Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 76,133 complaints for HYUNDAI
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
Despite being up-to-date on recalls for this vehicle intended to address failures with the integrated charging control unit (ICCU), I still experienced an ICCU failure. I was driving along a surface road at approximately 40 mph for about 9 minutes when I heard a pop that sounded like cargo shifting in the rear cargo area. The vehicle then flashed a "Check EV System" warning but otherwise continued... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
Despite being up-to-date on recalls for this vehicle intended to address failures with the integrated charging control unit (ICCU), I still experienced an ICCU failure. I was driving along a surface road at approximately 40 mph for about 9 minutes when I heard a pop that sounded like cargo shifting in the rear cargo area. The vehicle then flashed a "Check EV System" warning but otherwise continued... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
I have a 2019 Jeep Cherokee with only 30,000 miles. The car is mostly used to drive to and from work. Nothing crazy. The SVC 4WD light came on. I took it to a JEEP dealership. They said, “Transfer Case - Clutch Pressure Regulating Solenoid: C14A7-97 - PTU Motor-Component or System Operation Obstructed or Blocked, FOUND THAT THE TRANSFER CASE COLLAR SPLINES ARE GONE, WE NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSF... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
The transmission solenoid D shows high voltage which sets my check engine light off. At first no difference would be noticed and it would randomly turn off and then back on randomly. After doing this on and off for the last few months, the transmission has randomly been getting stuck in 4th gear but will lower when slowing down. According to those who have had the same issue have found it to be fi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
Component/System Failed: The primary component failing is the Front Overhead Console Assembly (P-R-N-D manual gear selector/shifter and hazard light switch). The assembly detaches, rattles, and fails to remain securely affixed to the headliner. The defect has been present since delivery (Aug 2024, 208 miles). Safety Risk: The overhead console contains the crucial backup gear selector and the haza... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Edge. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the rearview camera displayed a blank screen and was glitching. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rearview camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (BA... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2023
I purchased this vehicle with 18,000 miles on the odometer. I am not a reckless driver, and primarily commute to and from work on paved roads. At 29366 miles, I had to have one of the rear shock absorbers replaced after it started making a strange noise. Again at 49596 miles, both rear shock absorbers had to be replaced. I recently took this car back to the shop with 86000 miles on the odometer a... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2023
In summer of 2023 my car 2011 Sonata Hybrid quit running and would not start. My granddaughter had used the car to go to Oklahoma City for a tennis tournament. Her life was at risk because she was coming back in the evening and was alone. The next day I had the car towed to Ada Oklahoma and then called dealership and had it towed to Ardmore, Oklahoma where I had purchased the car new in 2011. ... Read more
Fire
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2018) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 23, 2025
Incident date: Sep 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated. The contact was able to coast over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with crankshaft and rod bearing failure. The vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, i... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2018) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 23, 2025
Incident date: Sep 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving to the residence at a moderate speed, the oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The following day, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine even though an oil change had been performed a month earlier. The vehicle was taken... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
There was a sudden unintended acceleration and the brake did not work, causing a major accident. Car caught fire and door would not open. The car has completely engulfed. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. Vehicle has been inspected by insurance and police, but not by manufacturer.
Crash
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
We were heading back to Ohio at Mile marker 8 75N Kentucky when we heard a boom. Then we saw smoke as my husband was pulling over. We jump out to get our child out of the car seat and at the same time a pickup truck pulls up with two guys. They yell that our cars on fire and began putting the fire out with a fire extinguisher. We had an oil change before we left Ohio by Valvoline. This area of the... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
We were heading back to Ohio at Mile marker 8 75N Kentucky when we heard a boom. Then we saw smoke as my husband was pulling over. We jump out to get our child out of the car seat and at the same time a pickup truck pulls up with two guys. They yell that our cars on fire and began putting the fire out with a fire extinguisher. We had an oil change before we left Ohio by Valvoline. This area of the... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Telluride. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V494000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experience... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
While driving a 2025 Hyundai Tucson rental vehicle (VIN: [XXX] ), I experienced a sudden and unintended acceleration, and the steering appeared to turn without input.The vehicle veered off the road and struck a tree on a local street two blocks from my residence. The result was the wheel was popped off of it's axel and deflated immediately. Two days prior, I experienced a similar event in the same... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
While driving a 2025 Hyundai Tucson rental vehicle (VIN: [XXX] ), I experienced a sudden and unintended acceleration, and the steering appeared to turn without input.The vehicle veered off the road and struck a tree on a local street two blocks from my residence. The result was the wheel was popped off of it's axel and deflated immediately. Two days prior, I experienced a similar event in the same... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 18, 2023
2016 Ram 1500 Express, 5.7L, 65K miles. The ABS, Traction Control, Break lights are on. This also impacts the Cruise Control making them all inoperable, even though the truck is still able to be drive, albeit unsafely. I took it to my local repair shop and was told the ABS Controle Module, part number 68228991AD was identified as bad (Code C2200-49) and in need of replacing at approximately $2000 ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
The ABS module on my vehicle has failed. A factory replacement part is not available and according to Stellantis, it is on back-order. The problem is that is has been on back-order/development for over 2 years. You can't even get a rebuild unit. The only option is a used part. This is unacceptable on a vehicle that cost $65K new and is less than ten years old. We need a resolution.
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
While driving at speed in heavy traffic, I quickly merged from the right lane to the left lane to avoid an obstacle. My vehicle and the new vehicle in front of me (in the left lane) were traveling at approximately the same speed, although there was an admittedly small (one half car length) distance between us. My forward collision assist inaccurately identified this new vehicle in front of me as a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2025
I had a rock thrown at my vehicle's windshield and required a replacement. I went to a Subaru dealership, Zeigler Subaru of Kenosha, local to me for a replacement. A day after I received my car, the windshield developed a hairline crack emanating from the bottom. I brought it back to the dealer and they replaced it again. After that time, it was a whole week and a half when I noticed a hairline cr... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2018) — ENGINE
Oct 23, 2025
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
The Check Engine light illuminated and diagnostic code P219A was recorded (Bank 1 Air/Fuel Ratio Imbalance), and the engine has a ticking noise. The dealership has indicated the issue likely involves the valvetrain/rocker arms/lifters and will require engine internal repair (valve cover removal, spark plug replacement, possible rocker arm replacement) estimated at ~$2,900-$4,500. The 3.6 L Pentas... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2025
My vehicle only had 31,000 miles and I experienced engine failure. I bought a new engine for 16, 500. 00 dollars. Mercedes Benz did nothing. I almost got in to several accidents because the engine completely stop on the interstate. Almost got hit by several cars. This is unacceptable.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2023
On October 3, 2023, I purchased a used 2018 Subaru Forester (VIN: [XXX] ) from Hengxin Auto Group, 210 39th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232, for about $19,500 including tax and fees. The dealer stated the mileage was 65,800 and printed that number on the contract. However, both the official NY DMV Title Record and the Carfax report showed 86,588 miles at the time of sale. This clear discrepancy proves the ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Driver’s side daytime running light ceased working permanently. This creates a safety issue due to its role in conjunction with the headlights.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Horn stopped working
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
car is shuddering below 35 mph. The RPM gauge is bouncing. Had the transmission fluid drained and filled. Took it to our local repair shop and there are metal shavings in the transmission fluid.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
On August 8, 2025, while driving on the highway, the 2026 Model Y suddenly lost power and became unable to accelerate, creating an immediate safety hazard. The accelerator pedal was completely unresponsive even when fully pressed. The vehicle rapidly slowed from approximately 65 mph to around 44 mph and then to 22 mph while in the left lane of a two-lane highway, with a truck on the right and mult... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2025
The component that failed is the sunroof (glass) The sunroof exploded while driving down the street, glass splattered in my head, face, and body. I almost wrecked because it sounded like a gunshot. The component is being inspected by the insurance adjuster and dealership on 10/23/25. There was no warning lamp, message or other symptom of the problem prior to the explosion.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Dear NHTSA: I am submitting this complaint because my vehicle, a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu (VIN [XXX] ), is included in Emission Recall N252516900 issued by General Motors concerning the Fuel Pump Power Control Module. Despite that inclusion, I have experienced the following: - A prior near-fatal incident in 2023 when the vehicle unexpectedly shut off while stopped at a red light (engine stall)... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Bought this brand new Santa Fe in July 2025 and on day 5 after purchasing this vehicle, car stopped accelerating while driving on highway, which is a serious safety concern. Took the vehicle back to the dealership and turned out the issue is with failed catalytic converter and they had to replace it. Since then, the acceleration has not been that great and had continuous issues with random engine ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Bought this brand new Santa Fe in July 2025 and on day 5 after purchasing this vehicle, car stopped accelerating while driving on highway, which is a serious safety concern. Took the vehicle back to the dealership and turned out the issue is with failed catalytic converter and they had to replace it. Since then, the acceleration has not been that great and had continuous issues with random engine ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly came to a stop while attempting to shift to second gear. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving in second gear, which required the contact to release the accelerator pedal before the vehicle could sh... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2017) — STRUCTURE
Oct 22, 2025
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the windshield was cracked. The contact bought the vehicle and, after a while, contacted Safelite to replace the windshield. The Safelite employee removed th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering wheel clock spring was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was o... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
There have been many times when driving, specifically over bumpy ground, but it has also happened over smooth/dry ground, where it feels like the anti-lock brakes suddenly kick in when they are not supposed to causing an inability to brake. You have to take your foot off the brake and brake again. This has caused several close calls of rear-ending someone or running through a stop sign or light.... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine overheated and the vehicle stalled. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted, but was undrivable. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer, where it was determined that coolant intrusion in cylinder #2 had caused engine damage. The deal... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming engine oil, and there was no indication of an oil leak. While a friend was driving, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The next day, while driving at unknown speeds with the hazard lights activated, the vehicle began making an abnormal sound and then stalled. The TPMS and ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front cover on the spoiler detached and flew off the vehicle. The contact became aware that the spoiler cover had detached after arriving at the destination and parking the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V623000 (Structure). The dealer was... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2025
I took the car to get this recall done: Hyundai has decided to conduct a service campaign to inspect (and if necessary replace) the alternator and replace the front valve cover gasket on certain 2007-2009 model year Santa Fe vehicles. The recall was done, replacing the gasket and alternator. 2 years later the car started to stall in the middle of traffic. I returned to the dealer, dealer inspect... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rear back glass fractured without impact. The contact stated that the vehicle had just been parked for several minutes prior to the failure when the contact returned from a doctor's appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
My 2018 Honda Accord Sport has experienced repeated engine and turbocharger problems related to a likely head gasket failure. For nearly two years, I had to replace the spark plugs every six months without ever getting a check-engine light. When I brought the vehicle to Hardin Honda in Anaheim, the dealer ran a test and said the head gasket was fine at that time. However, the issues continued, an... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in direction with the ABS warning light illuminated. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally, but the failure reoccurred. Recently, the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was restarted, but failed to self-correct. The cau... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
Complaint Summary (What Happened): The cam phasers (variable camshaft timing system) failed on my 2017 Ford F-150 4x4 with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. This is a widely known issue on these engines. The failure causes a loud rattling/knocking sound during startup and can lead to engine timing problems or internal damage. My truck only has 108,000 miles, has been well maintained, and is just outside o... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
I understand that there have been recalls for the brake booster in some 2020 Audi Q5s. I have had my brake booster light come on, but my VIN is not in the recall. My car has less than 50,000 miles on it and I should not be having this issue. I think my car should be recalled and this issue should be fixed by Audi. The cost to repair this issue is around $3000.
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
These vehicles are a hazard to the driver, passengers and others on the road. I have been experiencing regular failures of the brakes, which failed to stop the vehicle when and where intended. Always at speeds below 20mph, uneven pavement/surface, the vehicle experiences strong vibrations in the front, shakes violently and skids forward for a few yards uncontrollably. Brake pedal is unresponsive a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2025
Alternator went out and fried the pcm. I know certain vehicles were on the recall for this and mine was not one of them but odd that it happened anyways.
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
component: main engine wiring harness. cause: rodent caused damage: the rodent severely damaged this component and made the vehicle inoperable. fix: required the replacement of this component. insurance covered the 8,500 repair bill (minus deductible). a check engine light appeared eventually.
Incident date: Oct 17, 2025
Backup camera failure after dealer replaced entire interior main body harness
Incident date: Sep 30, 2025
The vehicle lost powertrain upon accelaration. Merging onto a freeway and accelerating my vehicle was as if it was in Neutral. Same with starting out at a stop sign, coming to a turn lane and accerlerating to cross traffic, NO POWERTRAIN... just neutral. This issue was also reported by my mechanic when I brought it in as he test drove it. He contacted the local dealership and they inspected as ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle was started, and the power steering failure warning light ... Read more