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
MERCEDES-BENZ
S550
(2008) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 7, 2025
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and then suddenly jerked forward. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Suburban. 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 there was a knocking sound coming from the engine while remotely star... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. 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
TOYOTA
TUNDRA HYBRID
(2024) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 6, 2025
Incident date: May 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle randomly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure, and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, and an engineer was sent to examine the vehicle and wa... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2020
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 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 and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTS... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 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 contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon driving the vehicle, the low oi... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2014) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 6, 2025
Incident date: May 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated after an independent mechanic had performed an oil change on the vehicle, the vehicle was moved and parked. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The mechanic diagnosed that the engine had seized and there were metal shavings in the oil. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, whe... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (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 approximately 25 MPH, there was smoke and a burning odor enterin... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 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 not yet available. Two local dealers were made aware of the issue, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2023) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 6, 2025
Incident date: Jul 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of an abnormal roaring sound coming from under the hood. The contact stated that the abnormal roaring sound was persistent and became louder over time. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the f... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact discovered that oil was leaking underneath the vehicle, and the vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who determined that the engine oil cooler lines were faulty and needed to be replaced. The engine oil cooler lines were replaced, but shortly after retrieving the vehicle, while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stall... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights were illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was discovered that the engine oil pump belt needed to be rep... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2023) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 6, 2025
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the message that the engine was overheating was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted after the contact added coolant to the reservoir. The contact stated that after adding coolant to the reservoir, the failur... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC300
(2016) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 6, 2025
Incident date: Feb 1, 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 not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the manufacturer had put a hold on the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe. 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 and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The ... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power with an abnormal ratting sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle into a parking lot and then had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact later towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure persisted and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that there was coolant intrusion in cylinder #3, resulting in engine failure. The contact w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that after refueling and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle started shake and vibrate abnormally. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The con... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE L
(2021) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 6, 2025
Incident date: Aug 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. 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 vehicle was taken to the deale... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). No warning lights were illuminated. The contact had not experienced a failure; however, the dealer inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced as per the recall summary. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The m... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH in a parking lot, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the spark plugs and coil packs. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where a heat test and bore were performed and confirmed there was a coolant intrusion in cylinder #3. The contact was informe... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine PCV had failed, causing catastrophic damage to the engine. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notif... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that his daughter had informed him that the coolant level was low. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir; however, the following day the coolant was low again, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact changed the spark plugs, ignition coils, and fuel pump; howeve... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the failure might be related to a head gasket leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed wit... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2024
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
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2025) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 6, 2025
Incident date: May 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. 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 coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The contact then discontinued driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that coolant intrusion into the cylinders had resulted in damages to th... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2023) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 5, 2025
Incident date: Mar 5, 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 not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the manufacturer had put a hold on the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 5, 2025
Incident date: Apr 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the low coolant level warning light was illuminated. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir; however, approximately one week later, the warning light was again illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the small coolant hose was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The ma... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Seltos. 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 while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 5, 2025
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Audi A5. The contact stated that while driving 30-70 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving for an hour or stopped at a light. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact waited for 10 minutes to restart, but the vehicle shut off again. The ECP warning light was illuminated. After the vehicle cooled off and the battery was disco... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the dealer advised the contact that the recall was on hold from instructions from the manufacturer. 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 c... Read more
BMW
R 18 CLASSIC
(2021) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 5, 2025
Incident date: May 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that an unknown error message related to the coolant was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local service center, where it was diagnosed with a blown head gasket due to coolant intrusion into the cylinders. The loca... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle was difficult to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manuf... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number:24V608000(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 confirms... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2020
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 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.... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was shuddering abnormally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was an internal coolant intrusion into the cylinders and that the engine needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic made the contact ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. The contact stated that the check engine and START/STOP warning lights were 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, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating, and there was white smoke coming from the exhaust, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that there was coolant intrusio... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part 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 repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power when the check engine warning light was illuminated. 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 not contacted. The contact stated that the... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and oil warning lights were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the following day, the contact's wife drove the vehicle to the dealer, and there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle hesitated while depressing the ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while parked and unoccupied, while servicing the vehicle, the contact became aware that coolant was leaking from a coolant hose. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the coolant line needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine, which caused engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
May 5, 2025
Incident date: Mar 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. There was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact determined that the engine had seized. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where i... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Seltos. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer had ordered the dealer not to perform the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the i... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. After the engine had reached normal operating temperatures, the rattling sound ceased; however, the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a f... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 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