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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints
140,173 Reported Crashes
56,794 Reported Fires
8,580 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›
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Showing 62,191 complaints for KIA

KIA SORENTO (2017) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Oct 13, 2025
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
Battery conditioning (heating) is required for fast charging at cold temperatures. The current method of enabling this function takes many steps including going into the EV setting to enable this option (since it automatically turns off when changing some settings in the Hyundai Bluelink App), then opening the navigation screen, looking at a map and scrolling though a long list of charging sites, ... Read more
KIA OPTIMA (2018) - POWER TRAIN Oct 13, 2025
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
Complete loss of power and power steering. Repeated every 1.5 minutes after restart.
KIA RIO (2018) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Oct 12, 2025
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
While driving, Jeep stalled out/became unresponsive, D started flashing on gear shift panel and dashboard, check engine light came on and dashboard message said: "shift to P to start" "Press brake & Push button to start" While jeep was already ON and was driving. Very dangerous!! This happened 4x in 1 mile radius. Had to put in P, shut off and restart but kept happening. Luckily was able to maneu... Read more
KIA SOUL (2019) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Oct 12, 2025
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
Was driving on highway at speed of 60mph then the vehicle loss motive and drifted with no power. Check engine light came on and was able to move to the shoulder. I was able to restart the vehicle but would move for a min then loose power again. Didn't matter whether on electric, hybrid,or gas.
KIA SOUL (2019) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Oct 12, 2025
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
Was driving on highway at speed of 60mph then the vehicle loss motive and drifted with no power. Check engine light came on and was able to move to the shoulder. I was able to restart the vehicle but would move for a min then loose power again. Didn't matter whether on electric, hybrid,or gas.
KIA SPORTAGE (2020) - TIRES Oct 12, 2025
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
Our Audi has 13k miles. We noticed large chunks of rubber pulling away on the treads with pieces large enough to put our finger into. The dealer says they have seen this problem before with this tire
KIA SPORTAGE (2021) - POWER TRAIN Oct 12, 2025
Incident date: May 23, 2024
Vehicle lost power transfer while in Drive and dash instructed to press brake to shift into Park. Check Engine light came on. Dash said something about fuel transfer issue. Happened 5 times in .25 mile. Had to turn car off and restart to drive and it happened again. This all happened after a UConnect update
KIA SORENTO (2015) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING Oct 12, 2025
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Initially, the component that was failing was the rear wiper blade. The wiper blade would not perform a proper rotation. It wouldn’t move at all when I would turn the switch, but anytime the car was unlocked or locked. The door was open or closed the blade would move. A few days later, one reverse light was out. The rear wiper doesn’t really pose any risks but with my reverse lights, failing a... Read more
KIA SPORTAGE (2013) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Oct 11, 2025
Incident date: Sep 27, 2025
The vehicle did an over-the-air update to the vehicles software, u connect. The vehicle has since suffered two losses of propulsion while driving, with check engine light indicator illumination and a P1E1D code. This has been reported by numerous other 2024 4xe drivers.
KIA SORENTO (2022) - ENGINE Oct 11, 2025
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
Software update causes vehicle to completely loose power after two minutes or so of driving. Very serious problem and dangerous. Requires stopping vehicle immediately and rebooting. Happens again and again.
KIA SORENTO (2022) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Oct 11, 2025
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
Software update causes vehicle to completely loose power after two minutes or so of driving. Very serious problem and dangerous. Requires stopping vehicle immediately and rebooting. Happens again and again.
KIA SORENTO (2022) - ENGINE Oct 11, 2025
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
A software update appears on the screen. I hit update and got out of the Jeep. A number of hours later I started up the Jeep and drove away, about a mile down the road while driving the Jeep entirely shutdown. The motor was off and I had not control. The dash told me to put it in park and update. I was luckily in a spot where I could just stop in the middle of the road, I put it in park restarted ... Read more
KIA SOUL (2012) - TIRES:TREAD/BELT Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
While driving about 40 MPH on a two land road the sidewall blow out . Right before I got a low tire pressure warning from my vehicle.
KIA SOUL (2012) - TIRES:SIDEWALL Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
While driving about 40 MPH on a two land road the sidewall blow out . Right before I got a low tire pressure warning from my vehicle.
KIA SOUL (2016) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
The blinkers ...window wipers ...brights. horn.. battery draining. Horn. Staling. Someone said it's the TIPM.WHICH WAS RECALLED yeARS BACK. I JUST GOT THIS CAR NOT EVEN 2 YEARS AGO.and it's unsafe . I can't see and scared the airbags are gonna diploy
KIA SOUL (2016) - SERVICE BRAKES Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
The blinkers ...window wipers ...brights. horn.. battery draining. Horn. Staling. Someone said it's the TIPM.WHICH WAS RECALLED yeARS BACK. I JUST GOT THIS CAR NOT EVEN 2 YEARS AGO.and it's unsafe . I can't see and scared the airbags are gonna diploy
KIA SOUL (2016) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
Faulty code P0A7B and P0A1F for the Battery Energy Control Module BECM was diagnosed. Check engine light appeared and then car shut off at a light when attempting to press accelerator. Was told by dealer the part needed replacement instead of just a software update. A recall was shown in general for my year and type but not specifically for my vehicle. My vehicle should be included with this recal... Read more
KIA SOUL (2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
On September 9, 2025, while slowly turning into a parking space at approximately 7 mph, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration. There were no warnings, alerts, or Safety Alert Seat vibrations prior to the surge. The vehicle rapidly accelerated forward, struck a parked car, went over a curb, hit a tree, and finally came to rest after colliding with the side of a building. GM has s... Read more
Crash 1 injured
KIA SPORTAGE (2025) - POWER TRAIN Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
My pm sensors or particulate matter system malfunction and failed which lead to emissions issues and created my vehicle to drive in limp mode. Limp mode basically slowed downs the vehicle is slow as 5 mph as soon as this light displays at any time while driving on the highway. This put my safety in danger and the public as I transport what dot considers a type hazardous material. The sudden loss ... Read more
KIA SPORTAGE (2025) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
My pm sensors or particulate matter system malfunction and failed which lead to emissions issues and created my vehicle to drive in limp mode. Limp mode basically slowed downs the vehicle is slow as 5 mph as soon as this light displays at any time while driving on the highway. This put my safety in danger and the public as I transport what dot considers a type hazardous material. The sudden loss ... Read more
KIA TELLURIDE (2020) - AIR BAGS Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
My two recalls have not been fixed, Airbag, Floor mat. Have not had anyone from Honda reach out at all. I need Honda to come to the cars location to make exchange or fix. Ford actually came to my house to fix my other car on it's recall of airbag. So they should be able to do that for me.
KIA TELLURIDE (2020) - LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
Power steering and lane keep assist died while driving. After leaving the car off for a few minutes, powering it back up they worked again for about 5 minutes before cutting off while driving on the highway
KIA TELLURIDE (2024) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Lincoln Corsair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front, rear, and side sensors became inoperable. The contact stated that none of the sensors functioned properly and failed to provide alerts whenever another vehicle was nearby. The contact expressed concerns that the failure of the sensor systems posed a significant safety hazard. The vehi... Read more
KIA OPTIMA (2015) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway and shift into park. Upon shifting back into drive, the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle before a crash could occur. The... Read more
KIA FORTE (2012) - ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was retrieved from a dealer after a recall regarding the air bags; however, while driving approximately 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact stated that the Stability Control warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to the dealer, and the dealer was u... Read more
KIA FORTE (2012) - SERVICE BRAKES Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
The contact owned a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to attempt to stop at a stop sign, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact mentioned that when attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver, and the vehicle crashed into a curb and merged into a landscaping facility. The contact was able to s... Read more
Crash
KIA FORTE (2012) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
The contact owned a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to attempt to stop at a stop sign, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact mentioned that when attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver, and the vehicle crashed into a curb and merged into a landscaping facility. The contact was able to s... Read more
Crash
KIA NIRO (2024) - POWER TRAIN Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that after reversing out of the driveway and shifting into drive(D), the accelerator pedal was depressed the vehicle made an abnormal sound, as if the transmission and engine had detached and fell onto the road. The contact had only driven forward approximately 30-feet when the rear wheels locked up. The contact shifted to park(P) and ... Read more
KIA NIRO (2024) - ENGINE Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Started noticing a whining noise when accelerating. This appears to be drive shaft/transmission issue. Was quoted 7k to remove and replace. This should be an active recall for this issue what is Toyota doing?
KIA NIRO (2024) - STEERING Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
On 10\09\2025 I was backing into a parking spot and when I was trying to adjust the position of the vehicle the power steering failed as I was backing up. After the power steering failed to work, the Power Steering Light appeared on the Dashboard. This is the first time this has happened. The safety issue is if I was going around a corner on the steering failed, my kids and I would probably be dea... Read more
KIA NIRO (2025) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
The information center on my 2020 Jeep gladiator will go out and will stay off for months at a time, as well as all warning lights. I consider this to be a serious safety hazard.
KIA NIRO (2025) - ENGINE Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
Since the first year of ownership, I have noticed that the vehicle burns oil excessively. I reported this issue to the Kia dealership, but I was told that “it is normal to add a quart of oil every other week.” Despite this statement, I believe this is not normal and points to a defective engine design consistent with the piston ring problems known in similar models and engines. In the summer o... Read more
KIA SORENTO (2013) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
Rear camera safety recall. I've contacted the local dealerships of Galpin Ford and Santa Monica Ford to fix and been denied. This recall is over 1-month now, and they say they do not have the parts to fix and cannot help. This is affecting my safety and a financial inconvenience. Please advise, thank you.
KIA OPTIMA (2012) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Aug 7, 2025
In my 2024 Tuscon, Hyundai has connected their cruise control to their driver assistance function. This system includes a camera on the steering column that watches the drivers eyes. If for any reason, they cannot see your eyes they will shutdown cruise control without warning. This can be caused by simply wearing sun glasses. So this forces the customer to choose between two safety features. ... Read more
KIA OPTIMA (2012) - ENGINE Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Aug 7, 2025
My EGR system caused a check engine light. P0401 This is an extremely well documented issue on Gen2 Volts, especially 2017 models. Simply searching "EGR" on the Volt subreddit or forums returns hundreds of related threads. This issue can lead to a clogged EGR valve, causing further damage. A temporary resolution is unplugging the EGR valve, which i have not yet done. But this leaves the CEL illumi... Read more
KIA SORENTO (2025) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
If the car is standing in sun on a very hot day, upon starting the engine it will start beeping with all these errors blinking and disabling these controls. Once the engine runs for 15,20 minutes and the car cools down, the warnings disappear too.
KIA SORENTO (2025) - LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
If the car is standing in sun on a very hot day, upon starting the engine it will start beeping with all these errors blinking and disabling these controls. Once the engine runs for 15,20 minutes and the car cools down, the warnings disappear too.
KIA SORENTO (2025) - SERVICE BRAKES Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
After stopping at the local dealer monthly concerning this safety recall I am told every time that the part is not available. I am left driving this truck in an unsafe state and am concerned for public safety as well as my own. No assistance is ever offered and there is no eta on when to expect the needed parts. This is a known issue that a safety recall has been issued for but RAM is taking no ac... Read more
KIA SORENTO (2025) - AIR BAGS Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times. 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 conta... Read more
KIA SORENTO (2025) - AIR BAGS Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
See attached document for complaint. I am writing to you with deep concern to report a serious matter regarding the safety of a vehicle I recently purchased and to respectfully request your intervention in a case that endangers not only my safety as a consumer but also that of the passengers transported in this automobile. On XXXX X, XXXX, I purchased a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Wagon 40 Touring L ... Read more
KIA SORENTO (2025) - STEERING Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
See attached document for complaint. I am writing to you with deep concern to report a serious matter regarding the safety of a vehicle I recently purchased and to respectfully request your intervention in a case that endangers not only my safety as a consumer but also that of the passengers transported in this automobile. On XXXX X, XXXX, I purchased a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Wagon 40 Touring L ... Read more
KIA STINGER (2019) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
In my 2024 Tuscon, Hyundai has connected their cruise control to their driver assistance function. This system includes a camera on the steering column that watches the drivers eyes. If for any reason, they cannot see your eyes they will shutdown cruise control without warning. This can be caused by simply wearing sun glasses. So this forces the customer to choose between two safety features. ... Read more
KIA TELLURIDE (2020) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
Unsafe, Defective Vehicle & Refusal to Remedy Vehicle: 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Overlander VIN: [XXX] Purchase Date: [XXX] Dealership: Route 18 Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, East Brunswick, NJ I purchased this vehicle new in June 2023. From the first weeks, it has displayed severe, life-threatening defects that make it unsafe and undriveable. Despite presenting it to seven authorized Jeep service... Read more
KIA TELLURIDE (2020) - TIRES:TREAD/BELT Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Nissan Sentra equipped with Hankook Tires, Tire Line: Kinergy GT with Kontrol Technology, Tire Sizes(Rear): P205/60/R16, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that upon inspection of the tires, the rear tires tread were almost bald. The contact stated that the tires were rotated; however, the tires started to experience the same failure at approximately 20,000 miles. The ti... Read more
KIA TELLURIDE (2020) - WHEELS Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
It was raining on I-287 North bound in Bridgewater Township, NJ. I was driving my Tesla Model Y well below the posted speed as it was raining. Suddenly my car took a spin, i lost control of the steering. Car took a 360 degree turn from right most lane on 3-lane highway and ended up on the side of the left most lane, rear ended into the bushes, hit the trees and damaged the back of the car. My car... Read more
Crash
KIA TELLURIDE (2020) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
It was raining on I-287 North bound in Bridgewater Township, NJ. I was driving my Tesla Model Y well below the posted speed as it was raining. Suddenly my car took a spin, i lost control of the steering. Car took a 360 degree turn from right most lane on 3-lane highway and ended up on the side of the left most lane, rear ended into the bushes, hit the trees and damaged the back of the car. My car... Read more
Crash
KIA OPTIMA (2017) - BACK OVER PREVENTION Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Jan 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V648000(Visibility, Electrical System), 25V236000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed... Read more
KIA SOUL (2015) - AIR BAGS Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000(Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bags warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of ti... Read more
KIA K5 (2021) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
I would like to formally report several incidents I have experienced with my newly purchased Tesla Model Y. I acquired the vehicle on [XXX], collected it from Washington D.C., and drove it back to Houston between September 20 and 21. Prior to my return journey, I conducted a test drive. During this drive, at dusk, I engaged Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode. The vehicle stopped appropriately at a traff... Read more
Crash
KIA K5 (2021) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
I would like to formally report several incidents I have experienced with my newly purchased Tesla Model Y. I acquired the vehicle on [XXX], collected it from Washington D.C., and drove it back to Houston between September 20 and 21. Prior to my return journey, I conducted a test drive. During this drive, at dusk, I engaged Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode. The vehicle stopped appropriately at a traff... Read more
Crash
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