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: Jun 15, 2026
Ever since I bought the car with zero miles I been having electrical issues. From reverse camera to low wash fluid light that doesn’t turned off . Now even when it’s over 100 degrees outside my car marks inside that’s 26 degrees . And now my Ac completely stopped working. I don’t know what to do I only owe $4,000 on my car
Incident date: Jun 29, 2026
The contact owned a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on the freeway, another vehicle driver pulled beside the contact on the front passenger’s side of the vehicle, and informed the contact that there was smoke coming from the vehicle, and the contact became aware of smoke coming from the rear passenger’s side seats. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pul... Read more
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
Air conditioning problem . Ac shuts down after several hours . Has happened to numerous other Genesis cars .
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
The electronic gear selector on my 2020 Ram 1500 intermittently displays a "Shift to Park" warning while the vehicle is in motion, specifically during downshifting or braking. Each occurrence is accompanied by a physical jerk or lurch, consistent with the vehicle momentarily engaging an unintended gear. The warning clears without driver input. These events occur during active deceleration and repr... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the air bag and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to start and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with alternator failure; however, the battery was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that after his wife had pulled into the driveway, the instrument panel turned blank, and the driver n... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2018) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 2, 2026
Incident date: Jun 24, 2026
Truck shut off and would not turn back on. Negative battery cable so hot it burned skin off. Would not start, tried to start clicking sound, radio blipped for a moment.
Incident date: Jul 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V248000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Incident date: Jun 28, 2026
Transmission is making a grinding noise in gear from 5 to 6 and sometimes from 3 to 4
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
FSD / vision system , no warnings , the vehicle is turning left and right on a straight road sunny conditions. I have a video that it wouldn’t let me attach to the case. I had Tesla service review this and they told me it’s standard behavior, this never occurred before and is dangerous and unusable. Autopilot has an issue that Tesla themself can’t detect and when I get into an accident it’... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
A Ford Dealer came on a mobile call the replace the Clock spring in the steering wheel. It was an recall NHTSA # 22V337 ------- Manufactures # 22S35 They replaced it and now nothing works on my steering wheel. Dealer came to pick up my truck and take it to the Dealership. Has not been repaired yet .
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
Almost all functions connected to the steering column quit working. I do not have working turn signals, high beams or wipers, unless the wipers are on high. None of the functions on the steering wheel work. It seems like a safety issue to not have functioning turn signals or properly finctioning wipers and high beams. No lamps or warnings.
Incident date: May 1, 2025
-The steering wheel is sticking, especially at highway speeds, causing the wheel to jerk even on straight and smooth roads. -The problem has been reported online, but Honda only fixed 54 from NHTSA campaign number: 18v663000 -I am taking the vehicle in to be inspected but reviewing online complaints, this fix is thousands of dollars that I cannot afford -There have been no warning lights or messag... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2026
I have been smelling a burning odor in the vehicle for almost a year which the dealership and an independent shop had not been able to diagnose. The car was recently throwing Drivetrain Error codes which prompted a visit to the dealership. They found that the 48v battery and negative cable are burnt and quoted $5680 to replace the battery and cables. After investigating I found that there were rec... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2026
Good morning the problems I am having with my 2025 are very discouraging. Started October of 2025, my tire light illuminated stated the tires were low when they are all at correct specs when using an air guage to check. November of 2025 while driving at night the headlights suddenly shut off briefly then came back back on. January of 2026 while leaving work the transmission would not shift, held a... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
SPRINTER 3500
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 2, 2026
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
A vehicle diagnostic scan dated 04/15/2026 showed electrical communication faults involving vehicle control modules. The scan showed U014100, described as “Lost Communication With Body Control Module ‘A’,” with status listed as passive/sporadic. The scan also showed U112100, described as “Data bus message missing,” with status listed as active/static. This is being reported as a safet... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
A vehicle diagnostic scan dated 04/15/2026 at approximately 88,502 miles showed a stored transmission electronics fault: P084100, described as “Transmission fluid pressure sensor/switch A range/performance,” with status listed as passive/sporadic. This indicates a transmission / powertrain control concern involving the transmission fluid pressure sensor, transmission electronics, wiring, contr... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
A few months after purchase, the power cut off on me. Then it happened again the following year. Then the screen for backing up started going on and off. Then I started feeling like the car was loosing power. In the last 2 years the power cutting off has occurred 3 more times and the rear screen camera has started glitching more where it goes out when switching in reverse.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRX
(2024) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 2, 2026
Incident date: Jun 27, 2026
The vehicle has a recurring interior rattle / loose-trim concern involving interior panels, trim, speaker/subwoofer area, rear shelf, dashboard area, or related mounting components. The noise is not merely a comfort concern if it is caused by a loose component, fastener, grille, panel, or speaker housing that may move, worsen, detach, or distract the driver. This is being reported as a safety con... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2019) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 2, 2026
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
My car is a 2020 Chevy Equinox with only 31852 miles. While driving today, all of a sudden the car started shuddering badly and stalled in the middle of the highway. Talk about a very scary situation. I pushed the car to the side of the road, and had it towed to a local shop. They found that the Fuel Pump Control Module had failed (P129F code). Upon doing some research, I found out that the 2021... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2020) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 1, 2026
Incident date: Sep 3, 2020
The vehicle is subject to a Passenger Occupant Detection System / PODS safety recall involving the front passenger seat occupant-detection system and passenger airbag status. The concern is that the system may incorrectly detect whether a passenger is seated and may switch off or affect the front passenger airbag when the seat is occupied. This is being reported because the recall remedy was not ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2025
The short-term MPG / fuel-consumption display gives illogical and inconsistent readings. The display can show a significant drop in short-term fuel economy after the vehicle has been parked, locked, and not running, as if the system is incorrectly factoring parked/off time into the MPG calculation. This suggests a possible fault in the onboard computer, instrument cluster, fuel-consumption calcula... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2023
The vehicle intermittently gives a false proximity/collision warning while stationary or while maneuvering at low speed. The sensors beep and display a warning on the screen as if an object is about to hit the vehicle, even when nothing around the vehicle has changed and no object is present. This appears to involve the parking/proximity warning system, sensor system, control module, wiring, calib... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2023
Unknown it makes a ticking noise check engine light came on and oil isn't low. Recently bought it.
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
The fuel filler door/gas door intermittently fails to open, preventing normal access to the fuel filler area. This appears to involve the fuel door latch, release mechanism, lock actuator, body component, electrical control, or related wiring/module issue. This is being reported as a safety concern because inability to open the fuel door can prevent refueling when fuel is low. If the vehicle cann... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
The exterior side mirrors have intermittent electrical/memory malfunctions. When locking the vehicle, the side mirrors begin to fold, pause or glitch briefly, and then continue folding. Separately, when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, the right-side mirror tilts downward to assist with backing/parking, but when shifted back to drive or park, the mirror does not reliably return to its original... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
I have had this car since 2018 when I purchased it the radio was shutting itself off and turning back on every 30 seconds I replaced it with a new one same radio and since then I have had issues with volume control it’s turning up by itself, even with the speed of adjustment control off the knobs for my ac and all those other buttons work when they want to sometimes my park sense beeps for almos... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
1)The truck experiences an intermittent but complete failure of the Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor circuit and multiple chaffing points of the vehicle wiring harness. This issue is a documented manufacturing and electrical defect covered under General Motors Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) #24-NA-012. Yes, the truck is available for inspection. 2)This issue has happened to me on five occasions ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2026
The screen is now severely ghost-touching, overriding navigation, and falsely reporting accidents while I drive. This is a severe distraction and a safety hazard.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 1, 2026
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
Battery went completely dead during long distance drive, check engine light came on for fuel pump, back right tire went flat only 4k miles on the vehicle
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
I was waiting at a stop light. The idle system kicked and the vehicle turned off, as expected. Upon lifting my foot off the brake, the vehicle failed to start and the car went into park. I was unable to restart the car after holding the brake pedal down and pressing the start button multiple times. After many failed attempts, I shut off the power to the vehicle, waited a min or so and restarted th... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 1, 2026
Incident date: Jun 28, 2026
The dashboard lit up with a lot of warning lights, and the vehicle stated driving differently with a lot of the safety features deactivated and vehicle not acting normal
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
Honda Accord 9th Gen ABS/VSA Issues - DTC Code 81-20 /32-11. TPMS/ABS/VSA/Brake/Power Steering lights are on. Dealer claim is an ABS module issue and need replacement.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
The back hatch of the car has issues closing regularly. Nearly half of the time you push the button to shut the back hatch when it is open it will not close and has to be shut manually. Typically, it shuts an inch or two and then beeps at you and when you push the button again nothing happens but beeping. This is an issue because it is very difficult to close. Even as a 6' 200+ lb man who does str... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2026
Vehicle was in Ford dealership’s service bay for an oil change service and reportedly caught fire inside the cab behind the dash due to an electrical system malfunction. The service technician stated that it was on the rack and just spontaneously caught fire inside the cab in the dash behind the infotainment system.
Fire
Incident date: Jun 30, 2026
The sunroof has a recurring mechanical/electrical malfunction. During operation, the sunroof binds and makes a loud popping or cracking noise, and the rubber seal became torn or damaged. This suggests a possible track, guide, cable, motor, regulator, frame, seal, or alignment failure. This is being reported as a safety concern because a binding or popping sunroof can distract the driver, allow wa... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2021) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 1, 2026
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
Visible wiring has become exposed in the windshield/A-pillar area. There is no airbag/SRS warning light at this time, and I am not able to determine from visual inspection whether the exposed wiring is related to the restraint system. However, this is a safety-sensitive area because it can contain or route electrical wiring near trim, sensors, and safety-system areas. Exposed or unsecured wiring i... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2026
The front facing camera and the rear backup camera and the entire camera system is intermittent. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. You become a bit dependent on the backup camera and when it does not work & it causes undue stress especially if you are handicapped in the neck turning area. The problem has not been taken to a dealer yet because they cost is prohibitive to just drive it i... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2026
The rear-view camera intermittently fails to engage when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. When the camera does display, the image sometimes shows horizontal glitch lines/artifacts. This affects backing visibility and parking safety and creates a risk of collision with pedestrians, objects, vehicles, or property. The concern was reported to Audi service along with other electrical/driver-assis... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2023
This vehicle has had transmission slipping issues since I bought it. I had the PCM flashed and reset but it still jerks and slips out of gear ALL the time. The car actually stalled on me while turning through an intersection. This almost cause me to be t boned via a car crash. The transmission has already been replaced and still malfunctions. When it stalled there were no lights and the car would ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2026
I took a functional vehicle to Swant Graber Ford in Barron, WI in on [XXX] for Recall 24S78 and since then I have had numerous vehicle issues involving the PCM that they flashed. I have up to 16 different codes when the check engine light comes on including numerous communication U-codes indicating faulty software download causing no run/no start problems along with severe safety concerns while dr... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2026
Transmission issues, jerking, stuttering, jumping, rmp jumping, horse power acting up, pulsating
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid – Purchased 9/5/2025 Mileage: 8,450 April 2026- While driving over 60 mph, the vehicle's acceleration failed. A "Hybrid Failure" warning appeared on the dashboard, and the vehicle quickly decelerated. I had seconds to safely cross 3 lanes, and the vehicle had to be towed. The vehicle was at the dealership for 13 days, during which no problem codes were reported, and di... Read more
TOYOTA
CAMRY SOLARA
(2006) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 1, 2026
Incident date: May 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the fuel gauge remained unchanged and read lower than the correct fuel level. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V337000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Electrical System). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. ... Read more
KIA
CARNIVAL HYBRID
(2026) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 1, 2026
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
Vehicle shuts off randomly. Restarts after stopping but it’s consistent as if the car over heated yet the coolant temperature reads 194-200
Incident date: Mar 30, 2026
My Son just bought the car from a private party. On our way home the engine light and a lightning bolt icon illuminated on the dash, followed by the vehicle going into limp mode. We had the vehicle scanned for codes and it came back with P0336 (crankshaft position sensor performance). After much investigation online, we found out that this is a known issue with the crankshaft position sensor and, ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2026
On June 13, 2026 my 2023 Range Rover Velar (79,772 miles) suffered a sudden, complete engine failure at highway speed on HWY 70 in Durham, NC. No warning lights, oil pressure alerts, or dashboard notifications appeared before or during the failure. The vehicle had operated well since purchase with no prior issues of any kind. I was to cross the hwy onto the shoulder, this was a serious safety haza... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
There have been multiple complaints of the mechatronics unit failing prematurely. I am facing that right now and it should be under warranty but is being challenged. So many people have mentioned the mechatronics unit failing prematurely upon research and discussion with the dealership. The car stalled on the freeway and I was unable to accelerate. It was confirmed and being worked on by the dea... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER VELAR
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 1, 2026
Incident date: Jun 13, 2026
I am reporting a potential safety-related defect in my 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro involving GPS location, SOS/Car-Net/connected services, and driver-assistance availability. The vehicle has repeatedly shown an incorrect GPS location. Authorized VW dealers documented related SOS/connected-services concerns, including “no green light,” “no satellites seen,” an open TAC/Techline case, and ... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2016) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 1, 2026
Incident date: May 13, 2026
The dealership says it cannot be repaired until 2027 due to parts not being available for the fire recall on this jeep. I cannot ensure my safety or others with this issue.