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: Mar 3, 2025
I sent following to Tesla I had an accident at around 6:30 PM on Sunday, March 2nd with my Tesla Model 3 and asking to see if you can conduct a diagnostic check into this incident. I was coming home at that time with the Tesla and about 100 yards from my house, I experienced a sudden acceleration with the car going from about 20mph to, I think, over 40 mph and crashed into the garage area of... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated there was smoke entering the vehicle through the vents. In addition, the contact stated that smoke was coming from under the hood. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was in... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The check engine warning light and another unknown warning light were illuminated, and a message was displayed that the gas port was reducing power. On a separate occasion, the vehicle started to lose motive power and then the vehicle started to shake. The vehicle was losing power a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
On [XXX], I was the operator of a 2019 Mazda CX-5 in Los Angeles, California. I parked the vehicle on an incline on or around [XXX] in Los Angeles, California, and then exited the vehicle. The vehicle remained stationary for some time, until it suddenly began rolling backwards at a speed that pushed me to the ground while I was getting my things from the passenger side door, causing me serious inj... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 21, 2025
Tires are load range E but max load on tire is only 65psi. Truck requires 80 psi tires. Not sure how they can be load range E and only handle 65 psi. Can not tow anything because sidewall of tire is too flimsy to handle load at highway speeds. Tires also have bad vibration at highway speed even though I have tried balancing them multiple times. tire size is 35x12.5x18
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
Bought this 2017 Lincoln MKC with 75K miles on 2/21/25. Four days later while driving to work an engine light came on. Continuing on to work the car started running poorly while crossing a rail road track. Seemed like it was gonna quit running right there on the track. Then it started running like it did before except now there is a wrench starting blinking on my instrument panel. Had the engine ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, shuddered, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The Electronic Stability Control Warning Light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The failure had gotten progressively worse over time. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
In the fall of 2023 my 6.2L V8 with only 107,565 well maintained Miles completely seized up and shut off without any warning lights or other indications of failure. I was going up a steep hill and luckily I was able to get to the side of the road by coasting backwards to a stop and fortunately no one else behind me at the time. I did not get my truck back until late spring of 2024. I paid over $13... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
ABS Control Module has failed, diagnosed by the Ram Dealer in Cape Coral Fl 9/24. They say repair part not available with no date of in stock for repair. Places driver in danger as ABS and skid control are disabled.
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
I own a CX5 2018 Mazda with around 31,000 miles on it. Two days ago I experienced a smoke/fume event in my car while driving. The cabin filled with burnt oil fumes and a pungent smell. I happened to be near a Mazda dealership and was able to reach it with windows down and slow driving. The dealership inspected my car and confirmed a large oil leak caused by a cracked cylinder head. I was told thi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
Was driving car on 3/3/25 with 91,635 miles and lights started flashed saying "Emission System Problem" and "Transmission System Problem." Car slowed down and wouldn't shift gears putting me in danger of being stranded on the street. Screen showing drive mode went blank and wouldn't show if car was in drive or reverse. Luckily was able to get car back to home a few hundreds of feet away but car wa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
The downhill break control (DBC) and the traction control system is is engaged and eliminated in the dash. It causes smoke or steam to come from under the hood after it is driven. This is the second time this issue has happened. I spent over $3,000 and six months getting this fixed last time. If there is not a recall on these things it should be recalled and fixed without me having to pay for it ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
Tires are load range E but max load on tire is only 65psi. Truck requires 80 psi tires. Not sure how they can be load range E and only handle 65 psi. Can not tow anything because sidewall of tire is too flimsy to handle load at highway speeds. Tires also have bad vibration at highway speed even though I have tried balancing them multiple times. tire size is 35x12.5x18
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
I parked my vehicle at 6pm on February 15th. at 2:45 pm I awoke to a loud explosion outside my bedroom window. There was a very large fire, and it was my car. I was in shock we could only watch from our window as the fire department arrived and put out the fire which was spreading to the carport and mailboxes near my parking spot. It also burned a truck parked next to mine. both cars a total loss.... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
Was pulling out of drive way. Loud pop heard in the car. Immediately car flashed warning telling me electrical system had an issue and I needed to pull over and have the car towed to a dealer for service. Was told the part was related to the iccu and would take a couple days to arrive. Part is now on back order. 3 weeks later I am still waiting with little to no update on timeline for repair.
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
Was pulling out of drive way. Loud pop heard in the car. Immediately car flashed warning telling me electrical system had an issue and I needed to pull over and have the car towed to a dealer for service. Was told the part was related to the iccu and would take a couple days to arrive. Part is now on back order. 3 weeks later I am still waiting with little to no update on timeline for repair.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
The check engine light came on. Upon using a code reader, a code for a misfire in cylinder 3 populated. The ignition coil was replaced for cylinder 3. About a month later, the check engine light came back on and all 6 spark plugs were replaced. My vehicle had some rough starts periodically. As time went on, the rough starts turned into serious shaking. The check engine would come on and be gone in... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
The vehicle is makeing clicking noises whenever a tight turn left or right is made from a stop. The noise is louder in cold weather and when the car is first driven.
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
shudder in the torque converter of certain 2013–2018 Toyota RAV4 models. The shudder could occur while driving at light throttle between 25–50 miles per hour.
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
There are 3 things: sometimes when I go to start my jeep, it will start and cut off. Secondly: my rear back up camera keeps going in and out. I’ve had it replaced and it still goes out. Especially if it rains. Lastly, my “service shifter” light pops up randomly while I am driving and all of the lights on the gear shift will light up. It will not let me upload my videos of the screen
KIA
CARNIVAL HYBRID
(2025) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Mar 4, 2025
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
Power lift gate not opening and shutting then noted that the mount on the passenger side is partially sheared off the car bracket and starting to separate on the drivers side. Was unable to close the hitch all the way, and beeping continuously while driving so brought to a toyota dealer service who ordered replacement pistons, in the mean time battery died due to being unable to close back. Once ... Read more
KIA
CARNIVAL HYBRID
(2025) — ENGINE
Mar 4, 2025
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
Engine failed on interstate causing total stoppage. 18,000 miles on the vehicle and GM had to replace the engine completely which took 3 months. ZERO warning lights prior to the failure, no check engine light once failure occurred.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
I have a 2016 Acura MDX with only 120,000 miles on it. Recently I started hearing a knock coming from the engine. I have taken it to three different mechanics, including an Acura dealership mechanic. I was informed by all three to not drive the car due to the fact that it was a rod bearing defect/problem. They all commented that I was lucky that it had not thrown a rod or I could have been injured... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
1. Left-Side Captain Chair: Upon braking or movement slightly --the seat will come unsecured and jolt forward - causing whomever passenger who sits in it to move forward. 2. Tailgate Locking Lever: Trunk no longer opens upon pressing the button on the exterior. Trunk only opens upon utilizing the safely unlocking feature inside the vehicle - for emergencies only. Should not fail after 4 year... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and waited for his girlfriend to pick him up. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch, the A and B lever, an... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
When driving home after work I came up to a red light and my car completely stalled. I had the start stop system turned off at the time. The car just stalled out and acted like the car needed to be started however when I attempted to restart the car it would not start. Although I was stopped when this happened I was in the middle of traffic and could not move my car to the side of the road sinc... Read more
KIA
SPORTAGE HYBRID
(2024) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 4, 2025
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The seat belt failed to secure her grandson, who was occupying the front passenger seat, and he flew out of the seat. The driver's seat belt failed to secure her, and she was thrust forward over the steering wheel. The contact c... Read more
Crash
1 injured
KIA
SPORTAGE HYBRID
(2024) — STEERING
Mar 4, 2025
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
I've noticed ever since the car was new that it had a poor sense of straight ahead especially at freeway speeds. When the lane departure chime was active it would sound constantly{has since been turned off but lighted markers in gauge cluster still fire all the time}. When I take my attention off road for a second to adjust fan speed or temp, the car is close to going into the other lane. Lots ... Read more
KIA
SPORTAGE HYBRID
(2024) — ENGINE
Mar 4, 2025
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
Unknown. Vehicle serviced since 2010. Oil changes based on recommend miles. Only 80,000 miles. Wife [XXX] only uses it mostly for store runs. Since recently inspection and oil change motor has a loud knocking at start up and gets quiet shortly after but while idling you can here a ticking noise. We have all paper work to maintenance. Fear if my wife is stranded or worse and thought I would report... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
Subject: Request to Consider Recall for 2009 Toyota Matrix Excessive Oil Consumption Dear Toyota Motor Corporation/NHTSA, I am writing to bring to your attention a persistent issue with my 2009 Toyota Matrix, which has been experiencing excessive oil consumption. Despite regular maintenance and oil changes, the vehicle continues to burn through oil at an alarming rate, posing potential environme... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
I purchased a 2014 Audi A6 2.0T Quattro premium plus on November 15, 2024 with 99,141 miles. I got the 14 day dealership extended warranty, which covered powertrain systems. After 3 days of driving exactly 103 miles the oil light came on my dashboard telling me that the oil was low. I immediately brought it back to the dealership and their mechanic look at it, he said there was nothing wrong and c... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
I was driving down the highway going 65mph when my car would not accelerate any more in the middle of the highway where the speed limit is 65. At one point I could not get it to go above 30mph. I pulled off to the side and when I tried driving off again my car would not accelerate. Towed to Kia, they did a software update thinking it was fixed. Picked my car up and drove 10 miles before it broke ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X1. The contact stated that while approaching an intersection at 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled and came to a complete stop in the middle of the intersection, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving. However, shortly afterward, the vehicle stalled again. The contact allowed the vehicle to sit idle ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X1. The contact stated that while approaching an intersection at 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled and came to a complete stop in the middle of the intersection, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving. However, shortly afterward, the vehicle stalled again. The contact allowed the vehicle to sit idle ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2025
There was no crash, but it is the second time within a month the vehicle stalls on the highway. The engine keeps running gives a loud banging sound. Also, the hybrid batteries are drained quickly to 0. The first-time the car started work again as normal after 1/2-1 hour standing on the side of the highway. The second time we turned the vehicle off/on, and it started to work again. In both cases th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2024
It has been very cold here in the North East. Under freezing for more than a month. My door lock sensors stopped working about 4-5 weeks ago. Two days ago I was driving and the power steering stopped working. Then after about 2 days it began working again. Just as the temps went above freezing. And the door lock sensors started working again. I had noticed over the last month or so that papers I h... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2024
It has been very cold here in the North East. Under freezing for more than a month. My door lock sensors stopped working about 4-5 weeks ago. Two days ago I was driving and the power steering stopped working. Then after about 2 days it began working again. Just as the temps went above freezing. And the door lock sensors started working again. I had noticed over the last month or so that papers I h... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
Valve body went bad... like so many others. No ETA on part from GM. Not a good situation from a business owner that needs a truck to conduct business
Incident date: Mar 15, 2020
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to a stop and park on the side of the highway. The contact waited for a while before restarting the vehicle. The contact continued to drive the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurre... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2020
I owned a 2017 Dodge Challenger which had electrical issues and a defective Uconnect radio system. A few months after purchasing the 2019 Dodge Challenger, I experienced electrical issues. The electric key system failed locking me outside of the vehicle while pumping gas. I had to enter the vehicle from the passenger side door. When I tried to exit the vehicle, I could not open the door. I had ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
The middle seat (driver side) was sitting properly, it clicked into place and wasn’t folded for months. It suddenly decided to fold on my child while we were driving. It hurt my child and it took an hour to get him to calm down and even be ok with going back into the van
Incident date: Mar 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the doors and windows. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100.
Incident date: Mar 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the doors and windows. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100.
Incident date: Aug 18, 2024
On December 2023 the vehicle lost power and lost control while driving speed limit 55 Mph followed by check engine light associated codes due to known issue with BCEM controller failing. June 2024 Vehicle experienced the same issue with duplicate check engine codes associated with prior issue. Dealer states the vehicle has a bad battery pack and has been there for over 8 months. Vehicle has a BECM... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2024
On December 2023 the vehicle lost power and lost control while driving speed limit 55 Mph followed by check engine light associated codes due to known issue with BCEM controller failing. June 2024 Vehicle experienced the same issue with duplicate check engine codes associated with prior issue. Dealer states the vehicle has a bad battery pack and has been there for over 8 months. Vehicle has a BECM... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2023
I have not received the 2.2 software update. The software delivered to my vehicle is 2.2.2, which has been communicated as an incomplete remedy of 2.2 that has not been homologated. Also, none of the hardware recalls have been addressed on my vehicle. My only local service provider does not accept any recall related work due to customers not receiving reimbursement. I do not have any available... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2023
I have not received the 2.2 software update. The software delivered to my vehicle is 2.2.2, which has been communicated as an incomplete remedy of 2.2 that has not been homologated. Also, none of the hardware recalls have been addressed on my vehicle. My only local service provider does not accept any recall related work due to customers not receiving reimbursement. I do not have any available... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2024
Vehicle suspension experiences rear end swaying at speed when encountering rough or uneven road surfaces. Vehicle is available upon request. Rear 2 rows experience it more than front but requires driver to be mindful of steering to maintain control of vehicle. Dealer replicated swaying on vehicle and new 1 off the lot on 11/11/2024 per service invoice. Dealer service department test drove, reb... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2024
Both back doors have failed lock actuators. I’ve gotten a repair quote of over $1400 per door to get fixed. Both doors buzz and one has actually locked shut. Extremely inconvenient with children.