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: 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
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 experienced a failure. Parts distr... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the brake pedal was stiff while depressed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mecha... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
In 2019 I bought a used 2016 Lincoln MKC Reserve 2.0 Ecoboost Engine w 34K miles. In 4 years I've driven 11,400K miles. A few weeks ago my vehicle would not start. I had a tow to a Ford Retailer because the Service Tech at a Lincoln Retailer informed me they were backed up having 10 vehicles waiting to replace failed Ecoboost engines all with coolant leaks most likely I would need the same. After... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2022
After about two months of driving our 2023 Nissan Rogue SV, a fuel odor emerged from the car. The odor is detected constantly in the car's interior and exterior. The fuel odor is so intense that we are concerned about the safety of parking the vehicle in our garage; we must park it outside. Due to the intensity of the fuel odor, we have purchased a fire extinguisher, as we are afraid of a car fire... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2022
After about two months of driving our 2023 Nissan Rogue SV, a fuel odor emerged from the car. The odor is detected constantly in the car's interior and exterior. The fuel odor is so intense that we are concerned about the safety of parking the vehicle in our garage; we must park it outside. Due to the intensity of the fuel odor, we have purchased a fire extinguisher, as we are afraid of a car fire... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2022
My car won't start when I press the brake and hit the start button, which then flashes green instead of staying green. I have to go through the same steps several times before it will turn on. The menu goes through the entire functions of the engine. For me, I never know if the engine will start or I will be stranded. I thought after two visits to service, it was fixed. Today, it stalled at a gree... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2023
1998 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO 20V-026. THE CONSUMER STATED HE IS STILL AWAITING PARTS FOR THE RECALL.
Incident date: Jan 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while her husband was driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced "phantom braking" approximately 8-times in total. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the fa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2023
The car had a recall I didnt know about. It states the car may catch fire due to faulty part. I drove the vehicle home after work and parked it around 9:30 PM. The next morning a neighbor woke me up banging on my front door that my car was on fire. This was at 7 AM. The fire originated in the area close to the master cylinder like the recall states. Vehicle was a total loss. Not only that but it... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 14, 2023
While driving this vehicle on the way to Los Angeles, the engine suddenly stalled without warning. I was in the left most lane going about 70MPH. The car began to slow and I almost got hit four times while trying to make my way over to the shoulder. I could've been seriously injured or killed. This vehicle is brand new and I've only had it three weeks. There was no warning indicator or lights th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2023
Roadside assistance locke d keys inside car
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
Drove the car last on 1/18/2023, no issues with steering whatsoever; never saw a warning light on dash. Then on 1/19/2023, I had to go to work and attempted to make the trip. Upon turning the key the car started but the dash illuminated two warnings. [STEERING-ASSIST FAULT-SERVICE REQUIRED] [SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC] I had not experienced any issues prior to this. Now the cars steering is very diff... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
While my husband was driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power. He was almost hit by the vehicle that was behind him. He was able to nurse it to the side of the road. There were no warning lights or any other indicators that there was something wrong. We called AAA and had it towed to the nearest independent service dealer. We were told that the transmission was gone. It only had 88,000 miles on it... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
2019 Lincoln Navigator Dealership delivery 9.14.22 Husband & Daughter drove around the neighborhood. Check engine light comes on suv is overheating. Husband immediately pulls into our driveway fluid is leaking out all over. Plus smoking. This was maybe two hours after it was in our possession. 9.15.22 Ford of Dalton has it towed to their dealership. 9.15.22 Suv was back in our possession. 9.21. H... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light i... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
I was driving. Went to stop for a stop light. I pushed peddle down. It went down 90% before I had any resistance. With the last 10% I was able to slow the car before a crash. All of the lights on the dashboard turned on, including the brake light. I turned off the car and pulled the key. I put the key in and restarted, while still sitting in the roadway. I was able to drive it less than a ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the pre-collision sensor alert warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he was concerned that the sensor had malfunctioned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there would be a fee for the diagnostic test. The ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Armada. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated but failed to exceed 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the transmission was replaced and the engine coolant w... Read more
LINCOLN
MKX
(2012) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER
Jan 19, 2023
Incident date: Oct 5, 2022
My vehicle was stolen due to not having an ignition immobilizer. There were no warning lights. Yes its a known issue
Incident date: Nov 8, 2021
My back up camera works when it wants to sometimes and then other times it’s all blurry and can’t see also I get a light on for my brake system that goes on and off
Incident date: Dec 4, 2022
The power steering went completely out while I was driving down the highway. I believe the problem is related to the power steering control module and the electric assist rack and pinion steering. It was the most dangerous situation I ever encountered. I narrowly missed causing an accident. There are several makes of Ford/Lincoln vehicles that have this problem dating back to 2011. The servic... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2022
My vehicle had 4 recalls on it and caused engine to blow. The dealer I purchased car from would not fix recalls, so had it towed to a Kia dealer, my car has been there since dec long story short recalls fixed but they won't replace engine, nor will dealer I purchased it from. So they're saying over $8000 that I would be responsible for
Incident date: Dec 4, 2022
Was driving on the freeway and the vehicle suddenly died. Leaving me stranded in the car left lane with no way to pull over
Incident date: Jan 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Novae H & H Trailer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the tow hitch on the trailer fractured, causing the trailer to fall to the ground. The trailer was not diagnosed. The trailer was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was 15,000.
Incident date: Jun 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and approaching a traffic light while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle started to shudder and vibrate. The contact stated that the brake failure warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle started decelerating. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The contact waited an ho... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2023
The Instrument cluster has no light so I cannot see the speed. The dealer refuses the recall. RECALL - #06V028000
Incident date: Jan 16, 2023
There has been a considerable dimming of car’s headlights over the past 6 months. Visibility at night is very low, and I usually have to use my high beams to see while driving at night. The cost to replace headlights is astronomical and requires mechanic to fix (very complicated process that requires significant amount of dismantling of the vehicle). Concerned this is a recipe for disaster a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2022
I have almost been in 3 accidents. My 2013 Terrain has stalled while driving..Cut off at lights. Engine reduced while driving and massive oil leak that gas caused timing chain and engine failure. I have read other complaints, and this is sad GMC has been allowed to get away with this. These engines are dangerous and need to be replaced before someone looses their life.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that upon accelerating uphill, the RMPs revved up but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the temperature sensor had failed and damaged the transmission. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the tempera... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
APIM failure ACM failure FCIM failure APIM Replaced
LINCOLN
CONTINENTAL
(2019) - POWER TRAIN
Jan 12, 2023
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
The contact's son owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where contact’s son was informed that there were several p... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
The warning light for the front passenger seat is lit up and has been for a while. I don’t use the sun roof so no clue how long it has even on. It reads passenger air bag deactivated. It stays on all the time wvem when my husband or mom sit and seatbelt in that seat
Incident date: Nov 25, 2022
All door lock actuators (including the fuel cap door cover) stopped working after driving the vehicle. The passenger and both rear doors were able to open via the inside door handle, but the driver side door could not be unlocked via the key fob, console lock button, or manually pulling the inside door handle. The fuel cap door cover could only be opened via the emergency release pull in the trunk... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2022
This goes with Incident 11500972 2015 Ford Fiesta SE purchased 2.8.18 Crest Ford in Center Line, MI Right away, began having issues. Taken in to Dealership 9.18.18. In 2019, I contacted them 3-4 times, asking when I could bring in for Recall on ignition, which was Warranty. On 3.9.20, took to Costco, engine had no power, wouldn't go above certain speeds, felt like it would stall. Said needed... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2022
This vehicle has a known design defect with the oil filter housing and cooler assembly. This plastic assembly will crack and leak oil into a valley in the engine compartment and eventually will leak oil over the rest of the engine and onto the floor. Other times it will fail completely and leak a large amount of oil and/or coolant causing engine failure. Repair if this occurs out of the warranty p... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
Water pump failure 3 times. Internal water pump failed causing engine to overheat dumping coolant into the engine oil. Original water pump replaced 5/16/21. Replacement water pump failed and was replaced 6/19/22. Second Replacement water pump has failed also as of January 1, 2023 resulting in catastrophic engine failure.
Incident date: Aug 20, 2020
The middle rear seat belt locks up when you fold the seat down and the only way to lift the seat is to remove the seat belt from the car and allow it to fully retract. But as soon as the seat get laid down again you have to repeat the process. There are multiple videos on YouTube of multiple ford vehicles having the same problem. Secondly periodically all the lights on the dash come on and it sa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2020
The middle rear seat belt locks up when you fold the seat down and the only way to lift the seat is to remove the seat belt from the car and allow it to fully retract. But as soon as the seat get laid down again you have to repeat the process. There are multiple videos on YouTube of multiple ford vehicles having the same problem. Secondly periodically all the lights on the dash come on and it sa... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
Have a hard brake pedal. U0401 code. Ford replaced battery. It got rid of code but still had a hard brake pedal. Ford replaced power assist unit. That fix the problem.
Incident date: Dec 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to lose power. The accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The power train warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an unknown GMC dealer who restarted and test-drove the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that no... Read more
LINCOLN
CONTINENTAL
(2017) - LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Jan 5, 2023
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that the rear driver’s and passenger’s side doors could no longer be opened from outside the vehicle. The doors could only be opened from the inside of the vehicle. The failure was also intermittent with the front driver’s and front passenger’s side doors. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and m... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the brake master cylinder was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was then diagnosed with a defective ABS system; however, the part for the repair was on backorder. The ma... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
I was driving on the interstate with my daughter (she was in her car seat in the second row), when all of a sudden we heard a very loud explosion type sound and then glass from the moon roof came flying into the car. My daughter was screaming and crying, and I wasn’t sure if she had been hit with glass at first (she wasn’t thankfully, but could have been)—she was just very scared. I had to... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2022
Unknown/Uncertain as to why the floor is wet on right rear passenger. Dealer unable to detect why floor board is wet. I need answers because this is a health risk/ lungs risk for my family and myself due to questionable mold May probably grow from the wet carpet and wet spell
Incident date: Dec 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated while sitting in the rear middle seat, the seat belt retracted independently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to unbuckle the seat belt, the seat belt failed to unlatch as needed. The contact had to cut the seat belt due to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not con... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2020
The contact owns a 1999 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel started pulling to the left with extreme force. The contact attempted to correct the over steering and the vehicle started pulling to the right and the left. The contact stated that an unknown warning was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to his residence. The contact s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2020
The contact owns a 1999 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel started pulling to the left with extreme force. The contact attempted to correct the over steering and the vehicle started pulling to the right and the left. The contact stated that an unknown warning was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to his residence. The contact s... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2022
UNDER HARD ACCELERATION, THE CAR SPUTTERS AND CHUGS HARD AND SUFFICIENT PASSING SPEED MAY NOT BE MET. ON 2 OCCASIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED AND ON 1 OCCASION IT REMAINED SOLID FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. BOTH TIMES THE LIGHTS CLEARED OUT EVENTUALLY. LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID THEY CLAIM IT IS CONDENSATION IN THE 3.5L ECOBOOST TURBO HOUSING. OFF THE RECORD SOME RECOMMEND DRILLING A WEEPING HOLE T... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2022
Automatic shift lever bushing broke disconnecting the shifting cable from shift arm. Immediately disabled vehicle while in motion. There has already been a recall for this for Ford products of this era, why not Lincolns? Very dangerous if this had happened at high speed!