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
Page 165 of 44,908 (2,245,377 complaints)
Incident date: Jul 12, 2026
In July 2026, the rear power liftgate on my Toyota RAV4 suddenly stopped operating properly and would not close. I was unable to push the hatch down normally and then noticed that one of the hinges appeared bent and the liftgate was misaligned. Because I needed to close the vehicle, I tried to lower the hatch very slowly, moving it down only a small amount at a time so I would not put additional ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the air bag warning light was also illuminated. The contact received notification of NHT... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the air bag warning light was also illuminated. The contact received notification of NHT... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2026
The telematics control module in this vehicle failed. A dealer diagnostic scan on 03/09/2026 at 67,839 miles documented the following active and history codes: U0198 Lost Communication with Telematics Module, reported independently by the Radio, Body Control Module, and Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module; U0499 Invalid Data Received from Telematics Module, reported by the Engine Control Modul... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2026
On XXX, the engine in my 2019 Lincoln MKZ (Mileage 58,089) with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine suffered a catastrophic, sudden failure while driving. The vehicle began to overheat & run extremely rough, triggering multiple warning lights. It is now inoperable and unsafe to drive. The vehicle was towed to a Lincoln dealership (Tasca Lincoln in [XXX]) for diagnosis. The work order number is RO #XXX. The d... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
The second-row seat belt sensor chimes persistently whenever the seat is occupied although the seat belt is buckled properly. Currently the only seat belt affected is the one directly behind the front passenger seat.
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
The airbag warning light for the front passenger seat has been intermittently lighting. Both when the passenger seat is occupied and vacant. The light sometimes indicates the passenger airbag is off when there is a passenger in the seat. I took the car to the Subaru dealer where I purchased the vehicle.. Per the dealership service report: “SCANNED CODES AND FOUND CODE B1760 STORED IN BODY CONTR... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
The airbag warning light for the front passenger seat has been intermittently lighting. Both when the passenger seat is occupied and vacant. The light sometimes indicates the passenger airbag is off when there is a passenger in the seat. I took the car to the Subaru dealer where I purchased the vehicle.. Per the dealership service report: “SCANNED CODES AND FOUND CODE B1760 STORED IN BODY CONTR... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
The airbag warning light for the front passenger seat has been intermittently lighting. Both when the passenger seat is occupied and vacant. The light sometimes indicates the passenger airbag is off when there is a passenger in the seat. I took the car to the Subaru dealer where I purchased the vehicle.. Per the dealership service report: “SCANNED CODES AND FOUND CODE B1760 STORED IN BODY CONTR... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2026
This is what happened: While Full Self-Driving (FSD) was engaged, the vehicle approached an intersection and appeared unable to correctly follow the roadway. Instead of following the intended road path, the vehicle continued forward, drove over the curb, and struck a road sign. The impact knocked the sign down, and the sign subsequently struck the vehicle, including the roof glass. The roof glass... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 16, 2026
This is what happened: While Full Self-Driving (FSD) was engaged, the vehicle approached an intersection and appeared unable to correctly follow the roadway. Instead of following the intended road path, the vehicle continued forward, drove over the curb, and struck a road sign. The impact knocked the sign down, and the sign subsequently struck the vehicle, including the roof glass. The roof glass... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 16, 2026
This is what happened: While Full Self-Driving (FSD) was engaged, the vehicle approached an intersection and appeared unable to correctly follow the roadway. Instead of following the intended road path, the vehicle continued forward, drove over the curb, and struck a road sign. The impact knocked the sign down, and the sign subsequently struck the vehicle, including the roof glass. The roof glass... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tundra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V767000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired under the recall because there was sludge... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528XI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle came to a stop and the Automatic START/STOP feature activated; however, the engine failed to restart. The message "Drive Train Malfunction Error" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the timing chain had fractured, causing unknown parts to enter the engin... Read more
TOYOTA
PRIUS PRIME
(2023) - POWER TRAIN
Aug 19, 2026
Incident date: Aug 10, 2026
The vehicle exhibits an unaddressed factory programming defect where the Plug-In Charge Control ECU fails to enter sleep mode while plugged in or resting. This causes continuous, heavy parasitic drain on the 12V auxiliary battery, causing chronic low-voltage state across critical systems. The 12V auxiliary network supplies power to the primary control units, CAN-bus communication modules, and dyna... Read more
TOYOTA
PRIUS PRIME
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 19, 2026
Incident date: Aug 10, 2026
The vehicle exhibits an unaddressed factory programming defect where the Plug-In Charge Control ECU fails to enter sleep mode while plugged in or resting. This causes continuous, heavy parasitic drain on the 12V auxiliary battery, causing chronic low-voltage state across critical systems. The 12V auxiliary network supplies power to the primary control units, CAN-bus communication modules, and dyna... Read more
ALFA ROMEO
GIULIA
(2017) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Aug 19, 2026
Incident date: Aug 16, 2026
I own a 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia that recently received a fuel-pump-related recall repair under FCA Recall 93C / NHTSA Campaign 25V-586 at an authorized Alfa Romeo dealership. Approximately three days after the recall repair was completed, I was driving the vehicle in active traffic with my daughter when the vehicle unexpectedly began decelerating and lost drive power. I had to shut the vehicle off... 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 7, 2026
TAKE A BREAK" - the feature prompts the driver to “Take a Break” with that text and a‘Coffee Cup” logo after a certain period of continuous driving. There are instances when turning it off is necessary and Hyundai has removed that option - high distracting false alarm rate. The alert, visual and auditory are intrusive, unnecessary, demonstrate a high false alarm rate leading to frustration... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2026
Three times the back hatch has opened on its own within minutes after parking it, and car off.Last time I feared I was going to be crushed against garage door. The hatch continues to open even after hitting me. Last time was very hard to stop it. I no longer walk behind the van if garage door has been closed.
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train), 25V093000 (Seat Belts), 26V402000 (Power Train), and 26V451000 (Seats) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train), 25V093000 (Seat Belts), 26V402000 (Power Train), and 26V451000 (Seats) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train), 25V093000 (Seat Belts), 26V402000 (Power Train), and 26V451000 (Seats) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
MERCEDES-BENZ
CLA250
(2016) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Aug 19, 2026
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
I believe that my vehicle is subject to Recall Campaign # 21V197000. The vehicle is a 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. I've had to have this part ( Front Stationary Roof panel) adhered 5 times in the last 10 months. Mercedes refuses to acknowledge the above campaign #. Not only is this a safety risk to my self and other drivers, there is risk of water damage any electrical components. When this issue ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Aug 19, 2026
Incident date: Jun 13, 2026
The wiring harness failed causing erratic and unpredictable behavior at 65 MPH on this 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with 77,500 miles on the odometer. General Motors no longer makes the wiring harness and there are none available in the market. This otherwise flawless truck (for which I paid $40,000 at a reseller in 2024) is essentially now totaled (undrivable) and GM will not take any responsibi... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) - ENGINE
Aug 19, 2026
Incident date: Jun 13, 2026
The wiring harness failed causing erratic and unpredictable behavior at 65 MPH on this 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with 77,500 miles on the odometer. General Motors no longer makes the wiring harness and there are none available in the market. This otherwise flawless truck (for which I paid $40,000 at a reseller in 2024) is essentially now totaled (undrivable) and GM will not take any responsibi... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 19, 2026
Incident date: Jun 13, 2026
The wiring harness failed causing erratic and unpredictable behavior at 65 MPH on this 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with 77,500 miles on the odometer. General Motors no longer makes the wiring harness and there are none available in the market. This otherwise flawless truck (for which I paid $40,000 at a reseller in 2024) is essentially now totaled (undrivable) and GM will not take any responsibi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2026
On 08/10/2026 was riding my 2026 Suzski GSX 8R ruffly around 3:20pm the throttle grip mechanically/electronically stuck at full throttle in second gear at approximately 35 mph. The grip remained open after i released it. Pulling the cluch caused the engin to disengage/release. The motorcycle accelerated beyond my control and I had to put it down. I was rushed to the hospital with head/neck left si... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 16, 2026
On July 14, 2026, the vehicle's engine was replaced by an authorized dealership under an official Kia recall. On August 16, 2026, while driving on the highway, heavy smoke suddenly began emitting from the engine compartment. When attempting to slow down, the braking system suffered a total loss of power and failed completely. To stop the vehicle, it had to be steered into the highway median to ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 16, 2026
On July 14, 2026, the vehicle's engine was replaced by an authorized dealership under an official Kia recall. On August 16, 2026, while driving on the highway, heavy smoke suddenly began emitting from the engine compartment. When attempting to slow down, the braking system suffered a total loss of power and failed completely. To stop the vehicle, it had to be steered into the highway median to ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 16, 2026
On July 14, 2026, the vehicle's engine was replaced by an authorized dealership under an official Kia recall. On August 16, 2026, while driving on the highway, heavy smoke suddenly began emitting from the engine compartment. When attempting to slow down, the braking system suffered a total loss of power and failed completely. To stop the vehicle, it had to be steered into the highway median to ... Read more
Fire
TOYOTA
VENZA HYBRID
(2022) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Aug 19, 2026
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD HITTING GARAGE DOOR AND ABRUPTLY LURCHED BCK 3-4 FT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NO WARNING SIGNAL ON THE DISPLAY OR COLLISION AVOIDENCE SYSTEM ACTION. FORTUNATELY, KNOWONE WAS INJURED (OTHER THAN GARAGE DOOR)
TOYOTA
VENZA HYBRID
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Aug 19, 2026
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD HITTING GARAGE DOOR AND ABRUPTLY LURCHED BCK 3-4 FT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NO WARNING SIGNAL ON THE DISPLAY OR COLLISION AVOIDENCE SYSTEM ACTION. FORTUNATELY, KNOWONE WAS INJURED (OTHER THAN GARAGE DOOR)
GMC
SIERRA 2500
(2012) - TIRES:SIDEWALL
Aug 19, 2026
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 equipped with Armstrong Tires, Tire Line: Tru Trac HT, Tire Size: 245/75/17, DOT Number: 1E6DAE022625. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a routine tire rotation but was informed there were massive bubbles on the tires, and on one tire, there was a bulge the size of an apple on the sidewall of the tire. The contact r... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 equipped with Armstrong Tires, Tire Line: Tru Trac HT, Tire Size: 245/75/17, DOT Number: 1E6DAE022625. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a routine tire rotation but was informed there were massive bubbles on the tires, and on one tire, there was a bulge the size of an apple on the sidewall of the tire. The contact r... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Toyota Tundra. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 149,000. It was later discovered upon checking the vehicle history that the mileage was 378,000.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V238000 (Structure, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor inside the vehicle, and the instrument cluster flickered while driving. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet av... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V238000 (Structure, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor inside the vehicle, and the instrument cluster flickered while driving. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet av... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2026
I have had this car for a little over a year and it has given me nothing but problems they won’t let me out of my contract. It’s a 2018 Jeep compass and I’ve already had to replace the thermostat. My service transmission light is coming on all of a sudden, I’m having to put the oil in all the time it has completely shut down on the highway. Just stopped moving turned off on is own! So dang... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2026
I have had this car for a little over a year and it has given me nothing but problems they won’t let me out of my contract. It’s a 2018 Jeep compass and I’ve already had to replace the thermostat. My service transmission light is coming on all of a sudden, I’m having to put the oil in all the time it has completely shut down on the highway. Just stopped moving turned off on is own! So dang... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the engine seized. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
When driving in fully electric mode on the highway, my 4xe lit up an error message of “electric mode temporarily unavailable” and lost all power and momentum. I went from 70mph to 50 mph in heavy traffic before the hybrid motor came back to provide power after approximately 4-5 seconds. This is a repeating occurrence when attempting to drive in fully electric mode, even at low speeds. I have n... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
When driving in fully electric mode on the highway, my 4xe lit up an error message of “electric mode temporarily unavailable” and lost all power and momentum. I went from 70mph to 50 mph in heavy traffic before the hybrid motor came back to provide power after approximately 4-5 seconds. This is a repeating occurrence when attempting to drive in fully electric mode, even at low speeds. I have n... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
When driving in fully electric mode on the highway, my 4xe lit up an error message of “electric mode temporarily unavailable” and lost all power and momentum. I went from 70mph to 50 mph in heavy traffic before the hybrid motor came back to provide power after approximately 4-5 seconds. This is a repeating occurrence when attempting to drive in fully electric mode, even at low speeds. I have n... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2026
While driving on the interstate, the moonroof glass began opening without any input from the moonroof controls. The power sunshade was still closed at the time. I opened the sunshade manually so it would not interfere with the glass. After the glass opened, I was unable to get it to remain fully closed. When I was able to close the glass, it would reopen on its own several more times. I also hear... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2026
While driving on the interstate, the moonroof glass began opening without any input from the moonroof controls. The power sunshade was still closed at the time. I opened the sunshade manually so it would not interfere with the glass. After the glass opened, I was unable to get it to remain fully closed. When I was able to close the glass, it would reopen on its own several more times. I also hear... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2026
The vehicle sputtered and stalled on the highway. I was able to restart after a few minutes and then it stalled again. I was able to get it to a repair shop after stalling about 3 times on the way. The diagnostic code was for the high pressure fuel pump. This was replaced. Four weeks later the same problem occurred. This time I stalled on a major freeway. I was able to restart and get it off the f... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2026
On August 16, 2026, at approximately 12:00 PM, while driving a 2025 Dodge Ram Rebel GT during a rainfall event with an ambient temperature of approximately 80°F, the vehicle's glass spontaneously shattered with no external object or debris impact. The vehicle's air conditioning system was actively running inside the cab, creating a severe thermal differential against the exterior rainwater. The v... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2026
Subject: Vehicle Lost Power While Driving – Potential Battery/Electrical Safety Issue On August 15, 2026, my vehicle suddenly began malfunctioning and lost power while I was driving my daughter to a medical appointment. I was on/near Highway 20 and had to maneuver the vehicle into a parking lot to avoid being struck. My daughter and I were extremely fortunate not to be injured. The vehicle was... Read more