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: Mar 1, 2022
Left headlight goes on and off. Dealer can’t find the problem. Has offered different very expensive options to see if it would work. One part that was told may be needed is the body control module which Lincoln and Ford has discontinued. Told they can try replacing the entire assembly but would not guarantee a fix. This repair is costly. Was then told I may need to purchase a new car instead of ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2022
The rear video camera when I attempted to back up failed and no rear video image just a blue screen. This happened today (06/22/2022).
Incident date: May 17, 2022
Urgent safety recall. Informed of this urgent safety recall of fires on May 17 and there still has been no resolution by Lincoln to fix this urgent safety issue.
Incident date: Jun 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and accelerating to switch lanes, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was concerned that a major failure might occur and pulled off of the road. The contact turned the vehicle off and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the vehicle had a cracked gasket and stated ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2022
AC BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR CONTROL MODULE FAULTY CAUSES FAN TO BE STUCK IN ONE SPEED THEN SYSTEM VARIES UP AND DOWN AND VENTS SMOKE. FORWARD WARNING COMES ON FOR NO REASON?
Incident date: Jun 9, 2022
AC BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR CONTROL MODULE FAULTY CAUSES FAN TO BE STUCK IN ONE SPEED THEN SYSTEM VARIES UP AND DOWN AND VENTS SMOKE. FORWARD WARNING COMES ON FOR NO REASON?
Incident date: Jun 13, 2022
I sold this vehicle over three years ago to Enterprise Car Sales in Santa Clara, CA. I have responded to these recall statements without success. Please tell me what I need to do ??
Incident date: Jun 6, 2022
My check engine light went on one week ago and we received a message that my vehicle was unsafe to drive due to an engine misfire. We did not drive the vehicle, but could not take it into the dealership until today as they were backlogged and could not fit it in until today (9/13/22). I just received notice that my 2018 Lincoln MKC needs the engine block replaced due to a known issue with the 2.0 ... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Corsair. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not immediately accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure milea... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to stop the vehicle while the brake fluid message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact replenished the brake fluid; however, the fluid would leak out of the reservoir soon after replacement. The contact called an independent mechanic and upon arrival at the mechanic shop, the brake fluid warning lig... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V346000 (Engine) and 22V250000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repairs 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.... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V346000 (Engine) and 22V250000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repairs 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.... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that water was leaking into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that water was leaking through the sunroof as the drain had not been cleaned. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the front passenger's side headlight failed to illuminate. There was no warning light illumina... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that water was leaking into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that water was leaking through the sunroof as the drain had not been cleaned. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the front passenger's side headlight failed to illuminate. There was no warning light illumina... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The contact pulled safely off to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that the steering wheel became locked. The contact turned the vehicle on and off however, the steering wheel remained locked. The contact stated no warning light was ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2022
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) 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 contact had... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2020
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated while driving at slower speeds and attempting to accelerate to 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving at slower speeds and while driving from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the d... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2022
The electronic steering failed. A steering warning light came on and within 3-5 seconds the electronic steering failed completely. Fortunately I was only traveling at a low speed or would have likely been in an accident. Cost to repair was over $2000 and the car had 100,180 miles on it at the time of the failure.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2019
The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2019
The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 22V250000 (Visibility) and 22V346000 (Engine) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were 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 repa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 22V250000 (Visibility) and 22V346000 (Engine) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were 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 repa... Read more
LINCOLN
AVIATOR PHEV
(2022) - SUSPENSION
Jun 5, 2022
Incident date: May 8, 2022
I ran over a pothole in NYC at approx 10 mph. The air suspension light came on and a warning message for service and to not driver over 35MPH. I brought the vehicle to the dealership and was told they needed to replace the full suspension system and two front struts. Vehicle has been waiting for parts for over a month.
LINCOLN
AVIATOR PHEV
(2022) - SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
Jun 5, 2022
Incident date: May 8, 2022
I ran over a pothole in NYC at approx 10 mph. The air suspension light came on and a warning message for service and to not driver over 35MPH. I brought the vehicle to the dealership and was told they needed to replace the full suspension system and two front struts. Vehicle has been waiting for parts for over a month.
Incident date: May 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that as she attempted to come to a complete stop at the top of a hill, the brakes failed to operate as needed and were depressed to the floorboard. The contact blew through the intersection with the brake fluid low warning message on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that a warning chime sounded during the failure. The contact was... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V346000 (Engine) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms p... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while his wife was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost braking functionality. The brake fluid warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V150000 (Service Brak... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2022
The rear-end failed does not have tempered axle There was a recall on 2003 lincolns with same problem but when I enter vin It does not pull anything up Lost control of car and had to be towed home have not had it to the dealer yet
Incident date: May 20, 2022
The rear-end failed does not have tempered axle There was a recall on 2003 lincolns with same problem but when I enter vin It does not pull anything up Lost control of car and had to be towed home have not had it to the dealer yet
Incident date: May 20, 2022
The rear-end failed does not have tempered axle There was a recall on 2003 lincolns with same problem but when I enter vin It does not pull anything up Lost control of car and had to be towed home have not had it to the dealer yet
Incident date: May 27, 2022
The vehicle back up camera and computer screen went totally dark and would not come back on, so that when I backed out of the garage, I could not see on the rear side of the vehicle, as to any pedestrians walking across my driveway , beside nor behind my vehicle. I drove the vehicle back into the garage and ran my errand in our other car. When I came back from the errand, I tried to get the scre... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2020
The contact owns a 2005 Lincoln LS. The contact stated all four tires melted and rusted to the ground and the belly of the vehicle fell out. The contact also stated the vehicle was overheated. There were no warning lights. The contact put tape underneath the engine to keep it in place. The contact drove the vehicle to the local mechanic which diagnosed the failure with a tire stripped. The vehicle... Read more
LINCOLN
CONTINENTAL
(2017) - STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:EXTERIOR
May 30, 2022
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
3 of the 4 doors stopped opening from the outside. The door handles were completely inoperable.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
Drivers side headlight intermittently goes on and off. Signal light does not work when this happens. Have been told that headlight control module would need to be replaced, but Lincoln and Ford no longer has the part.
Incident date: May 1, 2022
I purchased the vehicle a few months ago from a small used dealership in Anderson, SC. The seller/owner raved about the condition of the car and all seemed well until after the purchase when I discovered there was an Open Recall for the driver's airbag. However, when I contacted the local Ford dealership and the NHTSA website I found there is "No Remedy" available from Ford. According to variou... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2021
Backup camera turns to blue screen when the vehicle is put into reverse.
Incident date: Aug 9, 2021
The contact owned a 2010 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH and crossing an intersection, another vehicle crashed into the passenger’s side of the vehicle and pushed the vehicle into oncoming traffic. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the driver’s side of the vehicle. The contact was knocked out unconscious. The contact was later informed that the driver’s side a... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a brake booster fault and the contact depressed the brake pedal to the floor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed the failure with the brake booster. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approxim... Read more
LINCOLN
NAVIGATOR
(2017) - SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
May 24, 2022
Incident date: May 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated when starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost brake functionality. The brake fluid warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake master cylinder and brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2021
Been trying for about a year to get this safety recall called 4 local ford dealer ships first one said my cars to old they won’t fix the safety recall other don’t give call back I can hear like vibrating in the back where this recall would fix it hopfully it don’t break on me
Incident date: May 21, 2022
I WAS DRIVING GOING OVER 50 PER MILE ON HWY , WHEN I TRY TO TAKE THE EXIT MY VEHICLE KEEP GOING STRAIGHT I CAN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL , I WAS ALMOST GOING TO THE TREES THAN I STOP . AND I THINK THIS PART OF RECALL PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX] THANK YOU . INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
The seatbelt On the driver side doesn’t work it will not come out cannot clamp on it has been looked at by an independent service technician there were no warning lights came on The service center said the seatbelt and it parts has to be replaced
LINCOLN
MKZ HYBRID
(2017) - STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
May 20, 2022
Incident date: May 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that there was corrosion on the seams of the hood and the doors of the vehicle towards the bottom where the aluminum meets the steel. The contact took the vehicle to an auto body shop and stated that all the parts needed to be replaced due to the severity of the corrosion. The contact spoke to the dealer who confirmed there was no reca... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2022
Vehicle had recall 21V735 completed. Rear camera fail/blue screen both when engaged in reverse and using camera button. Failure resulted in warning messages of reverse brake assist unavailable. Video taken showing current software version while parked and camera failure for proof and uploaded to manufacture social media account in direct message. Additionally, local FMCO dealership was called to ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed the water pump needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that water had leaked into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was prov... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2022
The screen in which my backup camera appears on seems to not be connected to my vehicle. This screen is also the primary method for controlling AC, radio, parking/camera, and general settings. Initially it was black and did not turn on. After doing some type of “reset” that was suggested during the Lincoln chat, it came on; however, it looks like it was updated with a Ford update, is blue, and... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2022
First incident: My daughter was in the vehicle in our driveway in March 2022 and was leaving. She came running inside and told me she hit the start button and that the vehicle did not start, but started to roll down the driveway with the steering wheel locked in position. She was stepping on the brakes and the vehicle continued to roll out into the street until it finally stopped when it hit th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 2, 2022
First incident: My daughter was in the vehicle in our driveway in March 2022 and was leaving. She came running inside and told me she hit the start button and that the vehicle did not start, but started to roll down the driveway with the steering wheel locked in position. She was stepping on the brakes and the vehicle continued to roll out into the street until it finally stopped when it hit th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 2, 2022
First incident: My daughter was in the vehicle in our driveway in March 2022 and was leaving. She came running inside and told me she hit the start button and that the vehicle did not start, but started to roll down the driveway with the steering wheel locked in position. She was stepping on the brakes and the vehicle continued to roll out into the street until it finally stopped when it hit th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 25, 2022
My car had a 9-10 second delay from what was shown in the backup camera to what had already happened. It almost caused an accident as the camera didn't show any car in my path, but in reality, the car was stopped directly behind my car. Lincoln had me take it to a dealership, which didn't have time for a full software update, so I took it to another dealership and they re installed the software ... Read more