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: Sep 22, 2025
Driving on the highway, heard a very loud pop, followed by a crackling noise above us. Investigated and found the sunroof had spontaneously shattered. On the drive home, the sunroof glass collapsed into the car. The initial incident was very disruptive, and we were lucky that the sun shade was closed, which blocked glass fragments from falling on us. There are no signs of impact from any obj... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
At 40,000 Miles over a period of a few weeks, the turbocharger began to fail. This was covered under the Standard 50k Powertrain Warranty. At 45,000 Miles, the Alternator began to fail. This is not covered under Powertrain. At this rate, I fear that there will be more issues before 60k Miles
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance system became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance feature failed to activate, almost resulting in a crash with another vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the back over collision avoi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
Brought the truck in to dealership July 22 for a recall and they said 1 day till ready so we left it. Now it is still sitting at the dealership 62 days later and still waiting on parts 23S65 rear axle half shaft. 23V896.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
While the vehicle was approximately ten months old with approximately 11K miles, it was continuously not functioning properly and would not start/accelerate. My 2024 KIA Forte, which was purchased new from a KIA dealership, has continuously failed to function properly. It had a water pump replaced after failing to be operated for more than a week and has since continued to fail - this time for not... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2025
My backup camera is reversing or going blank intermittently . It even turned upside down one time. Ford says I am not included in the recent recall, yet I have the same problem that is being recalled.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); 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 had not expe... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the garage, the garage became extremely hot, and the fans underneath the vehicle activated. The contact opened the garage. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2025
This car has been under recall at risk of fire, injury, and death, and Nissan has made no attempts to fix the recall for years now. Im not able to use a feature I paid for and I'm worried if someone else uses the vehicle without knowing will start a fire
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while performing routine maintenance on the vehicle, the contact observed that the passenger’s and driver’s side support rails on the sub frame had several sections that were severely rusted. The contact stated that there were gaps of approximately 2-feet on both rails where the metal was rusted through. The contact had not taken ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
Coolant control valve manufacturer defect, 3.0 duramax LM2
Incident date: Sep 11, 2025
I am unable to see at night because my headlights are dim but keep passing inspection, and I am afraid I am going to crash... I have complained to my Nissan dealership since the recall was in effect but it has expired and I continuously pass inspection but when I drive at night I have to use high beams and can not see a thing. This is my 4th attempt for help. I almost hit a deer the other night. T... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2023
Windshield cracking for no reason.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2025
The engine light started to come on and go off and when I got the codes ran, it said something along the line of misfire. I had the spark plugs changed and I kept regular maintenance done on oil changes and tune ups. Now my engine is knocking and the vehicle is in limp mode.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2025
The engine light started to come on and go off and when I got the codes ran, it said something along the line of misfire. I had the spark plugs changed and I kept regular maintenance done on oil changes and tune ups. Now my engine is knocking and the vehicle is in limp mode.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2025
Lighting and/ or electrical. When using the auto headlight switch, all lights will come on randomly and periodically and stay on until you notice them or they ware down your battery. This is something that could be checked out by dealer and I will ask about it. So, for now, I do not use the auto headlight switch. My other problem is a glass issue. For no apparent reason, when I shut my driver s... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2025
After applying the latest update to fix the recall, the camera and infotainment system performs worsee than before. The rear camera stops displaying almost 95% of the time, the only time it does work is if you get back in the car before the system goes to sleep .
Incident date: Sep 13, 2025
After applying the latest update to fix the recall, the camera and infotainment system performs worsee than before. The rear camera stops displaying almost 95% of the time, the only time it does work is if you get back in the car before the system goes to sleep .
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
Dear NHTSA, I am writing to report an ongoing safety issue regarding my 2022 Cadillac Escalade related to an engine recall. On September 19, 2025, I took my vehicle to the dealership for inspection, but they chose to pass the recall inspection despite the fact that the engine continues to experience serious issues. The problems include: •Engine propulsion failure and loss of acceleration at hi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
-The transmission shifts hard and often skips a gear while driving -On slick roads it is easy to loose control from the sudden shift and jerk. -Yes, I have taken it to the dealer and they confirmed the problem and said that it is a known issue. -Yes the dealer has inspected it -There were no warning lamps or messages.
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
It’s been a month since I did an oil change. However, while I was driving the car, I heard a noise like the engine had no oil in it. I stopped and after 15 minutes I checked the engine for oil when I discovered that the engine was empty. I then checked for a leak and there is no leak detected. I took it to a Valvoline to get an oil change. This is when I discovered that the engine is burning the... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
My srs airbag system is off for the drivers. It went off for no reason. I went to Subaru but they said it would be $3000 and an undetermined wait for the part to come in. But I’m supposed to keep driving my primary car with no guarantee my airbags will deploy if in an accident.
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
On several occasions in city traffic the vehicle notified the drive to "check surround area for safety." This warning is normally associated with a potential for impending collision. In at least one case, the vehicle was stationary at stoplight. In one case, the vehicle was moving slowly (< 10 mph) and was either starting or stopping at a stoplight. The vehicle automatically braked with the sa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
On several occasions in city traffic the vehicle notified the drive to "check surround area for safety." This warning is normally associated with a potential for impending collision. In at least one case, the vehicle was stationary at stoplight. In one case, the vehicle was moving slowly (< 10 mph) and was either starting or stopping at a stoplight. The vehicle automatically braked with the sa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
On several occasions in city traffic the vehicle notified the drive to "check surround area for safety." This warning is normally associated with a potential for impending collision. In at least one case, the vehicle was stationary at stoplight. In one case, the vehicle was moving slowly (< 10 mph) and was either starting or stopping at a stoplight. The vehicle automatically braked with the sa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
The steering seems to get a sticky feel after driving for a while. The steering wheel will get a sticky feel while a slight turn in the road and it will happen either turning left or right. Then on the highway it seems to happen so you can't keep the car going straight.
Incident date: Sep 17, 2025
Chinese made EV that does not comply with US standards of having a functioning backup camera. Every day my backup camera has been failing with the same error 'Camera is temporary unavailable'. This is even after the latest software update that was supposed to fix the issue.
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
I purchased this vehicle on the 10th of September. BY the 12th I I noticed the infotainment system was doing its own thing without me touching anything. The next day it did the same thing I E.changing stations on its own,volume going up or down etc...
Incident date: Mar 3, 2022
my power steering intermittently 'locks"Cannnot remove key from ignition.Car loses its data memory, time &date go haywire. A lot of times car wont start.I have taken it a few times to my mechanic. He has run scans, but all the codes are clear.This is the problem.He has checked the Battery&Altenator, all fine.He tried cleaning some ground wires. He feels bad charging me money because he cant fix a ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2022
my power steering intermittently 'locks"Cannnot remove key from ignition.Car loses its data memory, time &date go haywire. A lot of times car wont start.I have taken it a few times to my mechanic. He has run scans, but all the codes are clear.This is the problem.He has checked the Battery&Altenator, all fine.He tried cleaning some ground wires. He feels bad charging me money because he cant fix a ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2022
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine failure. I’ve been reporting engine stalling since around 34,000 miles or so I purchased the car and immediately had battery issues before 25,000 miles as well. While I was driving on the road the engine stalled about 34,000 miles with me and my pregnant daughter in the car. The seatbelts ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine failure. I’ve been reporting engine stalling since around 34,000 miles or so I purchased the car and immediately had battery issues before 25,000 miles as well. While I was driving on the road the engine stalled about 34,000 miles with me and my pregnant daughter in the car. The seatbelts ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2025
Experienced CP4 pump failure!!!!! Failed because the pump was not designed for diesel fuel in the United States. And FORD puts them on trucks and Refuses to recall them knowing good and well they are not designed for diesel fuel in the United States. Is our government going to continue to allow ford to do this????
Incident date: Jul 25, 2025
The transmission control module stopped working leaving the vehicle unable to be driven and no part support from gmc/allison and part is backordered with no eta. There are reports the module becomes defective due to its placement near engine heat. There should be a recall for this issue. Many people are experiencing this issue
Incident date: Jul 25, 2025
ABS light, parking break light, tire pressure light, ESC light, and outdoor temperature and climate control all flicker and the speedometer stops working. Multiple cars with same make and model have same issue and are constantly in and out of the dealer with the issue unresolved.
Incident date: Jun 28, 2025
Since the day I bought my 2013 Edge I have had nothing but problems ranging from Backup Camera always has a distorted image, appears upside down or it will just be blank. For the last year I have had my car looked at, changed everything that could possibly be changed to now my car can be going down the road running 55-60 MPH and the car will just shut down and flash random warnings on the dash but... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
One night I was out and stop to get gas then out of no where I turned my truck back on and my steering locked up.Ive been told I need change out the whole rack and pinion. I’ve looked online for answers and all I see is recalls for EPS on these trucks.
Incident date: Sep 26, 2023
Seatbelt light for the front driver continues to turn on even when buckled in and will ding to notify that it’s not buckled despite it buckled in. This is a safety issue as the airbag light also remains on because of it.
Incident date: Jul 11, 2025
Our vehicle has been in and out of the ford dealership 6 times now for the same problems. Now they say that it will take maybe another 2 months to have a fix. This is even though it has said each time that it has been fixed. Now they want us to return our loner a drive an unsafe car without safety features for the unseen future. I have had two case numbers open with ford and they will not respond ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2025
Our vehicle has been in and out of the ford dealership 6 times now for the same problems. Now they say that it will take maybe another 2 months to have a fix. This is even though it has said each time that it has been fixed. Now they want us to return our loner a drive an unsafe car without safety features for the unseen future. I have had two case numbers open with ford and they will not respond ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2025
My 2020 Ram 1500 etorque had a major breakdown. My husband was driving down the highway in a construction zone when he lost power steering, power brakes and then the vehicle totally shut down. He had to steer it to the side of the highway, barely making it. We had the vehicle towed to the dealership who ran diagnostics on it and told us the Mechanical Generator Unit (MGU) needed to be replaced.... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2025
My wife was driving our 2025 BMW X3 in traffic and when the car in front braked suddenly. She tried to change lanes but clipped the car in front, resulting in nearly $22 thousand in damages. BMW's review of the car's "black box" purportedly shows that the Forward Collision Mitigation system engaged, but only a split second prior to the crash, which my wife did not experience. BMW's review also pur... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 15, 2025
My wife was driving our 2025 BMW X3 in traffic and when the car in front braked suddenly. She tried to change lanes but clipped the car in front, resulting in nearly $22 thousand in damages. BMW's review of the car's "black box" purportedly shows that the Forward Collision Mitigation system engaged, but only a split second prior to the crash, which my wife did not experience. BMW's review also pur... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
The vehicle experienced repeated propulsion loss and powertrain malfunction while driving, creating a serious safety risk. This defect has now been formally acknowledged by FCA/Stellantis through NHTSA Recall 25V576 (filed on September 4, 2025). Prior to the recall, I raised these safety concerns through the NCDS arbitration program, but my case was closed despite documentation of the defect. The... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
The vehicle experienced repeated propulsion loss and powertrain malfunction while driving, creating a serious safety risk. This defect has now been formally acknowledged by FCA/Stellantis through NHTSA Recall 25V576 (filed on September 4, 2025). Prior to the recall, I raised these safety concerns through the NCDS arbitration program, but my case was closed despite documentation of the defect. The... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
While in park and driving the instrument panel will show, "Check Brake" and "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do not Drive". This is accompanied by the engine not responding to the gas pedal. The brake pedal will also loose pressure and once pushed the brakes will lock up making a grinding noise. The problem has not been able to be duplicated by the dealer. However there are multiple forms a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2025
While in park and driving the instrument panel will show, "Check Brake" and "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do not Drive". This is accompanied by the engine not responding to the gas pedal. The brake pedal will also loose pressure and once pushed the brakes will lock up making a grinding noise. The problem has not been able to be duplicated by the dealer. However there are multiple forms a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2025
While in park and driving the instrument panel will show, "Check Brake" and "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do not Drive". This is accompanied by the engine not responding to the gas pedal. The brake pedal will also loose pressure and once pushed the brakes will lock up making a grinding noise. The problem has not been able to be duplicated by the dealer. However there are multiple forms a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
2016 KIA SOUL- While driving, vehicle lost power, check eng light came on and vehicle would not accelerate, engine started making noise- pulled over and shut car off. Had vehicle towed to independent shop and was diagnosed with bad catalytic (manifold) convertor- they changed oil and filter and also found metal in oil, which I never experienced till this incident- upon research i found that there ... Read more
KIA
CARNIVAL HYBRID
(2025) — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Sep 19, 2025
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
On July 5, 2025, I entered my vehicle parked in my home garage and the door latched shut. Upon putting my foot on the brake. Center screen was blank (did not power on). I attempted to press the unlock button on the door and there was no sound from the motor to open the door. The door was still locked from the inside of the vehicle and I was locked inside. I waited around 5 minutes (after atte... Read more