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: Jun 3, 2025
I recently got the 3.6.4 software update that was supposed to fix the recall for the constant rear backup camera issues in the Polestar 2. The problem seems to have gotten even worse after the software update. I often have to wait 1-2 minutes while sitting in reverse for the camera to sometimes come on. If it does come on, I’ll start backing up, and halfway through the maneuver, the screen often... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
I bought a Honda Accord Hybrid on June 15, 2023. The steering wheel made a noise in 2024. I repaired it once, but the problem of the steering wheel making a noise reappeared in June this year 2025. The steering wheel problem has always existed.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
There are 2 very serious safety issues that are extremely dangerous with this car. #1 - The Automatic Intervention Rear Brake Auto Brake engages for no reason when there is nothing behind the car. It happens when I am backing up very slowly. It throws me forward and then thrusts me back into the headrest. This has happened 3 times in 2 months. #2- At least two times a week the Information Pane... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
For the third time now, my steering has locked up and sent my 2025 Acura RDX into limp mode. It is a major safety concern because the car steering locks up and or tries to turn. The first time it occured I almost went into a field because the car was trying to turn right while in the middle of a LH corner at 55mph. The second time was on a country road at around 40-50mph with no shoulder, and t... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
For the third time now, my steering has locked up and sent my 2025 Acura RDX into limp mode. It is a major safety concern because the car steering locks up and or tries to turn. The first time it occured I almost went into a field because the car was trying to turn right while in the middle of a LH corner at 55mph. The second time was on a country road at around 40-50mph with no shoulder, and t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
Took it to the mechanic because I heard grinding and they stated I need a whole new transmission. The transmission in the car is no good and made with faulty materials.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
Over the past 5 years, this vehicle has experienced three major powertrain failures: two complete transmission failures and, most recently, a catastrophic engine failure. The most recent issue involved the engine burning excessive oil without warning. While my wife was driving downhill, the vehicle shut off completely, causing a total loss of power steering and braking. She was barely able to get... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
2days after I bought this bike Kawasaki issued a stop sale and DNR due to faulty #5 crank bushing, and refused to buy the bike back but instead expected me to sit and pay payments and insurance on a bike that I can’t ride for possibly a year with no fix in mind so I had to trade it in and take a big loss on a brand new bike, kiss off Kawasaki that will be my last purchase from you.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
My car started having loud noises and suspension on both side of my car started making noises and both control arms along with sway barrings and struts are gone bad.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
CVT transmission is making a loud noise and undrivable due to jerking motion every time I accelerate.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power in the middle of the roadway and was unable to restart. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that water had entered the vehicle, resulting in water damages to the RF Radio... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
Airbag fault light is illuminated. drivers side, Fault Code: B101715 - crash sensor for side airbag, drivers side open circuit to B+ Intermittent occurred on 5/19/2025 at 56000 mile. Data from vehicle Software Number; 5Q0959655AG Software Version: 0336 Hardware Number: 5Q0959655AG Hardware Version: 004
Incident date: Jun 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle slightly hesitated while depressing the start button. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V019000 (Electrical System). The contact scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle serviced; however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle needed... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
Driving on the fwy going 73mph While running Transmission stopped working and I’m not able to accelerate to move forward and safely pull over to the shoulder. The problem was not been confirmed by the dealer or service center. The vehicle was not been inspected by anyone. There is no warning lamps Messages, or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the "Oil Pump" message became displayed, and the vehicle decelerated and stalled. Additionally, during the failure there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the brakes failed to function properly while the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to the local dea... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
Recurrent intermittent power steering failure and intermittent engine stall. Steering wheel gets stuck when turning right while driving at speed on highway. Steering wheel gets very heavy and requires some force to get it back to center. If I let go of the steering wheel, it would stay in the same position until I move it back. When driving at slower speeds, usually when navigating around turns ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
Recurrent intermittent power steering failure and intermittent engine stall. Steering wheel gets stuck when turning right while driving at speed on highway. Steering wheel gets very heavy and requires some force to get it back to center. If I let go of the steering wheel, it would stay in the same position until I move it back. When driving at slower speeds, usually when navigating around turns ... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
a couple of years ago my car started having problems when accelerating, it would not accelerate or almost get to stall without warning, a couple times I got the message " engine fault - service now" . I took my car to the dealership and they could not find the root cause because the message would disappear when turning the car off and on again, therefore they could not reproduce the issue but my ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
I had an engine warning warning light on my dash around May 5th. A notice of reduced speed also lit up my dash while I was on the freeway. I scheduled a service for May 15th and was told the engine coolant flow control valve needed to be replaced. I was also told there was a backlog of other vehicles waiting for the same part. It has been over a month and I am still unable to drive my truck wh... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2025
No start, no codes. Have replaced brake switch several times and it fixes it for a bit and then happens again. I have read several forums and it seems to be a commen issue but no recalls for fault. 2018 nissan armada platinum. Shouldn't have to keep replacing switch.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
Rear Trailing Arm Rusted Out, Car Can not be repaired per two citified mechanics.
Crash
Incident date: Apr 25, 2019
Driver door does not unlock after a trip, with passengers inside the vehicle. Driver is unable to exit the vehicle from the driver door. This has happened a couple times now, a Tesla mechanic stopped by after the first time, but didn’t find any issue. It’s happening again.
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
The Abs failed and my car break system went out while on the highway with two small kids. Very dangerous
Incident date: May 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the passenger’s and driver's sidestep rail was lowering independently. Additionally, the rail on both sides of the vehicle remained in the raised position and failed to lower when the front doors were opened. The contact stated that the failure was occurring when the vehicle was stopped and while the vehicle was being driven. T... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2024
Purchased this Ram 1500 Tradesman 04/14/2025. Upon highway driving noticed a severe pull to the right at speed 70 mph. Called dealer to explain the problem and they suggested an alignment that was done on 05/01/2025. Dealer said numbers were green alignment was good. I did highway test again same problem pulling to right. Returned to dealer at 618 miles 05/07/2025 for reset electronic power steeri... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
It has the no power steering problem just like the other vehicles of the same model and year.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
It has the no power steering problem just like the other vehicles of the same model and year.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
My car kept getting a light for its coolant levels despite me filling it with proper coolant-I noticed a leak of coolant on the ground & upon getting it inspected from an independent service center, they told me the issue was my radiator so we got the part to fix it and a week later fixed the radiator and I didn’t get the light for coolant again. Although the independent service center told me t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
My car is subject to the Takata Air Bag recall. Due to the age of the vehicle, and the hot climate where I live (California), I am in fear for my safety especially with summer around the corner. "The Old Farmer's Almanac forecasts a "scorcher" with hotter-than-normal temperatures across most of the U.S., including California." Originally, I had a service appointment for 2024 but there was a shorta... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
Brake failure. I was slowing to stop at traffic light when “brake failure” warning came on. I then stepped on the brake and it was not working. I turned on a side street just bf the traffic light and coasted to a stop amd turned car off. Airbag not operative light came on and seatbelts were tightening then loosening. I could have hit cars stopped at the light.
Incident date: Nov 26, 2024
I keep getting error code P0304 which says its cylinder 4 misfire the engine starts shaking a bit and most of the warning lights in my dashboard turn on and it disables the parking brake , I took it to a shop and they took out the fuel injectors to visualy inspect them and moved injector 4 to a different cylinder but the same error keeps coming back cylinder 4 misfire , I keep having to spend mon... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2024
On [XXX] autoNation Mazda Arapahoe in Colorado sold me a car for my sign at 2024 CX 30 premium. They said there was an open recall that they needed to fix and we’re keeping the car overnight on June 6, 2025. They deliver the vehicle to my son around noon and around 6 PM on June 6. They contacted my son and said they shouldn’t have sold the vehicle to him and needed the vehicle back. This is m... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2024
I reported this issue last year when my car was just barely outside of the extended service plan agreement we had on the car. I had called the dealership with similar issues as well way before hand. My infotainment system which controls all and I mean all of the safety features I paid/am still paying for no longer works. It’s a known issue with Volvo they know and so do other mechanics. Prior to... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
I am the owner of a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E and have experienced repeated failures of the front-facing camera system, which directly impacts critical safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. When the camera fails, these safety systems become unavailable or behave unpredictably, putting my safety and that of others at risk. The issue b... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2025
I purchased a used 2020 Ford Fusion from Carmax n 2023 with about 56,800 miles. A week later was involved in a nor side impact accident on the back end driver side, insurance paid for a dinted door and there was no other issues with the vehicle according to SONS ford. In 2024 I was on the highway (going about 80 mph) when my engine light came on, no more than 3 minutes later all the lights in my... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
Sliding rear window leaks in 3 spots. Leak poses the safety risk of mold growth inside the vehicle along with the potential of water getting inside of electrical components and air bag device compartments. The problem was reproduced and confirmed at the dealership, to which the plastic seal at the top of the rear window was confirmed to have failed in 3 locations. Dealership recommended replaci... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2025
I am filing a formal complaint regarding a longstanding and unresolved recall on my 2020 Toyota Camry XSE. The recall in question — NHTSA #23V865 / Toyota #23TB15 — was issued on December 19, 2023, and involves a critical defect: the passenger airbag may fail to deploy in a crash. As of today, nearly six months later, no remedy has been issued by Toyota. This puts myself and others at serious... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2025
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to report a critical and life-threatening safety incident involving my Nissan Rogue. While driving at a sustained speed of 65 mph on a highway, the steering wheel suddenly locked aligned on right side without warning. This mechanical failure rendered me completely unable to steer, putting my life and the lives of others (including my friend’s little daughter... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2025
The steering wheeled locked up and the dash showed error messages of check hybrid system and refill inverter coolant and car seemed to go into limp mode as I could barely accelerate forcing me to pull over. The messages and issue would go away upon turning off car and turning it back on, however the issue would eventually happen again. This has happened while driving on the highway and other vario... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2025
When placing the vehicle in Reverse, the camera image is distorted. This problem happens intermittently but when it does, I am unable to view any potential hazards as I back up.
Incident date: May 29, 2025
My KIA Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige, bought brand new on 4/29/2025 and had 250 miles when I had transmission problem on weekend after 3 days of ownership. The car, when slowed down to about 30 miles/Hr, transmission suddenly shifted to neutral and the engine became dead. This happened 3 times within half an hour on freeway during the time of high traffic. I had to pull over and restarted the engine... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
Fuel injector failure, resulted in engine misfires, running fuel rich, and reduced power. Reduced power and loss of safety features such as anti-lock brakes, stability assist, ACC, AEB, FCA, and LKA the safety of myself and other drivers are negatively affected. My Honda Dealer and 3rd party shop diagnosed the issue. All warning lights started to appear in November 2024 and disappear intermittentl... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Seltos. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the contact had scheduled a recall appointment and was advised by the dealer that the recall had been placed on hold. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware o... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH after a vacation, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull into a truck stop. The vehicle stalled and restarted but eventually shut off. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine C... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the oil warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the engine oil level was low after a recent oil change. The contact added oil and took the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The mechanic confirmed that there was an oil consumption failure and topped off the engine oil. T... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2025
The backup camera image froze while in reverse motion. I noticed the image froze and deferred to my mirrors but had I not noticed the freeze I could have hit something. This has happened twice in five months of ownership.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
Hi, I purchased my 2006 ford explorer in 2019 from a mechanic lot. Since then I’ve changed the muffler, all 4 of the o2 sensors. Recently, after changing parts like the cylinder, spark plugs and wires as well as another set of o2 sensors and the EGR Valve, Mass Air flow sensor and the EGR sylenoid valve I have been getting check engine light with the emissions code not passing inspection. At th... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the driver's door unintendedly opened. The contact immediately pulled over to attempt to close the door; however, the door failed to close. The contact used a rope to keep the door closed with the rear passenger’s door on the driver's side door. The vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaig... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Fire