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: Nov 16, 2024
Several extremely dangerous situations occured within 6 months of purchasing brand new 2015, F-150, 3.5, 4x4 ecoboost king ranch model. While driving on interstate, in rain, passing an 18 wheeler, without warning forward collision lights go off and truck begins slamming the brakes on by itself and the car behind me had to slam on his brakes to avoid a SEVERE crash. I brought truck to dealership th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
Vehicle is showing the GM "SHIFT TO PARK" error code on the dash board, when turning the engine off.
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
Was told by my mechanic that the ABS control module needs to be replaced. All ABS warning lights are illuminated on the dash panel cluster. He said the Ram/Mopar has an over 1 year wait for this part to be back in stock. That is insane. What scam is this from FCA/RAM? Are people supposed to drive around their truck and hope the ABS system doesn't fail and end of hurting someone because they d... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
Vehicle makes clicking noise went to dealer many times no answer till they decide to change front right axe noise went down 70% but the noise is coming back up 2 weeks after repair. Is a new car. My spouse bought another same brand and model is is starting to do the same. Noise is louder and louder. When turning any direction, worse when turning and applying brakes.
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
While driving down highway, the ABS light and traction lights came on and cruise control was disabled and brakes was catching as if applying the brakes. After stopping, tried to place the truck in 4WD to no avail. Reset the light by disconnecting the battery, but the warning light for traction came back on and then went off several times when there was no obvious reason.
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
—2016 Ram 1500 with 50,000 miles—ABS brake light and brake light came on. 2023 Took Ram into dealership to have it fixed and was told that the ABS module was out and that a new one would need to be ordered. Dealership said that they are on back order and I must pay for half of it before they order. I paid them to order it but it is still back ordered. Was told this is a common problem and shou... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the HVAC system was not functioning properly. Due to the failure, the contact was unable to activate the front windshield defroster. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the blend door actuator. The vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
Was at a red light after a very short drive, as soon as the light turned green I let off break hit gas and felt a huge kick that felt as if I was rear ended. I let off the gas and another big kick happened. Check engine light came on and dashboard read “Service ECS and Service parking break”. Truck would not accelerate and I was stuck in the middle of a very busy intersection. Turned truck o... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
Front driver wheel has started to spin when power applied from a stop or from a slow roll. Tires are in great condition, further research indicates that this is a typical issue between the transfer case and differential. Splines get stripped and the car essentially becomes 2 wheel drive. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
KIA
CARNIVAL HYBRID
(2025) - POWER TRAIN
Feb 24, 2025
Incident date: Feb 21, 2025
The front differential and rear drive train has been problematic and has failed in model years starting 2019. My car is a April 2020 car with 34,000 miles and has already failed. There are numerous cars that share the same V8 engine and drive train, has similar front differential failures at very low mileage. BMW USA seems to not car and address the issue after it being brought to their attention.
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
NTSB mandated an OTA to Fisker Oceans. As a result of the poor update my car's ICC went out leaving me with very limited control over vehicle settings including all HVAC which meant I had no defroster (as well as heat this winter). No ability to control the regenerative breaking, charging settings, safety settings, etc. At one point my vehicle would no longer take any charge at all and eventually ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
NTSB mandated an OTA to Fisker Oceans. As a result of the poor update my car's ICC went out leaving me with very limited control over vehicle settings including all HVAC which meant I had no defroster (as well as heat this winter). No ability to control the regenerative breaking, charging settings, safety settings, etc. At one point my vehicle would no longer take any charge at all and eventually ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
NTSB mandated an OTA to Fisker Oceans. As a result of the poor update my car's ICC went out leaving me with very limited control over vehicle settings including all HVAC which meant I had no defroster (as well as heat this winter). No ability to control the regenerative breaking, charging settings, safety settings, etc. At one point my vehicle would no longer take any charge at all and eventually ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Honda CR-V. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V763000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 24V744000 (Steering); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2025
On October 10th 2024, my 2015 Kia Optima caught fire while I was driving. The fire originated from the engine compartment, completely engulfing the vehicle in flames within minutes. Component/System Failure: The exact cause of the fire is unknown, but Kia had previously issued a recall for this model due to an engine defect that posed a fire risk. The vehicle is no longer available for inspection... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repair. The dealer performed an inspection on the vehicle and informed the contact that the vehicle had passed the recall inspection and did not need the recall remedy; however, the contact stated that the passenger's side wind... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
Traveling [XXX] on [XXX] through Pascagoula, Ms at approximately 70mph. The engine revved high then put itself into Neutral and shutdown. I was able to coast safely to the shoulder of the road. There had been no prior warning of potential problems. The vehicle engine seized up and could not be placed into neutral for the tow service to safely load it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREE... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the side view mirrors folded inward. The contact was turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the mirrors remained in the folded position. The contact stated that after 20 minutes of turning the vehicle off and on, the mirrors unfolded. Additionally, the contact stated that the driver's side seat lumbar sys... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-Max Hybrid. The contact stated that on several occasions while in reverse, the rear-view camera failed to activate as needed, with the message to “Contact the Dealer” displayed. The vehicle was restarted, and the screen reappeared, but the failure reoccurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer were it was diagnosed and determined that the rear-view ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2024
My Mercedes gle350 2021 is having a cylinder misfire. I had the repairs done last February. Carlton Mercedes acknowledged this is a known issue with this car. Did some googling and saw how big of an issue this is in this car. Repairs were made and now a year later cylinder misfire again! My neighbor has the same car but 2022 having the same issue currently. This needs to be recalled. Mercedes need... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
The fuel gauge displays full tank even though the tank is quarter empty. The local Toyota dealership is unable to resolve this issue. The fuel gauge malfunction happens almost twice a month now.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
Auto start stop unavailable service Auto start /stop system shows up. It has killed 1 main battery and 2 auxiliary batteries but there is no stored messages so dealership can not figure out the problem.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
51,000 miles and Power steering warning light came on, attempted to turn and the wheel and was a struggle to make a turn. I almost ran off roadway and struck a tree. I struggled to get the truck home, where it sat for a minute and reset itself and worked properly for now. Upon reviewing the electric steering in this year, make and model was very common within 15k miles to 65k miles. Upon internet ... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while washing the vehicle, it was discovered that the exterior roof panel was bent and caved inward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle was manufactured without the roof braces which were needed to strengthen the roof. The braces were ordered by the dealer. The vehicle was not yet repaired.... Read more
Incident date: Sep 26, 2024
According to the car’s manual and Toyota’s official website, the fuel tank capacity should be 13 gallons. However, my car does not have this capacity. Additionally, it consumes enough fuel for 36 miles when driving only 22 miles.
Incident date: Sep 26, 2024
According to the car’s manual and Toyota’s official website, the fuel tank capacity should be 13 gallons. However, my car does not have this capacity. Additionally, it consumes enough fuel for 36 miles when driving only 22 miles.
Incident date: Feb 21, 2025
Erratic shifting, lead frame sensor causing safety issues and causing truck to not start if shut off. Erratic downshifting at highway speed. Known safety problems with Ford and needs to be fixed. Significant loss of power and lose dashboard data. Issue starting to happen more frequently, almost every time driven
Incident date: Feb 21, 2025
Right rear tail light failure. Does not light up with headlamps on or when braking and flashes very fast when signal is turned on. Get a warning message on the info screen stating "Right Rear lamp failure" every time I signal a right turn. Dealer documented issue but states that this is a known issue with no fix at this time and GM instructed dealer to not attempt any repairs at this time. Th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
Transmission failed at 37k miles..noticed when the car was sluggish. Open the hood and the coolant reservoir was black. Kia replaced transmission but thinking about trading it in
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
Ford’s 10R80 Transmission is PLAGUED with issues. I own a 2020 Ford F-150 with the 2.7L V6 engine that has the 10R80 Transmission and this car has nearly gotten me in a T-Bone collision on NUMEROUS separate occasions. The transmission will slip as you’re first starting to accelerate, giving you zero control over the car and the RPMS will shoot up surpassing red line. This transmission is extr... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
I am concerned because Honda has notified me of two potential recalls on my vehicle, but I have not been able to have my car inspected to determine if it's affected. Additionally, the parts needed for the recall repairs are unavailable. I was informed several months ago, but there has been no clear timeline for when the parts will be available or when my car can be checked.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2025
On several occasions, the auto braking system has engaged when not required. When driving / approaching and overhead highway sign, the alert will trigger, warning me to press my brakes. Other past events include occasionally when passing beneath an overpass, the braking system will alert and engage the brakes. This has nearly caused a rearend accident. Braking alerts also occur for some forks in t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 23, 2025
The cruise control stop working and we received a service electronic braking system warning and the trailer brakes stopped working
Incident date: Jan 16, 2024
The cruise control stop working and we received a service electronic braking system warning and the trailer brakes stopped working
Incident date: Feb 16, 2025
Vehicle makes a shudder & shaking feeling after slowing down and picking up speed. Is a constant problem. Also coolant level is unreadable and fan comes on and continues to stay on.
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
**Report to NHTSA – 12-Volt Battery Issue in Toyota BZ4X** **Vehicle Information:** - **Make & Model:** Toyota BZ4X - **Issue:** 12-Volt Battery Drain **Description of the Problem:** I have been experiencing repeated issues with the 12-volt battery in my Toyota BZ4X. If the vehicle is not driven for one or two days, the battery depletes, requiring a jump-start to operate. I have t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2025
En lo que vade compra me ha dañado 2 baterías las que he tenido que comprar. También daño la bomba de la gasolina. Tuve que pagar la limpieza de las líneas. Casi alrededor de $ 1,000.00 dólares he tenido que pagar de mi bolsillo para un vehículo que lo tengo desde nuevo y que aún pago. También quemó los fusibles y ahora tampoco le funciona la bocina. Es obvio que el problema es eléctric... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2025
The fuel door will not open. It appears the fuel door actuator has failed. This can result in being stranded as not able to fuel. Dealer has confirmed and is charging me to fix. Vehicle only has about 33,000 miles on it and is 44 months in service. There were no warning lights, but interesting enough the driver side sliding door does make a grumbling noise like it needs to be oiled. I am ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
At approximately 25k miles, the steering became "sticky" at all operating speeds. Extra effort was required to maneuver the vehicle or to simply keep it within the travel lane. The car was not safely operable prior to repair. A local dealership replaced the steering rack and pinion (at my cost). Issue was resolved.
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
fisker ocean gear shift is nt ready to move . gear shift not shifting .gear shift will not shift out of park .
Incident date: Jan 31, 2025
There is a light on the dashboard that says Service Engin Soon
Incident date: Nov 8, 2024
Under 45 degrees, the back door will not open. The latch is faulty and fails in moderate to severe cold weather. In an emergency where we would need to exit the rear of the vehicle, there’s no way to open the rear door from the inside or outside. It is under 45 degrees for about half the year where I live. It is more than just an inconvenience, it is a safety concern.
Incident date: Nov 8, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
Key fob is not working and Range reduction from 360 to 200
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the engine started to misfire. There was an unknown service warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that left side valve lifters needed to be replaced. The codes displayed were 0329 (Engine/Fuel Exhaust) and 6581 (Modular Component) r... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS, the electronic brake, and the trailer brake warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the traction control service message was displayed. Additionally, the electronic parking brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced; however, t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The vehicle was slowly driven to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stat... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2025
engine shut down while driving... complete engine failure was the cause
Incident date: Jan 25, 2025
Happened around 46000 miles after receiving a recall notice in the mail about the pedal positioning sensor causing a reduced engine power signal, and immediately reducing speeds on the interstate. Local Chevy dealership replaced. Fast-forward 80K miles and the same incident is happening, however likely not going to be covered by GM. Same message, same code being detected.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while her husband was driving approximately 75-80 MPH, and the contact was in the front passenger's side seat, the vehicle lost motive power, and the infotainment system and instrument panel turned off unexpectedly. The contact's husband pressed the PUSH to START button, and the vehicle was able to be restarted. There was no warning light... Read more