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: Apr 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the cam shaft. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
This vehicle started having issues. The truck would shut off going down the highway at 60-65 mph. The radio would blink on and off. The truck would shut down and not turn back on for multiple hours. Dealer couldn't replicate the problem. Our son utilized the truck to go and pick up LP gas for us from his shop. On the way back to our home, he stopped at a stop sign and suddenly noticed smoke coming... Read more
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 15, 2025
we purchased the car in Jan of 24 (lease) - for my 16 year old. wanted a SAFE car that was reliable. We had issues since the start - the interior goes black - nothing inside the car works but it still drives. No blinkers, no back up camera, not heat, no radio, no lights - nothing - it has been in the shop 6 times. Well over 30 days and nothing has fixed the same problem. Jeep has not worked wi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2024
Urgent safety complaint for my 2025 Toyota Camry SE. I feel unsafe driving this car, especially with my child, due to extremely premature and unsafe tire wear found at only 17,309 miles. Key Facts: Mileage: 17,309. Problem: Needed immediate replacement of 4 tires due to severe premature wear. Two tires worn to steel belts, risking tire failure. Faulty wheel bearing also diagnosed. Safety: High ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2024
The timing chain became stretched so that the valve timing with the pistons had been altered so that a valve face almost hit the top of a piston(one more tooth on the intake camshaft gear would have caused an impact between the piston top and a valve face causing the motor to stall and cease operation thereby causing the vehicle to lose power and possibly control). A timing chain should not stre... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2025
On at least four separate occasions the idle engine stop has failed to restart when the vehicle was stopped at an intersection. The car not only does not restart but it also won’t respond for some time to attempts to turn the car off (in park mode and brake applied) so that it can be restarted. We must try to remember to disengage the idle engine stop at each use of car to avoid this issue as th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the driver’s side electric sliding door failed to properly open and close, and occasionally abruptly closed, causing a safety hazard to the occupants entering and exiting the vehicle. The cause of the failure has not yet been determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. Th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 24, 2024
The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owned a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that her daughter was involved in a crash while driving on a main road at 35 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the passenger side of her vehicle at an unknown speed. No property damage was reported. The vehicles came to a stop upon impact. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a local tow ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
Our 2020 Sprinter (Winnebago Revel) had 13,212 miles on it when I first reported this issue. During our ownership we have experienced many failures of the Advanced Driver Assistance System, one previous failure happened when where a semi-truck was preparing to pass me and was very close behind my van, when my vans cruise control deactivated we quickly slowed down and the driver of the truck had to... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
Our 2020 Sprinter (Winnebago Revel) had 13,212 miles on it when I first reported this issue. During our ownership we have experienced many failures of the Advanced Driver Assistance System, one previous failure happened when where a semi-truck was preparing to pass me and was very close behind my van, when my vans cruise control deactivated we quickly slowed down and the driver of the truck had to... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, while attempting to close the front driver’s and passenger’s side doors, the contact became aware that the lower moldings had detached. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that the clip attached to the molding had detached. The vehicle was not... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
Upon first cranking the vehicle, vehicle has excessive stuttering while accelerating after driving forward. Occurs after car is parked for 1 hour or more most often. Uphill, downhill, flat all the same. Acceleration causes stuttering for the first few minutes of operations. If you do not disable the start stop feature, prolonged stops at red lights cause the same issue and can lead to serious dang... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the rear of the vehicle and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illumina... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2025
While stopped at a light at a busy intersection the truck wouldn’t drive. There were no prior indications to there be an issue, no noises, no check engine lights. The intersection is a multiple lane route with high speed and traffic with rear end collision possible. The truck was determined to have a blown motor.
Incident date: Apr 24, 2025
While stopped at a light at a busy intersection the truck wouldn’t drive. There were no prior indications to there be an issue, no noises, no check engine lights. The intersection is a multiple lane route with high speed and traffic with rear end collision possible. The truck was determined to have a blown motor.
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
So my power steering is going in and out while I’m driving, making it very hard to steer and keep control of the vehicle. I’m reporting this issue. Because I feel like it’s a safety problem.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
Car was late shifting into gear. Taken to dealership and replaced tourque cpnverters for 3800. Car gets fluids checked 4,000 miles later transmition is shot fue to leak from gasket on transmition...
Incident date: Feb 4, 2025
Vehicle Information: Make: Honda Model: 2019 Accord Sport VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 90000 Date of Initial Recall repair under service bulletin 19-091: 6/02/2023 Issue Description: Type of Complaint: Non-safety related but performance-affecting system failure (A/C system). Description of the Problem: In 2023, the A/C system in my 2019 Honda Accord Sport began to leak refrigerant due to a faulty A/C ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2025
I have a 2018 jeep wrangler jk unlimited sport. And it has been shaking controllably once I go over 40 mph or when I hit a bump. Sometimes it’s hard to control the vehicle when this starts to happen on the high way. I have checked for recalls but it’s not showing anything listed. But this is not safe for me or other people on the road near me. I have done repairs after repairs to try to fix th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2025
To Whom It May Concern, I'm writing to formally report a critical failure of the Auto Start-Stop system in my 2019 Chevy Equinox that occurred today, resulting in a hazardous situation during rush hour traffic. While stopped in the northbound left turn lane of Route 202 at the intersection with Baltimore Pike, the vehicle’s Auto Start-Stop feature engaged as expected. However, upon releasing the... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
My parking pawl failed. Other 2017 explorers have the recall but mine doesn’t? Dealership says mines not effected but it broke? Hardly seams fair. I was able to jump back in and stop it before it rolled out of the driveway and almost hit my neighbors.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
The transmission will downshift from 6th to 5th at hwy speed....it also at other times , will only go from 1st to 2nd gear and no farther...wrench light comes on each time.I have to pull off hwy and slowly try to take off to get transmission to shift correctly. A lot of times pulling to side of road puts me in a dangerous situation.When it won't shift past 2nd gear I have to try to pull over immed... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
Speed sign recognition reads wrong speed. Reads 45 mph when speed limit is actually 70mph. Automatically slows down to 45 mph. Also drops to 25mph in 35 mph zone. Had it checked at dealer and they say all settings normal. Checked for Mfg updates and it says all up to date. Happens several times a week.
Incident date: Apr 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, an alarm was intermittently activated associated with the Forward Collision Avoidance system while there were no other vehicles nor objects nearby. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured rear cap catalyst converter cap. The contact was informed that the catalyst converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the original cataly... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
ABS Module Yes As I was driving and going to turn left into a shopping center and stepped on the break, I had none, I did almost crash. It happened all of a sudden out of nowhere no lights, no icons lit. The problem has been confirmed by a dealer stating that this is a nationwide issue that’s currently going on that the parts are back ordered because there is nothing in production right now for ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
The car would excelerate while in park. While I was pressing the brakes the car would jerk forward, it would not just quietly idle. While driving the car would randomly speed up or slow down. Sometime it would sound like it was going to shut off and start vibrating.
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
Vehicle stopped responding to all inputs while cruising on the highway. Vehicle was charged and running fine up until that point, for about 40 minutes of continuous driving. Accelerator pedal, regen paddle shifters, cruise control buttons all would not work and display was unresponsive. Vehicle slowly lost speed as if it was shifted into neutral, forcing us to pull over to the side of the road. Tu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
Vehicle stopped responding to all inputs while cruising on the highway. Vehicle was charged and running fine up until that point, for about 40 minutes of continuous driving. Accelerator pedal, regen paddle shifters, cruise control buttons all would not work and display was unresponsive. Vehicle slowly lost speed as if it was shifted into neutral, forcing us to pull over to the side of the road. Tu... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while upon taking the vehicle for an annual inspection, he was informed that the sub frame was excessively corroded. The contact stated that the vehicle failed the State Inspection and was deemed unworthy to be driven on the road. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 23, 2025
Received a recall for my vehicle. Recall was pd128. Took vehicle to dealer to have recall serviced on vehicle which was for a pm sensor and reprogram the emissions control module. After recall, DEF system error code and reduce speed to 5mph showed up on truck. Went back to dealer to explain issue after the recall. They ran codes and thought it could be the DPF filter or EGR without thinking the re... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding my 2015 Chevrolet Equinox, which I purchased used approximately one year ago. Since acquiring the vehicle, I have experienced severe and excessive oil consumption as well as ongoing fuel injector problems. Specifically, the vehicle requires additional oil every 100 to 200 miles, which is far beyond what is considered nor... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
Torque converter is going bad, hard shift when going slow then speeding up, stuttering at random times, vibration, hard shifting into reverse. No check engine light. Acadia known for transmission and torque converter problems.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
This is a serious matter that needs to be evaluated as it is a potentially fatal safety issue for human drivers of 2012 Honda Civic. This email needs to be sent please to the Department of Transportation and the National Transportation Safety Board for evaluation of extension of recall: meaning other 2012 Honda Civic vehicles that have the same type or similar area of issues as the two above state... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 25V126000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
Had to replace headlight then it went back out shortly after. The following week the other side went out. I looked it up and it showed that there were recalls for this problem. But am being told there is no recall on my vehicle for this.
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
I am writing to formally raise a serious safety concern regarding my Cadillac SRX. For over a year, the ABS warning light has remained on in the vehicle. After taking it to an authorized dealership for diagnostics and repair, I was informed that the required part to resolve this issue is on backorder and is no longer being manufactured. This is highly concerning given that the ABS (Anti-lock Brak... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
I am writing to formally raise a serious safety concern regarding my Cadillac SRX. For over a year, the ABS warning light has remained on in the vehicle. After taking it to an authorized dealership for diagnostics and repair, I was informed that the required part to resolve this issue is on backorder and is no longer being manufactured. This is highly concerning given that the ABS (Anti-lock Brak... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2025
I own a 2019 Ford Edge SEL with 80,000 miles on it. A couple of months ago I started noticing a jerking, bucking while driving between 25 to 40 miles per hour. It acted like it was trying shift gears but was having issues getting into the next gear. I had it checked at my local repair shop that has worked on this vehicle in the past. At that time, they told me to continue to drive it and monitor t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2025
TRANSMISSION STALLED INTO FIRST, WOULDNT ALLOW YOU TO PUT VEHICLE INTO GEAR UNLESS YOU TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON. FORD SERVICE CENTER VERIFIED CONCERN IN PARKING LOT. VEHICLE STARTS IN FOURTH GEAR AND LUNGES VERY ROUGH. NO DTC. FLUID LEVEL FULL BUT VERY DARK WITH FINE METAL CONTAMINATION PRESENT. PERFORM CDF TEST. RESULTS FAIL. CDF BUSHING HAS SLIPPED COMPLETLY BLOCKING FLUID PORTS. ALSO SUSP... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
Vehicles stalls randomly all the times ,moving or not . Almost got rear ended several times . Spent 3k at Vw in Brandon for brakes that were only 70k miles on them . But they still squeal . Can’t fuel with gas as the pressure just pushes the fuel back at me . Seems worse in warmer weather . Vw said they would not touch the charcoal canister as that what I’ve deemed is the issue.
Incident date: Oct 27, 2024
I am the owner of a 2017 Land Rover Range Rover (VIN: [XXX] ). I recently discovered a crack in the front steering knuckle of my vehicle, which I believe poses a significant safety risk. This type of failure could result in a sudden loss of control, especially at higher speeds or during turns, potentially leading to a serious accident. I am aware that Land Rover issued a recall (NHTSA Campaign Nu... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2024
While driving on the interstate, the engine suddenly lost power and a lot of malfunction indicator lights turned on. Driver was able to pull over without incident. Mechanic reported the engine had failed due to loss of oil pressure. The engine had to be replaced.
Incident date: Oct 27, 2024
On Monday, [XXX], at [XXX] my husband and I were traveling down [XXX], in Selma, California, north bound, going approximately 75mph and the engine quit running. The transmission automatically went into neutral and I was able to coast into the center median of the freeway. We were very scared because we were in the fast lane and had to coast into the median lanes where traffic was speeding past u... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
The AC system on my vehicle stopped working with less than 55,000 miles on it. When replacing the compressor, condenser, all AC switches, and lines (the entire AC system besides the ECM), the AC is still not working. The compressor is not kicking on. I have an ECM on order, but myself, and all mechanics (including Hyundai certified mechanics) are all unsure why this would have happened on such a l... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
The AC system on my vehicle stopped working with less than 55,000 miles on it. When replacing the compressor, condenser, all AC switches, and lines (the entire AC system besides the ECM), the AC is still not working. The compressor is not kicking on. I have an ECM on order, but myself, and all mechanics (including Hyundai certified mechanics) are all unsure why this would have happened on such a l... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
I am writing to express my concern regarding a serious issue with my 2021 GMC Yukon. Recently, while driving, I experienced a sudden surge in power. About five minutes later, when attempting to shift into reverse, the vehicle would not respond. I tried multiple times with no success. Afterward, while driving it briefly around the block, it made a clunking sound, which raised further concern. Ultim... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
Unknown, my car has been burning through oil every 1000 miles and is starting to seize as I’m driving which is super dangerous! I have kept up with my car on oil changes and everything else that is recommended.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); 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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormally loud sounds... Read more