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
Incident date: May 6, 2026
I noticed fluid on the driveway. I scheduled a diagnostic about a week later began hearing a grinding noise. Took it in for repairs and was told the transmission cooler failed which led to fluid leaks from the inlet and outlet tubes where they connect to the unit. The leak caused the transmission to run dry and result in complete failure. There have been recalls specifically targeting transmission... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the lack of specialize mechanical technician. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had no... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2019) — ENGINE
May 21, 2026
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
Vehicle experiences repeated harsh shifting, hesitation, sudden downshifts, hard downshifts with engine redlining, and loss of acceleration during normal driving. Transmission intermittently jerks violently between gears and hesitates when pulling into traffic or merging onto the highway, creating a serious safety concern. I have experienced multiple near collisions due to the vehicle hesitating o... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2026
I am submitting a complaint regarding a 2017 Hyundai Tucson Ultimate AWD equipped with the 1.6L Turbo Gamma GDI engine. My vehicle currently has approximately 127,000 miles and has experienced sudden engine knocking consistent with rod bearing failure and/or catastrophic internal engine damage. The vehicle has been properly maintained, including regular oil changes. However, the engine began cons... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the bracket was making an abnormal rattling noise. There was a hole on the outside of the muffler. The engine light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and the bracket was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximatel... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2026
I take my car for updates (Recall) and now i am being told that the head gasket is blown and damaged the injectors The powertrain might pay for the blown head gasket but not the injectors (which were damaged due to the head gasket blowing) no coolant but the car never ran hot. Honda is trying to stick to me to pay out almost $7000.00 which is wrong when it went to them for a recall
Incident date: May 10, 2026
Made several stops and on the last one when I went to start the vehicle it wouldn't start. Used jump pack and it started. Had a non-flashing check engine light and a service ESC light. Decided to drive across town to auto store and have them check battery and replace if bad, When I pulled into the auto store parking lot the truck died and wheels locked up. (Very sudden stop) All four gear selector... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to release from low gear while at a stop. The transmission was backed up. The engine light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who confirmed there were no recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 213,766.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2026
The vehicle began showing serious safety related symptoms before the engine failed. These included engine knocking, repeated sensor failures, the speedometer and odometer blacking out while driving, the navigation screen going dark, and the entire instrument cluster malfunctioning. These issues caused loss of speed information, loss of vehicle status, and loss of navigation visibility, creating un... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2026
I was driving at highway speeds when my vehicle suddenly lost power and began rapidly decelerating. The vehicle eventually stalled in the middle of the roadway, creating a serious safety hazard for me and other drivers and significantly increasing the risk of a crash. This vehicle had previously undergone the GM safety recall inspection under Recall N252494000 for the L87 6.2L engine loss of prop... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2026
The head gasket was blown on highway even though the car was functioning perfectly fine and was well maintained.
Incident date: May 19, 2026
2019 Ford Escape 1.5L EcoBoost, VIN [XXX] , built July 2019, 59,300 miles. Experiencing coolant intrusion into cylinder bores — identical defect addressed by Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 and TSBs 22-2134 and 22-2322. Symptoms: white exhaust smoke at startup, low coolant level with no external leak, no check engine light. Two independent mechanics (Tune Craft Auto Center and Thomas Br... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2026
Car exhibited white smoke, overheated and engine stopped. Left me stranded in middle of extremely busy road, 90° temps and I’m [XXX] with no one to help me. I had car towed to Autonation (Ford Dealership, Jacksonville, Fl, where car was purchased in 2022 and Dealership was aware of defect but failed to divulge at time of sale. Autonation has confirmed Coolant Intrusion EcoBoost engine defec... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2026
The issue I’m having is the transmission/engine when it comes to the hesitation for stopping and either slowing down or just a rolling stop. Sometime I would feel like I need to precisely control the brake pedal in order to go smooth stop, but no. It feels like it’s ’jumping’ in mini burst. I have the hybrid engine of the V35A-FTS. I did check for recalls but nothing found but found a TSB ... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2026
Premature engine fail. Excessive oil consumption due to piston ring failure. Maintenance has been done on car on regular basis. No check engine light. Carson was services at dealership 4 months ago.
Incident date: May 19, 2026
This is the third Check Engine, Drive train malfunction, Power Supply error messages popped up. Dealership replaced the battery at the first visit, replaced the starter at the second visit. Error messages appeared one week after the second visit to the dealership.
Incident date: May 7, 2026
*The mechanic diagnosed internal engine failure (May 14, 2026). The vehicle is at the second mechanic's shop. *The car stalled twice. The first time, over 20 miles, the air conditioning stopped, followed by the radio, and then acceleration. I pulled over and the acceleration returned but only for a minute. The second time, a clacking noise got louder and faster, and three miles later the engine s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
Engine Malfunction light is on and off while at a stop light.
Incident date: May 17, 2026
am writing to report a potential safety and fire hazard issue involving my BMW X1, along with ongoing electrical concerns I have experienced with this vehicle since purchase. Approximately two weeks ago, for the first time in three years, I needed to bring the vehicle in for an oil change. Due to my work commute of more than two hours each way, neither the BMW dealership near my home nor the one n... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2026
While driving to dinner in Bluefield< West Virginia on Saturday evening, I came to an intersection where I was making a left hand turn with a green arrow on the light. As I approached the intersection, I slowed to something under 10 miles an hour and proceeded to initiate a left hand turn. As I rolled onto the throttle, there was no response from the engine for approximately 15 seconds. The eng... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2026
Toyota issued a recall (NHTSA 25V322) over a year ago. We are now more than a year beyond the issuance date of this recall and Stop Sale order for affected vehicles. There is still no remedy available for this recall and from what I can tell, none in sight. Additionally, on 11/6/25, Toyota issued a recall (NHTSA 25V767) related to potential engine failure. Over 6 months after this recall and S... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2026
Car Engine stopped , shut down on I 475 South Macon GA at 70 mph in left lane. Had to coast to right shoulder. Towed to Hutchinson GMC in Macon GA and it was determined the Engine had locked up. 2026 with 4200 miles, Purchased January 2nd 2026.
Incident date: May 15, 2026
Rattling noise while driving in traffic
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) — ENGINE
May 20, 2026
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
The engine died while in use. We were130 miles from home when the engine started making weird noises and a tapping sound.all the lights on the dash lit up and truck would hardly run.l had a independent car hauler haul the vehicle back home to a local garage. The vehicle has been repaired for $10,919 and paid $800.00 to have it transported.
Incident date: May 6, 2026
Engine locked up at 10,000 miles
Incident date: Nov 5, 2021
Complaint Regarding 2018 Honda HR-V AWD – Air Conditioning Failure, Odometer Malfunction, and Prior Fuel Pump Replacement. I am filing a complaint regarding my 2018 Honda HR-V AWD due to ongoing mechanical and electrical issues that appear to affect many Honda HR-V owners. The primary issue is the air conditioning system, which has not been functioning consistently. The A/C repeatedly fails to... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 300
(2021) — ENGINE
May 20, 2026
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
While driving in my neighborhood at 25 MPH, my Mercedes GLC300 suddenly lost power and the check engine light illuminated. My car would no longer exceed 25-30 MPH, but I drove it straight to the dealership and they said it was a faulty cylinder head and will cost $10,000 to fix! After intense negotiations, they agreed to fix it for $4,205.58, which was better, but still, that’s a lot to pay for ... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2026
I drive a 2021 Acura TLX 2.0 L turbo 4 cylinder. I was driving to work on [XXX] on a busy street in Boyle Heights, Ca. When all of sudden I get a warning indicator “engine temp is high do not drive”. Pulled over immediately. Good thing I was in the far right lane and was able to pull over and not stall or get rear ended by another vehicle behind me. There were no warning, symptoms and indicato... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2026
Head gasket issue allowing coolant intrusion into cylinder walls. Block and head defect on Ford EcoBoost engine. I’m finding online this is a very common problem that Ford is ignoring. Potential engine failure while operating. Yes. Pressurized coolant system and used a boroscope to see into the cylinder. No Yes, code P0302 on a diagnostic machine. First appeared April 2026.
Incident date: May 11, 2026
On [XXX] ~[XXX] PM, at highway speed on [XXX] eastbound near Frisco, CO (a mountain interstate), returning to Denver from Salt Lake City, my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek suddenly and without warning dropped into reduced-power limp mode and began lurching and shaking while the engine kept running. I lost the ability to accelerate or maintain speed. At the same moment the check engine light came on and mul... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) — ENGINE
May 20, 2026
Incident date: May 5, 2026
I was accelerating to onto the freeway to merge and my engine suddenly made a loud noise and my vehicle immediately lost power and the dashboard alert lights began going off to service engine. I was able to get to the edge of the highway and make it to the next exit to slowly make my way back to my office to have my vehicle towed to a garage. Luckily I had not fully merged into traffic when my v... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLB 250
(2023) — ENGINE
May 20, 2026
Incident date: Mar 31, 2026
Safety Risk - Twice I was almost hit because my car didn't take off. O'REILLY Veri Scan Results - Free Emissions Status: Red Primary DTC: Mixture Formation (Cylinder 4) is irregular P219F: Fuel injectors measure and atomize fuel mixed with incoming air and sent to combustion chambers. Cylinder 4 PSI at 40 Mercedes Benz of San Juan $300 diagnostic Cylinder head needs to be replaced. Safety Risk... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
Transmission stalling, hesitating, affecting engine performance and rpm's. broke down on highway. We replaced the transmission, now it's doing a similar problem and the mechanic says the engine is failing, cylinders issues. I've read up it's happening to many of the same year make and model. I spent 7k on a new transmission. Now a new engine??? ...frustrating! Please help
Incident date: May 20, 2026
Still no remedy for the engine recall. Vehicle gives me issues. Currently will not start, can not move the vehicle away from my driveway. Has bunch of electrical errors.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2026
the car shuts off at a red light, fails to auto-restart, forces the car into Park, and requires a full manual reboot or jumpstart while stuck in moving traffic. It also struggles to turn on at times mimicking a drained battery. I am needing to deactivate the auto start/stop feature in order for the vehicle to properly function. Vehicle will not start when parked at times.
Incident date: May 11, 2026
THE ENGINE HAS EXCESSIVE BLOW BY FROM THE OIL FILLER CAP. HAVING A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER NUMBER 1 AND IDLING ROUGH. THERE ARE SEVERAL THREADS ONLINE CONCERNING THIS ISSUE BEING CAUSED BY WORN PISTONS AND PISTON RINGS.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2017) — ENGINE
May 20, 2026
Incident date: Jan 15, 2022
Q: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A: 1) Sudden loss of propulsion at highway speeds, with inability to accelerate despite throttle input. Regained propulsion only after shifting from Drive → Neutral → Drive. Repeated occurrences. Prior dealership complaint before recall awareness. 2) Unresolved drivability issues after tran... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2026
On [XXX] at [XXX] PM I was driving westbound on [XXX] at [XXX] while traveling through the intersection, my vehicle started shaking, lost acceleration, and nearly caused me to have a collision. My vehicles check engine light began flashing, and I was able to safely exit the highway. On May 20, 2026, Crouse Ford diagnosed a “cylinder #6”, however attributed the event as “an anomaly”, and ... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2026
I am submitting a complaint regarding premature exhaust system failure on my 2020 Buick Enclave involving the front exhaust pipe/exhaust manifold/catalytic converter assembly. The issue appears very similar to the conditions described in GM Special Coverage programs N212356540 and N242445280 involving exhaust pipe and bracket failures on related GM crossover platforms. The mounting brackets/supp... Read more
TOYOTA
SEQUOIA HYBRID
(2024) — ENGINE
May 20, 2026
Incident date: May 19, 2026
UNKNOWN. I have NOT had an incident. I own a 2024 Toyota Sequoia SUV that uses the same engine as the hundreds of thousands of Tundra trucks that Toyota has already recalled. They've recalled over 250,000 Tundras because they say "machining debris" may cause a problem that eventually destroys the engine's main bearing, resulting in loss of power. [XXX] My problem is, they are NOT recalling the... Read more
ALFA ROMEO
STELVIO
(2021) — ENGINE
May 20, 2026
Incident date: May 18, 2026
The engine oil cooling system failed on my 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0T at approximately 45,000 miles. The failure caused engine oil to contaminate the engine coolant system, creating a brown/milky “milkshake” substance inside the coolant reservoir and throughout the cooling system. The dealership diagnosed the issue as an internal oil cooler/oil filter housing failure. The contamination affe... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2026
2018 Honda Odyssey with 3.5L engine, Honda dealership diagnosed engine noise to worn/failed connecting rod bearing. Vehicle has 109,000 miles. Noise started within last 6 months. No other symptoms experienced. Oil services and other maintenance performed per maintenance minder using fully Synthetic MobileOne oil and extended life filter. Pictures and bearing measurements from tear down and di... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2026
96,247 mi Engine knock and complete oil loss within 3,000 miles of last oil change Symptoms consistent with NHTSA Recall 21V301 (Hyundai Recall 203) and Warranty Extension TXXM coverage
Incident date: Apr 23, 2026
Am having issues with my 22 Ram 1500 limited 4x4 with the 5.7 HEMI MDS. there are issues with this engine since 2009. The MDS lifters and cam shaft do not get enough oil. They already replaced the cam shaft and oil pan pickup. Now they have my truck for over 3 weeks to replace the engine. The only problem is that they are replacing it with the same one and hoping again that nothing goes wrong. Ca... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2026
Recently I have noticed, in my 2017 Ford Edge SEL, that my coolant level in reservoir has been low a few times with no puddling anywhere under car. I have read that this is a known issue with this vehicle that has the 2.0L ECOBOOST engine. What can be done about this? From what I have been reading, this a design issue that Ford knows about but has not offered a fix. The cost to replace the engine... Read more
Incident date: May 17, 2026
After highway driving for 50 miles, stopped for a red light. Engine died but all lights stayed on. Sat 5 minutes with dead engine and when I tried again, the car started. Drove 1 mile to next light and it happened again. Went to Auto Zone (it was a Sunday and dealerships were closed) and they tested the battery which was 100%. Two days later, drove car for 10 minutes then parked for errand; 15 min... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2026) — ENGINE
May 20, 2026
Incident date: May 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2026 GMC SIERRA 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle independently engaged into limp mode. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified on the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.
Incident date: May 17, 2026
The contact was driving , experienced tire pressure and check engine light illuminated. white Smoke was seen underneath the vehicle and then it turned black. Then fire was seen coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the vehicle , and smoke and fire was seen underneath the vehicle. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The vehicle wa... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
Car lost power while in motion at 60mph, no warning lights or notifications on ford pass. After pulling off road car would only crank but never start. Fluids were leaking from undercarriage near transmission, but unsure what fluid it was.
Incident date: May 14, 2026
My car is making a whistling noise and my mechanic said it is the start of transmission issues.