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: Apr 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X7. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was initially unable to determine the cause of the issue. The contact reached out to a BMW-certified technician who inspected the vehicle and confirmed a starter failure. The manufacturer wa... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2026
On three separate incidents, my 12V battery drained leaving me stranded. The car was purchased [XXX]. I called road service for a jump, then jumped car myself for next two battery drain issues. Took to dealer(subaru chandler superstore) in chandler AZ. The dealer could not reproduce problem, stated battery was good. Also did parasitic draw test which was ok. I have since had to disconnect DCM serv... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the ABS, traction control, air sensor, hand brake, and a steering wheel with an exclamation mark warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that the battery was replaced to fix the issues; however, several days later the warning lights returned. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but the mechanic w... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2026
The rear view camera does not work at times and when it does the image is distorted and discolored and it is also upside down.
Incident date: Jul 5, 2026
My vehicle is experiencing error code C123B01 were water is getting into front emblem due to a malfunctioning seal stated in there Tech bulletin 94-23-01TT which requires changing the emblem and reprogramming it. I had shut down my Day time running lights and parking lights which is a safety hazard. My Drive easy warranty is denying to fix it saying it is is on us. My vehicle was parked in my driv... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2026
While driving my 2025 Mazda CX-50, the entire center-dash climate control panel (HVAC module) suffered a sudden, spontaneous, and total electrical power blackout. The unit completely loses power and goes dark exactly as if the power button was pressed. This is a recurring failure that occurs after only a few minutes of vehicle operation. This electrical failure immediately cuts all airflow and A/C... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2026
While driving my 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, the infotainment system began malfunctioning. The audio stopped working intermittently, the touchscreen went black and displayed corrupted graphics, and the backup camera repeatedly cuts in and out or fails to display anything. Pressing the backup camera button can cause the infotainment system to shut down completely. I attempted to reset the system through... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2026
1. The SUV experiences complete power loss and goes into limp mode. Have been in nearly 3 accidents on highways with a vehicle that goes from 65 to 35 with no warning and then cannot accelerate or gain speed. 2. Battery, out of no where, goes from 3/4 full to 1 or 2 bars. 3. Extreme shaking of the vehicle while driving and at rest. 4. Vehicle is less than a year old and has been in for the same... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2026
Begin with cliff, I was not wanting to lock or locked or start the vehicle as I was driving. I stopped at the light vehicle started shaking, and as I drove through the light to pull over power steering assist failure, terrain, failure, and control failure.
Incident date: Jul 27, 2026
While driving on the highway going 70 mph, the vehicle lost all power and shut down engaging the automatic emergency brake system. This is the second time it has happened. Car is currently at dealership awaiting service.
Incident date: Jul 25, 2026
I was traveling on the highway at approximately 75 mph, in TX with my wife, mother in law, and my two pets when the emergency breaking system triggered suddenly. There were no cars or obstacles in front of me. But there was a long line of vehicles, including 18 wheelers right behind me. The vehicle went from about 75 mph to about 55 in less than a second or so it seemed. This was terrifying for ev... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2026
I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding a catastrophic Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) failure and severe electrical short circuit on my 2015 Ford Mustang. This vehicle is exhibiting hard fault code B137F:09 (Steering Wheel Left Switch Pack: Component Failure / Short to Ground or Open). This electronic failure creates an immediate, severe safety hazard that goes entirely outside ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2026
The car stalled three times and died in active traffic. The breakdown was so hazardous that the police department had to intervene and push the car out of the road and had to tow the car more than 3 times and was at the Nissan Dealership for over one week. I paid Nissan dealership $5,000 to repair this specific, life-threatening defect, but the car returned to me unfixed.The vehicle is unsafe and ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2026
Since Nov 2025 there has been a recall with still no remedy for repair. The recall is a huge safety risk regarding the hybrid battery worrying me about it exploding or catching on fire as it warns me to not charge it in my garage and be careful charging it which is the only reason I purchased this hybrid.
Incident date: Jul 20, 2026
I purchased my Subaru Trailseeker on July 11, 2026. This past week while on a work trip, I parked my vehicle on Tuesday evening, July 21 at approximately 7 pm and on Friday, July 24 at approximately noon when I attempted to unlock the vehicle with either the Subaru App or the key fob, nothing happened. The doors would not open. I opened the passenger door by using the emergency mechanical key lo... Read more
SUBARU
TRAILSEEKER
(2026) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 26, 2026
Incident date: Jul 24, 2026
The driver’s door lock has malfunctioned for the second time. The door became stuck in the locked position and could not be opened normally. There were no warning lights or messages indicating a problem with the door latch or lock system. This creates a serious safety hazard because the driver could be unable to exit the vehicle during an emergency. The right rear passenger seat belt also does ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
The touchscreen something’s fails to work. It freezes and it doesn’t allow me to push on anything. If I have it under CarPlay and I’m GPS mode to get directions to where I’m going too and then it begins to have glitches . It switches back and forth from am/fm radio then to pandora then back to am/fm non stop. The screen randomly starts clicking on its own— I tried factory reset and it h... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2026
Transmission completely failed and had to be risky rebuilt. I was just driving down the highway and the transmission went into limp mode and I came to a fast slow down as it dropped the gearing. Also have noticed a huge issue with electronics putting me into a limp mode with wipers on headlights wont shut off, lose dash lights and speedometer with no blinkers or hazard lights. This left me in a v... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2026
Erratic uncontrolled phantom touches on the primary console screen create severe driver distraction, alter settings whuke driving, and that multiple dealer replacements (screen + head unit) failed to remedy the issue under warranty.
Incident date: Jul 26, 2026
I am writing to formally request that Honda investigate and acknowledge a significant security and safety concern regarding the front radar module used on certain Honda vehicles equipped with Honda Sensing. The front radar module appears to be easily accessible from the front of the vehicle and can reportedly be removed by a thief in a matter of seconds without requiring specialized tools. Because... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 1956
The infotainment display in this vehicle intermittently fails to power on, most often at startup. When this occurs, the screen remains dark while audio and physical controls continue to function. The vehicle sometimes must be restarted, and the display does not always return. When the display is dark, the rearview camera image is unavailable. This defect first occurred approximately three weeks a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
I was driving on the highway at about 60-70 mph and my truck shifted into first gear with my tires basically locking up and slid along the highway. I brought my truck into a ford dealership and they told me they couldn’t get it to replicate the incident so they turned me away. I personally replaced my battery terminals and it hasn’t done it again. Now I will be driving and randomly my truck wi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2025
On 7/25/2026, the vehicle set DTC P1128 (Closed Loop Fueling Not Achieved, Bank 1) with a steady check engine light and no drivability symptoms. I cleared the code with an OBD2 scanner. My wife had driven the vehicle to a local store and back earlier with no issues. Shortly afterward, with the vehicle loaded for a trip, she applied the brakes at the end of our driveway and the vehicle did not com... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2025) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 26, 2026
Incident date: Jul 11, 2026
Tracking battery default
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2022) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 26, 2026
Incident date: Jul 23, 2026
Tracking battery default
Incident date: Jul 25, 2026
Tracking battery default
Incident date: Jun 10, 2026
Component/system: The front passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) in my 2018 Tesla Model 3. The vehicle is available for inspection on request. Description of the failure: The vehicle intermittently displays "Front passenger safety restraint system fault — service required]" on the center touchscreen. The alert first appeared on or about 4 years ago and has recurred approximately ~50 ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2026
My 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid is experiencing repeated electrical and hybrid battery failures. The battery has died multiple times, and the vehicle has shut off while driving, including at higher speeds. When the vehicle shuts off, all electrical systems reset, warning lights flash, and the dashboard displays “User Authorization” notifications. This creates a serious safety hazard for me and my ... Read more
HYUNDAI
TUCSON HYBRID
(2025) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 26, 2026
Incident date: Jul 22, 2026
I AM GETTING A PARASITIC ELECTRICAL DRAW OF 12% OVERNIGHT. ON A NEW INTERSTATE BATTERY. I HAVE CHECKED LIGHTING AND ALLSTATE MILEWISE MONITOR AND NEITHER APPEAR TO BE THE SOURCE. IS THERE A COMMON ISSUE ON A 2011 ES350?
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
My 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid EX has experienced multiple warning messages and unresolved concerns after previous repairs. After the first recall repair, I began receiving intermittent warning messages while driving. The messages appeared briefly and disappeared before I could safely document them. After a second repair, the transmission was replaced. Shortly afterward, the vehicle displayed an overheat... Read more
NISSAN
ROGUE SPORT
(2019) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 26, 2026
Incident date: Jul 24, 2026
The high voltage battery will no longer charge neither from being plugged in to the charger on the wall nor from the buikt in system onboard the car. There are warning lights saying the inverter coolant is low but the reservoir is at the proper level. I suspect the coolant for the Hybrid charging inverter is bad and crystalizes causing blockages in the inverter coolant system. My car refuses to... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2026
After driving my vehicle for about 40 min with the AC blower at full speed, the relay located in the trunk power distribution box melted, affecting sections of the female plug and wire ends. Right after the event, the blower stopped working and I found out many owners have reported this same issue. Upon inspection at the dealership, they recommended to replace the blower motor, power module (moder... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
The vehicle caught on fire with my [XXX] and me inside. Its currently located at a tow yard and Chrysler has not inspected the vehicle yet. I have a report from the fire department stating the fire was hotter on the left drive side which directly lines up with the current recall of the drivers side door switch. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B... Read more
Fire
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY
(2022) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 26, 2026
Incident date: May 1, 2026
ABS / Traction Control / Brake warning lights ALL illuminated. No anti lock brakes and no cruise control. ABS module failure. Replacement part on back order for at least 2 years. Unable to repair.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
Idle stop and restart problem: After stopping , the engine shut off and won't be able to restart. Happened multiple times even after the Honda services department re-programmed it.
Incident date: May 29, 2026
The electronic throttle control, vehicle speed control, and powertrain/transmission control system failed. When I press the pedal to accelerate there was no power. However I did not lose power to the vehicle as I can see the vehicle was in Drive mode but was not moving forward. I was on a decline hill and the decline helped me go downwards before a truck could hit me. This total loss of accelerati... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
The vehicle is suffering from an extreme internal engine oil consumption defect, burning approximately 3 quarts of engine oil every 500 to 600 miles with no external leaks. The internal oil burning heavily fouled the vehicle's ignition system (spark plugs and coil packs), causing severe engine misfires and a sudden vehicle stall while operating in motion on public highways. This unexpected loss of... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2025
Battery alarm came on twice while running errands less than a mile from home. Parked vehicle in driveway and checked battery connections - everything perfectly tight. 3 hours later had to extinguish flames at front base of engine. DL3Z-14300-D caused electrical fire and see now the part has been discontinued.
Fire
Incident date: Jun 7, 2026
The vehicle went into BAJA Mode 4wd high then 4wd low range out of nowhere while driving. It shot me off the road , and ive been researching it. There is a 6 page thread about new rangers and ranger raptors doing this on 6G ranger forum, tons of people with the same issue. Super scary. Fear injury or fatality will happen from this as it shoots you hard off the road
Incident date: Jul 6, 2026
NHTSA Safety Complaint To: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Regarding: Vehicle Safety Hazard / Fraudulent Repairs on 2017 Chevrolet Silverado VIN: [XXX] To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to file an emergency vehicle safety complaint regarding a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado, VIN [XXX], purchased on XXX. Huntley Ford performed unauthorized, fraudulent, and unsafe repairs tha... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2018) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 25, 2026
Incident date: Jul 25, 2026
I was driving and all of a sudden the traction lights turned on and the sterring wheel is hard to turn. Almost go in a car accident. The windows just stopped working and the brakes light constantly keep getting burned out.
Incident date: May 13, 2026
My car has had intermittent faults of codes P1B25 and P1CF2 and are showing check EV system on the dash. This happens after about 30-45 minutes of driving and then restarting the car. It has been identified that the power relay assembly needs to be replaced on the vehicle, which lives in the high voltage battery pack. However, Kia does not want to replace this under warranty , claiming that it is ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
I was camping at a state park outside of Kenton Ohio. On Sunday July 19 2026 while backing up my travel trailer I lost power steering to my 2019 Silverado 1500. then a message came on my display saying service power steering soon and then a check wiring harness warning. I turned off truck and restarted it and warnings cleared and power steering came back. The following morning July 20th started th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2026
My vehicle has had issues since October of 2024, I bought it March 2024. The first problem that arose was the fuel door button wouldn’t work, the informant screen flickered, and engine light would come on and off all of this began after getting it serviced Oct 2024, I took back to the dealership 3 days later to get it diagnosed. The fuel tank isolation valve was the problem which caused the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
I own a 2023 BMW 530i affected by NHTSA recall campaign 26V-438 (BMW "Engine Starter" recall), issued July 8, 2026. Per BMW's own recall documentation, unexpected wear on an internal starter component can cause the starter to malfunction and, in an extreme case, cause a thermal event or fire when starting the engine OR while the engine is running. As of this complaint, BMW's official status for th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
When the van is turned off it does not want to start easily again. This has now happened approximatly 5 times. I had the battery checked at O'reilly's and the battery was fine but the starter was not.
Incident date: Jul 24, 2026
Screen glitch acting erratic. Absolutely annoying. Even USB connection glitches. Apps jump. Phone disconnect… Total disappointment. No solution in 4 years?
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 25, 2026
Incident date: Jul 19, 2026
Approximately one week ago I was driving at a safe speed on a two-lane highway. Suddenly, my steering wheel and truck jerked to the right. For 8-10 seconds a warning message was displayed "Power Steering ... Drive Carefully." I took the truck to my local dealership. They scanned for trouble codes. The technician said something about an interruption communicating with the electrical system. My serv... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2026
First time my 2015 Accord 4dr FWD V6 AT failed to turn, I was coming out of parking area onto busy highway when I suddenly wasn't able to turn steering wheel to right enough to complete the turn and crossed over oncoming traffic lane to opposite shoulder. I parked and tried turning both directions while stationary, and was able to get full range to the left smoothly, but continued to meet complete... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2016) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 25, 2026
Incident date: Jul 16, 2026
Safety recall issued last year for faulty rear camera and still no remedy available.