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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints

140,173 Reported Crashes

56,794 Reported Fires

8,580 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›

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Showing 137,132 complaints - component: POWER TRAIN

Incident date: Apr 1, 2026

EXTENDED WARRENTY INFORMATION MERCEDEZ BENZ HAS ISSUED WARRENTY TO THAT APPLIE TO CONDISTIONS AS LISTED ABOVE (EXHAUST VALVE, CYLINER HEAD ) BACK 08/04/2023 THE CAR HAS IN MERCEDEZ BENZ AND HAVE FAILED TO PICK ON THE EXTENDED WARRRENTY REPAIRS AND WE NOW FIND OUT THIS CASED MORE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND NEEDS TO REPLACE CAMSHAT AND , CONTROL VALVE, ROLLER ROCKER ARM, AND ENGINE CAMSHAFT FOLLOWER... Read more

Incident date: Dec 19, 2025

Description In some of the affected vehicles, the rear right-hand axle shaft may have been manufactured without properly completing the electromagnetic induction heat treatment process, making the axle shaft susceptible to fracture. Safety Risk A fractured rear axle shaft could result in a loss of motive power while driving, or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park and the parking... Read more

Incident date: Feb 9, 2026

The vehicle transmission has a distinct whine noise as previous models have had. This is a known issue with these transmissions.

Incident date: Dec 15, 2025

Incident date: Jun 13, 2026

The vehicle experienced a no‑start condition and was towed to a dealership. The dealership performed major engine and timing repairs without authorization and kept the vehicle for nearly four months. After the repairs, the vehicle still cranks but will not start, requires jump‑starts, and now has new electrical issues and a nonfunctional A/C system.The safety risk is that the vehicle can fail ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 7, 2026

When driving all of a sudden I feel the car loose power as I accelerated the car just reeved up and slowed down to a full stop. I put it in park turned it off sat for a few minutes. Restarted the car and put it in drive the engine RPM made a reving sounds but did not engage. I had to wait for a tow truck. When the tow truck arrived he started the car and drove it on the ram and locked it in and dr... Read more

Incident date: Nov 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and lurched forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission valve failure. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact re... Read more

Incident date: May 7, 2026

Description On your vehicle, the integrated park module ipm may not properly engage the park pawl, preventing the vehicle from locking into park when park p is selected. If this condition occurs, a wrench light and shift system fault message will be displayed in the instrument panel cluster. Additionally, the vehicles electronic parking brake epb will automatically apply. Safety Risk If the par... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2026

Manufacturer Evading Safety Recall 40D (NHTSA 26V290) Despite Official Dealer Confirmation of Identical PTU Failure. What Happened: I am filing a formal non-compliance complaint against Stellantis/FCA US LLC regarding my 2019 Jeep Cherokee (VIN: [XXX]). On XXXX, my vehicle exhibited severe mechanical grinding/clicking noises from the chassis during acceleration and turning, with a permanent "Serv... Read more

Incident date: Jan 26, 2026

While driving the vehicle on a street it shut off on it's own in the middle of the road. It was terrifying. Had it pulled to my house. Once I was able to get it towed it went to Stockton CA Toyota Dealership and had it inspected with results of it needs a new transmission. They had no clue was was wrong with it just that it needed a new transmission. I have not driven the vehicle since this happen... Read more

Incident date: Jun 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted into first gear, and the rear wheels locked up, causing the vehicle to stop in the middle of the road in a slightly sideways position. The powertrain warning light was blinking, and the infotainment screen turned black. Upon restarting the vehic... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 2026

There has been multiple issues with the PTUs on these jeeps. Mine does not fall under the recall if there was one. I’m battling with the place I bought the jeep from for warranty and they are not covering it. I’ve talked to hundreds of people about it and they said this jeep should have been recalled for this PTU issue but it’s not. Not sure what to do or where to go from here.

Incident date: Jun 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the transmission was shifting in and out of eighth gear, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the transmission occasionally failed to shift into eighth gear. While decelerating, the vehicle responded, and the transmission shifted roughly. The failure became persistent over time. There was an abnorm... Read more

Incident date: May 31, 2026

UNKNOWN - On XXX, at just 7,741 miles, my 2025 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium AWD (VIN: [XXX]) suffered a catastrophic and life-threatening complete mechanical and hydraulic transmission failure. The vehicle completely lost forward propulsion when placed in Drive mode, rendering it entirely immobile. When placed in Reverse gear, the transmission violently over-pressurized, causing the vehicle to suddenly... Read more

Incident date: May 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently shifted between park(P), drive(D), and neutral(N), and the selected gear was not visible or illuminated on the instrument cluster or the gear shifter panel. The doors locked and unlocked, and the engine started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that... Read more

Incident date: Mar 5, 2026

heard rattling sound in right rear wheel, dealer confirmed rear axle bolt was broke.

Incident date: May 28, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission and torque converter were previously replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of th... Read more

Incident date: Jun 15, 2026

While taking off from a traffic light the rear end came apart on the inside of the differential. Has someone been in a dangerous area or remote areas like where I have to work it could have been a serious issue

Incident date: Jun 10, 2026

I got on the highway going to [XXX] on [XXX]. When I merged into traffic I almost got hit from behind because the Suzuki M109R slipped out of second gear. Fortunately the driver of the dump truck behind me noticed that I was not speeding up and he slammed on the brakes saving my life. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident date: May 6, 2026

2026 Freightliner M2 106 Plus chassis (Dynamax Europa 31SS Class C motorhome), VIN [XXX], 6,803 miles, 0 engine hours. On June 9, 2026, an authorized Freightliner service center (Floyd's Truck Center, Belgrade, MT; service order XXX) inspected the vehicle and documented that the engine was secured to the chassis by only ONE mounting bolt — the remaining engine mount bolts were never installed at... Read more

Incident date: Jun 14, 2026

While driving at highway speed, the transmission slipped, skipping gears. Very difficult to drive care safely. Could not accelerate vehicle safely. Had to stay in right lane with hazard lights on. Basically, using only gears 1, 3 & 5. Later discovered intermittently no reverse. DTC P090C Clutch Actuator B - Circuit Low.

Incident date: May 1, 2026

Was driving east on i40 between Hinton and calumet when my truck through a check engine light and service parking break. I pulled over it smelt like burning wires I cleared the codes with a code reader and turn the truck on the accessory when smoke filled the cab I got out and the truck was in flames.

Fire

Incident date: Jun 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to safely move to a parking lot; however, the vehicle could not be shifted into park(P). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with gear shifter failure. The gear shifter was replaced, but the failure persi... Read more

Incident date: Apr 27, 2026

This is related to the 23V-010 / XE1 recall and extended warranty for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited. The manufacturer is refusing the recall remedy because the catastrophic nature of the failure (transmission rupture) makes it impossible for the dealer to pull diagnostic codes. This creates an impossible standard for the consumer and effectively nullifies a federal safety recall. On ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 8, 2026

Vehicle has only 100,395 miles on it (Hondas are know for being long lasting), vehicle was burning radiator fluid and repair for new head gasket and cylinder head is over $6300! Hondas are known to last a long time, a 2020 model with 100,000 needing a repair that is nearly half the value of the vehicle is shocking - i have seen similar complaints online and want to file my complaint officially.

Incident date: Nov 15, 2024

At 60mph the vehie suddenly did a 180 and went backwards down the road. Fortunately it was a straight stretch and no oncoming traffic. Rear axle sized up, drive shaft shrown, and rear shaft froze resulting in equivalent of rear brakes onky thus the 180. Rear axle lost all lubrication and this is very similar to existing safety recall on other Ram models but not this one.

Crash

Incident date: Dec 16, 2025

On Saturday, June 13th, 2026, while merging on to the I-10 freeway heading east, completly without warning, my transmission dropped completely out of gear cancelling acceleration and acted like I had put the transmission in neutral (I had NOT). This caused my vehicle to slow down abruptly with a large vehicle bearing down on me in my lane at freeway speeds (55+). The other vehicle was able to avoi... Read more

Incident date: May 8, 2026

Transmission failure at 38,896 miles

Incident date: Jun 13, 2026

While driving the 2016 Subaru Outback, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic failure of the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The transmission completely failed, resulting in an immediate and dangerous loss of propulsion while operating the vehicle. This created an immediate safety hazard for myself, my toddler and other drivers on the road, as the vehicle could no longer maintai... Read more

Incident date: May 8, 2026

The contact owns a 1993 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact moved the gear shifter several times, and the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed of two recall notifications, NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V053000 (Power Train) and 13V252000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Structure). The de... Read more

Incident date: Feb 1, 2026

While driving home @ approximately 45 mph, the transmission seemed go out of gear followed by a loud bang and rapidly slowed to 20mph. The truck would no longer shift gears and now has no reverse gear

Incident date: Jun 4, 2026

Check electric vehicle system warning light indicator illuminates and car stops driving on highway! A/C and defrost won't work properly and when turned on causes the above warning light and malfunction. Car will not charge at "fast" charging stations and will leave you stranded on highway. I live in [XXX] and the vehicle only does it when humidity is high outside. Issue also causes problems wi... Read more

Incident date: Jun 11, 2026

The 8 speed Toyota transmission is defective and my transmission started to whine very loudly. I was told that it could freeze/lock up on me at any time so I had a rebuilt transmission put in my car. I am told Toyota new about this defect.

Incident date: Jun 15, 2026

On June 12, 2026, while operating my 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe, I experienced an apparent powertrain or transmission-related issue. At the time, the vehicle was already exhibiting another defect involving the air conditioning system, with the driver's side blowing hot air and the passenger side blowing cold air. While attempting to accelerate and pass another vehicle, the engine RPM suddenly increased... Read more

Incident date: Jun 9, 2026

On start up (date 6/10/26) the dash warned "Check Driver Assistance System," but the car started. Turned off the car, restarted, and this warning was replaced by a yellow "check engine" light, and a remark that the hybrid controller had a fault; the Kia app on my phone indicated the trouble as well. Called for roadside assistance; just before the tow truck operator arrived the faults cleared. Deal... Read more

Incident date: Jun 10, 2026

The vehicle lost acceleration/propulsion while traveling at highway speed on a major bridge with limited safe shoulder space. The vehicle suddenly stopped providing power needed to maintain speed in fast-moving traffic. Passengers included an infant, young child, and other family members. This created a serious safety risk because there was little room to safely pull over while traffic continued a... Read more

Incident date: Jun 15, 2026

Issue is with the transmission as it harshly shifts into a low gear when on an incline. This causes me to lock up my breaks as it feels like the truck was rear ended by another vehicle. I’m concerned that this is going to cause an accident. This problem has not been reproduced by the dealer. I’ve taken it to the dealership several times. No warning lamps or messages.

Incident date: Jun 4, 2026

I bought this truck about 2 years ago at 130,000 miles ago. I knew the people I bought it from and it's been well maintained through its entire life. It started shifting really hard from 3rd gear to 6th gear and from 7th to 8th gear and took it to Ford to find out what was going on with it. I ended up getting the software update on it which only slightly helped the issue. It went back to the same ... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The Check Engine and powertrain warning lights were illuminated. The contact was frightened, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was almost i... Read more

Incident date: Jun 12, 2026

The vehicle is a 2015 Kia Soul with the 1.6L GDI engine. The check engine light came on solid, and a dealer later confirmed diagnostic trouble code P0420, indicating the catalyst system efficiency is below threshold on bank 1. The catalytic converter and engine are still on the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. This condition matches the defect described in Kia’s SC176 safety r... Read more

Incident date: Jun 12, 2026

The contact owns a 2014 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing, the vehicle failed to shift out of gear. The gear shifter was in drive(D); however, the vehicle failed to move as intended. After several attempts to shift into gear, the transmission was engaged shifted into gear, and the vehicle operated normally. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact believed th... Read more

Incident date: Jun 15, 2026

Car randomly goes into neutral and stays in neutral not allowing gear change

Incident date: Jun 15, 2015

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while in park(P), the vehicle rolled, requiring the driver to turn off and restart the vehicle, and the vehicle successfully shifted in park(P). Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked. The contact stated that while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle shut off, and the steering wheel and the wh... Read more

Incident date: Jun 11, 2026

Clutch slave cylinder likely blew a seal, clutch pedal sudden loss of pressure while driving, unable to shift gears. Safety issue due to inability to move car after sudden hydraulic failure in clutch system, leaving vehicle inoperable while driving.

Incident date: Jan 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shifted into neutral(N) and failed to shift into park or drive on three occasions. The vehicle was restarted. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle was shifted into drive, and the contact continued driving. The message that the vehicle could not be shifted into other gears wa... Read more

Incident date: Jun 11, 2026

My 2019 F-150 has only 25,000 miles. The dealership has confirmed transmission failure requiring a $9,000 replacement. A transmission is expected to last significantly longer than 25,000 miles. I have maintained the vehicle. This is an extraordinary premature failure on a critical part of the vehicle and it poses a massive safety liability

Incident date: Jun 2, 2026

The transmission failed while I was driving on the freeway and I couldn’t go more than 30 mph while traffic was going 75-80 mph. Just to reach a spot to safely stop myself and my passenger were fearing for our lives of getting struck by another vehicle. Upon researching it we found that this is typical of this make, model and year vehicle with no resolve from manufacturer. We find this completel... Read more

Incident date: Apr 21, 2026

Safety-Critical Shifter System Malfunction - I am experiencing a recurring and serious shift system defect with my 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy. The issue first occurred within the first 500 miles of ownership, shortly after purchasing the vehicle new. At that time, the vehicle required diagnosis and repair by the dealership and remained out of service for nearly one month. Despite that repa... Read more

Incident date: Jun 7, 2026

My X7’s front differential went bad at 50k miles. I paid over 100k for a vehicle of this caliber to have something like this fail and have to pay 8k with no help from BMWNA. I’ve been a loyal customer with bmw having owned over 5 bmw vehicles in the past. And for me to get treated like this is unacceptable. I hope we can have a law suit against bmw for this.

Incident date: Jun 14, 2026

THIS PROBLEM CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO SPUTTER AND JERK WHEN TRAVELING. I brought it to the dealership and they said to bring it back when the recall was submitted. This is ridiculous. So many recalls on this vehicle

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Consumer Safety Complaints

What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?

How to interpret what you read

If you've experienced a defect

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