Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim — NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,215,138 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports — when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report — that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints — specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened — feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 40,517 complaints — component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shaking, and the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that her brother had replaced the spark plugs and ignition coils. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while her son was attempting to park the vehicle in a parking garage, there was a loud screeching sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal. The contact's son used excessive force to depress the brake pedal, and an unknown warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic,... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2025
The contact's friend owns a 2023 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while the friend was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled several times. The vehicle was driven to the contact's friend's residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was parked and turned off. The contact ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2023) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 16, 2025
Incident date: Oct 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the coolant warning light illuminated with the message "Coolant Dangerously Low - Fill Right Away" displayed on the instrument panel. The message was displayed on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the dealer discovered coolant leaking from the bottom of the vehicle and diagnosed ... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2013) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 16, 2025
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Jul 16, 2017
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, the contact heard an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine that lasted for approximately 3 seconds when first started. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the failure was a common issue, and t... Read more
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2021) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 16, 2025
Incident date: Aug 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed,... Read more
NISSAN
ROGUE SPORT
(2019) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 15, 2025
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
The contact's son owns a 2018 Infiniti Q50. The contact stated that soon after purchasing the vehicle, there was an abnormal screeching sound coming from the brakes while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's son took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the brake pads and rotors replaced. However, less than one month after the replacement of t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. The check engine oil warning light was illuminated. An unknown message related to the engine oil pump was displ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Passport. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the connecting rod bearing in cylinder #3, resulting in damage to the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. After investig... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact, who was an independent dealer, purchased the vehicle for resale. The contact researched and identified an unrepaired recall under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) associated with the VIN. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer declined to repair the vehicle. The contact was informed that, because o... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2019
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that when the vehicle was cold-started, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The knocking sound was constant. The contact stated that the vehicle nearly stalled recently, and the check engine warning light was flashing. The vehicle was no longer able to accelerate above 35 MPH. The contact had taken the veh... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2013) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 14, 2025
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an abnormally loud sound. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 12 MPH. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the nearest mechanic, which was a To... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and failed to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was restarted. The check warning light was occasionally illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the recall rep... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Rogue. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The message engine malfunction was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over to the side of the roa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Buick Envista. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The contact allowed the vehicle to sit for about an hour. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle started with the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that while driving, the low-power warning light illumin... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 25V126000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illumi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the engine oil was abnormally low and required 2-quarts of oil to top off the oil level even though the vehicle had recently been serviced. The vehicle was not t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost motive power in the intersection. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was towed by the warranty company to AAMCO, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contac... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message indicating that the engine had overheated was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Rogue. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000(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. An unknown dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with cruise control mode activated, the vehicle inadvertently went into Limp mode and lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. After restarting the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound coming ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding my 2012 Kia Optima, which experienced an engine fire directly related to the defects identified in Kia Safety Recalls SC147, SC200, and SC201. On XXX, my vehicle’s engine failed and caught fire. This is the exact condition covered by the above recalls, which state that affected engines may seize, stall, or ignite. I have been in contact wi... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
The contact leased a 2023 Nissan Rogue. The contact received a recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed on the highway, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure occurred on two occasions. There were no... Read more
COOPER
CS5 GRAND TOURING
(9999) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Sep 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Rogue. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, the ESB warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the contact was advised that the vehicle did not qu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while cold-starting the vehicle, the vehicle was idling roughly. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, after removing the foot from the accelerator pedal, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact stated that after depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated before responding as needed. There was no warning illu... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine was idling abnormally rough, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that coolant intrusion into various cylinders had resulted in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V701000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be serviced because it was an older vehicle, and the dealer informed the contact that the recall part had been discontinued. The contact was referred to the manuf... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
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 not yet available. The local dealer was notified of the issue, and the contact was informed that the part needed to test the vehicle for the recall was unavailable. The contact was then informed that once the vehicle... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2014
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stoplight, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. A day later, the failure reoccurred, and the RPMs increased before the vehicle accelerated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the connecting rod had failed, and there were metal s... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
The contact’s daughter owns a 2017 Ford Escape. While the contact’s daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 17 MPH. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road where a family member was able to tow the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle had been parked in the driveway at the residence and was no longer drivable. A certified mec... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2018) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
See attached document for complaint. It is coming to almost a year that this problem still exists. After multiple attempts to have this rectified still un settled. I tried to make a claim on your website but for some reason the site is not taking my VIN# XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, NJ Plate Tag XXXXXX
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: May 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 45-55 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipes, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was also seated in the vehicle during the failure. The contact's wife was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was to... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (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 dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the recall rep... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLS 450 4MATIC
(2025) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 8, 2025
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 4Matic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the coolant pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Infiniti QX50. 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 there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagno... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle started to lose power with several unknown warning lights on the instrument panel. Despite the failure, the contact was able to coast ... Read more
TIFFIN
ALLEGRO BREEZE
(2017) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 8, 2025
Incident date: Sep 16, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed. The vehicle was returned to the contact; however, the contact was informed that the alternator was not spinning. The contact was informed that the alternator had seized and needed to be ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
See attached document for complaint. Please be advised that I received a safety recall notice relative to my leased 2023 Nissan Rogue Platinum involving a manufacturing defect affecting the engine bearings and/or engine components. Bearings and crankshaft are prone to failure, which can result in catastrophic engine damage with little or no warning. I appreciate that Nissan is going to address th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the abnormal sound was persistent and had become louder. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed to wait until the check engine warning light ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the coolant warning light intermittently illuminated on several occasions. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an electrical connec... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, occasionally while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was advised that the vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown NHTSA Campaign because the vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from the vehicle. The engine warning light was turning on and off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to the power booster. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact stated there was a design flaw. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer,... Read more