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
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF SPORTWAGEN
(2018) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 6, 2026
Incident date: Dec 12, 2025
Window not rolling up properly, drivers side
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
While driving under normal conditions, the air conditioning system in my Toyota Grand Highlander suddenly stopped working. The vehicle was inspected by a Toyota dealership, which determined that the AC condenser had a hole/puncture that caused a refrigerant leak and complete AC failure. Toyota denied warranty coverage, classifying the damage as “road hazard,” despite acknowledging that this i... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
I was driving on highway at 60 mph when drivers side rear window suddenly shattered. It was very confusing what was going on until my wife said that the window shattered. Luckily, no on was in that seat since there was glass everywhere. I dont believe anything hit the window, there was no indication something was wrong intil the shatter noise.
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
This vehicle was inherited to me in 2019 from my father who puchased it cash on 10/13/2017. On 4/19/2018 he brought it in for a check engine light which was related to recall sa299 (ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT). On 7/11/2018 service was performed again. On 3/4/2022 I brought in for check engine light with same recall for ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT. On 11/10/2025 car showed engine overheating. In fear, I ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2022
My 2021 Genesis G90 has experienced repeated failures of the main infotainment / viewing display system, which has been replaced multiple times by authorized Genesis dealers. Despite these repairs, the defect continues to recur. On December 19, 2025, while the main display was nonfunctional, I was involved in a rear-end collision while proceeding from a stop at a traffic light. During this event,... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 30, 2024
My vehicle has experienced multiple incidents of sudden engine shutdown while driving, accompanied by a dashboard warning stating “High Coolant Temperature.” These shutdowns occur without warning and while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in loss of engine power and creating a dangerous situation in traffic. The error immediately goes away making it difficult to record in enough time. Autho... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2025
Environmental Contributing Circumstances (Select Up to 3):
Crash
1 injured
1 deaths
Incident date: Sep 29, 2023
Tailgate opens automatically on its own while parked and while driving. This also causes the battery to drain down to being dead as it continues to operate the actuator I had to unplug the electronic tailgate switch to stop the battery from graining. Besides the battery draining, the tailgate opened when I had a load in the bed of the pick up truck as I drove causing a possible unsafe ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2023
Ever since we’ve had the 2019 Chevrolet equinox which was purchased in 2019 from Capital Chevrolet in Montgomery, Alabama, the seats and the side mirrors both will not stay programmed. The dealership kept telling us there was nothing wrong and kept telling us how to program the seats and the side mirrors, per key fob. This was done over and over and still did not work. every time the vehicle is... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2025
Open recall for transmission shift cable failure since October 9, 2025 with no available fix/parts yet. This is my 20 year old's vehicle and we feel this is extremely unsafe and are requesting a manufacturer buy-back immediately.
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
I am submitting this supplemental statement regarding my previously filed complaint involving a 2022 Jeep Wrangler. On November 8, 2025, I was involved in a crash that resulted in bodily injury, including head, neck, and back pain, and required post-accident inspection and towing. Despite the nature of the impact and the injuries sustained, the frontal airbag system did not deploy. The manufactu... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 14, 2025
The vehicle has an open recall that could cause it to catch fire. I purchased this vehicle depending on fast charging since I live in an apartment and have no where to charge at work. I have spoken to Nissan about this and requested a repurchase. Nissan asked me to wait for the recall fix and continue to drive a car that I can’t even charge with my lifestyle. This has been an open issue for ove... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
2024 Chevrolet 2500 HD purchased new. Vehicle did not include a complete owners manual only a brief description of vehicle. Many safety issues were left out such as maintenance schedules that could affect performance and safety over the life of the vehicle. another issue that was omitted was the operation of the automatic tailgate that was involved in a previous recall. I contacted Chevrolet and a... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER
(2016) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 6, 2026
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
My 2018 Ford Focus with DPS6 PowerShift transmission exhibits documented defect symptoms: shuddering, delayed engagement, jerking, slipping, and unpredictable low-speed behavior. Ford corporate has refused to open a defect case or provide arbitration review. This transmission family has known litigation history and systemic defect documentation.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
This issue is about "OnStar Telematics Control Module", since last 3 months.. mutiple services in my car stopped working. No GPS, TPS warning messages.. No internet..This issue has been reported all across US and GM, NHSTA needs to investigate this.
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
The car will suddenly have a high-pitched screaming coming from the speakers for no apparent reason with no way to stop the noise. Turning the sound system to zero volume or even turning the power to the radio off does not stop the noise. I have measured the decibel level between 80 -128 decibels with no way to make it stop. I have had to stop the vehicle on the freeway multiple times and turn off... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER SPORT
(2017) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 6, 2026
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
Brakes seize up while driving and then cannot move the vehicle. This causes a dangerous situation while driving and then breaks lock up and cannot move car even though vehicle is on and then stopped for a stop light. Car must then be turned off and sit for about 30 minutes so it can unseize and when that happens, you can then resume driving and then check engine light comes on. Brake lights were s... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2019) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 6, 2026
Incident date: Dec 27, 2025
The vehicle experiences water intrusion into the passenger-side footwell and under-carpet area during rain events. The suspected failure involves the body sealing system, potentially including the windshield cowl area, firewall seams, HVAC intake/cowl drainage, or related body panel seals. The vehicle and all affected components are fully intact and available for inspection upon request. The carp... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
Husband closed door on car and the back window exploded. No warning. Called dealer and they referred us to a Nissan glass place. This is a safety issues becalled Nissan cant find the glass replacement. We are driving with plastic on window. Looking into this it seems that the years 22-25 has happened to many people. The glass place said we have to wait and it could be several weeks.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
Email Subject I am reporting a serious safety-related defect involving sudden and complete vehicle shutdown while driving in a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST. Component/System Involved: The failure appears related to the 12-volt electrical system and associated vehicle control electronics. When the vehicle detects the 12V battery as dead or critically low, it immediately disables propulsion and... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
The radiator of my 2022 Genesis GV70 was damaged due to debris. When speaking with the Genesis technicians, they informed me that this happens frequently with this make and model becuase of the way the grille was manufactured. There is essentially no protection to the radiator which can cause damage to it without your knowledge. I was told it doesn't take a large rock to damage it and you probably... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
Body of car has rust perforation starting from the inside working out. This is on the roof, so water incursion will effect airbags and electrical system. FIrst noticed rust bubbles a few years ago, but did not think much of it. Now two body shops have said roof panel needs to be replaced. This is big stuff!
MERCEDES-BENZ
S 580
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 6, 2026
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
Vehicle tires were swaying
MERCEDES-BENZ
S 580
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 6, 2026
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
Recall notices sent out September 2025, no updates have been provided. I have contacted the dealer for additional support, and they just can confirm parts are not available. One of the recalls is for potential leaks from a flexible break line; seem that in six months parts would be available for something as serious as a break line; even the recall states it could lead to loss of breaking resulti... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2025
Purchased the vehicle 2nd hand January 29th 2025. Since then she has been in and out of multiple shops including Kia. Check engine light, loss of power on fwy, shifting/brake changes from a stop. From jerking, lunging, studder, taking off fast, not wanting to go at all. I was on these dips that I encounter almost daily and the collision warning went off. There wasnt anything in front of me. 2 week... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2025
Cracked cylinder head probably caused by cylinder deactivation causing catastrophic oil loss on the highway. Upon researching this, I see that it is a known issue with Mazda. My car is now in the shop awaiting repairs. It only has about 35,000 miles on it. This is obviously a known defect and is simply not acceptable.
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2013) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 6, 2026
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
Vehicle is an Acura RDX (model year 2019), with approximately 94000 miles at the time of incident. There was no impact, no vandalism, no accident, and no extreme weather conditions at the time. The glass shattered on its own. This appears to be a known defect affecting Acura RDX vehicles from model years 2019–2023, as documented by multiple consumer reports of spontaneous rear windshield failur... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
I am submitting this letter to formally notify the NHTSA of a safety critical defect in my 2025 Chevrolet Equinox Activ starting on 12/9/25 involving the Telematics Control Module (TCM), GM part number 85669062. This defect results in intermittent or complete failure of essential OnStar safety functions, including Automatic Crash Response, emergency communication, and accurate GPS location reporti... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
I was driving at 60 MPH on the Highway and the Service AWD light came on. The vehicle immediately lost all power and jerked and came to a sudden stop. And then when i tried to re apply power it was sluggish for about 30 seconds before i was able to get full power. I then pulled over to the side of the road and turned the vehicle on and off the error code disappeared. This happens at random times w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
Sitting at stoplight and attempted to go. Car wouldn’t go above 10mph even with pedal all the way down. Drove for a bit trying to figure out what was wrong. Then flashing red lights and beeping telling me to pull over safely. Pulled over and turned the car off. Restarted and car said charge battery. Apparently this is called “limp mode” and happens when there is something seriously wrong wit... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
Our 2020 Lincoln Nautilus with 60,000 miles will require replacement of the driver's door due to a crack in the door hinge area. This failure is similar to failures found in the Ford Edge and Lincoln Corsair of the same vintage. Online research proves this is a frequent failure due to inadequate door structural design in similar vehicles with as little as 30,000 miles usage. A 5 year old vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
The Chevy suffers from the "Shift to Park" issue due to a faulty park switch in the shifter assembly, which is an electrical issue. Apparently GM does not cover this repair but it is dangerous as the car does not shut off even when engine is off and the gear is in park.
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
On multiple occasions, the Auto Start/Stop system has triggered a failure message on the Driver Notification Screen on the Center Console. As a result, less than two to five minutes after the failure warning, the entire vehicle loses power and electrical continuity. The vehicle loses all electrical systems, accessories, and critical driving elements (including speedometer and other instruments). T... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
Following Jayco and Entegra instructions, I delivered my coach to Blue Compass RV. It has now been more than SIX MONTHS out of service. Jayco Pre-Authorization has denied the required battery replacement and referred me to the battery manufacturer, even though Entegra bulletins and recall procedures identify and correct the conditions that caused the damage. Completed Recall and TSB Work Approved... Read more
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY
(2018) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 6, 2026
Incident date: Nov 21, 2025
The steering on my 2017 Chrysler Pacific sticks at the 11 and 1 position. It causes me to over steer while driving down the road or on the interstate and then it feels like the vehicle is swerving and I have to hold the steering wheel tight. Usually before this the service electronic stability control will come on and lately the service airbag light has been coming on all at the same time. All ... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 6, 2026
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
I hadn’t had my car a year and my solenoid in my transmission is in need of replacement. The suv will not pick up speed above 40
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
Owner of 2017 White Kia Soul that has peeling paint. I've never owned a vehicle that paint peeled like this. I understand there are other owners with the same issue. This issue first started in May 2025 on driver's side near roof that I paid out of my pocket to repair. Now I have same issue on the passenger side. Very disappointed 😞
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 6, 2026
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
While driving (vehicle NOT parked), a message advertising popped up on the in-dash display, blocking other information and not dismissible - making it impossible to use the screen. This distracted me from driving.
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
I opened my car door sat inside closed the door and my rear window shattered
Incident date: Aug 31, 2025
Started financing this vehicle 11/8/25- driving on the interstate on 11/27/25 I started hearing thumping noises coming from my vehicle, I thought it was the road so I turned my radio and everything off and listened and it continued so I pulled over. I put the vehicle in park, walked around my vehicle to check for flat tires and to see if I possibly ran over something and there was nothing. I put i... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 6, 2026
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
I need help dealing with Kawasaki, how am I supposed to take my bike into the shop to get the recall checked when there is a do not ride recall and it’s winter where I live on 30 degree roads and the shop is 40 minutes away. Is Kawasaki suppose to pay for the transport of my bike to Purcellville.
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2017) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 5, 2026
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
Tesla Model Ys built after September 2025 are no longer equipped with an interior emergency frunk release. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 401 mandates that all new passenger cars with trunks must have an interior trunk release (49 CFR § 571.401) to allow people trapped inside to escape, a rule established after children died by getting trapped in trunks. And for the handle's id... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2020
This is now a safety risk because I carry my child in the car, and I’m scared that my engine will lose power while I’m driving according to the recall. This is so irresponsible of Toyota that they still don’t have a remedy and I have been waiting.
Incident date: Apr 13, 2025
Known HVAC-produced moisture drainage issue that cause water to get trapped inside the system and cabin air filter housing, causing significant mold or mildew to grow on the filter itself and spread spores through cabin ventilation system and contaminates air inside cabin which poses serious health hazards.
Incident date: Jan 4, 2026
Sun roof on Tucson 2023 shattered while car was being driven. When the roof shattered there was a loud sound (like a bomb going off) in the car and then the sound of glass breaking. The vehicle is available for inspection. There were not any warnings or messages before the failure. Safety was at risk for the passengers and any vehicles that were following. The loud sound caused the driver to swer... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2026
Front camera only works about 1/4 of the time. Most of the time its just black.
Incident date: Oct 5, 2024
The oil cooler line was un-lodged from the metal crimp that secures it while I was pulling away causing total loss of all engine oil in a matter of seconds. Not only does the car immediately tell you to turn your car off to avoid catastrophic engine failure, but this is also dangerous for other drivers as the oil may cause a hazard for controlling the vehicle going through the oil.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
Both front ball joints wore out at 20,000 miles The 3rd break light leaks into the cab at 26,000 miles & won't be warrantied even though there's an active recall for our same truck, same part just different model
Incident date: Dec 28, 2025
Our family vehicle is barely 5 years old with a little over 100k miles driven and is already in need of a transmission. We invested in a Toyota because they are known for being reliable and efficient cars but now are expected to either pay 8-10k or use the C-HR as a paltry down payment of $2k for another car we would once again start paying down. This is not the product or experience we expect esp... Read more