Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim — NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,215,138 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports — when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report — that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints — specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened — feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 187,860 complaints — component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ZHONGMAO
BOAT TRAILER
(2023) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 26, 2026
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
I ordered a boat trailer kit online from a US business April 9, 2025. I was sent the kit that had mostly all used and or defective parts. I requested replacement parts for the wheel axle, wheels, and hubs from the seller and from his manufacturer in China. Both the seller and the manufacturing company required me to agree via e-mail to not ask for more parts in their e-mail response. I again recei... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2026
The component that failed/malfunctioned was the module that activates the EPB. It is available for inspection if requested. My safety was put at risk because the parking brake would engage every time the vehicle shut off leaving me stranded and could put other drivers at risk if my vehicle was stranded on the roadway. It would sometimes reset if the battery was disconnected and then reconnected, ... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2026
The sunroof wind deflector broke and as a result the sunroof was jammed open. In order to close the top I had to break the mechanism and now the sunroof, while mostly shut, still shifts free occasionally when driving.
Incident date: May 26, 2026
The vehicles Auto-Start-Stop (ESS) works intermittently. Multiple occasions where the system was turned off and the engine quit and would not restart without putting the vehicle in park. Recently the ESS has gone months without shutoff of the engine. However, occasionally it will shut off the engine. Multiple times the engine has shut off while the vehicle is moving, which was very dangerous. ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
Car battery keeps dying and is inadequately charged resulting in loss of electronics. The problem is a faulty DCM system.
Incident date: May 12, 2026
While driving in rush hour traffic, I heard an intermittent vibration/noise that seemed to come and go and became louder when I stopped. As I put my car in park when I got home, I heard a loud clunk and the battery light came on. When I popped the hood, we saw metal shavings flying around. The dealer diagnosed the alternator and provided a quote for replacement. I am concerned the failure could h... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Dart. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start. All the warning lights were illuminated. The contact indicated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V674000 (Power Train). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximate... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2016) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 26, 2026
Incident date: May 26, 2026
The driver's window was left unrolled last night and it rained. When I got in the car, the electrical window control for the driver's window wouldn't roll up. But the others appeared to work normally. This was annoying, but it didn't stop my from driving to work. About half an hour into my drive, the window controls started smoking. I pulled to the shoulder and waited by the side of the highway un... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2026
The vehicle prompted an update that needed the emergency parking brake engaged. Once updated, the parking break light goes off but the parking brake does not disengage. Can no longer move the car until the electrical issue is fixed.
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
2022 GMC Canyon AT4 Crew Cab. After the vehicle is shifted into Park and the engine is shut off, the ignition key cannot be removed from the cylinder. The key is physically locked, the steering wheel will not lock, and the vehicle cannot be reliably secured. The only workaround is to restart the engine and cycle the shifter repeatedly until the interlock releases the key. Recurring. Safety implic... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The contact owned a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe and stated that while driving, the vehicle's doors locked and unlocked randomly, the cabin lights flickered, and the doors failed to unlock properly during entry attempts, while the radio randomly selected its own options and the touchscreen occasionally stopped working despite the alternator and battery being replaced. Furthermore, the vehicle suddenly and... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
The starter is failing and with automatic dial shut off it caused an issue while in middle of intersection waiting to turn. The car would not start and had issues. Took it into the dealership Wyatt Johnson in Clarksville, TN they said they could get it to show an 8volt which is a reduction and shows that it is failing, but said Honda would not replace until it fails in the dealership. This is a s... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2026
Was in a front driver side T-bone @ 35 miles and hour accident and no Airbags deployed
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
Vehicle door locks causing driver and passengers to exit the vehicle. Have already had front passenger door and driver side back passenger door fixed. Now driver door will lock and once driver inside, is unable to exit vehicle. In the event of emergency, anyone in vehicle could parish because they would not be able to exit the vehicle.
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 26, 2026
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
We purchased a used 2020 Ford Expedition Max Platinum, VIN [XXX] , from Deacon Jones dealership. The vehicle currently has 128,888 miles. At the time of purchase, we were assured the SUV was in “tip-top shape” because it had previously belonged to a manager’s friend and had supposedly been well maintained and serviced. However, within only two weeks of purchasing the vehicle, the transmiss... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2026
My car alarm randomly goes off. With no user interaction, the dashboard lights will flicker and i hear clicking noises from the dashboard. Then the alarm triggers randomly. i have to manually use the key fob to turn the alarm off. Honda has acknowledged this issue with service bulletin 21-055. This has caused my car battery to die and i was left stranded. Honda has failed to put a warranty extensi... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Supra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle the engine did not immediately start and the message regarding a starter malfunction had displayed. The vehicle was later started and driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the start needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet reparied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no ... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2026
We were backing up and leaving a parking space when the emergency braking system overrode our driving and forced a stop. This has happened many times, once while turning at a red light (which we had the right-of-way) and our car stopped on the middle of the intersection. Another time was during a turn in a non-traffic light turn lane where timing is important. Our car was again completely stopped ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2026
I attempted to use the factory-equipped 110V power outlet located in the bed/rear area of my truck to power a laptop computer. After plugging in the device, I discovered that the outlet was not supplying any electrical power. The vehicle is equipped with a cargo light/power outlet activation button located beneath the steering wheel. Even with the button engaged and activated as intended, the out... Read more
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2024) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 26, 2026
Incident date: May 22, 2026
The exact failed component is unknown to me at this time, but the issue appears related to the vehicle’s electrical system. Prior to the incident, I received a charging error notification while the vehicle was plugged in. I unplugged the charger from the wall outlet, waited briefly, and plugged it back in. Later that same day, the vehicle entered a no-start condition and would not start despite... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E 350 4MATIC
(2024) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 26, 2026
Incident date: May 4, 2026
On a recent drive, my 2024 Mercedes-Benz E350 VIN: [XXX] suffered a catastrophic safety hazard involving a complete loss of drive power and sudden engine shutdown while operating at highway speeds. I had to navigate across active highway lanes with no engine propulsion to reach safety. Simultaneously, the vehicle experienced a widespread failure of its master interior electrical grid. The driv... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2026
We bought this vehicle from Carvana in February 2023. Since very early on owning this vehicle, the engine hesitated and stuttered when trying to shift from first to second gear, and would lunge forward slightly. In December 2024, I received a letter from Ford Motor Company about a customer satisfaction program, Campaign 24N07. The letter addressed the symptoms my vehicle exhibited, including engin... Read more
Incident date: Sep 24, 2024
There was a recall issued Sept of 2024 and there is still not a timeframe for remedy.
Incident date: May 12, 2026
While I was driving my 2017 Kia Sorento, the R.P.M suddenly maxed out and then it rapidly went down to zero. My car lost power completely and stopped. There was a burning smell. Now it is dead. There is no clicking sound. Repair place tells me I need a new engine now.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
Car cut off in the middle of driving it entire screen goes black and disable, OnStar does not go off continues to blink green even when vehicle is disable, vehicle is not completely powering off after shut down causing the battery to drain overnight.
Incident date: May 1, 2026
The screen between the speedometer and tachometer has blanked out completely no fuel gauge no odometer nothing
Incident date: May 13, 2026
In the 2024 tundra if there is a camera misalignment for the 360 degree cameras or reverse cameras. It sets off a code that makes the trailer brake say disconnected even when connected. I took the vehicle in and had the cameras recalibrated then the brake worked. On my last trip pulling a 4,000 lb trailer the cameras came out of alignment so my trailer brake stoped working mid trip. This is a safe... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
P0101 code p0507 code and it has left me almost in an accident on the highway and now has left me stranded!
Incident date: Mar 3, 2026
Electronically controlled thermostat and sensor fail or get stuck at a much lower coolant temperature causing the dash to display the “steering assist is reduced drive with care.” It isn’t just a message, the steering is much harder to use potentially causing an accident. The ac completely doesn’t work causing potential for sensitive, elderly, or young children and pets to overheat inside... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2021) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 25, 2026
Incident date: May 17, 2026
Vehicle was just turned on and put into reverse. Dash and infotainment center lights flashed and shut off. Vehicle rolled backwards uncontrollably down a sloped driveway. Steering and brakes were not properly functioning. Vehicle came to a stop when it struck a parked vehicle in its path.
Crash
Incident date: May 22, 2026
To whom it may concern, On [XXX] at around [XXX] PST, I was taking my car to get a car wash at Quick Quack Car Wash located in [XXX] . While waiting in line for the other cars to go in, all of sudden I see a huge fire flame shoot out from under the hood. My car was on full fire extremely rapidly, in front of the multiple cars and near the entrance of this car wash, while this car was in fire I ra... Read more
Fire
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE L
(2025) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 25, 2026
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
On April 20, 2026, my 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was involved in a crash due to a sudden and complete brake failure. At the time of the incident, the vehicle was in the custody of an authorized FCA dealership. An employee of the dealership was operating the vehicle when the brakes completely failed to respond, resulting in an accident. FCA US LLC Special Investigations conducted an inspection (Cas... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 25, 2026
While exiting the John C. Lodge Freeway in Detroit at approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal became stuck halfway during braking and the vehicle did not stop properly on the first brake application. I had to remove my foot from the brake pedal and press it again before the brakes engaged and the vehicle stopped. This has occurred approximately seven times intermittently. The issue creates a serious... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2025
Either the ADAS camera or the radar sensor in the van is not functioning properly. The odyssey has know issues like the camera overheating and dies or the radar can be mis aligned by going through a car wash. We do not know which is not working in our van but we are now locked out of basic features on the van. The biggest problem is that cruise control no longer functions. I had previously turned ... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2026
Driving down a busy section of highway on I-25 in Colorado, without warning car lost all power and shutoff. Was able to veer off highway to shoulder without getting hit. Car will not restart. This was incredibly unsettling as my family and kids were all in the car on the way home and was a very dangerous situation. For a brand new vehicle to shut off on the highway without warning is unacceptable... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2026
I drove home after shopping, opened my garage door by remote, and pulled into the garage. I placed the vehicle in park, and shut off the engine via push button. I retrieved my purse from the passenger seat and exited the vehicle. I exited the vehicle with the intent of retrieving my shopping bags from the rear hatch. As I walked towards the rear of the vehicle I noticed my next-door neighbor ha... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
Upon startup, dashboard display of time, mileage, and outdoor temp is scrambled. After a few minutes, display corrects on its own. This first happened during a severe cold spell (-20F overnight temps) but has continued into the summer at least a couple of times per week. Pressing the button to cycle through the other screen options doesn’t solve the problem. All are scrambled until the display ... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2026
ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT. The electronic module in the driver side footwell area may short circuit. when I unlock the car or try to start, I hear loud electrical SHORT CIRCUIT noises coming out of the seating area. I am afraid to even unlock the car, and fear car might catch fire.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE L
(2022) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 25, 2026
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
My 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L experienced a sudden, simultaneous failure of multiple electrical, safety, and driver-assistance systems. Without warning, the instrument cluster illuminated a yellow warning light indicating that the Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system was disabled and unavailable. Concurrently, the steering wheel paddle shifters completely stopped functioning, and the vehicle ran... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
Complete failure of entire instrument cluster including speedometer, tachometer, odometer, and all warning indicators making vehicle unsafe to drive. Issue occurred on startup without warning. Dealership confirmed that instrument cluster is faulty. Searched and found previous recalls for this instrument cluster on similar vehicle year/make/model but my VIN was not included. Please expand recal... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2021) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 25, 2026
Incident date: May 24, 2026
My truck will not start when I press the push-button ignition. After waiting a few seconds and trying multiple times, it typically starts on the third attempt. Additionally, it will not restart after the auto stop feature activates at stop signs or traffic lights. This is very concerning, especially when pulling into oncoming traffic, as I’m worried the truck could shut off while I’m crossing.... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2026
My truck after doing all the symptoms stated in the recall a ford technician deemed it unsafe to drive has been grounded since May 9th the dealer nor ford manufacture will give me a rental.or help in anyway..so June 9th will be 30 days for a truck I cant drive and still making payments and have full coverage on that I have to pay for it would appreciate if ford would help or buy it back
Incident date: Apr 23, 2026
I own a 2021 Kia Telluride with approximately 111,000 miles. I initially brought the vehicle to a Kia dealership for an oil consumption issue and engine noise. The dealership diagnosed and repaired a timing chain and tensioner issue, stating the vehicle was “working properly” upon return. After picking up the vehicle, I immediately began experiencing electrical warning lights, including the b... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2026
I pulled into the Dollar General and before I could get to my parking spot the vehicle made a beep sound and stalled and wouldn't move . There were no warning lights that came on. It wouldn't accelerate and I was nervous for the traffic that would be pulling in behind me. I put the vehicle in park and turned off the vehicle to see if it would start again. After restarting the vehicle I was ab... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
AMG GT
(2021) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 25, 2026
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
My 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 43, VIN [XXX] , has had a recurring safety issue with the transmission wiring harness and connector X279. Mercedes-Benz said this connector can let water in, which can cause a short circuit, overheating, and a fire risk while the car is parked and off. That is why the vehicle was covered by recall 24V445 / MBUSA Campaign 2024100002. This same issue was already addresse... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2026
A battery recall was placed on the vehicle on February 18, 2026. However, the battery fire risk existed before this date. According to Volvo's instructions, I can only charge to 70 percent. We are also instructed to only charge when the vehicle can be monitored. Because of my business and need to have a vehicle ready to go at all times, I have to charge overnight. It is my only vehicle. I t... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2026
While in the middle of driving on the highway, the vehicle has powered off then back on. The vehicle “slips” when revving up.
MERCEDES-BENZ
EQB 250+
(2023) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 25, 2026
Incident date: Apr 25, 2026
Mercedes has not provided any remedy for NHTSA Recall Number26V073. We have written the following email on April 26, 2026 but have not received any reply. Please find attached letter we have written to Mercedes.
Incident date: May 23, 2026
The rear defroster malfunctioned and caused the rear glass to reach a high temperature, and it started raining outside, and it caused the rear glass to shatter. No known issues before? We come to this conclusion by looking at the black overheating marks on the glass after it shattered.
Incident date: May 18, 2026
Low voltage battery system Safety is at risk because vehicle could loose power and be forced into a turtle mode cause injury from sudden slow down Yes there were warning lights This is a continued problem identified but other owners and consistently replaced