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 15, 2024
The contact owns a 1991 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop, the vehicle was sluggish. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as needed after warming up. The contact stated upon refueling the vehicle, the gasoline would splash out of the fuel tank filler neck and onto the gas pump. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer w... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
Cam phaser Failure. Common problem with 2018 F150 ecoboost engines. Ford has confirmed that the cam phasers need to be placed. Defective from manufacturer. Ford does not offer to cover replacement.
Incident date: May 15, 2024
1. When the air condition is turned on there is knocking/banging/thumping noise. It starts with a whinning noise and then gets thumping noise and then starts again with a whinning noise followed my a thumping noise. It can go over 15 to 20 mins and then stops and restarts again. Yes, it can easily be reproduced. 2. The whinning and thumping noise while the car is driving can cause a safety issue w... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: May 17, 2025
I am reporting an URGENT REQUEST IMMEDIATE ACTION REGARDING A SERIOUS UNRESOLVED, RECURRING PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE. IT IS POTENTIALLY THE FAULT OF ALEXANDRIA HYUNDAI'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT (in Alexandria, VA) WHO HAD JUST SERVICED MY VEHICLE FOR WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A ROUTINE SERVICING (on May 7). My car had a catastrophic and complete failure on a high speed highway (the car quickly d... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (ENGINE). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle vibrated, and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and failed an inspection. The contac... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2024
ICCU (Intergrated Charging Control Unit) failed after two mandatory recalls were completed. Vehicle is not drivable as it’s awaiting for a replacement ICCU (backordered). Replacement ICCU will not remedy the issue since it has not been improved upon from the original failure. Vehicle shutdown on a two lane highway with a 65mph speed limit. The section where the vehicle shutdown was without cel... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
I was driving at a speed of 32 no other cars around. All of a sudden I hear some buzzing and feel vibration, and I see a hazard icon in the dash flashing. It was a white triangle outlined in red with a red exclamation mark inside of the triangle. The car slowed dramatically almost stopping as the alarm or buzzing sounded. Then all at once the alarm stopped and the car resumed speed.
Incident date: May 16, 2025
I was exiting the freeway and my engine shut down and was unable to manever the vehicle. Stuck on feeder road, unable to place car in neutral to move car out of the road. Police and passerby have to disconnect transmission in order to move my car out of the road. I had car towed to ford dealership. Ford dealership submitted for recall repair approval twice. Both times denied. Dealership advi... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2025
The passenger airbag randomly just blew up and destroyed my windshield are vision was impaired couldn’t see couldn’t hear cuz our ears where ringing and toxic chemicals and particles where flying around in the car from it blowing up. We had a 3 year old in the truck and my bestfriend. Are safety was definitely put at risk we where on the freeway and like I said we couldn’t see anything and w... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2025
On April 25th, 2025 we were taking our kids to their after school activities when the SUV started to shake, and accelerate very fast by barely pushing the gas pedal, the ETS light along with the forward collision warning also appeared on the dashboard along with the check engine light. This prompted my husband to get our vehicle towed to the nearest shop close to the street where our vehicle st... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2025
On May 9th, 2025 we had to have our 2022 Tahoe towed to the local dealership. There was a transmission error message and the battery was completely drained. The dealer put a new battery in it for $485 and we were told it was good to go. The next day, the car would not go into Reverse. Had to have it towed back to the dealership and was told that the Transmission failure was a recalled part and wou... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2025
Code P1A9096 Iccu and fuse. The car is currently at a dealer in Barre, VT. While driving numerous warning lights appeared lowering my speed to 10 MPH immediately leaving me vulnerable to a collision in moving traffic. Warning lights include "Check Vehicle Electric System", "Power Limited". Issue confirmed at dealer.
Incident date: Apr 24, 2025
Code P1A9096 Iccu and fuse. The car is currently at a dealer in Barre, VT. While driving numerous warning lights appeared lowering my speed to 10 MPH immediately leaving me vulnerable to a collision in moving traffic. Warning lights include "Check Vehicle Electric System", "Power Limited". Issue confirmed at dealer.
Incident date: Apr 24, 2025
I am submitting this report to formally document a severe safety-related failure involving my 2013 Volvo S60, VIN # [XXX] . This vehicle is part of the Volvo brand, widely recognized and marketed as among the safest in the world. Incident Summary: On [XXX], at approximately [XXX] in Norwalk, Connecticut, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure while in operation. The auxiliary ... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2025
Engine was replaced 11/24 Found toe bar loose and rear passenger tire had excessive slack in it, well liners were broken off and missing 2/25 Oil loss and had to have oil changed early 4/21 Start button will not engage, truck is completely blacked out, no power to it for several minutes then it will crank. Been in the shop as of now 3 times in the month of May 2025
Incident date: May 2, 2025
I was backing up out of my driveway and the camera was not available, nor did the sensor work while I was backing up. I hit a parked car as a result of this, resulting in damage to the back of my car. This has happened before, but never resulted in an accident until this time.
Crash
Incident date: May 2, 2025
Engine was replaced 11/24 Found toe bar loose and rear passenger tire had excessive slack in it, well liners were broken off and missing 2/25 Oil loss and had to have oil changed early 4/21 Start button will not engage, truck is completely blacked out, no power to it for several minutes then it will crank. Been in the shop as of now 3 times in the month of May 2025
Incident date: May 8, 2025
When sitting at a stop and then accelerating to leave the stop position, the car will go and then all of a sudden it will stall out and I'm pressing the gas pedal, pressing the gas pedal quite a few times before the car even decides to move. This happens when I'm changing lanes on the highway... merging onto the highway... when I'm leaving from a stop sign or a stoplight it happens continuously. I... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2025
Was driving on highway and started receiving error messages for "check electrical system". Car speed dropped to max of 45mph while actively on a highway. Was able to pull off an exit but car needed a 55 mile tow to the closest dealer. Dealer has identified that the ICCU needs to be replaced but has no timeline as the item is on back order. Car is model year 2023, purchased in February of 2023 a... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2025
Two out of four seals were blowen on the breakdrum and breaks drums contaminated with grease.
Incident date: Feb 17, 2025
The contact's son owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact was informed by her son that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant leaking into the engine block. The dealer determined that the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure an... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of ti... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights were illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was discovered that the engine oil pump belt needed to be rep... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact discovered that oil was leaking underneath the vehicle, and the vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who determined that the engine oil cooler lines were faulty and needed to be replaced. The engine oil cooler lines were replaced, but shortly after retrieving the vehicle, while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stall... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
Phantom braking (as it's referred to by experts) happened to me twice on the highway using Traffic-Aware-Cruise-Control. Very scary. I was on cruise control going 60 mph when suddenly my car braked suddenly and inappropriately, losing at least 20 mph in a split second before I was able to slam on the accelerator and prevent an accident (rear-end collision). This happened TWICE in the course of 5... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2025
I've had to replace the battery in this 3 times. Alternator 1. And Throttle Body Position Sensor twice. And now it's all starting to act up again. Car stalls, no reason, all dashboard warning lights flash and it stalls. No dashboard lights at night. Occasionally they flicker. Windshield wipers either won't work or won't shut off. Front windows are unusable, the track broke and back windows don't ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
I have taken my vehicle to 3 seperate mechanics (GMC, AAMCO and Independent). They all agree that my valve body inside the transmission must be replaced. The problem is that valve bodies are on a national back order and cannot be fullfilled for months, putting my transmission at risk for further failure. Reading online forums, there are many GMC owners facing this same issue. The mechanics at GMC ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 PJ Trailer LD. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V857000 (Tires); 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was mad... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2025
The interior of this car includes many chrome accents. Chrome on the steering wheel, center console around the gear shift, and chrome around the touch screen. When driving, the sun reflects off of the chrome like a laser/mirror, impacting the visibility and safety of the driver. I am looking into ways to "black out" the chrome, but it truly is a safety hazard! Chevrolet should provide a "chrome de... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2025
The dealership is not honoring the recall or warranty. Car needed 3 quarts of oil and there is pressure from the oil fill cap when open while the engine is running. The dealership is Kia of Huntington - 1720 East Jerich Turnpike, Huntington, NY 11743; 631-546-0202
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
Engine completely stalls while driving, I have to put it in park and restart it. It has happened 5 times in the last 2 months. All at low speeds. Milage 58,000
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
We have a big ign. Key that at times won't turn. Was informed by the dealer the mechanism is broke and it's a backordered item due to it being a common item . Failures of this part can cause the steering wheel to lock I have read
Incident date: Apr 26, 2025
Electronics for hands free stopped working. This part was already replaced once. When backing up, the whole truck shut down. I restarted, it said to roll drivers side window down and up. Truck started up again. Few days later... returning from trip, lost power, windshield wipers came on, electronics in truck started blinking. Pulled over, rolled driver's side window up and down. started back... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the contact discovered that the driver’s side of the vehicle was lowered and was leaning to the side. Upon inspection it was discovered that the driver's side leaf spring hanger had detached from the frame of the vehicle due to extreme rust. The local dealer was notified of the failure... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2025
While actively driving into an intersection, driving on the street and or stopped at a light or at a stop the vehicle will shut off, the lights on the dashboard will sometimes be on, other times go completely black, a notification pops up on the dashboard saying "engine not in P". There is no way I'm aware of to re create this action. My children's safety as well as mine has been put at significan... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
Vehicle: 2016 Audi Q5 2.0 Premium Plus Date of Incident: March 31, 2025 I was in a front-end collision at approximately 20–25 mph when I struck a concrete pole. The impact was hard enough to severely damage the vehicle—the pole intruded deep into the engine bay, fluids leaked, and the front end was totaled. Despite this, none of the airbags deployed. As a result, I sustained multiple injuries:... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
Vehicle: 2024 Tesla Model 3 Date of Incident: [Insert Date] Location: Intersection of [XXX] Operating Mode: Tesla Autopilot (Engaged) On the above date, while driving with Tesla Autopilot engaged, the vehicle initiated an unexpected and improper right turn at the intersection of [XXX] This maneuver was not indicated in the planned navigation route, nor was it consistent with the legal road mark... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
Driving on freeway at 70 mph clear conditions 65degree weather. Warning light said to stop safely engine would shut down soon. Pulled over safely, waited, restarted. Drove another 10 miles, same error message, car lost power.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his sister was driving 55-60 MPH, the engine started to overheat, and there was fluid leaking from the vehicle. The contact stated that there was oil in the coolant overflow tank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The lo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while idling at the traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving at various speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart on several occasions and was towed to the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while idling at the traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving at various speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart on several occasions and was towed to the ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
When traveling slowly and braking, if you hit a bump the car steering begins to shake wildly that makes you feel you will lose control. You have to bump the brakes to make it stop. Seems like the anti lock brakes kick in when it shouldn’t and because it is the front tires make the car violently shake. Happens intermittently and difficult to reproduce at will. Has happened numerous times. Brought... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2025
The cruise control quits intermittently while driving. It has since November 2024. The Honda Dealer says they do not have a fix. It increases driver fatigue and it surprises you as you are driving. The alert is to clean sensor, but cleaning doesn’t fix it. It has been inspected by Harr Honda and they can’t fix it.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
When traveling slowly and braking, if you hit a bump the car steering begins to shake wildly that makes you feel you will lose control. You have to bump the brakes to make it stop. Seems like the anti lock brakes kick in when it shouldn’t and because it is the front tires make the car violently shake. Happens intermittently and difficult to reproduce at will. Has happened numerous times. Brought... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
The Safety of my wife and two Sons was put at risk when the Brakes of the vehicle failed to respond, which put another driver at risk as well The problem has been confirmed by a professional investigator working directly for Chrysler stating that Due to a brake hose tear triggered by a bad factory design of the distribution of the hoses and harness on this specific vehicle model there were no ... Read more
Crash
VOLVO
VN
(2021) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER
Apr 14, 2025
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact stopped at a traffic light, the light turned green, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle turned off and the contact merged into a parking lot and attempted to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the key fob battery was replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to r... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the instrument cluster turned blank. The vehicle was steered to the side the side of the road and was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. T... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated while her husband was driving later, the vehicle failed to exceed 50 MPH. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with internal engine failure. The ... Read more