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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints

140,173 Reported Crashes

56,794 Reported Fires

8,580 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›

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Showing 384,293 complaints for FORD

Incident date: Jul 24, 2026

My current 2021 Honda Pilot (purchased used May 2024) is stalling out in live traffic - the most recent on XXX creating a massive safety hazard. (In addition, the engine is making the same exact clicking noise that the 2015 Honda VIN:[XXX] made right before the engine catastrophically seized on my way to work. That 2015 Honda Pilot seized due to a defective Variable Cynlinder Management (VCM) sys... Read more

Incident date: Jul 24, 2026

Incident date: Jul 22, 2026

Purchased vehicle at 53k miles in March 27 of this year it broke down April 27 a month later took it to Chevy dealership. They said it had recall to reprogram fuel pump later discovered the high pressure fuel pump went out and one fuel injector went bad at the same time. I wasn’t informed on recalls when purchasing vehicle. Bill was $1300+ I had to come out of pocket $520 for the repairs.July 12... Read more

Incident date: Jul 22, 2026

The buckles on two of the rear seatbelts have cut through the belt horizontally - guessing from friction. I was not aware until a passenger in my back seat pointed it out to me, and it had happened on two of the three belts.

Incident date: Jul 24, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V586000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 20, 2026

I purchased this Mazda new in October 2025. Since purchasing the vehicle, it has unexpectedly applied the brakes on three separate occasions while I was driving under normal conditions. There was no reason for the vehicle to brake, and each incident created a dangerous situation because the vehicle slowed suddenly without my input. I brought the vehicle to my local Mazda dealership for inspection... Read more

Incident date: Jul 1, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that while attempting to trade the vehicle, the contact was informed by the dealer that the odometer had been rolled back prior to the purchase. The contact had purchased the vehicle in March 2022. A Carfax report indicated that the odometer was reported at approximately 75,585 mi... Read more

Incident date: Jun 8, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving uphill at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated, jerked, and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a computer reprogramming was performed; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 65 MPH and merging into the left lane, the automatic emergency braking system erron... Read more

Incident date: Jul 24, 2026

No accident there is a recall on the seat.

Incident date: Jul 23, 2026

I was traveling on the DC beltway (interstate), it was raining and the temp was in the low 50s. The vehicle in front of me hit their brakes pretty hard. I started braking firmly myself. I heard an alarm sound and I believe the anti-lock braking activated, and the van began automatically braking itself. I was brought to a complete stop on the interstate by the van. The vehicle ahead of me accelerat... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jul 24, 2026

I drove to work with no issues, lights or warnings. I parked and worked for 7 hours. Upon leaving and cranking the engine, it immediately showed overheated and went into limp mode. I drove it less than 100Ft, parked and called for a tow. There was no puddles or other indications of an issue. Upon towing to the closest dealership, I was informed the oil cooler failed putting coolant into the oil an... Read more

Incident date: Jul 24, 2026

On July 14, 2026, I experienced a serious fuel system failure with my 2023 GMC Denali. That morning, I filled the vehicle with a little over 20 gallons of fuel at a gas station approximately two miles from my home. Later in the day, I made a short trip to my neighborhood swimming pool, roughly 1.5 miles round trip, with no unusual noises or warnings from the vehicle. Approximately two hours after ... Read more

Incident date: Oct 13, 2025

Vehicle has an excessive gasoline smell coming from the driver front of the vehicle- mechanics have not been able to determine the exact location of the problem.

Incident date: Jul 6, 2026

MY FORD BRONCO STALLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MILES PER HOUR CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE! IT FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE IS MISFIRING AND NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL WHILE GIVING THE CAR GAS. FORD HAS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE TO FIX THE FUEL PUMP ISSUE, ACCORDING TO FORD. THIS VEHICLE HAS BECOME A TICKING BOMB WITH RECALL AFTER RECALL. MANY OF THE RECALLS AR... Read more

Incident date: Jul 20, 2026

Through a title search that ended up not being my title number at all And forcing me to do even more research I discovered that the vehicle I bought three weeks ago has a report on public record that caused structural damage to my vehicle and I still don’t have a title for this vehicle because Carvana has the title for my vehicle and I’m having problems touching base with them. They seem to be... Read more

Incident date: Jul 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. While the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes locked up and the wheels locked up. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband, who was a certified independent mechanic, diagnosed the failure as an ABS failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was... Read more

Incident date: Jul 23, 2026

My car broke down on me in the middle of a highway on my way to work yesterday with no warning it just died and I had to roll in between the island of the road, but I was blocking off traffic and my side of the car was still in the way of people coming up behind me. It wouldn’t start over. It was extremely hot outside and trucks tractor trailers and cars were flying up behind me, the speed limit... Read more

Incident date: Jul 24, 2026

I own a 2020 Chevy Traverse with currently 16,000 miles. I am currently dealing with a know shudder issue that has returned. I have already taken the vehicle under warranty to the dealership where the transmission was replaced on 6/29/2022 at 4919 miles for “catastrophic failure” where the fluids were dark, burnt, and several burnt up clutches. Then the torque converter was replaced separately... Read more

Incident date: Jul 24, 2026

2025 Ford Bronco Raptor right passenger fender flew off at highway speed on JUN 10, 2026 - took it to Ford for repair, repaired, and it has happened again today JUL 23, 2026; was able to reattach fender with clasps still in place; have also notified local Ford Dealership on issue again.

Incident date: Jul 24, 2026

Vehicle air conditioning sends off a vinegar like aroma. Likely condensation on coils.

Incident date: Jul 23, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

Incident date: Jan 1, 2026

Vehicle hands free for phone is not understandable to others after a software update over a year ago. After an automatic software update I made a phone call and the person called complained about me not being understandable. I disconnected and called again. Still unreadable. I tried calling someone else. Not readable. Was told I sounded like I had my head in a bucket of water. I called a third per... Read more

Incident date: Jun 10, 2026

The car just died while going 55mph on the highway. Complete shutdown but luckily both the steering and brakes worked. After stopping it wouldn’t start again. I had my three children in the car aged [XXX], [XXX], and [XXX]. It was a horrific experience. GMC did some repairs to the engine that took over two months and then the car had a few more warnings pop up just a few weeks later. GMC now sa... Read more

Incident date: Jun 30, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

Incident date: Mar 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V586000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on approximately five occasions, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, lost motive power, and stalled on some occasions. The check engine warning light and the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) warning light wer... Read more

Incident date: Mar 3, 2025

Incident date: Jul 1, 2026

I’m [XXX] with health issues and my mother is [XXX] we bought a car at ( Drive Time ) hoping we would get a good car to go to the dr , I have a [XXX] I can’t afford it though,in my opinion I felt drive time took advantage of us because I look Mexican and indigenous, they sold us a bad car where the engine was bad , as soon as I drove it there’s was a smell I didn’t think k anything about i... Read more

Incident date: Jul 1, 2026

Incident date: Jul 22, 2026

Power steering failure. Power steering comes and goes while driving creating a crash risk. Yes, the problem has been confirmed by dealer Only inspection by dealership No warning lamps or messages.

Incident date: Jun 24, 2026

Engine keeps throwing sensors and transmission has hard shifting and slips ford is against changing fluid because i have put mileage on it. Loses power at stop of red lights

Incident date: Dec 1, 2025

Engine keeps throwing sensors and transmission has hard shifting and slips ford is against changing fluid because i have put mileage on it. Loses power at stop of red lights

Incident date: Dec 1, 2025

The specific issue you are dealing with is Chrysler Recall 67C (NHTSA Campaign 25V720). This recall impacts nearly 300,000 Ram ProMaster vans (model years 2018–2026) due to an overheating radiator cooling fan circuit that poses a significant vehicle fire risk. More than 200 of these are from the VA. Edwards Auto Group In Council Bluffs, IA is trying to make the Veterans Health Administration... Read more

Incident date: Jun 26, 2026

Foam is breaking off of the shell. Reached out to Chicco and issue was not resolved nor replaced. This seems to be a reoccurring problem with this car seat. For it to have an 8 year lifespan, it hardly lasts 2 years before Chicco deems it unsafe and needs replaced on my dime. Highly frustrated about this product.

Incident date: Jun 26, 2026

The column-mounted transmission shift linkage on this 1992 Ford Econoline E-150 failed to fully engage the Park position in the transmission. When the driver moved the column shifter to Park, the worn linkage rod did not transmit sufficient travel to engage the parking pawl inside the transmission. The vehicle remained in Neutral despite the shift indicator showing Park. The component may be avail... Read more

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Jun 15, 2026

Premature valve cover gasket oil leak and rear shock absorber oil leak at 43,818 miles At 43,818 miles on 04/25/2026, Acura dealer documented on RO XXX: "Valve cover gasket leaking - Recommend replacement $500+Tax" and "Rear Shock/Strut starting to leak oil residue $435.64". This is premature failure. Valve cover oil leak can cause engine fire hazard - oil leaking onto hot exhaust. Rear shock o... Read more

Incident date: Jul 2, 2026

While driving, my 2020 Chevrolet Equinox suddenly lost power and shut off without warning while I was pulling into traffic. The vehicle would buzz not crank afterward but would not restart. This created a safety hazard because the unexpected engine shutdown occurred while the vehicle was in motion. This is the second brake vacuum pump failure I have experienced with this vehicle. In 2022, the brak... Read more

Incident date: Jul 2, 2026

I received a warning light indicating my car was reaching maximum internal temperature. I immediately shut off the car, then took it to the Honda service center the next morning. They did an inspection and determined there is a leak in my head gasket at cylinder 3. There were no warnings prior to the time of failure. I had recently had my coolant flushed as part of general maintenance and I never ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 23, 2026

First time it happened I was driving on the freeway from [XXX] to [XXX]. The car did an instant jerk stop ON THE FREEWAY!! I thought my granddaughter touched something but then it did it again when I was driving by myself. So I took the car in for the recall that came out for this issue and the day after that as I parked into an In-N-Out parking space my collision light came on warning me that th... Read more

Incident date: Jul 23, 2026

I was coming home from work and when I tried to shift the gear from drive to park it was stuck on drive and Neutral I contacted the car dealer and they said ford has had this issue that it was a recall on it so I researched and found out that Ford issued major safety recalls (Recall 22S43 and 18S20) for 2017 Ford Fusions regarding a degraded transmission shifter cable bushing. This defect can cau... Read more

Incident date: Jul 17, 2026

After I parked my car, I was walking in between another parked car and my vehicle and the tailpipe burnt the back of my left calf. I got out of the driver side. I was driving the car. This is also happened about six months ago to my daughter, who was exiting the car from the backseat and burnt her leg on the tailpipe because the tailpipe of this vehicle is located right under the passenger’s doo... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: Jun 18, 2026

Well thankfully it did not happened while driving i stopped it one day to replace the engine (a lil more info i am a mobile mechanic registered with the state of CA) with some year make and model and sub model i finish replacing and next thing later i have no spark i did my diagnostics check wiring fuses relays sensors and still no spark i qent to carfax and notice it as 2 recalls related to my no... Read more

Incident date: Jun 12, 2026

2019 Jeep grand Cherokee, noticed to have leaking water pump, engine showed no signs of overheating. Water pump and thermostat changed due to a small fluctuating of temp gauge but never over the half way mark. Took it in for diagnostics, which, after reading many reviews of ongoing issues with head gaskets in jeeps, even after Jeep said they remedy it in 2016, I asked for diagnostics done on my ra... Read more

Incident date: Jun 12, 2026

The car stalled while driving it. It would not restart. I received an email with error code po23f. The car had to be towed to the dealership for repair. P023f fuel pump power control module failed. Fuel pump power control module had to be replaced. Car was at 45,041 miles.

Incident date: Jul 23, 2026

The rearview camera of my Dodge Journey, without warning, displayed an inverted screen in place of the rearview image. "A rearview image that is blank/black/blue or inverted reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash." I have received two safety recall letters from FCA describing this exact issue, but the recall does not show when searching via my vehic... Read more

Incident date: Jul 23, 2026

This is a follow up of NHTSA case# 1840444. Complaint Description: Vehicle exhibited active CAN-bus communication timeout code DTC C1642 targeting the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU). Following the official technical safety guidelines established under NHTSA Campaign 20V519000 (Kia SC197), an isolated parasitic current d... Read more

Incident date: Jul 23, 2026

Incident date: Aug 10, 2024

sunroof shattered completely without any force of impact. The glass appears to have imploded.

Incident date: Jun 4, 2026

The power steering went out. The dealership said it's the rack and pinion. This part is not available anywhere in the United States. I have been waiting over 3 weeks. I feel the part is unavailable as there is an issue with the rack and pinion and others who have the same vehicle ran into the same problem.

Incident date: Jul 18, 2026

Manufacturer and dealer failed to remediate safety recall after seven weeks under the pretense that the dealer is not authorized to order more than 2 parts every 7 days. But I am not aware of a federal, state, nor county regulation establishing such restriction. The restriction thus seems to be self-imposed and therefore under the control of the manufacturer.

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Consumer Safety Complaints

What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?

How to interpret what you read

If you've experienced a defect

Read more from our blog