The Lemon IndexWhen the engine turns over but never fires, it usually isn’t getting fuel or spark.
Get it checked. Don’t keep cranking for long (it drains the battery). Have it towed or checked.
A failed fuel pump or fuel pump relay. Then: a failed crankshaft or camshaft position sensor; an immobilizer that doesn’t recognize the key.
Owners describe this in 627 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Ford F-Series.
Cars owners report it on most
Complaints describing this symptom, by model, all years. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Model years that report it most
| Model year | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 14 | 0.9% |
| 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan | 10 | 2% |
| 2011 Chrysler Town & Country | 10 | 1% |
| 2013 Ford F-Series | 10 | 0.3% |
| 2011 Ram pickup | 9 | 0.7% |
| 2002 Chevrolet Malibu | 7 | 1% |
| 2011 Dodge Durango | 6 | 0.8% |
| 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 6 | 0.7% |
| 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 5 | 0.3% |
| 2010 Ford F-Series | 5 | 0.5% |
| 2013 Dodge Durango | 5 | 0.8% |
| 2013 Ford Taurus | 5 | 0.9% |
Each row is that model year's record in NHTSA complaints, not the history of any one car. Share = complaints describing this symptom out of every complaint we hold for that model year (shown when the year has 50+ complaints).
Where it makes up the biggest share
2011 Dodge Grand Caravan · 2% 2011 Chrysler Town & Country · 1% 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee · 0.9% 2013 Ford F-Series · 0.3%
Model years with 150+ complaints in our data and 10+ describing this symptom, ranked by share. A high share means owners of that year who complained often mentioned it.
The details
Common causes of engine cranks but won't start
- A failed fuel pump or fuel pump relay
- A failed crankshaft or camshaft position sensor
- An immobilizer that doesn’t recognize the key
- A clogged fuel filter
- Fouled spark plugs or a failed ignition part
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive after it cranks but won’t start?
Get it checked. Don’t keep cranking for long (it drains the battery). Have it towed or checked.
Get help right away if you smell fuel.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: electrical system (54%), fuel/propulsion system (30%), engine (27%), engine and engine cooling (10%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 80,000 miles.
Most reports by make: Ford (107), Chevrolet (93), Dodge (72), Jeep (70), Nissan (36).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (electrical, engine, fuel system repairs): the middle half ran $299 to $1,300, typical $852, from 30 bills.
Each figure is one repair bill as an owner wrote it in a complaint, not a quote for your car. Prices vary with the part, the shop and the year.
Related symptoms
Car won't start Car battery keeps dying Car jerks when accelerating Car hesitates when accelerating Car shakes when accelerating Car loses power while driving
Quick answers
What causes engine cranks but won't start?
When the engine turns over but never fires, it usually isn’t getting fuel or spark. Common causes: a failed fuel pump or fuel pump relay; a failed crankshaft or camshaft position sensor; an immobilizer that doesn’t recognize the key; a clogged fuel filter; fouled spark plugs or a failed ignition part.
Is it safe to drive after it cranks but won’t start?
Get it checked. Don’t keep cranking for long (it drains the battery). Have it towed or checked.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Ford F-Series, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chevrolet Malibu. These are raw counts, so popular models rank higher; complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
How much does it cost to fix?
In 30 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $299 to $1,300. The right repair depends on the cause.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text describes this symptom (we matched owners' own wording, then read samples to check the matches). A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis or proof of a defect. Causes and advice are general information in our own words, not repair advice for your car. Every symptom · Engine code lookup