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 40,555 complaints for BMW
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine and the HVAC systems. Specifically, a persistent "ghost misfire"—where the engine vibrates and shudders without triggering a dashboard warning light—and a total heater failure. The vehicle is currently held at the dealership; all service records (RO# 367641, 367891, 367980, 368179) ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2026
All four of my door lock actuators are not working properly. All four usually don’t work, however once in a great while they will actually lock or unlock. This is a big safety issue because when I think they lock, they don’t. When I drive at night with my daughter in the backseat I do not feel safe. I always have to check all 4 doors a couple times, because sometimes they will unlock but not ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2026
While driving, the vehicle displayed a 'Drivetrain malfunction' warning on the dashboard and began jerking. I safely pulled over and turned off the vehicle. Immediately after stopping, there was a distinct, strong electrical burning smell coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized BMW dealership. The dealer diagnosed a catastrophic failure of the starter motor. ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2026
While driving, the vehicle displayed a 'Drivetrain malfunction' warning on the dashboard and began jerking. I safely pulled over and turned off the vehicle. Immediately after stopping, there was a distinct, strong electrical burning smell coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized BMW dealership. The dealer diagnosed a catastrophic failure of the starter motor. ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
I purchased a used 2023 Genesis GV60 on [XXX] from a franchised Genesis dealer in New Jersey (Genesis of Wayne, Wayne, NJ). At the time of delivery, the vehicle had an open safety recall with an available remedy and it was not completed prior to sale/delivery. After purchase, Genesis’ official recall/campaign lookup for my VIN showed at least one open safety recall listed as “Incomplete.” T... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2026
The vehicle is experiencing a serious door locking malfunction. Even after the car is locked, the doors repeatedly attempt to lock again every few seconds. During this time, the horn sounds and the lights flash continuously, as if the vehicle is trying to re-lock itself but failing. This behavior continues repeatedly. This issue raises serious safety concerns for the following reasons: •The veh... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
I noticed fuel / gas smell from my vehicle. I looked up cause for this type of occurrence. I was referred to a recall bulletin for this particular cause - Recall Campaign #2013020002. My vehicle (VIN #) is not on the recall list. Both MB dealerships in my area state I would have to cover the cost to replace the Fuel Filter Flange. I am certain the Fuel Filter Flange is defective and should be lis... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2026
Concerned about the 10 speed transmission and the rear wheel lock-up , and how to obtain a extended warranty to cover this if trouble arises from issues with 10 speed transmission issues
Incident date: Feb 22, 2026
The vehicle will hard brake on its own while going down the freeway, no blockage of the camera or vehicle in front when it happen
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
ICCU failure. Sudden total electrical shutdown. According to this site, there was a recall filled but NOT COMPLETE since November 2024! We are now February 2026. There has been NO warning issued to Hyundai consumers about this. When the ICCU fails, it puts consumers at risk. When it happened to me, there was no shoulder to pull onto. Because there was a snowstorm that morning, the flatbed tow truc... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
I was on the highway going at approximately 60mph when the car without any warning reduced speed to first around 40mph and then to 20mph all within a matter of a few minutes, causing me to pull over to the side of the highway. Luckily, I wasn't injured. I exited the highway, called my insurance company Geico and had the vehicle towed to the dealership where I leased this brand new vehicle from jus... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
Oil pump in B58 BMW engines 2019-2022 has been a major safety concern that results in catastrophic failure while driving the vehicle. All because of BMW using a plastic component and quietly changed it, meanwhile hundreds of people had a major oil leak and engine seizures on hwy and $5k+ repairs.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2026
Driving at intestate speed when vehicle started to make noise and started jerking. Stopped to see what was happening and found that it was trying to bind up or lock up in transmission area. Trailered vehicle to jeep dealer there diagnosed answer was the ptu is bad. And none available do to recall of which my vehicle is not part of? They say part needed is 68333254ai Can you help?
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
O2 (oxygen) sensor is faulty even after replacing it several times.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
This technical failure in the BMW B58TU engine (2019–2021) involves the variable-displacement oil pump's internal thermoplastic slide. In low ambient temperatures, the high viscosity of cold oil creates mechanical stress that causes this plastic component to fracture. The Safety Hazard The primary risk is a sudden loss of motive power. When the slide fails, oil pressure becomes unregulate... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
This technical failure in the BMW B58TU engine (2019–2021) involves the variable-displacement oil pump's internal thermoplastic slide. In low ambient temperatures, the high viscosity of cold oil creates mechanical stress that causes this plastic component to fracture. The Safety Hazard The primary risk is a sudden loss of motive power. When the slide fails, oil pressure becomes unregulate... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
With the slanted windshield and location of the rearview mirror creates a blind spot when looking to the upper right. Both my husband and I have trouble seeing.
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
Toyota acknowledges the vehicles are not safe to drive due to incorrect settings in their welding equipment during manufacture, rendering the middle row seats unsafe to sit in. The recall happened Oct 7th, even though it was evident there were issues dating back to June or earlier. My vehicle was purchased in July. Should not have been sold frankly. The vehicle was turned over to the local Toyota ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
While driving on the highway, (I-40) my dash lit up with "transmission fault stop car" The it shudders, bounced in and out of gear to finally completely stopped. Although I wasn't killed, my life was in danger. I believe the 2017 dual clutch transmission is faulty and should be added to the 2016 recall.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
Failed cam phaser. Brought truck to dealership regarding loud rattling noise on cold starts. Prior to inspection, service technician mentioned it could be the cam phaser because they have had reported problems. Ford did not issue a formal recall but issued a Customer satisfaction program 21B10 to extend warranty coverage due to the known issue but only extended through 2022. I did not have a ratt... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
Drove 50 miles. Charged car at a supercharger. Unplugged car normally. Pushed start normally. Heard a light “pop” sound. Car would drive but with low acceleration. Warning lights came on. Then bright “stop now” lights and beeping. Then it died in the parking lot and would not start at all.
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED. I HEARD IT WHILE DRIVING AND HELD ON TIGHTLY TO THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT IT WAS. THE DEALER AND MY AUTO INSURANCE HAVE BEEN CALLED, NEITHER PICKED UP, AND I LEFT EACH A VOICE MAIL MESSAGE. NO WARNING LAMPS, MESSAGES OR OTHER SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED.
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
On 2/23/26 my GMC sierra 1500 AT4 3.0L Inline-6 Turbo-Diesel, it auto stopped (which I will never keep on again) on an incline and would not start back up or shift gears and rolled a few feet. I had to turn it off and restart it, then the engine light came on and a notification about conditions not favorable for shifting? My app said service was needed for engine/transmission issue. I took it to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
I am reporting a potential safety concern with my engine. The oil pumps are known to fail due to plastic internal components. BMW has issued a new pump with metal parts, but existing engines are not being helped and if oil pressure drops the car can suddenly stop in traffic, creating a safety hazard.
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
I am reporting a critical safety failure of the ABS wiring harness following service at Jim Ellis Volkswagen. I originally brought the vehicle in for a "Front Assist" safety light diagnostic. Immediately following the service, the ABS wiring harness failed, disabling my braking safety systems. The dealership is currently withholding the diagnostic report and technician notes that would confirm the... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
On January 12, 2026, the vehicle shut off twice during the same trip while driving in traffic. All dashboard warning lights illuminated, the tachometer spiked, RPM readings did not correspond, the gear selector became unresponsive, and the vehicle lost propulsion while in motion. On February 15, 2026, the vehicle shut off again while driving under similar conditions. The vehicle was taken to a H... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
Oil pump failures have been reported across multiple production years, and affected vehicle population boundaries remain unclear. Because this condition can result in sudden vehicle disablement without adequate warning especially in the cold, I believe this issue warrants investigation as a potential safety-related defect. Loss of lubrication can cause the vehicle to become disabled without warn... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
Oil pump failures have been reported across multiple production years, and affected vehicle population boundaries remain unclear. Because this condition can result in sudden vehicle disablement without adequate warning especially in the cold, I believe this issue warrants investigation as a potential safety-related defect. Loss of lubrication can cause the vehicle to become disabled without warn... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2024
-Transmission failed. - Driving down the highway and the truck just quit. (Morning rush hour traffic) -truck was towed to my mechanic -only made a weird noise the day before.
Incident date: Aug 22, 2024
I'm reporting a safety issue with BMW vehicles equipped with the B58TU engine, primarily 2019-2021 models. These vehicles have an oil pump with an internal plastic component that regulates oil pressure, and this part is fracturing in the field, causing sudden loss of oil pressure. The failure typically occurs during cold starts in low temperatures. When it fails, oil pressure becomes erratic or is... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2024
I'm reporting a safety issue with BMW vehicles equipped with the B58TU engine, primarily 2019-2021 models. These vehicles have an oil pump with an internal plastic component that regulates oil pressure, and this part is fracturing in the field, causing sudden loss of oil pressure. The failure typically occurs during cold starts in low temperatures. When it fails, oil pressure becomes erratic or is... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
Headlight Assembly. Low beam is "out". Check headlight assembly message appears on dash. Was told by Ford that the whole unit needed to be replaced for $1000+. Weeks later it started working normally again. How can it suddenly work when I was told the light was "out"? This has happened to MANY people with a Platinum Explorer.
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
The instrument cluster and driver information center is completely blank, and none of the steering wheel controls are operating. Vehicle starts and runs normally, but no indication of speed, turn signals, headlights, gas level, etc.
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
The car has started giving warnings every time I turn it on (as of 6 months ago): adaptive cruise control problem, collision mitigation system problem, auto high beam problem, lane keeping assist problem. It seems there must be a fault in the windshield camera that renders all these safety features useless. The repair shop stated that windshield camera isn’t working and is a $2k or more to repai... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
The authorized dealer, Cochran Mazda, previously bypassed the vehicle’s hybrid system and returned the vehicle to us stating it was safe to operate and that we could disregard warning messages until a replacement hybrid battery became available. Prior to this, we had reported repeated drivability concerns, including jerking during operation. We were advised that this behavior was normal for hyb... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a distorted image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the dri... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 BMW I4. The contact stated that while driving 25-50 MPH in the intended lane, the vehicle vibrated and was drifting out of the intended lane. The contact was able to correct the vehicle back into the intended lane. Additionally, the contact stated while driving and approaching a wall or a gate, the Forward Collision Avoidance front sensors failed to function as intended and... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 BMW I4. The contact stated that while driving 25-50 MPH in the intended lane, the vehicle vibrated and was drifting out of the intended lane. The contact was able to correct the vehicle back into the intended lane. Additionally, the contact stated while driving and approaching a wall or a gate, the Forward Collision Avoidance front sensors failed to function as intended and... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2025
I was driving on the road and all of the sudden my car went limp and would only move 45 miles per hour. I took it to the dealer which I have lifetime powertran on my car. It has been there for over a month at the dealer. They asked me to provide all oil changes,services, and registrations. I did that and then fidelity asked them to tear down the engine again to see if I had carbon build up. Then ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the driver's side roof rack cover panel ejected from the vehicle and made contact with a second vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle swerved to avoid the airborne projectile and crashed into a third vehicle. During the incident, no damage to the vehicles or injuries to the occupants in either ve... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
Description of the Problem: •Component/system that failed: The engine starter, which is subject to an open recall issued September 23, 2025. The starter was not replaced during a service visit. The vehicle no longer exists due to the fire, but the VIN and service records are available for inspection. •Safety risk: The starter malfunction caused the vehicle to catch fire while parked, creating ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 540I equipped with a Zenna Tires, Tire Line: Argus/UHP, Tire Size: 275/30/ZR20, DOT Number: 045YNAUY84924. The contact stated the driver's side rear tire was slowly deflating. The vehicle was taken to a Tire Shop, and the technician became aware of bubbles on the tire. The tire was replaced on a Friday, and the following Monday, the new tire indicated that the tire pres... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2026
I was driving my vehicle home after a nearby out of town errand. I was on US-95 between Potlatch ID and Moscow ID which is a very hilly, curvy 2-lane 60mph highway with little to no cell service. As I ascended my first big hill, my engine light came on flashing and the ride became noticeably bumpy. I could not call anyone for many miles yet, so I put on my safety hazards and continued driving, hop... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2026
Passenger side mid row seat belt was completely pulled but won’t retract anymore. I just brought my Sienna to Toyota to get it fixed for a $299.00 plus whatever extra cost will be. I want to make sure this is not a safety factory issue vs unfortunate event.
Incident date: Feb 24, 2026
1 The vehicle’s dashboard upper trim panel (leather covering and stitching) has failed. The leather is lifting and separating from the dashboard surface, and the stitching is coming undone. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. The lifting and peeling leather creates a safety concern. The leather separation is present at all times and continues to lift from the dashboard. The ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2026
1. The engine starter motor (specifically the pinion starter) has failed, and the auxiliary battery is also showing reduced capacity (only a portion of its 660 cold cranking amps). The vehicle is currently at a service center where the technician has diagnosed these issues. The components should be available for inspection upon request, as they have not yet been replaced. 2. The failure of t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2026
1. The engine starter motor (specifically the pinion starter) has failed, and the auxiliary battery is also showing reduced capacity (only a portion of its 660 cold cranking amps). The vehicle is currently at a service center where the technician has diagnosed these issues. The components should be available for inspection upon request, as they have not yet been replaced. 2. The failure of t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2026
Issue Description: My 2018 Honda Odyssey (VIN: [XXX] ) has a total failure of the Multipurpose Camera, permanently disabling the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS). In addition to these, the regular Cruise Control is also disabled. These are primary safety systems, not elective conveniences. Persistent Failure: Errors occur ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
While accelerating from a stop light, my 2023 F-150 Powerboost failed to properly accelerate and my gas pedal stopped working around 20-25 mph. I reported this to the Ford dealership immediately and drove straight to service bay. The failure repeated 3-4 more time before arriving. There was no engine light or error code so the dealership couldn't "fix anything". 16 hours later, the truck engine st... Read more