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 10, 2024
While driving on rural side road, two lanes, my check engine light (yellow, steady) came on. I pulled into a safe spot and did a quick survey, checked the owner manual, but could not identify any problem, and continued on my way. The check engine light was still on. About 15 minutes later the car would not accelerate past 25 mph (limp mode?). I was on a two-lane mountain road, speed limit 45 (but ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
SPRINTER 3500
(2021) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 14, 2024
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
My car will randomly shut off while I’m driving. My seatbelt comes undone My door has opened while I was driving down the highway.
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2019) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 14, 2024
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
The problem occurred while the engine was on, but I was idle in the drive thru of a local pharmacy. The car had been placed in park, but engine still running while waiting at the window. Suddenly, the car began to shake and multiple indicator lights illuminated then the car completely died. No indicator light was illuminated before this issue. I had driven the car on the interstate to and from a d... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA CRUZ
(2025) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 14, 2024
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
The car sometimes has a hard time to start engine. I have to pump the gas pedal numerous times quickly to finally get the car to start. Other times the car starts normally . Also sometimes when the engine is on and in the park position ; the engine may turn off. The auto off button has been eliminated from the problem because I turn that off; so this issue should not be associated with that comp... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda HR-V. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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. Parts distribution d... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2024
Driving at 35 MPH and the engine cutout and stopped on 8 November 2024. I was able to pull over safely as I was on Vandenberg Space Force Base, but at highway speeds in traffic this would have been very dangerous without power. The local GM dealership at Lompoc, CA confirmed the fuel pump control module failed, which caused the loss of engine power. There was a recall for the 2021 Tahoe fuel... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2024
While slowing from cruising speed to around 5 MPH, give or take, and pressing on the accelerator, the vehicle will not respond/accelerate for up to 1 second. This is dangerous because you don't know when the vehicle will respond and if you'll have the acceleration. My assumption is this is a symptom of the hybrid system trying to determine the best mode of propulsion - gas, electric only or a co... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
I purchased my 2020 Hyundai Accent from Shirlie Slack Mitsubishi, in Fredericksburg, Virginia on [XXX]. It wasn't long after purchasing that I began experiencing difficulties with it. The car will shut off when it comes to a complete stop or even if I s for a brief moment to switch gears, for example when parallel parking. Some days it would happen less often, maybe once or twice per trip then oth... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2014
My car has the following recall #23V-858. I am aware that Honda has issues with sourcing the replacement part. I called when receiving the first notification in Feb 2024 and was told this. I checked again when receiving the 2nd notification in May 2024 and was told the same, difficulty sourcing the required part. I recently have started to notice issues with the car which point to this problem, he... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
I have repeatedly had to bring my car into the shop (6 times now, only owned it for 5 months) to have the spark plugs and/or fuel injectors replaced multiple times. The car will suddenly start shuddering when trying to accelerate over 2 RPM. It has also stalled twice (while accelerating it slowed down to a stop in the middle of the road) and the engine light will flash. Mechanics have noted misfir... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
- Had initially reported this problem to dealer at ~1590 miles on the vehicle. After ~2,200 miles gasoline smell is still there and severe. - The smell is obnoxious to driver if driving with Windows rolled up and is a safety concern. - Issue is more pronounced, severe when driving at the beginning of the day after overnight parking. - Took it to same dealer twice, they did diagnosis and info... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2024
Extreme gas fumes because of faulty fuel pump assembly. When in a closed garage area fuel leaks out of plastic fuel pump top then the vehicle is half full or more. GM to this day has not changed the part design. So you have replace it the same kind of faulty part if you can even find one. They claim since no one has died they feel a recall is not needed. I just replaced mine for $3000.00 at a Che... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2024
Apparently the fuel system (fuel canister, fuel dispender, fuel vapor valves). It caused fuel, gasoline, odor to enter inside the vehicle cabin, causing dizziness and nausea to me, my wife and two kids. The problem was confirmed by the dealer. They try to fix it on 3 different occasions without sucess. As of today they requested the vehicle as they recognized is a safety issue and handed my a temp... Read more
4 injured
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
The high voltage battery is easily accessible to the consumer with NO protection around it….as it sits slightly elevated in the cavity where the spare wheel/tire are supposed to be….(which have been eliminated). This cavity could easily by accident or intention be filled with liquid thereby setting up a potential situation for severe Injury or Death.
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2022) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 13, 2024
Incident date: Nov 13, 2024
The fuel pump power control module (p129F, I believe) failed. I was in the carpool line when the engine sputtered then turned off, and would not turn back on. The engine light also came on. I had to walk my children the rest of the way, then got a tow truck. There were no dash light or other indications of a problem ahead of time. My local GM dealership was not able to get to me for multiple days... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2023) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 13, 2024
Incident date: Oct 9, 2024
When I got the car, my insurance made me aware of the recall and I asked them if it was fixed they said yes but that was not the case, they straight lied to my face about something that could danger my life and the life of others
Incident date: Aug 9, 2023
Vehicle struggles and jerks to keep speed between 1st and 2nd and 3rd gears and jerks trying to accelerate up until around 50 mph check engine light came on and off a few times and information center on car reports exhaust system problem and to take to a dealer, took to autozone to get codes read replaced part it said to replace but problem persisted light came back on took back to autozone same c... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2024
Issue-1 High pressure fuel pump in the engine bay (no the fuel pump that was recalled for some VINs) failed at 88000 miles. There was a loud motorcycle exhaust kind of sound coming from the engine bay , which is more audible from inside the cabin than from the engine bay itself. Took it to service center for a 1500$ replacement. Wrote to Honda customer care , but they rejected by claim and good... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2024
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Highly disappointed in BMW for a severe safety issue. My pregnant wife was driving this car. The plastic fuel tank started leaking which was very very scary. There is no sensor or alert on the car to notify of this. Our mechanic suggested that this was a manufacturing problem. There was no dama... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2024
The thermostat housing and water pump keeps failing and leaking.The seat heaters dont work. The car started leaking antifreeze real bad which cause it to overheat and lock up. Yes it has been confirm by a dealer that alot of the chevys been coming for new thermostat housing and water pumps. No vehicle was only inspected by a dealer. The overheating like came on and then 10 seconds later the car lo... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2024
I purchased my 2019 Chevy Colorado Z71 new in Feb 2019 from a dealership. About two years ago I began having shifting issues from 1st to 2nd gear, it would shudder and seem almost stuck, this would only occur infrequently. Right after I hit 100,000 miles (about a year ago) I have had nothing but issues with the 8 speed transmission, my vehicle is unable to shift from 1st to 2nd without having the ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
A auto repair shop said my Kia Optima has a bad knock sensor which is a common problem with those cars. My safety and others was put at great risk when I suddenly lost power on the freeway Problem was confirmed at an independent service center Has not yet been inspected by manufacturer Warning message came up at the same time as losing power
Incident date: Nov 13, 2024
At idle, the vehicle will shutter and idle rough, nearly stalling in traffic. I have taken it to the dealership twice to two separate dealerships and it's under factory warranty and they have no repair or fix for the problem.
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
After shutting down the engine and letting the vehicle rest for a while, re-ignition causes a strong smell of gasoline in the cabin. This can lead to light-headedness, headaches, and nausea.
BATTLE MOTORS
LET2
(2024) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 13, 2024
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
My family and I were driving down a busy highway at speed in the middle lane, the vehicle suddenly jolted forward and lost power. Dashboard reported electrical system failure, contact service. Vehicle was recovered to dealer who has been unable to resolve issue and KIA unable to diagnose the root cause of the problem. Very dangerous.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
Driving our well-maintained 2016 Honda Pilot with 133K with cruise control set at 65 on [XXX] in Kingman, AZ in October 2024, when the "check engine" light came on. I pulled off as soon as I could on the exit ramp 1.5 miles later. By that time, the engine was ticking and clicking loudly and all of the various system errors were flashing on the dash. The engine then started vibrating and sounded... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2022) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 12, 2024
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
I was told about a recall on my car back in May. I was told the part would be available in the Fall. I just called and the fuel pump part is still not available with no date in sight. My car is definitely feeling the affects. Not sure why this part is taking forever to come in. Recalls are serious.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2024
The vapor canister (charcoal canister) and related parts have failed on 3 different occasions over the past 1.5-2 years. This caused the car to stall while operating without any warning from the vehicle. The cars has to be put into park and the engine restarted before it can be operational again. The dealer has inspected and replace parts of the system each time it has happened, and has explain... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2024
On my 2018 Honda CR-V EX noticed car almost stalling when stepping on accelerator. Took vehicle to dealership and was told it was the Fuel Injectors failing. The dealership said it is the EXACT SAME Fuel Injectors that are on the 2018 Honda Accord that are part of a Recall due to safety concerns BUT that Honda has NOT issued a Recall for the CR-V, even though it has the EXACT SAME Fuel Injectors... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
A sudden acceleration occurred while pulling into a diagonal parking spot causing the car to hit the vehicle parked in front.
Crash
Incident date: Oct 10, 2024
Gas tank began leaking from top of blind flange, similar to other extended warranties (SIB 01 03 22 and SIB 01 07 22). BMW is refusing to cover my specific model year (I have sent letters requesting reimbursement and called multiple times). It created an explosion hazard in my garage. Had mechanic repair, I do not have part. Cost $2,000 for new tank that will probably develop same issue. Ther... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 12, 2024
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
My car stalls when I get gas. If I get gas, I have to try multiple times to start my car and once it starts, I can’t stop. If I stop, my car will turn off and I have to start it again. My car has died in intersections and on streets many times. I called ford and they told me that I am basically out of luck and will have to have it repaired on my own dime even though I am having the same symptoms... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
multiple issues with radar sensors- disable parking assist, lane assist and rear traffic sensors due to constant malfunctioning - battery has been replaced twice within the past 6 months - vacuum pump for automatic break assist replaced APRIL 2024 - automatic brake assist failed while on vacation and car had to be driven without assisted breaks from New Orleans to Jackson MS for repair - car can o... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
My car has been having fuel issues for the past few years. I found out some time ago that Honda recalled the fuel pump on my vehicle. Since I started having issues (well over 1 year ago) I have reached out to Honda numerous times only to be told that unless my vehicle stops driving they wont take in any other vehicle on this recall. That was fine when my vehicle was still driving. Around A... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
I have been 2x stopping at light then started to start back up do to green light and lost power for a second in the gas pedal. Then it kicks in!
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2022) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 12, 2024
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
Vehicle stalled on major interstate while giving no warning Vehicle would not start after failure Had to be towed to dealership Found to be a faulty fuel pump module Service advisor even said this is a common problem Vehicle mileage was at 33,478 This could have been a deadly accident
Incident date: Nov 10, 2024
Fuel leak issue. I have a fuel leak coming from a faulty fuel pump on the driver'side. Very dangerous. Leaking down on side of tank. Could possibly leak down onto exhaust.GM said there was nothing they could do. I have taken it to Landers Mclarty Chevrolet in Huntsville, AL for replacement. Cost is $1963.02. There should have been a recall instead of a special advisory since they admitted it was a... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER SPORT
(2018) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 12, 2024
Incident date: Mar 1, 2021
Unknown My car wasn’t getting any gas stuck in traffic. Have complained to the dealership about the recall and the problem I was having I was given the run around about replacing the fuel pump
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
During December 2023 , news agencies, Honda, & the NHTSB reported CRV fuel pump module may have an improperly molded impeller. Should this part malfunction, the vehicle obviously shuts down immediately losing power steering, braking, and other vital functions. I was initially told by the local Honda dealer that replacement parts were anticipated in August 2023. I received notice from Honda in May... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
Thermostat keeps going to hot or stops working and drops to cold. Replaced thermostat coolant sensor since that’s what the code popped up. Didn’t work it continues to out. Radiator cap is collecting engine oil and not coolant. Engine oil is getting into my radiator hose. I had just got my radiator and stuff replaced by the dealership. I only had it for 6 months and been putting a lot of money ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2023
On 9 September, while driving, I got an emergency dashboard notice that stated Throttle System Malfunction contact dealer. It went out and then another immediately flashed that stated Exhaust System Malfunction contact dealer. The vehicle lost power within seconds after the second notice. I coasted to a stop on the side of the road. Once stopped, smoke quickly started coming out of the engine comp... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Nov 5, 2023
I have replaced the vehicle pump 4 times in the last 6 months I’m driving vehicle stutters when going uphill then it just stops mid drive and when we have it checked the pump connector are charred. We replace fuel pump and wires and.within 6 weeks to 2 months I have to replace fuel pump again. It’s a safety issue as my vehicle can get into an accident or it can explode due to it burning the w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
There’s a recall for a faulty fuel pump. Potential fuel leak. It’s been out for almost a month and no remedy. Not sure if there’s an urgency by Honda but a fuel leak sounds like this needs to be fixed asap.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Honda Motor Co. has not made replacement parts available. This recall is 8 months old, is a severe safety risk and dealers are unable to provide any estimates for when parts will be available. Although we have received a letter stating parts are available dealers tell us to call on Monday to see if replacement parts have been received. For an IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL, this situation is untenable... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
On October 31, 2024, I was nearing the end of a three hour trip. I was traveling on a rural two-lane highway with a 55 mph speed limit. I had just pulled away from a 4-way stop intersection and was following a single vehicle traveling 40 mph. Once I could see there was a safe distance from oncoming traffic, I decided to pass the slower vehicle. As I moved into the opposite lane and accelerated, th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
My truck has less than 40k miles on it. I bought it with 18k miles. For the 3rd time I am unable to put fuel in the tank without it shutting off the pump or spilling all over. I have looked on the forums and found this is a common issue with this truck. It is very frustrating because the first time the dealership would not look at it for over a month and when I had to take it to another service... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E400
(2016) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 11, 2024
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
I unable to accelerate to merge on to the highway. This is the second time that my car was unable to accelerate and kick into gear. The first time was in 2021/2022 a few months after getting the car.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2024
The check engine light on my 2018 Honda Odyssey has been on since January 2024. We took it to the dealer (Music City Honda - Mt. Juliet, TN) and they claimed the 02 sensors were bad. We paid $500 to have these replaced, but the light came back on. We then received the recall for the fuel pump module. We have tried twice since May 2024 to get the part under recall replaced but have been told both t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2024
While driving at highway speed (~65-70 mph), the engine shut off unexpectedly (without any warning/bucking). There were no errors displayed on the dashboard. Center screen stated to place vehicle in park before starting. The multimedia console, AC, all other electronic systems in the cab were operating as normal. The truck did not start back up for some time (10-15 mins). The dealer states that th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2024
I have a single-owner 2011 automatic-transmission Subaru Forester [145k miles]. In a parking lot, I started the car as usual and shifted into reverse. I immediately noticed another car was approaching behind me and reflexively pushed on the brake to give the oncoming vehicle the right of way. As I pushed on the brake, the car suddenly and without warning surged backwards as the engine revved and "... Read more