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 250,088 complaints for CHEVROLET
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
The steering sticks when making turns and does not return to center. This causes the steering to drift on the highway and reduces the ability to steer in a straight line. I have not reproduced or confirmed it with the dealer. No inspection and no warning lamps. This issue occurs for a large number of Chevrolet Bolt owners.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2016) — POWER TRAIN
Apr 11, 2026
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
6L80 Automatic RWD Transmission and Torque Converter is dead. No warning lights or any indications that there was an issue. The RPM climbed and could not drive it in gear. Metal shavings found in fluid. 126,524 miles
Incident date: Dec 10, 2025
The first problem began at approximately 5,000 miles. After refueling, the vehicle’s transmission would slip severely. The slipping continued to occur intermittently after that point. I brought the vehicle to a dealership Initially, I was told that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. After further testing, the dealership identified a transmission issue related to Technical Service Bulletin 25-NA... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2025
The first problem began at approximately 5,000 miles. After refueling, the vehicle’s transmission would slip severely. The slipping continued to occur intermittently after that point. I brought the vehicle to a dealership Initially, I was told that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. After further testing, the dealership identified a transmission issue related to Technical Service Bulletin 25-NA... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
For the past couple years, the electronic power steering system shuts off while driving. Turning off and on the car would usually reset it. These past couple months, that trick doesn't work anymore. Using an OBD two-way scanner, the codes popping up are PSCM not calibrated and it shuts off the braking system as well. This seems incredibly dangerous and am surprised it's not included in the recall.... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
I was driving and out of no where my brakes “ all four wheels “ locked up as if I was hauling a heavy load . I put on my hazard lights to warn the semi behind me. So I maintained control of my line until the cargo van slowed down to a safe speed for me to pull over . I thought the semi was going to run into the back of me, luckily the southbound line was clear so the semi took off pass me. So... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
During highway driving, alert on dashboard stated “electrical system failing enter idle mode”. Tahoe slowed down and then engine began knocking right as it shut off resulting in needing to coast to the shoulder of the highway safely since engine was off. Towed to dealership and then they came back saying needed a new battery, new alternator belt, pulley and water compartment. After those insta... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
During highway driving, alert on dashboard stated “electrical system failing enter idle mode”. Tahoe slowed down and then engine began knocking right as it shut off resulting in needing to coast to the shoulder of the highway safely since engine was off. Towed to dealership and then they came back saying needed a new battery, new alternator belt, pulley and water compartment. After those insta... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) — STEERING
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Jan 25, 2026
One day my truck drove perfect to, the next day while driving it starting losing power drastically on the highway and shuts off that i had to dead steer it to the shoulder.”engine power reduced/grinding/knocking sound came on. I brought it to my mechanic and he says change the engine he is seeing a common thing with these 2.7 liter from this truck model, i paid $6,500 to change it and it worked ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) — POWER TRAIN
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Jan 25, 2026
One day my truck drove perfect to, the next day while driving it starting losing power drastically on the highway and shuts off that i had to dead steer it to the shoulder.”engine power reduced/grinding/knocking sound came on. I brought it to my mechanic and he says change the engine he is seeing a common thing with these 2.7 liter from this truck model, i paid $6,500 to change it and it worked ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) — ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Jan 25, 2026
One day my truck drove perfect to, the next day while driving it starting losing power drastically on the highway and shuts off that i had to dead steer it to the shoulder.”engine power reduced/grinding/knocking sound came on. I brought it to my mechanic and he says change the engine he is seeing a common thing with these 2.7 liter from this truck model, i paid $6,500 to change it and it worked ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) — STEERING
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
All of a sudden my check engine light came on with the sudden loss of power steering. Almost impossible to steer at low speeds. After turning it off I waited about 15 minutes then restarted the engine and there was no problem steering. Concern about it happening again in the middle of traffic.
Incident date: Mar 17, 2026
I had the recall for the Momentary Rear Wheel Lock-up completed on 2025-05-04. While I was driving March 2026 my Tahoe went into limp mode and I had to have it towed because it wouldn’t reverse it was towed a day after this happened to Lynch Chevrolet. It has sat there ever since with no fix in site. I had to get a rental vehicle that GM is paying for but they have stipulations to what they pay ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2026
Exhaust weld break similar to the 2019 Chevy traverse
Incident date: May 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was an oil leak coming from the engine. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Engine Power Reduced" and "Service Stabili-trak" were displayed. Occasionally, the automatic emergency braking activated unexpectedly, and while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle also decelerated and... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was an oil leak coming from the engine. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Engine Power Reduced" and "Service Stabili-trak" were displayed. Occasionally, the automatic emergency braking activated unexpectedly, and while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle also decelerated and... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was an oil leak coming from the engine. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Engine Power Reduced" and "Service Stabili-trak" were displayed. Occasionally, the automatic emergency braking activated unexpectedly, and while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle also decelerated and... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2026
The steering wheel gets stuck, is difficult to turn, and doesn't return to center. Issues with this make the car much more difficult to drive and makes it impossible to sense the state of the road with the steering wheel. This can lead to loss of control. No warning lamps or messages informed me of this issue.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) — ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Mar 19, 2026
I am reporting a failure involving a 2020 vehicle equipped with a GM 6.2L V8 engine that developed a cylinder 8 misfire along with diagnostic trouble codes P0300, P0500, and P0521. Dealer inspection revealed a severely scored camshaft and metal debris present in the engine oil, indicating significant internal engine damage. The failure appears to be related to a lifter or valvetrain malfunction, l... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
The air conditioning system fails to cool. My vehicle only has 47,000 miles on it currently and is well-kept. A professional garage inspected and advised that there was a leak in the refrigerant system. I contacted my local Chevrolet dealer Jeff Gordan Chevrolet where I purchased the vehicle new and they said the issue was not under warranty and that my warranties had expired. They would not repai... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2026) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Mar 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds at night, the low beam and high beam headlights were extremely dim, reducing the roadway visibility while driving during the rain. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the headlights were functional. The vehicle was not repai... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2017) — ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Mar 29, 2026
My truck only has 72,000 miles on it, yet the lifters in the engine are failing/ malfunctioning. While in drive, it has a hard time shifting into higher gears causing the engine to continue revving but not picking up more speed. A quick google search shows this to be a common issue. GM was made aware of the problem but did not offer much help in resolving the matter. GM specifically stated the NHT... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
The engine light was on and had my vehicle was stalling while driving in traffic. The service code P1101 was on and had my vehicle fixed. The light stayed off for few months then same service code is back on. I've read that there was a recall for 2019 models with same issue. My vehicle is a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu LT and has same engine as the 2019 models.
Incident date: Apr 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving very slowly into a parking space, the brake pedal was pressed to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and suddenly accelerated forward at a very high rate of speed and crashed into a furniture store showroom window. During the incident, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged,... Read more
Crash
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2026) — ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Mar 29, 2026
My brand new two week old 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS Issue: Auto Start/Stop system failure, the engine shuts off and does not restart Description:
While stopped at traffic lights with the auto start/stop feature engaged, the engine shuts off as designed. However, when I release the brake pedal, the engine does not restart as it should. Instead, the vehicle displays a message stating “pre... Read more
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2026) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Mar 29, 2026
My brand new two week old 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS Issue: Auto Start/Stop system failure, the engine shuts off and does not restart Description:
While stopped at traffic lights with the auto start/stop feature engaged, the engine shuts off as designed. However, when I release the brake pedal, the engine does not restart as it should. Instead, the vehicle displays a message stating “pre... Read more
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2026) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Mar 29, 2026
My brand new two week old 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS Issue: Auto Start/Stop system failure, the engine shuts off and does not restart Description:
While stopped at traffic lights with the auto start/stop feature engaged, the engine shuts off as designed. However, when I release the brake pedal, the engine does not restart as it should. Instead, the vehicle displays a message stating “pre... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2024) — ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Feb 21, 2025
When driving at slow speeds, less that 10 MPH, the engine shuts off and vehicle shifts to neutral. Message is displayed on driver console Press Start Button to restart. Only the engines shuts down as all displays, entertainment center and controls are still displayed. Pushing the start button restarts the engine. This has occurred several times since purchasing the truck however it has occurred 2 ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2024) — POWER TRAIN
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
On 04/03/2026 at approximately 0545 I was heading in to work . While at a complete stop I proceeded to accelerate on the Highway 54 BRF WI. 54615 when the truck made a clunking noise and jerked. At which point the engine light turned on along with reduced speed message across the display screen. unable to pull over safely at the moment I had to proceed no faster than 25 MPH on US 54 hindering all ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
Intermittent loss of power steering with no warning other than message on dash saying loss of power steering then shut the car off and restart it and powering steering back for a little while and then it repeats
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
Vehicle went into Brake Assist Failure and would roll in neutral but no drivetrain power or brakes. Dealer took 3 months to find part. Acceleration jerky at stop or while driving. Pedal too sensitive. Constant traction loss from stop at lights and stop signs if not careful on dry pavement. Mode selection to Rain/Snow helps by restricting power, if it is remembered to be turned on. With rain and sn... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
Vehicle went into Brake Assist Failure and would roll in neutral but no drivetrain power or brakes. Dealer took 3 months to find part. Acceleration jerky at stop or while driving. Pedal too sensitive. Constant traction loss from stop at lights and stop signs if not careful on dry pavement. Mode selection to Rain/Snow helps by restricting power, if it is remembered to be turned on. With rain and sn... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
Vehicle went into Brake Assist Failure and would roll in neutral but no drivetrain power or brakes. Dealer took 3 months to find part. Acceleration jerky at stop or while driving. Pedal too sensitive. Constant traction loss from stop at lights and stop signs if not careful on dry pavement. Mode selection to Rain/Snow helps by restricting power, if it is remembered to be turned on. With rain and sn... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2026
The camera intermittently stops working, which makes backing up dangerous—especially since I’m [XXX] [XXX] . I haven’t taken it to the dealer yet because the issue happens unpredictably, and every time I consider going in for repairs, the camera starts working again. I need a reliable solution to fix this problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2026
My car stalls, jerks, and shuts off when in drive. More specifically when I turn it on, shift it in reverse, reverse, shift into drive. I press on the gas and nothing. Car doesn't move. I put it back in park sometimes it'll shut off most of the time it'll jerks and jerk while I tap on the gas, then make a big stutter like power is low gas doesn't seem to be working with the pedal then it makes a ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2026
My car stalls, jerks, and shuts off when in drive. More specifically when I turn it on, shift it in reverse, reverse, shift into drive. I press on the gas and nothing. Car doesn't move. I put it back in park sometimes it'll shut off most of the time it'll jerks and jerk while I tap on the gas, then make a big stutter like power is low gas doesn't seem to be working with the pedal then it makes a ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2026
My car stalls, jerks, and shuts off when in drive. More specifically when I turn it on, shift it in reverse, reverse, shift into drive. I press on the gas and nothing. Car doesn't move. I put it back in park sometimes it'll shut off most of the time it'll jerks and jerk while I tap on the gas, then make a big stutter like power is low gas doesn't seem to be working with the pedal then it makes a ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
The shark fin antenna cover became loose. The antenna then fell off at some point while driving. This coming off while driving poses a risk to others on the road as it may have fallen off and hit someone else. The only “warning” it gave was stating the emergency call system failure. When googling I found out what the problem may be from. After looking further there are multiple Chevy traverse ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) — STEERING
Apr 9, 2026
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
I am filing this safety complaint regarding a documented engine wire harness chafing defect in my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 2.7L L3B Turbo engine. While driving, my truck experienced erratic acceleration, engine throttling to 3,000 RPM without returning to idle after releasing the accelerator, engine misfires, sudden loss of engine power, stalling, and multiple simultaneous warning l... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) — ENGINE
Apr 9, 2026
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
I am filing this safety complaint regarding a documented engine wire harness chafing defect in my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 2.7L L3B Turbo engine. While driving, my truck experienced erratic acceleration, engine throttling to 3,000 RPM without returning to idle after releasing the accelerator, engine misfires, sudden loss of engine power, stalling, and multiple simultaneous warning l... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Apr 9, 2026
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
I am filing this safety complaint regarding a documented engine wire harness chafing defect in my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 2.7L L3B Turbo engine. While driving, my truck experienced erratic acceleration, engine throttling to 3,000 RPM without returning to idle after releasing the accelerator, engine misfires, sudden loss of engine power, stalling, and multiple simultaneous warning l... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2016) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Apr 9, 2026
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
On January 6, 2026., I was backing out of my son's driveway when I heard a loud pop, it sounded like a rock hitting the back window of my Silverado. I then discovered the driver's side of the back window shattered. Prior to backing out, I used the auto start to warm up my vehicle. I did some research and found there was a recall for this issue that was supposedly completed by Lithia Chevy of Helen... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster failed to function as intended. The instrument cluster displayed a screen with lines. In addition, the contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the instrument panel displayed a blank screen. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2026
The vehicle's fuel pump failed. Like many 2022 Chevy Equinoxes, ours has a fuel pump that failed while on a road trip 10 hours from home. However, ours was also not part of the recall batch for failing fuel pumps. There were no warning lights or lamps or other signs, and at 27,000 miles, we would never expect for our fuel pump to fail. It seems quite clear that this is part of the overall failu... Read more
CHEVROLET
TRAVERSE
(2020) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
Apr 9, 2026
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the exhaust system made an abnormally loud sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was determined that the front clamp on the exhaust system was loose. The dealer tightened the clamp; however, the failure persisted. The contact related the failu... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
Burns Oil so bad I don't need to change oil. I put about a quart of oil in it a week. Car runs rough. Sometimes overheating and sounds loud when low on oil. This occurs on a consistent regular basis since aquiring in October 2024
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2015) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Apr 9, 2026
Incident date: Apr 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact remote started the vehicle and left the vehicle unattended for several minutes. When returning to the vehicle, the vehicle was on fire, and the window was shattered. The fire was coming from the rear window behind the driver's side, which melted all the plastic around the shattered glass. The contact notified the dealer. The vehicle was... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 8, 2026
I was driving yesterday when my car began to shake at low RPMs. The traction control light came on steadily and the check engine light was blinking. I was unable to safely accelerate. I took it to my mechanic who tested spark plugs and coils, which he confirmed aren't the problem. He informed me that this is a common issue with the GM 6.2L engine, but mine isn't part of the recall. After checking ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2025
My engine failed with no warning on my 2024 Chevy Trax , at night in the express lanes of a very busy expressway in Chicago. I was able to get on an off ramp, but the car then stalled again and I was almost hit by other vehicles trying to exit the ramp. I did call 911 and was told to stay in my car because I would have a "better chance of survival". I had just had the car at the dealership for an... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2007) — AIR BAGS
Apr 9, 2026
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while at a stoplight, the driver’s side front air bag deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries reported. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnos... Read more