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: Aug 12, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 92,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 200,000.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for routine maintenance, the mechanic detected a knocking sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle was diagnosed with engine rod bearing and camshaft failures. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failur... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
The car randomly stopped while I was going 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. The car then would not allow me to move off of the high way or put the care in neutral. The car just stopped while merging on to the highway at 50 mph. It’s unsafe for myself and others The dealer has not been able to reproduce the issue but they see a code they’ve never seen before. The car is currently being inspected by t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V302000 (Air Bags). The contact called a local dealer and the manufacturer for information on parts availability but was advised that another letter indicating when the parts were available would be sent. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
On July 31st 2025 my vehicle would not sift out of first gear. I had vehicle towed to Kelly Chevrolet in [XXX] . After a failed repair attempt on August 18 2025 have been waiting on back ordered valve body part number 24045659. No eta on this part even though a transmission replacement would resolve but dealer refuses to replace. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FO... Read more
Incident date: Sep 24, 2025
As I was driving with my family at normal freeway speeds, a loud explosion rang out from the top of vehicle. The sunroof glass exploded and fell onto us below. There was no other cars near us, and no overpass. When the glass exploded, it sounded like a bomb, and appeared pressure was the reason, as it exploded upward, leaving the shape of an exploded volcano on the top of the sunroof. No rock ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2025
When I’m driving, especially when I come to a stop or when I try to accelerate from a stop, the car kind of chokes or hesitates. It feels like it’s about to stall, but it doesn’t fully turn off. It keeps doing this off and on when I stop or try to go again. It's very scary and dangerous.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2025
Driver side headrest deployed while driving almost causing an accident. Passenger headrest deployed 3-weeks later while parked with engine off. Both incidents left a metal pin behind.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
The tires were installed on 8.22.2025 and on the following Thursday, August 28, 2025, all of the tires had low pressure. I returned to the Orange City, FL Tire Kingdom per the managers' (Brittany) request and the mechanic filled all of the tires and said that they were not completely filled when they were installed. The following day, Friday, 8/29, I began my return trip to my home in North Car... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
Car started jerking multiple times and then RPM went down to zero and stopped driving while in traffic.
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
The oil consumption is burning at a faster rate than normal. My oil changes are always on time but for months I have been having to take it for an oil change about 2,000 miles below mileage time. I have had it inspected but found no oil leaks. This is a major problem for the engine and safety.
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
As I was exiting a highway, and my foot was on the brake, the engine increased from about 15 MPH to about 30 MPH. I had to put the car in park. I almost hit the car in front of me. The engine increasing like this happens when I slow down for A red light or stop sign.
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
We have an open recall for the DC fast Charging for the last year. I use my car for work and often need to fast charge and haven’t been able to and so have to use another vehicle. This has caused a lot of stress and problems for work over the last year and Nissan have failed to address. I am also then concerned about resale value for the vehicle
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
We have an open recall for the DC fast Charging for the last year. I use my car for work and often need to fast charge and haven’t been able to and so have to use another vehicle. This has caused a lot of stress and problems for work over the last year and Nissan have failed to address. I am also then concerned about resale value for the vehicle
Incident date: Oct 29, 2024
I have owned 2 chrysler town and countrys over the past 9 years, a 2010 and a 2016. The rear sliding door has locked up and doesn't allow the door to open. It happened to the 2010 so I decided to get a newer one and now the same thing has happened to the 2016. The 2016 also has a driver window problem where the regularactor breaks and has to be replaced. I have replaced it 4 times in the past ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 12, 2025
Traveling WB on SR100 approximately 60mph after picking up dinner in [XXX] , Before reaching the turn for 302, a deer jumped from the southbound side of the road to the northbound side of the road. When it jumped, the right side of the deer impacted the front of my vehicle which in turn ripped the vehicles hood up from locked down position and slammed it into the windshield. I saw the deers midsec... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
My sun roof exploded
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The forward collision system will intermittently erroneously detect objects in front of the vehicle while stopped or in motion. While driving on the freeway, this will cause the car to engage the emergency braking system endangering those in and around the car. While stop to the stoplight, this causes the front detection alarm to go off. The dealership has reproduced the error and tried software u... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
I am a single mother raising my 6-year-old daughter on my own. This past year has been extremely difficult, as my car has been constantly in and out of repair shops. I have spent more than $8,000 in the last year and a half on unexpected repairs, many of them involving serious safety issues. I was never informed about the recall and never received any notice. This situation has caused me a lot of ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
I purchased a brand new 2020 Ram 1500 with 5.7-liter hemi ETORQUE engine in 2020. The vehicle had been making a squealing noise since before 40k miles. Dealership was unable to identify issue on numerous occasions. On 4/8/2024, with vehicle mileage at 74k miles, the noise worsened to a point where the vehicle was not drivable. They identified the "Alternator" (MGU) to the etorque needed to be repl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The drivers side DRL has a "J" Blade that its lit while driving day or night (DRL) This "J" Blade on the driver's side is dim, and it effects the turn signal causing in my and several thousand owners with the same issue a very safety issue. JLR Jaguar Land Rover North America will NOT address this safety issue and refuses to correct the problem. To replace the light assembly will cost in excess o... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The electric power steering has failed again this will make it twice in 18 months the last time it cost 1800 dollars to fix it know that only some of the 2010 Mercury Milans are on a recall list unfortunately mine is not on that list why because it is absurd that I should I have to make this repair for 1800 dollars again you cant safely drive this car it takes everything I have to turn the steerin... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2025
I’m writing about my 2015 Ford Focus (VIN: [XXX] ), which has under 38,500 miles. While heading to work, I suddenly lost power steering—no warning, just stiff steering out of nowhere. The repair cost me over $5,000 to replace the electric power steering rack, which only a Ford dealer could handle due to software restrictions. This follows a TCM replacement that Ford covered under recall. I con... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact attempted to purchase a 2017 RAM 2500. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 116,493, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 113,000.
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
The contact’s mother owns a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side head restraint exploded. The driver had not sustained any injuries. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the head restraint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failur... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Gentlemen: On August 11, 2025, the 2023 Honda Civic, VIN # [XXX] , was involved in an accident on the Miami/Gainesville Highway, resulting in a side impact with a truck. Fortunately, nothing serious happened to the health of my son, who was driving the vehicle. However, I am writing to you, motivated by the fact that I notified Honda USA approximately a month ago of the following information, and ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
This complaint form is in regards to the backup camera. In the last six months I had intermittent loss of its function while backing up. However the problem in the last month is now a persistent loss of the image when backing up. It may function at the start of going in reverse, then all of the sudden it will go out. This is scary for the first thought is you hit something, even if you didn't... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
Malfunction of connections to radio system. All buttons surrounding radio, including radio control buttons on steering wheel, do not function. The screen still turns on and displays the typical home screen but the screen does not function either leaving the radio system stuck on the home screen. Again , none of the buttons and/or screen functions work connected to the radio. The clock time is stil... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Engine blew up. Was burning oil since I got it, only had it for 6k miles. It started knocking at some point so I stopped driving it and was gonna take it to the dealership n get it repaired since tbat shouldve been fixed by SC147 but the engine blew on the way to the dealership. It happened on a very main road, and I couldnt get my car fully out of the way of traffic due to it making an abrupt sto... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle after driving approximately 5 - 10 minutes at approximately 45 MPH, the rear coil spring on the passenger’s side of the vehicle detached, causing the vehicle to lower. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the rear coil spring had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer also de... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
It has been a YEAR with no ability to quick charge my car. This is ridiculous, they need to put in a new battery and be done with this. It renders the car useless for many trips! Why aren't you doing anything about this?
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
The issue has happened multiple times while driving, sitting in traffic, or parked idling. The Brake Light comes on and starts flashing, Alarm Chimes, Brake Pedal goes to the floor seems to not have any hydraulic pressure, the brakes grind like I have no brake pads, and essentially I have NO Brakes. If I turn the car off and on it goes back to normal. I took it to have it checked for a diagnostic ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
I have about 08/1825 had the throttle body replaced on my vehicle which assisted with the problem temporarily. Then the problem started again 09/20/25 the car act like it’s stalling while driving and can’t see what hear the vehicle is in. The car is not getting any signal to the engine as I have been advised the TCM is faulty. There was a code of U0101.
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
I have about 08/1825 had the throttle body replaced on my vehicle which assisted with the problem temporarily. Then the problem started again 09/20/25 the car act like it’s stalling while driving and can’t see what hear the vehicle is in. The car is not getting any signal to the engine as I have been advised the TCM is faulty. There was a code of U0101.
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this request under my existing Consumer Affairs case number [XXX] regarding my 2015 Nissan Pathfinder (VIN: [XXX] , Plate: [XXX] ). On [insert date], while driving on the freeway, the hood latch failed and caused the hood to suddenly fly up, completely blocking my view. This recall-related defect directly led to my vehicle striking another car. Thankfully,... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
when stopped at a stop light the engine idle kills the engine and want start back up causing traffic backups...have to go through process to setting back to park and trying to start which does not happen quickly leaving people behind you frustrated and honking. This needs to have an option to disable it if you don't want that function as it's very frustrating and dangerous. Please get honda to fix... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
I purchased about 4 months ago with about 139,000 miles on it. The vehicle now has 142,000 miles and is experiencing excessive oil consumption—approximately 0.9 quarts per 600 miles. VW seems to be pushing this off and as I try to use my extended warranty I purchased when I got the car, AUL has asked for an engine tear down. VW knows about this issue, as it is internally a known issue for this m... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
When I first get in the car and hit the gas it's OK a if I'm trying to move it but if I'm trying to leave my driveway and I hit the gas it will stall and the rpm will go up to a 5 , and this happens exiting the interstate, it's almost caused me to wreck because I can't pick up the speed it is like it's stuck . The same thing happens at a stop light and trying to move forward, extremely dangerou... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
When I first get in the car and hit the gas it's OK a if I'm trying to move it but if I'm trying to leave my driveway and I hit the gas it will stall and the rpm will go up to a 5 , and this happens exiting the interstate, it's almost caused me to wreck because I can't pick up the speed it is like it's stuck . The same thing happens at a stop light and trying to move forward, extremely dangerou... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2025
The emergency rear collision detection system is able to be turned off, but automatically turns on when the car starts. There are situations where the car detects an object and it prevents me from reversing. I disabled this because I use my eyes and have accepted the risk of running into something. I had to move in a hurry two days ago, I tried to reverse out of the way, but the car prevented ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 2, 2025
While driving at 65 mph on Florida’s Turnpike (SR 91) at approximately 5:30 PM EST, the panoramic sliding sunroof panel (Mercedes-Benz part #167-780-20-00) spontaneously shattered without any impact or warning. Conditions were partly cloudy. No vehicles, debris, or construction were nearby. A loud explosive sound occurred overhead, followed by glass shards falling onto the roof and rear spoiler... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2025
On the freeway TRANSMISSION FAILURE SERVICE light came on and the cars acceleration geared, had to immediately pull over on the side of the freeway, restarted the car with emergency lights to get out of the freeway. Vehicle would not accelerate much and the rpm was switching fast up and down. Check engine light came on the next day and the diagnosis read catalytic converter needs replacement. Car... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
Exhaust started to rattle, now it is a loud clangy exhaust. Clearly a part has separated or there are holes in it. Dealership told me my car has a repair out for that for years 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 but NOT my year, 2020.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
On 09/18 , I was using the Smart Summon feature of my Tesla Model S in the parking lot of Costco, Greenwood (Indianapolis, IN). The intent was to have the vehicle autonomously navigate from its parked spot toward my location, as designed and advertised by Tesla. During the Summon operation: 1.The vehicle failed to correctly detect and avoid a fixed obstacle (the cart return stand where shopping c... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
My vehicle fuel pump control module has failed. GMC has an open recall for my year, make and model however claims that my vehicle is not listed on the recall list that came out around 9/15/2025. I contacted GMC and they cannot provide me with a specific reason as to why it’s not included.
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
On 09/18 , I was using the Smart Summon feature of my Tesla Model S in the parking lot of Costco, Greenwood (Indianapolis, IN). The intent was to have the vehicle autonomously navigate from its parked spot toward my location, as designed and advertised by Tesla. During the Summon operation: 1.The vehicle failed to correctly detect and avoid a fixed obstacle (the cart return stand where shopping c... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
On 09/18 , I was using the Smart Summon feature of my Tesla Model S in the parking lot of Costco, Greenwood (Indianapolis, IN). The intent was to have the vehicle autonomously navigate from its parked spot toward my location, as designed and advertised by Tesla. During the Summon operation: 1.The vehicle failed to correctly detect and avoid a fixed obstacle (the cart return stand where shopping c... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
The car had a leak in the trunk that was not our fault it was not due to an accident but rather came that way when we bought it brand new. We were unaware of this leak and now our entire trunk control panel is flooded and the trunk is totally useless as it will not open at all, not even manually. The only way to open it is to crawl to the back and open it from the inside. I asked Honda for a diagn... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Rogue. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 contact... Read more