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: May 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first; however, the failure became worse. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine block h... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the engine seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated before the failure. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle was tow... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was 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 contact researched online and was made aware of an unknown recal... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was shaking slightly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the fa... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was making an abnormal clicking sound. Additionally, while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel tuned left and right with a loud clicking sound. The contact also stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2023) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 14, 2025
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. After the engine reached adequate operating temperatures, the rattling sound ceased but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the ... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. While the contact's fiancé was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The driver pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder of the roadway and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was later driven to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 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 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 ... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2024) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 14, 2025
Incident date: May 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal popping sound. The check engine and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The messages "Parking Brake Service" and "ESC Service" were displayed. Additionally, the contact stated the vehicle experienced a reduced fuel range. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed tha... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a ticking sound coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that the sound was evident when the vehicle was started, and while the vehicle was idling. The check engine warning light was flashing, and the vehicle was shaking while idling and while driving at va... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the message "Engine Overheated -Stop Vehicle Immediately" was displayed. The contact parked and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was later restarted, but the message "Engine Overheated Stop - Vehicle Immediately" was displayed again. The contact stated that the vehicle stal... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the water temperature gauge rose and failed to return to a normal engine temperature. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and became aware that the third reservoir tank was empty. The contact waited until the engine had cooled down, added coolant, and then continued driving the vehicle. The co... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2015
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light was illuminated and the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and called the dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle shou... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was a misfire coming from the engine while accelerating, decelerating, idling, and while parked. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the right-side intake camshaft on all 6 lobes had ground away and needed to b... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal tapping sound coming from the engine, with the check engine warning light displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independen... Read more
ALFA ROMEO
GIULIA
(2021) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 14, 2025
Incident date: May 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered that the coolant reservoir was very low. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and it was diagnosed and determined that the cause of the failure was due to an engine head gasket leak and a cracked engine block. Additionally, coolant had leaked into the engine. The ... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start as intended; however, the vehicle then functioned as needed after being started. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Upon further investigation, the vehicle was scanned and diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #4, due to coolant intrusion. The ... Read more
TRUCK EQUIPMENT
TRUCK
(9999) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 13, 2025
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328I. 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
Incident date: Jan 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X5. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after several attempts the vehicle started and driven to a service center where the battery was replaced; however, the contact became aware that the battery was draining abnormally... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while attempting to start the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal rattling coming from the engine. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repa... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2023) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 13, 2025
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, her husband noticed white smoke coming out of the mufflers. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine short block had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for a... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 13, 2025
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The contact called on behalf of her son, who owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while her son was driving on the highway at 60 MPH, there was white smoke coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle lost automotive power; however, there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where the vehi... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that there was an exhaust odor entering into the cabin of the vehicle, which was most noticeable when the heater was activated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, there was an abnormally loud sound as if the exhaust was releasing in large amount of fumes. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that ... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinders, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not con... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 55-60 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud grinding sound, jerked, and then stalled. The contact's husband was able to pull over to the side of the road. The ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #1. The dealer determined that the dr... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 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 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 contact had not ex... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2018) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 13, 2025
Incident date: May 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 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 lost automotive power. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to accelerate as intended while the acce... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X7. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. The message "Starter Motor Overheating" was displayed; however, there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the starter motor and battery were faulty and needed to be replaced. The... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 12, 2025
Incident date: Sep 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact stated that "Engine temperature" message was displayed on the instrument panel with the temperature gauge indicating that the engine was hot(H). Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact discovered that steam on the radiator, and a coolant leak. The contact removed the cooling fan and shroud and discovered that the wiring from the electric water pump w... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X7. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the message that the starter motor was overheating was displayed and the vehicle failed to start. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the starter motor. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the fai... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 12, 2025
Incident date: May 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the contact discontinued driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the push rod in cylinder 5. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failur... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328I. 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 upon driving and coming to a stop, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle, and there was smoke coming front the A/C vents. The contact stat... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER
(2016) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 12, 2025
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the message "Coolant Overheating" was displayed. 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 there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the piston oil rings had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the recall had been placed on ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the temperature gauge remained at hot (Hot) location, with a dinging warning notification. The check engine and "Transmission idle temperature high" messages were displayed. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road each time and turned off for approximately 45 min... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts we... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start immediately. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the starter motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V576000 (Electrical System, Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included... Read more
MERCURY
GRAND MARQUIS
(2005) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 12, 2025
Incident date: May 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was driving rough, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that there was coolant inside the engine and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not ex... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2020) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 12, 2025
Incident date: May 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet avai... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
SPRINTER 3500
(2021) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 12, 2025
Incident date: May 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle vibrated abnormally, and the contact noticed white smoke coming from the exhaust. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion leaking into the engine, which caused engine failure. The conta... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. 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 conta... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that there was scoring in cylinders 1-4 due to coolant intrusion. The contact was informed that the head gasket was blown due to not being properly manufactured. The contact stated that there was a misfire in the engine. The contact was informed ... Read more
NORCOLD
REFRIGERATOR
(9999) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 12, 2025
Incident date: Apr 19, 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 unavailable. The 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 manufacturer was ma... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
The contact's wife owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was idling rough. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into cylinder #2. The dealer related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 22-2229 (Coolant in C... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 3500
(2021) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 12, 2025
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac Escalade. 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 not made aware of the issue. The co... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle responded after several attempts and was significantly sluggish while responding. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the engi... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 12, 2025
Incident date: May 1, 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 while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal popping sound and started losing motive power. The contact was able to pull into SRT Auto Center parking lot, where the vehicle... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The dealer recommended that the engine be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was a... Read more