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: Dec 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Forest River Flagstaff RV equipped with a Magic Chef 21-inch Built-In Range Oven, Model Number: MCFR21TTB2. The contact stated that while his wife was cooking, the stove's glass top cover exploded into pieces and shattered in her face. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was received. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the RV was not diagnos... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
For the past year I keep having to replace the catalytic converter, ignition coils and spark plugs every 2/3months. I just replaced the catalytic converter in October with a tune up. A month later had to replace spark plugs.
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
Manually have to unlock the shifter to put into gear with a key and the steering wheel is at 90 degrees all the way to the right and won't move back to standard positioning while driving.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
Upon exiting the freeway, I pressed the gas and the vehicles rpm’s went up to 4K plus on a diesel engine, no acceleration. Thought maybe there was ice and had lost traction, tried again, same thing. Then a shudder, bang and pop. The check engine light went on and informed me of limited power and acceleration. There was no acceleration. Rpm’s would go to 2000 plus just to move. Got it to the de... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2025
Vehicle purchased 9/1/24 from Courtesy Hyundai of Tampa. Dealership failed to file registration/tags until 10/4/24. 7/12/25: Vehicle experienced involuntary acceleration and braking, resulting in impact with my mother’s home. 7/16/25: Dealer issued written report stating vehicle was operating normally and documented a recall-related display/audio/camera software update. 8/14/25: Hyundai enginee... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake warning light illuminated, and the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the failure was due to an unrepaired recall. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The repair was performed.... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
TACOMA FRAME IS RUSTING AND SO ARE OTHER KEY COMPONENTS OF THE FRAME, SUPER WHITE PAINT IS ALSO CHIPPING IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS SUCH AS FRONT BUMPER AND DOOR FRAMES
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
Accident Statement – Instrument Panel Cluster Failure & Collision While driving my 2025 Ford Outerbanks, the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) screen suddenly went completely black without warning. At the time of the malfunction, I was attempting to merge into traffic on my left with my left turn signal activated. Simultaneously, an 18-wheeler in the lane beside me was merging to his right. The s... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
Accident Statement – Instrument Panel Cluster Failure & Collision While driving my 2025 Ford Outerbanks, the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) screen suddenly went completely black without warning. At the time of the malfunction, I was attempting to merge into traffic on my left with my left turn signal activated. Simultaneously, an 18-wheeler in the lane beside me was merging to his right. The s... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
9/25/25 Car would not accelerate on exit ramp and engine seized just as I pulled into Romeo Kia Kingston Car Repair Center, causing a dangerous driving situation. No prior noise or warning lights for the 6 years I have owned the car. 10/6/25 per Jared Illg, District Kia Mgr., “Although, my 2018 Kia Soul 2.0 engine is under the Class Action Settlement, my car is not under extended warranty, ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
The vehicle is subject to NHTSA Safety Recall 25V572 (Manufacturer Recall Number 25S89) regarding the rear-view camera wiring harness. The manufacturer has notified owners of the safety risk but indicates that the remedy parts are currently unavailable and has failed to provide a specific timeline for repair. I have contacted the authorized dealer and the manufacturer requesting a remedy or an in... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
Description of Problem: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPLETE FAILURE My 2016 Tesla Model X instrument cluster has completely failed and permanently displays "CAR OFF" regardless of the actual vehicle status, including while actively driving at highway speeds. Critical Information I CANNOT See While Driving: Gear position (P, D, R, N) - I have no visual confirmation of what gear the vehicle is in Vehicle s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
Nearly a complete loss of braking downhill. I am very familiar with the stretch of road I was traveling and have traveled it in other vehicles without issue. When I did need to use my brakes I noticed they were not working as they should, I had to basically stand in the brake petal and the truck shook barely slowing. I eased off the brakes and applied pressure again with the truck still shaking a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2025
Component/System: Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) / Airbag system — Recall 74E3 / NHTSA 21V874. What Happened: The passenger airbag may switch off even when the seat is occupied due to a faulty PODS wiring connection. The warning message “Passenger Airbag Off” appears with a chime. This is an active safety recall that was issued before I purchased the vehicle, but the recall was ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2025
Component/System: Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) / Airbag system — Recall 74E3 / NHTSA 21V874. What Happened: The passenger airbag may switch off even when the seat is occupied due to a faulty PODS wiring connection. The warning message “Passenger Airbag Off” appears with a chime. This is an active safety recall that was issued before I purchased the vehicle, but the recall was ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
After my last oil change on October 29, 2025, I began noticing a persistent gasoline smell outside the car. Concerned, I took the vehicle to Prince Honda Tifton and explained the issue in detail. They inspected it but reported no leaks and said everything looked fine. However, the odor continued. Starting December 1, 2025, I began smelling gasoline inside the car, with a particularly strong odor w... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
At approximately 3000 miles, I started hearing clicking noises from front end when accelerating while turning. Noise is more pronounced when turning left and when car is cold, but is rapidly getting worse and is now apparent on both sides and occurs whether cold or not. Dealer says it is CV joints, and a bulletin is out on this repair. Parts are back ordered and not readily available. Google s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
At approximately 3000 miles, I started hearing clicking noises from front end when accelerating while turning. Noise is more pronounced when turning left and when car is cold, but is rapidly getting worse and is now apparent on both sides and occurs whether cold or not. Dealer says it is CV joints, and a bulletin is out on this repair. Parts are back ordered and not readily available. Google s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
At approximately 3000 miles, I started hearing clicking noises from front end when accelerating while turning. Noise is more pronounced when turning left and when car is cold, but is rapidly getting worse and is now apparent on both sides and occurs whether cold or not. Dealer says it is CV joints, and a bulletin is out on this repair. Parts are back ordered and not readily available. Google s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
Screens switches to Italian, also screens freeze or go blank, Front Collision Warning (FCW) light illuminates and can't be turned off. Bluetooth randomly disconnects, Auto door locks don't engage; paddle shifters for manual gear selection cease functioning, pedestrian avoidance, automatic emergency braking, and high-beam assist stop working; memory seats unexpectedly adjust while driving. I have ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
Screens switches to Italian, also screens freeze or go blank, Front Collision Warning (FCW) light illuminates and can't be turned off. Bluetooth randomly disconnects, Auto door locks don't engage; paddle shifters for manual gear selection cease functioning, pedestrian avoidance, automatic emergency braking, and high-beam assist stop working; memory seats unexpectedly adjust while driving. I have ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE), but the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the windshield. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
Stopped at a stop sign at an intersection. Intersection is 4-way, with only a 2-way stop. After ensuring cross-traffic was clear, initiated a left turn from being stopped at the stop sign. Released the brake pedal and began to accelerate.Truck only accelerated to 5mph, and then began to roll/drift into the intersection with no power. No response from gas pedal. Drifted into intersection and was ne... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
Vehicle: 2016 Kia Sorento, VIN [XXX] Incident Date: November 13, 2025 Incident Location: Durham, NC (3828 Guess Rd) Cause of Loss: Engine Fire, confirmed by Durham Fire Department Report (Incident #253663) as "originated from under the hood." TECHNICAL NARRATIVE & SYMPTOMS (CRITICAL FOR LIABILITY): I am filing this complaint to report a catastrophic vehicle fire that I believe is directly linked ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Car will not shift and shutters, this is putting myself and others at risk. The problem was confirmed by a dealership. There is now a check engine light in the vehicle
Incident date: Nov 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The Mobile App indicated a failure related to the power train and to reduce power. The contact's son drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and turned off the vehicle. While the contact's son was attempti... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked and recommended replacing it. This is a very common issue.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the steering wheel failed to steer in the intended direction. The contact stated that the blue cruise hands-free system was activated during the failure. In addition, the vehicle was shaking and the brakes were independently activated. The contact was able to correct the steering wheel to the intended lane. No w... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the steering wheel failed to steer in the intended direction. The contact stated that the blue cruise hands-free system was activated during the failure. In addition, the vehicle was shaking and the brakes were independently activated. The contact was able to correct the steering wheel to the intended lane. No w... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifted in reverse(R), the rearview camera system failure message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V741000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear suspension after the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was repaired several times; howev... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 435I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off, the battery discharged abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the water pump had remained running unexpectedly when the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 435I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off, the battery discharged abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the water pump had remained running unexpectedly when the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act broken by Nissan North America. My 2024 nissan rogue has a failed vc turbo engine while I was driving with my family engine shut off while driving no warning just a blink of a eye. Nissan consumer affairs refused to fix this serious safety issue & Nissan North America have multiple times covered up the known manufacturing defect on the vc turbo engine. After indepen... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act broken by Nissan North America. My 2024 nissan rogue has a failed vc turbo engine while I was driving with my family engine shut off while driving no warning just a blink of a eye. Nissan consumer affairs refused to fix this serious safety issue & Nissan North America have multiple times covered up the known manufacturing defect on the vc turbo engine. After indepen... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact noticed an abnormal burning odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failure related to the battery. The contact was informed that the unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2025
Constant cycling of ABS and Traction Control lights with tones. Causes ABS, Traction Control and cruise control failures with persistent tones and lights. Parts not available after 12 months of open recall.
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times. The contact was concerned that the vehicle could catch on fire at any time. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
Brake booster failed. Lost brake assist while driving. Car became unsafe to drive immediately.
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
I own a Jeep Wrangler 4xe that has multiple active Safety Recalls involving risk of fire and sudden loss of power. The dealer refuses to provide an immediate remedy and Stellantis has denied providing safe transportation while the recall is unresolved. Stellantis representatives told me to continue driving the vehicle despite the documented safety risk. I already opened a case with Stellantis (Ca... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 50 MPH on the way to the residence, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to the powertrain control module. The contact stated that the key had seized in the ignition, and the vehicle was left overnig... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
Horn on vehicle is too quiet. Poses a safety risk for cars who will not be able to hear it. Volume needs to be increased or put an actual horn on the vehicle.
Incident date: Dec 6, 2025
The rear windshield on our 2025 Honda Pilot spontaneously shattered. We have owned it approximately 2 months.
Incident date: Dec 7, 2025
Transmission line has worn a hole from the location it sits under the jeep. The metal hose now has a flat spot. This is because its rubbing on the metal plate below it. I attached photos. I do have a video of what we are seeing and how it’s happening. Yes, it was taken to a dealership for proper diagnosis. Part is unavailable, because of a common issue. No dealership’s are willing to sell ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2025
2015 Ford Focus with DPS6 automatic transmission failure. 109,### miles only. Symptoms: No reverse gear, severe clutch slip (high RPM but car barely moves), strong burnt clutch smell, check engine light on. DTC codes: P07A3, P07A5, P087A, P087B, P090C. Ford dealer (Camelback Ford, Phoenix AZ) diagnosed the issue but quoted $3,175 just for labor to open the transmission for inspection, refusing a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
Central computer (motherboard), cameras (front/rear/side), autopilot/auto steer system. Error code: APS_w132. Description of Problem: On or around [XXX], Tesla pushed a mandatory over-the-air software update to my vehicle. Immediately after, multiple safety-critical systems failed: all cameras (including backup) became intermittent or non-functional, auto steer/autopilot stopped working, and the c... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
Central computer (motherboard), cameras (front/rear/side), autopilot/auto steer system. Error code: APS_w132. Description of Problem: On or around [XXX], Tesla pushed a mandatory over-the-air software update to my vehicle. Immediately after, multiple safety-critical systems failed: all cameras (including backup) became intermittent or non-functional, auto steer/autopilot stopped working, and the c... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2025
Very loud clicking noise when making left turns. Now starting on the right side