Kia",
      "displacement": "2.4L",
      "configuration": "inline-4 GDI",
      "years_produced": "2011-2019",
      "vehicles_in_db": 42,
      "total_complaints": 26427,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 629.2,
      "total_recalls": 65,
      "total_fires": 36,
      "total_deaths": 1,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/hyundai-kia-theta-ii-2-4/"
    },
    {
      "family": "GM 3.6L LFX/LLT V6",
      "manufacturer": "General Motors",
      "displacement": "3.6L",
      "configuration": "V6 DOHC direct-injection",
      "years_produced": "2008-2017",
      "vehicles_in_db": 81,
      "total_complaints": 24421,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 301.5,
      "total_recalls": 69,
      "total_fires": 22,
      "total_deaths": 1,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/gm-3-6-lfx-llt-v6/"
    },
    {
      "family": "Hyundai/Kia Theta II 2.0L Turbo",
      "manufacturer": "Hyundai/Kia",
      "displacement": "2.0L",
      "configuration": "inline-4 turbocharged GDI",
      "years_produced": "2011-2019",
      "vehicles_in_db": 33,
      "total_complaints": 17783,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 538.9,
      "total_recalls": 49,
      "total_fires": 35,
      "total_deaths": 1,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/hyundai-kia-theta-ii-2-0-turbo/"
    },
    {
      "family": "Ford 5.4L Triton V8",
      "manufacturer": "Ford",
      "displacement": "5.4L",
      "configuration": "V8 SOHC",
      "years_produced": "1997-2014",
      "vehicles_in_db": 59,
      "total_complaints": 15838,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 268.4,
      "total_recalls": 53,
      "total_fires": 20,
      "total_deaths": 2,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/ford-5-4-triton/"
    },
    {
      "family": "Toyota 2GR-FE V6",
      "manufacturer": "Toyota",
      "displacement": "3.5L",
      "configuration": "V6 DOHC dual VVT-i",
      "years_produced": "2005-2018",
      "vehicles_in_db": 57,
      "total_complaints": 15422,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 270.6,
      "total_recalls": 44,
      "total_fires": 10,
      "total_deaths": 10,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/toyota-2gr-fe-v6/"
    },
    {
      "family": "Honda J35 V6 with VCM",
      "manufacturer": "Honda",
      "displacement": "3.5L",
      "configuration": "V6 SOHC i-VTEC with VCM",
      "years_produced": "2008-2017",
      "vehicles_in_db": 48,
      "total_complaints": 15041,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 313.4,
      "total_recalls": 54,
      "total_fires": 17,
      "total_deaths": 1,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/honda-j35-vcm/"
    },
    {
      "family": "Ford 3.5L EcoBoost (1st gen)",
      "manufacturer": "Ford",
      "displacement": "3.5L",
      "configuration": "V6 twin-turbocharged direct-injection",
      "years_produced": "2010-2016",
      "vehicles_in_db": 39,
      "total_complaints": 11469,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 294.1,
      "total_recalls": 35,
      "total_fires": 8,
      "total_deaths": 5,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/ford-3-5-ecoboost-gen1/"
    },
    {
      "family": "Ford 1.6L EcoBoost",
      "manufacturer": "Ford",
      "displacement": "1.6L",
      "configuration": "inline-4 turbocharged direct injection",
      "years_produced": "2013-2018",
      "vehicles_in_db": 18,
      "total_complaints": 11450,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 636.1,
      "total_recalls": 47,
      "total_fires": 6,
      "total_deaths": 0,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/ford-1-6-ecoboost/"
    },
    {
      "family": "Chrysler 2.7L V6",
      "manufacturer": "Chrysler",
      "displacement": "2.7L",
      "configuration": "V6 DOHC",
      "years_produced": "1998-2010",
      "vehicles_in_db": 26,
      "total_complaints": 10818,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 416.1,
      "total_recalls": 21,
      "total_fires": 6,
      "total_deaths": 0,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/chrysler-2-7-v6/"
    },
    {
      "family": "VW/Audi 2.0T (EA888)",
      "manufacturer": "Volkswagen/Audi",
      "displacement": "2.0L",
      "configuration": "inline-4 turbocharged direct-injection",
      "years_produced": "2008-2018",
      "vehicles_in_db": 81,
      "total_complaints": 10632,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 131.3,
      "total_recalls": 61,
      "total_fires": 26,
      "total_deaths": 1,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/vw-audi-2-0t-ea888/"
    },
    {
      "family": "Honda 1.5L Turbo (L15B7) - Oil Dilution",
      "manufacturer": "Honda",
      "displacement": "1.5L",
      "configuration": "inline-4 turbocharged direct-injection",
      "years_produced": "2016-2022",
      "vehicles_in_db": 16,
      "total_complaints": 9553,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 597.1,
      "total_recalls": 20,
      "total_fires": 0,
      "total_deaths": 0,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/honda-l15b7-oil-dilution/"
    },
    {
      "family": "Ford 4.6L 2-valve Modular V8",
      "manufacturer": "Ford",
      "displacement": "4.6L",
      "configuration": "V8 SOHC 2-valve",
      "years_produced": "1991-2010",
      "vehicles_in_db": 50,
      "total_complaints": 9418,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 188.4,
      "total_recalls": 71,
      "total_fires": 21,
      "total_deaths": 4,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/ford-4-6-2v-modular/"
    },
    {
      "family": "Mercedes M272 V6 / M273 V8",
      "manufacturer": "Mercedes-Benz",
      "displacement": "3.0L-5.5L",
      "configuration": "V6 (M272) / V8 (M273) DOHC",
      "years_produced": "2004-2014",
      "vehicles_in_db": 61,
      "total_complaints": 8676,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 142.2,
      "total_recalls": 0,
      "total_fires": 38,
      "total_deaths": 0,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/mercedes-m272-m273/"
    },
    {
      "family": "GM 5.3L V8 with AFM",
      "manufacturer": "General Motors",
      "displacement": "5.3L",
      "configuration": "V8 OHV with cylinder deactivation",
      "years_produced": "2007-2014",
      "vehicles_in_db": 31,
      "total_complaints": 7681,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 247.8,
      "total_recalls": 2,
      "total_fires": 7,
      "total_deaths": 0,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/gm-5-3-afm-v8/"
    },
    {
      "family": "GM 2.4L Ecotec (LAF/LEA/LUK)",
      "manufacturer": "General Motors",
      "displacement": "2.4L",
      "configuration": "inline-4 DOHC direct injection",
      "years_produced": "2010-2017",
      "vehicles_in_db": 22,
      "total_complaints": 7577,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 344.4,
      "total_recalls": 9,
      "total_fires": 4,
      "total_deaths": 0,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/gm-2-4-ecotec/"
    },
    {
      "family": "GM 1.4L Turbo (LUV/LUJ)",
      "manufacturer": "General Motors",
      "displacement": "1.4L",
      "configuration": "inline-4 turbocharged",
      "years_produced": "2011-2019",
      "vehicles_in_db": 44,
      "total_complaints": 6932,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 157.5,
      "total_recalls": 42,
      "total_fires": 6,
      "total_deaths": 1,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/gm-1-4-turbo/"
    },
    {
      "family": "Subaru EJ25 (head gasket era)",
      "manufacturer": "Subaru",
      "displacement": "2.5L",
      "configuration": "flat-4 (boxer) SOHC",
      "years_produced": "1999-2011",
      "vehicles_in_db": 27,
      "total_complaints": 3887,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 144,
      "total_recalls": 15,
      "total_fires": 10,
      "total_deaths": 1,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/subaru-ej25-head-gasket/"
    },
    {
      "family": "Ford 4.0L SOHC V6 (Cologne)",
      "manufacturer": "Ford",
      "displacement": "4.0L",
      "configuration": "V6 SOHC",
      "years_produced": "1997-2010",
      "vehicles_in_db": 22,
      "total_complaints": 3578,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 162.6,
      "total_recalls": 17,
      "total_fires": 3,
      "total_deaths": 2,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/ford-4-0-cologne-sohc/"
    },
    {
      "family": "Subaru FB (oil-consumption era)",
      "manufacturer": "Subaru",
      "displacement": "2.0L / 2.5L",
      "configuration": "flat-4 (boxer) DOHC",
      "years_produced": "2011-2014",
      "vehicles_in_db": 11,
      "total_complaints": 1948,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 177.1,
      "total_recalls": 22,
      "total_fires": 6,
      "total_deaths": 0,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/subaru-fb-oil-consumption/"
    },
    {
      "family": "BMW N20 / N26 4-cyl Turbo",
      "manufacturer": "BMW",
      "displacement": "2.0L",
      "configuration": "inline-4 turbocharged direct-injection",
      "years_produced": "2011-2017",
      "vehicles_in_db": 26,
      "total_complaints": 1387,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 53.3,
      "total_recalls": 20,
      "total_fires": 13,
      "total_deaths": 0,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/bmw-n20-n26-turbo/"
    },
    {
      "family": "Ford 6.0L Powerstroke Diesel",
      "manufacturer": "Ford",
      "displacement": "6.0L",
      "configuration": "V8 turbocharged direct-injection diesel",
      "years_produced": "2003-2007",
      "vehicles_in_db": 25,
      "total_complaints": 1108,
      "complaints_per_modelyear": 44.3,
      "total_recalls": 29,
      "total_fires": 16,
      "total_deaths": 1,
      "url": "https://problemsbyvin.com/engines/ford-6-0-powerstroke-diesel/"
    }
  ]
}