NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
289 reportsClear category filter26,400 miles · Oct 1, 2018
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TEAM HYUNDAI OF BEND (2250 NE HWY 20, BEND, OR 97701, (833) 236-…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TEAM HYUNDAI OF BEND (2250 NE HWY 20, BEND, OR 97701, (833) 236-6111) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LACK OF OIL CHANGES CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 11617234. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,400.
NHTSA ODI #11132670
18,000 miles · Sep 20, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine
COILS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TO BOTH NUMBER 2 AND NUMBER 3 CYLINDERS AND THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE 20K ON IT YET. THE SYMPTOMS WERE POOR PERFORMANCE, INCLUDING A FEELING LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STALL AND THE INABILITY TO GO MUCH OVER 45 MPH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BOTH TIMES THAT THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI #11130520
39,450 miles · Aug 22, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion System
I FIRST EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM 08/14/18 DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON I295N, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE. ON 08/16/18 THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED BUT THIS TIME IT LASTED UNTIL I MADE IT LATE THAT EVENING. I TOOK IT TO HYUNDAI OF ORANGE PARK 08/17/18 HERE IN JACKSONVILLE AND THE PROBLEM COULD …
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I FIRST EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM 08/14/18 DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON I295N, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE. ON 08/16/18 THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED BUT THIS TIME IT LASTED UNTIL I MADE IT LATE THAT EVENING. I TOOK IT TO HYUNDAI OF ORANGE PARK 08/17/18 HERE IN JACKSONVILLE AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK 08/22/18 MY CAR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING ONLY THIS TIME YOU COULD FEEL THE VIBRATION OF THE CAR NOT WANTING TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WOULD GO OFF AS I'M CHANGING GEARS AND SOON AS I AM DONE SHIFTING IT STAYS ILLUMINATED.I CALLED THE SERVICE CENTER AGAIN AND SHE SAYS TO BRING IT BACK IN FOR TESTING AND THEY CAN ONLY FIX IT IF THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I AM VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC NOT KNOWING IF IT WILL CUTOFF AND I AM HIT.
NHTSA ODI #11121615
9,000 miles · Jul 27, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. FOUND OUT ENGINES ARE DANGEROUS AND HAVE EXPLODED. ENGINES ARE ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF SO MANY ELANTRA NEEDING A NEW ENGINE. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE NO ONE IS WARNING ELANTRA OWNERS ABOUT THIS UNTIL THE CARS BREAK DOWN. I AM STILL WITHOUT MY CAR SINCE JUNE BECAU…
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ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. FOUND OUT ENGINES ARE DANGEROUS AND HAVE EXPLODED. ENGINES ARE ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF SO MANY ELANTRA NEEDING A NEW ENGINE. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE NO ONE IS WARNING ELANTRA OWNERS ABOUT THIS UNTIL THE CARS BREAK DOWN. I AM STILL WITHOUT MY CAR SINCE JUNE BECAUSE ENGINES ARE ON BACK ORDER UNTIL LATE AUGUST/EARLY SEPTEMBER.
NHTSA ODI #11114078
4,200 miles · Jul 6, 2018
Back Over PreventionElectrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE BACK UP CAMERA BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (GERALD HYUNDAI, 209 HANSEN BLVD, NORTH AURORA, IL 60542), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE BACK UP CAMERA BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (GERALD HYUNDAI, 209 HANSEN BLVD, NORTH AURORA, IL 60542), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY START AND THEN TURN OFF, AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WERE FAILURES WITH THE ENGINE BRACKET MOUNT AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MDC BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD ASSIST BY DEDUCTING ONE VEHICLE PAYMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,200.
NHTSA ODI #11109925
32,000 miles · May 24, 2018
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
THIS COMPLAINT IS INVOLVING USA AUTO CARE AND ABC HYUNDAI I WENT TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE DONE AT USA AUTO CARE AND A WEEK LATER MY OIL PLUG FELL OUT OF MY CAR AND I LOST ALL MY OIL HAD MY CAR TOWED TO HYUNDAI HYUNDAI PUT A NEW PLUG IN THERE REFILLED WITH OIL SHOW ME EVERYTHING WAS OKAY SO I PROCEEDED TO GO TO USA AUTO CARE NUMBER …
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THIS COMPLAINT IS INVOLVING USA AUTO CARE AND ABC HYUNDAI I WENT TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE DONE AT USA AUTO CARE AND A WEEK LATER MY OIL PLUG FELL OUT OF MY CAR AND I LOST ALL MY OIL HAD MY CAR TOWED TO HYUNDAI HYUNDAI PUT A NEW PLUG IN THERE REFILLED WITH OIL SHOW ME EVERYTHING WAS OKAY SO I PROCEEDED TO GO TO USA AUTO CARE NUMBER FOR AND TRY AND GET THE MONEY THAT I PAID TO ABC HYUNDAI FOR THE OIL IN THE PLUGS ON MY WAY MY ENGINE LOCKED UP CAR CAME TO A STOP AND SHUT OFF I THEN HAVE THE CAR TOWED BACK TO HYUNDAI AND WAS NOTIFIED BY HYUNDAI THAT MY ENGINE WAS PRETTY MUCH DONE FOR CALL PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE MY INSURANCE AT THE TIME NOTIFIED THEM OF THE CLAIM THEY SENT SOMEONE DOWN TO TAKE PICTURES THEY GOT BACK WITH ME AFTER A FEW DAYS AND MY CASE WAS TRANSFERRED TO ABOUT THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL AGENT HAD TO LEAVE FOR MATERNITY LEAVE AND I WAS NOTIFIED BY ONE OF THE OTHER AGENTS THAT WAS ON MY CASE THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE BECAUSE IT WAS A NON COMPREHENSIVE ACCIDENT AND THAT IT WASN'T IN A PHYSICAL ACCIDENT CAUSING BODY DAMAGE I ALSO CALLED MY WARRANTY BECAUSE MY CAR IS BRAND NEW AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS BOY BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE OIL CHANGE DONE AT HYUNDAI AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS I WAS NOTIFIED BY ABC HYUNDAI THAT MY CAR WAS FIXED THOUGHT IT WAS THROUGH THE WARRANTY AND THEY CHANGE THEIR MIND BUT MY INSURANCE WENT AHEAD AND COMPLETED THE CLAIM THEY NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THEM TAKING THE CLAIM NO EMAILS OR CORRESPONDENCE WHAT I WAS NOTIFIED BY ABC HYUNDAI TO COME GET MY CAR I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO PAY A $1,000 DEDUCTIBLE AND THAT MY INSURANCE WENT AHEAD AND COMPLETED THE CLAIM I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY I DO NOT HAVE $1,000 SITTING AROUND AND I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT PROGRESSIVE COULD NOT COVER IT NOW I'M STUCK BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD THE DEDUCTIBLE AND I CAN'T USE MY CAR TO DO UBER AND MAKE THE MONEY I NEED SOME GUIDANCE IN THIS
NHTSA ODI #11097819
10,000 miles · Apr 27, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other
BLOWS COLD AIR WHEN IDLING IN COLD WEATHER(BELOW 0) TEMP GUAGE DROPS TO COLD ,WINDSHIELD STARTS FOGGING UP HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN BLOWER DOWN ONE SPEED OR IT WON'T HEAT UP AGAIN !! PRETTY DANGEROUS IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ! HAD IT BACK TO DEALER TWICE AND SAID IT WAS THERMOSTAT ,BUT IT DID NOT FIX PROBLEM ........HAVE TALKED TO OTHER…
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BLOWS COLD AIR WHEN IDLING IN COLD WEATHER(BELOW 0) TEMP GUAGE DROPS TO COLD ,WINDSHIELD STARTS FOGGING UP HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN BLOWER DOWN ONE SPEED OR IT WON'T HEAT UP AGAIN !! PRETTY DANGEROUS IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ! HAD IT BACK TO DEALER TWICE AND SAID IT WAS THERMOSTAT ,BUT IT DID NOT FIX PROBLEM ........HAVE TALKED TO OTHER SAME VEHICLE OWNERS AS WELL AS INTERNET SEARCH AND SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHER OLDER ELANTRA VEHICLES . WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS ONGOING PROBLEM AND DEFINITE SAFETY AND NUISANCE PROBLEM ??????
NHTSA ODI #11090497
46,000 miles · Apr 5, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT AND AFTER LEAVING GAS STATION PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT I WAS STOPPING BEHIND CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN MY ENGINE STALLED SO I PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT ONLY TO MOVE ABOUT FIVE FEET WHEN ENGINE STALLED AGAIN WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND GET OUT ONTO HIGHWAY UNTIL I CAME TO A RED TRAFFIC LI…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT AND AFTER LEAVING GAS STATION PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT I WAS STOPPING BEHIND CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN MY ENGINE STALLED SO I PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT ONLY TO MOVE ABOUT FIVE FEET WHEN ENGINE STALLED AGAIN WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND GET OUT ONTO HIGHWAY UNTIL I CAME TO A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AS I PROCEEDED TO STOP ENGINE STALLED AGAIN AFTER RESTARTING IT NO ISSUES ALL THE WAY HOME TWO DAYS LATER I WAS HEADING OUT OF WORK TO GET LUNCH AND COMING AROUND A JUG HANDLE CAR ENGINE STALLED AGAIN RESTARTED AND MADE IT BACK TO WORK. NOW I AM WRITTING TO TRY AND SOLVE THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE AT HAND.
NHTSA ODI #11083444
17,000 miles · Mar 19, 2018
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARDINALE WAY HYUNDAI (2525 WARDLOW RD, CORONA, CA 92882), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARDINALE WAY HYUNDAI (2525 WARDLOW RD, CORONA, CA 92882), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RIVERSIDE METRO AUTO GROUP (8330 INDIANA AVE, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504), BUT THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
NHTSA ODI #11080290
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2018
Engine
BELOW 50 DEGREES IT TAKES THE HEATER AN EXTREMELY LONG PERIOD FOR THE CAR TO REACH NORMAL OPERATING TEMP AND THEN WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED ON IT FALLS BACK TO ALMOST INTO THE COLD POSITION AND BEGINS TO BLOW COOL AIR. THE TEMP GAUGE WILL THEN GO UP WHILE DRIVING BUT WILL GO DOWN TOWARD THE COLD POSITION WHILE IDLING. MY OTHER C…
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BELOW 50 DEGREES IT TAKES THE HEATER AN EXTREMELY LONG PERIOD FOR THE CAR TO REACH NORMAL OPERATING TEMP AND THEN WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED ON IT FALLS BACK TO ALMOST INTO THE COLD POSITION AND BEGINS TO BLOW COOL AIR. THE TEMP GAUGE WILL THEN GO UP WHILE DRIVING BUT WILL GO DOWN TOWARD THE COLD POSITION WHILE IDLING. MY OTHER CAR IS A 2011 ELANTRA AND HAVE NO ISSUES WITH IT AS IT WARMS UP IN JUST A COUPLE OF MILES AND STAYS WARM AND BLOWS HOT AIR. DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED IT OUT AND SAYS ITS WORKING FINE BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL CASES ON THE INTERNET REPORTING THE SAME WITH OTHER OWNERS AND EVEN FOUND WHERE HYUNDIA HAS ISSUED A TSB REPLACING SOME THERMOSTATS IN THE 2017 MODELS.
NHTSA ODI #11074348
Official recalls
4Mar 28, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Elantra vehicles. The affected vehicles may have a damaged Electronic Power Steering (MDPS) connector resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPS motor, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 28, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-243-7766. Hyundai's number for this recall 161.
Jan 26, 2017
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Elantra vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake booster may fail, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loss of power brake assist can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai has notified owners, and dealers will replace the brake system booster assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 157.
Dec 30, 2016
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2017 Hyundai Elantra vehicles manufactured April 15, 2016, to September 13, 2016, and Sonata vehicles manufactured May 27, 2016 to September 16, 2016. In these vehicles, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 156.
Apr 21, 2016
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015. In these vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage air bag deployment, resulting in the second stage not deploying in certain crashes. The primary stage will deploy as intended.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 144.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.