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 15,069 complaints for VOLVO
Incident date: May 26, 2026
This is my daughters vehicle. She was driving home from work with my [XXX] and [XXX] grandchildren in the car. The car suddenly wouldn't drive at a safe speed and was chugging along. She almost got into an accident because she couldn't go faster than about 12 mph. She as finally able to pull over in a safe location and called AAA. My son in law met her and picked her and the children up. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2026
This is my daughters vehicle. She was driving home from work with my [XXX] and [XXX] grandchildren in the car. The car suddenly wouldn't drive at a safe speed and was chugging along. She almost got into an accident because she couldn't go faster than about 12 mph. She as finally able to pull over in a safe location and called AAA. My son in law met her and picked her and the children up. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2026
This is my daughters vehicle. She was driving home from work with my [XXX] and [XXX] grandchildren in the car. The car suddenly wouldn't drive at a safe speed and was chugging along. She almost got into an accident because she couldn't go faster than about 12 mph. She as finally able to pull over in a safe location and called AAA. My son in law met her and picked her and the children up. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2026
I believe this is a major (and known) software issue, but the car has on several occasions, when stationary, entered a state where all of its controls are unresponsive and the engine cannot be turned off. *Nothing* related to the operation of the car works, including the electronic handbrake, gear selector OR the stop/start button. This is an exceptionally dangerous fault, as the car engine cannot... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2026
When parked, the driver side mirror of various SPA Volvos seem to automatically adjust the driver side mirror in random directions after the driver exits the car. Then, on returning to the car, the mirror is not re-adjusted. Thus, if the driver fails to check the position of the mirror before driving off, they may find themselves in a situation where the mirror is unexpectedly out of alignment and... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2026
An intermittent electrical failure occurred to my wife causing my 2021 Volvo XC60 to stop and then later go into limp mode while driving. The service light went on immediately and was very startling to her and made it difficult for the drivers following as the car speed was significantly reduced/ I suspect limp mode though it was not on the dashboard. When I called Volvo and then brought the car... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
The seal on my 2020 Volvo XC60 moonroof allowed water to leak under the floorboards. My car is only 6 years old. We had a lot of rain over a short period and I noticed the sound of water sloshing around under the floor. Nothing was wet inside the car. My Check Engine light came on as well. I took it to the Volvo service dept. They are now saying wires are corroded and that it will cost me over $11... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
The seal on my 2020 Volvo XC60 moonroof allowed water to leak under the floorboards. My car is only 6 years old. We had a lot of rain over a short period and I noticed the sound of water sloshing around under the floor. Nothing was wet inside the car. My Check Engine light came on as well. I took it to the Volvo service dept. They are now saying wires are corroded and that it will cost me over $11... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2026
I was parallel parked. I put the vehicle in reverse to pull out. When I’d gone a few feet in reverse I baked and the brakes were HARD and failed to stop the car immediately. I nearly hit the car behind me. He/she honked at me, that’s how close I was. It happened three times. I think in all three incidents I was going in reverse. I had the dealership look at the vehicle but they could no... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2026
The driver's side seat airbag system failed. Specifically, diagnostic trouble code SRS-B002011 was retrieved, indicating a circuit short to ground in the left side airbag deployment control system. The technician found a broken clip on the airbag connector housing, causing an intermittent connection failure between the connector and the seat airbag itself. The airbag cannot be relied upon to deplo... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2026
The driver's side seat airbag system failed. Specifically, diagnostic trouble code SRS-B002011 was retrieved, indicating a circuit short to ground in the left side airbag deployment control system. The technician found a broken clip on the airbag connector housing, causing an intermittent connection failure between the connector and the seat airbag itself. The airbag cannot be relied upon to deplo... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
I took my car in for the 90,000 mile general service at the Volvo dealership. While rotating my tires the tech providing the service noted that the front left suspension fork was broken. The tech and Volvo were unable to provide an explanation for how the damage could have occurred. There was no other notable damage. The tire pressure light was on but that is baseline for my car (the tire pressure... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
I took my car in for the 90,000 mile general service at the Volvo dealership. While rotating my tires the tech providing the service noted that the front left suspension fork was broken. The tech and Volvo were unable to provide an explanation for how the damage could have occurred. There was no other notable damage. The tire pressure light was on but that is baseline for my car (the tire pressure... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding serious safety concerns with my Volvo vehicle that may affect the safety of my family, especially young children. 1. Second-Row Center Seat Integrated Booster Seat Belt Failure The integrated booster seat belt in the second-row center seat is not functioning properly. The seat belt mechanism appears defective and does not secure the child as intended. Thi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding serious safety concerns with my Volvo vehicle that may affect the safety of my family, especially young children. 1. Second-Row Center Seat Integrated Booster Seat Belt Failure The integrated booster seat belt in the second-row center seat is not functioning properly. The seat belt mechanism appears defective and does not secure the child as intended. Thi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding serious safety concerns with my Volvo vehicle that may affect the safety of my family, especially young children. 1. Second-Row Center Seat Integrated Booster Seat Belt Failure The integrated booster seat belt in the second-row center seat is not functioning properly. The seat belt mechanism appears defective and does not secure the child as intended. Thi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while her son-in-law was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was firmly depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop immediately. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the vacuum hose had detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2026
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Mar 22, 2026
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
I pulled into a parking spot with a concrete barrier pole at a pharmacy to pick up my sister. I had my foot on the brake while she was getting into the vehicle when the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward crashing into the pole. I have also had an incident where I tried to start the vehicle and could not get the vehicle to go from park to reverse. This is concerning that there could be some fault... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
I pulled into a parking spot with a concrete barrier pole at a pharmacy to pick up my sister. I had my foot on the brake while she was getting into the vehicle when the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward crashing into the pole. I have also had an incident where I tried to start the vehicle and could not get the vehicle to go from park to reverse. This is concerning that there could be some fault... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 3, 2026
The One Pedal Drive function (regenerative braking) intermittently deactivates without warning after startup. This issue has occurred multiple times under normal driving conditions. When the accelerator is released, expected deceleration does not occur, resulting in reduced braking response. No warning indicates that the system has disengaged, and it appears to deactivate without any driver input... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2026
The front and rear evaporator core of my 2019 Volvo XC90 has failed and I no longer have air conditioning. This issue was diagnosed by a dealer. The evaporator core failure is a massive, widely documented issue specifically targeting the 2016–2020 Volvo SPA-platform models. According to my research, Volvo sold approx. 370,000 vehicles in the US during this period. At roughly $5,000 per vehicle,... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
My wife was driving at about 40 MPH when the instrument panel displayed a warning "System Failure" and the digital speedometer stopped working and showed the current speed as two dashes instead of a number (ie "--" instead of "40"). After about 5-10 seconds the warning went away and the digital speedometer appeared to start displaying the correct speed again.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
Built-in navigation application has on multiple occasions stopped working and stating "searching for GPS". This causes a distraction and increases the chance of a crash because I now have to try to figure out what is going on while I was relying on the navigation to understand where I was going.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
Multiple times I have gotten a "Park assistance fault - book a service" message while driving and the parking sensors stop working. The issue temporarily resolves itself only to reoccurring several days later. Took to service and they replaced the car computer and said they could to replicate the issue after replacing the computer. Now a week later and the issue has re-occurred twice again.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
Multiple times I have gotten a "Park assistance fault - book a service" message while driving and the parking sensors stop working. The issue temporarily resolves itself only to reoccurring several days later. Took to service and they replaced the car computer and said they could to replicate the issue after replacing the computer. Now a week later and the issue has re-occurred twice again.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
Multiple times I have gotten a "Park assistance fault - book a service" message while driving and the parking sensors stop working. The issue temporarily resolves itself only to reoccurring several days later. Took to service and they replaced the car computer and said they could to replicate the issue after replacing the computer. Now a week later and the issue has re-occurred twice again.
Incident date: May 11, 2026
My 2021 Volvo XC60 experienced a fuel system failure at approximately 53,500 miles. Prior to the failure, the vehicle displayed multiple warning messages and entered reduced-power (limp mode), including the turtle symbol on the instrument cluster. The vehicle unexpectedly would not start despite multiple attempts. The failure occurred while I was at a physical therapy appointment approximately 25 ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2026
The first issue occurred on 4/16/26. Car stopped mid-drive on a public road. No error or warning, just a jerk noise and stopped. This was around 7 in the evening and I am fortunate it was a not so busy road. Gives me nightmares thinking if me or my kids were driving on a freeway. Got towed to a dealership and the root cause was identified as the coolant being completely drained off because of a ma... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2025
The contact owns 2019 Volvo XC90. The contact stated while parked and occupied in the vehicle or while driving various speeds, the contact noticed when attempting to turn the air conditioner on she noticed that the a/c unit was not working as intended in the vehicle. The contact mention she can hear a clicking noise coming from the air conditioner. An independent mechanic and A dealer was contacte... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2026
I repeatedly lost propulsion or shut down while driving. The vehicle would not shift into Drive or Reverse and would not move, although displays and lights remained powered. This occurred three times in approximately two weeks. One event occurred at approximately 55 mph. I had to call the police for help. This after Hudson Valley Property Maintence the two previous stalls had been fixed. Dealer p... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
Door unlocking while driving
Incident date: May 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Volvo S60. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. No warning lights illuminated. The contact was a certified mechanic. The contact stated that the failure occurred when the outside temperature was too hot or too cold. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the failure was a known ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
While driving on the highway my navagation, internet, gps stopped working. An error came up on the dash saying "SOS emergency call system fault" We were not sure what was happening with the vehicle or if was safe to drive. We made an appointment with a Volvo service center. Volvo service center stated we would need to pay to have this diagnosed because the vehicle has a rebuilt title. The dea... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2026
While driving on a rainy day my forward collision warning (FCW) system cam on signifying and impending collision via the "Red Warning Vehicle Crash" in the heads-up display. The car started to automatically break as well. There were no other vehicles in my land or close to me at the time. It was purely heavy rain. This is not the first occurrence of the FCW system engaging automatically. The same... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2026
A battery recall was placed on the vehicle on February 18, 2026. However, the battery fire risk existed before this date. According to Volvo's instructions, I can only charge to 70 percent. We are also instructed to only charge when the vehicle can be monitored. Because of my business and need to have a vehicle ready to go at all times, I have to charge overnight. It is my only vehicle. I t... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2026
The vehicle has experienced intermittent loss of power while driving at highway speeds on multiple occasions. The issue occurred twice on Monday and multiple times again on Tuesday. During these events, the vehicle felt as though it may stall or lose propulsion while traveling in traffic. The vehicle has also intermittently exhibited engine rattling and drivability concerns. In addition, the cent... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2026
The rear backup camera display system failed, resulting in a completely blank or black center infotainment screen when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. Yes, the vehicle and its Sensus infotainment system software logs are available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of pedestrians were put at immediate risk because the sudden failure of the rearview camera created a severe ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2026
While parked in full sun the windshield cracked spontaneously, perhaps the result of thermal expansion. The linear length of the resulting crack was over 12 inches, running through the center sensor array. The car was inspected by a Volvo Service Center manager who found no evidence of impact. Nevertheless, Volvo conducted a formal inspection at an offsite facility and declined to warrant the d... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2026
Volvo had an over the air update for all cars with the Google UI. Recently my speakers and other electrical components have been having issues. I took the car to the dealership for evaluation since it's under warranty. The dealer said the issue is a known software issue that started a couple months ago. The only software change my vehicle has had has been the OTA update. Now Volvo is charging to f... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2026
Volvo had an over the air update for all cars with the Google UI. Recently my speakers and other electrical components have been having issues. I took the car to the dealership for evaluation since it's under warranty. The dealer said the issue is a known software issue that started a couple months ago. The only software change my vehicle has had has been the OTA update. Now Volvo is charging to f... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
The 2026 Volvo XC60 Ultra comes with hazy rear passenger windows, worse in full sun. These windows are laminated and tinted and are manufactured by Saint-Gobain Sekurit. The hazy rear passenger windows, especially the right one, decrease the driver's visibility and safety when checking the blind spots in traffic. Volvo should issue a recall of these defective windows and provide replacement transp... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
Dear NHTSA, I would like to submit a safety complaint regarding my 2026 Volvo XC60 Ultra, purchased new and currently with approximately 5,939 miles. I am submitting this complaint because I have experienced repeated vehicle behaviors that I believe may have safety implications and have significantly affected my confidence in the vehicle. The concerns include: Brake behavior concern I have exp... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
Dear NHTSA, I would like to submit a safety complaint regarding my 2026 Volvo XC60 Ultra, purchased new and currently with approximately 5,939 miles. I am submitting this complaint because I have experienced repeated vehicle behaviors that I believe may have safety implications and have significantly affected my confidence in the vehicle. The concerns include: Brake behavior concern I have exp... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
Dear NHTSA, I would like to submit a safety complaint regarding my 2026 Volvo XC60 Ultra, purchased new and currently with approximately 5,939 miles. I am submitting this complaint because I have experienced repeated vehicle behaviors that I believe may have safety implications and have significantly affected my confidence in the vehicle. The concerns include: Brake behavior concern I have exp... Read more
Incident date: May 17, 2026
The driver side liftgate strut broke; the liftgate raised normally and when reached the fully opened position it immediately started to close very rapidly, this could have easily hit someone quite hard in the head. The Liftgate was then stuck in a halfway opened position and was unable to close fully. I was able to manually raise the liftgate and when released again slammed down to a halfway open ... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2026
The vehicle has experienced repeated intermittent electrical-system-related failures since the start of the lease, which have remained unresolved despite eight months of formal engagement with Volvo and multiple service and software-related repair attempts by Volvo. Most recently, on May 15, 2026, while operating the vehicle in approximately 90°F Arizona temperatures, the vehicle displayed a “... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2026
The vehicle has experienced repeated intermittent electrical-system-related failures since the start of the lease, which have remained unresolved despite eight months of formal engagement with Volvo and multiple service and software-related repair attempts by Volvo. Most recently, on May 15, 2026, while operating the vehicle in approximately 90°F Arizona temperatures, the vehicle displayed a “... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2026
The vehicle has experienced repeated intermittent electrical-system-related failures since the start of the lease, which have remained unresolved despite eight months of formal engagement with Volvo and multiple service and software-related repair attempts by Volvo. Most recently, on May 15, 2026, while operating the vehicle in approximately 90°F Arizona temperatures, the vehicle displayed a “... Read more