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: Jun 16, 2025
My windshield (which has had multiple class action lawsuits) cracked spontaneously sitting in my driveway. I contacted Subaru of America and they denied any responsibility and claimed there is no assistance they can provide. This crack has gone from about half of my windshield to nearly the entire windshield horizontally. This is clearly a defective product as numerous complaints have been made by... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2025
My windshield (which has had multiple class action lawsuits) cracked spontaneously sitting in my driveway. I contacted Subaru of America and they denied any responsibility and claimed there is no assistance they can provide. This crack has gone from about half of my windshield to nearly the entire windshield horizontally. This is clearly a defective product as numerous complaints have been made by... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
TRANSMISSON MAKES A WHINING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS WHEN EXCELERATING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL RAM DEALERSHIP 4X NOW. FCA DID APPROVE A SMALL TRANSMISSION PART REPAIR, BUT UNFORTUNALTY IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the contact stated the transmission unexpectedly downshifted before slamming into gear. The vehicle intermittently returned to normal functionality, or the RPM would fluctuate, and the transmi... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2025
Driving up an inclined road at night. Car engine started to sputter and jerk and lost power. Was able to get to the side of the road out of traffic at the top of the hill? I was able to coast down the hill to a gas station. Carl would not drive without Jerking or accelerate, add check engine, light on and flashing. With the smell of burning from the engine, compartment waited two hours for a tow t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving 15-55 MPH, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. Additionally, the contact stated that while activating the heater, the heater was intermittently inoperable and was blowing cold air. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Homestead Auto Repair, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylind... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2025
Our car is now having two issues: 1. The first issue is extremely scary, but we found a temporary work around so have been dealing with it for months as we needed are car. If the auto stop/start is not turned off (which has to happen ever time the car is started), the car essentially puts on an emergency break and shuts down the car at the first for second stop. This happened in the middle of a bu... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2025
Our car is now having two issues: 1. The first issue is extremely scary, but we found a temporary work around so have been dealing with it for months as we needed are car. If the auto stop/start is not turned off (which has to happen ever time the car is started), the car essentially puts on an emergency break and shuts down the car at the first for second stop. This happened in the middle of a bu... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2025
On June 10th 2025 the engine light came on in my 2014 Ford Focus and I lost transmission function. The car was slipping out of gear, completely losing power and speed between first & second gear and third & fourth gear. I pulled into traffic before realizing the issue and almost got hit by two oncoming vehicles - one locked up their brakes to avoid hitting me, the other swerved into another lane w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
Upon starting my vehicle after going to the grocery store, the ABS, ESC, Check Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist System, and Auto Hold warning lights illuminated. The cruise control was then inadvertently deactivated. When vehicle is started the Check Forward Collision error comes on. After a few months when entering the freeway and accelerating I received an error regarding unknown engine issue.... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
1)After sitting for 2 days the battery was drained or dead. The truck would not start. I jumped the truck and it started up. Every time I park the truck i get a warning that the battery is low and I should drive it to recharge the battery. I drive the truck but it will not recharge. 2) The check engine light comes on. I went to the auto parts and scanned for diagnostics. The scan came back as a fu... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
1)After sitting for 2 days the battery was drained or dead. The truck would not start. I jumped the truck and it started up. Every time I park the truck i get a warning that the battery is low and I should drive it to recharge the battery. I drive the truck but it will not recharge. 2) The check engine light comes on. I went to the auto parts and scanned for diagnostics. The scan came back as a fu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2023
I was parked in a parking lot when I heard a crack sound. I looked down and my steering wheel had a crack around the Ford emblem large enough that the part of the air bag could be seen. The truck is kept in a climate controlled garage and this incident happened when it was not hot out. I have contacted Ford and they have said that it is not a safety concern. I feel like this is a safety concern... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Edge. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention camera failed to function as intended with the back over prevention warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera displayed a green screen. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure bu... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2021
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The issue appears to be related to the powertrain system, specifically the belt tension or transmission shifting components. A “Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power” warning message appeared through the FordPass app, and I have also been experiencing jerking or hesitation when applying pressure... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle slowed to approximately 10 MPH with black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The conta... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2025
While driving my 2015 Toyota Prius, the brake pedal became extremely stiff and hard to press. I was on the way to the dog park with my dog in the back seat when I had to press down very hard just to slow the car at a traffic light. It felt like I was stepping on a rock. The brakes barely engaged, and I had to use far more force than normal to get the car to stop in time. When I hit the brakes, th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2025
I was driving on a highway during traffic on June 17 2025 and my ioniq 5 car started to make weird sound. Then after a minute, it abruptly started to push back and forth and the noise became stronger. A couple of minutes later, the "Check electrical vehicle system" sign was displayed on the screen. I pulled over due to the scare and turned off the car. A minute later, turned ON the car and drove. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2025
I have had this happen twice, once on city streets going to work the car was not in auto pilot and it went from 40mph to 0mph instantly. If there was a car behind me I would have gotten slammed into. The second time, my mother was in the passenger seat and I was on the freeway going about 75 to 80mph and it was on auto steer and the car went from the speed I was going to almost 0 and I instantly t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
While driving my 2024 Chevy Equinox EV, intense glare reflects off the dashboard and windshield under certain lighting conditions, especially in sunlight. This glare creates severe visibility issues, at times completely blinding the driver and making it unsafe to operate the vehicle. The issue poses a significant safety risk not only to me but to other drivers and pedestrians. The problem is consi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2024
I have a 2013 Hyundai Sonata 4 door sedan. I am unable to open the driver's left hand door to exit the car after turning off my vehicle. Only way I can open door to exit is to lower the window while motor still running, reach outside and grasp door handle from outside to open and Push/pull handle which doesn't allow me control over the door. Then I have to raise window with door standing open befo... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2023
2.0 ecoboost engine has a known flaw that causes the engine block to crack & introduce coolant into the cylinders. This is known to typically occur between 60 & 70,000 miles. It at the very least causes a misfire; at the most extreme it allows coolant into the oil & can cause engine lockup. Ford knows this is an issue & redesigned the engine in 2020. Our car developed this issue at 65k miles & For... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2023
This vehicle was sold by Copart with a clean title despite prior federal NMVTIS junk/salvage reporting and insurance loss. The salvage record was concealed from the buyer and not properly disclosed by the seller. There is a pattern involving Copart, Hertz, Progressive, and other companies hiding salvage data, VIN laundering, and reselling unsafe vehicles. I have extensive evidence including title ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
I smelt and saw smoke coming from the back of my vehicle. I pulled over on to the left side of [XXX] bound. Then, I jumped out of the car to check the truck. I didn't see anything, then i popped the hood and still did not see anything visible. I then went back to the trunk to check it again, and that is when I saw flames pop out from the back seat area. It was in the area where the back de-frost ... Read more
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
My KIA Sorrento spontaneously engulfed in flames approximately 200 yards from my home. This is not a vehicle crash the car had flames coming from the vents and floor boards. I was the driver my daughter was the passenger and my granddaughter was in the rear car seat we barely escaped with our lives before it exploded and we were steps away as car debre was flying past us.
Fire
Incident date: Jun 1, 2019
My KIA Sorrento spontaneously engulfed in flames approximately 200 yards from my home. This is not a vehicle crash the car had flames coming from the vents and floor boards. I was the driver my daughter was the passenger and my granddaughter was in the rear car seat we barely escaped with our lives before it exploded and we were steps away as car debre was flying past us.
Fire
Incident date: Jun 1, 2019
Complete rear tire assembly came loose from the unibody frame from rust. Not a drop of rust on the body of the car.Thank god we weren’t on the highway. they told me it was unfixable.Thank you Honda.And the recall stopped at 2011? Honda obviously doesn’t care about safety and human life.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2019
Complete rear tire assembly came loose from the unibody frame from rust. Not a drop of rust on the body of the car.Thank god we weren’t on the highway. they told me it was unfixable.Thank you Honda.And the recall stopped at 2011? Honda obviously doesn’t care about safety and human life.
Incident date: Jun 6, 2025
This began may of 2023. I had a 2017 ford escape and at 50,000 it had to get a whole new transmission. I have also purchased a new engine for this escape that has the same issues.
Incident date: Nov 17, 2024
4WD module was failing. It affected hill braking, AWD and collision alert and other components. These messages popped up on my driver screen repeatedly. Safety was compromised in winter driving in snow with no AWD. Also, safety impaired with no collision assist available and all the other safety features related to the module . I took it in for repair eventually and dealer confirmed error(s) ... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2025
While driving down the highway suddenly loss of power with MIL light. Pulled over contacted dealer. Codes p200a and p200b. Set up appointment. Delivered vehicle to dealer. Inspection shows excessive soot buildup inside intake. Loss of power on road could cause vehicle accident and/or leave people stranded.
Incident date: May 23, 2025
The tailgate keeps dropping while driving and while parked. The key fob is in a protected area or not near truck at all when this occurs
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
On 05.29.25 my 2021 GMC Yukon Denali with 24,000 experienced engine issues and ultimately a total failure. While driving at 65 miles an hour the engine light began blinking and a thumping/knocking noise began on the front passenger side of the vehicle. I was 1 mile away from the GM dealership and went there immediately. They called me two hours later confirming the engine failure and that it wo... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2025
My vehicle has experienced recurring water intrusion due to a clogged sunroof drain, causing significant moisture buildup, mold growth, and persistent odors inside the cabin. I purchased the vehicle in February 2024 and brought it in for this issue three times during the warranty period a few months later, where fixes were proposed each time. The fourth visit, five months past the warranty period ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving uphill at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to upshift and hesitated to maintain automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road and had the vehicle towed back to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failu... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
PTO p/n 68333354A1 Internal Failure of PTU needs to be Replaced. No 4 wheel drive could roll away in Park. Dealer reports back ordered part will be months before available. I was told to just keep driving car! Mileage on car 21,371 This problem has been reported on this model since 2019.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power transfer unit failed to shift into neutral. The contact stated that the 4x4 system failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a power transfer unit failure. The contact was informed that the power transfer unit needed to be rep... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2025
Dislodged Door Check NHTSA Action #PE23013 All 6 rivets broke off when the wind caught the door. The door was uncontrolled by opening it and would fly open and stress the hinges. The door check fell into the door therefore I couldn't open my window. I had a body shop repair the problem for $1476.12. I was unaware of the service bulletin. There was no recall. It was not inspected by authorities. N... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the coolant level was low; however, there was no warning light illuminated. The contact added coolant to the coolant reservoir; however, after driving for approximately 20 minutes and then parking the vehicle overnight; however, while attempting to start the vehicle the following morning, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towe... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); 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 fail... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2025
My 2013 Honda Accord lost all power steering.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
Vehicle felt like it was running out of gas and then stalled out while driving down the road. It will not turn over and it will not move out of park. This is a huge safety issue.
Incident date: May 10, 2025
This vehicle was purchased new and I am the sole owner. Immediately upon purchasing the vehicle, I experienced what has been described as 'sticky' steering. I believed at the time it was related to the adaptive cruise control, the lane keeping assistance system, or the road departure mitigation system. However, the sticky steering continued and was always present. In 2024 I took my vehicle to ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
Traction control light comes on and then my vehicle keeps jerking as I drive and a stabilizer track notification light comes on
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
I have a 2016 Civic LX, and the steering is sticking when on center when the vehicle has been driving for a while/is warmed up. I have read multiple instances and reports of this issue and the EPS/rack being the culprit even when this car was released 10 years ago. There was never a bulletin or a recall for this model year but it is the same issue for the 2022-2025 model years, and it is frustrati... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2025
While traveling to VA from TX, [XXX] and on [XXX] the vehicle hesitated to accelerate multiple times. Some were from a complete stop, and other times it occurred when accelerating to merge on the highway. On [XXX], I pulled out of a driveway onto a very busy road and upon increasing pressure on the gas, the vehicle shook (similar to the behavior of a manual when letting up off the clutch and not a... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2025
Side impact and full 6 rollovers, with damage to front. During an accident on 6/13/25. I took pictures if you need them
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 10, 2025
The LED driving lights went out in my headlight assembly. I understand this is a relatively common defect for which I believe Ford should issue a recall
Incident date: Jun 8, 2025
Over the past month, my 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 has been experiencing unexpected and increasingly concerning issues with the steering. These problems began suddenly and without any prior warning signs. Initially, the steering has been making grinding sounds more usual, particularly at lower speeds and when making tight turns. Over the following weeks, the issue became more pronounced, with occasio... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
The CVT transmission in my 2018 Nissan Rogue failed catastrophically at 92,000 miles, far below industry standards for drivetrain reliability. This failure, tied to known defects and past class-action litigation, caused severe safety risks and financial hardship. Despite these issues being well-documented and covered in extended warranties for some vehicles, Nissan never informed me of any potenti... Read more