Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,192,899 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 137,559 crashes, 55,854 fires, and 8,555 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 2,192,899 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 119,716 complaints for HONDA
Incident date: May 10, 2025
I believe something is wrong with the electrical system tied into the infotainment system of the car, which displays the radio, heating, cooling, shows the rear camera controllers, as well as some fo the lighting in the sport L is not fully lit, for example where the shift gears is there a light that goes across the front, mines if red, only 1 side is actively turninig on, but the other side is of... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2025
I believe something is wrong with the electrical system tied into the infotainment system of the car, which displays the radio, heating, cooling, shows the rear camera controllers, as well as some fo the lighting in the sport L is not fully lit, for example where the shift gears is there a light that goes across the front, mines if red, only 1 side is actively turninig on, but the other side is of... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
Had a light come on about the Electric power steering, Steering assist reduced see your dealer I know the hybrid had this problem but mine is just a gas model
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
Had a light come on about the Electric power steering, Steering assist reduced see your dealer I know the hybrid had this problem but mine is just a gas model
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
Had a light come on about the Electric power steering, Steering assist reduced see your dealer I know the hybrid had this problem but mine is just a gas model
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
The transmission seized while driving no lights no warnings. I could have been killed so could other people! when no lights no check engine light or service lights are on. And your car is properly maintained there should be no reason the transmission should just seize while Driving with no warning shame on Honda shame on everyone who lets them get away with putting peoples life’s endanger. CVT... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
Engine knock due to a spun bearing
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
Headgasket seems to be forming a leak. Checked coolant today, zero leaks on coolant system but coolant was extremely low. It is sad to see that Honda has become so unreliable.
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
Transmission keeps malfunctioning from 1-2 and 2-3 gear shifts. Mainly prominent on the 2-3 gear shift having issues. Severe transmission jerk and sometimes slams into the next gear. This has been happening since I bought the car at 52k miles and it is currently at 62k miles. It can be available for inspection upon request. It also jerks on downshift. The transmission fluid has been drained and fi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2026
The instrument cluster displaying the odometer, gas gauge, fuel economy flickers and goes dark primarily in cold weather
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly entered LIMP Mode, and the check engine warning light started flashing. The vehicle was able to restart following the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the connecting rods had failed. The contact was informed that the co... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
Problem started when leaving parking lot. The car started pulling to right. Hard to turn to left. Then the problem stop car will drive normal for a little ways then all of a sudden it will pull to right. Just took it to Honda did the recall on battery and steering to day. Car still has steering issues. It will drive normal for a little ways then all sudden pull to the right. Have to make sure to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
Complaint Description: While driving my 2025 Honda Odyssey, the Auto Idle‑Stop system engaged in the middle of an intersection at a traffic light, shutting the engine off as designed. When I released the brake pedal, the engine failed to restart, leaving the vehicle stalled in traffic. The dashboard displayed warning indicators including the battery light, and the only way to move the vehicle wa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
Complaint Description: While driving my 2025 Honda Odyssey, the Auto Idle‑Stop system engaged in the middle of an intersection at a traffic light, shutting the engine off as designed. When I released the brake pedal, the engine failed to restart, leaving the vehicle stalled in traffic. The dashboard displayed warning indicators including the battery light, and the only way to move the vehicle wa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2025
I am writing to express my frustration and disappointment regarding the ongoing VSA/ABS module failure in my 2013 Honda Civic Si. This issue, common among Honda vehicles from 2013–2017, has caused significant stress, both financially and emotionally. The ABS module in my vehicle has malfunctioned, affecting the vehicle’s anti-lock braking and stability assist systems. This is a serious safety ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2025
I am writing to express my frustration and disappointment regarding the ongoing VSA/ABS module failure in my 2013 Honda Civic Si. This issue, common among Honda vehicles from 2013–2017, has caused significant stress, both financially and emotionally. The ABS module in my vehicle has malfunctioned, affecting the vehicle’s anti-lock braking and stability assist systems. This is a serious safety ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
CV Axle makes a clicking noise whenever vehicle is making a turn from initial stop to acceleration. Vehicle started making noise at or around 7k miles from taking New Car Delivery.
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the white paint was peeling off the vehicle. Large white pieces from the rear hood started to peel off first. Then, the white paint from the rear and later both rear sides, the paint was peeling off, stemming from manufacturing defects in the application of its three-stage finish, leading to peeling and flaking that can impact resale val... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2026
The contact's daughter owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at highway speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and failed to accelerate above 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The driver pulled over and restarted the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated, and the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2026
The 2019 Honda Odyssey experienced an engine failure while driving on the highway in the Chicago area in Illinois. The engine began knocking, then failed completely. It was towed to a local Honda dealer, where the technician noted visible metallic flecks in the oil once drained. No check engine or other warnings occurred prior to the failure.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The front suspension (CV joint or drive shaft) makes a clicking/popping/knocking noises when turning right and left from a standstill. The car has 15,000 miles. The noise started around 10,000 miles.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
I had the backup camera harness recall performed on my 2018 Honda Ridgeline on 09/06/2023 by Honda of Escondido , CA. (See attached invoice of recall work performed.) On 01/27/2026, the backup camera failed to appear on the dash screen when the vehicle was in reverse. I restarted the vehicle and the camera view was still not visible on the screen. I drove home and parked the vehicle in my garage... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the engine was idling and with the gear shifter in the park position, the contact reached into the vehicle from the front driver's door, and suddenly the vehicle began to slowly roll backwards. The contact was pushed to the ground, causing the front driver's side wheel to roll over the contact's right leg. The vehicle continued to ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HONDA
CLARITY PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2018) — LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Jan 28, 2026
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
Rear camera and Side camera and infotainment system all do not work. Screen does work because we get the welcome message when starting the car. We brought the car to the dealership and they told us that the screen needs to be replaced (Which appears to be working) at a cost of $5400 which they stated may not fix this issue. In addition we tried to get the fuel recall repaired but they told us th... Read more
HONDA
CLARITY PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2018) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jan 28, 2026
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
Rear camera and Side camera and infotainment system all do not work. Screen does work because we get the welcome message when starting the car. We brought the car to the dealership and they told us that the screen needs to be replaced (Which appears to be working) at a cost of $5400 which they stated may not fix this issue. In addition we tried to get the fuel recall repaired but they told us th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
The CV joints began clicking when turning at low speed and were repaired under warranty by the dealer. Dealer warned this is happening with lots of Prologues and might recur. Now approaching 7000 miles and the problem is occurring again, requiring further service. It doesn't appear that the replacement/fix is actually better, so the problem just keeps happening.
Incident date: Dec 13, 2025
3rd row seat headrest stays folded and won’t lock into place.
Incident date: Jan 9, 2026
The vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine malfunction resulting in a no-start condition. The vehicle is currently inoperable and is available for inspection upon request. The engine failure caused the vehicle to lose power and become unreliable, creating a risk of breakdown while driving, which could have resulted in being stranded in traffic or an unsafe location and posed a risk to my person... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2026
The vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine malfunction resulting in a no-start condition. The vehicle is currently inoperable and is available for inspection upon request. The engine failure caused the vehicle to lose power and become unreliable, creating a risk of breakdown while driving, which could have resulted in being stranded in traffic or an unsafe location and posed a risk to my person... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
I was driving on the freeway and all of a sudden my vehicle didn’t want to accelerate. It began to jerk violently when I would press the gas to accelerate, but my car couldn’t go the speed limit & vehicles behind me almost collided with my car. I then took my car to service and told them what happened and they said my fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The service advisor at the Honda servi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2026
Battery went dead when car was less than 4 years old!
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
Had my car parked in my house garage. Drove out of garage to go to work. While waiting on garage to close, heard an explosion and realized my back windshield shattered. When I got out to inspect and take pictures, it shattered even more. Took to dealership. Waiting to hear back from Honda corporate. Tired of issues with this car.
Incident date: Oct 14, 2025
2018 Honda Odyssey (10-speed automatic transmission) What happened: The vehicle is experiencing intermittent loss of reverse and delayed gear engagement from a stop. When shifting into reverse or drive, the engine revs but the vehicle does not immediately move, then jerks into gear. The issue is worse when cold. Warning lights / codes: Check Engine Light on. Honda dealer retrieved diagnostic tro... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2019 Honda Odyssey. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 54,970 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 254,970.
Incident date: Jun 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V042000 (Air Bags); however, the repair caused the driver’s side seat belt buckle to not be detected while latched closed. The driver’s side seat belt warning light illuminated. The local dealer advised the contact that the passenger’s side air bag would not work as intende... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
The vehicle's defroster system and wiper sweep are unable to provide sufficient visibility in winter weather. At 10F at speeds of 65 and below, the wipers stay frozen. The defroster cannot defrost the wipers or the left and right areas of the windshield. Instead, ice builds up on the sides of the windshield. The frozen wipers cannot clear the windshield from splatter since the wiper fluid is passe... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
This vehicle is haven issued with loss power at any moments not matter the speed can lost power at 25 miles per hour and can lost power at 55 miles per hour do to head gasket issue I contacted American honda they say they know about the issue because the turbo engine have high pressure issues they refuse to repair or get a solution for this even if more than 1,000 people have been complaining abou... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
This vehicle is haven issued with loss power at any moments not matter the speed can lost power at 25 miles per hour and can lost power at 55 miles per hour do to head gasket issue I contacted American honda they say they know about the issue because the turbo engine have high pressure issues they refuse to repair or get a solution for this even if more than 1,000 people have been complaining abou... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
Automatic Idle Stop function fails. The car idles down while at a stop and then the entire car will shut off and fail to restart. This occurs frequently at stoplights, stop signs, in traffic or any time the vehicle idles down. The car fails to restart right away resulting in multiple attempts to start the engine and poses a danger to occupants in traffic.
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
Automatic Idle Stop function fails. The car idles down while at a stop and then the entire car will shut off and fail to restart. This occurs frequently at stoplights, stop signs, in traffic or any time the vehicle idles down. The car fails to restart right away resulting in multiple attempts to start the engine and poses a danger to occupants in traffic.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
ALL THE PANEL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP. HONDA SAYS I NEED NEW INJECTORS FOR ABOUT $2000. THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 66,000 MILES. THEY ALSO SAY A NEED A NEW HEAD UNIT, FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD THREE OTHER HONDA ACCORDS BEFORE THIS, AVERAGING OVER 200,000 MILES. NEVER PROBLEMS LIKE THIS.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
ALL THE PANEL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP. HONDA SAYS I NEED NEW INJECTORS FOR ABOUT $2000. THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 66,000 MILES. THEY ALSO SAY A NEED A NEW HEAD UNIT, FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD THREE OTHER HONDA ACCORDS BEFORE THIS, AVERAGING OVER 200,000 MILES. NEVER PROBLEMS LIKE THIS.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
ALL THE PANEL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP. HONDA SAYS I NEED NEW INJECTORS FOR ABOUT $2000. THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 66,000 MILES. THEY ALSO SAY A NEED A NEW HEAD UNIT, FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD THREE OTHER HONDA ACCORDS BEFORE THIS, AVERAGING OVER 200,000 MILES. NEVER PROBLEMS LIKE THIS.
Incident date: Oct 27, 2025
On October 2025 there was a mass incident in different areas of Queens NY in were airbags from Honda CRVs were stolen. The vehicle was sent to a body shop to have the airbag replaced but American Honda Motor Co., Inc does not have any available to distribute. We have reached out to them but there respond has been " We apologize for any inconvenince or delay this matter has caused you. Currently th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2026
My vehicle started having issues with misfires approximately 2 years after I bought it in January 2020. I bought it new from the dealership in Salinas California. I took it to Morgan hill Honda for repairs. It’s had 2 misfires and I took it in for a Fuel pump recall. About 2 weeks later all my lights in my dash come on. I took it in to get looked at and they said it’s the turbo engine, $3k to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2026
My vehicle started having issues with misfires approximately 2 years after I bought it in January 2020. I bought it new from the dealership in Salinas California. I took it to Morgan hill Honda for repairs. It’s had 2 misfires and I took it in for a Fuel pump recall. About 2 weeks later all my lights in my dash come on. I took it in to get looked at and they said it’s the turbo engine, $3k to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2026
My vehicle started having issues with misfires approximately 2 years after I bought it in January 2020. I bought it new from the dealership in Salinas California. I took it to Morgan hill Honda for repairs. It’s had 2 misfires and I took it in for a Fuel pump recall. About 2 weeks later all my lights in my dash come on. I took it in to get looked at and they said it’s the turbo engine, $3k to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
Vehicle lags in acceleration from a slow rolling start, at random times. There is a clear 1-2 second lag in the acceleration, then a sudden harsh shift into gear. Mostly happens during turns, and if traffic is present, may cause an accident. Also when traveling at low speeds 20-35 mph, there is a transmission jutter. Have spoken with service reps at dealerships and they claim to have no knowledge ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2026
Our vehicle experienced total transmission failure with no warning while I was driving on a narrow country road. The car shifted into neutral, and I was unable to go anywhere, so I sat in the middle of the road with hazard lights on in a state of panic. We had the car towed to a nearby Honda dealership and were informed of the transmission failure, which was identified through a diagnostic test. C... Read more