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 78,021 complaints for HYUNDAI
Incident date: Apr 10, 2025
The vehicle is a 2016 Ford Fusion with 70,000 miles when this happened happened the first time. I pushed on the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. I had just enough braking power to stop the vehicle. The danger is obvious, I had no brakes but I was going slow on local roads. I had the vehicle towed to an independent repair shop where they diagnosed failure of the right rear brake caliper. ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2025
My rear windshield spontaneously shattered with me sitting in my driver's seat in a parking lot. I just started my car, put on my seat belt when I heard this loud noise and saw the rear windshield shattered. I found no object in my car that could have caused the problem like a rock.
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2025) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dec 26, 2025
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
The vehicle has experienced repeated and ongoing electrical system failures, including chronic battery drain that causes the vehicle to fail to start, erratic HVAC operation where controls do not function as intended, and persistent water intrusion into the doors and interior areas. The HVAC malfunction has resulted in the inability to properly defrost or defog the windshield while driving, signif... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2025) - SUSPENSION
Dec 26, 2025
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
Steering goes in and out, stability control keeps acting up and light stays on, and service braking. Contacted RAM dealership, and was told that the recall was already completed before I owned it. It seems odd that the same symptoms are showing up again. I can’t drive the truck safely. The steering locks up and hard to turn. The anti-lock brakes are activated when using brakes.
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
Steering goes in and out, stability control keeps acting up and light stays on, and service braking. Contacted RAM dealership, and was told that the recall was already completed before I owned it. It seems odd that the same symptoms are showing up again. I can’t drive the truck safely. The steering locks up and hard to turn. The anti-lock brakes are activated when using brakes.
HYUNDAI
IONIQ HYBRID
(2017) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dec 26, 2025
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
What: 2008 Backup camera failure just like the 1.46 million in newer models. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? See details for current recall, copy/paste. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, but am happy to let them. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or ot... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2025) - STEERING
Dec 25, 2025
Incident date: Dec 17, 2025
I am writing to formally report a serious safety incident involving a Tesla vehicle and to document multiple critical system failures that occurred during an accident, resulting in physical injuries to me. On the 12/24/2025, while operating Tesla under rainy conditions, I experienced a sudden and dangerous malfunction of the vehicle. During the event, the steering system became unresponsive and... Read more
Crash
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2025) - SERVICE BRAKES
Dec 25, 2025
Incident date: Dec 17, 2025
I am writing to formally report a serious safety incident involving a Tesla vehicle and to document multiple critical system failures that occurred during an accident, resulting in physical injuries to me. On the 12/24/2025, while operating Tesla under rainy conditions, I experienced a sudden and dangerous malfunction of the vehicle. During the event, the steering system became unresponsive and... Read more
Crash
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2025) - AIR BAGS
Dec 25, 2025
Incident date: Dec 17, 2025
I am writing to formally report a serious safety incident involving a Tesla vehicle and to document multiple critical system failures that occurred during an accident, resulting in physical injuries to me. On the 12/24/2025, while operating Tesla under rainy conditions, I experienced a sudden and dangerous malfunction of the vehicle. During the event, the steering system became unresponsive and... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 25, 2025
10/21/25-electric drive:malfunction, cooling system Car abruptly inoperable(while on Highway)-@412pm on 10/21/25 Inspected-by Insurance in <24hours and took @2 weeks by dealer service , and in shop last 60 days as of today 12/25/25-no end in site ! There was warning-“YELLOW” light-10/21/25 @915am,so on contacting dealer same @920am, 10/21/25 , dealer gave a service appointment for Nov 28th, 2... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2025
Transmission causing jerking, shuddering and take off issues. It was diagnosed as the torque converter messed up in the transmission. My safety is at risk of being reared in as the car hesitates to go in gear and to shift properly.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2025
The vehicle is a 2016 Kia Sorento equipped with a 2.0L Turbo Theta II engine subject to the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) safety recall. The original engine was replaced at approximately 70,000 miles under Kia’s engine service program. The replacement engine currently has approximately 32,000 miles. The vehicle developed internal engine damage diagnosed by a Kia dealership as a burnt exha... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2025
Vehicle: 2022 Audi Q5 (VIN [XXX] ) Mileage at incident: ~20,000 Component: Powertrain – Engine / Turbocharger – Sudden Loss of Power NARRATIVE: On or about [XXX], my 2022 Audi Q5 experienced a sudden loss of engine power while driving approximately 60 mph. The vehicle began vibrating/shaking severely, jerking on acceleration, and displayed warnings including “Drive system: Please switch eng... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2025
OIL DILUTION, ANIFREEZE DISAPPEARING, LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THIS PAST SATURDAY, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH CONSTANTLY GOING OFF AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH, VEHICLE RADAR SENSES A CAR IN FRONT WHEN THERE IS NONE AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM STOPS MY CAR ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING (HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES), OIL CHANGES ARE DONE EVERY 3000 MILES, HEAD GASKET BLOWN DUE TO FLIMSY BOLTS OEM AND A 1.5 L ENGIN... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2025
There were no symptoms prior to the warning message and warning symbol on the dash. Warning message was "Check EV System". I took my car to the dealer immediately. The dealer has had my car for 3 1/2 months, since Sept 12, 2025. Now the field tech from Kia, on 12/22/25, says that the Electric Power Control Unit (EPCU) needs to be replaced. This could have cause the vehicle to stop in the middle o... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
Unknown When turning vehicle makes noise (Looks like CV joint noise)
Incident date: Apr 22, 2025
The multipurpose camera failed showing lot of error codes. This affects the braking system putting my family and kids in risk. Honda is asking 2000$ to fix the camera.
Incident date: Apr 22, 2025
The multipurpose camera failed showing lot of error codes. This affects the braking system putting my family and kids in risk. Honda is asking 2000$ to fix the camera.
Incident date: Apr 22, 2025
There is a lag in my 2025 platinum. I'm able to reproduce it and it's generally when I'm coming to a slow/stop (say a yield or a stop sign) and at the last minute I decide to go for it and hit the gas pretty hard. The delay is incredibly obvious.. like 2-3 seconds where NOTHING happens. Trying to roll through a yield and the machine decided it was just not going to respond to throttle for 2-3 seco... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
I bought this vehicle brand new on January 18th 2025 and it has been into the dealership 3 times now for a backup camera malfunction. My rear traffic alert or any of my other safety features when backing up are not working. On several occasions the entire instrument display including my speedometer and everything has completely blacked out.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
I bought this vehicle brand new on January 18th 2025 and it has been into the dealership 3 times now for a backup camera malfunction. My rear traffic alert or any of my other safety features when backing up are not working. On several occasions the entire instrument display including my speedometer and everything has completely blacked out.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
The vehicle is unsafe to operate and presents an immediate highway safety risk. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle experienced multiple safety-related failures. Headlights were inoperable from the time of delivery, requiring use of high beams at night to see the roadway. This created visibility and traffic safety issues from day one. Within the first month of ownership, the vehicle required tow... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
While accelerating there's a delay when pressing the gas pedal and then a surge in power with understeer causing dangerous lurching forward. Dangerous to merge into traffic and very unpredictable.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
While driving at highway speed approximately 70 mph), the vehicle suddenly veered into an adjacent lane without any steering input and began swerving back and forth uncontrollably. I did not make any steering corrections that caused this behavior. After approximately 10 seconds of back-and-forth swerving, the vehicle straightened out on its own. No collision occurred, but the incident felt life-th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2025
On Friday, 12/19/2025, I started by car and noticed that the infotainment display was taking longer than usual to boot up. It cycled through the Chevrolet splash screen 2 times until it ended on the "Update Failed. Returned to dealer." Due to this message on the infotainment display, there is no sound coming out of the speakers which results: *unable to hear turn signals when they are activated... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
Vehicle is not running and was at the dealership for recall and dealership said that ford denied claim and ford said dealership denied claim. Dealership said it’s something from oil and that it’s not issue from recall however all problems and issues fall within the recall damage. I called ford and they said the dealership are the ones who denied it. They also caused and did more damage to the... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
Vehicle is not running and was at the dealership for recall and dealership said that ford denied claim and ford said dealership denied claim. Dealership said it’s something from oil and that it’s not issue from recall however all problems and issues fall within the recall damage. I called ford and they said the dealership are the ones who denied it. They also caused and did more damage to the... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2025
While driving at highway speeds, my vehicle suddenly experienced a loss of engine power and reduced acceleration. The traction control light and engine light illuminated, and a “Reduced Engine Power” message appeared. The vehicle would not respond to the accelerator, creating a serious safety hazard. This occurred shortly after authorized dealer service involving the PCV system and related co... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2025
My 2021 Toyota Camry Se at 79,000 miles threw a PO705 code, neutral safety switch. I replaced it with a new part and it worked for about 10 minutes and then proceeded to throw code again and slip in the transmission
Incident date: Dec 20, 2025
My auto idle start has failed on approximately four occasions, initially on 01/29/25, and on three subsequent occasions. As I went to move forward through the intersection, the auto idle start initially engaged then immediately stopped and the vehicle wouldn't immediately restart. On the other three occasions, the vehicle did restart after stopping. On two occasions, there have been dash messages ... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2014) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dec 23, 2025
Incident date: Dec 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP mode and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle overheated due to the radiator not functioning properly. The check engine and brake warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart after numerous attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where unknown part... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); but the vehicle experienced a failure. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition switch while the key was in the "OFF" position. In addition, the battery was being drained. The contact stated that the battery was ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); but the vehicle experienced a failure. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition switch while the key was in the "OFF" position. In addition, the battery was being drained. The contact stated that the battery was ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
The Situation: My vehicle has an open safety recall, NHTSA #15V-574 (Honda Recall JU2). This recall specifically warns that a software error causes high stress on the CVT drive pulley shaft, which can result in the shaft breaking during operation. Because this recall was never performed on my vehicle, the drive pulley shaft has now failed exactly as described, rendering the transmission useless. L... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
When driving on an interstate going 55-70 mph and the cruise in on, the car cruise flashes randomly down to 15 or 20 mph and the car severely brakes. This is NOT because someone is in front of us on the highway. It does it when no one is in front of us. Sometimes there are cars behind us and this type of severe breaking is very dangerous when traveling at 70 mph. Cars behind us have had to sla... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact managed to push the vehicle over to the shoulder of the road, and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
I bought a new 2025 Honda Ridgeline truck from Hendrick Honda, Easley, SC and within the first 24 hours the instrument display showed an “auto idle stop error” and to get service at the dealer. I took it back to the dealer within two days, and they said they ran diagnostics and couldn’t find nothing wrong. The service advisor said “it will probably just go away as you drive it more.” Wel... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Failure" was displayed, and the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); 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 ha... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Grand Design Solitude. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact became aware of a gap in the corner of the RV overhang, in the transition to the vehicle upper deck down to the lower deck. The contact became aware of movement underneath the fiberglass. Additionally, the contact stated that the bedroom doors were stuck, but upon setting the RV down... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
Electrical control unit car just shuts off in drive completely goes black no matter what within seconds even on freeway going 70 mph car tune off loss of control then starts back up very dangerous
Incident date: Dec 21, 2025
Bought car in Nov 24. Noticed a popping sound as if a rock was hitting windshield. Nothing hit windshield. The popping sound was intermittent but went on for months. Finally in August 2025, I noticed a crack in upper side of drivers windshield. Next day crack got bigger. Called safelite to replace. Had to park car with cover over windshield since I couldn’t get an appointment right away. Had to... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
Honda needs to recall all the newer vehicles starting with 2018 to 2024. All lights on the dashboard is on and while I’m on highway, the car would apply the brake itself and when I released my foot from the pedal, the car run smoothly again. I took the car to Honda dealership last year and I was charged over 1500 dollars, still the car is having the same issue. This is frustrating. Today, the ca... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
Description of the Safety Defect: The front subframe on my 2011 Subaru Legacy exhibits advanced structural corrosion with measurable material loss, concentrated primarily on the driver-side subframe. The corrosion affects a primary load-bearing structural member responsible for supporting suspension mounting points and maintaining chassis integrity. The deterioration is asymmetric, with the driver... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road, and her husband picked her up from the scene. Neither the dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The contact stated that wh... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road, and her husband picked her up from the scene. Neither the dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The contact stated that wh... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V301000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH in high winds, the passenger’s side exterior A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on two occasions, where it was diagnosed and determined that the exterior A-pillar trim needed to be replaced. ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
My ICCU failed while I was driving and I lost power while in a light controlled intersection in Chicago. The screen turned off and I could not see my speedometer or any driving information. I luckily was able to roll to the side of the road and park the car. My car could not change gears, doors would not work, trying to jumpstart the 12V did not work.