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: Dec 23, 2024
The alternator was producing too many volts, which would short circuit the battery and electrical components in the car. This would cause the car to lose power and not be able to accelerate. My car would randomly lose power on the highway, with no warning, resulting in my car suddenly slowing down. This was dangerous for the cars around me who are going 60+ and then my car quickly drops to 40 or... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2024
I was hearing clunking in the back and brought it into the shop to get it checked out. I was told the rear subframe broke from being rusted/rotted out. I looked my car up to see if there were any recalls for it and found that there were recalls/buy backs for the same thing for 2003-2008 Honda pilots, 2007-2011 CR-V's and Ridgeline's in cold weather states, but not for my year of pilot even though ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinders and that the engine's long block needed to b... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2024
lost acceleration function on freeway, no error code or warning sound. I didn't lose power just wasn't able to accelerate had to pull over and restart engine for the problem to go away.
Incident date: Nov 16, 2024
lost acceleration function on freeway, no error code or warning sound. I didn't lose power just wasn't able to accelerate had to pull over and restart engine for the problem to go away.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
MY FRAME RAIL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS CORRODING AWAY TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE / I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE GM DEALERSHIP TO VERIFY THE CONCERN / I HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS ABOUT THIS CONCERN AND WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND / I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT HAS COSTED MY TIME AND MONEY TO PURCHASE / AND MAINTAIN / THIS TRUCK RUNS GREAT AND SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF LASTING MANY M... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
At just a little over 58k miles the vehicle started making metal noises while driving. The vehicle will jump into neutral while driving and this was very scary! There are no warning lights or any error codes. This was checked and confirmed by a LandRover dealership in Roanoke- no fault codes. I didnt drive for another few months. Next drive was from VA to KY and the vehicle did the same thing on t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving 38 MPH, the exterior lights, taillights, daytime running lights, and interior lights became inoperable for two and a half seconds. The seat belt light flashed. Additionally, the seat heater and steering buttons were switched off and then reset. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
My vehicle has 19,800 miles on it and is now facing 1100 in repairs for a fuel pressure sensor that has failed. The dealership, Lafayette Ford Lincoln of Lafayette, Indiana, claims this is a normal wear and tear item. Despite the fact that I have the Platinum extended coverage they say that it is normal for fuel system parts to fail with such little use. This is the third major item on this vehi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
All Cameras, including backup camera stopped working on the car. This has also disabled Cruise Control, automatic breaking, and lane departure. There was no warning that these features would stop working
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
The water pump on my 2016 Toyota Highlander XLE disintegrated while I was driving in heavy traffic. The pulley came loose from the water pump shaft. I have the water pump. Our safety was at risk because this happen in heavy traffic and it could have effected my control of the vehicle if it had came off completely. The pulley was wedge between the wheel well and fame. I sent a claim to Toyota and ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
Our vehicle was flagged for a service campaign recall for the power seat control switch and seat slide knobs. According to the service campaign, the power seat switch back cover can be dislodged resulting in an internal misalignment of the seat motor control switch in certain conditions. When taken to the certified KIA dealership for repair on this recall, we were told the service campaign recal... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
I bought Nissan Rogue 2017 in 2021, but I have been having issues with tires, even though i had pump it and went to repair the tire many times, I received a notice for key recall in 2023, I went for to Evan Mills Nissan dealer in March 2023, They just straighten the key, that I should not bend the key, and I have been having issues with car engine light, ABS and Malfunction's, I have, this car had... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2024
We had ~2100 miles on our vehicle. We had been driving on the highway for an hour when engine temperature warning light came on. We pulled over and turned off the car. We waited 30 minutes then opened the hood to inspect the coolant level. The coolant level was at "min." We looked under the car to see if any coolant was leaking and no coolant was visible under the car. We turned the car back on an... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2024
We had ~2100 miles on our vehicle. We had been driving on the highway for an hour when engine temperature warning light came on. We pulled over and turned off the car. We waited 30 minutes then opened the hood to inspect the coolant level. The coolant level was at "min." We looked under the car to see if any coolant was leaking and no coolant was visible under the car. We turned the car back on an... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 10058388 (Transmission Cont... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from the coolant reservoir. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics however, the vehicle was not able to be repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the coolant hoses and the coolant reservoir were a... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2024
The display for the instrument cluster is completely blank, or shows unrelated information after starting the car and shows none of the vital information about the car's operation or status. After leaving the car off for 30 minutes, the instrument cluster display began functioning normally. This was the subject of a 2024 October recall which we got dealer service for but the issue is not resolved.
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
The paint on my vehicle is peeling off- roof, around all windows and expanding. I went to a Toyota Dealership Part Counter to get touch-up paint and they told me that color had a paint recall. (Every time I wash the vehicle it gets worse.) I asked to speak with a service manager at Toyota, 11/2024 and was informed that the paint color (0070 Blizzard Pearl) had a recall for peeling off. Their re... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
The paint on my vehicle is peeling off- roof, around all windows and expanding. I went to a Toyota Dealership Part Counter to get touch-up paint and they told me that color had a paint recall. (Every time I wash the vehicle it gets worse.) I asked to speak with a service manager at Toyota, 11/2024 and was informed that the paint color (0070 Blizzard Pearl) had a recall for peeling off. Their re... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled and there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, with white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. Additionally, there was an abnormal odor coming from the inside of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diag... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
The rear race track light assembly lights went out. I know there is a known issue with this light assembly.
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
CarPlay digital screen is bubbling on the right side, up the top and now to the left part of the screen. I was told by Kia Service it would take $1200 to repair and to use it til it breaks. I googled this issue and learned a lot of Kia cars from 2019 have the same issue. This bubbling is caused by the car heating up internally, which no car owner has control over. This bubbling results in the sc... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
The recall listed under Tiffin-142, involves the sub-frame truss collapse that could cause a fire. The NHTSA RECALL # 24V-669. Tiffin has failed to instruct or direct a direct link to an engineer for advise. Tiffin made arrangements with Rush Truck Leasing Company, Phoenix Arizona, to make the repairs, and it now sits for three days with no specific direction to repair. All of this should ha... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
THE FRONT CONTROL ARM IS DAMAGED, INTERESTINGLY ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. TESLA REPAIR TECH TELLS ME ITS SO COMMON THAT THEY DON'T CHARGE FOR THE REPAIR BUT DO CHARGE FOR THE PART. AS I SIT IN THE TESLA REPAIR CENTRE WAITING FOR IT TO BE FIXED, 3 OTHER PEOPLE WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM JUST WALKED IN DESCRIBING EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS PART DO... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
The contact owns 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was fluid intrusion into the cylinders from the radiator fluid, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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 contact stated that the engine overheated and there was white smoke coming from ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from the vehicle. The message that the coolant level was low was displayed. The contact added coolant to the reservoir. The contact stated that the failure was related to Global Recall Action Number: N785V2. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the coolant pipe needed t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2025 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experience... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2024
The engine died and the car shut off in the middle of trying to drive the car. All maintenance has been done on time, all recalls have been done but one (brake line hose) which was scheduled to be repaired. The car is a 2017 with 128k miles on the engine and I did NOT get any engine light notifications to indicate anything was wrong prior to the engine dying. This is a major safety concern especia... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2024
The contact owned a 2021 Volkswagen ID4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V6510009 (Structure) and 24V344000 (Back Over Prevention, Equipment, Electrical System) would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
Incident date: Nov 21, 2024
The contact owned a 2021 Volkswagen ID4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V6510009 (Structure) and 24V344000 (Back Over Prevention, Equipment, Electrical System) would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The contact owned a 2021 Volkswagen ID4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V6510009 (Structure) and 24V344000 (Back Over Prevention, Equipment, Electrical System) would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Genesis GV60. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, it was noticed that the battery percentage was excessively draining. The charger port warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to decrease in speed; the vehicle suddenly became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was veered onto the sidew... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
2016 Honda Pilot AWD EX-L Vin: [XXX] Mileage: 72,475 Connecting Rod Bearings failing on 3.5 liter, V-6 engines, leading to complete engine failure. Affected Model Years: 2016 through 2020 The engine in my vehicle is the Honda J35, V-6 which was the subject of a NHTSA mandated recall of approximately 250,000 Honda and Acura vehicles in 2023. I have observed a pronounced engine knock when the veh... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Power Distribution Center/Relay box failure. Contacts in box melted for ASD Relay. Incident occurred while driving on the highway at 65mph. Vehicle without warning had power loss in accelerator, and started downshifting gears. Dash immediately said “park and restart required.” Attempting to start engine, vehicle would crank/no start. After several attempts, vehicle restarted and resumed norma... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2024
The car would slow down out of no where there time when the car doesn’t go over 5 miles per hours and throws it self in park some times my door wouldn’t open with the bottons can’t open my truck
Incident date: Oct 17, 2024
Recall has not been remedied.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to vibrate with the "Engine Fault" message displayed. The contact stated that the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was a rattling sound coming from the roof of the vehicle. The vehicle was stopped and inspected, and the contact observed the right and left roof rails, had separated in several areas. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the roof rails needed to be secured in place. The vehicle was repa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
Upright seat back locks have often failed to lock upon adjustment of seat back on many occasions and since the vehicle was new. Honda “repaired” the driver seat, when the car was originally purchased, however refused to fix the passenger seat back lock. Their explanation was they checked other cars and they were all like that, which means they were all defective. Now have to pay to have driver... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2024
I want to put on record that the rear camera system is not able to be adjusted to a point where you can visually see after dark. To further the issue, The reverse lamps are not adequately bright enough to safely back up using the mirrors at night. I do understand this is the last model year for this vehicle however there is surely an issue that can be resolved by Nissan. After having the issue mys... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2024
I want to put on record that the rear camera system is not able to be adjusted to a point where you can visually see after dark. To further the issue, The reverse lamps are not adequately bright enough to safely back up using the mirrors at night. I do understand this is the last model year for this vehicle however there is surely an issue that can be resolved by Nissan. After having the issue mys... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact's wife stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with a system shut-down message displayed. The contact also stated that the vehicle inadvertently shifted into park. The vehicle was able to restart after 30 minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the tires had ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
The mud flaps installed in front of the rear wheels were only fastened at the outer side of the mud flap. The metal subframe has holes for fasteners, however, there is NO evidence that ANY fasteners have ever been attached on the top of the mud flap frame to secure it properly. This results in the mud flaps swinging in and rubbing against the inner tire on both sides of the vehicle. Based on the d... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was shuddering. The failure occurred while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle, replaced the transmission fluid, and added a protective additive as a temporary repair for the shuddering. The local deal... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
Engine area of car caught fire with ignition off
Fire
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
Went in for service appointment at 27000 miles. I was told rear brake pads needed replacing. Upon questioning this as I have NEVER had to replace a set of brake pads with such little miles, and I am not a hard braker, the service advisor stated that VW extended to warranty for the brake pads to 2 years, 24,000 miles. VW claims to have lower cost maintance than other car brands. They also never sen... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
Backup camera has been having problems with blacking out or not working upon activation. I informed the service advisor who did not investigate the problem and said "VW should be coming out with something about it because there has been a lot of issues with them." I have no received anything regarding this officially from VW.