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: Apr 4, 2026
The car had no warning signs showing. We were on the highway and this was the longest trip we’ve taken in this car. We were at about 100 miles into the trip, we were at mile 115 on I-95 in [XXX] coming from [XXX] . Suddenly the rubber around the tire ripped off completely, the car started to slow in the middle of the highway. We pulled over to the right side of the road and found the tire compl... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2026
Took my 2017 Ford F-150 in for a diagnostic on May 8 2026 for wrench symbol check engine light and issues down shifting and sliding tires shop manager and technician claimed the vehicle is unsafe to drive and talked to the Service manager deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive wanted it grounded do to the safety concerns related to Recall 26S28 (PCM/TRS) stated the down shifting is cause catastrop... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2026
The truck often shifts from 6th gear down to 1st or second gear, sometimes at highway speeds and all warning light come on. It sometimes resolved itself upon starting it again, but seems to affect the throttle body. When the electrical system resets, you can hear a click from the throttle body indicating that the valve reset when the computer reset. We also have been affected by intense suffering ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2026
The vehicle has engaged the automatic braking feature multiple times while in a parking garage and when in the middle of a four-way stop despite there being no cross traffic or moving vehicles around my vehicle. In two instances, there was a vehicle behind mine that the breaking could have led to me being rear-ended and in the case of the four-way stop, there were other vehicles waiting to cross t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2026
Vehicle Information: Year: 2021 Make: Volkswagen Model: Jetta Date of Purchase: March 2022 Approximate Mileage at Time of Incident: 25,000 miles --- NATURE OF COMPLAINT: I am filing this complaint regarding premature and dangerous rear brake pad and rotor wear on my 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, purchased new in March 2022. At approximately 25,000 miles — well below any reasonable expectation of nor... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2026
My 2019 Honda CR-V experienced a malfunction involving multiple dashboard warning lights illuminating at the same time, including warning messages related to vehicle systems and safety features. There is concern about the vehicle entering limp mode and being unable to accelerate normally. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle may not respond properly in traffic or during highway drivin... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2026
My 2019 Honda CR-V experienced a malfunction involving multiple dashboard warning lights illuminating at the same time, including warning messages related to vehicle systems and safety features. There is concern about the vehicle entering limp mode and being unable to accelerate normally. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle may not respond properly in traffic or during highway drivin... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
1.The USB port not working in the center console 2.Battery was draining and it was struggling to start, died at lights and barely turned back on 3. Door sensor on passenger side kept saying it was open when it wasnt 4. Air barely working 5. Wind sound whipping through the driver side 6. Raining in to the vehicle on the passenger side 7. Screen barely works, sometimes it takes forever to turn on ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
I have a 2025 honda odyssey, I bought mine with 2 miles on it, it was rhe first vehicle ive owned that was new so we had something safe and reliable and this has been far from it. So far we have had 1.The USB port not working in the center console 2.Battery was draining and it was struggling to start, died at lights and barely turned back on 3. Door sensor on passenger side kept saying it was o... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
I have a 2025 honda odyssey, I bought mine with 2 miles on it, it was rhe first vehicle ive owned that was new so we had something safe and reliable and this has been far from it. So far we have had 1.The USB port not working in the center console 2.Battery was draining and it was struggling to start, died at lights and barely turned back on 3. Door sensor on passenger side kept saying it was o... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2026
While driving my Tesla, Autopilot was engaged and navigating with the destination entered. At the time of the incident, my hand was on the steering wheel when the vehicle suddenly attempted to make a hard right turn toward a divider. This was not an exit or intended route, which raises serious concerns about what caused the vehicle to react that way. In addition, I have experienced multiple batte... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
While driving, the vehicle suddenly began knocking severely, smoking, leaking oil, and then shut off unexpectedly without adequate warning. This created a serious safety hazard and near fire risk. The engine assembly failed catastrophically. Dealership inspection documented: connecting rod punctured engine block bearing material found in oil pan broken piston components in oil pan oil leakage... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
low pressure fuel pump in fuel tank failed. This part was already repaired from previous recall and failed again. Error code P0087. Vehicle shuttered and stopped in traffic. Broken bits of fuel pump were left in gas tank.
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
Vehicle: 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 Sedan (W213) VIN: [XXX] While operating the vehicle, the diagnostic system displayed the fault code P240200 related to the Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP). The warning message indicated a “positive short circuit” in the fuel vapor leak diagnosis pump control circuit. The malfunction appears to involve the EVAP diagnostic module and/or associated el... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2026
I bought a 2026 GLC300 4matic SUV a month ago. I am very disappointed and scared of serious bodily damage due to the trunk door closing by itself while my upper body is loading/unloading the trunk. My wife and I were hit on the shoulder, back, arms, or head over a dozen times for 1 month. We took the car to the dealership for the problem but did not hear back from them for 3 days. The loaner... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2026
I bought a 2026 GLC300 4matic SUV a month ago. I am very disappointed and scared of serious bodily damage due to the trunk door closing by itself while my upper body is loading/unloading the trunk. My wife and I were hit on the shoulder, back, arms, or head over a dozen times for 1 month. We took the car to the dealership for the problem but did not hear back from them for 3 days. The loaner... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2026
Engine coolant intrusion. I was told by the service department at my Ford dealership this is a common and known issue solely due to how it was made and the parts used. This should 100% be recalled and fixed. It literally makes the car unsafe and unusable.
Incident date: May 8, 2026
The vehicle's transmission control module is not working. The Ford Focus vehicle put my family and I at risk because we would be driving along in the Ford vehicle then all of a sudden it would slow down abruptly in traffic as it loses power. We've only had the vehicle 7 years and it is one of the most expensive problems to have with the car. Many reports online state that transmission control modu... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V741000 (Electrical System); however, the part required to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that the remedy parts were not yet available and were currently backordered. The manufacturer ... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2026
CV axles bad, intense shuddering during acceleration and between 25-55mph. Severe enough to shake side to side in my lane on occasion. Serious safety concern and seems to be a ubiquitous issue.
Incident date: May 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to stop as intended. In addition, the contact's vehicle rearended the vehicle that was in front of the contact's vehicle. The front sensor was damaged from the first impact which caused the computer to crash. The vehicle rearended the vehicle again. The cont... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 29, 2026
The paint on the roof between the sunroof and front windshield is peeling. I took it to local dealership and was told paint is covered under Acura's Rust Perforation Limited warranty which is 5 years from the of original purchase. I do not have an extended warranty so I would need to pay out of pocket. I believe the classification of this issue under the "Rust Perforation Limited Warranty" is i... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
While driving, the vehicle will randomly shut off and lose all power. If I jump the car, it starts up and runs fine for a while. Also, there have been several incidents when I park the car, and it immediately loses all power and needs to be jumped. I have had the battery, alternaor and starter checked, and all are working fine per the mechanic. There have also been instances when we are pushing... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
Auto start stop not working. This is happening quite a lot where there auto stop in activated and then the car wont start back. Resulting in the car having to be completely restarted.
Incident date: May 1, 2026
Auto start stop not working. This is happening quite a lot where there auto stop in activated and then the car wont start back. Resulting in the car having to be completely restarted.
Incident date: Apr 27, 2026
There was no incident. The NHTSA VIN decoder does not properly indicate that all 1988 and 1989 Merkur Scorpios have factory ABS. This impact insurance rates
Incident date: Apr 16, 2026
Rebuilt transmissions are bad. Two in the last four weeks have been placed in my 2019 California Special Edition Mustang, and both are bad. They both came from the Ford manufacturer. The transmission locks up at any point while driving at any speed, causing the car to jerk to a standstill, and only while you are driving. We were on 465, and the car automatically stopped in the middle of the highwa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel failed to operate as intended causing the contact to have driven straight instead of turning. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as the steering column needed to be re... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2026
Steering mechanisms stopped functioning properly. Steering wheel was very loosely turning to the left and very difficult to turn to the right. Car would veer to one direction when driving unless I was holding the wheel steady. Driving the car was dangerous and I pulled over immediately when I noticed the difference. Carefully brought it immediately to a mechanic and did not want it on the road. Dr... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2026
The contact's daughter owns a 2020 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal, squeaking sound would emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact called the service center where they gave the contact an estimate for a diagnostic. The contact was also informed that the vehicle may be covered under a goodwill warranty. The vehicle several parts of the f... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
My 2019 Dodge Durango R/T began experiencing drivetrain and warning system issues after collision/body repairs were completed by a repair facility. The original repair work involved suspension/body-related repairs and did not originally include documented transfer case or internal drivetrain damage. At the time I picked the vehicle up from the repair facility, the tire pressure monitoring system ... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2026
This 2022 Bronco Sport Outer Banks lost it's alternator pulley and that caused the serpentine belt to break. Since the vehicle could not be driven it was towed to Joe Myers Ford in Houston, TX. The dealer wanted a extremely expensive price, $1800.00, to replace the alternator and belt. The vehicle was offered to the dealer for trade to determine value and see if it was possible to upgrade to a ne... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2019
Engine experienced severe metallic knocking and loss of power. A certified Hyundai technician confirmed a FAILED Bearing Clearance Test (RO #354331). Hyundai Motor America is refusing to honor the Engine II Class Action Settlement warranty, citing internal code A99 because the vehicle was purchased at an auction, even though the title is CLEAN. This pose a safety risk of engine seizure and potenti... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2019
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally address a serious issue regarding my recent service experience at Freeway Honda and the unfair handling of my case by American Honda concerning my Honda Civic (VIN: [XXX] ). On January 2, 2024, I brought my vehicle to Freeway Honda due to recurring air conditioning issues. My service advisor, Erick Zermeno, informed me that the system had three le... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2019
Component/system failed: Passenger seat occupant classification/seat weight sensor associated with the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). Repair facility stated moisture or prior moisture intrusion likely affected the sensor. The failed component should be available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: The airbag/SRS system may not properly detect or classify a passenger, which could affect... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2026
The transmissions down shifts extremely hard, causing an abrupt wheel speed reduction. It starts doing this after you have driven the vehicle about 15 minutes....before that it operates correctly but once you hit 15 minutes of drive time, it is neck jolting! Driver and Passenger Mirrors have a mind of their own. They will be in position, you start backing out of a spot and they start moving unti... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Automatic braking system brakes for no reason when I am not near any cars traveling at high speed or even when I am already at a complete stop or moving very slowly but not anywhere near hitting the car in front of me. This has happened multiple times since I leased this car in July 2025 and it seems... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Automatic braking system brakes for no reason when I am not near any cars traveling at high speed or even when I am already at a complete stop or moving very slowly but not anywhere near hitting the car in front of me. This has happened multiple times since I leased this car in July 2025 and it seems... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2026
The headlights and dashboard lose power intermittently while driving at highway speeds, specifically triggered by using the turn signal. This is ongoing since January when I started having to take it for a recalls.More things kept happening. I kept having to have more repairs. Every time I went, I told them about this and it just keeps going on. Today I took a huge list of things they should check... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2026
Airbag light staying on dash and the passenger seat does not register a person sitting in it. The passage seat bag alert does not making a sound
Incident date: May 6, 2026
The contact stated that while in a parking lot and starting to drive, multiple warning lights illuminated including a warning saying electrical fault -car may stall in 15-20 minutes. The vehicle also emitted an audible noise. the vehicle was shut down and then restarted and all of the lights illuminated and the same message stating electrical fault illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the deal... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2026
I own 2 2009 Toyota Prius. Both cars less than 175,000 miles and both have failed ABS modules. The ABS module in this vehicle is also the power brake booster. This failure can cause braking issues such as loss of braking or sudden brake application. Only known fix is replacement of the ABS brake module which requires the Toyota Techstream service computer.
Incident date: Jul 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the steering wheel felt like it was locking up. The check engine light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was previously repaired under a recall. The vehicle was taken to a collision center, and it was determined th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
Replaced battery 3 times. Believe this car has the parasitic battery issue. Attached on of the bills. Looking for the other 2.
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
Replaced battery 3 times. Believe this car has the parasitic battery issue. Attached on of the bills. Looking for the other 2.
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
I have 2014 Prius v 5 with 100,000 miles but I had issues with brake booster pump
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
While driving on the highway the sunroof suddenly blew off. The sunroof had not been opened prior. The frame bent upwards from the front, and the glass completely flew out onto the highway.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
We were told by the mechanic that the engine was locked up after the car refused to drive faster than approximately 23 mph. We had to have the car towed from Boone, NC which was about 200 miles. The car is at our house and is available for inspection upon request. I have made repeated calls to different Kia dealers asking for a call back to assist me with direction but there will never be a retu... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
On May 2, 2026, ten days after purchasing the vehicle, the driver‑side seatbelt locking mechanism failed while I was driving. The vehicle was inspected the next day at CarMax Tuscaloosa. Their mechanic confirmed two separate safety defects: 1. The driver‑side seatbelt mechanism requires replacement. 2. The motor mounts are broken/loose and require replacement. The mechanic explained that debri... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2026
During acceleration from 40-60 miles per hour, there was a pronounced vibration/shudder through the front end of the vehicle. After taking it to the dealership, they advised both front axles would need to be replaced. The catastrophic failure of an axle is likely to cause a car crash. The problem has been identified by Ford Motor Company and also confirmed by the Ford Dealership where I got it ... Read more