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 18,739 complaints for LINCOLN
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, the display screen was black. The co... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V263000 (Fuel System, Diesel) 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 c... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine started to misfire, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the check engine and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the lifters had collapsed. The lifters were... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2009 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that the dashboard had started to crack, causing the dashboard to become sticky. Over time, there was a glare coming from the dashboard which obstruct the contact’s vision while driving. The contact stated that there was condensation in the headlight housings. In addition, there was a puddle of oil was discovered leaking from the vehicle wh... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2022
I was driving down the highway at 65mph and my 2024 Kia Telluride sunroof violently imploded. I pulled over thinking I was shot at by a gun, but there was no evidence that I was hit by something. It felt like an explosion next to my face. Very loud! I have 490 miles on this vehicle. I have called Kia dealership and they are going to investigate and call me back. No warnings went off in the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2023
I was driving during the rain with the wipers on (intermittent) and the auto start/stop feature engaged. I got to a red light and stopped. I lifted my foot off the brake to press the accelerator and then the car didn't restart. The instrument panel then said low steering power and another message about the brake. A loud tone was continuously emitted. I pressed the brake and put the car in park an... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep compass. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The message to “Stop Safely - Vehicle Will Shutoff Soon” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure could be relate... Read more
LINCOLN
AVIATOR PHEV
(2020) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 28, 2023
Incident date: Aug 28, 2021
NHTSA should have a non-official recall warning for Hyundai vehicles that have this software based Safety Defect, which is some models don't have a Passive Engine Immobilizer, and the vehicles can be easily stolen by starting the engine with a USB cord. Thankfully Hyundai(recall) offered a free Anti Theft Software Update, and a steering wheel lock. I checked my VIN number with the Hyundai Dealers... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2023
While driving ABS and traction control lights came on and cruise control would no longer function. This has occurred 3 times and had to be repaired 3 times. 10/10/2019, 07/20/2021,and 08/19/2023. The parts replaced: 68347098-AB Module AN 08035030, 68143491-AA Control A 08035030, 68143491-AA Control Anti-LO 080, 68143491-AB Control Anti-LO 080. The parts are not available for inspection. Also,... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
Headlights switch set in Auto position. Headlights turned on spontaneously, two different times while auto was off and locked. This resulted in battery being drained and auto would not start. This has not happened since switch was set to Off position.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
Backup camera goes out while you are going in reverse. Goes in and out and doesn’t work.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and determined that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made awa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 26, 2023
The rear sub frame suddenly broke (rusted out) There was a known recall for 2008-2012 Jeep Patriot's, but not 2013 [XXX] I have Photos, but the form wouldn't let me upload them. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Sep 24, 2023
On December 30, 2022 I was driving my EcoSport when the "low oil pressure" light first came on followed by the "check engine" light. I immediately pulled to the side of the road and called the dealership where my vehicle was just serviced for The Works the week before and spoke to the service advisor. I asked what the problem could be since it was just serviced and he said it sounds like the engin... Read more
LINCOLN
CONTINENTAL
(2019) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 25, 2023
Incident date: Sep 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was 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 manufacturer was mad... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
I uploaded the same letter I sent to the Nissan Manufacturer. Please view letter on Uploade files. Thank you
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
I uploaded the same letter I sent to the Nissan Manufacturer. Please view letter on Uploade files. Thank you
Incident date: Sep 25, 2023
On September 11th, my wife was involved in a car accident while driving her 2011 Nissan Versa. The collision resulted in the vehicle rolling over and ending up upside down. Shockingly, none of the airbags deployed during this serious incident. A family member recommended that I report this to Nissan, which I promptly did. However, their response, received last Friday, was rather concerning. Accord... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 18, 2023
Manufacturer failed to complete repair on recall for HPFP and airbag in a timely manner with no timeline or remedy available.
Incident date: Sep 22, 2023
While driving on Sept 22 2023 I hit a pothole and immediately felt a change in the pressure in the gas pedal, upon braking I noticed a loss of pressure in the brake system. Vehicle was slow to respond to applicsation of brake pedal to where I had to move my seaty forward so that I could depress the pedal to the floor ( im 4'10" and could not apply the brake to the degree needed to stop my vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2023
lOSS OF PRESSURE IN BRAKES AND FUEL FOOT PEDALS AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE. PRESSURE WAS SO LOW IN BRAKES I HAD TO PRESS BRAKE PEDAL TO FLOOR TO COME TO A JERKING STOP. IT FELT AS IF THERE WAS NO BRAKE AT ALL AS IT WAS SLOW TO BRAKE COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP ONCE PEDAL FLOORED. I DO NOT HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM SERVICE CENTER AS I HAVE NOT HAD IT LOOKED AT SINCE THE ISSUE HAPPENED YESTERDAY MORNING, ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2023
lOSS OF PRESSURE IN BRAKES AND FUEL FOOT PEDALS AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE. PRESSURE WAS SO LOW IN BRAKES I HAD TO PRESS BRAKE PEDAL TO FLOOR TO COME TO A JERKING STOP. IT FELT AS IF THERE WAS NO BRAKE AT ALL AS IT WAS SLOW TO BRAKE COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP ONCE PEDAL FLOORED. I DO NOT HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM SERVICE CENTER AS I HAVE NOT HAD IT LOOKED AT SINCE THE ISSUE HAPPENED YESTERDAY MORNING, ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2023
lOSS OF PRESSURE IN BRAKES AND FUEL FOOT PEDALS AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE. PRESSURE WAS SO LOW IN BRAKES I HAD TO PRESS BRAKE PEDAL TO FLOOR TO COME TO A JERKING STOP. IT FELT AS IF THERE WAS NO BRAKE AT ALL AS IT WAS SLOW TO BRAKE COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP ONCE PEDAL FLOORED. I DO NOT HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM SERVICE CENTER AS I HAVE NOT HAD IT LOOKED AT SINCE THE ISSUE HAPPENED YESTERDAY MORNING, ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2023
The exhaust manifold bolts have broken allowing the exhaust to escape into the engine compartment which allows these fumes to be pulled into the fresh air inlet into the cab of the truck. it has been inspected by Cole Chrysler in Marshall Michigan. their reply was it is happening on many of their trucks and cars with the Hemi engine and the cost to repair it is $1200.00 and is not covered under an... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2023
I have a 2019 Odyssey Elite and the following lights come on: Adaptive cruise control problem (ACC); Auto high-beam problem (A); Road departure mitigation system problem; collision mitigation system problem; lane keeping assist problem (LKAS); brake system lights. My problem is intermittent. I can make it go away most of the time by pouring water over the camera or spraying it from the windshield ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
Engine keeps overheating with no engine codes I have changed the thermostat the thermostat housing the radiator both fans and the water pump and none of this has fixed the problem the coolant doesn’t cycle from the coolant reservoir regardless of coolant levels are low or depleted. This is going to lead to bigger problems in the engine and the mechanics are out of Awnser as to what is happening.
Incident date: Sep 21, 2023
Antilock braking system and electronic brake system warning lights flash on and off frequently while driving.
Incident date: Sep 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the message "Steering Assist Fault. Service Required" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would be charged a repair fee. The contact also stated that the hatchback had opened indepen... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated the tires deflating abnormally. The contact stated that the tires needed to be inflated on a weekly basis. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rims were improperly fitted to suit multiple tires, causing the tires to deflate. The vehicle had not been repaired. The tires had been replaced... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
I would like to express my concerns about the Lincoln Aviator (2020) I used to own and to why I traded it in. I spoke with Ford and even took my case to BBB and lost. I was asking for my money back to buy my Ford Explorer. The case was about all my electrical problems I was having and due to the fact, I did not take mv car into the dealer enough I lost. The dealership had advised me to make a lis... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2023
Brakes lock up intermittently when trying to start the car. Happened once when I was sitting in traffic.
Incident date: Sep 14, 2023
The fuel system hasdid also the water pump and the AC unit.
Incident date: Sep 14, 2023
the entire computer system shorted out throughout the entire car. It did not let me select above all of what it affected. The entire car malfunction due to the dealer not doing predelivery inspection. They have the vehicle and have not given me a written explanation or reports as to what happened to cause this. This vehicle was defective and dangerous and should not have been sold.
Incident date: Sep 14, 2023
the entire computer system shorted out throughout the entire car. It did not let me select above all of what it affected. The entire car malfunction due to the dealer not doing predelivery inspection. They have the vehicle and have not given me a written explanation or reports as to what happened to cause this. This vehicle was defective and dangerous and should not have been sold.
Incident date: Sep 19, 2023
I bought the car 1 week before taking it to Ford Garage to be serviced and inspected. It has high mileage. over 208,000 miles. The engine light was on the previsce owner said it needed an 02 sensor, upon them checking it needed 2 02 sensors and a drivers side air bag replacement. upon them checking the car fax at the Ford garage the service manager told me that the vehicle had never been in an acc... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
The 2023 Land Rover Defender said emissions fault and died in 4 lanes of busy traffic. This has happened since the first few miles but usually happens in a parking lot. The Defender also throws itself into neutral while in drive. This has happened multiple times and the car has less than $10k miles. I’ve taken it in before for the same issues, it’s getting towed again today.
Incident date: Sep 19, 2020
During the late afternoon of Saturday, Sep 9 on my way to Jackson, WY from Dallas, I was driving northwest on US Hwy 287 approximately between Vernon, TX and Clarendon, TX and experienced almost a dozen severe phantom braking incidents in the span of 1 hour. My windshield was clean, the weather was sunny and hot. The only thing I could see on the roadway was surface heat reflection/mirage (when th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2023
On 9/16/23 I had no control over acceleration. When I tried to acceleration there was no response, then a slow increase in speed and then a burst of speed independent of my foot pressure on the pedal. Fortunately I was able to drive 2 miles home to get it towed away without an incident, other than terror over the potential danger. I never received the recall 22V-333 issued 5/30/2022 yet my vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2023
Purchased the vehicle on Saturday. Lincoln motors had issued a stop sale on these vehicles due to back up camera recall issues. The stop sale has been lifted and we were assured that the back up camera recall had been fixed. We were contacted by Lincoln to trade in our vehicle due to the issues with the 2021 model and the unavailability of parts. Upon using the vehicle on Monday afternoon, the bac... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2023
I purchased this car from Trickett Honda in June 2013. The mileage on 9/11/23 was 23,602 (the day of the rear wheel hub bearing repair). This car was used primarily by my wife and driven mostly in town for short trips (14 to 25 miles round trip to and from home), seldom trips to Nashville and back. My wife started complaining about what she called “road noise” 4 or 5 years ago. I occasionally... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2023
Motor mount bolt snapped and engine fell while driving car…also recalled item (lower control arms) where not repaired…I purchased car 1 1/2 years ago from large Chevrolet dealership
Incident date: Feb 13, 2023
I have a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica that keeps dying. I bought my Pacifica new from the dealer and now it has 100K on it. Since we bought it, I has a tendence to dye on us from time to time. The past 5 years we have owed it, we have been through 4 batteries. This past week, my Pacifica decided not to start. The battery was only 8 months old. We had it towed to the dealer, where they said there was a p... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted. As a result of the failure, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before returning to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contac... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
Took my truck to a body shop to have dings and a few rusted spots on it repaired. The business owner and repair person put it on the rack and after examination, informed me that it was not worth the repairs, because the frame and undercarriage was too extensive and might as such cause safety issues. I chose not to have it repaired because of this issue.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera failed to make a beeping sound alert for nearby pedestrians. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system and the turn signals sound system had failed to operate while activated. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exterior windshield trim on the driver's side door detached. After some time, the exterior windshield trim on the passenger's side door also detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who did not provide a specific diagnosis, but the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the fail... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2023
There have been several incidents that have to do with the electrical components site, such as the adaptive cruise control not working the lanes assist going off, stating that my hands are on the wheel. When my hands are on the wheel, there have been problems when I go to put it in drive. It'll switch back to park and throw on my parking brake. It has also the auto breaking lights have. Come on, ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
Steering lamp turned on dash. NO power steering. Vehicle very hard to control. Problem comes and goes when vehicle turned on and off. Maybe it will work...maybe it wont. Has happened for 3 months now. EXTREMELY dangerous. Vehicle is not driveable with this issue. Cost to repair: $3000 estimate. Mfgr SHOULD be repsonsible! Danger to ALL vehicles on road.
Incident date: Mar 14, 2023
Yesterday my 2023 Nissan Pathfinder SL abruptly stalled about a minute into my morning commute on a busy road in traffic. The dash panel illuminated that the car "stalled". The car wouldn't immediately restart & engage. Thankfully, another driver pulled over and assisted to push my car to the side of the road. After several attempts, the car restarted and I could drive again. The car drive was slu... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
Front driver ( PJB9 C21V 0619 ) and passenger ( PJB9 C21V 0419 ) tires are wearing uneven with correct alignment. Severe feathering, rought riding, and loud road noise.