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 16,985 complaints for ACURA
Incident date: Mar 17, 2025
So for over a year my dash lights and I mean every light from tire pressure to ABS brake to lane assist every light was on. Then about three months four months ago it began going into limp mode just driving down the road. This is a 2017 Honda CRV over 100,000 miles on it took it into Honda of Hennessy in Woodstock Georgia. They said that it needed fuel injectors which over 300,000 recalls were don... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2025
There is already the theta 2 campaign on my Kia optima but Kia is not upholding their warranty for a new engine. Kia customer care told me that untill my car actually throws a rod then they will not fix it. So I could be doing 80 down the freeway and jeopardize not only my safety but everyone else's for them to uphold their lifetime warranty? Also upon doing further investigation and I don't know ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2024
The car is a 2017 Kia Sorento with approximately 73,000 miles. We have always had the oil changed at the Kia dealership. A month after the last time I had it changed (1/2025) we were going on a trip so my dad checked the oil. There was no oil in it. Since then we have been having to put oil in it about once a month or so because it runs out. It is not leaking anywhere and no oil light comes on whe... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
On 6-4-25 I was idling around a parking lot and my Ram truck SUDDENLY ACCELERATED by itself and took off....I slammed on the brakes and swerved to the side of the vehicle in front of me in case the truck didnt stop. The brakes squealed to a stop. Just in front of me was 4 lanes of traffic I would have driven across if the truck hadn't stopped...with 2 GRANDKIDS with me! It was not driver error a... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
Broken front springs at 60000 miles.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
Driving 45mph. In a slight curve. Steering wheel power steering stops working. Car pulls to right into other lane of traffic. Brakes seem to apply like car is avoiding something. Multiple warnings come on. Like steering problem , lane keep assist failure. Brake system problem road departure problem. Car barely will steer. Limped along to stop. Cut off car and back on and steering came back in. S... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2025
When the vehicle is running, and the gear is moved to park, and I attempt to turn off the car by pressing the ignition button, an error shows on the dash display and the message is "Shift to Park". Even though the car is in park, the vehicle doesn't know it. I then cannot turn off my car.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
At 28,000 miles, the vehicle emitted black smoke from the exhaust. Despite the mechanic’s efforts to identify the issue, no diagnostic codes were detected. Currently, the vehicle has accumulated 100,000 miles. The engine suddenly lost the ability to accelerate beyond 20 miles per hour. After several months of repairs involving multiple turbo replacements, it was determined that the engine was se... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
At 28,000 miles, the vehicle emitted black smoke from the exhaust. Despite the mechanic’s efforts to identify the issue, no diagnostic codes were detected. Currently, the vehicle has accumulated 100,000 miles. The engine suddenly lost the ability to accelerate beyond 20 miles per hour. After several months of repairs involving multiple turbo replacements, it was determined that the engine was se... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the highway. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to start and was towed to the mother-in-la... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
On multiple occasions, the HEV system warning light and check engine light activated while I was driving at highway speeds. Immediately after the warning lights appeared, the vehicle suddenly decelerated, putting me and other drivers at risk. This issue has occurred several times and is clearly a serious safety hazard. Each time this occurred, I brought the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealership ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2024
Radio emits loud static, on or off. Sometimes starts low and builds to high volume, sometimes full blast without warning. Cannot be silenced without stopping car and turning off. Dangerous especially in traffic. Honda defect reporting phone line acted as if they never heard such a thing, same from the service manager where the car was purchased new. Different honda dealer service manager said sam... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 40 MPH, the front end started shaking violently, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The following messages "Drive Malfunction and Oil Consumption" were displayed. The contact immediately pulled over and had the vehicle towed to a local independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed. The co... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
- Serious safety issue: car stopped suddenly in the middle of traffic - Errors appeared: Hybrid System Malfunction, “vehicle can not be driven” and “Electrical Leakage in Hybrid System Detected” - Would not come out of park, had to be towed to Mazda dealership - Picked up car and after 15 min of driving the 'hybrid malfunction' light came back on - Car was returned to Mazda dealership for... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
Rough idling result in Cam phaser and timing belt replacement. While driving the vehicle would accelerate and decelerate on its own making it unsafe to drive. Dealer quoted me $6,095 to replace camp phasers (part #HL2Z-6C590-A)
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
Due to low oil pressure vehicle engine seized while driving on freeway. After having it towed to local dealer, I was quoted $19,000 to replace the engine because it could not be repaired.
Incident date: May 26, 2025
Pass lock. Sometimes vehicle doesn't start
Incident date: May 26, 2025
There is a recall for the vehicle VIN I have entered however the dealership is telling me that my vehicle doesn't qualify even though it was purchased in the US and I was not aware of recall and I just purchased it in March 2025. When I took it to a Dodge dealership regarding the pressure plate recall they would not take the vehicle.
Incident date: May 26, 2025
I am reporting a failure of the multipurpose front windshield camera in my vehicle, which resulted in the loss of multiple safety systems including Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Auto High-Beam, and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS). These features are critical to safe driving, and their sudden deactivation poses a seri... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2025
Backup camera is unavailable during reverse . Car has tiny rear windows so a backup camera must work properly when reversing
Incident date: May 30, 2025
Bought 2019 at Priority Hyundai in Chesapeake va in JUNE of 2022. Noticed that car stay burning oil in march of 2025. Took 2 oil consumption test at dealership and failed both. Hyundai knows these consume oil even with proper maintenance but will do nothing to try to make it right. Basically got turned down and service advisor ADVISED me to buy a new vehicle. The car only has 75,330 miles on it
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
Check engine light came on , car was sluggish and stalled on highway , was able to glide over to the side . Would not start . This is the 4th time this happened to this vehicle , in the past I was able to put in neutral and restart . They fixed it 3 times but they are now Hyundai is now saying it needs a new engine.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
Engine stalled in traffic. Happened when slowing to a stop. Happens when engine has warmed up.
Incident date: May 28, 2025
Steering wheel sticks when driving. There is a recall by honda but not my vin. I feel it is a safety hazard. Their motto is”safety #1 concern”. Don’t think so.
Incident date: May 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle shook abnormally twice and then switched to Low Power Mode. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission valve body needed to be replaced. The contact stated that th... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2025
Head gasket needing replacement due to cylinder 5 misfire at 7 years/55,000 miles. This appears to be a defect in the engine for this year and 2019 year. I am willing to be a named defendant if there is an opportunity to go after Chrysler for this as they are offering no assistance for this known defective engine.
Incident date: May 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated there was an abnormally strong foul odor inside the vehicle, and there was mildew and mold inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected. The dealer informed the contact that the failure had occurred due to the design of the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that water and debris were entering the vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2025
I was going from an on ramp to the hwy traveling approx 55 mph and my rdx lost power, the steering wheel either locked up or lost all power steering and warning beeps started and so did lights and brake warning systems. I was able to get it a few feet onto the shoulder of the HWY. after calling Roadside assistance and turning the car off and back on I was able to get the steering wheel to turn f... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
car has trouble turning on
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
Engine failed one me [XXX] it sat in my drive until it made its way to Sarasota Ford on July 9, 2024. I have no been able to drive this car at all for about 2 years now. (July 9th, 2024 - 5/2025) When driving the car it goes from 40mph to 9mph in the middle of traffic putting not only mi life in danger but others. I have compiled to the motor company about how dangerous this car is. My car has had... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2025
EVERYTHING PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ( ON OTHER INCIDENTS REPORTS) HAPPENED WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY! YOU NEED TO CORRECT THIS!!! [XXX] NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11641522 Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL NHTSA ID Number: 11641522 Incident Date [XXX] Consumer Location TEMPE, AZ Vehicle Identification Number [XXX] *** Summary of Complaint CRASHNo FIREN... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2025
My car has been going into neutral when in the autostop. The only way to get out of it is to turn it off and back on. It's incredibly dangerous. I almost got into a horrible accident. It happens suddenly and without warning.
Incident date: May 23, 2025
Harsh/Delayed Engagement and Harsh/Delayed Shifting from 3rd to 4th and sometimes 5th to 6th There's a Ford service bulletin out for this #25-2134 My truck was built on 08/26/2022 but this bulletin only covers trucks built before 08/15/2022 It occurs daily. My dealer tells me to live with it.
Incident date: May 23, 2025
10 speed transmission causing unsafe operation. Stalling , stopping decelerated shifting.. replace with a new transmission by ford and nown14k miles in its doing the same thing. Someone will wreck because of this and it won't be good!
Incident date: May 27, 2025
Steering system, potentially related to electric power steering (EPS) or driver-assist systems (lane keeping or steering assist). While completing a routine right-hand turn, my husband began to straighten the steering wheel when the steering system suddenly and sharply turned further right without any driver input. This caused the vehicle to strike a curb, damaging both passenger-side wheels and ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing rough starts. The check engine warning light was temporarily illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a misfire in cylinder #3. The dealer determined that a tune-up was needed. The tune-up was performed; however, the failure recurred, and the contact... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2024
Software update 2.2 was not fully installed in my vehicle per bankruptcy and NHTSA regulations. The has issues locking and unlocking, often locking me inside while in the vehicle. The alarm has gone off randomly while the car is in sleep mode in the garage. Error codes intermittently and randomly. Sometimes the car will not shift into drive, neutral or reverse. Interior lights come on without bein... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2024
Manufacturer Recall Number N252494003 NHTSA Recall Number25V274 Recall Status Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety of 2024 model year GMC Sierra 1500, equipped with the 6.2L V8 gas engine (RPO L87). The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles have manufacturing defects that ca... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle sputtered for thirty seconds. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, and that the cylinder head was cracked. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted a... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2025
I'm reporting an issue that was previously reported on earlier model F150's with the transmission sensor. I had an error code come up and the truck would not shift out of 3rd gear. After taking it to the shop they said it was likely the speed sensor within the transmission, and that the whole transmission casing and sensor needed to be replaced since it causes issues with shifting. After research,... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2025
During normal travel on a paved roadway, the wheel/hub assembly on the axle on the trailer fell off. This caused the axle spindle to bend and the wheel and hub assembly to fall off.
Incident date: May 24, 2025
May 24,2025 as we were driving, the awning completely deployed out causing us to quickly drive on a safer lane to the side to avoid any risk to other drivers. This is definitely a safety risk for travel that can put ourselves and others at harm or crash collision. There were no prior warning whatsoever on our dash board or driver console at all during this incident.
Incident date: May 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V700000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms p... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2025
making a ticking noise on the engine
Incident date: May 24, 2025
While driving at freeway speeds (70–85 mph), I experience a sudden and complete loss of acceleration when pressing the gas pedal fully. The vehicle stops responding to throttle input entirely for 1–2 seconds. To regain power, I must take my foot off the pedal for a moment and then press it again. This has happened multiple times and presents a severe safety hazard when merging, passing, or try... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2025
making a ticking noise on the engine
Incident date: May 15, 2025
I purchased a CPO 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan in February 2020 at around 18,000 miles (CPO warranty up 3-11-22). 18 months later I had to have transmission work done because it was having major issues (they repaired adapter housing and trans cooler line/hoses). 3 months after that I had more transmission work done because the same problems reappeared (they worked on trans pan leak and trans filter ch... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2025
The infotainment screen in my 2019 Jeep Cherokee intermittently shuts off while driving. This occurs unexpectedly and has happened multiple times, sometimes while using navigation or the backup camera. On several occasions, the screen has turned completely blue and remained unresponsive for several minutes. The screen controls audio, climate, and safety features, and its failure creates distractio... Read more