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 19,021 complaints for LINCOLN
Incident date: Feb 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle began to make an abnormal sound and shuddered. The contact turned the vehicle off and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Incident date: Feb 26, 2023
I currently drive a 2022 Nissan Rogue SV, purchased in New Braunfels, Texas. When traveling downhill, when applying the brakes the engine studders. I brought it to the dealership to have it checked out, after inspecting multiple points on the vehicle including the brakes, transmission, alignment no such issue was identified as the cause. The technician test drove the vehicle, able to recreate the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
Driving 70mph on the highway, car abruptly clunked and three warning messages appeared. APP_W009 Automatic Emergency Braking is disabled; DIF_A062 Power reduced; and BMS_a170 Acceleration and top speed recuded. Car immediately dropped to 40mph and gave me enough time to exit the freeway to the shoulder. After putting in park, the car would no longer shift into any gear. Soft reset and full reset,... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2023
I have experience multiple instances of "phantom braking" where the car suddenly brakes when there is nothing in front of the car. The most concerning incidents are when traveling on interstate highways while Autopilot is engaged. The car will brake suddenly, rapidly, and unexpectedly. I experienced this problem that first day I picked up the vehicle and continue to experience the problem on exten... Read more
Incident date: Feb 23, 2023
Driving car when suddenly all the dash lights came on and car started sputtering. Pulled over to side of road where car completely died. Could not restart with jump. Towed to mechanic where he informed me the engine appears to be ruined. Maintain regular oil changes since purchasing car in 2020.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2023
The ERG or Purge Valve failed, causing a hole to be burned into my intake manifold, which caused my car not to be able to read my fuel properly which caused air and heat to build which caused my catalytic converter to melt. The danger is my car could’ve caught on fire, a check engine light came on and we went to AutoZone and they said the code read O2 censor, but nothing ever indicated ERG or Pu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2023
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Steering rack and pinion; the pinion gear and housing broke free from the rack housing. I have the component available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle was barely controllable. Turned steering wheel up to 180 degrees back and forth to maintain s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2023
Tailgate proximity sensor failed.
Incident date: Feb 21, 2023
Brand new Atlas has the worst brake pads/rotors! Screech & squeal incessantly in reverse and when braking. Dealer has said this is "normal" and is not under warranty. Drive to and from work every day and this happens each time within the first 10 minutes of starting the car.
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
hello: i purchased this vehicle last nov. the rear hatch was opening fine," but after a couple of months it has stopped and the only way to open it," is from the lever on the inside. you have to use a screw driver or prying tool of some sort to remove the cover in order to get to the lever and you have to lay the back seats down and crawl back there to get to this. i've spoken to other owners who ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
hello: i purchased this vehicle last nov. the rear hatch was opening fine," but after a couple of months it has stopped and the only way to open it," is from the lever on the inside. you have to use a screw driver or prying tool of some sort to remove the cover in order to get to the lever and you have to lay the back seats down and crawl back there to get to this. i've spoken to other owners who ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2023
The major problem occurred right after purchase as check engine light came on. The dealership was no help and refused to take vehicle back. The vehicle is nice looking but the mechanical is a lemon. I purchased this in 2020 and paid $24000. It’s a 2016 Lincoln mkx. I repaired problems and due to covid and my lifestyle I rarely traveled. I have more medical issues and require more frequent doctor... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2023
While driving my power steering goes out and I have to stop the truck and turn it off and restart it and it reset. Has done this several times and I’m scared I’m going to kill my self or someone else. Lights on dash says check steering .
Incident date: Feb 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that there was water intrusion into the passenger’s side taillight. The contact was made aware of TSB: 22-NA-170 and related the failures to the battery and taillight. The contact made a local dea... Read more
LINCOLN
MKS
(2012) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
Feb 13, 2023
Incident date: Jan 9, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle independently decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replace... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2023
Traveling toll road /fwy at approx 70mph at rush hour and lost all power with Check engine light , emergency brake, lurching engine, all flashing at the same time!!! Coasted through 4 fwy lanes to offramp and service station- extreme danger!!! How was there no pile up with me going from 70-10 to coasting on a busy 15 Northbound fwy at 7:30 am?????? Was in toll lane and crossed toll 3 foot sticks ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2023
Rear window seal is leaking which cracked the window frame allowing water to enter behind rear seat leaking onto the wireless control Module making it in operable. The vehicle would not start. This will become a safety issue when driving down the highway/local areas and you loose the module it shuts down the car no power at all. Power steering goes down breaks become more difficult to push. Chrysl... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2023
I believe the General Motors Video Display Module Digitizer has a design flaw that affects vehicle safety. This is the appliance in the center of the dashboard to the right side of the driver controlling audio and clock operations. It is a large touch screen. Also, the instrument cluster located over the steering wheel is affected. This is the digital display that reports vehicle velocity, tire pr... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2023
Auto stutters in lower gears at lower speeds like transmission is skipping.
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
2019 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 23V-010. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL UPDATING THE PIM SOFTWARE UPDATE OPPOSED TO REPAIRING THE WIRE HARNESS IS UNSATISFACTORY.
Incident date: Jan 21, 2023
The frame has been compromised due to rust. The frame rusted from the inside out because the frame was not properly engineered from the factory. There are no weep holes at the lowest point on the frame. This causes water to sit in the frame and rust from the inside out. The rust appears without warning. This is an extremely dangerous because the frame can break without warning and cause loss ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2023
MY check engine light has come on and the code is P052E71 stating Crankcase Ventilation Valve has a malfunction
Incident date: Feb 8, 2023
During Virginia State Vehicle Safety Inspection in January 2023, the inspector noted a problem with severe rust in the rear Cross-Member (part 28-800A). The rear Cross-Member is severely rusted and crumbling at fastening and stress points. The driver side (left side) of the cross-member that secures the top of the (left) coil spring is so deteriorated that the left stopper (28-111B) became unattac... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2023
Fuel pump noise near gas tank. Abnormally loud. Intermittently
Incident date: Feb 8, 2023
I have driven multiple times in the rain and when using the wipers, they slow down almost to a crawl impairing visibility. It doesn't matter what setting they are on, they slow down to the point that I am unable to see. I have to manually restart the wiping process each time, but the problem persists. It happens on all settings. It gets to the point that I don't feel safe driving it sometimes.
Incident date: Feb 8, 2023
Have owned the vehicle for 6 months. In that time the vehicle has applied braking by itself more than 10 times when there has been no reason (no car in front, no debris in road, no adverse weather, nothing but clear pavement), . Happens on low speed roads (35 mph) and also on highway speeds. Have been lucky not to be rear ended or cause another type of accident due to drivers avoiding the my ca... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
My son was driving down the road and the engine just quit running. Had it towed over 200 miles.Our mechanic looked at it and said that the timing chain had broke.
Incident date: Jan 31, 2023
The car lost all motive power on 3 separate occasions on Saturday, Feb 4, 2023. The car is currently at the dealership and we've been told the transmission needs to be replaced. Our family's safety was put at risk as well as the drivers around us. We easily could have be rear ended when when we were on the freeway and lost the ability to accelerate. When we lost power each time we had to navig... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
- The traction control/stabilitrac malfunctioned causing my truck brake automatically while in motion. - Its causing my truck to brake unexpectedly - My mechanic said its an electrical issue and its becoming common in these trucks - My dashboard messages alternate from "traction control off" and "service stabiltrak"
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
Passenger side curtain air bag deployed and failed to inflate.
Crash
LINCOLN
AVIATOR PHEV
(2022) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Feb 6, 2023
Incident date: Jan 20, 2023
camera did not detect parked vehicle when backing out of driveway no warning before collision with parked vehicle
Crash
LINCOLN
AVIATOR PHEV
(2022) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Feb 6, 2023
Incident date: Jan 20, 2023
Travel Assist (ACC)light and emergency braking systems are turning off and on repeatedly and intermittently. This happened 5 or 6 times on my 15-minute drive to work a few weeks back. I heavily rely on these safety systems so the vehicle is much more unsafe when those systems are inactive, not to mention the annoyance or dinging when the system deactivates which takes my focus off the road. The ve... Read more
LINCOLN
AVIATOR PHEV
(2022) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Feb 6, 2023
Incident date: Jan 20, 2023
Travel Assist (ACC)light and emergency braking systems are turning off and on repeatedly and intermittently. This happened 5 or 6 times on my 15-minute drive to work a few weeks back. I heavily rely on these safety systems so the vehicle is much more unsafe when those systems are inactive, not to mention the annoyance or dinging when the system deactivates which takes my focus off the road. The ve... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
Vehicle has 37,000 on it and the timing belt/chain is bad causing value problems.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the key fob failed to open and unlock the doors as well as to deactivate the alarm system. The contact stated that the rear driver’s and passenger’s side windows failed to open fully, and the passenger’s side front door failed to close correctly as the chime and dome light remained on while driving. The contact stated to remedy the ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 18, 2023
The issue is that as a result of faulty factory installation of the rear window and the resulting issues it caused that were beyond my control, I had to pay $2000 that the manufacturer will not cover. The truck rear window was installed improperly causing a slight leak that was not detectable unless the rear seats were removed. At the same time the third brake light gasket was also leaking, and th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2023
Rear Axle bolt broke while driving. I have visited the dealer and made an appointment. They have told me that the truck should not be driven aggressively, and that they will have the truck for a few days for the repair. After being on Ford Forum, I am seeing that this is a common faulty part that seems to be occurring quite often. In some cases both axle bolts on the same vehicle has broken. We ar... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2022
I was involved in a front-end collision a ~7 ton commercial vehicle, their fault due to distracted driving while using a cell phone, in which the forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and air bags failed. My Corsair had to be towed since it did not run after the accident, the drivers door could not open, so had to crawl out the passenger side. The Corsair was taken to an autobody... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 26, 2022
Something came through the front grill and damaged the a/c condenser. Grill is open holes and doesn’t provide enough protection to the condenser and radiator.
Incident date: Dec 26, 2022
I'm a 40 YEAR auto tech , steering is notchy when driving straight ,constantly fighting to keep vehicle in my lane, in my opinion it needs a new steering rack and pinion
Incident date: Jan 22, 2023
I was driving the car at about 70 mph on the expressway and it just randomly de-accelerated dripping from 70-34 mph and would not allow me to accelerate and then proceeded to shut down stating engine stall I almost got hit from the back when the car de-accelerated and couldn’t do anything about it after about 10-15 seconds I pressed the gas again and it took off abruptly. I’m scared to drive m... Read more
LINCOLN
CONTINENTAL
(2018) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 27, 2023
Incident date: Sep 8, 2018
This vehicle is built on a 2021 Ram Promaster and was modified into a class B camper van…a 2022 Thor Rise 18M. On 2 recent occasions driving at low speeds the outdoor electric awning moved in and out about 6 inches on its own while I was driving. Luckily, I wasn’t traveling fast and both times I was able to pull over to check it to make sure it stopped and had rolled back in to its closed posi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
The truck will shake violently when hitting a bump or dip in the road going speeds of 55MPH or higher. The only way to stop this is to slow down to a near stop. The first time this occurred was around 7000 miles on the truck. Ford replaced a steering dampener and sent me on my way. The issue occurred again at 55000 miles. The dealership said that they do warrant the part, but do not have th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
The vehicle was in park, idling. We heard a pop sound and discovered the rear windshield had exploded. There was no one near or around the vehicle. I had heard this was a common issue with the Ford Edge.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
Car did a jerk while I was driving in the interstate never lost speed didnt hit anything it was like a big jerk no noise no smoke no lights came on nothing so I got to my mom house parked no smoke no dent no nothing right well got ready to go a couple hours later no reverse fluid level was kinda low but no leaks now yesterday getting readyto leave work I have no foward either what is this seem lik... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
The backup camera fails constantly when you put the Ford Explorer into reverse the camera works sometime and sometime it do not work a message will pop up saying that there is a problem with the camera and need to be service this is happening to a lot of the 2015 Ford Explorers and older and there should be a recall because if you look online there have been thousands of people having the same pro... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that his wife used the parking brake to stop vehicle. The service brake warning light was illuminated prior to the failure. The contact then stated that upon inspecting under the hood of the veh... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2023
Abs on off messing with cruise control. In snow conditions feel it’s a concern. Sometimes the abs work’s most of the time it’s on/off multiple times while driving. For a 2018 truck with only a little over 24,000 miles not happy that at this time the dealership says they have no clue when they will have parts to fix
Incident date: Jan 7, 2023
Abs on off messing with cruise control. In snow conditions feel it’s a concern. Sometimes the abs work’s most of the time it’s on/off multiple times while driving. For a 2018 truck with only a little over 24,000 miles not happy that at this time the dealership says they have no clue when they will have parts to fix
Incident date: Jan 15, 2022
2017 Ram 2500. ODO 77,000 miles While driving at any speed, warning lights and audible tones intermittently come on. Display reads "Service Electronic Braking System" and "Service ABS". ABS and Traction Control lights also illuminate on the dash. Sometimes the warnings will come on and off so fast that the truck is constantly chiming which is very distracting. Speed doesn't appear to be a fact... Read more