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: Mar 23, 2025
Transmission dropped from 6th gear to 4th at 75mph and almost locked my axle
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
The Cummins 6.7L Turbocharger Actuator has failed at 17,809 Miles on this vehicle. Mopar has extended the warranty on this item for 10 years/180,000 miles under Warranty extension 09-001-22 Rev A. They have also extended the warranty on the Ram 2500 & 3500 series vehicles with the same engine and same turbocharger actuator to 15 years/150,000 miles under Warranty extension 09-005-22 Rev. A. The... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle suddenly stalled and failed to immediately restart. The vehicle was pushed to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was restarted after several attempts. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The trans... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 BMW X1. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
I am writing to report a significant safety concern involving the second-row seat in the 2021 Toyota Sienna. The issue involves the seat base not locking securely into the floor. As a result, the seat remains unstable and sits at approximately a 45-degree angle, rendering it unsafe and unusable. This malfunction poses a serious risk to passengers, especially during braking or a collision, as the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2025
Unexpected gear downshift accompanied by a temporary rear wheel lock-up. This occurs at highway speeds and has shifted from 6th gear to 2nd gear multiple times at 50+ mph. This causes substantial safety concerns to both those in the vehicle as well as other vehicles on the road in the immediate proximity. When this occurs speed is restricted suddenly/immediately by a reduction of 5-12 mph. This ca... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V499000 (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 dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted to be made aware of the issue however the comp... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated while at a complete stop, the vehicle jerked forward, and attempted to accelerate independently while the brake pedal was depressed. Additionally, the engine was revving. The contact stated that upon slamming on the brake pedal, the vehicle responded as needed while stopped. The contact stated that while almost coming to a stop and then accele... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
I was traveling [XXX] near Liverpool, PA at 60mph, the truck flashed a quick code on the dash and then suddenly downshifted from 6th gear to 1st almost spinning the truck as the rear wheels locked up momentarily. It would not upshift past 3rd gear and had to travel 35 miles home like that. I called my local Ford dealer (Parsons) and they said bring the truck in for diagnostic testing, so I did. Me... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a burning odor inside the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed an abnormal whining sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transfer case failure. The contact was informed that the transfer case needed to... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2025
2017 Tacoma TRD Pro Water has been leaking through the rear air-pressure vents for quite some time. I have had a moldy/musty smell in the truck after a good rain for at least 6 months. Then I started noticing mold coming up on the driver's side kick plate. We went through all the diagnostic steps with Toyota dealership, who kept telling us it was the windshield leaking. We had the windshield r... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2025
2017 Tacoma TRD Pro Water has been leaking through the rear air-pressure vents for quite some time. I have had a moldy/musty smell in the truck after a good rain for at least 6 months. Then I started noticing mold coming up on the driver's side kick plate. We went through all the diagnostic steps with Toyota dealership, who kept telling us it was the windshield leaking. We had the windshield r... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2024
I am not sure that this car seat is safe for smaller children as advertised. The heavy buckles sit right on my son's shoulders causing him bruising. The company keeps telling me to keep the chest clip lower than belly button in order to prevent bruising which is also incredibly unsafe. I have had 2 different carseat specialists look at this carseat and agree it is not safe to have the chest clip t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
Last week I traveled from Wichita Kansas to Tulsa Oklahoma. On the way back on the highway. the rear wheels locked up and the transmission began revving up but the vehicle was slowing down. The vehicle then revved down and was still slowing down. I pulled over on the shoulder briefly and then drove to gas station less than a mile away. Left vehicle off and got gas. Drove around parking lot and veh... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2022
My car had a bad shifting linkage which I paid for out of pocket. My 2.0 Ecoboost engine is leaking coolant into my oil and makes a very loud concerning ticking noise, along with reduced engine power and sporadic/random loss of brakes. There has been recalls for these issues on most other Ford Fusion models and this one NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. My engine is going to blow any day now and I will be stu... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2022
My car had a bad shifting linkage which I paid for out of pocket. My 2.0 Ecoboost engine is leaking coolant into my oil and makes a very loud concerning ticking noise, along with reduced engine power and sporadic/random loss of brakes. There has been recalls for these issues on most other Ford Fusion models and this one NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. My engine is going to blow any day now and I will be stu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
I have had this car checked out 3 times and on my way to the 4th appointment. I can be in the middle of the road or pulled up in my driveway the RPMs go crazy shuts off every light comes on then clicks and I have to waite and try to restart. This car has been a problem since we bought it brand new even the chrome has come loose on it. Took to 1 dealership they said it's not throwing a code so noth... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
I have had this car checked out 3 times and on my way to the 4th appointment. I can be in the middle of the road or pulled up in my driveway the RPMs go crazy shuts off every light comes on then clicks and I have to waite and try to restart. This car has been a problem since we bought it brand new even the chrome has come loose on it. Took to 1 dealership they said it's not throwing a code so noth... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2025
The USB ports disconnect intermittently cause maps and phone calls to disconnect temporarily. Sometimes not connecting again until I turn off and on the car.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2025
The purchase price was $35,800. As of today, I have paid a total of $24,590. The vehicle has a manufacturing defect that has significantly impacted its performance. The engine has been problematic, as it appears to be consuming oil, and it often fails to start on the first attempt, requiring me to press the button multiple times. The most concerning issue is that the car can unexpectedly shut off... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2025
The USB ports disconnect intermittently cause maps and phone calls to disconnect temporarily. Sometimes not connecting again until I turn off and on the car.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was either blue, blank, or there was static. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the radio software was updated under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V436000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the failure persisted while reversing. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was deter... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
Loss of acceleration and stuttering when I was trying to get up to speed on the interstate going up a hill. Instantly blinking check engine light. Won't go above 2000rpm or 60mph. P1326 code read glow relay short circuit
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
Part of the subframe is corroded already and the engine cradle has begun to break, the control arm has begun to move where it meets the engine cradle and I now need to have the vehicle repaired. Previously the lower engine mount fell out of place due to the threads that kept it attached to the subframe were worn out due to corrosion and was causing the vehicle to vibrate violently. This issue has ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
Has an issue with the mass flow air sensor. I had this car for 7 months with 84,000 miles on it and noticed instantly that it had poor mileage and stalled a lot. Check engine came on the first time and I took it to have a diagnostic test and a P101 code came on, a couple of days later the car wouldn't start. Replaced the mass flow air sensor and the car was driveable but it had the same poor gas m... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
Steering assist failed almost resulting in head on collision. Failure is serious and likely to cause fatalities
Incident date: Jan 19, 2025
Truck went into second gear unexpectedly at 50 mph due to what dealer said was a bad solenoid. GM has had the truck for over a month with no date of an times repair due to no parts being available
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
HAD CAR FOR 2 AND 1/2 YEARS STARTING ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH OIL LEAKING ISSUE. I NOTICED WHEN STARTING CAR AND MADE SHAKING SOUND BOUGHT TO MECHANIC AND TOLD ME THE OIL LEAKED HAVE TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS AND HAVE DONE ABOUT 4 TIMES NOW SEPT 2024, FEB 2025, 03-14-25 AND THIS MORNING 03-23-25. I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR BESIDES COSTS FOR REPAIRS. THANKS APPRECIATE ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
I have a recurring coolant intrusion problem. Available for inspection. Risk of engine seizing up and running hot. The problem has been identified by a licensed mechanic. The vehicle component has not been inspected by manufactured however this is a known issue by Ford. Check engine light, misfire of cylinder #4 (P0304) and coolant inside cylinder.
Incident date: Mar 19, 2025
While driving 40-45 mph the engine light came on and 50% loss of power was displayed on screen. Thankfully I wasn’t far from home and was in limp mode for the last 2 miles. The mileage of vehicle is 42,000 miles. The codes are reading low fuel pressure and faulty fuel pump. Any help would be appreciated as this shouldn’t be happening to this new of a vehicle.
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
Based on thousands of posts, replies, etc, this seems to be a well known issue with this model/year Tesla as well as other years/models. It seems that the Wheel Sensor Cable is not fastened properly, and over time, the cable runs against the tire, causing the internal wires to be exposed, this in turn causes numerous faults to occur, which includes causing ABS, lane departure avoidance, traction c... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2024
I applied my brake pedal to slow for traffic just before entering a roundabout. I came nearly to a full stop, but then with my foot still on the brake pedal, the car surged forward as if I had floored the gas pedal. I kept pressing very hard on the brake pedal, but the car kept speeding forward. I was able to steer in between 2 oncoming cars without hitting them. My left front tire then hit th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
After driving for 5-10 minutes, the center console screen stated: “A malfunction in the SRS Airbag System has been detected. Contact your dealer in order to have your vehicle inspected immediately” This continues to happen on subsequent trips. It only happens when somebody is actually sitting in the front passenger seat. There were no warning signs or symptoms prior to this message appearing. ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
After driving for 5-10 minutes, the center console screen stated: “A malfunction in the SRS Airbag System has been detected. Contact your dealer in order to have your vehicle inspected immediately” This continues to happen on subsequent trips. It only happens when somebody is actually sitting in the front passenger seat. There were no warning signs or symptoms prior to this message appearing. ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
The driver assist program will not work if the driver is wearing sunglasses. If you are using driver assist, which includes cruise control, and are wearing sunglasses, the vehicle gives a driver attention warning. The vehicle will them cut off the cruise control causing the vehicle to rapidly drop its speed. This is incredibly dangerous at highway speeds way speeds. Hyundai and its dealerships a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
While driving down the interstate, the vehicle shut off completely without warning. I had to put it in park and quickly turn it back on. It drove for a few hundred miles and did it again. Then, at miles 9769 and 9980 it did it again. 4 times in less than 10,000 miles on the vehicle. No engine warnings, nothing. Just shuts off at all different speeds, without warning. Dashboard completely shuts off... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2012
As I was coming to a stop light, the radio stopped working. A message came up..."Tuner unavailable. This may fix itself. If not, restart your vehicle. Vechicle may need service." Soon after this, my blinker stopped working. I was able to proceed with the left hand turn but then dashboards (left and radio one) all went blank. I was able to drive to get to a safe spot. In doing so, the dashb... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
The brake system failed in a parking lot three times within a month. It’s related to the special policy and recall regarding the vacuum and the loss of brakes at slower speeds and in reverse. The first two accidents were very minor creating no damage. The third one was at 10mph when I lost my brakes and crashed into a concrete barrier in a parking structure causing significant damage to my truck... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 7, 2024
Intermittent lose of trailer brakes.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2024
Steering assist disengaged, low power mode, no temperature read and check engine light. All occurred at 61k miles.
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
Check Engine Light on, I read the code is P052E, after read some information in internet there is positive crankcase ventilation regulatory valve needs to be replaced. My car is 52000 miles and it seems like happenned to people even with less miles on the cars
Incident date: Feb 6, 2024
The rear windshield of the car exploded during a routine drive without any apparent cause. The car was inspected by a Montgomery County police officer and was driven to the local Honda dealership. The local Honda dealership could not offer any additional insights into the root cause of the incident.
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
On [XXX] while driving on the highway my check engine light came on. The car turned off while going 60MPH on the 18 mile stretch towards Miami from Key west and luckily there were no cars around me. I checked for the code and it was P1467 for the Evap Purge Pump. I took it to a dealership in Miami and they told me it would be fine to drive that the part needed to be replaced. I drove back to key w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
On [XXX] while driving on the highway my check engine light came on. The car turned off while going 60MPH on the 18 mile stretch towards Miami from Key west and luckily there were no cars around me. I checked for the code and it was P1467 for the Evap Purge Pump. I took it to a dealership in Miami and they told me it would be fine to drive that the part needed to be replaced. I drove back to key w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
This issue closely resembles Audi recall campaign 97cb (NHTSA campaign id 16v642000), with details available at [xxx] . In my case, the marker light itself is functioning properly, but the vehicle is displaying a false error message: "front right side marker light defective. " this poses safety risks because the erroneous warning distracts drivers from the road and could lead to the system failing... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2025
We have brought the car to Cadillac on multiple occasions with no understanding of why or resolution of the problem. On multiple occasions the engine feels like it cannot engage into gear, jumps forward and shuts off. This can happen from either being at a full stop and trying to accelerate or driving like normal. It takes 2 or 3 attempts to turn the engine back on. It is difficult to reproduce an... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
Check Engine Light on, I read the code is P052E, after read some information in internet there is positive crankcase ventilation regulatory valve needs to be replaced. My car is 52000 miles and it seems like happenned to people even with less miles on the cars
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
Car has white smoke coming from the exhaust and the oil level keeps decreasing. Car stalls and takes time to accelerate P0106 code pops up from engine. There’s a rattle and whine noise coming from the engine bay. Also the gas was stuck accelerating. Had to switch the car to neutral so it does continue accelerating. After switching to neutral I was able to decrease power to the wheels and ha... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
Car has white smoke coming from the exhaust and the oil level keeps decreasing. Car stalls and takes time to accelerate P0106 code pops up from engine. There’s a rattle and whine noise coming from the engine bay. Also the gas was stuck accelerating. Had to switch the car to neutral so it does continue accelerating. After switching to neutral I was able to decrease power to the wheels and ha... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2025
Rear left seat buckle won’t latch.