Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 114,844 complaints — component: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
I am driving a car that can potentially catch on fire due to a fuel injector problem that they can't seem to fix. I have high anxiety about it.The parts for the recall have been on order for almost a year and I do not feel safe driving my vehicle. I have a five year loan to pay off and I do not want this vehicle. I will be contacting a lawyer also.
Incident date: May 18, 2026
When I was at 41,528 miles, May 18, the LKAS, ACC & RDMS errors all turned on at the same time. So those systems just stopped working randomly. When I restarted the car, all errors turned off but it turned on again after 10 days, May 28 with 91,966 miles. I brought it to the Acura dealership and they couldn't replicate it. I think this is an issue because one of the highlights of this car is safet... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2026
Dear Sir or Madam: I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2022 Audi Q3 involving water intrusion from the sunroof. At approximately 41,000 miles, approximately a month ago, water began leaking through the front edge of the sunroof despite the sunroof never being opened prior to the issue. The leak was not caused by clogged drains or lack of maintenance. Water entered through the overhe... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2024) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jun 3, 2026
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
The screen shakes. Goes black. Zooms in randomly without prompting. Started dialing up people from recent calls. While trying to get the navigation working. I started drifting into oncoming traffic. Fortunately was able to course correct and avoid collision. Buttons are most time not responsive to touch. It is distracting. The system has never fully worked as promised and is a distraction. And as ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2026
I purchased a 2021 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [XXX] ) used directly from Tesla. I am the first retail owner outside of Tesla. I am currently experiencing a knocking noise from the driver side suspension. I have requested that Tesla inspect and complete the following federally mandated safety recalls and service bulletins, none of which appear in my vehicle’s service history: • NHTSA Recall 21V-835 / ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
Seat occupancy sensor failed for the second time. The car will randomly shut off if I am inside because it does not detect a passenger. When I exit the vehicle, the car will stay on for an extended period of time due to failed seat occupancy sensor. This is a widespread issue affecting all makes and models of Tesla. They are aware of the high rate of failure and have not made any attempt to issue ... Read more
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2025) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jun 3, 2026
Incident date: May 28, 2026
On Thursday, May28 I was driving my 2025 Ford Mach-2 on Schrock Rd. in Columbus, Ohio at approximately 3:30 PM when the hood (the "frunk") of the car unexpectedly unlatched and opened, flying up to a vertical position and obscuring my view of traffic. I was driving in the left lane of this road at 40-45 mph. My view of the road was immediately obstructed, but I was able to crouch sufficiently to s... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
, I had MY Honda dealership replace my touchscreen and head unit due to issues with ghost touches and apps switching back and forth. Once I got my car back, which took two weeks, the problems seemed to be resolved. However, after a few weeks, the ghost touches started happening again, about once a week. I was planning to live with that, given the amount of time they had my car. Now, fast forward... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
I am requesting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigate a potential defect affecting 2017 Nissan Rogue vehicles involving the sunroof drainage system. My vehicle has experienced repeated issues with the sunroof drain becoming clogged, which causes water to leak into the interior of the vehicle. When the drainage system becomes blocked, water enters the cabin an... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2026
The entertainment system is dangerous and actively so. The system pushes pop up advertisements for sirius xm among other distracting features that require taking attention away from the roadway to dismiss
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
While the van is at a complete stop at the intersection it shuts off and behaves as if it needs to be restarted. A message appears instructing me to press the brake and push the start button to start the van. I took it to Honda, but they were unable to find the issue. They replaced the battery to see if that would fix the problem, but about a month later, it happened again.
Incident date: May 23, 2026
Engine fails it violenty thumps and studders and drops from highway speed with no warning. This is a mfg. defect and also an EXTREME SAFETY CONCERN. The engine studders and thumps and we were almost rear ended by a truck when our truck could not go into gear properly. It is very scary! Dealership confirmed that they have many vehicles with same issue and recommended a Super Flush of transmiss... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding a catastrophic CVT transmission failure in my 2019 Honda HR-V at approximately 97,500 miles. In May 2026, while driving in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, my vehicle suddenly experienced a complete loss of propulsion. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard simultaneously. Although the engine would rev and the vehicle could be shifted into gear... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
Sirius XM radio pop up advertisement disables the touch screen and features until the little red x button is hit in the top right corner away from the driver.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2026
A commercial advertisement for SiriusXM took the entire infotainment screen until I could click the small X to close it. I was driving at about 35 mph on a road (this has happened at least twice since I bought the vehicle). It impacted my safety and others as it covered navigation information which is important to understand easily and quickly in unfamiliar areas. The annoyance and required fine m... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
Taking my car in for now the 3rd time for the headlight error "Headlight System Malfunction. Have the vehicle inspected. The first 2 times it occurred around 3000 miles where they first tried a software and reset then it did it again so took it back and they swapped the left headlight which had failed. Then it was good for a few months until the issue came back recently around 7500 or so miles. No... Read more
FORD
F-150 LIGHTNING BEV
(2023) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jun 3, 2026
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
WHAT FAILED: Ford's recall-tracking and consumer-information system. Ford has internally inconsistent records re: Safety Recall 25V315 / 25S49 (Rear Camera Screen Software Update) on my VIN [XXX] . Vehicle and Ford-account portal available for inspection. STATUS SUBSYSTEM SAYS CLOSED: (1) Mailed "Successful OTA Update" notice received 6/1/2026 (verbatim): "the software to remedy this concern has ... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2026
Charging port door will not open. Not sure if it is an issue with acuator, which employee in service dept at dealer said that is common problem. Seems like if this issue with less than 20k, perhaps should also be recall item.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
Recall with car regarding coolant. Last year Hyundai apparently addressed; however, coolant light came on, despite coolant being full. Told by different dealership that with these issues, it needs to be checked and rechecked multiple times; otherwise, issues arise again (as in my case). Want this addressed by dealership. They are charging me a diagnostic fee of $198. Previously, when brought car i... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2025
Battery dies all the time. Parasitic drain from the Starlink program in the car. There is/was a lawsuit. It involves some DCW fuse or something. Ive had to prematurely replace my battery. It also seems to be affecting the radio. It switches stations randomly.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
The Sirius XM advertisement creates an unsafe experience. The only way to safe way close it requires the driver to pull over to touch the “X”, or to risk taking eyes off the road in order to use the interface, including the climate control.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
Sirius XM ads keep popping up at random times removing the ability to use or see the media display unless you press the small X on the far side away from the driver. Usually happens when starting the car, sometimes happens when you are driving regardless of speed. Has happened multiple times and causes distraction and is more than potentially dangerous. Can not opt out of it on the car, have talke... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
When the vehicle is moving forward, and rear camera is selected to visibly confirm the status of anything behind the vehicle, there is a giant black bar/box that states "full view not available" Clearly this is a safety hazard in the sense that I am unable to rapidly assess and determine the status of anything behind my vehicle, be it a trailer, a hitch mounted bike rack, or another vehicle. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
While driving, a SiriusXM advertisement popped up in the center infotainment screen that controls not only the radio, but several of the driver assistance and climate control features of the car. They created it in a way that makes calling the advertiser very easy, with a big centrally-located button, and clearing the advertisement out with a tiny x over by the passenger side of the screen. I had ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
Even after the recent recall for backup camera freezing, my backup camera froze again today. I took the car in, in the past, to report the problem and was told to reset the computer even after the technician witnessed the problem. Got charged $300 so haven't been back. Problem has been there for a couple of years. I had hoped the software update would fix it but no such luck.
Incident date: May 30, 2026
I am reporting a severe saftey and crash-compatibility defect on the front passenger side of the 2026 Subaru Outback Premium trim. This vehicle is equipped with a fixed-height passenger seat that is positioned unsafely high relative to the headliner and sun visor assembly. Because the seat height cannot be lowered, an adult passenger of average height sits with their head in immediate proximity ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 31, 2026
Sunroof/Moonroof After a stop light, while driving at less than 30mph, sunroof/moonroof exploded outwards. There were no surrounding cars in front or beside or in other lane direction. It was not hot or cold out. Evening time. No weather issues. If the fabric shade screen had not been closed all the glass would have fallen all over driver. There was no warning of any kind. Glass just exploded out... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
Sirius XM advertisement popped up twice today while I was driving, effectively preventing me from following navigation guidance on the screen. I had to take my eyes off the road and find the “x” on the screen to close the advertisement, so I could continue following the navigated route. An accident could have happened during this time. This advertisement is unnecessary and UNWANTED. I never ap... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2018
The trunk wiring which powers the tail lights, brake and parking lights, turn signals, trunk light, and the back up camera is too short, and it stretches and breaks when the trunk is opened and closed. Ford is aware of the issue, but is unwilling to fix it. The back up camera was already recalled, but it and the trunk light are not working again because the trunk wiring issue has not been address... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2026
The AC compressor failed due to an isolation resistance failure at the high voltage inverter. Freon leaked from the AC system into the battery chiller coolant loop, causing crystallization and blockages in the inverter coolant circuit. This is a battery thermal management system failure. The failure was confirmed and diagnosed by an authorized Kia dealer. Warning lights appeared on the dashboard i... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
I am repeatedly getting a pop-up ad from Sirius XM radio on my touch screen info Center on the dashboard. I cannot use any of the other on-screen commands until I cancel it, and the x to cancel. It is in a place that's kind of far away from the driver side and difficult to reach. And it's very distracting. There's evidently a way to opt out of it, but you have to have a Sirius XM radio account in ... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2017) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jun 2, 2026
Incident date: May 29, 2026
At 119500 miles a eev whining noise started. Only had all repairs done at a dealership.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
I was driving and an ad for SiriusXM popped up. This has happened before. This disables thr head unit until you press the C button. This is dangerous. Please address with Subaru.
Incident date: May 29, 2026
More than 3 times, I have had a SiriusXM pop-up completely covering my Subaru Outback's headunit screen while I was actively driving. It completely disables all functions on the screen until you are able to click the small red X in the far right corner, away from the driver. Even though the message says you can call to opt out, if you call Sirius, they will tell you there is no way to opt out of t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
My car has shut off for a second time without warning. This time was in a busy chic [XXX] drive through line in [XXX] . The car read “low power steering” and the battery and engine light came on. These have both been checked before in addition to the alternator and they cannot find an issue. I am having it taken back to the dealership tomorrow for further investigation. Given I purchased this... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
My wife was driving at about 40 MPH when the instrument panel displayed a warning "System Failure" and the digital speedometer stopped working and showed the current speed as two dashes instead of a number (ie "--" instead of "40"). After about 5-10 seconds the warning went away and the digital speedometer appeared to start displaying the correct speed again.
Incident date: May 21, 2026
The latch on the back often sets off an error saying the rear hatch is ajar.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
Built-in navigation application has on multiple occasions stopped working and stating "searching for GPS". This causes a distraction and increases the chance of a crash because I now have to try to figure out what is going on while I was relying on the navigation to understand where I was going.
Incident date: May 19, 2026
My power lines were not installed properly and leaked all over burning up my transmission. This is aVERY common ford issue to the point where the place where I took it said I got a lot further than others. Ford needs to do better
Crash
GREAT DANE
REEFER
(2017) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jun 2, 2026
Incident date: Sep 16, 2025
On September 16, 2025, I was operating a powered industrial forklift inside Trailer No. [XXX]— a 2017 Great Dane refrigerated semi-trailer, VIN [XXX] — during routine dock-loading operations at [XXX] of the T.G. Lee Dairy / DFA Dairy Brands Fluid facility, [XXX] . The trailer was detached from its tractor, stationary, dock-locked, and wheel-chocked in the standard configuration for loading. W... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
2nd recall on my dodge dart sxt for the same reason transmission shift cable on this time been waiting 7 months and still hasn't been fixed I'm scared for my safety at this point!
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
The bolt holding the hatchback piston that opens the trunk in place snapped and the piston went through the gap between the hatchback and the roof
Incident date: May 26, 2026
I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE, IT MOVED OVER A CURB AND INTO A WALL. I BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY AND THEY STATED IT WAS A GEAR CONTROL ISSUE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO GET AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS AND ESTIMATE IS NEAR $7000. DEALERSHIP SAID THE PART IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND NO RECALLS. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN CHE... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
Before I begin my commute, I’m greeted by a persistent message within the center infotainment display from the satellite radio service provider SirusXM. The message will not go away until manually closed out, as the exit button is farther away from the drivers reach (more accessible from the passenger side). This can lead to distracted driving, especially if you’ve already expressed no interes... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
The interior of the vehicle is melting. It smells and the seats, sunglasses holder roof and other parts of the interior are seeding/melting. There is something wrong with this vehicle and Subaru will not help me. I have been there twice and contacted their customer advocacy and they will not help me.
Incident date: May 31, 2026
The electric sliding door cable broke due to unknown reason and the door partially opened and will not open even manually now.
Incident date: Apr 26, 2026
I own a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. After starting the vehicle, I exited without intentionally placing the vehicle in gear. The vehicle began rolling backward unexpectedly after I exited. I was struck and injured by the vehicle, resulting in a laceration to my shin requiring eight stitches. At no point did I intentionally place the vehicle in a position that would allow it to move. The vehicle did not a... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
There is a promotional pop up which shows from Sirius XM, it appears several minutes into driving, while moving. This pop up advertises a deal on the subscription and is not only distracting, but it disables any other functions on the head unit including navigation assistance, drive modes and climate controls. The only way to exit from the promotional window is to clock an X which is nearly out of... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
I receive many distracting ad messages from Subaru on my screen advertising Siriusxm while driving! I tried to get help from Subaru and the refuse to stop the ads. The messages are a dangerous, distracting safety issue. I almost had an accident.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
While driving the LCD screens would go blank intermittently. Sometimes staying off for 30 secs or more. I could still hear sound and could control volume. This has happened on two different occasions while traveling to work. I have a 35 minute commute on interstate highways.