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: May 12, 2025
My car smells like it’s leaking gas and when I took a flash light n went under the car it shows the tank and the hose connected to the tank has signs of it being wet but when the car is running it smells a lot worse and constantly is shaking, shuddering and causing my transmission to malfunction and I’ve read online that there was a re call # 14S20 But i can’t find it on this website
Incident date: Jun 19, 2025
I owned the vehicle less than a month, using full supervised drive, FSD. Today 6/22/2025 1:45 PM almost had an accident. The vehicle was in the right made a left turn crossing a yellow line, then made a turn in a white line, in front of the vehicle behind me. I took control of the vehicle to proceed in the correct lane. On another occasion it made a right turn, corrected itself to the left lane as... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
An intermittent error occurs where these services stop working. It was last for a day or two and then the error will clear. I am not able to be alerted to passing cars or cars in my blind spot when changing lanes. And if there is a situation to suddenly stop the emergency automatic braking system will not be engaged.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
An intermittent error occurs where these services stop working. It was last for a day or two and then the error will clear. I am not able to be alerted to passing cars or cars in my blind spot when changing lanes. And if there is a situation to suddenly stop the emergency automatic braking system will not be engaged.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
Paint has been chipping on this SNOW white pearl has gotten progressively worse. Cannot wash the vehicle without more paint chipping.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
While I was driving the car turned off and the steering wheel got really hard, making it harder to get out of the road to keep my children safe since we were in the highway. Second time it happened the stabilitrack service message came up, and also the steering assist is reduced please drive with care. The ebrake. ABS and stabilitrack light on the dash turned on. This started happening on may 14 u... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
The MMI (the display with radio, carplay, cameras, warnings etc) restarts without any warning every 5-10 minutes. Does not seem to depend on if apple car play, bluetooth, backup camera etc is used at the time. In 2 cases this has happened while using the backup camera when going in reverse (and many more times when using for media play). This lead to the backup camera not showing and warnings abou... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
While I was driving the car turned off and the steering wheel got really hard, making it harder to get out of the road to keep my children safe since we were in the highway. Second time it happened the stabilitrack service message came up, and also the steering assist is reduced please drive with care. The ebrake. ABS and stabilitrack light on the dash turned on. This started happening on may 14 u... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
Car simply started for me after work this past Thursday @4 pm I dove down the street and for about 5 mins and had to turn around due to me leaving something at work. When I arrived back at work I parked and cut my car off as I normally do and when I returned to start it back up it never did. I have previously been having to add 5 quarts of oil frequently at least once or twice a month for the pa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
Rear camera continues to stop working while reversing the vehicle. Latest software has been installed (3.6.4). This problem happens frequently, and makes parking and maneuvering dangerous.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
The 2022 Honda Insight has an issue with "phantom touches" on the infotainment system. The system will frequently select buttons and change your screen, when no one is touching the panel. It will also freeze up, where you have no control over it. Why is this a safety hazard? Because when you're driving down the road and it takes your map away, you are constantly fighting the system trying to ge... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
My favorite
Incident date: May 15, 2025
I was in stop and go traffic on a side road. I was traveling about 5-15 mph on an uneven road surface. The traffic stopped in front of me and I applied my brakes. I heard the grinding sound of the anti-lock brakes but my car did not stop. My foot was to the ground on the brake and it didn’t even slow down. I ended up hitting the car in front of me. This has happened before but I never hit anythi... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
When parallel parking, steering became extremely heavy making it difficult to turn the steering wheel. This was followed by heavier-than-normal steering when driving at speeds ranging from 25-45 mph.
Incident date: Jun 14, 2025
The car just keep doing weird stuff with the lights. It want go off all the time the key went work the cv joints are popping. Have to trigger the battery sometimes to start up
Incident date: Jun 14, 2025
I am having problems with my ECU malfunctioning which is causing my catalytic converter my exhaust manifold and my O2 sensors to malfunction. I'm having all the same issues as the recall campaign reference number NTB 12-040 d
Incident date: Jun 14, 2025
I am having problems with my ECU malfunctioning which is causing my catalytic converter my exhaust manifold and my O2 sensors to malfunction. I'm having all the same issues as the recall campaign reference number NTB 12-040 d
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
Check engine light on, Abnormal engine noise and very significant loss of power. Info registered in the repair invoice: tech verify customer concern, check for code found code p0300 and looking to the live data found miss fire on cylinder number 6, tech swap the coil and spark plug with wire, miss fire still on the same cylinder, tech inspect the injector no problem found, remove the valve cover... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
The backup camera periodically makfunctions. I have dealth with a dealer concerning this problem and was told this year model has not been recalled.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
Every car I’ve ever owned the cruise control disengages once you touch the brakes and does not reengage without pushing the button to say resume. On several occasions, this car has reengaged sometimes many minutes after I’ve touched the brakes multiple times such as in a parking lot or parking garage going around the corner The car resumes cruise, and rapidly accelerates, which is very dangero... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2025
Cracked exhaust manifold. I know of three people, besides myself, with the 2020 Ram with 5.7 literally Hemi that have had cracked exhaust manifold. Mopar has a technical service bulletin, but the cost to repair is on me.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
This vehicle has broken down for times now. The latest is from a failed transmission that needed replaced.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
The car started making a knocking noise. I got it checked out and nothing showed up on the diagnostic. Today I was driving and it wouldn’t go over 65 and the engine light keeps blinking.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
Fuel pump went out.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
I was driving one day and my radio shut off, screen black and no sound. Came back on like it rebooted. Worked fine. The next day it did the same thing but only the screen went out but for longer this time. I work at a collision center and used our scanner to see what the problem might have been. It was giving a bunch of codes for radio and onstar. The next day it was perfectly fine. So I scanned i... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The digital display on the bike sometimes reboots or go out completely while riding. the rider (me) is unable to tell the speed of travel or if safety features like the turn signals are working and the motor has shut off too at highway speeds sometimes when this happens almost causing me to crash. very very dangerous. I have reached out to Harley Davidson they are not taking this complaint serious... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
Software in the EV system created to protect the battery pack has instead placed my life in jeopardy in response to known false sensor event. During 110 degree heat in isolated desert in southern California, the software detected a false error in high voltage comparisons between battery banks. In response, it disabled climate control, reduced propulsion, and placed an upper limit of 40% on batter... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
I commute with my car and recently it started to speed up all by itself. I removed my floor covers thinking the gas pedal might be stuck on it but that wasnt the problem. While accelerating from a stopped position, it revs up and accelerates rapidly all by itself. Tapping the break pedal to deactivate accidendal cruise control doesnt work. I have to slam the break just to stop it from accelerating... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2023
We were driving down the highway and heard a weird grinding type noise. We pulled right over to check what was wrong and noticed the fuel tank strap mount had broken apart at the frame from corrosion. Causing it to rest against the driveshaft and creating a deep groove in the driveshaft its self .
Incident date: May 31, 2025
After the update that should fix the car, it now has several issues. One Pedal Driving doesn't work. When using One Pedal Driving the car should stop when you release the gas. Now the car continues to roll. It is reporting "Brake Failure" and "Collision Detection Failure". Polestar is saying this is normal after the update and it should fix itself in time. Unacceptable, the car has has issues fo... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2025
I have had nothing but issues with my Kia since I purchased it May 30th, 2023. It's continually stalling, completely looses power, sometimes won't operate at all. My Kia is very unsafe and completely unreliable. I had to have it towed to the dealership before my first payment was even due. My Kia has has to be taken to the dealership a total of 5 times and still nothing has been resolved, other th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2025
The bolts connecting the front upper control arm and steering knuckle may not have been tightened properly, potentially leading to detachment. This causes the car to have squeaky, leaking noises when going over bumps and making turns.
Incident date: Jun 19, 2025
The bolts connecting the front upper control arm and steering knuckle may not have been tightened properly, potentially leading to detachment. This causes the car to have squeaky, leaking noises when going over bumps and making turns.
Incident date: Jun 16, 2025
While I’m driving it starts to stall. Especially after I press on the breaks and try to press on the gas again it being ins to like jerk and not want to go. I thought it was my suspension or that it needed a wheel alignment but after paying for those to get renewed it’s still having that problem and the mechanic said it was most likely the transmission.
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
My driver's side of the vehicle looks like it's melting. I was informed by the service advisor at Tesla that this is a common issue, and the computer needs to be replaced at my expense.
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
There was a sudden loss of power while in the middle of the highway. Further inspection resulted in low oil and metal flakes in the oil filter. At the time of initial loss of power there was absolutely zero warning or indication of any issues at all.
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
steering sticks and requires extra effort to start movement but then moves with normal effort. there is a recall for this on ‘22 cars but not my ‘21, sadly
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet 1500. The contact stated that while in the driveway and reversing at a very slow speed, the brake pedal became extremely firm while depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop before striking another parked vehicle. During the failure the contact was depressing the brake pedal with added force, but the vehicle failed to stop. The parked vehicle sustained damages to ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
On [XXX] my vehicle had a collision warning signal, then tire pressure, then brake lights and entire dash instrument panel. I parked the vehicle, then later in the evening test drove it again and the panel lit up again, in addition to the loss of the speedometer, tachometer, gear display, and drive mode display, so I immediately drove it to Courtesy Kia in Altoona, PA. On 4/18/25 Wendy Giordano o... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to start the vehicle, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The contact went to the rear of the vehicle and became aware there was brake fluid leaking near the rear driver’s side tire. The failure had occurred approximately one year ago on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Accord. The contact stated that there was a failure with the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) system. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the LKAS and Adaptive Cruise Control messages were displayed. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not con... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2025
Driving the 2015 Kia Sorento coming back from work The car overheated and complete engine failure check engine light with flashing
Incident date: May 29, 2025
What's driving home from work doing 65 mph postal speed limit car begin to overheat and then went in the complete engine failure engine light flashing
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
My Service 4wd light is on again and the electronic controller module is cracked under the hood. There is no 4wd, sensors are not working, the automatic high beams as well as manual high beams will not work, I have random dings going off, and the car does not shift properly. Gas mileage is way down. This is a continuous issue with this vehicle. I have replaced the ptu, and I need help!!!! This has... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lunged forward and stopped while at the traffic light. The contact stated that while driving over 4 MPH, the vehicle seized with the transmission warning light illuminated. The contact was concerned about being involved in a crash due to the failure. The contact called the local d... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
I read that there was possibly a P16F3 recall
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
Bought my Kia k4 2025 in February at DTLA Kia and the experience has been [XXX]. The first day driving I went up near dodgers stadium , immediately had a burnt smell. I disregarded it thinking maybe its fresh paint burning , WRONG. Till this day 4 months later my tail pipe throws a musty smell. Issue number 2 , the hesitant gas pedal. Who knows what it is maybe fuel system , transmission but daily... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
About once a week now, the pilot fails to restart after the idle stop engages. I have a brand new battery installed and still have the same issue. Honda has applied all the remedies but I still have the same issue. I panic every time it does start because often times I’m in the middle of the 50mph road with hazards on. I’ve always been able to start it after putting the car in park, shutti... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this report regarding repeated engine and valve lifter failures in my 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 5.3L V8 engine, VIN: [XXX] . 1. Component/System Malfunctioned: Both the original engine and a replacement engine—professionally installed by a Chevrolet dealership—experienced valve lifter failure related to the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system. The mo... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2025
While I was driving on a highway, my vehicles "check engine" and "batter" lights were illuminated and a warning came across the car screen that said something along the lines of "Battery Management System Failure" and then "Powertrain failure". The car was not able to accelerate by pressing the gas pedal, and the heating/cooling features within the car stopped working. I quickly changed lanes to g... Read more