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: 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
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
[XXX] once again while diving down the road 45mph Terrain once again goes in to park ,I was lucky the lady behind me wasn't to close .Also I contacted onstar when I was able to get vehicle moving at the store ..I told her what happen she ran diagnostics while parked at store said there was no codes I let onstar know this has happened several times..I had no warning, no indication, no lights came o... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2025
While driving all of a sudden seat belt sign pops up and stays there . I think there is something wrong with seat belt system.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear tires of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the failure was related to the suspension. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered n... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2025
P185/55R16 Tire wall coming off of the tire. Bubble created.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
On two separate occasions, my 2024 Kia Sorento has activated its automatic emergency braking system, as if anticipating a potential forward collision on an empty Florida highway. The dashboard lights illuminate precisely before the forward collision warning and emergency braking lights activate and commence engaging. Since then, I have noticed a loose sensation in the steering wheel and a diminish... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 66,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 199,000.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
Apparently the coolant is leaking into chamber 2 and 3 and it’s burning it and I need to replace the head gasket. Spoke to and looked up a bunch of other people have had this same issue. It’s causing my car to stutter and it’s scary.
KIA
SORENTO HYBRID
(2025) — AIR BAGS
Jun 3, 2025
Incident date: May 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated and blinking. The contact called the independent mechanic where the vehicle was purchased and was informed that the vehicle needed to be serviced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the air bags were missing. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: May 17, 2025
My ABS and anti swerve systems have gone bad are not operational. There has been a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer for the 2500 & 3500. My local dealer in Melbourne Fl has said the module has been on back order for some time now! No clue if anything can be done but I don't feel safe driving in the rain, which it does most days here.
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V288000 (AIR BAGS). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the recall as a possible cause for the failure;... Read more
KIA
OPTIMA HYBRID
(2020) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 2, 2025
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
On multiple occasions, the HEV system warning light and check engine light activated while I was driving at highway speeds. Immediately after the warning lights appeared, the vehicle suddenly decelerated, putting me and other drivers at risk. This issue has occurred several times and is clearly a serious safety hazard. Each time this occurred, I brought the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealership ... Read more
KIA
OPTIMA HYBRID
(2020) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jun 2, 2025
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
Vehicle: 2021 Nissan Sentra VIN: [XXX] Incident Date: [XXX] Description: On [XXX], the front tie rod on my 2021 Nissan Sentra suddenly failed while I was driving, causing me to lose control of the vehicle and sideswipe a parked car. This mechanical failure led to an accident, property damage, and a traffic citation for careless operation. My insurance premiums have since increased and the citati... Read more
Crash
KIA
OPTIMA HYBRID
(2020) — AIR BAGS
Jun 2, 2025
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side air bag unintendedly deployed. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Incident date: May 24, 2025
I am writing to formally report the theft of a sensor that occurred on 05/20/2025, which I believe was a direct result of its insecure placement. Unfortunately, its position left it vulnerable to unauthorized access and theft. I would like to raise the concern that the placement and securing method of the sensor did not adequately consider the risk of theft, especially in an area with public or e... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2025
I am writing to formally report the theft of a sensor that occurred on 05/20/2025, which I believe was a direct result of its insecure placement. Unfortunately, its position left it vulnerable to unauthorized access and theft. I would like to raise the concern that the placement and securing method of the sensor did not adequately consider the risk of theft, especially in an area with public or e... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2025
On May 27th, 2025, during highway driving suddenly the sunroof got open by itself for like 3 inches upwards from the front and after exiting the highway i stopped and push the sunroof downwards by applying the force and apply duct tape all around the sunroof to keep it protect from sun and rain so i am not driving anymore before getting it resolved.
Incident date: Jan 30, 2025
I setup my camper and turn the hot water heater on using the propane setting. I left the camper and came back and could smell something hot/burning inside the camper. I looked at the rubber propane line connected to the hot water heater was on fire. I opened the cover to the hot water heater and blew the flame out. Propane was leaking from the rubber line that was cracked. I turned the gas of... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 30, 2025
I setup my camper and turn the hot water heater on using the propane setting. I left the camper and came back and could smell something hot/burning inside the camper. I looked at the rubber propane line connected to the hot water heater was on fire. I opened the cover to the hot water heater and blew the flame out. Propane was leaking from the rubber line that was cracked. I turned the gas of... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 24, 2024
My fuel pump just gave out randomly while driving on the highway. Unable to drive over 14mph. I head other 2018 Equinox’s experienced this problem often. I believe my vehicle should be included as well. In the past I’ve also gotten a random alert that my forward collision was disabled while driving on the highway with no warning. It always goes away on its own.
Incident date: Apr 24, 2024
My fuel pump just gave out randomly while driving on the highway. Unable to drive over 14mph. I head other 2018 Equinox’s experienced this problem often. I believe my vehicle should be included as well. In the past I’ve also gotten a random alert that my forward collision was disabled while driving on the highway with no warning. It always goes away on its own.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
Sudden Unintended Acceleration occurred when turning vehicle onto a roadway from a standing stop at an intersection. It occurred at night, [XXX] at the [XXX] . The vehicle was headed west on [XXX] turning from the far left lane while stopped at the intersection of [XXX] and [XXX] when the vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed. The car eventually came to a stop when applying fi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
Sudden Unintended Acceleration occurred when turning vehicle onto a roadway from a standing stop at an intersection. It occurred at night, [XXX] at the [XXX] . The vehicle was headed west on [XXX] turning from the far left lane while stopped at the intersection of [XXX] and [XXX] when the vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed. The car eventually came to a stop when applying fi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
We bought this in 2022 from clek, and a few months before we were transferring our daughter from the infant seat to a convertible seat, our infant seat became stuck on the base. Absolutely impossible to get off and my husband and I both tried many times. I reached out to Clek because I was very concerned that in an emergency situation it would take much longer to unstrap and get baby out instead o... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2025
While driving electric power steering stopped working almost having an incident. The steering gets hard and soft and when turning it has difficulties straightening outright on road. Not sure if this part of the ram recall.
Incident date: May 31, 2025
My car was jerking between 1-2 rpm while driving on the highway, on other roads as well. It was very hard to accelerate and merge with traffic with this issue. Check engine light came on two days later and it’s says it’s the torque converter.
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
My car keeps losing a major amount of oil and has been doing that before the correct date or miles is due for a new oil change and then my car makes a funny noise. It has issues when I accelerate, it langs, it takes longer to get up to speed and the shifting sometimes is loud and behind, my rpm goes really high and I'm going no where at times. My air conditioner also makes a really bad humming so... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
While driving onto the highway vehical 4wd service light came on with loss of power like the transmission or ptu was in natural motor rpms came up without power to the wheels trying to merge ptu engaged with a loud clunk and jerk then started to make a clicking noise 10 miles after. Replaced cv axles and replacing drive shaft. Finding out the ptu needs to be replaced due to a faulty clip that caus... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
The cars steering is very stiff and won’t return to center without assistance. The vehicles steering is not working as intended. Unfortunately I am unable to see a dealership as the cost to repair is over $4000. The car only has 62k miles and should not be failing so early. This a danger to myself and other drivers
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
Power steering stopped working
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
I’ve been having ongoing issues with my 2016 Hyundai Tucson where the car struggles to accelerate, especially after stopping at red lights or pulling out into traffic. Sometimes, when I press the gas pedal, the car either hesitates badly or doesn’t move at all. A few times it’s completely stalled while trying to make turns or cross intersections, which has been really scary and dangerous. I... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
Approximately [XXX] on [XXX] I was driving from my home to a doctors appointment on [XXX] in Tampa Florida. Approximately 8 mins from my home. The roads were in desperate need of repair with patchy potholes uneven pavement. I was going approximately 30 to 35 miles an hour that is the speed limit for this road as I was going over I hit one of the shallow holes in the road when that happened. the ca... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2025
The rear backup camera is either a blank black screen, or has distorted display. The directional guides do not display combined with a reverse presentation. Sometimes displays, system is malfunctioning, contact your manufacturer.
Incident date: May 14, 2025
DTC stated that there was a "drive motor inverter temperature sensor failure"
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
While driving my 2020 Audi S6, the vehicle suddenly lost power and completely shut off in the middle of the road without warning. There were no warning lights or messages beforehand. I was unable to accelerate or steer out of the way, which created a major crash risk for myself and other drivers. I had to have the vehicle towed to Audi of Riverside for diagnosis and repair. The dealership confirm... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2022
The brakes when in reverse squeal the loudest I have ever heard in a car (even those that I have had over 150K miles. The car, with only 4272 miles on it, is now doing this pretty much each time I go in reverse. Today, 5/30/2025 the dealership was able to reproduce the problem. However, they say that Toyota has not made a remedy available. This is disturbing considering it is the brakes and the no... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine blower seized. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The contact was required to pay a diagnostic fee. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the deal... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while reversing and turning the steering wheel to the left, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rack and pinion had failed, and the electric power steerin... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
2023 Fisker SUV Door Handle Malfunction, I am submitting this complaint regarding a critical safety issue with my 2023 Fisker SUV involving the interior and exterior door handles failing to open. This malfunction has resulted in passengers, including myself, being locked inside the vehicle, unable to exit manually or from the outside. Details of the Issue: Component Failure: The door handles fai... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
Local dealership requesting for Volkswagen to authorize an inspection at no charge due to excessive oil consumption. Please see attachment from dealership.
Incident date: May 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while in reverse, the back over prevention camera displayed orange and green lines across the screen. The screen was flashing on and off. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The message advising the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer was displayed on the screen. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Nu... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2025
Hesitation when trying to accelerate. When I start my truck in the morning And hit the gas there’s a hesitation before it will move and When I come to a stop sign and hit the gas there’s always a hesitation. When the truck finally starts to move it jumps quickly forward from pressing down on the gas pedal and it’s almost caused me to rear end someone multiple times.
Incident date: May 22, 2025
Hesitation when trying to accelerate. When I start my truck in the morning And hit the gas there’s a hesitation before it will move and When I come to a stop sign and hit the gas there’s always a hesitation. When the truck finally starts to move it jumps quickly forward from pressing down on the gas pedal and it’s almost caused me to rear end someone multiple times.
Incident date: May 29, 2025
Recall 23V-751 affecting certain or maybe all 2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD connecting rod bearing failure. The vehicle came to a sudden stop on the freeway after a loud terrible sound from the engine. This left my wife and child on a freeway exit ramp with no way to navigate the car to safety. The vehicle won't start, it makes a terrible clanging noise and stops. It has a seized connecting rod bearing an... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2025
On May 15th, I was involved in a serious accident caused by a malfunction in a rental vehicle provided by Enterprise a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. After reversing into a parking spot, I placed the vehicle in “Park” and exited the car to retrieve belongings from the trunk. My young son remained in the back seat. To my shock, the vehicle suddenly began to move on its own despite being in “Park.”... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 11, 2025
Door check spot welds broke. Door has unsafe operation. Will not hold open, and swings wildly. No inspection yet. Ford Dealer aware of problem. 2 month out of warranty.
Incident date: May 11, 2025
DUE TO EXTREME FRAME FLEX, THE WELDS IN THE FRONT OF MY COACH BROKE AWAY FROM THE METAL. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE ONLY THING HOLDING MY 44' TOY HAULER ON MY TRUCK WAS THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SKIN OF THE COACH. I WAS HORRIFIED TO FIND THAT I WAS DRIVING MY COACH UNDER THESE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS CAUSING EXTREME RISK TO MY FAMILY AND THOSE ON THE ROAD. TO BE CLEAR, THIS FAILURE ONLY SHOWED IT... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
The contact owned a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while was driving at 20 MPH, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the brakes engaged independently, and while attempting to depress the accelerator pedal again, a bystander collided with the rear driver side corner of the vehicle. The air bag did deploy. The vehicle was still drivable. The contact mentioned she was making a left turn... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 3, 2025
Vehicle Make/Model/Year: Ford Transit Passenger Van, 2021 VIN: [XXX] 1. Component/System That Failed: The automatic sliding door on the passenger side of the van has malfunctioned repeatedly. The door does not open properly, often stopping at approximately 6 inches, and frequently fails to close fully. In multiple instances, the door has opened while the vehicle was in motion, which presents a ... Read more