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: Sep 30, 2025
The vehicle hesitates when starting from a stop. It feels like the engine dies. This was a previous “recall”. Vehicle was “fixed” but still happening. I’ve informed Toyota of issue. No resolution. I’ve almost been hit twice at an intersection because of this.
Incident date: Nov 23, 2025
The vehicle hesitates when starting from a stop. It feels like the engine dies. This was a previous “recall”. Vehicle was “fixed” but still happening. I’ve informed Toyota of issue. No resolution. I’ve almost been hit twice at an intersection because of this.
Incident date: Nov 23, 2025
The contact's mother owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the owner received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V512000 (Power Train); 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 contact stated that there was an abnormal squealing sound coming from underneath... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
While driving a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban (VIN: [XXX] ), my [XXX] son was seated in the second-row center seat and was properly buckled in with the factory shoulder/lap belt. He turned around briefly to grab something from the back of the vehicle, and during that movement the seatbelt fully extended and then locked in the automatic locking mode. The retractor would not release tension afterward. Th... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 21, 2025
Component/system that failed: Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software version 14.x (2025.38.x and later). The issue is software-only and remains installed on any vehicle updated to v14. Description of safety defect: FSD v14 deliberately removes the driver’s ability to set or adjust maximum speed offset using the right scroll wheel (feature present in all prior versions including my curren... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
The transmission is locking up, to the point it stoped pulling, it has been to several dealerships, and they can’t find any problems, put another transmission in the truck and it’s doing the same thing, the dealer ship told us there’s nothing they can do for us!
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
Rear camera recall timely manner complaint 25SA9/25v695
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
Stopped at red light. Auto start/stop engaged. Light turned green let off of brake and pressed gas. Engine did not start. Couple seconds later engine started.
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
Engine diagnosed with coolant intrusion problem into the engine cylinders. Car failed at 138k needing 12k repair from Ford dealership which is more than the value of the car. Transmission shifter bushing went out also in this car even though Ford did a recall for previous years of the model the issue has not been fixed.
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
I have 25 Palisade calligraphy and from the last two months I almost went 7-8 times to the dealership because of the ABS issue. When going over rougher road, railroad tracks, and also uneven surfaces brake is not working at that time. It is an issue that only happens under very specific conditions like slow speeds (under 10 mph), uneven surface (gravel, railroad tracks, speed bumps, driveway entry... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
When attempting to park the vehicle, at low speed, the vehicle performed an unintended acceleration leading the vehicle to crash.
Crash
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
When attempting to park the vehicle, at low speed, the vehicle performed an unintended acceleration leading the vehicle to crash.
Crash
Incident date: Oct 18, 2025
Air bags did not go off after a car accident with a commercial box truck, car seems to be totaled. Insurance is going to inspect vehicle to confirm it being totaled. No warning lights were on at the time. Just passed inspection a month a month ago.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Feb 8, 2023
Wheel/Tire makes shudders during a turn at low acceleration or going up a hill leading to uncontrolled acceleration. I have brought the car in for inspection and service and the issue could not be replicated by the techs, however the problem occurs with daily driving. An online search shows that this is a very common problem with the transfer case.
Incident date: Feb 8, 2023
Wheel/Tire makes shudders during a turn at low acceleration or going up a hill leading to uncontrolled acceleration. I have brought the car in for inspection and service and the issue could not be replicated by the techs, however the problem occurs with daily driving. An online search shows that this is a very common problem with the transfer case.
Incident date: Feb 8, 2023
Wheel/Tire makes shudders during a turn at low acceleration or going up a hill leading to uncontrolled acceleration. I have brought the car in for inspection and service and the issue could not be replicated by the techs, however the problem occurs with daily driving. An online search shows that this is a very common problem with the transfer case.
Incident date: Oct 25, 2025
I have had multiple issues with my Polestar 3. Most notably, the vehicle lost all propulsion at highway speeds. My safety was heavily jeopardized as I had to merge across multiple lanes of traffic to reach the shoulder. On the day of the incident, the car's propulsion stopped working 4 separate times. The Polestar service center did nothing other than reset the software and tell me the issue w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2025
I have had multiple issues with my Polestar 3. Most notably, the vehicle lost all propulsion at highway speeds. My safety was heavily jeopardized as I had to merge across multiple lanes of traffic to reach the shoulder. On the day of the incident, the car's propulsion stopped working 4 separate times. The Polestar service center did nothing other than reset the software and tell me the issue w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2025
Throttle Lag. When stopped at a stop sign, I attempted to accelerate and when I pressed the pedal, the vehicle didn’t respond. I had to release the gas pedal, wait a second, then attempt to accelerate again. This time it responded.
Incident date: Nov 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train). The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost drive power in the middle of the road. The contact stated that the failure occurred while crossing a four-lane highway. The contact stated that the contact's brother and the contact's son were additional ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's side door failed to unlock as intended, which required the contact to enter the vehicle through the front passenger's side door and to crawl over to the front driver's side seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warrant... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
Airbag exploded with acid powder affecting eyes and hearing
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
Vehicle parked for 48 hours (Sunday 23 Nov evening) under carport, no keys near it. When approached on 26 Nov 10am , it was found with dead battery. Nothing was on when it was parked.
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while attempting to open to the front driver's side door from the inside of the vehicle, the contact heard an unknown part inside the door fall, and the door required to be opened manually by pulling on the exterior door handle. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected, and the contact was informed ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 25-35 MPH from a complete stop at a traffic light, the RPMs increased to 4,000 before the transmission shifted into gear. The contact was able to drive the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled into a relative's driveway and parked the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, where it ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bags and seat belt warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bags and the passenger's side seat belt warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat was not occupied. The vehicle was taken to an unknown deal... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
The design of some Rav4 grilles (particularly 2019-2024 models) allows rocks and road debris to easily pass through and damage the vulnerable A/C condenser, or radiator behind it, which leads to very expensive repairs. This is what happened to my 2019 Toyota Rav 4. Now I have to pay 1300.00 to get it repaired.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
I am reporting a series of safety concerns regarding my 2017 Chevy Volt, which have persisted despite multiple attempts to address them with the dealership. These issues pose significant risks to my safety and that of others on the road. On January 18th, 2024, I brought my vehicle to the dealer after experiencing reduced propulsion power while driving on the highway, coupled with the illumination ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2025
At about 2:30am after hearing some popping noises I went to the vehicle and saw that the engine under the bonnet was on fire. The fire was seeping out from the sides of the bonnet. The vehicle had been parked since 9:20pm the previous night. I called emergency services including the fire department and the police. It spread very quickly in the Garage where the car was parked and burnt out the gara... Read more
Fire
HYUNDAI
VELOSTER N
(2021) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 25, 2025
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
When you turn on Reverse at night, the back up camera is so dark it is hard to see if it’s not fully lit outside by other means. Either the camera needs to be better quality for night viewing or another lighting source should be added to see safely. Thank you.
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
I am submitting this complaint to report a potential safety-related defect in the 1.5L turbocharged engine used in the 2018 Honda Accord. My vehicle experienced a sudden and severe head gasket failure that appears to be related to a known design flaw affecting a significant number of Honda 1.5T engines. Many owners are reporting the same. Vehicle Information: Owner: [XXX] VIN: [XXX] Mileage at ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
I was driving 35 MPH toward a busy intersection when I lost my brakes and power. A service message “IMA CHECK SYSTEMS” light lit up on the dash. I lost brakes and power while entering an intersection putting myself and other drivers in danger of an accident narrowly missing a container truck. The car shut off with my front end in the intersection. I was able to restart the car and drive it to ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact's aunt purchased a 2007 Toyota Corolla. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 180,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 195,000.
Incident date: Nov 6, 2025
I got a brand new transmission put in at the beginning of the year but my whole car spits and sputters and shakes going 45 and when I am backing up it throws me forward(almost in the car in front of me) instead of reversing and making a loud clinking noise
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2016) - POWER TRAIN
Nov 25, 2025
Incident date: Nov 22, 2025
While driving my vehicle last Thursday, November 20th, the "SVC 4WD" warning light came on without warning, following an audible and tangible thump from beneath the vehicle. Following this, a high-pitched grinding/whining could be heard from centrally beneath the vehicle, and the vehicle was unsteady accelerating/decelerating. The vehicle would not remain in park, and no drive was going to the bac... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
Incident happened on November/22/2025 was driving on a major highway with 2 other persons in the vehicle the check engine light began to flash and all the power form the engine was lost immediately pulled over. Called the Honda dealer when they opened took it to them to look at engine was knocking was told at the dealer there was metal in the oil and the knock is coming from the bottom of the engi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the contact heard an abnormally loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The START/STOP warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and d... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Service 4WD - See Dealer and Service Immediately" was displayed. The contact stated that the 4WD and AWD systems were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transfer case and PTU failure. The contact was informed that the... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2025
I purchased this 2014 Jeep Cherokee from Taverna Collection in Feb 2025 and received it in March 2025. The selling dealer was required to inspect the vehicle before delivery and did not report any transmission or valve-body issues. On June 25, 2025, the vehicle received a multipoint inspection at Auto Angel in Santa Fe. No transmission failure, shifting issues, or valve-body concerns were found. ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
Making a right turn from a stop. I pressed the accelerator and the vehicle barely moved. Cars were coming in my direction and I had to move. I let off the accelerator quickly pressed the accelerator again. The vehicle did start moving at normal rate. This first attempt was very concerning and almost caused me to get in an accident.
Incident date: Nov 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for a scheduled oil change, the contact was informed that the fuel pump was leaking on top of the fuel tank, and the fuel tank was leaking from the bottom. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was informed that the fuel tank and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle w... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2023
Engine turned off at stop light while stopped for about 30 seconds, then started a long beep. The engine light and the power steering light came on. The screen also said put in park and restart engine. I did and it started back up and the dashboard warnings went away. It was unsafe because when the light changed to green I couldn't immediately accelerate and the cars behind me could not either. T... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2017) - POWER TRAIN
Nov 25, 2025
Incident date: Nov 19, 2025
Transmission hesitation when starting from a stop/ stop sign. Will take 1-2 seconds before transmission kicks in after coming to a stop and then proceeding with no one else in the intersection. Happens about 95% of the time. Has put me in a few near- misses where I expected the truck to get out before oncoming traffic. a similar issue occurs when starting on an incline- press the accelerator a... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
The cars Headlight DRL burnt out and no way to replace them or turn of warning off without paying dealership $2K to replace whole light housing. See Reddit Post: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Nov 8, 2025
Rear camera displays a black distorted image for roughly 5 seconds, then a completely black screen meanwhile instructing to contact dealer. Dealer says that even though Ford announced a 15 year extended warranty, it is not attached to any VINs. Therefore they will not honor their statement from the Chief Operating Officer on October 22, 2025 on the Ford website. Dealer at Metro Ford advised me th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2025
My ABS module has an active recall. I have replaced brakes and rotors in the front and rear. I have had to resurface my rear rotors due to the issue. My breaks are locking up and causing issues. I can't back up my trailer without my breaks locking up. The recall has been active for almost a year without a resolution. This problem is unsafe and people's lives are at risk. Something needs to be done... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact stated that occasionally the steering wheel was loose and inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering colum... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on three occasions and depressing the brake pedal, the Forward Collision Avoidance system malfunctioned. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated the Automatic Emergency Braking system excessively, causing the brakes to engage forcef... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2025
Hi, I need to bring my 2022 Wagoneer back in for service. I was just in the shop a few days ago for a persistent check engine light, and the issue has returned. The check engine light came back on four days after I picked up the vehicle. This morning the vehicle stalled twice at a complete stop. The front headlights flickered and the engine shut off, but the electronics inside stayed on. I had to... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2025
Hi, I need to bring my 2022 Wagoneer back in for service. I was just in the shop a few days ago for a persistent check engine light, and the issue has returned. The check engine light came back on four days after I picked up the vehicle. This morning the vehicle stalled twice at a complete stop. The front headlights flickered and the engine shut off, but the electronics inside stayed on. I had to... Read more