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: Dec 9, 2025
My 2020 Chevy Silverado needs a torque converter replacement. My truck is at 90k miles and out of drivetrain warranty. However, this is a known GM problem with trucks (and other vehicles in this class of engine/transmissions). I have talked to GM corporate and they are only willing to rebate 20% of the cost of this repair. I believe they should pay for the entire repair since this is a known probl... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V152000 (Power Train). The contact became aware of a weld splatter and that the nuts were rusted. The dealer marked the vehicle repaired; however, the contact stated that the repair was not completed. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where the nuts and b... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
We had to replace the engine about 4 years ago and we’re still getting gas smell into the cabin. About 3 years ago, we broke down on the road because the transmission quit. All our repairs have been done through Ford service department. We are now broke down again because of the transmission. Something has to be done with the Ford Escape!
Incident date: Oct 28, 2025
Truck was purchased Aug 2024 During first few months, I felt a shudder/vibration when either holding speed and/or slightly accelerating between 30-45 mph, usually at 1100-1300 RPM. Current Odometer 33,995 In the last month the truck has began to vibrate worse. I have a "Rumblestrip" feeling when at the same speeds. More noticeable on surface roads when following behind traffic at 30-45 mph. Gene... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2025
Unknown needing help with new purchased car. Bought this car October/2025 with 93k on engine. Already been to dealership i Bought it from to have current issues im dealing with checked out and they only listen to it and said it was injector ticking clatter. Since then ive seen white smoke and the car burning excessive oil. I am adding oil to the car every 2-3 days. Still noticeable smoke and sme... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
The 2025 GMC Sierra 2500 HD, equipped with the 10-speed "Allison" transmission, rough shifting,
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
Transmission is stalling, jerking, skipping gears and slipping. I have talked to the dealership several times about the transmission slamming really hard in 4th and 8th gear. They would tell me it’s just trying to find the right gear to be in, your battery is causing it or it needs to be reprogrammed. There has never been any warning lights. This truck has spent over 4 months in the shop for dr... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2025
Shift to park message has appeared again and the engine will not cut off. First happened in Feb 2020, mileage was 31,143. Took to Dealer and new wiring harness was installed. Had to take back to dealer April 2020 for same problem; shifter assembly was replaced at that time. Shift to park message came back on August 2023. Took back to Dealer and shifter harness replaced again and jumper harness w... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2025
Upon exiting the freeway, I pressed the gas and the vehicles rpm’s went up to 4K plus on a diesel engine, no acceleration. Thought maybe there was ice and had lost traction, tried again, same thing. Then a shudder, bang and pop. The check engine light went on and informed me of limited power and acceleration. There was no acceleration. Rpm’s would go to 2000 plus just to move. Got it to the de... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
Driving on interstate when vehicle suddenly downshifted resulting in lurch slowdown and high engine rpms. Pulled to median. Shift indicator light flashes, dash Brake System warning light flashes, Parking system warning lights, check engine light on. Attempted to drive to nearby dealer for troubleshooting. Vehicle drives when put into gear, but must paddle shift into higher gears. After couple seco... Read more
Incident date: Nov 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, traffic started to slow down, and the vehicle failed to stop as intended while depressing the brake pedal. The contact depressed the brake pedal again, and the vehicle abruptly stopped and veered to the left. The contact was able regain control of the vehicle and pulled over to the shoulder. Several unknown warning lights w... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
The safety hazard began with a pattern of ignored warnings by the authorized dealer network. On Aug 15, 2025, I brought the vehicle to Luther Kia of Bloomington for a Check Engine Light. The dealer simply cleared the code without diagnosis, failing to catch early signs of engine trouble. On Sept 22, 2025, the engine failed again. I drove the vehicle in unsafe "limp mode" to Luther Nissan Kia [XX... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
Hv harness failed (confirmed by dealer/manufacturer) without known reason and without warning, leaving stranded, unable to move vehicle.
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
I am submitting this complaint regarding Safety Recall 34J6, which is listed as INCOMPLETE for my 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. I brought my vehicle to Volkswagen of Murfreesboro, Tennessee to have this recall performed. The dealership refused to complete the repair, claiming it was “too old” — a statement that is factually and legally incorrect. Federal law and NHTSA regulations require ma... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The referenced vehicle "jerks/jolts" while driving. It was doing this when test driven on 7/31/25 and I was told by the salesman that this was normal even though he did not ask any questions about the jerking. On 8/1/25 I picked the vehicle up (leased). Because it had a cracked windshield, I again asked about the jerking and if it had any issues at all, and, again, I was told it was fine and nothi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
While driving my 2019 Jeep Cherokee, the engine randomly shuts off without warning. This has happened multiple times at different speeds. The vehicle suddenly loses all power, and I have to coast to the side of the road. There are no warning lights, messages, or diagnostic codes before or after the stall. The specific component causing the failure is unknown, but it seems related to the electrical... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2025
Acceleration lag when starting out
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
When driving and wanting to accelerate at 65mph car just because limp, won’t go when accelerating for a few seconds, speed drops, then you press back on the accelerator and after a few times the car goes back to normal. So, you loose control of the accelerator for a few seconds and you cant go faster, it just freezes and speed drops. This has been happen g for awhile. I even called Honda Corpora... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2013) — POWER TRAIN
Dec 8, 2025
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to steer in the intended direction. The vehicle twisted and the wheels locked. The vehicle crashed into a concrete curb. The contact stated that the vehicle incurred damage to the front passenger's door, and the front passenger's door panel was detached. The vehicle wa... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
The main water pump on my 2018 Porsche Panamera 4S failed prematurely. This is not a simple external coolant leak; the internal seal failed, allowing pressurized engine coolant to migrate into the vehicle's vacuum system. The coolant traveled through the vacuum lines and contaminated the vacuum solenoids and change-over valves. This failure mode presents a significant safety hazard because the va... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
Have whining from transmission. When trying to accelerate the car does not shift into gears correctly and there is hesitance and delay. Have issues merging on highway and regular traffic due to hesitance and delay. Car can jerk when accelerating. Had dealership inspect twice at different dates. The dealership said nothing was wrong and that the hesitance and delay was just how the car operates. Di... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
The 10 speed 10R80 shifts hard, down shifts hard, loses power\like in neutral. This issue is going to cause an accident and\or death - if it hasn't happened already. These issues have been reported to NHTSA since 2017 and NOTHING has transpired. NHTSA is culpable in any accidents, death\injury by not requiring Ford to issue a recall for a known defect in a critical system.
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
2019 Ford Expedition Max with the 10R80 transmission experienced severe shifting issues shortly after PCM recall 24E13 was performed. The recall involves PCM/TCM updates and adaptive shift strategy reset. After the recall, the vehicle developed shuddering, harsh shifting, flaring between gears, and delayed engagement. Dealer diagnosis found internal transmission damage including CDF hub sleeve ax... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2025
At approximately 3000 miles, I started hearing clicking noises from front end when accelerating while turning. Noise is more pronounced when turning left and when car is cold, but is rapidly getting worse and is now apparent on both sides and occurs whether cold or not. Dealer says it is CV joints, and a bulletin is out on this repair. Parts are back ordered and not readily available. Google s... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
Clicking noise when Hard turn right and left. Dealer says expected behaviour.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2022) — POWER TRAIN
Dec 8, 2025
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
Screens switches to Italian, also screens freeze or go blank, Front Collision Warning (FCW) light illuminates and can't be turned off. Bluetooth randomly disconnects, Auto door locks don't engage; paddle shifters for manual gear selection cease functioning, pedestrian avoidance, automatic emergency braking, and high-beam assist stop working; memory seats unexpectedly adjust while driving. I have ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2025
My vehicle repeatedly and unexpectedly shifts into neutral while in Drive, causing a sudden loss of power in traffic. This has happened multiple times without any input from me and has nearly caused a crash.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
My Honda Prologue is experiencing CV joint issues, primarily manifesting as a loud clicking or knocking noise when turning, even at low mileage. I have only just reported this to my Honda dealer, but the vehicle is still within the warranty period. From what I have read, the part was not designed correctly and it will fail on every single vehicle. The problem is widespread enough that there sh... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2025) — POWER TRAIN
Dec 8, 2025
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
Purchased new and after 3 weeks (about 600 miles) I was on highway between 60-70 MPH truck started to shutter like it was losing power and would not accelerate. I complained to the sales person and he stated it ran a little rough when purchased first day - I was told it just needs to warm up. Took truck to dealer and they determined at this time it was a misfire and lifter bank issue. There ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the front wheels. The 4-WD warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The ... Read more
TOYOTA
SIENNA HYBRID
(2025) — POWER TRAIN
Dec 8, 2025
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
Hesitation when pressing the accelerator from a complete stop. When I press the accelerator from a complete stop there is no movement for several milliseconds leading to some close calls when entering traffic.
JEEP
WRANGLER 4XE
(2024) — POWER TRAIN
Dec 8, 2025
Incident date: Nov 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle decelerated to 10 MPH. In addition, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop independently. The contact’s upper body almost struck the front windshield. There was no warning light i... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2025
Car will not shift and shutters, this is putting myself and others at risk. The problem was confirmed by a dealership. There is now a check engine light in the vehicle
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
My vehicle experienced a sudden and immediate loss of motive power due to a catastrophic internal engine failure, creating a severe road safety hazard. While driving and attempting to accelerate or merge, the vehicle exhibits extreme hesitation, severe misfiring on cylinder #2, and rough, unstable idling. This unexpected loss of drive power made the vehicle unpredictable and unsafe to operate und... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
Subject: Safety Recall 24V-957 – Loss of Power Risk – Dealer Mishandling I am filing a complaint regarding Ford recall 24V-957 (Ford reference 24S78) for my vehicle. The recall states the defect can cause: “Loss of driving power, increasing the risk of a crash” “Engine stall” “Loss of motive power while driving” My vehicle has shown symptoms consistent with these safety risk... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
On 12/5/2025, while driving my 2025 BMW X3 at approximately 35 mph on Milwaukee Ave (IL Route 21) during rush-hour traffic, the vehicle displayed a “drivetrain malfunction” warning and immediately lost propulsion; the engine completely shut down. The vehicle could not be driven under its own power and remained stopped in traffic with a minor child passenger present, creating a traffic hazard a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
Subject: RECALL VIOLATION: Kia on the Boulevard (Philadelphia) - Refused Remedy, Charged $199, Returned Unsafe Vehicle Vehicle Information: [Year] Kia Optima Hybrid Dealership Name: Kia on the Boulevard Dealership Address: 11295 Roosevelt Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19154 Complaint Description: 1. The Safety Incident: While operating the vehicle, I experienced a catastrophic engine failure. Thick sm... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2022) — POWER TRAIN
Dec 8, 2025
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The Mobile App indicated a failure related to the power train and to reduce power. The contact's son drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and turned off the vehicle. While the contact's son was attempti... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2021) — POWER TRAIN
Dec 8, 2025
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
Pulling into a driveway and the truck made a loud clunk and the check engine light, traction control light, and a reduced engine power light came on and the truck came to an abrupt stop. When the gear shift was put into reverse or any forward gear the truck would rev up without touching the gas pedal. The left rear wheel locked up. After paying over $700 in tow bills to get the truck towed to our ... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER SPORT
(2016) — POWER TRAIN
Dec 8, 2025
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The transmission/CVT component on the vehicle, 2021 Subaru Ascent is malfunctioning. When being driven, the malfunctioning transmission will cause the vehicle to hesitate in traffic, as well as feeling the slippage of the transmission when in motion. The vehicle also has a burning odor when being driven. NYS inspection was conducted on 10/27/25. The transmission malfunction has been confirmed ... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) — POWER TRAIN
Dec 8, 2025
Incident date: Jul 11, 2025
dashboard warning light: "Engine Malfunction Power Reduced Service Now" Thie vehicle will suddenly stops in the middle of the road
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLS 450 4MATIC
(2025) — POWER TRAIN
Dec 8, 2025
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
I purchased my 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD new from Wilsonville Chevrolet in Oregon. Since owning the vehicle, I have experienced a noticeable shutter/vibration at highway speeds, consistently between 70–75 mph, whether towing or not. The shutter feels like it is coming from the transmission or driveline, and it occurs on multiple road types and conditions. I reported this issue to Wilsonvi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2025
I was driving my vehicle and it shifted into neutral and would not go back into gear until I pulled over to side of the road, turned it off and back on. A check engine light came on when I restarted the vehicle and I took the vehicle to the dealership for diagnosis. They told me they couldn't find an issue and reset the check engine light. A week later, I was driving on the freeway and it shifted... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act broken by Nissan North America. My 2024 nissan rogue has a failed vc turbo engine while I was driving with my family engine shut off while driving no warning just a blink of a eye. Nissan consumer affairs refused to fix this serious safety issue & Nissan North America have multiple times covered up the known manufacturing defect on the vc turbo engine. After indepen... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Oct 27, 2024
My 2024 Chevy Traverse is leaking coolant within the radiator hose system. While driving on a busy interstate, the vehicle went into protective limp mode reducing acceleration, creating a dangerous situation for myself to manage. A check engine light did come on with the reduced acceleration notice. I am having to add coolant to the vehicle constantly to drive it. Parts on our national back order ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2017) — POWER TRAIN
Dec 8, 2025
Incident date: Dec 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the message “4WD not Accessible” was displayed. While reversing out of the driveway, the light turned off and on. While driving at 25 MPH, the 4WD warning light illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed that the power transfer unit (PTU) might be damaged and had disengaged the trans... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 BMW M4. The contact stated that under previous ownership, the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign: 15V782000 (Power Train) at a local dealer. The contact stated that two years later, the contact was unsure if the vehicle was included or repaired under NHTSA Campaign: 18V713000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shudd... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2024
Constant cycling of ABS and Traction Control lights with tones. Causes ABS, Traction Control and cruise control failures with persistent tones and lights. Parts not available after 12 months of open recall.
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
Forward collision system dint notify of an object infront , also breaks locked up when used .Air bags didn’t go off while a forward collision with a bus happened
Crash