Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 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 2,245,377 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 137,132 complaints - component: POWER TRAIN
PIRELLI
SCORPION MS
(9999) - POWER TRAIN
Jun 19, 2026
Incident date: May 30, 2026
Dashboard displayed multiple messages and icons/warnings. Steering wheel locked, acceleration was low, barely any power to drive. Engine running rough condition. OBD2 scanner P0302 and P0303 detected. Engine misfire. Honda Dealership diagnosis car. Main concerns include a head gasket blown or crack. Coolant leaking into cylinder 2 and 3. Tie rod cracked. Pressure test low. The vehicle has no pri... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2026
My 2024 Honda Prologue (VIN [XXX]) only has 16K miles on this vehicle. Both front half-shaft CV joints are failing and have been failing for the last SEVERAL months by manifesting a persistent and worsening very loud clicking when loading and unloading the drive-train, driving up hill and executing any type of turn maneuver. I've complained numerous times to the Honda Dealership here in Seattle... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2024
The transmission (10R80) in the 2018-2022 Ford Expedition and Ford F-150 vehicles are failing at an alarming rate. There are hard shifts, hesitation, and some vehicles, like mine, drop out of gear at highway speeds putting myself and my family at risk of a traffic collision. The repairs are in the many thousands and there are tens of thousands of transmissions that are failing. Something needs ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
No check engine lights prior to this, car started to make a noise pulled over to check it out as I was merging over low oil pressure showed and coolant level over temperature, gear then dropped to neutral, managed to pull over without any accidents car then shut off, oil leaked, it makes a horrible engine noise when starting, had to tow it back. only had the car a year maintenance was up to date.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2026
My 2016 Ford F-150 (VIN [XXX]) experienced an intermittent failure involving the transmission range sensor system. While driving, the vehicle displayed a check engine light and a “See Service Manual” message. The truck became noticeably underpowered. When shifted into Reverse, the transmission engaged harshly and the PRNDL (gear position indicator) disappeared from the instrument cluster. The ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2026
I purchased a 2018 Honda Odyssey and reported during my 7-day inspection window that the transmission was acting sluggish. The Carvana-authorized inspection service (Pep Boys) claimed the transmission was fine. Over time it showed more and more signs of failure until it completely failed. On the directive of the seller (Carvana) and warranty administrator (SilverRock), the vehicle was taken to an ... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2026
Transmission locked up while driving with no warning.
NISSAN
ROGUE SPORT
(2018) - POWER TRAIN
Jun 18, 2026
Incident date: Jun 13, 2026
While driving at normal operational speeds, the vehicle suffered a sudden, un-commanded, and catastrophic loss of motive power while navigating a live traffic intersection. The transmission completely disengaged all gears without warning, rendering the vehicle entirely stationary and immobilized in the path of oncoming traffic. This failure created an immediate, severe safety hazard, exposing the ... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2026
Transmission Control Valve failed causing my vehicle to drop from 70 miles per hour below 40 miles per hour rapidly on the highway/interstate which could have caused a fatal crash. Called OnStar and was told my code showing was P0747 meaning service now. I called dealerships to get an appt next morning and this happened in the evening and was told the soonest I could get in was a week away, most w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2025
The vehicle at highway speed failed to accelerate or hold speed. Warning text came up on dash. Vehicle rpm increased yet vehicle failed to accelerate or hold speed. Vehicle felt like it went into nuetral. This happened several times. Vehicle driven to dealer for transmission repairs. Code P07E6 stored in ECM.
Incident date: Oct 27, 2025
The 2024 Ford F-150. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V512000 (Power Train) however the parts were unavailable. The dealer was contacted, the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The contact stated that he later received another recall notification, stating that the parts were unavailable. The dealer was contacted again. The contact was informed... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed uphill with a grandchild in the vehicle, the vehicle lost drive power and rolled backwards. It was unknown whether a warning light was illuminated. The driver panicked, depressed the brake pedal and shifted into park(P), but the vehicle failed to stop. The driver engaged the parking brake, ... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) - POWER TRAIN
Jun 18, 2026
Incident date: Jun 13, 2026
We expirenced a transmission failure on our Ford Explorer. In short summary we where driving from the airport and the problem started arising of around 5th and 6th gear downshift it would be harsh and make the car lerch. Following this we got a fluid change and that didn’t help, after the fluid change the problem got worse and produced a check engine light and at one point we got stranded on the... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2026
Failed Component: Powertrain (PCM/TCM/HCP software calibration) & Electrical/Steering (Fire Recalls). Safety Risk & Description: Following recent mandatory manufacturer software updates, this vehicle has developed a severe, dangerous drivetrain defect. Under light acceleration from a complete stop, the vehicle exhibits an extreme throttle lag and hard delay before violently surging forward, creati... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, they came to a stop and the shifter cable fell off, causing the transmission to drop into reverse. The contact placed the shift knob into park, but upon releasing the knob and letting off the brake, the vehicle rolled backward. The contact had to manually place the vehicle into park and i... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2026
Ejesitais to shift. Most of the times. Also shif to park when is o ready park.
TIFFIN
ALLEGRO RED
(2020) - POWER TRAIN
Jun 18, 2026
Incident date: Jun 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while the contact's husband was reversing, the vehicle failed to reverse as intended. The dealer was made aware of the failure, however the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The contact was advised to have the vehicle towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mec... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
This complaint supplements a previously submitted report filed today, June 18, 2026, (Original is Complaint Number: 11845044) regarding the same vehicle and condition (TSB ELE234 drive unit rumble noise). The correct VIN for this vehicle is [XXX] — a 2019 Kia Niro EV EX Premium, 138,457 miles. I am filing on behalf of the vehicle owner, [XXX], who has authorized me to act as his advocate. The ow... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2025
After the latest 68C recall fix, Jeep has adjusted the behavior of how the vehicle's electric mode operates. When the battery gets to a certain temperature when driving, the engine is supposed to turn on (to prevent the fire risk hazard). However, instead of the vehicle making the powertrain switch, the vehicle power will just stop. The pedal will go to the floor but no forward movement. It is dan... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2026
My head gasket blew on the escape with only 104,000 miles on it. It cost me $3500 to fix. 5 months later it blew again and I’m being told my engine block is cracked. I’m now being quoted another $3500 to put another engine in it with 90,000 miles on it.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2026
Our 2019 Kia Niro EV (approximately 138,000 miles) exhibits an abnormal rumble/growling noise from the front drive unit while driving slowly in "D" range and when accelerating or decelerating between 0–25 mph. This symptom matches exactly the condition described in Kia Technical Service Bulletin ELE234 (Rev. 1, April 2021): "Drive Unit Inspection & Replacement for EV Motor Rumble Noise," which c... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the 4WD warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the driver was informed that the PTU had failed and needed to be replaced at the owner's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (POWER ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
Vehicle has experienced multiple electrical and mechanical failures at unusually low mileage. Purchased at 32,000 miles. At approximately 50,000 miles, the factory radio/infotainment system failed completely. Electrical systems were observed remaining active after the vehicle was powered off, suggesting an underlying electrical fault. At approximately 60,000 miles, the power steering rack and fuel... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2022) - POWER TRAIN
Jun 18, 2026
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
My 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 experiences an intermittant, uncommanded mechanical drivetrain lockup and severe binding when accelerating from a complete stop. The vehicle rolls fine in a straight line for several feet, but the exact moment the steering wheel is turned slightly (a couple degrees), the drivetrain violently binds up. This creates resistance in the steering and acceleration, as wel... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2023) - POWER TRAIN
Jun 18, 2026
Incident date: Jun 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train). While the contact’s husband was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled, the rear wheels locked up, and the vehicle decelerated until coming to a full stop. The engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to deale... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
While driving, randomly and intermittently the vehicles drive mode will change on its own, usually requiring the driver to slow down to allow for a 4X4 shift, as called out by messages on the dash and an audible warning. This has happened multiple times and ford cannot replicate this issue. I was going to just replace the drive mode selection knob but as it turns out it's on national backorder.
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
I took my car to Fields Cadillac Jacksonville for routine oil change and to rotate/balance tires. I was inform via video message that I had an oil leak coming from the camshaft carrier reseal and requires immediate attention.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2026
4WD service light turning on and off intermittently, one incident where a grinding noise was noted, car was parked and when looked into further the noise was gone. Contined driving, but 4WD service light stayed on. Took to dealer and they informed me the PTU requires replacement due to failure, diagnostic code shared was C14A797. After further research I discovered safety recall 40D / 26V290000... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly decelerated, the tires were dragging, and the engine temperature was high. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's father performed a diagnostic scan on the vehicle and retrieved a diagnostic trouble code indicating a PCM and engine cooling system failure. The vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission downshifted unexpectedly. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The contact was informed that the vehicle was safe to drive. In addition, the contact stated that ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
6/12/26 ( 2023 Chevy Silverado - 6.2 liter engine) While driving at approximately 40 MPH on a two lane road, the truck shut off. After multiple attempts, the engine failed to restart. The transmission locked up in park and would not release. This required the truck to be dragged up on the flat bed wrecker instead of rolling freely. Prior to this instance there have been several issues with the el... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (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 while accelerating from a stop light, the transmission was slipping. During the failure the... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2023) - POWER TRAIN
Jun 18, 2026
Incident date: Jun 12, 2026
While driving my 2015 Chrysler 200, the vehicle randomly shifts into neutral without the driver initiating any gear change. Prior to this occurring, all dashboard warning lights illuminate simultaneously and the odometer display starts blinking so many lights — these appear to be warning signs of an electrical failure that then causes the transmission to shift into neutral while driving and some... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2026
Vehicle had previously undergone the GM 6.2L engine recall inspection on October 17, 2025, and was determined to have passed. On June 13, 2026, at approximately 80,390 miles, the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion while being driven with five children in the vehicle. The vehicle became inoperable and required towing. Dealer subsequently diagnosed engine failure and has ordered a replacement engine. ... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2026
The shifter wouldn't go into park or start in park had to put in neutral to start it, was at a gas pump and the car started moving on its own had to jump in and pull the emergency brake to stop it and the vehicle was off, also the backup camera is upside down had it fixed but it goes right back upside down.
Incident date: Jun 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving with the AWD activated in the rain, the vehicle ran off the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact spoke to the seller, who confirmed a previous failure with the AWD coupler. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2026
While driving at highway speeds vehicle changes the drive mode at random. Even attempting to go into 4 low at high speeds. If the vehicle is able to change into 4 low at high speeds this could send the vehicle into uncontrollable lock down to the drive train and potently creating uncontrollable spin out. Car has been at the dealership for this issue, but they cannot find any problems or able to re... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2026
Accelerator lag from any speed or stop. The care will take several seconds to hunt for the correct gear before shifting to accelerate. Or it will delay acceleration for several seconds while your pressing the accelerator. No SES indicator active. Mechanics can’t find issues. Other owners on forum a report the same sluggish behavior. These 1.5 turbo cars seem to need a software fix that they a... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2026
The transmission in my f150 sometimes will down shift harshly when coming to a stop causing a sudden jolt that is very alarming. This does not happen very often. What is very consistent are these two symptoms. During acceleration it shifts very hard going to 3rd to 5th, skipping 4th all together. When accelerating up to highway speeds and merging the shift from 7th to 8th is delayed, and the engin... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2024
Since I’ve bought it at 48,000 miles the van has always had hard engagements on 1 gear and 2nd. I knew the transmission was bad a week after I bought it at the ford dealership. All they did under their limited warranty was a transmission flush. Now it has 70,000 and the torque converter is toast now. I was on the interstate going 70mph. Let off the gas and a huge aggressive deceleration happened... Read more
FORD
TRANSIT CONNECT
(2019) - POWER TRAIN
Jun 18, 2026
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2026
Vehicle is experiencing severe, dangerous transmission malfunctions matching Ford Safety Recall 26S28 / NHTSA 26V237. Multiple times while cruising at highway speeds, the vehicle has abruptly downshifted into 2nd or 3rd gear without warning, causing violent engine revving, sudden loss of forward momentum, and severe steering wheel shaking. These incidents occurred in rainy, low-visibility environm... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2026
Cylinder head suddenly cracked, causing heavy oil leakage onto hot exhaust manifold. Car started to smoke heavily. Vehicle turned off before potential engine fire.
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
2 issues contributed to accident: 1st - Vehicle did not go into Park when button on gear shift was pushed. Driver did not notice that vehicle remained in Drive and exited the vehicle. 2nd - Vehicle did not automatically engage the emergency brake/park mode it is designed to do when Vehicle is in drive and driver door opens. As a result, Vehicle began to roll forward. Driver was knocked down and ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 22, 2026
The Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) actuator stuck and failed causing also the turbo fan to heat degradation that needed also to be replace. Cost of damage was $4680.00.
Incident date: May 22, 2026
After years of driving Escape with issue finally found a mechanic that could definitely diagnose the problem. Was told that it was the torque converter and now possibly the transmission because it had been happening for so long. It shifts gears hard, shakes badly when idling (we always put it into neutral to avoid the shaking), stalls out sometimes when stopped at lights and trying to accelerate, ... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2022) - POWER TRAIN
Jun 18, 2026
Incident date: May 24, 2026
Following an engine replacement performed at Billion Auto Kia in Rapid City, SD, I began experiencing persistent electrical system failures in my 2017 Kia Sorento. The vehicle alarm would activate randomly without cause, including while I was inside the vehicle with the engine running. Additionally, the door locks would engage spontaneously, trapping me inside the vehicle and preventing me from ex... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2026
The vehicle failed to shift back into Drive after being placed in Park, rendering it inoperable. As a result, the vehicle had to be pushed out of a busy driveway and towed to a local repair shop. The local repair shop was unable to diagnose or repair the issue because the required diagnostic equipment is specific to Ford vehicles and was not available to them. The shop advised that the transmissi... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) - POWER TRAIN
Jun 18, 2026
Incident date: May 17, 2026
From date of purchase… when truck accelerates from dead stop, drive train shudders for several seconds before fully engaged. Suspect issue related to software, hybrid enterface with drivetrain, torque converter not locking up. Dealer verified condition with test drive. Concluded it was operating normally. I don’t buy this explanation. Is it going to fail me entering traffic? Will it get progre... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
The vehicle experienced a sudden transmission/powertrain failure while driving. The transmission began slipping, with engine RPM increasing but the vehicle failing to accelerate normally. The vehicle would move very slowly or not move forward at all, creating a significant safety risk in traffic because the driver could not reliably accelerate, merge, or clear intersections. Prior to complete fai... Read more