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: Feb 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the battery and alternator were being drained. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the front air bag sensor message and a fog light message were displayed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown local dealer; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact then reached out t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster failed operate as designed and the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, and turn signals failed to display as intended. The contact stated that a message to service several systems was displayed. The radio screen was blank, and the back over prevention system was inoperable. The vehicle w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster failed operate as designed and the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, and turn signals failed to display as intended. The contact stated that a message to service several systems was displayed. The radio screen was blank, and the back over prevention system was inoperable. The vehicle w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2026
Jeep Wrangler JK ABS Module Issue: History, Stellantis Response, and Safety Concerns Background: The Discontinued ABS Module Problem Jeep Wrangler owners (particularly Wrangler JK models from 2011–2018) have been plagued by failures of the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) control module – a critical component that controls the vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and stability control. The problematic pa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2023
2018 Chevrolet Malibu Premier with approximately 50,000 miles displayed a persistent “Shift to Park” message. The vehicle would not consistently recognize that it was in park, preventing the vehicle from shutting off properly and creating a safety concern. Dealer diagnosed a faulty transmission shifter assembly that was not sending a strong signal to the body control module (BCM). The shifter ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2026
While driving at 10 mph on a residential street, I experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of power braking assistance, making the pedal nearly impossible to depress. An expert Volvo technician has confirmed that the brake vacuum pump failed because the exhaust camshaft, which drives the pump, sheared or failed internally. I want to emphasize that this catastrophic mechanical failure occurred at ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2026
Problems with truck shifting, hard shifting. Truck engine reving up when driving and you try to accelerate, like it was in neutral. Transmission making loud clunking noise and jerky stop when coming to a stop. I thought I had been rear ended.
KIA
SORENTO HYBRID
(2025) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 11, 2026
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
Onstar Module failed causing battery to drain and no ETA on part -- from Chevy - To drive the vehicle the module is disconnected by the dealer as parasitic battery drain causes all other safety systems to fail - with module disconnected hazard lights will not work - so if situation happens where hazards are necessary to save occupants life they are not working and functioning due to care to able t... Read more
KIA
SORENTO HYBRID
(2025) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 11, 2026
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
Onstar Module failed causing battery to drain and no ETA on part -- from Chevy - To drive the vehicle the module is disconnected by the dealer as parasitic battery drain causes all other safety systems to fail - with module disconnected hazard lights will not work - so if situation happens where hazards are necessary to save occupants life they are not working and functioning due to care to able t... Read more
KIA
SORENTO HYBRID
(2025) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Feb 11, 2026
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
Onstar Module failed causing battery to drain and no ETA on part -- from Chevy - To drive the vehicle the module is disconnected by the dealer as parasitic battery drain causes all other safety systems to fail - with module disconnected hazard lights will not work - so if situation happens where hazards are necessary to save occupants life they are not working and functioning due to care to able t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2026
The vehicle would overheat and lose power. At first, the dealer stated that they could not find the issue, which continued. I was not able to drive the vehicle, and I am a first responder, which caused issues getting to my job. Finally, one of the dealers advised that the head gasket had to be replaced. The dealer insisted that the head gasket was not covered under warranty despite my keeping t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2026
I have a 2007 Hyundai Sonata SE v6 3.3L and on January 9th, 2026 I had an incident where on the road my charging system light on signifying alternator failure. I made it home, but the battery was dead which was recently purchased. After recharging the battery I conducted tests with a multimeter and have determined the alternator has failed. The alternator has accrued a coating of oil overtime that... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2026
Horn no longer works and the seatbelt light is on. My mechanic said there’s a recall… The clock spring apparently is contaminated… Also, I see there’s a recall on the airbag.
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); 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 not made aware of the issue. The co... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
NHTSA Complaint Text (Copy/Paste) Vehicle: 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty 6.7L Power Stroke Recall: 24S78 – Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Software Update Complaint: Ford has issued Recall 24S78 for the high-pressure fuel pump defect on my 2020 F-250, but the company has not provided an actual remedy. The recall shows as open on my VIN, and Ford’s documentation says a PCM software update is the f... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
MY 2023 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A MISSING TURBOCHARGER SCREW THAT RANDOMLY CAME OFF FROM UNDER A METAL PLATE ON ITS OWN, GMC HAS A RECALL ON 2022 -2023 CHEY MALIBU WITH TURBO CHARGER ISSUES BUT THEY WONT COVER MINES BECAUSE IT DIDNT COME FROM A CERTIAN FACTORY ALTHOUGH THEY KNOW A HELL OF ALOT OF CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS HAVE TURBO CHARGER ISSUES AND THAT FACTORIES SHARE PARTS WITH OTHER FACTORIES THEY SAY TH... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
UA80 Transmission failure @ 3.5 yrs old and 89k miles.
Incident date: Jan 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and loss of power warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the vehicle sputtered. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with fuel systems failure. The contact was informed that the fuel s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
Lots of warning lights going off in car. Took it to the dealership and was told it’s the front camera and would cost over $2k to fix. Car is new, less than 5 years old. Should not be having this issue on a new car. After researching found there are lots of people with the same issue. Seems to me it’s a manufacturing issue and Honda should be responsible to fix.
Incident date: Dec 19, 2024
At low speeds under 40 mph, there is a very pronounced and uncomfortable cabin boom noise when going over bumps.
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
While driving the truck automatically down shifted. If I drove move 20 MP it would shift. The truck would not go into reverse, the gear was stuck. I had to turn if off and then turn it back on then It let me shift the gears. On the dashboard the wrench and other indicators lit up on the dashboard.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
I own a 2021 GMC Yukon Denali XL with approximately 81,000 miles. On 4 separate occasions, after coming to a complete stop in traffic and then attempting to accelerate, the vehicle violently jerks and shifts itself into park. I am not pressing the brake when this occurs. I must manually shift the vehicle back into drive in order to continue moving. This happens so fast, that I am only able to see... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle became inoperable. The message “Camera Unavailable - Contact Dealer” was displayed. Prior to the message being displayed, the camera image was distorted. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. Th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2025
The engine’s serpentine belt started to fail prematurely. In cold weather, the engine’s belt would scream for 1 to 5 minutes when warming up the engine (under no load and not moving). The belt had less than 40,000 miles on it (when Kia expects it to go 80,000 miles).
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
Backup camera delayed display of rear view when in reverse, followed by a message stating the camera was unavailable, to contact the dealer. Small impact with parking sign when backing into the parking spot.
Incident date: Jan 29, 2026
I am reporting an emissions-related malfunction that occurred a very short time after BMW performed the EGR cooler recall and updated the DDE software on my vehicle. Shortly after the recall work, the vehicle began showing DDE fault code 2BB300 – Particulate Sensor Measuring Electrode, Self-Diagnosis, which triggered the MIL. This issue did not exist at any point before the recall. Although my ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
The vehicle was operating normally the previous night. We drove it and parked it in the driveway that evening, and it was not used again after that. The following morning, we started the vehicle to allow it to warm up and then returned inside the house. Approximately 10 minutes later, we discovered the vehicle was on fire, with flames coming from under the hood. We immediately called 911. The fire... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
The vehicle was operating normally the previous night. We drove it and parked it in the driveway that evening, and it was not used again after that. The following morning, we started the vehicle to allow it to warm up and then returned inside the house. Approximately 10 minutes later, we discovered the vehicle was on fire, with flames coming from under the hood. We immediately called 911. The fire... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Nov 22, 2025
While driving vehicle downshifted with no warning and went into neutral. Was driving on a busy street. Was not able to shift back into drive. When car stops was not able to put it into park. No previous warning of anything wrong. No engine light, battery etc. illuminated on the dash. Earlier that day did hear from time to time a tick or tap like noise that had not been heard before. Car had to be ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2025
I have had my car in the service department twice and continue to have the same issue. I am scheduled to have the car in the shop again on 2-19-26. For several months! After stopping and starting, my car stalls for a few seconds and then takes off. Yesterday, the car stalled while crossing the interstate and there was another vehicle behind me. I am terrified that the car is not going to re... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
Brakes were being applied when no cars were around me. Now, 5 warnings were given to me as I drove down the highway. The warnings were as follows: Adaptive Cruise Control Problem Collision Mitigation System Problem Road Departure Mitigation System Problem Lane Keeping Assist ProblemAuto High-Beam Problem Brake System Light
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
For the second time, engine stalled out and car would not start. Going 75 miles per hour on major highway on cruise control and engine just stopped in the middle of the road. Major hazard and crash risk, unable to restart car and had to be towed. Trafffic was dodging vehicle and it was a major safety hazard. Approximately 7 months ago, the car would not start and had to be towed; we reported t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
Hello, I have a 2021 Honda Accord Sport 2.0T Engine. The engine has a 2.0 liter turbo. I have had to replace two fuel pumps, which were covered my extended warranty. Another issue that I had to repair, and one that has not fully been resolved is the head gasket. I have been losing coolant at an alarming rate. Every two weeks I have to fill up coolant. I had the head gasket repaired at a Honda Dea... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
ABS Module … same as 100’s of other Dodge Ram 1500 Trucks! My 2014 is sitting the dealership rotten because there is no part available anymore or anywhere! Have a warranty which is useless and no help from Dodge or dealerships anywhere it’s so sad and pathetic that a USA made Truck isn’t worth anything but scrap! Why are they aloud to get away with not fixing issues with Ram Trucks! No Rec... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2026
PTU failure, due to no maintenance service recommended for PTU, PTU failure has been a ongoing issue due to the position of the PTU,location of changing fluid and no mileage recommended for regular service or recommended regular service in the owners manual
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
I have a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado LT 1500 with only 19K Miles. When I brought this vehicle I was having problems with hearing a loud clunking noise coming from the rear of the Vehicle. Every Time I Stop at a red light, stop at a stop sign, yield at a yield sign, and slow down to turn in my driveway I can hear this clunking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. If someone is riding in the back... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2025
The contact purchased a 2016 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the vehicle was taken to a dealer for several repairs, and the contact was concerned that there was a mileage discrepancy as per a Carfax Report. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 117,338; however, the Carfax Report indicated that the mileage was 156,268 in... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2025
I want to be clear about why I opened this case. Per Nissan’s own recall documents, the software update does not repair the defective battery cells, it only detects the issue and may disable the vehicle to prevent a thermal event. Level 3 charging remains unusable, and the underlying defect is still present. Because of this, I am requesting a repurchase or a replacement vehicle. If they say the... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while inside a residential parking lot and attempting to park, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated independently while in the Drive Gear Position and crashed into a parked vehicle, where it came to a stop. The contact stated that no air bags deployed in the vehicle. No warning light illuminated. The contact stated no injuries were ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 5, 2025
This is my second Altima I bought. A 2016 and a 2020. Both vehicles had issues where the car door wouldn't open from the inside or outside due to the lock system. If my car is "locked" and I go to open the drivers door,. it sets off the theft alarm system. These issues cause major issues because if I get into an accident and am not able to open the car door I could possibly die from not being able... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
On [XXX] I purchased a brand-new 2024 Nissan Altima SR from Vaden Nissan located at 10421 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31419, Phone 912-920-5600; with approximately 25 miles on the odometer. On the day of purchase, the vehicle emitted a noticeable mold odor inside the cabin. The vehicle was returned to the dealership on March 11, 2024, due to the mold odor. It was again returned on March 13, 202... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2025
Vehicle ABS malfunctions routinely. This comprises reliability and overall road safety. This recall is well over 3 years old and the manufacturer has not done enough to remedy this defect, knowing that the entire fleet shares this ABS system failure. On ice, snow and inclement weather conditions the ABS failure results in brakes locking and the vehicle going into sliding. Dodge doesn’t care abou... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2025
After dropping off my son at school, I turned the steering and suddenly it became very difficult to turn. I was stuck in school traffic and was nearly involved in an accident. Shortly after , the power steering assist warning light came on. I brought the vehicle to my mechanic, who ran a diagnostic and informed me there is a known recall related to the steering system on 2013 Ford Explorers. B... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to accelerate. The contact stated that the messages “Engine Power Reduced” and “Support Brake Malfunction” were displayed. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the message “Malfunction with Th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
Issue: Hyundai recall denial for paint peeling defect My vehicle qualifies for the Hyundai paint-peeling recall, and the paint deterioration matches the defect described by Hyundai. Despite this, Hyundai has denied my recall repair twice. Approximately 2 1/2 years before the recall was issued, I applied a small touch-up to the affected area to slow the deterioration. This was done solely to pr... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
Driver door lock actuator. When using the vehicles remote key, the driver door does not lock and unlock with the rest of the vehicles locks. This failure can cause theft of personal property in the vehicle or theft of the vehicle itself. The problem has been confirmed by other toyota owners with similar models. No warning lights of the problem appeared.
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
1. Airbags and seatbelt lights: The vehicle airbags light and seatbelt lights keeps flashing and after taking it to the dealer, they keep suggesting buying a new passenger seat assembly coasting thousands of dollars. Many similar complaints online with no resolutions or temporary solutions by the dealers. 2. CVT transmission problem: Vehicle jerking, and hesitating when driving. Vehicle also strug... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2026
Warning lights for Electric Parking Brake Problem and Emissions System Problem simultaneously occurring with no definitive solution. Codes can be cleared by disconnecting battery and reconnecting but warning lights eventually come back on sometimes in a matter or days, weeks or month. There are no other issues that coincide with these warning lights coming on.
Incident date: Nov 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, who associated the failure with TSB: N222372590. An appointment was scheduled with the dealer to inspe... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
While driving the vehicle the other night, the cars electrical system completely shut off for a few seconds before popping back on. The whole car inside and out went completely black. It was around 10pm on a dark country road. I had the seat heater on high and the defrost on high because it was cold. It appeared to happen when the auto high beams were supposed to engage. Instead of them engaging, ... Read more