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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints

140,173 Reported Crashes

56,794 Reported Fires

8,580 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 2,245,377 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

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 169,480 complaints - component: ENGINE

Incident date: Jul 22, 2026

My vehicle started stalling and shaking right before all of the warning lights on my dashboard came on and the safety features stopped working (brake assist, brake hold etc). After checking, the spark plugs were all burnt out so I changed it along with the coil pack and this remedied the issue temporarily until it happened again a few weeks later. This time, I was on the highway going at around 5... Read more

Incident date: Jun 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact was informed that there was an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The contact was unsure if the oil was coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to the residence and parked, and the contact observed puddles of oil underneath the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer t... Read more

Incident date: Jul 1, 2023

car in question is a 2022 Audi q7 55 tfsi - 3.0 turbo - 40k miles 2 owner. serviced at Audi since new. under warranty until 50k car throws a p0299 code - turbo underboost condition present - coolant migration from a faulty VW/AUDI water pump is sending coolant into vacuum lines causing catastrophic engine issues - car can not be driven. Audi will not fix under warranty and is trying to charge... Read more

Incident date: Aug 3, 2026

On July 30, my 2022 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon suffered an extremely dangerous, unexpected complete electrical and engine failure while in operation. The vehicle abruptly shut down without any warning, causing an immediate loss of power steering and power braking. Prior to and during this shutdown, diagnostic codes associated with lost communication were triggered, (Lost Communication with Transmissio... Read more

Incident date: Aug 4, 2026

I was driving on the highway in Michigan, the speed limit is 70 mph. All of a sudden, I noticed that my car acceleration was not working. It ended up my engine misfired and in doing so, I could not go more than 20 mph on the actual highway!!! it was absolutely terrifying, even when I put on my emergency lights, I had to find a place to safely pull aside. I still had to pull out in front of someone... Read more

Incident date: Jul 14, 2024

- The engine system failed and it is available for inspection -While driving on the highway at normal traffic speed, my vehicle suddenly developed a loud knocking noise and the check engine light lit up. Within moments, the engine lost power and became inoperable, leaving me unable to continue driving while being 300 miles away from home. This incident occurred at about 5-6AM, having to maneuver t... Read more

Incident date: Jul 28, 2026

I tell the dealership mechanics that this car does not turn on and they keep giving me the car back and now the car completely turns off while driving making this extremely dangerous and deadly situation. My fear is something happening to me or my kids while I’m driving. I also took it back to the mechanic and told them the situation but they refused to dig deeper and told me to pick up the vehi... Read more

Incident date: Aug 4, 2026

My vehicle has about 68k miles, while driving on freeway all of sudden the car engine started to shake and check engine light came on dashboard. This engine shaking would stop when vehicle was being driven at high speed. Upon returning home I checked the DTC codes and had P300, P301 engine misfire codes. My mechanic suggested to have spark plugs and Ignition coil#1 to be changed. I bought new plug... Read more

Incident date: Jul 25, 2026

On June 3, 2026, I brought my vehicle to O'Brien Nissan of Bloomington because I was experiencing significant problems with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). Specifically, the SERVICE NOW light came on, the vehicle would not shift into park, and I was concerned about a CVT malfunction. I explained these concerns to the service advisor Jason who is the current service manager and expect... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jul 25, 2026

The vehicle's Auto-Idle Stop (AIS) feature is defective and creates a severe safety hazard. While stopped at a busy road intersection, the feature engaged and shut the engine off normally. However, when releasing the brake pedal to proceed, the engine glitched and completely failed to restart, leaving the vehicle completely stalled, unpowered, and stranded in live traffic. The vehicle became a sit... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 2026

My 2023 Kia Sportage EX Hybrid has experienced repeated engine-related failures since October 2022, requiring multiple dealer repairs. The safety issue escalated in 2026 when the vehicle experienced sudden loss of acceleration while driving on highways. In April/May 2026, the vehicle lost acceleration twice within approximately 10–15 minutes. Warning messages appeared, including Check Engine Lig... Read more

Incident date: Aug 4, 2026

At 70,000 miles the engine failed. Dealership said it was due to the current issues with the 6.2 motors but mine was not included in the recall but was being evaluated to be part of the recall so I did have to buy a new engine.

Incident date: Aug 4, 2026

At 12,000 miles removed old air filter found grass under air filter

Incident date: Jul 27, 2026

Timing belt came apart and my engine blew in the middle of driving. I contacted ford and they said i had to deal with it. So I have had it repaired. I have invoices. Warning light came on seconds before it died. I only have 40,000 miles on my car.

Incident date: Apr 17, 2026

Fuel pump.has low pressure therefore making vehicle stop running completely. Has happened twice , once while driving on highway. This is extremly dangerous to have your vehicle just come to complete dead stop in middle.of road. FORD has no remedy to fix and now i am without a car I am paying for since it wont start now.

Incident date: Apr 10, 2026

The engine in my 2026 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 with the 6.2L V8 had a catastrophic failure. While I was driving, the engine suddenly shut off and seized without any warning. The dealer told me they found metal in the engine oil and oil filter and that the engine needs to be replaced. They also informed me the replacement engine is on back order for more than five weeks. The truck is available for i... Read more

Incident date: Jul 8, 2026

at 72000 miles the vehicle stopped running no power no warning lights on indication of any issue. luckily it was on a side road. hade it towed to the ford dealer diagnosed with a broken timing belt and needed a new engine. the quote off $7000.00 to replace the engine with a new long block after paying the lone on the car I replaced the long block myself just last week on 07/20/... Read more

Incident date: Jul 8, 2026

Car just shut off while I was driving. There was no power. It would not start. At first it sounded like it wanted to start and then it just made no sound at all. The brake was hard as well. I put the hazards on but was in the fast lane on Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers. I believe there are traffic cameras that will show the car sitting while cars were trying to get through the traffic light. The c... Read more

Incident date: Aug 2, 2026

I bought my f150 a year ago. now I’m experiencing timing issues, Vvt solenoid failure (all four) . Loss of power, limp mode, failure to shift etc … I’ve had several mechanics look at it .

Incident date: Aug 3, 2026

The engine mounts on my BMW X3 have failed. It is a known national issue with the car, it can be exacerbated by the star/stop feature. There are no warnings or recalls and the repair is several thousand dollara.

Incident date: Aug 4, 2026

Bad engine reports on 2019 Escape. Engine light problems beginning at 56k. I understand Ford has had many complaints about this engine. New water pump at 56k, new purge valve at 58k.

Incident date: Aug 4, 2026

The car just stopped while I was driving. I was in an intersection. The car would not turn back on

Incident date: Jul 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the cylinder #6 rod bearing was damaged, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified... Read more

Incident date: Jul 21, 2026

The truck starting making a ticking noise within 24 hours the check engine light was on and it starting shuttering. I got it to the dealership were they informed me of lifters failure, and catastrophic engine failure. Dealer is recommending replacing engine since it's a 2020 and not part of recall.

Incident date: Jul 4, 2026

Dealer refusing to honor open recall remedy for SC200 / NHTSA 20V750000 on 2015 Kia Soul VIN [XXX], approx 100k miles. Recall shows "no unrepaired recall found" on NHTSA VIN lookup, but KSDS update and engine bearing test were never performed. Kia of Cheyenne states: 1) must pay for recall because update not done, 2) must pay for unrelated repairs first, 3) must provide all oil receipts, 4) will n... Read more

Incident date: Dec 2, 2024

The customer may notice coolant spots on the driveway or garage floor, a loss of cabin heat, powertrain unit overheating, or a warning indicator for a low coolant level. Additionally, the condition can cause heat damage to the block heater electrical wiring and connector and the customer may notice an odor or smoke Matching Recall 26V011 my car is a 2017 Ford Escape 2.0 that was manufactured in ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 22, 2026

Coolant leaking into the engine.

Incident date: Jul 27, 2026

No issues with vehicle until failure, properly maintained, regular oil changes. While driving the vehicle the engine lost power and check engine light came on. The vehicle RPM's increased but had no power. Was able to drive the vehicle home but was at inconstant speeds / RPMS could not get above 40 MPH. Low oil light came on while driving home as well. Made appointment at Ford local dealership, t... Read more

Incident date: Sep 13, 2025

On 7/14/26, I scheduled Escalade to be serviced at local dealership (MT) when A/C went out on drivers/middle vents and I noticed a faint ticking noise under hood. Was told engine lifters were damaged & needed to be replaced. Service was completed 7/21 and I picked it up that evening. On [XXX] my husband and I departed for San Diego; stayed overnight in St George UT. On [XXX] around [XXX] pm, I w... Read more

Incident date: May 4, 2026

Our 2018 Volkswagen had a light that came on so we took to dealership. The part that needs replaced is the cylinder head assembly which will be over $6000 plus $3k for timing. It will take over 28 weeks to get the part. So the car is not able to be driven. After looking into this, this is a known issue and there is a class action lawsuits going on right now. There are 4,600 back order parts nation... Read more

Incident date: Aug 1, 2026

I am reporting a critical Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve and electrical circuit failure on my 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. The failure resulted in the check engine light illuminating, diagnostic codes identifying an EGR system malfunction, and visible corrosion found within the EGR connector and extension harness. This component breakdown causes severe performance risks, risk of sudden loss ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 29, 2026

Rodent damage to plant based wiring to Engine Harness A and valve vacuum hose. Cost $1700 and 2 repairs.

Incident date: Jun 26, 2026

I was driving on 96 W. in slow traffic on the freeway when the vehicle put itself in neutral and shut off

Incident date: Jul 30, 2026

ECO boost 2.0 engine. Took vehicle to a Ford dealer because check engine light came on. Was told that I had a coolant intrusion into the engine heads. Motor needs to be replaced. Found out this is not an isolated problem for this engine. Contacted Ford and was told there is nothing that they can do about it.

Incident date: Aug 4, 2026

My engine overheated at 125,000 miles roughly and 2025 and this year the engine oil is leaking into the coolant tank at 135,000 miles.

Incident date: Aug 4, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power and went into LIMP Mode, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the failure was initially misdiagnosed. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer a second time, and the dealer discovered ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 14, 2023

THROTTLE LAG With the 2026 Mercedes CLE 300, throttle lag is driven by a combination of software programming, transmission behavior, and turbocharger dynamics working simultaneously.The following situation is when it usually occurs:Transitioning from a slow roll up a ramp (like the parking ramp at my condo) or pulling away from an intersection or traffic light or stop sign, you can catch the power... Read more

Incident date: Aug 1, 2025

Lots of power going up steep hills. Especially while AC is on. Almost complete loss of power yesterday with vehicle behind me.

Incident date: May 24, 2026

On July 30th 2026, I was Driving on the highway at about 75 miles per hour and the engine shut down. We were fortunate that we could pull over to the side of the highway. We had the truck towed to Oxendale gmc. Today 8/4/26 I was informed that in fact the engine needs to be replace. No warnings no symptoms, the truck just shut down while driving.

Incident date: Apr 4, 2026

I was exiting the freeway, and as I was turning off of the freeway onto a side street, at approximately 20mph, my vehicle did not respond to throttle input, and left me slowing to a stop in the middle of a busy intersection. I had to shift my vehicle into neutral and then back into drive, to get it to respond to throttle input. When I slow down at intersections, turn and then attempt to throttle m... Read more

Incident date: Jul 18, 2026

On June 18, 2026, while my nearly new 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV was being driven on the Ohio Turnpike, the vehicle unexpectedly entered reduced-power or limp mode, lost propulsion, shut off, and would not restart. The vehicle had approximately 2,234 miles. The sudden loss of propulsion and engine shutdown occurred in active highway traffic and created a serious risk of a collision. The vehicle h... Read more

Incident date: Oct 13, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming engine oil. The contact stated that 2–3 quarts of oil needed to be added in between scheduled oil ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 18, 2026

Incident date: Dec 31, 1969

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engin... Read more

Incident date: Jul 14, 2026

The connecting rod bearings failed, resulting in engine damage. The failed bearings, crankshaft, and oil pan debris have been retained and are available for inspection on request. The vehicle developed a loud ticking noise from the engine. A Honda dealer initially diagnosed the noise as coming from the timing belt tensioner and replaced the timing belt and tensioner. The noise was unchanged after... Read more

Incident date: Aug 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was not duplica... Read more

Incident date: Jul 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle before the engine seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle restarted after several attempts and was driven to the residence. The contact's minor grandchild was an occupant in the vehicle when the failure occurred. The c... Read more

Incident date: Jul 30, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V468000 (Engine, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 70 MPH uphill, the vehicle lost drive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the ro... Read more

Incident date: Jul 24, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The contact stated that the power train warning light and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 24, 2026

There is a safety recall on GM’s 6.2L V8 L87 engine model years 2021-2024. My vehicle is a 2020 Suburban with a 6.2L V8 L87 engine. My engine recently experienced the same failure as cited in the recall, but because it is outside the 2021-2024 window it is not covered by this recall. I ask that the recall be expanded to additional years where these engines are experiencing the same failure as is... 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