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: Sep 4, 2023
After driving a few mile, the following two warnings come up * Smart Brake System Malfunction * Forward Radar Sensor System malfunction. If I turn off the car and then restart, the warnings go away. However, it comes back if I drive for a while again. I have visited dealership a few times for the same issue, they replaced the wheel bearing and brake switch. The warning disappeared for days and ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 24, 2025
The driver assistance warning system continuosly goes into shutdown mode. Eye monitoring system always states that you are not keeping your eyes on the road. I have tried using different glasses or no glasses. Changing the steering wheel settings also seem to have no effect. This is very dangerous as it will start decelerating and stopping in the middle of a freeway in heavy traffic when this ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2025 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the transmission independently shifted from first gear. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was uncontrollable. The contact turned the vehicle off, shifted into neutral, and parked the vehicle in the nearest driveway. There w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2025 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the transmission independently shifted from first gear. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was uncontrollable. The contact turned the vehicle off, shifted into neutral, and parked the vehicle in the nearest driveway. There w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started and running, the air conditioner failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the front passenger’s seat was moldy, and the sunroof had seized. Additionally, the sunroof headliner fell while changing lanes. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed; howeve... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Knocking noise started when pulling off the interstate. No engine light came on. No oil registered on 'dip stick'. Oil change was due at 130,449. The mileage on the car was 132,635. Had towed to Kia dealership where they said there was no test that could be done due to the vehicle being a 6 cylinder engine. They said the 'sound' points to needing an engine replacement. I inquired about a oil... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2025
hard shifting transmission and fluid smells burnt, shifts hard in the lower gears and reverse
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country has experienced multiple powertrain and transmission failures beginning shortly after purchase. The issues include violent shifting, hesitation, and stalling, particularly while accelerating or decelerating. These malfunctions create serious safety risks—especially when merging, turning left across traffic, or entering intersections. The truck has ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
Transmission losing power while driving. This is a known safety hazard with this 10R80 10 speed transmission with a poorly designed CDF drum. Ford chooses to wait and hope for power train warranty to expire so can be fixed at customer’s expense. This is a safety issue. If I was entering a roadway and needed to accelerate and car had no power, a terrible accident could happen.
Incident date: May 7, 2025
Not even 80k miles and the transmission is out. Come to find out this is a very common problem with these cars and you cannot even order the proper parts to fix it. So now we are out of a car that does not even have 80k miles on it.
Incident date: May 7, 2025
The contact owns a 1997 Geo Prizm. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 324,000.
Incident date: May 7, 2025
The contact owns a 1997 Geo Prizm. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 324,000.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The back windshield of my Acura RDX has broken on its own 3 times. Twice while it was parked and once while driving , no debris was found to show anything broke the window.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
I’ve consistently had a coolant leak with my engine water pump. Constantly have to refill the coolant. The reason I’m making this complaint is because yesterday October 1, 2025 I filled up my coolant and I drove a few miles to the grocery store and my coolant was empty and I got a coolant, low warning light and the coolant pump was completely empty. This is becoming very expensive and should n... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
I’ve consistently had a coolant leak with my engine water pump. Constantly have to refill the coolant. The reason I’m making this complaint is because yesterday October 1, 2025 I filled up my coolant and I drove a few miles to the grocery store and my coolant was empty and I got a coolant, low warning light and the coolant pump was completely empty. This is becoming very expensive and should n... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2025
While driving my car braked, would not drive and a warning for transmission presented on warning board. The vehicle would not shift into park, reverse, neutral, or drive. I could not move it from impeding traffic. It nice I factory reset the vehicle was fine again.
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
I purchased this 2020 Maserati Levante in 2023. The first month of driving it, it shut down in the middle of the street on Crenshaw Blvd. I freaked out and restarted it after few seconds. For the past years of purchasing this vehicle, the engine light keeps coming on and off.The camera never worked good because it would freeze, the screen would be blue, green, or red or completely blank out, with... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2025
The driver assistance warning system continuosly goes into shutdown mode. Eye monitoring system always states that you are not keeping your eyes on the road. I have tried using different glasses or no glasses. Changing the steering wheel settings also seem to have no effect. This is very dangerous as it will start decelerating and stopping in the middle of a freeway in heavy traffic when this ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
The 2022 Toyota Sienna temporarily accelerates or surges forward while braking, or has a momentary loss of braking / deceleration before it re-engages in braking.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
1) Yes, the Travel Assist warning light comes on and says, "Trave Assist is currently not available." It then clears the warning and flashing again repetitively and loudly while driving blocking the instrument cluster and distracting the driver. This warning indicator is not accurate as the travel assist functions of the car remain working while this light and ding continue to repeat. 2) The warn... Read more
Incident date: Sep 26, 2025
The car will not allow me to use the LKA feature while wearing sunglasses. It allows it, but it gives nonstop alarms and warnings, because it can’t see my eyes? It makes the feature nearly unusable, which takes the safety feature away from the user. Even with the warning turned OFF, it still beeps. There’s literally a setting to not activate the warning, it still does it. I’ll attach a ... Read more
KIA
SPORTAGE HYBRID
(2023) - SUSPENSION
Oct 1, 2025
Incident date: Feb 11, 2024
After driving >2000 miles or about a month, I could hear a loud, grunting/grinding noise when accelerating aggressively from 1st to 2nd gear when on EV or gas mode. Brought the vehicle at the dealership service department 4 times already, each time MAZDA Headquarters in California confirmed that this is a known and documented condition. According to Mazda, the grunt noise you’re hearing when the... Read more
KIA
SPORTAGE HYBRID
(2023) - POWER TRAIN
Oct 1, 2025
Incident date: Feb 11, 2024
After driving >2000 miles or about a month, I could hear a loud, grunting/grinding noise when accelerating aggressively from 1st to 2nd gear when on EV or gas mode. Brought the vehicle at the dealership service department 4 times already, each time MAZDA Headquarters in California confirmed that this is a known and documented condition. According to Mazda, the grunt noise you’re hearing when the... Read more
KIA
SPORTAGE HYBRID
(2023) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Oct 1, 2025
Incident date: Feb 11, 2024
The fuel pump as stopped working the vehicle will not start and the 4x4 is showing that it is not working. The vehicle is available for inspection. Thankfully this happened while the vehicle was sitting over night but we had driven it the evening before it just stopped running. the Fuel system could have failed while we were driving anywhere. It has not been inspected by anyone else. it is sittin... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
The PTU system is failing. If it completely fails, the car will lock at any time. The part is backordered and may take months to get here because so many Jeep owners are having this problem. The dealerships confirmed this. There is a service 4wd light.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
While driving to work and out of nowhere i began to smell a burning smell thought it was engine. I had AC on so I turned it off and that’s when I noticed that my center console was on fire. Was driving on freeway so took the first exit and immediately pulled over tried to put out fire but couldn’t. Luckily a couple from the car in front of me that was waiting for light came to help and put fir... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact called the local dealer several times but was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact had t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
On going fuel system issues that pose significant safety risks, suggest potential design or manufacturing flaws, and are impacting vehicle performance. The primary component affected is the fuel injection system. I have had to replace the fuel leak detection pump, spark plugs, and ignition coils multiple times, as fault codes have repeatedly appeared even after repairs, indicating a persistent fai... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact called AAA and was informed that the battery was being drained by an unknown electrical fault. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valve cover and steering module timing cover needed to be ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2025
After the car is backed up in reverse, the car is placed in drive however if at a stand still you pull down on the shift lever twice the car thinks it is in adaptive cruise control and as soon as you apply pressure to the accelerator pedal the car speeds up quickly without application of pressure on the accelerator. Multiple times I had to quickly apply the brake otherwise I would have crashed in... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2025
After the car is backed up in reverse, the car is placed in drive however if at a stand still you pull down on the shift lever twice the car thinks it is in adaptive cruise control and as soon as you apply pressure to the accelerator pedal the car speeds up quickly without application of pressure on the accelerator. Multiple times I had to quickly apply the brake otherwise I would have crashed in... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2025
1. I bought the vehicle on August 2, 2025. The Fuel Injector failed less than a week later from my purchase date. One month later the dealership replaced the Fuel Injector. Along with a pipe, seal, gasket, and retainer. 2. My safety was put at risk as I was driving on a highway and as soon as I was descending an overpass, I felt a loss of power as if the vehicle down shifted on its own. Luckily, ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2025
Audi Pre-Sense keeps braking prematurely when there is no car present or in its field of view. The SUV brakes without warning and when trying to make a left turn (happened twice already) or while driving on the highway. When the vehicle brakes without warning there is a chance that another vehicle will drive into the rear of my vehicle or I will lose control due to the unexpected and unwarranted b... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2025
Audi Pre-Sense keeps braking prematurely when there is no car present or in its field of view. The SUV brakes without warning and when trying to make a left turn (happened twice already) or while driving on the highway. When the vehicle brakes without warning there is a chance that another vehicle will drive into the rear of my vehicle or I will lose control due to the unexpected and unwarranted b... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2025
My 2019 has the coolant intrusion in cylinder 2 issue. The dealership recommended a long block replacement and quoted me $10,850 to do this. It is a safety concern and I was advised not to drive it. The engine could seize if not repaired and put myself and others in danger. The extended warranty I had purchased expired a couple weeks before this happened. I understand there a many people expe... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2025
I have a coolant leaking issue, that has harmed my engine and QuickLane at Bill Brown Ford in Livonia, recommended an engine change. There is a class action lawsuit about this, so it is a known defect.
Incident date: Aug 23, 2025
I have a coolant leaking issue, that has harmed my engine and QuickLane at Bill Brown Ford in Livonia, recommended an engine change. There is a class action lawsuit about this, so it is a known defect.
KIA
SELTOS
(2021) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
Oct 1, 2025
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled and experienced a loss of automotive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the catalytic converter and the en... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
My vehicle was purchased new and has less than 5100 miles on it. The screen and heads-up display randomly begin to glitch and then simply go dark. I can't see my speed, fuel or charge levels or any important data while driving. This has happened multiple times already. My vehicle is a 2025 model. Interestingly, Hyundai had the same type issue on 2024 models and issued a TSB to resolve this is... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
Defect Summary: Repeated water intrusion (windshield, roof rails, rear door latch) leading to electrical damage. Electrical failures resulting in sudden loss of power, lighting, and infotainment. Critical safety system failures including: Sudden loss of steering assist and brake assist while in motion. Vehicle stalling with the engine running but no drivetrain response. Gear shifter malfunct... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
Defect Summary: Repeated water intrusion (windshield, roof rails, rear door latch) leading to electrical damage. Electrical failures resulting in sudden loss of power, lighting, and infotainment. Critical safety system failures including: Sudden loss of steering assist and brake assist while in motion. Vehicle stalling with the engine running but no drivetrain response. Gear shifter malfunct... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2025
A Class action lawsuit has been filed for this Issue which Hyundai refuses to acknowledge our 2025 Palisade is having this issue on a regular basis.When it occurs the car becomes very difficult to stop we feel as do the lawyers in the class action in New York California and Ohio that this is a serious safety situation.We have had the car to the dealer and as previous owners have stated it is not a... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2025
On multiple occasion parking sensors activate for no reason. Emergency braking occurred while backing as well as while driving for no reason at all. High possibility of a crash occurring. Gm refuses to repair or replace. Gm stated dealer says vehicle has completed repairs and vehicle ready for pickup. Dealer has not repaired or replaced any items or parts.
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
I own a 2022 Chevrolet suburban and bought the 72k mile extended warranty. Recently my telematics module went bad which is covered by the GMPP. I lost wifi, my clock is wrong everytime etc. However General Motors no longer makes this part anymore. Parts department utilizes a third party company called specmo for a refurbished authorized unit. However, GMPP will only cover the original msrp not the... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
I own a 2022 Chevrolet suburban and bought the 72k mile extended warranty. Recently my telematics module went bad which is covered by the GMPP. I lost wifi, my clock is wrong everytime etc. However General Motors no longer makes this part anymore. Parts department utilizes a third party company called specmo for a refurbished authorized unit. However, GMPP will only cover the original msrp not the... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V514000 (STEERING); 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
The contact purchased a 2025 Hyundai Tucson. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 77. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 143. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hazard lights and Forward Collision Avoidance warning light... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
The idle engine feature is defective. Often, when stopped and the engine goes idle, it will not restart when the driver releases the brake. The van stalls, and the driver is forced to move the vehicle into park and start the engine again. This is dangerous and stressful because the driver behind you expects you to go, especially when the light turns green, but you are stalled, potentially leadin... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
The driver's seat constantly pops during acceleration and braking or going over bumps in the road, which is distracting to the driver and may cause an accident due to popping sensation in the middle of the driver's back.
Incident date: Sep 29, 2025
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Electronic Steering Gear failed causing the steering to "stick" at certain points of steering, and causing a loud rubbing noise. The steering is also more "loose" and feels insecure. Yes it is available for inspection. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The failure of ... Read more