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: Jan 21, 2026
The AC charging for this car stopped working around [XXX]. After 3 trips to the dealership for repair I brought it back a 4th time and because the dealership was unable to repair it they gave me a loaner to use while they tried to figure out the problem. During this time they removed the entire battery from the car, dropped the suspension, experienced the car not being able to go into gear (rever... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
The contact's son owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was informed that the vehicle had been running rough and idling roughly prior to the warning light becoming illuminated. The owner had taken the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer retrieved DTC: P0303 (Misfire in Cylinder... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2020
Tesla’s Obstruction of Repairs Tesla deleted my original service complaint and annotations regarding these delivery defects. The associated service appointment was cancelled without notice or rescheduling. No repairs were performed despite the issues being raised during the warranty period. This prevented reasonable repair attempts and allowed the defects to persist. Current Nonconformities and ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2020
Tesla’s Obstruction of Repairs Tesla deleted my original service complaint and annotations regarding these delivery defects. The associated service appointment was cancelled without notice or rescheduling. No repairs were performed despite the issues being raised during the warranty period. This prevented reasonable repair attempts and allowed the defects to persist. Current Nonconformities and ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2020
Rear sliding doors have an electrical issue that can cause a warning that the door is open to be displayed on the drivers information screen while the vehicle is in gear, and being driven. After a moment you will hear a relay click, the error message goes away, and after a while the error message shows up again this repeats in cycles. Attempts to disable the sliding door system for safety removing... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2025
Engine started rough idling and knocking. Took to a mechanic who found metal particulate in the oil and the engine spun a bearing.
Incident date: Jul 26, 2025
In August 2025, AutoNation Toyota on Sahara, checked the VIN of my Toyota Sienna and contacted Toyota while I was present. Toyota confirmed a broken fuel-door hinge was covered under a Customer Support Program. Instead, AutoNation attempted to repair, rather than replace, the hinge. This caused the metal fuel cap door to end up bent, paint to be gouged out from the bottom of the fuel door area, mi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2025
OEM Running boards, non powered. It is available for inspection. The running boards are slippery evetime they are wet. Does not matter what shoes you have. I have slipped 4 times since owned the vehicle and even broke the interior panel of my driver side door in 2023 which lead to a$500 repair bill. My wife and I both slipped today (1/26/26) and bruised pretty bad. Kids have also slipped in t... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
Radio malfunctions. Channels automatically change and touch screen doesn't work all the time. I believe 2015 Sonic has a recall for this issue , but not 2016. It appears to be the same issue.
Incident date: May 26, 2025
serious safety-related defects in my 2023 Kia K5 involving the fuel/emissions system &other vehicle components. From early ownership & throughout the lease period, the vehicle experienced repeated& unresolved issues including fuel system abnormalities, emissions failures, fuel odors, check engine light activation, abnormal noises, &performance concerns consistent with fuel pressure or fuel tank-re... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2025
serious safety-related defects in my 2023 Kia K5 involving the fuel/emissions system &other vehicle components. From early ownership & throughout the lease period, the vehicle experienced repeated& unresolved issues including fuel system abnormalities, emissions failures, fuel odors, check engine light activation, abnormal noises, &performance concerns consistent with fuel pressure or fuel tank-re... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2025
My 2022 Kia EV6 would not charge on my home Level 2 charger and potentially shorted my ChargePoint home charger due to a failure of the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU). I tried to charge on a Level 1 charger and the vehicle would not charge and brought up a electrical error message. I then tried charging on a Level 3 charger which worked. I brought my vehicle to the dealership today and... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
My truck has been shuddering and when put into gear it sounds like the bottom is falling out of it. Now when I am driving my truck is shuddering very hard and skipping gears. I have been having this issue since I bought the truck with only 47k miles and I have only put 40k miles on this truck in the past 3 years that I have owned it. I keep the maintenance up on my truck and have since I’ve owne... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2025
All safety and most computer related features in the vehicle have failed. Cruise control, backup cameras, all other cameras, the navigation (assuming this is also impacting the projection of remaining battery life as my car always thinks it is at my home), warning signals for approaching obstacles/dangers, cruise control of any kind does now work, lane departure warning has failed, and automatic w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
I have replaced the transmission due to the toque converter acting up and then failing. I have replaced now 3 coolant parts as well due to leaking and constant overheating and have replaced the block once as well.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
2018 Ford Escape SEL 1.5L 4Cyl Turbo. 43,883 miles. Engine light came on. Checked by mechanic on 1/15/26. (Philadelphia PA 19128). Diagnosis: Coolant leaking from head gasket into cylinder #3. Recommend remove & replace engine. Cost: $11,551.13 (total) (which is around what the vehicle is worth). I have since researched this problem and found out it is a longstanding issue with this Ford engine... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
We purchased the car less than a year ago. It is still under warranty. The ICCU failed while we were driving on a city street. Several warnings lit up on the screen, telling us to immediately pull over for safety because of an electrical failure. We waited 30m for a tow truck in below freezing weather. It was towed to the Hyundai dealership, and several days later they inspected it and confirmed i... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
Coming down a ramp in parking deck with right foot lightly riding the brake pedal to control the car’s descent when all of a sudden the vehicle accelerated full throttle as if the gas pedal had been “floored.” The acceleration was so intense that it drove my body backward into my seat and pulled my foot off the brake. At this point, the only control I had was my hands on the steering wheel.... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
Need a recall for, P0DAB - Hybrid battery cell balancing conformance error code. Thousands of 2024 CX-90 customers experiencing the issue and MAZDA USA is not responsive. All of the 2024 vehicles are LEMONS and NHTSA should force Mazda to replace these lemons with a new model for the safety of the US citizens.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Our daughter was driving our car at 40 Mph. Driver comming from other direction turned into trying to turn left. Other driver hit our car head on, left front driver side area. No airbags deployed. Car equipped with front and side airbags. Our daughter had to go to the hospital for injuries.
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
IN THE EQUINOX LT, VIN [XXX] , THE TELEMETRY MODULE HAS AN ISSUE PER THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER DUE TO THE TELEMETRY MODULE ISSUE. THE PART IS ON ORDER AND AS OF JANUARY 16, 2026. IT WILL TAKE 4 TO 6 WEEKS TO ARRIVE. IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TWICE IN TWO WEEKS, AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN JUMPED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN T... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
I was driving up a hill and coming to a light. Another car was asking the turn at the light. I let off the gas to slow the car down and there was no way I was going to hit the car turning. The Automatic Emergency Braking engaged, slamming on the brakes, causing an abrupt stop in traffic. I was almost hit from behind because this system took over my car and did not allow me the driver to co trol... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2026
suddenly went into limp mode on the highway, engine had to be replaced due to bearing failure sending metal through the engine
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the failure was associated with a coolant sensor failure; however, it was unknown whether the dealer had repaired the vehicle. The dealer then informed the contact that the vehicle was safe to drive. However, while driving 65-70 MPH, the... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of a strong fuel odor around the exterior of the vehicle and inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after refueling. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure, and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. Th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Brakes problem: During rain season the moisture can get into the brake system. When backing up, the brakes feel partially seized, and make squeeze sound. The problem is more serious when pulling the parking brake during overnight parking. Somehow the sound is coming out of front brakes. The sound will diminish after break several times during normal breaking. Forward Collision warning system: The... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Brakes problem: During rain season the moisture can get into the brake system. When backing up, the brakes feel partially seized, and make squeeze sound. The problem is more serious when pulling the parking brake during overnight parking. Somehow the sound is coming out of front brakes. The sound will diminish after break several times during normal breaking. Forward Collision warning system: The... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
While driving in 4x4 on a snow covered road, the truck simultaneously got a check engine light as well as several other error messages to include service required to the emergency braking and the trailer brake controller. At the same time, the full exhaust brake engaged without any driver input and caused a sudden slowing of the truck's tires on a slippery surface. The owners manual specifically w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
On 1/16/2026, while operating my 2017 Ford C-Max Hybrid in the Bay Area, the vehicle displayed a low tire pressure warning. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle experienced a rapid mechanical or electrical failure that required me to safely pull over and exit the vehicle. Upon exiting, I observed smoke followed by open flames originating from the vehicle. Emergency services were contacted immediately, ... Read more
Fire
BMW
I4 XDRIVE40
(2025) - AIR BAGS
Jan 22, 2026
Incident date: Jan 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who informed the contact of a Manufacturer's Extended Warranty Coverage for the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
During operation of my vehicle, the radio will frequently change channels, switch to mapping system, or request for a voice command. This is very distracting during traveling. When using the map system, the navigation system will frequently change and will direct me to a place I don't want or will take several miles around rather than the shortest route
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
I purchased this truck new. On many occasions while trying to accelerate from a stopped position there is a few second delay before the car will move. This in my opinion is a serious condition because when you think you can move into traffic the car won't move. This could cause a serious accident. I brought this to the attention of the nissan service center several times only to be told that i... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
I purchased this truck new. On many occasions while trying to accelerate from a stopped position there is a few second delay before the car will move. This in my opinion is a serious condition because when you think you can move into traffic the car won't move. This could cause a serious accident. I brought this to the attention of the nissan service center several times only to be told that i... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2026
There were no warning or check engine lights prior to the incidents below. Car was just serviced Nov 3rd 2025 for safety recall 25v-472 and 25v-576. 1st incident Dec 21, 2025: Driving 70mph on major busy interstate in MA and all of a sudden vehicle lost ALL power. It shut off completely. No lights, No warning. Had to coast over to R shoulder and wait several min before power restored. This was Ve... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2026
On Saturday, December 6, 2025 my [XXX] mother and I were driving back to my mom’s Saint Peters, Missouri home around 5:15 pm. I had just exited Missouri Highway 364 at Woodstone/Jungermann Road. I turned right onto Woodstone and heard a thud/clunk. Never heard that sound before. One hundred yards later, the 2015 Murano stopped accelerating right in the middle of the road. I put it in Par... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Diesel exhaust fluid tank heater malfunctioned and meted tank and connectors.
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, while starting the vehicle, several warning lights illuminated after manually starting the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. While attempting to shift the vehicle into 4WD, the vehicle failed to respond and remained in 2WD. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was no... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
I turned on my minivan to drive my kids to school when I heard a sudden loud metal shredding/knocking and shut my van off. All maintenance was performed regularly on the van and no lights were on. I have a hole in my engine block now caused by a thrown rod, and no mechanic can explain why this happened. Oil was in good condition, and nothing indicated this should have happened.
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
NHTSA ID: 24V-700 Was announced September 2024. It is now January 2026 without a fix nor can I fast charge, preventing me from using this car for daily travel. What is NHTSA’s recommendation for this recall? Nissan keeps extending the date for a fix.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
The driver seatbelt was soaking wet after a rainstorm. The vehicle does not have a sunroof. Upon further inspection the airbag and its electronics were also soaked in water. It has never been in an accident or had any work done to it. There is a factory installed roof rack(Sport model). I am concerned for the safety in the function of the airbag and seatbelt tensioner in the event of an accident... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
I own a 2021 Ford F-150 that is part of recall 25S75 for the low‑pressure fuel pump. Ford announced this recall years ago, but there is still no fix or parts available. This is a safety issue because the fuel pump can fail and cause the truck to stall or not start. I rely on this vehicle, and it’s frustrating that there is still no remedy after all this time. Many other F-150 owners are report... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
I was driving on a 2-lane road early in the morning with light snowfall. There was about 1" of snow on the road, with the roads not yet plowed or treated as it was the beginning of the snowfall. About 15 minutes into my trip, I was on a relatively flat and straight stretch of the road and let up on the gas paddle to avoid going too fast -- was probably traveling ~35 mph. Although the road was s... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The engine has a knocking sound. I took it into the dealer and they replaced the exhaust system thinking that was the problem. However, the knocking still happens intermittently. I have video documentation of the noise.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Upon triggering the trunk release, the integrated hydraulic dampeners failed to mitigate the tension of the lift springs. The trunk lid swung open with enough velocity to over-extend the hinges and strike the rear windshield, causing the tempered glass to shatter.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The windshield wipers activate by themselves, even when it is not raining and there is no water.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster failed to function as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the turn signal and the speed control failed to function as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The failure was troubleshooted; however, the failure was not diagnosed. In additio... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
Loss of power while driving, no warnings, no lights on dash, no unusual noises, and no codes. The Yukon just randomly went into neutral while driving 65 mph and "Press Start Again" popped up on the dash. I struggled to get the truck to the side of the road safely. After getting the truck into park it started back up, and I was able to make it the 3 miles home. I scheduled it to go into the dealer... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
10R80 Transmission issues. Hard shifting, lunging forward, irradic shifting on highway, hard shifting between 3rd and 4th gear which causes the vehicle to lunge forward. Near full transmission failure on highway. Excessive loss of power and erratic shifting. Had to pull over in the highway. Mechanic states a new transmission is needed.
Incident date: May 17, 2025
My 2022 Kia k5 has gone into limp mode multiple times now while I am driving in addition to when it starts up. Check engine light, AUTOHOLD, EPB, traction control, etc. all aluminate on my dashboard. Car drives very rough and doesn’t want to accelerate or shift. Huge safety issue. Dealership said it was the throttle body assembly. Paid to have it replaced and the issues still persists. I have re... Read more