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: Sep 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact could coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the oil pump. The vehicle was not repaired... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2023
My 2017 Ford Edge has a coolant leak into cyllinder 4 of the engine, which requires an entire replacement of the engine (approx $8k cost + labor). This is a clearly known issue (just a few links below but many other issues on google) and should require a recall. It does not seem fair for there to be a known issue like this and to expect Ford customers to pay out of pocket. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact received notification 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 local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable am... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2023
2017 Ford Edge Eco Boost - 75,300 miles (low) (purchased new) My vehicle had a rough start one morning, the next day the check engine light came on. I took it to the Ford Dealership and they said there was COOLANT INTRUSION in CYLINDERS #2 and #4 which had caused catastrophic engine failure. Full replacement is needed. This is a known issue, an engine defect the mechanic said. There have been ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 65 MPH. The check engine warning light and wrench symbol warning were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the hose and gasket on the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Nov 2, 2023
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an auto parts store that used a handheld scanner and determined that the vehicle needed to be taken to a dealer due to engine failure. The contact stated that the engine failure wa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving on the highway the vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH. The vehicle then decelerated to 35 MPH independently and was sluggish. The contact veered to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that she continued driving with the hazard lights activated because the vehicle failed to exceed 37 MPH. T... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2019) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Nov 1, 2023
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of coolant. There were no visible coolant leaks. The contact was constantly adding coolant to the vehicle. The check engine and power train malfunction warning lights were illuminated. The contact detected an abnormal odor of antifreeze inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after moving the vehicle in the driveway, she became aware of a puddle of coolant had formed under the engine compartment. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir and noticed that a puddle had formed. The contact stated later while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the temperature warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started overheating. The message "Engine Overheated" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road and allowed the engine to cool down. The contact then added coolant to the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel became firm, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle after 3 attempts. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to th... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2018) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 31, 2023
Incident date: Nov 19, 2019
The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing abnormal coolant consumption. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine block was fractured and there was coolant intrusio... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2023) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 31, 2023
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact reset the check engine warning light however, the light became illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the engine oil was low and needed to be topped off. Additionally, the dealer offered to perform an oil ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing rough starts with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that there was coolant inside the engine cylinders and that the engine needed to be replaced. The eng... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning was illuminated. The contact pulled over and was able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the catalytic conv... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing coolant, but there were no visible coolant leaks. The engine and temperature gauge warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil light illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, she noticed white smoke coming from the two exhaust tips. The co... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the engine was overheating. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The message to “Pull Over Safely” was displayed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failu... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle overheated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the thermostat sensor, temperature gauge, radiator, and starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle continu... Read more
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID
(2023) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 27, 2023
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, with the engine overheating and the message Cylinder Number One Misfire was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that coolant was present inside cylinder #1 and the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not yet re... Read more
TOYOTA
VENZA HYBRID
(2021) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 27, 2023
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer where the mechanic discovered a loss of compression in cylinder #6. The contact was also informed that the engine needed t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle overheated while driving and while idling. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing abnormal coolant consumption. The contact had been adding coolant to the vehicle after 5 miles. The contact stated that the failure was persisten... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was hesitating with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with coolant leaking into the engine block. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The manufacturer... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered and vibrated and there was white smoke coming from the exhaust system. Additionally, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who replaced the air ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the engine shuddered after startup. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and discovered coolant was present inside cylinder #3. The contact was informed that the cylinder head needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet re... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for an oil consumption test and oil change. The contact stated that the engine needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage wa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that there was an unknown fluid leaking from the engine compartment. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty water pump. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aw... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that when she arrived at her destination, she became aware that the engine fan was blowing abnormally loud. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failed thermostat and thermostat sensor. The contact was informed that th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact smelled fumes coming from the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the coolant was leaking onto the floor. The Engine Service warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aw... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
SPRINTER 2500
(2015) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 24, 2023
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. Additionally, the seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where an oil change was performed, and the contact was informed that the vehicle had consumed two quarts of engine oil. The oil consumption test was completed. The vehicle was not... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted. Additionally, the contact observed condensation under the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on several occasions where it... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started to shake. The contact allowed the vehicle to idle for one minute before driving. The battery and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. Additionally, the contact stated ... Read more
BRIDGESTONE
UNKNOWN
(9999) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 24, 2023
Incident date: Oct 24, 2023
The contact's son owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the transmission started slipping. The vehicle was not shifting into the intended gear as designed. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The engine overheated and pull over safely messages were displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that a radiat... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TAOS
(2022) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 24, 2023
Incident date: Sep 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shuddered significantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure recurred while driving from a complete stop while the engine revved to ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started to vibrate and would also vibrate at various speeds. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling rough at start-up. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs ... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2023) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 24, 2023
Incident date: Oct 7, 2023
Low coolant levels and white smoke that enters the vehicle from the tailpipe. No evidence of leaks
Incident date: Oct 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle was sputtering and vibrating, followed by the engine power being reduced. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who stated that cylinder #2 had misfired due to coolant leaking into the engine. The spark plugs and ignition coils were replace... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle overheated and started losing motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she exited the expressway and pulled to the side of the road until the vehicle cooled down. The contact continued driving; however, after 10 minutes of driving the failure recurred. The contact sta... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2023
The contact’s daughter owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that his daughter had to refill the coolant once a week. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The spark plugs were ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2023
Hybrid System Failure due to overheating Overheating due to coolant leak into resorvoir My car started having white smoke come from exhaust during driving Took to the repair shop, repaired the coolant reservoir next day, same issue took back to the service tech stated they couldn't find the leak, but the reservoir was empty. Took the car for a second opinion, the service people had my car all d... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufactu... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
(2022) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 19, 2023
Incident date: Oct 18, 2023
Last July my check engine light came on giving us a P0302 code. We had the spark plugs changed. It went away for a week then came back on with the same code. We had the coil packs changed. Same thing. Went away for a week then returned. Now dealership is saying they want $9,000+ to replace time engine for an issue that has been known to Ford since 2010 with this engine.with less than 70,000 miles ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the engine was replaced. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission was slipping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the oil was changed. The contact's son noticed that there was white smoke coming from the exhaust and no... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2023
The contact's husband owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The vehicle owner received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V757000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), 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 while her husband was driving approximately 30-45 MPH, he smelled a burning odor. ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to overheat, prompting him to pull the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the coolant reservoir was empty. Upon refilling the coolant reservoir, the vehicle briefly returned to normal functionality but the failure... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 535D. The contacted stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the "200 Mile No Start" light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a software error in the DDE/ECM which a required reprogramming the ECM. The contact was advised by the dealer that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2023
I currently have a 2016 Ford Fusion SE with the 1.5L engine. Upon starting the car, the check engine light came on and idled roughly. After scanning the codes for the check engine light, it was determined that it was experiencing a cylinder 3 misfire. I took the car to the dealership and upon repair, they uncovered there was a coolant intrusion coming from the engine and either a "band-aid fix" wa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The contact checked under the hood and became aware that oil had leaked out and was covering the engine. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while having the vehicle serviced, the contact was informed that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced excessive oil consumption. The manufacturer was not made aware of the f... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the check engine light would intermittently appear on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that coolant had intruded into the engine and the long block needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The manufacturer then referred the contact to... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2013) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 18, 2023
Incident date: Sep 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while the vehicle was idling, there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the coolant level was significantly low. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with combustion gases in the cooling system. The mechanic determined that the failure was re... Read more