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 5, 2025
So for over a year my dash lights and I mean every light from tire pressure to ABS brake to lane assist every light was on. Then about three months four months ago it began going into limp mode just driving down the road. This is a 2017 Honda CRV over 100,000 miles on it took it into Honda of Hennessy in Woodstock Georgia. They said that it needed fuel injectors which over 300,000 recalls were don... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated, with the message "Front Drivers Air Bag Malfunction - Service Required" displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2025
Experiencing intermittent 4wd light. Dealer says replace PTU for $2100. Some issues release/engaging parking brake
Incident date: May 26, 2025
1. Transmission leak. Car towed to dealer on 5/1/25 still there with no resolution. 2. Transmission fluid sprayed from under car which could get on the brake rotors and exhaust system. 3. Confirmed by dealer and GM service 25-NA-001 Transmission Fluid Leak Near Torque Converter dated 3/13/2025. GM shows that the repair should take 13.7 hours. 4. No only by dealer. 5. No warnings or symptoms. Aft... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
The vehicle shakes aggressively when you speed up. We took it in and it’s a transmission issue. There have been thousands of similar complaints from other owners but Chevy refuses to acknowledge it and issue a recall.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2025
Car stalls constantly. Tires plus inspected and did diagnostic early March. Kia dealership inspected and did diagnostic recently
Incident date: Jun 4, 2025
Complete, instant brake failure at only 105871 miles. My wife was backing out of the drive @5 mph, brake pedal pushed clear to floor with no warning. 3-4 minutes later, the brake warning light came on. No warning light ahead of time. Reservoir was very low, I added 12 oz. DOT3 fluid…..brakes seemed ok. Got up the next morning , brake low fluid light is on and all 12 oz of brake fluid are gon... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2019
There is already the theta 2 campaign on my Kia optima but Kia is not upholding their warranty for a new engine. Kia customer care told me that untill my car actually throws a rod then they will not fix it. So I could be doing 80 down the freeway and jeopardize not only my safety but everyone else's for them to uphold their lifetime warranty? Also upon doing further investigation and I don't know ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2019
Scared to drive took to get inspected felt like Transmission keep slipping and I was told there is a recall on transmission Also windshield wipers won’t go off have to remove fuse was told there is a recall
Incident date: Jun 1, 2019
Scared to drive took to get inspected felt like Transmission keep slipping and I was told there is a recall on transmission Also windshield wipers won’t go off have to remove fuse was told there is a recall
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
bad ABS module part is not being produced in re-enegineering since 2023 jeep has all warning lights on will go into limp mode speedometer stops working braking distance is increased will not shift into gear no time line on remedy or help from jeep
Incident date: May 9, 2025
Problem has been confirmed by dealer that the rear differential assembly needs to be replaced. This is a very common defect with gla250’s. It been recalled in the past and Mercedes Benz is putting many drivers at risk. The estimated to replace is $6100! Mercedes Benz corporation refuses to replace the part only offering $1300. That is submission that they are aware something is wrong. I do... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2025
While driving to work the gas pedal suddenly would not make the vehicle Excellerate and i was barely able to get the car on the side of the road, when i stopped and turned it off it would not start again. I had it towed to the mechanic and they have let us know it was total engine failure, and they would be attempting to get ahold of the manufacture.
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
While using ford Blue cruise I have found a major major safety flaw. While using blue cruise hands free driving over a major bridge in the middle of the day the car swerved a very hard left. Almost forcing me off the bridge. I believe the shadows that were cast on the bridge made the cars system malfunction. The incident has happened twice now and also someone else who has the same car in another ... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH, there was fluid leaking from the vehicle, and the engine was overheating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact checked the Ford Pass App and became aware that the transmission had been serviced four times. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed o... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the vapor canister purge valve. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 24N07. The manufactur... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the vapor canister purge valve. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 24N07. The manufactur... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
The bolt/fastner holding the control arms almost backed all the way out. I was driving and heard metal sound it got worse on the drive home. I also noticed the alignment to get worse and when I got home I looked and the bolt/ fastner almost came out. There is a tesla recall for only a small percent for my year with that issue. Tesla wants 4k to replace it. It is a huge safety issue. I have a... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2025
In May 2025, I had the passenger-side mirror on my 2019 Subaru Forester replaced at a licensed Subaru dealership. I was told the replacement part would be factory-original and matched to the vehicle’s VIN, which specifies a dark metallic grey exterior. After the repair was completed, I noticed that the mirror casing was the wrong color — a visibly lighter grey than the rest of the car. While ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2025
My car stopped on the street without notice, check engine light came on and won’t moved, no power on acceleration. Was towed to dealership. Next two days, they told me that two fuel injectors were blocked/broke. I searched on internet and that has happened in many vehicles.
Incident date: May 24, 2025
Driving in the express lanes south of Atlanta in the rain, the vehicle's Automatic Emergency Braking system activated for no reason. There were no other vehicles around, and we were on a straightaway. It was such an abrupt deceleration that if another vehicle had been tailgating me, they probably would have run into me.
Incident date: Jul 15, 2024
The vehicle was purchased for the express purpose of towing a 6,600 lbs Travel Trailer. This truck is equipt with the 3 liter Diesel engine. While towing the truck computer counts down milage available based on Def level. The count down is not mile for mile it is an exponential count down. This factor triggers a series of warnings concerning vehicle operation and impending speed restrictions. ... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the power steering failed intermittently. The contact had to restart the vehicle to regain power steering functionality. The failure became more persistent, and the vehicle lost complete power steering functionality. The message “Loss of Power Steering” was displayed during the failure. Additionally, the TPMS fault sensor message was... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was shuddering coming from the engine while shifting gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that a transmission flush was needed, and turbine sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. ... Read more
KIA
CARNIVAL HYBRID
(2025) — ENGINE
Jun 4, 2025
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
Documenting a sudden unintended acceleration experience. Today while driving and trying to stop for a red light, I lightly applied pressure on my brake pedal to brake for the red light. Midway through the braking, my car lunged forward for about half a second. Went through the dash cam footage, and I noticed that the footage skipped half a second as well. Seems like something electrical that caus... Read more
KIA
CARNIVAL HYBRID
(2025) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 4, 2025
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
Documenting a sudden unintended acceleration experience. Today while driving and trying to stop for a red light, I lightly applied pressure on my brake pedal to brake for the red light. Midway through the braking, my car lunged forward for about half a second. Went through the dash cam footage, and I noticed that the footage skipped half a second as well. Seems like something electrical that caus... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel to the left or the right, the contact heard an abnormal sound. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the electric power steering assist had started to fa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
The contact leased a 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron. The contact stated after the dealer had delivered the brand-new vehicle to the contact, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V125000 (Electrical System); prior to the lease agreement; however, the dealer failed to disclose the recall information to the contact, and the part to do the recall repair was not yet avail... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
My check engine light is on. It has been on for over 2 or more years. Nobody knows what the codes mean. My timing chain needs to be replaced. My tires are constantly leaking. My battery has been replaced 2 times, and I still cannot start my vehicle even when I get a jump. The interior light when you open the car door, has fallen and is hanging. When I open the back door, the light does not come on... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
The camera in the console is reflecting everything backward. If I am backing into a parking stall, everything on my left appears on the right and vise versa. I don't rely on it but it is unsafe
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
The 8F35 transmission has started shuddering and jerking around 30-45 MPH. It makes accelerating on roads and highways very dangerous as the vehicle is hard to control. The shuddering and jerking is getting progressively worse. Took the vehicle in for TSB 21-2389 which reportedly addresses the issue, but it did not resolve it. Now Ford is quoting me $10k to replace the transmission. There a... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
While driving my truck it shifts into tow mode by itself, also on june 1st 2025 my truck shifted to 4 low by itself .
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
At 55,000 miles - 6 years and 6 months, the check engine light came on and car temp jumped to "off the chart high". The water pump had failed and head gasket had blown.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
Transmission failure. We had issues with acceleration and hesitation. When brought to the dealership they didn’t find anything wrong, but then the transmission ended up failing completely.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
To: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – Office of Defects Investigation From: [XXX] Date: 2 June 2025Vehicle: 2014 Hyundai Equus Location: Columbus, GA (Other driven locations: Buford, GA; Alpharetta, GA; Duluth GA)1. Summary of Vehicle Cyber Incident:My 2014 Hyundai Equus has been compromised through what I believe to be a remote cyberattack targeting the vehicle’s i... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
Crankcase Vent Valve needs replaced. Causes jumps in acceleration and pressure build up. Was a recall in other models. Took to a dealer today to confirm the check engine light and this was the cause.
Incident date: Apr 9, 2020
My back up camera has flipped the view upside down. Sometimes it glitches like static. I have tried different approaches to fix the issue but it continues to be upside down. It also caused me to back into my other car due to it glitching in the process of me backing up by causing me to lose visibility in a split second. It has been like this for years now with no hope of finding a solution. This i... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
Major recall on Yukon with no remedy listed - unable to sell vehicle or trade in with open recall.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
Vehicles brakes squeal when reversing on startup after vehicle has been allowed to sit. Braking at 10mph or slower is not smooth and has an abrupt sudden loss when transitioning from the energy regeneration to the hydraulic brakes.
Incident date: May 28, 2025
Valvetrain and camshaft failure causing misfires in the engine. Safety related issues are possible stalling, overheating, or loss of power can lead to accidents, injuries, or even fatalities. Engine problems can also affect other crucial systems like braking and electronic stability control, further increasing the risk. The stellantis service bulletin B09 FSAR-TSB-5485 clearly shows that their ma... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving uphill with the cruise control activated, the transmission downshifted into first gear and the contact depressed the brake pedal, and the transmission shifted back into tenth gear. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and deter... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2024
remote power locks door driver and passenger side will not open or close with remote fob leaving door open for anyone to open door when i am not around, or when at a stop. someone can open door and get in.
Incident date: May 27, 2025
Recall in place and truck shows recall, multiple appointments made and canceled. Dealer unwilling to handle recall to ensure safety and remove safety recall attached to my vin. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
The Brake System warning light is on. With this, it is showing 5 different issue messages when the car is running. I've taken to the dealer and they are saying there is an issue with the multipurpose front camera. My car is on 39,900 miles.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
The Brake System warning light is on. With this, it is showing 5 different issue messages when the car is running. I've taken to the dealer and they are saying there is an issue with the multipurpose front camera. My car is on 39,900 miles.
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 30 MPH, she started to choke and was unable to breathe, which resulted in the driver fully colliding into a cement wall. The driver sustained injuries, and medical attention was provided, and the contact child was taken to the local trauma facility. The contact stated that all of the air bags loc... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 3, 2024
It took 8 months to repair the Recall #SC299B HALOGEN HEADLAMP-BOTH. Repair was done 04/03/2025, which appears to have not last long as high beam is low again and I am afraid to drive in early morning, dusk, or evening due to the timid, low bearing high beams. This is very unsettling as we have made three complaints due to negligence and lack of efficiency for recall repair, being in an accident d... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
Bought car 2020, engine failed and was consuming oil like it was fuel after 50-60K miles in 2022, Serra Kia Misdiagnosed and charged me $900 for ignition coil and combustion chamber cleaning that was not needed nor refunded when I was denied replacement due to me NOT letting engine lock up(Service manager basically told me to do so to be approved) or a P1326 code, charged +\-$8,000 for engine to b... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
Rear window ford part number 1542006 - Back window glass has 1" cracks in glass where the glass connects to the body on the left passenger side of the crew cab. Cracks have caused leaks into the cab interior and has caused the modem, mounted behind the rear passenger set on the back wall to stop working as water has infiltrated the electronics. Vehicle was inspected at dealership and their 3rd par... Read more