Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 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 2,245,377 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 62,191 complaints for KIA
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Dear - NHTSA Vehicle Safety Division, I am writing to formally document my ongoing concern regarding a faulty Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) module in my Honda vehicle, which I believe poses a serious safety risk. Despite contacting Honda Corporation on four separate occasions to address this issue, the company has refused to acknowledge or accept responsibility for what appears to be a recurring ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
on 7/27/25 while driving on a residential street the car behaved extremely erratically and was attempting engage the brakes resulting in an uncontrollable driving condition. Brakes were engaging automatically and dashboard showed fault messages including "Antilock brake fault" and "pre-collision assist not available." Contacted Lincoln customer support and they arranged for a tow to the dealers... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
The infotainment screen in the vehicle suffers from Phantom/Ghost touching, rending a safety hazard as while following navigation it can act on it's own, becoming a large distraction.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
I purchased a used 2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk in March 2025 for $13,000. Four days later, the transfer case failed while driving, leaving me stranded in traffic and requiring a tow. The dealership replaced the transfer case using a used part, but did not disclose that to me at the time. Roughly four months later, the vehicle failed again, this time grinding gears and failing to shift properly ou... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to change gear, the transmission started slipping. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, where it was determined that the transmission solenoid might be defective. The transmission solenoid was replaced; however, the failure pe... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2019
My Hyundai consumes oil and I have to put oil in it every two weeks! Also my ignition coils has had to be changed 4 times. Also check engine light just came on code saying catalytic converter or oxygen sensor changed oxygen sensor a couple months ago. I purchased it brand new and as soon as I got over 100,000 miles nothing has been going good since then please help also my paint on the top of the ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2025
Failure of the rearview camera system AFTER the recall software update to 3.7.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
All kinds of warning lights come in and stay on, which a lot of people are having the same issue which is due to a faulty sensor module.. I almost hit a truck who pulled out of a parking lot once I was on top of him ( was trucks fault) and no warning lights were functioning properly. There's also a recall for a fuel injector issue that ford is taking their sweet time to remedy, but technically I'... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
Lower portions of rear tail light are failing due to water infiltration.
Incident date: Jul 2, 2025
I bought a used 2017 Ford Escape Titanium in September of 2024. Around a month and a half later, the check engine light came on and had the code P0302. The check engine light has been intermittent since then. My car only has 56,558 miles on it and it is a 2017 so this has been extremely frustrating.
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
The differential, front right axil "housing" is rusted to the point that it is pitting. The rust completely covers the entire right axil housing and does not come close to matching the light corrosion when compared to the rest of the differential or anywhere else on the vehicle. These indicators lead me to believe the housing was in a corrosive environment prior to being installed onto the differe... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2025
Failure of the rearview camera system AFTER the recall software update to 3.7.
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
The contact owned a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed during night, a bright light suddenly obstructed his view to the roadway. The contact's son veered the steering wheel and suddenly crashed into a traffic signal, where it came to a stop. The traffic pole was knocked down and landed on top of the vehicle, damaging the front windshield an... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recalls repairs. The manufacturer wa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V499000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 24V466000 (STRUCTURE), 24V623000 (SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC) and 24V865000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; AUTOHOLD BRAKE SYSTEM/BRAKE HOLD). The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the rearview camera failed to activate while the vehicle was in reverse(R), compr... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, attempting to stop, the rear brakes would make an abnormal sound. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was repaired for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the contact was advised that the rear brake pads, rotors, mount, cabin ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2025
While driving the transmission started driving rough and the car was stuck in ev mode. Wouldnt even go back to hybrid mode. I kept driving until all my battery range was exhausted and lost acceleration and had to pull over the side of the highway. It was late at night so there was no one around or behind me, otherwise I would have been hit. Once stopped the car would not move at all so I called a ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
Passenger side active head rest deployed suddenly while driving down the road on a hot day (90 degrees with heat factor 100+) Called dealer and they stated extended coverage for this expired June 13. This happened on July 28. They want to order parts, approx 170 USD and charge 108 USD labor. This is a common problem because of manufacturing with inferior plastic parts and it is violent when it pop... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
My engine died at 63,000 miles. I'm thinking it's a coolant leak issue that I've read about online. I am severely disappointed.
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
Excessive oil consumption/ burning oil; oil light came on 1,500 miles after oil change.
Incident date: Jun 4, 2022
The motor mounts have been replaced twice in the last six years and per the dealer, This is normal which I find very hard to believe on a 2017 Mini Coop of convertible, with 90,000
Incident date: Jun 4, 2022
3 separate accounts of automatic braking (phantom braking ) has occurred on the last year and electronic emergency brake would not engage 3 times in one day. Worried about rear end collision due to my car braking on its own. Brought to an infinity dealer who tested it with software (unknown type or version)and found no codes.
Incident date: Jun 4, 2022
3 separate accounts of automatic braking (phantom braking ) has occurred on the last year and electronic emergency brake would not engage 3 times in one day. Worried about rear end collision due to my car braking on its own. Brought to an infinity dealer who tested it with software (unknown type or version)and found no codes.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
Just bought the car 17 days ago and I have realized that the odometer was rolled back. And I have already had 2 repairs done on it
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
My 2018 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (VIN: [XXX] ) is affected by safety recall NHTSA #25V-011 (Recall #01C – 2017-2019 KL Two Speed PTU Failure). The recall was issued on 01/23/2025, but Jeep/Stellantis has not provided a remedy or timeline for repair. This issue poses a serious safety risk, and the manufacturer’s failure to supply a remedy in a timely manner is unacceptable. I am requesting tha... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2025
The driver’s seat in my car moves backward on its own while I’m driving. I’ve taken the car to the dealership several times, but the issue still hasn’t been resolved. This is extremely dangerous and frightening. It has happened twice on the highway, Several times in the dealership’s garage, And most recently, while I was pulling out of a parking spot: Half of my car was still in the par... Read more
KIA
SORENTO HYBRID
(2025) - POWER TRAIN
Jul 30, 2025
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
Transmission downshift in low gear at highway speeds, almost lost control, afraid of any transmission damage, looked online for other ford p/ups with same 6speed transmission problems and of course they are millions of recalls but my vin # isn’t included, called ford motor co, seems like they are just passing the buck , I know it’s the same exact problem, wondering if I should go to local news... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2025
The driver's side sliding door on this minivan became stuck shut. I had to remove my disabled son through the open window. Not being able to remove him quickly in an emergency because the door has become sealed shut is unacceptable. I cannot believe there is no manual override. I was able to solve this issue by forcing the unlock lever while pressing 'unlock' on the keyfob. However, the main reaso... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2025
I was traveling on Stevenson expressway at 55 mph when the fuel pump relay overheated and melted, which burned up the REC (Rear Electrical Electrical Center /fusebox). When the fuse pump relay overheated it shut fuel down going to the fuel pump, which caused the engine to stall. When the engine stalled the car cut off, causing me to loose power steering. Because I was traveling in the middle la... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
Camera image becomes distorted when put in reverse. It doesn’t happen all the time, but sometimes happens multiple times a day. I have pictures and videos of the distortion of the camera happening.
Incident date: Jul 16, 2025
While accelerating the Vehicle I felt a massive kickback via the gas pedal, I was able to drive for half a mile more before the vehicle would no longer accelerate at all. The gas pedal was no working. The engine was overheating and a new warning popped up, upon the kickback with a wrench, and engine warning, along with a coolant over temp warning among others and service engine soon. The vehicle h... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2025
While accelerating the Vehicle I felt a massive kickback via the gas pedal, I was able to drive for half a mile more before the vehicle would no longer accelerate at all. The gas pedal was no working. The engine was overheating and a new warning popped up, upon the kickback with a wrench, and engine warning, along with a coolant over temp warning among others and service engine soon. The vehicle h... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2025
when accelerating at high speeds, over 70 mph, the car will sometimes appear to slip into neutral, and we are not able to accelerate at all. And then will need to coast to a stop, pull over, shut the car and restart. this has happened five times in the past year and always after one hour or more of driving at high speeds
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
THIS TRUCK HAS A PROBLEM WHERE AT LOW SPEED WHILE TURNING LEFT THE ENGINE SURGES AND THE TRUCK SPEEDS TO 15 MILES AN HOUR UNLESS I JAM ON THE BRAKES . THIS STARTED JUST TURNING LEFT AND NOW ITS STARTING TO HAPPEN TURNING RIGHT . I HAD THIS TRUCK TO KOONS CHEVOLET TWO OR THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT STILL PERSIST TO HAPPEN. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS.
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
THIS TRUCK HAS A PROBLEM WHERE AT LOW SPEED WHILE TURNING LEFT THE ENGINE SURGES AND THE TRUCK SPEEDS TO 15 MILES AN HOUR UNLESS I JAM ON THE BRAKES . THIS STARTED JUST TURNING LEFT AND NOW ITS STARTING TO HAPPEN TURNING RIGHT . I HAD THIS TRUCK TO KOONS CHEVOLET TWO OR THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT STILL PERSIST TO HAPPEN. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS.
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000(Structure) and 25V347000(Structure); however, the parts to do the recalls repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that an unknown windshield exterior A-pillar trim had detached, and the contact had glued the trim to the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2025
My door pops open while driving. You can hear it and the dash lights up that the door is ajar. Have to pull over and open and close the door. This has happened multiple times during various speeds and road conditions. Ford has recalled the door latches on the years prior but this year is not included. It has been occurring for over a year about 3 times a month.
Incident date: May 30, 2025
You cannot wear dark sunglasses while driving this car, as the safety systems are turned off because the car fails to recognize your eyes, as it can't see them through the sunglasses. How does the research and development side of making this ioniq 5 not see this? This ultimately forces you to drive without sunglasses, causing an unsafe environment while driving. This is a bad design for the car.
Incident date: Jul 26, 2025
Car began to jerk, shudder and lurch during acceleration. Sometimes jerking strong enough to make steering difficult. Took car to dealership and was diagnosed as a torque converter issue. Was told this is a common issue with this transmission and was quoted nearly $5000 to repair. No lights or warnings come on. The problem began very abruptly. Currently the car has yet to be repaired so parts ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2025
Driver assist systems disable themselves occasionally and seemingly at random. It seems that something is hyperactive or overly sensitive with the system. I have stopped to clean areas where camera is and it doesn't seem to make a difference or helps for a little while and then happens again. Unable to use cruise control for remainder of trip without calling dealership and them telling me to pres... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2025
The back window comes unglued to the convertible top when the car is parked outside in warm weather. Ive seen this in several other mini cooper roadsters within the past few weeks. This causes the car to have a hole in the convertible top and leaves the glass hanging from the sensor. To fix it you need to buy a whole new top. This HAS to be a design defect.
Incident date: Jul 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Honda HR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000(Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. 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 and confirmed th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2025
July 2024 my 2017 VW JETTA SEL PREMIUM [XXX] at 153,253 miles without notice had TRANSMISSION FAILURE where a major oil and transmission fluid leak occurred. I was sitting at a red light, the light turned green I tried to go and ended up flooding the engine thus preventing the car to ever move again. I experienced a total loss on a vehicle who’s PZEV WARRANTY just expired and VW OF AMERICA REFUS... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition Max. The contact stated that after the wife started the vehicle and while the gear shifter was in the parked position, the front driver's side seatbelt pretensioner erroneously deployed. During the incident, the wife sustained a left shoulder abrasion, which required medical treatment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the cause of the failure w... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
Car was jerking during acceleration. RPM needle was bouncing while accelerating. It felt like there was a loss of power. Brought it to a Ford Dealership and they were unable to find a problem directly related to this issue. They took care of other problems such as the fuel sensor. Brought it to a transmission specialist and they said the torque converter was bad and need to be replaced. Car has 89... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
I had my radiator fail, lost all fluid and had to be towed. The car has 73,000 miles on it, is well maintained and garage kept. Alfa has sent the dealerships a Service Bulletin item about the issue, but never contacted the consumers about fixing it proactively. My son broke down on a highway, was able to limp the vehicle to a parking lot where the car had to be towed. The repair was done b... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2025
failure of the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter assembly
Incident date: Nov 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2005 Hummer H2. The contact stated that while parking in the mountains, the vehicle was in the park position, and it unexpectedly rolled and stopped at a boulder. There were no warning lights illuminated. The door hit the driver and knocked him to the ground, and he sustained an injury to his head, but medical attention was not provided. Another person on an ATV provided a jump ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 228I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the iss... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
Woke up [XXX] to a flat tire. Filled the tire and heard a hiss. We took the vehicle to NTB in Wellsburg, WV where we bought the tires. After inspection we were told two tires had "bubbles" and needed to be replaced (picture of front passenger side attached). We have ordered new Goodyears that will be here in 2 days. Side Note: we had to buy groceries, so we drove the car slowly yo Walmart in Steu... Read more