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: Jan 16, 2026
My 2021 Volvo XC90 Recharge has experienced multiple hybrid system failures under Volvo's factory 8-year/100,000-mile hybrid warranty, with fewer than 45,000 miles on the odometer. The high-voltage battery modules have failed multiple times, directly related to recall R10312 (NHTSA 25V-179), which identifies a supplier process deviation in LG battery modules creating a risk of internal short circu... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
While driving the driver instrument cluster screen went black. After approximately 10 seconds the theft alarm arm red light went red. Then the TPMS tire warning light lit. Then the instrument cluster screen went back to normal operation.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
I am reporting a recurring electrical and mechanical system failure on a 2024 Lexus RX 350h Luxury. On [XXX], the vehicle suffered a total power loss that rendered the electronic door latches unresponsive to all inputs. Because the occupants were a [XXX] and a [XXX] strapped into car seats, they were physically unable to reach the interior manual overrides. Critically, the mechanical backup key ... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 12, 2026
My jeep will randomly not let me back up as it thinks there is something behind it and automatically apply the emergency brake. I brought it to dealership when it was still under warranty for this issue and they could not figure it out. My jeep will randomly stop as it’s driving, it will still rev when I push the pedal but it will not move in reverse or drive. The automatic shut off says it n... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
1) The electric power steering system failed. The dashboard displayed the message “Service Power Steering Now,” and the steering assist stopped working, making the steering extremely stiff. The vehicle also lost reverse gear, where the engine revs but the vehicle does not move when shifted into reverse. The vehicle is still in my possession and available for inspection upon request. 2) When th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The rear camera comes “loose” and does not register all the time. It seems to be a simple electric issue; possibly an electrical short. I believe it can be easily “fixed” (temporarily) by opening the trunk and running fingers over the camera, it should not happen. I purchased my Malibu new and seldomly drive, approximately 25k miles. I maintain proper maintenance and ensure cleanliness to ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
The headlights failed their soldered incorrectly. It looks like a child did it. The back camera has yet to work since shows black screen, and then the lane Assistant shuts off in the middle of the road and there’s nothing blocking it. lights went out and kept going out no matter how many times I replaced the bulb when I was on the highway. I took it into Firestone and they stated that the compan... Read more
FORD
ESCAPE PHEV
(2025) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 7, 2026
Incident date: Jan 25, 2026
I turned my car on and every light on the dashboard is practically on. It’s saying my (EPS) has failed and now it’s become hard to steer the vehicle. And none of my electrics as far as cruise control work and my speedometer isn’t working nor is it presenting me digital numbers on my dash.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2020) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 7, 2026
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
Date: 3/7/2026 I am submitting this complaint regarding a potentially serious safety issue with my 2025 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid manufactured by Ford Motor Company. My vehicle began displaying multiple warning messages including “High Voltage Battery Warning,” “Powertrain Malfunction,” and “Service Engine Soon.” These warnings appeared while the vehicle was charging using a Level 2... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2020) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 7, 2026
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
Audi A6s have had massive issues with the door actuators. There are times when you go open the passenger side doors (both front and rear) and the doors will not open as there is either an electrical, software, or device specific issue. It requires 2-3 pulls of the door latch to open the front and rear passenger doors. The issues keep appearing a month or two after the dealership supposedly fixes t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
on or around 12/15/2024 (42257 miles on vehicle) jeep will power on start and stop, all alights on dashboard light, unable to shift into or out of gear when parked. When driving but stopped at a red light car shut off. Attempted to restart unable to, car put into park attempted to restart lights came on but engine didn't turn over. Tried again few minutes laster and the car turned on. Returned ap... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
The Audi software/MMI system has issues showing the 360 cameras in addition to the rear facing camera. Every few starts when I back out of a parking space/garage, the side mirror cameras show a black or camera with a cancel sign on the screen. The issue will not stop until the car is parked/off. for at least an hour. This issue has been happing since I purchased the car back in early 2021 and Audi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2021
1. Electrical System Failure: While traveling on highway, alternator failed suddenly within 2 minutes of “service soon” and “check electrical system” warnings. Caused complete loss of motive power, electronic parking brake locked up while driving, loss of power steering, all gauges failed, transmission shifted into park while in motion. Battery was damaged (“fried”). Engine continued ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
Component Involved: Visibility/Backup Device, Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance Description of Incident: The Android 12-based infotainment system in this vehicle is suffering from a progressive hardware/software failure that creates a severe, multi-layered safety hazard. CRITICAL DRIVER DISTRACTION: The system has become largely non-responsive, requiring me to repeatedly press o... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2021) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 7, 2026
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
Computer system keeps messing up, I’ve taken it in a couple times for the same issue and it still keeps getting worse, sending wrong signals also sometimes it revs up when driving out of nowhere and it’s dangerous
Incident date: Mar 20, 2025
Rear tailgate on my 2021 Sierra opens or drops when wet. This seems to only happen in a heavy rain or after a truck wash. This problem has been recognized by the manufacturer and the dealer. There is no warning other than the constant clicking of the electric switch allowing the tailgate to drop. This problem has been recalled on the 3/4 & 1 ton trucks but not the 1/2 ton. The tailgate and switche... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
My passenger airbag light is on and stays on.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
Multiple possibly related issues: 1) Power Lift gate (rear hatch) will on occasion close unexpectedly and can trap a person between the hatch and the back bumper of the car. Very dangerous for children and for handicap adults who cannot move quickly (I have had both have issues with mine). (Has consistently occurred since purchase, dealership refuses to acknowledge/correct issue when it was un... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
[XXX] nearly three minutes after dropping my kids off to school, driving near the [XXX] ! My jeep begin to accelerate, I couldn’t control the brakes or steering wheel! I became very scared as I approached a curve upon me reaching the curve, the dashboard and radio screen completely blacked out! I lose complete control of the vehicle, hit and embankment and tree! Cause injuries to my left wrist! ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 21, 2025
The car failed to start after stop at a traffic light. It happened few times. I replaced old battery with a new one. The problem still persists. Mechanic checked the battery health and found to be good.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
There are times when my car comes to a stop shuts off ( auto off) then will not turn back on. This has happened numerous times. The dealers states that this a battery problem
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
Rear wheel and steering lock up while traveling at 70mph on interstate causing broken controls on steering wheel . Vehicle is unsafe to drive. Truck was taken to Rivertown Ford 1680 Whittlesey Rd Columbus Ga 31904 for recall repair. Truck was released to me with no signals no wipers. The steering is very loose and hard to control
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
2010 bmw 328i xdrive: Had in for recall PCV 1/08/2025. This vehicle has had a prior recall for same issue before i owned in 2014. Motorwerks BMW failed to complete recall, as parts and repair bulletin from BMW OF AMERICA has parts list. Motorwerks just CHOSE to put items, subtitled under other services/self pay. When I asked about this they responded that CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY ....as build da... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2026
While in Reverse, my Back-up Camera usually does not work. I either get a Blue screen, a message saying Back up camera unavailable, or if it does come on, it is upside down and doesn't stay on but for a few seconds. I have called the dealer, and they will not even look at it unless I pay for this. There are recalls for other years, and I counted over 100 complaints about this issue on the same ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
I own a 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe (VIN [XXX]) that is subject to a federally mandated safety recall involving the high-voltage battery system. I attempted to have the recall performed by an authorized Jeep/Stellantis dealership, Carson Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Carson City, Nevada. During communications with the dealership’s Service Manager, I was informed that the dealership would not pe... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
While driving at normal speed, my 2022 Hyundai Palisade suddenly lost power without warning. Multiple warning icons appeared on the dashboard at the same time. The vehicle immediately slowed down and became unsafe to operate. After pulling over, the vehicle would not restart and had to be towed. This created a dangerous situation on the roadway. I am reporting this because I wonder if other owners... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
1. Component/system that failed/malfunctioned — Braking system (electronic parking brake and brake control modules) combined with electrical/communication defect preventing storage of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). Vehicle available for inspection upon request. 2. How safety was put at risk — Repeated "Park Brake Fault – Service Now" and "Brake System Fault" warnings on dash while driving ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
The turbo! Code P0299! Hundreds of thousands of Americans going through the same issue all their lights are flashing on their dashboard with these 1.5 T engines
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
Received notice of recall 03D via Ram trucks mobile app. Called my local dealership to schedule the truck in for the recall. I was told “there are no parts available at this time to satisfy the recall” and that the dealership has over 400 vehicles currently on a wait list for parts.
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
Continuously stalls out regardless of speed it has stalled on the highway, in the middle of intersections losing power steering. sometimes restarts right away, sometimes not. leaving me stranded in in the middle of highway/intersections sometimes in very dangerous places. It has had a recall repaired in 2017 before I owned the vehicle however it has had the exact same issues as the recall since I... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
CAN Bus is failing and giving me issues! Power steering stops working, auto stop start fails, I was taking off at an intersection and my vehicle lite up like a Christmas tree and would not shift out of first gear causing me to pull off the road at a dangerous spot.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
My 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, with approximately 84,000 miles, experienced a premature and catastrophic transmission failure while driving. The vehicle began to shudder severely and lost its ability to accelerate properly, creating an unsafe driving condition. I was able to get the vehicle to a dealership. The dealership diagnosed a complete torque converter failure requiring a full transmission r... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the headlight failure message was displayed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the A/C compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure started occurring in 2023. The manufacturer was notified of ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The automatic start warning light illuminated, and the engine seized. Additionally, the error message indicated that the automatic start feature was disabled; however, the contact stated that the automatic start feature was enabled. The contact stated that while attempting to start... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2026
While leaving Grandson’s Basketball game parking lot, we heard an audible “pop” and began traveling while the dash lit up with warning lights. We were only a few miles from home so I continued on at a maximum of 25mph, which was the max available. We contacted Hyundai and arranged for a tow the next day. The dealer, Heritage Hyundai, received the vehicle and it’s been there for over a wee... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
Infotainment screens went black as I was shifting from reverse to drive. It took about 15 seconds for the screens to come back.
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
stalling/shutting down at stoplights with the auto start-stop feature has occurred continuously for the last 2 years I’ve taken to dealer, and multiple mechanics and they can’t find a problem
Incident date: Feb 21, 2026
I purchased this car around January 2025 & around August 2025 I started having battery issues. It’s currently March 2026. I have to keep having the battery jumped at. When he battery wasn’t jumping I had to get it sent to a nissan where they said nothing was wrong with the car so the next day the battery failed again.. and again each day . I have to keep calling AAA to come have the car jumpe... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2021
The touchscreen infotainment system randomly goes awry, flashing, beeping and it doesn't respond to any controls. The vehicle must be turned off and started again to clear it.
Incident date: Apr 9, 2025
The rear backup camera screen is black or flickers, and sometimes shows an error message like "Camera not available." Ford just issued another recall for rear cameras for this issue, but deliberately excluded Ford Fusion vehicles. They need to include ASAP as this is a known, dangerous issue that can cause an accident.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
The ICCU fuse blew. As I was driving, the car began to lose power. Fortunately I was able to pull into a parking lot before I lost all power. It's the same issue as the recall SC327Y1 from NHTSA, which occurred although the software update had already been performed previously. The dealer is replacing the ICCU and ICCU fuse under SC327Y1 after inspecting it. I did receive a warning as I was dr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
Emergency call system has never worked. Dealership and Chrysler have done nothing to resolve the issue
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
12v DC outlet caught fire
Fire
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
ICCU failed (first of two incidents).
Incident date: Sep 10, 1968
ICCU failed. Towed to dealer and awaiting a replacement.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
Issue type: 1.) Electrical system / hybrid battery 2.) Safety recall with no remedy My 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe currently has open safety recalls (78C and A7C) with no available remedy. These recalls have been open for several months. I have been advised that the vehicle may pose a safety risk, yet I am continuing to make lease payments and rely on the vehicle for transportation. The manufacturer h... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2026
"The vehicle is experiencing an intermittent, loud popping/crackling noise coming from the speakers and infotainment system. This is a known symptom of a failure in the MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) bus network, specifically related to defective FAKRA connectors and coaxial cabling. This issue was previously the subject of NHTSA Recall #23V-431 for 2018–2023 models, but the defect pers... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, there was water overflowing from the front passenger's side floormat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the water entry point could not be determined. Additionally, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a brake sensor was re... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 6, 2026
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact stated that while his wife was operating the vehicle, the battery indicator warning light was illuminated on the instrument cluster. The following morning, the vehicle failed to start and became inoperable. An independent mechanic initially replaced the alternator; however, the alternator replacement failed to fix the vehicle. Several dia... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 6, 2026
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
2021 Silverado tailgates often stop working due to a faulty, corroded electronic switch caused by water intrusion. A major 2020-2024 GM recall exists for this, which can cause unexpected opening. Check for corrosion in the tailgate switch/connector, a pinched wiring harness, or check for a blown fuse. This is the 2nd time my truck is at ganley Chevy in Cleveland Ohio. They already fixed 1 ro... Read more