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: Mar 6, 2026
This complaint involves a sudden failure of my vehicle’s Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and Forward Collision Warning system, both of which are critical safety systems. While driving my [XXX] son to school, multiple warning lights suddenly appeared on the dashboard without any prior indication of a problem. The vehicle displayed a warning message instructing me not to exceed 36 miles per hour,... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
I have been noticing that when my rear camera goes out that it takes out the heater controls, the maps and the radio and my screen goes totally blank, is this another issue or is it all related. Thank you.
Incident date: Jan 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and accelerating to enter the highway, the parking brake activated unintendedly, and the vehicle stalled. The failure also occurred while driving 5 MPH. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and lost automotive power on... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2026
Vehicle is only 4 years old. Engine light came on. I used my Fixd code reader to diagnose. It mentioned several sensors which I replace cam shaft sensor. Intake sensor. Crank shay sensor. All were replaced, engine light came back on after each replacement. I took it to dealership for service and diagnosis. They indicated engine replacement due to timing being out of line; sheared king pin. Vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); 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 while in reverse(R), the screen failed to display an image of the rear of the veh... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
While reversing on a snowy day the wheels proceeded to spin when the reverse sensors activated the brake system which resulted in damage to the rotor and breaks in the brake caliper resulting in tire failure and then suspension damage.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
While reversing on a snowy day the wheels proceeded to spin when the reverse sensors activated the brake system which resulted in damage to the rotor and breaks in the brake caliper resulting in tire failure and then suspension damage.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
While reversing on a snowy day the wheels proceeded to spin when the reverse sensors activated the brake system which resulted in damage to the rotor and breaks in the brake caliper resulting in tire failure and then suspension damage.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
Good evening, I’m emailing to you regarding my ford fusion q20212. My steering has went out non drivable. I did see where that year had a lot of power steering issues.. could you help me out on the power steering recall and the power train.. also need to get airbag completed. Text me a Time to meet I can’t drive it ar all will need towed. Thank you for print ur time… I really need to get fix... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
The driver’s seat heater malfunctioned and produced excessive heat while activated during normal vehicle operation. The heat became extremely intense at a low temperature and resulted in burns to the driver’s midsection, lower back, and upper buttocks. I, the driver sustained physical injuries including burning sensations, skin irritation, and visible discoloration marks in the affected areas... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
Blown turbo with propeller broken off lodged into the pre-catalytic converter, which caused damage to the catalytic converter/exhaust requiring a new turbo and a complete new catalytic converter and exhaust system. They also found major oil leaking from the upper timing cover gaskets, which I later found documented on the accounting service record as not repaired at that time few months from my pu... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
My 2017 Honda CRV VIN [XXX] AC compressor has completely seized/locked up. This has caused: (1) loss of engine power while driving with AC on, (2) burning smell from engine compartment, (3) loud grinding noise. A seized AC compressor risks snapping the serpentine belt while driving, which causes sudden loss of power steering — a direct safety hazard at highway speeds. This is a known Honda defe... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experience... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
On Wednesday, February 18th, I was driving on the freeway, usual heavy traffic right off of it at 5:00pm. When exiting and merging onto the street, I pressed on my break to slow down and meet the speed of traffic, but my breaks felt hard, I struggled pressing it down, and my car wasn’t slowing down. I was able to swerve off into a dirt patch next to the road. Then I panicked, unable to find wher... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
While driving at highway speed (60mph), the truck suddenly downshifted to 1st gear causing the rear wheels to lock up until the vehicle slowed to roughly 45mph. At the time of the incident, the truck was not loaded, not towing and weather conditions were cool and dry. Since that incident, the truck hunts for gears, shifts erratically and harshly and will occasionally get stuck in a random gear.
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
The iccu failed on this car rendering the whole vehicle useless. This part is currently a recall and I was using a new ICCU with the software update per their recall solution. My second ICCU failed at approximately 40k miles.
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
The iccu failed on this car rendering the whole vehicle useless. This part is currently a recall and I was using a new ICCU with the software update per their recall solution. My second ICCU failed at approximately 40k miles.
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
The passenger airbag is not activating reliably. There was not an accident but the light indicating airbage is active does not light up when passenger sits in front.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2026
RECALL CHECK AND THEY KEPT MY CAR AND SAID THEY WILL NOT REPLACE IT
Incident date: Mar 20, 2025
My vehicle started to shift irregularly. From a stop, I would accelerate and before shifting to the next gear the vehicle would lose power, pause, and then shift to the next gear. Doing this until the vehicle reached the desired speed. At first, I could turn the vehicle off then on again and it would be fixed. Eventually, the check engine light came on and stopping and restarting no longer fixed t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
Yesterday was the 3rd time in 2 months that the vehicle displayed a "Airbag System needs service - Drive with caution until serviced" warning. I have taken it to Rivian 2 times where each time they replaced various components of the airbag system and it was reported to be fixed. Yesterday the warning returned. I am extremely concerned that Rivian does not have the ability to properly diagnose and ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
There is intermittent failure of the passenger air bag occupancy detection system (ODS). This shows up as aporadic display of the passenger air bag failure code in the car, and became more frequent until the code rained on. This was previously an issue, but a couple years ago I performed the Subaru issued recall related to this sensor and it went away for a time. Now the same issue has come back. ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
There is intermittent failure of the passenger air bag occupancy detection system (ODS). This shows up as aporadic display of the passenger air bag failure code in the car, and became more frequent until the code rained on. This was previously an issue, but a couple years ago I performed the Subaru issued recall related to this sensor and it went away for a time. Now the same issue has come back. ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
When I am parking the truck, I press and hold the brake pedal, While the truck shifter in in "Drive", I press the start/stop button to shut truck down, the shifter gets stuck in "drive" and doesn't automatically shift in to park. The truck locks down and will NOT operate as the shifter locks in "drive" and won't shift. This happened to me while travelling and was stuck in middle of no where for ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
The auto idle start-stop feature has been failing for many years without being resolved. Honda has done updates and updated the fuel injection software without improvement. I have also replaced the battery as recommended. I continue to get stuck at stop lights and intersections which is a safety hazard. This most recently occurred on 3/7/26.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
the car will shut off at stop lights and randomly not start back up when the light turns green, then it will take a few minutes to start back up using the push button, this ONLY occurs with the automatic start stop feature of the car my wife drives the car with our two young children and being stuck in intersections randomly is not safe for anyone ,. we have told the dealer about the issue an... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2025
- What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The rearview backup camera system seems to be misaligned or improperly calibrated or connecting to the wrong camera when put into reverse. When the vehicle is placed in reverse, the camera image points downward and primarily shows the rear bumper rather than the area behind the vehicle. This signif... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact observed that the trim below the rear windshield and the trunk lid trim had partially detached. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the trunk lid trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
The car engine autorestart causes all sorts of problems. We have repeatedly had the warning come on and the engine stop while at a light or paused in moving traffic. We have replaced the battery and other parts. The safety issue is that the car totally stops while in traffic and we have almost been hit multiple times as we try to restart the car. You have to put the car in park and restart the e... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
My infotainment screen went black while I was driving at night and it will not come back on. There was no warning. I took it to the dealer and they said that the system had failed. I saw on line that there was a recall for this very issue but my car is a '22 and not included in the recall, but I think it should be. This poses a safety hazard and I don't believe that this should happen under normal... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2026
The brakes, turn signals, and hazards do not trigger the associated components and the controls for these do not work. The check engine light intermittently comes on and off with these symptoms. The front clutch cable has work through the protective housing at the front of the motorcycle against the electrical components.
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Jaguar I-Pace. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V067000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet availabl... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufact... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
Low beam headlights so dim is impossible to drive at night.
Incident date: Mar 3, 2026
[XXX] ’s my wife we’re driving in Sacramento.The vehicle was stopped at a traffic signal waiting for the light to change. Suddenly, without warning the vehicle started violently shuddering/shaking, scaring us completely. The shaking stopped when my wife put into park. But for those few seconds it was extremely scary. This incident should be investigated by the NHTSA as a repeat of the incident... Read more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
Steering - Since early in February, while driving, usually at higher speeds, the vehicle intermittently pulls to the left and the steering wheel feels stuck requiring a strong motion to pull it back to the right. Overall steering feels harder than normal. I'm concerned that a failure in the steering components of this vehicle may cause an accident. I have an appointment with the dealer for inspec... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
My truck stopped working in November 2025. I was told I needed fuel pump and filter. I replaced those and still didn't crank. I was then told I needed a circuit box. Purchased a circuit box and had it put on. Got my truck back February 2026. March 08,2026, truck went out again. I kept my truck maintenance and don't understand what's going on with it. I was told it is a recall on electrical par... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
On September 17. 2025 I was at a red light on Normandie Avenue and Exposition Blvd the light turned green and as I was entering the intersection going southbound my doors on the vehicle started locking and un locking, my dashboard went black and the car shut off, The Braking system malfunction, the airbag did not deploy, my knees hit the bottom part of the dashboard and my mouth hit the steering w... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
On the week of 10/13/2025, I had an oil sensor alert appear after a recent oil change. I took the vehicle in on 10/30/2025 for a diagnostic check and was told the oil separator sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. After the service was completed, the total was $906.42 of which I paid $580.99 out of pocket post my extended warranty claim payment. I received a recall notice in November ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
On the week of 10/13/2025, I had an oil sensor alert appear after a recent oil change. I took the vehicle in on 10/30/2025 for a diagnostic check and was told the oil separator sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. After the service was completed, the total was $906.42 of which I paid $580.99 out of pocket post my extended warranty claim payment. I received a recall notice in November ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2026
2021 Polestar 2, consistently the rear back up camera fails to display. In my case the issue did not occur until my car was updated past 3.2.8. The issue is caused by extremely dated hardware. The processor, and memory are insufficient for the more modern software that is being released. I also believe this is why my car will slam on the brakes in reverse when there is no object behind the car whi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
My 2025 Honda CRV Hybrid seems to randomly accelerate on its own. This has happened at least 4 or 5 times over the past year. At first I thought I was imagining it but then I noticed it happened again, multiple times. Each time I was NOT pressing the gas pedal nor at any time was I using cruise control. I never use the cruise control. The vehicle seems to accelerate on its on for about 3-4 s... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
On 5 different occasions over a period of 6 months the motorcycle has cut off while slowing down or at a stop. Each time it has taken several attempts to get the motorcycle to start again. This has caused extreme risk in traffic. Here are the dates, mileage and description of each incident. 8/10/25, 30 miles - Engine cut off while sitting at stoplight in neutral with no hands on the handlebar. ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
On 5 different occasions over a period of 6 months the motorcycle has cut off while slowing down or at a stop. Each time it has taken several attempts to get the motorcycle to start again. This has caused extreme risk in traffic. Here are the dates, mileage and description of each incident. 8/10/25, 30 miles - Engine cut off while sitting at stoplight in neutral with no hands on the handlebar. ... Read more
KIA
SORENTO HYBRID
(2025) - LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Mar 8, 2026
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
Upon further investigation, LOTS of 2018 Honda Odysseys are experiencing the same problem I am. There is a leak coming in from the top of the van in the rear that causes water to leak through and overtime damages the control unit in the back. Damage to this causes my power lift gate to completely stop working, my passenger drive door to stop working, and a bunch of features like the front collisi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
The truck will just shut off driving down the road at highway speeds. This has occurred multiple times.
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
The truck will just shut off driving down the road at highway speeds. This has occurred multiple times.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2026
on 2/27/26 I heard a knocking sound in my car, no warning lights came on, took it to local car place and was told there was no oil in the tank. I immediately made an appt to take it to River View Ford dealership for service. They looked at it on 3/2 and found the engine to be damaged from the turbos pulling oil out of the oil tank and sucking it into the engine. They informed me nothing was being... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
All of the Advanced Drivers Assistance Systems are not functional. Ford is aware of problem and the fix is continuing to be delayed--over 1 year now. Vehicle has been to dealership multiple times without solution.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
My vehicle frequently loses all cabin sound, including the radio, audible turn signal, and forward/rear collision and lane departure warnings. When this occurs, the cabin is completely silent. The loss of radio audio is an inconvenience, but the loss of safety feature alerts is a clear hazard. My dealership has suggested this may be related to a recent software update; however, there is no apparen... Read more