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 15,318 complaints for VOLVO
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
While driving the vehicle at a low rate of speed it presenter a Critical Error message which appeared across the drivers screen for approximately 5-10 seconds. The message then immediately disappeared and the vehicle shut down mid operation and came to an abrupt stop on its own. From there it was unable to be moved, switched into neutral/drive or park. Luckily this happened on a neighborhood stree... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
While driving the vehicle at a low rate of speed it presenter a Critical Error message which appeared across the drivers screen for approximately 5-10 seconds. The message then immediately disappeared and the vehicle shut down mid operation and came to an abrupt stop on its own. From there it was unable to be moved, switched into neutral/drive or park. Luckily this happened on a neighborhood stree... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2026
The vehicle first experienced a safety-critical malfunction while driving on the highway on August 11, 2026, producing in-vehicle warnings reading "Transmission Acceleration Performance Reduced" and "Gear Lever Locked," along with broader electrical system symptoms, requiring the 2018 Volvo XC90 to be towed to Volvo Cars Brooklyn on August 11, 2026. At that time, dampness was discovered under the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2026
The vehicle first experienced a safety-critical malfunction while driving on the highway on August 11, 2026, producing in-vehicle warnings reading "Transmission Acceleration Performance Reduced" and "Gear Lever Locked," along with broader electrical system symptoms, requiring the 2018 Volvo XC90 to be towed to Volvo Cars Brooklyn on August 11, 2026. At that time, dampness was discovered under the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2026
The vehicle first experienced a safety-critical malfunction while driving on the highway on August 11, 2026, producing in-vehicle warnings reading "Transmission Acceleration Performance Reduced" and "Gear Lever Locked," along with broader electrical system symptoms, requiring the 2018 Volvo XC90 to be towed to Volvo Cars Brooklyn on August 11, 2026. At that time, dampness was discovered under the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
I was pulling into a parking spot in a strip mall parking lot. When I braked after turning into the parking spot, the brakes failed. The car moved forward and hit the Chevy Suburban parked in front of it and started to push it. The automatic collision avoidance system did not stop the car, either. The owner of the Suburban was in that vehicle and was able to put it in gear and move it out of th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
I was pulling into a parking spot in a strip mall parking lot. When I braked after turning into the parking spot, the brakes failed. The car moved forward and hit the Chevy Suburban parked in front of it and started to push it. The automatic collision avoidance system did not stop the car, either. The owner of the Suburban was in that vehicle and was able to put it in gear and move it out of th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
I was pulling into a parking spot in a strip mall parking lot. When I braked after turning into the parking spot, the brakes failed. The car moved forward and hit the Chevy Suburban parked in front of it and started to push it. The automatic collision avoidance system did not stop the car, either. The owner of the Suburban was in that vehicle and was able to put it in gear and move it out of th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
Software updates causing mechanical issues. Most recent software update blew the compressor and pump causing the AC to go out. According to volvo service department this is a widespread issue with their software updates for the EX90, who knows what other mechanical issues it may be causing. Safety issue as its 115 degrees outside and car only blows hot air.
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
Software updates causing mechanical issues. Most recent software update blew the compressor and pump causing the AC to go out. According to volvo service department this is a widespread issue with their software updates for the EX90, who knows what other mechanical issues it may be causing. Safety issue as its 115 degrees outside and car only blows hot air.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
In February 2026, my 2021 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 (VIN: [XXX]) experienced a hybrid battery cell failure. The failure was diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized Volvo dealership (Volvo of Tacoma) and is covered under the vehicle's manufacturer warranty. However, I have been informed that a replacement part may not be available until December 2026 or later — a delay of ten months or more from th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
In February 2026, my 2021 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 (VIN: [XXX]) experienced a hybrid battery cell failure. The failure was diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized Volvo dealership (Volvo of Tacoma) and is covered under the vehicle's manufacturer warranty. However, I have been informed that a replacement part may not be available until December 2026 or later — a delay of ten months or more from th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2026
On two separate occasions in the past two months June 6 and Aug. 15, this vehicle experienced a severe unintended engine surge / unintended acceleration event while at a complete stop with my foot firmly on the brake. On both occasions, the engine RPMs spiked above 1,000 RPM, forcing the vehicle to pull heavily against the brakes as if trying to race forward into the intersection. On the most rece... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2026
On two separate occasions in the past two months June 6 and Aug. 15, this vehicle experienced a severe unintended engine surge / unintended acceleration event while at a complete stop with my foot firmly on the brake. On both occasions, the engine RPMs spiked above 1,000 RPM, forcing the vehicle to pull heavily against the brakes as if trying to race forward into the intersection. On the most rece... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2026
On two separate occasions in the past two months June 6 and Aug. 15, this vehicle experienced a severe unintended engine surge / unintended acceleration event while at a complete stop with my foot firmly on the brake. On both occasions, the engine RPMs spiked above 1,000 RPM, forcing the vehicle to pull heavily against the brakes as if trying to race forward into the intersection. On the most rece... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
Vehicle has 26k miles on it and is under mfr warranty. Dealer-covered warranty has included five (5) visits to address electrical issues with the most recently being 8/13/26. Dealer "system reflash" is not solving the problems. Electrical / safety issues persists, which include: Loss of ALL audio: blinker sounds, all audible safety alerts (seatbelt warning, park assist, blind spot, forward collisi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
Vehicle has 26k miles on it and is under mfr warranty. Dealer-covered warranty has included five (5) visits to address electrical issues with the most recently being 8/13/26. Dealer "system reflash" is not solving the problems. Electrical / safety issues persists, which include: Loss of ALL audio: blinker sounds, all audible safety alerts (seatbelt warning, park assist, blind spot, forward collisi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
Vehicle has 26k miles on it and is under mfr warranty. Dealer-covered warranty has included five (5) visits to address electrical issues with the most recently being 8/13/26. Dealer "system reflash" is not solving the problems. Electrical / safety issues persists, which include: Loss of ALL audio: blinker sounds, all audible safety alerts (seatbelt warning, park assist, blind spot, forward collisi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2026
On July 28, 2026, while driving my 2020 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered, the vehicle repeatedly displayed “Hybrid system failure – Service required,” together with the check-engine light and hybrid/battery warning indicators. The warning repeatedly reappeared while the vehicle was being driven. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Volvo dealer, North Point Volvo, on July 30, 2026. The d... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2026
On July 28, 2026, while driving my 2020 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered, the vehicle repeatedly displayed “Hybrid system failure – Service required,” together with the check-engine light and hybrid/battery warning indicators. The warning repeatedly reappeared while the vehicle was being driven. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Volvo dealer, North Point Volvo, on July 30, 2026. The d... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
The contact owned a 2024 Volvo S90 MHEV. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH with a rear seat passenger, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road, and the vehicle immediately caught on fire. The contact and the passenger exited the vehicle safely and notified the fire department. The fire department r... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
I was involved in a serious motor vehicle collision involving my Volvo. The collision was essentially a head-on impact that occurred following a medical emergency. The vehicle sustained significant damage in the collision and is essentially totaled. During the crash, all of the vehicle's airbags DID NOT deploy with the exception of the right curtain airbag. I am concerned that the airbags did not... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 4, 2026
COMPONENT & AVAILABILITY: The primary brake booster assembly and vacuum pump failed twice. The vehicle remains fully assembled and grounded at Volvo Cars White Plains, available for immediate inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: Both incidents involved primary braking system failure while traveling downhill. During the second failure on August 4, 2026, the vehicle completely overshot a residenti... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2008 Volvo S80. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed Central Electronic Module (CEM).... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
my vehicle has experienced a potentially catastrophic steering failure while driving, Volvo's authorized service attempts have not corrected it, and I no longer consider the vehicle safe.
Incident date: Apr 16, 2026
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Apr 16, 2026
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Apr 16, 2026
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
While driving the car on a state road (45 mph) the car suddenly notified me of an "electrical fault", a light that looks like a turtle came on, and the vehicle lost power and couldn't go any faster than 5 mph. Another vehicle almost rear-ended me around a blind curve because I was moving significantly slower than normal traffic. I pulled into a parking lot, shutdown and restarted the car and every... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
While driving the car on a state road (45 mph) the car suddenly notified me of an "electrical fault", a light that looks like a turtle came on, and the vehicle lost power and couldn't go any faster than 5 mph. Another vehicle almost rear-ended me around a blind curve because I was moving significantly slower than normal traffic. I pulled into a parking lot, shutdown and restarted the car and every... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
While driving the car on a state road (45 mph) the car suddenly notified me of an "electrical fault", a light that looks like a turtle came on, and the vehicle lost power and couldn't go any faster than 5 mph. Another vehicle almost rear-ended me around a blind curve because I was moving significantly slower than normal traffic. I pulled into a parking lot, shutdown and restarted the car and every... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2026
The "Maintenance Mode" required to change the wiper blades malfunctioned, and the wipers- without the rubber blades attached- suddenly smashed onto the windshield, creating a large star crack/shatter, which spread across the entire windshield in two long cracks by the next day. If someone's hand had been in the path of the wipers, it would have been cut or broken by the force/sharp edge. The "Main... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2026
The "Maintenance Mode" required to change the wiper blades malfunctioned, and the wipers- without the rubber blades attached- suddenly smashed onto the windshield, creating a large star crack/shatter, which spread across the entire windshield in two long cracks by the next day. If someone's hand had been in the path of the wipers, it would have been cut or broken by the force/sharp edge. The "Main... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2026
The cooling system cracked, malfunctioned and caused a domino effect of multiple repair issues costing at least $5,200. My car is currently at a Volvo dealer. My Safety: The possibility of the hot engine and hot wires could have resulted in a fire. This problem HAS been reproduced and confirmed by a Volvo dealer. The vehicle overheating was witnessed by the Fire Department and local police.. As fa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2026
The cooling system cracked, malfunctioned and caused a domino effect of multiple repair issues costing at least $5,200. My car is currently at a Volvo dealer. My Safety: The possibility of the hot engine and hot wires could have resulted in a fire. This problem HAS been reproduced and confirmed by a Volvo dealer. The vehicle overheating was witnessed by the Fire Department and local police.. As fa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2026
The cooling system cracked, malfunctioned and caused a domino effect of multiple repair issues costing at least $5,200. My car is currently at a Volvo dealer. My Safety: The possibility of the hot engine and hot wires could have resulted in a fire. This problem HAS been reproduced and confirmed by a Volvo dealer. The vehicle overheating was witnessed by the Fire Department and local police.. As fa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2026
At first I was having issues with stop and start, replaced the battery then was told I wasted coffee in my center Console and it cause electrical issues and was told the repairs would be 3,400 in which collision issuance paid for. After the repairs my driver side seat belt would latch then the passenger side wouldn’t latch either so I currently don’t have working A/C or working seatbelts which... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2026
At first I was having issues with stop and start, replaced the battery then was told I wasted coffee in my center Console and it cause electrical issues and was told the repairs would be 3,400 in which collision issuance paid for. After the repairs my driver side seat belt would latch then the passenger side wouldn’t latch either so I currently don’t have working A/C or working seatbelts which... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2026
235/55R19. Tire blowed up while driving on the interstate highway I-57. Tire pressure was checked at 35 psi before the ride.
Incident date: Jul 6, 2026
the vehicle exhibits a persistent defect in which the doors lock and unlock without driver command. Specific effects I have experienced: The vehicle has locked itself while I was exiting, locking me out with the key in my possession. On multiple occasions this has occurred with my child inside the vehicle, with my dogs inside the vehicle, and with personal belongings inside the vehicle, with no ab... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2026
I discovered an engine coolant leak from a crack near the end of the Plastic Coolant Bypass Pipe (part #31368673/32382362) after noticing coolant puddling on my garage floor. There are numerous comments with pictures on-line about how common this part fails on this model Volvo. What's also interesting is that the "pipe" fails in exactly the same location (on top and near the end). Seems to me ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2026
Our Nest Protect woke us at 06:30 am saying it was detecting smoke in the garage. Upon entering the garage it was obvious that the cabin of the car was filled with white smoke. Disconnected car from charger port. Attended to drive car out of garage to protect the house, but opening the door just let smoke billow out. Closed the door and called 911. Fire truck arrived - the winched the car out ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 15, 2026
Our Nest Protect woke us at 06:30 am saying it was detecting smoke in the garage. Upon entering the garage it was obvious that the cabin of the car was filled with white smoke. Disconnected car from charger port. Attended to drive car out of garage to protect the house, but opening the door just let smoke billow out. Closed the door and called 911. Fire truck arrived - the winched the car out ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 1, 2026
The vehicle goes silent, no audio system, no driving alerts— turn signals, alerts etc. Only is fixed by a hard reset to the sound system happens multiple times a week sometimes multiple times a day. According to technicians, this is a known issue with no fix.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2026
The exterior chrome trim on the door handle has severely delaminated and flaked. The peeling metallic coating has separated from the plastic handle structure, creating a razor-sharp edge. This component is located on a primary vehicle entry point, creating an immediate laceration hazard to anyone attempting to open the door. The flaking metal shards are sharp enough to cut fingers or hands during ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2026
The exterior chrome trim on the door handle has severely delaminated and flaked. The peeling metallic coating has separated from the plastic handle structure, creating a razor-sharp edge. This component is located on a primary vehicle entry point, creating an immediate laceration hazard to anyone attempting to open the door. The flaking metal shards are sharp enough to cut fingers or hands during ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
My vehicle is experiencing the exact failure described in Volvo Recall R89978 (NHTSA Campaign 19V849000), but my VIN is excluded. The door intermittently fails to unlock or latch properly, presenting a major occupant safety hazard. I ask that you expand the recall because my car is obviously affected. It is the passenger side door lock.
Incident date: Jun 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2026 Volvo EX30. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the adaptive cruise control independently activated, and the vehicle independently accelerated. The failure was a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact was informed that the failure was an operator error. The contact was informed... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2025
My SUV has a had the check engine light on from a failed battery cell for my 2021 grey Volvo XC60 recharge (VIN [XXX]). I have been without the electric functionality (to charge the hybrid car or use electric power) since mid December and waiting on a warranty part since Dec. 23, 2025. I have been told April 2026 and then August 2026 for this warranty issue that both the dealership and Volvo cor... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2026
We bought the 2019 Ford escape sel in 2023 with 29918. We had the oil changed at 33000 and then we took it to Ford because it was slow starting. Their was coolant in the cylinders requiring us to pay 12000 dollars for a new engine when this only had 36000 miles on it. Ford refused goodwill case and now we acquired an attorney. This is a known engine problem with this Ford. Class action lawsuit Mil... Read more