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 117,788 complaints - component: STEERING
Incident date: Aug 6, 2025
Electric power steering is lost when weather is cold but as soon as the truck warms up the power steering starts to work again
Incident date: Feb 27, 2025
When traveling around 35-40 mph and a bump or dip in the road (think manhole cover) is hit by either the left or right wheel an extreme wobble and vibration in the steering column occurs. This will last 5-15 seconds until it works itself out. Research on the internet indicates that this is a common problem called a “death wobble”. The concern is that this may cause loss of control resulting ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2025
While driving down the road I start getting warning lights about lane assist, adaptive cruise control, power steering and so forth not working. The steering wheel jerks hard out of my hands and the brakes will automatically apply. I’ve tried talking to the dealership I bought it from and I never get a response. They told me that ford bought it back from the original owner cause it was a great ca... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
I purchased my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe on October 29, 2021. Since then, I’ve experienced a series of mechanical and electrical failures that I believe are far beyond normal for a vehicle of this age. - The remote start has never worked. - On October 20, 2023, the hatch latch failed. The only way to open it now is by climbing into the back and manually pulling the latch. - On October 27, 2023, the ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
There is a recall regarding my Honda 2023 that has not been fixed and I did not know about.
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2016) - STEERING
Oct 24, 2025
Incident date: Jul 17, 2025
I was driving 72 miles per hour on 4 lane highway and the steering wheel and front end of the jeep was vibrating uncontrollably. The cruse control stopped working, i applied the brake and was able to slow down and pull over to the side of the road. No flat tires so I pulled back on to the highway and arrived at my destination without further incident. 10-24-25 The same thing happened last week ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2025
am filing this complaint regarding a serious safety defect in my 2011 Ford Fusion. The vehicle’s electric power steering (EPAS) intermittently fails while driving, causing the steering to become extremely heavy and sometimes lock up. The dashboard displays a “Power Steering Assist Fault” warning. Restarting the car temporarily restores steering assist, but the problem recurs. This is a dire... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2025
Steering got stuck on the road while driving. I couldnt move or change lanes. It was really scary. Then I slowed down and then I had tp pull out of the road to the shoulder. Then I waited for 20-30 mins and restarted the car. Then it worked. I was able to go home. I contacted Tesla and they said they need to look into the issue. At the service center, now they are saying they need to replace entir... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2024
STEERING IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT. There is a popping/cracking sound that appears to be coming from the driver's side wheel assembly/strut area. Could this be the same problem as the CRV 2022-2025 Steering Gearbox recall, 24v744000?
COSCO KIDS
EASY ELITE
(9999) - STEERING
Oct 24, 2025
Incident date: Oct 18, 2025
I have a stick dashboard and it’s impairing my vision to see out of front windshield. Lexus did have a recall, but it expired. However, I’m still in danger while driving because of glare.
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
Yes, the vehicle is inspection. If you're going around a curve at 55 miles an hour all of a sudden the electric power steering will come back on and jerk. Probably not explaining it well but extremely dangerous in my opinion and others. It is intermittent. The dealers say there is no recall, but the Internet says there is so I don't know who to believe. It has not been inspected. No there were no ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2025
Failure of power steering system
Incident date: Jul 21, 2025
While driving home from a shop, my Tesla Model Y suddenly stopped in middle of busy road and became unable to move forward. I had to press the accelerator hard, which caused a loud noise before the car moved slightly and I was able to pull over to side of road. I narrowly avoided being hit by another car. Upon inspection, it was found that front tire connecting rod and suspension had failed, causi... Read more
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) - STEERING
Oct 23, 2025
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
Power steering turned off while driving Pulled over cycled the key it came back on Has happened 3 times in two weeks
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
RECALL V06/NHTSA 19V-021. I BOUGHT MY 2018 2500 RAM NEW IN 2019. ON 10-10-25 I PUT MY FIRST SET OF TIRES ON IT 37369 MILES. AFTER INSTALL OF TIRES. I WANTED AN ALIGNMENT.TECH TOOK TRUCK TO ALLIGNMENT RACK AND PULLED IT OFF REAL FAST. SALES REP TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT DO THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE DRAG LINK WAS WELDED. I SHOWED HIM THE QR CODE IN MY OWNERS MANUAL WHICH HE SCANNED AND SAID THEY DONT... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
Component/System Failed: The primary component failing is the Front Overhead Console Assembly (P-R-N-D manual gear selector/shifter and hazard light switch). The assembly detaches, rattles, and fails to remain securely affixed to the headliner. The defect has been present since delivery (Aug 2024, 208 miles). Safety Risk: The overhead console contains the crucial backup gear selector and the haza... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and attempting to change lanes, the contact felt a small bump. Shortly afterwards, the vehicle started to wobble violently, almost causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle due to the increased steering effort. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway to inspect the vehicle, but found ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Prologue. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred while turning the steering wheel to the left. The contact also stated that the failure occurred after driving for an extended period. The vehi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
Subject: Rear Differential Mount Failure and Driveshaft Breakage — Sudden Loss of Vehicle Control at Highway Speed Complaint Summary: While driving at highway speed, I experienced a sudden and extremely loud bang from the rear of the vehicle. Immediately afterward, I lost complete control of the rear end, accompanied by violent clanking and grinding noises from the driveline area. The gearbox t... Read more
Crash
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2021) - STEERING
Oct 23, 2025
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced several electrical failures, causing a loss of power and the vehicle to stall. The vehicle also lost power steering and braking functionality. While inspecting under the hood, the contact discovered that the battery terminals were extremely hot to the touch. The vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2025
At random times, sometimes at first start, sometimes after its parked and started again, vehicle alerts to below errors: Travel Assist is currently not available Park Distance Control Rear Traffic Alert is currently not available VW has replaced one steering wheel and did some software adjustments but errors are back. Its more noticeable in colder weather
Incident date: Sep 10, 2025
The electronic steering gear is malfunctioning and making a clicking sound when the steering wheel is turned at 90-degree angles in either direction. The dealership (Bud Brown VW, Olathe, KS) advised me that they have had 3 VW Atlas vehicles with the same problem over the past month. I believe this is a manufacturer defect that could cause loss of steering and potential injury or loss of life.
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
The problem of windshield wipers going off either once, or at varying speeds has not been able to be reproduced by my Toyota dealership. It goes off right when I turn the car on 50% of the time and is very inconsistent. Wipers typically go off after using the turn signal, making long turns (such as into a parking spot), and driving on long curved roadways. It has been inspected and nothing has bee... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2025
I was driving normally to work and the vehicle stalled without warning and became difficult to steer. The dashboard displayed “engine stopped, steering power low”. The vehicle was stalled in the middle of the roadway and could not be restarted for 10 minutes. This was a very dangerous way to stop and then not be able to restart. People had to get out of their vehicles and help me push it out o... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
On October 17, 2025, while Full Self-Driving (Supervised) was engaged, the vehicle made an abrupt, uncommanded steering input to the right, causing a collision with a tunnel wall. This crash appears to be the result of a critical vehicle hardware failure. In the 24 hours prior to the crash, the vehicle logged multiple critical steering errors, including EPAS3P_a086_dasMia, which indicates the Ele... Read more
Crash
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER VELAR
(2019) - STEERING
Oct 22, 2025
Incident date: Oct 19, 2025
Over-the-air firmware update that caused an in-motion shutdown while driving. various dash lights came on, shift to park indicator flashed, loss power, steering wheel stiffened up to the point it wouldn't move. There were no warnings before it went haywire. My family's safety was at risk as we were driving and it put us in danger and had to carefully get to the side of the road. We had it towed to... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
Purchased in October of 2024,12 Ford Fusion steering failure. Vehicle suddenly became difficult to steer. Issues match 15N01 recall by Ford. Car has under 60,000 miles and Ford refuses to repair. After stating that it should be covered under the recall. Definitely a safety concern. Now stating it was not an actual "recall" now listed as a customer satisfaction program instead of a recall.
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and making gradual right turns, the steering wheel was sticking and failed to return to center automatically after the turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE25009 (Steering). The manufacturer... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash. Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
The Rivian R1S that I own pulls hard to the right when you accelerate and then pulls to the left when you decelerate. I took it for repair and Rivian realigned vehicle and confirmed everything is as it should be. This behavior is tied to the Rivian Stability control and when the stability control is deactivated the steering issue stops. The issue is a safety concern as it's difficult to keep th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2019
The steering periodicall locks up. This doesn't happen offten and only lasts a second or two but at high speeds does give a scare to the driver. Also when turning the steering in a tight turn like in a parking lot, the steering jerks/wabbles.
Incident date: Sep 14, 2025
Power steering impaired while going about 35-40 mph around gentle curves. Carplay will no longer work with the USB port wired to phone.
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2016) - STEERING
Oct 22, 2025
Incident date: Feb 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel violently drifted to the left, and the contact lost control of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle. Prior to the failure, the independent mechanic informed the contact that the same failure had occurred... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in direction with the ABS warning light illuminated. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally, but the failure reoccurred. Recently, the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was restarted, but failed to self-correct. The cau... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while her mother was driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn while making left or right turns or while driving straight. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced, as well as the rack and pinion. ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2022) - STEERING
Oct 22, 2025
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
I had changed all my bulbs and fuses to my car for my brake lights several times and they still don’t work. My car almost got hit with me and my kids in it due to my break lights not working. Also my car keeps saying service advance trac and keeps saying it every time I drive. My car also keeps running out of power steering fluid every two week I have to add more to keep it from making that loud... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
Without warning (no warning lights or previous mechanical indications) the power steering failed making it extremely difficult to turn the steering wheel. Fortunately this happened while I was parking and not on the highway. The truck had approximately 48,000 miles on it at the time. (8/30/25) Repairs required replacing the rack and pinion steering and a heavily corroded "grounding strap". R... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2019) - STEERING
Oct 22, 2025
Incident date: Jul 11, 2025
While driving, error popped up stating steering assist is reduced; drive with caution. Heat was no longer working. Engine temp was reading cold even though vehicle had been running for half hour and temp outside was 65 F. After vehicle was stopped, engine fan ran very loudly for at least 15 minutes. Took vehicle in to have diagnostics ran, and received error P0128 pointing to faulty engine coolant... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2025
I received a Uconnect update message on 10 -11–25 after doing that update my check engine light came on and my vehicle stalled out losing power multiple times on a highway with heavy traffic. I was asked to drive the vehicle to the Jeep dealership Heritage Jeep in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania they told me they would have to keep my jeep. They did not know how long they would have it and they were wo... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2025
The steering on the car does not return to center and sticks to the position turned and has to be manually pushed back to center. This is an issue with the steering rack.
Incident date: Oct 5, 2025
Drove truck to work, was losing power steering intermittently with no dash or warning lights. While operating the vehicle the steering will become so hard that it feels like it could jerk your shoulder off. Steering is fine when driving straight, any turns causes the power steering to intermittently quit working, causing you to have to correct it so hard that you almost overturn the vehicle becaus... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2025
Heavy steering warning. Steering gear left hand drive.
Incident date: Oct 18, 2025
On Saturday 10/18/2025 the rear drivers side tow link of my 2018 Ford Explorer XLT snapped while driving 70 mph under normal driving conditions on a 4-lane section of i-75 in Detroit, MI. This caused a loss of steering, and my family and almost hit the median concrete wall when it sharply veered to the left completely unexpectedly. There were no warning sounds or symptoms and happened at random on... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2025
At random the power steering and traction control turn off making it difficult to drive.. This happens randomly and has become unable to steer. Once the vehicle is turned off for a period of time you can start it up and the steering returns. The issue was reported in the 2015 models. That recall needs to extend into the 2016 models since most of the parts were most likely manufactured tot eh same... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
The steering and suspension suddenly vibrated the whole car violently for over two miles straight, steering is uncontrollable it feels as if the wheels of the jeep were going to fall off. This is well known in the Jeep community as the death wobble. It is a safety issue as there is a loss of control of the car and causes the need to pull over or stop immediately which is hard to do on a fast movin... Read more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle was started, and the power steering failure warning light ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
SLK320
(2001) - STEERING
Oct 21, 2025
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
I was driving slowly, about 5 mph, and was pulling over on a residential street to park on the street, and my Hyundai started shaking…the steering wheel and car were shaking and the brakes weren’t working. I nearly rear ended a car full of people. It did eventually a stop and the whole thing lasted maybe 10 seconds but it was terrifying. I had it towed to the dealership and they can’t seem t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, and DTC: P0720 was retrieved, which indicated a failure with the output shaft speed sensor. The contact was informed that the output shaft speed sensor needed to be replaced. The... Read more
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2023) - STEERING
Oct 21, 2025
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed without warning. Due to the failure, the contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure occurred while starting the vehicle after the vehicle had not been driven for more than a day. The vehicle was initially tak... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The steering wheel shook aggressively, making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The contact decelerated and was able to coast to the emergency lane on the side of the road to get off the interstate. The contact continued to drive the vehicle to the residence... Read more