Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim — NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,215,138 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports — when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report — that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints — specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened — feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 133,534 complaints — component: POWER TRAIN
Incident date: Jan 12, 2026
Sudden vibration on the engine while driving. No power upon acceleration. Heavily oil consumption. Had a problem on the seat belt with in couple of year of purchased, however the dealer fixed it for free. Catalytic converter was brooked at 80k milage exactly when the warranty over. It was costly to replace.
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
While driving the vehicle I began to hear a ticking noise in the engine (lifter tick) and the check engine light came on. The vehicle began to lose power and started shaking. I stopped the vehicle and turned it off and restarted it and began to drive as I was not far from home. I found that the vehicle did not have full power and was not firing on all cylinders. After getting the vehicle home ... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a grinding sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the PTU was faulty and needed to be replaced. The PTU was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle later experienced transmission failures and failed to properly accel... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
Car was put into reverse to perform a T turn to drive in the opposite direction on 1/14. The "D" button was depressed to place the car into Drive. The car quickly accelerated backwards and crashed into the mailbox. Service Advisor at the David McDavid Honda Dealership was contacted yesterday regarding the issue but no response has been received yet. It is unknown if the backup camera was visible... Read more
Crash
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2017) — POWER TRAIN
Jan 15, 2026
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
There have been several issues that have occured over the course of the last 3-4 years . Just this winter alone , i have had my 4wd serv needed maintenance , the air conditioning doest get cold the heater doesnt heat up , i have checkee fluids && cleaned necessary components , i have checked all fuses . My vehicle seems to start most of it's issues once the temperature starts to his below 30degre... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
My vehicles rear locker went out on me while driving on the road and completely destroyed itself. I have video evidence on how that looks at the shop where it cost me over 3k to get a new one because I could t drive it or I had to get a whole new rear differential. My steering is already been going loose at 70k miless
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
Vehicle passed initial inspection and had higher viscosity oil installed. After driving for the past six months I noticed a burning oil smell inside the truck. The smell gets intense at times especially during highway driving. The OW-40 viscosity oil is causing high fumes within the cockpit. Please consider checking this issue out during your added investigation into the L-87 engine failure. I sho... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
* Sudden Catastrophic Engine Failure. * The car lost power in the middle of a high traffic, very dark country road, forcing her to stay in the middle of the (undivided) road in the dark hoping cars didn't slam into her. A Collin County Sheriff was dispatched to keep her safe until the tow truck arrived almost two hours later." * The vehicle was towed to a dealer where they confirmed that the to... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
1) Transmission vehicle is not able to be driven Driving on the highway taking kids to school as my vehicle would not accelerate put me the kids and all that were on the road that morning at risk because all i could do is coast to get off on the side of the highway. I had it towed to independent center No warning signs, lights or messages nor any other symptoms. 2)also faulty steering wheel cloc... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
Right front axle seized in front differential both axle splines worn and identical needs replacement. No parts available.
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
The transmission made a loud noise, resulting in a sudden decrease in speed while driving in traffic. Felt similar to being rear ended in a collision. The lights came on in my dashboard including the check engine light. Tried driving the vehicle and it would shift erraticaly rendering un-driveable. Had to be towed to my GMC dealership for service. The initial diagnosis is an issue with the "valve ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
The clutch experienced failure while on the highway and wouldn’t go into gear without being put into neutral first then into second gear . Then while driving one day I couldn’t put it in reverse it’s just gone so now the car will roll slightly even with the emergency brake on but I was put in danger the day it wouldn’t shift gears as it should while on the highway leaving me pretty much in... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2024) — POWER TRAIN
Jan 14, 2026
Incident date: Jan 7, 2026
FAULTY TRANSMISSION RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
As I was pulling into a parking space in a parking garage, the vehicle's engine revved, tires squealed and then the vehicle propelled forward on its own, without my foot being on the accelerator. The vehicle only stopped when it hit a support column and the wall of the parking structure. There was extensive damage to my vehicle and to the parking structure wall. My safety and the safety of other... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 9, 2026
While I driving in the past week, a warning that "propulsion power reduced" appeared on my dashboard several times. The last time that I had driven the car, the heater would not turn off, and the smell of burnt rubber filled the car and then dissipated soon after. The car would only run in it's gas engine mode, and not switch over to electric mode, as it usually would. The next morning, the car wo... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2025
On December 27, 2025, while driving, the engine suddenly lost power and the vehicle entered limp mode and became undriveable. A warning light appeared and diagnostic code P1326 was later confirmed, indicating engine bearing failure. The vehicle could not be driven safely and required towing to a Hyundai dealership the following day. The engine failure caused a loss of propulsion safety risk. The ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2026
The accelerator pedal is unresponsive at times when attempting to accelerate from a complete stop, or a rolling stop, while traveling below 5 mph. This presents itself as a "dead pedal" type situation where no matter the accelerator angle given by the driver, zero power output at the engine is given. This can be logged via electronic data logger, and clearly the throttle angle does not change when... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2025
The car had an internal transmission failure and caused most of the transmission fluid to leak out between inspections. Upon removing the cv axle on driver’s side, the seal was fine and replaced along with cv axle. The fluid drained and was only about half a liter (needs about 4.5L normally). After servicing the transmission fluid, the dealership did their assessment and came to the following c... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
Truck began idling very rough. Went straight to the dealership. They shut the truck off and it would not restart. No CEL or messages on the dash. Tear down reveled a failed exhaust valve in cylinder #4. Truck has 10,000 miles. A replacement engine has been ordered under warranty. Luckily, we happened to only be a few miles from a dealership when the failure happened. There was no warning, ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
Vehicle acts like it wants to shut off. No warnings or check engine lights it just starts to shake and not let me accelerate. Auto shop looked at it and engine and transmission are ok. They look ed at it 6 times in 4 months and it just keeps happening. Now car is leaking oil and they can’t figure out where from, they replaced oil pan me anything relating to it so not sure what’s wrong. Also, c... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2015) — POWER TRAIN
Jan 14, 2026
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
The transmission developed a harsh engagement from part to reverse and a harsh downshift when decelerating. The vehicle would frequently not change gears at highway speeds.Inspection showed that the transmission pan was full but fluid was burnt.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact was forced to place the gear selector into either park(P) or neutral(N), and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle resumed normal operation after being restarted. The contact stated that on one occasion, the che... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2019) — POWER TRAIN
Jan 14, 2026
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
I am an owner of the same year, and model GMC Sierra 1500 included in the GM Customer Satisfaction Program N212326940, which is the oil cooler line failure. However, my VIN was not included in the program despite experiencing the exact same failure the program covers. My safety and the safety of others is put at risk because the failure may cause an immediate loss of oil pressure or propulsion whi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
The engine and engine management system of my 2018 Hyundai Tucson experienced repeated failures resulting in loss of propulsion and unsafe drivability. In November 2025, while traveling approximately 75 mph on a freeway, the vehicle suddenly entered limp mode without any prior warning, causing an abrupt loss of power in active highway traffic. No warning lamps or messages appeared before the failu... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
While driving my 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, the vehicle experienced a complete dashboard and system blackout, as if the vehicle shut off and rebooted. This has occurred on two separate occasions. On one occasion, while stopped at a traffic light, the dashboard went completely black and restarted. After the system rebooted, the vehicle would not accelerate or move when the accelerator was pressed. I ha... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
AMG EQE 4MATIC+
(2024) — POWER TRAIN
Jan 14, 2026
Incident date: May 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and unoccupied in the driveway of the contact's friend while the contact was picking up something from her friend's carport. The contact then noticed that the vehicle had accelerated unintendedly, driven up an incline, and crashed into the friend's gate. The vehicle sustained bumper damage, and the gate of the conta... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
Vehicle was in neutral on an alignment rack with no one in the vehicle. Vehicle was idling. Vehicle shifted into reverse on its own (no one in the vehicle) and backed off the alignment rack causing $7,000 estimated damage to the vehicle. This happened at a tire dealership (TGK, Owatonna, MN). Luckily no one got injured or killed. No inspection yet. No warning messages. This truck has had nu... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2026
Rear wheel lockup due to transmission valve body issues.
Incident date: Sep 24, 2025
On December 29, 2025, my wife put her van in park, turned off the vehicle and proceeded to exit the vehicle. The drive is on an incline after exiting the vehicle it began to roll backwards. She was caught in the door and attempted to press the brake to no effect. She was drug about fifty feet before separating from the vehicle. The vehicle then rolled down a steep embankment and continued another... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 31, 2025
My 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 has experienced two ICCU (Integrated Charging Control Unit) failures, both completely immobilizing the vehicle. •First failure: November 2024 •Second failure: December 31, 2025 (confirmed by dealer 1/13/26) •Downtime: Over 45 days total •All recall work and maintenance were performed at the same Hyundai dealer, under active warranty, but the recall did not prevent t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
My 10 speed 10r80 transmission is failing and dangerous. Besides slipping bucking and delaying shifting it now revs up without moving. I've almost been hit more than 6 times. My ford dealer changed the fluid road tested and normal all that I'm complaining about is normal.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for a recall repair related to the fuel pump control module. After the repair was completed, the contact experienced a new failure. While attempting to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle became inoperable and could not be turned off. The message “Shift to Park” was displayed while the vehicle was... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
Good Morning, I purchased a 2019 Toyota Highlander at a Toyota dealership and the transmission has died at 68,000. It died while driving in heavy traffic with my kids in the car. Toyota has completed an inspection of the transmission and determined that it needed to be replaced. They also said that because the transmissions are in back order due to all of the failures, I would have to wait 45-60 d... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
All lights shown on monitor. ADAS system would not be functional. Went to dealer and checked for causes. Recommended to replace fuel injector, spark plug, and battery. Since battery was replaced in two months, vehicle only did the checking. However, the condition kept on after a few days. Spark plug was replaced a day before yesterday and the condition came back yesterday. Researched online and se... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2021
Transmission is exhibiting harsh and delayed shifting which causes the vehicle to lurch, accelerate and decelerate at unexpected rates. These acceleration and deceleration issues present a hazard while driving to myself and other drivers as the vehicle can unexpected decelerate with out brakes being applied and cause a collision. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership and they confi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
1- Tailgate keeps opening by itself. It has opened while driving down the highway and things fell out of back of my truck almost causing an accident. It has opened while sitting in my driveway after I have turned the truck off and gone inside. I have reported this to a dealer they said my vin is not on the recall list. I would like my VIN added since it is obviously an issue with the Silverado's.... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2019) — POWER TRAIN
Jan 14, 2026
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
With 115000 miles on it, I felt a clunk when it went in to gear. I took it to the dealer 3 times to have the mechanic drive it. He said it sounded and felt right. The the transmission blew and I had to have it replaced to the tune of 4800 dollars. 2 weeks after that the engine blew and I had to have that replaces for 17000 dollars. I really like my pickup but this seems a bit excessive. The 5.3 ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled with the message "Transmission Overheating" displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure milea... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2025
Vehicle only has 93,000 miles and has been well maintained. I was was working and the transmission pump failed. It kicked out of gear going 55mph down a road. Could have caused me to have a major accident. Why are these not part of the 2015-2016 transmission recall?
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
Had a recall for the engine , went in for the pick scope test and it passed they switched the oil from 0w-20 to 0w-40 and not even 500 miles and the engine failed lucky I wasted driving it when it did
Incident date: Dec 11, 2025
The ICCU failed after having the safety recall done on it. The car went into warning mode and I luckily had just enough time to pull it into a parking lot to get towed. another few minutes I would have been stuck on a road with no where to pull off. The dealer did replace the ICCU and said that they were familiar with the part blowing randomly on people and that Kia is aware but not making good fi... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
S 580 4MATIC
(2023) — POWER TRAIN
Jan 14, 2026
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
The vehicle experienced repeated and unpredictable loss of drivability while in operation. The transmission intermittently disengages and the gear indicator rapidly cycles between Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive without driver input. During these events, the vehicle loses propulsion and becomes unsafe to operate in traffic. Warning messages and instrument cluster anomalies were observed prior to... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
We own a 2021 Ford F-150, that is down since the first of September, 2025, due to recall 23S65. We've been in weekly contact with our local dealer since then. They are doing everything possible to get the parts in to repair our truck, but parts are and have been on backorder, with no ETA from Ford. We have also been in contact with Ford customer service in Dearborn and had an open case with them. ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2025
My transmission failed for the 2nd time, possibly due to the recall involving the bushings. My engine has oil leaking from the head gasket, I read it could be due to the coolant overheating and getting into the engine. My cruise control doesn't work, when i press lower speed it shifts higher and vice versa.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE L
(2024) — POWER TRAIN
Jan 13, 2026
Incident date: Dec 25, 2025
Whine noise when you accelerate coming from the automatic transmission. Car is hesitant in shifting gears when needing to accelerate causing safety issues/concerns while driving due to the inconsistency. Toyota dealer as inspected the vehicle and recommended a transmission replacement. Dealer has filed a claim with Toyota to see if it will be covered or not. Total price of repair quoted from deale... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2025
The 9 speed transmission suddenly lost power while accelerating onto an interstate from an on ramp. It is available for inspection at the auto shop as it is not driveable and had to be towed. The vehicle did not give any indication in the moment. My safety and the safety of other drivers were at risk due to the posted speed limit of 65 MPH and my car had no ability to accelerate and get to a shoul... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2025
The vehicle experienced repeated loss-of-power and stalling events while driving, including after a software update, which required the vehicle to be towed to a dealership. Similar drivability issues occurred earlier after purchase. The vehicle currently has multiple open safety recalls. Despite repeated attempts to work with the manufacturer and assurances of follow-up by assigned specialists, no... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2026
As I was traveling on freeway at 65 mph cruise control disengaged. After I was notified to service engine soon and check engine light came on. Throttle was unresponsive forcing me to cross 4 lanes of the 5 freeway. Pulled over and shut off vehicle checked fluids. Nothing out of spec.restarted vehicle and would not get out of limp mode.
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2022) — POWER TRAIN
Jan 13, 2026
Incident date: Nov 21, 2025
Vehicle shakes violently on or about 65 to 70 mph. Upon slowing to approximately 60 mph the shaking stops. Also at slower speeds the vehicle pulls to the right. Contacted Ford Fairfield, California dealer two days ago; left voicemail no reply at this writing.
Incident date: Aug 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, and as he was driving over speed bumps, several warnings illuminated, and the vehicle became difficult to steer left or right. The contact stated that the vehicle crashed into a barrier post on the roadway on the driver's side front. The contact was able to stop the vehicle and observed that the dama... Read more
Crash