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 169,480 complaints - component: ENGINE
Incident date: May 13, 2024
Vehicle has 58,800 miles on it driving down highway started smoking and motor making a clanking noise.
Incident date: Mar 31, 2026
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone where it was diagnosed with a failed intake valve and a failed exhaust. The vehicle was then taken to ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2026
The vehicles Auto-Start-Stop (ESS) works intermittently. Multiple occasions where the system was turned off and the engine quit and would not restart without putting the vehicle in park. Recently the ESS has gone months without shutoff of the engine. However, occasionally it will shut off the engine. Multiple times the engine has shut off while the vehicle is moving, which was very dangerous. ... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2026
This morning, around 9 AM, I was stopped on [XXX] in traffic, just south of [XXX] . [XXX] ) Foot on break, waiting for traffic to start moving. Engine suddenly revved to about 4k RPM. Car started to lurch a bit, I had to put increased pressure on the brake to hold it. I wasn’t sure the brake would hold, so I shifted to neutral, engine revved up over 4k. It settled back down and I wa... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled and failed to accelerate. An “Engine Malfunction – Power Reduced Service Now” warning message was displayed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to multiple independent mechanics. The v... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that on three of four occasions while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle began rattling and shaking, and he observed a knocking noise emanating from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced, and he was advis... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2026
I have to continually add motor oil to my engine. Every 1,000-1,500 miles I need a quart of oil added. There should be a recall to address this issue.
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER SPORT
(2017) - ENGINE
May 26, 2026
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
While driving in rush hour traffic, I heard an intermittent vibration/noise that seemed to come and go and became louder when I stopped. As I put my car in park when I got home, I heard a loud clunk and the battery light came on. When I popped the hood, we saw metal shavings flying around. The dealer diagnosed the alternator and provided a quote for replacement. I am concerned the failure could h... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
Sometimes the Ford Bronco will hesitate to move from a stop position especially when the auto start and stop has been engaged during periods of driving. Also the vehicle hesitated when trying to change lanes. I had to push gas peddle all the way down in order to get into another lane. Several times the light is green for me to go and there is several seconds of hesitation and then the vehicle wou... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
The vehicle has intermittent hesitation/delayed acceleration from a stop and during low-speed stop-and-go driving. At times, engine RPM increases before the vehicle responds or accelerates normally. This creates a safety concern when entering traffic, turning, merging, or accelerating from a stopped position because the vehicle does not always respond predictably to throttle input. The concern wa... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
While traveling at 55mph yesterday, I experienced a full engine failure which shut the car off fully while traveling on a single lane double yellow road. I was able to coast to a secure location. The car will not start or go into neutral. There were no warning lights that occurred at any time prior to the failure. This all occurred while on vacation 2 hours away. I previously went to the deal... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2025
The engine burns oil excessively and the oil light does NOT come on when the oil is low. Our car is right at 90k miles, it began to shudder and malfunction out of the blue while we were driving on the highway. There was absolutely no indication the oil was low. Now the car will not turn on at all. We were in between oil changes. The safety of myself and my family was put at risk because the engine... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
I own a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado equipped with a GM V8 engine that experienced significant engine failure symptoms consistent with known GM engine defect issues and related recall/service campaign concerns. Prior to failure, the vehicle began exhibiting abnormal engine noises, warning lights, performance issues, and symptoms indicating internal engine damage. The condition worsened and resulted i... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2014) - ENGINE
May 26, 2026
Incident date: Apr 28, 2026
It was necessary to stop at the end of an on-ramp to an expressway. As I proceeded to enter the expressway, my 2017 Ford Edge started vibrating and as I accelerated to go onto the expressway, the car stalled. I was able to restart the car and it vibrated and stalled again as I accelerated to pull over on the shoulder of the road, which there was minimal area to pull off due to the lack of shoulder... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
The contact The contact stated that when taken the vehicle for a service campaign repair and shortly after went for recall r The vehicle does not run properly on cold starts, the RPMs increase rapidly and slow down, vehicle jerks forward once beginning to drive.. The vehicle does not have this issue once the vehicle is warm. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate. Fai... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2017
While driving on the highway at approx 60mph my car completely lost power. I had no warning lights on the dashboard and the only warning I got was an alarm sound right as all the power to the vehicle cut off. I had to use my e-brake to help me stop and coast to the brake down lane. I couldn't get my car completely off the highway lane and had no way of getting out of the vehicle. I was towed off t... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that he received an unknown service campaign from the manufacturer indicating that a software update for emissions was needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where an ECU update was completed and an NP001-SC9C2 was installed for the engine and transmission. The contact stated that when his wife drove the vehicle home from the dealer, ... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2026
I am having an issue with the start stop function on my 2021 Honda Pilot. When active, the start stop struggles to restart after it is engaged at a stop light. There have been two instances in the last two weeks where the vehicle did not restart on its own and needed to be restarted manually. Spoke to the dealer service team and they indicated there were no known recalls and it would be out of ... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Mustang. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a routine timing cover replacement. The contact believed the engine was damaged while being serviced. Upon retrieval, the check engine light was illuminated. There was an abnormal ticking noise detected. The vehicle had misfired. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2026
I am filing a vehicle safety complaint regarding a 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy due to repeated safety-related mechanical failures and ongoing defects that create dangerous and unpredictable driving conditions. Since purchase in August 2024, the vehicle has experienced multiple serious issues, including steering rack problems causing sticking, resistance, abnormal noises, and inconsistent st... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
While operating my truck under normal driving conditions, the check engine warning light suddenly illuminated without warning. Due to concerns about potential vehicle reliability and safety, I immediately brought the vehicle to the dealership for diagnosis and inspection. After evaluating the vehicle, the dealership stated that diagnostic trouble codes were present and that additional analysis of... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E 350 4MATIC
(2024) - ENGINE
May 26, 2026
Incident date: May 4, 2026
We bought this vehicle from Carvana in February 2023. Since very early on owning this vehicle, the engine hesitated and stuttered when trying to shift from first to second gear, and would lunge forward slightly. In December 2024, I received a letter from Ford Motor Company about a customer satisfaction program, Campaign 24N07. The letter addressed the symptoms my vehicle exhibited, including engin... Read more
FORD
TRANSIT CONNECT
(2014) - ENGINE
May 25, 2026
Incident date: May 8, 2026
Vehicle overheats while at a stop. Problem has been happening for past 8 months. Leaking antifreeze under transmission. Shop unable to diagnose problem after various attempts. Researched problem online and discovered many 2017 durango owners are having issue. Many saying it's due to manufacture problem. It's a safety issue for my family and I since I don't know what the problem is to fix it.
Incident date: May 21, 2026
Purchased a used Santa Fe in January 2026 with 129k mile and at 131k my vehicle's CEL came on and did not function properly while operating. While driving the vehicle failed to accelerate above 25 mph when I pushed the gas. I pulled over to get out of the way of traffic and avoid any accidents. I shut the car off and sat for several minutes before restarting my vehicle. It successfully restart... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2026
While I was driving my 2017 Kia Sorento, the R.P.M suddenly maxed out and then it rapidly went down to zero. My car lost power completely and stopped. There was a burning smell. Now it is dead. There is no clicking sound. Repair place tells me I need a new engine now.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2026
I was driving on freeway and went to pass a semi. The suv hesitated and had terrible turbo lag. It almost caused an accident if it hadn’t been for the truck behind me taking action to avoid a collision.
Incident date: May 13, 2025
When I first got this vehicle 2019 brand new off the lot the dealership in newark ohio had to completely rewire it. It took them a month to figure it out. I just replaced the transmission and now the engine is out. A piston rod snapped hit both sides an cracked the sides and the oil pan.
Incident date: May 23, 2026
P0101 code p0507 code and it has left me almost in an accident on the highway and now has left me stranded!
Incident date: May 22, 2026
Electronically controlled thermostat and sensor fail or get stuck at a much lower coolant temperature causing the dash to display the “steering assist is reduced drive with care.” It isn’t just a message, the steering is much harder to use potentially causing an accident. The ac completely doesn’t work causing potential for sensitive, elderly, or young children and pets to overheat inside... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
On [XXX], I drove my 2018 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD to a doctor 37 miles away through rural PA. The car was a reliable workhorse, needing only regular shop visits, and had 108K miles by this date. Midway through the [XXX] drive , a red warning square popped up on the dash to tell me that the engine was overheating, and a pink warning square said the car would lessen electrical draw so that it coul... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2026
Vehicle was just turned on and put into reverse. Dash and infotainment center lights flashed and shut off. Vehicle rolled backwards uncontrollably down a sloped driveway. Steering and brakes were not properly functioning. Vehicle came to a stop when it struck a parked vehicle in its path.
Crash
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2021) - ENGINE
May 25, 2026
Incident date: May 17, 2026
To whom it may concern, On [XXX] at around [XXX] PST, I was taking my car to get a car wash at Quick Quack Car Wash located in [XXX] . While waiting in line for the other cars to go in, all of sudden I see a huge fire flame shoot out from under the hood. My car was on full fire extremely rapidly, in front of the multiple cars and near the entrance of this car wash, while this car was in fire I ra... Read more
Fire
Incident date: May 25, 2026
Component/System Failed: Engine — excessive oil consumption and oil leaks leading to complete engine failure requiring full engine replacement. Vehicle is currently at my home and available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: My vehicle became completely inoperable while in use as my primary family transportation. As a parent of three children this has left my family without safe reliable ... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2026
My 1.5L EcoBoost engine experienced coolant intrusion into the cylinders, a known and documented defect associated with this engine family across multiple Ford model years. Prior to the failure, the vehicle displayed symptoms consistent with internal coolant loss, including white exhaust smoke, coolant level dropping without visible external leaks, and rough running. No external coolant leak was e... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2024
Engine is shaking and no power at all
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
My engine suffered an internal catastrophic event, and needs to be replaced
Incident date: May 25, 2026
Camshaft failure, component not available for inspection. It was replaced at dealer. If this had failed on the highway at highway speeds it could have resulted in a serious accident. This issue was diagnosed and repaired at a dealership. There were numerous warning lights that came on. That is what alerted that there was a problem. Camshaft failure at 51,350 miles.. Premature failure of cams... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA CRUZ
(2024) - ENGINE
May 25, 2026
Incident date: May 18, 2026
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Purchased January 2026 took to Oxmoor Hyundai Service Center March 2026. February 2026 began using oil at a measured rate of 700 miles per tank of oil. Used 3 full tanks of oil within the month of February. Oil lights and engine lights on and off and flashing during this time. March 8, 2026, engine light flashed and then stayed on continuously. Engine shook and stutter... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2025
Driving down a busy section of highway on I-25 in Colorado, without warning car lost all power and shutoff. Was able to veer off highway to shoulder without getting hit. Car will not restart. This was incredibly unsettling as my family and kids were all in the car on the way home and was a very dangerous situation. For a brand new vehicle to shut off on the highway without warning is unacceptable... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2026
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE, ~70,000 miles. The vehicle experienced a cylinder head failure in the EA888 2.0L TSI engine, causing the check-engine light to illuminate. The cylinder head developed internal cracks, resulting in excessive oil consumption over a period of more than one year prior to the current repair. During multiple service visits to the authorized VW dealership over the past year or... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2026
Engine is knocking at only 83k miles. No. 7 cylinder issue. Nissan won’t cover repairs even though they’re aware of the design flaw.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE L
(2022) - ENGINE
May 25, 2026
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
On [XXX], my 2017 Land Rover Range Rover HSE Td6 diesel (VIN: [XXX] ) suffered a complete, catastrophic engine failure without warning at approximately 70 mph on [XXX] . My wife and our two infant sons (ages [XXX] and [XXX] ) were passengers. There were no prior warning lights or symptoms. The engine stopped instantaneously, eliminating power steering and power brakes while I was overtaking a sem... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2021) - ENGINE
May 25, 2026
Incident date: May 24, 2026
UPDATE to previous complaint – Reference Number: [XXX] VIN: [XXX]a [XXX] UPDATE to my previous NHTSA complaint regarding sudden unintended acceleration in my Tesla Model Y (VIN: [XXX] ) I previ[XXX]sudden acceleration incident on [XXX], at [XXX] 4 parking garage ramp. Tesla has now provided the Vehicle Data Report and EDR data (Case # [XXX]). The data shows accelerator pedal position increasing... Read more
Crash
3 injured
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2021) - ENGINE
May 25, 2026
Incident date: May 24, 2026
The engine was burning oil, so did a consumption test. The dealer took apart the engine and found the rings for the pistons were leaking and scaring was resulting. This caused me to buy part of a new engine because it was 6days past warranty with only 44,000mi on it. Also, at 18,000mi, a lifter bent and needed that replaced. There are numerous reports for this engine. It should be recalled! I shou... Read more
LAND ROVER
DEFENDER
(2023) - ENGINE
May 25, 2026
Incident date: May 22, 2026
I own a 2021 Kia Telluride with approximately 111,000 miles. I initially brought the vehicle to a Kia dealership for an oil consumption issue and engine noise. The dealership diagnosed and repaired a timing chain and tensioner issue, stating the vehicle was “working properly” upon return. After picking up the vehicle, I immediately began experiencing electrical warning lights, including the b... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2026
I set out to make a quick trip to the store after work and the car was hesitating and I looked at the dash and noticed the check engine light was on. I stopped was in the store about 10 minutes when I came out I restarted it and it sounded fine and then engine light was not on. I was about 2 miles in towards home when the braking system failure message came on, steering failure message came on and... Read more
FORD
FUSION HYBRID
(2013) - ENGINE
May 25, 2026
Incident date: May 23, 2026
I was driving my brand new 2025 Kia Telluride that was purchased from the dealership 3 weeks before the incident. The engine died while driving approximately 40 mph on a flat road. The engine died and then there was a loud beeping and a flashing alert on the dashboard in the circle where the righthand indicator camera view appears that said, “Engine Off-Shift to P or N then start engine.” This... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
I pulled into the Dollar General and before I could get to my parking spot the vehicle made a beep sound and stalled and wouldn't move . There were no warning lights that came on. It wouldn't accelerate and I was nervous for the traffic that would be pulling in behind me. I put the vehicle in park and turned off the vehicle to see if it would start again. After restarting the vehicle I was ab... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
AMG GT
(2021) - ENGINE
May 25, 2026
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
My car dies while im driving down the street, making it difficult to steer and qhen you try to restart it, sometimes it starts and some times it don't. But this is not the first time its happened it was just the latest
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
While in the middle of driving on the highway, the vehicle has powered off then back on. The vehicle “slips” when revving up.