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 17,413 complaints for ACURA
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
During an oil change my magnetic drain plug was caked with magnetic gray material with specks of silver flake in it. This oil change has 6142 miles on it. I am concerned because my passport was built in Sept of 2020 right at the transition of the previously recalled j35 motors were produced. Car has been serviced at the Honda dealer since new except last 2 oil changes which were performed by me.
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
Make: Toyota Model: Corolla (likely hatchback/sedan) Year: 2026 VIN: [XXX] Mileage at Incident: 80 Date of Purchase: February 17, 2026 Date of Incident: February 19, 2026 Description of Defect: While moving slowly in reverse on dry pavement (no throttle, no sharp steering, no brake misuse), the vehicle suddenly spun out of control—yaw/skid like rear wheels lost grip or stability control malfunc... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at speeds over 55 MPH, the hood vibrated abnormally. The contact stated that while being overtaken by a box truck or semi-truck, the vibration of the hood was more pronounced. The driver's side of the hood had a quarter-inch to a half-inch gap. After arriving to the destination, the hood was closed; however, the hood failed to l... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
This is the 3rd time the Jeep Wagooner has "bricked up." The vehicle will shut off without notice and lose all power, the emergency brake comes on and stops vehicle abruptly. This poses safety risk to driver passengers and surrounding vehicles. The car will not be able to be restarted for 30 secs. Once car is restarted, dash lights flash everywhere and car loses power steering. This happen 1st tim... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2026
I am reporting a recurring transmission/drivability issue with my 2024 Mercedes-Benz S580. The vehicle has been experiencing a harsh, abnormal shift between approximately 3rd and 4th gear at around 25–35 mph during normal acceleration. The shift feels like a sudden jerk or hesitation and does not feel consistent with normal operation. The vehicle has been taken to an authorized Mercedes-Benz de... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
I am driving down the road and the vehicle goes into neutral and the engine turns off. I then have to stop the vehicle and restart it. When I hit the starter button. It sputters and then starts. This has been happening irregularly 1-3 times a week since it started in December of 2025.With last time happening being on 2/16/2026.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rear-view camera became inoperable. The rear-view camera image failed to function properly, and the screen was blank. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2026
This has been a recall for almost 2 yrs now and the dealer is saying no parts available. There are 1000s of RAM trucks driving around waiting for parts. A simple google search shows there are parts available on line. What is taking so long. This should have been resolved a year ago.
Incident date: Jan 30, 2026
Component/System: Windshield/visibility system and possible body sealing or A-pillar water intrusion affecting interior and defrost performance. The condition is available for inspection upon request. Description of the problem and safety risk: I purchased a new 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Altitude. Within months of purchase, the vehicle began experiencing water intrusion inside the cabin, which h... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2026
The fuel pump would run all night and going down the road the van would cut off...had it checked the tipm was bad
Incident date: Feb 11, 2026
The fuel pump would run all night and going down the road the van would cut off...had it checked the tipm was bad
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that the model year was advertised with a front trunk emergency release and interior lighting. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, the contact became aware that the vehicle was not designed with the front trunk emergency release or interior lighting, which the contact considered a safety issue and a violation of FMVSS No. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
Passenger side rear axle leaking gear oil. Issued was repaired by dealership No warning I just saw the oil on the tire and in my driveway
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
My van has been in the shop for 22 days. They have replaced the engine 1 time and I had the van back 2 more times for check engine light issues and now the engine is being replaced for a a second time, so this is the 3rd engine in my 2025 Chrysler Pacifica that has 9100 miles on it.
Incident date: Feb 17, 2026
Component/System Failed: Engine – connecting rod bearing failure consistent with Hyundai Theta II engine defect subject to federal recalls and Consent Orders. The vehicle previously received Recall Campaign 953 (KSDS software update), intended to detect premature rod bearing wear. The engine is currently knocking and has been diagnosed as requiring replacement. The vehicle and engine are availab... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2025
Kia 2022 EV6 41,238 miles. The ICCU failed and was towed to KIA dealership. It was covered only because we got the extended warranty. Was at 88% charge, dashboard lit up with the warning “Check electric vehicle system”. Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Incident date: Jul 17, 2025
I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2020 Ford Expedition, which is currently subject to Recall (24E13) related to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)> Despite multiple repair attempts, the vehicle continues to experience dangerous transmission and drivability issues. While driving , the vehicle: Loses gears unexpectedly Engine RPMs rev excessively high before the transmission finally e... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) module in this 2017 Ram 1500 has failed, causing the ABS warning light and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) indicators to remain illuminated. A diagnosis by an authorized dealership on 1/6/2026 confirmed the failure of the ABS module and the need for a total replacement. The dealership informed me that the necessary replacement part is on an indefinite backord... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2026
The rearview camera intermittently fails to display an image when the vehicle is shifted into reverse and instead shows a solid blue screen. This results in a loss of rear visibility while backing. The dealer previously replaced the infotainment/radio module to correct this condition, however the failure has reoccurred after the repair. Restarting the vehicle temporarily restores camera function,... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
My air bar light was flashing so I took it into the dealer as it is still under warranty. They said it is a sensor in the seat that deploys the air bag. It has been since November with no ETA on the part. When I asked about getting my car back after several times they tried to get me to sign a wavier saying if I was in an accident they wouldn't be liable. I refused and my car is still at this deal... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
1: The accelerator was sticking and i could not get the car to stop even when i was pressing on the brakes . Unfortunately, due to this scary event i hit the car in front of me injuring the the gentleman. the vehicle has not been inspected by the insurance as it was a total loss withn damages more than 14k
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
1: The accelerator was sticking and i could not get the car to stop even when i was pressing on the brakes . Unfortunately, due to this scary event i hit the car in front of me injuring the the gentleman. the vehicle has not been inspected by the insurance as it was a total loss withn damages more than 14k
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
1: The accelerator was sticking and i could not get the car to stop even when i was pressing on the brakes . Unfortunately, due to this scary event i hit the car in front of me injuring the the gentleman. the vehicle has not been inspected by the insurance as it was a total loss withn damages more than 14k
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
The power steering keeps going out causing turning to become incredibly hard. This started in Dec of 2025. I replaced the column in 2022 because of the same issues and it is happening again now. I see some 2009 VINS have been recalled but my vin isn’t apart of that.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
I am filing this consumer complaint against Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (Toyota Motor North America, Inc.) for unfair and deceptive business practices related to a known paint peeling defect on my 2013 Toyota Tacoma (VIN identified in form, paint code 040 Super White). The vehicle exhibits severe peeling on the passenger side rear door, engine compartment, and other areas due to primer adhesi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
While driving I get a reduced acceleration warning on my dash cluster, drastically reducing horse power. My check engine light came on. This has happened before. I checked the code and it was a P1098 code. After researching I found out it was the Engine coolant control valve. My fan is constantly running. This issue is ongoing. This seems to be a common occurrence with my vehicle year.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
While driving I get a reduced acceleration warning on my dash cluster, drastically reducing horse power. My check engine light came on. This has happened before. I checked the code and it was a P1098 code. After researching I found out it was the Engine coolant control valve. My fan is constantly running. This issue is ongoing. This seems to be a common occurrence with my vehicle year.
Incident date: Jun 8, 2025
The steering started to shake. The car seat started to shake as well. It felt very unsafe, but there was no serious injury. John from Feldman Chevrolet in New Hudson, Michigan said that there is a "Cylinder 1 misfire code". After the car started shaking, the engine light came on. John told us that the engine should be replaced.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
I am filing a safety complaint regarding a serious transmission defect in my vehicle. The drive and reverse gears are not functioning properly. After driving for a few minutes and parking, when I attempt to reverse on an inclined surface, the vehicle unexpectedly moves forward instead of backward. Similarly, when the vehicle is parked facing downhill and I shift into drive to move forward, it rol... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
I am filing a safety complaint regarding a serious transmission defect in my vehicle. The drive and reverse gears are not functioning properly. After driving for a few minutes and parking, when I attempt to reverse on an inclined surface, the vehicle unexpectedly moves forward instead of backward. Similarly, when the vehicle is parked facing downhill and I shift into drive to move forward, it rol... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
I am filing a safety complaint regarding a serious transmission defect in my vehicle. The drive and reverse gears are not functioning properly. After driving for a few minutes and parking, when I attempt to reverse on an inclined surface, the vehicle unexpectedly moves forward instead of backward. Similarly, when the vehicle is parked facing downhill and I shift into drive to move forward, it rol... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
The Check Engine Light came on and the truck would misfire and stall. We took it to 2 separate mechanics - Mechanic 1 (Certified Sideros Automotive): It was found that the multiple cam shaft lobes were flattened and ground due to a failed lifter, recommendation - replace engine. Mechanic 2 (Stew Hansens Ram): Check Engine Light came on, multiple cylinder miss fire. Using a bore scope inspected c... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2026
Dear Sir, On April 2026, I need to do the semiannual smog check. Right now, I face DTC P0420 error code and I can't pass the smog check inspection. Note that I don't have the engine light on indicating the a/m error code. Only my OBD2 shows the error DTC Code P0420. I did some searhing and noticed that the ECM for Sienna should be updated to erase the a/m DTC code. I would appreciated to help me... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
Catastrophic engine failure at 62,445 miles. Dealer state excessive oil in cylinder 7, ring failure. Recommendations; remove and replace engine.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
•I’m not sure what failed, the car was parked. And yes it’s available for inspection. •I had just parked the car coming from work and at the time. If I was in the car any longer than 5 more minutes it possibly could’ve been catastrophic. • All I know as of right now is that 5 days ago, it was escalated and I received a case number and a case manager 3 days ago. •The car has not b... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2026
Vehicle experienced a dashboard alert, "Check electric vehicle system." The car produced an OBD code: P1AD3(00). Upon taking it to the dealer, they determined that the EV required a new high-voltage battery.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
There is an issue with the Mach E where while in a parking lot at low speeds the user may accidentally press the cruise control setting which will initiate the car jolting up to 15 mph (minimum speed for adaptive cruise control system) instantly. This happens when you are going 5 mph or less in a parking lot. Although this is more of a design issue where some users may not deal with this issue, it... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
While driving the dash will show power steering alert and then stabilitrack alert and the power steering then fails. This always happens while in motion and never when parked\idling. It has happened while turning which proves dangerous as the car then starts to straighten out. Had the truck serviced at the dealership to be told that it is a low voltage issue. The car is running so the alternat... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2026
The insurance claim agent called on behalf of their insured driver, who rented a 2025 Kia K4. The contact stated that while their insured driver was attempting to reverse, the reverse sensor became inoperable with no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the reverse sensor failed to function properly. The contact stated that due to the failure, the rear of the vehicle crashed into a ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 29, 2025
Vehicle "shakes and vibrates" when accelerating along with odd clicking noises when turning. The sunroof also leaks during car washes.
Incident date: Jul 7, 2025
On February 8, 2026, I attempted to use the windshield washer fluid, but no fluid came out onto the windshield. Instead, it forcefully sprayed the front camera. The washer system did not spray the front windshield or the rear window at all. The car is in the shop for repair. A video of this issue is on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7I1wG2UjrU
Incident date: Sep 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V732000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the driver's side B-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The B-pillar trim struck the side of the vehicle and cracked. The c... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
I am reporting a recurring safety defect in my 2025 Audi Q5 (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle has been in the dealership for approximately 42 non-consecutive days for repeated malfunctions of multiple safety systems.While driving, the vehicle displays warnings and disables the following systems: SOS, Adaptive Cruise Assist, Active Front Assist/Distance Warning, Lane Change Warning, Proactive Occupant Pro... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
I was driving on 2/11/2026 at roughly 45 mph and all of sudden my car lost power. The whole engine shut down while the vehicle was still moving. Then it came back up and reset my whole dashboard settings. This is the second time that display has reset itself. I am taking my vehicle back to the dealer for inspection. This is not safe.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
Vehicle: 2022 Honda Pilot Elite AWD Mileage at first occurrence: ~30,000 miles Current mileage at worsening/repeatability of issue: ~48,000 miles My 2022 Honda Pilot Elite experiences a loss of propulsion during cold starts, most commonly after using remote start. The issue occurs when the vehicle is cold, shifted into Drive, and remains stationary for approximately 10–15 seconds. Under these c... 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: 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: 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: Sep 26, 2024
While reversing out of a parking spot, I noticed my break and steering wheel felt extremely stiff. I lost control of the vehicle for a second until I instinctively pushed HARD on the break. I realized it was unsafe to continue reversing, so I switched from R (reverse) to D (drive), I let go of the break pedal slowly, but the car continued to reverse. I pushed hard on the stiff break again, and swi... Read more