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: Sep 15, 2024
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while attempting to repair the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was an independent dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 71,00 and at the time of replacing the instrument panel, it was discovered that the mileage was 190,000.
Incident date: Mar 17, 2025
I have a 2014 Chevy traverse I got December 2024. Up until 4/16/2025 I noticed a little cutting in and out of the radio and of course took it as the connection being back but yesterday after working I notice my radio isn’t giving out sound , my blinkers not giving sound and neither is my back up camera or seatbelt notifier. I’ve seen a ton of forums online where people are complaint of this sa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
A clicking sound was heard and the dealer determined that the front axle nuts that hold the wheel hubs to the axle loosened. Dealer re-torqued to 120 ft. Lbs. and added Locktite, however problem reoccurs. Chrysler issued a Technical Service Bulletin (03-008-24) to torque the axle nuts to 228 ft. lbs. After this was done at the dealer, clicking sound was heard again in just 3 weeks. Several att... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
Def pump failed, I had to have it replaced before it degraded my travel speed to 5 mph. After spending $250 to Dodge dealer in Oxnard Service department for them to tell me exactly what it said on the truck code DEF pump needed replacing, I decided I didn't want to spend an extra $1000 for the dealer to fix it ($3900 they wanted for this job). On 11/16/22, I paid ($2865.81) to a reputable dies... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2025
Po128 temp. Below normal, happens on a regular basis, at least 2 times a week,
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
Electric power steering. Total loss of power steering.
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
The LED headlights are so dim that when other cars with normal LED headlights pass you on the left or on the right it appears as though the headlights on the 2026 Passport are not even turned on. This constitutes a safety hazard. This is a well known issue with Honda as I discovered when researching the matter online after the vehicle purchase.
Incident date: Apr 12, 2025
A squirrel entered my ID.4 through the right wheel well while I was at work and it began to make a nest in the front of my engine compartment. I was alerted to the problem by all of the dashboard warning lights flashing the ACC and related front safety systems. The squirrel had chewed through the harness wires down to the connectors on the 8 and 9 connectors and the 6 pin connector. I know it was... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2025
A squirrel entered my ID.4 through the right wheel well while I was at work and it began to make a nest in the front of my engine compartment. I was alerted to the problem by all of the dashboard warning lights flashing the ACC and related front safety systems. The squirrel had chewed through the harness wires down to the connectors on the 8 and 9 connectors and the 6 pin connector. I know it was... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2025
A squirrel entered my ID.4 through the right wheel well while I was at work and it began to make a nest in the front of my engine compartment. I was alerted to the problem by all of the dashboard warning lights flashing the ACC and related front safety systems. The squirrel had chewed through the harness wires down to the connectors on the 8 and 9 connectors and the 6 pin connector. I know it was... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2025
Active Noise Cancellation unit not functioning properly. At 52 MPH till passing 56 MPH the audio system creates a loud (gradual buildup) whirring noise followed by a boom before it stops. It can be very distractive and dangerous in the right conditions, as it can be misinterpreted as traffic next to or approaching the vehicle causing a short notice distraction while at a high speed. It is a reoc... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2025
My truck has 50k miles and while driving down the road heard a loud pop and felt the truck jerk. Then the truck entered low power mode and the engine light turned on. I took it to the dealership and they are contributing it to the transmission valve body. Has been in the shop for 3 week so far and still no update when the part will be available.
Incident date: Mar 17, 2025
At ~51,000 miles, my 2022 Silverado Trail Boss 6.2L L87 experienced a sudden engine failure while on / exiting the highway. The engine began shaking violently, the check engine light flashed, and it lost all power without warning. It was towed and remained out of service for 28 days. The dealer diagnosed lifter delamination, a scored camshaft, and scored cam, main, and rod bearings. Metal shaving... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied at the residence, the contact exited the vehicle and went inside his home; however, forty minutes later, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that a bystander inspected the vehicle and assumed the starter had failed. No warning lig... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and then stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
Summary of Events: Purchase Date: 05/27/2023 Coolant Warning: In January 2025, I received a coolant temperature warning (code P0126) indicating insufficient coolant temperature. Repairs: I brought the vehicle in for repairs on 02/15/2025 for thermostat and related parts. The repairs were completed by 02/17/2025. New Warning: On 03/18/2025, I received a high coolant temperature warning. Upon in... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] 4/16/2025 General Motors Customer Assistance Center P.O. Box 33170 Detroit, MI 48232-5170 Subject: Power Steering Issue – 2020 Chevy Traverse (VIN: [XXX] ) To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my concern and frustration regarding a serious issue with my 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, VIN [XXX] . On [XXX], while driving, the steering wheel suddenly became ver... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2025
Rear sliding door actuators prematurely fails causing loud noises and door to not operate properly. This makes it unsafe to drive with children in the vehicle. Dodge refuses to reimburse extended warranty claim.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
my vehicle has a safety issue that is tied to the NAV system and its interaction with the vehicles drivers assist functions. Multiple times while driving the vehicle, the NAV system would decide the vehicle was on a different road than it was actually on. The first time it happened; I was on the freeway traveling at 70 MPH when the NAV system decided I was on a residential street several miles awa... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
my vehicle has a safety issue that is tied to the NAV system and its interaction with the vehicles drivers assist functions. Multiple times while driving the vehicle, the NAV system would decide the vehicle was on a different road than it was actually on. The first time it happened; I was on the freeway traveling at 70 MPH when the NAV system decided I was on a residential street several miles awa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, stalled, and was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and waited for towing assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a misfire and coolant intrusion in cylinder #2. The contact was informed that the ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2025
The Transfer Case exploded causing the drive shaft to bend and the powering steering line to be damaged and all of the parts listed above need to be replaced. There was a loud explosion while driving and the vehicle no longer drove properly and I was unable to steer the vehicle. The problem was inspected and confirmed by an independent service center. No, it happened out of the blue while drivi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
I own a 2019 Kia Sorento SX V6 that I purchase in January 2024 that now has 73k miles. I recently started encountering a problem where the oil light would come on and stay on while my car is an idle position. I went to City Kia of Greater Orlando to get an oil change because I assumed that was the problem. Sometime after the oil change the light continued to go on when my car was in idle positi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
As I was driving down a suburban road at about 30mph the brakes suddenly came on by themselves for few seconds as I approached a parked car on my right side. As I started to pass this car my vehicle continued moving forewarned and I did not come to a complete stop. There were no cars in front or behind me except for the one car parked to my right. There were two electric beeps when the car brak... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
As I was driving down a suburban road at about 30mph the brakes suddenly came on by themselves for few seconds as I approached a parked car on my right side. As I started to pass this car my vehicle continued moving forewarned and I did not come to a complete stop. There were no cars in front or behind me except for the one car parked to my right. There were two electric beeps when the car brak... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2024
I am submitting this complaint to report a significant safety system failure in my 2025 Cadillac XT4 during an accident that occurred on April 12, 2025, in Dallas, Texas. During the incident: •The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) did not activate, and I was unable to stop in time to avoid a collision. •Neither the driver nor passenger airbags deployed, despite sufficient impact that should have... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Feb 14, 2025
The car recently underwent a software update at the dealership for a backup camera issue. When I was driving home on the highway, the car suddenly braked and the seat belts automatically tightened up. This happened 3 additional times on the highway about 5 days later. I had turned off the automatic braking system and it seemed to go away. Then, with the system off, we experienced this again ye... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
BCI (Back-up Collision Intervention) Malfunction. It's random when this comes up on the dashboard warning lights. It lights up several other things as well. It doesn't allow you to use the cruise control, or the 4-wheel drive. It disables the ABS and traction control. I don't know how this is not a recall, because I see several forums talking about this issue for this vehicle specifically in ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); 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 issue. The contact had not ex... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
Transmission jerking violently while driving at low RPM 1000-1500 RPM. Occurs daily. Shudder and vibration as vehicle is slowed approaching stops. Effect and feeling is unsettling to driver and passengers. Can be recreated but is also intermittent at times. Dealer has avoided fixing as it is not 100% consistent. Asking me to drive until failure which is unsafe and could lead to accident or s... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
I was at a stop sign when I went to pull out from the stop sign the car stalled. I had to put the car in park press the start engine button again in order for the car to restart. This has happened at least 10 times since purchasing the car.
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
I was at a stop sign when I went to pull out from the stop sign the car stalled. I had to put the car in park press the start engine button again in order for the car to restart. This has happened at least 10 times since purchasing the car.
Incident date: Dec 12, 2024
On [XXX] around [XXX], I was driving my Silverado down [XXX] near the Cottonwood Mall in Albuquerque, NM. Without warning, the engine died in the center lane of this busy highway. I turned on the emergency flashers, then while trying to call for emergency help on my phone, I stood behind the truck, waving traffic to the side lanes in an effort to prevent being rear ended. After about 10 minutes, ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2024
Good afternoon. Our rental car we picked up from the Denver International Airport on [XXX] had numerous incidents of emergent braking at highway and non highway speeds which were reported to Sixt ( car rental) and documented on the dates in which they occurred, [XXX] (7-8 occurrences ) and [XXX] (3 occurrences-2 after a car wash). On the day in which the first occurrences happened, the car rental... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Titan. The contact stated that while attempting to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shut off as needed. The contact stated that the message "See Owner’s Manual" was displayed on the instrument cluster. The contact stated that the Owner’s Manual suggested that the ignition button should be placed in the off position for 10-seconds. The contact stated th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
Numerous times over the last eighteen months, our 2023 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV enters 'Turtle Mode' where a red turtle illuminates on the dashboard, and the car loses all motive power. Sometimes this occurs on local streets, but most recently it occurred during interstate driving, requiring evasive maneuvers to exit the driving lanes and get to the shoulder before all forward momentum stopped. So... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
Dec 17, 2024 2022 Wagoneer was dropped of for service for a slight rattle in the engine. It was determined that the cams and shifters were “over-torqued” and had thrown metal shavings into the engine. This would require a full engine replacement which was conducted over the course of nearly 4 months. This is a reported and known issue/defect for Wagoneer. It was picked up March 28, 2025. On Ap... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
Only when it rains the forward collision warning light comes on. The last time it came on the engine light also came on with code P01280. Diagnostic at Toyota said the Thermostat needs to be replaced. I decided to look into this as the thermostat should not be bad at 54500 miles. Weeks later and the neither light has come on again.
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Active Air DAM System fault detected" was displayed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the driver's Side Active Air Dam Motor Actuator. The contact was informed that the part displayed signs of external damage as if the ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 328D. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle hesitated. Additionally, while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V185000 (... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
Star system is malfunctioning. I cannot access the control panel because of delamination. This causes difficulty viewing backup camera and driver distraction.
Incident date: Apr 10, 2025
I was driving on [XXX] and I heard a really loud sound like a Gun Shot in my Car I couldn't just pull over I had to get off at the next exit when I did I checked myself and then I checked my Windows then I opened my back door on the passenger side and saw that behind the seat had swollen up. I drove to work and call KIA where I purchased the car and told them what happened my husband carried the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2025
Due to my 2019 ford fiesta SE back up camera glitching in and out and sometimes doesn’t work at all. Today it finally worked as I was backing up out of food lion parking lot. A mother and child were walking behind me all of a sudden the camera glitched and if I had not checked my review mirror quickly. I could have backed up over that small child on his tricycle. Please hurry and come up with an... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2019
While driving down a curving mountain highway above 70 mph, the gauge cluster displayed “shift to park” or “shift to drive” I don’t recall exactly. The transmission then downshifted dramatically, perhaps into 3rd gear, then the motor shut off.Thankfully, I successfully merged through heavy traffic to the narrow shoulder but the truck would not restart. After over 30 minutes of attempt... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
Alternator is on back order with 3200 orders waiting with none in production
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CT6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V148000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
The contact’s mother owns a 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Velar. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. There was white smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle due to the engine overheating. The failure occurred within 10 minutes of driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to dealer, who diagnosed that the auxiliary radiator, cooling system hos... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
The contact’s mother owns a 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Velar. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. There was white smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle due to the engine overheating. The failure occurred within 10 minutes of driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to dealer, who diagnosed that the auxiliary radiator, cooling system hos... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
Transmission light came on and said: “Emissions system problem. Power may be reduced. See your dealer.” Spoke to dealer who said they are unsure how this could have occurred possibly wear. The vehicle has 41k miles and I’m the only owner. Also said the cam plate is leaking oil which caused the sensors to be damaged and causes the vehicle to lose power while driving
Incident date: Apr 10, 2025
Driving out of town for a trip and out of nowhere atSteering Assist Fail alert hill decent alert
Crash