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: Apr 30, 2026
Toyota made a defective coolant valve in their 2019-2021 cars that leaked spontaneously in these vehicles. Over 950,000 cars have been affected to date, including my 2020 Rav4. They are aware of the issue and made a customer support program for this issue which led to engines overheating/electrical code problems, which can cause a severe safety issue if left unrepaired. The program however has a l... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
Positions during small steering corrections, especially at highway speeds and during straight-line driving. Condition feels like temporary increased steering effort or intermittent reduction of electric power steering assist. Additional force is required to move the steering wheel past the sticking point 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock. Once resistance releases, steering may suddenly move farther than in... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2026
I was driving on the highway at 70 mph approximately with my young daughter in the backseat. All of a sudden, the front display on my Hyundai Ioniq 9 went completely black and said "no signal." I lost all dashboard information about my speed, gas gauge, horsepower etc. The only thing I could do was see how fast I was going because I was on google maps and my audiovisual screen in the center was s... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2026
I was driving on the highway at 70 mph approximately with my young daughter in the backseat. All of a sudden, the front display on my Hyundai Ioniq 9 went completely black and said "no signal." I lost all dashboard information about my speed, gas gauge, horsepower etc. The only thing I could do was see how fast I was going because I was on google maps and my audiovisual screen in the center was s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact noticed an unusual hissing sound. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floor. In addition, the contact stated that after the vehicle came to a complete stop, the vehicle rolled forward... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2026
My car caught on fire while I was driving it pulled over got out of car and car imploded in flames
Fire
Incident date: May 19, 2026
I had a recall done in the radio that didn’t work.
Incident date: May 18, 2026
2017 Kia Soul, 1.6L Gamma GDI engine, ~82,000 miles. Vehicle exhibits excessive oil consumption consistent with the known piston ring defect addressed in Kia TSB ENG222 (covering 2012–2019 Souls with Gamma/Nu engines) and consistent with the E2 Class Action Settlement that covered the same engine in 2012–2016 model years. The oil consumption has destroyed the catalytic converter, causing the e... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2026
The contact owned a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle independently shifted gear into Neutral. Several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the failure could not be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Incident date: May 17, 2026
While in a parking lot going about 10mph or less, a car pulled out from a parking space on the left. I did a full brake and despite being dry, warm pavement, the car activated abs and released some brake pressure and allowed the car to continue to move. This ment that my braking distance increased by about 5-10 feet more than you'd expect. I have had this happen 3 times, each time a car was pulli... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2026
Windows and engines
Crash
Incident date: May 21, 2025
When using the rear camera while towing a trailer, the image is partially blocked by a persistent message stating “full view not available”. This creates a safety issue as it obscures the driver’s view of the trailer and/or the trailer load. It is critical to be able to monitor the trailer and the load during towing to ensure a hazardous condition is not developing. I believe the rear view ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 RAM 3500. The contact stated that when he took his vehicle to be aligned, he was advised that the vehicle was not able to be aligned, due to a previous recall repair where the drag link was welded unless the drag link was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of this issue. The failure mileage was approximately 55,526.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
Stepping on brakes - Car slows then accelerates a few seconds and lunges forward a couple of feet. Extreme safety issue. This occurred yesterday with my sister in the car and we almost rear ended the vehicle stopped in front of us. I have complained to the Cumberland Toyota dealership in the past and was told if they cant recreate the issue and it doesn't happen all the time there is no way to ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The engine started to fail when I'm driving and on the highway it suddenly loses strength, the oil goes down and I don't know where it's going, the engine starts to make noises and burning smell, the ignition light turns on and minutes later goes out, a triangle signal also sometimes appears for 6 seconds and disappears, when this triangle appears the car starts to fail and give strong jolts, this... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 4, 2026
The engine started to fail when I'm driving and on the highway it suddenly loses strength, the oil goes down and I don't know where it's going, the engine starts to make noises and burning smell, the ignition light turns on and minutes later goes out, a triangle signal also sometimes appears for 6 seconds and disappears, when this triangle appears the car starts to fail and give strong jolts, this... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 BMW X5. The contact stated while the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact's son drove the vehicle to a local gas station. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, however the vehicle had not been inspected.The tow truck driver informed the contact's son that there was a leak... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
The contact stated while driving at approximately35 mph, minor occupant struggling, back right seatbelt was strangling child, kept tightening up when trying to retract the seatbelt but it would not. The contact had to pull over and received assistance from citizens the seatbelt ultimately had to be cut. This was the second time this incident happened. the seatbelt was previously replaced from... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
The contact owns a 1966 Ford Mustang equipped with Nexen Tires, Tire Line: N’Priz, Tire Size: P195/75R14, DOT Number: 1BE4X. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the sidewall of the tire had failed and the sidewall tire had unexpectedly swell. The cause of the failure had not yet been determined. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the tire had been taken to a local tire shop for i... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2026
Early in 2024 my VW Passat TDI SEL the airbag light would not go off after starting and operating the car. The steering wheel controls were also operation incorrectly -- the horn didn't work, nor did the cruise control, wiper controls, etc. I took the car to my local VW dealership, where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel clock spring was defective and needed to be replaced. The dealership r... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission independently downshifted. In addition, the vehicle stalled and then the vehicle independently accelerated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train) however th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
The vehicle exhibits multiple, unresolved safety-critical defects across software and mechanical systems that create an unpredictable and dangerous driving environment. Despite multiple repair attempts, the manufacturer has failed to certify the vehicle as safe for operation. 1. Critical ADAS Failures (Forward Collision/Lane Keeping): Automatic Emergency Braking (Pre-Sense): The vehicle suffers f... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
While driving the car the start loosing power and attempts to shut down, other time the steering wheel locks up up and im unable to turn steering wheel. The check engine light comes on and turns off. The dealer/ Car repair shop has been unable to reproduce issue and unable tell me what this issue is. No accident has resulted from this as of yet. But car has some kind of malfuctioning issue.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Motorcycle has exhibited unstable handling behavior since delivery. The defect is specifically a weaving and wobbling oscillation that occurs when the motorcycle is upright and traveling in a straight line, as if the bike is constantly riding on rippled or uneven pavement even on smooth road surfaces. The rear of the motorcycle feels disconnected from the chassis, with the rear tire feeling as tho... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
Intermittent trailer disconnect and loss of electric trailer brake output while towing Airstream. The truck is connected to the trailer through the seven Way plug. There are no modifications to the truck. This is a safety hazard as I pull a 9000+ lb trailer. Trailer connection drops momentarily and integrated trailer brake controller loses communication with trailer brakes. I went on a 5000 mile... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The vehicle all shut off as I slowed down for a stop sign. Put in Park turn the key off restarted it got to the next stop sign same thing. Also the red light same had to shut it off put it in put in Park shut off and then restart and step on the gas so I can get through before a car hit me. Happened several times till I finally got the car home done it started knocking loudly and shut off just as ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The eRAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) on my 2016 Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV failed completely. The warning light appeared approximately 11/3/2025, within one week of purchasing the vehicle at 88,000 miles. The failure was confirmed by a Volvo dealership. The eRAD is the component that powers the rear electric motor and provides AWD and hybrid function — its failure results in complete loss of rear wheel d... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
When accelerating, the car fails too move forward. I then place it in neutral while it is still rolling and pump the acceleratior. This then gets the car moving forward again.This has happened about once every 2 to 3 weeks. It is currently at the dealer service department and they have run the diagnostics on it but so far can't find anything wrong. This car is VERY dangerous to drive as is becau... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2026
I am reporting Certification Fraud and severe safety violations by Central Florida Toyota. This vehicle was sold as "Toyota Gold Certified" on March 28, 2026, while having an active safety recall (NHTSA 26V203) with no available remedy. Furthermore, a professional inspection revealed a high-voltage hybrid system leak and structural damage (bondo/rust) on engine mounts, indicating a hidden prior co... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V218000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Th vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that the remedy parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
I was driving vehicle and it all of a sudden get stuck in gear in either park gear or some other gear that wont allow me to turn engine off. Sometimes it just slow down to a stop and will not go into gear again for a while or appears the gears are not engaging putting me at risk for accident on highway. Once it slowed down in traffic and I nearly got hit trying to drive it off the highway. The gea... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
I received an official recall notice from Mercedes-Benz regarding my EQB due to a defect involving the high-voltage battery system. According to the recall notice, the battery may experience an internal failure that could potentially result in a fire while the vehicle is either parked or being driven. Mercedes-Benz has also advised owners to limit charging and park the vehicle outside due to the s... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
Charging System Fault. Caused multiple error messages like Forward camera not available, collision avoidance not available. Then Radio goes black and reboots. Several cycles later the dash board goes DARK. No speed or RPM anything visible for 5-10 secs, and on some reboots this Dark dash lasted 30 seconds. Thankfully while traveling at midnight the head lights and tail lights remain on, jus... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while her husband was loading the child into the car seat. The rear button for the door was depressed by the child. The husband became stuck in between the sliding doors. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to his previously injured rotary cuff, but medical attention was not provided. The local dealer was ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
Open safety recall on brake controller, parts unavailable for nearly 2 months, vehicle actively used for towing a 7,800 lb travel trailer
Incident date: May 17, 2022
I have had this vehicle since about August 2025, the brakes and wheel bearings have failed twice, the strut failed, the power steering system has messed up repeatedly, the coolant came FLYING out of the car (while parked) FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON! There have been multiple warning lights on since I got the vehicle and I have been told they are just sensors from multiple mechanics and that they don'... Read more
Incident date: May 17, 2022
To whom this may concern: This is what I sent to KIA which I was informed to contact KIA customer care via phone. Which I will do but I know of several people that have had the same issue as me with a Sorento. I am writing this in regards to my 2014 KIA Sorento VIN: [XXX] I purchased in November 2021. At time of purchase it had 89199 miles, I kept up routine maintenance as usual then May 20... Read more
Incident date: May 17, 2022
I am filing this formal complaint to report a series of catastrophic, life-threatening mechanical failures involving my 2023 GMC Yukon. This vehicle has become a weapon on the road, exhibiting erratic behaviors that nearly resulted in a multi-vehicle fatality on a high-speed highway.1. High-Speed Power Loss (Highway Failure while my wife was traveling at 60 MPH in heavy highway traffic, the vehicl... Read more
Incident date: May 17, 2023
I am filing this formal complaint to report a series of catastrophic, life-threatening mechanical failures involving my 2023 GMC Yukon. This vehicle has become a weapon on the road, exhibiting erratic behaviors that nearly resulted in a multi-vehicle fatality on a high-speed highway.1. High-Speed Power Loss (Highway Failure while my wife was traveling at 60 MPH in heavy highway traffic, the vehicl... Read more
Incident date: May 17, 2023
Driving home from church this morning, the vehicle experiences a sudden loss of power and the car went into “limp mode”. Even the pedal floored and the engine rpms high, the car would barely go about 25 or 30 mph. A message from the dash board told me to pull over and leave the engine running to charge the EV batteries. The batteries would charge enough for what I thought would get me home but... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2026
The car does not alert when a seat belt is not worn in the back seats. This feature is mentioned in the owner's manual, but the car fails to alert when a rear passenger does not buckle their seat belt. I have raised the complaint twice and proved to lexus service center, that car doesn't warn or alert the safety belt. It was also proven and checked by Lexus with their technician. The problem i... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2026
I am reporting an ongoing and concerning issue with my 2022 Ford Edge. My vehicle has begun hesitating when pressing the accelerator and jerking or skipping, mainly when going from cruising/coasting to accelerating. Some days the issue is worse than others, but it has progressively made the vehicle feel unsafe to drive. At times, it feels as though the vehicle may break down while driving on the i... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2026
Kia radio goes out randomly, will cut off and fails to turn on when the vehicle turns on. It will make a loud noise like an old car being scratched and then it turns off. The radio will freeze up and it affects my digital speed control. I have reported multiple times to my dealership with no help. It has been happening since I purchased the vehicle in 2023.
Incident date: May 9, 2026
On April 27, 2025, in [XXX] , the vehicle displayed a low coolant warning in the morning. The owner replenished the coolant as instructed, the warning cleared, and the vehicle was driven to work without incident. Later that day, while traveling southbound on [XXX] at approximately 60 mph, the engine overheat warning activated, forcing the driver to stop and pull over. The vehicle required two sep... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2026
On April 27, 2025, in [XXX] , the vehicle displayed a low coolant warning in the morning. The owner replenished the coolant as instructed, the warning cleared, and the vehicle was driven to work without incident. Later that day, while traveling southbound on [XXX] at approximately 60 mph, the engine overheat warning activated, forcing the driver to stop and pull over. The vehicle required two sep... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
The 2026 Ford Mustang was off and rolled away out of the driveway colliding with tree, The incident was caught on my Ring Camera, the electrical system vehicle had acting strangely and kept giving warning the trunk was open and had to go open and close it multiple times. once i parked the vehicle at my house the car rolled away, according to Ford manual the vehicle is equipped this is a failure ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
The 2026 Ford Mustang was off and rolled away out of the driveway colliding with tree, The incident was caught on my Ring Camera, the electrical system vehicle had acting strangely and kept giving warning the trunk was open and had to go open and close it multiple times. once i parked the vehicle at my house the car rolled away, according to Ford manual the vehicle is equipped this is a failure ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
Transmission will randomly over shift or down shift when driving. When turning left I have had the transmission over shift from 2nd to 8th causing the car to bog down and could not accelerate in the intersection. I was almost hit from behind on one occasion and had hit on the side another time. I do not feel comfortable making turns without having a protected right away. Ford have changed the tran... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2026
Transmission intermittently struggling to reach 3rd, 4th, 5th gears. Performed IDS diag at shop, found hitorical code P0734 for "Incorrect gear 4 ratio" TSB 26-2046 to overhaul transmission.
Incident date: May 5, 2026
I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding my 2022 Kia Sorento, which is experiencing a dangerous and recurring loss of engine power during acceleration. This issue presents a significant safety hazard, particularly during situations requiring immediate acceleration such as highway merging, crossing intersections, and passing traffic.