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: Dec 15, 2023
I received this recall December of 2023. I was originally advised that a fix would be ready during the 1st quarter of 2024. I inquired on two occasions about the safety of driving my truck with the axle bolt breaking issue recall. Two separate techs advised me that I could continue driving my truck until a fix to the issue is found but both techs advised not to tow a trailer until it's repaired. I... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
ICCU ASSY and Fuse had to be replaced as well as the 12 volt battery which failed a few weeks after. The car lost power on a main road 2/3/25 and we were just able to get into a parking lot. The message to check power supply came on and we lost power immediately. The 12 volt battery failed when I went to pick the car up from the dealership after they worked on the bluelink settings that had to ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2024
there is a leak which affected the control unit fuel pump. the leak is ongoing throughout many of these cars yet there has not been a recall to fix it. more than $3k in damages. It's something a modern car should not be facing.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
The yellow brake System Light illuminates on my dash. . I took my car to the Dealership immediately after the Brake System notification illuminated and the Dealer said they don't know how or why. I have a photo of the illuminated yellow light. My Electronic brake doesn't engage correctly when my car is parked I have video of the Electronic brake operating incorrectly. When i speak to the dealershi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
The yellow brake System Light illuminates on my dash. . I took my car to the Dealership immediately after the Brake System notification illuminated and the Dealer said they don't know how or why. I have a photo of the illuminated yellow light. My Electronic brake doesn't engage correctly when my car is parked I have video of the Electronic brake operating incorrectly. When i speak to the dealershi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
The yellow brake System Light illuminates on my dash. . I took my car to the Dealership immediately after the Brake System notification illuminated and the Dealer said they don't know how or why. I have a photo of the illuminated yellow light. My Electronic brake doesn't engage correctly when my car is parked I have video of the Electronic brake operating incorrectly. When i speak to the dealershi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2020
The car would act like it would die or cut off after idling for a while at a drive thru or school pick up. Took the car twice to the dealership they couldn't replicate it. Then the car died and shut off in the middle of a busy intersection at a red light. I was nearly hit head on and rear ended. I got the car started and out of the way and I had it towed to the dealership. The cars check engine li... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the tailgate suddenly opened independently. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electric tailgate release. The vehicle was not repaired... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
After noticing my front tires are wearing on the outside much quicker thank n the rear tires, and I rotate them with every oil change, I noticed a clicking in the steering when making a hard left turn. My mechanic told me it's an issue with the steering rack and I saw that Nissan is looking into this and may issue a recall. So I wanted to add my name to the list of effected cars.
Incident date: Feb 18, 2025
2014 BMW 535i Oil housing filter started leaking oil into serpentine belt causing the belt to shred and snap then was sucked into the crankshaft causing the motor to seize. Car was towed to bmw dealership and was diagnosed with catastrophic engine failure resulting in $28,000 estimate for engine replacement. Then vehicle was towed to licensed BMW repair facility and was repaired for $15,000 engine... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2025
On February 25, 2025 my car decided to throw the code that said service high voltage system. I was on my way to drive my son to school. I have been driving for about two minutes and then the code showed up I called my dealership at 10 AM that morning and told them what was going on. They told me to come down there and they will take a look at the car. I bought this car on February 14, 2025. It has... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2025
The Telematics control module became defective and could not communicate with the BCM and serial data gateway module, causing a check engine light, loss of ONSTAR communications, clock, navigation, and remote vehicle-to-app communication. This part was known to be defective by GM. GM replaced the part starting in 2021 on Escalade models but not others. Service update # N212331730. The TCM became d... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2025
While driving and starting to do a turn if you get to close to the line the car will jerk the steering wheel in the direction you are turning and there has been a multiple times it's almost put my car into a concrete wall. It has also jerk the wheel hard enough that its caused me to go out of my lane and almost crash into other cars on turns. I would say it has happen at least 30 times since tak... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
Passenger seatbelt frayed, inside electrical goes haywire when cold weather, transmission slipping was rebuilt under warranty lasted one week and is slipping again shifting hard, B panels falling off A panel was recalled but panel wasn’t?
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
All lights related to brakes lighted up on a dashboard ( and message to take it to Dealer). Took it to Dealer. Car is in the shop for over 5 weeks and they can't figure it out what's wrong. They've replaced brake booster (twice!!!!!) and that didn't fix it... Now replacing front calipers. On top of that cv axle is clicking terrible and they can't replace it because it's on long Backorder ( I'm w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
Unknown Constant check engine light related to exhaust system and filters. Many parts replaced by dealer and still not fixed.
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
Unknown Constant check engine light related to exhaust system and filters. Many parts replaced by dealer and still not fixed.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
More than once now the vehicle has applied its parking brake, the engine stalled, and stopped the vehicle in the middle of the road. It then required me to reset the emergency brake to “release”, return the shifter knob to park, and restart the vehicle in the middle of busy intersections!!
KIA
FORTE KOUP
(2016) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 9, 2025
Incident date: Dec 22, 2024
The vehicle makes a kind of knock when changing to 3rd or 4th gear, which could be the transmission.
KIA
CARNIVAL HYBRID
(2025) - ENGINE
Mar 9, 2025
Incident date: Jan 30, 2025
Overheated engine alarm came on while I was on the freeway on a rainy day. Vehicle was towed to Hyundai dealership in which service technician found that the part preventing water from leaking into the muffler was broken. Hyundai dealership has ordered replacement part but it is on backorder. The broken part that needed replacement has been on backorder for close to a month and there is not an ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2025
Rear subframe rusted at bolt mount. Vehicle could have experienced catastrophic failure wihle driving. Independent service center diagnosed and documented rusted area and potential for failure. Noise would happen during acceleration/deceleration but not in wet weather conditions. Until diagnosed as unsafe to drive, vehicle drove with rear passenger side sitting on rear spring, potentially causing ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2025
With the TV pulled down, there is absolutely no visibility though the rear view mirror even when adjusting the seat and mirror.
Incident date: Mar 18, 2023
I was driving down a hill, came to a stop, and it died. I put the car in park, and turned it off and on. There were no messages on the dashboard. The car started, so I took a left turn and suddenly the car stopped moving. The RPM went up, but the car didn't drive. It kicked back and it finally started driving but with the car hesitating. I was in the middle of a very busy intersection. The car die... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the passenger’s side door opened unintendedly. The message for the passenger’s side door being ajar was displayed. The contact pulled over and closed the door. While driving on the interstate, the passenger’s side door opened unintendedly again. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnose... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); 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 stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
While I was driving the heads up display and the telemeter all go black I lose all lights all blind spot and warnings. Then the car will recycle through and all the displays will come up again. This happens every month and a half or so, and the dealership says they cannot replicate the problem and they don’t know anything.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
While I was driving the heads up display and the telemeter all go black I lose all lights all blind spot and warnings. Then the car will recycle through and all the displays will come up again. This happens every month and a half or so, and the dealership says they cannot replicate the problem and they don’t know anything.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
Frame failure. We had a fixed window fall off. Grand Design sent me a replacement window but I had to pay to have it installed. Then I had a trim piece fall off of the front-side and the identical piece on the opposite side was starting to come off. We also had sawdust appearing upfront when we would arrive to our destination and the front floor was starting to make noise when we walked. I al... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
The vehicles emergency brake engages itself while the vehicle is in drive. I’ve reported this to my dealership, they say they’ve never heard of this issue. I’ve reported the issue twice. This is an obvious safety issue because the vehicle is randomly braking and coming to a complete stop while it is in drive. The brake signal comes on and there is no way to regain control of the vehicle unl... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); 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 contact stated that there was smoke entering the cabin of the vehicle through the vents from the engine. The... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
The sensor always goes off stating my eyes aren't on the road to the point it trys to stop the vehicle in traffic. This prevents me from being able to use cruise control because the sensor is causing issues by not detecting my eyes
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
We opened a warranty service case #92312434 yesterdday because case #91655707 was closed prematurely while our vehicle is still in disrepair. Our 2022 Grand Cherokee has been to Lithia Jeep of Reno for warranty service on seven occasions since October 29th, spanning 89 days, for a vibration issue which remains unresolved as of today. The manufacturer is in material breach of 49 U.S. Code § 30120 ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
Vehicle misfires. I have taken this vehicle to my mechanic for the same issue 3 times. Each time it has be diagnosed as cylinder 3 problem. My mechanic did an investigation and found that this particular engine has been identified as a problem motor with coolant leaks into the motor, causing failure in the cylinders. Ford has not issued a recall but is aware this is a major issue. I have to check ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
Vehicle has suddenly severely braked twice for no reason. Rear end collisions are a big risk factor. No warnings, both incidents occurred in dry, clear road conditions. It has not been inspected. Now when starting the car, I always turn the system off.
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the instrument panel was inoperable. The contact stated that the instrument panel failed to function properly while attempting to activate the windshield wiper. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuse block had failed and needed to be re... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2025
The instrument panel blacks out and does not display critical information such as engine oil pressure radio goes out speedometer goes out rear camera goes out. There was a recall T89 but Honda says my VIN does not come up under the recall even though it is the same issue. This is an intermittent problem. Everything will be working and then while driving it blacks out. The black could last hours. U... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Gladiator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V652000 (Electrical System); 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 were not yet available. The manufac... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
There is a recall for the fuel pump on Honda Accords. When Honda replaces the fuel pump, the fuel injectors starts misfiring. All the warning lights start goin on. The car says it is not safe to drive and to go to the dealer. The car is not safe to drive, after the fuel pump replacement. Customers have to pay around $2000 + $130-$150 for diagnostic analysis to get injectors replaced. It should hav... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
On 03/06/2025 my car got into an accident with another vehicle the whole pumper was damaged yet the air bags didn’t go off, and my child in the back seat with his booster, that the seat belt was supposed to hold the seat, the whole booster seat came off
Crash
2 injured
KIA
OPTIMA HYBRID
(2013) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Mar 6, 2025
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at 70 MPH, the rear spoiler detached from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact merged to the side of the road as the third brake light wire started hitting the rear glass window. The contact opened the gate, placed the wire back in the gate, and kept driving. The vehicle was then taken to an indep... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
The Anchor system is not secure. You have to reinstall the car seat multiple times to keep the anchor system tight. Somehow it wiggles out of the tightest location and the car seat is no longer secure.
Incident date: Dec 5, 2024
Paint starting to peel on exterior of both passenger and rear passenger side doors above window frame. Apparently Toyota is aware of the problem in models with the Super White paint color and has issued a recall for their vehicles with certain VIN's. My VIN is not included in the recall although the paint peeling is identical to other vehicles that are included in the recall. Thank you.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
Dear Sir, JLR is purposefully delaying repairing our cars, replacing the battery. They reduced our charging capacity to 80% as part of the H514 recall to avoid battery fires which makes the car unusable for long drives. Now as part of the recall H536, they are purchasing our vehicle at KBB value as of October 2024 which is low balling us. Car prices have taken major hit because of the battery iss... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2025
A warning alert message popped up stating “RCM_a056 Front passenger safety restraint system fault”. I contacted Tesla dealer and they said at is out of warranty after 5 years and my car is 6 years old. On searching internet I noticed several people have same issue. Tesla said there is no recall at this time. Since this is a safety critical system which affects the air bag deployment, can NHTS... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2025
WITHIN 16,000 MILES OF OWNING MY I NOTICED IT WOULD RANDOMLY STALL SOMETIMES AT THE STOP LIGHT OF AN INTERSECTION. IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG TO START BACK UP EVEN ACCELERATING . SEVERAL MONTHS WENT BY WHERE THE ISSUE WAS NO LONGER PRESENT BUT OVER THE PAST FEW MONTH IT STARTED AGAIN. I GET TUNE UPS TWICE A YEAR
Incident date: Feb 10, 2025
This morning, March 5, 2025, while driving to work, my 2018 CR-V abruptly stopped in the middle of an intersection with no need and little warning. Thank God nobody was behind me at the time. Everything not bolted or belted down came forward immediately. After the incident I pulled into a convenience store to regroup, calm down and turn off my automatic braking system which I no longer trust. I ha... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2022
Almost everyday I back out of my driveway and the backup camera either doesn't start at all (it says 'temporarily unavailable' - but oddly seems to work a few minutes later). Or it flickers so badly and slowly between an overhead view and backup that its hard to see. This has caused multiple near misses. The rear window is nearly useless so I can't even overcome this there was already one rec... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2022
Nuna is knowingly placing hundreds of thousands of children in physical danger, including my own two children. We have 2 Nuna Rava seats and have requested the “remedy kit” however, I have not received my kit nor have I been contacted since requesting it. Nuna has taken months to have a remedy kit available, this is unacceptable. Nuna is willfully allowing children to be in danger by not offer... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2024
I am having my brake pads changed at a local mechanic and when changing the pads, the mechanic was unable to change them because the rotors and calipers were rusted and the brake pistons stuck. The previous recall only considered Mazda 6 up to 2013 but my 2018 has had the same problem.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
At 115,000 miles, had a total engine failure. The engine was a 3.5 twin turbo eco boost. Engine not repairable and would need replacing. The blue book of the vehicle was 15K. The engine replacement cost from Ford was 18K. Overheard the mechanic call these engines on the Explorer, EXPLODERS. Apparently this is common and should have been a concern, but not mentioned to the consumers. Any ... Read more