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 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The “4WD Failure” message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched and became aware of an unknown recall; how... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Oct 25, 2025
The Auto Idle Stop mode has caused my car to stall out at least 10 times since I bought the vehicle in August 2024. Each time it has occurred, it has taken me several minutes to restart the car. I’ve bought my vehicle to Hilton Head Honda in Bluffton, SC two times to have them inspect the vehicle. The only thing they have done is replaced the battery which has not solved the problem.
Incident date: Oct 25, 2025
The Auto Idle Stop mode has caused my car to stall out at least 10 times since I bought the vehicle in August 2024. Each time it has occurred, it has taken me several minutes to restart the car. I’ve bought my vehicle to Hilton Head Honda in Bluffton, SC two times to have them inspect the vehicle. The only thing they have done is replaced the battery which has not solved the problem.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
The connecting rod snapped in my 2019 Honda Pilot V6 engine at 102,000 miles. This is the exact mechanical failure described in NHTSA Recall 23V-751, but Honda is refusing to repair it due to a VIN exclusion. The dealership has confirmed this was a sudden, unpreventable structural component failure.
Incident date: Aug 16, 2026
The connecting rod on my 2017 Honda Pilot is coming apart and metal is present in the oil. The engine began knocking and progressively got louder. The sound was coming from the bottom of the engine around cylinder 1. We shut the car off and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer service center confirmed that the connecting rod on cylinder 1 was coming apart and found metal in the oil and ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2026
I went to the dealership today for my recall on the backup camera where my screen goes black in reverse. I also told me my dash lights had come on and could like lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control and blind spot warning. Dealership then tells me it is a faulty internal camera in the windshield and wants to charge me $2K. Is this not a recall since it happens to a significant amount o... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2026
I went to the dealership today for my recall on the backup camera where my screen goes black in reverse. I also told me my dash lights had come on and could like lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control and blind spot warning. Dealership then tells me it is a faulty internal camera in the windshield and wants to charge me $2K. Is this not a recall since it happens to a significant amount o... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2026
I went to the dealership today for my recall on the backup camera where my screen goes black in reverse. I also told me my dash lights had come on and could like lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control and blind spot warning. Dealership then tells me it is a faulty internal camera in the windshield and wants to charge me $2K. Is this not a recall since it happens to a significant amount o... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2026
Clunking that happens at low speeds, sounds like control arm, but this is not the rear. It’s the front.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the engine light was illuminated. The transmission emission message was displayed. The contact stated that the failure was associated with DTC: P0777. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who recommended a transmission flush. After the transmission flush the vehicle failed to shift from second to third gear. The vehicle was taken t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the engine light was illuminated. The transmission emission message was displayed. The contact stated that the failure was associated with DTC: P0777. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who recommended a transmission flush. After the transmission flush the vehicle failed to shift from second to third gear. The vehicle was taken t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
There is a recall on the power steering box, Honda attempted repairing, but the issue was not resolved. Honda is now requesting I purchase a new power steering rack and will not replace the faulty one on recall.
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
The contact owned a 2026 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven for forty minutes without a failure; however, while the vehicle was parked outside, the contact heard a loud explosion. The contact discovered that the vehicle had caught on fire. The firefighters arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A Fire Department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 4, 2026
The automatic breaking sensor put on my brakes at random times. It happens when going over a small rise in the road and also happened on a 2 Lane road when a semi truck was coming the opposite direction totally within its lane and the sensor for some reason thought maybe the vehicle was in my lane. This caused a sudden breaking and could’ve caused an accident by either me reacting to that breaki... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2026
The automatic breaking sensor put on my brakes at random times. It happens when going over a small rise in the road and also happened on a 2 Lane road when a semi truck was coming the opposite direction totally within its lane and the sensor for some reason thought maybe the vehicle was in my lane. This caused a sudden breaking and could’ve caused an accident by either me reacting to that breaki... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2026
The automatic breaking sensor put on my brakes at random times. It happens when going over a small rise in the road and also happened on a 2 Lane road when a semi truck was coming the opposite direction totally within its lane and the sensor for some reason thought maybe the vehicle was in my lane. This caused a sudden breaking and could’ve caused an accident by either me reacting to that breaki... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2026
After stopping the car in a left turn lane in the intersection, the car engine, dash board and infotainment system shut down. No warnings or other items appeared, the car died. After scrambling since it put traffic to a standstill, I shifter to park and returned on the car. Which worked and allowed me to continue. This happened again 1 week later while at a red light.
Incident date: Aug 16, 2026
After stopping the car in a left turn lane in the intersection, the car engine, dash board and infotainment system shut down. No warnings or other items appeared, the car died. After scrambling since it put traffic to a standstill, I shifter to park and returned on the car. Which worked and allowed me to continue. This happened again 1 week later while at a red light.
Incident date: Aug 3, 2026
Head Gasket failure due to coolant interference in engine
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
The vehicle started to make some strange noises coming from the engine area. I brought the vehicle to our mechanic, who stated that the engine needs to be replaced. He described the problem as an issue with the piston that is appearing to be common with the shut off system, causing it in this vehicle. He classified as.’Engine has internal knock from wrist pin/rod bearing’. I’m looking at rec... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2026
The right head light went out at night while car was in motion
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
Vehicle makes a grinding noise when turning right or left
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
Vehicle makes a grinding noise when turning right or left
Incident date: Jun 12, 2026
I own a 2023 Honda CR-V EX-L 1.5L turbo. My vehicle has repeatedly displayed an “Active Grille Shutter System Problem” warning while driving. Diagnostic trouble code P16E8 has also been associated with the active grille shutter system. The problem has occurred multiple times, particularly during hot weather and while driving on steep grades. When the active grille shutter warning occurs, the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2026
In June of 2026 I was merging onto a busy high way trying to accelerate on while in the middle of the high way my car completely starts decelerating while next to two semis and not being able to do anything as I finally get to the side of the high way I turn my car off and back on all of my lights started coming on and appearing on my dash while this was all happening I start the car again and it ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
Engine making noise when start, took to dealer, it was diagnose with head gasket gone. All services done from dealer since purchased and now dealer is saying gasket replacement.
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, smoke started coming from underneath the front driver’s side seat. The contact looked down and became aware that the front driver’s side seat belt anchor had caught fire. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had been involved in a crash prior to the fire, and ... Read more
Crash
Fire
Incident date: Jun 21, 2026
For the last few months I have had an intermittent issue with my 2016 ex-l v6 accord. It started as occasional stalling at traffic lights. The car would stall out, and after about 20 seconds I could turn the car back on, and drive without issues. Sometimes the issue would repeat itself multiple times in a day, and then go weeks without another instance. Then one day I was driving the car and had a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2026
Driving down country road doing about 45 mph when all of a sudden the brakes slammed on throwing me into the seat belt. There was no vehicle or other obstacle insight. Called dealer to see if there was a safety bulletin on this problem. They said there were no safety bulletins on this. They said to check for bugs on the emblem. No bugs on Honda emblem or in front of the rear view mirror on the win... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2026
Driving down country road doing about 45 mph when all of a sudden the brakes slammed on throwing me into the seat belt. There was no vehicle or other obstacle insight. Called dealer to see if there was a safety bulletin on this problem. They said there were no safety bulletins on this. They said to check for bugs on the emblem. No bugs on Honda emblem or in front of the rear view mirror on the win... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2026
- Component: Undercarriage splash shield - Risk: One of the two sliding panels slid off under normal driving conditions. Vehicle has only 6,000 miles on it. The panel then drags on the ground and has risk of breaking off and flying off behind the vehicle. In our case, it just dropped when my daughter drove vehicle into the driveway, but if this happened at highway speeds it could be very bad. - Co... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2026
I am writing to request that the NHTSA investigate a potential safety and repair adequacy issue regarding our 2017 Honda Pilot Elite. On June 29, 2026, we brought the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealership for a Rear Subframe Safety Recall. At drop-off, I specifically reported an ongoing grinding and rattling noise coming from the rear of the vehicle and requested an investigation. The Honda r... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
The second-row seat belt sensor chimes persistently whenever the seat is occupied although the seat belt is buckled properly. Currently the only seat belt affected is the one directly behind the front passenger seat.
Incident date: Jul 26, 2026
The vehicle sputtered and stalled on the highway. I was able to restart after a few minutes and then it stalled again. I was able to get it to a repair shop after stalling about 3 times on the way. The diagnostic code was for the high pressure fuel pump. This was replaced. Four weeks later the same problem occurred. This time I stalled on a major freeway. I was able to restart and get it off the f... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
The Steering appears to be sticky on highway speeds. Honda has the recall for this exact same issue but seems like 2022 CRV was excluded from the recall. This is a major safety issue which can easily lead to over correction as you need to add extra strength to adjust the steering wheel when driving on the road.
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
The windshield wipers and system of water delivery from the blades onto the windshield is a total disaster. You can easily have an accident due to extremely poor visibility after using the windshield wipers to clean the windshield with water, especially if the sun glares on your windshield which is now smeared not clean and reflects and refracts all the smear. You can't see and aggravates the driv... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
My car slammed on the brakes on its own. I was almost rear ended. I was going 45-50 miles an hour. I think it saw a shadow. Previously it has alerted me to brake because of shadows. This is the first time it braked hard on its own.
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
My car slammed on the brakes on its own. I was almost rear ended. I was going 45-50 miles an hour. I think it saw a shadow. Previously it has alerted me to brake because of shadows. This is the first time it braked hard on its own.
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Honda Accord. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase on June 20, 2026, the mileage was 100,000. The contact discovered under a Carfax report that the mileage was 264,897 on July 28, 2025.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, and the vehicle decelerated. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a head gasket failure. The cont... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
The engine auto idle system failed at a stoplight. The auto-idle engaged, but when I took my foot off the brake, the engine did not restart. It completely shut down, putting my car in park in a busy intersection. The engine light and an error message flashed briefly but disappeared. I was able to restart the car and drive, however, only after waving several other cars to pass by me. I've noticed r... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. Additionally, the steering wheel was sticking and was firm. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with steering rack failure. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2026
MY 2019 HONDA PILOT EX-L WAS STOLEN FROM OUR DRIVEWAY IN JERSEY CITY, NJ ON OR ABOUT JULY 16, 2026. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED. BOTH FACTORY KEY FOBS REMAINED IN MY POSSESSION AND WERE INSIDE MY RESIDENCE AT THE TIME. NO WINDOW WAS BROKEN AND NO GLASS WAS FOUND AT THE SCENE, INDICATING THE VEHICLE WAS OPENED AND STARTED ELECTRONICALLY RATHER THAN BY FORCED ENTRY OR MECHANICAL BYPASS. WE HAVE A VIDEO R... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2026
MY 2019 HONDA PILOT EX-L WAS STOLEN FROM OUR DRIVEWAY IN JERSEY CITY, NJ ON OR ABOUT JULY 16, 2026. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED. BOTH FACTORY KEY FOBS REMAINED IN MY POSSESSION AND WERE INSIDE MY RESIDENCE AT THE TIME. NO WINDOW WAS BROKEN AND NO GLASS WAS FOUND AT THE SCENE, INDICATING THE VEHICLE WAS OPENED AND STARTED ELECTRONICALLY RATHER THAN BY FORCED ENTRY OR MECHANICAL BYPASS. WE HAVE A VIDEO R... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2026
Rear 2nd row seats give false warning when the kids car seats are buckled but constantly give warning that seat belts are not buckled properly. Haven’t received any recall & dealer won’t fix the issue under warranty
Incident date: Aug 1, 2026
Rear 2nd row seats give false warning when the kids car seats are buckled but constantly give warning that seat belts are not buckled properly. Haven’t received any recall & dealer won’t fix the issue under warranty
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
While driving my 2018 Honda Accord Sport 1.5T, multiple warning lights suddenly illuminated on the dashboard at the same time and several warning messages appeared. The vehicle displayed warnings for different systems, including a message stating, “Hill Start Assist Problem. Vehicle May Roll Upon Brake Release. See Your Dealer,” along with the check-engine light and several other warning indic... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
While driving my 2018 Honda Accord Sport 1.5T, multiple warning lights suddenly illuminated on the dashboard at the same time and several warning messages appeared. The vehicle displayed warnings for different systems, including a message stating, “Hill Start Assist Problem. Vehicle May Roll Upon Brake Release. See Your Dealer,” along with the check-engine light and several other warning indic... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2024
Rear window wiper failed to operate when transmission put in reverse. Should have operated automatically. Rear window wiper failed to respond to switch position when selected to on. Scan tool shows body control module receiving switch input but no output to wiper motor. Rear window washer comes on without switch being moved to on position when car is turned on and will not turn off unless car is t... Read more