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: Apr 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal became firm and difficult to depress. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the failure to be brake booster and brake master cylinder failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approxim... Read more
LINCOLN
MKZ HYBRID
(2014) — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
Apr 14, 2022
Incident date: Apr 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while having the vehicle serviced, the lug nuts were unable to be removed from the wheels due to swelling. The vehicle was diagnosed by a local tire dealer with failure of the lug nuts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
LINCOLN
AVIATOR PHEV
(2020) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Apr 13, 2022
Incident date: Dec 24, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH on an entrance ramp onto the highway, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The warning message "Stop Safely Now" and "Full Accessory Power Mode" were displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road for a moment. The contact then continued to drive. The contact stated that the... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving at night at approximately 35 MPH, the low beam light's visibility was blinding and made the vehicle unsafe to drive. The vehicle was diagnosed at a local dealer with a headlight failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,300.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving approximately 3 MPH, the brakes locked up. The ABS warning light was flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated she continued to pump on the brake pedal until the vehicle began to decelerate. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the Hyd... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2022
I called ford dealerships to fix the problems back in 2019 but the two recalls have not been fixed yet. Recently, my car was almost failing to stop while I was breaking down.
Incident date: Mar 23, 2022
I called ford dealerships to fix the problems back in 2019 but the two recalls have not been fixed yet. Recently, my car was almost failing to stop while I was breaking down.
LINCOLN
AVIATOR PHEV
(2022) — ENGINE
Apr 12, 2022
Incident date: Apr 12, 2022
CONSTITUENT WRITES REGARDING VEHICLE STALLING ON THEIR 2022 LINCOLN AVIATOR. This is brand new vehicle with 3,000+ miles on it. The first day owned it, around 12-21, the vehicle would not go into drive. A warning message appeared that said 'high-voltage battery warning", "The hybrid powertrain system has detected a fault". It would also flash "Full Accessory Power Active". After some internet sea... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 Lincoln MKX. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side airbag warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer had been n... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Lincoln MKX. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of ti... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2021
The middle rear seat belt became stuck around my child and could not be removed. It progressively became tighter and tighter as we tried to unbuckle it. Ultimately the seatbelt needed to be cut off
Incident date: Apr 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while her fiancé was making a left turn, the “Service Power Steering Now” warning light was illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not drivable but was close to her residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
the main "Sync" dashboard screen, 3 different times within 2 weeks, after warm engine was re-started, the screen was looking like video was completely out of "sync" of "vertical hold", mostly vertical, in sections, making the screen unuseable: the vertical image was rolling in the vertical axis. After several to many minutes of driving & re-starting the secreen went back to "normal".
Incident date: Apr 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist fault warning message was displayed and the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The contact restarted the vehicle while attempting to correct the failure however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2022
When in park, vehicle fails to stay parked in some instances. For example, SUV has rolled forward (while in park): when parking on an incline or while unloading items from trunk, resting against bumper caused it to roll ahead and hit closed garage door in the garage, or when leaning on the SUV body outside vehicle it can disengage from park and start moving while shifter stays in P position. Eme... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2022
When in park, vehicle fails to stay parked in some instances. For example, SUV has rolled forward (while in park): when parking on an incline or while unloading items from trunk, resting against bumper caused it to roll ahead and hit closed garage door in the garage, or when leaning on the SUV body outside vehicle it can disengage from park and start moving while shifter stays in P position. Eme... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2022
When in park, vehicle fails to stay parked in some instances. For example, SUV has rolled forward (while in park): when parking on an incline or while unloading items from trunk, resting against bumper caused it to roll ahead and hit closed garage door in the garage, or when leaning on the SUV body outside vehicle it can disengage from park and start moving while shifter stays in P position. Eme... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2022
Leased 2019 Lincoln Nautilus has needed 10 roadside assistance calls and has been in the Lincoln Service for warranty work at least 9 times in the last 6 months for the same issue. The vehicle's battery is being drained when the vehicle is completely shut off. I've had numerous issues when going to start my vehicle for work or personal transportation and the vehicle's battery is drained. As a firs... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2022
In 2021 had an issue with brakes failing and becoming unresponsive/difficult to press almost causing a crash. Vehicle was inspected and the dealer replaced the brake booster and a vaccum line. This didn’t fix the issue. Recently had the same problem occur again where the brakes are intermittent and sometimes become soft and sink to the floor while driving. Apparently a bunch of people have been ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2022
Brought vehicle into the dealer for tire rotation service. They said they could not take my wheels off the car because the lug nuts have become swollen. This is a common condition where the chromed metal lug nut covers become separated from the lug nuts and expand such that the lug nut socket no longer fits. This means that I can't remove a wheel to fix a flat on the road which become a real hazar... Read more
LINCOLN
AVIATOR PHEV
(2022) — ENGINE
Apr 5, 2022
Incident date: Mar 22, 2022
On 5 separate occasions my car has given me a warning saying "Stop Safely Now." When I begin to slow down, the car looses all power and I have to coast to a stop somewhere. The first time the car started back up and I was able to drive it again, the following 4 times it had to be towed. Each time I was stranded on the side of the road - once literally on the road because I was unable to get onto t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKS. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for routine servicing and was informed that the rear suspension toe links were loose and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact learned of a previous recall for the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approxi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2022
Vehicle (SUV) floor board and truck had standing water from unknown source. Suspect rear hatch and/or glass roof design allows for environmental contamination to enter. Water travels down to floor and pools. For example, spare tire was found to be submerged. Rear seat and trunk carpeting were moist (saturated) to the touch. Concern: If water in the vehicle is undetected and is allowed to pool fo... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2022
Back passenger door opened while driving. Locking mechanism will not keep door shut.
Incident date: Jan 10, 2022
The camera often turns blue/black when backing up.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the ABS, air bag, and check engine warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the ABS sensor; however, the failure persisted. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,000.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the ABS, air bag, and check engine warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the ABS sensor; however, the failure persisted. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,000.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the ABS, air bag, and check engine warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the ABS sensor; however, the failure persisted. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,000.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
This luxury car has seat three seat memory positions: When you press the button the seat should go back to the computer-stored position (For the seat and steering wheel). The computer-stored position does not remember the position resulting in one getting jammed against the steering wheel and jamming ones feet into the peddles. While the seat memory recall feature is intended to be disabled unles... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
This luxury car has seat three seat memory positions: When you press the button the seat should go back to the computer-stored position (For the seat and steering wheel). The computer-stored position does not remember the position resulting in one getting jammed against the steering wheel and jamming ones feet into the peddles. While the seat memory recall feature is intended to be disabled unles... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
This luxury car has seat three seat memory positions: When you press the button the seat should go back to the computer-stored position (For the seat and steering wheel). The computer-stored position does not remember the position resulting in one getting jammed against the steering wheel and jamming ones feet into the peddles. While the seat memory recall feature is intended to be disabled unles... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
Our Lincoln MKX had a failure of its power brake booster showing no warning indicator light on the dashboard. The brakes felt like they had air in the lines and excessive pumping was needed to build pressure on the brake pads which eventually needed to be pushed close to the floor in order to stop. We made an appointment at the Ford Dealership. But, since it was a long distance from our home, an... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
Our Lincoln MKX had a failure of its power brake booster showing no warning indicator light on the dashboard. The brakes felt like they had air in the lines and excessive pumping was needed to build pressure on the brake pads which eventually needed to be pushed close to the floor in order to stop. We made an appointment at the Ford Dealership. But, since it was a long distance from our home, an... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered while driving 35 MPH, that the steering wheel would stiffen and become difficult to turn in either direction. Additionally, while making a left turn there was a cracking sound coming from the steering column. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2021
Major rust problems that effect the safety of driving the vehicle. Vehicle will not pass PA State Inspection. Hood latch rusted. possibility of hood opening. Rust holes in rocker panels. FRAME cross supports. No enough space to explain. Please see attached PDF.
Incident date: Jun 29, 2021
Major rust problems that effect the safety of driving the vehicle. Vehicle will not pass PA State Inspection. Hood latch rusted. possibility of hood opening. Rust holes in rocker panels. FRAME cross supports. No enough space to explain. Please see attached PDF.
Incident date: Jun 29, 2021
Major rust problems that effect the safety of driving the vehicle. Vehicle will not pass PA State Inspection. Hood latch rusted. possibility of hood opening. Rust holes in rocker panels. FRAME cross supports. No enough space to explain. Please see attached PDF.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
We saw something leaking onto our driveway from inside the garage a couple weeks ago. I verified it was leaking from underneath the engine area of my car but didn't think anything else about it. A week later I went somewhere and was gone about an hour and came back and parked in the garage. I came back into the garage maybe a half hour later and it smelled like gas. I looked and noticed it dr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2022
Manufacturer Recall Number19S54 NHTSA Recall Number19V904 Manufacturer Recall Number21S12 NHTSA Recall Number21V158 I've been waiting to complete the first recall for my car for over two years and during that time a second recall for the airbag has come out. I am afraid to drive my car and put others in danger and I'm afraid to sell my car because I could be knowingly putting other people at ris... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2022
Manufacturer Recall Number19S54 NHTSA Recall Number19V904 Manufacturer Recall Number21S12 NHTSA Recall Number21V158 I've been waiting to complete the first recall for my car for over two years and during that time a second recall for the airbag has come out. I am afraid to drive my car and put others in danger and I'm afraid to sell my car because I could be knowingly putting other people at ris... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The RPM's would suddenly increase before the speed was drastically reduced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for service however, the failure persisted. No further information was available. The manufacturer w... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The RPM's would suddenly increase before the speed was drastically reduced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for service however, the failure persisted. No further information was available. The manufacturer w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2022
Water has entered a headlight and has caused the turn signal, DRL and headlight functions to fail intermittently. Ford/Lincoln has inspected and acknowledge the defect, and it is covered under warranty. However, they have not and do not admit to having a replacement headlight available. They do have headlight assemblies available for new car production and choose to use the new assemblies for new ... Read more
LINCOLN
AVIATOR PHEV
(2022) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 18, 2022
Incident date: Feb 18, 2022
A warning appears on the dash "stop safely now" and the vehicle rapidly comes to a complete stop and is unable to be moved. This has occurred on three occasions, during 2 of which the car stalled in an active driving lane on a highway, resulting in life threatening situation. The app said "high voltage battery warning" triggered by "another event". Being investigated by Lincoln, who is re-acquirin... Read more
LINCOLN
AVIATOR PHEV
(2022) — ENGINE
Mar 18, 2022
Incident date: Feb 18, 2022
A warning appears on the dash "stop safely now" and the vehicle rapidly comes to a complete stop and is unable to be moved. This has occurred on three occasions, during 2 of which the car stalled in an active driving lane on a highway, resulting in life threatening situation. The app said "high voltage battery warning" triggered by "another event". Being investigated by Lincoln, who is re-acquirin... Read more
LINCOLN
AVIATOR PHEV
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 18, 2022
Incident date: Feb 18, 2022
A warning appears on the dash "stop safely now" and the vehicle rapidly comes to a complete stop and is unable to be moved. This has occurred on three occasions, during 2 of which the car stalled in an active driving lane on a highway, resulting in life threatening situation. The app said "high voltage battery warning" triggered by "another event". Being investigated by Lincoln, who is re-acquirin... Read more
Incident date: Feb 23, 2022
In regards to my brand new 2021 Lincoln Aviator Reserve (4181 miles): 2.23.22- Driving home on a very narrow, winding road when my car unexpectedly started to vibrate/shake. There were no alerts and no warning lights that came on. Fortunately, I was coming up on one of the very few turnouts available. As I started to pull over the car completely shut off (completely died). Luckily, I made it off... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2022
I have a 2002 lincoln LS v8 the passenger ball joint came loose and broke had it fixed driver side has now came loose and rattling
Incident date: Jan 25, 2022
Door ajar notification continues to illuminate when all doors are secure. First incident happened on 1/25/2022. Was sent in for repair and returned on 2/2/2022. Issue happened again while driving on the interstate on 3/10/2022, and is back in for repair. This notification causes domes lights to continue to illuminate which is a danger at night, and will not allow for doors to lock.