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.

2,215,138 Total Complaints

138,663 Reported Crashes

56,255 Reported Fires

8,561 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 2,215,138 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

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 164,804 complaints — component: ENGINE

Incident date: Apr 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Harley-Davidson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the motorcycle failed to accelerate as intended and independently shifted into Limp. In addition, the contact stated that the motor vehicle self-diagnosed itself for failure codes: P1100C, PAC1511C, or C1100H. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Th... Read more

Incident date: Apr 20, 2026

My wife was pulling in spot and car took off at high rate of speed and hit parking pole . Kia corporate after 2 months tells me nothing wrong with vehicle . i found on kia of Manahawkin they have a page on this issue forced acceleration and cause so how they can tell me no it doesn't happen also goggle searches show this a reported issue , and recently friend of my women in Florida her car did the... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Mar 1, 2026

Low coolant warning came on. Battery car didn’t start , had it jump. Low coolant warning came on again. Passenger seat belt warning is on.

Incident date: Jul 1, 2024

I went shopping notice needed gasoline filled the tank 3/4 the next day I smell gasoline on My2013 Sonata Hybrid VIN [XXX] inside the car and I did not notice any light alerts etc., just the smell of gasoline inside the car. I ask for a ride I was scare to drive to the dealer on Monday 5/6/26 around 12:30 pm I called the dealer I was gonna dropped the car they told me diagnostic would take 3 day... Read more

Incident date: Aug 8, 2024

I have a paid in full 2018 Ford Escape 1.5L Eco Boost. I am just over the 150k mile mark and out of the blue I was left stranded on the side of a completely dark highway at 4:30AM after working a shift. The car alerted me out of no where with no indication of an issue arising that the engine was overheating and to pull over immediately. The coolant was completley empty even tho I had an oil change... Read more

Incident date: Aug 8, 2024

Engine gave out rods knocking noise. Wife was driving on freeway. Exited and towed car home car runs but makes lots on noise and barely drives many lights light up on dash

Incident date: Oct 29, 2025

This 2022 Bronco Sport Outer Banks lost it's alternator pulley and that caused the serpentine belt to break. Since the vehicle could not be driven it was towed to Joe Myers Ford in Houston, TX. The dealer wanted a extremely expensive price, $1800.00, to replace the alternator and belt. The vehicle was offered to the dealer for trade to determine value and see if it was possible to upgrade to a ne... Read more

Incident date: May 6, 2026

Upon recent repairs completed by an Official Honda licensed dealership for the fuel pump due to the related issue of stalling, misfiring, insufficient fuel economy and safety concern. My vehicle has continued to stall, misfire or idle extremely rough. Upon local investigation the error code P0203 and P0303 have populated as the most recent issue. No longer allowing me to drive the vehicle as it re... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2026

This vehicle was identified as recalled in 2025 for total engine replacement and the engine did fail in May 2025 it would stall while driving. GMC performed the engine replacement in June of 2025. The car stalled again on Friday May 1. It was taken to the dealer on May 7 and was diagnosed as needing another complete engine replacement. I was told that gmc identified a need to replace more parts af... Read more

Incident date: May 7, 2026

The vehicle is subject to an active safety recall involving the cooling fan module and fuse protection system. According to the recall notice, the cooling fan module may experience premature bearing wear resulting in excessive current draw and potential vehicle fire risk. The vehicle was held at the dealership for several months related to recall and engine repair concerns and has since been retur... Read more

Incident date: May 7, 2026

Thermo Control Valve Failure- Contact Subaru of Cherry Hill, NJ for Inspection 177,4XX Miles P26A5 code Check engine Light on, Disabled Safety Systems (Eyesight System), Car may have overheated if not pulled over and turned off. Part of warranty extension but did not qualify due to mileage.

Incident date: May 4, 2026

Per Honda, the standard maintenance of replacing a timing belt and tensioner has put more tension on the crankshaft, which causes a tapping noise from the connecting rod bearings when the vehicle is accelerating under load. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Honda has said that this does not harm the engine, but a noise of this kind is not normal and any noise of this kind assoc... Read more

Incident date: Dec 31, 2025

The vehicle experiences major engine performance issues following a replacement engine installation (approximately 8,000 miles on the new engine). Additionally, the catalytic converter is malfunctioning, the steering exhibits significant pulsation during braking, and the suspension system is malfunctioning. These combined defects create an unsafe driving condition and pose a serious risk to the dr... Read more

Incident date: Apr 15, 2026

Coolant and oil completely gone. Mechanic says the engine has froze up from timing chain jump. Suv is a 2017 ford escape with 54000 miles on it. Oil has been changed every 5000 miles.no leaks showed up on ground until Saturday and it was not noticed until today. The coolant was checked in February for antifreeze before the first freeze and there was no coolant at that time and mechanic filled it u... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2026

I took my vehicle in for service because cylinder 6 had a misfire and the dealership told me that the Catalytic Converter failed internally and stated it can happen at anytime and it sends metal into the engine causing damage.

Incident date: Apr 28, 2026

Upon taking my 2021 Rav4 Hybrid in for the rear traction motor cable corrosion recall (25TD01) on 5/7/2026, I was told there are no parts, no estimated arrival time, and therefore not even a rough estimate for a timeframe of repair. I was told that no one would inspect or evaluate the part in question to indicate if the car was safe to drive. I expressed my extreme concern given the recall include... Read more

Incident date: Dec 7, 2019

Engine experienced severe metallic knocking and loss of power. A certified Hyundai technician confirmed a FAILED Bearing Clearance Test (RO #354331). Hyundai Motor America is refusing to honor the Engine II Class Action Settlement warranty, citing internal code A99 because the vehicle was purchased at an auction, even though the title is CLEAN. This pose a safety risk of engine seizure and potenti... Read more

Incident date: Apr 20, 2026

NHTSA Safety Complaint — Narrative [XXX] ) Vehicle: 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT Component: Engine — Oil Leak / Stator Cover Incident Date: April 2025 Mileage at Incident: 5,700 NARRATIVE: In late April 2025, I discovered engine oil leaking from the stator cover of my 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT, specifically at the alternator wire grommet where the wires exit the engine case. The bike had been ... Read more

Incident date: Apr 20, 2026

I have the same model and year for GMC as bulletin 25NA-185, Engine Coolant Control Valve Failures on 3.0L Duramax (Dec 4, 2025), and am experiencing the same exact issue. Apparently my VIN is not included and I can't get an answer from GMC or the local dealer why it's not covered or how to have it reviewed to be added.

Incident date: May 6, 2026

25V-636 This has been unresolved for 6 months with no sign of a fix. It’s a starter motor, not the space shuttle.

Incident date: Mar 5, 2026

2 years ago I had the engine replaced. Now on this new engine which has approximately 29k. The mechanic is telling me that I need a new engine. I called Hyundai and their telling me that is not under warranty anymore. What can be done?

Incident date: Mar 5, 2026

Engine Coolant bypass Valve B control circuit high check engine light

Incident date: Apr 11, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to get a diagnosis however, the failure cause was unidentifiable. The vehicle was not repair... Read more

Incident date: Feb 14, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated to 10 MPH with no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle following the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure milea... Read more

Incident date: May 7, 2026

1 week after the BMW dealer replaced the battery under the warranty (after the car was towed due to the power loss from drive train malfunction) Engine Check, Drive train malfunction, and Oil level measurement inactive signals popped up again.

Incident date: Apr 1, 2026

On April 17, 2026, my 2026 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe experienced a sudden and complete electrical failure while operating on a public roadway in Texas. The vehicle lost propulsion and became completely disabled in active traffic during dusk/nighttime conditions. All electrical systems failed simultaneously, including lighting and hazard lights. The vehicle could not be restarted, moved, or recharged r... Read more

Incident date: May 7, 2026

The dealer stated my engine repair is not covered under the recall/warranty because an ECU software update was not performed. I was quoted $8500 for engine replacement (Long block). I have owned this vehicle for 2 months, going on 3. I am requesting a review of whether this vehicle qualifies for any engine recall or safety-related warranty coverage, as the explanation provided by the dealership ap... Read more

Incident date: Jul 16, 2024

Vehicle is overheating, have had issues right after purchasing from carmax burbank and issues after the recall was worked on at van nuys jeep dealership.

Incident date: May 5, 2026

The check engine light came on with a warning that said "Steering assist reduced drive with care". The temperature gauge went to cold and the air condition quit working.

Incident date: May 7, 2026

Out of town July 12th 2025 my 2020 Kia Optima engine started having problems. I tried to get to my hotel but it was obvious I was not going to make it. I pulled into the nearest station and was told my car had no oil. There were no signs of leaking oil and no warning lights so they changed my oil and I was able to made it home. Shortly after I broke down again at night and pulled into a parkin... Read more

Incident date: May 7, 2026

The engine valves and cylinders keep failing every 6 months. I have to spend another $1,800 to get it fixed. I doe this TWO TIMES last year. My car has the Theta 2 engine

Incident date: May 1, 2026

My safety is put at risk. My car has stalled two different times on the highway. I was able to get it off the road after restarting the vehicle and coasting out. The engine was worked out by Kia of Mission Viejo. They stated it was not due to Rod bearing, although I was told on a separate occasion that there was metal in my oil in the same scenario then when they submitted the video to Kia, they s... Read more

Incident date: May 6, 2026

I am the owner of a Nissan Rogue subject to recall campaign R25D1, which addresses a manufacturing defect affecting engine bearings and/or engine components that may progressively fail over time, leading to engine damage and engine failure. I brought my vehicle to Headquarter Nissan in Columbus, GA (the same dealer that issued the recall notice) for diagnosis after experiencing engine problems. Th... Read more

Incident date: Feb 11, 2026

I was trying to stop at a light and the brakes wouldn't work. I almost crashed into the car in front of me but I had to step on it really hard to stop. Then the brakes were stiff and it was hard to stop. I brought it to a Chevy dealer yesterday and they said the vacuum pump exploded and pieces were in the engine, and it messed up the cam shaft. This is 5l worth of damage. When I looked it up onlin... Read more

Incident date: Jan 16, 2026

Greetings, I am adding my name to what has to be thousands of complaints about engine failure do to antifreeze intrusion. Ford should be replacing these engines for free. I also own a 2019 and waiting to have to spend another 8 grand on it.

Incident date: Apr 30, 2026

There are parts in the engine that malfunctioned and have caused fluids to leak into the engine. This is causing the engine to fail and requiring replacement. This issue started last year for me personally. The car has been to 2 mechanics and they both have diagnosed the issue , and to fix it requires full engine replacement . It’s a safety issue because the engine can lock up and stop the car.

Incident date: Apr 28, 2026

The contact owned a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a loud popping noise was suddenly heard coming from the engine compartment with no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that immediately following the failure, the power steering and brakes became inoperable, making it difficult to maintain control of the vehicle. The contact also ... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Apr 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the wheels skidded and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the contact stated that the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact stated that the vehicles behind the contact's vehicle had to dr... Read more

Incident date: Mar 12, 2026

While waiting at a red light with foot on the brake, the auto idle stop system shuts off the engine but fails to restart it when the foot is lifted off the brake, causing stalling. The vehicle has to be put in park and turned off completely and restarted before it will drive. This has happened twice, once on 5/1/26 and today on 5/7/26.

Incident date: May 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that an abnormal, knocking sound would emit upon depression of the accelerator pedal as a check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where the diagnosed the vehicle with a defective rod knock sensor; he was then advised to no longer operate the vehicle. The vehicle was later ... Read more

Incident date: May 7, 2026

on 1/26/26 while driving my car started shaking. I felt unsafe driving and had the car towed to the dealership. They inspected the vehicle and could not notice the shaking but did perform recall service NTB25-05 as well as some additional items on the routine maintenance schedule. They said the recall was just an ECM software update and all should be well. 5 1/2 weeks later while driving out o... Read more

Incident date: Apr 29, 2026

I own a 2021 Ford Explorer ST (3.0L EcoBoost) with 47,680 miles. The vehicle is exhibiting a severe metallic knocking noise at idle, a flashing Check Engine Light, and a dangerous loss of motive power while driving. A certified Ford dealership technician (Kendall Ford) diagnosed the vehicle with catastrophic engine failure, requiring a full engine replacement estimated at $13,000.My vehicle is exh... Read more

Incident date: Apr 29, 2026

2016 Honda Civic EX-T 1.5L turbo. Coolant is disappearing with no visible external leak. Diagnosed by mechanic as likely head gasket failure. This is a known defect affecting 2016-2022 Civics with the 1.5T engine. There is an active class action lawsuit (Alcantara et al. v. American Honda Motor Co.) regarding this exact issue. Vehicle has approximately 190,000 miles.”

Incident date: May 6, 2026

I own a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali equipped with the 6.2L L87 engine. On or around December 31, 2025, the vehicle developed a loud knocking noise from the engine that became worse with RPM increase. The truck was taken to a GMC dealership for diagnosis and repair under warranty/service contract coverage. The dealership initially diagnosed valvetrain-related failure and replaced multiple top-end ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 18, 2025

Driving down the highway in heavy traffic and the truck shutoff unexpectedly, I came to a complete stop and luckily avoided being rear ended and had to go from Drive and Park and recycle the ignition to restart the truck and limp off to a safe place.

Incident date: Jan 13, 2023

We were told by the mechanic that the engine was locked up after the car refused to drive faster than approximately 23 mph. We had to have the car towed from Boone, NC which was about 200 miles. The car is at our house and is available for inspection upon request. I have made repeated calls to different Kia dealers asking for a call back to assist me with direction but there will never be a retu... Read more

Incident date: May 5, 2026

On May 2, 2026, ten days after purchasing the vehicle, the driver‑side seatbelt locking mechanism failed while I was driving. The vehicle was inspected the next day at CarMax Tuscaloosa. Their mechanic confirmed two separate safety defects: 1. The driver‑side seatbelt mechanism requires replacement. 2. The motor mounts are broken/loose and require replacement. The mechanic explained that debri... Read more

Incident date: May 6, 2026

I experienced sudden unintended acceleration which propelled me over a curb, up an embankment, over a boulder and into a fence. I could have been killed or I could have killed others because I had no control of the car. The Hyundai corporation will not acknowledge this. The car was inspected and declared a total loss and is being moved to a location where it can be stored at no cost. There was no... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Mar 9, 2026

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact’s spouse stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power with no warning lights illuminated. The contact's spouse noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle, prompting the contact’s spouse to pull over to the side of the roadway. Moments later, the front of the vehicle caught fire. The local fi... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Apr 5, 2026

During acceleration from 40-60 miles per hour, there was a pronounced vibration/shudder through the front end of the vehicle. After taking it to the dealership, they advised both front axles would need to be replaced. The catastrophic failure of an axle is likely to cause a car crash. The problem has been identified by Ford Motor Company and also confirmed by the Ford Dealership where I got it ... Read more

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Consumer Safety Complaints

What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?

How to interpret what you read

If you've experienced a defect

Read more from our blog