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 470 complaints for RIVIAN
Incident date: Jun 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds or while the vehicle was parked, the tailgate opened inadvertently. Additionally, the contact stated that the tailgate failed to lock or unlock manually. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle wa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, she noticed a slight vibration in the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted for over a year and recently the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message “Engine Coolant Over Temperature” was displayed and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and confirmed with engine coolant over temperature failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to an... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
Smog test failed California smog test due to the OBD 02 sensor (exhaust engine sensor) not being ready. Despite our efforts, including driving over 1000 miles and following Mercedes recommended drive cycle steps repeatedly, the issue persists. So far, we have contacted the Mercedes dealer several times, been told to drive the van around and given the Mercedes drive cycle instructions, but to no av... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2024
Saturday [XXX] picked up maverick from dealer service at 11:00 am. Vehicle was reprogrammed for current recall, dash board was replaced, and oil change. After about 40 miles of driving the vehicle electrical systems shut down completely while driving on a busy 6 lane Blvd.. All systems went out nearly causing a collision. All warning lights and notices flashed quickly as the truck died. The last m... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2024
Oil is leaking and now coolant is leaking. Did not buy the car brand new bought it from a pre owned vehicle dealership
Incident date: May 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on three occasions, the vehicle jerked, lost motive power, and failed to accelerate above 25 MPH. The check engine, oil, and ECM warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to an indep... Read more
Incident date: Sep 26, 2023
Front passenger restraint system fault. Tesla service informed that the airbags may not deploy and they need to be replaced.
Incident date: Sep 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the word “Brakes” started flashing on the instrument panel, and the vehicle independently slowed down. No other warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated there were no other vehicles around to cause the failure. The contact called the dealer, and the contact was informed of a possible software glit... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2024
Fuel tank strap broke, causing tank to drop. Happened at gas station after filling up.
Incident date: Jan 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the check engine warning light, the traction control warning light, and an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that oil was seeping through the piston rings and was leaking onto the spark plugs. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed that cylinder #1 was misfiring. T... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2024
Invertor coolant pump failure, giving a Check Engine Light P0E7C (coolant bypass valve B control circuit having low voltage). Part from Chrysler seems to be on national back order. replacement part offered by dealership keeps failing.
Incident date: Sep 26, 2023
My 2018 Sentra recently stop driving in forward gear. It only drive in reverse and I’m over the mileage and Nissan refuses to fix it. I need help 😭
Incident date: Sep 26, 2023
The Engine has seized up on me after leaving work on Wed April 24,2024. I have not owned this car not even 2 months. Purchased it through California Motors Direct. I have spoken with the general manager of the dealership and and he said the car has been serviced mulitple times as at Carson KIA. My car does not run at all at the time my car was seized up on me I was driving a with my baby in the ca... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2024
This incident happened on March 18, 2024 at approximately 4:20 pm central time. My daughter pulled out of the school parking lot after school. As soon as she pulled on to the main road she noticed a warning light pop up saying hood latch not detected. About one minute later the hood flew open very aggressively hitting the windshield and blocking her view. Tesla vehicles are equipped with a second ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the air bag control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage wa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2024
Vehicle was in cruise control driving along the highway at-speed when the engine suddenly cut out and cruise control stopped maintaining speed. Pressing the accelerator did nothing, but the brakes still worked. After turning cruise control off the accelerator was still having no effect, and the vehicle did not let me re-engage cruise control. All other electronics (navigation, music, dash, hazard ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
Car was lane corrected into other lane and started accelerating. Like getting hit by a bumper in a pinball machine. Avoided a head on collision but managed to safety maneuver into a fence instead of a tree.
Crash
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
The steering became hard as I turned into a parking space at the doctor's office. It has happened 4 or 5 times since then usually at low speeds. i have been extremely cautious since the first time. It is my mother vehicle, but I was driving it at the times the steering became hard/stiff.
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
Sudden HARD braking when a vehicle is passing Windows that do not close properly and are then prone to sudden slamming shut (will eventually shatter) Have been in to have these repaired only to have them not repaired and even refused due to dealer fear of not being reimbursed This is an ongoing issue with honda
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
Since the make of this car and it’s further year generations people can complained about the a/c control switch burning out and actually it melts the inside of the part. Upon replacing it will short out again and again. So my people have called Hyundai over this issue and they 22 years after my car was made still have not issued a recall. Please someone do something about this!!!PLEASE!!! They d... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2024
Frequently when the vehicle drives very slowly in bumper to bumper, or when coming to a stop the engine will completely stop. Electronics stay on but a message telling me to turn the car appears on the dash. I then have to put the vehicle in park and then press the power on button, put the car back into drive. The car continues to state there is an error with the Automatic shut off feature. I ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted less than six months later. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine experienced a misfire. The contact stated that the coolant was leaking into cylinder #3. There was white smoke coming from the exhaust. Additionally, there was an abnormal slushing noise coming from the dashboard. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an indepe... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2024
The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve is crucial for regulating the flow of gases in the engine's crankcase. If the PCV valve malfunctions or becomes clogged in a car like the 2016 Mercedes Benz C300 4-matic, several problems can arise: 1. **Increased Pressure:** A malfunctioning PCV valve can cause pressure to build up in the crankcase. This increased pressure can lead to oil leaks, gas... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2024
Code B1018 failing Occupant sensor in the passenger seat
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Each trailer must have rear impact guards (bumpers) or other devices that prevent another vehicle from riding underneath. https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov › MyFiles 5.1.9 Rear-End Protection (393.86) - CSA Compliance, Safety My trailer does not have a rear bumper.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
I’m having issues with braking and steering and I have made complaints to Hyundai and they have failed me they brush it off as though I need a new car but there are dangerous issues with this car. I also notified Hyundai Corporate Office on several occasions and a case manager by the name of Jose didn’t help at all nothing was resolved he only left voice messages and nothing was done.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2024
Intermittent sticky steering - requires effort to make even small adjustments. Feels unsafe.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2024
While driving with a passenger in the front seat, I noticed the passenger airbag was not enabled. Seems the passenger is not detected. Sometime having the passenger moving around or adjusting the seat/seatbelt would fix the issue and the airbag will enable. Randomly occurs and randomly fixes. Once it is enabled it seems to stay enabled for the remainder of the drive.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2024
The transmission is shuddering, hard shifting, shuddering and lunging into gear. It is the 6L80 transmission Also has little to no power, took it to the dealership for diagnosis and they say the transmission is bad, torque converter is also bad sending metal throughout the rest of the transmission.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2024
Purchased this RV motorhome in December 2021. From day 1 of this purchase, I have experienced what is being called the "creepy slide syndrome". When the motorhome is parked on in motion, the two hydraulic slides will creep (extend) out about 2-4 inches and at times have been extended as far as 6 inches. Have had more than 5 service repairs, including one national recall performed and the proble... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2024
I have been waiting for a recall to be fixed and Jeep has no known date of delivery for the recall part BUT Jeep has new ones on the lot for sale. My entire vehicle is acting up, one day my reverse sensors malfunction then they don't, my defrost is not working, I can't remote start at all and I live in Buffalo so I need a warm vehicle, the Jeep 4xe will jump forward when coming to a stop, the heat... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
We purchased the vehicle with 45000 miles, within a year, the vehicle started to run very badly, car idle vibrates the whole vehicle. It stalls out on her sometimes, burns all the oil by the it is time to change oil, the mechanic says there is less than a quart left, but no leak as per mechanic! The vehicle will blow soon I’m sure, and my wife drives our children everyday. I was made aware of la... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
We purchased the vehicle with 45000 miles, within a year, the vehicle started to run very badly, car idle vibrates the whole vehicle. It stalls out on her sometimes, burns all the oil by the it is time to change oil, the mechanic says there is less than a quart left, but no leak as per mechanic! The vehicle will blow soon I’m sure, and my wife drives our children everyday. I was made aware of la... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
(1) Q: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A: "Critical Battery Issue" + "Electrical Hazard Possible; Drive to service center immediately. Avoid driving through water" + "Coming to emergency stop soon; Steer to safety and park" (2) Q: How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A: (1) The car abruptly stopped near a corn... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
The car had been acting odd and the dealership would not listen. I then noticed an engine light come on after my incidents. My transmission was failing in traffic!!!! I need a new transmission, I have had the diagnosis at Nissan.It needs a total replacement , $6000. This was right in the extended warranty period and Nissan refused to fix this at 100 % like they are supposed to My safety was at ris... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
The car was shaking when I started it. Took it to the dealership and they told me it got the coolant intrusion into the cylinder and now they need to replace the whole engine with a short block engine. I believe it's a design defect by Ford!
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
The check engine light came on, then when I started driving it was a little sticky/ rough. I continued to drive it home and the rpm started going up when not needed. I had a code read done and came back as a P07A3, transmission friction element A stuck on.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
Issue 1: Car is currently @ dealership for recall 23E09 Emissions. Dealership is currently unable to resolve error codes and reset, they believe due to a bad battery, car has less than 15k on it. They are obtaining a new battery. This recall has net even made it into your database yet. Issue 2: The more concerning issue, Safety recall notice 23S27 / NHTSA Recall dated May 26, 2023, of which we we... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
I read all of the 214 complaints by consumers who have had the same scary incident occur to them. I have completed all of my recalls and for the life of the vehicle I have had the maintenance plan. The car has been well taken car of. After reading the complaints, I also have had an incident where the vehicles RPM's increased for no reason almost causing me to hit another vehicle in front of me and... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
I read all of the 214 complaints by consumers who have had the same scary incident occur to them. I have completed all of my recalls and for the life of the vehicle I have had the maintenance plan. The car has been well taken car of. After reading the complaints, I also have had an incident where the vehicles RPM's increased for no reason almost causing me to hit another vehicle in front of me and... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
Rear window glass broke out of nothing without any collision or otherwise impact. I parked the car in a covered, safe garage and then the other day the rear window glass was completely shattered and broken.
Incident date: Jan 22, 2024
The main instrument display is blank as a result the driver cannot see any information such as speed, fuel level, etc. The main display seems to flash blank then dark gray. When the display goes blank the blinkers fail to operate as well despite being turned on. I did contact KIA since this sounds like a similar issue that they have a recall for (SC270) but they informed me that my vehicle was ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
Transmission control module went at 85,000 miles cost me 3500 in repair. Causing the clutch and clutch solenoids to go early.
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
We had just purchased the car days prior. Assuming it was reliable we traveled an hour from home in clear conditions. Forward collision sensor malfunctioned on the way to our destination. After arriving, we left the vehicle unattended for quite sometime, hoping the issue would resolve. After turning off the forward collision sensor once back in the vehicle, it shut off completely as we were mergin... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
My 2011 Hyundai sonata Engine failed in April 2023. Was towed and the engine was replaced due to the recall. Got car back November 4th 2023. Fuel gauge never went out and after driving about 3 miles the engine light came on. Dec 13th was driving on highway and felt like the car was going to fall apart. Able to get off highway only for the car to die. Every light including some I have never seen ca... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (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. VIN tool confirms there were 1 recall at this time. The contact did not attempt to file the complaint online.