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 125,830 complaints for HONDA
Incident date: Aug 10, 2026
The vehicle developed an intermittent crank/no-start condition and later stalled after being driven home. An independent repair facility diagnosed the vehicle before it was taken to Honda and documented no fuel pressure at the fuel rail and diagnostic trouble code P0087 for low fuel pressure. The shop advised that Honda has a known fuel-pump issue and recommended that the vehicle be taken to a Hon... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact experienced an intermittent failure, and the steering wheel became very firm and became difficult to turn. During the failure, the power steering became inoperable, causing several malfunctions, and several warning lights were simultaneously illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2026
Timing belt tensioner is failing on my 2023 Honda passport. I have read this to be a common problem on many Honda passports enough where a recall would be justified. If it fails the engine will completely implode causing the car to come to a complete stop even on the highway. The problem can be easily be confirmed to be a widespread issue through searching the Internet for the same vehicle. Yes my... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V574000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
The vehicle experiences sudden, intermittent engine stalling while idling (either when coming to a stop at traffic lights or while idling in traffic). The engine shuts down completely and fails to automatically restart via the Auto Idle-Stop feature, forcing the driver to manually cycle the ignition or shift to Park to restart. This has happened multiple times since I bought the car at Stevens Cre... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
In September 2025, all dashboard lights came on while driving down the road. I immediately pulled over and turned the car off. When turning the car back on, all lights remained on and I drove to the nearest repair shop, where at this time it was beginning to run hot. I was told at this point that the head gasket had blown and this would need to be replaced. I replaced the head gasket for $4100.00.... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
In September 2025, all dashboard lights came on while driving down the road. I immediately pulled over and turned the car off. When turning the car back on, all lights remained on and I drove to the nearest repair shop, where at this time it was beginning to run hot. I was told at this point that the head gasket had blown and this would need to be replaced. I replaced the head gasket for $4100.00.... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
In September 2025, all dashboard lights came on while driving down the road. I immediately pulled over and turned the car off. When turning the car back on, all lights remained on and I drove to the nearest repair shop, where at this time it was beginning to run hot. I was told at this point that the head gasket had blown and this would need to be replaced. I replaced the head gasket for $4100.00.... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2026
On XXX Me and my son were in [XXX] in one of the basement garages. Parked successfully the first time inching the vehicle forward without issues and stopping as needed. 2nd run, got into parking spot got close and stopped 1 foot away from wall. Attempted to inch forward, lightly and quickly tapping on accelerator to disengage auto hold/brake and move forward but car did not respond. Repeated the a... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 17, 2026
On XXX Me and my son were in [XXX] in one of the basement garages. Parked successfully the first time inching the vehicle forward without issues and stopping as needed. 2nd run, got into parking spot got close and stopped 1 foot away from wall. Attempted to inch forward, lightly and quickly tapping on accelerator to disengage auto hold/brake and move forward but car did not respond. Repeated the a... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a purple and green screen. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by email, but no response was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
Known design defect under Special Coverage for some vehicles, but does not include my VIN for a 2020 Chevy Traverse. Full details are provided in the attachment, including photos of the broken exhaust weld bracket and costs incurred so far. Additional expenses are expected to be incurred in the coming days when parts are available to prevent exhaust emissions from entering the vehicle during opera... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2026
My engine started to jerk while going over 2,000 RPM. I took my car into Firestone and they claimed they fixed the issue. Unclogging the fuel, nail in the tire and other issues that were unrelated. I drove for about a week and the issue came back with my check engine light coming on and my car not being able to accelerate past 2,000 rpm. I took the car back to Firestone and they replaced the spark... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
clicking noise from CV axle. I took this to dealership (Mungenast St Louis Honda) multiple times in 2025-2026. Dealership advised that the problem was the CV axle(s), and Honda would not authorize repairs due to pending litigation and reports of current fixes not working
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
clicking noise from CV axle. I took this to dealership (Mungenast St Louis Honda) multiple times in 2025-2026. Dealership advised that the problem was the CV axle(s), and Honda would not authorize repairs due to pending litigation and reports of current fixes not working
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke inside the vehicle. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the contact's son noticed an abnormal sound. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a hole in the rear of the engine. The contact was informed that the engin... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding two separate front drive shaft/axle failures involving my 2009 Honda Accord while living and driving in [XXX], a state specifically identified by American Honda as a "salt belt" state in connection with its XXX recalls involving corrosion-related front drive shaft breakage. The front passenger-side drive shaft/axle on my 2009 Honda Accord snapped in XXX. Th... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding two separate front drive shaft/axle failures involving my 2010 Honda Accord while living and driving in [XXX], a state specifically identified by American Honda as a "salt belt" state in connection with its December 15, 2020 recalls involving corrosion-related front drive shaft breakage. The driver-side front drive shaft/axle on my 2010 Honda Accord snapped... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
Diagnosed by CMA Honda dealership - need piston ring replacement due to the ongoing issue and Service Bulletin SB-10099310-9340. This was under 8 year warranty from date of purchase, but this just started happening at 155k miles and in 2026. I purchased this in 2016. Although it is out of the extended warranty timeframe, it is still an ongoing issue with these models and should be covered. Cost es... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
Engine failed to restart during Auto Idle Stop event. Nearly created an accident.
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
Check airbag light is on. I'm paying $175 to see what's wrong with an airbag on a perfectly maintained car. Inspection is pending. Safety systems should be covered to at least 100,000 miles.
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Honda Accord. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was an independent dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 80,000. It was later discovered upon checking the Carfax report that the mileage was 277,000.
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
The check-engine light comes on immediately before the vehicle loses the ability to accelerate. While driving, including at highway speeds, pressing the accelerator does not produce normal propulsion and the vehicle loses motive power. If I pull over, turn the vehicle completely off and restart it, the check-engine light clears and normal acceleration returns. The problem is intermittent and has o... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
The check-engine light comes on immediately before the vehicle loses the ability to accelerate. While driving, including at highway speeds, pressing the accelerator does not produce normal propulsion and the vehicle loses motive power. If I pull over, turn the vehicle completely off and restart it, the check-engine light clears and normal acceleration returns. The problem is intermittent and has o... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
The check-engine light comes on immediately before the vehicle loses the ability to accelerate. While driving, including at highway speeds, pressing the accelerator does not produce normal propulsion and the vehicle loses motive power. If I pull over, turn the vehicle completely off and restart it, the check-engine light clears and normal acceleration returns. The problem is intermittent and has o... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2026
Steering wheel: Cable reel failure, loud clicking noise when turning at 20k miles, replaced factory cable reel, within 10k miles replacement had failed as well. Current cable reel is also defective, dealership advises ignore the noise. Dealership has reproduced noise and has replaced 2 cable reels. No warning lights, just randomly starts clicking when turning left at first then over time very loud... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2026
Most of the safety features of the vehicle stopped working in the middle of a long distance trip from [XXX] to [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Aug 7, 2026
Most of the safety features of the vehicle stopped working in the middle of a long distance trip from [XXX] to [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Aug 7, 2026
Most of the safety features of the vehicle stopped working in the middle of a long distance trip from [XXX] to [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The car dashboard Is lit up and loose power out of nowhere when driving .
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The car dashboard Is lit up and loose power out of nowhere when driving .
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The car dashboard Is lit up and loose power out of nowhere when driving .
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
The infotainment touchscreen in my 2022 Honda Accord is malfunctioning and repeatedly registering phantom or “ghost” touches without any input from me. While I am driving, the system unpredictably changes screens, changes radio stations and audio settings, interferes with phone/CarPlay functions, and makes selections on its own. The malfunction can happen suddenly and repeatedly while the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2026
Fuel pump injector gave out at around 25,700 miles on 2025 crv hybrid. This happened while driving and put mine and my passengers safety at risk. When it went out, I got multiple warning messages saying power system failure, blind spot monitoring system failure, and transmission system problem. My car was towed to the dealer and I was stranded 2 hours away from home in an unfamiliar city. Problem... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2026
Fuel pump injector gave out at around 25,700 miles on 2025 crv hybrid. This happened while driving and put mine and my passengers safety at risk. When it went out, I got multiple warning messages saying power system failure, blind spot monitoring system failure, and transmission system problem. My car was towed to the dealer and I was stranded 2 hours away from home in an unfamiliar city. Problem... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
Charging problem, high voltage. Vehicle won’t charge when plugged in. Took it to the dealer and they said they can’t do anything about it.
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
I was driving on [XXX] at around 1252AM, and my Brake light lite up on my dashboard, indicating me to press on the break or the car was going to break its self. The roads were clear and dry, there was barely any traffic. If I didn’t press on the brake when the car told me too it would have stopped it’s self cause me and my passenger to get thrown forward and me to get hit in the rear of my car... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
LOUD SQUEAL NOISE WHEN TRANSMISSION IS SELECTED IN REVERSE. REMAINS SQUEALLING AS LONG AS TRANSMISSION IS IN REVERSE.
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
Email I sent to Honda Corporate on XXX. I am contacting executive leadership regarding Honda Corporate Case # ***** My vehicle is currently grounded due to a safety recall and the frame is uninspectable and unsafe to drive per the dealership. A corporate case manager, Breanna, just informed me this afternoon that a buyback AND rental reimbursement will take “months or maybe years”. I was also ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
Email I sent to Honda Corporate on XXX. I am contacting executive leadership regarding Honda Corporate Case # ***** My vehicle is currently grounded due to a safety recall and the frame is uninspectable and unsafe to drive per the dealership. A corporate case manager, Breanna, just informed me this afternoon that a buyback AND rental reimbursement will take “months or maybe years”. I was also ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
I brought my Honda CR-V Hybrid to Brad Deery Honda on April 11, 2025, to have the steering gearbox worm gear recall inspected. At that time, I was told everything was fine. Unfortunately, I am now experiencing steering issues. When I turn the steering wheel, I hear clicking noises, and the steering does not feel smooth. I scheduled an appointment online on Friday, August 21, 2026, for September 4,... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2026
The van has trouble restarting. This can appear as both a sluggish restart and a complete failure to restart. The van has failed to restart both during quick stops like refueling and during the auto-stop feature at a stop light. When this happens, the driver must completely shut off the van and restart, which is a safety issue when stuck while blocking traffic. The van is having the starter repl... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Per the quote from the dealership where the issue was diagnosed: Looks like you are going to need a new engine due (to a) bad cylinder 5 misfire and the main bearing spun causing internal failure. It is available... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
This car has the same Steering Rack sticking problem for this Model and year that there is a recall for but the VIN for this car is not included in the recall. The problem has been confirmed by a Honda dealer. They want me to pay close to $5,000 to repair it. They told me to reach out to HNTSA. Hoping you can correct this. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFO... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
The digital multi-information display located within the instrument cluster is failing, causing the characters to scramble, pixelate, and become completely unreadable. This hardware malfunction is intermittent but progressively worsening, rendering critical vehicle operating data entirely inaccessible. Specifically, I am unable to view the available fuel level, odometer, remaining oil life, or tri... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2025
I am reporting a suspected head gasket/engine defect involving my 2018 Honda Accord Sport. My vehicle experienced multiple engine-related problems before ultimately requiring head gasket replacement and cylinder head repair. On July 27, 2024, at approximately 161,480 miles, the turbocharger was replaced. In September 2025, at 207,539 miles, my vehicle was serviced at Joe Morgan Honda, an author... Read more
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID
(2021) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Aug 24, 2026
Incident date: Jul 6, 2026
I am a senior citizen who bought a brand new 2021 Honda CRV hybrid in 2022. I used the vehicle mainly for driving around town in city driving. I ensured that my vehicle received all the necessary scheduled maintenance at either the dealership I bought the vehicle,(Pacific Honda, [XXX];phone [XXX]) or a certified Honda dealership. I have complete maintenance records at the Honda dealership for t... Read more
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID
(2021) - POWER TRAIN
Aug 24, 2026
Incident date: Jul 6, 2026
I am a senior citizen who bought a brand new 2021 Honda CRV hybrid in 2022. I used the vehicle mainly for driving around town in city driving. I ensured that my vehicle received all the necessary scheduled maintenance at either the dealership I bought the vehicle,(Pacific Honda, [XXX];phone [XXX]) or a certified Honda dealership. I have complete maintenance records at the Honda dealership for t... Read more
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID
(2021) - ENGINE
Aug 24, 2026
Incident date: Jul 6, 2026
I am a senior citizen who bought a brand new 2021 Honda CRV hybrid in 2022. I used the vehicle mainly for driving around town in city driving. I ensured that my vehicle received all the necessary scheduled maintenance at either the dealership I bought the vehicle,(Pacific Honda, [XXX];phone [XXX]) or a certified Honda dealership. I have complete maintenance records at the Honda dealership for t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, and the vehicle failed to exceed 5 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo boost and head gasket needed to be replaced. The ... Read more