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 97,402 complaints for NISSAN
Incident date: May 9, 2026
My 2022 Honda Pilot failed to engage Drive after reversing, despite the Drive button being pressed. This resulted in an unintended backward motion & a collision with another vehicle. 1.What component or system failed or malfunctioned…? The Electronic Transmission Shift-by-Wire system (push-button shifter) failed to respond to a gear change request. Additionally, related electrical systems includ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 10, 2026
After having the airbag recall for my Mercedes done, the Electronic Steering Lock failed and my car would not start and the steering wheel is locked. They said my car was ready to pick up and when I arrived the car was completely inoperable. The MB Dealership in Lynnfield, MA wants $2700 to fix it. If you google Mercedes W204 ESLfailure you will see thousand of owners on facebook, message boards... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2026
After coming to a complete stop at a stop light, my engine began to shudder and then stalled out. I received a message on the dashboard to shift to P and restart my engine. After shifting to P I was able to start my engine. When shifting to R my engine acted normally. When shifting to N my engine acted normally. When shifting to D my engine began to shudder and stalled a second time. After waiting... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2026
I was on a hill and the car stalled. Or sometimes it has trouble starting and the starter and alternator and battery are fine.
Incident date: Mar 18, 2026
Car engine turns off at a red light, by turn off I mean completely turned off, not just silent. And takes a couple of attempts to restart the car before the engine turns on again. This has happened over 5 or 6 times over the last 3 months, however yesterday (May 9, 2026) it happened twice within the hour. Luckily, I have not been involved in an accident because of this, but I'm concerned that it's... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2013) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 9, 2026
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
Car battery can't be charged more than 80 ℅ , fire risk
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
Took my 2017 Ford F-150 in for a diagnostic on May 8 2026 for wrench symbol check engine light and issues down shifting and sliding tires shop manager and technician claimed the vehicle is unsafe to drive and talked to the Service manager deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive wanted it grounded do to the safety concerns related to Recall 26S28 (PCM/TRS) stated the down shifting is cause catastrop... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2026) - SUSPENSION
May 9, 2026
Incident date: Apr 8, 2026
The front driver-side lower control arm bolt completely fell off the vehicle while in motion at 5pm in a parking lot. The failure caused the front suspension to immediately collapse, resulting in the front driver side of the vehicle dropping and resting directly on the wheel. The failure was witnessed and confirmed by the roadside assistance tow truck operator. The operator had to temporarily jack... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2026
The Pre-Collision System (PCS) activated twice in the last couple of weeks with absolutely no reason. Both times it activated with transmission in reverse and vehicle in process of backing up. But there was no vehicle or person within the vicinity. The sudden braking startled the driver and passengers giving concern about the viability of the vehicle operating in a safe manner for the rest of t... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle jerked. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact received the manufacturer's customer satisfaction number: 14M02 in the past. However, when the vehicle was t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2026
Steering mechanisms stopped functioning properly. Steering wheel was very loosely turning to the left and very difficult to turn to the right. Car would veer to one direction when driving unless I was holding the wheel steady. Driving the car was dangerous and I pulled over immediately when I noticed the difference. Carefully brought it immediately to a mechanic and did not want it on the road. Dr... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2026
The rearview camera started glitching last April or May (of 2025). We became aware of the recall around October, 2025-when i googled the problem and then we got a letter stating the parts are not available and that they would let us know when they become available. Its been almost 7 months since the letter and 12 months since my problem started...and still no parts or letter. I am very frustrat... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
The "shift tower" typically refers to the external mechanism on top of the transmission where the shifter cables connect. Problems with this part, which is a broken internal pin, result in a shifter that moves freely without engaging any gears. The gear become in operatable when driving down the highway, which is a hazard on the road. There were no warning light just not ale to change gears.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
Heated seats get extremely hot. Smell of burning. Possible to catch fire or burn people Vw patrick volkswagen auburn ma confirmed that electrical inspection to rule out seat recall No. No recall has been submitted yet When i first bought the car in 2025
Incident date: Sep 2, 2025
Loud Static/Screeching Noise: A major, widely reported issue is sudden, extremely loud static, often described as max-volume screeching from all speakers. It often triggers during hot weather or when the car heats up. This is dangerous because it is extremely loud even if you have the volume on your radio completely off. Causes your ears to bleed as some say. After looking into it more. I realiz... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2026
Exiting the interstate waiting to turn right and behind one car that was able 10 feet in front of me, the car suddenly slammed on the brakes hard enough to make me think I was hit by another car. There was nothing close by.
Incident date: May 8, 2026
My 2019 Jaguar E-PACE is showing code P26CB related to coolant pump performance. The vehicle is experiencing the same coolant/water pump failure symptoms reported in similar Jaguar vehicles, but my VIN was excluded from coverage. This issue creates risk of overheating, engine damage, and possible loss of power while driving. I believe additional affected VINs may not have been included because my ... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2026
While driving the ABS light came on causing the abs lock to turn off increasing instability to cars performance.
Incident date: May 5, 2026
The failed components include the Tesla Vision system (cameras), sensors, Active Safety Control Module (AEB), and Gear Selection UI. Symptoms first appeared on April 30, 2026, including black screens and "Autopilot Unavailable" alerts. Internal vehicle logs from Apr 30 to May 02 confirm persistent "SNA" (Signal Not Available) and "UNAVAILABLE" states for these critical safety modules well before t... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
Driving down the highway in heavy traffic and the truck shutoff unexpectedly, I came to a complete stop and luckily avoided being rear ended and had to go from Drive and Park and recycle the ignition to restart the truck and limp off to a safe place.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
Rollover valve in factory gas tank is defective and remains closed. This causes an issue when refilling the vehicle with gas. The gas pump will continuously stop filling as the fumes build up in the tank. This should be a recall as it’s a safety issue and a new tank cost over $2,000.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
I was slowly turning left into an alley when I heard a loud noise, the front of my car dropped, and the car immediately stopped and was immovable. Upon getting out of the car, it appears some joint separated from the wheel.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
While driving on highway, multiple warnings displayed at the same time as adaptive cruise control stopped, lane keep assistance stopped and collision mitigation system stopped abruptly without warning. Independent service check confirmed the problem. No inspection performed. Vehicle has never been in a collision during ownership.
Incident date: May 7, 2026
The vehicle began experiencing repeated Autopilot/FSD failures while driving. Symptoms included sudden Autopilot disengagements, cruise control becoming unavailable, and loss of road visualization/navigation display functionality. The issue progressively worsened over time. The vehicle was first brought to Tesla service in 2025 for the same overheating-related concern. At that time, Tesla identi... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2026
Will not charge at 48 volts has been reduced to 24 volts. PCS failure. This is a widespread issue and apparently known by Tesla which currently has a parts shortage
Incident date: Apr 27, 2026
I was driving my car was sputtering or trying to shut off while I press the gas and I let go of the gas and it catches and stayed on. I took it to the dealership and they said they found nothing wrong. May 3rd around 12pm im driving on the freeway and as im getting on the express lane going 60 it dies and I couldn't move the steering wheel and I slammed into a guardrail. After doing research my ca... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 6, 2026
*gas tank had become partially dislodged from the undercarriage. *Entire family was in vehicle at time of incident, including three small children. The safety of an entire family along with any others that may have been on the road, if the car would have combusted due to the gas tank which had just been filled to capacity. *vehicle has been at Mark Christopher GM dealership for over one month. *de... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
My 2023 GMC Hummer EV 3X has experienced repeated thermal-protection failures in the high-voltage battery and drive-motor cooling system, causing the vehicle to enter limp mode and drop to as low as 12 mph without warning. Stored fault codes: P0C12, P0C13, P2EE0, P2EE1 (battery and drive-unit overheating). A sudden, unannounced drop to 12 mph in a 9,000-lb EV is a serious safety hazard — on hig... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2026
2.0 liter engines suffer from excessive oil consumption due to defective piston rings which can lead to engine failure. This is a class action lawsuit in other states. We now need a new engine at the cost of $6,500
Incident date: May 6, 2026
Traction control, ABS, and brake light all illuminated, then on 5/3/2026 while driving the speedometer quit completely. Replaced all 4 wheel speed sensors to see if it would help and nothing changed.
Incident date: May 3, 2026
The vehicle shudders and it very slow to shift from park to drive.
Incident date: May 6, 2026
The driver's seat has a large bump in the back of it which causes long term pain while sitting in the seat. The passenger seat is too low and has no support so the passenger is extremely uncomfortable, even on short rides. An average person can barely see over the dashboard.
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
Engine blew a head gasket so had to have the engine rebuilt @ a cost of $13,000. Car only had 22,500 miles on it. I think that should instigate a recall.
Incident date: Apr 28, 2026
Loosing oil constantly. Always on the low end. I am having to keep oil in my car to put in it when needed which is often.
Incident date: Apr 28, 2026
ABS ETC Traction control Torque management in power train and ABS I have tried to fix everything with no resolve I just drove to and from Oklahoma and the jeep is unsafe to drive
Incident date: May 5, 2026
My 2018 Ford Escape with 1.5L EcoBoost engine had repeated overheating and coolant loss over time. The vehicle was repaired multiple times for cooling system issues (hoses, coolant, water pump), but the problem persisted. It has now been diagnosed with internal coolant intrusion requiring engine replacement. This matches known issues reported with this engine.
Incident date: May 4, 2026
While driving with a trailer after leaving a jobsite in [XXX] , the vehicle experienced a sudden electrical failure while in motion. The instrument cluster/speedometer screen went completely black and the vehicle lights stopped functioning properly while driving at night. During the incident, we lost the speedometer display and visibility from the vehicle lighting system, creating a serious safet... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2026
I'm having problems with my transmission and I just recently found out that there's a recall on it that Ford still hasn't come up with a resolve to it I never got a letter about this recall I just happened to find out by running my own VIN number I took it to the dealer a couple days ago and they're telling me I need to hold him to transmission even though this recall hasn't been addressed yet it'... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2026
The Rear Axle Drivetrain Assembly failed. Specifically, a critical structural fastener (bolt) associated with NHTSA Recall #25V090 (MBUSA #2025020010) completely detached from the rear axle. The vehicle is currently in my possession and the failed component/repair is photographed. The detachment of this structural bolt caused a complete loss of propulsion while the vehicle was in a commercial driv... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5 PHEV. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), but the failure persisted. The contact stated that a month after the repairs were completed, the coolant connector would stay on and drain the battery. The contact stated that after the vehicle was turned off at night, the coolant connector overheated... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2026
I recently purchased a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee and began experiencing serious issues almost immediately after taking possession of the vehicle. The vehicle has stalled unexpectedly while driving on multiple occasions, including during active driving conditions. It also has difficulty starting and has shut off without warning. The vehicle has already undergone multiple repairs within a short peri... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
285/40/R22 325/35/R22
Incident date: May 4, 2026
I replaced my canister purge valve prior to TSB or recall (18S32). Once I received the letter for reimbursement, I sent my paperwork to the dealer that performed the work (Pierre Ford Seattle on 01/05/25). They said they were going to reimburse me for the work that they did but did not. I went back to the dealer on 04/22/26 with my paperwork again. They made a copy and said they were going to subm... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2026
The issue is the front grill design. Kia left the radiator completely exposed behind the grill with no protective barrier. Over time, dust, debris, and rocks collect and pass right through, causing serious damage to the radiator. Based on my experience and the experiences of hundreds of other owners, you will likely need to replace your entire radiator within the first three years of ownership. It... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2026
While driving the car on April 19, 2026, the car started losing engine power, was unable to maintain current speed of roadway, had to drive less than 15 miles an hour to a safe location. Had the car towed to the dealership they said there was a faulty code throwing for cylinder three had the fuel injectors replaced. Pick the car up drove not even 2 miles and car was still having the same issue tur... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2026
Had three different incidents: 1st occurrence was at a red light and vehicle stalled and would not restart. Jumped the vehicle and went on my way. 2nd time was traveling at 40 mph and engine killed. Jumped it again and it started. 3rd time vehicle was parked and would not start. Had it towed to dealership. They determined it was a bad fuel pump power module. This is a dangerous reoccurring issue ... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2026
Purchase this Vehicle November 1st 2025 as a GM certified used vehicle. Had several issues with the camera system including the backup camera. Would go offline and not be usable for days. Vehicle went back to shop several times for this with no resolution. Now February 18th 2026 at approximately 630PM EST (after sunset) on the way into work traveling on the highway the engine lost power and engin... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2026
I was sitting in car, not moving. Heard loud pop. When parked checked and rear driver side triangle window was totally cracked with small hole - cracking/shattering on inside. Outer layer shows cracks (like spider web) but still has surface intact. Purchased this vehicle on 13 Feb 2026. Toyota thus far not assisting with repair.
Incident date: May 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake was applied unexpectedly without the contact depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that she was unsure if the forward collision system was turned on at that time. The driver's seat belt tightened, and she sustained a bruise on her left arm and soreness on her chest. Medi... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
I have a Honda Accord Sport 2018 Engine 1.5L Turbo(1.5T) Mileage- 97,776 I am reporting a suspected premature head gasket failure which is affecting my vehicle and my mechanic told me this has been going on for a while now with the Accords around my year model. On cold starts, the engine shakes and idles roughly for about 10-20sec. There has been some jerking during acceleration and prior stallin... Read more