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
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2024) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 9, 2025
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle was jerking and driving roughly. The contact stated that the odor of burning metal was present inside the cabin of the vehicle, and the messages "Service ESC and Traction Control" were displayed. The contact was able the slowly drive the vehicle back to the residence, and later the vehicle was tow... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while at a stoplight, the Auto START/STOP feature malfunctioned, and after releasing the brake pedal, the engine failed to automatically restart as designed. After shifting back to park(P), the vehicle restarted and operated as normal. The cause of the failure was not yet been determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure.... Read more
UTILITY
REFRIGERATED VAN
(2023) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 9, 2025
Incident date: Jan 2, 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at speeds of 70-75 MPH or faster, the vehicle failed to ac... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 9, 2025
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
The contact's son owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. Upon investigation, the contact's son discovered that the coolant level was extremely low. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where mechanic discovered coolant intrusion into several engine cylinders. The contact's son was then informed that the engin... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V126000 (Power Train) and 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); 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 repairs. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made awar... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
(2014) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 9, 2025
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light was displayed, and the vehicle was driving rough and failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was slowly driven to the nearby local dealer who examined the engine and discovered metal shavings inside the oil pan. The contact was informed that the engine rod b... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine oil light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was advised that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of oil; however, the contact was informed that there was no repair available because the oil consumption had not met the requi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle, and the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. 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 towed to ... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the message "Low Oil" was displayed, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine was damaged due to low oil; however, the extent of the damage was not y... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound and lost motive power. The “Service ESC” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the connecting rod had punctured the engine block, allowing fluid to leak out from the engine. The dealer reques... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2024
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that there was coolant leaking from the engine compartment. The vehicle was driven to the contact and to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the coolant expansion tank recovery hose had failed causing engine coolant to leak from the hose onto the PCM. The contact stated that the hose needed to be replaced. Th... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF SPORTWAGEN
(2017) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 9, 2025
Incident date: May 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 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 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. ... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 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 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 m... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2025
The contact's mother-in-law owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that her mother-in-law had experienced a loss of motive power while driving at various speeds. The contact was informed that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's mother-in-law had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who replaced the spark plugs, ignition coils, and fuel pump. The vehicle was r... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, before the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the lifters, resulting ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 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 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 contact had ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 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: May 9, 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: May 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was ap... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN wa... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2018
A few months ago, I tried to get the above-referenced recall item taken care of at BMW of West Houston (Texas). I was told by the dealership service advisor that it would take at least two days to get the work done. The recall notice, of course, says the work should take about four hours. I was also told that in many cases the valve cover gets bent when performing this work and the cost of the rep... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. 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 contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and passing another vehicle, the vehicle stalled... Read more
FORD
ESCAPE PHEV
(2022) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 8, 2025
Incident date: May 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 BMW M340I. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V576000 (Electrical System, Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the repair failed to prevent the failure from occurring. The contact stated that shortly after the recall repair was completed, the vehicle hesitated to start. The contact stated that several employees at the local deale... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2025
The contact's son owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact was informed by her son that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant leaking into the engine block. The dealer determined that the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure an... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (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 manuf... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the camshaft sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 ... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle started shaking excessively and then lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was take... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 8, 2025
Incident date: May 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated while accelerating to overtake another vehicle at 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over safely; however, the vehicle was difficult to restart. The electronic throttle control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that the... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to slow down, the vehicle started to jerk abnormally, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the camshaft adjusting unit was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was intermittently shuddering while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the timing belt and exhaust camshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 8, 2025
Incident date: May 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was erratically shaking, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact checked the coolant level, and the coolant lever was low. The coolant reservoir was refilled. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagno... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was adding oil occasionally. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (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... Read more
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 7, 2025
Incident date: May 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle w... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the message that the engine was overheating was displayed. The contact stated that the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot(H). The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant into the cylinder. The contact was advised t... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Feb 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 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 informed the contact that parts for the recall repair were... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 7, 2025
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The engine misfired and the transmission shuttered. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the de... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle experienced rough idling. The vehicle taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed an engine cylinder misfire in cylinder #3. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
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 vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amoun... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the oil level was lower than expected; however, oil was being constantly added. There were no warning lights illuminated. While driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine was misfiring. Additionally, the contact stated that the check engine warning light was later illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion in cylinder #4. The dealer determined that the bottom part of the engine needed to be replaced. The ... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking violently. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and contacted an independent mechanic. The check engine warning light was then illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, who diagnosed that there was a misfire in cylinder #5.... Read more
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 contact stated while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, there was smoke coming fro... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
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 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
Incident date: May 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the starter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V5... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2017) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 7, 2025
Incident date: Apr 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that there was a misfire coming from the engine while starting the vehicle. While inspecting the vehicle, the coolant level was extremely low. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed of coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN too... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had no... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the camshaft and cylinder #7 connecting rod, resulting in damages to the engine. The con... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-90. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V815000 (Power Train, Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled and shuddered abnormally. The message to "Please Pull Over to a Safe Place" was displayed on the instrument p... Read more