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 28,307 complaints for BUICK
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
A component has not yet failed but an existing recall (Ford recall 24S78 / NHTSA ID 24V957) describes the potential for loss of motive power increasing the risk of a crash. This recall was issued in December of 2024. I received a notice in January of 2026 that the repair was available, went to my local dealer and was told the recall had been paused on 02/03/2026 - no actual repair is currently ava... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The transmission range sensor has failed on my F150. This made my truck go into limp mode and unable to start. The Ford dealership replaced the lead frame and TRS as it was burnt out. The new TRS then began to automatically downshift while I was driving on the highway. It went from 6 gear to 4th back to 6th and then briefly to 1st making my truck lose power before going back to 6th gear while I wa... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
Vehicle was first sohwn to have low coolant and improper temps in the engine compartment, found to have multiple issues by independent car care facility regarding the coolant system and engine temperature. This also caused issues with rpms at idle and while parked. Car was taken to dealership for repair. Replacements under warranty made including thermostat, coolant pump, vacuum pump, toothed belt... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
The ICCU failed. This was verified both by my local Hyundai dealership, Conicelli, and Hyundai Corporate. My safety was put at risk because my car rapidly lost power, informing me to pull over now while I was in the middle of driving. This happened with no other warning. The component has been inspected by the manufacturer, and I had even received a recall already that was supposed to prevent this... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
I’m not sure but it will randomly die and have to be restarted there are times it does it more than others but every time is extremely dangerous because you essentially lose control of the car until it is restarted and it shift extremely hard sometimes like it feels like the transmission is going to fall out it jerks the entire car violently and there are numerous low voltage codes as well
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
I'm just realizing this is a recall. I have not been notified by mail. My second row passenger seatbelt does not always lock. I have been getting on my children thinking it was them. Also I have not been contacted about the third row head space issue. So I'm wanting to get me complaint online
Incident date: Feb 9, 2026
Air suspension no good causes bad steering/control of truck very dangerous
Incident date: Jul 15, 2024
Driving in the way to work when I heard a pound pop I thought someone was shooting at my car, looked in the. Back & my window was shattered broken.
Incident date: Jul 15, 2024
Power Back Door (PBD) will not open or close and/or stops moving while opening or closing. Problem seems to be in the motor controls of the strut assemblies on both sides of rear hatch. Vehicle is off warranty, but should be covered by Toyota due to faulty factory installed equipment... Instead, they want to charge us $1600 to repair. On the Toyota forums, many people are complaining of the same e... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2024
My car has suffered a well known issue in the 21-25 Acura TLX community. At 71,000 miles my transfer case splines stripped also with the transmission splines. Resulting in me having to pay out of pocket to replace both the transmission and transfer case. I’m really hoping Acura does a recall for this issue. I really like this car and don’t want to have to replace them again. Like I mentioned b... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
Nothing has occurred, yet. I was told by Dodge representative, Riazen on 12/6/2025 “DO NOT DRIVE” as a result of the safety recall. As it is reported that 300,000 vehicle are affected by this recall I am terrified of driving my RV! I have initiated a vehicle buyback letter with John Elkann, and complaints with the CT Attorney General, CT Consumer Protection, CT Lemon Law, and BBB.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
Water has infiltrated the lower trunk area and fried the sound amplifier. The result is no sounds can be heard from the speakers. This includes sounds and warnings from the safety systems. Seat belt, ADAS, BLIS, OnStar, Turn Signals, Radio. The rear hatch seals seem to be intact and it is unclear how water is entering this lower area as there is no evidence of water anywhere else in the rear car... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Protection); however, the part to do the recall repair was n... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2025
My 2011 Kia Sorrento caught fire while parked in my garage. Kia is saying it's not due to any recall they have and that it was an electrical fire store behind the steering wheel and they're refusing to take any responsibility financially for it or otherwise due to it being through previous owners and an older vehicle
Fire
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
Below recall was issued but Ford says that my vehicle VIN is not included. Dealer says I have to pay out of pocket to replace the leaking engine oil separator on my vehicle. Oil leakage was observed around engine area and could have had an increase risk of engine catching fire when hot and running. MARCH 25, 2022NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 22V191000 Engine Oil Leak An oil leak in the presence of an i... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
ABS, dash lights have come on. BRAKE, ABS, Traction. When needing to do sudden braking on wet road tires lock up and Jeep slides. When asked a dealer I was told that the ABS had an internal fail and that replacements are Not aviable. After researching they can not be found or repaired and was told to buy a used replacement. When one was located they said it was no warranty and that it would most l... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
My vehicle failed while in motion. I lost power to the vehicle and power steering. Just before the car failed, I heard a pop and a warning light came on that said "Check Electric Vehicle System". The car's ICCU failed and caused failures of the battery and 12v battery. My safety and everyone on the road around me's safety was put at risk when I lost the ability to accelerate or use power steering.... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2026
My new 2025 Ioniq 5 that has 8,700 miles on it suddenly popped up the message "check electric vehicle system" warning as we were driving in our neighborhood. My husband then realized that he could not drive over 30 mph just as he was merging onto our local Highway in a 65 mph zone. We limped along until the next turnoff and turned around. We decided to take the chance to get back onto the highway ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
Poor acceleration and lose of transmission control ….complete safety hazard and the car has a failure to lose power while driving…..a humming noise and the car jerks while shifting gears
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
On February 3, Tuesday drove home from work. The battery light came on. I Drove to AutoZone and they placed it on Diagnostic reader. The diagnostic reader said that the battery had no charge. They told me I need a new battery. I replaced the battery. The next morning, I placed the jeep into auto start. So the Jeep can warm up. When I went outside, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood of... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with battery failure. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the fa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
I bought a used 2019 Ford Ecosport SE in January 2022. I received a recall notice (#23S64: “ENGINE OIL PUMP BELT AND TENSIONER REPLACEMENT FINAL REPAIR”). A paper notice I received from Ford dated June 2024 mentioned a remedy expected in Q1 2025. The estimation was pushed back, and parts were eventually ready in Q3, some time in August. Before I could take my vehicle to a dealership, on [XXX]... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
I bought a used 2019 Ford Ecosport SE in January 2022. I received a recall notice (#23S64: “ENGINE OIL PUMP BELT AND TENSIONER REPLACEMENT FINAL REPAIR”). A paper notice I received from Ford dated June 2024 mentioned a remedy expected in Q1 2025. The estimation was pushed back, and parts were eventually ready in Q3, some time in August. Before I could take my vehicle to a dealership, on [XXX]... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
The transmission failed at 70,000 miles. The research the transmission shop did indicated the main bearing fails in these because they are made of cheap metal. The transmission just stopped pulling with little warning. It started with a jerking and then quit pulling. Within a few feet. There was not any slipping of the transmission before hand.
Incident date: Jan 31, 2026
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
While driving, the Brake, ABS, traction light and other light lit up. The car lurched in an odd way. I can hear the oil pressure pump turn on every 5 seconds. Toyota shops told me the master cylinder and booster pump are failing and that the brakes will stop working while driving, causing an accident.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
9 warnings lights turned on on my dashboard and when going slow and accelerating it brakes by it self also brakes on freeway going 70 mph and then recovers
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
9 warnings lights turned on on my dashboard and when going slow and accelerating it brakes by it self also brakes on freeway going 70 mph and then recovers
Incident date: Jan 29, 2026
I am reporting a serious and ongoing safety defect involving my 2024 Volvo XC90. The vehicle has experienced intermittent unintended acceleration, intermittent loss of safety and alert systems, and false obstacle detection that triggers unexpected braking or steering input. These events occur randomly and without warning, and are not tied to a specific driver, key, driving condition, or user beha... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2026
I am reporting a serious and ongoing safety defect involving my 2024 Volvo XC90. The vehicle has experienced intermittent unintended acceleration, intermittent loss of safety and alert systems, and false obstacle detection that triggers unexpected braking or steering input. These events occur randomly and without warning, and are not tied to a specific driver, key, driving condition, or user beha... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
Got a warning chime and light that said electric steering fault. Power steering failed completely reverting to manual non power steering making it very hard to steer vehicle. This has happened twice, once at about 1200 miles and again at about 4800 miles. Inspected by dealership at the 1200 mile mark and confirmed that a code was left in the computer for it but no electrical or mechanical fault ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2026
While driving at low speed and turning, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power accompanied by engine knocking. The engine stalled and would no longer operate normally. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanic, who found metal fragments/shavings in the engine oil, indicating internal engine damage. The engine is now inoperable and has effectively failed. There were no warning signs prior t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
Rusted out fuel tank shield that protects against objects piercing fuel tank and catching fire
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
While changing lanes on a freeway, the car passed through a narrow strip of slush from recent snowfall. The car immediately disabled the motors, preventing acceleration and regenerative braking for nearly 50 seconds. There were no warning lights, sounds, or messages displayed on the car's gauge cluster display, either for the initial loss of propulsion or for the restoration of propulsion. This ca... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 28, 2019
Two issues: 1. The paint on my rooftop in front of the sunroof began peeling off three months ago. I’ve read and MANY owners of the same model within a two year timeframe have had the exact same issue and we realized it’s a manufacturer’s problem. The manufacturer however, is saying it’s out of warranty and that’s absurd because now we all have to pay $2000+ to have our entire roof repai... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
Transmission has failed, making high pitched whining noise while accelerating. Will need full replacement the car only has 66k miles on it - just out of warranty
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
The infotainment touchscreen in my 2018 Subaru Legacy experiences “ghost touch,” where the screen registers inputs without driver interaction and becomes unresponsive. While driving, the screen changes settings on its own and distracts the driver. As a result of the touchscreen malfunction, critical safety features including Blind Spot Warning and Lane Keeping Assistance became disabled. This... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
**Upon request, all failed components can be inspected anytime for any reason. From this date (01/23/26) forward. If any repairs or replacementa had been rectified by Ford, receipts of the repair(s) will be provided regardless. I cannot recall exactly when these issues started so my ball park is 5/11/22. That is literally 2 years of driving the car from the show room. I was getting some lights ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
**Upon request, all failed components can be inspected anytime for any reason. From this date (01/23/26) forward. If any repairs or replacementa had been rectified by Ford, receipts of the repair(s) will be provided regardless. I cannot recall exactly when these issues started so my ball park is 5/11/22. That is literally 2 years of driving the car from the show room. I was getting some lights ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that on three occasions after refueling the vehicle and driving approximately two feet, the vehicle unexpectedly shutoff. The message to “Shift to Park” was displayed. The contact activated the hazard lights. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The vehicle was eventually restarted. The... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 36,274; however, while attempting to trade in the vehicle, it was discovered that the vehicle had a branded title due to a mileage discrepancy.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
Description of Incident / Failure The vehicle’s center infotainment/display screen malfunctioned and became partially inoperable. The left side of the screen displays vertical colored lines, while the remainder of the screen is dark/black and unresponsive. As a result, the backup camera display is no longer visible, and touchscreen functionality is severely limited or unusable. Component or Sy... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
vehicle is consuming over 2 quarts of oil in less than 1000 miles and it causing the oil light to come on and loss power.
Incident date: Jan 21, 2026
Today is 1/21/26. My car has had problems since 12/4/25 when I started getting drivetrain warning lights. After "call roadside assistance" prompts, it will start, but a drivetrain fault appears on the dash. Many faults have appeared at the dealer and I have it in writing that there is nothing more they can do. They escalated the issue to BMW with no resolution, to date. I have requested a buy-back... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2026
Today is 1/21/26. My car has had problems since 12/4/25 when I started getting drivetrain warning lights. After "call roadside assistance" prompts, it will start, but a drivetrain fault appears on the dash. Many faults have appeared at the dealer and I have it in writing that there is nothing more they can do. They escalated the issue to BMW with no resolution, to date. I have requested a buy-back... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2026
Today is 1/21/26. My car has had problems since 12/4/25 when I started getting drivetrain warning lights. After "call roadside assistance" prompts, it will start, but a drivetrain fault appears on the dash. Many faults have appeared at the dealer and I have it in writing that there is nothing more they can do. They escalated the issue to BMW with no resolution, to date. I have requested a buy-back... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2026
1-At approximately 40,000 miles, my transmission was replaced under warranty. It had been failing since approximately 2000 miles having a very hard time shifting between first and second gear. It was finally replaced at 40,000 miles. 2- At approximately 45,000 miles I took my truck into the dealership for this latest recall on the 6.2 L failure for inspection. Vehicle is inspected and I was told I... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on the first day after the vehicle was purchased, the pre-collision camera failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the alarm failed to beep as intended when a person or an object was in front of or passing by the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
Lost all power to vehicle after driving for approximately 40 minutes, around 60-70 MPH. I was driving on the highway and then lost all power. I was able to pull off of the interstate and got a few blinking messages. The only one I remember was "Shift to P to Start". I could not accelerate at all and probably had less than a minute to get to safety before the car coasted to a stop and I was forced ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
Lost all power to vehicle after driving for approximately 40 minutes, around 60-70 MPH. I was driving on the highway and then lost all power. I was able to pull off of the interstate and got a few blinking messages. The only one I remember was "Shift to P to Start". I could not accelerate at all and probably had less than a minute to get to safety before the car coasted to a stop and I was forced ... Read more