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: Aug 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust, and the vehicle surged forward unexpectedly. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that upon inspection, the coolant level in the coolant reservoir was low. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the c... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2024
2019 Jeep with 59051 miles on it. Upon starting the car, the idle was low and the engine ran rough. While driving, it would stall when stopping. After several tries it would start but not stay running while idling. The jeep dealership stated the plugs were fouled, ($400), then when that did not fix it the fuel pump was bad ($4000), when that did not fix it they stated the bad fuel pump and plugs c... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2024
The knob that slides and opens the hidden compartment behind the radio has melted and gets black goo all over everything. It's definitely a widespread problem that many people have experienced and should be recalled. I can't find just a replacement knob without replacing the entire thing.
Incident date: Jun 21, 2024
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to report an issue with a recall for my [Year, Make, Model, VIN]. The recall has been completed, and I have contacted both the Honda corporate office and the service center in [XXX] regarding the status. However, the recall is still not showing as completed on the NHTSA site. This delay is preventing the vehicle from passing the Vehicle Safety Systems Inspect... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle shook violently, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be re... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2024
Odometer fraud car titled with 63789 when ecu reflect 81111 in computer of car and dealer selling it
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ. The contact's spouse stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact's spouse started the vehicle and noticed flames coming from the interior seal of the driver's door, located by the rocker panel. The contact's spouse stated that the flames were not severe. The contact’s spouse was able to extinguish the fire. The contact stated that after inspecting t... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
I purchased a new 2025MY Hyundai Santafe Hybrid. Since the day of my purchase there has been a constant error message that is displayed on dash saying "Driver attention warning system failure". this light stays on constantly and disables cruise control and adapative cruise system. This affects the usability of the vehicles. WHen asked Hyundai they say, drivers arent expected to wear sunglass if th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Maverick. The contact stated while driving approximately 50-70 MPH, the vehicle shook violently while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the front CV axles were replaced under warranty. However, three months after the CV axle repair, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the deal... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
I have owned this vehicle 10 months and for the third time now it is having the same reoccurring electrical issue. The first time the check engine light came on went to the dealer they hooked it up said just a battery drive it you will be fine. They turned the code error off. Left dealership drove to Home Depot and went to leave got in push the start button and the truck started making grinding no... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
I have owned this vehicle 10 months and for the third time now it is having the same reoccurring electrical issue. The first time the check engine light came on went to the dealer they hooked it up said just a battery drive it you will be fine. They turned the code error off. Left dealership drove to Home Depot and went to leave got in push the start button and the truck started making grinding no... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
Getting a notification for "Front left safety restraint system fault" which disengages the airbags. Seems like a very common fault with Teslas but no recall has been made.
Incident date: Aug 2, 2025
The transmission is going out and it started with a shudder. The change for the transmission filter and oil was only a temporary fix. It also shifts hard or there is a delay in the shift.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
I took my truck into the dealership for the second time because my tpms module was not functioning correctly. I would get an error about a mile into my travels saying it was unavailable. My second appointment the technician found the rear windshield is leaking water down through the back driver side and dripping water onto the module. Ram issued a previous recall for cars manufactured on or befor... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
Recall 19V-293 Post Remedy Failure Recall was already performed previusly. Vehicle would not shift out of drive. Even when PRNDL lever was moved. Had to drive to dealer and have the Bushing replaced a secound time. In other had to have recall fix done to vehicle for a 2nd time. Should be added to Investigation ID: RQ25002
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
Very premature headlight failure that ford refuses to acknowledge or repair under warranty. One headlight is more than $1200. Major safety concern.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
There is a shudder while driving and the rear parking system gives a warning and doesn’t work. Both issues have recalls in the same and other years of this vehicle but according to my vin there’s no recalls. I have received a recall report for my vehicle but my vin says no recalls
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
There is a shudder while driving and the rear parking system gives a warning and doesn’t work. Both issues have recalls in the same and other years of this vehicle but according to my vin there’s no recalls. I have received a recall report for my vehicle but my vin says no recalls
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V082000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was dropped off at the dealer for service and remained at the dealer for two days. The contact was then informed that the mechanic in charge of servicing the recall was out sick; the dealer was uncertain if the recall repair had been serviced prior to the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2025
This vehicle had multiple reprograms for transmission control module and still had same issue I have only had the vehicle 1 year and driven it 7k and I take. It to Jim Browne jeep dealership they said they transmission control module needs replacement the jeep when I brake jumps forward and speeds up its unpredictable and unsafe it also does not shift into gear it slips and I did a search and see.... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 2, 2025
The Audi Pre-sense is activated by weather. I was driving during a thunderstorm and Audi Presence activated causing the car to come to a hard stop due to precipitation. It happened again backing out of my driveway the Audi Pre-sense was activated and the car came to a hard stop. I thought I had back into another vehicle. This is very dangerous.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
Vehicle stabilitrak light comes on and engine dies. Headlights flicker and completely cut off at night. When starting vehicle the dash says to roll the driver window down and then up to continue. Tonight August 12th 2025, the air quit completely and headlights cut off. Engine dies while in gear. When I put truck in reverse engine will die. Sometimes turning the wheel will cause the engine to cut o... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
My 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport suffered a blown head gasket that required me to pay $9,000 for a full engine replacement. Hyundai is aware of ongoing problems with their 2.0 turbo motors, but the recall only covers the rod bearing failure/knock sensor issue. Many owners, including myself, are experiencing blown head gaskets, and several believe this failure is directly related to the same underlyi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
When I turn the ignition off it sends me a message that I must shift to park. The car is in park at that time that I get the message. I restart the car and move the shift to reverse or drive and move the car and place in park and that may correct the problem or I may have to do this once, twice even three times before it corrects. The warning bell will continue to ring and the radio continues to ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2025
When attempting to put my 2022 Chevy Traverse in "Park," the vehicle does not always recognize that it is in the Park position. As a result, the system will not allow me to fully turn off the engine or power down the vehicle. I often have to shift between gears and attempt to place it in Park multiple times before the vehicle senses it correctly. This issue occurs intermittently and poses both saf... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
On [XXX] - vehicle was started and when turning out of the driveway I notice a puddle which was coolant. The vehicle started to overheat. I turned back and went home then called a tow truck to retrieve the vehicle which they were able to do on Monday. The vehicle was towed and investigated by Fosters Towing in Fraser, MI. They found no evidence of a leak but there was a code (which they did no... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving to the residence, the air bag warning light, malfunction light, driver’s side turn signal, parking light, and daytime running light illuminated. The contact stated that the instrument cluster went blank. The contact stated that for approximately five to ten minutes, the scene was visible. The contact called the independent... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 428I. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the vehicle had an abnormal engine coolant leak. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine temperature gauge was rising abnormally. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repai... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 428I. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the vehicle had an abnormal engine coolant leak. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine temperature gauge was rising abnormally. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repai... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage equipped with Kumho Tires, Tire Line: Crugen KL33 Blackwall, Tire Size: 225/55/R18, and DOT Number: 27LZYANH1921. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the front passenger's side tire had a low tread depth, cracks on the side wall, and was dry rotted. The deale... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
Bought Car in 2022 when COVID was still a problem. I had problems with the LED screen on the dash turning off. It did come back after about 10-15 minutes. I had to pull over to the side of the road in the meantime. I brought my car in and no problem was found. I was told that there was no way they could order a $6,000 part if they could not reproduce the problem. I still have had this problem peri... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2024
The ACC, LKAS, Collision Mitigation, High beam, lane departure warnings light errors are on. This happened 2 years ago and Honda wanted me to pay $1,200 to replace all sensors of this car. Of course I just left it. It's not worth the hassel. However, for a car bought brand new in 2019 to have these systems fail in 2023, and for this to be a main component advertised for consumers to buy vehicles, ... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating before the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failure persisted. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warn... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
Passenger side headrest deployed. Vehicle was not involved in a accident. Was parked at the time. Is available for inspection. No one was hurt, but I'm now afraid that the driver side headrest may deploy while I'm driving and could cause me to have an accident. There was not warning or indication that headrest was faulty or ready to deploy.
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vertical daytime running lights on the driver’s and passenger’s side failed to operate as needed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the headlight module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense to replace the he... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2025
ABS and ESC and brake lights came on. Collision beeping and warning went out. Brake pedal vey late to respond to braking. This vehicle is unsafe. It has been sitting and the Chevy dealer for 2 weeks now with no information given to me about when it will be fixed. I call the dealer every other day and they just say that Chevy will be shipping parts. This is clearly a nation wide problem with this... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2025
Rear camera stoped working
Incident date: Jul 10, 2025
The vehicle has ongoing acceleration delay and jerking under normal driving, along with repeated premature rear brake wear and a major coolant leak that required head gasket replacement. The most recent incident occurred on August 8, 2025, immediately after picking up the vehicle from a service visit for the acceleration concern. Two separate throttle delays with a sudden jerk forward occurred at ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2025
The vehicle has ongoing acceleration delay and jerking under normal driving, along with repeated premature rear brake wear and a major coolant leak that required head gasket replacement. The most recent incident occurred on August 8, 2025, immediately after picking up the vehicle from a service visit for the acceleration concern. Two separate throttle delays with a sudden jerk forward occurred at ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2025
When truck was new at 400 miles Abs traction controll rear collision and all braking erro codes were displayed on dash. Brought to dealer had a bad wheel speed sensor in rear. At that time I asked about large amount of rear brakes dust on vehicle like if the brakes were dragging. Technician said just poor oem pads. Now at 14k miles rear pads at 6mm thickness back wheels are always covered in b... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2025
Wireless CarPlay – Siri Message Playback Cuts Off Mid-Sentence Vehicle: 2026 Honda CR-V EXL Symptom: When connected to wireless Apple CarPlay, Siri begins to read incoming text messages (“John says…”) but cuts off after a few words, as if the message has ended. Wired CarPlay works correctly and reads the full message. Troubleshooting Done: •iPhone tested on latest iOS, Siri voice re-d... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2025
This scenerio happened and fire resulted with total loss. Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings Recall date 2018-12-18 Recall no. 18V907000 Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 10, 2025
This scenerio happened and fire resulted with total loss. Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings Recall date 2018-12-18 Recall no. 18V907000 Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 10, 2025
PODS system recall from 2023 was replaced, but now the same error message for the airbag not working for the front passenger air bag is now coming on again. VW dealership will not replace a second time, they are aware of the problem and have refused to help in any way. No passenger can be in the front passenger seat because the airbag does not turn on when the seat is occupied.
Incident date: Jul 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after driving vehicle and shifting into park(P), there was a dinging alert sounded, with the “Shift to Park" message displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to turn off. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was a known issue and was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2025
While driving in Southern Utah my truck gave me a Service ESC (Electronic Stability Control) Warning, Service Parking Brake Warning, and check engine light that was for code P0303. I had the vehicle towed to the local Chevrolet dealership and it was diagnosed with lifter failure and camshaft damage because of the lifter failure. Safety was compromised because of the failure of the ESC and the loss... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2024
I am reporting significant premature rust on my 2020 Jeep wrangler. The rust is visible on all four doors and the hood. The vehicle has been properly maintained, regularly washed, and has not been exposed to unusual or extreme environmental conditions that would justify this level of corrosion. The rust appears along the bottom edges and seams of each door, as well as along the leading edge of th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2024
*ABS, yes available for inspection, you can completely examine my car *ABS kicked in without need, hard braking would not work, car pulsed into intersection *No *No *No Thousands are experiencing this involuntary ABS implementation and Hyundai is aware. Today my 2024 and a new 2025 were in the Dealership with the very same problem. My first instance occurred in July 2024
Incident date: Aug 7, 2025
I purchased this NEW BMW motorcycle on 7/26/2025. On my ride home from the dealership the safety incident occurred on the freeway trying to pass a semi with a trailer. All factory original equipment and only me on the motorcycle. While passing the semi the motorcycle started shaking out of control and I had to slow down to 40 mph in a 70 mph zone trying regain stability of the motorcycle. The d... Read more