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: Feb 28, 2026
It was about [XXX] {XXX} I was driving about seventy five miles an hour down [XXX] heading north to milwaukee, and there was a loud bang, and it seemed like the car went in reverse. And then it just stopped right on the road.I had to get off of the road.I and it said there was there was a message on the dashboard engine power reduced.My oil life was at sixty four percent at the time.And then it s... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2026
This 2022 Bronco Sport was purchased from a Ford dealership "as is", but I purchased an extended warranty due to this. Since purchase the vehicle has been in the Ford Service approximately 60 days combined for the following: Tork converter replacement (part of the transmission system), 3 weeks; water pump (cooling system failure) 2 weeks; CV axil (drivetrain component) 2 weeks; battery replacement... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER SPORT
(2018) - ENGINE
Mar 8, 2026
Incident date: Feb 25, 2026
In April of 2022 with 26k miles my vehicle had its first engine failure, Chevrolet dealership had to replace engine lifters due to a known engineering defect with the 2021 6.2 L87 engine. Now in late February 2026 with 80k miles my engine has locked up and requires a brand new engine replacement. For some reason, even though this is a L87 6.2L 2021 engine it is not part of the broader recall for t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2025
Engine stalled at stoplight. Was able to restart and pulled into closest parking lot where it began idling hard. Check Engine light turned on. Checked oil and it was bone dry (no signs of oil leak/burning beforehand). After adding about a quart of oil, while in park I revved the engine slowly, but it would stall out if it went over 3000 rpms and idle even harder. My basic code reader popped for P0... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2026
1. The exact component that failed is unknown at this time. The fire appeared to originate in the driver-side front area of the engine compartment near the headlight. Prior to the fire the vehicle experienced engine shaking and a check engine light. The vehicle has been towed to a Hyundai dealership and is available for inspection by insurance investigators, the manufacturer, or safety investigato... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
The Auto Start-Stop system is not working properly. Three times it has failed to restart when sitting a traffic light. I believe this is safety issue because I could be rear ended if a vehicle is not aware of my vehicle not starting to move with traffic. The Auto Start-Stop can only be manually stopped by turning it off in the vehicle ever time to start to use it. This system needs fixed or there ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2001
My 2023 Nissan Rogue experienced engine problems beginning in August 2025. The vehicle started having difficulty starting and the engine was not operating normally. In September 2025 the engine completely failed and the vehicle became inoperable. Because the engine failure required a major repair that I could not afford, the vehicle was eventually repossessed. I later discovered that my VIN ([XX... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
Another GM truck AFM failing. It failed at 70,000 miles causing P0307 cylinder 7 misfire. No aggressive driving just commuting to work. Truck just got done with a new oil change. It's another to add to the hundreds/thousands seen on Reddit threads of all 5.3/6.2 AFM/DFM that this organization turns a blind eye to.
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
When accelerating to enter a road with high speed traffic the engine dies for a few seconds resulting in on coming traffic having to brake to avoid a collision. Then, the engine suddenly accelerates wildly. This problem occurs every time the vehicle is driven. The dealer service people has "tested" by driving the vehicle for 7 miles and declared there is nothing wrong. This is dangerous because th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
I was driving an hour away from home and suddenly my muffler and exhaust started dragging— 49,000 miles, 5 years old AND just passed inspection A WEEK AGO. Luckily, it didn’t become completely unattached because that could have caused an accident as there were cars behind me. Complete safety hazard
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
All of a sudden while driving or idling engine will complete shut itself off. Rpm to 0 and if driving truck has shift to park to start. Once shifter to park and restarting car truck will start right back up however this issue has been ongoing and Dodge/ram has been no help with a solution. Brought it to an outside mechanic and after having a ton checked either pointing to a faulty PCM or TIPM modu... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
Massive oil leak that everyone has issues with also has a grid heater bolt that fails and causes engine damage. The oil leaks are terrible for the environment and causing leaks all over every road
TOYOTA
SIENNA HYBRID
(2025) - ENGINE
Mar 7, 2026
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
Engine caught on fire while driving down the hhighway in SC. Vehicle was towed to Fred Anderson KIA of Greer & has since been sold by them after sitting in their lot for almost 3 years. I was driving down the highway not knowing my car was on fire. I only pulled off at the exit because my son, who was in the car behind me, had called to tell me he needed to use the facilities at the next exit. I... Read more
Fire
TOYOTA
SIENNA HYBRID
(2025) - ENGINE
Mar 7, 2026
Incident date: Dec 13, 2025
I own a 2013 Ford Fusion SE with a 1.6L EcoBoost engine. Prior to the incident, the vehicle displayed a “Check Charging System” warning and the engine overheated. After parking the vehicle and shutting it off, a fire started under the hood in the engine compartment. The fire occurred shortly after the overheating warning and while the vehicle was not running. The fire appeared to originate in ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
The car has an auto stop capability that engages during red light stops (etc.). The auto stop function automatically engages every time you start a new trip. Unfortunately, the car occasionaly fails to restart and displays emergency alerts. To restart the engine, the car must be put back into Park. This essentially results in the vehicle stalling out and it creates a significant safety risk. It h... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
I replaced the alternator and battery, 3 months later I was told I have an issue with the pcm which was similar with the recall for the same vehicle I drove. My vehicle was not part of the recall. Tbs Recall tv-u87-18
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
I have a 2019 Ford F150 ecoBoost 3.5L engine. I'm a very low mileage driver and just turned over 55,000 miles when I began having cold startup knocking, which is well known issue for Ford (TSB 21-2119). This is a faulty part on this vehicle that if not repaired properly can cause catastrophic engine damage and dangerous on-road situations. The repair is upwards of 6,000 dollars and Ford custome... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2026
Vehicle startered to deccelerate and lose engine functionality while I was going 60mph on the freeway. Had to involuntarily stop in traffic. No system warnings were on or lights. After the incident mechanic saw a head gasket failure just as other models and coolant had leaked into cylinder two. Seems to be a recurring problem with these models .
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
My Tundra has been having lagged throttle after takeoff for a few months now going into 2026. My truck is slightly over 50k Miles and did well for the first 40k Miles. Last week it went limp and gave a loss of Power Warning and Check engine light came on. Then the very next day a parking brake assist warning came on. I brought it to the dealer and after 4 days they couldn't replicate the warning ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
While driving on the interstate at highway speed, my 2017 Hyundai Tucson lost power without any warning lights or prior symptoms. The vehicle experienced an immediate loss of propulsion while I was traveling in traffic, creating a dangerous situation because surrounding vehicles were also moving at highway speed & I had to quicky maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder with no power. The vehicle had ... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2026) - ENGINE
Mar 7, 2026
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
2018 Nissan Rogue. With just over 96,000 miles. I have been working on cars for 35 years and understand mechanics at a professional level. What component or system failed or malfunctioned?: Oil level sensor. Oil temp sensor. Knock sensor. Complete rod bearing failure. Outrageously high Oil temperature and Oil consumption. Rod Bearing started knocking. There were no warning lights or Low Oil lev... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
Heavy vibration of entire vehicle when in reverse. Occasional lack of power when accelerating. Issues with the transmission occasionally failing to shift gears.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
I am filing a complaint regarding my 2021 Kia Seltos 2.0L. While driving, the engine made a continuous rattling noise, and the check engine light illuminated with code P0017 (Camshaft/Crankshaft Correlation). Upon inspection, I discovered the engine oil level was extremely low. After adding oil, the rattling stopped, but the P0017 code remains. I contacted my dealership, which refused to perform ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
At 27, 000 miles while on vacation, over 1000 miles from home, the lifters and bearings grenaded the motor. The vehicle sat at the dealership for a month waiting for a motor replacement. This could have been much worse as we had just driven through mountains the day before. Had this happened in the mountains this could have been deadly. The engine was replaced, but we have no faith in the new engi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
Brake system has failed. “Brake Assist Service” has popped up on screen. Taken to two separate facilities who said this is a KNOWN problem with this vehicle make and model.
Incident date: Feb 9, 2026
2018 kia sportage had oil consumption issue but did not notify car owners, lead to complete engine failure of my car at only 117,000 this car is part of a class action lawsuit due to bad engineering , kia would not replace the engine on this even though i submitted all maintenance records, they had terrible communication when i was calling for months to file a claim with corporate, wouldnt retur... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2026
My truck was driving perfect and I went to pull into a parking lot in Arkansas where I live in long story short it started acting funny trying to idle out and then I heard a knocking noise. It happened twice. Then my service ESV light come on next my motor light come on then my auto for a collision system failure light come on. It’s on the dash anyway my vehicle is not running around. It has har... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS CROSS SPORT
(2022) - ENGINE
Mar 7, 2026
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
I was driving my car for about 7 min (in 0 degree weather) and it overheated and just shut off on the road. I noticed it was over heating and headed to the repair shop. It stalled again. Even after apparently it was fixed the engine continues to act like it wants to stall. It’s says malfunction, but codes do not show up in the system. They keep telling me it’s fine and they fixed it, it ke... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2026
Description of Fault This vehicle exhibits a recurring, intermittent failure of the electronic throttle control system. Three distinct symptom patterns have been observed: 1.Throttle non-responsive at stop-start (approx. monthly/bi-monthly): After coming to a complete stop (e.g. at a traffic light), pressing the accelerator pedal produces no engine response. The vehicle will not move. Switching th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
The oil cooler line is leaking, and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This safety concern is addressed under GM Program N192220080. The Hazard is Present: The leak is active. The risk of total line detachment and engine seizure is the same in Texas as it is in Alaska (the US state the GMC recalled the exact same part). An engine seizure and loss of propulsion is an immediate da... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2026
I was driving 55 miles an hour on an Expressway. And suddenly my truck just shut off.The brake became very hard unable to break very scary situation for me and my children. Engine power was reduced and would not start, many errors came up. The vacuum pump failed, which also caused the cam shafts to fail.The vacuum pump exploded into pieces and sent metal into my engine.
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
My 2021 Volvo XC90 Recharge has experienced multiple hybrid system failures under Volvo's factory 8-year/100,000-mile hybrid warranty, with fewer than 45,000 miles on the odometer. The high-voltage battery modules have failed multiple times, directly related to recall R10312 (NHTSA 25V-179), which identifies a supplier process deviation in LG battery modules creating a risk of internal short circu... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
I have 2019 Kia Seranto . In November 2024 started leaking oil the oil filter casing was cracked. January 2026 oil light came on. Oil was changed 2 months before. Took it to the shop and no oil was in the engine. No oil under the car to tell it was leaking. Shop had to run oil leak detector on it. Several gaskets in engine had to be repaired. There was some other issues with engine concerning oil.... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
My husband, [XXX] son, my [XXX] mother-in-law, and I were traveling on the expressway at approximately 70 miles per hour in our 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L engine when the dashboard suddenly lit up with warning lights and alarms. My husband looked in the rear-view mirror and saw a large amount of smoke coming from the truck. We immediately had to cross two lanes of heavy traffic t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
The engine on my 2010 Kia Optima suddenly seized without warning around 150,000 miles. The vehicle had no knocking sounds or warning signs prior to failure. A mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a seized engine. This created a sudden loss of vehicle operation. I am concerned this may be related to the known engine failure issues reported in Kia vehicles.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The Coolant liquid is absorved with no external leaking. There is an active Recall (19V-757, FCA Recall VB1) that the dealer said fits perfectly my vehicle but for some reason my VIN# is not included under the recall and they can not do anything unless I pay them.
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
I am experience coolant intrusion into cylinder 3 causing the check engine light to come on, when.checked on obd2 system shows a misfire on cylinder 3, multiple checks by service centers all diagnose the coolant intrusion defect on the 2.0 ecoboost engine requiring a long block replacement
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
Vehicle developed burning oil smell. Dealership diagnosed a cracked cylinder head. No warning lights (yet. Eventually low oil pressure light would come on.) Potential for engine to lock up and lose power while driving putting occupants and others at risk. Know problem for 2018-2021 model years. Car no longer under warranty. Cost to repair $7,100. Technical Service Bulletin SA-031-21 issued regard... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
on or around 12/15/2024 (42257 miles on vehicle) jeep will power on start and stop, all alights on dashboard light, unable to shift into or out of gear when parked. When driving but stopped at a red light car shut off. Attempted to restart unable to, car put into park attempted to restart lights came on but engine didn't turn over. Tried again few minutes laster and the car turned on. Returned ap... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) - ENGINE
Mar 7, 2026
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
Coolant Leaking at 22K miles, smell of coolant, check engine light on and off 2X's. Coolant evidence on driveway and in engine cabin. Known condition for GM Model. No parts available for replacement. No recall for issue.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) - ENGINE
Mar 7, 2026
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
Vehicle went into limp mode while driving on the highway. Onstar said it was the transmission. Checked the oil and smoke was billowing out of the dip stick and there was no oil. None of the sensors indicated that there was low oil. After sitting and waiting for a tow truck rechecked the oil with the dipstick and there was oil in it. Now requires a new engine.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
The engine burns 1 quart per 1000 miles of driving
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
UNKNOWN However multiple times the front end of the vehicle starts shaking when I try to break up especially on the highway. The dealership claimed to have repaired it once and shortly after it happened again. When I took it in they first looked and said the parts was ordered but nothing was done then came back and said oh yes it was done then refused to fix it without a charge so I had to pay ... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2025
There are times when my car comes to a stop shuts off ( auto off) then will not turn back on. This has happened numerous times. The dealers states that this a battery problem
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
My vehicle was one of the vehicles that was subject to the engine failure recall by GM. I took it to the dealership for the “repair“ where I was told the oil was changed to a different weight. Last night, I was driving down the road and all of a sudden my car just stopped. It still had power, but the engine had stopped. I tried to restart was unable to.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
2010 bmw 328i xdrive: Had in for recall PCV 1/08/2025. This vehicle has had a prior recall for same issue before i owned in 2014. Motorwerks BMW failed to complete recall, as parts and repair bulletin from BMW OF AMERICA has parts list. Motorwerks just CHOSE to put items, subtitled under other services/self pay. When I asked about this they responded that CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY ....as build da... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2025
A check engine light came on the vehicle and I decided to get it tested with my device and it said that the was a problem with the crankshaft position sensor and there was a misfire on cylinder 2 and 3. When I did my research it said that it could be many things and I should replace my spark plugs and crankshaft position sensor. I did that and immediately after replacing the spark plugs and the se... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2025
Check Engine light POO14 , indicates shake , stall and loss of power. Appointment is scheduled with Jaguar, this is a known problem and recall however my specific model has no yet been placed on recall , definitely a safety problem that shall not be noticed only until an accident occurs to me myself or others.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
Issue: My 2014 Kia Optima has repeatedly experienced overheating, flashing check‑engine light, and loss of coolant. The dealership has misdiagnosed the issue multiple times and returned the vehicle to me in unsafe condition. Safety Concern: The vehicle overheats while driving, the check‑engine light flashes, and the engine loses power. This creates a serious risk of engine failure while on... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
Cracked cylinder head confirmed by Mazda Dealership. No warning lights or indicators. We noticed white smoke and a burnt plastic smell after a drive one night. Dealership confirmed oil was leaking onto the exhaust, a potential fire hazard.