Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 164,804 complaints — component: ENGINE
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLE 350
(2020) — ENGINE
May 23, 2026
Incident date: May 13, 2026
We were traveling to our son’s college graduation, driving on a rural interstate and suddenly all of the vehicle’s warning lights lit on the dash and the car started losing, and then completely lost power. The car was no longer operational. We were stranded on the roadside of a remote but busy 2-lane interstate for 2 hours until a tow truck could arrive and take the car to the closest car repa... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
At 116 miles, the engine blew and I was informed it would need to be replaced. I purchased a used engine from the same year of vehicle because Kia said it would not be covered since the vehicle had passed the 100,000 mile mark. I spend over $5,000 to get this engine and have it installed by a licensed mechanic. This second engine has now also blown leaving me without a vehicle as a single mom with... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2026
While driving, the engine started to shutter and run rough. Pulled over to check and see if everything was ok. When restarting engine it developed a ticking noise which got worse and worse. We then made an appointment at a transmission specialist to get it serviced. While driving there the engine started experiencing engine failure with loss of power and loud ticking noise. Diagnostic from trans s... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2021) — ENGINE
May 23, 2026
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
While driving at normal highway speeds, I got a warning light for engine overheat condition and cooling fans came on. I also got a warning that the engine would go to reduced power. I reported this issue to my local GMC dealer. Was told that this was a comm problem with this engine however: my vin number indicated that this vehicle was not covered under warranty N252508341. I was advised to br... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2026
Vehicle has excessive oil consumption defect acknowledged in Kia TSB ENG222. Repeated catalytic converter failures indicate potential overheating risk similar to 2019 Gamma engine recall for fire hazard. Engine burning oil creates risk of critically low oil levels leading to engine failure/stalling while driving. Multiple emission system failures (oil consumption, catalytic converter) suggest unsa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2024
While traveling at highway speeds on Interstate 5 in Oregon, my 2015 GMC Yukon Denali experienced a sudden, catastrophic engine failure with zero advance warning. The vehicle instantly lost almost all propulsion and power while surrounded by high-speed traffic, creating an immediate and severe safety hazard on a major interstate. The engine began making a loud, severe knocking noise, and I was for... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2026
My 2020 Ford EcoSport is subject to Safety Recall 23S64 for failure of the engine oil pump drive belt and/or tensioner. What component failed: The engine oil pump drive belt and/or tensioner failed, resulting in loss of oil pressure and major engine damage. Date of failure: Approximately [XXX] (Repair Order opened January 13 2026, mileage at failure: approximately 98000). Safety risk: This defe... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2026
My vehicle has already had recalls on the fuel system and brake pin. Now I have an auto idle stop system problem. The indicator light is constantly flashing. Two days ago I was stopped at a red light on a two lane road in the city. When I pushed in the brake the car did not come out of idle. It just stalled. It took probably 30 seconds to a full minute before I could do anything. My option was to ... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
I own a 2023 Toyota Tundra that is part of the major engine recall due to machining debris in the 3.4L V6 engine. A few days prior to the failure, I called the dealership to raise concerns that the acceleration was starting to not act right. Despite this, while driving at 70 mph on the highway yesterday (May 22, 2026), the engine suddenly failed and died without any prior warning, it is my belief ... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
P0128CODE P0024 CODE SECOND Cam Shaft sensor failure Thermostat failure, stuck open Electrical issues from low battery power Failure to shift to park when shutting off vehicle
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE L
(2025) — ENGINE
May 23, 2026
Incident date: May 20, 2026
My vehicle wasn’t reading my key fob when I was pressing the lock and unlock button, so I took out the hard key and unlock the doors. Then the alarm set off and I was using the key fob again trying to shut the alarm off no response so I took the key fob and press the start stop button and the engine turn over and the key was working again then I went to shut off the engine same way. The engine w... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2025
Left for work. Started running funny, stalled-started-stalled-started on my street. Got on highway about 1/2 mile, check engine light & engine temp light came on. Got off highway and called a tow to SARASOTA FORD. Tech ran diag. for codes, codes found.: P1285( cylinder head over temp ), P0316(engine misfire ), P0304( cylinder 4 misfire ), P0303(cylinder 3 misfire ), P0302( cylinder 2 misfire ), P2... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2026
The vehicle will not get to highway speed causing it to impede traffic and presenting a safety risk for collision.
Incident date: May 9, 2026
Coolant bypass valve leak. An known issue however dealership will not pay for repairs due to vehicle having 106000 mile. 6000 over what the bulletin 24TE04 states it will cover.
Incident date: May 11, 2026
On 5-11-26, I was driving and the vehicle just stopped in the middle of the roadway. I couldn’t go in drive or reverse, just sitting with engine running.No warning lights, no noise, or anything that would let me know there was a problem. Cars was coming up behind me and in front. I called a towi truck, and a police officer. The officer pushed me off the road way, and the car was towed.
Incident date: May 23, 2026
While driving over the expressway, the engine light came on the vehicle started revving extremely hard but was decreasing speed to less than 20 miles per hour I had to cut on the hazards and coast into s safety lane where I could get off the expressway. I then shifted the car into park cut off the vehicle and cut it back on, the car started up but make loud noises from the engine I was able to coa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
Our 2017 Ford Edge Titanium had its engine check light go on at 60,788 miles on April 6, 2026. So we brought it into our local Ford dealership (where we purchased it new) the next day on April 7. We were told that diagnostics showed there was a coolant intrusion in one of the cylinders (2.0L Eco-Boost engine) and we would need to basically rebuild the engine (long block) for $9,900! This is very f... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2026
I own the car and have had it for 3 years well maintenance but I notice when I pump gas it doesn’t want to go water leak in the the car when it rain and the fuel g lm from the gas tank leaks and you can smell gas strongly
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
Vehicle experienced sudden severe loss of motive power consistent with Ford Safety Recall 23S64 (NHTSA Campaign 23V905000). Prior to repair, the vehicle entered limp mode and could not accelerate beyond approximately 30 to 35 MPH. Low oil pressure warning indicators and check engine light illuminated repeatedly. Engine produced abnormal grinding and strained startup noises. Vehicle also experience... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine is malfunctioning, increase in oil consumption, MPG dropping, a ticking/knocking noise coming from the engine, and erratic engine behavior with random surges while driving to 6000+ RPM. Brought it into Kia 2x now for same issue and first time said nothing was wrong and second time I am now goi... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
Component failed 1.6L Escoboost engine coolant intrusión into cylinders causing misfire and white exhaust smoke vehicle available for inspection upon request .safety risk:engine misfire and coolant loss cause sudden of power or ingine fire while driving. Recall 17S09 was issude for this exact defect .Ford SSM 46433 states this requires new engine assemby . Problem confirmed multiple repair shops ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
Multiple DTC codes on car at 25,120 miles,32,344, 34,324, 47,484, 51,853, 53,521, Consistent Fuel Injector failing under warranty, prior to 60,000 miles and not replaced correctly, as I have had to see dealership 4 times for ineffective fuel injector replacement and consistent problem. First DTC code reading @ 25,120 miles as stated on DTC coding Reports through Hyundai/Bluelink app. SEVERE Fue... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
Was stopping at red light. Got to about 5mph when Jeep accelerated to about 35mph. I was standing on the breaks but the Jeep kept accelerating until impact struck the car in front me which was stopped. I have video.
Crash
Incident date: May 15, 2026
The engine failed on a 2015 Hyundai Elantra with approximately 71,000 miles. The vehicle has an open, unresolved safety recall (Recall 251, NHTSA #23V651000) for an ABS module brake fluid leak that Hyundai has acknowledged but has not provided a remedy for. The vehicle is currently at an independent repair facility and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle repeatedly shut off witho... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2024) — ENGINE
May 22, 2026
Incident date: Apr 21, 2026
The primary failure is in the electronic transmission control system and engine wiring harness assembly, specifically throwing diagnostic trouble codes P0700 (Transmission Control System Malfunction) and P0717 (Input Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal). The authorized dealership identified a critical issue with the engine harness chafing, but their subsequent repair attempts have failed to resolve the... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2026
***SAFETY/DANGER*** On April 12th at around 5:30 p.m. my family of five, to include three minor children were returning home from visiting family which live about an hour and a half away and as we're traveling on the freeway at highway speeds, in traffic, our new Tahoe unexpectedly and without warning went into reduced power mode and cut speed down to approximately 35 MPH in active traffic, which... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while drivng at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle was towed to the dealer ted after several attempts, the vehicle eventually started. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, howver the vehicle failed to accele... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2022
If I leave the auto idle engine stop on,and come to a complete stop, the auto engine stop turns on, but as I release the brake to drive, the vehicle stalls in drive and engine shuts down. I will have to manually turn the car back on and restart the whole system before being allowed to continue. All while at a green light and a ton of traffic waiting behind me to move! Its very disappointing and em... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2017) — ENGINE
May 22, 2026
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
NO power till car warms up for 5 minutes. It will be jerky on highway. The gas mileage is going down drastically, I was doing 32 miles to gallon and now it's 22mpg. All this is after the recall we just had performed. I have no power trying to avoid accidents, taking off from stopping. Car smells weird now.
Incident date: May 8, 2026
In May 2026, the Emission Warning Light unexpectedly illuminated on my 2016 Honda Pilot. I immediately sought an inspection, and repairs were completed on 5/9/2026. Failed Component: The fuel injection system failed. Specifically, the injectors for cylinders #4 and #5. The replaced parts [are / are not] available for inspection. Safety Risk: This defect caused the engine to run dangerously rich, d... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) — ENGINE
May 22, 2026
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
was driving along at 65mph when i heard a pop and then truck shut off said loss of oil pressure along with a few other warnings. managed to cost to the side of a hwy that has no shoulder msg came up saying put in neutral to start did so the motor cranked but would not turn over like it had lost all compression. got towed to a local repair shop spun a main bearing which in turn broke the timing cha... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
Engine has consumed an alarming rate of oil for years. I brought to a mechanic and they performed a $2,600 repair on engine. It ran fine for while and got much worse with oil consumption to the point that I needing to add oil monthly. It has been difficult to keep up on keeping enough oil in car and engine has now sustained damaged. There is no ticking or noise, but there is a loss of power and so... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2024) — ENGINE
May 22, 2026
Incident date: May 22, 2026
Truck engine shut off doing 60. Has major recall and issue these trucks are unsafe i was very scared.
Incident date: May 1, 2026
Sometimes my backup camera will not show a screen. I have considerable amount of trouble trying to connect my phone to the car. Hands down can I use the GPS on the car. Lights do not come on my dashboard. The RPM bounces up and down from starting it all the way to the while you're driving. The car does not want to stay started it does not like to go it does not hands down not like sitting still.... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2026
Driving to work at 0730 on 20 may, i put my foot down to accelerate from 40mph and nothing happened, i tried again thinking foot placement and the engine died. All ligjts went out, engine turned off and i free coasted for 100 -150yards. Once stopped i mangaed to get the hazard lights on, and get out the vehicle. I was 30yards from traffic lights on a 3 lane road. Once pushed from the road, the ca... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2026
The vehicle turned off at a red light and would not start up again.
Incident date: May 20, 2026
Formal Consumer Complaint Statement — GM / Crivelli Buick I am filing a formal consumer complaint against Crivelli Chevrolet Buick GMC and General Motors/Buick regarding what I believe was discriminatory and unfair treatment in connection with a warranty-covered vehicle repair. The customer is [XXX] , owner of a 2017 Buick Encore. The vehicle was serviced by Crivelli Chevrolet Buick GMC in Mt.... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2026
STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, WHEN IT CHANGED TO GREEN THE TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE. DISPLAYED HYBRID SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING, SHIFT INTO PARK. WE WERE THE FIRST VEHICLE AT THE LIGHT IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA WITH NO SHOULDER. TRAFFIC TRYING TO MANOUVER AROUND OUR VEHICLE WERE AT RISK OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. PARAMEDICS ARRIVED TO TRY AND DIRECT TRAFFIC. THE TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY V... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
I believe that I was sold a car with an unsafe engine. I bought the van from Libertyville Honda in Libertyville on [XXX]. The car had 107K miles on it. A liile over a mounth later the check engine light came on and the van started running bad. When I did some reasearch I found out that a safty report to an iscident dated [XXX] when the car had 107k miles on it. This means that the car was not driv... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2026
This is supplemental evidence for NHTSA Safety Complaint #11739200 UNIFIED SUPPLEMENTAL EVIDENCE PACKET SEE UPLOADED FILE
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact observed excessive oil consumption, which has progressively caused the vehicle to stall 2 to 3 times per week. While the engine can be restarted, it idles and runs roughly immediately afterward. Additionally, the contact noted a distinct smell of burning oil exiting from the exhaust system. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (E... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
I am reporting premature cooling system failure on my 2021 Audi SQ7 equipped with the 4.0L twin-turbo V8 (EA825 engine). The vehicle developed a coolant leak from the water pump and thermostat housing assembly at relatively low mileage (less than 27,000 miles). The failure caused coolant loss and low coolant warning messages, requiring major repair due to the engine’s integrated “hot-V” coo... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
I brought my Ford EcoSport into the Baxter. Ford, in Papillion, Nebraska, because it was malfunctioning, the oil pressure got real low and my car was not accelerating like it should Also I advise them that there is an open recall on the vehicle. As well and I that the recall and the engine malfunction are related. They told me that it wasn't, and I'm sure it was. Then, they advised me that after s... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the check engine light illmiunated. The contact mention when depressing accelerator pedal, the RPM's get suck independently and the vehicle fails to respond as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, however the dignanoses was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The man... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) — ENGINE
May 22, 2026
Incident date: Mar 21, 2026
While driving on highway with cruise control set at 65 mph, the engine started misfiring, lost power and multiple warning lights came on. This was the first and only time I had engine problems and I never had any warning lights come on prior to this incident. Dealer confirmed engine experienced complete failure and need to be replaced.
Incident date: May 19, 2026
My wife was driving our 2021 Honda Pilot with 102,000 on the interstate when the check engine light came on and the engine began to lose power. She was fearful of being hit by other traffic due to engine dying in middle of mutiple lanes of traffic. The engine began to have a knocking sound. We shut off engine and had it towed to Southpoint Honda in Durham NC. We were told it has a rod knock, the e... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2025
Total engine failure in the Ford Explorer XLT 2.3L ecoboost.
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2004) — ENGINE
May 22, 2026
Incident date: May 20, 2026
Hello, I am the Buyer of the subject Vehicle, Upon doing my research, I found out several reports stating that The subject vehicle's 2.4L engine has manufacturing defect, that causes Head Bolts to get stripped/melt down in to oil causing Engine failures and Life threating risk in the middle of the road.
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLS 450
(2019) — ENGINE
May 22, 2026
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
I am reporting a serious safety defect in my 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. My vehicle experienced low oil pressure warnings and engine warning lights, which were diagnosed as a faulty oil pump solenoid valve. The repair required removing major engine components, resulting in a cost of $5,000 that I paid personally. It is important to note that Mercedes-Benz updated the valve design in the following ... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2026
Automatic start stop completely turns off car when pulling up to a stop sign, light, or yield intersection. Car completely turned off and wouldn’t start on a bridge overpass causing a safety hazard. Took a solid minute for it to restart.