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 4, 2026
Recently noticed sharp downshifting of auto transmission. Usually going up or down grade when I take foot off accelerator. Last week someone behind me needed to brake hard and change lanes in an emergency manner. The transmission change it hard and drops two or three gears. Very scary.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
The vehicle has service driver assistance system warning. The seat vibration is not working and I believe there are issues with the sensor and or harness. There have been recalls on previous years of this vehicle for the same thing. There have been a wave of these lately, according to the dealership working on the vehicle. Parts availability is currently low because of this resulting in longer rep... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
I am writing to formally express my concern regarding serious and repeated safety-related failures with my 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e, VIN [XXX] . I purchased this vehicle in 2022 through a custom build, at a purchase price exceeding $80,000, with the expectation of reliability, safety, and premium quality consistent with the BMW brand. In October 2025, while my wife was driving with my son in the ve... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
I am writing to formally express my concern regarding serious and repeated safety-related failures with my 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e, VIN [XXX] . I purchased this vehicle in 2022 through a custom build, at a purchase price exceeding $80,000, with the expectation of reliability, safety, and premium quality consistent with the BMW brand. In October 2025, while my wife was driving with my son in the ve... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
2022 Audi S3 (8Y), ~35,000 miles. Vehicle developed “Gear selector malfunction. You may continue driving.” Dealer stated failure would eventually leave vehicle stranded. Gear selector replaced under partial goodwill. Immediately afterward, vehicle began experiencing communication faults U123100 and U123000 gateway module. Car reported fault 1/20 under dealership possession. Car was picked up ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
I bought this car and started to have issues after a couple weeks. Because it is a hybrid model, it works perfectly fine when the car is running on the battery. Immediately the engine began to work, I get hesitation and the car drives rough. I took it to the first dealership that said there was water in the engine but they were proved wrong because what they show as water was apparently fuel that ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
On the morning of January 28, 2026 I arrived to work and came to a complete stop in my works parking garage. I used my key card to raise the gate. Once the gate was fully raised I pressed the accelerator to drive up the ramp. Shortly after accelerating, my engine revved really loud and high rate, then my car automatically increased speed. I immediately pressed the brake pedal but it didn’t stop.... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2026
Car caught fire while parked. No signal on car indicating any problem. Car caught fire in front of my child's community center exposing children to smoke inhalation. I had to call the fire department to put out the fire. My car year and model was recalled for this but not my VIN. This has never happened to any of my cars in my life I'm just thinking how bad it could of been if I was one the highwa... Read more
Crash
Fire
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 31, 2026
Car caught fire while parked. No signal on car indicating any problem. Car caught fire in front of my child's community center exposing children to smoke inhalation. I had to call the fire department to put out the fire. My car year and model was recalled for this but not my VIN. This has never happened to any of my cars in my life I'm just thinking how bad it could of been if I was one the highwa... Read more
Crash
Fire
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
while going down road the truck loses power and the computer states that there a problem with the traction control, i have to stop the truck pull over if i can, if I'm on the road then Im on the road turn it off, then back on it the only way to restore power to the drive line
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
On the day of purchase, while traveling at approximately 70mph on the Florida Turnpike, a large section of the lower dashboard assembly detached and fell onto my feet, obstructing access to the pedals., the vehicle displayed a "Powertrain Failure" warning light. Subsequent inspection of the tires revealed extreme pressure variances (ranging from 33 to 41 PSI) and multiple "sticky" or stuck tire va... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
On the day of purchase, while traveling at approximately 70mph on the Florida Turnpike, a large section of the lower dashboard assembly detached and fell onto my feet, obstructing access to the pedals., the vehicle displayed a "Powertrain Failure" warning light. Subsequent inspection of the tires revealed extreme pressure variances (ranging from 33 to 41 PSI) and multiple "sticky" or stuck tire va... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
I was parking the car and gently tapped on the accelerator to inch forward. The car accelerated suddenly, crashed into a concrete sign holder, and knocked down a sign, until I was able to stop it using the breaks. The accident caused $5000 worth of damage that I paid out of pocket to fix, since I assumed I must have made a mistake. However when I got the car back a month later, unintended accelera... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, while driving to the residence, the coolant temperature gauge went from COLD to HOT. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that smoke was coming from the engine compartment. The contact waited for the engine to cool down before driving to the residence. The coolant reservoir was extremely low, and... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 experi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
While turning my 2022 BMW 540i onto a busy, 50 MPH road, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic drivetrain failure, without any physical trauma such as encountering a curb or pothole. The car experienced a total and immediate loss of motive power (propulsion), leaving me coasting in live traffic. This created an extreme safety hazard as I was unable to accelerate or maintain speed to clear the roadwa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2025
While turning my 2022 BMW 540i onto a busy, 50 MPH road, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic drivetrain failure, without any physical trauma such as encountering a curb or pothole. The car experienced a total and immediate loss of motive power (propulsion), leaving me coasting in live traffic. This created an extreme safety hazard as I was unable to accelerate or maintain speed to clear the roadwa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2025
We are reporting a safety issue with the BMW X5 xDrive50e model year 2025. I purchased this car on December 9, 2024, from BMW of Pembroke Pines, 14800 Sheridan Street Pembroke Pines FL 33331. Within two months of purchase, we found that car has unintended acceleration while it is about to be parked at very slow speed. I reported this safety issue to BMW dealer in Pembroke Pines FL where I purchase... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 23, 2026
By 2,000 miles, cracked windsheild experienced. Had windsheild replaced. After 1st rain, windshield leaked, passenger top. Passenger floor also saturated. Windsheild removed then replaced after finding no cracks or problems with seal. Then, experienced 3 leaks passenger top windshield and ice 4-6 inches wide along entire interior bottom of windshield. Windsheild, again, replaced. Dealer refuses ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2026
The coolant system and oil housing filters. The entire coolant system components fails in this vehicle after 60,000 mile due to the parts not being all aluminum. This fix alone is about 8k from the BMW Dealership. This isn’t fair to the customer! This needs to be a recall! The parts needs to be more stronger and never replaced with the same manufacturer part! This fails the entire engine system!... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
In order to repair the recalled equipment on the vehicle the dealerships and Kia want us to pay for them to open the trunk ($280/hour service fee to remove the back seat to gain access to the trunk and then return the back seat once completed). If the trunk latch was NOT broken to begin with they would not have to remove and replace the back seat of the car at $280/hour you would be able to push ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
I am not sure this the the right form for filing my complaint. I was issued a recall letter in November about my car catching on fire. I have seen videos of other BMWs catching on fire. I am not sure if legally I can take it to a mechanic? What if something happens while it is at the mechanic? Legally do I have to take it to the dealership? What if it catches on fire and my neighbors property gets... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
Been waiting to have this recall repaired for months. I started the car and excessive amount of fuel was injected into the combustion chamber, cause a smoke cloud.
Incident date: Jan 24, 2026
Driving on the New jersey Turpike I passed through the ez pass tolls traveling west bound on Bayview Ave bridge, the vehicle shut off without warning. No check engine light or noise, just no propulsion or anything. Dead in the water. Vehicle would not restart.
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
I delivered my vehicle to a Honda dealership in July 2025. They inspected the vehicle and agreed to replace the fuel tank. Since then, I have been receiving notifications that the fuel tank is back ordered with no ETA. I am continuing to pay insurance registration for this vehicle and I’m unable to use it. I would suggest that at this point Honda needs to buy it back.
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
While driving on a highway, the vehicle intermittently experienced a sudden loss of engine power during acceleration, accompanied by a flashing check engine warning light. The most serious event occurred while merging into traffic, when the vehicle failed to accelerate normally and briefly lost power, creating a risk of being struck by faster-moving vehicles. After pulling over and restarting the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact discovered that the water pump was continuously running after the vehicle was turned off. The contact referenced and associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was no... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Car beeped and displayed warning stating that Ignition will turn off and Check Starter System on four separate occasions, resulting in loss of all electrical power including but not limited to headlights, brake lights, console display, speedometer, dashboard lights, turn signals, hazard lights a/c, etc. The center console felt very warm. The car needed to be pulled over and ignition turned off for... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528XI. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), but the failure occurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check coolant level warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that the recall repair was not yet avail... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Sienna. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V668000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. In addition, the c... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2022 Toyota Tundra. The owner received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V501000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION), 22V661000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 23V142000 (STRUCTURE), 23V566000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), 24V125000 (POWER TRAIN), 24V381000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), 25V657000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION), and 25V322000 (EXTERIOR L... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
Multiple warning lights coming on for no reason Car not charging Dealer ship not able to detect issue
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
80,000 Miles, complete engine break down. 12,000 to repair
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, while attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start. The contact stated that the vehicle eventually started. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with coolant pump failure. The contact was informed that the coolant had been continuously running, causing the battery to c... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
Vehicle Safety Complaint – Instrument Cluster Failure Component/System Failed: The instrument cluster (dashboard display), part number 68522503AD, malfunctioned and intermittently went completely black while the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle and component were available for inspection and were inspected and repaired at Tomball DCJR. Safety Risk: When the instrument cluster malfunctioned,... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
My vehicle is included in BMW Recall Campaign No. 25V 644 – Engine Starter. It has repeatedly failed to start, and on two separate occasions the engine completely stalled while I was stopped at a traffic light. Each time, it took multiple attempts before the car would restart. I have also been stranded in numerous parking lots—during both extreme heat and freezing temperatures—with my childr... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2025
Faulty Transmissions even after replacement. Fluid leaks and abrupt starting / stopping with it. Dealers can't seem to figure it out and have become a safety issue
Incident date: Sep 13, 2025
The primary failure involves the EGR cooler system covered under Recall 21V-907, with consequential damage to the intake system, including intake air leaks, charge pipe failure, displaced turbo-to-DPF V-band clamp, brittle/cracked fuel lines, and intake system integrity loss. Yes — the vehicle and all affected components are available for inspection upon request The EGR cooler internal leak def... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2025
The primary failure involves the EGR cooler system covered under Recall 21V-907, with consequential damage to the intake system, including intake air leaks, charge pipe failure, displaced turbo-to-DPF V-band clamp, brittle/cracked fuel lines, and intake system integrity loss. Yes — the vehicle and all affected components are available for inspection upon request The EGR cooler internal leak def... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2026
On 4/17/2025, we purchased 4 BRIDGESTONE tires at Discount Tire Company. The front two tires are model 225 /40 R18 88Y SL BSW BM RF and the rear two tires are model 245 /35 R18 92Y XL BSW BM RF. On 9/3/2025, we had to replace a front tire (225 /40 R18 88Y SL BSW BM RF), due to a hole caused by pothole damage going about 40 mph. On 10/21/2025, we had to replace a rear tire (245 /35 R18 92Y XL BSW... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2026
On 4/17/2025, we purchased 4 BRIDGESTONE tires at Discount Tire Company. The front two tires are model 225 /40 R18 88Y SL BSW BM RF and the rear two tires are model 245 /35 R18 92Y XL BSW BM RF. On 9/3/2025, we had to replace a front tire (225 /40 R18 88Y SL BSW BM RF), due to a hole caused by pothole damage going about 40 mph. On 10/21/2025, we had to replace a rear tire (245 /35 R18 92Y XL BSW B... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2025
On 4/17/2025, we purchased 4 BRIDGESTONE tires at Discount Tire Company. The front two tires are model 225 /40 R18 88Y SL BSW BM RF and the rear two tires are model 245 /35 R18 92Y XL BSW BM RF. On or before 10/21/2025, we noticed two bulges in the rear tire and had to have it replaced. Not sure of the cause. This was the second Bridgestone Potenza tire since April 2025 that had to be replaced.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
On 4/17/2025, we purchased 4 BRIDGESTONE tires at Discount Tire Company. The front two tires are model 225 /40 R18 88Y SL BSW BM RF and the rear two tires are model 245 /35 R18 92Y XL BSW BM RF. On 9/3/2025, we had to replace a front tire, due to a hole in the tire from pothole damage going about 40 mph. I can't say the exact safety risk this posed, but a tire getting a hole in it at 40 miles per ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
My 2024 Jeep Wrangler experiences violent front-end oscillation at highway speeds after hitting bumps, resulting in temporary loss of steering control. The dealer suspects the steering stabilizer but refuses warranty repair due to inability to replicate. This is a safety issue that I am gravely concerned about.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The check engine light on my 2020 BMW X7 intermittently illuminates and then clears without warning. A BMW technician diagnosed the cause as a malfunctioning active grille shutter assembly at the front of the vehicle. Research shows this is a widespread issue among BMW X5 and X7 models of similar years, with many owners reporting the same failure and expensive repairs. This appears to be a systemi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
See attached document for complaint. I’m writing to voice my concerns about my inability to have my vehicle repaired. I’ve received these safety recall notices for years. Every year I call both local Ford dealerships (Classic Ford of Columbia, Dick Smith Ford) and both tell me I must leave my vehicle for 7 to 10 days or longer and without access to a loaner vehicle. Any assistance that you c... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
When my windows are up the heater whines, now yesterday the rear window blew out, I’m being told it is a known issue with the 2015 Chevy Silverado, I saw it was recalled and fixed in 2020, obviously the fix did not work and now my truck is a fire danger.
Incident date: Jan 7, 2026
Opened driver door to exit vehicle and heard a loud POP! Noticed rear window had exploded. Glass flew outside behind vehicle and continued to fall in rear of vehicle. Defrost was not in use. It was single digit temp out.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
Many things are happening to my truck that’s why I am contacting you people to see if I got any callback thank you so much