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: Aug 28, 2024
I purchased a vehicle from a dealership that was aware of faulty airbags that was returned to dealership from another consumer. I discovered the issue a few months later when airbag warning light appeared and had it repaired which included steering wheel airbag, lower knee airbag and the seat belt in September. I did know it was involved in a accident prior to purchase since carfax states airbags ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2024
In March of 2008, I purchased a new 2008 Toyota Tacoma (VIN: [XXX] ) from Orleans Toyota in Massachusetts. In July 2010 I re-located to New Hampshire and registered the vehicle in that state in July 2010 where I have resided since. The odometer reading at that time was 21,220 Miles. In September of 2014, I received a safety recall notice from Toyota regarding a potential frame corrosion problem.... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2022
My catalytic converter failed on my car and will eventually needed a new engine. I was driving a busy road doing about 55 miles per hour and my car suddenly dropped down to 3-5 miles per hour without warning now flashing light on the dash nothing. I could have been killed or hit causing a multi car accident. I was so scared and it was so hot I thought my engine was going to blow. I coasted bac... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle shuddered while shifting into 2nd gear. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was di... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2024
Brand New EV9 Land AWD has wheel shake and vibration at 65MPH+. Center console vibrates and shakes substantially. Performed multiple wheel balances without and real change. Multiple other people reporting same issues. Not sure if this is tire, wheel, or driveshaft related. Kia America seems to not be interested in investigating this. This car drives rougher than a heavy class diesel truck.
Incident date: Oct 25, 2024
Brand New EV9 Land AWD has wheel shake and vibration at 65MPH+. Center console vibrates and shakes substantially. Performed multiple wheel balances without and real change. Multiple other people reporting same issues. Not sure if this is tire, wheel, or driveshaft related. Kia America seems to not be interested in investigating this. This car drives rougher than a heavy class diesel truck.
Incident date: Jun 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V464000 (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 expe... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 25 MPH and entering a roundabout, a vehicle suddenly entered the roundabout and was rear-ended. The brake pedal was depressed however there was not enough distance to avoid the collision. The forward collision warning (FCW) system did not engage. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to an independent... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 30, 2024
While driving in the left lane of a two lane highway at highway speed of approx 65-70 mph the engine shut down. The instrument cluster said to “Press button to start engine”. I had no power. There was no throttle response. Luckily I was on a slight decline and was able to safely change lanes by coasting into the right lane then the shoulder. I was able to put the vehicle into park. The vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving or parked, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump and the fuel tank needed to be replaced due to a leak in the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened.... Read more
KIA
OPTIMA HYBRID
(2013) — ENGINE
Oct 31, 2024
Incident date: Oct 30, 2024
The catalytic converter malfunctioned and is defective. My vehicle is within 8 years and under 80,000 miles and Volkswagen of Toms River will not replace or address the safety concern as they are required by law to replace it. The vehicle will hit 8 year on January 1st and they are trying to stallmate me until it is out of warranty
KIA
OPTIMA HYBRID
(2013) — ENGINE
Oct 31, 2024
Incident date: Oct 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed white smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the following day while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was shaking erratically like the engine was going to fall out of the vehicle. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The code i... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.
Incident date: Oct 30, 2024
Episode #2 'Near-death-Experience" Tuesday[XXX] Tesla Model X "Auto Steer" abruptly Stopped on [XXX] between 1.10PM - 1.15PM Sent a message to Tesla around 1.30pm, Exactly the same scenario happened on [XXX]. Coming from [XXX] going to [XXX] , after 10-15 seconds, car STOPPED abruptly. I do not know what happened and still shaken from Episode #1, this incident happened with in 2 weeks apart. Aft... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
After turning left into a parking spot,car did not stop as usual.The car went over curb and hit a 'no overnight parking sign.The collision bent the sign pole and damaged my driver front black bumper. I was stunned and did not realize it was a vehicle error, at first. I have owned the vehicle 6 months and have had difficulty understanding the technical aspects of it. I searched online and found... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 17, 2022
I was at a redlight at a complete stop. I began to turn right onto the bypass and got to 13MPH when my Jeep wouldn't catch the next gear. I rode in the emergency lane to make it to an autoparts store. My battery needed replacing so we tried that. I got back in Jeep and went to the red light and began to turn left and when my jeep got to 13MPH again it wouldnt shift to the next gear and I the car b... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2022
Vehicle operated poorly at start up for 10-20 seconds. Check engine light came on. I had limited control with braking and accelerating. If my son was outside, I could have accidentally run him over. The dealership told me that it is a known issue involving coolant leaking into the engine cylinder. This issue can only be rectified by replacing the entire engine, which is not covered by any recalls,... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2024
Warning lights for ABS and traction control coming on with message to 'Service Electronic Braking System'. During this time the ABS does not work and cruise control stops working. Being a 2500 vehicle, it is commonly used for towing trailers as it has a towing capacity up to ~16K lbs. Suddenly not having ABS and traction control is dangerous. In July 2024 I was driving from Phoenix, AZ to East... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2024
While my wife was pulling into park the car and pressing the brake, the car all of a sudden accelerated into the building. Pressing the brake failed to stop the car. No person was in the way of the car so no one other than my wife was at risk of injury. The problem has not been reproduced since the car was totaled. The car was inspected by the insurance for loss but that was it. Police and manufac... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel briefly vibrated, and there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. 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 th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. The contact had to slam on the brake pedal for the vehicle to stop. The Service Advance-trac, brakes, and check brake system messages were displayed. The contact researched online and discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not inc... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the dealer for a scheduled tire rotation, the contact was informed that the lug nuts were swollen. The contact was informed that the lug nuts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that a torch was used to remove the lug nuts. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was a k... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2024
Car suddenly breaks without my control, and wheels do not recognize new paved roads. Traction light stays on. Car pulls me outside of lane and I have to force the wheel to drive straight and stay in the lane.
Incident date: Oct 30, 2024
The motorcycle is just over 1 year old. Has less than 1300 miles on it. The bike does not start, the manufacture is not helping the dealership work on the problem. The motorcycle has been with the dealership for more than 3 months at this point. As an adventure motorcycle, a no start problem or if the bike shuts down while riding this could be a dangerous potentially deadly situation. There is a... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
Where to begin... As I bought my first truck, literally within 10 days after buying the GMC Canyon 2024, the car is shaking uncontrollably on the highway... 35 MPH max speed, extremely dangerous situation, 8 AM on a busy Watterson Expressway in Louisville, KY. I was so scared I was going to crash and potentially get hurt or worse. They told me "they had never seen this happen to a Canyon before" ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
Where to begin... As I bought my first truck, literally within 10 days after buying the GMC Canyon 2024, the car is shaking uncontrollably on the highway... 35 MPH max speed, extremely dangerous situation, 8 AM on a busy Watterson Expressway in Louisville, KY. I was so scared I was going to crash and potentially get hurt or worse. They told me "they had never seen this happen to a Canyon before" ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
The uconnect screen for the instrument controls and back up camera is partially blank. Had the uconnect replaced 3 years ago under extended warranty. This is the 2nd uconnect to go bad.
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed hauling a trailer, the exhaust manifold dropped raw fuel into the exhaust and it caught fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The exhaust filter over maximum limit message was displayed. There were no reported injuries, crash , police report or air bag deployment. The fire department was ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
The contact owns 2014 BMW 535D. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was steered to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, the driver's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trim separated and flew off the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the passenger's side windshield exterior A-... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel returned to normal operation upon depression of the brake pedal. A week later while the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm agai... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Buick Envision. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The message "No Lane Assist - Caution" was displayed. The contact pumped the brake pedal until the vehicle responded. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure was r... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Buick Envision. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The message "No Lane Assist - Caution" was displayed. The contact pumped the brake pedal until the vehicle responded. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure was r... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The power steering and the stabilizer warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure progressively worsened, and the vehicle occasionally responded as needed after being restarted. The vehicle was taken to the l... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2024
I’ve had to replace the thermostat 4 times in 6 months, PTO was just repaired and now it fails to accelerate past 2000 rpm, transmission is clunking when shifting. I just got my car back from the Chrysler dealership.
Incident date: Oct 29, 2024
My car uses more oil then it should and VW won’t fix it. Lawyer told me to fill out this form
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2007 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle while the vehicle was parked and while driving. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to Discount Tires to replace a flat tire, the mechanic lifted the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that fuel was leaking from the upper part of the gas tank onto the ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
I received a recall notice from Honda regarding the Safety Recall of the fuel pump module in May 2024. My local dealer just informed me that they have no idea when they will receive the replacement modules and they are receiving about two units per month at random intervals. If this is indeed a safety recall, I believe Honda should be making these units available for existing customers ahead of ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
I have a 2018 1.5 Touring with 94k (bought 5 years ago with 7k miles. Religiously performed all maintenance including oil changes and transmission fluid. I started having this issue on and off about 2k miles ago. This is an intermittent problem. Sometimes the car runs great with no problem...then the next time I start the car there is a rough idle and I get the shuttering/jolting/jerkiness (feels... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the instrument panel was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the battery was rep... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2020
Subject: Urgent Concern Regarding Parts Availability for Fuel Pump Motor Safety Recall (Exp2) – 2018-2020 Honda Accord 2.0T Dear NHTSA, I am reaching out to express my concerns regarding Honda's lack of parts availability for the Fuel Pump Motor Recall on the 2018-2020 Honda Accord 2.0T. This recall addresses a critical safety issue with the fuel pump, which could cause the engine to stall une... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the hood was shuddering significantly. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the hood shuddered and rose continuously while remaining closed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road each time the failure occurred due to safety concerns. The contact stated that the failure had red... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2020
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while his son was operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer, where the engine sensor was replaced, but the failure later reoccurred. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2020
Power steering intermittent failure. Doesn’t appear to be related to truck use: it happens when truck is first turned on, happens while driving. The gauge screen turns red, says “Power Steering Unavailable,” and power steering is lost. Power steering dash light turns on. Power steering is lost, sometimes for a second, sometimes for longer. This happens at idle, as well as driving various spe... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2024
The side pillar of my windshield flew off on the freeway and probably hit another car this was very dangerous and now I'm missing a piece of my car. This recall need to be fixed asap
Incident date: Oct 8, 2024
with no known contact with anything, shark fin antenna cover of hyundai kona blew off at highway speed. this was unknown at the time, but upon further consideration, concern that the detachment could have damaged another car or caused to swerve. dealer, warranty refuse to replace. multiple reports of similar occurrences exist in hyundai forums.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2024
The main dashboard screen either works delayed after starting, and also unknowingly screen freezes. Have ALMOST backed up into another vehicle not knowing screen was frozen, have been into shop 4 times for repair and NOT ONCE has been repaired.
Incident date: Oct 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the tailgate independently opened. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer to schedule an appointment however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 20,500.
Incident date: Oct 25, 2024
When you shift it into park, it often doesn’t recognize that it’s in park and begins to roll backwards. This doesn’t happen every single time but at least twice a week and I have to use the parking break.