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 37 of 44,908 (2,245,377 complaints)
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
I own a 2019 Honda Accord Sport 1.5T. While operating my vehicle, multiple safety-system warnings appeared on the dashboard at the same time. The vehicle displayed “Brake Hold System Problem,” “Adaptive Cruise Control System Problem,” “Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem,” and “Road Departure Mitigation System Problem,” each instructing me to see my dealer. These warnings ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
I own a 2019 Honda Accord Sport 1.5T. While operating my vehicle, multiple safety-system warnings appeared on the dashboard at the same time. The vehicle displayed “Brake Hold System Problem,” “Adaptive Cruise Control System Problem,” “Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem,” and “Road Departure Mitigation System Problem,” each instructing me to see my dealer. These warnings ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
On XXX around 6:30pm: Car would not go into reverse. Upon pressing the gas a 2nd time, a loud pop was heard from the back of the car. The car was then able to drive forward, however, when pressing on the brakes, the rear end of the car would wobble, and the brakes were rubbing and making a loud noise. I contacted Rich Ford, explained that my car is brand new (2 months), with less than 4,000 mil... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
On XXX around 6:30pm: Car would not go into reverse. Upon pressing the gas a 2nd time, a loud pop was heard from the back of the car. The car was then able to drive forward, however, when pressing on the brakes, the rear end of the car would wobble, and the brakes were rubbing and making a loud noise. I contacted Rich Ford, explained that my car is brand new (2 months), with less than 4,000 mil... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
On XXX around 6:30pm: Car would not go into reverse. Upon pressing the gas a 2nd time, a loud pop was heard from the back of the car. The car was then able to drive forward, however, when pressing on the brakes, the rear end of the car would wobble, and the brakes were rubbing and making a loud noise. I contacted Rich Ford, explained that my car is brand new (2 months), with less than 4,000 mil... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
The backup camera is useless at night. I think maybe it’s a defective camera but Honda says it’s fine.
VOLKSWAGEN
BEETLE
(2018) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 5, 2026
Incident date: Aug 14, 2026
I am submitting a formal vehicle safety report regarding a hazardous mechanical reassembly failure involving my 2018 Volkswagen Beetle Coast. On August 14, 2026, the vehicle underwent service evaluation at Stohlman Volkswagen Tysons Corner. Immediately upon exiting the facility, a critical 'Brake Fluid Low' safety alarm and a flashing Red BRAKE Warning Light triggered on my dashboard, creating an ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
BEETLE
(2018) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Sep 5, 2026
Incident date: Aug 14, 2026
I am submitting a formal vehicle safety report regarding a hazardous mechanical reassembly failure involving my 2018 Volkswagen Beetle Coast. On August 14, 2026, the vehicle underwent service evaluation at Stohlman Volkswagen Tysons Corner. Immediately upon exiting the facility, a critical 'Brake Fluid Low' safety alarm and a flashing Red BRAKE Warning Light triggered on my dashboard, creating an ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
This report is on a new vehicle. The incident occurred within one week of purchase. While driving on a freeway at constant speed, with the closest vehicle in front of me approximately 25 yards away and with no warning, the car slammed on the brakes in an emergency fashion and aggressively tightened the seat belt shoulder harness. This was followed by a notice "emergency call cancelled". It is clea... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
This report is on a new vehicle. The incident occurred within one week of purchase. While driving on a freeway at constant speed, with the closest vehicle in front of me approximately 25 yards away and with no warning, the car slammed on the brakes in an emergency fashion and aggressively tightened the seat belt shoulder harness. This was followed by a notice "emergency call cancelled". It is clea... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2026
In early July, my vehicle's check engine light turned on. I took it to a reputable local mechanic in Sachse, Texas, who had the vehicle for approximately two weeks. He was unable to determine the cause of the issue but informed me that there was an existing recall and that the dealership should be able to address the problem at no cost to me. I then took the vehicle to the Kia dealership. The dea... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
I own a 2021 Kia Sorento 2.5L Turbo AWD with approximately 150,000 miles. In the evening, while driving home after dinner with my daughter in the vehicle, I was traveling in the area of [XXX] and [XXX] when the vehicle displayed a “STOP SAFELY IMMEDIATELY” warning. The vehicle unexpectedly slowed down/appeared to brake on its own while I was driving. There was no check-engine light at that tim... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
I own a 2021 Kia Sorento 2.5L Turbo AWD with approximately 150,000 miles. In the evening, while driving home after dinner with my daughter in the vehicle, I was traveling in the area of [XXX] and [XXX] when the vehicle displayed a “STOP SAFELY IMMEDIATELY” warning. The vehicle unexpectedly slowed down/appeared to brake on its own while I was driving. There was no check-engine light at that tim... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
I own a 2021 Kia Sorento 2.5L Turbo AWD with approximately 150,000 miles. In the evening, while driving home after dinner with my daughter in the vehicle, I was traveling in the area of [XXX] and [XXX] when the vehicle displayed a “STOP SAFELY IMMEDIATELY” warning. The vehicle unexpectedly slowed down/appeared to brake on its own while I was driving. There was no check-engine light at that tim... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
I have a Lexus rcf 2017. There’s a safety recall for a low pressure fuel pump. This recall has come out years later after the car has been bought. I am the 3rd owner. I bought the car in 2026. I bought the car with aftermarket work done on it, but I didn’t think there would be any recalls. The LPFP has wires hooked up to another fuel pump in the trunk for handling performance. With that said, ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
I have a Lexus rcf 2017. There’s a safety recall for a low pressure fuel pump. This recall has come out years later after the car has been bought. I am the 3rd owner. I bought the car in 2026. I bought the car with aftermarket work done on it, but I didn’t think there would be any recalls. The LPFP has wires hooked up to another fuel pump in the trunk for handling performance. With that said, ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
All the warning lights on the dash board started to randomly light up like a Christmas tree while driving to get something to eat. The car began to shake and the steering stiffened up while the brakes were not working well enough to stop completely causing me to turn on the hazards lights to make it back home safely with my child in the car. An OBD-II SENSOR READS P0087. The fear of the car turnin... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
All the warning lights on the dash board started to randomly light up like a Christmas tree while driving to get something to eat. The car began to shake and the steering stiffened up while the brakes were not working well enough to stop completely causing me to turn on the hazards lights to make it back home safely with my child in the car. An OBD-II SENSOR READS P0087. The fear of the car turnin... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
The vehicle went in for a software update. After purchasing the vehicle, the software update was part of a recall. Since that recall was performed, my vehicle has a lot of electronic glitches and a lot of issues. My external Morty just got done, paying $4500 to track down a central locking issue on top of the electronic issues. Did not fix the issue. I am out of town going to see family in Califor... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 300
(2021) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Aug 28, 2026
My 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 is not currently included in NHTSA Recall 22V-261 / Mercedes-Benz Campaign 2022050005, but my vehicle is experiencing substantially the same defect described in that recall. Moisture/water entered the left headlamp assembly/electrical connection, resulting in condensation/water accumulation and damage/corrosion around the headlamp electrical module/connector. The hea... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 300
(2021) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Aug 28, 2026
My 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 is not currently included in NHTSA Recall 22V-261 / Mercedes-Benz Campaign 2022050005, but my vehicle is experiencing substantially the same defect described in that recall. Moisture/water entered the left headlamp assembly/electrical connection, resulting in condensation/water accumulation and damage/corrosion around the headlamp electrical module/connector. The hea... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2026
The passenger door handle was recently replaced. Inside door handle assembly broke and the passenger was unable to open the door from the inside. Now the driver door handle assembly just broke and I was unable to open the door from the inside. The inability to exit the vehicle from the inside should be a safety recall. Various online forums mention similar issues from other owners. Concern was... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2020) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Sep 3, 2026
Exhaust system design defect. Original manifold system started to fail at approximately 40,000 miles, allowing CO gasses to enter vehicle cabin exposing passengers, including children, to potentially deadly exhaust fumes. Jeep, Jeep Service Centers have known since at least service bulletin 09-19-23 that the hangers and brackets used in the manifold system are not robust enough in design to “ac... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2022) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Aug 31, 2026
Car started to have a whining noise only when accelerating at 122,000 miles took it to the Toyota dealer where I bought it from. They did a diagnostics and told me it was the transmission and that it cost almost 10,000 to fix it. Car did not have no check engine light at all.
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
Vehicle passed previous recall for engine defect related to complete engine failure, GM switched oil viscosity. Recall performed 10-16-25. Complete engine failure diagnosed at dealer 9-4-26, related to exact malfunction that sparked recall.
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
Vehicle passed previous recall for engine defect related to complete engine failure, GM switched oil viscosity. Recall performed 10-16-25. Complete engine failure diagnosed at dealer 9-4-26, related to exact malfunction that sparked recall.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
After coming to a stop at a stop sign, and while the gear state was in Drive, the vehicle auto-applied the electronic parking brake because the tailgate was ajar. Gear state remained in Drive. Upon accelerator input, the parking brake did not release, and the vehicle delivered propulsion torque overcoming the parking brake. As a result, the vehicle accelerated and drove several blocks with the rea... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
After coming to a stop at a stop sign, and while the gear state was in Drive, the vehicle auto-applied the electronic parking brake because the tailgate was ajar. Gear state remained in Drive. Upon accelerator input, the parking brake did not release, and the vehicle delivered propulsion torque overcoming the parking brake. As a result, the vehicle accelerated and drove several blocks with the rea... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
I started driving at 8am in warm weather and drove 5 minutes or so when I entered the highway and when I started acceleration it stopped increasing beyond 40 miles and the speed started reducing while engine light came on and started flashing, I slowly exited the highway right away, entered a parking lot and shut the car off. I restarted after a few minutes and started driving again and it drove ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
I started driving at 8am in warm weather and drove 5 minutes or so when I entered the highway and when I started acceleration it stopped increasing beyond 40 miles and the speed started reducing while engine light came on and started flashing, I slowly exited the highway right away, entered a parking lot and shut the car off. I restarted after a few minutes and started driving again and it drove ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
I started driving at 8am in warm weather and drove 5 minutes or so when I entered the highway and when I started acceleration it stopped increasing beyond 40 miles and the speed started reducing while engine light came on and started flashing, I slowly exited the highway right away, entered a parking lot and shut the car off. I restarted after a few minutes and started driving again and it drove ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2026
My car stalls while driving and then I try to restart it but nothing happens. After reading online about the fuel pump issues and extended warranty related to the fuel pump I took the car in for repair. My car has 75,000 miles and the extended repair on this is for 150,000 miles/15 years. The dealer is refusing the repair because my car has a branded/ theft title. The car wasn't damaged just s... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
On September 4, 2026, the front passenger Active Head Restraint (AHR/headrest) in my 2016 Dodge Durango unexpectedly deployed and struck my daughter in the back of the head. The vehicle was completely stationary and parked in a parking lot after leaving her doctor’s appointment. I had started the vehicle, but we remained parked talking for approximately 1–2 minutes. There was no collision, imp... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 3, 2026
At low speeds the Electronic power steering hesitates and i have to force the wheels to turn. Once upto speed of 35mph or higher the power steering works flawless. This is an issue for me as a first responder and is a safety concern.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
There's been a recall for the rear backup camera since October of last year. Although there hasn't been any particular incidents, there's been some close calls because the fix is still not available. Any help would be appreciated
Incident date: Aug 27, 2026
I experienced the issue being investigated with Investigation: EA26005 I lost engine power while driving my 2024 Chevy Tahoe. GM is now conducting a full engine replacement with another L87 engine.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2026
Had the update on the cluster, the infotainment system with go black or lag at random times
Incident date: Sep 1, 2026
Car was overheating while driving. Received warning signs on the dash to pull over and turn car off immediately. Which I did. Very dangerous to do, especially with my three year old on a 90° summer day. I felt fear for my life while waiting on the side of a busy road during rush hour for the engine to cool and figure out what to do. Here the head gasket blew. A defect in the engine that Honda kno... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2026
I was driving w a passenger on a busy 4 lane road and trying to make a left turn. When I tried to hit the gas after coming to a stop, my car would not move. I did not know what was happening, as it turned out the car had shifted into park and turned off. Extremely dangerous scenario. I had to take my foot off the brake, restart the the car and put it in drive again to move. I brought it to the de... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2026
There is coolant intrusion into the engine. My car became overheated and undriveable while I was driving. Ford knows about this issue, but is no longer addressing the issue.
Incident date: Aug 28, 2026
I left my home for work on XXX. I noticed a lack of propulsion upon stepping on the gas & air conditioning blowing warm air. At a stoplight ([XXX] and [XXX] in [XXX]), I attempted to restart the vehicle in hopes that a reset may fix any issues. What I found was that my vehicle would not restart and I could not remove it from park in a busy intersection. After 30 minutes of trying, I was able t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2026
I left my home for work on XXX. I noticed a lack of propulsion upon stepping on the gas & air conditioning blowing warm air. At a stoplight ([XXX] and [XXX] in [XXX]), I attempted to restart the vehicle in hopes that a reset may fix any issues. What I found was that my vehicle would not restart and I could not remove it from park in a busy intersection. After 30 minutes of trying, I was able t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2026
I left my home for work on XXX. I noticed a lack of propulsion upon stepping on the gas & air conditioning blowing warm air. At a stoplight ([XXX] and [XXX] in [XXX]), I attempted to restart the vehicle in hopes that a reset may fix any issues. What I found was that my vehicle would not restart and I could not remove it from park in a busy intersection. After 30 minutes of trying, I was able t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
While waiting at a drive thru, the brakes did not respond when pressed and the car kept moving forward. The emergency braking system also did not respond. The car was placed into park and the car still did not stop. This resulted in hitting the car in front of us in line.
Crash
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
While waiting at a drive thru, the brakes did not respond when pressed and the car kept moving forward. The emergency braking system also did not respond. The car was placed into park and the car still did not stop. This resulted in hitting the car in front of us in line.
Crash
Incident date: Jul 22, 2026
Car completely shut down with every warning light going off. Before 95,000 the head gasket blew with zero warning signs! All the warning lamps came on only the day the car totally stopped working. No prior warning or signs before.
Incident date: Jul 22, 2026
Car completely shut down with every warning light going off. Before 95,000 the head gasket blew with zero warning signs! All the warning lamps came on only the day the car totally stopped working. No prior warning or signs before.
Incident date: Jul 22, 2026
Car completely shut down with every warning light going off. Before 95,000 the head gasket blew with zero warning signs! All the warning lamps came on only the day the car totally stopped working. No prior warning or signs before.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
Electricity light came on as well as overheating light and engine light all at once also stalling
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
Electricity light came on as well as overheating light and engine light all at once also stalling