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: Dec 22, 2025
I am the original owner of this car and in June 2025 I brought my car to Hyundai from noises and they told me it had no oil despite me being up to date with oil changes on the vehicle. They told me they were going to do an oil consumption test and once they did that the engine was denied. 6 months later 3 days after an oil change and no check engine light on, the engine fails while I’m on the si... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
I received confirmation from my local Hyundai dealership that my 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT is consuming over 1.8 quarts of oil every 1000 miles. The mileage is currently 70k miles. This is not the result of lack of maintenance or neglect but because of Hyundais engine design. I was told by the local dealership that I would need a total engine re build. This was the only option to fix the issue 100%.... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The transmission has severe shuddering when accelerating up to 40mph. I’ve had the torque converter replaced twice and the issue has remained. Over time the speed of shuddering has expanded up to 40mph before it drives smoothly.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
UNKNOWN The infotainment system started malfunctioning on its own. Changes channels on radio, goes into settings and makes changes. Calls phone numbers etc. Does it more in the cold weather
Incident date: Nov 5, 2024
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The variable displacement oil pump contains a plastic (Duoplex) internal adjusting ring/vane carrier that is known to become brittle and shatter. Status: While the pump has not yet suffered a total mechanical collapse, it is a documented inherent defect. The manufacturer (BMW) has already superseded ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2024
transfer case AWD/xDrive system drivetrain components The dealer diagnosed a transfer case failure on the BMW X4 xDrive. Vehicle displayed drivetrain malfunction warning. Repair estimate exceeds $20,000. The vehicle has under 50,000 miles. The issue appears consistent with known xDrive transfer case complaints. The warning light came on on January 7, 2026, at approximately 6 pm.
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
When putting the car in reverse, the Backup Camera goes blank. This causes backing up out of a parking space to be hazardous because driver is unable to see around the end of the cars on either side. No inspection has taken place yet. No other warnings or messages.
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
My wife was slowly pulling into a parking spot, when at about 10ft from curb the car suddenly accelerated faster than she even thought the car even was capable of (the AWD likely helped). It hopped the curb and hit a tree. She backed it up to the parking spot (it acted normally) and had it towed to dealer. In hindsight, the car had been having a progressive amount and frequency of delay in norm... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
My wife was slowly pulling into a parking spot, when at about 10ft from curb the car suddenly accelerated faster than she even thought the car even was capable of (the AWD likely helped). It hopped the curb and hit a tree. She backed it up to the parking spot (it acted normally) and had it towed to dealer. In hindsight, the car had been having a progressive amount and frequency of delay in norm... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
I have a 2018 Toyota CHR with of course a CVT transmission. I am around 105k miles with normal maintenance and have had small issues but nothing crazy until now. I have been noticing a strange noise coming from my car and after replacing pretty much every moving part on the car (besides the transmission), the issue is a bearing coming from within the transmission. After doing further research thro... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
Engine makes rattling and knocking noises. Transmission hesitates and jerks Suspension front struts and rear shocks are bad. Possible the isolators. Having horrible back pain when riding in car. Starter intermittently doesn't work Lane keep assistance goes over small bump in road will make car drive in opposite lane into on coming traffic. Took car to Tameron hyundai in Birmingham on the 29th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
Engine makes rattling and knocking noises. Transmission hesitates and jerks Suspension front struts and rear shocks are bad. Possible the isolators. Having horrible back pain when riding in car. Starter intermittently doesn't work Lane keep assistance goes over small bump in road will make car drive in opposite lane into on coming traffic. Took car to Tameron hyundai in Birmingham on the 29th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2025
Car info – 2026 Chevrolet Equinox Purchased 9/25/25 Stock# [XXX] VIN: [XXX] Type: LT 4dr All-Wheel Drive On 1/8/26, I took my 2026 Equinox to Northpointe Chevrolet because I had a warning light that came on every time I started my car. The warning light states, ‘Service Driver Assist System’. The alert had been coming on for about a month but I had to cancel my previous two appointments... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V586000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2024
I bought a car in Hyundai ELANTRA2024 at drivers Mart in Orlando, Florida. About a month after I bought the car I brought it back for something to service dealership area and let them know that the paint was coming off my car. I did notice that there was a tiny little spot that someone putcover paint about a half inch to an inch. The service people the dealership told me that there was a known cl... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
Owners of affected Mercedes-Benz vehicles were given no meaningful advance warning that core, built-in safety and emergency communication systems would be permanently disabled. No replacement system has been offered, no retrofit path exists, and no alternative emergency solution has been provided. The manufacturer has instead unilaterally orphaned these vehicles by discontinuing backend support re... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
The constant-velocity joint on the driver's side tends to vibrate, and at certain speeds there is play in the steering. Sometimes the handbrake doesn't work properly, and the right-side brake light doesn't work even after replacing the bulbs.
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
The electric power steering intermittently resists driver input during low-speed maneuvers and near full-lock turns. Steering effort suddenly increases and feels as if assist is being applied against driver input. This behavior matches the failure description in Honda EPS torque sensor magnet recall (2017–2018 Civic / CR-V, campaign C2N / P20). Honda confirmed my VIN is excluded, but the vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2026
I noticed the windshield washer nozzle on the passenger side isn't either working or not there. I reached out to Tesla, and also stopped by a Local Dealership and they told me that it would cost me out of pocket, since it's out of warranty. Secondly, the left side driver repeater camera has a Glare when turned at night time only. which is quite dangerous due to very less visibility due to the Gl... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2026
I was driving my 2021 Hyundai Sonata at approximately 3:00 AM when the vehicle suddenly began shaking and vibrating. While stopped at a traffic light, the check engine light illuminated, and the engine was shaking severely. I immediately pulled over and shut off the engine. After waiting approximately one hour, I restarted the vehicle, but it was only able to drive very slowly. The following day... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
Driving uphill at approx 20mph near my home. Loud bang/explosion from engine or front driver-side wheel well. Red alarm flashed on instrument cluster (something like “Front Brake Failure”) and strong odor of fuel or exhaust entered cab. I immediately pulled into a pullout and put vehicle in park when I noticed flames coming from the engine compartment through the gaps in hood and wheel well. I... Read more
Fire
HYUNDAI
IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2020) — ENGINE
Jan 8, 2026
Incident date: Dec 21, 2025
I was driving down the freeway on cruise,when all of a sudden,the vehicle started vibrating and shaking violently.This happened in the middle of a downpour,and the tires broke loose momentarily,but I was able to gain control,and safely pull on to the shoulder.After searching the internet,this incident sounds very much like a broken crankshaft,as described in the many,many reports of this type of f... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
Made a turn into a street and driving at slow pace (about 20mph) and the vehicle suddenly shuddered and came to complete stop and died in the middle of the road. I had no time to pull over. No warning. It just happened. Fortunately, no oncoming or cars behind me. There was a red dash board warning “Engine Control Error”. I turned off the vehicle and restarted.
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
While driving, which occurred 20 minutes after i started the car, the driver’s door gets unlocked automatically and i started hearing car warning with ⚠️ appearing on my dashboard. I also heard wind noise from the highway. With the electric, i could not simply open and close the door while driving, but had to pull the door with my left hand for the next 40 minutes while driving until i hit d... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
While driving on a service road at approximately 45 mph, the corner side glass on my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe shattered suddenly and without warning. There was no impact from a rock or object, and no other vehicles were present that could have caused debris. We had just entered the service road, and road conditions were normal. My [XXX] was seated in the front passenger seat at the time of the inci... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2025
The vehicle began popping when turning left near the axel. Once brought up to Honda we were made aware that they know about the issue but my vehicle didn’t fall as necessary to fix…..yet and they are hoping for a recall in order to address my issue. Till then I’m supposed to drive around with a potentially broken axel with my children.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
Police car started to run rough at low speed. Stalled in middle of road. Scanned codes and code for Catalytic converter showed up along with misfires from numerous cylinders. Brought to dealer and was told needed plugs and a wire. Vehicle was returned and the same issue occurred. Fixed again. Picked up and once again the same issue started. Turned around and brought it back to dealer. The mechanic... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
Wiring for headlights, and break lights has been malfunctioning. It is not a fuse and i have tried changing them to the point i keep extra in my trunk and still won't work. yes, available for inspection, I have been pulled over multiple times and was written a citation yesterday.
Incident date: Dec 27, 2025
my sensor does not work and does not detect the gas in tank car wont start or turn on
Incident date: Dec 27, 2025
Vehicle experienced engine failure previously and received a Hyundai-installed replacement engine in February 2025. Replacement engine is now setting DTC P000A00 – Intake Camshaft Position Slow Response (Bank 1). Hyundai dealership master technician confirmed excessive variance between commanded and actual cam timing, indicating a VVT / cam timing failure controlled by oil and actuators. Hyundai... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2025
Nissan still has not provided a remedy for recall number Nissan recall R24B2 NHTSA 24V700000. This prevents me from being able to access the full use of the car because I cannot fast charge without risk of damaging the EV battery. Just last week I had to borrow a gas car and pay for gas in order to take a road trip. This is unacceptable. We should have a remedy by now.
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was an abnormal scraping sound coming from under the vehicle. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, the contact discovered that the fuel tank had partially detached from the subframe and fuel was leaking from the fuel tank. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who replaced the fuel ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
During oil change Cadillac mechanic noted camshaft oil seal leak. Video was provided. Mileage on car is 51,534 at that time. I feel that this is too premature and repair requires pulling the engine. Very expensive. Quote was $4,597
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
While driving, after a missed downshift that causes engine bogging, the vehicle experiences a loss of engine power. The engine remains running but will not produce usable torque and will not rev above approximately 800 RPM, despite clutch disengagement and selecting the correct gear. Holding the clutch fully depressed does not immediately restore power; instead, after approximately 4 seconds, the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
The ICCU assembly and high voltage fuse blew/broke at 6,255 miles as I was driving on Interstate 294. That immediately reduced the vehicle maximum speed to about 25mph, causing a hazard to myself and following drivers who were traveling at 55mph or more. I limped about 3 miles to the next exit, where Hyundai arranged for a tow and warranty service to replace the faulty parts. There were no prio... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently while driving 45-55 MPH. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The c... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
Service ABS light constantly alerting, every time I touch brakes. Loses cruise control. I called two local dealerships who tell me parts are unavailable. This is on recall, why aren’t parts available?
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
The ACC will just turn off without warning. A yellow warning light turns on to signal driver it is not operational. This has happened many times. The warning light also occurs when the system is NOT turned on. The FCC warning comes on intermittently and states like the ACC service immediately. Both of the systems are meant to be safety features however it recommended that the driver pull over... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
Turbocharger gasket failed resulting in leaking coolant and overheating of engine. Damages resulted turbocharge replacement and replacement of water outlet in $4463.43 repair bill.
Incident date: Dec 28, 2025
The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously sustained undercarriage damage while driving at 20 MPH and hitting a pothole. The undercarriage was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. A coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled into the Walmart parking lo... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Driver heated seat shorted out and caused burn to leg. System has not been repaired, will wait to hear from Kia Customer Affairs prior to decision to repair. I was injured by this and have concerns about the safety of the vehicle, will this happen again if a new grid is installed. Kia dealership confirmed that the grid showed high resistivity but also claimed since nothing is melted I couldn't hav... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
Engine lost power and was misfiring while many warning symbols appeared on the dash. There was a divider separating the lanes. The car coasted to almost to a stop, but the engine chugged enough to slowly turn left at the first opening in the divider and just barely made it off the main road. The engine stopped. I restarted it several times. The engine was misfiring barely running. The electric bra... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
There is an open safety recall on my vehicle since September 2025 with no updates on when a remedy will be available from Stellantis. The issue is that fuel supply to the engine can be cut off causing the vehicle to lose power unexpectedly and go LOMP. I cannot drive the vehicle in this state because it is dangerous if the engine were to cut off unexpectedly at highway speeds, especially since I h... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
I was stopped at a traffic light and began moving forward to make a turn into traffic. As I activated my turn signal and started to proceed through the intersection, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off without warning, causing an immediate loss of power while the vehicle was in motion. Another vehicle was entering the intersection at the same time, creating a near-collision situation. I was ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a distorted image while the vehicle was in reverse(R), and the screen glitched. The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2023
The car has harsh knocking downshifting. In slow speeds, the has abrupt transmission changes.
HYUNDAI
TUCSON
(2016) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
Jan 7, 2026
Incident date: Jan 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle went into LIMP Mode. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 30 MPH. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several dealers. The contact was informed that the unknown hoses a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE) and 25V347000 (STRUCTURE). However, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the passenger's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2026
There was no accident .Airbag light on the dash, on the driver side, remains on at all times. The airbag indicator on the passenger side says off. Dashboard has completely cracked, both sides and the center. Unknown incidents- I don’t know of any incidents.