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: Jul 12, 2024
This accident happended about three months ago. While I was driving on highway, all of suddend, most the signals popped up like firework, AWD/VSV/EPS/TSA and Hill Start Asssitance and etc. My pilot just like lost power and hardly to be speeded up. This was really scarily on the highway. Then I managed to drive to my friends' garage. My friend, who owns a garage, helped me to diagnosis the issue ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2025
While trying to fuel vehicle, it will not take fuel , fueling sprays gasoline out of the fueling tube ,
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); 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 contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, there was a loud thud striking the roof of the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 15-30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle started to stall; however, the failure was not consistent enough for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The contact stated that recently the vehicle started strug... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Sep 4, 2023
Vehicle gear slipping acceleration loss with difficulty in proper control of the vehicle. Vehicle has a consistent noise that comes from the accelerator as if something was loose and vibrating. The wheels don’t seem to be moving at the same time and feels like the cars slightly moves side to side as if something in the structure of the vehicle has como off loose with sounds/ rattle coming from... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2023
As I was driving down the street it sound like I ran over something but it was actually my engine failing, then caught on fire. I was able to pull over and used water bottles to let out the fire. My vehicle had to be towed to the repair shop because the engine wasn't able to restart.
Fire
Incident date: Sep 4, 2023
Tailgate opened/unlocked while parked during rain and light snow. The tonneau cover disguised that the tailgate was open (held it up just enough so it was not visable). The tailgate fell open while driving but went unnoticed. Several large and expensive items were lost out of the back of the truck which is used as a work truck for electrical services. This has happened twice on the roads. Now the... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2025
The fuel strap rutsted through the frame its a recall on previous years and mine it’s the year after the recall. Yes available upon inspection request my gas tank fell in the middle of me driving down the road at 40 and was putting groves in my drive shaft. I’ve read online a lot of people are having this issue. No warning lights just a terrible sound of the broken strap cutting into my drive ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V148000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that there was a repair; however, the manufacturer refused due to the cost. The deal... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
I was driving on highway and engine failed light came on, along with low fuel sign. Engine shut off. Luckily I was able to safely pull over. The Dealer determined that the low fuel sensor failed thus shutoff the engine. Shutting engine off on a highway is dangerous and life threatening event. Need a different strategy to warn the driver with a time to safely pull over. It cost me over $1,500... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact decided to leave the vehicle with the dealer until parts became available. The contact stated that the manufac... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine coolant temperature warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was no coolant leak found. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
Hesitation when trying to accelerate after slowing down or coming to a stop.
Incident date: Feb 21, 2025
Tailgate opened/unlocked while parked during rain and light snow. The tonneau cover disguised that the tailgate was open (held it up just enough so it was not visable). The tailgate fell open while driving but went unnoticed. Several large and expensive items were lost out of the back of the truck which is used as a work truck for electrical services. This has happened twice on the roads. Now the... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
These warnings light up at the same time the dash for Electronic stability system, electronic parking brake, forward collision system, Auto hold and engine light, saying "check forward collision system, check blind spot detection, check smart cruise control system", and the vehicle goes into a sort of limp mode, not allowing it to accelerate past about 40 mph easily. In my research, I've have foun... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
Upon startup in cold weather conditions, a brief but loud grinding/rattling sound will occur. The noise is related to an inadequate spring inside of the intake camshaft gear which will not push a small cylinder in place to lock the intake camshaft gear in place. When not in its proper place, the gear will rattle in its housing, causing the brief noise. If the gear rattles against its housing too h... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
I was backing up in traffic and when I turned the truck to drive it would not shift into drive. The truck reved up like it was in neutral or park and wouldn’t move forward. I had to put the truck in reverse again and then back in drive a second time to get it to shift into drive. This incident almost caused a wreck, because the truck would not shift into drive and move. The traffic coming from b... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2025
Received a system error "Gear box fault error". This is the second time I've received this message. The car makes a static noise that is loud. Also makes a loud grinding noise. Took car into local dealership for repair. Also received High Voltage error. Get the same Gear Box Fault error 3/6/25 . This time the car stop in the middle of the street. Luckily no one was injured or hurt.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
While attempting to accelerate to get onto the expressway with no warning, the vehicle went into limp mode. Traction control, front end warning collision, auto/stop start functionality was all disabled and the engine light warning light on came on. The vehicle locked out and reduced acceleration. An attempt to pull over and turn the vehicle off for a few seconds was made. Once restarted, the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
I am filing this complaint due to severe and ongoing safety defects in my 2020 Kia Optima EX, which has repeatedly stalled while driving, creating a life-threatening road hazard. Since September 2024, my vehicle has suffered from major failures, including a complete transmission replacement, multiple high-pressure fuel pump replacements, multiple oil flushes due to fuel contamination, and all fue... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
Multiple electrical issues related to dashboard controls, video sensors, head unit. Controls powering down while driving, sensors throwing multiple error messages. All since 1,500 miles. Ford could not figure out what the issue was so they replaced the wiring harness. After 2 months in the shop I got my vehicle back. 2 weeks later I am getting the same error messages in the dash and has to go... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
Multiple electrical issues related to dashboard controls, video sensors, head unit. Controls powering down while driving, sensors throwing multiple error messages. All since 1,500 miles. Ford could not figure out what the issue was so they replaced the wiring harness. After 2 months in the shop I got my vehicle back. 2 weeks later I am getting the same error messages in the dash and has to go... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
The headlights on my 2016 SRX Cadillac have extremely dim headlights. I can barely see in front of me at night. The drivers side light is especially dim. The only way I can see is if I drive with my highbeams on. When I’m driving with my regular lights on and a car is coming at me I feel blinded. I’m scared to drive at night. I fear that I’m going to hit something or someone. This has been ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2024
The vehicle has always had an issue with turn signal canceling the left hand turn probably fails 30/40% of the time. There was a recall on this but requires a diagnostic to be performed. This has been completed twice and didn’t fail, but service writer and tech both witnessed it not working during driving test. Problem is StarParts won’t send parts to dealer because it passes their diagnostic.... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2025
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Gauge cluster doesn't shut off, which kills the electrical system. This is likely due to a known issue from FCA as noted in Customer Satisfaction Notification 48A. FCA claims my truck is not affected even though it has the same Electronic Shifter Module, as well as is the same Model, Trim, Year... Ju... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2024
Transmission shuddering shaking almost stopping with 60,292 miles used
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
Lifters in engine failed at beginning of March 2025 and destroyed inside of engine. Transmission failed in summer of 2024 and had to be replaced
Incident date: Mar 11, 2025
Body: Paint around door hinges is bubbling. Vehicle was purchased new in 2019, vehicle is not near salt water or driven in, harsh offroad conditions. Vehicle has been garaged daily since purchase and has 44,000 miles on it. Electrical: Instrument cluster reboots and blanks out and speedometer stops working while driving. This vehicle was not included in previous recall #FCA 30B, but the symptoms ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2024
1-'Engine Oil Low Add Oil' warning sign is being displayed. Vehicle is burning oil with no leakages. Warning sign has come on multiple times; authorized manufacture dealer service center finds no failure. Independent service center finds oil consumption to exist without leaks anywhere and beliefs this is due to a known engine failure in this model. 2-'Service Transmission Now Unable to Shift Soon'... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2025
The tumbler in keyed switch is locked up solid . Cannot turn key to start or turn on.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving on a main street at 10 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the vehicle experienced a loss of steering. The contact stated that the steering linkage had disconnected. The contact stated there was a clunking sound underneath the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that a bolt secu... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that water was entering the cabin of the vehicle from the sunroof. The contact stated that water was dripping on and into other electrical systems, causing malfunctions of the brake light and lights on the instrument panel. The water caused sizzling sounds and burning odors from other electrical controls. The vehicle was not taken ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, with the drivetrain warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a stretched timing chain. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle wa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2025
Sometime I have power steering and sometime I don’t have power steering assist sometime came back and was driving and car just took my wheel to left itself on [XXX] 2 times on same spot was coming out of highway didn’t have no cruise or self driving On all was off INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
When I turned the ignition on the car wouldn't start. But the ABS light and all other lights flickering when trying to start the car. The alarm kept going off. Passenger side front and rear windows won't function. Smell like something was burning. This is the second incident ([XXX]). Fuses had to be removed to silence the alarms on the first incident on [XXX] because the lights were still flickeri... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The vehicle keeps displaying a dashboard notification indicating "Road departure mitigation system problem. See your dealer. The vehicle was most recently brought back from the dealer and after about 100 miles the car displayed this message again. The dealer continues to maintain there are no codes found and issue is not duplicated. The vehicle on two occasions has tried to depart the lane on the ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler 300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (Air Bags); 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 dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. V... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2024
The engine has experienced a cylinder 1 misfire condition twice in the last month. In each instance, the spark plug has been fouled with oil and caused the ignition coil pack to malfunction. When the failure occurred, the vehicle was in operation at roadway speeds and placed the vehicle into limp mode with a flashing check engine light and deactivating the forward collision monitor and lane depar... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
Trunk Lift Gate Trunk will not stay open, it slams back shut, causing injury, risk for closed limbs problem has been confirmed with dealership no warning lights or mesages
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
I own a 2016 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4x4. The SERVICE 4WD light came on a few weeks ago. After research and several mechanic's input, I was told the problem was the PTU, and, since Jeep no longer makes the part, I was given the quote of $2700-$3200 to replace the PTU with a remanufactured part with only a one year warranty. According to the mechanics, when driving with a broken PTU it may cause... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
My vehicle losses all power to the wheels or does not not allow me to accelerate on occasion. Mechanic told me I have a faulty PTU. This has almost cause me to get into an accident several times. Unfortunately due to a very long back order I'm not able to get my vehicle repaired any time soon. I was told to report this due to a recall for this issue but my vehicle is 1 year older than the recall y... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
Unresolved recall regarding antilock brake system. No info since notice received on 12/4/2024.
Incident date: Feb 17, 2024
there is a leak which affected the control unit fuel pump. the leak is ongoing throughout many of these cars yet there has not been a recall to fix it. more than $3k in damages. It's something a modern car should not be facing.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
When I turned the ignition on the car wouldn't start. But the ABS light and all other lights flickering when trying to start the car. The alarm kept going off. Passenger side front and rear windows won't function. Smell like something was burning. This is the second incident ([XXX]). Fuses had to be removed to silence the alarms on the first incident on [XXX] because the lights were still flickeri... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
I was driving down the interstate and all of a sudden all the lights in the dash board came on. My Vehicle began to slow down on the interstate in a lot of traffic.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
The yellow brake System Light illuminates on my dash. . I took my car to the Dealership immediately after the Brake System notification illuminated and the Dealer said they don't know how or why. I have a photo of the illuminated yellow light. My Electronic brake doesn't engage correctly when my car is parked I have video of the Electronic brake operating incorrectly. When i speak to the dealershi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2020
The car would act like it would die or cut off after idling for a while at a drive thru or school pick up. Took the car twice to the dealership they couldn't replicate it. Then the car died and shut off in the middle of a busy intersection at a red light. I was nearly hit head on and rear ended. I got the car started and out of the way and I had it towed to the dealership. The cars check engine li... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2024
Charging system warning light (for 12volt battery) illuminated on left side of instrument cluster. Warning in center of panel said pull over and stop vehicle. Had vehicle towed to dealership and diagnosis was “failed ICCU”. Been at dealer going on 4 weeks
Incident date: Jan 13, 2025
On [XXX] my vehicle displayed an engine light on the dash. The light went on and off randomly throughout the day. The vehicle was hooked up to a computer that said there were no issues and everything was fine. On [XXX] I drove the vehicle over 240 miles to Pittsburgh and back with no lights. At one point the vehicle did make a loud noise for the drive but I took it out of cruise control and everyt... Read more