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 384,293 complaints for FORD
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
It seems when the truck has been driven more than an a half hour to an hour and you shut the truck off the truck won't start back up. I believe the starter gets what they call heat soaked, then you have to wait until the truck cools down then I will start normal
Incident date: Mar 22, 2026
Significant issues with adaptive headlights having a large shadow in middle of beam as well as two smaller dark shadows at end of beam that are very distracting. It also dims very low at times severely reducing my visibility especially at different grades of the road. The headlights were so bad from the first week I tried to get the sales manager at Ciocca Subaru in Allentown to take this car back... Read more
FORD
TRANSIT CONNECT
(2014) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 3, 2026
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
MY 2019 HONDA PASSPORT WITH JUST OVER 100K MILES JUST HAD COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND HAS REGULARLY HAD RANDOM HARD SHIFTS SINCE THE DAY I GOT IT AND IVE BROUGHT THE ISSUE UP TO THE DEALER EVERY TIME IT IS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE. THEY ALWAYS TELL ME THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. AFTER JUST DRIVING TO GET MY CHILD FROM SCHOOL AND COMING HOME PARKING MY CAR A... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2019) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 3, 2026
Incident date: Oct 24, 2025
Vehicle message states Stop safely vehicle will shut off soon
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2019) - POWER TRAIN
Apr 3, 2026
Incident date: Oct 24, 2025
I have a 2026 Toyota Tacoma 850 miles on it. I had a problem at about 200 miles that the transmition started to shutter or vibrate as it was slowing down around 26 miles an hour to 10 not exactly that every time but close and as it slowed down it had this distinct vibration or shutter under 5 miles an hour it shifted and it smoothed out. I took it Toyota to my dealer their response was that it wa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
I was just driving normal and a message on my dashboard started to appear saying to clean my windshield or the collision mitigation system cannot work, We cleaned the windshield several times and it didn’t work the light still on, mow it got worst all of the lights turned on when I drive the car, adaptive cruise control light, road departure mitigation system problem light, lane keeping assista... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Eos. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of a persistent oil leak on the ground. The vehicle had undergone three separate repairs to resolve the failure, but the oil leak persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel was running lean. The vehicle was not r... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2025
I am reporting a recurring and dangerous brake system failure in my 2010 Honda Odyssey. Intermittently, when the vehicle is first started, the brake pedal becomes completely stiff and cannot be depressed at all. During these events, the brakes are effectively non-functional until the condition resolves, creating a serious safety hazard. This issue occurs without warning and has happened on multip... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V544000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) and 25V572000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not m... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V544000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) and 25V572000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not m... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 MD Cart LSV. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road, where the vehicle rolled to a stop. The vehicle was purchased from a Costco Store. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assis... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
Vehicle: 2012 Hyundai Sonata Incident Date: August 14, 2024 Location: [XXX] Description of the Problem: The vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic fire without warning while in normal use. There were no prior warning lights, messages, or symptoms before the incident. The failure appears to have originated from the electrical system and/or engine (exact cause UNKNOWN), which resulted in th... Read more
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
while moving in reverse, the vehicle automatic breaking system engages on and off giving a jerking movement of the car and makes you feel like you hit something. Once the vehicle is placed into Drive mode the same thing happens with the breaking system. because of this the check vehicle lights come on and gives a "Hill start assist warning" also "Pre-collision Assist Not Available". Also all whee... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
while moving in reverse, the vehicle automatic breaking system engages on and off giving a jerking movement of the car and makes you feel like you hit something. Once the vehicle is placed into Drive mode the same thing happens with the breaking system. because of this the check vehicle lights come on and gives a "Hill start assist warning" also "Pre-collision Assist Not Available". Also all whee... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
In September 2025, an authorized Kia dealership performed recall SC284XM (HECU electrical short fire risk) on this 2012 Kia Sorento. During the repair, the dealership disconnected the battery, resetting the PCM/ECU and clearing all OBD-II readiness monitors including the oxygen sensor monitor. Despite driving hundreds of miles afterward, the O2 sensor monitor has not reached a Ready state. A malfu... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
There has been a safety recall for this vehicle for the same issue for far too long. Fords temporary remedy has made my vehicle be even more unsafe to drive causing faults with AWD, Traction control, hill assist, power steering, alternator producing to high voltage, etc. the vehicle was not legal to drive from ‘at to February do to this issues. Fords temporary remedy issued a new recall 25S76 re... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
Rear light bar has water inside. Recall has not been fix since October 2025. Rear light flickering on and off. Been pulled over by the police
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
The harness does not tighten sufficiently to protect a small infant in the event of a crash. The child is 4 pounds, 9 ounces and 18 inches long, well within the stated minimum limits stated by the manufacturer. The seat is in new condition, has all original inserts and has never been used for any other child. When buckling the harness and pulling the strap to tighten, the harness does not tighten ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
The moonroof is available for immediate inspection. Rudolph Honda in El Paso, Texas, refused to inspect it despite the severity of the incident. The glass shattered directly above my head while driving, creating an extreme risk of a major crash, permanent eye injury, or even death. This is not an isolated event—there are numerous reported cases of this vehicle’s moonroof spontaneously breaking... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn, with an abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack had f... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
Vehicle: 2023 Nissan Kicks SR Incident Detail: On April 1, my son was involved in an auto accident. According to my son, he was traveling at approximately 20–30 mph. Upon approaching slowed traffic, my son applied the service brakes; however, the vehicle failed to decelerate or stop. To mitigate the impact, my son veered to the right. Despite this evasive maneuver, the front-left side of the N... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
I just drove into a parking lot at First United Methodist Church parking lot. [XXX] ng a parking space very near. Driving into the space, applying brakes like I’ve done for the last 12/13 years….the car would not stop. I applied the brakes fully down to the floor( which I’ve never had to ever do at any time) the car kept going..rolling on. My husband the passenger told me” STOP”. I did... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
Being an AWD. There is a load knocking sound when accelerating from a stop to 30 mph while turning left or right. The frequency happens every time under those conditions. With my experience this knocking sound is indicating a bad CV Joint, axle, or transfer case.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
The contact owned a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the front driver's side air bag might have deployed without impact, hit the contact's face, reducing the roadway visibility and causing the vehicle to crash into the rear-end of another vehicle. The contact stated that the air bag exploded and propelled fragments, causing the driver to experience difficul... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
ENGINE MALFUNCTION WARNING - LIMP MODE ACTIVATED 6 times within a year of ownership. CAR LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING, RPM NOT RESPONSIVE, SPEED DROPS AND STAYS AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR. RECALLS HAVE BEEN “ADDRESSED” BUT NO REMEDY.
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
Loud clicking or ratcheting sound coming from front suspension (ball joint/control arm/axel) that occurs when taking tight turns, left or right. Dealership said its not visibly broken after visual inspection, so there is no warranty coverage until Honda issues a formal recall or other directive.
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
Posterior shocks fractured at 24,000 miles. Car handles poorly and drives unsteady. Dealer has confirmed fracture and has promised new shocks 4 months ago. Have contacted Hyundai corporate and have been told weekly that they are working on a solution but have no idea when a solution will come. There was no warning when this occurred.
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
In heavy rain situations I get an error message stating all front active safety systems (forward collision warning, etc.) do not work. The error states to clean or clear the front sensors of the vehicle. There is nothing blocking the sensors but in heavy weather these situations become much more important. Lexus states this is normal when heavy water situations come into play. I understand for go... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
Catastrophic engine failure at speed, connecting rod failure, which is a known failure for this engine. Engine blew, lost all power, and hot oil hit the hot exhaust and the car caught on fire. A fire truck came to put out the engine fire.
Fire
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
The EGR cooler bypass control broke on my pickup. The dealership stated that this is an ongoing issue with these pickups and that the 2019-2020 pickups had a recall on this. This pickup has 77,000 miles on it. This should not be failing.
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
Product almost set my car on fire, luckily I was stop at a car wash when one the cleaning crew members noticed smoke coming out from under my hood my hood , I opened the hood and the actual light bulb was on fire, it burnt my original hardness of my vehicle and the housing of my head light
Fire
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
Product almost set my car on fire, luckily I was stop at a car wash when one the cleaning crew members noticed smoke coming out from under my hood my hood , I opened the hood and the actual light bulb was on fire, it burnt my original hardness of my vehicle and the housing of my head light
Fire
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
While making a left turn at a four-way intersection, the passenger side front door opened the latch failed. This vehicle is equipped with motorized door handles that retract/flush when the vehicle is in drive indicating that the doors are locked. The door handles were retracted while driving the vehicle and making the slight left turn. During the turn, the passenger side front door opened and wa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
While making a left turn at a four-way intersection, the passenger side front door opened the latch failed. This vehicle is equipped with motorized door handles that retract/flush when the vehicle is in drive indicating that the doors are locked. The door handles were retracted while driving the vehicle and making the slight left turn. During the turn, the passenger side front door opened and wa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
SUPPLEMENTAL TO COMPLAINT ID: 11728745. My 2025 RAV4 failed at 39,919 miles. Toyota Corporate is acting in bad faith to deny the 60,000-mile Powertrain Warranty. The Case Manager repeatedly calls only after 6:30 PM when the dealership is closed to avoid resolution. Furthermore, the representative is now using "legal threats"-directing me to their legal department-as a tactic to stop me from pursui... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2026
The driver of my vehicle stated that my car suddenly lurched forward striking a cross passing vehicle. He did not accelerate and the emergency brake system failed to engage in advance of an obvious and avoidable crash.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
The driver of my vehicle stated that my car suddenly lurched forward striking a cross passing vehicle. He did not accelerate and the emergency brake system failed to engage in advance of an obvious and avoidable crash.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
The driver of my vehicle stated that my car suddenly lurched forward striking a cross passing vehicle. He did not accelerate and the emergency brake system failed to engage in advance of an obvious and avoidable crash.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
I no longer have this vehicle, as I traded it in once I was able to lower some of my negative equity. During owning the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, a deer it the side of my vehicle and knocked me into the center of the road while I was driving. No airbags had come out, nor was any sensor activated. About 6-8 months later, I was driving down the same road and a deer had run across the road. The forward c... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 19, 2026
My 2018 Ford Escape equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine experienced complete engine failure due to coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 3/29/26. This is a known design and manufacturing defect in the engine block, documented by Ford in Technical Service Bulletins 19-2375, 19-2346, 22-2322, and 22-2134, and addressed under Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 (GTDI Engine – Short Block ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
On friday, march 27th, 2026. My 2019 ford ranger began shaking before the engine stalled. Warning lights for an engine check came on and my vehicle would not go above 20 mph after restarting. When pressing on the accelerator the engine would rev but the vehicle would not accelerate. I took the 2019 ford Ranger to a local Ford Dealership service center and they diagnosed the following problems (lis... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The truck had been parked in our driveway for approximately 24 hrs when my wife went to the drivers side door to retrieve something that she had left in the center console. After she retrieved what she was looking for she pushed the door closed and the rear window spontaneously and completely shattered. There had been no prior damage whatsoever. The vehicle was towed to our Ford dealership on M... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
I tried to stop my car and the brake pedal went completely to the floor and did not stop at all. There were no warning lights on, I keep my brakes and car well maintained. My car hit the rear of another car because the brakes failed to engage when I pushed the pedal down. My car which is the vw jetta was totaled in the accident. My insurance company GEICO has the car sitting at copart and it shoul... Read more
Crash
4 injured
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
The brake system control module, engine control module, and vehicle stability control system have repeatedly failed across 24 months and 9 repair attempts at two authorized GMC dealerships in Tennessee. As of March 17, 2026 the vehicle has 27 active diagnostic fault codes including U160F and U1610 (brake system control module lost communication on both CAN buses), U1611 (engine control module lost... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at speeds above 30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated during the failures. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred approximately ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
Engine lost power. I put the gas pedal to the floor and it would barely go. Finally, after barely moving out of the intersection, the car lurched forward and I managed to drive it home. I was stuck in a very busy intersection with a car that would not go. All I wanted to do was get out of the intersection because it is a very busy street and I was afraid I was going to get hit. I noticed that ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
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: Aug 24, 2023
I purchased a used 2012 Hyundai Sonata. Within about 2 weeks it broke down while I was in the far left lane of the freeway. The car suddenly stopped accelerating and made a very loud knocking noise. Thankfully I was able to put on my hazards and make it to the right shoulder without getting into an accident but as soon as I pulled over it shut off and the panel lights all came on. Evidently there ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
This vehicle had its engine replaced at around 33,000 miles. Today, at around 43,000, the replacement engine failed. It's now at the dealer waiting for yet another engine replacement.
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: XXX (Fuel System, Gasoline). While driving approximately 5-10 MPH, the vehicle stalled while accelerating from a stop on two occasions. The message to "Shift to Neutral and Restart" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted and informed about a diagnostic test. The contact called another local dea... Read more