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 1,421 complaints for GENESIS
Incident date: Feb 1, 2005
There was already a recall for my rear subframe that I am now getting done due to rust corroding the metal structure. However, upon the dealers inspection the corrosion is also present on the rear brake lines which cause a safety concern and are charging $4000 to replace the brake lines aside from the warranty repair. It poses a safety hazard if the lines were to fail and have heard of others havi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2025
Unfortunately, the MEYLE control arms / wheel suspension detailed above do not meet the usual high standards of MEYLE. We are unable to rule out a manufacturing defect in these control arms, and these parts therefore require urgent removal/exchange. This applies to the MEYLE number detailed above with a delivery date from September 2024 ([XXX] from October 2024) and production date [XXX]. The pote... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2025
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. VIN tool confirms parts n... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2025
This company continues to fail parents and caregivers who were affected by the safety recall of this car seat. We have had to purchase another car seat (from a different company) while we await a "remedy kit" for the defective Nuna car seat. Zero date has been given to when this "remedy kit" will be available, and zero confidence that it will fix the problem and ensure our child's safety in the se... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the “Service 4-WD” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with power transfer unit failure. The contact was informed that the power transfer unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that parts were on ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, the doors automatically locked with her children inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the spare key failed to unlock the doors. The contact sought assistance from a locksmith to unlock the vehicle. Additionally, the front bumper had detached. There were no warning lights illuminated. Th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2025
My 2024 Buick Envista rear backup camera is no longer operational. The camera has failed just after 14 months of new car purchase. The warranty is void due to mileage. There are many safety concerns due to camera failure including car and pedestrian collision. There are many reports of these cameras failing within one year of production of the Envista and should be recalled and repaired at no cost... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2025
My 2024 Buick Envista rear backup camera is no longer operational. The camera has failed just after 14 months of new car purchase. The warranty is void due to mileage. There are many safety concerns due to camera failure including car and pedestrian collision. There are many reports of these cameras failing within one year of production of the Envista and should be recalled and repaired at no cost... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2025
There is a sensor on the steering column that turns off the cruise control if it can’t see your eyes. This happens abruptly and slows the car down. It will cause a rear end collision if not taken care of! Has been to the dealer 5 times.is available for more inspection. There is a sensor on the steering column that turns off the cruise control if it can’t see your eyes. This happens abruptly a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
I just recently purchased this vehicle about a month ago. It had 39,000 miles when I bought it. This past weekend I was changing the oil and found out that the oil pan was rusted through. It was oil seeping from the pan. My concern is that if I hadn't noticed that and a rock hit it, the oil could've drained from the pan and seized the motor. Which ultimately could've caused an accident. I had it t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2025
AN OTA SOFTWARE UPGRADE WAS ATTEMPTED WITHOUT NOTICE. THE DOWNLOAD WAS INTERUPPTED AND NOT FINISHED. ERROR MESSAGES CONTINUE TO BE DISPLAYED ON THE DASH SCREEN. A FAULT ICON OF A DECLINE IMAGE (NEVER BEEN SCEEN BEFORE) NOW APPEARS AT 18mph AND DISAPPEARS BELOW 18mph. DEGREDATION OF RANGE IS APPARENT. RANGE DECREASES FASTER THAN MILES DRIVEN. ORIGINAL SOFTWARE VERSION 2.0 BECAME 2.2.1. OTA 2.2 NEED... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2025
All door locks stopped working due to failed door lock actuators
Incident date: Feb 16, 2025
Vehicle started jerking bad and all the lights on the dash started rotating through the error messages. Took care to shop and confirmed fuel pump was bad. There is a recall on 2016 Honda Pilot Fuel Pumps but not for this particular model.
Incident date: Feb 16, 2025
The issues with this vehicle started, right from delivery. The staff, had me waiting for a couple of hours and finally called me into the back and explained that paint and ding needed to be fixed. They promised that if I took delivery, they would provide me with the needed repairs this was back on 9/26/23. The dings and paint issues were never resolved. What I did receive was a complimentary h... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
Ignition lock actuator faulty. Causing ingition to be stuck in start position.
Incident date: Feb 6, 2025
I am writing in regards to the 5 vehicle recalls that were for the make, and model of my car that is showing as having no recalls for. The recalls involved air bags, air bag software, fuel filter flange, and I am also wondering with the driver headrest deployment module if that is associated with an airbag module; as when I had purchased the vehicle I had found out that both my airbag modules had ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2025
If you hit a pot hole or a bump on the road the brake pedal makes a weird sound and then the brake goes all the way to the floorboard when trying to apply brakes and doesn't come to an immediate stop. The wrench light has come on or the symbol that has the car and wavy lines for traction control will turn on all of a sudden and then the car shuts off in the middle of the road while driving puttin... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2025
If you hit a pot hole or a bump on the road the brake pedal makes a weird sound and then the brake goes all the way to the floorboard when trying to apply brakes and doesn't come to an immediate stop. The wrench light has come on or the symbol that has the car and wavy lines for traction control will turn on all of a sudden and then the car shuts off in the middle of the road while driving puttin... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2025
The dealership said, my crankshaft broke in many places
Incident date: Jan 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the d... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
Unknown, engine light came on flashing while driving. Car has been repaired by the dealership a few weeks ago and replaced the fuel pump.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2025
P1326 code. Check engine light flashing. Is in limp mode with limited power.
Incident date: Dec 8, 2024
Engine is knocking with check engine ligh on. Kia has a recall on my car for metal shaving in the engine during manufacturing process. I took it to Kia dealer but they refused and said they wont cover it because it's a Salvage tile, and I thought Salvage tiles are covered if it's a a safety recall but they said it's not covered because Kia wont pay them for the repairs or the new engine.
Incident date: Dec 8, 2024
The radio head unit often is unresponsive. Needs to be reset multiple times a week. Volume will either not work or no sound at all. Screen freezes and pops. Music cuts out. Skip button from steering wheel does not work sometimes. All operations on the touch screen are slow and laggy. Has had this problem since owning the vehicle.
Incident date: Dec 8, 2024
Started around mid December, the driver's seat makes a clunking sound as you go around especially left-hand corners. AND recently, I can feel the seat shift/move as well.
Incident date: Jan 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove to the residence. The following day, the vehicle was towed to SLM Auto Care LLC - Audi VW BMW Porsche, where it was diagnosed that the N63 engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic also info... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2025
My car has failed while driving four different times. Each time I am driving on a busy road, I get a "traction battery fault" warning, then the vehicle loses the ability to drive and completely shuts down. Each time leaving me and my family stranded in the middle of the road. These events have happened on 10/1/2023; 4/1/2024; 7/16/2024; and 12/20/2024. My car is still in the shop undiagnosed from ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2025
Brake vacuum booster exploded into the engine.
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
As I was driving home on the highway, something happened with my car where I couldn't control the car. It swerved back and forth on it's own until it finally stopped and cut off on it's own. There were no messages or symptoms prior to the failure. My car has been with Nissan who said they were going to investigate it and I cannot get a call back from Nissan Consumer Affairs.
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
As I was driving home on the highway, something happened with my car where I couldn't control the car. It swerved back and forth on it's own until it finally stopped and cut off on it's own. There were no messages or symptoms prior to the failure. My car has been with Nissan who said they were going to investigate it and I cannot get a call back from Nissan Consumer Affairs.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
- The AC & Heater Assembly - Nissan (27210-4BU0A) on my 2016 Nissan Rouge went out and I believe it was the Intake Case Bracket (27751-4BU1A). It isn't helping the cold air and hot air to come in when I turn the dial in my car. - It is a safety due to harsh weather in the winter. It has gotten down to 20 degrees and I have had no heat in my car. - Yes, I took it to the Leith Nissan dealership to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
ABS system error StabiliTrak error Cruise Control error Vehicle with <14,000 miles is exhibiting symptoms of earlier ABS recall.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
ABS system error StabiliTrak error Cruise Control error Vehicle with <14,000 miles is exhibiting symptoms of earlier ABS recall.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
My air conditioning system failed. The entire dashboard and front seats had to be removed. This included having to replace the A/C evaporator, evacuated A/C refrigerant system, removed center console, removed dshboard and all related components, removed and replaced evaporator, adapter for evaporator, o-rings at expansion valve, reinstalled wiring harness behind dash board and all related clips, R... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
I own a 2019 Mazda cx 5 and it has 78,000 miles. I noticed smoke coming from the engine and a lot of oil leaking on the ground. I brought the car into my independent service center and they confirmed that there was a crack in the engine cylinder head. There is a TSA # SA-031-21 on this problem. I feel that my safety was at risk, since the engine could have seized while driving. This vehicle is ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
jeep caught on fire while it was parked in the driveway there as a ecall on the battery as it s a 4xe i had an appointment with the jeep dealer on the 16th of december and they cancelled it few days before the scheduled appointment they said they didnt have any loaners as it was a 2 day job they would call to reschedule they did not and it blew up on the 27th of december
Fire
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Upon shifting into reverse the rear tailgate backup camera operates intermittently causing me to loose rear visibility directly behind truck. When this occurs the Uconnect displays a fuzzy & distorted image as if there’s signal interference. Opening & closing the tailgate sometimes alleviates this issue but only temporarily.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Mechanics told us there is coolant leaking into the engine because of a crack in the engine because of a flawed engine design.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
This recall (N242466950 - Potential Brake Line Leak) was issued on September 19, 2024, for my 2019 GMC Savana (VIN: [XXX] ). After 4 months, no remedy or parts are available, leaving the vehicle undrivable. It is unsafe and cannot be transported/exported to Canada due to unresolved recalls. This delay is causing financial hardship and safety concerns. I kindly request NHTSA’s assistance in exped... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2024
Jeep and Dealers are failing to complete safety Recall NHTSA Recall Number24V-720. My vehicle was dropped off at the dealership ( Repair orders attached ) on Dec 11 for the recall . Jeep has launched the recall process which is a software update and a specific drive cycle. I have reasons to believe that the dealership did not properly followed the steps after the software updates. I have GPS log... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2021
On 12/30/2024 my wife was returning home when all of the instrument lights went out. She stopped to make attemps to get the lights to come on but nothing worked. She had to drive home with no instruments for speed, directions, service, etc. When she got home ( very upset ) she only wanted to know why e new car with only 1400 miles would have this problem. I checked all the obvious cause for this ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that upon reaching the destination and shifting the vehicle into park, a warning message displayed reading "Please shift to Park." After, the contact observed that he was unable to switch the vehicle off. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Power assist steering cuts out and in when turning the steering wheel
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
While driving on Interstate 20 at a 75 mph speed in traffic, the truck began a loud knocking noise and the engine shut down. After fighting the dead truck off the roadway from the highway speeds and avoiding traffic, I was able to get the truck safely stopped. Upon attempting to restart the engine, the starter caught on fire. I was able to get the fire extinguished with minimal damage. The tru... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
While driving on Interstate 20 at a 75 mph speed in traffic, the truck began a loud knocking noise and the engine shut down. After fighting the dead truck off the roadway from the highway speeds and avoiding traffic, I was able to get the truck safely stopped. Upon attempting to restart the engine, the starter caught on fire. I was able to get the fire extinguished with minimal damage. The tru... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle began to lose automotive power before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer w... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2024
While driving the battery light ignited, the cars battery quickly started to decline was able to pull over when car entirely shut down after all dash lights cycled through. Replaced two BPM components and new batteries and still can not diagnose or find the problem
Incident date: Dec 27, 2024
I recently purchased this EV, and I must express my concern regarding the level of reflective glare from the dashboard onto the windshield. This glare is not only unpleasant but also poses a serious safety risk, as it may obstructs to see pedestrians crossing the street, for instance. I believe this issue is significant enough to warrant a recall. Additionally, I do not feel comfortable relying on... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2024
While driving the battery light ignited, the cars battery quickly started to decline was able to pull over when car entirely shut down after all dash lights cycled through. Replaced two BPM components and new batteries and still can not diagnose or find the problem
Incident date: Dec 12, 2024
The vehicle suddenly started to smoke and burn by itself when driving on the super crowded highway. I immediately stopped the vehicle and found that the burning site was the bottom of the front-left head of the vehicle (please see the images attached). The mechanician I visited after judged that the fire may due to failed electrical parts or system. He suggested to visit a Toyota dealer for recall... Read more
Fire