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.
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
Showing 40,899 complaints - component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident date: Jul 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine was misfiring, and there was smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The m... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the RPM's increased. The contact stated that the engine was loud. The contact turned off the vehicle and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Eng... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle after the vehicle was started. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Midas, and the contact was informed that that the cam phaser needed to be replaced. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and several messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled after attempting to jumpstart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed with battery and alternator failure; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to anothe... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 35 MPH, the temperature gauge raised to HOT, and the vehicle started losing motive power. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed and determined that the cylinder head had cracked and needed to be replaced. No additional information was provided. The vehicle was not yet re... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
CLK320
(2004) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 26, 2024
Incident date: May 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling in stop-and-go traffic, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine started running hot. The contact was able to pull over and check the coolant level and became aware that the coolant reservoir was nearly empty. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir, and the vehicle was taken to the deale... Read more
Incident date: Feb 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated the admissions warning light had been illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact noticed that around this time the heating system had failed. The vehicle had been taken to an independent mechanic who noticed the anit-freeze tank had been low. The anti-freeze had been refilled and a fuse had been repaled. Approximately, 3 months after th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, before receiving notification the contact had experienced a failure. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was smoke coming from under the hood with an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact st... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered abnormally with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to shudder. The vehicle was taken to a d... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2011) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 26, 2024
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) cooler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21M04. The manufacturer was... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated while having a routine oil change, the check engine warning light illuminated. While driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light flashed on and off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that cylinder #3 had misfired and there was coolant leaking and recommended that the engine be replaced. The vehicle w... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the check engine warning light illuminated, with the message “Engine Overheated” displayed. The contact was constantly adding coolant to the coolant reservoir, with the engine overheating message displayed again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with a crack in the cylinder wall of the en... Read more
ALFA ROMEO
STELVIO
(2018) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 25, 2024
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) and 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed tha... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a significant amount of white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine block. The dealer recommended the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. T... Read more
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID
(2024) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 25, 2024
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
My engine maintenance screen kept coming up. Bought it to the dealership & was told that my coolant bypass value needed to be replaced. Not covered by warranty & $700 to replace. This is a known issue with Toyota rav4.
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID
(2024) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 25, 2024
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
My engine maintenance screen kept coming up. Bought it to the dealership & was told that my coolant bypass value needed to be replaced. Not covered by warranty & $700 to replace. This is a known issue with Toyota rav4.
CHRYSLER
PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2024) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 25, 2024
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine was shuddering significantly. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure and cylinder #3 misfire. The dealer replaced the spark plugs; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it wa... Read more
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2021) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 25, 2024
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormally loud grinding sound coming from under the hood. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was previously repaired under Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03 (Cam Phaser Replacement – Extended Warranty); however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it wa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated the vehicle was running rough, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into the engine. The engine had been repaired. The contact stated that several years later the failure had reoccurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where it was diag... Read more
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID
(2021) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 25, 2024
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated while the vehicle was in for an oil change, the independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that there was a coolant leak into the spark plug which could damage the engine and the engine might need to be replaced, if the vehicle was not repaired. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact researched online and b... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
(2017) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 25, 2024
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 25-26 MPH, the message "Engine Fault" was displayed, and the contact noticed an abnormal burning odor. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, there was coolant leaking onto the ground. The contact drove to the residence and parked the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the RPMs were significantly reduced while driving. Additionally, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light was flashing on and off. An independent mechanic diagnosed the ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Edge. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and there was fluid leaking from the radiator. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the water pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 24, 2024
Incident date: Jun 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Genesis G70. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V191000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The ma... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced rough driving, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed an engine misfire in cylinder #2. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the engine was overheating with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2019
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was started, and the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was drivable; however, the vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer was contacted, and the contact declined to pay for a diagnostic test to be performed.... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Tundra. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V566000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 24V381000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time. The contact had not experienced a f... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manu... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TAOS
(2022) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 23, 2024
Incident date: Jul 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experi... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2020) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 23, 2024
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local Pep Boys, where the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure recurred while driving 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with oil intrusion into the piston rings and cylinder #3. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed an... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving at approximately... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V513000 (Air Bags) and 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated while cold starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. Additionally, the temperature gauge was indicating that the engine was HOT. The contact checked the coolant level and noticed that the coolant level was very low. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2020
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the engine was running abnormally while the vehicle was idling. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH, the engine was misfiring. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with misfire at start-up with the cylinder #2 misfire. The dealer determined that the engine ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2003
The contact’s mother owns a 2014 Ford Escape. While the contact's mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant leak and engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was excessive white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was advised by an independent mechanic that the failure might be related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion); however, the vehicle was not in... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while his son was driving 35 MPH, the engine seized. The check engine and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local deal... Read more
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2022) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 22, 2024
Incident date: May 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact ha... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of tim... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 6... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The con... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2019
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the engine overheated while driving. The contact pulled over to check the coolant level and discovered that the coolant reservoir was empty. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine needed to be replaced. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and observed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that th... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2010) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 19, 2024
Incident date: Apr 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool c... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware o... Read more