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 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond while stopped at a red light. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKC. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufac... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
I was driving slowly, about 5 mph, and was pulling over on a residential street to park on the street, and my Hyundai started shaking…the steering wheel and car were shaking and the brakes weren’t working. I nearly rear ended a car full of people. It did eventually a stop and the whole thing lasted maybe 10 seconds but it was terrifying. I had it towed to the dealership and they can’t seem t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
I was driving slowly, about 5 mph, and was pulling over on a residential street to park on the street, and my Hyundai started shaking…the steering wheel and car were shaking and the brakes weren’t working. I nearly rear ended a car full of people. It did eventually a stop and the whole thing lasted maybe 10 seconds but it was terrifying. I had it towed to the dealership and they can’t seem t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
I’m writing this message out of frustration, exhaustion, and genuine concern for public safety. Over the past months, I’ve been renting and driving multiple cars from different brands and models — Toyota, Subaru, Nissan, and now a 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E — and all of them show the same dangerous behavior: •sudden phantom braking for no reason, •traction control malfunctioning, throwin... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
While driving our vehicle on the highway, the check engine light suddenly came on and traction control turned off. Within moments, the vehicle began to stall and would not accelerate. My wife and children were in the car and we were nearly hit by another vehicle as she struggled to get the car to safety. It was a terrifying experience that put my entire family in danger, along with everyone else o... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2025
Took vehicle in for new tires and alignment at 47,302 miles on the odometer. I was informed that a camber bolt was completely seized and that the right rear control arm busing was bad/missing. My car is just over a year old and has been vibrating for a while at interstate speeds. I thought it was a belt broken in a tire as they were reaching the time to be changes but weren't at the wear marks. I ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Dash damage causing visibility issues. The dash in this vehicle and many other Jeeps with a leather dash, the leather has separated from the dash body and is causing visibility issues when driving. My vehicle is stored in garage or with a sunshade on at all times, but the leather dash has still separated, this issue has been recalled in other years and needs to be address in 2017 Jeeps as well. ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) approximately two years ago; however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving on two occasio... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
The infotainment system, shows ford logo, and back up camera but radio will no longer pop up. The back up camera stays displayed at times. This recall aligns with the recall through NHTSA # 25V442 and fords recall number of 25S72. My vin was not included but is experiencing the same issue as stated in the recall.
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V27400 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle failed an inspection. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was advised that parts were not yet... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Passenger side brake light keeps going out and has been replaced twice
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2018) — BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
Oct 21, 2025
Incident date: Sep 21, 2024
Back up camera and warning stop not working while backing up. Most F150 pick ups are in the recall but mine is not for some reason even though it fails almost every time I back up. There is many children using the side walks in my neighbor hood creating a serious situation.
Incident date: Oct 19, 2025
Driving at highway speeds, truck downshifted to low gear causing a sudden deceleration and check engine light appeared along with 'Service Transmission' message. Was almost rear ended by multiple cars, but was able to guide truck to the shoulder through traffic. Shut down truck and restarted with message still appearing although gear shifting seemed to be normal. After stopping at a gas station to... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2025
I bought this car from someone in April of 2024 and the person who i bought it from said everything was perfectly fine, they brought it to the Hyundai dealership and according to the mechanic there the engine was fine….i have taken care of the engine since i bought the car, kept up with oil changes and everything….until a few days ago when the whole thing ceased up on me while driving down the... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Vehicle component that appears to be failing is the transmission, car can run and be diagnosed and inspected. It can put me or people around me at risk, vehicle was running fine and then it downshifted to 1st gear making the rear wheels brake at a high speed, after that truck won’t go up from first gear. Before going into a dealer and having this checked I made a research about this similiar pro... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
Airbag light came on and remained
Incident date: Sep 2, 2025
Problem with the valve cover gasket. Dealer said replaced. Engine oil smell has been entering into the cabin and making me ill. Causing chest pain, headache, dizziness, nausea.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
Passenger restraint fault message randomly comes on.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
The second row captains chairs are able to be buckled when any booster or car seats are in the seat. The seat belt buckle is too far flush into the seat, so when any car seat/booster seat is in the seat, the buckle is inaccessible and blocked and the seat belt is not able to be used. We had to purchase seat belt extenders so the seat belt could be buckled. We spoke to Hyundai corporate and the loc... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
The second row captains chairs are able to be buckled when any booster or car seats are in the seat. The seat belt buckle is too far flush into the seat, so when any car seat/booster seat is in the seat, the buckle is inaccessible and blocked and the seat belt is not able to be used. We had to purchase seat belt extenders so the seat belt could be buckled. We spoke to Hyundai corporate and the loc... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
the transmission experienced total failure. Ford repair claimed that the failure was due to the torque converter caused the failure. the car experience issues with not shifting into a higher gear at highway speeds and failure to go into neutral when going from forward to reverse.
HYUNDAI
SANTA CRUZ
(2025) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Oct 20, 2025
Incident date: Oct 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact, who was an independent mechanic, researched and diagnosed the failure with water damage to the junction box electronics. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistan... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2025
I was driving home from vacation the vehicle went into limp mode and started to run very poorly with a brake pedal that was almost impossible to push. I limped the vehicle a couple of miles to the next exit. I had the car trailered home and taken to a service center the following Monday. They inspected the vehicle and found the vacuum pump had failed and caused what was described as “catastrophi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2025
I turned on adaptive cruise control while on the highway and got an alert from the Forward Attention Warning system that I wasn't paying attention even though I was looking out at the road normally. The car eventually decided this meant I was unresponsive and initiated an automatic Emergency Stop in the middle of the highway. The only way I could get the adaptive cruise control to work as expecte... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 experienced a failure.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
There is a "consider taking a break" warning that pops up pretty often on this car. When I am doing normal driving. It is a MAJOR distraction and creates an unsafe situation. There is no way to turn off this feature
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
Car began to violently shudder starting at around 15 mph up to 35 mph when accelerating. As time went on range of speed where it would shudder increased.
Incident date: Oct 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V3470000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 experienced a failure.
Incident date: Sep 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while his employee was driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle hit a deer, but the seat belt did not hold the driver in place. The contact stated that the driver's left side of her chest hit the steering wheel, she hit her head hit the windshield, and when the seatbelt retracted, the driver was pulled back to the seat with force. Additiona... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 19, 2025
Headlights shut off entirely multiple times when switching to high beams on dark road, almost causing an accident. Multi-function switch failing the exact way the Sorento switches are failing, confirmed by mechanic. This is a severe hazard when driving at night. There was no warning whatsoever.
Incident date: Oct 19, 2025
ICCU Failure — Severe Safety Risk and Repeated Incident The ICCU in my Hyundai has failed twice. Both times, the car suddenly and completely lost power while I was driving — no warning lights, no gradual slowdown, just total loss of control. This created an extremely dangerous situation that put me, my passengers, and everyone around us at risk. When the ICCU fails, the vehicle shuts down in... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2025
ICCU Failure — Severe Safety Risk and Repeated Incident The ICCU in my Hyundai has failed twice. Both times, the car suddenly and completely lost power while I was driving — no warning lights, no gradual slowdown, just total loss of control. This created an extremely dangerous situation that put me, my passengers, and everyone around us at risk. When the ICCU fails, the vehicle shuts down in... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
I own a 2020 Ford Edge 2.0 Platinum AWD (VIN: [XXX] ). At just over 50,000 miles, the vehicle developed a noticeable shutter in the front area, which was diagnosed as a faulty torque converter in the transmission. This required replacement at a reduced cost of $1,350. Shortly after, around 52,000 miles, the vehicle developed a loud grinding noise in the rear differential area. Initially, the diffe... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The car has a highway driving assist (HDA) system, but the system will not work when I am wearing sunglasses. It also has a lane assist system that is supposed to steer the car for you but it also fails and gives a message that the driver is not paying attention. The driver attention alert will not go away as long as I am wearing sun glasses. If I remove the sun glasses it works fine. Hyundai says... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The car has a highway driving assist (HDA) system, but the system will not work when I am wearing sunglasses. It also has a lane assist system that is supposed to steer the car for you but it also fails and gives a message that the driver is not paying attention. The driver attention alert will not go away as long as I am wearing sun glasses. If I remove the sun glasses it works fine. Hyundai says... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2025
Radio cuts in and out. Screen goes black, or gets fuzzy looking. All radio control functions quit working. After I shut the truck off, the radio will stay on.
Incident date: Oct 18, 2025
Airbags did not deploy, vehicle was declared a total loss.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 18, 2025
The car breaks itself so abruptly when there is no real danger. This has almost caused for me to be rear ended on multiple occasions. Especially scary on the freeway. The forward collision warning is set to "late," and it still causes a huge jolt.
Incident date: Oct 18, 2025
Rear windshield broke with out any impact.
Incident date: Oct 18, 2025
while driving at slow and or highway speed limit, while turning to the rightor left, the steering wheel avts as if being hung up?catching onto something. it takes a little harder pull to release it out of the turn causing the vehicle at highway speeds to almost be uncontrollable. This in turn causes myself and others to be put in danger. While searching the internet for possible matches to my situ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
The fuel injectors became faulty at about 90,000 miles, a mechanic could not identify the issue until about 110,000 miles. A blow head gasket followed.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
7” ipc screen started glitching when driving and then went blank. Can’t see any of the fuel gauge temp gauge or any warning lights or anything.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
- Window motor passanger side not working unable to close window. 2023 - Sync system not working after battery and key changed by dealership. 2021 - Rearview Camera no display found - lighter port in console over heats
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
at low speeds on bumpy surfaces the entire front end, (brakes and suspension), sometimes shakes heavily when brakes are applied. Shaking is so severe that brakes have to be released then reapplied. When dealer was advised during a normal service the advisers claimed to have no knowledge of the issue. I had advised before visiting for the service however no action was taken by them. I shall visit... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
at low speeds on bumpy surfaces the entire front end, (brakes and suspension), sometimes shakes heavily when brakes are applied. Shaking is so severe that brakes have to be released then reapplied. When dealer was advised during a normal service the advisers claimed to have no knowledge of the issue. I had advised before visiting for the service however no action was taken by them. I shall visit... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
Backup camera displays opposite. Power driver seat doesn’t lower making it difficult to reach the pedals
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
My fuel pump comes up and my check engine light saying that it needs to be replaced when I fill up my car it automatically resets my mileage for AAA and trippy and it will tell me that I have no gas even though I just filled up or it will say I’m full when I know I’m empty so it’s not reliable. It comes and goes. And then for an electrical issue my Car will randomly stop working and then lik... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2025
My fuel pump comes up and my check engine light saying that it needs to be replaced when I fill up my car it automatically resets my mileage for AAA and trippy and it will tell me that I have no gas even though I just filled up or it will say I’m full when I know I’m empty so it’s not reliable. It comes and goes. And then for an electrical issue my Car will randomly stop working and then lik... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
I am reporting a safety issue involving my 2021 Tesla Model Y. The vehicle recently displayed a “Parking brake function degraded” warning. The car has only 91,000 miles and is approximately four years old, which is far too soon for a failure of a critical safety component such as the electronic parking brake. Please investigate whether this issue is part of a wider defect affecting Tesla Mode... Read more