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: Apr 13, 2026
There is a known issue about exhaust manifolds for my year model truck. A ram technician said in 2019 mopar created a new exhaust manifold for my truck that would be less likely to create soot buildup and warping in the exhaust manifold. In 2021 my EGR was replaced because of a recall but now my exhaust manifold has failed and needs to be replaced out of pocket even though it’s been a known issu... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2026
My 2022 Kia Soul with a 2.0 Litre Engine is consuming lots of oil, I'm having to ad a quart every day. I have check engine lights for the catalytic converter and engine missfires. The car has always consumed oil between oil changes since I bought it new in 2022, and its gotten progressively worse. I've maintained the car as required by the manufacturer and have topped up the oil when low. I had th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into park(P) and turn off as intended. The check engine and the power steering warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer and Farris Jeep Ram Chrysler Dodge (910 W Morris Blvd, Morristown, TN 37813) were contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a recall letter for NHTSA ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2025
There is a recall for Ram 1500 manufactured between January 2015-September 2015 regarding failed power steering. My truck was manufactured February 2015 and was not on the list of specific Ram 1500s to have this recall done. I was with my kids getting an oil change on the truck. When I was leaving the maintenance bay my power steering suddenly failed and left us stranded to get towed. Chrysler s... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2026
Coolant intrusion defect. Had to replace engine. Power train fail also.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle returned to normal operation after the contact added oil to the engine. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the independent mechanic informed the contact that the en... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2026
The vehicle would shut off when idling at lights or in reverse and have delayed acceleration after stops. It also would shut off when idling in park. I took it to the dealership summer-fall 2025 and they were too busy to investigate the issue because no alarms were present. The vehicle started doing the same thing and the check engine light came on March 2026. Now it has been in the shop for many... Read more
TOYOTA
RAV4 PRIME
(2023) — ENGINE
Apr 30, 2026
Incident date: Dec 17, 2025
I own a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4. The vehicle developed a clear engine knocking noise. I first brought the vehicle to the dealership while under 150,000 miles for inspection related to a recall. The dealership only performed a computer scan and oil change and stated no issue was found. No mechanical inspection was performed despite the noise. The issue continued and worsened. I returned to the de... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2026
The cylinder head cracked, causing a coolant leak, which then lead to the car overheating. My car was taken into Mazda dealership because there is a warranty extension for this specific part CSP111. The Mazda dealership, corporate, and warranty department all stated the known widespread defect cracked cylinder head will not be replaced on their behalf due to an overheating code. Mazda is using a s... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse(R), the vehicle stalled, and the power steering became inoperable. Additionally, the failure recurred while making right or left turns at various speeds. The contact depressed the brake pedal, shifted to park(P) and restarted the vehicle after each failure. The failure recurred intermittentl... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
2019 Hyundai Tucson experienced catastrophic engine failure, including internal damage. Vehicle previously had Hyundai Campaign 966 (engine monitoring logic) completed. Despite this, engine failed without sufficient warning. Concern that prior campaign did not prevent engine failure
Incident date: May 1, 2025
Code : P1777 Transmission- oil pump A issue with the Valve cover gasket leaking into the engine causing a misfire. Making the car suddenly stop while driving which is very unsafe. I took the car to the dealership and they want to charge me for the repairs. I have 2 kia optima hybrid and both cars have the same issue around the same mileage. There were no warning lights during the time it was at ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power steering functionality while decelerating. The vehicle jerked, and a driver assistance system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
Sudden engine failure while driving with no warning. Vehicle began jerking, shaking, and losing power. RPMs dropped unexpectedly and the engine stalled intermittently. Multiple misfire codes were present (cylinders 1, 3, and 4), and the engine was found to have low or no compression in cylinder 1. The condition rapidly worsened to near complete engine failure. The vehicle was operating normally pr... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
A issue with the Valve cover gasket leaking into the engine causing a misfire. Making the car suddenly stop while driving which is very unsafe. I took the car to the dealership and they want to charge me for the repairs. I have 2 kia optima hybrid and both cars have the same issue around the same mileage. There were no warning lights during the time it was at the shop. However one day the check e... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
MY VEHICLE LOST POWER SUDDENLY I ALMOST GOT HIT FROM BEHIND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A ACCIDENT TOWED TO MECANIC TOLD ME COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS ENGINE MY ENGINE NEEDS REPLACMENT
Incident date: May 15, 2025
Car overheats and stalls or shuts down due to engine issues. No prior warning codes.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2017) — ENGINE
Apr 30, 2026
Incident date: Mar 31, 2026
My vehicle keeps downshifting randomly at highway speeds and will also not shift out of 1st or 2nd. Rear tires keep locking up. 1. PCM 2. I have a hard time keeping vehicle in control 3. Yes, active recall can't repair until July 4. Yes, it has been inspected 5. Yes, check engine and wrench light
Incident date: Mar 30, 2026
I was stopped at a red light and when it turned green and I proceeded to drive, my car started to hesitate and quit moving right in the middle of the road. I finally got it to the side of the road. When I attempted to reverse it hesitated again and the R symbol started flashing and the engine light came on. The engine codes are P1D97 Clutch A or D defective and P1DB8 Unintended Torque applied whi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2026
I took the truck in for a recall they notified me and said it failed the test and there was metal in the oil and said it needed a new engine
Incident date: Apr 29, 2026
Engine stopped while driving 70 mph down the highway and the car shifted into neutral. Had to cost to side of the road. Took car into dealership and even though the car was certified safe drive and the engine had no issues 5 months ago, I was told the engine was now locking up. The engine failed despite using the higher viscosity oil that chevy recommended. These greedy cunts at chevy placed me ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
While accelerating to merge into traffic, the engine suddenly lost power and died completely. I lost power steering and power brakes, making it difficult to safely maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder. There was no warning light or unusual noise prior to the stall. The vehicle has approximately 138,000 miles. This stall occurred in live traffic, creating a high risk of a rear-end collision.
Incident date: Apr 27, 2026
On 6/27/22 my 2020 gmc sierra 1500 at4 6.2L had lifter failure. The dealer fixed that problem and on 7/1/22 again has lifter failure. The dealer fixed that problem again. On 7/13/22 a third time engine had lifter failure again. I requested they need a different engine to be installed and GM agreed andthey install an L87 2022 engine. This engine seemed weak and not right since it was installed. On... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2026
Fully charged. Goes from electric to generator/gas propulsion and abruptly slowes about 1/2 speed. Very dangerous.
TOYOTA
RAV4 PRIME
(2021) — ENGINE
Apr 29, 2026
Incident date: Apr 28, 2026
Plastic oil pump cracking problem is apparently known to BMW, but they haven’t recalled these defective oil pumps leading to engine failure.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2025
Vehicle start shaking Violently out of control. AAA picked up the vehicle and took it to their European shop and discovered it’s the piston rings . I asked Volvo to do a goodwill repair and they rejected my claim on a well know issue that I was not brought aware while having the vehicle serviced at their facility Findley Volvo dealership. I’ve been taking this vehicle there for two years, wit... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2020) — ENGINE
Apr 29, 2026
Incident date: May 13, 2025
Sitting at a red light the vehicle seemed to almost stalled then lunged forward about eight feet almost colliding with the vehicle in front of me. To my knowledge the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer nor has the problem been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center. To my knowledge there were no warning lights, messages or symptoms. I am somewhat unfamiliar with this... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2026
There is something causing an engine misfire, and this was the first time it happened. It has happened again, and I realized that there were a lot of class action lawsuits about lifter failure in these engines
Incident date: Apr 25, 2026
2017 Ford Escape. 58K miles. Engine light turned on, took vehicle to Ford was informed there was an issue with a coil. $5000+ for repair. Warranty had already lapsed, took to an auto repair shop, coil replaced. Problem solved. 1 month later car overheats, zero coolant in vehicle. Coolant replaced and within 3-5 days level of coolant is less than half. Research and find a recall for coolant pr... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2026
I am reporting a serious safety issue involving a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ), originally purchased in California. While driving at approximately 70 mph on a highway, the vehicle suddenly lost all propulsion without warning and rapidly decelerated. This created a dangerous situation with surrounding traffic and put me and my family at risk. I had to quickly maneuver to the sh... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2026
The vehicle involved is a 2017 Dodge Durango. The primary systems malfunctioning include the engine cooling system, braking system, and electrical system. The engine repeatedly overheats while driving and has produced smoke from under the hood, creating a risk of breakdown or fire. The braking system is unreliable, with the brake pedal going down too far and not providing proper stopping power, i... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2026
While my husband was driving me and our 2 kids getting off of the highway, we experienced catastrophic engine failure. The engine just shut off with NO warning. It went in to Neutral and then park and shut off and would not turn back on. We were stranded on the side of the road in the dark while it was raining. We waited on an active roadway for 1 hour for a tow to come. It was towed to the deale... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
EQB 300 4MATIC
(2023) — ENGINE
Apr 29, 2026
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
Dear NHTSA Safety Team, I am submitting a formal safety-related complaint regarding my 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB 250, which is currently under an active high-voltage battery recall. The recall imposes significant safety restrictions, including an 80% charging limit, a requirement to park the vehicle outside due to fire risk, and the inability to safely charge the vehicle at home. Additionally, I have... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
I owned this car for less than 2 years and it's already costing $700.00 to have a EGR valve failure. This seems to be a big problem with these SUV's and I just don't no how this is not covered under the warranty or a recall as this is clearly a defect. There are so many complaints about this issue. This is my 3rd Nissan and most likely my last!!! Not happy at all with this outcome of $700.00 repa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2019
we have had no issues with this vehicle at all. then one day notice a ticking in the area of the valve covers. Sounded to be more on drivers side. Thought maybe just the oil was low which has never happened before. Oil level was fine. I always change oil on regular intervals and there were no check engine lights and engine continued to run fine with no loss of power or ticking changing. It w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
I am submitting this complaint on behalf of the vehicle owner. On March 31, 2025 (136,962 miles), the vehicle was brought to Fred Anderson Nissan of [XXX] for Voluntary Emission Recall PD128 (NTB24-061), which required a new Particulate Matter Sensor and ECM reprogramming. One day later, the Check Engine Light illuminated. On April 2, 2025 (137,083 miles), the dealer diagnosed code P2002-00 (DPF... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2026
Carnival was working fine then, without warning, I was unable to accelerate. Had entered highway and reached a maximum speed around 30 mph in a 55 mph zone. Pedal fully depressed and zero acceleration, dashboard read "check hybrid system, stop safely". Tried changing driving modes to no effect. Lots of cars speeding past as I pulled to the side to restart the vehicle, then it worked again without ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2026
On April 11, 2026, my 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 experienced a catastrophic engine failure while traveling on a public highway. The sudden loss of power created a significant safety hazard and could have resulted in a serious accident. I was able to maintain control and avoid a crash. The vehicle was towed to a dealership and diagnosed as requiring a full engine replacement. The vehicle has bee... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2014) — ENGINE
Apr 29, 2026
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact added oil to the vehicle; however, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 60 MPH while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the contac... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
My Buick Cascada is a 2017 model and has 78,000 miles on it. There was a high pitched whistle/squeal type noise I was hearing and was told by the Buick dealership that it is an issue with the PCV valve failing. To replace this it will cost over $2,000 because of the design of where the valve is housed it is part of a much larger piece. In reading commentary on line i discovered that this is a k... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2026
Engine seized while driving on the highway. Diagnosed to be a failed rod bearing leading to catastrophic engine failure. Vehicle and engine have 84,000 miles. I have owned and driven it since new.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2026
The coolant bypass valve failed and the car is a 2021 Rav 4 LE. I called Toyota and according to the VIN it is not covered for this type of repair. I see quite a few cars have had this same issue, all Toyota's. It was inspected and repaired at a local Toyota Dealership but I had to pay out of pocket for the repair. There was a brief warning light that said "Engine Maintenance Required" See deale... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the knock sensor and the harness had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on seve... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2021) — ENGINE
Apr 29, 2026
Incident date: Apr 29, 2026
Driving normal traffic . Started hearing ticking . Check engine light flashing ,service esc and braking system light up. Parking not loud ticking from engine bay
Incident date: Apr 28, 2026
The 2.0L Nu GDI engine in this vehicle is experiencing terminal internal failure. Following a P1326 KSDS warning event, a borescope inspection at an authorized dealership documented severe cylinder wall scoring in all four cylinders. Despite this documented internal block destruction, the manufacturer has denied the mandated settlement warranty repair based on a software-based proxy test (BCT). Th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
I was looking at common problems associated with the make and model of my car. I came across an issue that could possibly cause engine failure. I am unsure if any one has reported it yet. here are the details - Problem overview An VVT-i oil line on the Lexus RX350 is known to burst. This is a very large leak which covers the ground, engine, and undercarriage. If the oil line ruptures while driv... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2026
Bought 2020 Ford Ranger Lariat in March 2024 with 13k miles. I have had no issues and have kept up maintenance needed. Vehicle currently has 19,128 miles and on 4/17/26 while driving the vehicle lost power. I was able to pull over and immediately called the dealership where vehicle was purchased and had towed to their facility for diagnosis. There we no warning lights prior to losing power. The de... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Juke. The contact stated that the timing chain was loose and caused damage to the timing case. The failure caused a three-inch gap, and engine oil was leaking onto hot parts inside the engine compartment. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,373.
JEEP
WAGONEER S
(2025) — ENGINE
Apr 29, 2026
Incident date: Apr 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH with 100 miles of charge, the vehicle stalled and shut off. The screen was black, unresponsive, and failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a power module failure. The part was on back order. The electric module was previously replaced. The vehicle was not repaired... Read more
JEEP
WAGONEER S
(2025) — ENGINE
Apr 29, 2026
Incident date: Apr 25, 2026
Vehicle would not go into gear when turned on. Vehicle would not turn off when attempted to turn off. Could not even open doors when attempting to get back in vehicle. I received notices to service the following: blind spot alert, electronic stability control, transmission, autopark, electric vehicle system. I received a notification that the vehicle was going 317 miles per hour. It is now in the ... Read more