Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim, NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,245,377 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports, when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report, that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints, specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened, feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 40,899 complaints - component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident date: Mar 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop onto the highway the following day, several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and a message advising to park the vehicle was displayed. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while making a left turn, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle drifted to safety. The vehicle was restarted. Additionally, while driving on several occasions at speeds over 40 MPH, there was a rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engin... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mar 27, 2025
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
The contact leased a 2022 Toyota Tundra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V381000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called another dealer, Ed Morse Delray Toyota (2800 S Federal Hwy, Delray Beach, FL 33483). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a rea... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and went into LIMP Mode with the throttle control and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the tone ring on the crankshaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Tundra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V381000 (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 contac... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinder head, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repa... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2014) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mar 27, 2025
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost engine power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who determined that all the teeth on the timing belt had sheared off and were in the oil. The contact was informed that the timing belt and oil ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2023
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 not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a family member's residence, and then towed to a ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was oil leaking from the turbocharger. The contact stated that the hose had detached, and the coolant had leaked out. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528XI. 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 not made aware of the is... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER
(2016) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mar 27, 2025
Incident date: Jan 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH on the highway, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. There was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the engine. The contact restarted the vehicle. The engine, steering assist, and battery warning lights became illuminated. The low engine oil message was displayed. The... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked or while driving, the oil pressure warning light 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, a slushing noise was present coming from inside the driver’s side dashboard location. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that coolant was present inside the engine cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine neede... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2022) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mar 27, 2025
Incident date: Mar 9, 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 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. VIN t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment, after which the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The engine overheating warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the thermostat and radiator hose. The vehicle was repaired, bu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 - 70 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into reverse. There was white smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle near the engine compartment. The contact depressed the brake pedal to assist with the vehicle slowing down to be able to pull over to the side of the road where the vehicle came ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds downhill or while in reverse, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. Th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 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 not made aware of the iss... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that after having an oil change performed on the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the engine was shaking abnormally while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where a diagnostic test was performed. The diagnostic test indicated a possible engine failure. The contact was informed that d... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The 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 contac... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that during the initial start-up, the vehicle shuddered for a while before running properly. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure due to coolant leaking into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was ... Read more
GRAND DESIGN
IMAGINE
(2024) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mar 26, 2025
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
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 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 iss... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The contact discovered that there was oil leaking from underneath the vehicle and that there was a hole in the engine block. The contact researched and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. 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 not 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 i... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was 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 contac... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was slow to accelerate. There was white smoke coming from the exhaust, with the check engine warning light illuminated and flashing on and off. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a crack in cylinders #3 and #4. The ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine and 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 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle vibrated and lost motive power. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that during cold starts, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the cam phasers were faulty, and a software update was needed. The software update was performed, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that shortly after the software update, the transmis... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The message that coolant was needed was displayed. The contact added coolant to the reservoir. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle was driving rough. The contact was concerned about the vehicle catching on fire. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V209000 (E... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2022) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mar 25, 2025
Incident date: Jan 15, 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
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, which caused a crack in the cylinder. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufactu... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2018) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mar 25, 2025
Incident date: Mar 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a loud clanking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure recurred with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Tundra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V381000 (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
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the heater failed to function as intended. After a visual ins... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2025) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mar 25, 2025
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
The contact owned a 2016 BMW 228I. 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 dealer confirmed that the part to do the recall repair was not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the m... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V635000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. T... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant leaking into the cylinders. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 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 local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2018
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The check engine warning light became illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while leaving her property. The vehicle was restarted, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that there was an abnormal chemical odor coming f... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The mechanic related the failure to an unknown recall and referred the contact to the dealer for the recall repair... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle, and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the spark plugs and coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning light illuminated, a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and noticed that the oil level was abnormally low. The contact added oil to the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to Mike's Garage, where it was diagnosed that the valve cover was fractured; however, the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 60 MPH, the transmission was taking longer than normal to shift to higher gears, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine had experienced coolant intrusion and needed to be replaced. ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle was shaking with a rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. A code was displayed on the instrument panel; however, the contact was unsure what the code referenced. The contact stated that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The contact stated that an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and dia... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 BMW M850I. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal coolant odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the expansion tank was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notifie... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2022
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 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 contact h... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2019) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mar 24, 2025
Incident date: Mar 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that coolant intrusion into various cylinders had resulted in engine damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating t... Read more