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 22, 2025
To whom it may concern. The vehicle down shifts from a much higher gear to a lower gear which causes a violent slow down and high revs of the engine. This is happening much more frequently and is dangerous because of the rapid deceleration. The reason I think it is downshifting is the RPM's spike and the gear selector flashes when the episode happens. My VIN Number is [XXX] . I have taken the veh... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2025
My 2022 Hyundai Tuscon is in the shop for a SECOND time due to a bad fuel injector. The first time was 4 months ago. My vehicle's check engine light went on and it went into "limp mode" on a major roadway. (I take all major highways to work.) A vehicle going into "limp mode" on a highway is super dangerous. My check engine light went on once again, and I brought it into the dealership service... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2025
Car reached 113,000 miles and started having misfires in cylinders 1&2. After being told it needed new coil packs and spark plugs, and replacing those it is still misfiring. Paid for diagnostic again and was told cylinder 1&2 were wet and most likely it was the head gasket failing.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2016
Fortunately, nothing has happened yet but the recall for the battery fire risk still has not been resolved. I would like to know when Nissan will come up with a fix for this recall which was issued in September 2024. They said they were going to come up with a fix by March 2025.
Incident date: Apr 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V954000 (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 failure. VIN tool confirms p... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2025
My car continues to shut off while you're driving down the road.Then it won't start for a little bit!
Incident date: Mar 17, 2025
My car continues to shut off while you're driving down the road.Then it won't start for a little bit!
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
Sudden unintended acceleration while maneuvering to park. The acceleration was instantaneous and forceful, that in less than 20 feet of rapid movement the car forced itself over some utility poles laying behind the intended parking spot, and jumped from the utility poles, fast enough so that the first ground contact was nearly 10 feet beyond the poles (as evidenced by disturbed grass in the photo... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
I have 68,000 miles on car and car suddenly started making a thumping sound and jerking when braking. Slip also when driving at low speeds. The Dealership says it needs a new Transmission. I have searched online and found this is a common problem for this year and model.
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
On approximately the 12th of May 2023 i was driving home, and while i was driving the TieRod from the passenger side came loose and caused me to lose control and this was due to the crossmember being rusty as per the recall, description.
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
On approximately the 12th of May 2023 i was driving home, and while i was driving the TieRod from the passenger side came loose and caused me to lose control and this was due to the crossmember being rusty as per the recall, description.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The TCM was defective. It has been known that the TCM, transmission control modules are defective for Ford Fiestas and Focus. My daughter was driving the car and it stalled. If she was in heavy traffic are making a turn when this happened she could have been seriously injured. Ford said that they fixed this issue in the 2015 editions, that's why they stop the recall for 2016 models, but they real... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The engine seized while I was driving. The dealer discovered a crack in the engine block, which caused the oil to leak out. Unfortunately, the warranty had expired at 60,000 miles. The dealer replaced the engine with a brand-new one. So, I had to cover the full repair cost of approximately $6,830.29 out of pocket.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
Two times in a month after getting fixed the first time the esc error code pops up and the engine starts running at 1/2 capacity and the steering gets hard to steer. There is also a braking error code that displays. I have had to tow it to the dealership twice now and can not drive it. It is a danger since it will decelerate when in traffic and becomes hard to steer.
Incident date: Mar 21, 2025
My brake lines melted to my exhaust manifold due to manufacturer defect and manufacturer cannot get the part to fix it
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
The contact’s daughter owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving on several occasions at various speeds, she observed abnormal sounds coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it a diagnosed that the turbo was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the check engine w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
I was traveling on a highway at 65MPH in Hybrid mode. The car displayed a Service Hybrid Electric Vehicle System Warning Message along with several other system failure messages in rapid succession. The battery failure icon was also on. The car lost all power and started slowing down. Luckily traffic was light and I was able to reach a point to where I was able to move to a spot on the roadside. I... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Electric issues, the recall for the sunroof was not disclosed and was not inspected properly…water and debris get clogged and goes into the in the engine.
Incident date: Apr 10, 2025
The entire car failed as it caught fire. I wasn't able to break or put the car into park and it rolled to a stop while smoke was coming through the vents. Because of this, my passenger and I exited the vehicle and crossed the expressway while a highway patroller was directing traffic away from the car. Within 2 minutes the car was engulfed in flames. The car is not available for inspection as it w... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 10, 2025
The car vibrates hard, like being on the rumble strip, but only while driving about 1.7 rpm to 2 rpm and only sometimes. The transmission light came on. The dealer said it was leaking and fixed it. A few days later, the vibrating is back. It's at the dealer again. Still don't know what's wrong. I only have 4,500 miles on the car so far.
Incident date: Apr 10, 2025
Previous years of my truck with the Allison “branded” transmission have been reported to lock up while driving. From what I can gather there was a recall. Instead of fixing the issues with the transmission a program was installed to put the transmission in limp mode during the failure. My model, a 2023 apparently came with the limp mode feature already installed. When my transmission failed it... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2023
Got the car with many problems . Last recent problems purge cvavle, leak in emission, air make loud sounds . Now it’s my door was making popping noises when closing or opening, now the door doesn’t shut at all. No incident happen, just happen by itself
Incident date: Feb 21, 2023
Got the car with many problems . Last recent problems purge cvavle, leak in emission, air make loud sounds . Now it’s my door was making popping noises when closing or opening, now the door doesn’t shut at all. No incident happen, just happen by itself
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
three codes telling me there is a issue - reduce acceleration drive with care - service vehicle soon - service high voltage system
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
Driver was driving at 55 miles per hour engine light illuminated. Car began to sputter and not drive. Ford Dealership mechanic,” DRIVEABILITY CONCERN, CUSTOMER STATES VEHICLE WILL NOT GO OVER 40 MPH AND HAS A MISFIRE PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. verfied engine is misfiring, hooked up scan tool and ran dets and found p0302 and p0316, #2 cylinder misfire and misfire and the first 1000 rev, ran a relit... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2025
Engine has a loud tapping sound and starting to stumble, have a collapse lifter on a 5.3L. Sell it or trade it in only wanna give me $2500 for due to the engine failure. I’ve maintained this vehicle. I work in the automotive industry change the oil every 5000 miles changed all the fluids spark plugs, brakes tires, no tears no rips, immaculate and I have a weight I’ve had it since 2012 or 2013 ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2025
Stating that something is malfunctioning and see owners manual
Incident date: Apr 20, 2025
The engine coolant bleeder hose in my 2018 Volvo XC90 cracked in the middle of my journey causing a severe coolant leak. This happened in August of 2024 while driving and the engine coolant suddenly started showed warning with low level and the engine started overheating. The vehicle would not accelerate past 20 mph, and the temperature warning light flashed continuously, creating a safety hazard... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
I want to disclose this is the 2nd time this has happened. I was on the highway when the system failed. Immediately and drastically forced my car down to 25mph on [XXX] going to Philadelphia in the far left lane with no warning. I had to make it across 3 rows of traffic and ride on the shoulder of the highway until I could find a safe place. One ruining the sport tires on the car and probably mess... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
We experienced catastrophic failure while driving the vehicle on the highway. It stopped working with no warning leaving our family stranded in the lane with heavy traffic all around us. The steering wheel would not move the car would not go in neutral and there was a burning smell coming from the hood. My kids were terrified. We had to wait for state police and a tow truck while praying that the ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
Complete brake failure when stopping for a red light. This caused the vehicle to rear end a Jeep stopped at the light. Brake pedal went completely to the floor. This was verified by the investigating State Trooper, who started the Durango and checked the brakes, they went all the way to the floor as indicated in his report.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
1st incident all failure lights went on while driving on HWy 137 which os a 2 lane hoghway. 2nd i cidenr -All engine failure lights went on and lost power on the fast lane while driving on 15 freeway. Had to be towed hime both times and sat in an unsafe zone while tow truck arrived.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
1st incident all failure lights went on while driving on HWy 137 which os a 2 lane hoghway. 2nd i cidenr -All engine failure lights went on and lost power on the fast lane while driving on 15 freeway. Had to be towed hime both times and sat in an unsafe zone while tow truck arrived.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
I was driving and when turning into a parking lot, I accelerated and the vehicle stalled. It did not go suddenly when accelerating. A couple days later, I use a code reader and have a code listed as P1326. So I take it for a diagnostic at a local shop and I am told it is the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). I was advised to take it to a Hyundai dealer because often these vehicles have manufa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2025
My truck suddenly downshifting into low gear at highway speeds without warning, or any input from me. Ford recalled this vehicle two times previously, but it is still downshifting without warning.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2025
We have an unknown problem with a clunking/creaking noise while driving the vehicle we believe is coming from the front of the vehicle, possibly the suspension or steering. We are not sure we feel safe driving the vehicle since after taking it to the dealer three times in the past year, the dealer acknowledges the clunking but has not been able to identify and fix the issue. We have been told by... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
This is the second random stall event for this vehicle. 2019 Ram 1500 with 33,300 miles. Yesterday, 4 /18/25, while taking a left turn from a parking lot at low speed, the vehicle lost all power. I was able to coast to the side of the street. Put the vehicle in park, waited approximately 1 minute, vehicle restarted and seemed to run fine. The first time it stalled it was towed to the dealer... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
I received a recall notice SC332 several weeks ago. In February I visited ALM Kia in Perry, GA. The sercice advisor ordered parts, I have checked with ALM Kia several times and they keep telling me the parts have not arrived. This is a serious safety issue and I need your help. Thank You, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
My 2010 Kia Sedona has a major problem with the brakes. I had a problem with the brake pedal sinking too far. I took it to a local mechanic. This mechanic installed a new master cylinder. Two days later the brakes started to grab. The brakes were activating without my foot on the brake pedal. I had the Kia towed back to the local mechanic. The local mechanic said the master cylinder was wor... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
I was driving and when turning into a parking lot, I accelerated and the vehicle stalled. It did not go suddenly when accelerating. A couple days later, I use a code reader and have a code listed as P1326. So I take it for a diagnostic at a local shop and I am told it is the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). I was advised to take it to a Hyundai dealer because often these vehicles have manufa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
Needs transmission at 90,000 miles - original owner - well maintained car- manufacture defect according to dealer According to various websites other 2019 Toyota Highlanders have had similar issues Had 2009 Highlander that lasted til almost 200,000 with no Issues
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
I had just purchased a car but a month ago I was driving to lunch and I was at a stop sign when the light turned green I started to go the car started shaking and smoke was coming out of the front under the hood I had just an oil change so I took it back to the oil change shop. They could not figure out why the engine blew and I had to take it to a different BMW shop where I have to purchase a reb... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered, and the transmission was difficult to shift into gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was no... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
Ford has a battery that corrodes while driving and can shut off car. This is dangerous. On top of that, they had to extend warranty on drivers seat belt and fuel injector but will only allow those to be replaced once they break. My car is unsafe to drive. Imagine, car shuts off and seat belt breaks. This is dangerous.
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2004 Acura TSX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal clicking sound that was coming from the instrument cluster. The contact stated that upon decelerating to come to a stop, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that while the vehicle was rolling, the contact shifted to neutral(N), restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The con... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2004 Acura TSX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal clicking sound that was coming from the instrument cluster. The contact stated that upon decelerating to come to a stop, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that while the vehicle was rolling, the contact shifted to neutral(N), restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The con... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the transmission became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission shifted hard while changing gear and the transmission was also slipping. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was repaired. On a separate occasi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the transmission became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission shifted hard while changing gear and the transmission was also slipping. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was repaired. On a separate occasi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
The sunroof on my Hyundai Tucson will not close. Seems to be a motor problem. I brought it to a mechanic and it will be a lot of money to fix. I have looked up if this is a common problem and it’s all over the internet. I am not sure if it should be a recall. Thank you.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
No warning lights came on, steering kepted locking up shutting off the vehicle