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 16, 2026
Following a coolant rapid mate replacement performed by an authorized Tesla service center, the vehicle experienced a complete shutdown on a public road the same evening it was returned. The high-voltage cooling system was not properly purged of air following the service. This caused low coolant flow to the rear drive unit during a 63-mile drive in record heat. The fault cascade included a HIGH VO... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2025) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 2, 2026
Incident date: May 13, 2026
Vehicle stated "PARKING BRAKE FAULT". Driver (myself) discovered electric parking brake was stuck in the ON position and would not disengage. Vehicle could not be moved on its wheels. Vehicle was in parking garage, and driver became stranded for over 24 hours waiting for a low-clearance tow truck with a dolly that could move the vehicle. Ford dealer (Bill Brown Ford) inspected vehicle and discove... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the automatic engine Start/Stop system engaged, and the vehicle shut off completely. The message "Please Hit The Start Button Again" was displayed, and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact press the start button, but the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, the gear shifter was st... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
Fire started under passenger side front seat dashboard when rear defrost was turned on.
Fire
Incident date: May 28, 2026
When driving the car through a busy intersection there was a sudden, brief surge of acceleration, followed by deceleration and the vehicle cutting all motor power and becoming inoperable. The MIL lamp illuminated and the "Ready" light went out. I was unable to move the vehicle out of traffic until I got out and disconnected / reconnected the 12v battery to reset the car systems. The problem is ... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2020) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 2, 2026
Incident date: May 30, 2026
Rear camera will not come on. The issue is intermittent. Ford has had other issues with rear cameras and prompted a recall but not for this vehicle. Screen goes blank when in reverse and message on center display states "Rear Camera not working. Contact dealer."
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the trailer lights flashed intermittently while the vehicle is turned off. Additionally, the contact stated while driving with a trailer hitched to the vehicle, the messages "Trailer Disconnected" and "Trailer Connected" were intermittently displayed, and the running and marking lights were inoperative. The contact related the failur... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2026
I was in start and stop traffic in the left lane of a fast highway. The feature that shuts the battery on and off when starting the car was turned on. Upon trying to move, the battery decided to die and I was stranded in traffic. I needed to get towed out of there and the car needed a jump.
Incident date: May 30, 2026
The vehicle's smart entry door handle system was continuously drawing power even when the vehicle was off. This resulted in repeated battery drain and battery replacement (approximately 4 times). The ongoing electrical load also resulted in alternator failure. Once the issue was diagnosed (performed by the dealer), expense was required to resolve the parts. The issue caused repeated no-start condi... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2026
DRIVING ON RTE 81 SOUTH IN THE AREA OF WILKES - BARRE WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY ENTIRE DASH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT COMPLETELY BLACK, NOTHINGWAS SHOWING, NO GAS, NO SPEED OMETER, DATE,TIME , BLINKERS, LANE CHANGE ETC. AND THE NAVIGATION SCREEN TURNED LIME GREE. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER THE LIME GREEN TURNED BLACK. I HAD NO ELECTRONICS AT ALL. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE DOING 55-65 AND COULD NOT SIGN... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
On or around March 20, 2026, my 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid experienced a complete failure of the high-voltage hybrid battery system, rendering the vehicle undriveable. The vehicle was towed to Kia of South Austin. As of the date of this complaint (74 days later), no diagnosis has been provided, no parts have been ordered with trackable confirmation, and no repair timeline has been given. Kia Techline co... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
Same complaint as others with ABS Module failing. I’ve been going to Honda dealerships for the past 4 years feeling like my car just wasn’t riding right. No one ever mentioned anything about this problem. Last visit was 3 weeks ago at Walker Honda in Alexandria La. and same thing…car is perfect no problems found. 2 weeks later all these lights came on the dash same as the others and they nev... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2026
While driving, the Forward Collision Warning system activated unexpectedly without any apparent hazard or obstruction in front of my vehicle. Immediately after the warning appeared, the vehicle suddenly lost speed and became very slow to accelerate. I was unable to safely increase my speed while traveling on a busy roadway, creating a dangerous situation and nearly resulting in a collision with su... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2026
Pulled up in my drive way turned car off and when I went to start ut to go to work it just would not start anymore
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
My 2023 Ford Escape is equipped with a factory-installed rearview backup camera system and SYNC infotainment system. Beginning on or around February 2026. I began experiencing a series of recurring, intermittent, and worsening failures with the rearview camera and the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) that controls it. These failures render the backup camera system unreliable or completel... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
For my 2019 BMW X5 SDRIVE40i, The A/C evaporator core failed and began leaking refrigerant, resulting in complete loss of cold air from the A/C system. The vehicle had approximately 50,000 miles. The repair required full dashboard removal and cost approximately $4,500 including a rental vehicle. This appears to be a widespread issue on 2019–2025 BMW X5/X6/X7 models, suspected to be caused by R-... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2026
Driver side door will not unlock or lock if the sun is shining on it. It gets overheated and will not function. This is a safety issue when it comes to my ability to enter the vehicle in a timely manner as well as the ability to enter at all.
Incident date: May 14, 2026
1. An electrical failure from a component of the main wiring harness causes the ECM to respond with Service ESC, Reduced Engine Power, Service parking brake, service traction control. 2. Interstate driving requires maintaining rate of speed to avoid collision. The vehicle is much more difficult to drive as acceleration is very poor and also main safety functions like traction control are disabled.... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2026
1. An electrical failure from a component of the main wiring harness causes the ECM to respond with Service ESC, Reduced Engine Power, Service parking brake, service traction control. 2. Interstate driving requires maintaining rate of speed to avoid collision. The vehicle is much more difficult to drive as acceleration is very poor and also main safety functions like traction control are disabled... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2026
Bluelink remote start with climate control is defective. When initiated, the vehicle starts but the climate control system comes on in the OFF state and does not apply the saved preset, including front and rear defroster settings. This defeats the intended pre-conditioning function in winter conditions, where a remote-activated defroster is a meaningful visibility/safety feature. The defect has p... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 1, 2026
Incident date: May 31, 2026
The fuel gauge in my 2015 Taurus/Interceptor is showing inaccurate fuel levels; it will show there is less fuel in the tank than there actually is, causing me to think I am possibly going to run out of fuel. Example: I will fill the fuel tank when the gauge reads 3/4, which should be around 5 gallons of fuel used. The amount of fuel being put in the tank is significantly less than what the fuel ga... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
The Navigation screen bounces back and forth. It's been reset twice and it just goes back to bouncing around. This is a real issue that needs to be recalled and fixed immediately.
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 1, 2026
Incident date: May 21, 2026
All of my dash lights are on.
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 1, 2026
Incident date: May 21, 2026
The engine light has come on several times. I was told it was the battery ignition switch, then the sensor in front of the car and now they are saying it is the turbo
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
The vehicle's infotainment system, specifically when utilizing Android Auto, is subject to recurrent, unprompted UI freezes and interface crashes while the vehicle is in motion. These malfunctions are induced by a persistent server-side enterprise management policy ('DISABLED_BY_ADMIN_POLICY') applied to the connected mobile device. The resulting software-induced failures cause the vehicle's displ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2025 Cadillac Escalade, which experienced a catastrophic engine failure while being driven on a public roadway with approximately 13,000 miles on the vehicle. While traveling from [XXX] to [XXX] , the vehicle suddenly lost power while in motion. A warning message appeared stating “Press to Start Again.” The engine shut off completely while driving,... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2026
My 4WD service light keep coming on
Incident date: May 28, 2026
FOR THESE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, NEAR OR AROUND DECEMBER OF 2025 MY 2016 LINCOLN MKX HAS BEEN SHORTING OUT OR HAVING GLITCHES IN THE CENTER CABIN. THE CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM AND BLINDSPOT SYTEM FAULT HAVE TURNED ON AND OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY CREATING A SHORT IN THE CABIN RESULTING IN THE ac OR hEAT TURNING OFF AND ON. THIS ALSO CREATES A SHORT WHERE THE THE WINDOWS WILL NOT ROLL DOWN, THE GLOVE BOX WI... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
My vehicle is currently subject to an open Ford transmission safety recall for which no repair remedy is available at this time. The vehicle is experiencing a recurring and dangerous failure while driving. Approximately twice per day, during my normal commute, all vehicle electronics suddenly shut off while the vehicle is in motion. At the same time, the wheels appear to lock up, causing a sudden... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
When I shift the transmission into park., turn off the ignition, there is an error message - shift into park. Even though I shifted into park, the power stays on, ie stereo, lights, HVAC etc. This is putting a strand on the battery, and computer systems. I now have a list of BCM codes - no communications. Dealer says it will take 2-3 days w/appointment All the vehicles (Volt & Bolt have National ... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2025) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 1, 2026
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
On May 15, 2006 I was turning slowly into a parking space perhaps 3 to 5 miles an hour. My vehicle suddenly surged forwarded and accelerated on its own. I hit a wall. No warning lights appeared. No crash warning or any beeping of any sort. My car had a recall for the fuel injector. In October 2025 Ford sent out someone to adjust the software at my home. I do not believe a tube was ever inserted. W... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD: CASCADING ELECTRICAL FIRE RISK. My 2019 Ram 1500 suffered a catastrophic electrical failure while driving. The alternator's voltage regulator melted, overcharging the system and causing the battery to boil and vent toxic sulfuric acid fumes into the cabin, creating an immediate respiratory and fire hazard. This is the direct result of Manufacturer Defect XL1/XG1 (Rear Windo... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2026
In 2024 I started having problems with my battery replaced it 3 times last time with a Mazda battery per Mazda advice. The car started to jerk while driving took it back to Mazda said it could be fuel injectors. They cleaned them and problem persists. Took it back they cleaned purve valve and then I broke down while leaving on [XXX] . Called service dept called police since it was in the middle ... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
I am filing this complaint to report a recurring, life-threatening safety defect in my 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid involving the battery and hybrid propulsion system. This defect has occurred twice, and despite dealer repair attempts, it has not been resolved. On both occasions, while the vehicle was in operation, the hybrid system failed without warning. The vehicle displayed a hybrid system failure... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2022) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 1, 2026
Incident date: May 30, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Prologue. The contact stated while attempting to charge her vehicle, the charging port failed to work as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the charging port on the vehicle needed to replaced. The vehicle was repaired as the charging port was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and they ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
The vehicle has experienced repeated high‑voltage battery system failures consistent with the symptoms described in the current open safety recall for this model. The vehicle first displayed a “High Voltage System Fault” warning, loss of A/C cooling, and inability to charge. A dealer confirmed an HV isolation fault and documented an isolation reading of only 38 megaohms, which is far below n... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2012) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 1, 2026
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Prologue. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH with her wife in the vehicle, the vehicle instrument panel blacked out and displayed blank screen independently than minute and three seconds with instrument panel began to reset it self. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the instrument panel and front camera nee... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the infotainment screen would go blank and the system would turn on inadvertently. This issue became more frequent, occurring approximately every 10 seconds. The power steering warning light also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto parts store where a handheld diagnost... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2021) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 1, 2026
Incident date: May 30, 2026
Transmission wouldnt shift. Sensor in car is causing issue, code is N 202321840
Incident date: May 22, 2026
My windshield wipers aren’t working properly and it causes me to not be able to see while driving which cause me to hit a curb and damage my front fender and my trunk makes a nose when I drive like it wants to pop open my car flashes warnings and then no sign of issues
Incident date: May 2, 2026
As I was easing my 2024 BMW i4 xDrive40 onto Church Street from a cross street on May 11, 2026, my car suddenly accelerated and crashed into the car in front of me. The acceleration was "un-commanded." The accident occured a bit before 2:20 pm. Driving conditions were ideal. I had the car in Eco Mode, and I was using one-pedal driving (braking when one eases up on the accelerator pedal). Wh... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 5, 2026
Issue Description: The radio/infotainment system intermittently cuts out and produces loud static noises while driving. The issue occurs without warning and happens repeatedly. Safety Concern: The sudden loss of audio and loud static creates a distraction while driving and can interfere with hearing important external sounds (traffic, emergency vehicles, etc.). The unpredictable nature of the prob... Read more
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 1, 2026
Incident date: May 24, 2026
The contact leased a 2024 Honda Accord. The driver's side door failed to open from the outside. The key failed to sync with the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the antenna needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. An engineer determined the fuse box was faulty, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelrate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, howeve the failure was not duplicated. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed wiring harness and a failed c... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 1, 2026
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
2021 Ram 1500, rear window leaked after it rained. (Common problem with these trucks, even a class action law suit because of this issue). Leak was bad enough to cause severe electrical damage, truck will not start. There is an extended warranty related to this issue BUT according to Ram my truck does not qualify…..
Incident date: Jan 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that the vehicle had been experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed to start or unlock, requiring the owner to manually unlock the vehicle with the key. Tand and exterior lights independently flashed while the vehicle was parked in the middle of the night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on ... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2025
The ICCU failed to charge the car via level 1 (120VAC or 240VAC), but does charge using public DC chargers. Fortunately the issue occurred at home so no traffic issue occurred, in this case. The level 1 charger indicated a fault and would not charge the car. I drove the vehicle without any issues to a public charger and established that the DC charging is working. Hyundai repair center diagnosed... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
The video display screen shuts off while driving. You end of trying to get it going again while driving and getting distracted. Ongoing issue over a dozen times in last 2 years.
Incident date: May 31, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Lincoln Corsair. The contact stated that the turn signal noise was faint and could barely be heard by the driver. The contact stated that this failure could be a hazard to other drivers as the turn signal could be left on and the driver would not have any indication that the turn signal remained on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was informed that there was no reme... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
My 2021 Ford F-150 has been having trouble with the transmission. Hard shifting, shifting to 10th gear at 40mph and unable to downshift after slowing down. I have also had issues with the daytime running lights not working since around 45k miles. My truck only has 59K miles at the time of me typing this.