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 16,369 complaints for AUDI
Incident date: Mar 26, 2026
I am writing to formally document a significant engine failure on my 2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring (VIN: [XXX], License: [XXX], Odometer: 78,159 miles). The vehicle began exhibiting visible smoke from under the hood and severe oil leakage — oil was actively pooling beneath the car and leaving a trail. Upon inspection by Cal West Auto Center (San Marcos, CA), the vehicle was diagnosed with a lea... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
The vehicle's Indirect TPMS showed a "Pressure Sensor Fault (may clear next drive)" without issuing any "Low Tire Pressure" alert. On July 20, 2026, while driving, the rear right tire lost pressure and disintegrated over a 10-minute drive. Despite severe tire failure that triggered multiple safety system alerts (Traction Control, Stability Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Lane Departure... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2026
Monocular Windshield Camera premature part failure. 36160-TG8-A72-M1. Premature failure of the part causes all included safety systems to be disabled, and also negatively impacts standard cruise control. The part was sent for repair and the lens was thermally degraded as well as processor board non functional. There was no thermal paste installed on the processor. When the camera fails, an imprope... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2026
Complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) I am filing this complaint regarding an unresolved safety recall on my vehicle. This recall has remained open for more than one year, yet no remedy has been made available. Despite the manufacturer acknowledging the safety defect, I continue to operate a vehicle that presents significant safety concerns because the defect has... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2026
Complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) I am filing this complaint regarding an unresolved safety recall on my vehicle. This recall has remained open for more than one year, yet no remedy has been made available. Despite the manufacturer acknowledging the safety defect, I continue to operate a vehicle that presents significant safety concerns because the defect has... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2026
Vehicle exhibits a dangerous 2-to-3-second delay/total loss of accelerator response at low speeds or rolling stops (5–15 mph). When stepping on the gas pedal to pull into traffic or make a turn, the vehicle hesitates completely before engaging power, even when the pedal is fully depressed. This creates an extreme crash risk when entering oncoming traffic or merging.
Incident date: Jun 6, 2026
My engine failed while driving which put me and others at risk. It was confirmed by the Kia dealership as rod bearing failure. Which is a known recall on the Kia 2.4L Theta II engine. My specific VIN number is not listed on the Kia recall list. And Kia is stating that it does not qualify for a warranty replacement. Although it is the same engine with the known defect.
Incident date: May 30, 2024
My 2007 Honda CR-V was repaired under NHTSA Recall 23V-228 for corrosion in the rear frame at the trailing arm mount, a condition Honda's own filing says can allow the trailing arm to detach while driving. My vehicle received the support-brace remedy rather than a full structural repair. Since that July 18, 2023 repair, the vehicle has developed Right Rear (RR) tracking instability, whooshing and ... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2024
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine, steering. Purchased the car from a certified dealership in January 2026. After 3 months of driving, the car began exhibiting performance issues. During a normal acceleration pattern, the car would go into a ‘limp mode’ where all dashboard lights would turn on and the car’s performance ... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the fuel gauge and the mileage of the vehicle failed to display. The contact was concerned due to the failure also cause the fuel gauge to accurately display The service vehicle soon warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and the contact was advised tha... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2026
Parking sensors and forward sensors used for adaptive cruise control will identify objects that are not there and the car will break. Car with shut off while driving (not the normal engine cutoff with restart) and shift to park suddenly. Backup camera is blanked out and rear sensor will not work. Towing mode with initiate on its own with not trailer hooked up while driving. False low oil light... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2026
back up camera is fuzzy or not working at all causing a safety concern
Incident date: Jul 7, 2026
I bought a brandnew vehicle 1/31/2025 and it was a White Honda Odyssey 2025. I was in search of a bigger and safer car for my family of 5. Within months I had major issues with the vehicle. I would bring my car in and it would get returned unfixed. My vehicle has now gone in for a 6th time (twice in a week) for service for shutting off while the vehicle was IN MOTION (on the highway , busy rotar... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2026
I bought a brandnew vehicle 1/31/2025 and it was a White Honda Odyssey 2025. I was in search of a bigger and safer car for my family of 5. Within months I had major issues with the vehicle. I would bring my car in and it would get returned unfixed. My vehicle has now gone in for a 6th time (twice in a week) for service for shutting off while the vehicle was IN MOTION (on the highway , busy rotar... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2026
I own a 2020 Ford Edge ST with approximately 62,460 miles. My vehicle has developed a loud noise coming from the rear differential, particularly when turning at low speeds. On July 6, 2026, I had the vehicle inspected by my independent mechanic, Kenny's Quick Service. Ford Motor Company has not inspected my vehicle. My mechanic documented the following: "Customer has a noise in the rear of vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while starting vehicle, the instrument panel displayed a blank screen. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 26V400000 (Electrical System); and associated the failure with the recall; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the deale... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2026
While placing my almost [XXX] son into his Safety 1st rear-facing car seat, the harness strap broke while I was tightening the harness during normal use. The seat has never been involved in a crash, has never been modified, and has been used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The harness failed before we began driving, preventing us from using the seat safely. The seat was immediately... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
I have an engine failure at 99k miles. The car is in pristine condition inside out. Oil changes are done every 5k miles. Without any warning, check engine light or any indication from the car's computer, the engine just failed while driving. It sounded like there was something grinding inside the engine. The truck was towed to Honda dealer and they said I need a new engine replacement. They found ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
am filing a formal complaint regarding my 2023 GMC Yukon Denali, which experienced a catastrophic engine failure while I was driving on the highway with my family. The sudden failure created a dangerous situation, placing both my family and me at significant risk. As a result of the breakdown, I was forced to pay $260 out of pocket to have the vehicle towed to the dealership. After inspecting the... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2026
Component: Lane Support System — Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK) Part of standard Autopilot safety suite (not FSD) activated without valid lane detection data and pushed the vehicle into the oncoming lane of traffic on Ohio State Route [XXX]. The system then aborted mid-intervention (LSS_STATE_ABORT), leaving the driver in the oncoming lane. The resulting head-on collision killed both drivers — t... Read more
Crash
2 deaths
Incident date: Jul 15, 2026
My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe (VIN: [XXX]) was brought to Herb Chambers Hyundai of [XXX], in December 2023 to address the Underbody Corrosion Recall/Campaign (9A0). The dealer performed the preventative service. However, the remedy completely failed because the frame was already severely structurally compromised by rust. In early 2024, I relocated to [XXX] with the vehicle. Now 2026, The front subframe... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2026
2023 Ford Bronco with 7 speed manual transmission. The transmission started grinding while shifting into 3rd gear and occasionally popping out of 3rd gear. This mostly occurred while upshifting and rarely while downshifting. All other gears are operating as normal. While the grinding problem would pop up occasionally around the 40,000 mile mark, it became chronic at 58,000 mile mark (24Jun2026)
Incident date: Jul 13, 2026
COMPONENT: The 10-speed automatic transmission failed on 6/29/26, locking the vehicle completely in neutral. The neutral override could not be disengaged even by dealership technicians. Vehicle is currently at [XXX] Chevrolet, [XXX] and is available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: I have 3 young children who are regular passengers. The failure occurred without warning. Had it happened at highway spee... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated. No warning lights were illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The vehicle crossed a busy street and drove down an incline. The vehicle jumped a curb and came to a stop at a nearby hotel parking lot. There was no i... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2026
FAILURE: Brake control system. Vehicle intermittently surges forward while braking at low speed, most often through a curve — the brakes momentarily release and the vehicle lurches before braking resumes. Appears to occur during the transition between regenerative and friction braking. Vehicle available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: Unpredictable momentary loss of braking at low speed, in parking... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2026
The rear passenger side suspension coil fell out of my car in my driveway at less then 2 mph. The spring and rubber piece holding the spring in both fell to the ground with no damage done. The vehicle was towed to a jeep dealership where they confirmed there was no damage to any part of the vehicle, and it just fell out with no explanation. The dealer insists that we cannot reinstall the same spin... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2026
2023 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum with 6.2L L87 V8 suffered catastrophic engine failure on 6/20/2026 at approximately 38,658 miles. Vehicle had GM recall N252494000 performed at Coulter Cadillac in Phoenix, AZ on 12/3/2025. Engine reportedly passed GM recall inspection and received oil-related remedy rather than engine replacement. Approximately six months later, while driving on I-17 near Bl... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2026
2023 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum with 6.2L L87 V8 suffered catastrophic engine failure on 6/20/2026 at approximately 38,658 miles. Vehicle had GM recall N252494000 performed at Coulter Cadillac in Phoenix, AZ on 12/3/2025. Engine reportedly passed GM recall inspection and received oil-related remedy rather than engine replacement. Approximately six months later, while driving on I-17 near Bl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2026
Today while driving to church we started hearing a ping noise ever so often. This just started then . After leaving church to go home the pinging noise got louder than the engine stalled and wouldn't start again. I had to have my car towed to my house. That is where it is now. The tow truck driver said that it was a rod. He said that he was mostly sure that it was happened. He stated that he has t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2026
The High Voltage (HV) Battery System and associated safety isolation circuits failed. Specifically, the vehicle experienced faults with the High Voltage System Interlock Circuit (HVIL), the High Voltage Service Disconnect, and the Hybrid/EV Battery System Precharge circuit. The vehicle is currently located at a manufacturer dealership and is available for inspection. The failure of the high-volta... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2026
Component Malfunction & Availability The component that failed is the center infotainment and entertainment touchscreen display system on a 2024 Kia Telluride. The center screen goes completely black, remains unresponsive to touch or power controls, and fails to initialize upon starting the vehicle. It does not respond to soft pinhole hardware resets. This is a recurring failure; the original fact... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2026
Component Malfunction & Availability The component that failed is the center infotainment and entertainment touchscreen display system on a 2024 Kia Telluride. The center screen goes completely black, remains unresponsive to touch or power controls, and fails to initialize upon starting the vehicle. It does not respond to soft pinhole hardware resets. This is a recurring failure; the original fact... Read more
AUDI
E-TRON SPORTBACK
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 11, 2026
Incident date: Jun 23, 2026
Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and is bubbling on the entire top where the Airbag sits. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked at it and recommended replacing the entire dashboard! This is a very common issue with Porsche, and a safety concern which seems due to the fact that Porsche did not use the correct adhesive on a... Read more
AUDI
E-TRON SPORTBACK
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Jul 11, 2026
Incident date: Jun 23, 2026
Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and is bubbling on the entire top where the Airbag sits. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked at it and recommended replacing the entire dashboard! This is a very common issue with Porsche, and a safety concern which seems due to the fact that Porsche did not use the correct adhesive on a... Read more
AUDI
E-TRON SPORTBACK
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 11, 2026
Incident date: Jun 23, 2026
While I was driving, driver's headrest suddenly popped off and hit me hard on the back of the head while driving. I have two children in my car who were startled from the sound. Head has been hurting since the incident.
Incident date: Jul 11, 2026
Dash board panel comes on when you turn on the car, but once you put it in drive it automatically shuts off accept the rpm gauge, car goes into limp mode when driving and causes it to not allow any acceleration or movement of vehicle.
Incident date: Jul 11, 2026
Dash board panel comes on when you turn on the car, but once you put it in drive it automatically shuts off accept the rpm gauge, car goes into limp mode when driving and causes it to not allow any acceleration or movement of vehicle.
Incident date: May 9, 2026
On XXX, after leaving an appointment at an office building, I returned to my vehicle and noticed that the driver’s seat recline function was not working properly. The seat was already pushed forward to its highest position and would not recline further. I was still able to enter and operate the vehicle somewhat but remained parked. I reviewed Hyundai resources to see whether there was an update... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V034000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because the recall repair was completed by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
After Volvo’s software update 5.1.17 was installed, all sound in the vehicle including all warning alerts, turn signals, stereo, etc. have no sound. If you reboot the system it MIGHT work, but it reverts back to not working once it is parked. Does not show any alerts when you’re close to an object. I have serious concerns about any of my safety systems working properly.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
After Volvo’s software update 5.1.17 was installed, all sound in the vehicle including all warning alerts, turn signals, stereo, etc. have no sound. If you reboot the system it MIGHT work, but it reverts back to not working once it is parked. Does not show any alerts when you’re close to an object. I have serious concerns about any of my safety systems working properly.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
After Volvo’s software update 5.1.17 was installed, all sound in the vehicle including all warning alerts, turn signals, stereo, etc. have no sound. If you reboot the system it MIGHT work, but it reverts back to not working once it is parked. Does not show any alerts when you’re close to an object. I have serious concerns about any of my safety systems working properly.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
The component ive seen fail on multiple 2018, 2019, 2020, honda civics is the rear camera allows water into the camera lens area. And it becomes permanently foggy but the lens its self does fail. Becomes hazy and the haziness is on the inside of the lens protector this starts happening when the car is 4 to 5 years old.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
Traction stabilization light comes on very frequently and vehicle loses power, step on gas and it sputters can’t get out of any one’s way, they throw parts at it and never fixes. From feedback off internet a big problem 2008-2017 enclaves
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
Traction stabilization light comes on very frequently and vehicle loses power, step on gas and it sputters can’t get out of any one’s way, they throw parts at it and never fixes. From feedback off internet a big problem 2008-2017 enclaves
AUDI
A4 ALLROAD
(2016) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 6, 2026
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed, the power steering failed, several warning lights illuminated, and the engine suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where the battery was replaced; however, the failure recurred two days later. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed alt... Read more
AUDI
A4 ALLROAD
(2016) - SERVICE BRAKES
Jul 6, 2026
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
The break calipers keep sticking and need to be replaced at least once per year. The stick and cause an awful black smoke. The last time they were replaced was almost a year ago to date.
AUDI
A4 ALLROAD
(2016) - LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
Jul 6, 2026
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
Stolen radar sensor on Honda CR-V. Thief able to unscrew without causing any damage. Resulted in multiple sensor warnings (brake system, cruise assist, lane departure, power steering, etc.).
Incident date: Apr 13, 2026
I'm filing an urgent safety complaint regarding a series of severe defects in my 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan (VIN: [XXX]) that pose immediate, life-threatening hazards. On XXX, I took delivery of the vehicle, which was refueled by the dealership. By XXX, with temperatures soaring to 104°F, I encountered three critical issues: 1. **Engine Stall During Low-Speed Turn**: While turning at 2 MPH, the en... Read more