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: Nov 13, 2025
I purchased this vehicle from Capital Auto Auction, and it was listed as having only a “minor engine stutter” and that it “runs and drives.” However, within 5 minutes of driving away from the auction, the vehicle became unsafe and experienced multiple immediate safety failures. The vehicle developed a loud whining noise, lost acceleration, and would not move even with the accelerator press... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
I purchased this vehicle from Capital Auto Auction, and it was listed as having only a “minor engine stutter” and that it “runs and drives.” However, within 5 minutes of driving away from the auction, the vehicle became unsafe and experienced multiple immediate safety failures. The vehicle developed a loud whining noise, lost acceleration, and would not move even with the accelerator press... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2024
My vehicle produced a check engine light then it started to be hard to start . Then I started to smell fuel in the cab and strong smell of fuel under the hood . I cannot see the leak so it has to be the HPFP located under the intake manifold and the fuel is being absorbed by the insulation located under the intake. In January 2014 the GM corporation issued a voluntary or bulletin for this year tru... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2023) — POWER TRAIN
Nov 17, 2025
Incident date: Oct 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power in the middle of the roadway. The contact stated that the RPM continued to increase rapidly, but the vehicle failed to respond. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the was... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
Vehicle: 2011 Toyota Sienna XLE VIN: [XXX] Mileage: ~204,800 Incident Date: [XXX] Recent Service: Oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection, and multipoint inspection performed on November 10, 2025 at Fitzgerald Toyota Gaithersburg (Maryland). Description of the Defect: On [XXX] while driving with my child in the vehicle, my 2011 Toyota Sienna experienced a sudden and dangerous failure. A str... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2025
The brake master cylinder seal is broken and causing brake fluid to leak into the floorboard of the cab near the brake pedal.
Incident date: Nov 14, 2025
One week ago one section of the heated steering wheel was very hot. So much so that I could not touch that area. I took it to the Anderson Toyota dealership in Rockford today. On the way there, I turned on the heated steering wheel, and it started smoking. They said they couldn’t find what was wrong with it, and to replace it would be $1800 because it isn’t in warranty. They suggested I not us... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where it was diagnosed with engine and electrical failures. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V741000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact was concern... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2025
Nissan has had an open recall for over a year and sent me multiple recall letters for NHTSA Recall Number: 24V-700. This recall has had no remedy to date. It was opened in 2024. I have to commute to work daily and am not able to fast charge my 2019 Nissan leaf anymore. This renders the car useless for my daily driving. I am only able to slow charge and not able to use the car for its intended... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after shifting to park(P), the vehicle rolled unintendedly. The contact activated the parkin... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
Engine bearing recall that manufacturer and local dealer don't want to take care. I received engine bearing recall notice and contacted Nissan, I was told that they don't have any remedy plan. Called local dealer , dealer said there is no available bearing , no repair. There were ABS , brake alarm on my vehicle not sure if they are related to the engine recall. Manufacturer Nissan just give 10 ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2025
I purchased this car in September and the recall on it was not disclosed to me, I asked the person at the dealership, he said no recalls were on this car. I am afraid to drive this car because it is a major issue with the engine failing while driving.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
Brakes lights comes on while driving n the two wheel front makes a grinding sound while still driving… a friend of mine had the same problem took her rav4 2021 to windward toyota Kaneohe hawaii several times n finally on the 5th service was told that it’s her secondary brake system and in my Toyota the LTA DISPLAY WAS ON MY DASHBOARD DISPLAY
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
The camera controlling many systems regarding safety failed and caused numerous warning lights to come on. Complete camera replacement was necessary.
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
Description of the Problem On August 28, 2025, I had my vehicle serviced at Nissan of Dearborn due to a transmission malfunction. After the service was completed, I noticed the front end was pulling to the right, as time progress I became concerned. I took the vehicle to an independent service center for a front-end alignment. During the inspection, I was informed that the control arms were loose ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
Description of the Problem On August 28, 2025, I had my vehicle serviced at Nissan of Dearborn due to a transmission malfunction. After the service was completed, I noticed the front end was pulling to the right, as time progress I became concerned. I took the vehicle to an independent service center for a front-end alignment. During the inspection, I was informed that the control arms were loose ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
My display screen that shows the speed, odometer intermittently stops working, preventing me from seeing anything on the screen.
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2023) — AIR BAGS
Nov 16, 2025
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
Vehicle Information: 2014 Hyundai Elantra SE Sedan, 4-Cylinder, 6-Speed Automatic, FWD Build Location: USA-Built Version (Montgomery, AL - VIN '5NP') Ownership: Second owner, purchased Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) from the Hyundai of New Port Richey dealer (Florida) in March 2016. Vehicle is owned outright. Mileage: 128,638 Approximate Date Incident Noticed: October 1, 2025 DESCRIPTION OF CRITI... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
AVM cameras stopped working. The Pathfinder is a large vehicle with inherent blind spots. The rearview camera system is essential for safety. The problem was inspected and verified by local Nissan dealership (Jim Kerras Nissan of Jackson, TN). The problem is unresolved and dealership has made very little effort to reconcile. The issue started for no apparent reason and the vehicle is just outside ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
What happened: The vehicle is a 2023 Nissan Rogue (VIN: [XXX] ). The engine failed twice: the first failure required major repairs, and the second resulted in complete engine shutdown. These issues are not related to the prior U.S. accident, which only affected the driver-side airbag. The engine and all critical systems were fully functional upon delivery and can be inspected upon request. The s... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2024
This vehicle has an electrical issue from time to time seemingly out of nowhere. There is no power steering it just shuts off sometimes it’ll stay off for an hour sometimes it’ll stay off for weeks and I can’t figure out how to fix it. It randomly fixes itself same can be said for the air conditioning And the driver side, headlight all of these electrical functions, seemingly turn themselves... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
INTERMITTENT FLICKERING ON AND OFF OF THE CARS DIGITAL GUAGES AND HEADS UP DISPLAY. NO KNOWN CAUSE OR CORRELATION. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
The engine failed while driving on the interstate at 65+ mph. The malfunction indicator lights came on and beeped loudly, including Engine Malfunction and AWD Malfunction (which I don't have). The vehicle lost power, and the engine began making a frightening noise. I had to get over several lanes with no working gas pedal, and I'm lucky nobody was hurt. I had to be towed thirty miles to the neares... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
The engine failed while driving on the interstate at 65+ mph. The malfunction indicator lights came on and beeped loudly, including Engine Malfunction and AWD Malfunction (which I don't have). The vehicle lost power, and the engine began making a frightening noise. I had to get over several lanes with no working gas pedal, and I'm lucky nobody was hurt. I had to be towed thirty miles to the neares... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
When loading groceries in my trunk, the door randomly closes on my head. The last time this door closed while we were loading, I tried stopping it with my hand, by holding it, so my spouse doesnt get smashed, and it will not stop at all. There needs to be a safety feature installed to stop this trunk from closing if a person is underneath it. I fear that a child or an elderly person wont be able... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
I HAVE EXPERIENCED UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISES, ROUGH ENGINE PERFORMANCE, ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL), AND WARNING MESSAGES DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE ENGINE HAS FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER TWICE, ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY. I have been to the dealership mechanic 3 times with this issue, the first occurred prior to the rec... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
I HAVE EXPERIENCED UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISES, ROUGH ENGINE PERFORMANCE, ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL), AND WARNING MESSAGES DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE ENGINE HAS FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER TWICE, ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY. I have been to the dealership mechanic 3 times with this issue, the first occurred prior to the rec... Read more
Incident date: Nov 14, 2025
I dropped my kids to school and started reversing the car without seatbelts. Thinking that I will get out of the parking lot and then put the seatbelt on. Car will stop and goes into park mode. Somehow I came out of the parking lot and about to put and drive again same thing. Car will go into park mode. Somehow I started coming out of the parking lot and took a pause. Same thing again car stops an... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
When the vehicle idle is on and I break at a red light or stop sign it has NOT started back up. This has happened a few times. Today at a red light it cut it did it and I needed a jump start to get it back working.
Incident date: Nov 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Infiniti JX35. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle started vibrating violently. The vehicle resumed normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence while accelerating. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was no... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2025
My vehicle has a serious safety defect involving the braking system and related electronic controls. The vehicle is available for inspection at any time. The main failure is sudden, unintended braking without me pressing the pedal. On November 5, 2025, around 6:20 p.m., the vehicle brake-checked in traffic and almost caused a rear-end collision. This continues to put my safety and the safety of ot... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2025
My vehicle has a serious safety defect involving the braking system and related electronic controls. The vehicle is available for inspection at any time. The main failure is sudden, unintended braking without me pressing the pedal. On November 5, 2025, around 6:20 p.m., the vehicle brake-checked in traffic and almost caused a rear-end collision. This continues to put my safety and the safety of ot... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
In March 2025, my 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV experienced a sudden engine failure. The engine began running rough, the check engine light turned on, and the vehicle became unsafe to drive. The Cadillac dealer diagnosed the engine with #8 exhaust push rod bent and metal debris in the engine oil. This matches the defect described in GM Recall N252494000 (connecting rod/crankshaft internal engine def... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
The contact leased a 2022 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the AWD warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power. The driver was able to pull over safely. Upon investigation, the contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and stated that the dealer had leased the vehicle with an active recall. The vehicle was taken to ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Oct 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting), and the recall repair was performed. Approximately 4 years after having the recall repair completed, the traction control warning light was illuminated, and the brake lights failed to illuminate while the brake pedal was depressed. The dealer was contacte... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2023) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Nov 14, 2025
Incident date: Nov 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting), and the recall repair was performed. Approximately 4 years after having the recall repair completed, the traction control warning light was illuminated, and the brake lights failed to illuminate while the brake pedal was depressed. The dealer was contacte... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Motorcycle. The contact stated that the motorcycle was making an abnormal sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received a notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V376000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the bearing on the crankshaft.... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
I’ve had to replace the battery three times in three years that I’ve owned the vehicle I purchased it used. The transmission jerks like it’s slipping. It has done this ever since I purchased it no recalls on transmission. The side door airbag sensor is defective. The airbag light flashes on the dashboard took it to the new Nissan dealership was gonna cost five to $7000 for the sensor so that... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
I’ve had to replace the battery three times in three years that I’ve owned the vehicle I purchased it used. The transmission jerks like it’s slipping. It has done this ever since I purchased it no recalls on transmission. The side door airbag sensor is defective. The airbag light flashes on the dashboard took it to the new Nissan dealership was gonna cost five to $7000 for the sensor so that... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2025
ABS failure light keeps popping on due to the recall. I have yet to get this resolved. The dealership wanted to charge $1200 and not fix the issue A DAY after purchasing. I have been dealing with this over a year. It is dangerous. I had to replace the entire transmission which cost $6,000 because the light will come on and stay on and send incorrect information to the computer system. The truck i... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
The vehicle intermittently smells of burning plastic when not on and when running.
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
The car will stop (while driving) for no apparent reason. “Phantom Braking”. This is without any known objects/people approaching our vehicle. It’s a part of the electronic automatic braking system but obviously it is not programmed correctly. It is DANGEROUS. A brief review on internet shows these sudden stops have caused accidents (people rear ending vehicle after sudden stops). Cars... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
GMC CANYON LOOSES STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING AND THE WHEEL HAS TO BE TURNED BY APPLYING A LOT OF FORCE. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING A BUSY ROAD IN JULY 10 2025. MYSELF, SISTER AND NIECE ALMOST GOT KILLED TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE FROM THE HOV LANE TO THE SHOULDER. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPRODUCED AT THE DEALERSHIP GMC YOUNG IN LAYTON UTAH AND PRICE TO FIX IS $3,500 US DOLLARS THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEE... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
I was driving home at night when my car broke down on the highway. I had to leave the car there and take an Uber home. The next day, I had the car towed to the nearest Nissan Service Center to have it check/repair. They did the diagnostic and they didn't know what's going on with the car, a few days later they told me that the Engine was damaged and needed to be replaced but they were waiting f... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2025
The contact owned a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that they were informed by a family member that when the vehicle was turned on and moved into the driveway, smoke was coming from underneath the hood, where the engine was located. A while later, when returning to the vehicle, they noticed the vehicle had caught fire. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. There were n... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Juke. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the timing chain cover had failed and parts from the cover were located inside the engine oil pan. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repair... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon arriving at his destination and exiting the vehicle, the driver’s side seat belt retracted and became stuck in the retracted position. As a result, the contact was unable to use the driver's side seat belt. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the seat belt as... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was blurry, nearly causing the vehicle to strike a bicyclist. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the engine seized. The contact stated that a good Samaritan attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The contact waited for thirty minutes and stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle restarted. The veh... Read more