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 30, 2025
Unknown, I parked the vehicle, got out of it, left car running for AC, locked the doors. The car was in park. Locks unlocked door, rear view camera display cut off, AC still running. I am viewing a house, so I walk around house and car still in park, 0-5min. I go in the house, 10-15 later, out of habit hit the lock buttons on car again, because I couldn't see it. When we exit the house the car is... Read more
Crash
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2017) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Aug 1, 2026
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
I was driving down the highway at highway speeds with no other vehicles around me and with my air conditioning on and the sunroof exploded.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2026
On 7/16/2026 exactly 1 week after i purchase the vehicle after fueling i drove about 1 mile when the car started to misfire, when attempting to accelerate. Check engine light flashes a few times and then went off. I then attempted to reverse into my driveway and when attempting to do so the vehicle shut off completely. But started right back up. I then called the dealership and was asked to bring ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2026
First time it was the middle of the night I was leaving a party and the car cut off in the middle of the street in the intersection. I had to wait for hours for the car to start back up … a couple weeks later the car cut off 2 on the highway going 70/80 and I told the man at the car lot about it the first time it happen which wasn’t even a week of me having the car he said he didn’t care and... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2024
I own a 2005 Dodge Sprinter with open emissions recall T21. I have contacted three authorized Dodge/Chrysler dealerships to have recall T21 completed. All three dealerships refused to perform the recall because they stated they do not have the required equipment to complete the ECU reprogramming. As a result, I am unable to have the open recall completed despite multiple attempts. The manufacturer... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2026
Unknown - hazardous behavior encountered in rented Pacificas
Incident date: Jul 27, 2026
The vehicle exhibits an intense, overpowering raw gasoline smell inside the passenger cabin, specifically originating from beneath the rear seat area. When the climate control/AC fan is turned on, raw fuel vapors are siphoned directly out of the dashboard air vents into the faces of the occupants, causing headaches and dizziness.Two independent mechanics have pressure-tested the fuel lines and con... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2026
So while I was driving my car going 60 on the highway it seemed to be having electrical issues all the lights on my dash popped on then popped off and only a few lights actually stayed on I can't remember exactly but the check engine and my abs stayed on and then on my screen it read to me warning power steering fault my headlights were dimming on and off like my car was going to die, so I had to... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2026
The rear liftgate opened unexpectedly after garage door started to open by remote inside house and causing damage to rear liftgate. The auto liftgate was on at time, fob was no where near remote. Vehicle has been parked and used for three months there with no problems. Dearler checked for error codes, but none found.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
Problem was Oil Filter housing made of plastic. It was cracked and no warning light that oil had leaked out. Car SUDDENLY DECELERATED as I was merging into traffic on freeway causing vehicles coming up behind to brake rapidly including a semi truck which had been 200 yards back. I rolled onto shoulder with warning lights activated. Pure luck it was not a major accident. Had it fixed at local ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
Experienced sudden, unforeseeable and uncontrolled runaway acceleration resulting in significant property damage and damage to the vehicle. Vehicle accelerated on its own uncontrollably up an inclined concrete driveway into and through the wall of a garage attached to a single-family detached dwelling unit. No bodily injuries were apparent.
Crash
MERCEDES-BENZ
AMG EQE 4MATIC+
(2024) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 31, 2026
Incident date: Jul 30, 2026
The Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software on my 2026 Tesla Model Y repeatedly performs unsafe driving maneuvers requiring manual takeover to avoid collisions. Documented incidents with timestamps since June 3, 2026 include: selecting the incorrect lane and then attempting a route correction against a red light; activating the left turn signal while executing a right turn; attempting to enter a f... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2026
On 7/29/2026, 2:45 PM PST, I tapped the in-car myQ interface to send an "Open" command. Due to network latency/ connection drops in the Tesla infotainment system, there was a significant delay before the open command executed. After it finally opened, I proceeded to back out in Reverse. However, due to buffering/retry logic during the network reconnect, the system unexpectedly transmitted a follo... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2026
The van is experiencing the auto stop-start defect causing major safety issues for my family. The car stalls randomly at stop signs and stoplights and is unable to be restarted quickly, creating a major traffic and safety hazard. The car often will not turn on at start up. The dealer stated that it needed a new starter. Then said that Honda would not replace the starter until a tech looked a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2023
My 2018 Lincoln MKC has an exhaust leak. Ford and the dealership told me it was safe to drive, but I did not drive it because exhaust leaks can cause carbon monoxide exposure. My vehicle has been at the dealership since January 19, 2026 waiting for a warranty exhaust part. I have an email showing the part was ordered, but Ford still has not supplied it. The vehicle has been out of service for over... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2026
On XXX I lost all brakes in my 2016 Ford F-150 while towing a fishing boat. I had just decended a steep grade on a busy downtown street when I received an alert that I was low on brake fluid. The next pump of the brake went to the floor. I received an audible alarm. Had this occured on the steep grade, this could have been a very serious accident. I understand the loss of brakes was due to failu... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2020) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 31, 2026
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
A/C Started blowing warm air when car was idling, then car randomly overheated while sitting in traffic. Once car cooled down, check to coolant levels and they were fine. After the car sat overnight A/C worked fine and temperature gauge was at normal. Started the car with A/C on and popped the hood, the radiator fan was not on nor did it come on. Now anytime the car idles for more than 1 or 2 minu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
My 2021 Subaru Outback suffered a failure of the Oil Control Valve (OCV), a sealed Subaru component with no maintenance interval, no inspection procedure, and no preventative service. This failure allowed engine oil to migrate into multiple wiring harnesses and modules, causing extensive electrical contamination. This is not normal wear and tear. It is a latent defect in a Subaru component. Due to... Read more
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2023) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 31, 2026
Incident date: Jul 21, 2026
Transmission/ motor mount went out at 80k, the issue was going on before hand where my car would shake violently. I had been complaining about it for months they kept telling me it was normal, come to find out my transmission mount is going bad. Now they want to charge me 2k to replace it, after the engine was replaced.
Incident date: Jun 10, 2026
4/30/26 I came home, parked in my driveway, got out of the car and opened the left back door to get my handicapped son out of the car. He wanted his talker from his backpack(he is nonverbal), so I sat next to him on the back seat and gave him the talker. Then I got out of the car and helped him to get out, closed the left rear door and turned towards my house holding his hand. At that point my mot... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
The overhead console suddenly dropped into the passenger compartment, making the vehicle dangerous to drive: the rear view mirror view was completely blocked and the now swinging console can hit the driver's face while driving. To avoid being hit, the driver has to hold the console up with one hand while driving with only one hand. The cause appears to be the failure of multiple plastic clips ... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2021) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 31, 2026
Incident date: Jun 12, 2026
went to put car in Park and it started to roll away. also now the car will not start i have a message that says engine is warming to start.
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
After backing up out of a parking space, the side mirror on the drivers side moves to an unpredictable position and does not return to its original position. This is potentially dangerous because the driver is not aware of this change in position, and when changing lanes may rely on mirror that is in a faulty position. This appears to be some sort of flaw in the logic that tilts the mirror down ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2026
The sound proofing insulation on the firewall caught fire. There was a recall for sagging insulation catching fire on the EGR heat exchanger for this problem, and mine caught fire anyway. I called 911 and the Corbin KY fire department responded to the seen to confirm the fire was out.
Fire
Incident date: Jul 28, 2026
**Vehicle:** 2026 Toyota 4Runner SR5- -700Miles I am reporting a persistent vibration issue that appears to come from the engine bay and is transmitted through the driver's side floorboard into the driver's left foot and leg. The vibration is most noticeable when the transmission is engaged and the vehicle is under load. If the transmission is disengaged while the vehicle is still moving, the vi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
I have a flat tire the other day, and I try to put the spare tire on but it's gone. The spare tire's cable holds the spare tire under the car got corroded and broke. The spare tire is gone. It has lost some where on the road that I have not aware. I checked there is a recall for this. I called the toyota service but they said the VIN number is not on the recall list.
Incident date: Aug 21, 2024
Our onstar module has stopped working since last November after a software update and now issues are starting to cascade causing many other electrical issues to the point that I expect the car to leave my wife and 15 month old daughter stranded. Ours and many other vehicles are having this issue and when any question is asked to gm no response is given or we’re just told to keep waiting.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
I purchased this vehicle brand new in September 2024. Since the time of purchase, it has experienced numerous software-related issues that have affected the reliability and functionality of multiple systems. Wi-Fi Connectivity The in-vehicle Wi-Fi was inoperable for approximately 90 days (September 2024 through December 2024). The Wi-Fi issue returned in March 2026 and remains unresolved. Calen... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
There is a strong chemical smell when the AC is turned on and the system is loosing refrigerant. There is a common issue on these cars of premature evaporative core corrosion.
Incident date: May 1, 2026
While driving a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport on a city street, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled and shut off while idling at a red light. The vehicle completely failed to restart. No dashboard warning lights, check engine lights, or fault messages illuminated prior to or during the stalling event. Immediately following the engine shutdown, a fire erupted under the engine hood. The fire rapidly esca... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 30, 2026
AC system has engineering problem. It uses new regfirgirant type and it corrodes the shaft seal and the compressor and also the Evaporator core. Honda has an extended warranty on shaft seal and the compressor leak but not on Evaporator. But overall system is an issue. My shaft seal and the compressor were replaced under the extended warranty in 2024 but again the same thing happend and now Evapor... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2013) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 30, 2026
Incident date: Jul 30, 2026
During a routine maintenance visit, a pre-purchase/general inspection was performed on my 2017 Jeep Wrangler, which documented the front axle and differential housing as intact and in one piece. Subsequent to that inspection, while the vehicle was undergoing service, it was discovered that the front axle housing bracket on the driver’s side had fractured and separated from the frame mount. Upon... Read more
MERCEDES BENZ
C 300 4MATIC
(2018) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 30, 2026
Incident date: Jul 25, 2026
While driving, the vehicle stalls and shuts off completely without warning, creating an immediate safety hazard. This engine stalling occurs randomly at various speeds, including while actively operating the vehicle in traffic. There is no Check Engine Light (CEL), malfunction indicator, or dashboard warning prior to the stalling event, depriving the driver of any advanced notice to safely pull ov... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2026
I am reporting a safety concern with my 2021 Chevrolet Malibu that is experiencing a “Shift to Park” failure.The vehicle displays a “Shift to Park” warning message even when the gear selector is fully placed in Park. Because the vehicle incorrectly detects that it is not in Park, it will not allow me to properly turn the vehicle off. This creates a concern because the vehicle may remain po... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2026
Shows service stability track
Incident date: Jul 9, 2026
The grill deflector flew off while driving on the highway. I was driving roughly 55 mph. It is available now, but will be getting repaired in the near future. My concern is that it appears that this was an issue with the 2022 models and it’s still an issue on the 2023. The safety issue is if there was a vehicle or motorcycle behind me that it could have harmed whoever could have been driving ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2026
Power Transfer Unit failure failed. Warning light of "4WD SERVICE" came up. Part is not available anywhere, and is on backorder until at least September.
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
Evaporator failure in Honda Civic 2018, causing upwards of $2,000 for repair. This is a major safety issue that in extreme heat (such as california weather) can cause driver fatigue, and electrical failure from overheating as well. I personally was not covered under the Honda extended warranty for the condenser seal replacement because my evaporator was also not working. Especially as someone who ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
My 2024 Kia Niro Hybrid has experienced multiple issues that I believe should be documented. The vehicle previously displayed an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) warning. It was taken to an authorized Kia dealership for diagnosis and repair. Although repairs were performed for the EPB-related issue, I am submitting this report so the condition is documented if similar reports are being received fro... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
The panoramic roof frame assembly on my 2022 Acura RDX exhibits the exact condition described in Acura Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 23-004. The panoramic roof produces loud popping and creaking noises during normal driving over uneven pavement and driveway entrances because the roof frame mounting system loses clamp force, allowing the roof frame to shift. The condition was confirmed by an au... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS CROSS SPORT
(2021) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 30, 2026
Incident date: May 9, 2026
On 7/28 while driving my vehicle, the ABS and traction control light came on unexpectedly (the symbol with the car and squiggly line in front of it). Nothing is wrong with the vehicle for these lights to come on as I keep up with all maintenance and repairs to this suv seeing that im the only owner. Then the next day, I noticed my truck keeps accelerating uncontrollably and then out of nowhere, th... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2026
November 1, 2024 (46,750 Miles): Vehicle suffered an initial internal high-voltage electric A/C compressor meltdown (Diagnostic Trouble Code B14721C). The authorized dealership replaced the compressor under warranty but left the original, contaminated micro-channel condenser assembly in the vehicle, attempting to clear it via a basic fluid flush. January 15, 2026 (121,269 miles): Vehicle was brou... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2026
on 7-28-26 After filling my vehicle with gas at the next red light, all lights on dashboard went on flickering warning (Christmas tree effect). on 7-29-26 After researching online Roadside came out and did Battery and alternator test that passed. I did hard reboot from instructions I found online and after several attempts the lights cleared twice, the morning of 7-30-26 when leaving for work th... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
Vehicle in drive under normal daily driving conditions and vehicle suddenly lost power and stopped. Unable to restart vehicle and shifter is stuck in drive and does not shift to park. Similar to recall 22S43. According to dealership, they thought the issue occurred due to towing and assumed it was a electronic issue with the vehicle shifter. Prior to this incident, there was a strange type of kic... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2026
Purchased and took possession of car, a brand new 2026 Subaru Uncharted electric, on May 22, 2026. On July 2, 2026 the car was completely inoperable as the 12 volt battery had died for no reason - the car had not been driven for 3 days. Took to the dealership they ran tests and said the battery was "fine". Reported to Subaru of America. On July 16, 2026 the car was inoperable as the 12 volt ba... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2026
Corrosion of the entire spare tire carrier mount
Incident date: Jul 29, 2026
I am submitting a complaint regarding a serious water intrusion issue with my 2023 Nissan Rogue. My vehicle developed a severe water leak that allowed water to enter both sides of the vehicle. The amount of water intrusion is significant and has caused concern about possible hidden damage, including mold growth, mildew, and damage to electrical components. I brought my vehicle to Hallmark Nissan... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2015) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 30, 2026
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
I currently own a 2020 Nissan Altima with 49,186 miles and I am reporting a recurring power door lock failure. This vehicle was inspected at the Nissan of Cumming location this morning to confirm the issue. Three of the passenger-side door lock actuators have failed within a short period of time. The two rear door locks stopped working at the same time, and approximately two weeks later the front... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2026
I have needed to replace my spark plugs multiple times because of an issue where, apparently when in eco mode, the pistons in the third cylinder flood with oil that causes the spark plugs to misfire. I was informed this is an issue common to Honda Odysseys on or about May 19th, when I was experiencing a misfiring engine and brought it to AAA Reynoldsburg on E Broad Street in Reynoldsburg, OH. Hond... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2026
1) The infotainment system/8-inch LCD touch screen that controls the system settings is exhibiting ghost/phantom touches and is faulty since July 7th 2026. I tried to self-diagnose it but could not fix it. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection provided I get a loaner car to drive that day. 2) These random touches are constant and are very distracting and when a driver is distracted, it coul... Read more