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: Sep 18, 2025
Engine diagnosed with coolant intrusion problem into the engine cylinders. Car failed at 138k needing 12k repair from Ford dealership which is more than the value of the car. Transmission shifter bushing went out also in this car even though Ford did a recall for previous years of the model the issue has not been fixed.
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
After a Ford recall on software update for Transmission, the transmission is now starting to fail and downshift for no apparent reason, causing the rears wheels to lock up.
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
I have 25 Palisade calligraphy and from the last two months I almost went 7-8 times to the dealership because of the ABS issue. When going over rougher road, railroad tracks, and also uneven surfaces brake is not working at that time. It is an issue that only happens under very specific conditions like slow speeds (under 10 mph), uneven surface (gravel, railroad tracks, speed bumps, driveway entry... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
When attempting to park the vehicle, at low speed, the vehicle performed an unintended acceleration leading the vehicle to crash.
Crash
Incident date: Oct 18, 2025
I took my JEEP to the dealer because it was making a rubbing sound. They told me the rear end and differential where out and needed replaced. Originally the parts were on a 45 day backorder. 3 months later the parts on still on back order. I notified Jeep customer service, my case manager said the parts may be available Dec. 19th. There is a high demand for these parts and that there are not enoug... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2025
Throttle lag/Hesitation when put into drive. Difficult to pull onto roadway unknown if truck will hesitate or take off quickly.
Incident date: Nov 2, 2025
Wheel/Tire makes shudders during a turn at low acceleration or going up a hill leading to uncontrolled acceleration. I have brought the car in for inspection and service and the issue could not be replicated by the techs, however the problem occurs with daily driving. An online search shows that this is a very common problem with the transfer case.
Incident date: Feb 8, 2023
Was driving and car turn off on me and wouldn't start I got it towed to Hyundai and they said my engine went out it had oil and everything we don't know why can stopped working has been sitting in my drive way for 3 years because we don't have 13000 that Hyundai told us
JEEP
GRAND WAGONEER
(2024) — POWER TRAIN
Nov 26, 2025
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
I have a P0722-00 code which is the output shaft speed sensor which made my truck down shift and change gears while driving on the highway which was very dangerous me
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
The vehicle in question, has been to a certified jeep dealer twice, to remedy the problem of locking axles and the center differential. The remedy by Crown CDJR in Columbus OH, was to replace the control module. Performance CDJR of Gorgesville /Columbus OH had removed the center differential/transfer case for an inspection and performed updates. None of the aforementioned warranty work, fixed t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
I was driving my vehicle and as I was making a turn lost power and almost got struct by a vehicle coming from the other direction I regained power and immediately called Infiniti dealership and spoke to service advisor to have vehicle inspected I recently had the cvt transmission replaced a month prior when I brought suv in I was informed it was not the transmission but the right shaft seal and t... Read more
POLESTAR
POLESTAR 3
(2025) — POWER TRAIN
Nov 26, 2025
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
I have had multiple issues with my Polestar 3. Most notably, the vehicle lost all propulsion at highway speeds. My safety was heavily jeopardized as I had to merge across multiple lanes of traffic to reach the shoulder. On the day of the incident, the car's propulsion stopped working 4 separate times. The Polestar service center did nothing other than reset the software and tell me the issue w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2025
While driving on the highway at normal speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power with no prior warning lamps or messages, placing me and other road users at immediate risk. The engine rapidly began knocking, lost acceleration, then stalled completely. I had to coast to the shoulder, which was extremely dangerous in high-speed traffic. The failure appears consistent with bearing wear and debris circu... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train). The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost drive power in the middle of the road. The contact stated that the failure occurred while crossing a four-lane highway. The contact stated that the contact's brother and the contact's son were additional ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
At about 95,000 miles, I began experiencing transmission issues. On several occasions, the transmission would not go into second gear and left the vehicle unable to move forward unless I let off the accelerator and it shifted back into first gear. At about 96,000 miles, when placing the vehicle into Park, the Park light would flash and a growling/grinding noise is present for about 5-10 seconds. I... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
Wife was traveling from work to home when vehicle shut down in the middle of the roadway. Vehicle locked transmission into park. Tow truck driver nor Ford representatives via customer care could provide a means to release the parked truck. Fortunately wife suffered no injuries nor was she rear ended when truck decided to stop running and park. Dealership stated they could see error messages not sh... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed, and the gear shift lever was moved to Park(P) but failed to lock in place. The contact stated that the vehicle started to roll backwards. The contact used force to lock the gear shift lever in Park(P), and the vehicle came to a complete stop after several attempts. No wa... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
I’ve been noticing a delay in shit out of 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 9th gear. Sometimes it slams but most of the time not. Anyways, this morning on my way to work I passed a slow driver on 2 lane road. After I merged back into the lane, I resumed cruise control and basically lost all power to the wheels. The vehicle I passed about slammed into the back of me. I canceled cruise control to give gas and t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
My rear driveline separated from the rear differential causing the rear differential to seize up. It is available for inspection. This occurred while driving down a highway at 45 MPH, there was some humming noise then it shook for a second and then load pop sound and send me fish tailing down the highway and then sliding sideways being stuck blocking the lane of traffic. I just contacted the deale... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2025
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Complete transmission failure due to low transmission fluid filled from factory, yes report and vehicle available for inspection upon request How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Transmission failed while on highway, causing vehicle to fail to accelerate to maintain safe highway ... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2014) — POWER TRAIN
Nov 26, 2025
Incident date: Nov 4, 2025
1. The battery is consistently being drained from an unknown issue, mechanic unsure. In two years it has need 3 batteries. This causes start issues, window closing issues, and the radio screen console issues. 2. The transmission gets stuck in third now needing a new transmission.Was told only a new transmission will fix issue.
Incident date: Nov 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the independent mechanic receiving a tire replacement, the contact was informed that the rear passenger's side axle bolt was fractured and had detached. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the part was not ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) — POWER TRAIN
Nov 26, 2025
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
At around 47,000 miles (April 27, 2024) my car would not move when I put it in reverse to leave my house that day, the engine would just rev and it would not get into the reverse gear. Then warning light came on for the power train so I called the dealership and had it towed to their service department. They said they had to completely rebuild my transmission and it took them almost a month to c... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2023
The Transmission error continues to flash on the dash. It has now happened on four (4) occasions. Transmission was flushed and still occurs. Diagnostic Error Code P0741 stored. Torque Converter issue. Honda has extended the warranty for most of these vehicles, mine is not showing in the extension. However, it appears to meet all the specifications that it should be covered. Have it at th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25E070000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping while driving and shifting into gear, and an unknown war... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2020) — POWER TRAIN
Nov 26, 2025
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
I am reporting a series of safety concerns regarding my 2017 Chevy Volt, which have persisted despite multiple attempts to address them with the dealership. These issues pose significant risks to my safety and that of others on the road. On January 18th, 2024, I brought my vehicle to the dealer after experiencing reduced propulsion power while driving on the highway, coupled with the illumination ... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2025
intermitantly, there is a severe power lag when accelerating from stop. When stopped (stop sign or light), and I hit the accelerator, there is no immediate power, then the vehicle will "rocket" from the stop position. This is creating a very dangerous situation, as the lag sometimes puts me in position of pulling out in front of oncoming traffic, or spins the tires and I lose control. This situati... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2025
Vehicle experiences electronic throttle lag that causes the vehicle to not accelerate when pressing on the accelerator pedal. Then it accelerates excessively and nearly uncontrollably before coming under control.
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2024) — POWER TRAIN
Nov 26, 2025
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
My vehicle was taken into Toyota dealership for diagnostics after experiencing a whine noise from transmission after driving. Toyota confirmed that I will need a new transmission. After researching I found that there is a defect in the transmissions for my specific type. It has been reported for years but Toyota has not addressed. Since it is a transmission failure this could lead to a breakdown w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
Severe throttle hesitation/lag when accelerating from a rolling stop for at least 2 seconds. This has happened at least 20 times since purchasing the vehicle in September 2024. On a few occasions, I had to abort acceleration completely to avoid an accident. It’s a very dangerous situation, especially with my family in the vehicle. I have noticed that putting the gear selector into ‘S’ manu... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2011) — POWER TRAIN
Nov 26, 2025
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
1. The 3.5L V6 Engine (2GR-FE) failed due to the subsequent loss of lubrication caused by the rupture of the Oil Cooler Pipe (Rubber component), a manufacturing defect known under TSB T-SB-0201-11 (ZE2 Program). The failed engine is currently available for inspection by request at the independent service center before it is disposed of. 2. The defect causes a sudden and severe loss of engine oil. ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
I experience delayed throttle response and throttle lag daily. Acceleration is unpredictable. The vehicle barely moves in some cases when pressing the gas pedal. Other times, the tires will chirp. The vehicle will sometimes hesitate so long to accelerate, that I've almost been T-boned and I've held up traffic. It seems like the truck thinks I'm going to run into something, even when there's noth... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2025
transmission service (power train ) caused my parking rod dislodged/broken to slip/jerk to lose control of vehicle. It had put us at high risk, no airbags didn't go off to causing passenger to hit their head blacking out and non-stop pain in rotating cuff of right shoulder. It was inspect by the police and city from not being drive-able to be towed and inspected by the towing/mechanical person. ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 19, 2024
Throttle Lag/Hesitation when starting from a standstill. Same also occurs when slowly going up a hill, letting off throttle and then back on throttle - engine no response and causes vehicle to roll backwards before engine/transmission catch on again. No service center has looked at this issue yet.
Incident date: Dec 19, 2024
My 2019 hatchback clutch failed Clutch Release Bearing and Slave Cylinder Assembly is leaking. Toyota part # 31400-19027
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
My 2019 Chevrolet Malibu has severe safety defects involving the engine, powertrain, and speed control. The vehicle will sometimes accelerate on its own with my foot off the gas, and other times it loses all power while pulling into traffic. This creates an immediate risk of a crash. Multiple diagnostic codes appear repeatedly, including P0299 (turbo underboost), P0101 (mass air flow performance)... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2025
P072200-68, CMDTC, Output Shaft Sensor Circuit No Signal. There has reportedly been multiple recalls for the 2011 Ford F-150's 6-speed automatic transmission related to an issue with the molded lead frame that can cause an unexpected downshift into first gear.
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
When completing a slow down, when going to accelerate there is a noticeable delay in the engine responding and before actual acceleration. This typically results in the need to press the pedal hard and suddenly it finally accelerates and at times spins the tires, almost uncontrollably. This has caused many near misses when trying to cross oncoming traffic, or entering traffic of a busy road or hwy... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2025
I was driving on the freeway, 65mph, in Los Angeles and the '21 Jeep Wrangler 4xe started showing a bunch of error messages telling me to safely pull over, loss of propulsion, etc. I lost power and was unable to drive past 38mph. Upon getting to the end of the off-ramp and before coming to a full stop, the vehicle threw itself into parking gear. I shifted to Park, and it wouldn’t shift out of Pa... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2020) — POWER TRAIN
Nov 25, 2025
Incident date: Oct 13, 2023
The transmission will downshifting and the transmission starts jerking then the engine starts missing for about 30 seconds to a minute but the ford dealership said it's not showing any codes so it's not happening now I can't get it fixed they didn't think having a vehicle that starts missing for no reason isn't a problem but the torque converter won't throw codes and it's attached directly to the... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
-lifter failure on 6.2 v8 engine, causing damage to camshaft -lost significant propulsion while driving on the highway, nearly avoided being rear-ended by another vehicle due to loss of vehicle propulsion -dealer had to to replace lifter bank and camshaft -no issues, once lifter failed dash lights all lit up
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
the transfer case for this 2019 is failing, and cannot be repaired without changing the entire case according to the mechanic notes. there is a significant grinding when turning at slow speeds and a locking-up feeling to the steering. dealer will not admit to any issues. car was inspected by an independent certified BMW mechanic no warning or indication given other than the impaired handling of... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
PASSAT
(2018) — POWER TRAIN
Nov 25, 2025
Incident date: May 16, 2025
I got a brand new transmission put in at the beginning of the year but my whole car spits and sputters and shakes going 45 and when I am backing up it throws me forward(almost in the car in front of me) instead of reversing and making a loud clinking noise
Incident date: Nov 20, 2025
The catalytic converter on my 2018 Volkswagen Passat failed and the vehicle has been at an authorized Volkswagen dealership since May 16, 2025. The dealership confirmed that the catalytic converter is defective and must be replaced, but the part has been on national backorder with no estimated delivery date for several months. The vehicle cannot be safely driven in its current condition and has be... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2025
While driving my vehicle last Thursday, November 20th, the "SVC 4WD" warning light came on without warning, following an audible and tangible thump from beneath the vehicle. Following this, a high-pitched grinding/whining could be heard from centrally beneath the vehicle, and the vehicle was unsteady accelerating/decelerating. The vehicle would not remain in park, and no drive was going to the bac... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Service 4WD - See Dealer and Service Immediately" was displayed. The contact stated that the 4WD and AWD systems were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transfer case and PTU failure. The contact was informed that the... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2023
Vehicle experiences lag or hesitation from stop.
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
Right rear passenger rear tire assembly broke off from frame of vehicle
Incident date: Nov 6, 2025
I purchased this 2014 Jeep Cherokee from Taverna Collection in Feb 2025 and received it in March 2025. The selling dealer was required to inspect the vehicle before delivery and did not report any transmission or valve-body issues. On June 25, 2025, the vehicle received a multipoint inspection at Auto Angel in Santa Fe. No transmission failure, shifting issues, or valve-body concerns were found. ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2025
The car started shaking and shuddering at 40 mph on a straight road and I had several losses of motive power, with sluggish acceleration of a busy road. All dashboard lights began to turn on. The Oil Temp light was flashing, indicating an powertrain issue. After slowly driving it to a Subaru dealership, I was told that the CVT needed to be replaced. This model year also had a loss of motive power ... Read more