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
Incident date: Aug 31, 2026
My vehicle (2019 Cherokee trailhawk) was subject to 2 PTU recalls. I had the first one replaced after the dash light came on, then had that one replaced after it failed and began leaking fluid. When it started having issues again, I took it to a dealership and they stated the transmissions first gear dog clutch had gone out/was damaged. It only has 80,500 miles on it and I believe the shock load f... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to 3rd gear and the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. Additionally, the computer system took control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving in the center lane on a busy highway. The vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an undisclosed recall; however, the recall repair failed to prevent a failure. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while upshifting or downshifting between 4th and 6th gear. The same local dealer was contacted and advised the contact that the 4th and 6th clutc... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH and attempting to stop at a stop light, the vehicle stalled and lost power. The contact attempted to shift into reverse or drive, and there was an abnormally harsh sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle became inoperable. The parking brake and 4x4 service light were illuminated during after the failure. The... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2026
When driving on freeway the vehicle overheated and engine warning light flashed and had to come to stop at side of freeway. The vehicle had lost its coolant from a rear heater hose connection. The car was towed to dealer and the repair comment was that a part was deformed from mis-assembly (or words to that effect) - rear heater core fitting clip distorted causing hose come of the core. This was a... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the Stabili-Trak warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost power steering functionality, causing the steering to become extremely firm. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to turn the steering wheel. The contact safely pulled over, and after the audible alarm ceased, the vehicle returned to normal ... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2026) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 3, 2026
Incident date: May 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission independently shifted to park or neutral. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving at slow speeds. The contact stated that during one failure, the brakes independently activated, and the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that while attempting to restart ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost drive power. The vehicle was able to continue driving but at a reduced speed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a second deale... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2026
I was driving on a 2 lane highway at approximately 50 mph and my truck started blowing white smoke and suddenly decelerated to 5 mph and a wrench appeared on my dashboard. I luckily was able to limp the vehicle to a parking lot. I then called AAA for a tow to my Certified Mechanic. He informed me the next day that the transmission line to the cooler failed. He replaced the cooler lines ($250). I ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
On XXX I brought the vehicle to Tri-County and advised them that the vehicle was shifting roughly when coming to a complete stop or when slowing down to take a turn and beginning to accelerate. The dealership acknowledged the issue and advised that they were waiting for a software update. On XXX, I brought the vehicle to Tri-County Lexus about rough transmission jerking and rough idling shake whil... Read more
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2021) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 3, 2026
Incident date: Aug 26, 2026
Original Owner of 2021 Chevy Trailblazer LT. Purchased new in April 2021. Vehicle has a history of major powertrain issues, starting with Check Engine light during its first year of ownership, culminating in a complete turbocharger replacement in December 2025. This only as a result of my research, after many visits to dealership trying to diagnose the issue. The check engine was consistently ill... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 2500
(2024) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 3, 2026
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
While driving my truck on the highway at 65 mph the truck bucked hard and immediately downshifted into 2nd gear. This caused me to rapidly decelerate to approximately 40 mph, I am lucky there was not another vehicle behind me when this happened since rapid unexpected deceleration without brake lights is very dangerous. I had to drive the truck in limp mode at 45mph and approximately 4500 rpms to t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2026
Vehicle: 2024 Chevrolet Blazer VIN: [XXX] Component: Engine Cooling System (Radiator) Description of Incident: On XXX the vehicle was brought in for a routine maintenance service at approximately 20,000 miles. During the inspection, technicians at Hamilton Chevrolet in Warren, Michigan discovered a premature radiator leak. The servicing technician noted that this is a common failure on modern Bla... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a recall repair associated with the PCM reprogramming. Upon retrieval, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode while driving. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear, and the vehicle lost motive power. The dealer was conta... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2026
Audible clicking/knocking sound when turning left or right sharply at low speeds.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
I am reporting a serious safety-related transmission issue involving my 2021 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. On multiple occasions during normal driving, the transmission has behaved unpredictably and, at times, dangerously. The transmission has suddenly lost the selected gear, slipped or failed to engage, shifted violently, experienced significant RPM flares, unexpecte... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2026
I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2023 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly lost the selected gear and rims spiked and then it violently slammed into gear. It feels like it thru my truck into a limp mode. It lost 5th would not catch it going up and down thru the gears. It happened rando... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2026
I need to open a formal safety and warranty complaint regarding my 2024 Kia Seltos. I originally reported an acceleration problem to the dealership when the vehicle was purchased and they said they couldn’t duplicate the issue but they did not resolve it.The vehicle shuts off while I was driving, and afterward would not accelerate beyond approximately 15 mph. I believe the vehicle is unsafe to... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: Aug 22, 2026
While driving on the road, the transmission in my truck completly neutralized all the gears (meaning it just started revving and slowing down rapidly in the middle of the road with cars in front of and behind me). And almost got me hit by several cars. I got the vehicle towed to the Chevy dealership it was bought from. The mechanics then confirmed the code was for a failed valve body in the trucks... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2026
Hyundai Motor America & Wallace Hyundai of StuartVEHICLE: 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe (2.4L Theta II GDI Engine)VIN: 5NMS23AD5LH181669INCIDENT MILEAGE: 181,000 MiHYUNDAI CASE NUMBER: 42981944SECTION 1: CATASTROPHIC INTERSTATE SAFETY INCIDENTOn July 16, 2026, while navigating heavy, high-speed traffic on Interstate 95 (I-95) at approximately 80 to 85 MPH, my vehicle suffered an un-commanded, catastrophic... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
No oil in between changes check engine light came one
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
This is more information related to Complaint 11761129: After online researching of other '03 2.2L Saturn Vue-owners stalling experiences, it appears that this vehicle has a long history of others like me: an unsafe, unpredictable stalling problem which carries no warnings or logging of error codes to trace the TRUE ORIGIN of problem. (How much did others spend on repairs that appeared to fix the... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
I would like to file complaint against Ford for their latest recall (26N041) and how they are not doing replacing the defective Lead Frame in customers vehicles. It's a big scam and a waste of time. I brought my 2016 Ford F-150 in for Ford’s latest recall (26N04) affecting 2015–2017 models due to the transmission leadframe issue. I explained that I’ve been dealing with an intermittent prob... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2026
Our 2024 Mazda CX-90 has experienced the same significant malfunction on two separate occasions while being driven on busy public roads. The vehicle displayed an “Acceleration Limited Due to Battery Condition” warning and experienced significantly reduced/limited acceleration while driving. This put the occupants and other motorists at risk because the vehicle could not accelerate normally in ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
Service 4w drive light came on vehicle stores going up in Kleins as well as it shut off on me on an interstate thank goodness there was no vehicles I was able to get it started and get to safety on side of the road. My car is a 2019 Jeep Cherokee and it is not on the power trend recall and I’m not sure why when it’s having these issues it’s a very dangerous situation
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
Transmission entered limp mode when decelerating at highway speed. Shutter shift, rapid rpm increase. First shift in the morning is a hard shift with loss of power.
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2023) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
I am reporting a serious safety concern involving a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali, 6.2L L87 V8, VIN [XXX]. This vehicle has now experienced two catastrophic powertrain failures at very low mileage. The first catastrophic engine failure occurred at approximately 23,696 miles. The vehicle was taken to a GMC dealer, where the repair documentation states that the engine had suffered significant intern... Read more
FORD
FUSION ENERGI
(2019) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: Aug 29, 2026
CHARGE CIRCUIT CONDITION INDICATOR LIGHT THIS IS DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT LEFT NOT CORRECTED THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THREE INDICATOR LIGHTS UNITS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE, A 2019 FORD FUSION ENERGI ( KNOWN AS A PLUG IN HYBRID) ALL THREE INDICATOR CHARGE LEVEL LIGHTS HAVE BURN OUT WITHIN A WARRANTY PERIOD OF OPERATION AND FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE FAULTY H... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2026
Unable to use cruise control Unable to use lane control Unable to use tire pressure gauge Unable to use auto brake system Car shakes due to a sudden decrease in engine performance. Turbocharger issues Powertrain System issues ECM Failure
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2025) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power on the highway and would not accelerate beyond approximately 20 mph despite accelerator input. There were no warning lights or check-engine light. The condition created a safety hazard because the vehicle could not maintain normal traffic speed. Hyundai dealer has been unable to determine the cause on other vehicles with the same problem, and w... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
Front differentials failed at 31k miles. Potential for the car to lock up or break down in highway. Problem was confirmed by independent shop.
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the parking brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive with the unrepaired seat belt recall. The contact received notifications of NHTSA ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
Last year around this time my differential failed and I lost all power to my wheels when driving in traffic in [XXX] on my way back to [XXX]. The car was driving and a loud clunk sound came from the car and the transmission wouldn't drive and I had to coast off the road cutting off cars to make it to a parking lot. I thought this was just something that happened to my car that maybe I did but then... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered extremely while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer confirmed the failure and stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
Transmission shifted from 4th to 1st while driving a steady 25 mph, then lost all forward drive, the transmission slips, then will slam into gear. I parked it for two weeks until I could get it to the shop. Driving it to the Ford dealer today (2 September 2026) I had to stop the vehicle twice because the transmission was doing the same thing. Currently have 70K miles on it.
Incident date: Sep 10, 2019
The 4-5-6 drum ring in my transmission went out on my truck that has 70, 318 miles on it. Vehicle was missing shift points and would not always shift properly causing power to not be available when expected - especially dangerous when trying to merge onto a highway. Vehicle was inspected by a Ford dealership and by ABC transmissions of Tacoma WA. I paid ABC Transmissions $9,693.98 to fix the probl... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2026
I purchased a 2013 Ford Focus from Boucher Ford of Menomonee Falls, WI in February, 2026. A few months later, Ford issued a recall on this car that requires the Powertrain Control Module to be reprogrammed to avoid issues like a collapsed fuel tank or stalling while driving, potentially causing an accident. I had been informed by a mechanic that this car was sold to me with a custom tune on the PC... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
Following a dealer transfer assembly replacement under warranty on a 2025 Hyundai Palisade, technicians failed to perform a post-repair alignment and left the driveshaft unseated. The 2nd dealership we went to subsequently misdiagnosed the resulting suspension warping as 'tire overinflation' on June 5. As a direct result, my family unknowingly drove thousands of highway miles across state lines to... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
10R80 Transmission Delays when shifting and when it does engage its harsh shifts.
Incident date: Aug 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed on the instrument panel. The gear shifter was shifted back into drive and then back into park to turn off the vehicle. The contact also stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, started to lose automotive power, and then continued dr... Read more
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2015) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: Aug 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving 72 MPH, the vehicle stalled and bucked, with a grinding sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. Additionally, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle, and there was fluid leaking from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle fa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
Shuddering and jerking from 20-40 mph. Dealer reports torque converter and planetary gear problems requiring expensive repairs or replacement of the transmission.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving in the lower gears and attempting to accelerate, the rear wheels suddenly locked up. The check engine warning light was occasionally illuminated after the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The loc... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shifting erratically. The contact stated that the transmission shifted from 1st gear to 7th gear and back to 1st gear. The check engine warning light and an unknown warning light was illuminated after the failure. During an oil change service, the contact described the failure to... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2026
On [XXX], our 2020 Jeep Cherokee with approximately 62,562 miles experienced a sudden loss of motive power while traveling at highway speed on [XXX] out of Dayton, Wyoming. There was a clunk, the engine RPM increased, and the vehicle would no longer engage drive or park. The vehicle became inoperable and had to be towed to Sheridan Motors in Sheridan, Wyoming, where it remains. Sheridan Motors di... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2021) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: May 30, 2026
The transmission whining started 70,000 miles and it is progressively gotten worse, there has been some sudden shifting at times. The manufacturer has known about this 8 speed transmission. Problem since 2017 and they haven’t done anything to improve it. Isn’t is something that the warranty only covers the drivetrain and. Transmission till 60,000. And know they are telling us that we have to p... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2026
1st problem transmission: Hard shifting up and down in certain gears. 3 gear seems the worst. When slowing down to almost stop it down shifts and lurks forward which can cause a safety issue. Loud banging noise when it does this hard shift. 2nd problem when starting the truck up get a loud chain rattle. Think it’s the phaser/cam rattle I keep reading about with no fix. Mileage on my truck is 6... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2026) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: Jul 15, 2026
While driving the vehicle it has gone into neutral 3 times prior to 8,000 mile. The vehicle was bought new. Two of the three times I was pressing the gas pedal and holding it steady. Speed was ~ 40-45 MPH. RPMs increased from ~1500 to over 3000. I had to come to a complete stop to put the vehicle back in drive. The other instance happened as I was pressing the brake pedal. As I took my foot off of... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2026
My 2017 Tacoma TRD Off Road (manual transmission) makes a constant chirping sound when the engine is running and increases chirping sound when accelerator is pressed. The chirping sound ceases when the clutch is pressed in. It's clear through research that this is a "throw out bearing" issue. Toyota dealership confirmed the same issue and replaced the throw out bearing on 6/24/26 through 7/2/26... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2026
Driving on a highway when rear differential and drive shaft broke loose from vehicle while driving at 65 mph. Right rear wheel went over real diff. causing the rear end of vehicle to come off the pavement. Fortunately was able to get car under control before it flipped. There was no warning signs prior. We were violently lurched and still are feeling residual effects from that incident.