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: Jun 30, 2026

While I was driving the vehicle on the freeway there a single popping noise that sounded to be below the vehicle. Immediately after there was a big trail of white smoke coming from beneath the vehicle. When I was able to pull over and got out of the vehicle there were flames visible and the fire quickly grew.

Fire

Incident date: Jul 2, 2026

Vehicle had an engine fire yesterday. Inner cv boot is burned. Luckily fire was put out quickly with a fire extinguisher.

Fire

Incident date: Jul 25, 2026

The vehicle was running when it overheated and started smoking from the gasket area, with no warning lights appearing on the dashboard; the car will not start now.

Incident date: Jul 24, 2026

automatic start-stop system causing actual engine stalls instead of a smooth restart is commonly triggered by failing auxiliary/main batteries, a dirty throttle body, or faulty charging sensors It has stalled on highway in stand still traffic. Issues with getting it to go. Have to turn off the car and restart. Has occurred 3 times - downtown of a major city in traffic, on a busy highway and at an... Read more

Incident date: Jul 27, 2026

Out of nowhere without any warning light all of a sudden couldn’t back up when geared into reverse to reverse. Turned the vehicle off and back on, then was able to reverse. Left parking lot and was on the road and vehicle started loosing speed, then put into park with hazard lights. When attempting to get off the road for safety reasons tried putting into drive and the car then drove in reverse.... Read more

Incident date: Jul 27, 2026

The transmission slips and misses constantly, ive taken it to the dealership repeatedly they say they feel it then they dont, its getting progressively worse

Incident date: Jul 25, 2026

This malfunction started in August of 2025 within 12 months of buying this new vehicle. A airbag sensor was replaced, then a national bbb case found the same malfunction only this time it includes the whole safty system failure. I gave the manufacturer a year and they have not corrected the malfunction. I am forced to drive a unsafe car *if I get hit my airbags will NOT DEPLOY*

Incident date: Jan 1, 2026

Coolant leak from faulty engine design into cylinder 2.

Incident date: Jul 18, 2026

2017 Mercedes c300 the switchover valve in the diagnostic module of the evaporative emission control system is jammed open. This issue was called for recall for models 2018 or later, but 2017 was not part of it.

Incident date: Jul 18, 2026

Coolant leakage in cylinder number (2) two. Causing a misfire and check engine light to display. Ford dealer has diagnosed and suggested engine replacement. Upon researching, this seems to be a known issue with this motor and can cause complete failure.

Incident date: Aug 8, 2025

Truck turns off

Incident date: Jul 26, 2026

My car started jumping after purchssing it in November 2025 used. The gear would feel like it was slipping. In March 2026 I parked my car turned it off let off the brake and it rolled. I have used the emergency brake since then. The gas gauge is off. The miles and gauge do not line up correctly and I was advised fuel pump may be off. It will drink gas up within a few miles. Check engine light came... Read more

Incident date: Jul 25, 2026

Purchased this car used in July of 2025 with 77,000 miles. When we went in for the first complimentary oil change at ~5,000 miles, there was no noticeable oil on the dipstick. The dealership continued with the oil change and advised us to come back every 500miles for an oil consumption test. We did this three separate times and each time we were at least a full quart low each time. It was determin... Read more

Incident date: Jul 3, 2026

This has happened to me a total of three times now And I have had the car one month. It stopped on me again in the middle of traffic Just driving without warning without any indicating lights on on June 25th. It stopped on me prior on July 21st and I just got it out of the shop July 24th. This is very dangerous and a dangerous situation especially to be driving one minute and the car just stop on ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 18, 2026

The vehicle developed an engine oil leak from the timing cover due to what appears to be premature seal failure. Engine oil was leaking externally and could drip onto hot engine components, creating a potential fire hazard while the vehicle is in operation. The leak also increases the risk of low engine oil levels, which could lead to engine damage or sudden engine failure if not detected in time.... Read more

Incident date: Jun 26, 2026

The 9C2 campaign software update introduced dangerous vehicle hesitation and unpredictable gear changes in active traffic, presenting and immediate crash hazard

Incident date: Jul 1, 2026

Ford Recall 26S28 NHTSA Recall - 26V237 Dealership has run the update. 2 codes NOT LISTED by Ford (regarding the Lead Frame in which they have 4 listed), are not covered by Ford according to the mechanics. The Valve Body is part of the lead frame but not covered under recall?? They don’t want to replace the lead frame as required by this safety recall. They want to charge us to replace the v... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2026

While driving my 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the check engine light began flashing (a flashing, rather than steady, check engine light typically indicates an active engine misfire). At or around the same time, the vehicle began shaking/vibrating noticeably, consistent with the misfire condition indicated by the flashing light. Separately, I experienced a failure of the vehicle’s push-button Start... Read more

Incident date: Dec 21, 2025

Since having our car, the check engine light came on several times with us being told we will need an engine replacement. Recently, our car stalled out several times while driving on different occasions leading us to look up the recalls.

Incident date: Mar 6, 2026

In May 2025, I contacted Hyundai regarding excessive oil consumption in my 2021 Palisade. In June, Hyundai directed me to take the vehicle to a dealership for testing. Under TSB 23-EM-008H ([XXX]), a failed oil consumption test requires engine replacement. My vehicle is covered under Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. I have provided complete maintenance records and receipts fo... Read more

Incident date: May 19, 2025

November 19, 2025 I brought my Cadillac Escalade to the dealership under their voluntary recall on the engine. My vehicle passed the pico compression test. The dealership then changed my current oil to a heavier oil and changed the oil cap to match the oil they put in. July 2nd 2026 my husband was driving about 55 mph and I was a passenger the we heard loud knocking and the engine quit. We ha... Read more

Incident date: Jul 25, 2026

The engine malfunctioned then the engine light came on. I finally got home turned it off and let cool down. Tried to restart and same issue

Incident date: Sep 1, 2025

I am submitting this complaint regarding Ford Recall 26S28 (NHTSA Recall 26V237). My truck exhibited the dangerous unintended downshift condition described in this recall for several weeks before the repair remedy became available. A few weeks weeks before April 27, 2026, the truck began unexpectedly downshifting from approximately 5th or 6th gear into a much lower gear while driving. Each event ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 27, 2026

Mileage: 31,694 (bought [new]) The engine starter intermittently fails to crank the engine and, per an open manufacturer recall, presents a fire risk while the vehicle is running. On multiple occasions the vehicle struggled to start during normal use. There was no crash, no injury, and no airbag deployment. To isolate the issue I contacted my authorized BMW dealer three times 07/01/2026, 07/16/20... Read more

Incident date: Jun 7, 2026

The vehicle displayed a check engine light with a message stating an emissions issue. The car would accelerate on its own up to 10-15mph without any input to the throttle. Braking was extremely difficult and the car could not accelerate over 40 mph. My wife was driving and my 6 week old daughter was in the car.

Incident date: Jul 27, 2026

While stopped at a red light, my 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220 unexpectedly shut off and shifted into Neutral without warning. All warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, and a message instructed me to release the brake and restart the engine. The vehicle restarted, but this has now happened twice. The check engine light remains illuminated most of the time. This unexpected engine shutdown creates... Read more

Incident date: Mar 11, 2025

Description of Problem: While driving, the engine intermittently revs on its own without any input from the accelerator pedal. During these episodes, the vehicle also shakes/vibrates noticeably. This has occurred [once / multiple times — specify frequency, e.g., “several times over the past X weeks”]. The engine revving is not consistent with normal acceleration and appears unrelated to thro... Read more

Incident date: Jul 25, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently lost automotive power and there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle independently accelerated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The check engine warning light was illumi... Read more

Incident date: Jul 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20–25 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that there was no compression in cylinder #2. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repa... Read more

Incident date: Jul 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light remaining illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Incident date: Jul 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that on four occasions while stopped at an intersection with the engine idling, the idle stop feature activated, and the vehicle unexpectedly shut off. The mechanic was able to restart the vehicle. There were other drivers behind the vehicle who started honking their horns. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument p... Read more

Incident date: Jul 20, 2022

I own a 2014 Kia Soul 2.0L GDI that consumes approximately one quart of engine oil every 1,500 miles. The engine oil became dangerously low between oil changes without any warning indicator. The vehicle has also experienced reduced engine performance, declining fuel economy, and previously displayed a P0420 catalytic converter efficiency fault code. Replacing the PCV valve did not improve the con... Read more

Incident date: Jun 24, 2026

Vehicle was not accelerating properly, so took to the dealership (Mike Shaw Subaru) to have work completed. Technicians indicated that the engine valves (shim valves) all had to be replaced and other work needed to be performed such as: Intake manifold, shim valves, gasket throt chamber. After dealership assured me that all work was performed and car was okay to take home, the next time it was dri... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Jun 2, 2026

On June 10, 2024 at 107,129 miles Hertrich Hyundai dealership of New Castle inspected my vehicle and submitted a request to Hyundai for engine replacement under the recall settlement of the Theta II Engine Settlement. Hyundai denied the request because of the rebuilt title, even though the rebuilt title resulted only from prior Roof damage unrelated to the engine, powertrain, or recall issue. Aft... Read more

Incident date: Jul 21, 2026

The vehicle has about 38000. The warrantee expired about 6 months ago. About three weeks ago I started the engine, it sounded like a cement mixer filled with rocks. I had it taken to my dealer. They investigated the problem and determined that it has bad lifters and bent push rods. The dealer told me that it is a known problem but it is not covered by the current 6.2l engine recall

Incident date: Jul 27, 2026

While the car is in drive, it would power off in the middle of driving. Took the car to repair and advised regarding the engine. My safety was at risk because I loss power to operation the car in the middle of traffic, which could have called an accident for myself and others. The problem have been confirmed a repair shop. No, the manufacture stated since my vin # is not included in their recall,... Read more

Incident date: Jul 10, 2026

I. Vehicle Purchase and Maintenance History In September 2020, I purchased this 2020 Ford F-150 new. II. Chronology of Defect and Repair Attempts Around 33,000 miles, the vehicle began exhibiting severe excessive oil consumption, an audible engine noise, and visible blue/gray smoke puffs emitting from the exhaust system. The following timeline outlines my exhaustive efforts to have Ford remedy ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 30, 2026

Ford refuses to fix this recall for over a year I am stuck with a car I cannot sell because dealer will not honor recall.

Incident date: Apr 14, 2025

Fire hazard with vehicle and Ford still has not fixed the issues this has been on going for over 2 years now

Incident date: May 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70-75 MPH on the highway, after entering the highway uphill, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light flashing. The driver pulled over, and the vehicle was restarted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaire... Read more

Incident date: May 15, 2026

Subject: Event of engine failure • While driving on a level paved road at 15 miles per hour in a busy area my 2019 GMC Sierra Denali pickup truck stalled in the middle of a busy street. • Truck stalled in a heavy traffic area at an intersection putting myself and passengers in a dangerous area and situation. This obstructed the normal flow of traffic causing a danger to pedestrians and normal... Read more

Incident date: Jul 9, 2026

While at a 4 way intersection and red light my car went into extreme temperature overheat and shut down. I was the first car in the line at the red light. When the light turned green I started the vehicle, put on my emergency flashes and had to dodge other vehicles in limp mode ( 5 mile per hour) across 3 lanes of incoming to make it to a parking lot. This was all caused by the well known and docu... Read more

Incident date: Jul 17, 2026

Engine overheated, Few months prior I got a check engine light for engine misfire, I changed the spark plugs several times, then I changed the ignition coil; but still having the same issue. One day, the vehicle stalled on the highway because it suddenly overheated (the engine drank all the coolant) White smoke coming from exhaust and coolant drains every 2 days. Took it to the mechanic and was ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 11, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Harley-Davidson FLHTK. The contact stated that while riding approximately 70 MPH, the motorcycle went into LIMP Mode and unexpectedly downshifted. The motorcycle was taken to the same local dealer on various occasions to be diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure was associated with an automatic safety feature. The motorc... Read more

Incident date: Jul 20, 2026

When at a stop, the automatic idle stop shuts off the engine and doesn’t come back out of that to start back up. Have to put the car in park to restart. This is a major safety issue especially when vehicles are behind me beeping the horn. Happened on several occasions.

Incident date: Apr 30, 2026

The engine (6.2 liter) on my Chevrolet Silverado fail with less than 2335 miles. It was confirmed my the Chevrolet dealership(Hendricks Chevrolet ). No warning lamps appeared in the dash or warning from my onstar maintenance notification.

Incident date: Jul 2, 2026

1. The SUV experiences complete power loss and goes into limp mode. Have been in nearly 3 accidents on highways with a vehicle that goes from 65 to 35 with no warning and then cannot accelerate or gain speed. 2. Battery, out of no where, goes from 3/4 full to 1 or 2 bars. 3. Extreme shaking of the vehicle while driving and at rest. 4. Vehicle is less than a year old and has been in for the same... Read more

Incident date: Jul 26, 2026

New 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee overheated at 1,900 miles; engine hit red zone, A/C shut off, coolant low\. Vehicle towed\. Request full warranty repair, diagnosis, and reimbursement for towing, rental, and hotel costs\.

Incident date: Jul 27, 2026

While driving on the highway going 70 mph, the vehicle lost all power and shut down engaging the automatic emergency brake system. This is the second time it has happened. Car is currently at dealership awaiting service.

Incident date: Jul 24, 2026

The engine experienced a sudden failure that caused the vehicle to become completely inoperable. Prior to the failure, the vehicle exhibited intermittent hesitation, rough idling, and loss of power during acceleration. These symptoms began several weeks before the complete failure. No warning lamps were illuminated at first, but shortly before the breakdown, the vehicle displayed a check engine li... 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