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: Mar 28, 2025
Timeline Summary – 2022 Hyundai Palisade Safety Defects I first reported seatbelt buckles coming unlatched during normal use in early 2025. The issue was documented by the dealership on March 28th, 2025. A recall was later issued confirming a defect in the seatbelt buckle assemblies that may prevent proper latching and increase the risk of injury in a crash. From late 2025 through April 2026, ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
Timeline Summary – 2022 Hyundai Palisade Safety Defects I first reported seatbelt buckles coming unlatched during normal use in early 2025. The issue was documented by the dealership on March 28th, 2025. A recall was later issued confirming a defect in the seatbelt buckle assemblies that may prevent proper latching and increase the risk of injury in a crash. From late 2025 through April 2026, ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
The vehicle suddenly stalled while driving on the highway at normal speed without warning. The engine lost power completely, creating a dangerous situation and a risk of collision with surrounding traffic. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair shop, where the issue was diagnosed as engine failure. There were no warning lights or prior symptoms before the incident. This appears to be a serious ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
The vehicle suddenly stalled while driving on the highway at normal speed without warning. The engine lost power completely, creating a dangerous situation and a risk of collision with surrounding traffic. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair shop, where the issue was diagnosed as engine failure. There were no warning lights or prior symptoms before the incident. This appears to be a serious ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
On 4/17/26 McDonalds Hyundai of [XXX] , dealership performed an ECU update for THETA II Emissions logic improvement (Hyundai campaign number 9C2). Ever since that time the vehicle has been lurching during acceleration. This happens particularly when the vehicle has been sitting for several hours. I reported this to the dealership on 4/28/26 (Scott, service manager) and to Hyundai on 4/29/26 (Hyund... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
On 4/17/26 McDonalds Hyundai of [XXX] , dealership performed an ECU update for THETA II Emissions logic improvement (Hyundai campaign number 9C2). Ever since that time the vehicle has been lurching during acceleration. This happens particularly when the vehicle has been sitting for several hours. I reported this to the dealership on 4/28/26 (Scott, service manager) and to Hyundai on 4/29/26 (Hyund... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
The panoramic sunroof glass suddenly shattered while the vehicle was being driven on the interstate, with no visible impact, object strike, or prior damage observed. The component involved is the sunroof glass panel, and it has already been removed and replaced through insurance repairs, so it is not available for inspection (however, pictures are available upon request). The incident created a lo... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
The panoramic sunroof glass suddenly shattered while the vehicle was being driven on the interstate, with no visible impact, object strike, or prior damage observed. The component involved is the sunroof glass panel, and it has already been removed and replaced through insurance repairs, so it is not available for inspection (however, pictures are available upon request). The incident created a lo... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: May 1, 2026
I've contacted 4 separate Hyundai dealerships on carrying out this recall to correct the issue, and all of them have told me they can't fulfill the recall because the car is too old and they use tablets, but the recalls requires a computer. I've contacted Hyundai and they've been no help. They've told me in their words "As much as we'd like to assist, transactions between the dealership and the co... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 HYUNDAI Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: (26V034000 (AIR BAGS) 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not expe... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2026
Vehicle developed clunking noise in the steering. Was told it was coupler issue. The dealership, Nlorthbay Hyundai, in Petaluma, California, was negligent in the replacement, creating a grinding metal on metal noise, and damaged the steering column as well. The Dealership refused failed to correct the damage and attempted to defraud me over $3,000 for an entirely new steering column, and refuse t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2026
Vehicle developed clunking noise in the steering. Was told it was coupler issue. The dealership, Nlorthbay Hyundai, in Petaluma, California, was negligent in the replacement, creating a grinding metal on metal noise, and damaged the steering column as well. The Dealership refused failed to correct the damage and attempted to defraud me over $3,000 for an entirely new steering column, and refuse t... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V607000 (Seat Belts) and NHTSA Campaign: 26V034000 (Air Bags); 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 not made... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V607000 (Seat Belts) and NHTSA Campaign: 26V034000 (Air Bags); 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 not made... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
My vehicle is subject to Recall 292 (NHTSA 24V-034). Hyundai has admitted in writing that this vehicle violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 226 because the third-row side curtain airbags fail to meet ejection mitigation requirements. I routinely transport minor children in the third row. Hyundai's official notice confirms this defect increases the risk of injury or death t... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
My vehicle is subject to Recall 292 (NHTSA 24V-034). Hyundai has admitted in writing that this vehicle violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 226 because the third-row side curtain airbags fail to meet ejection mitigation requirements. I routinely transport minor children in the third row. Hyundai's official notice confirms this defect increases the risk of injury or death t... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
My vehicle is subject to Recall 292 (NHTSA 24V-034). Hyundai has admitted in writing that this vehicle violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 226 because the third-row side curtain airbags fail to meet ejection mitigation requirements. I routinely transport minor children in the third row. Hyundai's official notice confirms this defect increases the risk of injury or death t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and hesitated to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine and check engine oil warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local O'Reilly's, where it was diagnosed with ignition coil #3 misfire. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V034000 (AIR BAGS); 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 experien... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
The automatic emergency braking system brakes way too hard causing the car to stop too fast and risks causing a rear end collision. This is not fixed by adjusting settings. It is a common complaint and the system needs to be calibrated to brake more smoothly.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
I have the 2015 Hyundai sonata with the 2.5 GDI engine that eventually will seize due to internal damaged caused by manufacture design flaws. My Hyundai threw a P0010 code which causes my car to idle high and causing low vacuum affecting my brakes. I had a diagnostic test done at a Hyundai dealership that told me it was a cvvt cam sprocket issue and that it was the beginning of the end of the engi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
I have the 2015 Hyundai sonata with the 2.5 GDI engine that eventually will seize due to internal damaged caused by manufacture design flaws. My Hyundai threw a P0010 code which causes my car to idle high and causing low vacuum affecting my brakes. I had a diagnostic test done at a Hyundai dealership that told me it was a cvvt cam sprocket issue and that it was the beginning of the end of the engi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
I have the 2015 Hyundai sonata with the 2.5 GDI engine that eventually will seize due to internal damaged caused by manufacture design flaws. My Hyundai threw a P0010 code which causes my car to idle high and causing low vacuum affecting my brakes. I had a diagnostic test done at a Hyundai dealership that told me it was a cvvt cam sprocket issue and that it was the beginning of the end of the engi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
I had my car brakes replaced checked for the past three months it's been making a grinding noise when braking at slow speeds had the car checked 3 different shops, they said rotors and pads are perfectly fine almost new, but the grinding is still there dust shield is not touching pads are new, rotors on specifications normal now i am reading this could be due to abs system the grinding my car is a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6. The contact stated that while reversing out of the garage, the vehicle suddenly stalled, with the message "12-Volt System Deactivated" displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the computer control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the computer control module failure w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2026
On April 23, 2026, while driving my 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 , the Automatic Emergency Braking system completely failed to detect an oncoming hazard. The system did not alert me, did not activate, and did not apply emergency braking. I nearly collided with another vehicle as a direct result of this failure. The vehicle has a persistent diagnostic trouble code C28AB87 — CAN time-out for the front rad... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2026
On April 23, 2026, while driving my 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 , the Automatic Emergency Braking system completely failed to detect an oncoming hazard. The system did not alert me, did not activate, and did not apply emergency braking. I nearly collided with another vehicle as a direct result of this failure. The vehicle has a persistent diagnostic trouble code C28AB87 — CAN time-out for the front rad... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2026
On April 23, 2026, while driving my 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 , the Automatic Emergency Braking system completely failed to detect an oncoming hazard. The system did not alert me, did not activate, and did not apply emergency braking. I nearly collided with another vehicle as a direct result of this failure. The vehicle has a persistent diagnostic trouble code C28AB87 — CAN time-out for the front rad... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2025
Engine – connecting rod bearing failure. Theta II engine. Hyundai confirmed the defect via Bearing Clearance Test (BCT) on October 3, 2025. The engine can seize without warning, causing sudden loss of power while driving – a clear safety risk. The problem has been confirmed by an authorized Hyundai dealership (Hertrich Hyundai of New Castle). The manufacturer issued Technical Service Bulletin ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2026
Component: Engine My 2020 Hyundai Palisade (approximately 155,856 miles) experienced a serious and dangerous engine-related failure that resulted in a vehicle fire. My 16 year old daughter was driving alone at the time of the catastrophic failure and fire. For approximately six months prior to the incident, the vehicle was consuming oil at an abnormal rate with no visible external leaks. This ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Nov 20, 2025
My infotainment unit stoped working after an update that was pushed to the car by Hyundai. My battery was beginning to show signs that it needed replacing (not cranking in the cold temps or needing a few tries to start), so I went to Advance Auto to have the battery replaced. Once back in the car, everything was working fine (radio with sirius XM, back up camera, Navigation, Android and Apple car... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
The failed component is the engine assembly in my 2017 Hyundai Sonata SE with the 2.4L Theta II GDI engine. The failure involves excessive oil consumption and internal engine failure, specifically suspected piston ring deterioration allowing oil to pass into the combustion chambers. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety was put at risk because the engine was losing oil rapi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2026
The tracking number assigned by NHTSA for this issue is 11733456 I am writing to update and escalate my previously filed safety complaint regarding my vehicle. I recently received my car back from the dealership after they informed me that all issues had been repaired and that the vehicle was safe to drive. However, after getting the vehicle back, it is not the same, and it is not safe to opera... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2026
The tracking number assigned by NHTSA for this issue is 11733456 I am writing to update and escalate my previously filed safety complaint regarding my vehicle. I recently received my car back from the dealership after they informed me that all issues had been repaired and that the vehicle was safe to drive. However, after getting the vehicle back, it is not the same, and it is not safe to opera... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2026
The tracking number assigned by NHTSA for this issue is 11733456 I am writing to update and escalate my previously filed safety complaint regarding my vehicle. I recently received my car back from the dealership after they informed me that all issues had been repaired and that the vehicle was safe to drive. However, after getting the vehicle back, it is not the same, and it is not safe to opera... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2026
Had an issue with driver assist radar when in complete control. Until you’re not! Brakes lock up skidding tires and causing seat belts to lock up. It happens so suddenly it scares you to the point of heart attack. This has happened: merely backing out of driveway, when accelerating in your lane with car in turn lane beside you turning right. And most recently on FL Turnpike while in stopp... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2026
Had an issue with driver assist radar when in complete control. Until you’re not! Brakes lock up skidding tires and causing seat belts to lock up. It happens so suddenly it scares you to the point of heart attack. This has happened: merely backing out of driveway, when accelerating in your lane with car in turn lane beside you turning right. And most recently on FL Turnpike while in stopp... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2026
Had an issue with driver assist radar when in complete control. Until you’re not! Brakes lock up skidding tires and causing seat belts to lock up. It happens so suddenly it scares you to the point of heart attack. This has happened: merely backing out of driveway, when accelerating in your lane with car in turn lane beside you turning right. And most recently on FL Turnpike while in stopp... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
This vehicle has a major engine flaw; Hyundai USA KNOWS about it, and STILL will not issue a recall for EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. First episode: October 2023 at 86,371 miles. Dealership replaced leaking valve cover gasket and changed woefully-soiled spark plugs. Still under manufacturer warranty, but I paid the balance. Second episode: FOUR MONTHS LATER (Feb. 2024; 89,078 miles), another limp m... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
This vehicle has a major engine flaw; Hyundai USA KNOWS about it, and STILL will not issue a recall for EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. First episode: October 2023 at 86,371 miles. Dealership replaced leaking valve cover gasket and changed woefully-soiled spark plugs. Still under manufacturer warranty, but I paid the balance. Second episode: FOUR MONTHS LATER (Feb. 2024; 89,078 miles), another limp m... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe quartz white pearl paint and the paint is blowing off as I drive in multiple places. I took it to the dealer because when I called they said there's a Z05 recall on white Hyundai paint and it would be covered. When I take it in, they say 2020's weren't covered because the paint issue was corrected in 2020, when clearly it wasn't. In any case Hyundai agreed to pay 65% of th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
I have a 2015 Hyundai Genesis. I had an over heating issue with the car in January of 2025. Took the car to an authorized dealership, and had the repair made.a month later a code appeared on my Dash it read “PSB “. I went to have my vehicles emission’s test and the car failed. I took the car to an authorized Hyundai dealer and they said its most likely the fuel pump module, but wouldn’t kn... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
Was driving down the highway and my car caught fire. I was stopped by another driver saying that my car was on fire. I had no breaks to stop, I had to put it straight to park to stop the car. That way myself and my son could jump out of the car.
Fire
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
Was driving down the highway and my car caught fire. I was stopped by another driver saying that my car was on fire. I had no breaks to stop, I had to put it straight to park to stop the car. That way myself and my son could jump out of the car.
Fire
Incident date: Apr 27, 2026
1. The repair work was done at San Leandro Hyundai service department. I do not have the parts that were worked on. 2. Fortunately, both incidents happened when the car was parked at home. The unpredictable nature of the issue though, raises safety concerns as it's unknown when the car is going to die. 3. I have repair orders from San Leandro Hyundai service department of the error codes and repai... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The stated that the backup camera was inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V879000 (Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who confirmed there was no recall. But no assistance was p... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2024
Vehicle Information: 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Mileage at failure: approximately 109,000 miles Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor Company The vehicle experienced a complete failure of the automatic transmission system. The failed component is available for inspection upon request. At approximately 98,000 miles, the vehicle’s check engine light illuminated. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Hyundai de... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
The contact leased a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, the battery warning light, reduced power warning light, and an unknown warning light depicting a vehicle with an exclamation mark illuminated. Additionally, a "stop vehicle and check power supply" message appeared, and the vehicle lost power. The driver steered to the side of the road, and the vehicle was t... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA CRUZ
(2026) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Apr 30, 2026
Incident date: Mar 31, 2026
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and merging into highway traffic, the vehicle hesitated and surged forward after depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileag... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA CRUZ
(2026) - POWER TRAIN
Apr 30, 2026
Incident date: Mar 31, 2026
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and merging into highway traffic, the vehicle hesitated and surged forward after depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileag... Read more