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: Jan 2, 2026
4 out of 5 times driving the car the infotainment screen with get random touches guiding you to unknown menus or system setting or maybe just to a different radio station. Where I think this becomes a legitimate safety concern (asside from changing vehicle settings like security) is when trying to use maps function the random touches will direct the map away from where you are or where your next t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
4 out of 5 times driving the car the infotainment screen with get random touches guiding you to unknown menus or system setting or maybe just to a different radio station. Where I think this becomes a legitimate safety concern (asside from changing vehicle settings like security) is when trying to use maps function the random touches will direct the map away from where you are or where your next t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
The door(s) would not open from the outside. I had the driver side door handle replaced first - took weeks for the part to come in - this was a safety issue because I had to climb through the passenger side to open the driver side door. (the key entry would not work either) After weeks, and me paying for it, the same thing happened to the rear driver side door. I went to open it to get my grand... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact received a second notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V302000 (Air Bags) that the part for the recall repair was available, and to contact the dealer to schedule an appointment; however, after contacting the dealer, the contact was informed that parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stopped and jerked, and the RED master warning light illuminated, and the message “Electrical Control Module” failure was displayed. On other occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the turn signals and brake lights failed to operate as intended, and the message "Faulty Brake Light"... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stopped and jerked, and the RED master warning light illuminated, and the message “Electrical Control Module” failure was displayed. On other occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the turn signals and brake lights failed to operate as intended, and the message "Faulty Brake Light"... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle experienced a malfunction associated with a failed Over-The-Air (OTA) software update affecting electronic control modules. The (ECM), (BCM), and related electronic systems appeared to lose stability during operation. The vehicle attempted to reboot while being driven and displayed multip... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
While driving on the highway there was a random harsh jerk on my car, and I was immediately unable to maintain safe speeds driving nearly causing a serious crash. All of the service lights (Service Parking Assist, Service Power Steering, Service StabiliTrak, and Check Engine Light) should up on the dashboard. Trying to engage the vehicle into drive after parked had a harsh jerk shifting into gea... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
While driving on the highway there was a random harsh jerk on my car, and I was immediately unable to maintain safe speeds driving nearly causing a serious crash. All of the service lights (Service Parking Assist, Service Power Steering, Service StabiliTrak, and Check Engine Light) should up on the dashboard. Trying to engage the vehicle into drive after parked had a harsh jerk shifting into gea... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
Possible malfunction involves vehicle speed control and braking during a low-speed parking maneuver in my 2024 Lexus NX350h. While slowly pulling into a parking space, I was actively applying the brake and creeping forward. While my foot was on the brake, the vehicle suddenly surged/accelerated forward instead of continuing to decelerate. The vehicle ran over a sign and jumped a curb before I coul... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 11, 2026
Auto high beams are not working
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
My car would we still in the middle of the road and one day I was turning to go home and it cut off with everything on the dashboard was still on and the power steering went out and I tried to turn real fast to get my driveway and next thing I know my Cortizone fire meanwhile every now and then I would see a light blinking my dashboard fast and then go away. It was the battery light barely show up... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
My car would we still in the middle of the road and one day I was turning to go home and it cut off with everything on the dashboard was still on and the power steering went out and I tried to turn real fast to get my driveway and next thing I know my Cortizone fire meanwhile every now and then I would see a light blinking my dashboard fast and then go away. It was the battery light barely show up... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
I scheduled my appointment to get the recalls taken care of and the car went into "protective mode" as soon as the call was made. I took it into the shop and now I have to pay for the diagnostic to turn my adaptive cruise control back on. The cruise control is a subset of the recall issue and I am being charge. It is at Metro Ford in Tupelo, Mississippi. I called the Ford recall center for help, b... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
Automatic braking failure: Another vehicle slammed into my vehicle as I was moving at a slow pace. That other vehicle pushed the front of my vehicle into a dumpster in a parking lot. The automatic braking should have engaged and stopped the car so it wouldn't have crashed into the dumpster. It is unlikely the vehicle is available for inspection as it was towed to a salvage yard. My safety and ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
The vehicle is a 2018 Kia Sedona with approximately 122,000 miles that experienced a catastrophic engine failure resulting in complete engine seizure. The failure has been identified by an independent mechanic as a rod bearing issue. The engine remains intact and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle is currently not operational and the battery has been disconnected. This vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2026
On 2/25/26, in rush hour traffic we were driving on a NJ highway. We happened to be in the left-most of 3 lanes with a concrete divider (no shoulder – there was about 3 ft between the concrete divider and the left side of the left lane). We were about 4 car lengths behind the next car when traffic was slowing for a red light. The car indicated “Everything OK”. When I hit my brakes, they did... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2025
I respectfully submit the following additional information.In connection with this matter, the dealer in question asserted in writing that I "should have refused to participate" in the manufacturer-authorized "Z05 Service Campaign"—a measure designed to prevent potential damage—and characterized the program as nothing more than "free paint work." Service campaigns administered by manufacturers... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2025
I respectfully submit the following additional information.In connection with this matter, the dealer in question asserted in writing that I "should have refused to participate" in the manufacturer-authorized "Z05 Service Campaign"—a measure designed to prevent potential damage—and characterized the program as nothing more than "free paint work." Service campaigns administered by manufacturers... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2025
I am submitting this formal complaint regarding an active safety recall affecting the seat belt system of my 2025 Hyundai Palisade XRT. Hyundai has acknowledged the existence of the defect. However, I was informed by a Hyundai customer service representative [XXX] ), under case number XXX, that there is currently no available remedy or repair for this recall. This situation is deeply concerning, ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2026
My complaint is that I was sold a dangerously defective vehicle with a known, unrepaired “stop driving” airbag safety recall, was not warned about the deadly risk, and am now being told to move and tow the car in direct contradiction to official safety instructions. ### Factual background - The vehicle I purchased has a Takata‑type airbag safety recall that carries a formal “do not drive... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2025
our honda odyssey 2018 elite - has a failed windshield monocular camera - original part (36160 - THR - A73) failure is a u3000-49 error. This failure causes most of the advanced safety features of the vehicle to not be operational. see these dashboard errors: Collision Mitigation System Problem Road Departure Mitigation System Problem Auto High Beam Problem Adaptive Cruise Control Problem Cu... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
I am reporting a persistent and unresolved excessive oil consumption issue that I began to notice at approximately 61,000 miles. I follow all routine maintenance and oil change schedules, but my car has returned to the dealership I purchased from (only owner), three times for this specific problem. - First Visit (64,074 miles): I shared my observations of excessive oil consumption to the dealershi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
Head gasket failure diagnosed by Wittmeier Honda in February of 2026 Chico Ca. Car was initially throwing misfire codes, battery, fuel pump, then fuel injectors were replaced. Took it back to the dealer because car would sputter, dash is blacking out and I'm unable to indicate the speed at which I'm traveling, white smoke from exhaust, misfire, poor gas mileage, car nearly stalling in intersection... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
I parked the vehicle in a parking lot. I walked away and it immediately started smoking. Shortly after that, flames appeared coming from the hood. Shortly after that, the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames.
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
Front passenger headlight assembly is defective with less than 200 miles on vehicle. The defect is allowing excessive condensation in assembly and fogging up headlight brightness and assuming will eventually cause bulbs to prematurely burn out. This in my opinion is a safety concern and issue . Also seems like there is a shortage of the defective headlight assembly.
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE) and 26V101000 (SUSPENSION). The contact stated that after the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The battery warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure wa... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE) and 26V101000 (SUSPENSION). The contact stated that after the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The battery warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure wa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Solterra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while attempting to start to the vehicle, the horn sounded unexpectedly. Several warnings lights illuminated, and the gear shifter failed to shift to drive(D). A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the battery needed to be re... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2026
Rear view camera and A-Pillar clips that were promised in the recalls are still not available, increasing the amount of time that it is unsafe to backup my 2015 Ford Explorer. As well as the A-Pillar clip the endangers other drivers if the trim were to come off.
Incident date: Jul 5, 2025
Excessive Oil Consumption/Burning Catalytic Converter Clogging Check Engine Light/Misfires My engine has all of these issues. It has been determined as known KIA issues not driver/owner related. My car has 94,000 miles but none of what's going on is any cause other than KIA issues/problems. I work a full time job and have missed work due to car not being able to be driven at random times.
Incident date: Feb 24, 2026
When I start my car, every once in a while it acts as if it is not getting enough gas and lags. In the colder months it seems to do this more often and sometimes will not start. When the weather is warmer it will sporadically do this. I have put a new battery in thinking it was weak and this could be the cause for it to not want to start, but it has done this at least 5 times within the month that... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2026
Summary of the problem: The rear liftgate on my Rivian failed to detect an obstruction while closing and continued to close despite contact with a person. What happened: While the rear liftgate was automatically closing, I was unaware it was coming down and walked into it. The liftgate made contact with my upper body/face and did not stop or reverse as expected. Instead, it continued closing and ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 22, 2026
I am reporting a serious safety defect in my 2023 Ford F-150 Platinum SuperCrew (EcoBoost engine. The oil pressure warning light suddenly illuminated, indicating a loss of oil pressure. Immediately after, the engine suffered catastrophic failure (it "blew the engine"). At the same moment, with no input from me, the gear shifter automatically shifted from Drive into Park. This caused the transmissi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
At the end of a downhill cloverleaf coming coming on and off a highway, the car slowed to a crawl but would not stop. It was going slowly as if "creeping" like when in B mode but was not in B mode. The brakes would not stop it. I was able to shift gears from Drive to N to P but no response, car continued to creep forward until it gently bumped into the back of an 18 wheeler. There was no collision... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
There are currently hundreds (if not thousands) of cars, operating on roads of USA, that at any particular time stop in the middle of the road. The power is cut off and Engine Control Error is displayed on the monitor. This issue has been described many times on Reddit, under Taycan-Engine Control Error threads. The affects 2020-21 Porsche Taycans. As an owner of '21 Taycan, I have run into this i... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Aluminum Trailer RV. The contact stated that the RV was taken to the dealer to be repaired under warranty. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V535000 (Equipment); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The dealer was contacted and asked to complete the recall repair while the vehicle was already at the dealer for other servic... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2026
I was driving a 2025 Genesis GV80 loaner vehicle at approximately 65-70mph when I began to hear a loud noise and feel shaking consistent with a tire issue. A tire pressure warning appeared on the dashboard. I immediately slowed down and attempted to safely move to the shoulder of the road. While trying to pull over, the vehicles lane keeping assist appeared to resist my steering input, making it ... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Mar 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Dart. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V674000 (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 contact stated that while driving 5 MPH in a parking lot, the transmission unexpectedly shifted to neutral, and... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Rear camera does not show up when vehicle is placed in reverse. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Inability to use rear camera presenting a larger risk to others while the vehicle is in reverse. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service c... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2026
auto idle stop stalled at a red light causing my car to not move and having to shut off my car in the middle of traffic. Once i tried to turn back on it wouldnt start at first. i had to do this twice in order for the car to come back on.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2026
TSB 21-2389 - this issue was addressed with ford with no resolution.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2026
smoke coming from the engine.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2026
This truck is equipped with the 6.2L L87 and the motor seized up and shut off with no dash light warning and i stalled and rolled over a curb! This is very dangerous and now i have to pay 10k + out of Pocket for an engine replacement! Truck has low miles this is unacceptable and it needs to be in the recall , this is dangerous and it hurts people !
Crash
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The vehicle is exhibiting symptoms that are identical to those described in NHTSA Recall 25V556 — water intrusion through the windshield and A-pillar area. The recall documents that improperly sealed windshields can allow water to enter the power distribution box and electronic control unit, leading to a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a thermal event even when the ignition is off.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The vehicle is exhibiting symptoms that are identical to those described in NHTSA Recall 25V556 — water intrusion through the windshield and A-pillar area. The recall documents that improperly sealed windshields can allow water to enter the power distribution box and electronic control unit, leading to a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a thermal event even when the ignition is off.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
When I was going to torn off the truck won’t stop the engine, dash said not in parking and the PRND light start flashing I had to remove a relay to shut down the truck and disconnect bought batteries half and hour later reconnect everything and truck work but with many lights on in dash board From what I investigated it’s a common problem with no solution at this time Dealer said it’s a r... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
I received a recall notice dated 9/23/2025. The recall is listed as URGENT safety issue that could cause a fire. The notice instructs not to drive the car or park in garage. It has been over 6 months now and there is still no fix. I am requesting the manufacture buyback my vehicle.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
Parked vehicle fire that happened approximately 8-9 hours after parking it. Neighbors woke me up at 4:30am after hearing a loud boom. When i went outside the whole front end was engulfed in flames. Fire investigators said it started in the engine compartment and moved to the inside of the vehicle. No foul play suspected. There were no warning signs leading up to this. I kept up with all maintenan... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The vehicle has no power going up hills or accelerating and just stops and doesn't move. To get the car to move again you have to turn the car off and back on. Even if you put the car in L it can still just go back in regular drive on its own an cut out with no acceleration.