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: Mar 13, 2026
A fire started under the hood roughly 15 minutes after we drove it and parked it. Smoke could be seen 1st, then the fire. Not sure what starter the fire. The vehicle was parked 3 ft from my house, which could’ve caught my house on fire, luckily it wasn’t parked in my garage. The incident has not been yet reproduced or confirmed by an independent service center, manufacturer, police, insurance ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
The brake warning light remains illuminated on the dashboard even when the parking brake is fully disengaged and while the vehicle is in motion. Same when the car is on or turned off. The brake warning light remain on continuously. Because this warning light is associated with the braking system, it creates uncertainty about whether the braking system and related safety systems are functioning p... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
Backing out of a driveway that had a mud hole. Car got turned and stuck in the mud. We were trying to push it out and then it started smoking under the drivers tires and then we heard a pop. Next thing the undercarriage is on fire and we got away. Withing minutes the whole car was engulfed in flames. UNKNOWN MODERATE ONLY CAUSE WE WERE STUCK AND COULD EXIT THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER NO NO
Fire
Incident date: Mar 14, 2026
While traveling from upstate New York, the vehicle displayed an engine overheating warning shortly after startup while the engine was still cold. Because I was away from home, I stayed overnight and the next morning took the vehicle to a Kia dealership for inspection. The dealership inspected the vehicle and diagnosed a problem with the exhaust heat recovery system pipe. According to the service ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2026
While traveling from upstate New York, the vehicle displayed an engine overheating warning shortly after startup while the engine was still cold. Because I was away from home, I stayed overnight and the next morning took the vehicle to a Kia dealership for inspection. The dealership inspected the vehicle and diagnosed a problem with the exhaust heat recovery system pipe. According to the service ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2026
I was driving and the vehicle stopped like it was in neutral. I started rolling backwards into a vehicle. He honked and I slammed on breaks. I put flashers on. Waited a bit. Turned off and on and it started. I drove home and called service dept
Incident date: Feb 8, 2026
I was driving and the vehicle stopped like it was in neutral. I started rolling backwards into a vehicle. He honked and I slammed on breaks. I put flashers on. Waited a bit. Turned off and on and it started. I drove home and called service dept
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
Driving 65mph on [XXX] and all the lights came on flashing and alerting me causing the emergency braking to occur while driving causing me to swerve on the road and lucky I didn’t crash but i had my [XXX] old in the car and it scared the hell out of me, on top of all that my horn gave out and hasn’t worked since that incident and now all the lights are off and I don’t even get the beeping ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
Driving 65mph on [XXX] and all the lights came on flashing and alerting me causing the emergency braking to occur while driving causing me to swerve on the road and lucky I didn’t crash but i had my [XXX] old in the car and it scared the hell out of me, on top of all that my horn gave out and hasn’t worked since that incident and now all the lights are off and I don’t even get the beeping ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
Car burns/ consumes oil constantly having to top off 2-3 quarts every 1,000 miles maybe even less I do my oil change every 3,000 miles Kia auto contract state I need to do oil change every 5,000
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
My Apple Car Play has never worked since I bought the car new in 2020. The dealership's solution each time I asked about it was for me to get a new plug in cord, update my iPhone settings, and then they can update the system manually. I have taken it in multiple times, and each time it has worked for 2-3 weeks before it no longer works again. This is dangerous because it usually happens mid-drive,... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
2023 1500 RST 6.2. Recall was done and performed last year. Truck passed so they changed the oil and sent me on my way. I have had zero issues up until last week. My gut tells me the replacement is going to be the same engine with the same failing parts that I already have so expect I may have issues in the future even after the new engine. -on interstate going 55MPH, went to accelerate to 70M... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2020
At 4 AM on March 10,2026, I received a recall for the tires (Recall ID:26T009). I took it to the Hyundai dealership to get it serviced. The Director Mr. [XXX] , informed me that the only recall they have for me is a software recall. In addition, the do not fix any tire recalls I would have to reach out to the manufacturer such as Kumho tires co. When the service tech [XXX] looked at the tires, he... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
Sometimes I feel as if my car is possessed I own a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta and sometimes the passenger headlight works sometimes it doesn't I've replaced the bulbs doesn't matter. My sunroof All of a sudden stopped working. My turn signals on the right side don't work when the headlight is not on. I have no sound from my stereo cuz my speakers automatically went out. It has a lot of electrical issue... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
Pulled into a pharmacy, vehicle died and completely shut off while driving. 3400 miles, towed to dealership, March 5, 2026. Still no answer from dealership for why this happened and no loaner vehicle yet because they cannot confirm it's a warranty issue
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
My Jeep veers left and right sharply while I drive. It does not take off pulling into traffic-I have to wait for total total clearance-there is no take off. My gas tank was filled three days ago and it is already below 50%. I drive 7 miles to and from work Monday-Friday, nowhere else. I have avoided several accidents due to these problems. These problems happen everyday. I have take it in to my j... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
Constant whine from under the vehicle while in park or idle. Even after having the rack replaced
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
Drove vehicle to town and back, 20 mile round trip. When entering my property, the Engine stalled while pulling into driveway. Upon cranking, was very hard to start. When taking the next trip after engine stall, vehicle died in motion at 60mph approaching a traffic intersection with no warning, leaving very little time to navigate to the shoulder and off the roadway. Engine will not crank over, su... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
Vehicle produces a noticeable whining noise under acceleration. Shifting is completely normal and no other drivability issues are present. Issue matches the pattern described in TSB T-SB-0008-21 (UA80E/UA80F front carrier assembly pinion shaft bearing failure). Multiple owners report dealers are diagnosing this as requiring full transmission replacement at $8,000–$12,000, with no partial repair ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
Consistent steering wheel shake between 60-65 mph. This is a very well known issue on the 2010-2024 4Runners and it drives me and many others crazy, and feels unsafe to drive with. Will happen almost anytime I’m on the highway. My vehicle only has 48k miles. This needs to be addressed.
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
Incident Description: While assisting a child seated in the third row, my wife leaned between the second-row seatback and the vehicle’s side pillar to unbuckle the child’s seatbelt. During this time, the second-row “3rd-row access” button was accidentally pressed, which triggered the automatic powered seat movement. The second-row seat began reclining and moving without warning, and my wi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
The illuminated dashboard, center control console, and headlights suddenly turned off while the vehicle was in motion during a dark night. The blackout lasted approximately 10 seconds and I was unable to see to keep the vehicle on the roadway. After running onto the unpaved shoulder, I was able to fully stop the vehicle without hitting anything. All of the lights came back on and the dashboard sho... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
Owner of 2020 Kia soul experiencing engine failure symptoms including stalling and oil consumption vehicl is associated with engine fire risk safety recall vehicle is currently disabled at mechanic and unsafe to drive I requested kia arrange a tow to authorized dealership for recall diagnosis but kia customer service refused to cover tow bc this involves potential engine fire hazard I believe manu... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
I am reporting a safety concern involving BMW vehicles equipped with the B58 Technical Update (B58TU) engine, commonly found in model years 2019–2021. These vehicles utilize a variable-displacement engine oil pump containing an internal thermoplastic adjusting component responsible for regulating oil pressure. Field failures are increasingly being reported in which this internal component fract... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
Gear shift fails to register that it’s in fact in park position on gear shift but dash message reports “shift to park”, and warning beeping sound won’t stop and doors won’t lock. After restarting and reshifting the gears and / or pressing gear shift button up to 20 times or more until the dinging noise stops and only then can the car be locked. Everyday since 4/20/2025
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
February 1st 2026, I done my oil change. My car was running fine. No check engine light was on or anything, my forward collision warning started disabling itself when I always kept it on. When I try to accelerate my vehicle it would take a while to accelerate. March 7th 2026, while I was driving, my car quit while it was still running. It also quit the same day again just in park. March 8th 2026, ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
I was driving the vehicle and the brakes failed. The Ford dealership said that the parts were unavailable for the repair. I took to my local repair shop. There was a brake system leak and it needed an emergency repair. Ford is refusing to reimburse the repair even though their website and dealer say the part is unavailable from them.
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
Vehicle head gasket blown. Stated by mechanic that this is a chronic problem with model due to cylinder head warming and gasket failure. Shortly after repaired the left rear Factory OEM rocker arm broke and damaged one of the overhead cams. Again stated by mechanic that this is a common problem due to known oiling problems with this model. Repaired once again. Vehicle drove less than 500 miles b... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message “Driver’s Side Air Bag Deactivated” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the wiring harness needed to be rewired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted, and the message was displayed. The ve... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
The vehicle is experiencing "unintended left turn signal activation". When a right hand turn signal is activated, and the steering wheel is corrected after completing the turn, the left turn signal activates spontaneously. This miscommunicates intent to other drivers, causes dangerous assumptions on the road and increases collision risk. Ford has acknowledged this is a known issue and a "great saf... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS system module failure warning light illuminated. The brakes, traction control, and power steering failed, and the speedometer ceased to display on the instrument panel. The electronic throttle control warning light also illuminated, causing the vehicle to fail to shift out of park. After turnin... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
Automatic headlight sensor flashes lights on and off even during sunny days
Incident date: Mar 8, 2026
I am an owner of a 2013 F150 with a 5.0 liter V8 engine my transmission speed sensor malfunction causing my truck to abruptly lose power as I was doing 85mph down the turnpike as to where I had to coast to the shoulder of the road and my dash cluster I had no readings of digital components and I had a wrench symbol on my dash board as I was confused of what just happened I killed the engine and re... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
Bought new, less that 400 miles in November 2025. Within 2 weeks dash board went blank/black. I consider this a driving distraction especially at night when nothing shows, no speed no gauges. Blackout time varies each occasion. Sometimes after a few seconds all warning light come on and stay on until vehicle shut off . Sometimes a NO GIGNAL message. Contiued after service visit with update to vehi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
Driving 40 mph coming around a bend. There was a car stopped about to rear off to the left and when coming up around the turn I saw and tried to stop. I was about two car lengths behind the car when I pressed the brake down and I pushed it all the way down and nothing happened. It was grinding and shaky when pressing it down. Not tight or anything. I feel like I normally would have that tension ri... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
My vehicle has less then 35000 miles, I was doing a oil change when I noticed that my transfer cases has a slight oil residue from the bottom, which I suppose it’s just gonna get worse overtime, at this mileage I don’t think this is right that’s why I’m submitting this complaint.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
Transmission failed at 94,000 miles Misfire 80,000miles AFM/DOD issues $10,000 in repair bills still not fixed
Incident date: Dec 13, 2025
The vehicle has a recurring door handle/door lock malfunction associated with Volkswagen safety recall 57J9. Symptoms include the vehicle unlocking and immediately re-locking, auto-unlock failure, and difficulty entering the vehicle. All four door handles were previously replaced under the recall (Feb 2025), but the malfunction recurred. On 01/26/2026 I delivered the vehicle to a Volkswagen deale... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
In April, 2025, my vehicle's engine power was significantly reduced while on the highway. I could not keep pace with traffic. My mechanic said there were recalls for the turbo engine but my car was not included. I paid forbthe part and repair. Less than a year later and the car began burning a lot of oil very fast. I add oil weekly. The car has again been losing power and there is still no recall ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
My jeep wrangler Abs module has failed and needs to be replaced. But Jeep decided not to make this part anymore and now me and a LOT of others can’t get a new abs Module. My jeep is way too dangerous to drive now. When accelerating from a stop the vehicle barely kicks in like the tires don’t know what direction to move. When I’m coming to a stop the breaks don’t work right due to the ABS ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
My jeep wrangler Abs module has failed and needs to be replaced. But Jeep decided not to make this part anymore and now me and a LOT of others can’t get a new abs Module. My jeep is way too dangerous to drive now. When accelerating from a stop the vehicle barely kicks in like the tires don’t know what direction to move. When I’m coming to a stop the breaks don’t work right due to the ABS ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
I was rear-ended and the Vehicle Alert displayed airbag malfunction. This was a car rental I reported to insurance company. It advised to inspect car immediately.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V607000 (SEAT BELTS) and 26V034000 (AIR BAGS). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side seat belt buckle unlatched from the channel independently. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informe... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
Vehicle: 2017 Honda Pilot Elite VIN: [XXX] Mileage at failure: 107,593 The 9-speed automatic transmission failed at approximately 107,593 miles. The repair cost $6,229.91 at an independent shop and included a full transaxle overhaul, replacement of the torque converter, transmission oil pump, and main control valve body. The vehicle previously had fuel injectors replaced under warranty at approxi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle eventually stalled on the side of the road. The key, battery, oil, and engine warning lights were illuminated. There was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
Coolant smell when parked with engine running. Radiator was replaced under warranty at ~16,000 miles Coolant smell again ~49,000 miles. "Pressure tested at dealership with following notes: "Found radiator core on driver side seeping/leaking. provided estimate on cost. no repair made during this visit." Many forums on 2021 Chevrolet Blazer note poor quality in radiators. This would be the 3rd radi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
See attached document for complaint. In November 2024 I received a letter regarding a transmission recall related to my truck. This came almost 1 year after I had to have my transmission replaced for the reason stated in the recall letter. I have now reached out twice to the Ford Motor Company to try to receive reimbursement for the out-of-pocket expense I incurred to replace the transmission wit... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
See attached document for complaint. The vehicle was sold without disclosure of an active airbag safety recall involving explosive deployment. Disclosure occurred only after contracts were executed and funds tendered. Had this life-safety information been disclosed prior to sale, the vehicle would not have been purchased. The failure to disclose a known safety defect at the point of sale constitu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
My 2017 Subaru Forester [Touring] (VIN: [VIN]) has a recurring front passenger airbag deactivation problem even when an adult is seated and belted. The console shows “Passenger Airbag OFF” with an adult occupant. The seatbelt chime recognizes a passenger, but the airbag remains OFF. In many cases, the airbag will only enable if the passenger sits after engine start—classic Occupant Detection... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
PHANTOM BRAKING ISSUE - Twice now while driving 50-55 MPH on clear roads the brakes slammed on without cause - COMPLETE SHUTDOWN - While going thru a restaurant drive thru - the car completely shut down and would not move forward - I had to back up in order to get out of drive thru - thankfully no one was behind me. AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR - bringing it in for service