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: Mar 20, 2026
The transmission shifted unexpectedly from highway speed to first gear. The back wheels felt like they locked up and my passenger asked if we had been hit.
Incident date: Feb 27, 2025
Since purchase as a preowned vehicle, we noted this vehicle is equipped with a faulty transmission/tcm software design that is dangerously unpredictable and creates erratic driving conditions. This passenger SUV Is equipped with a 10 speed automatic that (once at operating temperature) the gear shifts and operation become highly unpredictable, often causing severe safety issues navigating in traff... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
The vehicle experiences hesitation when starting to move from a stop. So if i come to a stop and pull out into traffic it sometimes hesitates before applying the throttle that has been input via the pedal. This could cause serious injury because its almost impossible to determine when its safe to pull out into traffic because you do not know how long it will take for throttle to kick in.
FOREST RIVER
CARGO MATE
(2022) — POWER TRAIN
Mar 23, 2026
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
Front Differential failed at 51,000 miles
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
On March 21, 2026 while traveling at approximately 70 mph on a public highway, the vehicle experienced a sudden and total loss of propulsion. The vehicle stalled in active traffic, creating an immediate and life-threatening hazard. Following the stall, the vehicle’s system failed, and the vehicle would not engage any gear, including “Park” or “Neutral.” Consequently, the vehicle could no... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2014) — POWER TRAIN
Mar 23, 2026
Incident date: Jan 30, 2025
While driving the truck will shift into 1st gear. It will also shift back and forth between gears randomly. When this happens, the wheels may lock up or just skid. The service engine light will come on, the speedometer will drop to zero while still moving and the "miles to empty" will show at zero miles. Sometime the tire indicator will turn on as well. This may/may not reset when the vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
I own a 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe that I purchased in September of 2024 from Charlie's Jeep in Augusta as a used car with just under 5,000 miles. Now it has about 11,888 miles and has been un-driveable since December 1 due to unresolved safety recalls. The car is a certified used Jeep and is under warranty and has two current major safety recalls, one of which does not have a solution and a fix. The... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2023) — POWER TRAIN
Mar 23, 2026
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact discovered a nail in the rear passenger side tire and the vehicle was driven to the local mechanic. While inspecting the tire, the mechanic also discovered that the wheel end hub bolt in the rear axle had fractured. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaig... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
When accelerating, the car feels stuck to gear up. After 2 seconds of loud revving, it would switch and have a prominent jerk motion that it finally switched gears. There have been times the car wouldn't go past 30 mph, stuck at the gear making a loud noise. This is dangerous! There's absolutely no way I can get on the freeway never getting past 30ish mph. I checked recalls for this vehicle and th... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2016) — POWER TRAIN
Mar 23, 2026
Incident date: Jan 30, 2026
While driving the vehicle at approximately at 55 MPH on a the 826, the engine suffered a sudden and catastrophic mechanical failure without warning. The vehicle lost all motive power in active traffic, creating an immediate safety hazard and nearly resulting in a rear-end collision. Upon inspection, it was determined that the engine assembly, which is a replacement unit provided by Hyundai under ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
Vehicle Has Experienced all Dash waring lights & noises going on and off while driving Threw multiple codes saying the PCM was not connecting with the ODB2 reader , Vehicle would not crank or start 2 times did a Hard reset and it started, the end result is all Dash Lights luminated when Key is on , No crank & No communication with the PCM, No Code visible any more I replaced the PCM same issue No... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
My L87 6.2L engine shut off on the interstate while driving in traffic at 70mph. I coasted to the left shoulder and attempted to restart it, but it would not turn over. I had it towed to a dealer where they diagnosed it as seized. Currently waiting for a new engine to arrive with no ETA. I had no warning signs or sounds. Two months prior it had the recall completed passing the PICO test and change... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V512000 (Power Train) and 25V104000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasona... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
I filled up my gas tank and a couple minutes later experienced shuddering while parked so I decided to turn the vehicle off and turn it back on but it struggles to turn back on. I then drove back home and as I was driving the acceleration was going up and down and then to 0. As i stopped on a red light the car completely shut down while the light then turned green and the check engine light, batte... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2019) — POWER TRAIN
Mar 23, 2026
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
Enterprise car sales sold me this vehicle when it had 3 open recalls on it. The vehicle itself was a problem from the beginning. When I took it in for it's first oil change the mechanic told me it had no oil in it. He said they sold me a car that is notorious for consuming oil and or seizing or blowing up. I had the engine replaced on this car already and I just took it in for it's first oil chang... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2026
While driving, my son's car started to have issues when it was shifting gears (it's an automatic). Then a warning came up on the dash saying something like "Transmission malfunction, service immediately". We were on our way to a mechanic to pick up another vehicle so we left it with them. They confirmed the issue and stated it is related to the clutch system (which I believe is the dry clutch syst... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (POWER TRAIN); and the vehicle jerked while driving before the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was coasted to the shoulder of the roadway, where only reverse(R) functioned as designed. The vehicle was restarted but failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, whe... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2020
I have noticed transmission slipping when transitioning from 3rd gear to 4th. It has done this is owning the truck. There is also a noticeable lagging when accelerating.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2026
Transmission Fluid Leak/Fire Risk (Recall 20S49): Certain 2020 Edge models have missing or loose bolts on the start/stop accumulator endcap, which can cause a leak and increase the risk of fire. Rearview Camera Failure (Recall 20V572000): A common issue where the rear camera may display a blank or distorted image, failing to comply with safety standards. Driveshaft Seizure (Recall 21S43): A potent... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Auto On/Off is becoming less reliable. Hesitant and jerking upon restart at times. Consistent with Recall 26V081 Throttle/Power Train. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Car hesitates upon restart when Auto On/Off is on. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift into gear and the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted after a while, and the transmission shifted properly. The contact used a scanner to reset the system, and the transmission shifted properly while driving approximately 50 - 60 MPH. The speedometer rose to 100 MPH... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
CV axles clicking and now a slight vibration in the steering while driving at highway speeds. Also audible buzzing noticable. This started around 8000 miles , it now has 11000 and getting worse.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The transmission malfunctioned when I shifted from reverse to drive. It took extra effort to put it into drive from reverse, and when it finally shifted/clunked into place it made a loud sound, literally jerking the car. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insura... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that upon parking and attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed while the gear shifter was already in park(P). The contact stated that the vehicle responded after several attempts to shift to park(P). The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The f... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2023
Repeated failures of the rear axle bolt recall remedy on my 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid. The vehicle has undergone multiple repairs including replacement of the rear axle bolt, axle seals, and transmission alignment. Despite these repairs the vehicle continues to exhibit driveline instability, seal leakage and symptoms similar to transmission slip.
Incident date: Mar 22, 2026
failing component: Transmission / Powertrain. The transmission is jerking aggressively when shifting into gear. yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. I currently have the vehicle in my possession. How was safety put at risk? The vehicle jerked violently into gear while accelerating from a stopped position at an intersection. The force was strong enough to physically jolt both the driver a... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2021) — POWER TRAIN
Mar 23, 2026
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
I've been to the dealership a few times due to the truck jerking violently under very light acceleration when its trying to shift gears. also there was a few times that the rear wheels have locked up while driving.
Incident date: Mar 22, 2026
On March 22, 2026, my Check Engine light came on while driving my 2022 Audi A3. Prior to this, I had been noticing a slight jerk when accelerating from a stop. Because Audi dealerships charge approximately $250 just to read diagnostic codes, I went to Discount Auto Parts, where they retrieved code P27F500 — indicating the gear shift lock solenoid is stuck in the open position. I then contacted m... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2026
Transmission failure, parking brake won’t release, most if not all driver assist features don’t work. Car is undriveable at 110,000 miles.
Incident date: Mar 22, 2026
When coming to a stop the vehicle slams into 1st gear raising the RPMs and pushing the vehicle forward even when the brakes are being applied. No warning lights no other malfunction or symptoms. Has occurred this I first purchased the vehicle new in January of 2025. Has almost caused collisions. Never took it to the dealership due to the information I've gathered if was a common issue but I believ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2026
I am reporting a serious safety defect in my 2023 Ford F-150 Platinum SuperCrew (EcoBoost engine. The oil pressure warning light suddenly illuminated, indicating a loss of oil pressure. Immediately after, the engine suffered catastrophic failure (it "blew the engine"). At the same moment, with no input from me, the gear shifter automatically shifted from Drive into Park. This caused the transmissi... Read more
TOYOTA
GRAND HIGHLANDER
(2024) — POWER TRAIN
Mar 22, 2026
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
The transmission needs to be replaced per the dealership. I was told this on 3/7/26 with mileage of 69K. The transmission has been reported as defective to Toyota since 2016-2017 with multiple lawsuits that have been filed. According to the lawsuits found online, Toyota knowingly used the defective UA80 transmissions and failed to inform consumers when purchasing the vehicles or inform consumers t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2026
The vehicle experienced multiple serious issues affecting safety and reliability. The 12V battery failed, leaving the vehicle unable to start. In addition, there is a persistent abnormal ratcheting or grinding noise when turning, indicating a possible drivetrain or steering-related defect. An interior component near the rearview mirror also detached while driving, creating a distraction and safety... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
I contacted Honda America regarding a concern with my 2025 Pilot, which has just over 5,000 miles. The service light for the rear differential came on at the 5,000‑mile mark (I don't drive off-road, and my driving is 50/50 city/highway), even though the dealership indicated this service is not typically required until 10,000–15,000 miles. My goal was simple: confirm that there is no premature ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2026
The 6.2L motor in my GMC Yukon failed due to the camshaft and stalled me in an intersection on a highway. Had to shut the lanes down to get towed. Lost all power and couldn’t do anything but sit in the road. Just did a PICO test and it “passed” but failed 3k miles after the recall was done.
TOYOTA
GRAND HIGHLANDER
(2024) — POWER TRAIN
Mar 22, 2026
Incident date: Mar 21, 2026
The incidents most often occur when I try to accelerate after vehicle is stopped at an intersection. The car hesitates during acceleration regardless of how much I push the gas. Once it starts to go, it feels as though the car can't shift from 1st to 2nd gear. The RPMs get up 4500 while the car is going 25-40 mph and remain there for a few seconds up to ~20 seconds. I am fearful of getting t-bone... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2025
Sudden downshift when going down a long hill while driving at highway speeds then applying brakes to slow down. Luckily no one was behind me because its like slamming on the brakes with no brake lights. I could have easily been rear ended or gone into oncoming traffic if it I was on wet snowy or icy roads. It's happened more than one time. Something needs to be done before someone is killed!
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
Transmission slipping and bangs into and out of gears downshifts without doing anything when transmission services there was lots of metal fragments on the magnet2 no change and after having transmission reprogrammed no change
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
The vehicle exhibits a consistent and reproducible malfunction in the powertrain system, specifically related to acceleration response and drivetrain engagement. While driving at a steady speed, when the accelerator is pressed gradually (approximately 50–60%), the engine RPM increases but the vehicle does not accelerate accordingly. There is a delay in power delivery. When the accelerator is re... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2025
Transmission failure, unhealthy engine burning/consuming oil, emissions system/catalytic converter failure all before 100,000 miles.
Incident date: Mar 21, 2026
I've had the transmission replaced under fordprotect warranty and subsequently another torque converter and subsequent to that, a new program installed to repair low RPM Shudder. Under mild acceleration at interstate speeds (65 TO 75 mph) it now hunts for gears with random upshifts and downshifts while failing to maintain or increase speed which constitutes a safety hazard.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
The same thing that I reported in incident number XXX happened again recently. From a stop. I went to make a right turn on Red in a four way intersection. The oncoming traffic to my left was also stopped. When I started to proceed the truck felt like it was in like 5th gear, moving barely but no real power, then it dropped into what felt like 1st gear and lurched me forward. I almost hit a ca... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2026
Out of nowhere and driving this morning, my engine reduced power came on. Then I started losing power in the car then it died on me once out of nowhere. I managed to make it home an hour and a half later, but that could’ve got me killed stopped by AutoZone since dealerships closed today and it tells me that it’s code P228C, P0089 fuel pump. And then last night my emergency service calling came... Read more
KIA
SORENTO PHEV
(2025) — POWER TRAIN
Mar 22, 2026
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
On March 13, 2026, Friday, at about 3:00 pm, was driving XXX on US XXX toward the XXX stop and go traffic backup for several miles. Sun was behind direction of traffic flow. Temperature was low-mid 50s and road was dry and no rain or snow. Winds were 10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Road was 3 lanes in the east direction with one lane closed. Attempting to keep about a 3 foot distance from car... Read more
Crash
VOLKSWAGEN
TAOS
(2025) — POWER TRAIN
Mar 22, 2026
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
Incident 1: Noticed hard starting one morning. After stopping for gas various engine warning lights illuminated (including EPC light). Took to VW dealer few days later, found trouble codes stored (P0148). Fuel pump replaced few days after diagnosis. Incident 2: Driving on highway for ~10 mins. Experienced total power loss, warning lights came on (including EPC). Had to pull over on left shoulder ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2025) — POWER TRAIN
Mar 22, 2026
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta SE transmission making whining and whistling noise from 1000 to 2000 rpm when on light load or coasting. There is a high probability of transmission failing on 2025 car with 12700 miles and danger of failure on the highway while driving.
Incident date: Mar 21, 2026
Rear axle bolt fell off and then car stopped being able to move. Axle spins no movement. I was driving while this was happening on a very busy road.. Thankfully I was able to stop in the middle of the road but not able to pull over. Had to push the car out of a busy road. Took truck to dealership and they stated there was no fix and that they shouldn’t give the car back but they did. Then the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2026
Death wobble. Dealership that has it now (Campbell Chevorlet in Bowing green ky) knows and fails to fix or report it.
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) — POWER TRAIN
Mar 22, 2026
Incident date: Dec 11, 2025
My car has been stalling at stops and I am unable to fill my car as it will not start so I have to put increments of 10-15.00 at a time they have told me now for over three months that parts were on back order and the recall that can catch my entire car on fire while driving cannot be fixed as their is no fix for it. Multiple issues continue to pile on when the vehicle isn’t even 5 years old
Incident date: Mar 14, 2026
I was driving from [XXX] back to [XXX] on I-5. I was at 70mph when a slower vehicle merged into my lane and I got on the gas to pass them. The transmission locked into 10th gear and never downshifted, the engine revved, and then I lost complete power of the transmission for several seconds. I went from 70 to 55 and then it jerked back into gear. I had my 2 small kids in the back seat and wife i... Read more