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 9 of 44,908 (2,245,377 complaints)
Incident date: Sep 9, 2026
Today, the Tesla updated while my wife was in the car. During the update all electrical systems went down and the car was locked from the inside and out making it so she could not get out. Because the electrical systems were down while the update was going she did not have any AC either. So she was locked in the car without AC in 107F weather. This is an extreme danger to her health and should be ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 8, 2026
Failed engine rod bearing, And a full engine replacement is needed. As I was driving it completely lost acceleration power and became difficult to manage. The dealer verified the issue. All the warning lights including engine flashed on and off as the vehicle lost acceleration power.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2015
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact stated that the battery was drained. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure was persistent. The contact stated that the vehicle was... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2015
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact stated that the battery was drained. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure was persistent. The contact stated that the vehicle was... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2025
The paint is completely failing on this kia soul. The eroded paint is a well known issue with Kia, nothing is being done about the paint failing and chipping across the whole body of the car, which will lead to inevitable rusting. It has been inspected, they are aware of the issue, and are doing nothing to resolve it.
HYUNDAI
PALISADE HYBRID
(2027) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Aug 28, 2026
My new 2027 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid experienced a hybrid-system/power-supply malfunction with fewer than 500 miles. The Hyundai dealer diagnosed DTC P0C381C on August 28, 2026 and has retained the vehicle since that date. Hyundai Motor America has issued Limited Coverage Campaign LA39, titled “HPCU Warning Light On – HPCU Software Update – DTC P0C381C.” However, Hyundai's communication st... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2026
The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly caught on fire. The contact's wife became aware that the radio was inoperable before the failure. Additionally, the contact’s wife’s eyes were irritated, and there was a hot, harsh odor which grew stronger very quickly. The odor was inside the vehicle. The contact sta... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the driver's side and passenger's side exterior A-pillar trim detached. The contact used tape on the driver's side to secure the molding to the windshield. The contact stated that the passenger's side A-pillar trim detached and fell off the vehicle. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2026
The vehicle unexpectedly entered 'Limp Mode' due to engine tracking code P1326. The vehicle severely restricts engine power and RPMs while driving on public roads, preventing normal acceleration. This creates a severe safety hazard as the vehicle cannot safely merge into oncoming traffic, accelerate away from intersections, or maintain basic road speeds, putting me at a high risk of being rear-end... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2026
The vehicle unexpectedly entered 'Limp Mode' due to engine tracking code P1326. The vehicle severely restricts engine power and RPMs while driving on public roads, preventing normal acceleration. This creates a severe safety hazard as the vehicle cannot safely merge into oncoming traffic, accelerate away from intersections, or maintain basic road speeds, putting me at a high risk of being rear-end... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2026
accelerated from a stop sign and engine cut out, leaving me stopped dead in the middle of the street, the engine would not restart after 4 tries, I let it sit, I googled the incident, and was told to let car sit for a minute and try to restart. I let it sit for a minute and it restarted like nothing happened. Google said there was a sensor fault because of an error temperature reading in the crank... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2026
accelerated from a stop sign and engine cut out, leaving me stopped dead in the middle of the street, the engine would not restart after 4 tries, I let it sit, I googled the incident, and was told to let car sit for a minute and try to restart. I let it sit for a minute and it restarted like nothing happened. Google said there was a sensor fault because of an error temperature reading in the crank... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2026
accelerated from a stop sign and engine cut out, leaving me stopped dead in the middle of the street, the engine would not restart after 4 tries, I let it sit, I googled the incident, and was told to let car sit for a minute and try to restart. I let it sit for a minute and it restarted like nothing happened. Google said there was a sensor fault because of an error temperature reading in the crank... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2026
On July 7, 2026, at approximately 113,080 miles, my 2016 Ford Escape displayed a “Transmission Fault – Service Now” warning. The exact failed component is currently UNKNOWN, but the issue appears to involve the transmission/powertrain and possibly an electrical fault. While driving, I experienced abnormal symptoms including a rotational/squeaking noise from the front-right area and an air-le... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2026
On July 7, 2026, at approximately 113,080 miles, my 2016 Ford Escape displayed a “Transmission Fault – Service Now” warning. The exact failed component is currently UNKNOWN, but the issue appears to involve the transmission/powertrain and possibly an electrical fault. While driving, I experienced abnormal symptoms including a rotational/squeaking noise from the front-right area and an air-le... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2026
On July 7, 2026, at approximately 113,080 miles, my 2016 Ford Escape displayed a “Transmission Fault – Service Now” warning. The exact failed component is currently UNKNOWN, but the issue appears to involve the transmission/powertrain and possibly an electrical fault. While driving, I experienced abnormal symptoms including a rotational/squeaking noise from the front-right area and an air-le... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2026
The coolant is getting consumed by the engine. I need to add coolant every so often and there is no visible leaks in the hoses. It cause the check engine light to come on, a rough idle at start, and a cylinder to misfire.
Incident date: Sep 9, 2026
The coolant is getting consumed by the engine. I need to add coolant every so often and there is no visible leaks in the hoses. It cause the check engine light to come on, a rough idle at start, and a cylinder to misfire.
Incident date: Sep 9, 2026
The coolant is getting consumed by the engine. I need to add coolant every so often and there is no visible leaks in the hoses. It cause the check engine light to come on, a rough idle at start, and a cylinder to misfire.
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2015) - SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Sep 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the front driver’s and passenger’s head restraints unexpectedly deployed. The contact sustained a neck injury. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact was concerned that the other air bags in the vehicle might unexpectedly deploy and injur... Read more
1 injured
HYUNDAI
SANTA CRUZ
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Aug 29, 2026
The push-to-open fuel filler door repeatedly failed to release, preventing refueling. The door locks through an electronic actuator tied to the central locking system, and there is no interior lever or owner-accessible manual override. Beginning in August 2026, the door intermittently failed to open when pushed with the vehicle off and all doors unlocked. Cycling lock/unlock on the key fob while p... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2026
Intermittent loss of power stering
GRAND DESIGN
IMAGINE
(2021) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
Component failure : Left rear tire showed signs of wear. Replaced the tire and upon reinstalling checked the hubs and brakes. All good. Noticed a little deflection in the front of the left rear shackle. It was obscured by foam and underbelly material. Upon peeling it back, it was noticed that the shackle had torn completely away from the frame beam. RISK : This trailer had it been pulled do... Read more
GRAND DESIGN
IMAGINE
(2021) - WHEELS
Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
Component failure : Left rear tire showed signs of wear. Replaced the tire and upon reinstalling checked the hubs and brakes. All good. Noticed a little deflection in the front of the left rear shackle. It was obscured by foam and underbelly material. Upon peeling it back, it was noticed that the shackle had torn completely away from the frame beam. RISK : This trailer had it been pulled do... Read more
GRAND DESIGN
IMAGINE
(2021) - SUSPENSION
Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
Component failure : Left rear tire showed signs of wear. Replaced the tire and upon reinstalling checked the hubs and brakes. All good. Noticed a little deflection in the front of the left rear shackle. It was obscured by foam and underbelly material. Upon peeling it back, it was noticed that the shackle had torn completely away from the frame beam. RISK : This trailer had it been pulled do... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-90 equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Alenza, Tire Size: 275/45/R21, DOT Number: 1RBP3AAU1. The contact stated that after the vehicle had been driven for 12,000 miles, the tread on all four tires was prematurely worn down by more than 60%. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the tires were inspected, and it was confirmed that the tread showed pre... Read more
BRIDGESTONE
ALENZA A/S 02
(9999) - TIRES:TREAD/BELT
Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-90 equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Alenza, Tire Size: 275/45/R21, DOT Number: 1RBP3AAU1. The contact stated that after the vehicle had been driven for 12,000 miles, the tread on all four tires was prematurely worn down by more than 60%. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the tires were inspected, and it was confirmed that the tread showed pre... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2022) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Aug 29, 2026
After numerous attempts getting GM to finally look at why my vehicle because after the L87 engine swap, which failed after the Pico test and oil, oil filter, and oil cap change my truck has been dangerous to drive. It falls on its face when taking off or driving. It acts as if something is holding the truck back. It takes more throttle to get it moving. Then in traffic while moving it randomly lun... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2022) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Aug 29, 2026
After numerous attempts getting GM to finally look at why my vehicle because after the L87 engine swap, which failed after the Pico test and oil, oil filter, and oil cap change my truck has been dangerous to drive. It falls on its face when taking off or driving. It acts as if something is holding the truck back. It takes more throttle to get it moving. Then in traffic while moving it randomly lun... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2022) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Aug 29, 2026
After numerous attempts getting GM to finally look at why my vehicle because after the L87 engine swap, which failed after the Pico test and oil, oil filter, and oil cap change my truck has been dangerous to drive. It falls on its face when taking off or driving. It acts as if something is holding the truck back. It takes more throttle to get it moving. Then in traffic while moving it randomly lun... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
On XXX, while in the parking lot, after placing the car in 'park' I then placed the auto into 'reverse' to straighten out the auto in the parking in the space. However, the car automatically changed back to 'park.' Then tried to place the auto in 'drive' and again the the auto switched back to 'park.' I then turned off the engine and decided to begin the process again but experienced the same ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 29, 2026
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission became stuck in fifth gear. The “WRENCH” warning light was illuminated at start-up. The contact stated that while shifting from neutral(N) to reverse(R), the vehicle made a clunking sound and lurched backward. The failure became progressively worse. While driving at various speeds, the transmission unex... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
Hello, After installing 4 new tires on my van I immediately noticed a jerk my vehicle was experiencing at highway speeds. mostly when turning , changing lanes or moving the steering wheel like adjusting lane positions. I had double checked the tire air pressure and lug nuts, even added extra 5 lbs. to the tires but still has this strange feel when driving. I am returning the tires for an e... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
Hello, After installing 4 new tires on my van I immediately noticed a jerk my vehicle was experiencing at highway speeds. mostly when turning , changing lanes or moving the steering wheel like adjusting lane positions. I had double checked the tire air pressure and lug nuts, even added extra 5 lbs. to the tires but still has this strange feel when driving. I am returning the tires for an e... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
Hello, After installing 4 new tires on my van I immediately noticed a jerk my vehicle was experiencing at highway speeds. mostly when turning , changing lanes or moving the steering wheel like adjusting lane positions. I had double checked the tire air pressure and lug nuts, even added extra 5 lbs. to the tires but still has this strange feel when driving. I am returning the tires for an e... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2026
I own a 2019 Acura RDX that I purchased new in 2018. It has now experienced three separate major water-intrusion events. The first two occurred while I lived in [XXX], including an incident in approximately 2021 that required an insurance claim, extensive repair, and about a month without the vehicle. The current incident occurred in [XXX]. Because the same issue has occurred in two different stat... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2026
I own a 2019 Acura RDX that I purchased new in 2018. It has now experienced three separate major water-intrusion events. The first two occurred while I lived in [XXX], including an incident in approximately 2021 that required an insurance claim, extensive repair, and about a month without the vehicle. The current incident occurred in [XXX]. Because the same issue has occurred in two different stat... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving, the driver's side B-Pillar trim detached and was hanging off the vehicle with the wiring exposed. The contact used a bungee cord to secure the driver's side B-Pillar trim to the vehicle. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2026
My 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron has repeated intermittent door-lock/door-release failures affecting multiple doors. Doors have failed to open from both inside and outside. I am concerned this could prevent or delay occupant egress in an emergency. The vehicle has been presented to Audi [XXX] repeatedly for this concern: XXX and XXX. Repairs have primarily involved software updates. During the August visit... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2026
My 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron has repeated intermittent door-lock/door-release failures affecting multiple doors. Doors have failed to open from both inside and outside. I am concerned this could prevent or delay occupant egress in an emergency. The vehicle has been presented to Audi [XXX] repeatedly for this concern: XXX and XXX. Repairs have primarily involved software updates. During the August visit... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2026
My 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron has repeated intermittent door-lock/door-release failures affecting multiple doors. Doors have failed to open from both inside and outside. I am concerned this could prevent or delay occupant egress in an emergency. The vehicle has been presented to Audi [XXX] repeatedly for this concern: XXX and XXX. Repairs have primarily involved software updates. During the August visit... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 87,300; however, the Carfax report obtained during an oil change service listed the mileage at 356,382 in February 2026.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2026
The rear toe arms came unhinged or disconnected from their placement and sank down to continuously rub a groove in the inner rim. The suspension was affected, the steering was effecting especially when turning, it made the brakes stick, and made loud crunching and rolling noises. It is quite frankly dangerous. It was through no fault of mine that this happened, just weak design. I took it to a sho... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2026
The rear toe arms came unhinged or disconnected from their placement and sank down to continuously rub a groove in the inner rim. The suspension was affected, the steering was effecting especially when turning, it made the brakes stick, and made loud crunching and rolling noises. It is quite frankly dangerous. It was through no fault of mine that this happened, just weak design. I took it to a sho... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2026
The rear toe arms came unhinged or disconnected from their placement and sank down to continuously rub a groove in the inner rim. The suspension was affected, the steering was effecting especially when turning, it made the brakes stick, and made loud crunching and rolling noises. It is quite frankly dangerous. It was through no fault of mine that this happened, just weak design. I took it to a sho... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2026
Driver side door cannot be open from the inside ,driver have to put the window down and open from the outside 2025 Toyota Tacoma only have 4,700 Miles
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
Vehicle was brought to an authorized dealership for service, and while there Campaign 9C2 (ECU Software Update for Theta II Emissions Improvement) was performed. Immediately following this software update, the vehicle developed drivability degradation, specifically engine stutter/hesitation and rough transmission shifting during cold starts. When attempting to accelerate in the first few minutes o... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
Vehicle was brought to an authorized dealership for service, and while there Campaign 9C2 (ECU Software Update for Theta II Emissions Improvement) was performed. Immediately following this software update, the vehicle developed drivability degradation, specifically engine stutter/hesitation and rough transmission shifting during cold starts. When attempting to accelerate in the first few minutes o... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
Vehicle was brought to an authorized dealership for service, and while there Campaign 9C2 (ECU Software Update for Theta II Emissions Improvement) was performed. Immediately following this software update, the vehicle developed drivability degradation, specifically engine stutter/hesitation and rough transmission shifting during cold starts. When attempting to accelerate in the first few minutes o... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
My 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is subject to FCA US Safety Recall A7C, NHTSA Campaign 25V710, for a software condition that may cause incomplete communication between the Telematics Box Module (TBM) and Hybrid Control Processor (HCP). According to the recall notice, the HCP may reset while driving, resulting in a loss of drive power without prior warning and increasing the risk of a crash. I received ... Read more