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: Nov 21, 2024
On April 17th 2024 my vehicle received a recall update 68C regarding the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle battery. Two days later, I was driving on a major freeway in Southern California, noticed that the EV battery was not being depleted as it remained at 100%. Shortly thereafter, a check engine light came on, and the power was severely restricted. Within a few minutes, the vehicle completely lost... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
On April 19, 2026, while driving on the highway with my [XXX] son, the vehicle suddenly experienced a complete engine failure and shut down without any warning, leaving us stranded in the middle of the road. This incident posed an immediate and serious safety risk to my family and other motorists and could have resulted in severe injury or worse. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF IN... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2026
Why enclave Burns about 1 to 2 quarts of oil in between oil changes so I'm constantly having to check the oil level and put more oil in it which come really close to being out of oil and causing the engine to seize Buick says this is normal and I don't think it is I have never had a car that uses oil like this new or used in addition to that the transmission is locked up twice since we have owned ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The contact stated that there was a slight shaking coming from the steering while driving at various speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V514000 (Steering). The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was no... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that after the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle, with white smoke from the tailpipe. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
I own a 2010 Honda Accord. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerks, and fails to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal on the hwy. The check engine warning light VSA is on. In 2022, I had Honda replace the engine, However, just after the warrenty expired, I started to experince the same issues. The vehicle has been sitting since 2023, and so I have it in the shop... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
since i have owned this car they have replaced the knock sensor twice. there is a recall on the engine for crank bearing wear, my car now is burning through 5 quarts of oil every 2 weeks with no oil leak spots on the ground. i would like them to replace the engine as per the recall. the knock sensor should be an indication of the bearings going bad. i have been getting the run around from the deal... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to accelerate from a stop, the engine started choking. The vehicle lost automotive power, stalled, and shut off unexpectedly and stalled. The contact waited for a while, restarted the vehicle, and continued driving. The failure became persistent, and several attempts were needed to res... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
Vehicle stalls when trying to accelerate. Stalled in the middle of intersection with on coming traffic numerous times
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE L
(2021) - ENGINE
Apr 20, 2026
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
Active Fuel Management Miss firing Idle rough Shaking Loss of power #7 cylinder loss of all compression Bad fuel mileage Skipping
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
I felt ill for a few months. Started to smell gasoline in my garage and inside the car. When I sent in, the Fuel Feed Hose was leaking and not attached and damaged. My car could have blown up at any time, and I inhaled fumes probably for months
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
We have had multiple incidents when the car is at a stop light with the idle stop not active, the vehicle engine will just die. The light turns green and the vehicle is not running, it will take multiple times pushing the start button for it to start back up. This has resulted in multiple almost rear end incidents due to other drivers assuming we would go when light turned green. More recently ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
About a month ago I received an Engine Coolant Low warning from the vehicle so the fluid was topped off. This past Friday, April 17th as I was driving home around midnight, I received an Engine Temperature is High, please pull over notice so I stopped the vehicle and had it towed home. Saturday evening, as the car was sitting in my driveway, the vehicle caught fire. The entire engine bay ignited a... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
At 29k miles, truck was receiving an oil change and general maintenance. Metal flakes were found in the oil and small shaving in the bottom of the drain bucket. Vehicle was sent to a GM dealership to be tested. Engine passed pico test even though metal was present in the oil.
Incident date: Apr 11, 2026
Upon accelerating from a stop, or at various speeds, the vehicle experiences a significant loss of motive power(pulling backwards) followed by an abrupt lunge forward. This hesitation occurs unpredictably and makes entering traffic or intersections extremely hazardous. This feels like a fuel delivery or transmission engagement failure. The last incident occurred on or around the afternoon of March... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2025
I bought a brand-new GMC 1500 6.2L AT4 back in 2025. Never have an engine recall. At 39K miles, lost power, and ended up replacing the camshaft and lifters. 2K miles later went back to the dealer for engine replacement.
Incident date: Nov 4, 2025
I have 2018 Ford Escape SE 1.5L engine, approx. 81,500 miles. Date into service 05/26/2018. Diagnosed on 04/18/2026 at Ford dealer (see attached) with Coolant Intrusion into engine. Ford dealer states that Ford will not assist with repair/replacement of engine because vehicle has been in service more than 7 years.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
My 2022 Nissan Rogue has experienced repeated engine failures beginning at approximately 88,000 miles, including four separate incidents despite repairs performed at authorized dealerships. The vehicle exhibited engine knocking and drivability issues prior to failure. Nissan later issued a recall related to engine issues, and recall service was performed on January 29, 2026. The engine failed ca... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2025) - ENGINE
Apr 20, 2026
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
Our 2018 Ford Escape has a 1.5L Eco Boost engine that currently has coolant intrusion in all 4 cylinders per a diagnosis by a Ford dealership in Orlando, FL. All indications point to it being the result of the same known design flaw for which Ford has previously issued a recall. However, our car - built at the same plant and time period as those who were sent recall notices - did not receive a re... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2026
This vehicle engine overheated. Leading up to the engine overheating event, there was an instance where the vehicle was driven for a mile or two and the air conditioning seemed to not be cooling. The vehicle was turned off for a few hours and restarted and the air conditioning appeared to work. However, the next day, the engine overheated. All repairs associated with this event were completed unde... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
This vehicle has had 2 incidents where the engine overheated. In both instances, the thermostat has been replaced under warranty. Due to this most recent overheating event, the repairs were over $1750 excluding the portion of repairs under warranty. There were no warnings before the engine overheated, and the vehicle was being driven on the freeway at appropriate speeds. This is not the first time... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
Loss of propulsion due to engine failure after recall repair completed.
TOYOTA
SIENNA HYBRID
(2025) - ENGINE
Apr 20, 2026
Incident date: Mar 19, 2026
The engine failed while driving on the highway on two separate occasions due a fuel pump issue. The first time it happened, it was just reduced power (could only drive maybe 40 miles an hour). I brought it to the dealership and they said that General Motors told them it needs a software update which they completed. However the second time it happened (4 months later) it was full engine shutdown... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
ValveTronic motor and eccentric shaft is a very common issue that my specific car has. Affects the timing and makes a loud sound. Dangerous to drive in this condition.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, and while the vehicle was parked, there was a loud banging sound coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The RPM failed to operate as intended while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that there were me... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal screeching sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to pull off to the side of the road, and the vehicle shut off. The contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle, but after several attempts, the vehicle failed to start. Due to the failure, the... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
Burns through oil Oil will be black and barely any on the dip stick Cannot make it to recommended oil change miles or date Goes into limp mode
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the engine was blown while driving at 10 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no warranty coverage as... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
My vehicle was having engine problems in 2024. It was towed to the dealership because it was a recall on it. The new engine is malfunctioning as well causing me to lose power while driving. I have only put 2,000 miles on the car since the engine was replaced.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2023) - ENGINE
Apr 20, 2026
Incident date: Apr 16, 2026
The known timing chain issue GM done a warranty for to fix it but won’t fix it now. My car is running sluggish because of it and had numerous times that it wouldn’t go up to the speed limit almost caused accidents because of it and I’m afraid to even drive it anymore knowing that it’s a time bomb waiting to happen that could blow up on the highway that can cause accidents.
Incident date: Mar 3, 2026
On March 19, 2026 I paid $5,778.87 for repairs to my 2018 Wrangler JL. Repairs included the replacement of warped cylinder head and failed head gasket with coolant getting into the combustion chamber, showing up as rough running, misfire, flashing check engine light, and burning coolant smell. On April 18, 2026, at approximately 10:30 pm, after attending the [XXX] concert at Bank of America sta... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormal ticking sound. While accelerating, the sound level increased. The contact stated that the failure was related to the engine warranty extension TXXM. An independent mechanic was contacted and determined that there was an internal failure with the engine. The fluid levels were... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 65–70 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact attempted to pull over to the shoulder of the road, but the vehicle lost automotive power. Additionally, the engine had seized. The contact stated that while attempting to start ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2026
I am reporting a severe safety and vehicle integrity issue involving a Toyota vehicle purchased from Wolfchase Toyota. After a technical inspection (Invoice #XXX), it was confirmed that the Engine VIN does not match the Chassis VIN. This indicates an undocumented engine replacement of unknown origin and mileage. As a result, the vehicle's safety systems, engine performance, and structural integri... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
While driving at approximately 70 mph on a highway under normal conditions, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of engine power. A check engine light illuminated at the time of the failure, and the vehicle was unable to maintain normal acceleration or consistent speed. The loss of power created a hazardous situation in active traffic, as the vehicle could not safely maintain speed with surround... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
When Idle start/stop function is engaged and then goes to restart, the engine hesitates or fails to restart all together.
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
I was involved in a collision. The front driver's side hit another car, causing a lot of damage. The surprise was the fire. There is no reason for it to have caught for the way it did. The door was jammed, so resorted to unhooking the soft top, while I caught fire. I opened the top and jumped off the top, crawling away with burns and cuts before the entire engine exploded. I could have still been ... Read more
Crash
Fire
1 injured
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) - ENGINE
Apr 20, 2026
Incident date: Apr 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while driving at 60 MPH on the expressway. No warning lights illuminated. The contact had some wires replaced prior to the failure. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment or crash. The driver was able to pull over safely. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed... Read more
Fire
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) - ENGINE
Apr 20, 2026
Incident date: Apr 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte with a five-speed transmission. The contact received notifications for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V363000(Air Bags) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000(Service Brakes, Hydraulics), as well as other manufacturer recalls. The contact made an appointment at a dealer and had the vehicle serviced for the recalls. The contact had to make a second appointment as not all p... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
Coolant leaking from the upper radiator inlet hose connection. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated in the Driver Information Center (DIC).
Incident date: Apr 20, 2025
Our Car is 2016 with 97000 miles with engine failure. Previous driving noticed the Engine will slow down suddenly at times. Preston Hyundai Dealer says bad engine cylinder $6000 is a fire hazzard and needs new engine. I see Hyundai sold 199000 2016 Sonatas and replaced 129000 bad engines. They gave a 120000 mile warranty to the 2016 cars. Hyundai said my car in not on the recall list so they will... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2026
Seem like there was a recall on the 3.3L engines on the Hyundai Santa Fe starting January 26, 2017, for engine related knocking noise. My Vin is [XXX] according to the Manufacturing plate it was made in Korea released on January 04, 2017. I realize it is a 22-day window on the recall but after an oil change the motor has started knocking the oil is the right viscosity, full to capacity, and oil f... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
My 2019 Kia Stinger GT2 with approximately 25,000 miles has been out of service since February 12, 2026 for diagnosis and repair of a system issue. The vehicle has remained at the dealership for over two months. Multiple repair attempts have been made, including escalation to Kia corporate engineering. Despite these efforts, the issue has not been clearly diagnosed and no permanent repair has bee... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while their son was driving approximately 45 MPH, a loud pop sound came from the right side of the engine department, and then the steering wheel seized. The driver attempted to apply the brakes; however, the brakes failed. The vehicle ended up crashing into a nearby pole post. The air bags deployed. The driver received a hematoma on... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
Vehicle smells like fuel after engine toggles on and off between the hybrid system. This issue is intermittent, but when it is taken to the dealership they smell the fuel, with no luck duplicating the issue. I have also noticed when the smell is present the vehicle seems to run rough.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2026
Coolant in engine block; replacement engine required and not covered by warranty.
Incident date: Mar 26, 2026
Engine shut off while making a turn. Took car to mechanic and he stated that the car did not display any error messages. The car also over heated while driving in freeway.
Incident date: Jan 19, 2026
Vehicle: 2025 Chevrolet Traverse On [XXX] at approximately [XXX], while driving south on [XXX] , my vehicle suddenly shut off without warning resulting in a complete electrical failure. During this event, I lost the ability to accelerate, activate hazard lights, unlock doors, open or close windows, or use the OnStar system. The vehicle restarted briefly but then shut off two additional times befo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
I bought the truck brand new from Gregg Young in Atlantic, IA. While an hour into the drive home, the truck began shuttering as if the transmission was having problems finding the gear. I immediately made an appt with their parent dealership of Gregg Young in Plattsmouth, NE. They had the truck for a week and couldn’t duplicate the transmission issues after I reported several occurrences and sym... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
Engine fault light came on took to mechanic nothing popped up on the codes. Then check engine light came on took to another mechanic it showed it was misfiring along with other codes. Then check engine light went away. Then moved car out of driveway and engine overheating light came on.