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 23,203 complaints for TESLA
Incident date: Dec 31, 2025
Climate control system turns off automatically without driver input. This causes loss of heating or cooling while driving and requires repeated manual reactivation. Issue occurs randomly while driving and has happened multiple times. Restarting the vehicle does not consistently resolve the problem.
Incident date: Dec 31, 2025
2019 Ford F150 is having a transmission issues. This issue is known by Ford Motor Company which is addressed in a TSB. The issues that are occurring with the CDF drums which prone to bushing failure and causing erratic shifting while driving on highways and residential areas. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the local Ford Dealer, but the cost would be between $6000-$7500 so far.... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
The headlights are incredibly bright and I get many complaints about how bright they are.
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
Prior to 100,000 miles, I noted knocking in the engine, especially while going uphill. The knocking would appear and disappear, possibly with oil change intervals. No check engine light ever appeared. After 100,000 miles, the engine progressively began knocking, losing power, and eventually stalling on the road occasionally. I have had to put on my hazards and restart my car. One time, I was b... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2025
Main instrument cluster failed. There was no warning. Occasionally, the main screen would boot up slow. Currently at dealership where they diagnosed the screen to not be communicating. With the screen not working, it disabled the turn signals and the blind spot monitoring, would turn the "1 pedal drive" on and off randomly, no speedometer.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
Vehicle is slowly losing collant, and when I park I get a strong smell of collant. I took vehicle to have collant flushed and was took system was ok. From what I have researched is that there is a history of coolant entering engine cylinder because of defective engine and causeing engines to event ually seize.
Incident date: Dec 31, 2025
The screen abruptly shuts down and that is a safety hazard. Tesla has refused to fix this issue.
Incident date: Dec 31, 2025
Transmission needs to be rebuilt and car has less than 70k miles. Torque converter is failing and leaking fragments through the transmission.
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
There was a 4x4 warning light in Dec 2024. The dealership checked and provided a quote for a new PTU, but said we could keep driving until repair, just not to use 4x4. Then we received a recall notice for the PTU from Jeep. Have been trying to get it fixed since. The dealership says there are no parts and no remedy for the recall. The Jeep Recall team says to take it to the dealership to get it fi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
BACKUP CAMERA FAILED Safety was put at risk because there was no functional camera while the vehicle was in reverse. Dealer confirmed backup camera failure. Dealer inspected the backup camera and determined it needed to be replaced. There were no warnings, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Mileage 163,483 Replaced 12/31/2024
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 RAM 2500. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ABS warning light illuminated, and the cruise control mode became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000(Service Brakes, Hydraulic). ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
Autopilot was engaged and active at the time of the incident. The vehicle failed to detect a stationary piece of road debris (appearing to be a dropped vehicle part) located in the driving lane. The system did not provide any warning, slow the vehicle, or attempt an avoidance maneuver. The vehicle drove directly over the debris, resulting in damage to the lower exterior/body panel. Road and traffi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2025
My 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a braking issue identified in Toyota Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23, Hybrid Regenerative Brake Transition Feeling Improvement. When going downhill and applying the brake, the vehicle lurches forward temporarily as the braking system transitions from regenerative to hydraulic braking. The first time my vehicle did this, it was very alarming and I had to take addi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
Was driving and out of no where all my engine lights turned on and got an engine light that turned on and says engine malfunction power reduced service.
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
Was driving and out of no where all my engine lights turned on and got an engine light that turned on and says engine malfunction power reduced service.
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) - ENGINE
Dec 30, 2025
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
At 79,000, the engine started running very rough. I took it to the dealer. It’s got a cylinder that won’t fire. I have an extended warranty( big $!) but I’m getting the runaround from Kia. It’s been almost 3 weeks. They’re dragging their feet because they know these Theta II engines are JUNK! I’ve maintained my own vehicles my entire adult life, and I don’t drive crazy either. It als... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2025
I own a 2021 Hyundai Sonata 1.6T, which has an open NHTSA safety recall (25V796000) related to fuel tank pressurization and fire risk. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Hyundai dealership due to a check engine light, reduced performance, and DTC P14EE, which aligns with the recall condition. The dealership refused to treat the concern as recall-related unless I paid a diagnostic fee and late... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
I have had all warning lights go on disabled some options, gave me incorrect speed, (i ended up w a speeding ticket over that) made my vehicle go in limp mode ,didn't want to accelerate on highway, could have caused an accident I have a young child and was scared to even drive it. It turned out to be my fuel injectors which was very pricey and I had honda do the repair. I have seen a whole lot of... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
Honda had issued a recall on the MOST coax cable in 2023 or 2024. As I had issues with mine, and my vehicle was part of the recall, I had it repaired in 2024. For the last 3 months, the issue has started again. When the MOST network fails, the entire infotainment system goes offline. This includes the reverse camera. I have contacted Honda, and they stated they will not correct ongoing issue... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2025
[XXX] ur complaint I can't figure out where one files a complaint on an outstanding recall. Ford keeps sending notices, but is obviously not serious about fixing the issue, as its been going on approaching 3 years. If you call their hotline, it cuts you off after entering the recall number, saying there's no available fix at the moment. However, by searching some dealers around the nation, the par... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact’s son stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle made a loud screeching sound. The contact then noticed that the engine skid plate had detached. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to reattach the skid plate; however, the contact stated that the failure persisted the following day. The dealer was not con... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2025
Constantly having to clean the map Senor to be able to drive pickup without service emissions alerting me to clean the map Senor or my truck goes in limp mode. This can’t be normal to have to clean this so much. My truck is fairly new and should not be having these issues. Put a scanner on my GMC and the code says P122D. I got on YouTube and I found MANY people complaining about my exact probl... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2025
I had a family member driving an 2013 Subaru Forester all-wheel drive with a manual transition. The car had crash and rolled. The car at the most rolled twice and none of the air bags never deployed. I have photos of the accident and of the vehicle at the towed yard and its clear as day that the air bags are still rolled up.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 28, 2025
This issue happened back June 2025 when I make a wide turn, the car automatically go into limp mode and all the lights on the dashboard that is related to the brake system comes on, so for example, the advanced traction control sensor, the brake mode, the traction mode and the ABS mode and this is very dangerous because I realize when I am driving locally, and if I’m in the middle of a major int... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2025
The Driver Monitoring System option is not available on the screen. It appears that map responds to my mental questions only when I’m driving, which leads to distracted driving. I can not document this phenomenon. The Drive Monitoring System would prevent this distraction. The photo of manual documents the feature exists. The screen photo does not list the feature. I have reported that electro... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2025
I wanted to add to a previous claim I had already submitted, I found an item that had fallen out of my engine, I don't know if I can submit a picture on here but I will try.
Incident date: Dec 11, 2025
Car went to limp mode, hard shifting very suddenly. Transmission system failed. No reverse. Computer codes p0700 p0777 p18A1 inspected at Chevy service center and needs valve body replacement. No warnings, lights, alerts, hard shifts previously.
Incident date: Dec 26, 2025
Onboard charger (OBC), which is the unit that converts AC power (what home wall outlets have) to DC power (what the battery holds/uses has failed 3 times now in less than a year of ownership. Brand new car, leased from Polestar. 3/21/25 - Picked up car from Polestar Lisle, as soon as I got home from the dealership, it didn’t work out of the gate, couldn’t home charge. Ever. 5/8/25 - OBC re... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2025
The camshaft went out, along with the rocker arms, cam phasers, there is a box on the passenger side wheel well that goes out and will not allow the truck to shift or go into park. There is now something wrong with the automatic start/stop as the light continues to be on in the dash. Things started to go out as soon as the warranty expired… The truck has 80kmi. We fix one problem only for more t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2025
The camshaft went out, along with the rocker arms, cam phasers, there is a box on the passenger side wheel well that goes out and will not allow the truck to shift or go into park. There is now something wrong with the automatic start/stop as the light continues to be on in the dash. Things started to go out as soon as the warranty expired… The truck has 80kmi. We fix one problem only for more t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2025
While traveling at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly veered to the right without driver input. The Autopilot/FSD system was not engaged. It all happened in a matter of seconds. There was no system failure message on the screen. The vehicle airborne and hit a tree. All side airbag were deployed. Was able to open the door and walk away without any major injuries. Software update : 2025.44.... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 14, 2025
On December 12, 2025, I was in a head on car accident in my 2021 Toyota Corolla nightshade. I was slammed into the steering wheel which caused injury. My car has over $14,000 worth of damage to the front yet my airbags did not deploy. I have taken my car to Toyota several times over the past few years and every time I’ve asked about a remedy for this recall I’ve been told there is no remedy as... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 14, 2025
On December 12, 2025, I was in a head on car accident in my 2021 Toyota Corolla nightshade. I was slammed into the steering wheel which caused injury. My car has over $14,000 worth of damage to the front yet my airbags did not deploy. I have taken my car to Toyota several times over the past few years and every time I’ve asked about a remedy for this recall I’ve been told there is no remedy as... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
While driving at a constant speed on the highway, the transmission shifted down a gear and revved into very high RPMs. I was dramatically slowing down despite pressing on the gas pedal. The car didn't provide any power and just revved while I had cars next to me going at highway speeds. Managed to get off the highway, a transmission fault indicator popped up on the dash. The car no longer was able... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2025
Engine stalled while driving at low speeds told me shift into park with no warning lights or messages at all. Got it started again and then stalled out again while I was trying to accelerate. I pulled over and it wouldn’t start right away but eventually I was able to get it started back up to drive it home. Could it be a software issue in the PCM
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
The car just had no power and the battery had no energy to it i was stalled on hwy and had to call Aaa emergency roadside assistance
Incident date: Nov 10, 2025
Vehicle Breaking on Its Own While Driving I am writing to file a formal safety complaint and to demand immediate corporate intervention regarding an extremely dangerous mechanical/ADAS defect. My Nissan Altima has serious, ongoing safety issues where the vehicle will unexpectedly and aggressively apply the brakes on its own while I am driving, including on highways and regular roads. This defect h... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2025
I was driving my vehicle and all the sudden all the lights on my dashboard came on, I am going to try and remember exactly which ones came on. The engine malfunction light, the ABS light, the battery light, the EPS light, the oil light, there were more lights that came on but I don't know the exact name of it. Then I heard a pop, smoke pouring through the vents, this all happened within 30 seconds... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2025
Fuel Relay System Failure When searching online apparently this is such an extremely common issue there is a special bypass part that was made, and part of a recall for durangos and jeeps but not the town and country, even though this part is failing all the time in this vehicle as well. Before it went completely dead, it did fail once when I was driving, which is a huge safety issue. I was luck... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2025
Car gave an error check electrical system and went into limp mode on highway slowing to 25mph.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
Component/System Involved: Driver-side rear seat back latch / locking mechanism. The rear seat back would not latch or lock in the upright position. The vehicle and seat are available for inspection upon request. Description of the Incident: During normal use of the vehicle, the driver-side rear seat back unexpectedly moved forward because it was not latched. At the time of the incident, we were ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
Vehicle cranked longer than usual, noticed slight smell of fuel. After arriving home noticed fuel smell was very strong and a puddle of raw fuel under vehicle. Fuel line appears to have rubbed/vibrated against the frame of the vehicle causing the line to rupture. Date of incident 12-26-2025. No MIL or warning messages were present. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than myself f... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
The system does not reliably "see" pedestrians or cross traffic or often times will phantom brake when there are no obstacles viewable. I believe this is a substantial safety issue because the car will abruptly stop without warning and engage a parking brake, creating a delay before being able to vacate traffic. This has happened going forward, but more frequently in reverse. This appears to hap... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
Vehicle purchased 8/31/2025 October 20, 2025 "reduced acceleration" alert while driving on why up a significant grade with no way to pull off to the side of the road. Speed limitied to 35mph. Stopped by dealership pulled PO6DD code. Appointment made for November 12th. November 12, 2025 routine oil change and service noted "unable to duplicate concern on vehicly, currently no P06DD is present... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2025
Engine stumbles repeatedly, stutters and dies. No warning lamps. Car inspected twice by manufacture but no solution found. Continues to show same characteristics. Have to pull off the road to avoid danger to self and other autos.
Incident date: Dec 26, 2025
Engine stumbles repeatedly, stutters and dies. No warning lamps. Car inspected twice by manufacture but no solution found. Continues to show same characteristics. Have to pull off the road to avoid danger to self and other autos.
Incident date: Dec 26, 2025
Engine stumbles repeatedly, stutters and dies. No warning lamps. Car inspected twice by manufacture but no solution found. Continues to show same characteristics. Have to pull off the road to avoid danger to self and other autos.
Incident date: Dec 25, 2025
My car lost power twice in the middle of heavy traffic we could have gotten killed .i was told it was a battery I bought a battery it happened again .The car goes totally black and it locks you in the vehicle you can’t get out I had to call for help scared to death
Incident date: Dec 25, 2025
My lights keep blinking on dashboard saying 4 wheeldrive isn't available and my vehicle keeps shutting off in the middle of me driving it,this is very dangerous,I took it to Carlock Dodge Jeep and for recall on vehicle that they say was causing the problem they fixed the recall but vehicle still doing the same thing