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: Jun 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the main engine bearings and connecting rods had failed. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer wa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the engine was idling roughly. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with coolant intrusion into the cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The ma... Read more
MICHELIN
ENERGY SAVER A/S
(9999) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jun 13, 2025
Incident date: May 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); 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 contact stated that while driving off the lot when purchasing vehicle, the check engine warning light illu... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Feb 4, 2018
The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked and hesitated and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contac... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into neutral. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the engine and redesigne... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Coolant Overheated" was displayed, and the vehicle suddenly shut off. The contact stated that moments later, the vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence and examined by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the head gasket had blown. No further information was available. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The message "Reduced Power" was displayed, and the RPMs increased. Additionally, the vehicle jerked, and the contact noticed that there was smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was driven to the co... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Suburban. 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 and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle intermittently failed to accelerate as intended before slamming into gear. The lo... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2017
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered and made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle vibrated while being turned off. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where unknown diagnostic codes were retrieved. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal,... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding and whining sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown diagnosis was made, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was ta... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
Complaint about KIA Safety Recall 25V099 I'm writing to let you know my concern about the safety recall I got for my Kia Seltos 2021. I received this letter on April 14th• and I took it to the dealership as soon as I could, to Federico KIA, at 1911 East Edwardsville Rd, Wood River, IL, 62095. I dropped off my car on April 17th and I was given a rental car the next April 18th and told that my ca... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with metal shavings in the oil pan and engine failure. The con... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a routine service, the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure due to coolant intrusion in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced and was advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The m... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The 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 had not... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that coolant intrusion into the cylinder had caused the engine to fail. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. Th... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced at the dealer, the contact was informed that the head gasket was fractured, which caused coolant intrusion into the cylinder and the engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had persisted and had w... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was d... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle misfired. The contact stated that the failure recurred upon starting the vehicle and had persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown cylinder and valve needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after her grand-daughter had started the vehicle, the vehicle experienced a rough idle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact's grand-daughter later inf... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon engaging the parking brake, the parking brake failed to remain engaged. Additionally, the contact stated that upon activating the A/C, the A/C was blowing hot air. The vehicle was taken to a Mazda dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a blockage in the engine block heater. The dealer informed the contact that no authorizat... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal, rough sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure mainly occurred upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into the third cylinder... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the second cylinder was misfiring due to coolant intrusion. The dealer determined that the engine long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance w... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the message "High Engine Temperature - Service Now" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notif... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Jun 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool con... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing rough starts. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts Store and was diagnosed with a misfire coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket was leaking, causing coola... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2025
The contact owned a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while his son was having the vehicle service, he was informed that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The contact was unaware of any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle wa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and was unable to accelerate above 40 MPH. The contact stated that after the failure, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the variable valve... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the cylinder was not operating as needed, and there was engine damage. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer, Summervil... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the engine was running roughly while driving at various speeds. While driving approximately 40-50 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond and decelerated instead. The contact was able to continue driving off the highway at a slower speed. The following day while starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming o... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V9055000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to rest... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that there was a loud thumping sound co... Read more
FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASS
XCM
(2018) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jun 11, 2025
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); 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 failur... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 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
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 3500
(2023) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jun 11, 2025
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); 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 fail... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLB 250
(2021) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jun 11, 2025
Incident date: May 29, 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 check engine warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown service was performed. The contact stated that the manufactu... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 60 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and the temperature gauge went to hot(H). The contact stated that the check engine and two unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road, and when the hood was opened, the contact and her husband smelled a burning odor. The vehicle was towe... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2021
The contact's daughter owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption, the engine was overheating, and misfiring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into cylinder #4. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure.... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The con... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the engine was running rough. The contact became aware of an abnormal coolant consumption. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket was leaking coolant into the engine. The local dealer was no... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving approximately 45–50 MPH, the engine was making an abnormal sound. The contact stopped and lightly depressed the accelerator pedal and continued driving. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift gear. The RPM increased to high. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local d... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact noticed an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure due to the rod bearings failure. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced and informed the c... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started jerking significantly. The check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated, and a message advising of a rear axle failure was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side road and turned off the vehicle. The contact did not attempt to restart the vehicle. The vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, there were several abnormal loud sounds coming from the vehicle and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was drifted over to the shoulder of the road. The message “Shift to Neutral and Restart Vehicle” was displayed. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact performed an inspection under the hood and deter... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine was overheating. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal burning odor while driving, with smoke coming from underneath the hood while at a complete stop. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximat... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that a recall appointment with a local dealer was scheduled; however, while driving to the dealer the check engi... Read more