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: Nov 1, 2024
I have a 2024 Ram Promaster Travato/Winnebago Class B 4 mo. ago I noticed the sliding door window on the right side of the vehicle fell on me as I was walking by the Van. I taped it on with tape and drove to Meyers Syracuse, NY location 730 Interstate Island. May 17th 2024 315-413-0401. They supposedly fixed it. Today I noticed I couldn't close that same window and there was a big gap under the... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2024
Major misfires in the engine cylinders at 56800 miles. I bought the car from Willis Auto in Des Moines Ia in October of 2021 Brand new. I am the one and only driver/owner of this vehicle. I came out of my home in Omaha Ne on or about [XXX], to which I attempted to drive my vehicle. The car engine began shaking and would not stay on. I then had the car towed in to Land Rover of Omaha which is the c... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2024
The gauge cluster display is inaccurate and very slow to display information such as speed/rpm/fuel lever/neutral selection etc. this causes a very dangerous situation where critical vehicle information is inaccurate and not being displayed to the operator in real time which could lead to an accident
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Car was functioning fine and then suddenly stopped one day as I was entering expressway, car just stopped and had to tow to Nissan dealer. I was told alternator is not functioning and when doing systems check CVT/transmission alert was noted and said I need new transmission. In my search I see 2016 Pathfinders were included in a lawsuit. This was not brought to my attention and I am wondering if m... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2024
The recall on the fuel leak system was never taken care of before we purchased the vehicle from a private owner. We purchased the vehicle in 2018, four years after the recall. This year, we have noticed quite the issue with our vehicle. It's been a huge issue since beginning 2024. We can't allow this to continue.
Incident date: Oct 26, 2024
The car randomly restarts while driving and some functionalities doesn’t work like turn signal, ac, radio, headlight. It could lead to the accident. I reported to Tesla and they said it is fixed with reset. It is still happening.
Incident date: Oct 26, 2024
The contact owned a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and making a right turn, the door opened unexpectedly. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V651000 (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 manufacturer... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound emanating from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independen... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
Ball joint & control arm suspension failure twice in 3 years
Incident date: Nov 7, 2024
My wife and I have been having great difficulty reading the center portion of the instrument panel because the illumination is too dim. We have visited the dealership and were instructed how to maximize the brightness, but it is still not sufficient. The small icons that appear at the top of the center section of the instrument panel cannot be viewed while we are driving, unless we place our head ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at night, the low-beam head light illumination was extremely dim, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The contact stated that the headlight bulbs were replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The cause of the failure was yet not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
My 21 VW atlas cross sport now will not remote start. As well, it CONTINUES with the sputter and stall at low speeds. In and out of parking spots, backing in and out of driveway, the most important scenario being complete stall out crossing a median and multiple lanes of oncoming traffic…
Incident date: Nov 7, 2024
On August 18, 2024 after charging the vehicle it showed a 95% charge instead of 100%. Immediately after attempting to drive the car, it began to stall and multiple warning laps/messages were on the dash board including “service charging system, check engine, red plug light, red battery light, red wrench with lightning bolts, red lightning bolt with backwards parentheses)(.” Car was not able to... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop at a red light, the Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking system activated, and the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. The contact stated that the vehicle briefly rolled backward before returning to normal functionality. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The issue I’m having was confirmed by the dealership so when I drive on the highway, there’s a specific patch of highway that zigzags the car will follow that zigzag after getting off of the highway onto regular road. The car computer system will start a down shift erratically and feel like the car is pulling backwards. Also there is a lack of acceleration and it feels like the transmission is... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The front headlights on this car are dangerously dim. We have replaced bulbs, cleaned lenses, but the lights eventually dim. Night driving is treacherous because we have to use high beams constantly which don't light the road immediately in front of the car. The dimming has been going on for the past 5-7 years, and it is a design flaw of this car. Acura is not offering any sort of recall/replaceme... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
I have had multiple incidents of my 2022 Ram 1500 ETorque, when coming to a stop the auto start stop system engages and when I let my foot off the brake to take off the truck will not start the engine back. It will engage the parking brake and shift into park, sometimes will start back with the start button depressed. I have had at least 4 different incidents where it leaves me sitting in heavy tr... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
I was in a low speed front end collision on Oct. 10th. I was unable to stop despite stamping on the breaks. A week after the accident I received a letter from BMW informing me of a recall for the integrated brake module with no remedy available. It looks like the first brake recall letters were sent out in Feb. of 2024 but I never received a letter
Crash
Incident date: Nov 7, 2024
Gauge cluster is completely black. I am unable to tell the speed I am going, see how much gas I have or use features like the blind spot detection.
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic signal, as the signal changed, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle hesitated before moving forward. The contact stated that once the vehicle had forward momentum there was no hesitation. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while cold starting the vehicle and the vehicle hesitate... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while attempting to use the driver’s side seat belt, the seat belt failed to retract or work as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2021
The transmission on my 2020 HRV Honda failed at 63,000 miles. We were at risk because we were driving on a freeway with speed limit of 70 mph and we could only go 30 mph. The problem has been identified by American Honda but they would not extend the warranty to 2020 cars. The transmission had to be replaced and the new one is working. They were no warning signs of the failure. American Honda is s... Read more
KIA
SPORTAGE HYBRID
(2024) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Nov 7, 2024
Incident date: Nov 2, 2024
After Hurricane Milton my car had 2 in of water in it. I contacted my insurance company they looked at the car said it needed to be dried out and I needed to take it to the dealership where I purchased it. Took my vehicle to Kisselback Ford and the diagnosis States looks like the seam sealer under the roof moldings is falling off the body causing water to come into the body panels from the roof ha... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
During the daytime, you cannot see any of the graphics on the steering wheel switches. How am I supposed to know what button does what? How am I supposed to control the cruise control settings if I am pushing the wrong buttons. At night they are illuminated so I can see them better, but during the day the graphics are basically invisible. I'm thinking this is only an issue on the Calligraphy N... Read more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2024
Gauge cluster is completely black. I am unable to tell the speed I am going, see how much gas I have or use features like the blind spot detection.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2024
2013 Hyundai Sonata engine caught on fire after being replaced TWICE.
Fire
Incident date: Nov 7, 2024
2013 Hyundai Sonata engine caught on fire after being replaced TWICE.
Fire
Incident date: Oct 8, 2024
The NECU system failed and blew the engine and caused a fire no longer available for inspection. No move running. No warning lamps at all of any sort.
Crash
Fire
Incident date: Oct 8, 2024
At around 1900 hours, driving dirt road. Cow appeared in road, went to avoid cow, ASC activated steering vehicle into cow and a tree. Was unable to steer vehicle. When making curve on highway or roads, ASC activates and steers truck straight in a curve. My current vehicle is not on recall for this issue.
Crash
Incident date: Oct 8, 2024
Software issues and door handle recall that VW has no fix
Incident date: Nov 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experie... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2024
ABS and Traction Control Warning lights keep Dinging, almost hit someone an actual person ABS fluttered and failed locked up brakes and missed person by inches. MFG is saying this is NOT a safety issue? When will is be a safety issue missing someone, Killing Someone or crashing my truck and missing myself?
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
This morning my 2019 Kia Sorento lost power all while driving on a busy highway going 70 miles per hour. When this occured the battery light flashed twice and then the instrument cluster had all warning lights. Then the cluster started flashing and the infotainment center lost power. I lost power steering and brakes. This is not the first time this has happened and I am extremely upset. I drove ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
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 not yet available. An unknown 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 and confirmed that the p... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
Tesla Full Self Driving (Supervised) with version 12.5.4.1 Overview: Drove round trip from Las Vegas to San Diego and around San Diego utilizing FSD as much as possible. Much if it works very well, however I believe Tesla is aware of some specific short comings (because they have good engineers and are safety aware). 1) Lane ending merging gets an 'F' from several incidents: 1A) The most dangero... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
My airbag light goes on intermittently. I have no idea why. I took it to an independent repair shop and they said that they could not help me, I needed to check with the dealer to see if there was a recall. I checked for recalls, and there was no recall. Additionally, the tire pressure sensors also turn on intermittently even when tire pressure is correct.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. 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 stated t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
Vehicle purchased new, in October 2023. During October, 2024, the drivers side rear view mirror developed a vertical crack, about an inch from the right edge. There is no damage to the vehicle / mirror housing. There was no impact. There was no significant temperature change. I just walked to my car one morning to see the mirror cracked. I've contacted 2 Honda dealerships & they want > $200 to r... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 BMW X1. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the message “Engine Overheated - Drive Moderately" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there was no coolant in the reservoir. The vehicle was taken to the residence and the contact observed condensation underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was the... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
Was driving when the driver instrument display went blank and is no longer functioning. This display shows speed of vehicle and other status information, such as battery level, range and cruise control status. There has been a software update remotely installed today, which may be a coincidence.
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
Driving vehicle on the road, the suite of driver assistance system suddenly failed including LKAS, front collision warning system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure as well as brake system light. I took the car to the dealership which indicated the front camera had catastrophically failed. This issue seems to be a recurring issue in all models of odyssey minivans. The issue is well documente... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
1. CHMSL Requirement: FMVSS No. 108 mandates a center high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) on passenger vehicles, typically a single lamp centered and positioned above the rear stop lamps. In cases where design constraints prevent a single CHMSL, two identical lamps are permissible, provided they are symmetrically mounted above the other stop lamps. 2. Cybertruck's Rear Light Bar: The Cybertruck’s r... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2024
The suspension is making loud clicking noises when turning or accelerating. The suspension system seems to have an inbuilt design flaw as many people are reporting the issue online.
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
When putting vehicle in park, it doesn’t always sense it is in park. Will sometimes have to move it back and forth for a couple of minutes.
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced rough idling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the spark plugs were replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the fuel injector in cylinder #3 needed to... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
285/45/22 None of the tires will balance leading to terrible vibrations at highway speeds. Dealer tried several times to balance and also road force balance them. Vibrations can be dangerous at highway speeds.
Incident date: Nov 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the infotainment system was intermittently inoperable. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with faulty spark plugs and failed ignition coils. The contact was informed that... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
My tire went flat, went to pull over and when my tire went blow , the driver seat airbag came out that’s not right because it’s no wreck no accident no nothing. I just don’t understand what could’ve went wrong with just a tire going flat on the passenger sideand then the driver seat airbag went off no collision no damage no nothing to vehicle my screen go out in the car I lose power whe... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact attempted to make a left turn and noticed that the travel assist feature became inoperable. The contact stated that the Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist inadvertently became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel inadvertently made a left turn to ongoing traffic... Read more