Consumer Safety Complaints

Search 2,192,899 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 137,559 crashes, 55,854 fires, and 8,555 deaths.

2,192,899 Total Complaints

137,559 Reported Crashes

55,854 Reported Fires

8,555 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 2,192,899 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 161,337 complaints — component: ENGINE

Incident date: Apr 29, 2025

I am writing to express my concern regarding an ongoing and persistent issue with excessive engine oil consumption in my 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe, Subject: Severe Oil Consumption Issue - 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe - VIN: [XXX] The vehicle consumes an alarming amount of oil, approximately 1 quart every 300 miles. This rate of consumption is far beyond what is considered normal and strongly suggests a ser... Read more

Incident date: Sep 8, 2025

Engine misfiring and rough idle with occasional flashing engine light. Dealer said no codes to know what to look for despite replicating issue. Eventually it threw a Cylinder 5 misfire and thus GM dealer was able to look further. They found metal in oil pan and concluded a bearing issue and would need to replace engine.

Incident date: Sep 26, 2025

My truck is making a ticking and whistling noise once it is cranked and running. Ford issued a recall on f150’s for a manifold exhaust leak with the same noises I am hearing. The recall # is 19S32. My truck has the same problem and issue as described in the recall. My year and model truck needs to be covered under the recall.

Incident date: Aug 31, 2025

Blown Head Gasket (Cylinder 3 Misfire) After having 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L serviced at Chrysler Dealership, technicians found small leak coming from Oil/Coolant Filter housing unit. Part was replaced and few days later vehicle had a misfire and had flashing Check Engine Light (CEL). Car was towed to dealership, technicians said code seen was P0303 (Cylinder 3 Misfire). Tech, replaced Ign... Read more

Incident date: Mar 31, 2023

My vehicle, had had issues with the brakes even after repairing (changing them) a horrible grinding and squeaking. The shifter reads "Service shifter soon" how does one even do this. The car jolts forward, or stalls in the middle of traffic, when I press the gas, when I brake sometimes it does not register, I have had the fuel sensor repaired and its still says its not working. I am going to be hi... Read more

Incident date: Sep 26, 2025

Coolant Pump Electrical Connector Recall #24V-608 Program Control Units (DME) Recall #20E-A01 I am following up because my dealer was unable to complete the DME recall, and the coolant pump recall still shows as incomplete in NHTSA. My vehicle was moved off-site without my consent. I received no updates or documentation, and the dealer was dismissive. My car’s condition has declined due to unre... Read more

Incident date: Apr 24, 2025

GM is not handle this recall in a timely manner. They are refusing to inspect vehicle to see of there are any defects. This is concerning, as based on the recall notice, the engine may fail at anytime. This could cause a crash or leave me or my wife stranded on some road. My dealer would do the inspection but to do the inspection but they said they are not allowed until I have gotten "permission" ... Read more

Incident date: Apr 6, 2025

There is a loss of power in the moment the propulsion changes from electric to gas followed by an error message to "service hybrid electrical system". Dealer inspected an found there is currently no remedy. Seems to be a known issue by now.

Incident date: May 4, 2023

The engine in my 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid failed due to a known defect with the 2.4L engine used in Kia and Hyundai vehicles. The vehicle suddenly quit running and has been inoperable since. Prior to failure, the car had exhibited knocking noises and loss of power. This placed my safety at risk as the vehicle stalled unexpectedly and could have caused an accident if it occurred in traffic. The fail... Read more

Incident date: Sep 15, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal growling sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 140,000. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnos... Read more

Incident date: Sep 23, 2025

Multiple components and/or system failures/malfunctions, exact cause is unknown. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety risks include engine power reduction issues that result in unexpected deceleration, and/or sudden/dangerous loss of power/acceleration. Problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Vehicle component has not been inspect... Read more

Incident date: Sep 25, 2025

Dear NHTSA, I am submitting this complaint to report a recurring issue with oil consumption in my Hyundai vehicle, which I understand is a known problem affecting this particular engine type and model. I am the original owner and have been a loyal Hyundai customer for many years. I have followed all recommended maintenance, including regular oil changes. Despite this, my vehicle has developed ex... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light, the emission system failure, and electronic parking assist messages were displayed. Additionally, the AWD feature had become inoperable, making the vehicle difficult to steer. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. After disconnecting and reconnecting the negative ... Read more

Incident date: Sep 20, 2025

The vehicle all of a sudden started saying there was a misfire on cylinder 1. So the ca was taken in for a tune up. Coil packs and spark plugs were changed. The vehicle was then losing coolant with no sign of a coolant leak externally. The coolant began leaking into the engine through a weakened gasket caused by the misfire. That should not of happened. The car had been marked as having various re... Read more

Incident date: Sep 2, 2025

Truck has under 45k miles on it. After reaching 35-40mph, it began to shake and jolt. Once we drove approximately 20miles, the engine light began flashing, in addition to the parking break light turning on. The truck began to lose power and we were forced to pull over on the side of a busy road. After waiting a little bit, we were able to drive it to our local shop who advised us to tow it back th... Read more

Incident date: Jun 10, 2025

Hyunda dealerships are not replacing engine that have been recalled because Hyunda Corporation is refusing to allow the replacements. They are nit picking at reasons to not replace. I believe it because of the number of replacements needed is overwhelming tothe corporate offices and they are picking and choosing on which car get replaced. We have spent thousands of dollars on rentals waiting over ... Read more

Incident date: Sep 23, 2025

When starting the car and letting it warm up for 2 minutes. The vehicle shifts hard or takes it time to shift into next gear, and while idling for less than 5 minutes, the car warms up 32 degrees. Which I do not believe the fan motor is working properly. Also took car to dealership blown trans and engine mounts.

Incident date: Sep 25, 2025

came off the highway to a stop sign went turn and the engine just seized and would not start no matter what I did. had to have it towed to my house. safety risk was just off the road so i did not get hit. police stop and told me to get a tow truck. and no warning signs at all

Incident date: Aug 14, 2025

Coolant leaking into the motor, Ford won't cover it because it was not manufactured in a certain plant. This issue is very common in these eco boost engines.

Incident date: Sep 25, 2025

I gave yesterday a complaint (9/24/25 complaint #11689593). Today at the same location, exit ramp of the AZ 101, going west, the same thing happened. Today, 9/25/25, as I was approaching the car that was waiting to enter 56th street my engine increased from about 5 MPH to about 35 MPH. Instead of hitting the car in front of me I turned into the lane on my left. A car hit my car on the left side. M... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Dec 5, 2022

The incident happened in December 2022; the vehicle is available for inspection still. Without warning, the engine light started blinking, and engine ran very rough, so I ended up pulled over and stuck until we could tow to the local Honda dealership. Then was without a car for several days. The dealership found error code P0302 (misfire on cylinder 2), due to oil gumming up on the spark plugs, c... Read more

Incident date: Sep 17, 2025

Check engine light came on. The engine has coolant intrusion and the engine would have to be replaced, quoted me $17,240.83 I called [XXX] Lincoln client relationship center and I was told there was nothing they can do to help me. After doing some research, this has been a known problem by Lincoln and they have not put out any recalls. They also have a class action lawsuit against them INFORMA... Read more

Incident date: Sep 10, 2025

Car shifts out of gear without pushing the brake. The gear shifter will switch to neutral while driving. While not driving car can shift into reverse without pushing the brake and barely touching the gear shifter. Thai cause the car to stop at high speeds on the highway and unsafely go into gear. This recall has been unresolved for at least a year and is dangerous.

Incident date: Sep 22, 2025

My vehicle’s fuel delivery system failed after a recall repair. The in-tank fuel pump was replaced under recall by the dealer, even though I had no drivability complaints, no warning lights, and a full inspection that day confirmed no issues with my vehicle. Immediately after the recall pump replacement, the vehicle developed drivability problems including sputtering, hesitation, and failure to ... Read more

Incident date: Sep 25, 2025

1st incident vehicle lost power while operating. No way to operate hazard lights, steering and control goes dead and wipers come on continuously. 2nd incident car was returned from dealership. 15 minutes into the drive on a busy highway in Minneapolis car began to replicate similar issues. No power, no hazard lights, SOS call button is inoperable as well.

Incident date: Oct 16, 2023

Engine failure in October of 2023. Had vehicle towed to dealership and was told truck was not under warranty because of mileage and was going to be months before they can get to it because of parts on backorder or shortage of parts. Had truck towed to another shop and had the repairs done there, at my expense, for a total of $15,600. Fast forward to July of 2025, recall comes out on my truck for e... Read more

Incident date: Jan 7, 2025

The engine failed two years ago at 86000 miles. Hyundai replaced the engine for it to start knocking and stop working a year later. I completed all of the first oil changes, slow driving, ect. Seems like an engine problem with Hyundai itself.

Incident date: Sep 25, 2025

Cracked cylinder head leaks oil directly onto hot exhaust, causing smoke, fumes in cabin and a fire risk.

Incident date: Sep 15, 2025

The check engine light came on and is still on at this time. I was told that there is coolant in the cylinders of the engine. I was informed that the engine has to be replaced. I purchased the SUV a year ago with 60,000 miles on it and I have added another 1,000 miles. So far I have been lucky in the fact the vehicle is still running. it has been about a week now since the light came on and 3... Read more

Incident date: Sep 20, 2025

My engine is done from coolant infusion in cylinder 2. It is available for inspection upon request. Because of this known issue my engine could have stopped at anytime allowing for endless ways my family and I could have been killed. I found out about this issue when I took my car into Kerry Ford for a simple oil change and mentioned that my car had just started shaking upon starting it and until ... Read more

Incident date: Sep 25, 2025

Driving today and car started rattling and pouring transmission fluid on the way home today. Barely made it home.

Incident date: Sep 10, 2025

Alternator causing engine stall also electrical issues

Incident date: Sep 15, 2025

On 9/15/2025, my 2020 Ford Escape SE began experiencing serious electrical and shift system issues: hard downshifting, “Shift System Fault” warning, inability to go into park, and failure to shut off without disconnecting the battery. I confirmed a related PCM recall was active and had the vehicle towed to Art Hill Ford for diagnostic and recall service. The dealership refused to perform the ... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2025

The torque converter is defective in my 2018 Acura RDX. I have received flashing warning lights on my dashboard in Red " Check Transmission." This warning light is due to Acura's defective torque converter. The torque converter affects the shifting of power during driving and cause hesitance or shuddering when attempting to accelerate.which causes my vehicle to sometimes to have a decrease in ... Read more

Incident date: Sep 3, 2025

This is after the recall on 2018-19 Fit Carbon Buildup with Misfire DTCs under codes P0300-P0304) and after fuel injectors are replaced. Current problem is with combination of carbon deposits on intake valves. Failing fuel injector/s causing an incorrect air/fuel ratio with code under P0172.

Incident date: Sep 22, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that intermittently, while driving 60 MPH on the highway uphill, the vehicle suddenly lunged forward and backward. The vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed or released. The contact stated that the engine revved high. The vehicle was stopped and began to shake. The driver was able to pull over safely. The vehicle... Read more

Incident date: Aug 4, 2025

Smelling exhaust fumes inside vehicle and not safe to drive with only 46,000 miles on odometer. Took it to Ford Dealer and found two manifold bolts have broken off flush to engine block and manifold is now leaking. This is a very common occurrence with the 3.5 Ecoboost motor.

Incident date: Jul 25, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the message "Loss of Engine Power" was displayed before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and DTC: P0087, P2291, and P2A00 were retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,843.

Incident date: May 24, 2025

Oil consumption was ridiculously high, changing oil/topping off oil constantly. Car would not accelerate over 30 mph without sputtering and rumbling. I had mechanic diagnose bad sparks plugs due to sitting in oil from leaking. After I had them repaired/replaced the car drove great for 1 day, then decided to die in the middle of a busy intersection while I had my teenage son in the car with me. My... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2025

During a routine service on my 2021 Audi Q7, the shop found the coolant level low and traced it to a leak. The Audi dealer later diagnosed failure of the water pump, thermostat, valves, and related parts, with a repair estimate of nearly $5,000. I discovered that prior model years (up to 2020) were included in a class action lawsuit for the same type of cooling system failures, though my VIN is no... Read more

Incident date: Sep 23, 2025

Over the three years of ownership we have had four occurrences of random stalling when taking left turns, where the engine stalls out, and the emergency parking brake engages. This can easily be a life threatening occurrence as it happens in the middle of the intersection during the left turn and it takes time to confirm the car is turned off, then need to disengage the emergency brake and THEN r... Read more

Incident date: Feb 13, 2025

My engine has been burning oil. The engine light has been on for just over the past year because an O2 sensor in the catalytic converter needs replacing, however, this is unrelated to the issue. The oil light started flickering earlier this year (approx 8 months ago) but would never stay on. I called my mechanic and they recommended I check the oil. Sure enough it needed oil. Since then I have had... Read more

Incident date: Aug 31, 2025

Vehicle: 2019 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX] at Incident: 171,800 Description of Incident: On Sunday, August 31, 2025, at approximately 12:30 PM, my 2019 Kia Sorento experienced a sudden and catastrophic engine failure while in motion. I was driving with my two children at approximately 60 mph on Highway 111, a major highway in Palm Springs, CA. Without any warning whatsoever, no dashboard lights, sou... Read more

Incident date: Sep 22, 2025

Had a Honda fixed for a well known piston ring problem that did not have a recall, but should have at the time repaired. In July, Honda sent us an extended warranty for the very problem we had repaired. I sent in all documentation and claim was denied twice. My dealer has sent me a voice mail confirming the repair is the exact one mentioned in the warranty extension. American Honda is claiming cer... Read more

Incident date: Aug 11, 2025

We first noticed that the car was sputtering and jerking when accelerating at highway speeds. It wasn't consistent at first but continued to get worse over time and at more regular occurrences. White/grey smoke was spotted from the tailpipe whenever the vehicle was accelerating, either from a stop or when "resuming" on the cruise control. We brought the vehicle in to the dealership as the "serv... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 2025

Radiator leak, leaking antifreeze

Incident date: Sep 23, 2025

Vehicle states engine maintenance required. Is a consistent reoccurring problem according to dealer. System failure due to manufacturer always puts the user at risk.

Incident date: Sep 23, 2025

The contact owns a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that her husband was running an errand. The contact stated that he had parked the vehicle and had turned it off. When the contact's husband returned to the vehicle, he observed that smoke had filled the passenger cabin and smoke was being emitted from under the driver's side wheel well and from under the hood on the driver's side. The... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Aug 27, 2025

OEM Stator and Rotor failure around 10,000 miles. Failure of adhesive laminate for magnets causing magnets to separate from assembly causing engine to knocking sound, electrical power voltage drop, engine may shut down while in operation / at idle causing safety issue in traffic. In 2024, manufacturer revised design for engine case, increased size of stator and rotor parts, and changed other relat... Read more

Incident date: Sep 16, 2025

The coolant is leaking into the engine area. Causing repeated coil failures and misfire and i assume damage to engine. I believe engine block needs to repaired or replaced. Also, during both dry and especially slippery/wet conditions... my vehicle is veering to both sides on its own while driving .my hands are on wheel going straight and it just drifts, slips and slides. Afraid I'm going to cras... Read more

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