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: Oct 14, 2025
Torque converter in my transmission we out, causing my gears to grind and lose power. Slight rumbling sound under the front passenger seat, First dealer (Palmen Motors, Kenosha WI) told me there was nothing wrong with the vehicle and no transmission error codes exist. Second dealer (Parks GMC, Greenville SC) indicated that i need a complete new transmission. Part is on backorder for the last 4... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
This vehicle only has 31,000 miles on it and I've already had one door trim molding replaced. (now the rest of the trim doesn't match so that's great for aesthetics) The interior door panel replaced because it was loose. This car developed a "thumping" noise around 25K miles when turning at low speeds. Took it to the dealer, told them it is probably the AWD coupler, and they said the self-leveling... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear, prompting the driver to discontinue driving the vehicle. The “Service Transmission” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informe... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and started jerking, with the battery warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was shaking abnormally during the failure. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aw... Read more
JEEP
WRANGLER 4XE
(2024) — POWER TRAIN
Oct 14, 2025
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4XE. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the message "Place Vehicle in Park to Restart the Engine" displayed. The contact initially pulled over and successfully restarted the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred an additional three times after the initial failure. Prior to the failure, the contact stated that... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2024
The affected part is the engine output shaft, which is part of the vehicle’s powertrain and propulsion system. BRP issued Recall 24V-728 for this defect, stating that the shaft can break and cause a sudden loss of propulsion, creating a safety hazard. I received the recall notice in April 2025 and have been unable to safely operate the vehicle since then. I contacted every authorized Can-Am dea... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2025
The transfer case spline stripped preventing power to be sent to the rear wheels
Incident date: Jan 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 25V126000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illumi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2019
While driving down the strip, the system lost all power. It made it very difficult to brake or steer the car. Had to pull over on a busy road and get a tow. Jeep sent a software update that broke the powertrain, and now the car is unusable at the dealership with no fix.
Incident date: Oct 14, 2025
After a UConnect software update was performed the vehicle shutdown. Upon starting the vehicle the check engine light came on with several other dashboard lights and after driving the car for a few seconds the engine would shut down and would say to park and turn off vehicle. After a couple restarts and experiencing the same shutdown two more times I was able to drive in e-save but felt the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2025
Friday, 10/10/25- And over the air update loaded via the radio. Online chatter had rumors of full loss of propulsion after the update, recommendation was to cancel the update to prevent failure. I cancelled the update multiple times. On Sunday afternoon, [XXX]- Uconnect software update ran anyway. Within 30 seconds of completion, the vehicle loss power on the highway, FULL motor/engine shut down... Read more
Incident date: Sep 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate to overtake another vehicle at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to approximately 20 MPH instead. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes, before restarting and continuing to drive. There were no warning lights illumina... Read more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
Location: Dallas, TX – Woodall Rodgers Freeway near North Hall Street exit Mercedes-Benz USA Case #: 18469650 What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle’s 48-volt electrical architecture appears to have failed, specifically the DC/DC converter or Integrated Starter-Generator (ISG) that provides 12-volt power to all control mo... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
After an OTA firmware update, I started driving as normal for a couple of blocks, I stopped to pick up my wife who was walking. She got into the car, loses the door as I began to accelerate the car suddenly stopped, the engine quit immediately. I put the transmission back in Park I was able to restart and proceed to my destination a short distance away. The Check Engine Light was illuminated. Afte... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
The car loses power. It starts as a misfire on cylinder 2 (P0302 code) and the engine starts to shutdown (or goes into a safe mode with no power). The result is loss of speed which creates a safety hazard especially on highways. This has happened multiple times and the car has been in the shop 4 times for this issue. We have to pull off the road, turn the car off, sit for a minute and restart ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
While in reverse vehicle automatically switched to drive forward mode and then reverse mode and kept alternating where the car would drive forward and reverse back on its own without the gas pedal pressed. The transmission was in reverse the entire time. Also, the vehicle keeps having electrical issues throughout the car, has been in repair for over 15 days combined. The electrical system reboots... Read more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
The vehicle has a recall for drive axile still showing status as pending, We took the car to the dealer to check on that and also complained about noise during acceleration. On inspection the dealer at Valley honda, Naperville found that the drive axile is the problem. But they said it has nothing to do with the recall, it is because someone else tried to repair it. I was told it is very unsafe to... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
SPRINTER 2500
(2024) — POWER TRAIN
Oct 14, 2025
Incident date: Oct 12, 2025
The transmission failed on the highway making the car serging violently from high to low speeds and then to nothing
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2017) — POWER TRAIN
Oct 13, 2025
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
While driving, my car stopped and on the dashboard was a message that said shift to p. This happened 2x in a week.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
At 97,000 miles, the slave cylinder in my vehicle blew. My clutch pedal had stuck to the floor, and my brakes became harder and harder to press down because the clutch takes from the brake fluid reservoir. Brake fluid began to leak from the transmission, and it had to be towed in. If I hadn't come to a stop, I could have gotten in a horrible accident.
Incident date: Sep 12, 2025
Jeep over the air update caused my car to shut off completely in the middle of an intersection. I had to come to a complete and violent stop and restart the car. This happened three more times trying to get home - with kids in the car - though thankfully subsequent times were kess precarious because I took side streets and was careful.
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
I own a 2019 GMC Acadia SLT. The problem started after arriving at my destination and shifting into park. The message "Shift to Park" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle can sometimes be turned off and sometimes instrument panel continues to ding and does not shut off. After several attempts the vehicle can returned to normal and sometimes it does not. This problem is a regular occ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2024
The vehicle has 42,070 miles on it. It was being driven and suddenly the clutch started to slip. Then, when trying to pull away after a stop, the vehicle only was able to travel at 8 miles/hour in first gear. No messages were received before the clutch failed. Vehicle was towed to a local repair shop and we were given a quote to replace clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate. We then had it towed t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
On [XXX]., in heavy rush‑hour traffic on [XXX] , my vehicle (~75,417 mi) suddenly lost motive power w/o warning at ~55 mph. It became immobile in a live lane, creating a roadblock and rear‑end crash risk. Drivers swerved/honked. Accelerator had no effect; limited/no power‑steering assist; I coasted to an in‑lane stop (no safe shoulder) and activated hazards. Cluster displayed “SHIFT SYS ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2024
Update was prompted on uconnect system. Vehicle randomly shuts off when driving, specifically in hybrid or electric mode. Restarts and shuts down again.
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
Since November 2024 to date the transmission has reduced power when trying to accelerate thus being unsafe when trying to pull out into traffic. It also will not engage reverse thus again impeding when in traffic. It appears randomly. Verified software has been updated. Ford is saying complete transmission replacement is needed on a vehicle that is only 7 years old.
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
Possible unintended acceleration incident While approaching the driveway the car accidentally accelerated on its own, cause a collision. We request that Tesla preserve all vehicle logs and telemetry data for safety investigation. VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
Complete vehicle shutdown while driving on public road. No warning signs or symptoms. It occurred twice during switching drive modes. "Service Charging System" error displayed. Multiple restart attempts required. Event #1: Shutdown at Stop Sign 1.Vehicle decelerating normally under ICE power 2.As vehicle slowed, hybrid system attempted automatic transition to electric-only mode 3.Complete electri... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
While driving on the highway, the car just stops. It says to put it in park and turn on the car engine light comes up. A wrench comes on had to be towed to the dealership. Chrysler is very aware of the issue gave us no warning not to drive the cars I couldn’t have been killed. I was driving on the highway on my car just shut down.
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
Transmission and transfer case failed. Traction control light flashes when accelerating.
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
The vehicle has a vibration and stuttering feel during highway driving. Cruise between 70-75 has off and on again vibration is seat, steering wheel, and center console. The issue feels more pronounced between 60-65 and exhibits more of a hum, much like a washing machine drum that is out of balance. I have had the truck at 2 different dealerships and they have insisted it was a whee balance issue. ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
A software update was pushed to the vehicle and prompted me to update it when I turned the vehicle off. The next time I drove the vehicle, after about one mile, many warnings lights went off, and the vehicle turned off and was not driveable. The vehicle would not restart. Jeep acknowledged that the software update made the vehicle inoperable.
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
Complete loss of power and power steering. Repeated every 1.5 minutes after restart.
Incident date: Oct 3, 2025
Metal shards from the belt are breaking off into the fluid and damaging the transmission. This led to issues with the dashboard and issues with the braking system as well.
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2023) — POWER TRAIN
Oct 13, 2025
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
Car constantly shuts down at electric vehicle charging stations and has even loss power will driving on highway and bought up powertrain fault
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
On the morning of 1 Oct, I had left the house here in Cedartown GA to head to a meeting in Atlanta with a customer. I had started the truck 15 minutes before departing just as we have always done to our vehicles over the years to allow them to warm up properly. I departed Doyle Rd onto Hwy 27 South heading towards interstate 20. About 15 miles from the house I was at a steady cruise speed of 45 MP... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2022) — POWER TRAIN
Oct 13, 2025
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
Along with the current unable to be fixed PCM recall, the customer service satisfaction program regarding the drivers side buckle replacement and the replacement of high-pressure fuel injectors that I was told they will only replace if there is an issue because it is not considered a recall. I have had multiple other recalls that were done and several issues that weren't related to recalls. In the... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
transmission failures. Toyota experimented with a new transmission in the 2017-2020 CH-r models. No disclosures were attached. Replacements are the only option for this repair. Toyota is charging between $10,000-$14,000 for parts and labor.
Incident date: Oct 7, 2025
On [XXX] Jeep sent out a software update to my car. I did not agree to the update but it obviously updated my vehicle. The next day I went to drive the vehicle and after 1/4 mile the car started flashing the check engine light, it said to put in park and the vehicle died including no braking or steering. It happened three more times before I could get it to a safe place to park. Since it was a Sat... Read more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
My 2019 Ford Ranger 4x4 was bought new in April of 2019 and has approxiamatly 73,400 miles. Over time a slight glitch in the transission got to be more frequent. When first starting out within the first mile of operation, the vehicle would hang between gears and act like it ran out of fuel for a few seconds at low speed, as in pulling out from a stop sign or accelerating from a dead stop. My... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
Pulling onto [XXX] , with cars coming at me at 55 MPH or more, the transmission slammed into gear and caused it to stall. Dealership diagnosed CDF failure and recommended replacement of the transmission. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
The jeep lost power after only driving abojt a mile down the road. all the lights came on the dash and I had to pull over until it came to a slow stop, the brakes didn’t seem like they working. Once in park I got a dash light that said Service Charging System. I was not able to move it out of park to even neutral. After about 15 minutes I was able to get it to start and drove it home about 1 mil... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
The Telluride has developed a shimmy. At first, the shimmy was noted at lower speeds, around 35 to 45 mph while under minimal load such as going uphill and slightly accelerating. The car was taken to the dealership. The tires were balanced. We were told no other problems. A month later, same thing, same result. We just took a 2700 mile trip. The shimmy is apparent at higher speeds and in... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2025
I was hearing a noise and took my car in. There is a faulty bearing in the CVT transmission. They can not replace the bearing alone, but have to replace the entire CVT transmission, over 9,000.00 cost. I have taken very good care of my car. I have not missed an oil change, tire rotation and have even had brake work done - because of good ownership responsibility. When looking into the issue... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
When gas is applied the transmission skips and doesn't get the power needed to drive car safely. I don't have any lights to indicate this is a problem within the engine. This recall has been issued for my vehicle but when I contacted the customer service for repairs, my vehicle information says there is no recalls for my vehicle. I did receive a letter in the mail stating my car has a recall
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
My truck would shift gears randomly and the transmission would slip every time I start to accelerate. I took it to the shop and they said that there was internal CDG cylinder failure. I looked it up and it seems as that this has been an issue with a lot of F-150's.
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
After being stopped while driving when the car turns off, when re-starting sometimes the car will turn off, I have to put my car into park in the middle of the street to restart the engine. Other times, it will start alerting me to "push the start button" as if my car isn't on already. This causes me to come to a complete stop in the middle of the intersections and puts me at risk.
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
Did a OTA UConnect update that showed up Sat am 10/11/25 - CEL came on along with a wrench icon - Jeep experienced a total loss of power. Instrument display showed car was off and i coasted to a stop. was able to drop at dealer Saturday. tech at dealership indicated i was the 3rd one that morning and said another local dealer had 5 issues that morning. A check of the internet intimates there a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
Driving my JEEP on [XXX] and while attempting to turn at a busy intersection in Colonia, NJ the JEEP stopped while flashing the check engine light and put in park message. Both kids were in the JEEP which needless to say made the situation even more dangerous. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
other the air update on 10/10/2025 resulted in forced stalling of vehicle while in motion