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 96,425 complaints for NISSAN
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
My name is [XXX] Owner of KIA SORENTO 2016 V6 At the begging of this year in early January , my automobile starting showing extremely overheating conditions. My wife was taking our kids to school on a cold weather, 15 minutes from home and as she was arriving to the school parking lot she noticed the temperature indicator up to (H) mark, she then notice a loud buzzing sound coming from the eng... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the ABS warning light, the steering warning light, and the Hill Descent control warning light were illuminated. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, another vehicle in the left turn lane was intruding into his lane. The contact stated that he slightly swerved to the right; however, the wheels locked up, and the vehicle skidded b... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the ABS warning light, the steering warning light, and the Hill Descent control warning light were illuminated. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, another vehicle in the left turn lane was intruding into his lane. The contact stated that he slightly swerved to the right; however, the wheels locked up, and the vehicle skidded b... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
Engine light. Told by Mercedes mechanic it is a code P052E - positive crankcase ventilation regulator valve issues that can cause engine to seize while driving. Repair cost $2,500+
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
I was contacted by Hyundai last year about a possible recall on my engine so I brought it in October 2023 to have it checked out. I was told that everything with the car was fine. Fast forward to last week 02-21-2024 and my engine starts shutting off while driving ON THE HIGHWAY? I have it towed to a new dealership in Jacksonville FL Jenkins Hyundai I believe. They inform me that it is indeed the ... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2022
Since more than 18 months, we have the known intermittent problem described in TSB [XXX], where all of a sudden the wrench appears, speedometer drops to zero and car can't change gear anymore. Sometimes going to manual gears works, sometimes car needs to be stopped, locked and completely shut down several times for the problem to go away. Before turning off, error P0720 appears (as described in TS... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2022
Since more than 18 months, we have the known intermittent problem described in TSB [XXX], where all of a sudden the wrench appears, speedometer drops to zero and car can't change gear anymore. Sometimes going to manual gears works, sometimes car needs to be stopped, locked and completely shut down several times for the problem to go away. Before turning off, error P0720 appears (as described in TS... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2024
Grinding banging noise when turning steering wheel driving and parked. Milage had just reached 100,000 . Contacted Ford for inspection was told my steering gear needed replaced, car not drivable. Cost almost 3000.00 to repair. At the time there was already a recall on my model for this issue but my VIN didn't match and they would not repair it cost free.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2024
The auto leveling lights drift during driving. On staff up, the headlights will point up and down, then self level. However, for the past week, the right headlight drifts down towards the road and the left headlight will drift upwards after about 20-30 minutes of driving. The downward drifting headlight only illuminates about 1 car length ahead while the upward drifting headlight will point toward... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2024
Turning on my vehicle I had extreme loss of power. I will be taking it to the dealer tomorrow. It would not accelerate past 55 miles per hour when the gas petal was pushed all the way to the floor. When I pulled over and turned the car off the vehicle ran fine with Normal power. This is a brand new vehicle with 1000 miles on it. I got it with 3 miles on it
Incident date: Feb 28, 2024
Unknown, vehicle slips out of gear leaving you stranded in the middle of the street
Incident date: Feb 28, 2024
Campaign #[XXX] I was notified and contacted Hyundai multiple times - 11/14, 15 and 16.There were multiple other times as well. I contacted both Broadway and Bergstrom Hyundai in both Appleton and Green Bay on multiple occasions as well to ask for a rental while awaiting the remedy as you are advised not to park near structures and outside. I live in an area where this is not possible and rent a d... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) 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 contact stated that the A-pillar applique trim was loose and had damaged the windshield gasket. The deale... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The Coolant tank is known to have and cause leakage by possible high temperatures and over-expansion. When this happens the coolant leaks all over critical engine components such as fuel injectors causing a short and risk of fire. Leaking coolant can also cause many other safety problems such as slippery brakes and/or tires. Fortunately, this hasn't happened to my vehicle yet. I have spoken with s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2024
Complete failure of harness release button, allowing my child to loosen the harness by gently leaning forward. This is a malfunction on a replacement frame (used for less than 2 months), NUNA replaced the original frame (used for 8 months) for the same issue. I have contacted NUNA about current frame issue, haver not heard back from them. Given the poor customer service I received with original fr... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2012) — SUSPENSION
Feb 28, 2024
Incident date: Sep 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway and the rear end started shaking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to drive the vehicle however, after driving over a bump in the roadway, the rear end bounced several times. The contact stated that a friend drove the veh... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly lost power, jerked, and the speedometer went to zero. The wrench warning light and air bag warning light was illuminated. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift out of 1st gear. The contact shifted the vehicle to manual drive mode, shifted to 2nd gear and then back to drive and ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2023
Our Explorer, experienced this in June of 2022. My daughter had just graduated college and we were moving some of her stuff back home 350 miles away. The Driver side area where the codes are put into to unlock the door if locked out, fell off and was hanging while we were driving on the freeway. We had to exit the freeway and my husband had to buy duck tape to tape it up. Our hatchback would not w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, when the contact attempted to set a recall appointment the dealer refused to perform the recall due to excessive mileage on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle sta... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "Service ABS Electronic Braking System" message was displayed, and the vehicle would not immediately stop while depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, the cruise control failed to operate while the message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the ABS Hydraulic Brake ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Steering Assist Unavailable" displayed and the steering wheel seized. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the message disappeared and the steering wheel regained functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed that the power steering module had failed and need... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
Drivers side door inner shell became unwelded. Ford released a TSB technical service bulletin about it, but refuses to call it a recall. Out of pocket $1500
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
I was patient throughout the 2 previous Odyssey recalls (which took HONDA months to remedy) but, since, according to HONDA, fuel pump recall # 23V-858 poses a clear SAFETY RISK: If the fuel pump module is inoperative, the engine may not start or can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash or injury -- I cannot be patient again. My vehicle, which seats 8, is regularly used to transport... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was not functioning as intended. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact st... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle briefly sputtered before returning to normal functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the coolant intrusion had damaged the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Afte... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH during a rainstorm, the vehicle began to sway left to right independently; the contact decelerated to maintain control of the vehicle. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2024
Rear suspension cannot be adjust which results in uneven tire wear that is hard to see which has lead to 3 tire blowouts in less than a 12 month period on the rear tire.
Incident date: Feb 21, 2024
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering) in 2019. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Service - Steering Column Lock" was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who informed the contact that he needed to pay for a diagnostic test to determine the cause of... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2024
The drive door is consistently not locking properly and the door latch sensor is not reading when the door is shut properly. Causing a "door ajar" and "transmission not in park" warning to pop up while driving. Also, my car alarm goes off several times a day and several times all through the night due to the door sensor not working properly. The doors not locking is a huge safety risk. The interio... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, rainwater leaked into the cabin of the vehicle from the roof. The contact stated that the leaks were present at several locations inside the vehicle which included the rear hatch area, the rear driver’s, and passenger’s side roof areas above the windows, and the from driver's side roof area above the wind... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2024
Front crash warning malfunction on my dash
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
I have a 2018 Honda Accord 1.5t Sport. It has 113,000 miles on it. And I took it in for a diagnosis due to an inspection made by Walmart and I was told by the Honda dealership I have a blown head gasket. After much research and discovery, I found out this is a common and typical issue with this model car and that Honda corporation knows about it but refuses to issue a recall. I never experienced a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
I have a 2018 Honda Accord 1.5t Sport. It has 113,000 miles on it. And I took it in for a diagnosis due to an inspection made by Walmart and I was told by the Honda dealership I have a blown head gasket. After much research and discovery, I found out this is a common and typical issue with this model car and that Honda corporation knows about it but refuses to issue a recall. I never experienced a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
My 2011 Nissan Armada started shaking very badly 8 months ago. Around that same time I had all 4 tires replaced. I took the car back to the place that put my new tires on (National Tire and Battery) and was told that the rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced. They wanted $800-900 for the repair and to leave my car for 3 days which I could not do due to having only one vehicle. I took my c... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2023
I was driving on the highway going 70MPH in 6th gear. Myself, my wife, and my 6th month old son were on our way to a doctors appointment when in the middle lane on the highway my truck decided to completely downshift into 1st gear. With doing so my truck locked up and I lost control of the vehicle almost colliding with a semi. I was very lucky to not have wrecked and got onto the shoulder safely w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2023
Passenger door comes ajar while driving down the road. I was not leaning against the door and while I was driving the door became ajar enough so that wind was flowing as if the door was cracked open.
Incident date: Nov 11, 2023
1. Front passenger side seat fails to activate the air bag once a passenger has occupied the seat, and buckled up. The airbag "off" indication light remains illuminated at all times, and if it isn't being activated, may cause bodily harm, injury, or death to any passenger of the vehicle in the unfortunate event of a collision. Vehicle was requested to be checked out at Lorenzo Nissan in Ft. Lauder... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V3858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
At highway speeds and sometimes lower, steering becomes sticky/feels like it has notches and requires additional pressure to move wheel
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
My 2020 Nissan Altima is having issues with the transmission . When you accelerate the engine Jerks, Vibrates , Shutters. It hesitates even when stopping acts like it doesn’t want to shift into another gear . My Tires are always loosing air as well . The Front of my car is always making a sound think suspension issues .
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
Gas tank was filled and experienced erratic fuel gauge indication during drive. Parked vehicle and next day there was gasoline coming out of the bottom of the car. Towed and mechanic said the gas tank shows deformation, issue where the tube into tank/assembly is defective.
Incident date: Dec 2, 2023
Due to an inability of the Buick auto manufacturers to provide parts to my 2022 Enclave, after becoming disabled to drive in auto accident..since November 27th, enduring a 3 month wait with rental car fees, and emotional stress strickly because unable to obtain parts! How does a company sell a car without the ability to pro ide ANY customer service in a timely manner.. I've made 4 car payments w... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
I bought the car back in 2022 and since then the stop/start started malfunctioning. At first it would stop then be hesitant to start back up then 6 months later it completely would stall at lights and stop signs. Now the aux battery is draining my main battery and I’ve had to tow my car 3 times because I’ve been left stranded. I’m now in that same predicament and it’s 2/26/24
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) 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 repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) 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 repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2024
The supplemental air bag warning light came on the dashboard. My local mechanic coded it at B1018, occupant sensor failure. At his suggestion, I brought it to a Nissan dealership (Infiniti is over an hour away from where I live.). They indicated I need to replace both seat sensor and OCS module. They say the seat must be replaced. Checking the Internet, there is a recent recall for Infiniti ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2024
I keep getting a message that goes on and off saying engine power reduced, which slows the pick up and the car down while driving.
Incident date: Feb 17, 2024
Parked car due to electrical and transmission issues had left it for a couple hours to receive assistance and the car was gone it had no plates because I was attempting to register the car that same day
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2013) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Feb 26, 2024
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
Experiencing a high-pitched whining/ringing sound from the air conditioning system. It is highly distracting and irritating, and basically prevents the use of some fan speed settings for extended durations due to the pain it causes. Many other Corolla owners are experiencing the same issue and Toyota refuses to take action in every case, saying the problem is "characteristic of the vehicle" or som... Read more