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: Mar 19, 2025
Good afternoon, My 2019 Honda CR-V suddenly displayed all warnings on the dashboard while operating the vehicle. The warnings remained but would sometimes disappear. However, while driving the vehicle on [XXX], the vehicle suddenly decelerated and was unable to accelerate while driving in traffic. Given any other situation or position of my car on the road, an accident would have occurred. On Ma... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2025
On [XXX], in Washington, D.C., my 2013 Hyundai Sonata experienced sudden engine failure, leaving the vehicle inoperable. My goodwill repair request was denied within 30 minutes, without a proper inspection of the rod bearings (a known failure point covered under the TXXI extended warranty) or the fuel pipe recall—a known issue that could pose a fire hazard. Hyundai cited suspected maintenance ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
Very strong fuel smell comes from the engine compartment after driving. When I am in stop start driving it enters through the vent and the smell is strong in the cabin. Had it to the dealer two times. They attempted a fix which did not work the first time. I brought it in again today and they stated this is a known problem and that it is under engineering review and there is no fix for it currentl... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2017) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 19, 2025
Incident date: Mar 19, 2025
Fuel system expanded back seat
Incident date: Feb 23, 2024
On [XXX], my vehicle experienced a battery failure detected by its onboard software, significantly reducing propulsion power and disabling charging capabilities. I delivered the vehicle to GM Dealer Bill Pierre Chevrolet in Seattle on the 16th of January and was informed it required a complete battery replacement. Initially, I was advised the replacement battery would arrive by January 28, 2025, a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
The low pressure fuel line connector to the high pressure fuel pump failed and sprayed fuel over the hot engine. This could have easily cause a vehicle fire and death. This is a KNOW ISSUE and is covered by a safety recall on 2013-2014 Hyundai Sonatas (Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin 20-01-030H). The same issue occurred on this 2015 Sonata that was built in June 2015. A temporary repair ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2025
The Transmission valve control body went out while I was on the freeway.I was able to pull off to the side safely but has rendered my vehicle inoperable until I get this repaired. I have confirmed this with the dealership. This is a large enough issue with vehicles that the necessary parts are on back order. Anecdotally, the dealership told me there was a vehicle that was waiting for almost 3 mon... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2018) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 19, 2025
Incident date: Mar 14, 2025
Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2015 Cadillac SRX VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 75,000 miles Location: Flint MI I am experiencing multiple issues with my 2015 Cadillac SRX that pose serious safety concerns. EVAP Solenoid and Throttle Failure: The EVAP solenoid and throttle are not functioning properly, leading to performance issues. Gas cap light comes on.The SUV struggles to accelerate, especially when attemp... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
Starting on Feb 22, 2025, we observed that our Kia EV9 had dramatically reduced range. Normally, when charging was complete the dashboard would show well over 250 miles of range, even in cold weather. On Feb 22nd we started to see the range had dropped to around 60 miles, even when the dashboard reported the battery at 100% charge. The actual range seemed to be even worse, dropping dramatically ev... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
My 2017 pilot 6speeds gave a really bas gas smell then my it started to sound like an exhaust leak but after going my regular mechanic it was confirmed that my high pressure fuel pump was bad. I cant afford the cost and labor so now im hoping my car would also come included with the fuel pump warranty. I keep up with regular maintenance and currently only has 72k miles on it. Plss get it resolved ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2025
Persistent smell of gas in cabin, took into Toyota dealership to assess issue. Service department could not resolve/locate the issue.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2016) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 18, 2025
Incident date: Mar 17, 2025
Vehicle went into limp mode and was unable to exceed 20 mph on a 45 mph street. Was told by the dealership the the ICCU unit, which was under recall, would need to be replaced. The dealership has had my vehicle for over a month and is becoming increasingly unresponsive.
FORD
F-150 LIGHTNING BEV
(2024) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 18, 2025
Incident date: Mar 16, 2025
Lot white smoke for tail pipe, noise came in the motor, leak gas for tailpipe
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2006) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 18, 2025
Incident date: May 9, 2024
Was going down the highway at 65 when my vehicle completely lost the accelerating component. Almost got rear ended so I pulled off. Then made it to work when it happened again. The engine light came on and gave 2 codes. Finally got it towed to the dealership where they have decided it’s either a new timing chain or new engine due to mechanical loss. They discovered there was no oil in the car an... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2025
I have had issues with oil consumption in this vehicle for about 4 years. I started getting a "Knock Sensor" code. I replaced the knock sensor and still had problems. Hyundai had a recall and they reprogrammed my computer board. A year later I was having the same issues. My car started stalling out. Took back to the dealership they said my engine had sludge and now they're saying that there is a h... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
Bought a 2016 Elantra in 2020 with 44,000 miles on it and a clean repair/ maintenance history. Let me preface the rest of this by saying I am an ASE certified mechanic of 15 years who has been in the industry even longer. The first major issues I incurred with the vehicle happened approximately one year after purchase. The lifters started tapping and not long afterwards (about a week) I had a tota... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
While driving my 2018 Honda Accord, I suddenly lost the ability to accelerate when pressing the gas pedal. At the same time, the check engine light came on, along with multiple other warning lights, which caused the advanced driver assistance systems to stop working. This put my safety at risk, as I was unable to speed up in traffic, creating a dangerous situation. A dealership confirmed that the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
The engine failed while i was driving through mountains. The car shut off and would not shut back on. The check engine light had been on for about 2 weeks
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 18, 2025
Incident date: Dec 30, 2023
Car was purchased new on Jan 16,2025. On Feb 25,2025 the car spontaneously burst into flames while driving on the highway during rush hour traffic. Car was pulled over to the center median and exited while flames were engulfing the passenger seat. Fire department responded and put out the fire, but car is a total loss. Could have caused significant injury or death to the driver or other motorists.... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 18, 2025
When starting vehicle, lights for Propulsion Power is Limited lights and service vehicle soon lights came on. I tried to shift into reverse, but got a warning message that the conditions for shifting error, I also could not shift to drive. I only have had the car for 2 weeks. I called the honda warranty, they arranged to have it towed to dealership. 2 different service people tried troubleshooting... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
I am writing to express serious safety concerns regarding our 2023 GMC Yukon XL Denali, which has been in our possession for less than two years and has only 24,000 miles. On multiple occasions, while driving at high speeds on the freeway with our four young children, the vehicle unexpectedly lost power and shifted into neutral without warning. This occurred approximately four times on March 9, 20... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2025
My clutch and or transmission is malfunctioning. When I drive up hill the car shudders and I lose power, it's a risk when another vehicle or pedestrian is behind me. When I accelerate from a full stop, same symptoms. If in an emergency I have to move I would be at risk because then the vehicle would hesitate. The issue was confirmed with the manufacturer's dealership service center. No warning la... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2025
While accelerating from a stoplight the car shuddered and came to a stop. All power was lost in the intersection.
Incident date: Mar 18, 2025
Bracket for fuel tank straps broke, causing gas tank to fall during operation without any warning,it could of caused a fire or explosion causing harm to driver and others or death.My local service center confirmed the problem and repaired the bracket and secured the gas tank back into place with new straps.This happened on our about [XXX] about [XXX].Friday (Rush Hour)!! I was at Walmart when I sa... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2025
Cruise control resume function was activated at a low speed after making turn into driveway car automatically tried to resume to 55 mph. The speed at most during the time of activation was less than 10 mph.
Incident date: Mar 18, 2025
For the past four months, my check engine light has been turning on and off. One morning in traffic, my car suddenly went into limp mode. Fortunately, I was able to make it slowly yet safely to the nearest parking lot, but I had to get the car towed to different mechanics. Each one diagnosed a cylinder 4 misfire after running the computer diagnostics and checking multiple possible causes under the... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2024) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 17, 2025
Incident date: Mar 16, 2025
There are two recalls for my vehicles numbers 24V-763, and 24V-744. The dealerships has had me on a waitlist. Im concered about the safety pf driving my vehicle, especially since i have a baby. Is my vehicle safe to operate? The dealership told me the recall isnt important and they dont have availability on parts to fix the issues. I need a vehicle that is safe to operate. Iv also had other issues... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2024
Vehicle dash lights will come on while driving (wrench light specifically) and vehicle looses all power and drops to 0 RPM 0 Speed. This has happened multiple times and is extremely dangerous! After 4 months, we finally got our appointment at a Ford dealership where they diagnosed the lead frame needs to be replaced. Truck is a 2013 Ford F150 with 114,000 miles and there is a bulletin for this ... Read more
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2023) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 17, 2025
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
On [XXX] my car would not run with a half a tank of gas and 776 miles ,I allied Hyundai towing and had it towed to the nearest dealer in Springfield pa and it sat down a week or more before they looked at it ,after that they finally called and stated there was sugar in my tank ,I explained that was impossible because I have a 175 foot private drive and a dog that barks at anything I explained th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2024
While driving at a high rate of speed propulsion to the vehicle suddenly and without warning ceased, the electric and internal combustion engine were non-responsive (ICE stopped; hybrid motor didn't provide propulsion), the warning light said "Check Hybrid System. Turn off engine" I was put at risk because I was traveling at highway speed and was given no warning before the vehicle shut down. Th... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2022) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 17, 2025
Incident date: Mar 8, 2025
roll over valve in gas tank on a 2012 Jeep Patriot.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
This car several times while driving has shaken and then shifted into neutral. I have had to pull the car off to the side of the road during normal vehicle operation. The car will then not shift into drive. There is a warning sign "Conditions Not Correct For Shift." The first incident was March 2023. The vehicle was towed to a Chevrolet dealer and the power inverter module was replaced under warra... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
The van stopped without any warning in the middle of a three lane highway. It could not be moved without a tow truck, We sat in a busy traffic lane at considerable risk. The Honda dealer that repaired the vehicle replaced the 06161-RLV-305 fuel pump. this was a very dangerous situation. The repair cost $1089.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
Engine stalled and car emitted fuel smell and leaked from engine area. Vehicle towed to shop. Mechanic found fuel leak near Cylinder #4. Removed intake manifold and found fuel rail loose and leaking from #4 injector. Left upper fuel rail retaining bolt was broken and left lower bolt was loose.
Incident date: Jul 11, 2024
At 113,000 miles started going into limp mode because of CP4 fuel pump failure, causing vehicle not to run properly, shop states vehicle needs total fuel system replacement costing $11,000 on a low mileage diesel truck. Ford said it doesn’t fit into current recall, even though manufacturer date suggests it does! Also same CP4 pump issues like all the current problematic ones.
Incident date: Mar 17, 2025
It started moth my vehicle losing power and chugging , dealership diagnosed as transmission (10 speed ). After all of the Ford appointed tasks to fix said problem, valves were replaced , did not work then entire transmission was replaced . After 7 times in the shop and many missed work hours . Maybe 2 weeks later truck starts bucking as I enter the highway , was close to getting rear ended . Broug... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2024
Po52E71- Emissions issue with crankcase. Mercedes implemented an extended warranty on various models but excluded 2019 C300, which definitely has the same issues. See below in reference to previous models. IMPORTANT EMISSION EXTENDED WARRANTY INFORMATION In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercede... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2025
When accelerating using the N e-shift mode and letting off the accelerator the car continues to accelerate.
Incident date: Dec 12, 2022
Reverse camera started to act up causing my camera to not be available while I am in reverse, this has also coincided with an error message stating "Service Electronic Throttle Control". My truck has experienced slow acceleration and the maximum speed is only 60 mph. My stability control warning light is also on with the flashing "lightning bolt" and I can no longer use my cruise control. The audi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2025
Vehicle engine stalled while driving in school parking lot. Safety concern as car when from “R” to “N” while backing up (2x). Engine would not turn on afterwards. Vehicle code P129F showed trouble with fuel pump power flow control module.
Incident date: Mar 13, 2025
My transmission went out at 108,000 miles. 6 out of 9 gears went bad. Had it replaced and it went out again 2 weeks later. The transmission dropped while I was driving but luckily I was pulling into a parking spot. Had to have another transmission installed. This scared me because my kid was in the car and was on the expressway a couple of minutes before it dropped. Also, the oil filter housing w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2025
Failed fuel injectors. This is a common issue in many 2017-18 CRVs with numerous complaints. This is a safety risk as it has caused a forced shutdown of numerous safety features including: all anti-collision systems, lane departure sensing, traction control, etc The problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected b... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2025
The OEM starter ignited a fire under the front end of my vehicle. Upon noticed, I immediately grabbed a fire extinguisher, and I put the fire out. I had my two young boys in the car at the time when it happened and I urged them to get out of the car immediately my young son has a fear from now on on getting in vehicles. There wasn’t any issuing warning lights that prompted any awareness. Initial... Read more
Fire
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2019) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 17, 2025
Incident date: Jan 26, 2025
I was on top of Beech Mountain NC working at a customer's house when it started to snow. I was at the bottom of their driveway and when I attempted to drive out, the traction control light would turn on, indicating I was losing traction. When this happened, I was unable to accelerate any more and the car started sliding backwards. So sitting in the car in the snow, I pulled up YouTube to figure o... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2025
Fuel pumps has gone bad twice, transmission slips gear makes clunking noise
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
Can’t use fast-charging! I am filing this complaint regarding Nissan’s failure to resolve the DC fast charging issue affecting my 2020 Nissan Leaf. In October 2024, Nissan issued a recall for nearly 24,000 Leaf vehicles due to a fire risk linked to Level 3 fast charging. Nissan advised owners to stop using fast charging and promised a software update by November 2024 to fix the issue. It is n... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2025
At stop light turning right, the car stalled, cut on and cut back off, cut on and back off with about 30 cars behind me. Sputtering. On the dash board it said “Engine power reduced”. I had to be pushed out a main highway by police, and thankfully my [XXX] daughter wasn’t in the back seat. I have had this car 12 days with 48256 miles on it. I’m extremely concerned with the safety of this c... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2025
I received notice of the recall for my car more than six months ago, and since then, I have been trying to schedule an appointment at the Honda dealership in Paramus, NJ. However, they always tell me that the replacement part is unavailable and that they will call me back. It has now been at least six months, and my car is losing power and consuming more fuel than usual. For my safety and the safe... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2025
A recall on December 18, 2023, covered the fuel pump on certain 2019 Honda Odyssey models. Mine was included. The problem has not been repaired because the dealer has told me several times that the necessary parts are unavailable. It has now been 15 months since the recall was issued. I am becoming increasingly afraid to drive this vehicle. Can you tell me how long I must wait?
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2022) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 16, 2025
Incident date: Mar 15, 2025
While I was driving, suddenly check engine light pop up. After investigating and troubleshooting by mechanic it shows need to replace Evap canister purge valve. Vehicle has just 68000 miles and this component should not be failed this early in life cycle.