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 117,775 complaints - component: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Driving towards the gas station, still at lows speeds while I was in the neighborhood so speed limit was 15mph. I can hear and feel the car struggle to move forward, about 2 minutes into the drive a hear a big TOON and check engine light is on for about a minute before going away. I filled gas and headed back home and I heard a larger TOON but this time all the warning light came up. These are al... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
Component Failed: ABS Braking System / Wiring Harness. Safety Risk: While driving at highway speeds with my service animal, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic ABS failure. The brakes became unresponsive, and the dashboard displayed multiple critical safety warnings, nearly resulting in a collision. Confirmation: The failure was confirmed by Schumacher VW (West Palm Beach) during a forensic inspec... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
I have had issues with my car since the day that I bought it. First, my car squealed every time that I backed up. I took it to my local Ford dealership 3 or 4 times without this ever being fixed. This then progressed to my brakes squealing anytime they’re used. I barely have 25,000 miles on my car. Additionally, I have had numerous occasions where my car will get stuck and not shift, not acceler... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
The engine temperature gauge was reading cold when driving for 40 minutes and the fan was running on high. Also said steering assist reduced. Brought it in and had to replace the thermostat, because of the code they received. That fixed the issue.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2026
The vehicle never had a problem with the backup camera until the recall, and they serviced the vehicle:Rearview Camera Failure (2025): Affects 2020–2025 Giulia and Stelvio, where the screen may not display the rearview image, increasing crash risk. Since the recall the back-upscreen failed to display camera numerous times. The car was brought in to fix camera/screen and they could not find a pr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
The transmission keeps shuddering and jerking at low speeds. I have problems driving behind school buses or any slow moving vehicle. The vehicle has a problem when merging onto highways and loses acceleration power due to jerking. I have spoken to 3 separate edge owners who all have the same problem. Some of us can't afford the repairs but these vehicles are still being sold with this known proble... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2019) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 10, 2026
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
While driving on the highway our sunroof exploded with no impact. The glass blew up outwards causing a loud gunshot like sound. We had the sunroof closed (not in use) and there were no vehicles around us for any asphalt or rocks to cause impact.
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2019) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 10, 2026
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
Glass moonroof /sunroof on top of 2025 Rav4 sudden shattered under normal driving conditions on freeway. The noise sounded like a gunshot and could have caused distraction / an accident. No evidence of impact from outside. No overpass that a rock could have come from. The dealer has not confirmed the issue, but it looks like there may be lawsuits underway for other model years. Car is currentl... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
The infotainment screen is ghost touching (changing screens on it's own). If using gps from my phone that is a problem. The radio doesn't stay on at times while the screen is flipping to numerous places on it's own. I read online that many people are having this problem so it should be covered as a defect, a recall. My car is garage kept and kept very clean. I tried resetting but didn't help.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
While in an airport cell phone waiting lot, an extremely loud explosion happened. I screamed and looked back at my toddler and infant also in the vehicle with me. Thankfully, nobody was harmed. There were no warning lights or sounds before or after the event. I could hear some wind above. I exited the vehicle and checked it - the front panel of the panoramic sunroof had exploded. There was in incr... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2021
The child safety lock fails frequently. It begins to click as if it is trying to lock the rears doors and then a warning on the dash says the child locks have failed. I have 2 children and this is a big problem.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
I have been having a lot of problems with the backup camera on my vehicle. For the past 2 years the backup warning beep sounds when there is nothing behind the car. For the last year, the camera sometimes shows inverted and at times it doesn't work at all. This is a very important safety feature for me since I am unable to turn my head fully due to a neck injury. I read an article a few days a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
My 2015 Ford Flex is affected by recall 25V695 for the rear view camera inspection. I contacted my local Ford dealership to have the recall addressed and was told that no remedy parts are available at any dealership. They could not provide a timeline for when parts would be in stock. This vehicle is part of my commercial fleet and cannot be operated or rented until the recall is resolved. I am los... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
My vehicle is affected by recall 25V695. Ford dealership confirmed no remedy parts are available and cannot provide a timeline. This vehicle is part of my commercial fleet and I am unable to operate it, resulting in significant financial loss. The manufacturer issued a recall with no available fix, leaving owners stranded indefinitely.
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLE 350
(2018) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 10, 2026
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
Short Description Transmission-to-PTU splines, causing AWD loss and requiring full transfer case and transmission replacement. Summary This drivetrain failure poses an unreasonable safety risk due to the sudden loss of AWD capability, lack of alerts, and resulting instability. My experience is consistent with dozens of documented cases and matches the mechanical fault pattern already under federa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
The car was purchased on [XXX]. On [XXX]—only six days after purchasing the car—it failed to accelerate through an intersection while turning left in front of oncoming cars. Less than a week later, on [XXX], the car again failed to accelerate as it slowed down entering a rotary on [XXX] . The same thing happened again on [XXX] as it was driven out of the Savannah Bend Marina, turning left ont... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2026
I was issued a recall, Recall No. 26V065, on my 2026 Ember E Series camper. The recall was in regard to the Unloaded Vehicle Weight and the Cargo Carrying Capacity listed on the certification label being incorrect. My issue is that when i reached out to the vendor, they indicated this was the second recall affecting a total of 3 model years, but they have only been in business 6 years (since 202... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
Rear power sliding window leak caused by cracked backlite
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
I brought my vehicle to the dealership on March 7, 2026, to address the outstanding safety recall. However, I was informed that the recall repair cannot be completed until I first pay $1,100 to replace the idler pulley. Unfortunately, an unexpected $1,100 expense is not currently in my budget. It is quite concerning to continue driving a vehicle with a known risk of losing propulsion, as the inc... Read more
DODGE
CHALLENGER
(2023) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 10, 2026
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
The exhaust has a leak. Loud noise, rattling coming from exhaust. Smell of fumes in the cab of the vehicle. I believe there is a recall for 2018,2019,and 2021 year models for this same issue but no recall for the 2020 model.
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
I am reporting a catastrophic internal engine failure in a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at 87,600 miles. Prior to this event, there were NO warning lights or symptoms. While traveling alone during the holiday on a remote, one-lane road with no shoulder, the vehicle suddenly suffered a loss of power. Every warning light on the dashboard illuminated at once, followed by shaking, misfiring, and lou... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding Ford safety recall 25SA9 for my 2019 Ford Fiesta involving the rearview camera. This recall has remained unresolved for over 14 months. I opened a case with Ford and was instructed to continue waiting, but no repair has been completed and no meaningful resolution has been provided. Because this is a safety recall, 1 am concerned that the remedy has not been... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
Vehicle has sweet smell of coolant/antifreeze in the cab regularly. Appears to be a heater core leak. This is a safety issue due to potential engine failure and inhaling toxic chemical odors in the cab.
Incident date: Aug 21, 2024
Had the heater defroster on to clean snow off the car, came out later to go to work and noticed a crack along the bottom of the windshield. No safety issues yet, that I am aware of. Don't know if the problem has been reproduced or confirmed. Vehicle has not been inspected yet.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
2023 RV unit experienced front cap cracking through complete cap. Grand Design stated it was a paint issue and would not warranty the damage. 2025 RV unit experienced exact same front cap cracking throughout the cap, side corners of cap and front side seam separation of RV. Interior seam and trim separation greater than reasonable and customary for an RV of this age and quality build. Repair sho... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
Entered car on very cold day. Put heater and defroster on high, drove about a mile and then the window cracked.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
I have been noticing that when my rear camera goes out that it takes out the heater controls, the maps and the radio and my screen goes totally blank, is this another issue or is it all related. Thank you.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
I have a 2024 Honda Prologue that has 8000 miles. When making left turns, the car has made very loud and clicking noises from the front axles that are very disturbing and startled me while driving. It occurred again. I am taking the car to the dealer for inspection. But it has been confirmed by the dealer that there is an axle problem and they have not been able to get the right part to repair... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
CLA250
(2014) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 10, 2026
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
My horn stopped working. Not under warranty but I believe it is a safety issue. A replacement horn is not available and not under warranty. Online search revealed this is a common issue
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2013) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 10, 2026
Incident date: Sep 26, 2025
My family and I were traveling from Maryland to Florida, with a planned stop in Atlanta. We were driving our 2013 BMW X5 x Drive 35i and were traveling southbound on [XXX] through Greenville, South Carolina when the incident occurred. While driving at highway speed, my husband suddenly noticed multiple error messages appearing on the vehicle’s display screen - air bag malfunction, 4x4 malfuncti... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) assembly failed completely, rendering the vehicle inoperable. The transmission is currently available for inspection at the independent service center where repairs are being performed. The vehicle was purchased in September 2025 with approximately [UNKNOWN/LOW] mileage. Within the first week of ownership, the driver experienced violent shuddering and j... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
There is a known issue with the Ram infotainment Uconnect systems. The 2022 Ram 1500 frequently experiences infotainment issues involving its Uconnect 5 system, characterized by loud buzzing or popping noises, "screen bouncing" (glitchy movement or flickering), and spontaneous reboots. These symptoms often result from software bugs, a full memory cache, or, in some cases, hardware defects requirin... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2018
Front subframe rusted away with large holes. 37,000 miles 2017 ford transit that is well taken care of. Passenger van for a retirement community.
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY SPORT
(2017) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 10, 2026
Incident date: Feb 18, 2026
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to report serious safety concerns regarding my 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee, VIN [XXX] , which still has 11 months remaining on the lease. During the two years of this lease, the vehicle has had several recalls and repeated mechanical problems every 2–3 months, including a recent transmission replacement. The vehicle is currently affected by Recall 68C. I have maint... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
While driving higher speeds (45 mph+) I have had my vehicle start shaking very violently which results in me having to slam on my breaks to gain control of my vehicle. When this happens I have been traveling on the highway or interstate which puts other drivers at risk due to me unexpectedly having to come to a halt to gain control of my vehicle. I have taken my vehicle to the mechanic multiple ti... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2025
While driving my 2023 Nissan Rogue (approximately 51,000 miles), the vehicle completely lost all electrical power twice. The first incident occurred on Wednesday while stopped at a traffic light, and the second occurred on Friday afternoon after parking the vehicle; in the second instance, it would not start and had to be towed to the dealership. Prior to the failures, the vehicle displayed CVT Ma... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
Some times when I request the rear hatch to open is does nothing but most of the time when I depress the close button, it moves less than an inch and then beeps. I have had to depress the button up to 6 times before the hatch closes. The car is only 3 years old as of this month and the problems stated more than 6 months ago but my mileage was over 36,000 6 months ago so it was out of warranty. Thi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
i have a 2014 jeep cherokee trailhawk. the service 4wheel drive light keeps popping u. a recall needs to be put on this year, make and model. its a known issue that jeep has not addressed at all
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
The vehicle’s GPS/navigation system repeatedly misrepresents the vehicle’s physical location while driving. The defect includes incorrect vehicle positioning on the map display, including instances where the vehicle appears in incorrect geographic locations (including appearing in the middle of a river). While actively navigating, the system has recalculated routes incorrectly and changed est... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2024) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 9, 2026
Incident date: Feb 7, 2026
When it is hot out, while i am driving the car will say "pull over, shutting down" and then it says "please check the starter system." The car will just shut off This was SOO dangerous. This happened on the highway, with my two kids in the car and nothing worked. everything black and my blinkers and lights werent working and just stopped in the middle of the street and wouldn't turn on. VERY UNSA... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
Blown turbo with propeller broken off lodged into the pre-catalytic converter, which caused damage to the catalytic converter/exhaust requiring a new turbo and a complete new catalytic converter and exhaust system. They also found major oil leaking from the upper timing cover gaskets, which I later found documented on the accounting service record as not repaired at that time few months from my pu... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
Vehicle does NOT come to a complete stop. It moves forward about an inch after I stop and park. It's being going on since I got the car. I assumed it was normal until I drove another car and it didn't happen.
Incident date: May 15, 2025
Internal transmission bearing know for the TSB 19-2391. There was no threat to my safety or others. Yes the problem has been confirm with the dealer. The components has been inspected by an authorized Ford Dealer, Shaker Ford in Watertown, CT. There were nothing other than a humming noise coming from the transmission.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
My 2017 Honda CRV VIN [XXX] AC compressor has completely seized/locked up. This has caused: (1) loss of engine power while driving with AC on, (2) burning smell from engine compartment, (3) loud grinding noise. A seized AC compressor risks snapping the serpentine belt while driving, which causes sudden loss of power steering — a direct safety hazard at highway speeds. This is a known Honda defe... Read more
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2024) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 9, 2026
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2021 Honda Accord Sport SE. The issue began at approximately 78,000 miles when multiple warning lights suddenly appeared on the dashboard while driving. At the same time, the vehicle began shaking and had difficulty accelerating. The engine felt unstable and the car struggled to gain speed. I immediately took the vehicle to a mechanic where it ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2026
I WAS DRIVING AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE. GLASS WAS FACING UP AND THERE IS NO VISIBLE SIGN OF ANYTHING HITING THE SUNROOF FROM ABOVE
Incident date: Jan 30, 2026
National Highway Traffic Safety Admin March 9, 2026 I am submitted a vehicle safety complaint regarding a 2011 Subaru that I recently purchased on [XXX]. I purchased a used 2011 Subaru Impreza from Clear Cut Auto {241 S Dupont Hghwy – New Castle, DE 1920 (302-322-2050) on [XXX] for $5,147.04. The dealership person name was Erika Fernandez which reported the car was recently dropped of by a femal... Read more
Fire
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2023) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 9, 2026
Incident date: Sep 10, 2025
While driving several times smelt gas and car cut out engine came on and car stopped mid driving multiple times. Says they replaced fuel pump reset car etc
Incident date: Jan 25, 2026
RECALL CHECK AND THEY KEPT MY CAR AND SAID THEY WILL NOT REPLACE IT
Incident date: Dec 2, 2020
My transmission went before the car hit 100 thousand miles. It put me at risk because I was in the middle of the road and my car wouldn’t move. The problem was confirmed by the Honda dealer. There were zero warning signs before this happened.