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: Dec 10, 2025
I am having a high voltage system box fault. I am within warranty but the dealership is denying me. My in service date is 6-2016.
Incident date: Dec 10, 2025
I am having a high voltage system box fault. I am within warranty but the dealership is denying me. My in service date is 6-2016.
Incident date: Mar 21, 2026
My 2024 BMW X5 experienced a complete megatronics failure at 54,500 miles. The megatronics unit controls critical vehicle functions including transmission and engine management. This failure caused the vehicle to become completely inoperable — posing a significant safety risk. This failure occurred just 4,500 miles beyond the factory warranty on a barely 2 year old vehicle. A 2024 mo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2026
I was driving my 2022 BMW X5 on the highway at approximately 78 mph when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly applied the brakes without any obstruction or vehicle in front of me. A warning appeared instructing me to release the brakes while driving. This created a dangerous situation and could have caused a rear-end collision. The vehicle has approximately 34,000 miles. This appears to be a malf... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2026
I was driving my 2022 BMW X5 on the highway at approximately 78 mph when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly applied the brakes without any obstruction or vehicle in front of me. A warning appeared instructing me to release the brakes while driving. This created a dangerous situation and could have caused a rear-end collision. The vehicle has approximately 34,000 miles. This appears to be a malf... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
BMW has a known issue that the fin antenna on the roof leaks and sets off a cascade of dangerous issues with the Emergency Call function and disabling the heads up dash so that you cannot see your navigation. On April 2, 2026 in Austin, TX it rained and our car started sending an Emergency Call request repeatedly to BMW. BMW operators called repeatedly even though they knew there was no emergency ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
BMW has a known issue that the fin antenna on the roof leaks and sets off a cascade of dangerous issues with the Emergency Call function and disabling the heads up dash so that you cannot see your navigation. On April 2, 2026 in Austin, TX it rained and our car started sending an Emergency Call request repeatedly to BMW. BMW operators called repeatedly even though they knew there was no emergency ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
I phoned BMW today for an update on this recall. After 6 months, Manufacturer still does not have a fix or repair for your recall 25V636000 and no solution date. This is completely unacceptable.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The vehicle stalled with the check engine light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and it w... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
I kept all of the maintenance records for the oil changes. The engine blew a piston and I will need a new engine. Driving down the road, it just lost power and died. Local mechanic looked at it and said I needed a new engine. When I began looking for a new engine, the cost would have been $3500.00 plus labor. When looking for a used engine, the salvage person said there was a recall on the engines... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
My husband and I are driving down the road to go to the store and the sunroof exploaded there was no car in front or behind us for something to of had hit it. It just burst into pieces
Incident date: Mar 31, 2026
THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF WHEN I STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN TRAFFIC INTERSECTIONS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS UNABLE TO MOVE WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN. EVENTUALLY THIS WILL LEAD TO ME GETTING REAR ENDED AND PUSHED INTO IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. MY LIFE IS IN DANGER WHEN I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I GOT MY ENGINE REPLACED AND STILL THE SAME ISSUE IS OCCURRING WITH TH... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2026
Sudden loss of propulsion at highway speeds - 2023 Escalade. We easily could have been killed. I drive a 2023 Cadillac Escalade that I purchased from Motor Werks Cadillac in [XXX] . It was very expensive. The car has under 33k miles on it, off memory.I informed the dealer I would be taking the car on a family vacation road trip from [XXX] to [XXX] (for spring break), and requested they perform a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
Vehicle traveling at highway speeds 70 mph, will suddenly slam on brakes. While there is nothing in front of the vehicle and or sensor. weather type was clear not a sight of rain or snow.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
My 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor has been suddenly losing power or stumbling upon initial acceleration. This has been occurring intermittently since it was nearly new. My truck now has approximately 10,500 miles. The problem has become increasingly frequent. It seems to occur most often when accelerating from a complete stop. The loss of power can last for several seconds, then afterwards, normal power ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2026
I was driving one day when I began to hear a knocking sound on my vehicle. I then took the time to look up the recall on my current vehicle and it had mentioned “Rear Suspension Knuckles (24S49): Certain vehicles have defective rear suspension castings that can fail, leading to loss of vehicle control”. I just got off the phone with Ford and they expressed me how I do not have that recall unde... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
I’ve owner the vehicle since new. My A/C condenser has failed 3 times, meaning I’m now about to be on my 4th. The welds are weak and it cracks in the same spot 95% of the time. It should last more than a 2 year average.
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Forest River Georgetown G7. The contact stated that while parked at the race track, the contact's daughter attempted to turn on the heating system, but it failed to turn on. A few seconds later, the heating unit suddenly caught fire. The contact immediately removed the plastic covering over the unit and put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. People nearby assisted with ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Under paneling under all doors and under car rusting out completely. Falling pieces fly away anytime.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
On or about 02/09/2026, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic failure directly related to a known defect identified in Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-066. The engine "sucked" in the oil filter due to a poor design on GM's part. The stand pipe was not present apparently, and must have broken off at some point. This bulletin acknowledges an issue affecting this vehicle platform. This should have ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2026
Starting in Oct or Nov 2025 I noticed that my car was not starting right away when i put the key in the ignition, then a couple of weeks later my car began to shake when i started to drive and then would stop. My dad who is a retired mechanic stated that i was low on coolant, so he filled it and the car stopped shaking and drove fine, then the very next day the car would not start right away and i... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2026
The steering gear went out causing the steering wheel to completely lock up. It’s costing thousands of dollars to repair. Not sure why this recall isn’t associated with my VIN number but other 2016 ford fusions. My car is in the shop now to be fixed and was quoted over 3k$
Incident date: Mar 31, 2026
MY ENGINE IS EXPERIENCING ROD BEARING FAILURE AT 155,000 MILES, RESULTING IN ENGINE REPLACEMENT REQUIREMENT CONFIRM BY INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTER. NO WARNING LAMP BUT LOUD KNOCKING NOISE IS AUDIBLE. MY SAFETY IS VERY MUCH AT RISK DUE TO THE VEHICLE COULD BE FAILING AT ANY MOMENT IN TIME AND COULD LEAVE ME STRANDED ANYWHERE. THIS WAS IN A SERVICE BULLETTINS FOR 2017. HOWEVER WHEN CHECKING MY VIN. M... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
I am reporting multiple safety-related issues involving my 2016 Chrysler 200 S. On 02/06/2024, after an oil change at a dealership, the underbody skid plate bolts were not reinstalled. While driving, the skid plate fell and I lost control of the vehicle, creating a serious safety hazard. No warning indicators were present prior to this failure. The issue was identified immediately after leaving th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
Exhaust small in cabin. Exhaust manifolds leaking pulling exhaust into the cabin through the climate system. When the recirculation is turned on, then the smell is not present. When the recirculation is off then the exhaust smell is strong inside the cabin. The exhaust in the cabin is causing causing respiratory problems, fatigue, eye irritation and I am concerned of passing out when driving. I fr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
Parked my 2023 Wrangler 4xe for about three hours. When I started driving again the brake pedal was hard and it took way longer than normal to stop. No warning lights, no codes on the OBD reader. Toggling max regen on and off made no difference. Power cycling the vehicle didn’t fix it. Pads are warm so the calipers are engaging, but there’s very little stopping force behind them. I would gue... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
Parked my 2023 Wrangler 4xe for about three hours. When I started driving again the brake pedal was hard and it took way longer than normal to stop. No warning lights, no codes on the OBD reader. Toggling max regen on and off made no difference. Power cycling the vehicle didn’t fix it. Pads are warm so the calipers are engaging, but there’s very little stopping force behind them. I would gue... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
On November 28, 2025, my 2025 Volvo EX90 displayed a headlight warning message on the dashboard and the headlights failed to function properly while parked and after starting the engine. The defect temporarily resolved but recurred on December 5, 2025. A headlight defect that is not immediately apparent to the driver poses a serious safety risk before or during nighttime driving. The symptoms are ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
Some time around November the third row seat didn’t close, so I opened it back up, didn’t see anything stopping it, hit the button again, and then it closed but I heard a crunching noise - I reopened to discover there was a plastic storage box that ended up getting completely crushed. I didn’t think much about it, not even after the recall, until this week. The same left side of third row wa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
I purchased my used GMC YUKON from a used car dealership 3/28/26. I signed the papers for the agreement while I was driving the vechicle home I lost power and it wouldn't go forward with gas applied. The check engine light came on, I pulled the suv over and it was towed. The code that popped up 0700 and 02723 both codes having to do with the transmission.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
I bought a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe from a dealership in May of 2023. Ever since then I have paid around $8,000 in repairs for this car. These repairs have been so expensive and time consuming that last year I wasn’t able to drive it for 6 months because it was in the shop for most of the year. I had to fix the Fuel pump, the Battery, timing chain valve TWICE, O2 sensor , Catalytic Converter, Engi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2026
1)The powertrain runs very loud while standing still with the car on .2)The brakes are not that good because they still roll once you put your foot on the brakes .3)Also,the back up camera screen goes black or blue ,also flickering a lot which is unsafe and unreliable.There may be an electrical problem with this car .
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was started. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was di... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
There is a stress fracture to the windshield starting at the bottom of the glass where it attaches to the body of the car, below the wipers. It’s not a chip nor was it caused by an object. It’s a semi circle crack. Two employees at the dealer glass department concurred that it’s not damage from a foreign object hitting and that it’s a stress crack. Yet dealer refuses to cover hands warrant... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Grand Design Lineage RV built on a 2024 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 Chassis. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V473000 (EQUIPMENT, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the r... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2026
The original engine was replaced in my Escalade in September 2025 under the GM Engine Recall. The original engine was working, but it failed the inspection at the dealership and was replaced. March 1st, 2026 the Escalade died while driving. Police came and helped block traffic and called a tow truck since the engine was dead. The Escalade was towed back to the same dealership and they confirme... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Buick Envista. The contact stated that while driving during heavy rain, the windshield wiper fractured in half, resulting in poor visibility while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the part to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,266.
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
Car startup just fine and drive without issues but sometimes center console freezes or randomly restarts and when that happen even speedometer stays at zero even car moving about 30-40mph. It stays in frozen state for about 2-3min or unless I force restart it by holding power button for about 10-20seconds. I have seen backup camera sometimes failed to display images which supposed to resolved in l... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2025
The vehicle experienced multiple electrical and safety-related malfunctions while driving. On several occasions the instrument cluster and vehicle screens suddenly went black while the vehicle was in motion, causing loss of critical driving information such as speed and warnings. In another incident the vehicle displayed a “High Voltage Malfunction” warning while driving and the vehicle shut... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle had passed the recall inspection, and no repair was needed. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, five months later, the engine seized in the middle of... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The vehicle experienced significant vibration at highway speeds and during braking within the first 6 months of ownership. The issue was confirmed by a dealership, and the rotors were resurfaced as a corrective action. The problem has now returned, and the rear brakes have worn down to metal-on-metal at approximately 35,000 miles. The rear brake pads are also unevenly worn, while the front brake ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
On 1/26/2024 approximately 9am, my husband had been driving on the highway for about 2 hours and pulled over to shut his eyes for a few minutes. He shut off the engine, closed his eyes and immediately smelled smoke. Black smoke began coming from under the hood and quickly got worse. He quickly got out of the car and walked away. He heard a loud pop sound and the engine area was engulfed in flames... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward while the accelerator pedal was depressed after the brake pedal was depressed. While the contact’s husband was driving approximately 78 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the transmission light drive(D) started flashing, and the transmission unexpectedly shifted to neutral(N)... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
been having trouble with the climate control system and the radio screen will black out unexpectedly. this has been going on for years. last night, 3/24/2026, I came home and as I put the vehicle in park, all of a sudden the dashboard lights up with all sorts of faults. when I went to go to work on 3/25/2026, I still had all of the faults lit up on the dashboard, and when I went to put the vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
Harsh shifting especially from 7th to 8th gear. Delayed shifting which causes a problem cause of the truck slowing down while in motion. It puts me at risk of getting hit from behind when it does this. There's also a vibration that happens randomly while driving. It has started jerking forward upon start up
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
I am reporting a water intrusion issue in my 2019 BMW X3 involving both the roof-mounted “shark fin” antenna and the sunroof. Water enters the vehicle during normal rain conditions and has caused failure of the emergency call (SOS) system. This presents a serious safety concern, as the emergency communication system may not function in the event of a crash or emergency. Water intrusion also c... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
I am experiencing repeated and unpredictable software failures in my vehicle that create serious safety concerns. While driving, the vehicle will intermittently trigger system faults that: •Disable advanced safety features (including driver assistance systems) without warning •Emit a frequent, high-pitched warning tone that is distracting and disruptive •Occur mid-drive, forcing me to manag... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
My 2017, Chrysler Pacifica van just stopped for no reason whatsoever scaring me to death, I was just driving with no issues then all of a sudden as, drove into a Restaurant parking lot my van just turned off on its own before I could get in parking spot. It would not restart so I had to get it tolled. Ended up spending over $3000 two different Mechanics, one being the Hawk Chrysler dealer, in Fore... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V512000 (Power Train). The contact had been calling the local dealer to schedule an appointment since September 2025, but the contact was advised that parts were not yet available. The contact called the manufacturer and was advised that parts would be available by the end of 2026. The contact stated ... Read more