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 60,583 complaints for KIA
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
at 65,000 miles, the transmission has developed a "whining" sound consistent with TSB T-SB-0008-21.
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
Back up lights. The lights constantly burn out causing the harness light holder to burn out. The lights will not come on even after replacing fuse and lights There are not back lights to warn patrons on the road for turning or stopping Yes it was taken to a dealership No it has not been inspected my either , but there is a recall on models of the same car but years 2011-2014 No there were no... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked, and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact replaced the spark plugs and became aware that the parts were covered in oil. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
Coolant control valve failure. Instantly reduces power on truck. National back order on parts. No remedy.
Incident date: May 4, 2025
Went too start the vehicle and power steering/steering at all was at a loss
Incident date: Aug 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving off an off-ramp at approximately 40-60 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly lost power and turned off. The contact restarted the vehicle to continue driving. The failure had occurred twice. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes gra... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2025
Reverse camera turns off while reversing if a phone is plugged in for android auto
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
My 2021 Honda Pilot SE has developed a failure of the forward-facing Multipurpose Camera Unit (mounted behind the rearview mirror). A scan with a professional tool confirmed Diagnostic Trouble Code U3000-49 – “Multipurpose Camera Unit Internal Electronic Failure.” When this occurs, the vehicle immediately displays multiple warning lights at every startup: Collision Mitigation Braking System... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
2022 Ram eTorque, while slowing to a stop to turn engine stalls followed by an automatic emergency brake applied. Engine must be restarted, placed in park and brake released. In the last year it has occured 15 to 20 times. My wife refuses to drive this truck considering it to be too dangerous.
Incident date: Jul 6, 2025
so i have a Honda pilot and have been seeing a light saying that my collision mitigation system is broke so i took it in for a diagnostic which i was charged for which is fine and normal i guess but they told me that the system was broken possibly from just driving through construction zones and this causes phantom braking so i have to get it fixed but they want to charge me for the repairs which ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2025
Our Ford Edge ST has 43,000 on it and there are times that when we if shift from Park to Reverse or Reverse to Drive, it sound and feels like the transmission dropped out of the vehicle and sounds like a bullet from a gun. Since it is out of the 3 year/36,000 warranty, Ford wants $200 to diagnose it and what it will cost to repair it. I haven’t taken to Ford, based on the fact that this as it ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
My water pump is going bad with only 64,505 miles on it. My VIN number wasn’t included in the federal emissions warranty of 80,000 miles or 8 years. I believe this is an oversight. Please review why my vehicle was excluded from the extended warranty.
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
the electronic power steering went out while operating the pick up on a city street and I was unable to steer the vehicle which created a safety issue for the pedestrians and passengers. There were no warnings or messages indicating a problem prior to me losing steering capability. I pulled over but had to get the truck off the roadway so I drove without power steering to the repair shop. This ‘... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2025
234/45/R18 - 94V bubble developed on exterior of front, passenger side tire AND the interior of back, passenger side tire within a year of purchasing vehicle new with this tire installed. The tire had to be replaced immediately to avoid a tire blowout.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure of the front main bearing in the engine be... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
I am told my 2025 Grand Highlander has a hole in the AC Condenser from "road debris" according to a Toyota dealership leading to no air conditioning. I've never taken the car off-roading. A simple google search shows that others are having this issue and are buying extra netting to protect it from happening again. I'm told I need to pay $1,800 to have this fixed when I haven't even had the car fo... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2025
Since purchasing the vehicle, I have had numerous problems with the lane departure warning. It is inconsistent on a daily basis. The only time it responds the way it is supposed to, is if there is average light and very vivid road/lane markings. It sometimes does not respond to yellow lines in the road unless they are very vivid. It often misses white lines unless there is a strong contrast to the... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
Traveling (cruising) at highway speed on interstate the engine suddenly made a clanking noise and engine oil pressure went to zero and engine stopped. I barley managed to just get out of major traffic without causing an accident and off the interstate coasting to a stop This could have been a tragic accident that was just barely avoided.the truck has 80043 miles. Just 43 miles out of warranty. I... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2023
To: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) I am writing to formally submit a safety complaint regarding a serious issue I have encountered with the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) manifold on my 2013 Honda Accord EX-L. This issue raises significant safety concerns and may warrant investigation for a potential recall. Recently, I experienced a failure in the ABS system that resulte... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2025
Kia dealership has confirmed that the components of the vehicle's multi-fuse (located under the hood) for the AC/HVAC system have started to burn and are melting part of the fuse panel due to excessive current draw and excessive heat. Due to this, the vehicle's HVAC (both heat and a/c) does not function. A vehicle's HVAC functions help to: 1) Defrost/defog vehicle's windows during rainy and humi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2025
Kia dealership has confirmed that the components of the vehicle's multi-fuse (located under the hood) for the AC/HVAC system have started to burn and are melting part of the fuse panel due to excessive current draw and excessive heat. Due to this, the vehicle's HVAC (both heat and a/c) does not function. A vehicle's HVAC functions help to: 1) Defrost/defog vehicle's windows during rainy and humi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
Kia dealership has confirmed that the components of the vehicle's multi-fuse (located under the hood) for the AC/HVAC system have started to burn and are melting part of the fuse panel due to excessive current draw and excessive heat. Due to this, the vehicle's HVAC (both heat and a/c) does not function. A vehicle's HVAC functions help to: 1) Defrost/defog vehicle's windows during rainy and humi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Dodge Hornet. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention display failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the back-over display screen displayed a black screen. The contact stated that because of the failure, the contact vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated that it was a minor crash. The vehicle was towed to an indep... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
Received a recall notice for a motor bearing that could fail. Received recall notice on8/27 /25 They state parts are available 04/2025 And they will notify me when the parts are in. I think thay should be fixing my problem. Its been 5 months thats much to long.Can you do anything about it ? thay have not called me to say thay have the parts.
Incident date: Aug 24, 2025
I was just driving then noticed lack of acceleration and the engine light flashing. Loosing acceleration mid driving posed a great safety risk because no other drivers would know the issue I was experiencing and risked causing an accident. The vehicle was taken for a fault code reading which indicated a knock sensor code, later it was inspected at the dealership who confirmed an ECU issue. The po... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2025
On Friday [XXX], I was at a stop sign waiting to turn right, when it was my turn to go my car would not move at all, forward or back, the regular lights on the dash board were still on. I put my blinkers on and had all cars go around me. I turned my car off and then back on, that's when the check engine light came on. After 8 minutes of turning the car off and on, I was able to move backwards and... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where an inspection was performed, and the contact was informed that the vehicle had passed the inspection. The mechanic stated that no repairs were needed, and the recall was removed from the VIN. The contact then stated that while driving... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2024
A cracked engine block caused coolant intrusion into my Eco Boost engine resulting in overheating engine. I was almost stranded in the Cascade mountains. Randy Wright at Bill Pierre Ford of Seattle says he sees a Ford Escape with this problem once a week. After multiple conversations with Ford corporate, it appears Ford is aware of the problem but unwilling to issue a recall for these dangerously ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
I purchased this car as a certified pre owned car from the Mazda dealership In mechanicsburg PA about two and a half years ago. The transmission failed and the car was unsafe to drive after 3 months from the purchase date. The Mazda dealership didn’t know how to fix the transmission as it’s a complicated process. They tried to send it to a ford dealership but they would not work on it. It took... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
at around 42,000 miles my Trailblazer displayed a message that engine power had been reduced and the check engine light came on. I took it to my dealer who diagnosed as a problem with the engine turbo fixed it and returned the car to me. I drove for 2 weeks and the same thing happened. I traded it in on an Equinox after the service manager said the turbo was a know issued. I did not want to be... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
There is a pending recall on this vehicle for the past 8 months. There is still no remedy. My trade-in value has plummeted. I'm experiencing issues related to the PTU recall, and the dealership is telling me there is no known remedy. The vehicle randomly loses drive power / gains drive power. They know the PTU is what is likely wrong with the vehicle, but are refusing to fix the issue, because the... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
1. The car accelerates by intself. The accelaration is like "hiccups". When reversing and changing to D gear, it takes longer than usual for the accelarion to take effect. Yes, car is available for inspections 2. It is dangerus because it gets the hiccups even at high speeds. If it is a serious egine problem, which seems like it is, could cause an accident. 3. The car was taken to the dealershi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
BATTERY: THE BATTERY MONITOR SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE DAMAGED. IT KEEPS SHUTTING DOWN MY SYSTEMS SAYING TO PRESERVE BATTERY. AND WHEN AND IF MY SENSORS GO OFF, THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT SOUND AS IF IT'S NOT RECEIVING ENOUGH POWER TO NOTIFY ME OF POTENTIAL DANGER. ALSO, WHEN I'M LISTENING TO MY RADIO WITH THE ENGINE OFF, THE CAR SHUTS DOWN EVERYTHING GIVING A DISPLAY INDICATION THAT THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG W... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
The main screen dashboard suddenly turned off while driving and will not come back. No odometer, turn signal, lane keeping, anything available.
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the turbo, resulting ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the turbo, resulting ... Read more
KIA
CARNIVAL HYBRID
(2025) — POWER TRAIN
Aug 27, 2025
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
The hybrid car intermittently switches into EV mode after coming to a complete stop (e.g., at a traffic signal or after briefly stopping to pick up my child). When this happens, the vehicle does not accelerate properly once back on the road and feels stuck in EV mode, unable to accelerate beyond ~45 mph. This creates a safety concern when merging or crossing intersections.
KIA
CARNIVAL HYBRID
(2025) — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Aug 27, 2025
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
On [XXX] my car auto brake unexpected early afternoon on [XXX] . SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 53 mph. A Mack dump truck almost rear ended me. On [XXX] the same thing happened in Philipsburg NJ on [XXX] . CAR WAS BROUGHT TO Faulkner Cadillac in Bethel, Pa. In both cases, there were no cars or objects in my path. About 2 months ago the same thing happened at low speed in Watchung, NJ. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 o... Read more
KIA
CARNIVAL HYBRID
(2025) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Aug 27, 2025
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V096000 (AIR BAGS), 15V123000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), 17V608000 (STEERING), and 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle jerked and vibrate... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2025
The driver side mirror vibrates causing a blurry image while driving
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
Multiple warnings regarding Adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning problems. Honda says it is the front multi-camera. The vehicle works fine intermittently, but doesn’t more often than not. Issue started to occur shortly after a wiring harness recall.
Incident date: Aug 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); 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 vehicle was taken to the dealer, who referenced the Collision Avoidance System; however, did ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
While driving a Tesla 2021 model 3 tonight at 8:45 P.M. turning left the wheels locked to the left and would not turn straight causing me to hit a concrete divider. After hitting concrete divider steering released to normal driving but driver side car front rim tire was damaged and wheel alignment misdirected.
Incident date: Aug 27, 2020
I leased this vehicle brand new. At around 500 miles, the vehicle had occasionally a humming noice, at 1900 miles the humming noice is loud with vibration. My suspicion is a structural defect, my fear is to end up with half a vehicle on one lane, the other half in the other lane at the expressway. I have recorded several of the occurrences, provided a GM dealership with the recordings, contacted ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2020
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that there was an abnormal beeping sound coming from the vehicle. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The service electronic brake system message was displayed. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed that parts were not yet avail... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V096000 (AIR BAGS), 15V123000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), 17V608000 (STEERING), and 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle jerked and vibrate... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
My active head rest internal plastic clips that hold the headrest from releasing randomly broke. The headrest propelled forward while driving almost causing an accident. I looked in the headrest and the retaining clips broke without a cause event. I've liked online at threads and this is incredibly common in the grand cherokee
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
A critical component failure has rendered my 2016 BMW 528xi inoperable and unsafe. The water pump failed, forcing the car into a safety "limp mode," limiting its speed to approximately 40 miles per hour. This issue mirrors NHTSA Recall 24V-608 regarding an electrical connector on the water pump that can short circuit, potentially causing a "thermal event or fire." The problem began with dashboard... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the warning message "Shifter Malfunction - Service Immediately" was displayed, and the gear shifter failed to shift from park(P), rendering the vehicle undriveable. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufactur... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2025
Seemingly randomly all center console functions and door functions shut off (no a/c / heat, can't roll down/up windows, outside ambient temp and can't unlock/lock doors from inside buttons (key still works as well as door handle unlock / speed lock) can be hazardous in even mild temp as interior heats up quickly without air flow. Other non-important functions that stop working include radio/stereo... Read more