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 62,429 complaints - component: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident date: Sep 26, 2025
On August 4, 2025, while being operated in an ordinary and careful manner, the newly-purchased vehicle experienced an episode of sudden unintended acceleration, lurching forward uncontrollably and slamming into a tree. Then, as the driver attempted to back up, the vehicle charged forward and struck the tree again. The vehicle's driver airbag never deployed despite sustaining two head-on collisions... Read more
Crash
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2024) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 28, 2025
Incident date: Sep 28, 2025
I was driving on [XXX] In Sarasota County, Florida, at approximately 70mph I witnessed flames coming from passenger rear portion of the car, I pulled over and jumped out at the interior was filled with smoke. In less than 15 minutes the car completely burned to nothing but black molten metal. The vehicle was purchased new, had been on order for over 5 months and had approximately 1,300 miles on ... Read more
Fire
CHEVROLET
EQUINOX EV
(2025) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 27, 2025
Incident date: Sep 26, 2025
You start with a half tank of gas or so. Then you park on an incline like a driveway. When starting the truck again the fuel tank shows full tank and more miles available till empty which is inaccurate. The gauge does not reset till you refill. Workarounds online do not work. This is a safety issue in mountain driving when you park you may miss how much gas you have left and can stall causing an ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2021
Filled gas tank up on Friday [XXX] about 10am as leaving Boca Raton, FL to head North to New Port Richey, FL. About 30 minutes later the gas mileage said there was only 90 miles left in the tank. Stopped at the next gas station to make sure nothing was leaking, added a little more until it clicked, basically full again. Got to approximately [XXX] near Morris Bridge in Tampa area, the car started t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
R24B2 Battery recall has been going on for a full year now with remedies being moved every time the date has been reached. Nissan refuses a buyback, but still has no solution to the no fast charging mandate. The car would NOT have been purchased if I had known there is essentially no level 3 charging on this car.
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
I am submitting an update regarding my 2023 Kia K5 (VIN: [XXX] ). •On July 25, 2025, I delivered the vehicle to my dealership for recall-related fuel tank issues. •As of today (61 days later), the vehicle remains out of service and undrivable. •The dealership opened a Kia Techline case, confirming they are unable to repair the fuel tank issue and that it is a safety hazard. •Kia North Amer... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2025
What happened: While driving in Montana on September 21, 2025, the cabin suddenly filled with gasoline fumes and the accelerator pedal stopped responding. After pulling over, flames erupted from under the hood and the vehicle was completely destroyed within minutes. The passenger-side door could not be opened from the inside at first, delaying escape and creating a serious safety risk. No warning ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 31, 2024
EGR Valve failed in this vehicle <55,000 miles. The EGR valve has an electronic component that, when fails, can cause the car to shut down by blowing the "walk home" fuse. This is a safety issue. This is a well documented problem (internet) and Chevrolet refuses to fix it, leaving the owners with an expensive replacement quoted at $3900 (Sept 2025). Recommend that it be covered by the emiss... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
Was in stop and go traffic. Car suddenly said “conditions not correct for shift” and engine died. The car would not turn on and it could not be put into neutral therefore was stuck in the lane stopping all traffic on the NJ turnpike. It created a safety issue for that reason as there was no way to move the car to a safe place until a tow truck came and had to drag it onto the bed. I have since... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2014) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 26, 2025
Incident date: Sep 12, 2025
3 times this has happened. I brake and it seems like I'm pressing the gas pedal and the brakes feel like they aren't stopping the vehicle. The third time put me in incoming traffic and the vehicle was totaled as it already had a rebuilt salvage title when we bought it.
Crash
Incident date: Sep 11, 2025
My vehicle is part of the 23S64/23V905 Ford recall. The car died in the middle of an intersection in 2024 and Ford finally agreed to replace the faulty parts with more faulty parts until there was a fix. Now there is a fix and Ford said they will not replace it because it's still running, but when/if the parts fail again, to bring it in and they'll fix it. So if the vehicle fails on the interst... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2025
The car is burning oil rapidly causing potential issues with the transmission and engine. The oil burns and does not leak after a few hundred miles and has to be refilled continuously causing alot of money and potential issues with other components of the car. I notice jerking when accelerating and smoke if dont fill every 1 to 2 weeks.
Incident date: Sep 26, 2025
The car leaks gas when the tank is full and if the car is inclined slightly. I've noticed the problem several month ago with an occasional odor but finally saw the gas leaking recently when it was parked on a sloped street.
Incident date: Sep 26, 2025
The car cuts off in middle of the road n won’t shut on brought a new fuel pump and it’s still shutting off the electric light pops up on dash when cutting the engine on the car gives the cranking engine power sounds but doesn’t cut on mechanic put in new fuel pump and now think it’s a electrical problem the steering is tight backing up and it has steering fluid this has been happening sinc... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2025
Vehicle lost all power and stalled while driving. Vehicle also stalled at idle when waiting at an intersection, and another time while waiting at a stop sign. No longer starts. Appears to not be receiving fuel and is returning code P0627 "Fuel Pump A Control Circuit / Open" and will crank but not start. Required towing back to my residence. FordPass sent a "Service Engine Soon Warning" stating "th... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2023) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 26, 2025
Incident date: Apr 6, 2025
GM is not handle this recall in a timely manner. They are refusing to inspect vehicle to see of there are any defects. This is concerning, as based on the recall notice, the engine may fail at anytime. This could cause a crash or leave me or my wife stranded on some road. My dealer would do the inspection but to do the inspection but they said they are not allowed until I have gotten "permission" ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
There is a loss of power in the moment the propulsion changes from electric to gas followed by an error message to "service hybrid electrical system". Dealer inspected an found there is currently no remedy. Seems to be a known issue by now.
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2022) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 26, 2025
Incident date: Sep 17, 2025
While driving on September 15, 2025, the vehicle displayed a loud beeping and the warning message “Check Hybrid System. Stop Safely.” The vehicle restarted about an hour later, but the combustion engine ran very rough. The Kia dealer inspected it but reported no stored error codes. On September 23, 2025, the vehicle suddenly lost power while driving. It appeared to operate only on electric at... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Subject: Ongoing Mechanical and Electrical Issues – 2022 VW Tiguan I’m experiencing ongoing issues with my 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, purchased new and maintained under single ownership. Primary Issue: The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly under various driving conditions—while accelerating on the highway, from a stop at traffic lights, and especially when going uphill or over high bridges. The ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2025
SUDDEN AACCELERATION: Cold started the car in garage, all OK. Then backed out and into turn around where I placed foot on the brake. At that moment suddenly accelerated and engine revved to 2000rpm (sounded like). I had to push down very hard on the brake pedal (where my foot already was) to stop the car before crashing into a tree. Foot was clearly on brake pedal at incident (that was the ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2025
Mercedes performed a recall and stated the charging would increase only by 10-15 minutes. For my vehicle it is now exceeding 30-45 minutes to get to the same state of charge at a fast charger such as electrify America. Mercedes refuses to do anything about this, instead they want me to drive around with a defective battery which still has a potential to catch on fire.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2022) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 26, 2025
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
I leased my 2020 Kia Sportage LX in August 2019 and purchased the Vehicle after the lease. In April 2025, the Vehicle started emitting a strong gas smell after filling. Often, the pump would stop short around 8-10 gals instead of the usual 13-14 gals. I attributed both to perhaps cheap gas and faulty pumps. On September 23, 2025, I went to the dealership to check the gas odor and possible gas lea... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2022
The electrical system of this vehicle is causing several issues putting the safety of me, my passengers and drivers around me at risk. Starting at 6,300 miles the vehicle had a temporary loss of power steering. After parking for a day the power steering returned, leading me to believe it was caused by an electrical/software code issue. There was a safety recall for the battery pack starting on f... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2025) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 26, 2025
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
My sorento started smelling like gas , inside & outside. Worse when I stop driving. The fuel pump pressure hose (that’s in a compartment under my backseat) is spraying fuel everywhere inside the compartment it in. The safety for myself and my grand sons that are all 2years old (3 of them) is we are inhaling the fumes from it separating steadily out under the seat their car seats are sitting on. ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
The fuel pump had to be recalled and caused the fuel injectors to start failing.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 25, 2025
Incident date: Oct 16, 2023
My vehicle’s fuel delivery system failed after a recall repair. The in-tank fuel pump was replaced under recall by the dealer, even though I had no drivability complaints, no warning lights, and a full inspection that day confirmed no issues with my vehicle. Immediately after the recall pump replacement, the vehicle developed drivability problems including sputtering, hesitation, and failure to ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
The fuel pump control module failed while I was driving. My vehicle shut down in the middle of the road. I was unable to put my vehicle in neutral to move it off the road. A tow truck had to come in order to get it out of traffic. The next day we had it towed to the dealership who replaced the fuel pump control module. This is a safety issue because the car will shut down with no warning while ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
Engine failure in October of 2023. Had vehicle towed to dealership and was told truck was not under warranty because of mileage and was going to be months before they can get to it because of parts on backorder or shortage of parts. Had truck towed to another shop and had the repairs done there, at my expense, for a total of $15,600. Fast forward to July of 2025, recall comes out on my truck for e... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
Driving today and car started rattling and pouring transmission fluid on the way home today. Barely made it home.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
My car keeps stalling. It stalled on me about 10 times already. It keeps happening when I’m driving slow and on a stop light. I took it to 2 mechanics and they said the system is not showing anything. I took it to the dealer and said the same thing. The dealer had my car for 3 days, trying to test drive it but they said nothing happened and they don’t know what’s wrong. I took the car back, ... Read more
FOREST RIVER
SUNSEEKER
(2019) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 25, 2025
Incident date: Aug 17, 2025
Sudden reduction in power event. Happened day after latest software update. Harsh slowdown with multiple lamps. "Reduced power" "brake regeneration disabled" unable to read battery percentage" Almost got rear ended. Also believe the service electrical system lamp has been disabled.
Incident date: Jul 10, 2025
There is a known recall on the fuel pump and the last bulletin from Feb 25 #24008 lists All Vins except ones starting with JHM. My Honda has shut down on 6 occasions. I took it to a mechanic who diagnosed it as the fuel pump is bad. He showed me the bulletin. When I contacted Honda I was told this Vin is not included. it has under 50,000 miles on it. I believe this is somehow being overlooked in t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
Oil consumption was ridiculously high, changing oil/topping off oil constantly. Car would not accelerate over 30 mph without sputtering and rumbling. I had mechanic diagnose bad sparks plugs due to sitting in oil from leaking. After I had them repaired/replaced the car drove great for 1 day, then decided to die in the middle of a busy intersection while I had my teenage son in the car with me. My... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
Car would not turn over only grinning noise. Stranded in parking lot. Had to have car towed to dealer. They replaced the fuel pump. The car would not start again 2 days later. I was stranded again. I kept trying and it finally started. It stopped intraffic just died on the way home. Before help came I got it started and made it home. I had it towed to the dealer again. This time they said it is th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
The bracket connecting the fuel tank strap to the frame has broken and left fuel tank unsupported. Extreme fire hazard is fuel tank becomes disconnected or leaking
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
The vehicle had a recall of a high-pressure fuel pump. I was driving on the freeway when the vehicle suddenly stopped. I had the vehicle towed to the closes dealership. I was told that at the time the manufacture did not have the parts to replace the fuel pump and the debris passed through the system damaging filter and the catalytic converter. I was told by the dealership mechanic that there we... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Taken car to work, driving down highway check engine light come on with loss of power. Took to dealership reported cylinder number 3 fuel injector was stuck open. Replaced all 4 injectors. Found TSB for it
POLESTAR
POLESTAR 2
(2023) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 25, 2025
Incident date: Sep 24, 2025
six months ago, I reached out due to an extreme concern regarding my safety and wellbeing regarding a 2019 Honda Pilot that I purchased from Carmax in Newark, DE. I purchased the car on January 10th and on January 29th there were issues with driving the vehicle. The car began to jolt and shake and the check engine light came on. I contacted the warranty company and was told that since it was ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2023
Vehicle will shutter or buck at variable speeds like, 35-38 mph, 40-45 mph and so on. if I take my foot of the gas and reapply it will shutter buck again at almost any speed. I took it to a mechanic and there are no codes, no check engine light. Shop recommended changing the transmission fluid so we did. Car still responds the same way, shutters and bucks when reapplying fuel pedal or slow acce... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2025
Subject: Complaint regarding refusal to perform recall repairs outside the U.S. – VIN [XXX] Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am the owner of an Audi A3, model year 2015, VIN [XXX] . According to the NHTSA database, my vehicle is subject to two open recall campaigns: – 69BY / 21V198 – Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) – 20YF / 24V110 – EVAP Suction Pump I curren... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
My car has a recall since 07/16 and manufacture has not resolved the issue.
Incident date: Jul 2, 2025
After filling the gas tank with gas.Car starts missing and engine will stall . If you stop at red light after filling up car will stall and the engine stops running. If you dot fill the car up to full it has no problem running it does as it should
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
In December 2021, my fuel gauge read empty, so I stopped at a gas station near the Honolulu Airport and VW Honolulu dealership. As I was pumping the gasoline, it began overflowing from the top of the tank, although I had just started pumping. I immediately removed the pump which is when gas began leaking out of the bottom of the tank, like a faucet. Luckily, I was right by the dealership, and was ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 12, 2025
On 2 occassions in the past 2 week, our Mustang Mach E has accelerated on its own. In the first incident, it was a minor acceleration. It caught me by surprise as I was pulling up to a curb to drop off a passenger. It was easily stopped with brake pressure. In the 2nd incident, the acceleration was greater and more pronounced while pulling into a parking spot, requiring the pressure of both feet t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2024
Ford F150 1FTEW1CPXFFC58647, caught fire while parked and unoccupied. PRINCETON, TX Fire Dept was not able to identify cause and origin of ignition / fire. Vehicle is available for inspection. Vehicle caught firer while we where asleep. Vehicle was looked at by fire dept and origin of fire was undetermined.
Fire
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
Car started jerking multiple times and then RPM went down to zero and stopped driving while in traffic.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
On highway was accelerating to pass another vehicle the transition froze , engine revved with no acceleration ( transmission skipped) this has happened several times over the 5 years. The lasted event we documented the date and mileage it happened date 7/13/25 mileage is 34990. These skips have put us in extremely dangerous situations. Transmission has been making growling noise now under normal ... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2015) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 24, 2025
Incident date: Aug 21, 2025
My 2018 Honda Accord EX is currently having FUEL injector problems at 41,000 miles. Honda is trying to tell me that FUEL injectors do NOT get affected by the recalled FUEL pump. This is very silly because the FUEL pump and FUEL injectors work together. They want $1,800 to replace the FUEL injectors at Honda. I already completed the recall on the FUEL pump, and afterward, they told me my injector ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2025
While driving the car, the engine shut down in traffic, and the engine light came on . We took the vehicle in for a flow shut off valve issue (customer support program) and found out that the flow shut-off valve issue resulted in damage to the water pump. We were responsible for the replacement of the water pump, which the program did not cover.