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: Oct 29, 2024
On 2 occassions in the past 2 week, our Mustang Mach E has accelerated on its own. In the first incident, it was a minor acceleration. It caught me by surprise as I was pulling up to a curb to drop off a passenger. It was easily stopped with brake pressure. In the 2nd incident, the acceleration was greater and more pronounced while pulling into a parking spot, requiring the pressure of both feet t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering and stability-trak warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The vehicle was almost involved in a crash because of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
Vehicle stalling at low speeds Oil pressure solenoid stuck fault and P0011 camshaft fault.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2025
When cruising or coming off a stop, my car is incapable of accelerating promptly if I am trying to get out of the way or even merge into oncoming traffic on a highway. There is a severe acceleration delay perhaps with the throttle body. I have seen online complaints but the dealership said there has to be an actual recall number to correct this. My car has been in several times to fix this. A comp... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
While driving 40 miles per hour a sudden explosion happened with no warning. Thought it was the engine due to the smoke coming out of rear of the vehicle but realized that engine was still on and steam was coming out. All coolant drained out of vehicle and on road. Vehicle was towed to a Porsche dealership in Duluth Ga. The coolant tank exploded causing minor body damage and sudden loss of all coo... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. While driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled consistently while shifting gears. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Steering is "sticky". It is only noticeable when turning toward the right. It is exactly like the steering gearbox recall Honda announced October 2024. [XXX] My vehicle (2018) doesn't fall under the years recall linked above but its definitely experiencing that same issue. It is dangerous and I can feel the same "stickiness" at low(and high) speeds like backing into a driveway. Especially drivin... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Traveling WB on SR100 approximately 60mph after picking up dinner in [XXX] , Before reaching the turn for 302, a deer jumped from the southbound side of the road to the northbound side of the road. When it jumped, the right side of the deer impacted the front of my vehicle which in turn ripped the vehicles hood up from locked down position and slammed it into the windshield. I saw the deers midsec... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 12, 2025
This vehicle has driver-assist functions and warning lamps in the electronic instrument cluster located in the driver's display area. Randomly and unpredictably a group of warning lights -- "check blind spot" collision alarm, lane safety indicator light, triangle-shaped general alert icon -- all activate simultaneously for no apparent reason. The unpredictability creates a serious distraction to t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The forward collision system will intermittently erroneously detect objects in front of the vehicle while stopped or in motion. While driving on the freeway, this will cause the car to engage the emergency braking system endangering those in and around the car. While stop to the stoplight, this causes the front detection alarm to go off. The dealership has reproduced the error and tried software u... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The forward collision system will intermittently erroneously detect objects in front of the vehicle while stopped or in motion. While driving on the freeway, this will cause the car to engage the emergency braking system endangering those in and around the car. While stop to the stoplight, this causes the front detection alarm to go off. The dealership has reproduced the error and tried software u... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
When in reverse, the reverse camera disappears if the driver turns the air conditioner on. I was in reverse, pushed the air conditioner button, the camera disappeared and I hit a car behind me. There were also no warning sensors when I got close to the car. It seems to be a safety issue for the reverse camera to ever disappear while in reverse. I’ve had many other cars and while in reverse, you ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at various speeds, the “Service 4-WD” warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the power transfer unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. In addition, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
This vehicle is experiencing vibration at highway speeds. it was reported several times to the dealer without resolve. The upon the 3rd trip to the dealer, they are now saying that somehow all 4 rims are bent. None of the wheels have any visible indication of an impact, scratch or damage to the tires. As the only driver to this vehicle, i know firsthand it has not experienced any impact in way... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
I own a 2011 Hyundai Sonata with a 2.0 turbocharged engine. The engine failed/presents issues such as loss of power, rattling, oil consumption, and smoking, which resulted in my engine seizing up. This creates a serious safety risk while driving, to now my car no longer operates. I checked NHTSA’s recall database and found no open recalls for my VIN regarding engine replacement, but I believe th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2025
Top clear coat started peeling on handles, mirrors and above the trunk.
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
On July 31st 2025 my vehicle would not sift out of first gear. I had vehicle towed to Kelly Chevrolet in [XXX] . After a failed repair attempt on August 18 2025 have been waiting on back ordered valve body part number 24045659. No eta on this part even though a transmission replacement would resolve but dealer refuses to replace. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FO... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
Truck randomly will go into neutral after being placed in gear and moving. I will place the vehicle in drive to exit my driveway. It has happened twice at the exact same spot/conditions. As I turn out of my driveway and begin to accelerate the truck will tell me to put shifter in park and select gear. The truck places itself in neutral. You must come to a stop, put in park then back to drive and c... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while reversing out of the garage, the powered front driver's seat suddenly began to move backwards, and the contact was unable to reach the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The powered seat then moved forward, causing the seat belt to tighten around the waist of the driver. The contact was able to put the vehicle in park and stoppe... Read more
Incident date: Sep 24, 2025
9/17 driving home. Light rain. Put the truck in slippery mode prior to starting my drive. Truck was actually slipping and seemed to be shutting off and on. Prior to me being able to pull off to the side of the road, the truck stalled and spinned out across five lanes slamming into the barrier.
Crash
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
The tires were installed on 8.22.2025 and on the following Thursday, August 28, 2025, all of the tires had low pressure. I returned to the Orange City, FL Tire Kingdom per the managers' (Brittany) request and the mechanic filled all of the tires and said that they were not completely filled when they were installed. The following day, Friday, 8/29, I began my return trip to my home in North Car... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2025
While driving 65-70mph on the Interstate, my car seemed to have lost power. When I looked at the dash, a red wrench was displayed with a message to have the hybrid electrical system serviced. I pressed down on the accelerator, nothing happened. I immediately started to move into the right lanes since traffic was moving fast. I didn’t want to get hit or cause an accident. By the time I coasted in... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
We have an airbag warning light that keeps coming on. It's been reset by a repair garage, but has returned this week. Techniction Stating the following: on technical service bulletin they state inspect and install a jumper harness in the front seats. Why do I have to reroute electrical. This should be a recall for repair because Chrysler has wired it incorrectly to start with. other informa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The steering is sticking after car returns to original position from the curve road.
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
With no prior warning or issues while driving on the freeway the rpm’s on my car just went in the redline and the car just lost power and I had to pull to the side of the road and that was that. Had to tow it home and it has not moved on its own since. Had it towed to dealer it’s a transmission failure. Total cost of repair $8500 and I’m at 131000 miles so past any extensions even purchased ... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2024
Stepping in the gas, the car takes about 4-5 seconds before it speeds up after each stop. When pulling out of a drive, the car sputtered and the check engine light was flashing and the Start/stop error came on. The delayed driving happens every time I drive the car. Only have about 44k miles on it. I have had multiple people almost rear end me. I have had the car for about 3 weeks now.
Incident date: May 8, 2024
My Ford Escape 2017 at 77,000 was diagnosed with coolant intrusion, causing catastrophic damage to the engine & requiring a total engine rebuild. This is a known issue identified by Ford in CSP 21N12 by Ford and TB 22-2134, but Ford has refused to subsidize any repairs because the car warranty is over 7 years old (it is currently an 8.5 year-old car). This issue can cause overheating, engine failu... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2024
My Ford Escape 2017 at 77,000 was diagnosed with coolant intrusion, causing catastrophic damage to the engine & requiring a total engine rebuild. This is a known issue identified by Ford in CSP 21N12 by Ford and TB 22-2134, but Ford has refused to subsidize any repairs because the car warranty is over 7 years old (it is currently an 8.5 year-old car). This issue can cause overheating, engine failu... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2024
The car has a sudden loss of power but doesn't shut off. The drivers eat doesn't move towards or back and the back seat popped up for no reason whatsoever. We have taken it to the dealership and they say its not a recall but its doing the same things that others in the same year and model are doing. Why isn't this one on the list . Its paid off and haven't been able to drive it for a year now . Wa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
When driving and the stopping the auto start/stop feature does not rengage and the car places itself in park and becomes disabled and difficult to restart. When driving on a major highway when I was in traffic the car shut down, put itself into park and would not restart upon removing my foot from the brake. It then gave numerous error messages and would not respond to any commands. Traffic starte... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
When driving and the stopping the auto start/stop feature does not rengage and the car places itself in park and becomes disabled and difficult to restart. When driving on a major highway when I was in traffic the car shut down, put itself into park and would not restart upon removing my foot from the brake. It then gave numerous error messages and would not respond to any commands. Traffic starte... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Rogue. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (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 contact... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2025
When vehicle is behind driven, and adaptive cruise and steering assist are active the vehicle regularly falsely interprets road lines. When this happens the vehicle veers quickly. This has happened multiple times veering the vehicle into oncoming traffic, off the road, or onto the shoulder. It can be corrected by driver intervention but the car maneuvers quickly when falsely reading road signs
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Was driving my Nissan rogue and the back windshield exploded. Seems to be a concurrent issue online and I wish Nissan would do anything about it.
Incident date: Sep 2, 2025
crossed over an overpass, the different road heights cause the death wobble. Have not taken to dealer yet.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
Vehicle on 4 occasions resulting in 2 transmission replacements, has a Transmission Control Module malfunction resulting in the vehicle unable to shift out of 1st gear. NOTE THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. This is a HUGE safety issue that the manufacturer is refusing to acknowledge.
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
Vehicle on 4 occasions resulting in 2 transmission replacements, has a Transmission Control Module malfunction resulting in the vehicle unable to shift out of 1st gear. NOTE THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. This is a HUGE safety issue that the manufacturer is refusing to acknowledge.
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, several weeks later, the contact became aware that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the cont... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
Since I purchased the car the steering wheel will jerk, when im on a 2 lane road. It always jerks towards on-coming traffic, and it only does this when there is a car coming in the opposite lane and is just about to pass me. I have to fight with the steering wheel to get it back to go straight. Because of this whenever I am on a 2 lane road like this I always drive slow. This is the first car I'v... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
My son was driving the vehicle down the interstate and attempted to exit. He hit the brakes and the car would not slow down. He had the pedal all the way to the floor and the vehicle still would not slow down. The vehicle went off the exit ramp, through a grassy hill area, across the entrance ramp, and finally stopped when the tire broke off. Even with the tire broke off and the vehicle not moving... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
In 2024 the window regulator went in the drivers side back window costing me $700 and on 9/22/2025 the drivers side front window regulator just went costing me another $700. I see many are having this issue but no recall
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
I own a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox with a 1.5L engine. While driving with my children in the vehicle, the car experienced a sudden and frightening failure. The engine began malfunctioning, and after inspection, my mechanic and the repair shop confirmed damage to the vacuum pump, broken engine pieces, and issues with the timing chain and camshaft. These issues are identical to those described in an ex... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
I own a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox with a 1.5L engine. While driving with my children in the vehicle, the car experienced a sudden and frightening failure. The engine began malfunctioning, and after inspection, my mechanic and the repair shop confirmed damage to the vacuum pump, broken engine pieces, and issues with the timing chain and camshaft. These issues are identical to those described in an ex... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle drove 2 MPH for approximately 2 minutes and was jerking abnormally. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving at various speeds. The check engine and the brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
Back up camera freezes or shuts off almost causing collision
Incident date: Sep 8, 2025
It has been a YEAR with no ability to quick charge my car. This is ridiculous, they need to put in a new battery and be done with this. It renders the car useless for many trips! Why aren't you doing anything about this?
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
While stopped at a stop sign, the passenger headrest airbag deployed.
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
While stopped at a stop sign, the passenger headrest airbag deployed.
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
In 2018 my I was driving home when it just shut off and wouldn’t start. Smelled like burning and had it towed to my house and had several mechanics look at it and couldn’t find the problem then as it was parked on day it started to smoke and the engine was burning I put out the fire and then a couple months later I got the recall information the car was a total loss and could t be repaired and... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 22, 2025
While driving my Tesla equipped with Autopilot/Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, I experienced an unexpected and abrupt braking event. A vehicle had entered the center turn lane and had already cleared my lane, posing no obstruction to my path. Despite this, my Tesla suddenly applied the brakes without warning, causing a rapid deceleration that could have led to a rear-end collision had another vehicl... Read more