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: Jan 20, 2021
Excessive engine oil consumption. I have to add at least a half a quart to a quart of oil every 7 to 10 days depending on how much I drive. The 2019 Kia's are showing the same issues as the 2016 Kia engines that are currently under recall for catastrophic engine failure due to oil consumption. Fix this issue Kia. I love my car. This is the only problem I have with it. I shouldn't have to add oil t... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2026) - ENGINE
Apr 21, 2026
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
Over time the car began to lose coolant. I read codes and troubleshot the systems, replacing a sensor first, no visible leak from collant hoses was discovered. I took the car to bethlehem ford and after a diagnostics process told me there was a crack in the engine on cylinder three that was allowing coolant to leak into the piston and be burnt off during ignition which created misfires and damage ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
2022 Cadillac Escalade. Had the 6.2 liter engine recall done about 6K miles ago in which the engine was replaced. Now it’s back at the dealer again and needs another 6.2 liter engine. Been at the dealer for a month and GM has given them no update on when they can get another engine for it. This is insane. How am I ever supposed to be able to take my family around in this vehicle if the engines k... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
I bought this car and the mileage said 120K, but the title says when it was tagged 157K. the car has been tampered with and the some of the lights for the car on the dash are missing, such as the check engine light. Also, it misses so bad that it will die at times
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
2026 Tiguan SEL Turbo R-Line goes into limp mode. Volkswagen originally diagnosed this as a software issue. A software fix was finally released (after two months of waiting) but the 'fix' does not solve the problem. I had the software patch applied at my dealership last week but found the car to be exhibiting the same problem this morning. Car shakes and shudders and goes into 'limp mode'. D... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
The engine defected at 82000 i had it for a year can u guys please make it right as a valuable customer
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
My vehicle was purchased brand new and currently has only about 13,000 miles. Despite this, it is already being recommended for a full engine replacement. The dealership has diagnosed coolant seeping into cylinder 4, indicating a failing head gasket. I do not understand how this could be attributed to me, as the car is still very new and has never overheated. I first noticed the issue in April 202... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
The engine oil pump has an internal plastic housing that can fail and will cause oil pressure variations and even low pressure which can lead to engine failure. This has been documented for a while on various b58tu engines. This a very costly repair that can easily be 5000-6000 usd. Failure of the said part can also render that vehicle unable to drive.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2026
2017 Chevrolet Equinox Premier certified pre-owned vehicle experienced multiple safety-related defects. 1. REPEATED STARTING FAILURES (electrical/battery/starter system): - March 17, 2026: Complete battery failure, vehicle would not start. AAA/GM Roadside Assistance called. Dealer inspected but could not diagnose root cause or explain battery drain. Preceded by unusually loud windshield wiper mot... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
My vehicle was in for a normal service to have the spark plugs replaced. However I was told that the engine wiring harness had become brittle (apparently a common and reoccurring problem with my vehicle) and would likely cause misfiring after changing spark plugs. This did indeed happen and if I didn’t elect to have the harness replaced, it would have put myself and my son in danger. It was a v... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
Driving on the highway smoke came from under the hood in the right hand side forcing my family out on the highway keep ingulfed in flames and burnt to a crisp
Fire
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
The vehicle experienced a safety-related issue involving the hybrid system, which may cause sudden loss of power while driving. This issue is associated with a manufacturer recall (Toyota campaign 25TB15). Due to the risk of power loss, the vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive. The vehicle was taken to a dealership for repair, where the issue was confirmed. However, no repair has been completed. T... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
3 leaks in oil cooler. When mech got in to do the repairs, they noticed the turbo was cracked. Replaced it with new turbo which also failed. After the second new turbo was installed the car ran fine for about a day and now the turbo continuously stalls while driving it.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
Hey, Just wanted to let you know that I took my car in for the recall service on the 6.2L engine issues, They determined my engine was fine and changed the oil to the different one. Within 6 months the engine blow while I was driving, they covered it under the recall however it is clear that the oil change is not an appropriate fix for this issue. thanks
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
The electrical system in my 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander has repeatedly malfunctioned since September 2023. The primary failure involves the dashboard completely shutting down while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in the loss of critical driving information such as speed and system warnings. The issue is intermittent but ongoing and may be available for inspection upon request. This failure creat... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
Blown head gasket. This appears to be a widespread issue amongst all 10th gen honda accords due to a poorly designed engine by Honda.
FOREST RIVER
PUMA
(2023) - ENGINE
Apr 20, 2026
Incident date: Apr 14, 2026
Good afternoon, I am submitting this complaint to report a serious and potentially life-threatening safety issue involving my 2022 GMC Yukon Denali. While traveling northbound on State Road 417 (toll road) in Florida, approaching Exit 45, I was driving approximately 75 mph when, without any warning, the vehicle suddenly shifted itself into neutral. A message immediately appeared on the dashboard ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
The vehicle (2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2.0T, ~88,500 miles) experienced a sudden engine failure with no warning signs—no oil light, knocking, or overheating. After sitting overnight, the vehicle would not start and was later diagnosed by an independent repair facility as having a seized engine requiring replacement. The failure was unexpected and creates a potential safety risk, as it could have r... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
ENGINE BREAKDOWN 1.5TURBO IN 11/28/25 WITH 16820 MILES ON IT. IT IS NOT AVAILABLE I HEARD A BANG AND SMOKE OUT OF BACK LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY DAMAGE WAS CONFIRMED BUY A DEALER GOODWIN CHEVROLET IN BRUNSWICK ME YES BUY GM DEALER. NO THERE WERE NO WARNING LAMPS OR OTHER SYMPTOMS BEFORE FAILURE. CAR WAS CHECK ON 3/30/2023 AT 10383 MILES FOR SHAKING AND LOSING POWER.CAR DID COME OUT ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
This is the second time I have taken it to the dealership. When sitting at a stop and the automatic stop and start happens, it acts like it does not want to crank back up. Last time the dealership said it was the battery; they replaced the battery, but that has not fixed the issue. if I am at a stoplight and it does not start back, that is not a good feeling my wife now does not want to drive t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
-My 2020 Trail-boss 6.2 Engine broke and stopped producing power and shut off, it is available for inspection and has been inspected by my local Chevy Dealer Tom Gibbs Chevrolet. -My son was crossing a railroad track and it shut off as he topped the tracks it shutoff at the tracks and he was able to coast down out of the way. If it shut off a second earlier he would have been stuck on the tracks ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
On March 28, 2026, the check engine light illuminated on my 2017 Honda CR-V EX (VIN [XXX] ) at 59,057 miles. I pulled diagnostic trouble codes with a consumer OBD-II reader and recorded P0301, P0302, and P0303. On March 30, 2026, I contacted American Honda Customer Service to request goodwill repair assistance. I was told to obtain an authorized dealer diagnostic and resubmit. I did so. On March 3... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2026
While operating the vehicle under normal driving conditions, the engine experienced a significant loss of power and reduced acceleration. The issue is believed to be related to turbocharger failure within the engine system. The loss of power created a safety concern, particularly when attempting to merge into traffic and maintain highway speeds. The vehicle did not respond as expected when accele... Read more
CONTINENTAL
CROSSCONTACT LX
(9999) - ENGINE
Apr 20, 2026
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
Car power shut off while driving on the highway to church and almost got in an accident. Pulled to the side and smelled smoke. Lifted the back seat and opened the fuse box and looked. Lifted the fuel pump fuse and it was burnt. Me and my family got stuck on the side of the highway instead of church and spending time on a holiday.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE L
(2022) - ENGINE
Apr 20, 2026
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
Engine has multiple engine miss fires. Loss of coolant into exhaust. Engine knocking.
Incident date: Apr 16, 2026
On March, while I was leaving to take my children to school, I discovered a loud, heavy metallic knocking sound coming from the engine of my 2019 Ram 1500 Classic. As I depressed the gas pedal, the knocking frequency increased immediately with the engine RPMs. Prior to this total failure, I had noticed the truck feeling hesitant and "stuttering" when I was trying to accelerate from red lights in t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 69 MPH with the cruise control set, the vehicle started driving sluggishly and failed to maintain the set speed. The vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 62 MPH. The ‘High Oil Temperature” warning light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated unintendedly to 55 MPH. The vehicle then lost automotive power, stalled,... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
During a recent dealership visit for recall work and an oil change, a potential issue was identified involving improper fluid presence. On April 16, 2026, I brought my 2015 Dodge Dart to Ewald Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram for recall work and an oil change. Upon pickup, I immediately noticed a strong burning smell. Service representative Austin told me this was normal due to the recall work performed. O... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
Coolant control valve failing. Warranty not covering this part. Seems to be a manufactured issue. Happening on a lot of 2021 GMNC Sierras with the 3.0l Duramax.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2026
My truck is a 2025 Ford F150 STX with 5,900 miles on it. This truck was purchased new at River City Ford in Lavalette, WV The component in questions seems to be involved with the turbos and more specifically the wastegate that attached to the turbos. Also, yes, it would be available for inspection. I am unsure if it is a true safety concern as Ford says it is not and it is normal operation. Ho... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2026
I own a 2024 Genesis G90 with two active NHTSA recalls: 25V474 and 25V833. On April 19, 2026, the vehicle suffered a total electrical failure: “Check brake system” warning Engine would not start Electronic door handles failed; occupants trapped inside for over 20 minutes Turn signals operate abnormally The dealer previously repaired only by reset (no recall fix). This is a life-threatening saf... Read more
HONDA
ACCORD HYBRID
(2025) - ENGINE
Apr 20, 2026
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
The A/C evaporator core failed on my 2018 Honda Civic Hatchback with approximately 67,000 miles, confirmed by an authorized Honda dealership in April 2026. This is my second major A/C system failure in under one year on this vehicle. Approximately one year ago, the same dealership replaced the A/C condenser and compressor shaft seal. Now the evaporator core has failed and requires full replacement... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
While driving my 2021 BMW X7 at approximately 32,000 miles, the vehicle suddenly displayed a drivetrain malfunction warning along with a low engine oil pressure warning. At the same time, I noticed excessive heat and a strong burning smell coming from the vehicle. I also heard abnormal mechanical noises coming from the engine, which sounded like knocking or grinding. The engine failure occurred u... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not accelerate. Losing speed at highway speed was alarming and finally all dashboard went red with alert to stop driving and engine heating warm... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
1st Incident: Merging on to the freeway car started to stall but was able to safely make it off the freeway at next exit. Less than 2 miles was unable to accelerate to properly merge on freeway. A slow merge & slow driving on to a freeway is extremely dangerous. 2nd Incident: 6 months later, Nov. 2023. Driving about 65-70 MPH on the freeway with my son, the car started to stall again. I was able t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Rogue. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that seconds later, the vehicle was surrounded by smoke. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that nearby drivers contacted the Police and the Fire Dep... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
I have a 2019 Chevrolet trialboss with a 5.3 L engine and the lifters went out on this vehicle! Now it’s needs a new engine! And there seems to be a huge trend with this.
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
September 2020 received new vehicle ( purchased platinum extended warranty at time of sale that expires 9/22/2027)-December 2022 heard loud ticking & misfires & check engine light on took to dealer who found #2 cylinder intake lifter collapsed at that time was under warranty (9924 miles) and dealer replaced not only damaged lifter but all lifters and guides (I have this repair invoice from 12/2022... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine at startup. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil caused by a gasket failure inside a piston in the engine. Due to the failure, the co... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2026
Vehicle started missing at around 2000 miles, also a check engine light came on. Took it to Rick Hendrick Jeep and they ended up replacing an oxygen sensor and telling me the Vehicle was not missing even though I have OBD reports showing the engine missing. At around 7000 miles I performed the second oil change on the vehicle, when inspecting the old oil filter I found larger particles of metal in... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned? The engine (piston rings) and catalytic converter failed. The catalytic converter is available for inspection upon request. How was safety put at risk? The engine ran low on oil without any external leak, causing warning lights and engine rattling. Low oil pressure can lead to sudden engine seizure or fire. The failed catalytic converter can clo... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2025
The vehicle became inoperable at high speeds on the interstate, I-65. My husband was able to safely merge to the right shoulder to avoid any crashes. The car made some loud clunking sounds before all power was lost. The car was then towed to the nearest Nissan dealership. It took 3 business days for the dealer to look at the car. The entire engine needed to be replaced. The dealership was able... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2025
Whirring noise, something loose in transmission - many cases of this but no recall or recourse to fix a defect
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 300
(2023) - ENGINE
Apr 20, 2026
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
While driving my car with no warning light or any type of sound just cut off engine while driving. I was on busy highway going slightly uphill and was almost rear ended causing car behind me to swerve to avoid hitting me swerving to other lane and almost colliding into another car. I was able to get to middle divider almost but back end of my car sticking out in #2 lane. I was stuck in car for abo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
There are .recalls.on the Vehicle I had been unaware of and I dropped off my vehicle for exterior buffing while person Buffing vehicle he heard a loud explosion and when he looked the vehicle was up in flames the vehicle burned. There was a Risk of someone getting Harm , Killed and Damages to other vehicles on the property in same lot vehicle was being buffed . Police and Fireman were dispatch to... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
I own a 2017 Kia Sportage 2.4L (VIN: [XXX] ). In October of 2024 , the vehicle began making a loud engine knocking noise consistent with a known rod bearing failure. I immediately stopped driving and it has been in my garage to prevent further damage or safety risk. I contacted KIA America corporate twice 4/17/26 and was denied engine replacement twice. Kia stated I was not eligible for coverage ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2025
Head gasket and engine failure at 61,000 miles.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2026
Back in July of 2025, my vehicle Abruptly Stopped and lost all power on the thruway. Vehicle was towed immediately to local dealership (emerling Jeep in springville ny ), where it then sat for almost 9 months awaiting a safety recall related to the PTU, as was confirmed by dealership. Fast forward to this year, early April 2026, I finally received vehicle back, and was informed a new PTU /software... Read more