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: Jun 28, 2026
2018 Toyota C-HR 116,000 miles Grinding/tractor-like noise No warning lights Concern about transmission failure and vehicle safety
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
2018 Toyota C-HR 116,000 miles Grinding/tractor-like noise No warning lights Concern about transmission failure and vehicle safety
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
The touch screen monitor which controls the audio system, navigation, phone, and other car systems has delaminated. It turns on and off, makes phone calls, switches car systems like the audio, and turns off navigation. At best, it is a very annoying distraction. At worst, it is a safety issue when the screen is making emergency phone calls, canceling navigation, or turning on and off constantly an... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
Coolant intrusion issue has occurred. Coolant reservoir drains rapidly and there is a strong coolant smell every time the car is driven. This is a common issue in the Ford 2.0l ecoboost that Ford has not officially adressed.
Incident date: Apr 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V607000 (SEAT BELTS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aw... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the ABS and Traction Control warning lights were consistently illuminated, causing the Cruise cont... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2026
Sluggish start when hot - fuel pump leak into engine when hot, causing starter issues, wears out starter, causes other stress on engine. Common issue in Toyota Siennas. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Jun 30, 2026
Sluggish start when hot - fuel pump leak into engine when hot, causing starter issues, wears out starter, causes other stress on engine. Common issue in Toyota Siennas. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Jun 30, 2026
I am the owner of a Dodge Ram truck that is currently under an active and urgent Stellantis "Stop-Drive" safety warning due to the defective Takata airbag inflator recall. I am writing to file an official complaint regarding the manufacturer's failure to provide a remedy within a reasonable timeframe, as required by federal law.I contacted an authorized dealership to schedule the recall repair. I ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2026
On Sunday July 5th at approximately 4:10pm The vehicle experienced an unexpected Pre-Collision Braking activation at approximately 25 mph. A vehicle was approximately 40 feet ahead and there was no imminent collision. The vehicle automatically applied the brakes aggressively.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
While making a right turn from a stop the car made a bang sound followed by grinding upon acceleration. I took my 23 TLX type S to a local Dunn Tire and asked them to put it on the lift. They raised all tires off the ground, started the car, and accelerated. Only the front wheels spun. This is the exact scenario lots of consumers have reported with this model when the transfer case splines break o... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
Summary of the Problem Rear subframe assembly and multiple rear suspension links required full replacement due to failure/wear at approximately 51,890 miles, on a vehicle with no history of collision or accident damage. Tesla diagnosed the issue as an interior rattle/squeak reproducible over bumpy roads and speed bumps, which led to replacement of the rear subframe and nearly the entire rear sus... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2026
Component or System Failed: The critical safety component that failed—and was deliberately tampered with—is the ABS/DSC (Anti-lock Braking System / Dynamic Stability Control) module. The compromised component is currently on the vehicle and is readily available for physical inspection upon request. How Safety Was Put at Risk: My safety and the safety of the public were severely compromised bec... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2026
Component or System Failed: The critical safety component that failed—and was deliberately tampered with—is the ABS/DSC (Anti-lock Braking System / Dynamic Stability Control) module. The compromised component is currently on the vehicle and is readily available for physical inspection upon request. How Safety Was Put at Risk: My safety and the safety of the public were severely compromised bec... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
While pulling car trailer down the interstate on 6-27-26 at 70mph, my Free Country ST205/75R16 D106 10 ply trailer tire with less than 200 miles on it blew out. This was the spare for 2 years and has 9/32 tread depth on it still. I recently this spring rotated it to the LR of the trailer. Pieces of the tire blew onto and hit a passing SUV. Luckily nobody was hurt and I was able to get to the shoul... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2026
Reported this to the dealer in June 2025 a month after I bought the car. Dealer checked the car & couldn't find a problem causing this. Problem continues & is getting worse. I believe problem with CVT - vehicle jerks, hesitates and shudders in low speeds upon deceleration and acceleration. Not a smooth ride at all. I had an older Civic with CVT and husband has a 2022 Civic with CVT and never had ... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2026
Reported this to the dealer in June 2025 a month after I bought the car. Dealer checked the car & couldn't find a problem causing this. Problem continues & is getting worse. I believe problem with CVT - vehicle jerks, hesitates and shudders in low speeds upon deceleration and acceleration. Not a smooth ride at all. I had an older Civic with CVT and husband has a 2022 Civic with CVT and never had ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
While driving a 2018 Audi SQ5 with the EA839 3.0T engine, a coolant warning light activated and engine temperatures began rising to 210-215°F. The vehicle was pulled over immediately. Upon inspection the coolant reservoir was found to be nearly empty with dried coolant residue on the exterior indicating an active leak. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Audi dealer who confirmed via multi-poi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
While driving a 2018 Audi SQ5 with the EA839 3.0T engine, a coolant warning light activated and engine temperatures began rising to 210-215°F. The vehicle was pulled over immediately. Upon inspection the coolant reservoir was found to be nearly empty with dried coolant residue on the exterior indicating an active leak. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Audi dealer who confirmed via multi-poi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
Since purchasing my vehicle, the collision sensor lights on my Atlas go off quite often even if there aren’t vehicles near or by my blindspot while driving.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
Since purchasing my vehicle, the collision sensor lights on my Atlas go off quite often even if there aren’t vehicles near or by my blindspot while driving.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
At around 4:20 pm I was turning left at a stop sign (did not put on turning signal) and then about 30 feet later, turning right at a light. This is the same location I have driven for the past month. The car had been on for about 3 minutes after sitting in a hot parking lot all day (104 degrees). All of a sudden (after turning left) but before/during was turning right, the car’s steering wheel l... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2026
Cylinder 1 and 6 rod bearing failure, plus complete destruction of piston number 6. On highway engine failed, sudden loss of power to move vehicle.
Incident date: Jul 4, 2026
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning ER Platinum Ford Case Number: [XXX] VIN: [XXX] Failed: Battery overheated far beyond safety limits. No indication on dash. Safety: When it was finally checked, 3 sensors reported temps of 399, 419, and 419F. The service manager verified the temps. A photo of the diagnostic screen is available. These temps made a battery fire a significant possibility putting myse... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2026
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning ER Platinum Ford Case Number: [XXX] VIN: [XXX] Failed: Battery overheated far beyond safety limits. No indication on dash. Safety: When it was finally checked, 3 sensors reported temps of 399, 419, and 419F. The service manager verified the temps. A photo of the diagnostic screen is available. These temps made a battery fire a significant possibility putting myse... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2026
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning ER Platinum Ford Case Number: [XXX] VIN: [XXX] Failed: Battery overheated far beyond safety limits. No indication on dash. Safety: When it was finally checked, 3 sensors reported temps of 399, 419, and 419F. The service manager verified the temps. A photo of the diagnostic screen is available. These temps made a battery fire a significant possibility putting myse... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
While driving the hybrid battery light turned on. The car then began to reduce its speed and I had to pull over. I restarted the car and on one of the fuses to the computer to restart it. I began to drive the car back home and it did it again. I recently had a hybrid battery replaced in the vehicle. I was on the freeway both times and this caused me a lot of anxiety. There were two individuals in ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
The car completely cut off while driving on the highway going 65 mph. This isn’t the first time it has turned off while driving. I had to pull over and put the car in park before it would turn back on. The error says Accessory Mode. I have taken the vehicle to Kia Dealership in Winston Salem but they told me they are unable to recreate the issue so they are unable to assist with the problem. The... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
The car completely cut off while driving on the highway going 65 mph. This isn’t the first time it has turned off while driving. I had to pull over and put the car in park before it would turn back on. The error says Accessory Mode. I have taken the vehicle to Kia Dealership in Winston Salem but they told me they are unable to recreate the issue so they are unable to assist with the problem. The... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2026
I was driving down the freeway driving at the speed of traffic. My vehicle started beeping aggressively, a red indicator started flashing over the frunk area of the vehicle representation in the dash and my vehicle entered red turtle mode. This red turtle mode severely reduced the vehicle's speed and ability to maneuver on the freeway. I was almost struck by numerous vehicles while attempting to g... Read more
Incident date: Sep 17, 2025
Vehicle was traveling straight approximately 70–80 mph in very light drizzle. No warning lights or messages before the event. Vehicle suddenly entered an uncontrolled spin multiple times. During the spin, I heard a grinding noise. After stopping, brake/parking brake system warnings appeared on the dash, video after the event recorded.
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
I know there is a recall for my 2020 Highlander. My VIN isn't listed. The front bumper is coming off and can't be pushed back in.
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
The vehicle is able to be shifted out of park when no keys are in the ignition. My grandson was in the front seat while the vehicle was being cleaned and he shifted the car into reverse and almost rolled into the street. No keys were anywhere inside the vehicle.
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
The vehicle is able to be shifted out of park when no keys are in the ignition. My grandson was in the front seat while the vehicle was being cleaned and he shifted the car into reverse and almost rolled into the street. No keys were anywhere inside the vehicle.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly. When parked or reversing. Requires the car to be put in park and then restarted.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly. When parked or reversing. Requires the car to be put in park and then restarted.
Incident date: Jun 30, 2026
Whenever in park or reverse the vehicle suddenly power cycles. The vehicle also power cycles when steering and locks the wheel. This can be fatal if it happens on the public road in the middle of traffic.
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
On multiple occasions, after the engine auto start/stop has turned the engine off at a stop, the engine fails to restart. This leaves the car stalled in the roadway. This has led to multiple unsafe situations as traffic flow is disrupted must divert around the stalled car in the middle of the roadway. There have been no other warning signs or symptoms leading up to this issue. The vehicle has not ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
The head gasket has failed and Honda knows this is an issue. There is a lawsuit in California about the head gasket failing. With it failing the whole engine is at risk for being ruined. This is going to cost $4000-$10,000 for people to fix depending on the damage it causes the engine. I personally lost acceleration on the freeway while going up a hill and everyone around me going 65-80 mph. I ha... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
The shifter cable bushing was broken and car was stuck on Park
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
Gear shifter is not registering that the vehicle is in park. Because of this issue I have to sit in the vehicle for up to 15 mins trying to get it to register that it is in fact in park and can turn off. If I didn't take the time to do this, it would kill my battery. Unfortunately with the heat index, the vehicle gets hot very quickly and im now worried about getting hot stroke trying to get it to... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
I leased this car Jan. 2 2025 and have now had multiple cracks on 3 out of 4 wheels on the car which has been repaired and now the right front wheel has been replaced with the tire and in the dealership again needing to replace the rear 2 wheels secondary to cracks with what BMW has told me that the front right tire needs to be replaced again which was recently replaced in april because of a crac... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2026
I leased this car Jan. 2 2025 and have now had multiple cracks on 3 out of 4 wheels on the car which has been repaired and now the right front wheel has been replaced with the tire and in the dealership again needing to replace the rear 2 wheels secondary to cracks with what BMW has told me that the front right tire needs to be replaced again which was recently replaced in april because of a crac... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2026
I have a Trial Boss and it wont shut off when the key is off, KEEPS RUNNING. Did some research and it gave a couple of thing to check.
Incident date: May 7, 2026
I always service and baby my vehicle. Had recently got starter recall & fresh oil change done 2 months at my local BMW Atlantic City NJ dealership. On June 27th, as I was driving the vehicle normally a message popped on the dash stating engine oil is at a minimum level, add 1 liter of engine oil, refill oil immediately. So I went to my earliest autozone bought quart of mobile 1 oil and refilled it... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2026
I always service and baby my vehicle. Had recently got starter recall & fresh oil change done 2 months at my local BMW Atlantic City NJ dealership. On June 27th, as I was driving the vehicle normally a message popped on the dash stating engine oil is at a minimum level, add 1 liter of engine oil, refill oil immediately. So I went to my earliest autozone bought quart of mobile 1 oil and refilled it... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2026
Po442 Evaporative Emmison system leak. Heat catalyst egr set malfunctions. Primary and secondary a/c system deficiencies.
Incident date: Jul 2, 2026
P205/70 R16 96 H Radial Tubeless driver rear 1P50F951L 4825 P205/70 R16 96H passenger front 1P50F951L 4625 Made in Mexico P205/70 R16 96 H Radial Tubeless passenger front 1P50F951L 0126 P205/70 R16 96 H Radial Tubeless passenger rear 1P50F951L 4625 P205/70 R16 96 H Radial Tubeless driver rear ISY 0[XXX]205/70 R16 96 H Radial Tubeless driver front 1P50F951L 4825 Do not contact local law. Loca... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2026
The truck went into park from drive on its own . The emergency brake was also activated after going into park. The shifter knob kept switching from drive into park every time I slowed down at a light or stop sign.