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: Jul 28, 2026
I am filing a complaint regarding the low-beam headlights on my Tesla. The headlights emit an excessively bright glare that impairs the visibility of oncoming traffic and surrounding motorists, creating a hazardous driving condition. This issue corresponds to federal safety non-compliance under FMVSS No. 108 and NHTSA Recall Campaign No. 26V507, where the low beams were found to output up to 230.1... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2026
My 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS is experiencing critical active safety and electronic malfunctions. While reversing out of my driveway, the vehicle unexpectedly executed an aggressive "phantom braking" event, violently slamming on the brakes with no actual physical hazards or cross-traffic behind the vehicle. The Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) and Rear Cross-Traffic Braking systems are hypersensit... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Incident date: May 4, 2026
As I pulled up to stop, in electric mode, at a stop light, the display screen pulled up a message to pull over safely because the engine would stop soon, within about 10 seconds the screen showed the engine stopped. I was still at the light. I tried restarting the vehicle, moving the shifter from drive to park and back, pressing the park button several times with no success. With cars honking b... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2026
Software update for the vehicle. Since we have completed the update we have had issues with the Radio unit flashing in and out intermittenly and finally the unit went black and will not work at all. This is now showing multiple fault codes including. Engine control module 1 (U105400), Brakes 1(C102D00), Adaptive Cruise Control (U112100), Dash Board (U111000), Gateway (U105400), Telematics Communic... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2026
Software update for the vehicle. Since we have completed the update we have had issues with the Radio unit flashing in and out intermittenly and finally the unit went black and will not work at all. This is now showing multiple fault codes including. Engine control module 1 (U105400), Brakes 1(C102D00), Adaptive Cruise Control (U112100), Dash Board (U111000), Gateway (U105400), Telematics Communic... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2026
Dear Hyundai Motor America Consumer Affairs, My name is [XXX], and I am submitting this correspondence as a formal safety and customer-service complaint concerning my 2023 Hyundai Kona SEL, the recurring failure of its horn, and the treatment I received at Capitol Hyundai in San Jose, California. I am requesting that Hyundai Motor America immediately open a corporate case, investigate the dealersh... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the message "Brake Fluid Level Low" was displayed. The brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the brakes failed to work properly. The contact drove to Walmart and purchased brake fluid to add to the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The contact added more brake fluid, but the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2026
I am having problems with my transmission; it puts itself into park when we tried to put it in gear. It has been sitting in my back driveway for almost a year as we can't drive it. When this happened, we had just pulled into my front driveway after a 2+ hour trip and put the car in park. Then without turning it off, went to put it in reverse to move it - the car BY ITSELF went into park - we Wa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2026
My Sonata 2016 suddenly lit up the Check Engine icon, which was blinking. It is available for inspection request, as it's in the shop right now. Added 2 qts of oil just to be safe. Was hoping the light would go away in the morning. It didn't. The car was sputtering and jerking while I was attempting to get where I was going, so I drove a little slower so it wouldn't stall out, which would hav... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle previously failed the vehicle state inspection due to the check engine warning light being illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle stalled intermittently while driving. The contact had to pull over, wait, and then restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed an unknown recall repair for the canister p... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
Crash
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
I was driving doing about 60 mph. All of a sudden the engine stopped and the truck just coasted. I was able to find a safe spot on the side of the road and pull over. Called a tow truck and had it taken to the GM dealership nearby. The trucks engine was just fixed in October of 2025 for the camshaft and lifter rods. It’s currently in the shop and I’m waiting for the diagnostics.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), the contact was informed that the vehicle passed the inspection and no repair was needed. However, the vehicle experienced engine failure approximately seven months later. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2026
I am reporting a chronic manufacturing defect on my 2020 BMW X3 that poses an immediate electrical short-circuit and vehicle safety hazard. The passenger-side panoramic sunroof drainage system/roof structure leaks water heavily through the side panel joint of the door frame, directly saturating the front passenger floor carpet. This issue has been ongoing since I received the vehicle in 2020.The v... Read more
FORD
FUSION HYBRID
(2016) - ENGINE
Aug 11, 2026
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Unknown which system failed. While driving on the freeway, truck lost power for a few seconds. Dash lights turned off and back on. Our safety and the safety of others on the freeway were at risk as we had no control of the vehicle. Have not had the truck checked for the problem. Scared to drive it. No warnings appeared.
Incident date: Aug 5, 2026
Subject of Complaint: Sudden, simultaneous failure of critical safety and driver assist systems originating from an electronic sensor/control module failure inside the electronic power steering (EPS) gearbox. Description of Safety Hazard and Dashboard Indicators: While operating the vehicle, the Driver Information Interface (DII) suddenly illuminated with multiple critical safety faults simultane... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2026
Error with the front camera system without damage to the instrument.
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 11, 2026
Incident date: Aug 11, 2026
June 29, 2025, Driving on the St. Francis loop in Amarillo, TX, brake lights start flashing, the warning sounds happening, no brakes. I had already slowed down to 35-45 mph due to road construction ahead. I weaved through the cones and as soon as possible, hit the ditch and then coasted to a stop. (I didn’t think about the emergency brake, in my panic.) I turned the vehicle off and called my ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the malfunction indicator and coolant temperature warning lights illuminated, and the engine overheated and shuddered abnormally. There was smoke and an abnormal ticking sound coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot, and the vehicle was turned off. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the malfunction indicator and coolant temperature warning lights illuminated, and the engine overheated and shuddered abnormally. There was smoke and an abnormal ticking sound coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot, and the vehicle was turned off. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
All lights comes on. Car shuts down, and electrical misfire
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
All lights comes on. Car shuts down, and electrical misfire
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
Numerous times since purchasing my van it has failed to start. At first it was just random at a stop light when I would forget to turn off the idle stop. Leaving me stuck at stop lights with a vehicle that won't turn on without multiple attempts. More recently it struggles to start after stopping to run errands or get gas or in drive thru lines. Having to depress the break pedal to the floor (much... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2026
A small drip started approximately 18 months ago from top middle of left side window in rear slider. It was first mistaken as blow by from car wash. Leaking slowly progressed to dripping down middle of both side windows in rear sliders. Leaking progressed to drops coming from under headliner then dropping on side portions of rear slider. It then would drip onto seat or behind seats. Leaka... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2026
2018 Chrysler Pacifica, when driving on 45 mph and 70 mph curvy roads, the steering wheel “sticks” in the turn position and requires extra force to re-center it. Mainly during right curves, and occasionally on left curves. Chrysler dealer service department suggested replacing entire rack and pinion steering assembly for $6,200.
Incident date: Jul 31, 2026
My 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S has experienced repeated electrical and drivability failures. Most recently, while driving at approximately 16,500 miles, the vehicle displayed “Service Electric Vehicle System” followed by “Stop Safely – Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon.” The warning appeared while the vehicle was in motion, creating concern that the vehicle could lose propulsion or shut down unexpecte... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2026
My 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S has experienced repeated electrical and drivability failures. Most recently, while driving at approximately 16,500 miles, the vehicle displayed “Service Electric Vehicle System” followed by “Stop Safely – Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon.” The warning appeared while the vehicle was in motion, creating concern that the vehicle could lose propulsion or shut down unexpecte... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2026
The rear view camera is distorted/and or blank, and can potentially cause an accident. It is available for inspection upon request. By not being able to see correctly with the rear view camera, I am unable to tell which direction a car is coming from, if there are cars passing behind me, or at times I see no image at all, just a blank screen, which can severely impact one’s ability to drive s... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera display flickered on and off. The contact stated that while using the GPS, the display went blank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer attempted to reset the rear-view camera display; however, the failure reoccurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure, and a diagnostic test wa... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2025
I was making a sharp turn going about 6 miles an hour. The vehicle suddenly stalled and shifted to neutral. A message appeared on the dash stating, “Please restart vehicle.” The vehicle restarted without issue and no error codes were displayed.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
Was driving to dinner with my wife and 2 kids and we heard a loud sound like a shot gun went off. After pulling into a parking lot we a hole in the moon roof and the glass push outward like it exploded.
Incident date: Jul 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250 SD. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, while driving 40 MPH approximately two months later, the vehicle was running rough and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Ford E-350. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 78,325, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the DMV listed the mileage as not the actual mileage.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The contact owns a 1996 Carriage Carri-Lite Cashay RV equipped with Goodyear Tires, Tire Line: Marathon 528RKS, Tire Size: ST225/85 /R16, DOT Number: [XXX]. The contact stated that while the RV was parked, the front driver’s tire tread had separated, with the coils and pieces of tread coming off the tire. The tire was not replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The tire was a replacement tire. T... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2026
On July 28, 2026, while traveling on vacation with my family, our vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine failure. There were warning lights displayed for 30 seconds prior to the engine failure. On July 23, 2026, one day before taking the vehicle to the dealership, the following warning indicators appeared on the dashboard and then disappeared: “Service ESC,” “Service Traction Control,” ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2026
On July 28, 2026, while traveling on vacation with my family, our vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine failure. There were warning lights displayed for 30 seconds prior to the engine failure. On July 23, 2026, one day before taking the vehicle to the dealership, the following warning indicators appeared on the dashboard and then disappeared: “Service ESC,” “Service Traction Control,” ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, exhaust system malfunction, and master warning lights were illuminated. The messages "Engine Control Malfunction" and "Transmission Overheated" were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manuf... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while leaving the residence, the vehicle stalled on the highway. The driver was able to avoid a crash with a tractor-trailer. The check engine warning light illuminated intermittently, and a “Service Vehicle Soon” message was displayed. Additionally, there was a tool symbol displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was determined that an unknown part needed to be replaced, but the part was u not yet available. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair wa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that upon shifting the gear shifter into reverse(R), the transmission remained in park(P). There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that parts were not yet available to repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V674000 (POWER TRA... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2026
Went to my car on Saturday @630p to put items in my car for church the next morning. I couldn't get into my car and my car wasn't responding to my key fobs. I called the Lexus service and was closed. I got on my app and called roadside service. As I was walking (pacing) in my garage, I noticed my rear passenger tire was flat! I asked the AAA rep about my tire. He said no replacement was in my car... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V607000 (Seat Belts) and 26V034000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. A dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts for the recall repair wer... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V607000 (Seat Belts) and 26V034000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. A dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts for the recall repair wer... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2026
Complete engine block failure. timing chain blew a large hole in the long block. replacing the entire engine.
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
Vehicle had hard and sudden shifting and grinding noise coming form gears. Sudden shifting would result in abrupt change in speed. Two repairs were made by a Ford dealership totaling just over $10,000 including replacing transfer case and transmission. There was no vehicle warning indicators that notified me of this problem.
Incident date: Aug 5, 2026
Airbags, seats, and headrest all failed. State Farm insurance currently has the vehicle. I do not know if the people has been inspected by anybody. The vehicle had no warning lamps message or other symptoms of problems or failure before the collision. I was traveling in the far left lane when traffic came to abrupt stop and I was able to stop 10 to 15 ft from the vehicle in front of me. Two vehi... Read more
Crash
4 injured
Incident date: Mar 3, 2026
The truck has done this four times since 01/22/2026. While still moving slowly the truck will do this while going down the highway. One other safety issue was when I merged into traffic on the highway (You have to merge into the fast lane at this location) the truck wouldn't go past 4th gear approximately 40 mph with cars coming up on me at 70. All of these problems correct when I can get the truc... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle crashed into the driver's side of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The contact was transported to the local medical center for medical attention. The contact sustain... Read more
Crash
1 injured