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: Jul 14, 2021
2016 LINCOLN MKC parked on driveway for over 24 hours, when my father was outside gardening he noticed smoke and flames coming from under the hood, the Fire Department was called who out the fire out and stated it was "totaled". Fire Department conducted their own investigation to determine the cause of the fire. The report returned indicating the "Engine" was the origin of the fire. Thank the ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 10, 2022
Front left brake hose had an immediate large leak during driving causing vehicle to lose all braking during driving. There was no warning prior to this or during the failure, no lights on dashboard, brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Placed flashers on, and rolled to a stop. Vehicle needed to be towed. Vehicle is on the way (today August 11) to Apple Ford in Shakopee, MN to be fixed o... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2022
No sensor on this year of Lincoln However front blind spot between windshield and rear view outside mirror is horrible which resulted in my accident 2 days ago...I have 2 witnesses that can confirm such difficulty seeing while turning
Crash
Incident date: Aug 9, 2022
No sensor on this year of Lincoln However front blind spot between windshield and rear view outside mirror is horrible which resulted in my accident 2 days ago...I have 2 witnesses that can confirm such difficulty seeing while turning
Crash
Incident date: Jul 31, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving 55-60 mph, she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a guardrail. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. No air bags deployed. The contact did not sustain any injuries nor sought medical attention. No police report was filed. The contact stated she continued driving to her residence. The contact's father ins... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 40 MPH, the steering wheel locked up, almost causing her to lose control of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's wife slammed on the brakes and veered to the side of the road. The contact's wife wiggled the steering wheel and was able to continue driving. However, the failure reocc... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2022
In April 2022 my steering wheel started jerking and I felt my car starting to drive unusual. By the end of April my check engine light was on so I went and got it checked out. Code P0217, P0302, P0316 showed up. I thought this must be a mistake so I took it to the dealership for another look and they told me that this is a common problem with my vehicle and I got the short end of the stick with th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2021
I was notified April 2021, that my vehicle had an airbag safety recall repair. To date, I have not been notified to bring my vehicle in for the repair to be performed. The parts were to be in the third quarter of 2021, I have been patient. But, this recall addresses the driver side airbag. I am concerned that if it explodes, I could be seriously hurt. Please advise me. What is my next step.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2021
We have owned this car for about 3 years and it has been one problem after another and see same problems on line 1) Will start over heating sometimes at idle sometimes while driving (try being in DFW rush hour traffic and deal with that 2) Wife was driving one day and a bolt on right lower control arm broke sending her across 4 lanes of traffic including on coming. 3) All of a sudden when brake pe... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2021
We have owned this car for about 3 years and it has been one problem after another and see same problems on line 1) Will start over heating sometimes at idle sometimes while driving (try being in DFW rush hour traffic and deal with that 2) Wife was driving one day and a bolt on right lower control arm broke sending her across 4 lanes of traffic including on coming. 3) All of a sudden when brake pe... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2021
We have owned this car for about 3 years and it has been one problem after another and see same problems on line 1) Will start over heating sometimes at idle sometimes while driving (try being in DFW rush hour traffic and deal with that 2) Wife was driving one day and a bolt on right lower control arm broke sending her across 4 lanes of traffic including on coming. 3) All of a sudden when brake pe... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the power steering assist failed without warning. The contact pulled over and restarted that vehicle but the failure persisted. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle home. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred him to a dealer. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed wi... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2022
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS AN INADVERTENT DUPLICATE OF ODI# 11477621 *DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
Incident date: May 29, 2022
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS AN INADVERTENT DUPLICATE OF ODI# 11477621 *DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
Incident date: Dec 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle would not immediately start. The driver had to turn the ignition key and depress the accelerator pedal simultaneously to start the vehicle. Additionally, while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the fuel nozzle would constantly click off and on. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced a fuel sys... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving at approximately 75 MPH, the steering fault and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that one mile from home, the steering wheel failed to respond. As a result, the contact pulled over. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was not no... Read more
LINCOLN
CONTINENTAL
(2017) — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Aug 3, 2022
Incident date: Aug 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that the front driver’s side door failed to close and lock automatically as designed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the latch needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V077000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the VIN was not included.... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
This safety feature for braking, collision, warning. and adaptive cruise control fails on the majority of MKCs and simple google search shows the frequency in online forums of this system consistently failing.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
This safety feature for braking, collision, warning. and adaptive cruise control fails on the majority of MKCs and simple google search shows the frequency in online forums of this system consistently failing.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
This safety feature for braking, collision, warning. and adaptive cruise control fails on the majority of MKCs and simple google search shows the frequency in online forums of this system consistently failing.
Incident date: Aug 2, 2022
I believe my car uses Takata Airbags and it has been over a year since the recall was issued. No remedy has been suggested.
Incident date: Jun 9, 2022
On 6/9/22 I ran off the road and down a ravine. I hit a large tree head on and hit some smaller trees on the right side of the vehicle. After the head on collision with the large tree, it broke the frame in two places. The car had severe damage on the front and right side as you will notice in the pictures I am sending. No airbags deployed during this collision. I was shocked that none of the... Read more
Crash
Fire
Incident date: Jun 6, 2022
Vehicle randomly downshifts at speed causing sudden and jarring loss of speed. Vehicle will eventually and intermittently flash a service wrench error, speedometer stops working, and displays "000 Miles to Empty" message. Diagnosed at the dealer as a failing Molded Lead Frame. There was extended warranty coverage to 150,000 miles due to this being a know faulty part but my vehicle was over the mil... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake needed to be serviced. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2022
Power Steering Assist light came on on startup, unable to steer car. Lincoln reports steering rack needs to be replaced, and our car is not covered under the existing recall.
Incident date: Jul 27, 2022
While driving, my passenger front brake line bursted. This is not normal and should not have happened. I had my kids in the car. I was able to coast into a parking lot to get off the road. There was no road hazards either at the time of the incident. There is no know cause to me as to why this happened. There is a known recall for this happening but not tied to my specific vin.
Incident date: Jun 4, 2017
The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH and attempting to overtake another vehicle, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle did not respond. The contact stated that he floored the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently and at various speeds. The contac... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with the "Steering Assist Fault, Service Required" message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTS... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2022
I purchased a new 2022 Lincoln Navigator Reserve L and just took a 3000 mile road trip and used their Active Glide driver assistance extensively and have uncovered a MAJOR safety issue with their system. The issue I found is that when using the adaptive cruise control feature the system will sometimes read a car in the adjacent lane as moving in front of my vehicle and apply the brakes very hard ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2022
I purchased a new 2022 Lincoln Navigator Reserve L and just took a 3000 mile road trip and used their Active Glide driver assistance extensively and have uncovered a MAJOR safety issue with their system. The issue I found is that when using the adaptive cruise control feature the system will sometimes read a car in the adjacent lane as moving in front of my vehicle and apply the brakes very hard ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2022
I purchased a new 2022 Lincoln Navigator Reserve L and just took a 3000 mile road trip and used their Active Glide driver assistance extensively and have uncovered a MAJOR safety issue with their system. The issue I found is that when using the adaptive cruise control feature the system will sometimes read a car in the adjacent lane as moving in front of my vehicle and apply the brakes very hard ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2022
Vehicle serviced for cam shutter. They only flashed the computer. Did not fix the mechanical problem. Engine failure shortly afterwards at 100k. Loss of power, stalled after vehicle came to rest, could not restart. Towed to nearby dealership. Complete engine failure. Entire engine replaced by Ford Dealership near Corpus Christi -- 15k.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2018
Rear view camera intermittently does not work. Rear view mirrors don’t provide enough field of view to see all behind the car without assistance of the camera. Vehicle shows error message.
Incident date: Jul 19, 2022
I have had to replace wheel bearing and axle every few months because of premature wear and causing driving to be a safety concern. Once it wears thin, the car shakes and wobbles and the tire almost snapped off twice.
Incident date: Jul 19, 2022
I have had to replace wheel bearing and axle every few months because of premature wear and causing driving to be a safety concern. Once it wears thin, the car shakes and wobbles and the tire almost snapped off twice.
Incident date: Jul 19, 2022
Brake pedal will go all the way to floor. Very soft pedal. For over a year we have talked to the dealers around Home. They all say Ford and Lincoln don’t have a problem. I talked to Lincoln concierge and she said if it became a safety issue to contact a dealer. It was still on the csp recall at the time. But I was told it expired. I paid to get the car worked on and had a pedal again. Now it’s... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2022
Our car is in excellent running and cosmetic condition. It has been well maintained and garaged and never in an accident. Recently my wife was driving and was getting angry gestures, honking, and yells from other cars. She discovered that her breaklights and blinkers were not functioning. It is an intermittent problem. It took the ford dealer multiple days to be able to recreate the problem. They ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that upon placing her vehicle into park(P), the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot. The engine then failed to restart after the failure. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where she was informed that the water pump was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2022
Driving down the road all of a sudden Accutrac warning came up and then check brake system. The brakes were like a sponge and stopping was very difficult and required using emergency brake. Shut car off for a few minutes and then problem went away. Then it did it again. This is the same exact issue a recall was issued for the 2006-2010 model of Lincoln MKZ hybrid. Mine is a 2011 but built in the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V427000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
When the weather is hot (over 85F), the backup camera and alerts randomly stop working. The screen either goes black or moves up in multiple frames.
LINCOLN
CONTINENTAL
(2017) — SUSPENSION
Jul 14, 2022
Incident date: Aug 15, 2018
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the driver's side rear tire experienced a blowout. The blowout was on the middle of the tire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was informed that the tire failure was due to a rear axle and wheel misalignment failure. The dealer repaired the vehicle and replaced the tire; however... Read more
LINCOLN
CONTINENTAL
(2018) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 11, 2022
Incident date: Jul 9, 2022
On July 09, 2022 I delivered my vehicle to Heller Ford 700 Main Street El Paso, IL, (309) 527-6050 to have my original Cabin Air Filter eeplaced with a unit which I supplied. Their technician performed a commendable removal of the original unit. He found the original Motor Craft Cabin Air Filter had deteriated to a black fragmented crust which had clogged the blower motor to the extent the motor h... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while the wife was driving into an intersection the vehicle crashed into a second vehicle. During the crash, the front of the vehicle was severely damaged but only the front driver air bag located under the dashboard console had partially deployed. No other airbags in the vehicle were deployed to provide protection to the driver. No in... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but went to the floorboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 22V011000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) for whi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended in the garage, it caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries, property damage or police report filed. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance. The appr... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 11, 2021
This 2021 Lincoln Corsair is equipped with Auto Start/Stop technology. Auto Start/Stop Technology automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a full stop and idles for more than a few seconds. Once the driver puts pressure on the accelerator, then the engine turns back on. It's simple, and some say it can save between 3-5% of gas in stop-and-go traffic. My car while s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2021
This 2021 Lincoln Corsair is equipped with Auto Start/Stop technology. Auto Start/Stop Technology automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a full stop and idles for more than a few seconds. Once the driver puts pressure on the accelerator, then the engine turns back on. It's simple, and some say it can save between 3-5% of gas in stop-and-go traffic. My car while s... Read more