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 24, 2026
Car accelerated unexpectedly when braking at a parking spot. Car accelerated over the curb and hit another car.
Crash
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
Car accelerated unexpectedly when braking at a parking spot. Car accelerated over the curb and hit another car.
Crash
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
commonly experiences battery drain, the radio is making Popping or crackling sounds from speakers
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
commonly experiences battery drain, the radio is making Popping or crackling sounds from speakers
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was 192,600.
Incident date: Aug 14, 2026
I am filing this complaint regarding our 2008 Honda Ridgeline, VIN [XXX], approximately 129,000 miles, concerning NHTSA Recall 22V-430 / Honda Campaign LCD. The vehicle has spent its life in [XXX], and Honda's VIN lookup showed this recall OPEN/INCOMPLETE. We experienced fuel leaking while fueling, and a piece of severely corroded metal associated with supporting/securing the fuel tank fell from ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
I would like to register a formal complaint regarding the front seats in my 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite. The seat ventilation system creates significant discomfort around the tailbone, making it extremely difficult to tolerate drives of any meaningful length. I did not raise this concern sooner because my wife typically drives the vehicle and had accepted the discomfort as “normal.” I... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2026
This vehicle had a recall from which an extended warranty was given from 10 years of purchase unlimited mileage. The condenser and compressor came defective from the manufacturer. I strongly believe they should include the A/C Evaporator as well. As i know i am not the only one with these issues. This issue is had fixed back in 2022 where one side blew cold air and the hot and white stuff spewed f... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2026
Was driving vehicle and all of a sudden engine light pops up with no driver codes and the left side of engine starts knocking. I pull into the closest shop. They test a vehicle misfire in cylinder 5 and propose vehicle gets towed to dealership to look at codes. I tow vehicle to dealership for them to tell me rod bearings, crankshaft are bad and need a new engine. Engine was 99k and well maintained... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
The infotainment system and rearview backup camera malfunction continually. While driving or attempting to reverse, the infotainment system frequently shuts off entirely and loses its fiber optic network connection. When it attempts to reboot and turn back on, loud popping and crackling noises emit from the vehicle speakers. Additionally, the backup camera regularly glitches and displays a message... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
The infotainment system and rearview backup camera malfunction continually. While driving or attempting to reverse, the infotainment system frequently shuts off entirely and loses its fiber optic network connection. When it attempts to reboot and turn back on, loud popping and crackling noises emit from the vehicle speakers. Additionally, the backup camera regularly glitches and displays a message... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and exiting the freeway, while approaching a traffic light, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The vehicle was driven 50 MPH to a parking lot. Prior to the failure, the HVAC, emission, brakes, assist, and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local deale... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and exiting the freeway, while approaching a traffic light, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The vehicle was driven 50 MPH to a parking lot. Prior to the failure, the HVAC, emission, brakes, assist, and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local deale... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and exiting the freeway, while approaching a traffic light, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The vehicle was driven 50 MPH to a parking lot. Prior to the failure, the HVAC, emission, brakes, assist, and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local deale... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
I got over to the edge of the road to avoid hitting a animal, and hit a small rock (with front passenger tire) and then subsequently had a spontaneous deployment and rupture of my passenger airbag, then my driver airbag deployed. A fire then came from the passenger airbag, with lots of dust in the air. I could not understand why a very small bump triggered the airbags and was shocked by the first,... Read more
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
The affected components are the BOTH FRONT DRIVE AXLE/CV JOINT ASSEMBLIES on my 2024 Honda Prologue. This is not merely a suspected problem. After I reported the clicking/popping condition to Honda multiple times, the vehicle was finally inspected by a technician, who determined that BOTH FRONT AXLES WERE BROKEN AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. The original clicking/popping was not present when I obtain... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
The affected components are the BOTH FRONT DRIVE AXLE/CV JOINT ASSEMBLIES on my 2024 Honda Prologue. This is not merely a suspected problem. After I reported the clicking/popping condition to Honda multiple times, the vehicle was finally inspected by a technician, who determined that BOTH FRONT AXLES WERE BROKEN AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. The original clicking/popping was not present when I obtain... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
The affected components are the BOTH FRONT DRIVE AXLE/CV JOINT ASSEMBLIES on my 2024 Honda Prologue. This is not merely a suspected problem. After I reported the clicking/popping condition to Honda multiple times, the vehicle was finally inspected by a technician, who determined that BOTH FRONT AXLES WERE BROKEN AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. The original clicking/popping was not present when I obtain... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2026
I’m taking my car to the body shop over five occasions and have to take it back one due for it being a computer chip, which was replaced, but the lights on my dash all of them comes on after the second start up. Cruise control doesn’t work brake code doesn’t work all the lights for staring brakes says to check everything.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 16, 2026
I’m taking my car to the body shop over five occasions and have to take it back one due for it being a computer chip, which was replaced, but the lights on my dash all of them comes on after the second start up. Cruise control doesn’t work brake code doesn’t work all the lights for staring brakes says to check everything.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 16, 2026
I’m taking my car to the body shop over five occasions and have to take it back one due for it being a computer chip, which was replaced, but the lights on my dash all of them comes on after the second start up. Cruise control doesn’t work brake code doesn’t work all the lights for staring brakes says to check everything.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 19, 2025
I've owned this 2016 Honda Civic since May of 2025. At first I never experienced any issue from the steering, that is when I started to notice that my steering felt like it would be sticking, like you couldn't balance yourself on highways or speeds exceeding 30+mph. I started doing my own research and discovered that other civic owners (10th and 11th gen) were experiencing similar issues. I'm hopi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
A warning for Power Tailgate Problem keeps coming up. It tried to open multiple times while driving, beeping at us. It wouldn’t open with the buttons at all. We had to manually open and close it. This makes the second time it’s done it. And it always has to do when it rains. Honda knows this is a well known issue with their odyssey’s and it needs recalled. The dealership wants us to pay for ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2025
Issue 1: Faulty Collision Mitigation Braking System & Subsequent Crash Incident Details: In July of 2025, my vehicle’s automatic braking warning lights randomly activated and triggered an unprompted, emergency stop on [XXX]—despite having no vehicles ahead of me. This sudden malfunction directly caused a rear-end collision on the interstate. Documentation: A formal crash report was filed wi... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 29, 2025
Issue 1: Faulty Collision Mitigation Braking System & Subsequent Crash Incident Details: In July of 2025, my vehicle’s automatic braking warning lights randomly activated and triggered an unprompted, emergency stop on [XXX]—despite having no vehicles ahead of me. This sudden malfunction directly caused a rear-end collision on the interstate. Documentation: A formal crash report was filed wi... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
My 2016 Honda Pilot Elite has developed a loud, heavy metallic knocking sound coming from the engine block that increases in speed with engine RPMs. Despite strict regular maintenance and oil changes, the engine noise is getting progressively worse, creating an immediate risk of catastrophic engine failure, stalling, or seizing while driving on the highway. While this vehicle matches the exact fai... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
Battery overheats and emits visible smoke from positive terminal and strong sulfur (rotten egg) odor. Notices the problem a few days ago. Called AAA for assistance on Sunday August 23 and technician stated that a lot of Hondas have had this issue including his own and it is due to a recall. A search online shows a recall issued for approximately 98 2023 Honda crv hybrids for Electrical system: ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2026
The digital instrument cluster and infotainment/display system repeatedly FAILS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I AM DRIVING. The screens suddenly glitch, shut down, or go completely black, causing me to lose access to critical vehicle information. The vehicle remains available for NHTSA or manufacturer inspection upon request. This is an ongoing and unresolved safety defect. I did NOT experience the blank... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2026
The digital instrument cluster and infotainment/display system repeatedly FAILS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I AM DRIVING. The screens suddenly glitch, shut down, or go completely black, causing me to lose access to critical vehicle information. The vehicle remains available for NHTSA or manufacturer inspection upon request. This is an ongoing and unresolved safety defect. I did NOT experience the blank... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2026
The head gasket failed in the engine. Coolant leaked into the cylinder head causing the engine to overheat and put the driver at danger to immediate vehicle failure while driving. The problem was confirmed by the dealer. The vehicle has only been inspected by the dealership. There were warning lamps that indicated engine overheating.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2026
The head gasket failed in the engine. Coolant leaked into the cylinder head causing the engine to overheat and put the driver at danger to immediate vehicle failure while driving. The problem was confirmed by the dealer. The vehicle has only been inspected by the dealership. There were warning lamps that indicated engine overheating.
Incident date: May 1, 2026
Every warning light possible randomly came on a few months ago. The lights stay on for about a week, then go off for about two weeks. Took to Honda, first time they said nothing was wrong and preformed a relearn. Lights were all off for 300 miles, then came back on. Took back to Honda and they diagnosed as fuel injector misfire and quoted me $1800 for replacement. I was doing research and found th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2026
Vehicle stalled twice within a week. All lights on dash showed up. P0087 code. Honda dealer confirmed low fuel pressure pump needed to be replaced. It was happened on 8/13 and again on 8/22/26. Lucky, I was exiting the fwy. Almost lost control of steering wheel.
Incident date: Jul 15, 2026
The vehicle struggles to start after sitting for around an hour. A new battery has been installed after only 3.5 years and 75k miles. A new starter was installed after the same interval. Problems have not been fixed. Probably all stemming from the auto start stop system
Incident date: Jul 15, 2026
The vehicle struggles to start after sitting for around an hour. A new battery has been installed after only 3.5 years and 75k miles. A new starter was installed after the same interval. Problems have not been fixed. Probably all stemming from the auto start stop system
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
I was stopped at a stoplight. The car has idle stop so the engine turns off at the light. When I tried to go the car went into park. I could not get it back in drive and had to turn the car off then back on. Meanwhile I am stuck in the middle of the road with traffic. This has happened several times before.
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
I was stopped at a stoplight. The car has idle stop so the engine turns off at the light. When I tried to go the car went into park. I could not get it back in drive and had to turn the car off then back on. Meanwhile I am stuck in the middle of the road with traffic. This has happened several times before.
Incident date: Apr 22, 2026
In April, I returned to my vehicle in my employer’s parking lot in Cranberry Township, PA and found the rear window completely shattered, with glass both inside and outside the vehicle. I immediately contacted my Honda service center and was told there were no reported issues or recalls. Because the vehicle was unsafe to drive, I contacted my insurance company to arrange the repair. My employer ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2026
The complete Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) has been disabled on my truck and all the warning lights are on. All the safety features ment to keep me safe on the road are no longer working.
Incident date: Aug 10, 2026
The complete Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) has been disabled on my truck and all the warning lights are on. All the safety features ment to keep me safe on the road are no longer working.
Incident date: Aug 10, 2026
The complete Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) has been disabled on my truck and all the warning lights are on. All the safety features ment to keep me safe on the road are no longer working.
Incident date: Aug 22, 2026
I took my Honda in to a dealership for a trade-in value assessment. The dealership used automatic start with my key fob. Once they got in, they began to drive it in immediately it would not go past 10 mph, began jerking, and steering became an issue. It begin throwing the following check engine light codes: Tire pressure monitor problem. Electric Parking Brake problem. Road Departure Mitigation sy... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2026
I took my Honda in to a dealership for a trade-in value assessment. The dealership used automatic start with my key fob. Once they got in, they began to drive it in immediately it would not go past 10 mph, began jerking, and steering became an issue. It begin throwing the following check engine light codes: Tire pressure monitor problem. Electric Parking Brake problem. Road Departure Mitigation sy... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2026
I took my Honda in to a dealership for a trade-in value assessment. The dealership used automatic start with my key fob. Once they got in, they began to drive it in immediately it would not go past 10 mph, began jerking, and steering became an issue. It begin throwing the following check engine light codes: Tire pressure monitor problem. Electric Parking Brake problem. Road Departure Mitigation sy... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
Car losing power on the interstate and side roads Replaced spark plugs, replaced coil packs replaced fuel injectors after dealers diagnostic testing $2500 for those issues Vehicle still misfiring took in to another dealer head gasket need replacement $5200 quote
Incident date: Aug 22, 2026
1.The vehicle’s airbag unexpectedly deployed while the vehicle was in Park and the driver was attempting to reverse out of a parking space. Multiple airbags deployed, including the driver-side airbags, the front airbag near the windshield area, and the long side/curtain airbag extending toward the passenger side. There was no collision or impact that would reasonably explain the deployment. The ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
After stopping at a red light the engine auto stopped and would not restart after releasing the brake. After 20 minutes of trying to turn the vehicle on/off it finally restarted. Serious safety concern since it was a busy road and the vehicle couldn’t be put into neutral to push it out of the lane. The vehicle is under 20,000 miles and in the warranty period. I haven’t taken it to the dealersh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2026
when I start the car, I get 8 or so warnings: Adaptive cruise control, Automatic emergency braking, forward Collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, etc. the air bag warning for passenger also blinks. the dealer indicates this is a faulty front camera and will require about $2500 to fix it.
Incident date: Aug 22, 2026
when I start the car, I get 8 or so warnings: Adaptive cruise control, Automatic emergency braking, forward Collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, etc. the air bag warning for passenger also blinks. the dealer indicates this is a faulty front camera and will require about $2500 to fix it.
Incident date: Aug 22, 2026
when I start the car, I get 8 or so warnings: Adaptive cruise control, Automatic emergency braking, forward Collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, etc. the air bag warning for passenger also blinks. the dealer indicates this is a faulty front camera and will require about $2500 to fix it.