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: Aug 21, 2026
My 2018 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L that we bought brand new from Bob Bell Ford/Glen Burnie Maryland had a water pump failure at only 72,344 miles, this was a safety concern when driving down the road that put us & others at risk. The only indication was dashboard warning that said (Engine coolant over temperature)This failure happened while taking daughter to college on 8/21/26 We had to get towed to ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
On XXX around 6:30pm: Car would not go into reverse. Upon pressing the gas a 2nd time, a loud pop was heard from the back of the car. The car was then able to drive forward, however, when pressing on the brakes, the rear end of the car would wobble, and the brakes were rubbing and making a loud noise. I contacted Rich Ford, explained that my car is brand new (2 months), with less than 4,000 mil... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
On XXX around 6:30pm: Car would not go into reverse. Upon pressing the gas a 2nd time, a loud pop was heard from the back of the car. The car was then able to drive forward, however, when pressing on the brakes, the rear end of the car would wobble, and the brakes were rubbing and making a loud noise. I contacted Rich Ford, explained that my car is brand new (2 months), with less than 4,000 mil... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
On XXX around 6:30pm: Car would not go into reverse. Upon pressing the gas a 2nd time, a loud pop was heard from the back of the car. The car was then able to drive forward, however, when pressing on the brakes, the rear end of the car would wobble, and the brakes were rubbing and making a loud noise. I contacted Rich Ford, explained that my car is brand new (2 months), with less than 4,000 mil... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
There's been a recall for the rear backup camera since October of last year. Although there hasn't been any particular incidents, there's been some close calls because the fix is still not available. Any help would be appreciated
Incident date: Sep 1, 2026
There is coolant intrusion into the engine. My car became overheated and undriveable while I was driving. Ford knows about this issue, but is no longer addressing the issue.
Incident date: Aug 6, 2026
This car has left me stranded multiple times. Took to dealership to find out the fuel pump that had been replaced at 90,000 was dead. Catalytic converter replaced at 125,000. Replaced fuel pump control module, fuel pump and sending unit for the 2nd time in 2014 Ford Taurus SEL AWD with 132,000 miles. Now it is sending a check engine code P0461 which is most likely due to the recent replacement mes... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
My 2019-2021 Ford Edge, equipped with the 8F35 8-speed automatic transmission, is experiencing severe transmission shuddering, harsh shifting, and jerking symptoms consistent with premature torque converter and internal mechanical failure. I had to pay $800 out-of-pocket for dealership diagnostics and a transmission fluid flush to address these severe driveability issues. Despite the flush, the... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
My 2019-2021 Ford Edge, equipped with the 8F35 8-speed automatic transmission, is experiencing severe transmission shuddering, harsh shifting, and jerking symptoms consistent with premature torque converter and internal mechanical failure. I had to pay $800 out-of-pocket for dealership diagnostics and a transmission fluid flush to address these severe driveability issues. Despite the flush, the... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact stated that following an unsuccessful Over-the-Air (OTA) software update, the display screen and instrument panel were constantly rebooting, with a loss of functionality for several electrical features. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where technicians associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V104000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighti... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact stated that following an unsuccessful Over-the-Air (OTA) software update, the display screen and instrument panel were constantly rebooting, with a loss of functionality for several electrical features. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where technicians associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V104000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighti... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the front driver’s door B-pillar trim had detached, causing the liftgate to not op... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
Left rear leaf spring broke at the axel. When left the house truck was acting funny. Crossed a RR track and the truck became eratic/hard to steer. Pulled into shop across the street. They inspected the truck and found the broken spring. No rust, just a clean break.
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2023) - ENGINE
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Sep 1, 2026
Ford cannot fix the fuel injector issue which according to Ford can start a fire in the engine. Now the water pump had to be replaced as it was leaking coolant. No recall. And the front shocks are leaking fluid. The seat belt fix remains as Ford does not have the parts. This is a 3 year old vehicle that has been the subject to several recalls and more recalls by Ford need implemented. I have ... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2023) - SEAT BELTS
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Sep 1, 2026
Ford cannot fix the fuel injector issue which according to Ford can start a fire in the engine. Now the water pump had to be replaced as it was leaking coolant. No recall. And the front shocks are leaking fluid. The seat belt fix remains as Ford does not have the parts. This is a 3 year old vehicle that has been the subject to several recalls and more recalls by Ford need implemented. I have ... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2023) - SUSPENSION
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Sep 1, 2026
Ford cannot fix the fuel injector issue which according to Ford can start a fire in the engine. Now the water pump had to be replaced as it was leaking coolant. No recall. And the front shocks are leaking fluid. The seat belt fix remains as Ford does not have the parts. This is a 3 year old vehicle that has been the subject to several recalls and more recalls by Ford need implemented. I have ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
When reaching 60+ mph the passenger door will unlatch and give me the open passenger door notification on the dash. It doesn’t shoot up, but rather barely comes open.
Incident date: Jan 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 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 contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle experienced a temporary loss of motive power while accelerating and turning. The contact stated that the failure w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 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 contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle experienced a temporary loss of motive power while accelerating and turning. The contact stated that the failure w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 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 contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle experienced a temporary loss of motive power while accelerating and turning. The contact stated that the failure w... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2026
Pursuant to recall 24S55 engine valve crack causing catastrophic damage. Misfire codes given and addressed independently giving brief changes however car reverted back to "limp" mode on major Dallas hwy causing extreme safety issues. Conditions confirmed by Freedom Ford Greenville Texas. Estimated replacement costs exceeds 14k.
Incident date: Aug 3, 2026
Pursuant to recall 24S55 engine valve crack causing catastrophic damage. Misfire codes given and addressed independently giving brief changes however car reverted back to "limp" mode on major Dallas hwy causing extreme safety issues. Conditions confirmed by Freedom Ford Greenville Texas. Estimated replacement costs exceeds 14k.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front A-pillar trims detached. The contact was able to replace both A-pillar trims; however, the failure reoccurred. The local dealer was contacte... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
Simply filing a complaint for the recall on the fuel pump that still has not been remedied over a year ago. I’m hearing stories of people having to replace their fuel pumps and ford not covering it even though it’s an open recall. Hoping to get more pressure on them to get a remedy. Thank you for all you do!
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact reached out to the local dealer and 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 stated that th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2026
My 2019 Ford Ranger with 10 speed transmission has been harsh shifting and will not always find the right gears. It will sometimes Surge forward or at other time not respond to acceleration. It has 100,000 miles. Never used it for towing or hawling heavy items.
Incident date: Aug 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the part to do the recall repair was denied. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the front driver’s side door failed to remain closed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the contact was advised that the vehicle could not be repaired ... Read more
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2021) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Aug 26, 2026
On XXX, my 2021 Ford F-150 PowerBoost, VIN [XXX], stalled while I was turning from [XXX] onto [XXX]. My wife and daughter were in the vehicle. The engine lost all power in the intersection. No collision occurred. This is the exact failure described in open safety recall Ford 25S75 / NHTSA 25V455 (low-pressure fuel pump). I had already reported the unrepaired recall to NHTSA on XXX. I took the truc... Read more
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2024) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Aug 1, 2026
Ford completed OTA for software update. After that happened, wireless phone calls no longer work.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera screen displayed an image that immediately turned upside down and then switched to a black screen. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The contact stated that the vehicle h... Read more
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2024) - SERVICE BRAKES
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
1. 50% of my braking results in grinding stop where it jumps and doesn’t stop all the way at first, this is even driving at slow speeds of 25 mph. 2. When my truck was set on cruise control approx 70mph and all of a sudden started decelerating on its own and nothing I did made it accelerate. I had to coast/slow brake to pull over, cut the car off and then restart it to begin driving again.
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2024) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
1. 50% of my braking results in grinding stop where it jumps and doesn’t stop all the way at first, this is even driving at slow speeds of 25 mph. 2. When my truck was set on cruise control approx 70mph and all of a sudden started decelerating on its own and nothing I did made it accelerate. I had to coast/slow brake to pull over, cut the car off and then restart it to begin driving again.
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2024) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
1. 50% of my braking results in grinding stop where it jumps and doesn’t stop all the way at first, this is even driving at slow speeds of 25 mph. 2. When my truck was set on cruise control approx 70mph and all of a sudden started decelerating on its own and nothing I did made it accelerate. I had to coast/slow brake to pull over, cut the car off and then restart it to begin driving again.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera was intermittently inoperable. The message "Rearview Camera Unavailable" was displayed. A dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the ma... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
We broke down because the fuel pump broke, which has a recall out there. We had stopped at Buc-ee’s for a break and when we got back to the truck, it wouldn’t start back up. We got it fixed at Banner Ford and were forced to pay $1822.50 for a fix that a known recall is out for that they claim there’s no remedy for. But, then you’re telling me you can fix it for $1800. It makes no sense tha... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
THE BACKUP CAMERA HAS STOPPED WORKING, THE BEEPING SENSOR STILL ALARMS WHEN TO CLOSE BUT THE CAMERA DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
THE BACKUP CAMERA HAS STOPPED WORKING, THE BEEPING SENSOR STILL ALARMS WHEN TO CLOSE BUT THE CAMERA DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2026
I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2020 Ford Escape, which currently has an unrepaired safety recall involving the fuel injectors. Recall Information: Manufacturer Recall Number: 25S76 NHTSA Recall Number: 25V467 Recall Date: July 16, 2025 According to the recall notice, a fuel injector may crack and cause fuel to accumulate on top of the engine. The notice states that liquid fuel a... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2026
I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2020 Ford Escape, which currently has an unrepaired safety recall involving the fuel injectors. Recall Information: Manufacturer Recall Number: 25S76 NHTSA Recall Number: 25V467 Recall Date: July 16, 2025 According to the recall notice, a fuel injector may crack and cause fuel to accumulate on top of the engine. The notice states that liquid fuel a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2026
Subject: Steering Rack Failure Reimbursement Request, VIN [XXX] To Whom It May Concern, I am requesting review and reimbursement for an electronic steering rack replacement on my 2021 Ford truck, VIN [XXX]. The electronic steering fault first appeared at start-up and when turning the wheel to full lock. Initially, I could pull over, shut the truck off, restart it, and the warning would clear. A... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2026
Recall 22S43 failed less than 5 months after completion, causing total vehicle immobilization in reverse on a live roadway.
FORD
FUSION HYBRID
(2017) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Sep 1, 2026
Backup camera lens is defective and has UV damage / hazing. Makes reversing extremely difficult and dangerous as the lens is not giving a good image output to the infotainment screen to the point it is difficult to identify anything (cars, pedestrians, etc). Ford has a known recall on the fusions for 2013-2016, and have excluded 2017-2020 model years even though hardware is the same. I have order... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a black image. The vehicle was taken to two dealers, but the vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The contact st... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Jul 16, 2025
My 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is subject to Ford Safety Recall 25S76 / NHTSA Recall 25V467 concerning cracked fuel injectors that may leak fuel and create an under-hood fire risk. This recall was issued in July 2025. Approximately 14 months later, Ford still has not made the final repair available for my vehicle. I had Ford’s interim PCM software update performed by an authorized Ford dealer on De... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Jul 16, 2025
My 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is subject to Ford Safety Recall 25S76 / NHTSA Recall 25V467 concerning cracked fuel injectors that may leak fuel and create an under-hood fire risk. This recall was issued in July 2025. Approximately 14 months later, Ford still has not made the final repair available for my vehicle. I had Ford’s interim PCM software update performed by an authorized Ford dealer on De... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) - ENGINE
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Jul 16, 2025
My 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is subject to Ford Safety Recall 25S76 / NHTSA Recall 25V467 concerning cracked fuel injectors that may leak fuel and create an under-hood fire risk. This recall was issued in July 2025. Approximately 14 months later, Ford still has not made the final repair available for my vehicle. I had Ford’s interim PCM software update performed by an authorized Ford dealer on De... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact received an unknown recall notification. The dealer was contacted by phone and scheduled an appointment for a technician to pick up the vehicle. The technician drove the vehicle to the dealer. The unknown recall repair was completed. The contact received a phone call from the dealer and was informed that while the technician was in route and driving ... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Sep 3, 2026
Ford has not provided a repair for fuel injector recall in a reasonable amount of time
Incident date: Aug 28, 2026
Check engine light illuminated. Dealer retrieved DTC P0457 for an EVAP leak. Dealer performed EVAP diagnostic testing and determined that the canister purge valve was leaking. Purge valve was replaced at owner expense. After replacement, EVAP leak verification passed and DTC was resolved. I am reporting the failure because Ford has previously identified canister purge valve failures on other Ford ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2026
Check engine light illuminated. Dealer retrieved DTC P0457 for an EVAP leak. Dealer performed EVAP diagnostic testing and determined that the canister purge valve was leaking. Purge valve was replaced at owner expense. After replacement, EVAP leak verification passed and DTC was resolved. I am reporting the failure because Ford has previously identified canister purge valve failures on other Ford ... Read more