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: Jul 22, 2025
The vehicle has experienced ongoing powertrain and electrical malfunctions over several months. The most common symptoms include being stuck in 4th gear (limp mode), complete loss of RPM and speedometer readings, and illumination of the check engine and ESC lights. Most recently, while traveling at approximately 10 mph, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of both acceleration and braking. The br... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2023
A major electrical issue has occurred in this car since June 1, 2025. The Traction Control System dashboard indicator (the skidding car) comes on even though I am not using the TCS. When this happens, I get a message saying "Hill start assist not available," and am unable to manipulate my headlights, use turn signals, or lock/unlock my doors (I need to use the physical key to lock/unlock the drive... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2023
A major electrical issue has occurred in this car since June 1, 2025. The Traction Control System dashboard indicator (the skidding car) comes on even though I am not using the TCS. When this happens, I get a message saying "Hill start assist not available," and am unable to manipulate my headlights, use turn signals, or lock/unlock my doors (I need to use the physical key to lock/unlock the drive... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2023
Heard a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days then I’ll the sudden the horn stopped working and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working. I’m a mechanic so I took apart the clock spring stealing wheel compartment to find all of the wire broken and very very brittle. Cause for concern due to airbag malfunction and is no longer connected properly!!!I’ve been hea... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and attempting to bring the vehicle of a complete stop, the vehicle slowed but failed to stop as expected. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard but was able to bring the vehicle to a stop by using the parking brake. The low brake fluid warning light was illuminated. The vehicle w... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. Several unknown messages were displayed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2025
The controls (buttons) on the right side of my steering wheel progressed from slow to respond to completely unresponsive, and then the driver airbag light started coming on. At first it was intermittent, then constant. I didn't expect those two issues to be related but did come to learn it was the clock switch. According to my Hyundai dealer, this is a known issue in several other years/models o... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2025
I have been encountering a persistent issue with the engine, which exhibits symptoms of underperformance, occasionally necessitating a complete stop. Additionally, the ABS warning light activates intermittently without providing any diagnostic codes before subsequently disappearing. A recent diagnostic check identified several minor concerns. I've also observed a degradation in the vehicle's... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the is... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2025
Power steering will turn off randomly while driving. It makes it very hard to turn and is extremely dangerous to drive. It is a safety hazard for me, my family, and anybody on the road nearby. The problem has happened multiple times with no warning. The power steering will work fine for a period of time but randomly cut off. Vehicle was brought to a dealer but they are unable to replicate the issu... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
Was accelerating to pass another vehicle and all of the sudden the the check engine light came on and the engine started shaking as if it were shutting down. I was able to slow down and pull over on the side of the road. Now I am unable to accelerate over about 30 mph without this occurring.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
The sunroof glass on our 2021 Highlander unexplainably shattered on our ride home on 7/20/25 at approximately 12:30PM. Sky was overcast, and the temperature was in the mid 80's. We had just entered the highway and were still accelerating to highway speed. We were not near a pedestrian overpass where a rock could have been tossed from above. Broken glass edges are pointing upward. The sunroof w... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
I discovered suspected non-OEM electrical components, including a twisted white wire pair and burgundy connector, routed through the passenger-side fuse box and terminating at a footwell speaker or unknown transducer. RF scans (TinySA) showed consistent emissions at 93–106.6 MHz in the cabin, even with the engine off. Symptoms include localized EM exposure targeting genital area, neurological di... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
I’m the owner of a 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV and I’m experiencing a critical software bug: the car does not retain my custom driver assistance settings. Specifically, I have a bike rack installed on the rear hitch. I disable automatic rear emergency braking to avoid false stops when reversing, but the setting resets every time I turn off the vehicle. This leads to the car emergency braking unnec... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
Acceleration failing. Knocking of motor, winding sound, a huge clicking sound when accelerating, and engine burning very excessively. We have 4 children and its very unsettling to say the least on a 100,000 vehicle we paid for. I hope and pray you include our vin number with the 6.2 recall as the dealer is well aware of this problem long before the current recall. It's very unfortunate ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
I drove about 40 mins to a friends house. Got up the next day to leave and I started the car and the power steering assist fault warning light came on. Nothing led up to this incident. Just all of a sudden.
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2007 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the driver pressed the accelerator pedal the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration, causing the vehicle's speed to suddenly increase above 65 MPH. The driver shifted the transmission to the neutral position, but the vehicle continued to increase speed. The driver then pressed the brake pedal... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Peterbilt Conventional 579. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission independently shifted to neutral. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, and the vehicle was independently reset. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that a software update was order... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
On two different occasions (the 2nd one happened today), the automatic emergency braking system has deployed. The first time, I was in the right lane and a car passing me in the left lane pulled in front of me. I softly applied my brakes as that was all that was required. The automatic braking system then slammed on the brakes unnecessarily - causing the car behind me to almost hit me. Then, t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2025
Truck goes into limp mode several times… fuses pop when it does..it does it when I drive or hit any slight bump
Incident date: Feb 27, 2025
I have driving on highway [XXX] heading back home to yucca valley from oceanside driving in the left lane my steering wheel locked up my vehicle swerved let into a street sign and thr vehicle proceeded to turn right swerving on the road losing control of the vehicle my airbag never deployed and my riverside tire as well the drives haft fell off the vehicle and now my car is completely totaled luc... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Feb 27, 2025
My airbag sensory notifications keeps coming on. When I start my car normally it isn’t on but once I start driving the notification will come on along with the ding noise it makes when you don’t have on a seat belt. I notice there was a recall on this issue for the later model Corolla and wanted to see if possibly this could be considered for the 2020 Corolla’s.
Incident date: Feb 27, 2025
Formally reporting a serious and recurring safety issue with my 2021 BMW X5. Over the past five months, I experienced three separate incidents where the vehicle abruptly stopped while driving, each time displaying a red car warning light on the dashboard. The red malfunction symbol was similar to the below image (found online) Description of the Issue: Each of these terrifying safety experiences ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
Rear camera fails intermittently. Phone stopped connecting through BlueTooth. Tried different phone. Still won’t connect. Tried resetting to factory settings. Nothing. Blower fan only works on 1 speed. Changed blower motor and wiring harness. Still not working. Changed the ccm73. Still won’t work. I accidentally found what I thought was a recall on APIM but dealer says there is no recalls.
Incident date: Jul 3, 2025
“System fault” see owners manual. Forward emergency brake assist not working , reverse emergency brake assist not working. As well as the traction control was not working. Forward/Reverse Safety is a concern because if a vehicle cuts me off or person jumps in front or walks behind of my vehicle it will cause accident. The dealership confirmed the problem. As well as many people state they have... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
Was driving on [XXX] (approximately 130 miles from home), when a loud clunking and metal on metal sound was heard, the causing power loss, slowing of vehicle and necessitated immediate pulling over to the side of the road. The was a catastrophic internal engine failure which caused the spark plugs to blow out. There were no warnings. The car was just inspected and had an oil change earlier in the... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH while driving. In addition, the contact stated when the vehicle was started, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the contact heard a grinding sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering module and rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was no... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto body repair shop, where it was diagnosed with the cylinder #1 misfire. The contact replaced the spark plugs; however, the failure recurred, and the check engine warning light was flashing. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the coolant lev... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2025
When I press the gas pedal halfway or 3/4 nothing happens - which is really bad in heavy traffic situations. On the highway, I floored it and the RPM was racing but it wouldn't shift up, so the engine was racing but there was no acceleration at all. I backed off and accelerated lightly, it would speed up. Scary. I have stomped on the accelerator it will rev to between 4 and 5 thousand rpms never ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking or ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the sound became louder. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed t... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
The vehicle emits a loud clicking or popping noise from the front axle/CV joints when turning from a complete stop, despite having very low mileage. It has already been serviced twice and is currently in service for the same issue. A failing CV axle is essential to steering and can pose significant safety risks, especially at higher speeds.
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
After receiving a notification for a safety recall for a 2023 Yamaha XSR900, the recall was applied by a Yamaha dealer in Santa Maria, after the recall the motorcycle idle poorly at low temperature and stalls during acceleration, it is a very dangerous condition as it can inadvertently stop the engine during maneuvers at low speeds. Several posts in the internet complain about the same issue, the ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle did not slow down as intended, and crashed into another vehicle. The contact sustained neck, head, and arm injuries. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. The manufacturer was not notified ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 15, 2025
My 2019 Lincoln MKC with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine experienced coolant intrusion into cylinder 2, leading to engine misfire, check engine light, and severe vibration. The dealership confirmed the issue and recommended a full long block engine replacement, estimated at over $11,000. This failure occurred at only 48,000 miles. This appears to be the exact issue described in Ford TSB 19-2346, which cov... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
I am reporting a serious safety defect with my 2005 Nissan Pathfinder (VIN: [XXX] ). My vehicle has an open recall for the airbag emblem (NHTSA #23E-012 / PC948), which is scheduled for inspection. However, I am writing today because I am also experiencing a repeated and dangerous malfunction that is unrelated to that recall: Total loss of dashboard lights and instruments while driving No throttl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and decelerated unintendedly. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred during the warmer weather months. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
During a cross- country trip, we had driven more than 300 miles, but the fuel gage indicated full, the Fuel Range Indicator showed a 688-mile range available in the tank which is much more than a 2025 Cadillac XT6 should indicate. The fuel gage indicated full even though it was not. I pulled the car over, shut it off and restarted, but it still erroneously indicated full. The indication remaine... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
During a cross- country trip, we had driven more than 300 miles, but the fuel gage indicated full, the Fuel Range Indicator showed a 688-mile range available in the tank which is much more than a 2025 Cadillac XT6 should indicate. The fuel gage indicated full even though it was not. I pulled the car over, shut it off and restarted, but it still erroneously indicated full. The indication remaine... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-90. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up after several attempts due to an issue with the hybrid battery. The contact stated that the message "Electrical Leakage in the Hybrid System” was displayed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where the service technician acknowledged that the failure and confirmed that the issue with th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle started to shake abnormally, and lost motive power. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the contact immediately attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle started to shake abnormally, and lost motive power. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the contact immediately attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that a software update was required. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the brake master cylinder. The vehicle was not repai... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
Engine failure due to coolant leaking into cylinders. This is a known issue. Also Ford has issued a bulletin on this. but no recall yet! I still own 10k on my car and now a blown engine.
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
Yesterday on 7/13, my family and I were fully stopped and parked in a parking spot (car was in park, to the best of my knowledge). The front passenger had just exited the vehicle and was opening the back door where my kids were just beginning to get out of their seats. At that moment, something occurred that caused the car to speed over the parking curb, across a pedestrian sidewalk and struck a b... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 10, 2025
This is a general inquiry on Kia white paint. My paint is chipping off all over my car. They told me it's inherent to white paint. Is this true or are the trying to get away without addressing the problem.
Incident date: Jul 10, 2025
I am unsure of what the complete issue is at this point. I have taken my car into two different dealerships multiple times and everybody keeps sending me back saying it’s running as it was designed. However, the things that’s experiencing it was not experiencing when I bought it, I would not have bought it And the list goes on. Has a random hesitation in the transmission. It revs way too high ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle independently slowed down as if the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that a warning for the brakes and the collision mitigation and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the t... Read more