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: Jun 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Yukon. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (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 vehicle temporary lost automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking engine oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated while driving at undisclosed speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who confirmed there was no warranty or recall coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The veh... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge displayed that the engine was overheating. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then to... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2014) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 25, 2025
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start in the morning as expected. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that coolant intrusion into various cylinders had resulted in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Aft... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Yukon. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was 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 amount of time for the recall repair. The manufac... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled with an unknown message displayed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer. Several days later that the dealer informed the contact that ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that over time the knocking sound became more frequent, and the vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with defective cam phasers, and an estimate was provided for the cost o... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there were no recalls or programs in the system on the vehicle. Recently, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning ligh... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (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... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
See attached document for complaint.
HONDA
ACCORD HYBRID
(2025) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 25, 2025
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Feb 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Infiniti QX50. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair and the contact was informed that the engine and turbo charger needed to be replaced; however, the turbo charger was not covered under the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notifi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, lost motive power, with smoke came from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact attempted to start the vehicle and noticed a knocking sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle hesitated upon start. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the cam phasers were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The engine warning light, battery, and ABS warning lights illuminated, with another unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle returned to function as intended; however, the failure recurred a short distance afterwards. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was 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 amount of time for the recall repa... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2025
The contact owned a 2018 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed coolant intrusion into the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was traded. The manufacturer was notifie... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that one and a half quarts of oil needed to be added every two days. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the failure was caused by the timing belt sagging, and th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a blown engine and the vehicle lost automotive power. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagno... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2019) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 24, 2025
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 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 not yet available. 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 f... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that after arriving to the intended destination, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the lifters, resulting in damages to the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigat... Read more
FORD
EXPLORER SPORT
(2002) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 24, 2025
Incident date: Jul 17, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Midas where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #1, causing engine failure. The spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that on anot... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 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 while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to respond as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The local d... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2025) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 24, 2025
Incident date: Jul 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. During the failure the "Eyesight" message was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the thermal control valve had failed and needed to be replaced. The thermal control valve was replaced,... Read more
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2021) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 24, 2025
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the engine failure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with internal engine failure and coolant intrusion. In addition, the contact was informed that the engine had overheated internally. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously involved in a collision, in which another vehicle crashed into the passenger's side of the vehicle, causing damage to the frame and headlights; however, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained soreness in the neck and back ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and was repaired; however, the failure recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the certified mechanic, and an unknown repair was completed. The contact was unsure of the repair that was completed. After having the vehicle repaired a second time, w... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant intrusion in cylinder #2, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not re... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328I. The contact’s daughter stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); and the vehicle was taken to the dealer to have the water pump replaced. The con... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 5 MPH. The vehicle was driven to the place of employment and turned off. There was no warning light illuminated. There was white smoke coming from the exhaust. In addition, there was a burning odor inside the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle shuddered significantly and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine block was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred while idling at a stop sign. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that coolant intrusion into various cylinders resulted in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After inve... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Honda ADV160 Motorcycle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V195000 (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 made aware of the issue. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was faulty due to coolant intrusion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failu... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V376000 (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 contacted, inspected the vehicle, and informed the contact that the bearing ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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 a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, the contact became aware of an abnormal burning odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacte... Read more
COOPER
COOPER DISCOVERER H/T
(9999) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 23, 2025
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being traded in at the dealer, the contact was informed that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Upper Marlboro Ford (5701 Crain Hwy, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772), who also determined that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact relate... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact performed a VIN search and became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling ); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet availab... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that there was a small oil leak coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was a known issue that was related to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the oil leak was confirmed, and the dealer was informed about issues with the cam... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2022) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 22, 2025
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact inspected the vehicle and found an oil leak on the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine oil cooler lines had rupture... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V475000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer and the vehicle was repaired under the recall; however, the failure occurred, and tone wheel became delaminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was inform... Read more
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2023) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 22, 2025
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine overheated, and there was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (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 failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The loc... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was oil intrusion that caused the engine to fail. The contact was told that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
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 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 ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 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 not 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 contac... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that coolant intrusion into various cylinders had resulted in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the f... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while at a stoplight, the energy saver START/STOP feature engaged, but the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that the START/STOP function failed to operate as designed. The mechanic informed the contact about NHTSA Campai... Read more