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: Feb 9, 2026
My car will not shift. It’s saying that the part that was fixed under the recall is bad. What do I do now?
Incident date: Feb 8, 2026
Vehicle starts sputtering/stalling out when sitting at stop signs or stoplights. It feels like the auto start/stop is trying to engage and disengage over and over again. This happens even with the auto start turned off, after turning the truck off and back on again it seems to go away for a while. This has happened at least a dozen times in the past 6 months or so.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2026
Rear camera, back over prevention system malfunction. Rearview camera image does not display, fails to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, “Rear Visibility.” This happened after the PODS repair was made. Local VW dealer is requiring a diagnostic fee though the problem started immediately after it was serviced.
Incident date: Jan 23, 2026
I am writing to report a critical safety defect in my vehicle, a 2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn , involving a catastrophic failure of the heater core (heater coil). This failure creates an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety as defined under 49 U.S.C. § 301. Safety Risk 1: Acute Toxicity and Driver Impairment The failed component is releasing vaporized ethylene glycol directly into the passenger ca... Read more
KIA
SORENTO HYBRID
(2025) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 11, 2026
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
Onstar Module failed causing battery to drain and no ETA on part -- from Chevy - To drive the vehicle the module is disconnected by the dealer as parasitic battery drain causes all other safety systems to fail - with module disconnected hazard lights will not work - so if situation happens where hazards are necessary to save occupants life they are not working and functioning due to care to able t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
1. I'm not sure what component or system malfunctioned. The dealership has said something different every time it's had to be taken in. The first time they said it could have been the dip stick. The second time they said they didn't know but did an update to the car's system. Last week, was the third time we've had to take it in and they said they are doing an oil change and replacing the air inta... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2026
Three separate original equipment Pirelli Scorpion MS tires experienced sidewall structural failures on my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy within the first 8,000 miles. One tire suffered a sudden blowout at approximately 3,000 miles. Two additional tires developed visible sidewall bubbles at approximately 6,000–8,000 miles. These failures occurred without impact damage or misuse and represent... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
Paring brake has been bucking backwards and forward for most of 2026 and finally it failed facing downhill on Feb 4, 2026 and rolled downhill until it stopped after hitting a sign.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 9, 2026
UNKNOWN December 25th, 2025, my vehicle started to shift poorly, breaking very harshly, giving a clonking sound when putting the vehicle into any gear, and when putting it into reverse, the car rocked roughly and threw a wrench light onto the dash. That wrench light gave a torque converter/transmission code. I took it to a dealership to get it diagnosed and they told me nothing was wrong with it a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2026
Was driving car and it went completely hot. Towed to a dealership and they said was not drivable and that the radiator support and radiator hose needs replacing and eventually the Drive CV left and front will need replacing or I will be stranded on side of road.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE L
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 11, 2026
Incident date: Jul 22, 2025
When vehicle was purchased new in 2023 I noticed the corners of the windshield was delaminating forming bubbles in both corners of the glass as well as along the top I brought the car back several times and it was never fixed ,reached out to Stellantis and was told glass is not covered under warranty even though the vehicle has only 8000 miles on it now .
Incident date: Feb 7, 2026
Horn no longer works and the seatbelt light is on. My mechanic said there’s a recall… The clock spring apparently is contaminated… Also, I see there’s a recall on the airbag.
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
The digital instrument cluster in my 2024 Genesis GV70 has failed multiple times while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealership on December 20, 2025 for instrument cluster malfunction. The vehicle remained in the shop for approximately four weeks, and the instrument cluster module was replaced. The vehicle was returned to me on January 19, 2026 with representation that the issue had been ... Read more
POLESTAR
POLESTAR 2
(2023) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 11, 2026
Incident date: Feb 9, 2026
Horn stops working and needs to be replaced within a year or less. I reported the first time my horn stopped working and it took 4 months until I can have an appointment and order the part. The second time it stopped working was within a year and scheduling an appointment was difficult. I was almost in an accident and unable to use to both to alert the other driver.
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
The rear differential axle bolt on my vehicle has broken. There was no impact or collision prior to this failure. The vehicle suddenly made a loud noise and came to a complete stop in the middle of the road while I was driving with my [XXX] daughter in the car. This created a serious safety hazard. Although my VIN does not currently appear under an active recall, I am aware that there have been ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
Experiencing sudden hard shifting with the 6r80 transmission. Have had wheels lock up once. Issues with the lead frame as well
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Although the involved vehicles are within the above production period range, not all vehicles in this range were sold in the U.S. This issue only affects 2023-2026MY Prius and Prius Prime vehicles equipped with electric rear door lock system with a door opener switch manufactured by a specific supplier and during a specific production period. Other Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in the U.S. are ei... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding a recurring safety defect in my 2024 Honda Prologue (VIN: [XXX] ), serviced at AutoNation Honda Chandler in Chandler, Arizona. Most recent service reference: Invoice #XXX. The vehicle has experienced a repeated knocking noise coming from the right front wheel area, particularly when turning right or left at low speeds with the steering wheel fully turned. ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2026
I am reporting a safety-related defect in my 2017 Ford Focus equipped with the PowerShift dual-clutch (DPS6) transmission. The vehicle has experienced ongoing transmission and clutch-related issues, including shuddering, jerking, hesitation from a stop, delayed engagement, and unpredictable acceleration behavior. These issues are most noticeable in low-speed driving, stop-and-go traffic, and when ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2024
At low speeds under 40 mph, there is a very pronounced and uncomfortable cabin boom noise when going over bumps.
Incident date: Feb 9, 2026
Three issues remain unsolved as Nissan states there is no current fix. 1) Recall for battery/fast charge. Recall was supposed to be fixed by Nov 24 and has not been fixed. Fast charge could lead to fire. Charging is limited to level 1 or level 2. 2) Software update causes heat to stop working at will. This is a safety hazard as temps in the upper midwest dip below zero degress. Nissan consumer a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2025
⭐ 1. The Airbag Control Unit (ACU) and associated restraint‑system components appear to have malfunctioned. The Event Data Recorder shows inconsistent airbag deployment staging, a pretensioner firing while the belt was recorded as unbuckled, a seat‑track sensor fault, unsupported occupant‑classification data, incomplete curtain‑airbag deployment during rollover, and missing crash‑even... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
Lights appeared on dash associated with braking/sensors. Lights included: ACC, Collision Mitigation, Fuel Emissions, Traction Control, Electric Parking Brake, Brake Hold System, TPMS, Road Departure Mitigation, EPS, VSA, Hill Start Assist. Not running any different than normal, just lights suddenly appeared. Ran codes & codes said ECM Failure & Fuel Too Rich.
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
The tailgate remote operation is inconsistent. it usually does not work and the tailgate has to be lowered by randomly applying pressure in different spots. Nothing seems consistent. Once it opens then it may work a few times then goes back to not working. This is true regardless of the "switch" used (Key fob, button on rear of vehicle in tail light assembly, button on the gate itself, switch/butt... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
I own a 2021 GMC Yukon Denali XL with approximately 81,000 miles. On 4 separate occasions, after coming to a complete stop in traffic and then attempting to accelerate, the vehicle violently jerks and shifts itself into park. I am not pressing the brake when this occurs. I must manually shift the vehicle back into drive in order to continue moving. This happens so fast, that I am only able to see... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
Our rear backup camera is no longer working. I see that other years have been recalled for the same issue, but our 2021 XC90 is not covered under the recall. It seems to be the same issue.
Incident date: Sep 11, 2025
initial filed #11708370 (1/2/2026) 2nd filed #11717025 (2/10/26) Yesterday afternoon (2/10/26), I was told by Jim Shorkey Kia Wexford PA that no error codes are on the EV6, it is ready for pick up. Before I received this call, there was a software update done on the EV6 (see service records) I attached 2 photos of the software update as well. ICCU ASSY was replaced, etc. was told per Shorkey Kia ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
While my vehicle was still under factory warranty, a mechanical issue was diagnosed by the dealership and a replacement part was ordered. The part was placed on backorder, and I was advised I would be contacted once it arrived. I was never notified when the part became available. By the time I was contacted weeks later, the warranty period had expired. I immediately scheduled service once I learn... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2025
Backup camera delayed display of rear view when in reverse, followed by a message stating the camera was unavailable, to contact the dealer. Small impact with parking sign when backing into the parking spot.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
On October 29, 2025, my Infiniti QX50 was repaired at Naples Infiniti after the engine under shield detached while driving, ripping off the passenger-side wheel well liner. The technician stated the failure was likely caused by missing bolts from a prior oil change approximately two weeks earlier. Based on that representation, I authorized the repair. That explanation later proved to be incorrect.... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 11, 2026
Incident date: Feb 7, 2026
The lift gate glass shattered / exploded while sitting at a red light.
Incident date: Jan 24, 2026
Abnormal inside tire wear leading to blow outs and flats. TSB 42M6 available for alignment, adjustment bolts and camber adjustments but it was not sent to my car and I've had to replace 2 sets of rear tires due to uneven wear. Mileage currently is at 35k. Dealer states no issues with suspension or alignment but can't explain the uneven wear. First time was in October 2024 and then this time Februa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
UNKNOWN On January 24,2026, I was thankfully traveling only about twenty mph a block from my home and something happened in the front drivers side suspension that caused me to almost hit three parked cars. Once I got stopped, the car couldn’t get get pushed forward, won’t roll at all forward, like it’s in park, but in neutral we were able to push it backwards to the house. It seems that it ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2026
THE RECALLS ITS WAS BEFORE OF MY ACCIDENT NOW MY CAR ITS WORKS GOOD BUT CANT PASS BRAKE LIGTS INSPECTION DMV REQUIREMENT.
Crash
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
My rear windshield shattered during the winter. There was no signs of any damage beforehand. There was broken glass everywhere and I could’ve seriously cut myself or anyone back there could’ve been hurt by the pieces of broken glass. I had to file a police report for my insurance. Many car dealerships are refusing to fix! There’s too many reports of this happening!
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
The vehicle was operating normally the previous night. We drove it and parked it in the driveway that evening, and it was not used again after that. The following morning, we started the vehicle to allow it to warm up and then returned inside the house. Approximately 10 minutes later, we discovered the vehicle was on fire, with flames coming from under the hood. We immediately called 911. The fire... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The transfer case fail only 53,000 miles the dangerous part fail down the floor almost causing and a bad accident talking abut the pipe connecting to the rear tires I hear this is common in this cars that’s why I’m reporting the incident I take it to private Mecanic need to replace transfer case
Incident date: Nov 22, 2025
I have had my car in the service department twice and continue to have the same issue. I am scheduled to have the car in the shop again on 2-19-26. For several months! After stopping and starting, my car stalls for a few seconds and then takes off. Yesterday, the car stalled while crossing the interstate and there was another vehicle behind me. I am terrified that the car is not going to re... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2026
After the recall software update for the hybrid system, my 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid experienced a significant loss in fuel economy (from approx. 44 MPG down to 33 MPG) and drastically reduced electric-only driving. The engine now runs much more frequently, even at low speeds and stoplights. This materially changed the vehicle’s advertised hybrid performance and efficiency. Many owners are report... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2026
The uconnect radio is not functioning correctly at 55000 miles it refreshes and restarts intermittently and the rear camera is not operating properly after switching to drive from reverse. The image remains in the screen for an extended period of time causing a view of the rear of the vehicle as it is driving forward. This gives a skewed perception of what is going on around the vehicle. It’s is... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2026
My 2020 Kia telluride is Snow White Pearl. A few years ago the area above the windshield and below the sunroof started to chip off. When having recalls serviced I ask what Kia was going about the defective paint. I was told?”nothing”. I have research this issue several times online and it seems that the issue is prevalent in Snow White Pearl Kia vehicles. I was told by the service manager... Read more
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID
(2025) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 10, 2026
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
On Sunday, 02/08/2026, I parked briefly to drop something off. When I tried to restart the car, it was clicking but would not start. An engine light came on, and a flashing message appeared saying “Park.” I initially thought it was a battery issue, but the warning light remained on. The next morning, the car started, but the engine was locked and the vehicle would not move forward or backward.... Read more
Incident date: Sep 26, 2025
Summary of Risk: 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Thermal Runaway/Fire Hazard: Per NHTSA Recalls 25V741000 and 25V766000, the high-voltage battery contains damaged separators, causing internal short circuits that lead to fires even when the vehicle is parked and turned off. Non-Stop "Turnover" Failure: The vehicle’s current state (constantly attempting to start/turn over without stopping) is a documented... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
My truck continues to have the radio distortion problems that it has had after numerous software updates and repair actions. Approximately the first week of November in 2022 is when the first radio problem occurred. I only had the vehicle for about a month. The radio played an extremely loud distortion sound, close to an alarm tone, immediately after starting the truck. 3 different Ford dealers at... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
- Rear window shattered without impact or any signs of stress. - Safety at risk if driving and breakage occurs. In this case I was away from the parked vehicle when the shattering occurred. - There are quite a few reports of this issue online in Facebook Acura owner groups and in published news stories such as this: [XXX] - In my case, it was inspected by the repair company and confirmed to be ... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2018) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 10, 2026
Incident date: Feb 7, 2026
In Michigan- stopped for lunch - used remote start as always when it’s cold. Came out and got back on the road and about ten minutes later a loud bang and the back window shattered. A quick google said it’s a known problem on this model with the power sliding window due to the rear defrost and there’s a recall for Canada and 10 us states but Illinois isn’t covered. Hard to understand wh... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2026
PTU failure, due to no maintenance service recommended for PTU, PTU failure has been a ongoing issue due to the position of the PTU,location of changing fluid and no mileage recommended for regular service or recommended regular service in the owners manual
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
My 2020 BMW X5 (VIN available upon request) is subject to safety recall 25V-644 due to a fire risk. The recall has been open since November 2025. BMW has confirmed there was no available remedy for an extended period, and a BMW-coordinated service visit on January 15, 2026 could not be completed due to dealership issues. Despite repeated follow-ups with BMW North America, there has been no confirm... Read more
RANCHO
SUSPENSION SYSTEM
(9999) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 10, 2026
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
Driving down the road at 50 mpg when to car just shut off had a hard time getting it off the road and did still was all the way we almost got hit three times
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
The fuel door stopped working - only emerhency string works A purge valve doesn't work