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
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2020) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 27, 2026
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
Vehicle: 2005 Nissan Altima | VIN: [XXX] To the Executive Team and Legal Counsel, I am writing this under extreme duress following a catastrophic, life-threatening vehicle failure on April 23, 2026, in Ripley, WV. While transporting my [XXX] son, my 2005 Nissan Altima suffered a sudden engine stall, followed by the engine bay becoming saturated with oil and emitting heavy smoke. This event is... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
The front camera lens cover — located in the grille below the Chevy bowtie logo — has developed a spiderwebbed/shattered crack pattern. There is no impact damage to the surrounding grille or bodywork. The vehicle was garaged and not in use when the damage was discovered. The camera appears to still be working and parts of the image are crystal clear but the cracks in the cover distort the pict... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2026
We are reaching out regarding Safety Recall Notice 23S48. This recall pertains to this issue: "when the vehicle is placed in reverse, or when the 360-Degree view is selected, you may intermittently see a rear camera blue or black image on the SYNC® screen." After bringing our vehicle to the Ford dealership, they have replaced the camera as the recall specifies. However, the issue described con... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2026
On April 20, 2026, at approximately 3:30 PM, a 2025 Ram ProMaster operated as part of a commercial delivery fleet experienced a sudden vehicle fire while driving on a rural road near [XXX] [XXX] ). According to the driver, the vehicle drove over a small amount of corn husk debris on a low-maintenance gravel road, which is a normal and expected driving condition in this area. Immediately after, ... Read more
Fire
1 injured
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 27, 2026
Incident date: Mar 22, 2026
I’ve been driving my car since September when it was purchased I just got it from dealership 4/9/26 spent over $1100 and have been working like regular full time schedule, I wake up today 4/27/26 trying to work and car is stalling. Not sure what’s going on with these mechanics and technicians. I pay to dollar to ensure my family safety on the road here I am stuck without support due to my circ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2026
On April 20, 2026 I was pulling into a parking space. I began to break but something went terribly wrong. My car accelerated on it's own, went over the curb and crashed into a building. Three air bags deployed: two on the drivers side of the car (front and side air bag) and one in the back seat behind the driver (the side air bag). I had a [XXX] in the back seat behind the passenger side of the c... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Apr 25, 2026
Power lift get kept closing which caused injury to my son. Lift gate if there is obstruction anywhere it should stop and go back up. Well this kept closing hit my son in the head caused severely bruised nose, laceration on his head and a mild concussion.
Incident date: Apr 27, 2026
I purchased a new Mercedes Benz GLC300 2023. Last month, my friend and I were driving on I75 in Florida when we heard what sounded like a loud boom or gunshot. We quickly discovered that my sunroof had exploded. The sunroof was closed, and fortunately so was the sunshade, as large pieces of glass flew off the roof and smaller shards of glass collected on top of the sunshade. My friend and I were... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2026
Both rear doors actuators will not allow to open from inside or outside, the passenger will open from inside and the driver door intermittently is the same and I have to juggle the handle or smack above the handle to get it to open on driver side. The passenger is only opening from inside and have to smack above the handle or put pressure to door to have the actuator release....both rear doors do ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
Independent air suspension part (air pump or compressor) is un-protected in real left side. also AC unit is exposed similar issues. both needs to be protected and secured to mitigate potential damage and failure issues. These are located in right behind real tires.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
The display on the dashboard that includes the speedometer and other information goes completely blank. So does the heads-up display on the windshield. This could occur at the same time or individually. It may last only a few seconds or for several minutes. This has happened since I bought the car about 1.5 years ago. I've had it to the dealership and they have noted the problem but have not ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLB 250
(2023) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 27, 2026
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
Shortly after purchasing in 2025 I began having occasional issues with the door locks. Eventually the issue would self resolve but now I have experienced at least 2 times in last month being locked inside the vehicle and unable to exit without climbing into the passenger seat. I have not taken it in for repairs yet due to cost concerns but I am worried about this dangerous situation.
Incident date: Apr 20, 2025
On 3/15/2026 I was on my way home from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania, and about 35 minutes into my drive I got an alert stating "High Engine Temperature Stop Safely", so I pulled over immediately and turned the car off. After allowing the engine to cool down, I opened the hood and started the car to see if I could identify any issues, the "Engine Fault Service Now" alert came up. This was the firs... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
This has been an ongoing issue with the sensors on the sliding door. When closing the door, it would start to close half way, then opens. This makes it really unsafe for children or anyone sitting next to the door as it would open unexpectedly or not close all the way without having to physically pull the door to close. When walking away from the vehicle, sometimes the car would lock automatical... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
Mid shift between 5th and 6th gear it sounded like marbles in my engine(grinding) so I let off the gas. It then switched down to 1st gear shuttered and slowed down and then shifted back to 6th. Was lucky no one was behind me or I would have been rear ended. Then going up my driveway same day. It disengaged(stopped) part way up my driveway. Wouldn’t go into gear and wouldn’t move. I had to shut... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2026
While I was driving my car stopped accelerating on busy [XXX] . It was myself my son his girlfriend who is pregnant and her [XXX] son no indication there was a problem just heard a some kind of noise and it loses speed when try to accelerate it wouldn’t we where able to turn in to a gas station. I then cut the car off and when I tried to restart it the car wouldn’t start a week prior to this ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2026
11686537 prior complaint #. I want to add to my prior complaint. I have has this car going on almost a year. During the winter months there was no issues with the informatic system. Once we experienced our first 80 degree day it immediately started again. This is becoming unsafe as it causes anyone driving the car to become distracted due to the constant switching of screens. If you try and use t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2026
My other door is doing cracking like my other door did camera some time hard to see but I brought to frenchie where I bought they said nothing wrong and since I bought this car there been recall after recall I want to trade in because of all in safe recall but they said no
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
Acceleration Lag/Hesitation, we are in the intersection fully stop yield before we go left. step on the pedal to go the truck go a little bit then suddenly lose power for a seconds and try to accelerate again just go. The car behind us almost hit me.
Incident date: Nov 19, 2025
Defect front doors the opening handle has a( trim metal plastic) section separates and the metal part is very sharp and my wife got hurt with the metal portion like I said it's very sharp. I need to cover the handle to prevent that. Now it's in the passenger side too.
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 21, 2026
(NHTSA Tracking Number 11726105) I am updating my existing complaint regarding my 2024 Hyundai Tucson (NHTSA Tracking Number 11726105) for an ongoing safety concern involving an intermittent warning chime while driving. This issue began shortly after I purchased the vehicle in Nov 2025 and has been reported to the dealership multiple times over several months. The warning chime occurs randomly wh... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2026
My vehicle is subject to open safety Recall 67C involving the cooling fan module and related fuse protection in the engine compartment. The recall has been open since October 2025. The manufacturer and dealer have confirmed that the remedy/parts are still not available and that there is no ETA for repair. At this time, I have not experienced an obvious operating failure with the vehicle itself. ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2026
I am filing a complaint regarding my inability to receive a safety recall remedy without first paying for a separate component replacement. Vehicle: Tesla Model 3 VIN: [XXX] My vehicle has an active safety recall related to hood latch functionality, which Tesla stated requires a firmware (OTA) update. Tesla informed me this update could not be installed unless the vehicle’s car computer (... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2026
Purchased a new 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser in September 2025. This SUV is prone to windshield damage due to its pitch angle. 4/16/2026 traveling on highway a flying road rock cracked the windshield. The windshield was replaced on 4/23/2026. On 4/25/2026, while traveling on highway another rock chipped the windshield. This seems to ba a defect and a potential hazard. I have also noticed that th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
The moon roof glass seems somehow dangerously tight or prone to exploding. This could endanger passengers and other vehicles. Out of seemingly nowhere the moon roof exploded while driving off the high way. I saw no flying object. We were not behind other vehicles that could have kicked something up. We hadn’t gone under a bridge. Glass began to crack and tinkle and cascade off the vehicle, pos... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2026
Despite having recall repairs completed, I have experienced two separate accidents within a 3–4 month period and no longer feel that this vehicle is safe to operate. Given the known safety recalls associated with this model, including engine failure risks that can result in sudden loss of power, I am extremely concerned that my vehicle may still be affected by an unresolved or improperly remedi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
FULL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE CVT BELT IN THE TRANSMISSION, A KNOWN ISSUE THAT HONDA HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR FOR UP TO 150K MILES AND OR 7 YEARS FROM PURCHASE (THAT LETTER WAS NEVER MAILED TO MY HOUSE, IT WAS FOUND AFTER THE FACT WHILE LOOKING FOR THE TITLE AT A FAMILY MEMEBER'S HOUSE. THE CVT BELT FAILED AT 189,837 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 80 MPH AS POSTED ON TEXAS HWY130 WHICH POSED A ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2026
The passenger side roof is leaking water. It’s leaks through the roof and through the headliner. The water leaks onto the passenger curtain airbag before it leaks onto the headliner. It’s on the pass side between the sunroof and the passenger door of the car and on the A pillar. Worried it will affect airbag or make the roof moldy. It’s hard to see in photos but easy to see in person
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 25, 2026
Incident date: Dec 6, 2025
REAR VIEW CAMERA REPLACEMENT IF REQUIRED AFTER DEALER EVALUATION
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
My truck was started in the morning and as it sat idle in the driveway I started attaching my trailer. By the time I got the trailer attached(20 seconds) there was smoke pouring out from under the hood. I immediately turned off the truck popped the hood and it was engulfed in flames. I was able to put out the fire with the garden hose. No check engine lights, no warning lights on dash, and I ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
2018 Subaru Crosstrek rapidly accelerated unexpectedly while pulling into a parking space with the foot on the brake. Hit a concrete pole and sustained vehicle damage and injuries.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 14, 2026
Summary of the Safety Problem: A 2026 Ford Bronco rolled out of its parked position with no occupants, despite being left in Park, and collided with another vehicle. Full Description of the Incident: The Ford Bronco was placed in Park, was not running, and had no occupants. I exited the vehicle several times to reinstall the removable roof panels. The vehicle remained stationary during this proce... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
The dealer is refusing to remedy the recall campaign No.26V-09 stating that we need to wait for service to be due to address it. NHTSA letter says otherwise.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2026
Like many others in this make/model, dashboard is melting, resulting in glare onto windshield, off-gassing of chemicals, and concerns that airbags may not properly deploy. Inspected only by vehicle repair technician, but available for inspection by others at any time.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
Became aware of open recalls circa 09.2025, and requested the parts be ordered at Ford Auto Nation (FAN) Panama City, FL. Was told by John, dealership would call when parts became available. Parts have not either been available and/or there have been no calls. Calling the dealer is ludicrous as all calls are answered by an incompetent call center. Dropped by the dealership today 04/25/2026, an... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
The component or system that failed their malfunction is the evaporation system in the Honda vehicles especially after 2017 that regarding the R – 1234YF refrigerant - yes it has been confirmed by the dealership that the evaporator is leaking inside the car, but it is a known issue that warranty only covers the condenser in front of the car which also leaks. My problem is is since both equally r... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
Safety Defect: Data Communication Module (DCM) Failure Affecting Hands-Free Microphone and Safety Connect / SOS Emergency System Vehicle: 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE The DCM (which controls both the CarPlay/Bluetooth hands-free microphone and the Safety Connect SOS emergency button) suddenly failed without any warning or accident. Symptoms: - No one can hear me during CarPlay or Bluetooth calls ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
There is no incident that lead to this part breaking. My sunroof broke when it was opened. A part fell out of the assembly into the car. The sunroof will now not open fully or close fully. It's a hazard because I'm not sure if the glass is properly attached to my car and can fly off. I took this to a dealership the other day and was told this was common and not covered under warranty, costing owne... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
Panoramic sunroof fails to open/ close evenly due to binding issue and plastic track failure. One side binds while the other moves, causing glass to tilt and jam. Risk of dangerous injury including glass shattering, sudden detachment, distraction while driving, and water intrusion affecting airbags/electronics.
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
Vehiculo defectuoso así me lo vendió el dealer epic chevrolet de sacramento se apaga el solo se ahoga el motor etc
Incident date: Apr 11, 2026
Pulling into our parking lot of apartments. After picking car up from dealership for a different problem. The “service high voltage” light came on. Turned car off restarted. Same issue.
Incident date: Apr 24, 2026
After the latest recall update for the screens going blank. My infotainment screen now reboots every time I get in the car about a minute after I drive away using Android Auto.
Incident date: Sep 19, 2023
I was sitting in stopped traffic when the incident occurred. My sunroof was open at the time. Without any warning or external impact, I heard a sudden loud “boom,” and the sunroof glass shattered. Glass fragments dispersed throughout the vehicle, and the lower portion of the sunroof appeared to have exploded. There were no objects, debris, or other vehicles that made contact with my car. The ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
Need another car or get my money back
Crash
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
While driving down the high way with the check engine light on, a message appeared on the screen and said “unable to shift soon. Service transmission immediately.” After driving a few more miles the vehicle shifted to neutral, and then as soon as I got on the shoulder of the highway and slowed to approximately 5 mph, the vehicles wheels locked up and the car jerked aggressively into park. This... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2025
On two occasions, five months apart, the windshield cracked for no apparent reason. No foreign object hit the windshield. The replacement was NOT a generic. If was a Hyundai OEM. Two cracks, which spread over the windshield is not “normal”, in my opinion. Thank you
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
When I decelerate my brake lights don’t flash to warn the driver behind me that I am potentially slowing down .
Incident date: Jan 23, 2026
Mercedes issued a recall for Mercedes C class for the model year up to 2015 for rear subframe that is rusting with holes in it. The dealer tells me my car is not covered by Mercedes even though it is a 2015 model. They gave me an estimate for the repair of over $5000. They say the model changed mid 2015 and mine is a model that is not covered. This could cause a serious crash at high speed. I am ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2022
The back up camera on these cars are terrible and blurry. I talked to the dealership and they don’t seem to be concerned with the issue. Very low quality.