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 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
Incident date: Jul 27, 2023
Multiple warning lights on dashboard. Vehicle runs perfectly fine with brand new battery and spark plugs but still has 9 random warning lights coming on.
Incident date: Feb 19, 2026
Heavy vibration of entire vehicle when in reverse. Occasional lack of power when accelerating. Issues with the transmission occasionally failing to shift gears.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
The rear doors intermittently will not unlock. Even after hitting the unlock button from menu or short or long press of the driver unlock button or from the app unlock button. The driver only unlock feature is disabled. I have video that would not upload. Snapshots of video included.
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
My 2021 Volvo XC90 Recharge has experienced multiple hybrid system failures under Volvo's factory 8-year/100,000-mile hybrid warranty, with fewer than 45,000 miles on the odometer. The high-voltage battery modules have failed multiple times, directly related to recall R10312 (NHTSA 25V-179), which identifies a supplier process deviation in LG battery modules creating a risk of internal short circu... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2020
1) The electric power steering system failed. The dashboard displayed the message “Service Power Steering Now,” and the steering assist stopped working, making the steering extremely stiff. The vehicle also lost reverse gear, where the engine revs but the vehicle does not move when shifted into reverse. The vehicle is still in my possession and available for inspection upon request. 2) When th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
The engine burns 1 quart per 1000 miles of driving
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
Vehicle was driving fine in good condition and well maintenance. No warning at all and went to drive it home from a friends and it would not go in reverse at all. Towed to dealership and they said it’s a transmission issue. There is a recall on 2018 chevy traverse vehicles. My vehicle is not showing up but I do believe this could be the issue and should be considered a recall
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
I took my vehicle to a dealership in response to the recent recall for the PTU unit. They simply "updated software" and claim the error code indicating ptu issues was not present and therefore are not required to replace the part. My vehicle has the textbook "symptoms" as directly outlined on the first recall notice (before a remedy was available) and the second notice; noise, service 4wd notifica... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2025
The car failed to start after stop at a traffic light. It happened few times. I replaced old battery with a new one. The problem still persists. Mechanic checked the battery health and found to be good.
Incident date: May 21, 2025
There are times when my car comes to a stop shuts off ( auto off) then will not turn back on. This has happened numerous times. The dealers states that this a battery problem
Incident date: Feb 23, 2026
While in Reverse, my Back-up Camera usually does not work. I either get a Blue screen, a message saying Back up camera unavailable, or if it does come on, it is upside down and doesn't stay on but for a few seconds. I have called the dealer, and they will not even look at it unless I pay for this. There are recalls for other years, and I counted over 100 complaints about this issue on the same ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 23, 2026
While in Reverse, my Back-up Camera usually does not work. I either get a Blue screen, a message saying Back up camera unavailable, or if it does come on, it is upside down and doesn't stay on but for a few seconds. I have called the dealer, and they will not even look at it unless I pay for this. There are recalls for other years, and I counted over 100 complaints about this issue on the same ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2026
The power steering unit started to break up switching on and off making steering difficult.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
This complaint concerns a safety recall affecting a 2025 Toyota Sienna Hybrid involving the second-row seat rails due to suspected weld defects. Toyota has acknowledged the recall and confirmed that a remedy is currently not available. The vehicle was purchased new in May 2025 and currently has approximately 6,600 miles. Due to this safety recall affecting the second-row seating system, the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
Transmission skips 1st gear and jumps and shakes vibrates. The transmission has to have a total rebuild
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
I had gotten an engine back in 2021 because of a recall, and now the newer engine is burning all my oil up.
Incident date: Jul 14, 2024
I have noticed Ford has recalled the back up camera for many makes and models however, my back up camera will not work when the car is hot. The make and Model is 2014 Ford Explorer Sport. Would this be considered?
Incident date: Feb 21, 2026
Center seat belt will not retract, causing the belt to be unusable and unsafe.
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
12v DC outlet caught fire
Fire
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
Hello, I would like to bring the below serious safety concern to your attention which will likely require a recall to be performed: I brought my vehicle to an Audi dealership (Audi of North Austin, TX, USA) and physically demonstrated the issue, which is that the INTERIOR door handle (on all doors) will NOT unlatch unless the passenger pushes on the door while the door handle is pulled. This v... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Automatic emergency breaking engaged while driving through an intersection when there was no danger or incoming car or need for it. If the car behind us was not paying attention they could have rear ended us.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the doors failed to open from outside the vehicle while using the key fob or while attempting to open the doors manually. The contact entered the vehicle from the rear hatch door and discovered that the door lock and unlock buttons were inoperable. The contact pulled the door handle to manually open the door from the inside. The cause of ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
Steering became "sticky" at highway driving speeds. This caused the driver to be unable to make small adjustments to steering at highway driving speeds. Clicking sound could be heard when making steering adjustments while driving. This was caused by a manufacturing defect in the steering rack of the vehicle. The car is a 2016, but has only 32,727 mile on it and was purchased new. Because of th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
It takes time to accelerate. The car jerks and shakes before moving
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The suv pulls hard to the right when accelerating and has almost driven me off the road. it does it at random times and its super dangerous
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
The recall on the fuel issue was released in July 2025. This is now March 2026. Eight months should be enough time to get the parts needed for this repair. What can you do to see about getting this process accelerated? Thank you.
Incident date: Dec 25, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Dec 25, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
I have multiple malfunction codes on my car. without any incident in the car I have 4 separate codes of airbag ECU malfunction (3) and airbag ECU power supply voltage. B1149 Airbag ECU Power Supply Voltage History B1195 Airbag ECU Malfunction Current B1196 Airbag ECU Malfunction Current B1185 Airbag ECU Malfunction Current This has caused failure of safety components in my car. Warning lights c... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
While driving, I had a complete loss of power steering in my 2013 Ram 1500. It was followed a few seconds later by a “service power steering” dash message.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The instrument panel in my car went completely dark, leaving me without any knowledge of my speed. This is a massive safety risk. I am taking it to the dealership tomorrow, but there are no issues that came up when this failed, it just failed to boot correctly, and nothing I could do would bring it back.
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
I purchased a brand new GLC 300 on May 25, 2023. By June 2, 2023 I was already stranded due to a 12V battery electrical system failure. Since then I have been stranded 8 total times and the vehicle has been in the service department 14+ times for repeated electrical issues (8 of those visits were related to the same 12V battery electrical system failures. The battery was reportedly replaced in 20... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
The sound in my entire truck goes in and out. Even my blinker signal does not make sound and I have to look down to ensure my blinker is on which could lead to an accident.
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
The chest clip fails to connect. My child just unclips it himself because the magnet does not work. The magnet doesn’t set and is stuck so the chest clip doesn’t secure and just hangs open as soon as the child moves in the seat. Even though it looks like it’s buckled it is not and I could not get it to connect.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
My 2023 Ford Escape acts like it is about to stall out once I hit the gas from a stop. It has happened multiple times. After idling for 10 minutes when I go to take off it will shift so hard that it pushes you forward in your seat. It has not been taken to a dealership yet since no light comes on and it doesn’t happen all the time. It has put my safety at risk since I was turning on the highway... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
The door locking mechanism on the front driver and passenger side door fails to operate. When attempting to lock vehicle the front doors will make a sound attempting to lock but does successfully lock the doors. Safety is put at risk because anyone can enter the vehicle without a key at any time. Problem has not been inspected by manufacturer or independent service advisor. Has not been insp... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
The CVT transmission went out when I was driving on an interstate. I was driving 65 mph and within seconds my speed dropped with a tractor trailer behind me. I thankfully was able to pull off to the side of the road, but almost crashed in the process. The check engine light also did not come on until 17 minutes after the transmission failed. An independent service center confirmed the problem and ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
Found transmission fluid burnt. Found harsh 7-8 downshift and delayed engagement in various gear ranges. Suspect front support is broken causing damage to a/b clutchpacks. Internal fault. Overhaul required. Found transfer case has failed internally also. Recommend replacing transfer case at same time.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking violently. The check engine warning light came on, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact used a scanner to identify an error code. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence while driving 20 MPH with the vehicle shaking a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
I have been in and out of the shop since May of 2025 I have a paper trail of all dates and events including the times I did go in for a recall the times I was changed whe I should have never been charged , bout 3 or 4 times . I’m on the interstate and I’m going like 74/75/76 and my speed drops on me to like a 10-15 and I try to move as quickly as possible because everyyyyy time that has happen... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
The Active Grille Shutter (AGS) system on my vehicle suffered an internal mechanical failure (fault codes 138206 and 138224). These shutters are a critical part of the engine cooling system. Failure of the AGS to operate correctly leads to immediate engine overheating risks, potential sudden loss of power (Limp Mode) in high-speed traffic, and thermal damage to engine components, posing a severe s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the automatic emergency braking (AEB) unexpectedly engaged. The message "Reduce Acceleration Proceed with Caution”, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and r... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the automatic emergency braking (AEB) unexpectedly engaged. The message "Reduce Acceleration Proceed with Caution”, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and r... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
Approximately four weeks ago on 02/03/2026, during rainy conditions, the brakes on the vehicle did not function properly, creating a serious safety concern. At the same time, a hose connected broke and there was a strong burning smell coming from the vehicle. I also noticed fluid leaking from the vehicle. I immediately took the vehicle to the dealership for repair, and the vehicle remained there f... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there were exhaust fumes inside the vehicle while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon research, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: EA17002 (Structure, Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was contacted and informed that there was a fee for the repair. The vehicle was not diagno... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there were exhaust fumes inside the vehicle while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon research, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: EA17002 (Structure, Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was contacted and informed that there was a fee for the repair. The vehicle was not diagno... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
POWER STERING RACK IS DEFECTIVE AND LEAKING, THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2022 AND NEWER HONDA CRV'S ONLY WITH THIS ISSUE. HONDA NEEDS TO ACKNOWELEDGE THIS ISSUE EXTENDS FURTHER BACK AND FIX THE ISSUE. THIS IS A CONCERN WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND POSES A SAFETY RISK FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. AUTONATION HONDA IN CORPUS CHRISTI HAS INSPECTED AND CONFIRMED THIS IS THE ISSUE AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME $4,539.39 TO... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
On highway taking an exit. The brake pedal sank and did not engage at normal pressure, I had to push the brake all the way down for it to engage. Concurrently the steering wheel locked up where I could not turn the wheel at all. I drove straight through the exit ramp to the entrance ramp, luckily no one was entering the highway at the same time. I very well could have hurt some one else or myself... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2026 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the battery was completely drained. The contact stated that the hood plastic scoop was leaking onto the felt heat protector, and the engine was wet whenever it rained. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, and the battery was replaced. The contact called another dealer, Elmwood Chrysler Do... Read more