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 62,191 complaints for KIA
Incident date: Dec 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, traffic started to slow down, and the vehicle failed to stop as intended while depressing the brake pedal. The contact depressed the brake pedal again, and the vehicle abruptly stopped and veered to the left. The contact was able regain control of the vehicle and pulled over to the shoulder. Several unknown warning lights w... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, traffic started to slow down, and the vehicle failed to stop as intended while depressing the brake pedal. The contact depressed the brake pedal again, and the vehicle abruptly stopped and veered to the left. The contact was able regain control of the vehicle and pulled over to the shoulder. Several unknown warning lights w... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
12 volt battery only charges to 50% of capacity. Dealer says it is normal.
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
I experienced a complete electrical system "shut down" or failure, on November 29, 2025 while driving from Stillwater to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is available for inspection. However, I have replaced the battery as recommended by Quail Springs Automotive to get it back on the road again. I was driving my daughter home, and was making a right-hand turn off of Memorial onto north May avenue wh... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
I was driving on the freeway steady at 72mph and the car suddenly accelerated on its own. It hit 90 within seconds and I had to step on the break for the car to slow down.
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
Acceleration lag when starting out
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
My vehicle repeatedly and unexpectedly shifts into neutral while in Drive, causing a sudden loss of power in traffic. This has happened multiple times without any input from me and has nearly caused a crash.
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
My vehicle repeatedly and unexpectedly shifts into neutral while in Drive, causing a sudden loss of power in traffic. This has happened multiple times without any input from me and has nearly caused a crash.
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
My vehicle repeatedly and unexpectedly shifts into neutral while in Drive, causing a sudden loss of power in traffic. This has happened multiple times without any input from me and has nearly caused a crash.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
I am reporting a series of safety-related defects involving the electrical, cooling, and fuel systems of my 2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid. The vehicle was initially brought to the authorized Porsche dealership due to an electrical system error, and the dealer kept the vehicle for an extended period. After approximately five months, the vehicle was returned to me without a clear explanation of the ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
On 12/5/2025, while driving my 2025 BMW X3 at approximately 35 mph on Milwaukee Ave (IL Route 21) during rush-hour traffic, the vehicle displayed a “drivetrain malfunction” warning and immediately lost propulsion; the engine completely shut down. The vehicle could not be driven under its own power and remained stopped in traffic with a minor child passenger present, creating a traffic hazard a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
On 12/5/2025, while driving my 2025 BMW X3 at approximately 35 mph on Milwaukee Ave (IL Route 21) during rush-hour traffic, the vehicle displayed a “drivetrain malfunction” warning and immediately lost propulsion; the engine completely shut down. The vehicle could not be driven under its own power and remained stopped in traffic with a minor child passenger present, creating a traffic hazard a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
FORD HAS A RECALL FOR 2015 AND UP 25S89 REAR-VIEW CAMERA INSPECTION, MY CAMERA HAS EXACT SAME ISSUE IN FACT THESE PARTS INVOLVED IN RECALL ARE THE SAME!!! HOW IS IT THAT FORD STARTS RECALL WITH 2015?? AND DOESNT GO BACK TO 2013??? MAKES NO SINCE WHATSOEVER!! I'VE WORKED FOR FORD FOR 35 YEARS AS A TECH AND IM A 26 YEAR SENIOR MASTER TECHNICIAN!!!! CAN'T EXPLAIN STUPID!!!
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
I have a clicking/knocking sound coming from my front axle when turning left or right. I’ve learned that this indicates defective CV joints, which could cause a dangerous situation in the future with steering control
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
Within a few days of a rain event, I start getting errors involving the lane keep assist, automatic, emergency, breaking, forward collision, warning system, lane departure assist, headlight control unit. God has been taken to the dealership three times in the last six months for this problem and it keeps coming back. This is a safety issue and I don’t feel comfortable taking the car out for a dr... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
Within a few days of a rain event, I start getting errors involving the lane keep assist, automatic, emergency, breaking, forward collision, warning system, lane departure assist, headlight control unit. God has been taken to the dealership three times in the last six months for this problem and it keeps coming back. This is a safety issue and I don’t feel comfortable taking the car out for a dr... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
The car while driving at normal highway speeds announced that there was a high risk of electrocution associated with driving in wet conditions. This was via a red screen in the driver display. Car is 2025 R1T with 15,000 miles on it. Anyway near the vehicle was at risk of being exposed to 400v electricity.
Incident date: Dec 7, 2025
Headlights will completely go out at night just at random, sometimes it's only one and sometimes it both completely. Yet the High beams and fog lights will work when activated even when the regular lights will not. Has been an ongoing issue for a while now, and upon talking to other Jeep Grand Cherokee owners of around the same year model they complain that there's do it randomly as well, and I've... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2025
My rear differential failed at 43k. This has been a common problem for LandRover 2008 LR2. The repair is costing me 5k to repair.
Incident date: Dec 7, 2025
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Defective brake causing sudden brake loss How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Yes Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Not yet Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
While driving at normal speed, the entire digital instrument panel suddenly went black and a red warning triangle appeared. I lost all gauges, including speedometer, fuel level, and warning indicators. This created a serious safety risk because I was in active traffic and had no way to know my speed or see alerts. My VIN shows an open recall for this exact defect (instrument cluster blackout), but... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2025
I own a 2019 Honda Passport. There is a safety concern when it comes to THE IDLE STOP feature. If I do not immediately turn this feature off after starting the vehicle, the car will shut off at a traffic light and stall. It takes up to a minute for the vehicle and operator to register that the vehicle is no longer operable. The vehicle must be manually put into park, restarted, and then put in... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2020
Engine lost all power while driving highway speed. Vehicle towed to Cavender Chevrolet dealer in Boerne, TX. Dealer inspected and determined cam bearings damaged. Engine replaced with remanufactured engine.
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
My vehicle originally showed more than 10 open safety recalls in the FordPass app and at the servicing dealer. I saved screenshots of each recall. After Ford performed a remote over-the-air software update, all but one recall suddenly disappeared from the app even though no physical repairs were done and no documentation was provided. NHTSA still shows Recall 25V543 as incomplete, involving BCM s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
Engine began to knock on [XXX] on my way home from work. Drove to work and back the next day, but heard a loud CLUNK when I started it to head home. Stopped at auto parts store and checked oil. Completely dry dip stick (after wiping it clean). Added 2 qts of synthetic since I had an appt the next morning ([XXX]) at 7:30am at dealership where I purchased it. Knocking stopped but only drove about 12... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety issue with my 2014 Jeep Compass. While driving, the vehicle feels as though the passenger-side front wheel is going to snap off at any moment. The sensation and noise appear to come from the wheel or axle area, and the instability is strong enough that the vehicle does not feel safe to operate. I have taken the vehicle to multiple mechanics ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
Rear door liftgate hinges defective. They are too week combined with electric power struts. They are being pulled away from body of vehicle and become misshapen (bent, deformed,etc) and causes door/liftgate to be unbalanced and and stick out too far away from body. Now the door/liftgate can not close and be secured
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
The 2026 Kawasaki ZX-6R is under an active safety recall and has been officially classified by Kawasaki as “Unsafe to Operate.” Kawasaki has confirmed in writing that there is no approved repair procedure and no repair timeline available. The motorcycle cannot be used in any capacity, but I am required to continue making payments. This is a failure to remedy a known safety defect. I am request... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
Windshield has water leaking into the inside of the car with water running out of the bottom of both front seat doors when it rains and now has severe condensation on the inside front windshield that is soaking wet. Water is pooling on the inside of both doors when opened. Very wet. Most likely a sealant fail
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
Loses power steering when vehicle is low speed or stopped. Same details as safety recall 14743 for 2015 gmc sierra.
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
"Vehicle is subject to Recall 68C (Fire Risk). Manufacturer states remedy is 'Not Yet Available.' I am instructed not to charge the battery and to park away from structures. I cannot safely park the vehicle at my home or use the electric propulsion I am paying for. The vehicle presents an immediate fire hazard while parked."
Incident date: Nov 3, 2025
I have been trying to register my vehicle in California for several months, however, in order to do so, I need the car to pass SMOG. Initially I was told that the issue was related to an emissions sensor and that I had to drive the vehicle a few more miles to get the sensor to register properly. This turned out not to be the case. A short time later, the fuel gauge completely stopped working. ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and 25V729000 (VISIBILITY); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started then hesitated and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The ve... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and 25V729000 (VISIBILITY); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started then hesitated and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The ve... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
Low engine oil message keeps flashing after less than 2,000 miles of driver. Excessive oil consumption. Took vehicle to GMC dealership and it was confirmed that an engine replacement or replacement of the pistons and rings is necessary. Only 77,000 miles on the vehicle. My car is currently not a part of the massive recall.
Incident date: May 5, 2025
Upon starting the vehicle while parked on 10/18/2025, dashboard displayed warning: "Turn off engine and check coolant level. See owner's manual." Visual inspection revealed coolant residue on mechanical coolant pump switching valve N649 on cylinder head bank 1, indicating water pump internal seal failure allowing coolant to leak into vacuum control system. Component failed: Water pump (EA839 3.0T... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2025
My truck thinks my parking brake is engaged so it constantly flashes the “brake” light, constantly chimes while driving and says parking break malfunction, talk to dealer. I brought it to Webber family Ford in Detroit lakes MN 56501 and they checked it over including the safety recall location for recall 23S35. They said it was not the recall location and I would have to bring it in Monday for... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2025
My truck thinks my parking brake is engaged so it constantly flashes the “brake” light, constantly chimes while driving and says parking break malfunction, talk to dealer. I brought it to Webber family Ford in Detroit lakes MN 56501 and they checked it over including the safety recall location for recall 23S35. They said it was not the recall location and I would have to bring it in Monday for... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2025
I accidentally ran out of gas and my car died directly underneath a railroad crossing arm. I had been stopped to allow an Amtrak train to go by and my car died when I started to move forward after it passed. Thankfully I wasn't on the tracks, but I was close to them. I immediately got out of my car and the woman behind me said she would help push me out of the way of the crossing arm. I went to pu... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V741000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where a fault code related to the gas cap was cleared. The contact stated that the manufacturer had e... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
There was no incident...but I am reporting the fact that Nissan has not provided a remedy and the recall has been in place over a year. I and other owners of affected Nissan Leafs are not able to use the car to its full capacity. I strongly recommend NHTSA encourage/force Nissan to deliver a remedy and, indeed, compensation for the fact that these cars could not be use for long-distance driving fo... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, there was an abnormal flapping sound coming from the vehicle. Upon lookin... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
The backup camera on my 2021 Polestar 2 has never functioned reliably. It frequently fails to activate when the vehicle is placed in reverse and instead displays an error message. This is a manufacturer defect. Although the vehicle was recalled for this defect and I had the recall repair performed, the issue persists. The repair did not fully resolve the problem, and the backup camera continues to... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
VEHICLES INVOLVED: 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Sahara – VIN [XXX] 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon – VIN [XXX] RECALLS: • 68C – NHTSA 25V-741 (HV battery fire risk – do NOT recharge, park away from structures) • 78C – NHTSA 25V-766 (engine contamination causing catastrophic failure, fire, and loss of propulsion) SUMMARY: Both of my 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles have been declared unsa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
Power train failure while driving confirmed by dealer in February 2025 - 01C recall.vehicle is inoperable and sitting at dealer. Keep being told parts unavailable. Reimbursement for rental was nightmare and deliberately delayed, change terms mid rental etc. No updates, no remedies, no compensation.
Incident date: Sep 5, 2025
Oil Filter Housing cracked, leaking oil, smoking in cabin, risk of fire.
Incident date: Sep 5, 2025
Oil Filter Housing cracked, leaking oil, smoking in cabin, risk of fire.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
i purchased the vehicle March of 2025. Since I have been to the dealership on multiple occasions. I was there less than a week after purchase because there was a noise coming from the front tire the dealership balanced the tire. The noise was still there so i returned and the next time they replaced the front wheel bearings. I still have issues with the steering wheel shaking so they replaced all ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
I do not have access to my owners manual. One was not included with the truck when I bought it. I was told I could download it in the app, but I am still unable to do so.