Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 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 2,245,377 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 191,761 complaints - component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
Referencing report [XXX] We are having issues getting the fuel filling door to open. We have unlocked the car, several times, but it will not open. We had to pry it open so we could fill the tank and have left it open since as to not have the issue again. Part number in question - 81560R5000 There are other recalls on the car that we need to get taken care of. Is this another one in addit... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
Vehicle experienced multiple safety-related failures at approximately 500 miles. The failures included complete instrument cluster loss (no speedometer or gauges), unpredictable windshield wiper operation, headlight flickering, complete loss of brake lights and turn signals, rear liftgate malfunction, and airbag/seatbelt warning indicators. These issues created unsafe operating conditions, includ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2026
Vehicle is subject to NHTSA Recall 25V572 (Ford 25S89) for rear view camera failure. The camera intermittently displays a blank or distorted image when in reverse, or shows a “camera unavailable” message. This is a known safety defect acknowledged by the manufacturer. Remedy has not been available for over 6 months, leaving the vehicle with an unresolved safety issue affecting rear visibility... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious and ongoing safety issue with my 2017 Honda CR‑V equipped with the 1.5L turbocharged engine. While driving, the vehicle experienced sudden and unexpected power loss, creating a dangerous situation, particularly while in traffic. During this incident, the vehicle also began emitting visible smoke, indicating a serious mechanical or engine-relate... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to immediately start, but started after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the starter, oil filter, and engine filter, and changed the oil. On a hot day, there was a loud so... Read more
Fire
TOYOTA
RAV4 PRIME
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 25, 2026
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
I am reporting a repeated safety-related issue involving my 2021 Jeep Cherokee Overland. The vehicle has experienced ongoing engine misfires and overheating, which create unsafe driving conditions. The issue presents as follows: -Engine begins to misfire, causing rough operation and shaking. -The check engine light flashes intermittently indicating active misfire. -Vehicle performance becomes... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
The info display that reports millage, fuel levels etc has been intermittent. When the car starts in cold and/or wet weather The display Is "blued out" or it's digitized and unreadable. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Rav4 Prime. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V595000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
RE: Safety Concern – Instrument Cluster Failure Consistent with NHTSA Recall 24V-652 Dear Sir or Madam: Regarding our 2019 jeep wrangler vin# Milage of 74602.9 on 3-22-26 We are writing to report a safety-related defect involving a 2019 Jeep vehicle exhibiting instrument cluster malfunction consistent with conditions described in NHTSA Recall No. 24V-652 (FCA US LLC). Although this vehicle is no... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2026
The high-voltage battery system in my 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB 250+ is subject to NHTSA Recall 26V-073, the third recall issued for the same battery cell defect. The manufacturer has acknowledged that the two prior recall remedies (25V-050 and 25V-894, both software-based Battery Management System updates) were "failed remedies" that did not eliminate the risk of internal short circuit and th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
I was driving on the highway and all of my dashboard lights began to flicker, my windshield wipers came on and my doors began to lock and unlock then the car shut off while I was driving.
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
THIS IS MY 3RD COMPLAINT (Ref: Previous Reports). THE VEHICLE IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS. 1. UNRESOLVED ENGINE/STEERING (Prior Complaints): This 2013 Malibu has a documented history of sudden engine stalling and total loss of power steering at highway speeds. Despite reporting this twice to the NHTSA and to GM, the manufacturer failed to provide a remedy. 2. RECENT SYSTEMIC COLLAPSE: Prior to the car bec... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V059000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) failure leading to a loud popping sound from the rear, total loss of drive power.
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
Vehicle door handles are prone to failure and unresponsive for the lock/unlock. Potential safety concern for customers like myself which should be brought to Lincoln’s attention. Driver side door handle and other door handles known to be unresponsive when locking/unlocking with keys or pressing button behind door handle.
Incident date: Feb 25, 2026
The vehicle's horn becomes completely inaudible during heavy rain, particularly during downpours. This is a serious safety concern as the horn is a critical safety device for alerting other drivers and pedestrians. The issue has occurred repeatedly since the vehicle had approximately 7,060 miles on it and continues at the current mileage of 28,617 miles.\n\nThe issue was first reported to the manu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2026
Daytime and night time running lights turn off and on randomly with brights engaging random as well. Turn signals not operating but intermittently and wipers not turning on intermittently. This Started in Nov 2025. First time dealership could get it in was Jan 2026, stated Multifunction switch was bad and covered under warranty, now not covered after getting it in 3.5 months later. Due to the this... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
I am writing to report a serious safety concern involving my 2024 Chevrolet Silverado that resulted in a child being locked inside the vehicle with the key fob present inside the car. On March 25 2026, after parking and turning off the vehicle, I exited the driver’s seat with my key fob inside my purse, which remained in the front of the vehicle. I then walked around to remove my daughter from ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
As described in recall 25V-655, lithium deposited have accumulated in the HV battery of my 2021 Nissan Leaf. I haven't used L3 charging since I received the recall notice, but the car often won't charge even on L1 charging. The state of health of the HV battery is still 86% but the internal resistance of the HV battery is down to 44% due to the lithium deposits. The local Nissan dealership won't t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
ICCU failure occurred while vehicle was operating at 30 MPH, after being charged the night prior and unplugged in the morning at 100% capacity. A sudden pop was heard, and the vehicle indicated that an electrical fault would require the vehicle to be shut down as soon as safely possible. The vehicle went into limp mode and would not exceed 25 MPH.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2024) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 25, 2026
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Jaguar I-Pace. The contact stated that the battery failed, causing the vehicle not to start. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to repair the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V067000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was contacted and declined the buybac... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
I am filing this complaint regarding an unresolved safety recall (Recall 78C) on my 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, which has now been open for approximately 139 days without a remedy. This recall involves engine manufacturing contamination that may lead to catastrophic engine failure, loss of propulsion, and potential fire risk. Despite the seriousness of the recall, Stellantis has failed to provid... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V512000 (Power Train) and 26V104000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
The rear reverse camera malfunctions and glitches. Often the screen turning green when reversing, sometimes screen is black or no color view and most times the camera if reversing to left or appear as to the right or vise versa and sometimes it’s normal but rarely. The control buttons for windows has a malfunction where it sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. The seatbelts are not clicking a... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and other lights inside the vehicle flashed on and off. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving at various speeds. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to several dealers for diagnostic tests; however, the diagnostic r... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 25, 2026
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the headlight wiring harness for the low beam headlights produced a burning odor. The contact believed that the burning odor was coming from loose terminal connections, which caused the terminals to overheat and melt. The headlights were inoperable. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle wa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2026
Vehicle Information 2021 Ford F-150 PowerBoost VIN: [XXX] Complaint Description While driving approximately 70 mph on a highway, my 2021 Ford F-150 PowerBoost suddenly displayed a “Stop Safely Now” message and immediately lost propulsion. The engine shut down without warning while I was in active traffic. After the shutdown, the vehicle automatically shifted into park and would not allow me t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2025
Vehicle: 2015 Kia Cadenza Issue: Open HECU Safety Recall — Fire Risk I am the owner of a 2015 Kia Cadenza with an open HECU recall related to a known fire risk. I have been experiencing a burning smell inside the cabin of the vehicle, consistent with the recall defect. Upon contacting Kia Consumer Assistance, I was advised not to drive the vehicle due to the fire risk and to have it towed to a d... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2024) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 25, 2026
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while receiving an oil change, the contact was informed that the passenger’s side headlight failed to operate. The contact attempted to replace the light bulb; however, the headlight failed to illuminate. The original light bulb was reinstalled. The contact stated that the START/STOP system failed to restart the vehicle after an idle ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
After run collant pump caught fire and damaged the engine wiring harness. I reported it to progressive insurance and they came and inspected it at a body shop. They concluded it was due to an open recall on the vehicle so insurance refuses to cover it. Had car towed to Audi dealership and they reported it to Audi USA. They came back and told me that because of the mileage and year of the vehicle t... Read more
Fire
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 25, 2026
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the automatic alert system anti-theft system locked up. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, the safety sensors in the mirror and the rear of the vehicle became inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the driv... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2026 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V059000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called a dealer while traveling in Braunfels, Texas, and asked about parts avai... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2025) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 25, 2026
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle bucked for approximately 3-seconds before the vehicle stalled. The hazards were activated, the vehicle was turned off, and the contact waited before restarting the vehicle. While restarting the vehicle, several warning lights quickly flashed, and the vehicle failed to exceed 4 MPH while drivi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2024
It has been 1.5 years since this recall (fast charging the battery) was initiated and there is still no remedy. This issue has prevented us from using our vehicle in the manner is which we intended when we purchased it and has cost us money.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
1. My safety system/camera system is no longer working properly. The screen displays either a black/blank screen, an inverted (upside down) image, or an image that appears to be zoomed in to a very small viewing area. The alerts (beeping) does not function consistently when backing up. The horn does not always work. At times the entire electrical display including the sound system will reset witho... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2025
The digital dash cluster will randomly blank out while driving. After it sits for aboutba few hrs parked, it will turn back on just to repeat it down the road again. I tried bring it up with the dealership a few times and I was told they aren't able to replicate the issue and it's within factory spec. This is extremely dangerous since this creates issues of not knowing how fast the vehicle is go... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE L
(2021) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 25, 2026
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
On March 5, 2026, while I and my 2 passengers were traveling on the 405 Freeway at approximately 40–50 mph, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic total loss of power. The engine shut off and all electronic systems failed simultaneously, including the instrument cluster and all interior lighting. Most critically, the hazard lights were inoperable, leaving the vehicle invisible to high-speed traffic... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2025
March 5th purchased a battery from Autozone Z net Fit Match that caused cascading electrical and life -safety risk while traveling from hewitt, TX to Washington DC for our families spring break trip including 4 minor children. Component: 12-Volt Battery / Electrical System / Power Steering / Service Brakes Summary: Vehicle suffered catastrophic failure of Power Steering and Braking systems while ... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
This complaint involves a 2024 Ram 3500 with an unresolved electrical system issue associated with the rear backup camera and related wiring. The vehicle initially presented with a malfunctioning backup camera, including unclear or distorted image quality, which affects rear visibility and safe operation while reversing. The vehicle was taken to authorized dealerships for repair on multiple occas... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2024
The vehicle developed a leak in the AC condensate drain. The leak is directly above the safety restraint control module. The module got wet deactivating the vehicle and causing havoc with the airbag system. Many electrical systems turned off such as the power to the steering wheel buttons( the left blinker, the right blinker, and the horn). Luckily this happened while my vehicle was parked but i... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2026
The Instrument panel that shows the Tire Pressure, Speed, Oil, Mileage etc. goes blank black then comes back on. Its been happening for a year and I did contacted Chevy about it. I waited for them to contact me back but they never did. I have taken it for the oil changes at the dealer but its usually on. I explain to the Chevy Dealer service about it over the phone, they told me it would co... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
Coolant heater failure resulting in no regenerative braking .
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
Vehicle shifted into neutral while driving Myself and others were put into danger as I was on the highway with no warning
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2024) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 24, 2026
Incident date: Mar 18, 2026
I bought the 2007 Honda CRV in 2022. Approximately 1 month ago my keys were locked inside. 3 reputable locksmiths could not unlock any doors. My extra fob or extra key will not unlock any doors. The passenger door had been making a ticking then grinding noise when it locks itself. All 3 locksmiths said this a serious safety problem and the actuator is at fault. The only way to get in was to retrie... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
The electronics freeze up and sometimes the stereo turns off and won't come back on. The transmission perks and then revs up then hits gear and kicks real hard. The transmission feels like it's going to vibrate out from under the truck going down the road at certain speeds!
Incident date: Mar 17, 2026
Digital Display & information screen goes black, you can't see anything at all. I had an issue with my Trax not to long after I purchased it had to take it back to dealership told service manager about it, nothing was done about the display. With the display out you couldn't read any warnings at all not even temperature and blown my engine. My Trax didn't have regular gages. The dealership had fre... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2026
Was sleeping and heard a pop looked and there was a fire under the hood tried to extinguish it got it outside on the road, and it burned to the ground basically
Fire
Incident date: Aug 22, 2019
Due to Recall 25V-655, I am unable to safely use level 3 charging. The first notice I received of this issue (in October, 2025), stated that a remedy would be available by December, 2025. I just received a second interim owner notification that states a remedy will be available within the 2026 calendar year. This is not a timely remedy, as I have already waited 5 months for this fix to an impor... Read more
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2021) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 24, 2026
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V644000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. After several attempts, the vehicle started. The check control master warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated tha... Read more