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 41,082 complaints for BMW
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
We have had several problems with our 2021 Nissan Kicks, all of which are safety concerns, and all of which have have occurred at well under 100,000 miles. We purchased the vehicle from a Nissan dealer in January of 2022. 1 - Rust is bubbling up from under the paint. I am told this is perforating rust that could easily spread to or originate from the frame of the vehicle. This could cause the enti... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V411000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) and 22V406000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into the driveway and turned off the vehicle. After exiting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the exhaus... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
At approximately 30,000 miles, the front left suspension lateral link/control arm separated while driving due to a missing mounting fastener (bolt), resulting in sudden steering instability and abnormal front wheel movement. Vehicle handling became unpredictable and felt unsafe to control, creating risk of loss of steering control. I stopped driving immediately. There was no collision, curb strik... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the messages "Driver’s Air Bag Malfunction - Service Required" and "Collision Prevention Assist Unavailable" were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the air bag had malfunctioned. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the de... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
I was pulling into my garage with my foot on the break going very slow, all of a sudden the jeep jumped forward smashing into my garage wall into the family room. Filed a claim with insurance company for both damage to car and damage to home. Claim number for car: 26-01382 Claim number for home: 26-01383
Crash
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Diesel and to request immediate review and assistance from General Motors. I purchased this vehicle from a GM dealership in 2024 with approximately 70,000 miles for roughly $42,000. The vehicle currently has approximately 121,000 miles. Since purchasing the vehicle, it has suffered major ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Diesel and to request immediate review and assistance from General Motors. I purchased this vehicle from a GM dealership in 2024 with approximately 70,000 miles for roughly $42,000. The vehicle currently has approximately 121,000 miles. Since purchasing the vehicle, it has suffered major ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2024
The slip notification, abs, and brake lights turned on while driving on the highway. The brakes then became very stiff and the vehicle did not brake as fast or as well as it normally does without the lights.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that while parked and attempting to release the seat belt, the seat belt remained latched. The contact stated that after the third attempt, the seat belt operated as needed. The failure had occurred in the front driver’s and passenger’s side seat belts. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was determined that the buckle an... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
8/25/2023 18,118 miles, vehicle purchased. Warranty 48 months or 50,000 miles. Factory warranty remaining 31 months or 31,905 miles. 1/8/2024 26,536 miles, L Headlight failure, electric door lock malfunction, air suspension failure. Headlight = warranty replacement. Service Department = no solution, diagnostic code or replication of electric lock or suspension issue. 3/26/2024 30,285 miles, ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
Transmission failed. This is the third transmission in this car, which only has 130,000 miles and has been well-maintained. This transmission failure happened in a busy downtown area with evening traffic (lower visibility, lots of cars, lots of people, lots of angry and impatient drivers as car stopped working in busy area). I am lucky that I was not rear ended during the sudden failure.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
Engine suffered coolant intrusion known design defect on ford escape 1.5 L engines. Needs engine replacement.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
The metal gas tank shroud (cover) on the bottom of the car is completed rotted away and there is no longer anything protecting the gas tank from rupture. This was brought to my attention by an automotive service center as well as my own visual inspection. My understanding this shroud not only protects the tank but also helps support it to the car.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
The contact owned a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a deer, causing significant damage to the front end. During the crash, no airbags deployed. The cause of the air bag's failure to deploy was not determined. The vehicle was repaired at the local collision center. Recently, while driving approximately 50 MPH, the driver pr... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 13, 2025
I have a diagnosed PTU failure in my 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk it has 55k on the vehicle. The vehicle is not safe to drive in the michigan winter, and i have contacted my jeep dealer who said there is nothing they could do.
Incident date: Sep 13, 2025
I own a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe that is currently subject to an active safety recall involving a fire hazard. I have been advised that the vehicle should not be parked in a residential garage due to risk of fire. At this time, no permanent repair or remedy has been made available. This significantly limits safe residential use of the vehicle. I previously notified the manufacturer, FCA US L... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2025
Catastrophic brake system failure. When leaving my home in Baltimore County, MD, at approx. 10:00am on February 3rd, my vehicle started up normally. As I descended down a hill in our neighborhood the brake system failed and the vehicle would not stop. By standing on the brake pedal I slowed enough to put the vehicle in park as I entered an intersection with the main road. I have since learned ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2026
Factory paint on my 2015 Toyota Corolla is delaminating and peeling in sheets down to primer on multiple body panels (hood, fender, and door area). There is no impact damage, scratches, or external cause. This appears to be a factory paint adhesion failure. Exposed metal creates corrosion risk and loss of vehicle value. The condition has been confirmed visually by a Toyota dealership, but Toyota c... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2026
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
I am reporting a serious safety issue involving my 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee hybrid. The vehicle has experienced repeated stalling and loss of propulsion while driving, including in active traffic and in a school pickup line. The vehicle has unexpectedly failed to accelerate or start, creating dangerous situations for myself, my passengers, and surrounding vehicles. The vehicle has stalled in traf... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
Incident Summary for NHTSA Complaint Component Involved: Electrical System: Alternator / Charging System Vehicle State: In motion (City street/Highway) Speed at Failure: Approximately [Insert Speed] MPH Narrative Description: The vehicle suffered a catastrophic electrical failure while in motion, resulting in an immediate and total engine stall in live traffic. This failure occurred without suffi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
Due to a lack of available parts for this recall, the vehicle repairs will take up to 30 plus days before the parts arrive. On top of that, there is a waiting list for the vehicles that need to be fixed. This means, I will be without a vehicle for a lengthy amount of time. They don’t have enough loaners vehicles and I cannot afford to purchase a new car at this time. This recall issue has caused... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
On Feb. 1, 2026 my 2022 Kia Sportage caught fire while parked and turned off. The vehicle had been stationary and was not running at the time the fire started. There were no warning lights, no prior overheating, and no collision or external cause. The fire appears to have originated from the engine/electrical area. This incident resulted in a total loss of the vehicle and posed a serious safety r... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2026
My car has previously been reported for having issues with electrical problems that I have had to fight the manufacturer to get repaired unsuccessfully.I am constantly experiencing and smelling burning in my dash when I crank the car. Car is no longer under warranty, so therefore, I cannot afford to continue to go in and report the same problem over and over again.My turn signal bulbs are constant... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 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
Here is a summary of the issue I experienced in a form of answers your questions. I have uploaded a more detailed description of the issue in a pdf file. 1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The power steering on my new 2026 BMW X3 iDrive30 failed (at 135 miles on the odometer) while making a righthand turn resulting in the steer... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2016
Infotainment screen is blank most of the time. Backup camera works intermittently. Dealer confirmed head unit failure and stated software updates cannot be performed. Quoted approximately $7,500 for full replacement. Issue has been occurring for over two years, beginning while vehicle was still relatively new. Creates unsafe reversing conditions due to unreliable federally required backup camera ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2025
Since I acquired the vehicle at around 100k miles, there is a transmission shift wobble at 30mph, 40mph, 45mph, 60mph and 65mph. I drove a manual transmission for over 10yrs prior to this vehicle and when this transmission wobble happens, I just reved a bit and let the gas go so it shifts better into the next gear. I just got used to it, my worry began when the wobble would happen while on cruise... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
Since I acquired the vehicle at around 100k miles, there is a transmission shift wobble at 30mph, 40mph, 45mph, 60mph and 65mph. I drove a manual transmission for over 10yrs prior to this vehicle and when this transmission wobble happens, I just reved a bit and let the gas go so it shifts better into the next gear. I just got used to it, my worry began when the wobble would happen while on cruise... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
After few hours of research I found a part number to order replacement fuel filter required for use from Recall 22v-406. After passed onto by FCA and reaching out to Mopar who passed me onto local dealer and research on various forums I found a part number 68632011AA for the fuel filter so I thought. I contacted dealer and was told no filter is available and no date when it will be available, so b... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
The contact owned a 2015 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously involved in a front-impact collision, and the air bags had failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries and received medical assistance from a chiropractor. A police report was filed, and the vehicle was driven from the scene. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH approximately ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
Were were driving, my 2021 Toyota Tundra, just stopped running. No check engine lights had come on until the engine stalled as we coasted to a stop on the side of the road. We had it towed to the Central Maine Motor in Waterville, Maine 04901. Central Maine Motor -Toyota service just got my truck in to a service bay today 1/29/26 and in formed me the failure was due to the fuel pressure module and... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
Vehicle is unable to charge. Dealer inspection confirmed damage to the charging coupler/receptacle. Charging port shows burn marks and electrical damage. Dealer recommended replacement of the drive motor battery charger receptacle. Vehicle has no diagnostic trouble codes. No accidents, no misuse, no aftermarket equipment. Failure occurred during normal home charging. Honda dealer and Honda USA ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
Trailer King RST 235/80R16: six of them on a triple axle boat trailer. Was towing a boat and experienced a blowout on the passenger rear trailer tire, of which we did not hit a pothole or strike debris. It bent the boat trailer fender and damaged several components of the trailer. It was identified by Discount Tire that the passenger side lead tire experienced belt separation, which is a manufactu... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
Trailer King RST 235/80R16: six of them on a triple axle boat trailer. Was towing a boat and experienced a blowout on the passenger rear trailer tire, of which we did not hit a pothole or strike debris. It bent the boat trailer fender and damaged several components of the trailer. It was identified by Discount Tire that the passenger side lead tire experienced belt separation, which is a manufactu... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
The seat belt latch broke . The seat belt is not retracting . Dangerous situation . The seat belt too loose and will not secure driver
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
When driving in traffic about 10 mph engine shuts down and power steering goes out. . When I slow to turn, the engine shuts down sometimes and the power steering goes out. No warnings. I’m afraid to drive it. I almost hit a lady while turning in a parking lot because the steering went out and it died. Sometime it’s hard to turn the key to start the truck. This has happened 9 or 10 times ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
The power steering goes out while driving almost causing a crash
Incident date: Jan 25, 2026
Electric power steering failed and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The power steering unit failed while driving down a curvy highway in Kenai Burrow, Alaska. I took the vehicle to the local Ford dealer and dropped said vehicle off. The service tech stated that the 2019 Ford escape was prone to having issues with the power steering unit. The vehicle is in the shop at this time... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2026
Everyday I drive the vehicle There are 2 error messages 1. Front Camera fault, service required 2. Pre-collision Assist not available I have 32 Pre-collision warning messages in the last month, one for every day I drive. I had to drive 4 hours with no cruise control causing my leg to cramp at the 2 hour mark. There needs to be a recall for this issue. Many many other owners of the Mach-e... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2020
I heard a popping sound from behind driver seat when I started the car. A few minutes later a dash warning showed up "stop vehicle and check battery state" followed by a complete loss of power on the road within 3 miles of reduced power driving (I was trying to find a safe spot to turn out of 6 lane road). Vehicle had to be towed to dealer who states the Integrated Charge Control Unit ICCU is not ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
Horn fuse has blown 4 times in 5000 miles leaving the vehicle unsafe to operate. Problem is reproduced and confirmed. First started in November 2025 and 4th fuse was placed January 2026.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
Low beam headlights delaminated so there is not enough light to see safely at night. I replaced the entire headlight units after just replacing the bulbs to see if that would fix it
Incident date: Mar 6, 2000
This vehicle was purchased with 10,000 miles from a Chevrolet dealer. At 13,000 miles the transmission started making an awful noise. Up a service check it was found that the transmission pump was failing.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2000
Engine failure due to coolant leak: in December, 2025, vehicle was towed to dealership due to overheating engine. While driving home from work, Vehicle was exhibiting engine overheating including temperature warning lights, temperature gauge fluctuating from normal to extremely high, a strange sound coming from the front of the vehicle (almost like a fan was not working) and running rough, like a ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2000
While driving at highway speed, 65mph, the 2013 Town and Country shut down. The dash instruments and all internal lighting shut off, the radio shut off and the blower fan for heat shut off. I lost the ability to steer and brake (power steering went out) but managed to maneuver the vehicle to the right lane. The car would not respond to any acceleration attempt. I tried turning the key while co... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
Vehicle was purchased CPO ( Certified Pre Owned ) with only 43K miles on the odometer on or about DEC , 7-10 2025. Since purchase of the vehicle it has been shifting, shuddering and tugging between 0-30mph. The vehicle shifts hard and doesn’t catch or change gears fast enough causing the engine to be caught in high RPM.
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
From all the research I have done on my vehicle, it has the Takata airbag inflators that uses phase‑stabilized ammonium nitrate without a desiccant which should have been in the Nationwide Ford vehicle recall. I am the original owner of my 2003 Mustang Mach 1 and it has never had the airbags replaced and I have never received a recall notice. I had Ford run an OASIS report on my VIN and they t... Read more