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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints

140,173 Reported Crashes

56,794 Reported Fires

8,580 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›

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Showing 169,480 complaints - component: ENGINE

Incident date: Apr 3, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The check engine and three other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic five times for unknown diagnoses and repairs; however, the failure persisted after the... Read more

Incident date: Mar 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss automotive power while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the lifters and cam shaft needed yo be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approxima... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 2026

Both catalytic converters and O2 Sensor's have been replaced and I’m still getting a check engine light. Along with a multitude of other parts that I’ve had to replace. Like the turbo, gaskets, sensors multiple times…

Incident date: May 4, 2026

Vehicle, a 2018 Ford Edge SEL, recently experienced misfiring and overheating with the "check engine" light illuminated. Took the vehicle to an automotive repair shop and, after performing diagnostics, they advised the vehicle's engine coolant is leaking into the cylinders, which was the subject of a prior Technical Service Bulletin #19-2208 from Ford, and is a KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT with the 2.0L E... Read more

Incident date: May 3, 2026

I am writing to report safety concerns regarding my 2018 Kia Soul Plus. I have been experiencing several engine issues, including knocking noises, hesitation during acceleration, excessive oil consumption, and an active check engine light. Recently, while driving with my daughter, the vehicle began shaking and the check engine light flashed three times. Although I strictly adhere to the recommend... Read more

Incident date: Apr 29, 2026

A known Kia Telluride issue arose with the oil filter housing gasket. I came out to find a huge oil leak on my driveway. Not only was the oil really low but it's suspected that it also caused the antifreeze to become low. I had just had the oil change a couple weeks prior so not sure if the technician could have also tightened it too much torque when they tighten the filter cap, causing a crack. I... Read more

Incident date: Apr 25, 2026

First occurrence was 02/27/2026 - onstar detecated a critical issue, the check esc, check tsc words came on in the center dash, then the orange lights came on and my truck went into limp mode at a stop light. I had to limp mode a mile to the nearest dealer. Where nothing was repaired just reset. Second occurrence - exhaust flap valve failed creating chirping noise resulting in a muffler replacem... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2026

Engine seized and was smoking. No warning lights on dash until engine siezed and then it was ESC light that came on. Engine started smoking when seized. Checked oil and there was none however we had just had the vehicle in for a state safety inspection 2 weeks prior to this happening. Have had regular oil changes thru dealership and car was scheduled for oil change prior to this incident happening... Read more

Incident date: Apr 24, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 KIA Forte. The contact stated while operating the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was misfiring, severely shaking and was losing motive power suddenly while operating on multiple constantly for about 3 weeks, and state she noticed a check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a independent mechanic where it was diagnosed to be a timing cha... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2026

All lights on head dash are on , all components are not working properly or effected because of this. (Engine light brake light abs light tire light traction control light , sensors out all) while driving vechile reduces power does not operate randomly , have to pull over shut the car off and turn it back on. Has high vibrations lot of shaking, stauling. I have had it looked at with multiple shops... Read more

Incident date: Mar 4, 2026

I was driving on the highway and my car started making a lot of noise. I got a notice “The Engine system has detected a fault.” Then another notification saying 4 wheel drive was disabled and then my car stopped running, leaving me stranded in the middle of the highway. My car would start, but it would not go into any gear. When I tried putting it in gear, I got a notification that said “Pow... Read more

Incident date: May 2, 2026

I, [XXX] was driving home from work on Friday, May 1st on [XXX] in [XXX] during heavy traffic when my vehicle suddenly shut off while traveling approximately 65–70 mph. I initially thought I may not have been pressing the accelerator hard enough, but the vehicle would not respond at all. I then looked at the dashboard and saw a message that said “push brake to start.” At that moment I re... Read more

Incident date: Apr 26, 2026

At 87,336 miles, my 2017 Ford F-150 (3.5L EcoBoost) would not start. The engine clicked and buzzed but failed to turn over, leaving me stranded with no warning. There was no prior check engine light. I brought the truck to Roy Hendrick Automotive in [XXX] (Invoice XXX, completed 03/05/2025). Their diagnosis determined the cam phasers and timing components had failed. The shop performed a full ti... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that multiple issues were experienced with the vehicle while driving, including the following: the transmission has odd noises, is not changing gears properly, and emits a burning smell; the vehicle randomly overheats; the brake fluid bubbles when the vehicle is turned on; the AC compressor has failed three times; and the serpentine belt an... Read more

Incident date: Mar 15, 2025

Every single EA839 Audi Engine has piston skirt and cylinder scoring.

Incident date: Sep 15, 2025

Unknown

Incident date: Apr 27, 2026

Dealer confirmed there is a coolant intrusion in the engine and the engine needs to be replaced due to a known defect.

Incident date: May 3, 2026

While driving on I-95 North in the fast lane at highway speed, my 2023 Tesla Model Y experienced a sudden loss of propulsion and displayed a warning indicating the vehicle was shutting down. The vehicle rapidly decelerated and would not respond to acceleration or drive engagement. Steering remained functional, which allowed me to maneuver the vehicle across lanes to the shoulder to avoid a potent... Read more

Incident date: Apr 30, 2026

The CVT issue remains with this car even though I have complained. The car will randomly de accelerate and randomly accelerate which has cause minor fender bender. The car continue to studer and jerk and continues to show since of transmission issues. These cars need to be recalled before someone is seriously injured from the known CVT issues.

Crash

Incident date: Jan 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350E. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle began decelerating, losing drive power till the vehicle stalled. The contact turned on their hazards and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The Check Engine, Blind Assist, Exit Warning Inoperative, Towing Not permitted, with several other warning or failure lights illuminated. ... Read more

Incident date: May 3, 2026

The contact owns 2019 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the check engine, tire pressure, brake system, lane departure warning lights illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact added that the vehicle then jerked stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after two attempts. The vehicle was then taken to dealer where it was diagnosed tha... Read more

Incident date: May 4, 2026

The car started jerking and overheating. Mechanic says blown head gasket. The car is only 64000 miles.

Incident date: Apr 29, 2026

Car is constantly misfiring! I got my fuel injectors, plugs, coils all changed. Honda is now saying head gasket! Why isn’t this being recalled! I am seeing multiple people with the same head gasket issue.

Incident date: Apr 29, 2026

On April 20th while parking the vehicle suddenly had a power surge crossing over multiple curbs and across a parking lot and landscaped areas and hitting a tree. The vehicle refused to brake and the driver airbag never deployed.

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 23, 2025

I have a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. There was a recall last year and I brought it in to the dealership. At that time, I wasn't even sure what the recall was for. This year, about a month ago, I was driving (I take XXX to work everyday) and the display had a notice that said "Stop safely, the engine will turn off". I pulled over and turned the car off and turned it back on. The check engine light came... Read more

Incident date: May 3, 2026

I was getting on the highway in 7th gear and the truck shifted to 1st gear. The rear end locked up and my vehicle skidded out of control. Luckily there was no one around and I did not contact another vehicle or a road barrier.

Incident date: May 4, 2026

I purchased my vehicle through Carvana. My engine light is on. I received a notification that there’s a manufacturer recall on my vehicle which is Code CDJR XD1 Crankshaft position sensor - however it’s not listed on your website.

Incident date: May 5, 2025

Start engine light came on while driving. The truck did a dead stop in the middle of the road. Tried to restart but nothing. A tow truck was called and the truck was dropped off at the local GMC dealer. The next day the dealer called me and told me I need a new engine.39,000 miles

Incident date: May 1, 2026

I recently purchased this vehicle, and shortly after, it began having serious powertrain issues. When I accelerate, the vehicle intermittently loses power and starts shaking violently. It feels like the engine or transmission is slipping or failing. The RPMs surge and drop rapidly, and the vehicle hesitates, jerks, and sometimes briefly slows down before suddenly accelerating again. This creates ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 28, 2026

Car jerks and temp gadgets jumps too high. Message reads high coolant temperature.

Incident date: Apr 15, 2026

We heard a knocking noise and took the truck to the nearest GM dealership. The engine had to be taken apart. The engine is a L87 6.2 liter V8. The GM dealership service department diagnosed camshaft damage that caused lifter failure. We have since been informed that GM has known about the failure of this engine for many years. In our case, we were fortunate that the engine did not fail when w... Read more

Incident date: Apr 2, 2026

It is unknown exactly what causes the issue. But intermittently when taking off from a stop, the powertrain hesitates to respond to my input on the throttle. The hesitation lasts anywhere from half a second to a full second. This puts my safety and other driver’s safety at risk because I cannot reliably tell whether I will be able to pull out quickly and safely in front of an oncoming vehicle. T... Read more

Incident date: Apr 27, 2026

Coolant Intrusion into sccylinder one. Long block assembly required.

Incident date: Dec 31, 1969

I am getting warning signs on the dashboard saying that my brake booster performance has failed and I need to service the brake booster , the brakes are very hard to press, I need longer stopping distances,and traction control and stability control towing harness my speed has been limited to 43 mph and it's saying that the mass air flow system is has low circuit

Incident date: Jan 3, 2026

I took my car in for the EVM engine update. Since then whenever it starts it is jumpy. The rpm rev more than they should. It’s very concerning that it will rev and won’t stop and I could possibly hit someone. I took it back to the dealer and they called the timeline and they told them to do another update. They did and it is still like that. Was never like that before. I have connected with s... Read more

Incident date: Apr 12, 2026

I have the GM 6.2 L engine in my 2022 Denali and had the recall Pico test performed August 20th 2025 and the truck passed, they changed the oil and cap and I was good to go supposedly. 5,000 miles later I had the oil changed again and everything looked fine, I drove the truck another approximately 1500 miles and the engine suddenly seized with no indications and no warning. That occurred on Apri... Read more

Incident date: Apr 28, 2026

I was driving down the road about 35 mph and it jerked me clean off the right side of the road. Here the driver side and passenger side subframe/engine cratle is completely rotted out bad . This needs fixed before someone dies.

Crash

Incident date: Apr 24, 2026

sudden engine death while driving, no warning, timing chain failure, engine destruction

Incident date: May 2, 2026

Vehicle is equipped with start stop system and we have had multiple instances where we come to a stop , and the car will not restart. In the latest instance, we pulled up to stoplight, the start stops system engaged shutting off the engine then wouldn't restart. Car also wouldn't turn completely off, so I had to hit the flashers at the busy intersection, try to get the car into park, then shut co... Read more

Incident date: Nov 1, 2025

There is a coolant intrusion in cylinder 2 that needs to be fixed my car started shaking and starting off very slow since November 2025,I have not driven my car in 3 months because my car was not starting and when it did it was shaking violently. I can not afford a new engine PLEASE PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE

Incident date: May 1, 2026

The vehicle loss drive power in the middle of driving several times back to back, a red wrench and a message saying to service hybrid system warning appeared. Purchased used in September 2025, had open recall fixed and later recall fixed after in early 2026.

Incident date: May 2, 2026

Driving down the highway. Vehicle random alerts that there is a transmission error.

Incident date: Feb 10, 2026

The 1.3L turbo caused metal fragments to get into my engine which in return caused the transmission to fail. My 2021 Buick encore gx has been in the shop since early February 2026 at Garber Buick in Fort Pierce Florida. The first diagnosis was solenoids needed to be replaced, after the solenoids were replaced they told me the engine needed to be replaced, once the engine was put in Garber Buick to... Read more

Incident date: Mar 10, 2026

A metallic clinking/rattling noise developed from the engine/transmission area while the vehicle was running. The issue was diagnosed as a failed flexplate. The flexplate is a critical component that connects the engine to the transmission. Continued operation with a failed flexplate can lead to further mechanical failure and could result in loss of propulsion or inability to move the vehicle, cr... Read more

Incident date: Apr 8, 2026

The front drive motor went out

Incident date: Apr 17, 2026

I was on a highway in the Middle Lane to accelerate, and after that the car started to lose power and acceleration and the engine started to make noise and I saw smoke behind me. It was only at this point that an engine light came on and then it went off and did not return. It was a safety hazard and dangerous because it lost power on a highway And there were cars around me doing 60 to 80 mph and... Read more

Incident date: Mar 11, 2026

The engine has coolant intrusion. It is available upon inspection. Safety at risk due to side effects from the intrusion such as: engine overheating, misfiring, massive coolant loss that could cause an engine fire. The problem was diagnosed as a blown head gasket, but there is evidence of coolant loss and corrosion of spark plugs etc from coolant in engine. Has not been inspected by insurance or p... Read more

Incident date: Feb 17, 2025

This vehicle has theta 2 engine.. which is part of class lawsuit kia settled. My vehicle had high oil consumption and the defect was due to rod bearing would cause engine to fail and cause hi oil consumption. The dealer diagnosed it with burned valve and denied warranty even though my warranty was extended due to this engine being a defect. The reason they stated is that the rod bearing... Read more

Incident date: Jul 10, 2024

Thermostat failed making car over heat also sunroof failed due to cheap rolling up shade device getting stuck , when car was less than 4 years old with very little use.

Incident date: May 2, 2026

While passing a vehicle on a two lane road, my vehicle lost power and went into limp mode nearly causing a head on accident. The check engine light came on and i immediately went to O'Reilly's Auto parts store and had their OBD scanner read the code. AP0002 code was read. I immediately returned home and the check engine light automatically cleared. I scanned the OBD again and found code P0002 and ... Read more

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Consumer Safety Complaints

What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?

How to interpret what you read

If you've experienced a defect

Read more from our blog