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: Oct 10, 2025
When driving and going to make a turn or change lanes . The steering wheel will stick and have a little jerk . Had it looked at but could not find anything. It’s been happening since July . I’m afraid it might not turn when I want it to . My husband did notice it when I drove him to airport . Wondering if recall on this .
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
While driving, the steering suddenly failed — the wheel spun freely with no response from the front wheels. This occurred at a stoplight shortly after exiting the freeway; had it happened minutes earlier at highway speed, it could have caused a serious crash. The vehicle was towed to a Tesla Service Center, which confirmed an under-torqued and stripped bolt on the intermediate steering shaft con... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) - STEERING
Oct 11, 2025
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
Jeep pushed out an OTA update for their Uconnect system. Upon completion of this update, that occurred while I was driving, I lost control of my vehicle. My steering wheel locked up, all of the lights on my dashboard started flashing, and I was instructed to pull the jeep over. I was unable to operate the vehicle and had to be towed.
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2021) - STEERING
Oct 11, 2025
Incident date: Oct 3, 2025
We’ve experienced multiple ongoing issues with this vehicle, and the dealership’s only suggestion so far has been to file a lemon law claim. Last month, the car began jerking excessively while driving typically at speeds between 35–45 mph. The best way to describe it is that it feels as though all the wheels lock up at once, causing a loud tire-screeching noise. It was a frightening experie... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
Truck has 74,000 miles when i notice truck having issues prior to this my front wheels wearing unevenly truck eletric steering light up im being told has to be replaced from what im reading up on this shouldnt be having this type of issue and some models in 2021 did have issue
HYUNDAI
VELOSTER N
(2022) - STEERING
Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
On [XXX], while driving on a busy boulevard in Wilmington, Delaware, my 2020 BMW 750i suddenly lost all power (engine and electrical) without any warning. The vehicle completely shut down in traffic, creating an extremely dangerous situation. There were no warning lights or messages before the failure. I called BMW Roadside Assistance for help but was informed that because my warranty had just ex... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2025
Power steering and lane keep assist died while driving. After leaving the car off for a few minutes, powering it back up they worked again for about 5 minutes before cutting off while driving on the highway
Incident date: Sep 28, 2025
On [XXX], my mother was driving our 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 to work around 6:30 AM when the vehicle suddenly caught on fire without warning. The car was completely destroyed in the fire. Thankfully, she was able to exit safely. After doing research online, we found many reports of 2010 GLK 350 models catching fire due to fuel system issues and leaks, which appear to be common with this year an... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
During travel on the highway warning lights appeared and the vehicle lost power steering. This posed a significant safety risk at higher rates of speed and curved roads. Driver immediately drove to the nearest dealership to inquire about safety recalls. The dealership stated that no recalls had been issued for this vehicle and they require a fee to assess the vehicle. Dealership said that the stee... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
Started as low creaking noise coming from front left wheel. Slow speeds, over small bumps. Over time (one month), creaking noises became louder and more frequent. At that time, steering was starting to feel stiff when turning to the left. Taken to 2 BMW dealerships who said it was just a noise and that both tie rods would have to be replaced. Upon further investigation, these noises and handling... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
On 10\09\2025 I was backing into a parking spot and when I was trying to adjust the position of the vehicle the power steering failed as I was backing up. After the power steering failed to work, the Power Steering Light appeared on the Dashboard. This is the first time this has happened. The safety issue is if I was going around a corner on the steering failed, my kids and I would probably be dea... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V514000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufact... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2025
PE25009 - My van has a fault in alignment with this investigation. On long turns with the wheel between 11 and 1 the steering feels heavy then it feels like the system overcorrects. It has done this intermittently for a few months now.
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
Steering wheel makes noise and is hard to steer. The car creaks and clunks when driving over any type of speed bump, pothole, etc. Looking online, this seems to be a chronic safety problem with this make and model.
LAND ROVER
DEFENDER
(2020) - STEERING
Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
Driving down the highway and the steering wheel locked up. When I started to slow down to stop the steering came back. This could have been a really bad problem if I was turning.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
While using the heated steering wheel function on my 2020 Land Rover Defender, the steering wheel began to overheat significantly after being turned on for a short time. The surface temperature became so hot that it burned and discolored the leather, releasing a strong burnt smell. This overheating poses a serious fire hazard and could easily burn the driver’s hands during operation. This issue ... Read more
Fire
HYUNDAI
TUCSON HYBRID
(2025) - STEERING
Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle experienced a loss of steering control, and it became difficult to turn the steering wheel. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V316000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle wa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2024
My 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport is affected by recall 23V-093, related to the jackknife key potentially collapsing while driving and shutting off the vehicle. The only remedy currently offered is a spacer inserted into the key fob to permanently prevent the blade from folding. This disables the folding feature — a core function of the product — and turns a jackknife key into a permanently extended ... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2019) - STEERING
Oct 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
I keep losing power steering control because of leaking. I contacted a dealership and was told that there wasn't any recall concerning , power steering, transmission, airbag and body control module. I contacted GM and was told that the recall has ended.
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while reversing and parking the vehicle, the steering wheel malfunctioned and became difficult to turn, and the driver was unable to control the direction of the vehicle, causing the rear passenger side wheel to strike the curb. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the steering failure was due to a faulty ignition k... Read more
Incident date: Sep 24, 2025
Bought a 2004 Linc Tow as a gift to my grandson. Drove it a couple of times and had no issues. After it had sat for about 2-3 weeks, I drove it to town to let it run after sitting. On my way home I was turning on to the road for home and the steering suddenly caught, I was in the middle of a turn and pulled steering wheel to straighten the car when it released. I almost hit the car next to me. I h... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) - STEERING
Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
exiting interstate 270 onto highway 40/64 when the dashboard lit. up and there was no power steering. Tuning the steering wheel very difficult. Luckily no accident occurred however in a different situation or location the results would have been disastrous. Wife was able to exit the interstate and get to a parking lot.
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact had received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V957000(Fuel System, Diesel) and 25V626000(Steering); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact had contacted an unknown local dealer several times and had been advised that the recall parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer h... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
Request for Recall Review – 2021 Chevrolet Blazer Steering Assist and Cooling Fan Issue Hello, I am writing to report a recurring issue with my 2021 Chevrolet Blazer and to request that this concern be reviewed for possible recall or warranty coverage. The vehicle frequently displays an “Action Required: Steering Assist is Reduced. Drive with Care” message while driving. Additionally, af... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
When driving all gauges go to zero, truck doesn’t illuminate which gear it’s in, warning lights come on (service 4WD, service stabilitrak, service traction control, reduced power steering, service traction control, service trailer brake system ). When NOT driving if these issues show on the dash when parked and the car doesn’t illuminate which gear it’s in, it does not crank over, does ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V514000(Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal squeaking sound coming from the front passenger's side of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
So those problem has been reported and delt with but continued ongoing investigations for my vehicle. I have a 2015 ram 1500 that at 100,000miles and now experiencing issues with my steering. Have ran vin and no outstanding recalls. My problem is almost like the eps stops working for brief seconds while turning at slower speeds. The problem comes and goes, no noises, lights or codes just physica... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2025
The contact owned a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the third floor of a parking garage, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to full speed unintendedly, and the steering wheel and the brake pedal were inoperable, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a wall and crashed into the vehicle in front, and the vehicl... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 7, 2025
I was making a left turn all of the sudden my power steering assist and stabilization light came on and I struggled to get the truck into the parking lot. In my readings and research there are a lot of complaints and recalls for the chevrolet Colorado for both 2015 and 2016. In my research you are aware of the issue and one of the solutions is turn off car/truck and wait 15 minutes and the compute... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
See attached document for complaint. I am writing to you with deep concern to report a serious matter regarding the safety of a vehicle I recently purchased and to respectfully request your intervention in a case that endangers not only my safety as a consumer but also that of the passengers transported in this automobile. On XXXX X, XXXX, I purchased a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Wagon 40 Touring L ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2025
The Gateway control module failed in September 2025 on my 2021 Audi Q5. Vehicle error messages included the following failures: Cruise control, Parking brake, transmission, brakes, and steering, windows rolled down, seats moved, dash and MMI black followed by a sudden loss of power, narrowly avoiding an accident (kids in car). Would not restart. Diagnosis by Audi dealer was that the Gateway contr... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
Electronic power steering went out while I was operating the vehicle almost resulting in a wreck. Was intermittent after that, and now won't work at all making the vehicle undrivable.
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2019) - STEERING
Oct 9, 2025
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The steering wheel shakes (vibrates) at elevated speeds (+65 mph) intermittently. It doesn't feel safe driving on a highway with a shaking steering wheel. Multiple attempts to fix at the dealer were performed. The dealer ended up saying that the car looks fine and that the shaking is due to the sensitivity of the tires to the road. When asked if there is a fix to that, I was told that that's how ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2025
The steering system has developed a progressively worse clunking sound when turning the steering wheel left or right when stopped, or at slow speeds. Additionally, the steering wheel will no longer return to center when exiting a turn. (In other words, it requires effort from the driver to return the steering wheel to center)
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
Warning light for EPS and fuel pressure censor
Incident date: May 13, 2025
While driving my truck lost all power steering. The truck was controllable but with a LOT of force. My wife would not have been able to steer had she been driving. I understand that this is not an uncommon failure. My trunk is a 2013 model but only has 10,770 mile, and was always garaged. I am a retired auto mechanic and a friend that is still active inspected the truck and said it was the steerin... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
Experienced abrupt electrical steering motor failure. Power steering remains inoperable and available for inspection. Occurred during normal driving without warning, and effort required to manually steer was too much for my wife necessitating an emergency stop to avoid collision with oncoming traffic while trying to execute a routine turn putting us and the other vehicle in danger of an offset c... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2025
The contact leased a 2024 Vinfast VF 9. The contact stated that while driving at night, the headlights failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated, but the alarms sounded. The daytime running lights functioned, but the headlights were inoperable. The contact stated that the Lane Assist failed to function while the headlights failed to operate. In addition, the steering wheel... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
Vehicle is a 2019 Honda CRV. The steering keeps sticking. Especially entering and exiting highway ramps. Force is needed each time to control and correct the vehicle. This has been an issue for some time now. Please help.
VOLKSWAGEN
TAOS
(2022) - STEERING
Oct 8, 2025
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
I bought the truck and two months later as I was driving the vehicle the rear defrental went out and caused the wheels to improperly balance the speed of all tires as I turned and cause my truck to turn roughly and I almost got in a wreck. I brought it to ford and they seen it needed to be replaced. Mind you its only been a few months. About a year later it has issues again as im driving and I als... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2012) - STEERING
Oct 8, 2025
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking violently. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the shaking was extremely violent, and the vehicle was uncontrollable. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving on a busy highway. The contact stated that a tractor-trailer driver who w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that upon attempting to leave the driveway, the vehicle was shifted into drive and the engine experienced a complete loss of automotive power, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle lost power steering functionality while driving at 65 MPH, and the traction control and vehic... Read more
TIFFIN
ALLEGRO BREEZE
(2017) - STEERING
Oct 8, 2025
Incident date: Sep 16, 2025
Upon starting our vehicle, we received several warning lights relating to collision control and that the AWD system had failed. This happened on a Saturday so we had to wait until Monday to bring the car in to the dealer for service. The service department told us that the diagnostic testing indicated that the AWD module and the PTU actuator motor needed to be replaced. Our vehicle is under six ye... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
Cadillac XT5 had a “steering assist is reduced” message on the driver information center. P0128 Code
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Power steering on vehicle intermittently stops working. Vehicle becomes difficult to steer at low speeds. Even when Vehicle is moving turning is extremely challenging.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Out of nowhere, my vehicle had an AWD module failure. This has led to several other subsystems being triggered and warning lights going off. It also disables AWD. After consulting with a vendor, it appears that this is a problem that happens regularly with this vehicle around 55,000 miles. It is not a cheap fix, and results in a vehicle not being able to drive in AWD. This is a safety concern in i... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2025
A few months ago I was driving and without any warning the steering wheel would lock up and I couldn’t turn it at all. I had to use my strength to wiggle it to unlock it. It happened several times on busy roads and highways. It’s currently at the dealership for the past 2 months because there is a short and the steering gear box needs to be replaced but the part is on back order with no date o... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the Power Steering, Service Vehicle, Traction Control, and ABS warning lights illuminated, and the speedometer failed to display the speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the sensors for the front wheels had failed. The contact purchased and replaced the sensors; however, the failure ... Read more