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 9, 2026
Ford is not providing parts to fix safety recall 25SA9 / NHTSA Recall 25V695. Our backup camera has been displaying “rear view camera is unavailable” for months. Notices went out in October and they STILL do not have parts available to fix it. This is a huge safety hazard for our 16 year old son and it’s ridiculous that they refuse to fix it in a timely manner. NINE MONTHS since we rece... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
My car has had an issue ever since they replaced the recall for my radio. I have been getting the A arrow symbol and it says start stop restart. I was in the middle of traffic and I have to make sure I keep inching up without fully stopping bc my car will shut itself down in gear. With traffic around me I have to put it in park and try to start it 3-4 times for the error to go away I almost got re... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
SAFETY INCIDENTS 1. Highway Limp Mode Failure — May 2026 & June 2026 While driving on the highway in summer conditions with my infant in the vehicle, the car has entered limp mode twice without warning, reducing speed to a maximum of 2mph. This left us stranded in live traffic lanes, creating immediate and serious danger to my child's life. 2. Severe Range Loss in Winter Storm — December 20... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
My 2026 Honda Odyssey was stopped at a traffic light with Auto Idle Stop engaged. When traffic was ready to move, the engine appeared to restart for about half a second and then shut down. The vehicle then shifted itself into Park and would not resume normal operation. The battery warning light was illuminated. Pressing the engine Start/Stop button caused all of the screens/displays to turn off br... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2026
Stopped at the West Bound Thruway Seneca service area. After returning to the vehicle, multiple error messages were displayed on screen. "Have Power Steering Serviced, Service Stabilitrak, Service Headlamps, AWD Tempoarily Unavailable" Steering was the main issue. It was almost impossible to turn and steer. It was fortunate that it was after a stop and not while driving. The vehicle was towed t... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2026
When accelerating the vehicle will not go or it will start to move then essentially stop, seconds later it starts moving. There is a delay and it’s extremely dangerous when there is oncoming traffic and/or the drivers behind you don’t realize what is happening. My jeep is a 4xe and this does happen frequently since the last “fix” for the recalls
Incident date: May 8, 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 local dealer was contacted. 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 experien... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle restarted after 20 minutes. The Check Engine warning light was illuminated. The "Charging System Failed" message was displayed. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) recall repair. The vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2026
My 2020 Audi SQ7 has a recall for the backup camera malfunctioning. The recall is 90TV according to Audi. My vehicle has been at the Audi Dealer in Brentwood, TN for 2 weeks now because their software update that is supposed to fix the vehicle is not working. According to the Service Advisor, Taylor Ellis, they are having issues with this all over the US and other countries. I have no update on wh... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2026
The car makes a popping/static sound weather turned off or on . The infotainment center and screen has shut off while driving and using GPS leaving me to scramble with my phone to get a GPS on and this happens without any warning so I don't have any time to pull over to a safe place . I have taken the vehicle to 2 different mechanic shops and they did not find anything when hooked up to their c... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
The vehicle caught on fire while sitting in a parking lot. This vehicle had just over 13,000 miles, serviced by jeep dealer, and health reports did not surface any problems. The fire impacted other vehicles around it.
Fire
Incident date: May 1, 2026
An intermittent electrical failure occurred to my wife causing my 2021 Volvo XC60 to stop and then later go into limp mode while driving. The service light went on immediately and was very startling to her and made it difficult for the drivers following as the car speed was significantly reduced/ I suspect limp mode though it was not on the dashboard. When I called Volvo and then brought the car... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
Alarming rate of oil consumption causes sudden loss of power / acceleration which definitely increases probably of causing an accident. Local repair shop confirmed extremely low oil level with no evidence of where oil went shortly after oil change and annual safety inspection. All the dashboard warning lights came on when it happened but low oil warning light came on prior to event. No warning wha... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2026
Door locks failed to lock or unlock via the key fob, intermittent problem
Incident date: Jun 6, 2026
Over the past 11 weeks, my 2023 Kia Sportage has experienced sudden, complete loss of acceleration on at least three separate occasions while driving at highway speeds. Each incident is accompanied by the battery gauge dropping to zero. I was forced to stop on the highway to restart my vehicle in order to drive it again. No error codes are stored because the fault clears on restart. I have taken ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2025
I have been experiencing what’s being called “ghost touches” on google. This is a known issue that needs to be addressed. Also VIN number starting with 1HGCV need to be added to the fuel pump recall list. I’ve had to change both systems.
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
I am reporting a critical safety hazard involving my 2021 Nissan Leaf S Plus (approx. 117,000 miles). Since January 2025, the vehicle has exhibited dangerous battery degradation and voltage sag during operation. On my 30-mile highway commute, while driving at normal highway speeds—especially on inclines—the vehicle would suddenly display a low-power warning, and the remaining battery percentag... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
Main battery drains over period of time with unknown reason or cause. It has been inspected several times and is being linked to the alternate battery.
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
Complaint Summary I am filing a complaint against Volkswagen of America for excessive repair delays and lack of customer support for my ID.4. My vehicle has been out of service over a month, with a 7–8 week part delay, leaving me without transportation while still making payments. Details In May 2026, my ID.4 was diagnosed with rodent damage to the wiring harness (not under warranty). However, t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
SUBJECT: Formal Safety Defect Complaint: 2016 Subaru Outback – Manufacturing Nondisclosure of Latent "Day 1" Design Flaw Causing Ignition Key Entrapment, Uncommanded Steering Column Lockout, and Severe Family Safety Risk I am writing to formally report a severe, unaddressed safety defect and a deceptive corporate practice by Subaru of America, Inc. affecting my 2016 Subaru Outback. This vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
Repeated problems trying to turn off vehicle with a "Shift to Park" notification being displayed. It took numerous attempts each time of banging the shift lever and flicking the shift button for it finally properly turn off. Otherwise, it would continually alarm. While the milage is only 26500, it was beyond the 5 yr warranty. I was never notified of any recall notice concerning this well documen... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2025
center roof console fell out while driving VW states it out of extended warranty charging $200 for repair I find this very dangerous
Incident date: Jun 9, 2024
My vehicle suffers from severe electrical/hydraulic failures matching recall 21D (NHSTSA ID 26V363000) for the electrical hydraulic power steering pump (EHPSP). Despite Stellantis acknowledging a 1.07- million vehicle fire hazard for this 2.0L turbo, my VIN shows "0 unrepaired recalls" due to a database omission. The vehicle is available for inspection. Safety risk: Active Electronic Stability co... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2026
our vehicle is doing the same identical thing as other 2024 Trax that are under a recall. The dealer is wanting to charge a diagnostic fee to even look at it. This is crazy when other 2024 Trax are under the recall and get it fixed for free. INSTRUMENT PANEL BLACKOUT RECALL The issue is the Virtual Cockpit Unit intermittently goes black.
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 9, 2026
Incident date: May 1, 2026
The incident involved having to press extremely hard on the brake pedal to stop the car, while it was uphill in the middle of the road. The car started going backward and was throwing ABS, Master Warning Light, Brake System Warning Light and Warning Buzzer, Brake System Warning Light, and SLIP Indicator signals. This was a highly distraughtful situation on the road. Diagnostics showed C1391 Diagno... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB-Class. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V487000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. 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 conta... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact received a 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 on several occasions and confirmed parts were on back order. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall ... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Audi A6 Sportback E-tron. The contact stated that while his wife was attempting to exit the vehicle through the rear door, the door failed to open as needed. Additionally, the contact was unable to unlock or gain access to the vehicle via the phone key and keyless entry features. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and had also occurred on a 2025 Audi Q6 E... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
While driving on the highway at 70mph my transmission malfunction warning light illuminated in red and my vehicle went into limp mode, creating a life threatening safety defect at highway speeds. I immediately took the vehicle to Mercedes Benz of Pittsburgh. The dealer's own diagnostic tech notes stated 'software is in preparation for concern' confirming this is a known safety defect on Mercedes' ... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2026
I can't park in my garage, and I don't even save on gas—even though I have solar panels—because I can't charge the car due to the fire risk.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 9, 2026
Incident date: Jun 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-350. The contact stated that after reversing into the driveway and parking the vehicle, the engine was turned off while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact exited the vehicle and entered the residence. Moments later, the vehicle erroneously rolled down the driveway downhill and collided with a building on the property. The contacted stated that the Automatic R... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 9, 2026
The seal on my 2020 Volvo XC60 moonroof allowed water to leak under the floorboards. My car is only 6 years old. We had a lot of rain over a short period and I noticed the sound of water sloshing around under the floor. Nothing was wet inside the car. My Check Engine light came on as well. I took it to the Volvo service dept. They are now saying wires are corroded and that it will cost me over $11... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
10 day roundtrip from [XXX] to [XXX]. 5 incidents of catastrophic engine failure on interstates. Truck started to jerk, sputter, lost power at an alarming rate. No engine light until failure ocurred. Very dangerous with heavy holiday traffic. Lives were in danger, us and other vehicles around us. No one expects travel to go from 70 mph,to 50, 30, 15 in such a short period of time. Pulled over to "... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
Engine turns off while driving down road, have to pull over, restart vehicle to unlock gear shifter. Taken to Deery Iowa City three times to fix the dangerous problem and Deery Iowa City are only resetting the computer and turning off while driving down road continues happening. I have not been provided a safe loaner vehicle for over 12 days in shop. I cannot risk me and my daughter's safety resul... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
Date of Incident: XXX Location: [XXX] Vehicle Speed: 0 Description: The right front and right rear doors on my 2017 Lincoln Continental (VIN: [XXX]) became completely inoperable from the outside — the exact same safety defect addressed under recall 19S03. The recall repair was previously performed by an authorized Ford/Lincoln dealer, however that repair has since failed, leaving me with the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2026
I am the issues as the recalls for the 2023 f350 The Problem: The Integrated Trailer Module (ITRM/ITM) may lose communication with the vehicle when it starts up, resulting in a loss of trailer brake function, turn signals, and stop lamps.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
The vehicle is a 2017 Ram 1500 Big Horn EcoDiesel 4x4 that I bought new in 2018. The backup camera has been a constant intermittent problem since the second year of ownership. It will go dark, have a green screen, or display scrambled lines. The camera has been replaced by the local Ram dealer (Mullahey Jeep/Dodge/Ram in Paso Robles, CA) at least once under warranty, but the problem recurred... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
My BMW's Head-Up Display (HUD) and Speed Limit Information system displays incorrect speed limits that do not match posted roadway signs. The HUD frequently shows "LTM" or an incorrect speed such as "25 mph" instead of the actual posted speed limit. This is a serious safety concern. Drivers rely on HUD speed limit information while driving. Inaccurate readings can lead to unsafe driving decisions,... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2026
CENTRAL LOCKING MALFUNCTION. Central locking malfunction will lock my kids INSIDE my car and my key not work. It will also lock me inside the car and the emergency not work. There is a class action lawsuit for this!!! And all of my electrical will completely go out.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
Vehicle gave a warning to service the electrical system and then shut down preventing any operation. Luckily I was in a parking lot and not on a roadway impeding traffic or jeopardizing safety while driving. Could smell burnt electrical from within cabin. Had to have towed to service center and explained that condensation from air conditioner leaked onto high voltage heater coils and shorted out ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
The factory touchscreen infotainment system is experiencing severe screen delamination (internal adhesive failure). This defect causes uncontrollable 'ghost touching,' where the screen registers phantom inputs. The system cycles through radio stations, changes audio sources, and changes navigation without driver input, causing an extreme, sudden driver distraction. Furthermore, the system frequen... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2025) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 9, 2026
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
2024 Wrangler RHD. After being parked overnight pushing the start button clicks once as if the battery is weak. A second push of the start button the Jeep starts normally. Also, the clock resets itself 4 hours ahead. The HVAC temperature resets itself to 72 degrees regardless of where it was when parked. When shifting into reverse the backup camera displays a blue screen. Dealership is going t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
The trunk will not close using any of the buttons. This is an on going issue on so many newer highlanders.
Incident date: May 24, 2026
The Telematics Control Module failed - it no longer functions. This affects the ability to use OnStar services, such as navigation assistance, but especially OnStar emergency services which would be needed in case of a vehicle crash or other emergency. OnStar no longer works due to the module failure. There is a backlog of at least several months, or longer, before a new module is available. M... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
While stopped at a traffic light on a downhill slope, my 2023 Chrysler Pacifica suddenly applied the brakes by itself and shifted into Park as I began to accelerate through the intersection. I did not touch the shifter. The vehicle locked up abruptly in the middle of the intersection. There were no warning lights, alerts, or messages before or after the incident. I had no idea as to what was happe... Read more
BMWI
IX XDRIVE60
(2026) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 9, 2026
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
Doors automatically unlock while driving or parked and not running.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
vehicle battery failure
Incident date: Mar 14, 2026
An intermittent orange flashing light in or near the heads-up display area has been reported at multiple service visits on my 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV (VIN: [XXX]) with no resolution. First reported XXX (RO XXX, Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa) — could not duplicate. Reported again May 13, 2025 (RO XXX) — could not duplicate. The issue continues to occur intermittently as of this filing. The orange ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
Multiple electrical issues -TFT screen going out while riding, voltage fluctuating dramatically while riding and bike wants to stop running once at idle engine shuts off and won’t restart. Once it’s cooled down or been on trickle charger for couple hours it might restart. Diagnosis was stator failure with complete electrical system repair at my expense. This is a known issue by Harley. Seco... Read more
Incident date: Jun 7, 2026
- THE GROUND STRAP CORRODED AND BROKE APART. YES, I HAVE THE GROUND CABLE THAT FAILED, IF NEEDED FOR INSPECTION. - YES!!! THE TRUCK'S STEERING KEPT GOING IN AND OUT OF MANUAL STEERING AND THE ENGINE REDUCED IN SPEED ALLOWED, AND THEN THE ENGINE CUT OUT ON ME COMPLETELY - WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD TRYING TO TURN ONTO A SIDE STREET. THEN THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. - I HAD THE T... Read more