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: Oct 22, 2024
The contact leased a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to increase over 20 MPH. The 20 MPH limited message was displayed. The brake pedal was hard to depress. The driver pulled over and called the salesman at the dealer, who discussed red flags. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted. While driving 45 MPH, turning left, the brake pedal was applie... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 15-20 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine surged, and the vehicle shuddered and failed to shift into second gear. The contact stated that the failure recurred while attempting to shift into fourth gear. The contact also stated that the vehicle was experiencing engine hesitation while driving at higher speeds. The... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not ... Read more
KIA
SORENTO HYBRID
(2023) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 22, 2024
Incident date: Nov 4, 2024
The primary issues involve the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), wiring harness, and auxiliary battery system. These interconnected problems compromise vehicle reliability, pose safety risks, and create undue financial burdens on owners. Overview of Defects The vehicle failed to start on [XXX], with illuminated dashboard warnings and automatic parking brake engagement. Initial diagnostics led to r... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
As I was driving, my car decided to just turn off. All of the electronics turned off and I lost ignition. Moments later, while I was still rolling, the car turned back on. This issue has happened multiple times but nothing super serios ever happened and i was able to maintain control of the vehicle every time. Since it is a manual transmission, I was able to stay in gear and continue on. The issue... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
As I was driving, my car decided to just turn off. All of the electronics turned off and I lost ignition. Moments later, while I was still rolling, the car turned back on. This issue has happened multiple times but nothing super serios ever happened and i was able to maintain control of the vehicle every time. Since it is a manual transmission, I was able to stay in gear and continue on. The issue... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Fit. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate above 5 MPH before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was later towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced along with the ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2024
On November 5th, 2024 I exited a store and my vehicle instrument panel was black when I turned my vehicle on. I turned my vehicle off and on several times trying to get the panel to work. I could also not control the headlights or turn signal with the manual controls either. It was still daylight hours and I was 2 miles from home so I decided to try and see if the vehicle could be driven home. I w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2024
On November 5th, 2024 I exited a store and my vehicle instrument panel was black when I turned my vehicle on. I turned my vehicle off and on several times trying to get the panel to work. I could also not control the headlights or turn signal with the manual controls either. It was still daylight hours and I was 2 miles from home so I decided to try and see if the vehicle could be driven home. I w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2024
I have been leasing vehicles from VW since 2009, I leased every model they have from cars to SUVs. This is my first time leasing their first electric vehicle, ID.4. Since leasing this vehicle, we've faced multiple issues. First time was the second day after I leased it, the air conditioning wasn’t working at all. This issue was repaired. Then all sort of electrical problems started occurring wh... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2024
I have been leasing vehicles from VW since 2009, I leased every model they have from cars to SUVs. This is my first time leasing their first electric vehicle, ID.4. Since leasing this vehicle, we've faced multiple issues. First time was the second day after I leased it, the air conditioning wasn’t working at all. This issue was repaired. Then all sort of electrical problems started occurring wh... Read more
Incident date: Sep 17, 2024
Upon an engine light appearing I immediately turned the car around, and parked it at my fiancé's house. I had called kia and it was a little bit until I could take my car In. I had driven it over there which did ride a little rough. Informing kia of my issue they inspected it. I was told the second cylinder had melted which was caused by a spark plug. I do not understand how this happened, Kia s... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2023
Purchased vehicle used 11/18/2023. Two days later vehicle went into limp mode on the highway. No brakes. Engine continued to shut off. Towed to dealer. Replaced injector. 11000 miles. 12/27/23 Vehicle was returned. 11/14/2024 Vehicle went into limp mode. Engine would not run. Vehicle was blowing white smoke thru exhaust. Another highway incident. Towed to dealership. This condition is very da... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2023
My 2017 XT5 has a joy stick issue that at times has trouble going into gear. Service transmission warning comes on then unable to shift soon and then check engine light. Cadillac replace the modular for the shifter in August 2024 now months later mid November they say the shifter has to be replaced approximately November 4 to November 18. The service Transmission warning comes on. And then unable... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2023
Continue to get "Rear Seatbelt Error." I can not safely transport children or adults as this is unsafe. Then, going to Ford to get it even looked at takes weeks, and during that time, they do not allow for a rental car.
KIA
SPORTAGE PHEV
(2024) — SUSPENSION
Nov 21, 2024
Incident date: Aug 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while accelerating after having stopped at a traffic signal at approximately 15 MPH she felt the steering wheel had locked, pulled the vehicle to the right, and crashed into a guard rail. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle's front end had been damaged. The contact stated that both ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
KIA
OPTIMA HYBRID
(2013) — STEERING
Nov 21, 2024
Incident date: Nov 8, 2024
Vehicle began making loud creaking noise audible at all speeds, loudest at low speeds. Car was maintained by Tesla dealership. Failure occurred at approximately 52,000 miles, just after 50,000 warranty expired. Diagnosed as failure of both control arms which need to be replaced at significant expense. Failure should not happen on such a low mileage and newer vehicle.
Incident date: Oct 20, 2024
My Toyota 2020 RAV4 has a dangerous design flaw. It rolls when turned off and in drive mode. For example, my driveway is on an incline, and a couple times I have pulled into my driveway, gotten distracted, and I forgot to put the car in Park. When I hit the on/off button, the car rolls backwards, accelerating due to gravity. If you're not quick, you can end up rolling out into traffic, or runni... Read more
Incident date: Nov 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Forward Collision Avoidance system was erroneously activated, causing the vehicle to abruptly stop in the middle of the road. The contact stated that during the failure there were no other vehicles or objects nearby. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 14, 2024
The contact's husband owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the husband was driving at approximately 35 MPH, smoke was coming from under the hood. The contact's husband managed to pull into a parking lot to inspect the vehicle where it was noticed that the battery compartment caught on fire. The contact's husband managed to extinguish the fire by hand. The contact's husband had ... Read more
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 19, 2024
This car has a confirmed cracked cylinder head and is leaking oil. This is a known issue and there is a TSB out for it. It happened at $62500 miles and is just outside of the warranty. This has happened to several of these cars. Mazda is not doing "good will" to repair them and there is not yet a recall which there should be. The car suddenly started leaking oil and smoking/burning. It is un... Read more
Incident date: Nov 19, 2024
Infotainment system touchscreen failed and it became unstable. Bluetooth connected to phone failed, gos failed Yes Yes No
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 70-75 MPH for two hours, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was vibrating and then failed to exceed 45 MPH. While starting the vehicle the following day, the check engine warning light was still illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the spark plugs needed to... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
I experienced unintentional acceleration twice. Today, the second incident happened while slowly pulling into a handicap parking space. The car accelerated and went over the concrete parking block and knocked down the wooden pole with the handicap sign. I was fortunate that no person nor car was in the vehicle's path and I and my passenger were not hurt. I will be taking the car to the dealer serv... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 17, 2024
Both horns failed in less than 15k miles. Any time spent on the internet shows this is a known issue. Reporting as a safety problem as you will not know they are gone until you need them to warn another car or person and you have no sound. Luckily I was not speeding and paying attention but the kid who rode a bike in front of me when my horns failed - wondered right out. I stopped just short of th... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 5, 2020
I have had been in several times to correct the recall, they noted the seat repaired under warrenty but the service advisor was stuck when retrieving my car. Headlights have need in twice and I’m being told the fix failed to correct the headlights. Wipers stop working intermittently and paint is down to bare metal along windshield and hood. This car is crap.. rear seat folds up when sitting on... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2020
Headlights are too dim for safe driving. I have replacement bulbs and the housing. Honda estimate for repair for a condition that is the result of using manufacturing materials (as I understand it) that degrade over time and lead to dimming is cost prohibitive.
Incident date: Nov 5, 2020
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact was unable to charge the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V440000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer, Ford of Smithtown (440 Middle Country R... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light illuminated; however, the seat belt was securely fastened. Additionally, the contact stated that the front headlight bulbs were replaced; however, the following day the bulbs were blown. The contact stated that the alternator was repl... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
This car was sold to me without disclosing that the manufacture failed to have a engine security system on the car to at least "deter" auto theft.If the key to the car was programmed/chipped like other cars, it would provide at least some level of protection. I've already stopped car thieves from trying to steal it once by pure luck, but I'm like the thousands out there constantly worried that so... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
Passenger seat harness locks up with no sudden breaking or any collision. Have to unbuckle, let it retract, then pull back over passenger. Bought used with approximately 14,000 miles on it. If there should be an accident, passenger may be pinned.
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
coolant is leaking into the cylinders and causing misfires and shuttering of the car, the engine temperature spikes and warnings go off. this is happening in my 2.0L engine. this is the same problem as the 1.5L engine problem that Ford has recalled, but Ford is refusing to recall the 2.0L engine with the same issue. Ford has required me to replace the engine at my expense and now a few months la... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact made inquiries of the indepe... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2024
My wife was in an accident on [XXX] around [XXX] at the intersection of [XXX] . She had exchanged safety information with the person whose vehicle had stalled. She went to shut off the car upon exchanging the information and after pressing the ignition button the vehicle began to roll. She was outside of the vehicle when she had pressed the ignition button. She tried physically to stop the veh... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 4, 2024
I honestly don’t know how Mercedes could have used such a cheap metal mix in their brake lines. Every single c300 made before 2012 is at extreme risk of brake failure every winter, the lines rust very easily and cause ruptures to happen as soon as you need to use your brakes in emergency. If you slam your foot on the brakes for a 2008-2009 Mercedes, you are putting your life at risk.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2024
My vehicle has been inoperable since 2023. The dealership refuses to repair the fuel pump and all other issues, per the manufacturers recall. Steve Allain at Honda of Covington reported to me that the vehicle would not re-start if turned off. The leadership at the dealership (Kyle Mitchell) and Courtney Gullien communicated to me that the car was operable and the fuel pump was repaired, but wil... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
Failure of air valve between primary and secondary tanks. Does not isolate the two systems.
Incident date: Nov 17, 2024
The electronic display has a recall. The display will just blackout at times leaving nothjng readable and not functionable. The collision warning systems constantly go off without anything being in our way causing the car to stop drastically causing passengers to experience severe jolting. This happens often. Door handle defects that are recalled. All recalled issues cannot be fixed according to V... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2024
"ghost touch" issue on my cars touch screen operates by itself or doesn't respond. I was driving down a dark road when it went black, the screen had adjusted its brightness down to zero! The radio will change stations then freeze and the manual controls won't even work.
Incident date: Nov 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The message “Engine Power Reduced” was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manu... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2024
I had a catastrophic engine failure on the interstate right before rush hour traffic WITHOUT ANY warning. I was driving on [XXX] and heard a noise (sounded like something fell). Steering was a little wobbly then seemed ok for about 1min. Went to accelerate and could hear engine trying but could not accelerate. Shortly after the check engine light was flashing, oil light and battery light was on... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution discon... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became firm and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The message "Steering Assist Fault" was displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where the contact was informed that the rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced. Upon inv... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2024
My 2013 Kia Soul 1.6L is currently displaying a check engine light. My vehicle has very strong smelling exhaust, engine knocking, sluggish acceleration, and reduced fuel mileage. This has been going on for about a year. I have a diagnostic code reader and it returns the error code P0420, which indicates a faulty catalytic converter, which could cause engine damage. There is a recall for the ca... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2024
NHTSA has created a safety risk by forcing FSD to have extreme monitoring. While in FSD I have to go back to normal driving to change the station on the radio or look at my phone. This is something I do in my non fsd vehicles all the time. The reason for me purchasing FSD is to be safer. Your ridiculous overreach may actually kill me.The entire purpose is to reduce distracted driving, yet your rid... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2024
Since I've had this car in 2022, it continues to misfire and decelerate randomly. Car starts shaking violently and slows down while in traffic causing me to have to figure out a way to get to the side of the road and turn the car off for a while. Vehicle has been taken in various times about this issue since purchase with no resolution. I usually get an Error: Start/Stop message, EPC light and ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. Additionally, the contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle rolled backward. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was eventually started, but the failure recurred. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the engine. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine wa... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the water pump plug connector. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnosis. The v... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
the car had developed a light ticking sound intermittently for the last three that seemed to go away randomly then the engine stalled and won't start due to seized engine