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: Apr 4, 2025
Subaru owners have reported experiencing premature parasitic battery drain in vehicles equipped with Starlink in-vehicle technology. The defect presents itself when the equipped data communications module (DCM) attempts to communicate with 3G cellular networks. As 3G networks within the U.S. are no longer functioning, the call will continuously fail even after the vehicle has been turned off, drai... Read more
HYUNDAI
SONATA HYBRID
(2012) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 4, 2025
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
driving on [XXX] in NJ on [XXX] at approximately [XXX] my car just stopped in traffic and steering locked up and all lights came on dashboard along with a constant beeping sound-I was in the middle of a four lane highway traveling south-I could not get out of my car and feared someone would hit me as I was a "sitting duck" while cars were swerving around me-my only saving grace was that my flasher... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
My car is part of a recall but Nissan HAS NOT contacted me about the problem, I only found out about it from a friend.
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
I just picked up my Ford F-250 (2022) from Allstar Ford in Prairieville, La. It will have been 3 weeks since I had my truck towed to this dealer! On Tuesday [XXX] my truck stalled in heavy traffic and was able to glide off [XXX] in Baton Rouge and same to a dead stop at the end intersection. I blocked traffic for 30 minutes until truck started and was able to get out of traffic! My Ford pass App t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2025
At this time, I am unsure if there is some kind of recall, but my alarm is going off alerting me that the lift gate opened but that isn't true once my vehicle is locked. Also, the headlights turn on by themselves as if i have pressed on the keyfob. I then get an alert stating that the remote features disabled to preserve battery. These are just a few of the issues that i am having with this vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2025
Truck is stalling at low speeds or idle when in drive or reverse causing me to get stranded in turns or at stop lights. No check engine lights have come on and the dealership said to wait but it’s happening constantly. Occasionally the auto start stop will say it’s failed but the stalling occurs when it’s enabled and disabled
HYUNDAI
TUCSON HYBRID
(2025) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 3, 2025
Incident date: Jul 16, 2025
Going approximately 55 Miles an hour on the freeway and my car starts profusely shaking. I pulled to the side of the highway tow truck comes up behind me. Ann, my cylinder 4 was noted to be misfiring. I had it towed to Midas and that is where it was determined that engine coolant leaked into my cylinders and now being told that my car requires a new engine!! Mind you i have already paid 5K to repl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The contact owns a Graco Car Seat, Model Name: Triride, Model Number: 2140177, Manufactured Date: 04-02-2022. The contact stated that while removing the unoccupied child seat from the vehicle, the head rest foam fractured and detached from the child seat. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The child seat was not repaired or replaced.
Incident date: Aug 2, 2025
Engine seized with zero warning lights, cautions, check engine lights, or low/high indicators. It started knocking and was driven 3 miles to our mechanic who said it was a failed engine. I called the Kia dealer who recommended I tow or drive it to the dealer. ~3 miles from our house, less than a mile from the dealer the car lost all power. We had it towed. The service manager chastised me for not ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2025
Transmission valve body failure after factory warranty expired.
Incident date: Nov 4, 2024
On Thursday, August 7th, 2025 at approximately 6:51pm while driving my 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S the vehicle lurched forward suddenly while coming to a stop (below 5mph at the time of the lurch). Following that, multiple service lights illuminated on the dash including a large red turtle with a message that "Vehicle power may be diminished". When I went to accelerate from the stop the vehicle was slu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
I have two issues. First issue is the car will hit an intermediately not start once shut off and will take a few times of making sure the car is completely shut off opening your doors letting it power down before being able to restart. The next issue is the forward collision notification will randomly beep at every car that goes by specifically white cars. And also the adaptive cruise control brak... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
I have two issues. First issue is the car will hit an intermediately not start once shut off and will take a few times of making sure the car is completely shut off opening your doors letting it power down before being able to restart. The next issue is the forward collision notification will randomly beep at every car that goes by specifically white cars. And also the adaptive cruise control brak... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
This vehicle on multiple occasions per week will have what my husband can only describe as the ABS incorrectly kick on. It happens in our driveway, rocky parking lots or streets that aren’t even. The vehicle shakes uncontrollably and the brakes can not be pressed when it happens. In the worst situation we ended up over a curb, luckily the curb seemed to help stop us before potentially hitting a ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The contact received a recall letter related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V512000 (Power Train). The local dealer was contacted and informed that the axle was available, but the bolts w... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500 hauling a 2023 Carry-On Trailer. The contact stated that while driving 30-35 MPH and exiting the highway, the contact looked back and noticed that the trailer was swerving. The contact slowed down and the trailer detached from the hitch and ball. The trailer crashed into an embankment and came to a stop. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the chains on th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 10, 2025
Car has extreme oil consumption and power stalls which are related to a recall in 2021 for bad poston rings which werent properly heat protected. I brought in and they said it was checked for recall but engine was never actually replaced. My warning lights come on for oil when this happens. My engine could either seize or I could lose power on highway. Car dealership laughed in my face when brough... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2025
In early May 2025 while driving around 40mph, I heard a very loud pop which startled me. Pulled over and looked back and noticed my backseats were push up out of place. I attempted to put the seat back into place but it wouldn’t fit into the latch anymore. The framing underneath the seats looked pretty damaged so I took it to a local mechanic. After doing some research, he found information for ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Forte GT. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH on an off-ramp and making a right turn, the lane assist feature had malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to steer and crash into the guard rail. During the incident, the passenger side of the vehicle was damaged along with the guard rail. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene,... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The contact stated that he and his wife were in the vehicle during the failure, and the vehicle was almost crashed into. The contact stated that he and his wife were left stranded in oncoming traffic. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2025
On [XXX], after starting my vehicle, I received multiple safety warnings, prompting the check engine light and a wrench icon on the dashboard. The alerts included issues with the anti-collision system, hill assist, traction control, lane departure, and adaptive cruise control, as well as my drive modes which were also unavailable. I contacted Raceway Ford in Riverside, CA, and dropped off the veh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim detached and was flapping in the wind. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the clips to repair the vehicle were on backorder. The veh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
On or about December 2024, we noticed a hesitation or sputtering in the performance of our Kia. I contacted Ancira Kia who reviewed the vehicle, which displayed no warning lights. Since they couldn’t duplicate the issue, nothing could be done. On or about [XXX], the vehicle’s cooling fan engaged on its own while parked in the garage and revved up extremely high. This was the second time... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
Condensation in headlight assembly impeding forward visibility at night.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2025
Electronic parking brake malfunction, disengage ineffective. Ongoing 2020 BMW mechanical issue, multiple dealer submissions, BMW refuses to open active recall. BMW requires $3,000 center panel replacement, out-of-pocket.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2025
Transmission violently jerks when shifting making it unsafe to even drive. Severe uneven shifting. RPM fluctuations exacerbate the problem ( since a normal automatic transmission will naturally shift upon acceleration at specific intervals, but not this one). Also would not shift into Park or reverse. We finally had to have it towed to the shop. This is a 2023 Ford Bronco sport and should be recal... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 equipped with BF Goodrich Tires, Tire Line: K03, Tire Size: 275/70/R18, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and determined that the tires were out of round and provided... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear tires. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear rotors, and brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the consumer's expense. The manufactur... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2025
Parasitic battery drain
Incident date: Sep 18, 2019
Bumps in the road caused steering wheel to shake violently (Death Wobble) until truck was stopped in the middle of a 4-lane expressway. Truck is now at the dealer for inspection of frontend steering components. If there was heavier traffic, there would have been an accident. no warning signs present, only bumps in the road which the truck was not able to dampen or control.
Incident date: Sep 18, 2019
Bumps in the road caused steering wheel to shake violently (Death Wobble) until truck was stopped in the middle of a 4-lane expressway. Truck is now at the dealer for inspection of frontend steering components. If there was heavier traffic, there would have been an accident. no warning signs present, only bumps in the road which the truck was not able to dampen or control.
Incident date: Aug 6, 2025
Leather dash is delaminating and shrinking starting at the defrost vents. This appears to impact the passenger airbag deployment. Chrysler/Stellantis is aware of the issue, but considers the dash to be an accessory and refuses to correct if not under warranty.
Incident date: Aug 9, 2025
The PTU power train unit is bad in this jeep and has been for awhile. I seen in Jan 2025 a recall for this for some jeeps and my jeep should be on there it’s been on back order to get fixed and still nothing. Also the rear end differential has been fixed 3 times for it being broken in 4 years
Incident date: Jun 14, 2021
Earlier in the year the brake light (some times with slip and ABS) came on the dash and suddenly braking was diminished. There was a horrid grinding sound plus vibration under the pedal. I was on highway 17 (a dangerous mountain freeway in CA) going downhill and it was extremely scary as has a car full of friends kids and hardly any brakes. I braked as much as it would allow, down shifted and ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2021
On August 23, 2025 while driving on a highway with my daughter in the backseat, my car gradually stalled while it was going through an intersection. It ended up stalling prior to a turn ramp onto another highway. This resulted in an unsafe condition and unsafe location as it happened without warning or any alerts prior to or during the drive. The Tahoe was towed to the dealership service repair sh... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2021
Front passenger side and second row passenger side seatbelt are hard to latch and randomly unlatch.. I took it in for service several times during the warranty to ask them to look at it, and they could never replicate it.
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
There was an electrical fault in the door handle, specifically for the comfort access function circuit inside the handle itself. There was smoke and extreme heat. Luckily no fire started, before the battery was disconnected. Our understanding is, this is a known problem with the circuit board having corrosion and creating a short, but no recall exists.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was taken to the... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
My cruise control will not work. Lane departure is not working. All my lights are on in my new vehicle I just purchased. BAD FUEL INJECTORS seem to be the problem. Honda should recall these bad fuel injectors before a serious accident occurs.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
My cruise control will not work. Lane departure is not working. All my lights are on in my new vehicle I just purchased. BAD FUEL INJECTORS seem to be the problem. Honda should recall these bad fuel injectors before a serious accident occurs.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
I am reporting a severe and hazardous failure involving my 2019 Hyundai Accent. On August 8, 2025, between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., while driving on Mopac (Loop 1), a heavily traveled highway in Austin, Texas, the vehicle abruptly experienced an overheating issue without any prior warning. The engine rapidly lost power, causing the vehicle to become unstable in traffic. I managed to maneuver the ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light and two unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the engine was running rough with an abnormal rattling sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was n... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The ABS system is completely shot. I have replaced the entire brake system besides the ABS. There is a recall on the ABS System for other 2012 Ford Edges, but for some reason my vehicle isn’t included. Please consider including my car in the recall as this is a serious safety issue. I cannot even drive the car, because i am not able to brake properly.
Incident date: May 1, 2025
On or about May 1, 2025, I was operating my 2013 Hyundai Veloster when flames were observed emanating from under the hood. I immediately pulled into the median and, upon opening the hood, observed an active fire beneath the plastic engine cover. I contacted 911. Before the fire department arrived, a passerby extinguished the flames with a fire extinguisher. Firefighters from a nearby station arriv... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
When I’m turning, the steering wheel gets sticky/stuck in place. Whenever it unlocks, it’s usually a very jerky movement:
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
The gas gauge has not worked since bought new in August 2024. This bike has been in dealers for months on end, half the time I've owned it. It is a lemon if that applies to motorcycles. I would like KTM to buy it back.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
Randomly, the second row seat belts will unbuckle by themselves, and the seat belt warning will randomly go off indicating the seat belt was unbuckled all the while no one was sitting in the seat. At random, while using the adaptive cruise control, the car will brake by itself, when there is no car close enough in front to activate the braking system. A few times, while using the adaptive cruise c... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2025
The Fuel Pump was issued a recall that i had replaced, but due to it not operating properly it caused my high pressure fuel pump in the engine to malfunction as well. This has been conveniently left out of the recall for fuel pump and the dealership wouldn't agree to look into it further.
Incident date: Sep 2, 2025
When I accelerate the vehicle shakes violently making it difficult to control.