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: Feb 6, 2026
Component/System Failed: Engine – connecting rod bearing failure consistent with Hyundai Theta II engine defect subject to federal recalls and Consent Orders. The vehicle previously received Recall Campaign 953 (KSDS software update), intended to detect premature rod bearing wear. The engine is currently knocking and has been diagnosed as requiring replacement. The vehicle and engine are availab... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2025
Unsafe Vehicle, Unresolved Mechanical Failures – Serious Safety Concern On [XXX], I purchased a Jeep (VIN: [XXX] ) from Whipple Auto Sales. Since the purchase, the vehicle has experienced repeated mechanical failures that have created serious safety concerns. Approximately two weeks after purchase, the dealership replaced a fuel injector due to performance issues. About one month later, the v... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
The contact owned a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH and attempting to make a turn, another vehicle unexpectedly T-boned the vehicle, impacting the passenger front side. The contact and a passenger sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was taken to a local emergency room. The contact suffered a back injury and was placed on medical leave from ... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
Certified shop said my timing chain was going as well as other associated components. My car is always low on oil even when mileage has not been met. Found my car is part of piston ring recall. Dealership stated my car is not affected however the issues the shop found most certainly confirm my issue which is going to cost over $2k to fix is associated with this. Dealership not only says my car... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
The 12V system battery failed to keep a charge and the vehicle slowly reduced maximum speed until it fully died causing the car to coast to a stop on a 55MPH highway. At 9,500 miles on the odometer the ICCU has failed. The part is on backorder and my car has been in the shop for three weeks with no estimated completion date. A LOT of IONIQ 5 owners are encountering the ICCU failure.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
The 12V system battery failed to keep a charge and the vehicle slowly reduced maximum speed until it fully died causing the car to coast to a stop on a 55MPH highway. At 9,500 miles on the odometer the ICCU has failed. The part is on backorder and my car has been in the shop for three weeks with no estimated completion date. A LOT of IONIQ 5 owners are encountering the ICCU failure.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
ABS module needs to be replaced and they stopped making the part. Lights are on all the time with no cruise control and the advanced brake system no longer works. Nobody has the part. They do not make it anymore.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
The horn stops working which is a safety hazard in case someone is backing into you, etc. This horn has stop working 4 times and had to be replaced.
Incident date: Feb 17, 2026
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The seatbelt retraction system failed to retract fast enough, which caused the seatbelt to become jammed in the passenger door. This resulted in damage to the passenger front and back door and opening of the passenger door. Yes, the vehicle and the affected components (seatbelt assembly and passen... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the clutch pedal traveled to the floorboard and the low oil warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the brakes failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed and determined that the slave cylinder had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2026
ICCU failure: confirmed by dealership, submitting for your records - while driving the morning of 2/11/26 in Evansville, IN a warning message appeared on the dashboard stating 'Check Electric Vehicle System' followed by a rapid deceleration. Luckily there was not a vehicle behind me as they would have rear ended me. This failure occurred without warning and presented a significant safety hazard, l... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2026
ICCU failure: confirmed by dealership, submitting for your records - while driving the morning of 2/11/26 in Evansville, IN a warning message appeared on the dashboard stating 'Check Electric Vehicle System' followed by a rapid deceleration. Luckily there was not a vehicle behind me as they would have rear ended me. This failure occurred without warning and presented a significant safety hazard, l... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2025
Low beam lights quit randomly, running lights did once too. This has happened multiple times so I switch to hi beams before I crash. This is a documented safety issue and recall should include my car.
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
This 2024 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty has experienced a continuous pattern of major mechanical and electrical failures since early ownership. The vehicle required a complete engine replacement under warranty at approximately 43,626 miles. Since that time, the vehicle has continued to experience repeated injector failures, control module faults, communication errors, and voltage-related system issues. C... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
On at least 8 occasions, the vehicle has issued a warning to take control now of the vehicle and then begun to stop the vehicle. On 2/16/26, it tried to stop the vehicle on two occasions, and the driver had to press the gas pedal as a car was approaching from behind. I have videos and dash cam videos of several occurrences. It also has determined that an overpass was an obstacle and tried to st... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
Car is burning over 2 quarts of oil every 1000 miles with no leaks, stalls at stop signs and lights. Engine needs to be recalled. No warning lights.
Incident date: Jun 16, 2025
The lithium battery failed causing a complete loss of power, power steering, power brakes while driving with 3 small children on board. Battery indicator warning on dash. The dealer expressly stated that the car was safe to drive. Obviously that was incorrect. Thank goodness we were able to safely stop and be towed to the dealer. I escalated to "Jeep Cares" Case number Jeep Wagg Case 95595257and g... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2025
While driving on the highway during a rainstorm, the high voltage fuse on my car's Internal Charge Control Unit blew and the ICCU itself failed. This rendered the vehicle inoperable as soon as I managed to get it to the shoulder. It took two weeks to repair, and I had to argue with Hyundai's corporate lines for almost six months before the offered a partial reimbursement for their device failure.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that after stopping at a stop sign, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. There was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. T... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted while driving at 15 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle had previously experienced a similar failure, and the transmission control m... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
While making the short drive to work on surface streets I was given a warning in an amber circle to check the electrical system. Moments later I was presented with a warning in a red circle reading "Stop vehicle and check power supply"; accompanying this warning was a drastic loss in power. Had I been on the highway I would not have been able to maintain speed with the likelihood of being stranded... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
While making the short drive to work on surface streets I was given a warning in an amber circle to check the electrical system. Moments later I was presented with a warning in a red circle reading "Stop vehicle and check power supply"; accompanying this warning was a drastic loss in power. Had I been on the highway I would not have been able to maintain speed with the likelihood of being stranded... Read more
Incident date: Sep 17, 2025
While making the short drive to work on surface streets I was given a warning in an amber circle to check the electrical system. Moments later I was presented with a warning in a red circle reading "Stop vehicle and check power supply"; accompanying this warning was a drastic loss in power. Had I been on the highway I would not have been able to maintain speed with the likelihood of being stranded... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2025
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
My Hyundai Santa Fe has a major oil leak from the oil pressure light. I took the car to a non-Hyundai shop for repair and was told that the problem should be covered under recall campaign 168. Reference Number: 17-01-071, Date of issue: December 01, 2017. A quick check of internet complaints indicates this is a common problem with this type vehicle. My oil pressure light is on at idle after the ca... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
Car died in neighborhood with electrical issue. Later reported to be an ICCU issue. At this point car has been at dealer service for over 29 days with no date on when it will be repaired.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
SOS button is not working. Console fell out of roof of car earlier this summer (a national recall) and now the SOS error J949 is not working, and because the SOS button isnt working neither is the bluetooth. This is absolutely due to the faulty console that had to be rewired and clipped back into the roof of the vehicle. Currently not being covered by dealerships, it is absolutely a volkswagen ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
There have been multiple occasions where I have started or shut down my 2023 Bronco Heritage Sport Limited and (for no reason I can explain) the speakers started making this extremely loud digital feedback noise, sometimes including the subwoofer. It's hard to stay in the car for too long with this noise going on at an extremely loud decibel. This vehicle has the B&O sound system. I tried a numb... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
Main battery failure, can not charge, can not drive car. Warning light(s) on dashboard. High voltage battery needs to be replaced.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
Main battery failure, can not charge, can not drive car. Warning light(s) on dashboard. High voltage battery needs to be replaced.
Incident date: Dec 5, 2020
The AEB feature is very sensitive and has often activated when there was no good reason. For instance, it has activated a few times while moving slowly in heavy traffic. Additionally, the feature frequently activates when reversing out of a parking spot or garage, especially when the weather is rainy. In one instance during light rain, the car slammed to a halt more than five times while trying to... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
I have a 2020 Tucson Sport with 82k miles. Since new, it consumes 1US qt. of oil every 6 month, although I religiously do the tune-up on its recommended intervals using only Mobil 5w-20 synthetic oil. What can I do?
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
Both daytime running lights failed simultaneously. Not covered by warranty and told that they would cost >$5,000 to repair. There have been hundreds of these reported and it should be a recall
Incident date: Feb 13, 2026
Headlights are very dim due to degradation of the reflective projection surface. Internet searches indicate this is a common problem for the 2013-2015 Acura RDXs. The only solution is to replace the entire headlight assembly.
Incident date: Feb 13, 2026
“Check electrical system” warning while driving. Sudden loss of power and speed. “Turtle mode” icon. Limped home 2 miles at <10mph. Vehicle bricked. Towed to dealership.
Incident date: Feb 13, 2026
My engine is projecting a ticking sound. Oil consumption is extreme.
Incident date: Feb 13, 2026
My car was broken into and they broke off my door handle and took out ignition parts, a police report was done
Incident date: Feb 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2014 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the Lane Departure and Forward Collision Avoidance warning lights illuminated, and the traction control warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileag... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
Dear Commissioner and DMV Officials: I am writing to formally address a serious financial and safety concern affecting vehicle owners in Connecticut. As a driver with over 50 years of experience—32 of those in CT—I have never experienced rodent damage to any vehicle until purchasing my 2023 Hyundai Tucson. Since acquiring this vehicle, I have suffered thousands of dollars in damage from rodent... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2025
June 2025 rear door locks stopped working. (Odometer 12,538) I was unable to lock/unlock doors with key fob or with inside driver's door lock/unlock button. Repaired 06/10/2025 at Mentor Nissan, 44060, by replacement of parts #82500-6R0B & 82501-6R0B: CONTROLLER-LOCK in both rear doors. Incident #2: Feb 2026 front driver-side door lock became inoperable, the same as had occurred with the rear d... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2018) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Feb 17, 2026
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
Transmission hesitates and/ or slams into gear.
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2018) — SEATS
Feb 17, 2026
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
My air bar light was flashing so I took it into the dealer as it is still under warranty. They said it is a sensor in the seat that deploys the air bag. It has been since November with no ETA on the part. When I asked about getting my car back after several times they tried to get me to sign a wavier saying if I was in an accident they wouldn't be liable. I refused and my car is still at this deal... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2026
The power train of my 2025 Tesla Model S failed. As a result, the car had several systems alert on my console that they were "unavailable" or "degraded", and in addition to the alerts I experienced their loss or degradation in real time. This included braking, steering, stability control, and traction control. Normally you don't have to hold the brake pedal down at a stop light on this electric... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
Vehicle CV joints failed at 6000 miles, dealership took over 3 weeks to replace them. They claimed multiple CX50 hybrid vehicles are impacted and lots of them already returning under the same problem
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact purchased the vehicle on April 28, 2025, with 28,974 miles from a dealer. On January 20, 2026, while attempting to start the vehicle after being parked for a while, the vehicle lost power and failed to start. The contact walked to an AutoZone nearby, where a mechanic diagnosed that the battery and starter needed to be replaced. Th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2025
SUBJECT: Engine → Stall → Loss of power while driving: While driving normally, the vehicle began losing power and could not accelerate properly. The engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle repeatedly entered a reduced-power condition where it could barely maintain speed. The vehicle would stall while driving and then restart after sitting. This occurred multiple times over a period o... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
While I was making a left turn my steering wheel suddenly got stuck. A vehicle almost hit me.
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
My Hyundai Sonata 2023 is experiencing two recall codes. The first one was 9b1 which was resolved, but the other one is indefinite which is 286. I dropped my car off on December 4 of 2025 and a month later Hyundai’s corporate team reached out to discuss the state of my car. They asked me for things such as the payoff balance of what I owe through CarMax who I’m financing the car from, they ask... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2026
The power steering keeps going out causing turning to become incredibly hard. This started in Dec of 2025. I replaced the column in 2022 because of the same issues and it is happening again now. I see some 2009 VINS have been recalled but my vin isn’t apart of that.
Incident date: Nov 3, 2025
Vehicle was started, while still in park, an alert appeared on the dashboard “stop safely electrical fault detected”. Vehicle was turned off and restarted, with the same warning light on. Called LR dealer, Vehicle was backed out of garage at service advisors advice, parked and flatbed tow truck called.