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: Jan 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle had been parked. The contact stated that upon returning from an errand, the contact noticed that flames and black smoke were coming out from underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact called the fire department who arrived at the scene and extinguished the flames. A police report was filed. There was no injury susta... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 14, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the "Check Brake System" message was displayed on the instrument panel and the brakes failed to engage while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal to the floorboard, the vehicle responded as needed. The ABS and traction control warning lights were i... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the "Check Brake System" message was displayed on the instrument panel and the brakes failed to engage while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal to the floorboard, the vehicle responded as needed. The ABS and traction control warning lights were i... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
The contact leased a 2024 Mazda CX-90. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH in the far left lane, the vehicle jerked and the steering wheel seized, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. It was unknown whether warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle veered to the right independently, spun three times, crashed into the guard rail and came to a stop whi... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 8, 2024
My Power Steering stops working. I have to shut the car off and on several times and it will come back on. There is a recall for the 2009 Malibu, although my VIN is showing it’s not part of the recall. The air conditioner works some days, but other days not at all. It also shows that this is under recall, although my VIN shows not affected by this recall either. The air conditioner is inconvenie... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2025
The headlight bulbs keep going out. I have replaced the bulbs at least 2-3 times a year for the past few years. I have asked dealers about this and they tell me there is no recall or tsb. This is a hazard to night driving because of decreased illumination, especially in dark roads with not enough lighting. Please recall/fix this issue!!
Incident date: Feb 13, 2025
The blank screen software recall has not fixed the screen that goes blank. It is still happening. This was after a dealership visit to address the recalls.
Incident date: Feb 13, 2025
Break lights, running lights and headlights go out at least every three months at different times. Apparently it’s a common problem with these cars when I go to online forums and I have recently been contacted by a class action attorney that wants to investigate. I have had to replace rear bulb sockets due to corrosion and the bulbs still burn out. We purchased the 2017 car used around 2021 and ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
Water pump and door handles are recalled. Manufacturer will not pay. I paid $218.75 for water pump replacement and door handle check. Car is required to have 2.2 software update to be complaint with NHSTA. Manufacturer will not upgrade my software. I paid $437.50 to have my car upgraded. Otherwise, I could not enter my car using a key and I would receive warnings every 30 seconds that ADAS and ot... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
Water pump and door handles are recalled. Manufacturer will not pay. I paid $218.75 for water pump replacement and door handle check. Car is required to have 2.2 software update to be complaint with NHSTA. Manufacturer will not upgrade my software. I paid $437.50 to have my car upgraded. Otherwise, I could not enter my car using a key and I would receive warnings every 30 seconds that ADAS and ot... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2025
The main computer or console of this vehicle is known to malfunction and cause the lose of air condition, heat, defrosters, back up camera's, camera sensors, navigation controls, etc. My vehicle was fixed once, but the issue was only warrantied for two years from the repair, which they failed to notify me at the time of the mfg. repair. Additionally, they failed to disclose was the entire dashboar... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2025
This car seat has been recall. I contacted the company and have not received any response.
Incident date: Feb 9, 2025
Axle shaft assembly broke right side, removed and Replaced. Control Arm Removed and Replaced. Ball Joint Lower Right Side. Service Wheel Alignment. Replaced Tire. Control Arm Upper Right Side Removed and Replaced. Tow Truck Order.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
1. I received letter about safety recall campaign TSB10062408 - Breaking improvement software update in September 2024. Later Fisker released software version 2.2 for the recall. However It is Feb. 2025 now, I still have not received software update (via their OTA system). 2. Unreliable Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) - warning message, such as lane keep assistance feature, blind spot w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
The instrument panel that shows the odometer is blank when the temperature is cold (usually below 60 degrees). It seems to be a very common issue.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (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 was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75 MPH, t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Elantra N. The contact stated that there was an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a total of 4 times. The dealer completed an oil consumption test and found that the engine was consuming one quart of engine oil every 100 miles driven. The vehicle had failed the oil consumption test twice. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
While slowly backing out of the driveway and without contacting anything at all, the rear window completely shattered. The window has never been hit by anything and had no defects yet it completely shattered so clearly reflects a manufacturing defect of some sort that is incredibly dangerous to passengers or other vehicles, since it happens without warning and without the necessity of an impact of... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started to stall and started running rough. The contact's wife turned off the vehicle; however, while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with crankcase posit... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2020
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the parking brake lever was engaged but failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to stop and continued rolling forward. The contact stated that the vehicle came to a stop once the gear shifter was shifted into park(P). The contact stated that after the first failure, the vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
The contact owned a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with her husband seated in the front passenger’s seat, the steering wheel became difficult to turn, and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact proceeded to exit the highway on an off-ramp and was successful in bringing the vehicle to a stop when the veh... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not 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 i... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
Have had the rear door locks stop working during the cold, it would not allow the doors to shut and stay shut. I did have children in car seats in the truck at the time. After trying to get the locks to work for about 10 minutes they stared working again. Also have an oil leak that was discovered while having an oil change. I became aware of Technical Service Bulletin: 23/2083, NHTSA ID Number: 1... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Acura ZDX. The contact stated that while depressing the manual regenerative brake lever the braking system failed to activate and the driver had to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that during the failure the message "Service Brake Assistance" was displayed. The contact stated that the BRAKE Hold feature and Adaptive Cruise Control were inoper... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2025
Car stalls on and off especially driving up hills… the car jolts… speed dominator is fluctuating up and down… car is showing codes on OBD scanner (P2589) and (P0965) it was a recall for the 2013-2017 Sentra for cvt trouble actually a law suit that was won…. Since I didn’t own the car at the moment does that disqualify the fixing of a world wide issue or because my vin number doesn’t ma... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
Traveling on highway, heard noise coming from the engine. I was close to an off ramp and got off the highway. In the process of getting on the off ramp alarms went off. Turned on the flashers, came to a stop partially on the shoulder. Turned off the vehicle, turned it back on and it started right up. Turned to head into town to get some place safe to check the issue and all the alarms went off aga... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
Traveling on highway, heard noise coming from the engine. I was close to an off ramp and got off the highway. In the process of getting on the off ramp alarms went off. Turned on the flashers, came to a stop partially on the shoulder. Turned off the vehicle, turned it back on and it started right up. Turned to head into town to get some place safe to check the issue and all the alarms went off aga... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
Our 2021 Cadillac Escalade has experienced multiple ongoing issues. The “driver airbag warning” light has been a major concern, with the dealership stating that the airbag could malfunction at any moment. When we took the vehicle in for repairs, they determined that a previous maintenance job on the driver’s airbag was done incorrectly, which was causing the warning light to activate. Additi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2025
ABS system failure. Unable to repair the ABS control module because the part is not available making the passenger rear wheel lose traction while starting to move and driving at highway speeds causing the rear of the vehicle to fishtail on dry roads. Even with new tires installed.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
As i was driving, my breaks suddenly became spongey and unresponsive. I could hear a "hiss" sound come from below me. ABS and other warning lights came on on my dash. As i was near my auto mechanic i tried to make it there safely, and as i drove the brakes seemed to become softer and softer. By the time i had reached my mechanic i was so uncomfortable with its ineffectivness i felt it necessary to... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2021
I turned my truck on after grocery shopping and a notice to "Service Power Steering" popped up on my dashboard. I took it to a mechanic shop where they ran diagnostics. They discovered a TSB # 21-NA-149 and error code U0131. They believe there is an intermittent fault within the wiring causing the power steering to go out. My biggest fear is that this happens while I am negotiating a curve and los... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2021
Motor locked up and went into neutral on it’s on driving 60mph. I was able to restart the vehicle and then it completely shut down at red light in a main intersection.
Incident date: Feb 18, 2021
When I start my truck, a very loud, piercing noise comes out of the speakers. The has happened 2 times over appx 2 years. The info screen on the dash freezes up. It can only be stop by turning the ignition off.
Incident date: Feb 7, 2025
My car shuts off when I go over little bumps and light comes on saying press break and shift into park. Then it doesnt start right away but eventually starts again. Also when I go over little bumps my interior lights turn on.
Incident date: Feb 7, 2025
In November 2023, I co-signed an auto loan to assist someone in securing a vehicle. However, I later discovered that my name was never placed on the title, leaving me financially liable for the loan while having no ownership or possession of the car. The individual has since failed to make any loan payments, and the bank applied lender-placed insurance (CPI) due to their failure to maintain cover... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
ELECTRICAL BRAKE FAILURE WARNING
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
The rear view camera is so pixelated that you cannot make our images, ESPECIALLY at night. Ford has stated that they have knowledge that "some" "2022-2024 Expedition vehicles equipped with an analog camera and a 12-inch center display screen may exhibit a rear camera image that the customer describes as grainy, fuzzy, or pixelated" Ford claims this may be due to the interaction between the anal... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2024
After driving and doing errands I tried to pull truck into garage and noticed it was hard to move. It seemed like brakes were stuck on despite not applying brakes. I pulled out of driveway to drive around block. Lost all brakes while driving down county road at 50 mph. Check engine light on, brake failure warning on, warning light that speed limited to 43 mph, ABS light on. Eventually able to stop... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2025
On a few occasions the emergency / parking brake auto releases when parked on a slight incline while the engine is running and transmission is in park.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
While driving on highways, with no one in front of me, vehicle will brake while I have my foot on the gas. Vehicle says brake system malfunction. When I let off the gas and push again, it'll accelerate for a second, then brake again even though my foot is on the accelerator.
Incident date: Feb 9, 2025
[XXX].The engine intake manifold on our 2012 Mercedes E350 (64,000 miles) EXPLODED with enough force to bend the hood up 2 inches. It was a damp cold morning & the engine had not been started in 12 hours. The car was not locked & the key fob was nowhere close. The fuel level was under 3/4 full. This happened when wife went to get something out of the car and when she pulled the passenger door ha... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
While driving the vehicle the engine loses total power and says to shift to park. No engine lights come on, no warning lights. Total loss of power is a serious issue - reading on the jeep forums this is not an uncommon problem. Have to try and safely get to the side of the road, put it in park, turn car off and attempts to restart take 1 to 6 tries. This has happened four times in 1 month
Incident date: Feb 8, 2025
When it is below freezing and there is snow/condensation on the door windows the door lock can get stuck/frozen closed. Many times the door will unlock and open to get in but once I get to my destination I can't get the door open to get out of my car. This has happened on all the doors at different times. We get stuck and I have to crawl out another door that will unlock. There isn't a way to manu... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Express 3500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a huge black puddle of liquid on the ground on the front driver's side. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was determined that the unknown liquid was from the propane tank. In addition, the contact stated that the unknown liquid had a strong foul odor. The vehicle was towed... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
Driver had 50,000 miles maintenance service scheduled when the engine light went on a week prior to the service date. Therefore she asked the mechanic to do a diagnostic check on engine and mechanic at the Jeep dealership reported list of problems which solutions found which include: Replace Thermostat and holding Replace Vacuum Pump Replacing U-Joint Replacing All Ball Joints Replacing Front Axle... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2025
Front wheel knuckle failure. I received an email last year on a recall for specific VINs for this failure and my VIN does not apply within the specific years of 2014-2016. I have a 2014 L405 Land Rover and am very concerned of this failure. I would like this complaint filed and Land Rover to replace these knuckles before someone dies or is seriously injured.
Incident date: Jan 18, 2025
Front wheel knuckle failure. I received an email last year on a recall for specific VINs for this failure and my VIN does not apply within the specific years of 2014-2016. I have a 2014 L405 Land Rover and am very concerned of this failure. I would like this complaint filed and Land Rover to replace these knuckles before someone dies or is seriously injured.
Incident date: Feb 9, 2025
I have had the trunk struts and power module replaced twice due to water leaks into the compute module of my trunk. It has cost me headaches and thousand of dollars to have it fixed. This issue should be recalled to fix and for a reseal of the trunk. My dash has a power lift gate error show up and will not open anymore. Also it will not stay open as well and slowly just close itself.
Incident date: Jan 10, 2025
When making a steering correction, there is a tendency for the steering to get stuck in a fixed position for a brief period. It takes an abnormal level of force to overcome this stickiness before it becomes un-stuck and allows a steering change. As a result, there is some jerkiness in the steering, which presents a significant safety issue. It is more noticeable at higher speeds and can be a bi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2025
Electronic power steering is working intermittently or not working, making it extremely difficult to steer. It’s doing the same thing as previous years that was recalled.