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: Nov 12, 2025
Have whining from transmission. When trying to accelerate the car does not shift into gears correctly and there is hesitance and delay. Have issues merging on highway and regular traffic due to hesitance and delay. Car can jerk when accelerating. Had dealership inspect twice at different dates. The dealership said nothing was wrong and that the hesitance and delay was just how the car operates. Di... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
Have whining from transmission. When trying to accelerate the car does not shift into gears correctly and there is hesitance and delay. Have issues merging on highway and regular traffic due to hesitance and delay. Car can jerk when accelerating. Had dealership inspect twice at different dates. The dealership said nothing was wrong and that the hesitance and delay was just how the car operates. Di... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2025
Fire risk. Recalls for software update. I’ve done the software update once already after my jeep wouldn’t start and had to be towed to the dealership. My engine light came on again along with a stabilizer bar warning light. The dealership said they need to do another software update again, but that there’s still no real fix for the issue. I’m dropping it off again tonight. The fact that I ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
• Third-row seat in my 2020 BMW X7 failed during normal operation and trapped my [XXX] daughter between the seatbacks. • She sustained injuries to her legs (documented in photos). I injured my arm while trying to free her. • Approximately 10 people witnessed the incident. • Seat would not move or release electronically or manually—no functional emergency release. • Multiple BMW system... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
• Third-row seat in my 2020 BMW X7 failed during normal operation and trapped my [XXX] daughter between the seatbacks. • She sustained injuries to her legs (documented in photos). I injured my arm while trying to free her. • Approximately 10 people witnessed the incident. • Seat would not move or release electronically or manually—no functional emergency release. • Multiple BMW system... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
We have experienced multiple recurring issues with our 2024 GMC Acadia that raise significant safety concerns and affect the vehicle’s reliability and overall operation. First, the brake system exhibits persistent squeaking, even at low speeds or light applications. The dealership has inspected the brakes but the noise continues, raising concerns about premature wear or improper brake function. ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
Tire monitoring system started with one tired then on to all tires one at a time came on. Then one at a time went off. Also the big display doesn't turn off when vehicle does. I have to turn truck back on and off again to get it to shut off. Just randomly shuts off going down the road. Passenger screen doesn't turn on most days. Also lights turn on by themselves in thr middle of thr night.
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse includes Front Pedestrian Braking and Rear Cross Traffic Braking as part of its standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). However, these systems tend to malfunction on rainy days when the sensors become wet. In such conditions, the vehicle may brake abruptly even when there are no hazards in front or behind. For example, while attempting to drive around a vehi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while attempting to make a left or right turn, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front driver’s side wheel. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle made the same sound. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the whe... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
Batteries in the brand new 2026 Hyundai Palisade are failing by dying unexpectedly with under 500 miles on the vehicle. I have documented over 20 instances with new owners online. This is a safety concern because it can leave people stranded in cold weather. It appears to be an issue with the digital key. I contacted Hyundai and they are not concerned. They just test the battery and say they ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
My 2023 Kia EV6 experienced a sudden ICCU and 12-volt system failure while traveling approximately 50 mph. Without warning, the vehicle instantly lost propulsion and all electrical power. This included loss of steering assist, braking assist, hazard lights, shift capability (unable to shift into Park), and even the ability to lock the doors. The failure effectively “bricked” the vehicle in mot... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
Rear subframe corrosion
Incident date: Oct 30, 2025
NHTSA SAFETY DEFECT REPORT Vehicle: 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Mileage at Failure: Approximately 3 weeks from new Location: Colorado DESCRIPTION OF FAILURE While driving under completely normal conditions on a local road with no overpasses, no debris, and no external hazards, the sunroof glass suddenly exploded upward without warning. There was: No rock impact No falling object No roadwa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2025
NHTSA SAFETY DEFECT REPORT Vehicle: 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Mileage at Failure: Approximately 3 weeks from new Location: Colorado DESCRIPTION OF FAILURE While driving under completely normal conditions on a local road with no overpasses, no debris, and no external hazards, the sunroof glass suddenly exploded upward without warning. There was: No rock impact No falling object No roadwa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2025
I am writing to respectfully request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) consider adopting a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requiring vehicles to provide a clear driver alert when headlights and tail lamps are not illuminated in low-light conditions. Although many vehicles offer automatic headlights, these systems can be disabled without the driver’s knowledge... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
My vehicle originally showed more than 10 open safety recalls in the FordPass app and at the servicing dealer. I saved screenshots of each recall. After Ford performed a remote over-the-air software update, all but one recall suddenly disappeared from the app even though no physical repairs were done and no documentation was provided. NHTSA still shows Recall 25V543 as incomplete, involving BCM s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2025
The front right sensor goes off randomly. Sometimes all day long for days, then nothing for a week or 2 then back to it. Various lengths of time, usually stressfully long times, with nothing aroundcausing stress and making fucus hard. It started a few months after getting the van. We cleaned it, had the dealer inspect it and no one has ever figured out why we have to live with this blaring warning... Read more
Incident date: Nov 19, 2025
Vehicle drive shaft make clicking noise at the cv joint while turning left or right.
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
Component/System Failed: The engine of my 2016 Chevrolet Volt experienced a sudden internal crack, leading to complete engine failure. The engine is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The engine failure rendered the vehicle completely inoperable, posing potential risk if it had occurred while driving. Sudden loss of engine power could have caused a crash or left me stranded in tra... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
Component/System Failed: The engine of my 2016 Chevrolet Volt experienced a sudden internal crack, leading to complete engine failure. The engine is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The engine failure rendered the vehicle completely inoperable, posing potential risk if it had occurred while driving. Sudden loss of engine power could have caused a crash or left me stranded in tra... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
-The radiator hose malfunctioned and began to leak fluids onto my garage floor for 7 straight days. -My safety as well as others on the road were at risk because at anytime my vehicle could have lost all coolant and overheated. -The problem was confirmed by the service team at my dealership when I dropped it off for diagnosis. -There was absolutely no warning lamps or messages prior to failur... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
WINNEBAGO TRAVATO 59GL CAREFREE AWNING WAS REPAIRED BUT IS STILL DEPLOYING WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE PULLED THE AWNING FUSE TO KEEP IT FROM DEPLOYING WHILE DRIVING . I WOULD LIKE TO BEABLE TO USE IT. CAN THIS ITEM BE LOOKED AT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS PROPERLY REPAIRD AND TO CHECK IF ANYTHING HAVE BEEN DAMAGED? THE ANWING ONLY WORKED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. IVE BEEN ON THE ROAD BECASUE I LIVE IN... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
APIM is failing due to current recall with reverse camera. The glitching has cause many safety issues including •Navigation Fault •Cracking/popping audio •Missing touchscreen sounds •Intermittent system issues •Slow loading •Camera freezing or blacking out This has already caused a collision with my vehicle. Took it to manufacturer (Ford dealership) and they told me nothing the... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
At approximately 70,000 miles, the car has started to surge and shudder at nominal speeds (between 20-40 MPH, but will continue to shudder even with my cruise control on in highway conditions.) This is a known issue with this vehicle and has been reported by multiple people. I took it into the dealership and it's going to cost me $5000 just to replace the converter. There is no reason that my car ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The vehicle clicks when making turns. It only has 15k miles on it.
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
I bought this Terrain brand new from Betten Baker Chevrolet in Muskegon Mi in 2019 with 500 miles. That same year we had transmission Slippage causing it to slip out of gear then slam back into gear while driving. I took it to the dealer to have it looked at. They did nothing and informed me it was known by the manufacturer that this was an issue. I then had to bring it back for electrical issues ... Read more
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2025) - ENGINE
Dec 4, 2025
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
Engine malfunction, had dealer look at truck and they said I needed a new engine, check engine light came on and a knocking noise appeared suddenly. Reading about 2021+ sierra with 6.2 engine that has a recall with the same problem as mine. Wondering why that recall wasn’t extended to my truck as well.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
My 2025 Honda Prologue Elite is experiencing multiple safety-related issues. The front CV axles make a consistent clicking noise when turning, indicating a possible drivetrain or axle defect. The power tailgate also intermittently and unexpectedly closes on its own while loading or unloading, creating a risk of head injury. In addition, the infotainment screen and digital gauge cluster will random... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
On December 3, 2025, while parked in the hospital parking lot, the rear hatch window of my vehicle suddenly shattered without any impact, collision, or outside interference. I approached my vehicle and found the glass completely busted outward. I immediately contacted hospital security. They reviewed the surveillance footage and confirmed the following: No one was near or tampering with the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the contact was parking the vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into a vehicle that was parked beside the contact's vehicle. In addition, the vehicle crashed into the Dollar Tree Store doors. The contact sta... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim was flapping while driving. The contact stated that the windshield exterior A-pillar trims were loose. ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) and 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) and 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V302000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. 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 contact had not exp... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
September 3rd, 2025, my engine failed, for the second time and left me stuck at a busy intersection, in the middle lane and can't move. The first time my engine failed (2022/same vehicle), I was about the get on the highway and it just stopped in the middle of the road right before getting onto the highway. Both times I've had to get out in traffic in order to move my vehicle. I'm causing a stop ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
My Volkswagen ID.4 experienced a sudden crack in the windshield followed by smoke and fire near the dashboard/A-pillar area. The manufacturer denied responsibility and claimed the windshield crack caused the fire, but glass cannot ignite or cause an electrical fire. This is a serious safety hazard because the fire originated where electrical components and sensors are located. The incident occurr... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
The radio in my truck keeps displaying a message about my uconnect not working and to seen an authorized dealer. This message blocks my view of my backup camera as well as creates a distraction while driving. After this message appears, my assist and SOS buttons no longer function as intended. The dealer has replaced multiple components related to this issue and have not resolved the problem. A su... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2025
The vehicle experiences throttle lag/hesitation when going from a stop. At stop lights or when at a complete stop when you apply gas there is a good amount of hesitation before the engine moves. I found this is dangerous because the warmer the vehicle is the more I expirience it. Very concerning when trying to move out of traffic, when making left and right turns at intersections. There has not be... Read more
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dec 3, 2025
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
This is the second time this has occurred. While driving (vehicle in motion for multiple minutes beforehand), an ad for SiriusXM radio popped up on my infotainment, which disables CarPlay, A/C controls, car settings, driver assistance settings, etc. until you dismiss the ad. There is no way to dismiss the ad except clicking a small “X” button in the corner, which is difficult and dangerous to ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
I would prefer that the vehicle be bought by RAM due to the unsafe issues ie . (the vehicle stopped at a all of the sudden while driving ,the emergency brake activated while driving, the transmission gave out and would not accelerate while driving on the highway, my wife and I could have been killed.
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
I would prefer that the vehicle be bought by RAM due to the unsafe issues ie . (the vehicle stopped at a all of the sudden while driving ,the emergency brake activated while driving, the transmission gave out and would not accelerate while driving on the highway, my wife and I could have been killed.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
Upper radiator hose leak with 20k miles. Coolant reservoir was completely emptied. Hose needed to be replaced on top of a parts not in stock. No warnings to overheating or coolant leak. Also Brakes squeal since day of purchase.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, an advertisement for a product that the contact had never purchased suddenly took over the infotainment system, which required the driver to interact with the infotainment screen and to return the screen to normal functionality. The contact was concerned that the issue was a distraction for the driver and was t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
I was leaving the store pulled out on a main road in town about to head on the highway. My steering wheel locked and would hardly move with all my strength and the help of my significant other we pulled back into the store parking lot rarely missing hitting several vehicles in the process. I had my children with me at the time in this vehicle as well. The power steering assist fault message popped... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2025
Automatic emergency braking. Vehicle has had several instances of slaming on brakes for no reason. Last time we were traveling about 35 miles per hour with a vehicle traveling behind us when system slammed on brakes locking them up and bringing us to a complete stop. We were traveling in the dark, in a rough road in a construction zone. No warnings lamps or messages. Scared us very bad. We are ha... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2025
Automatic emergency braking. Vehicle has had several instances of slaming on brakes for no reason. Last time we were traveling about 35 miles per hour with a vehicle traveling behind us when system slammed on brakes locking them up and bringing us to a complete stop. We were traveling in the dark, in a rough road in a construction zone. No warnings lamps or messages. Scared us very bad. We are ha... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2025
Obviously Tesla accepts the very serious problem that it is presenting in the vast majority of Model Y juniper 2026 specifically in the RWD line, they are making deliveries of these vehicles without having gone through a rigorous quality control that determines that the noise actually exists and that over time they could affect too many components of the suspension and end up compromising the stab... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
•What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Transmission and power train failure during normal operation. Vehicle was occupied by mother and two small children. Vehicle produced a whining noise, delay in shifting and power failure. No warning lights appeared to give any indication of failure prior to occurring. Vehicle is available for... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power while driving on the freeway. The check-engine light began flashing, and the car immediately stopped accelerating. I was in the fast lane at freeway speeds when the vehicle lost power, forcing me to activate my hazard lights and merge into the slow lane to avoid being hit by other vehicles. It felt like the engine was about to stall in traffic, creati... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
My vehicle is consuming oil excessively. I have to put a whole quart of oil in my vehicle every 2 weeks. I am adamant about getting regular maintenance oil changes as well. My car had to be towed to a local auto shop due to the engine stalling and accelerator not working. They had to replace all 4 coil packs and 4 spark plugs due to dark, tarry oil covering the parts. The repairman told me my engi... Read more