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 20, 2025
Transmission won't shift out of second gear,and a code showed up U0402 in order for it to shift gear you have to disconnected the battery cable wait a few minutes then connect the battery back this will reset the computer then it will shift gear, while driving at 45 the truck suddenly stop making it feel like the transmission was about to fall out Now the EPS system while driving the steering wh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
Cars power steering periodically goes out during ever drive you turn the car off and back on and it works for a little while and then does it again
Incident date: Jun 6, 2025
The steering on this vehicle went bad and now pulls/pushes in each direction. This issue seems similar to what is described here https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-recalls-defects/honda-accords-under-investigation-for-steering-problems-a4542071576/
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
My 2012 Ford Fusion (VIN: [XXX] ) was previously repaired under Recall 15S18 / Customer Satisfaction Program 15N01 for a steering assist failure in 2016 at 83,000 miles. In March 2022, at 143,000 miles, the same defect occurred again—power steering warning light came on and steering assist failed while driving. The issue was diagnosed by Gillis Auto Center and confirmed again by Mullinax Ford in... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2025
Turning a corner my left axle broke and I only have 3100 miles on this vehicle. Still is not fixed because of warranty issues. When I do get it back I don’t know how I’m suppose to feel safe driving it. Upon checking on YouTube and Internet I see there is a problem with this happing to others. Thank you for your time.
Incident date: Aug 20, 2025
I was told by the Honda Service team that my Electric Power Steering rack could be failing. I went in with the complaint of my wheel not returning to center and jerking when turning left -> center. Upon further research, it seems this issue is wide spread and extremely common in the '16 - 19' models of the Honda Civics. Despite this however, Honda has yet to recall the issue, and I was denied on ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
Sticky steering wheel issue like the recent recall on newer Hondas. This 2020 has about 50k and has recently been flashing the EPS / Steering Wheel light when it occurs. After slowing down the vehicle "behaves" normal
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
accident involving my Tesla while the Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature was engaged. Vehicle Information: [2022, Model - Y, ] Incident Summary: While driving with FSD engaged, the vehicle hydroplaned and the steering wheel started spinning uncontrollably and despite attempts, couldn't regain control of the car, and it spun while crossing lanes. A truck hit the front of the car and ended up on shou... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
the car loss power and shut completely off and ran into the wall with my sister and my child in there on the interstate can I please get help about this matter it could've been worse where i could've lost them forever. I don't want this to happen to nobody else they cars know about these malfunctions and still but these cars on the market for accidents to happen. Please something needs to be done ... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jun 6, 2023
Ford’s official website shows that my 2012 Ford Fusion (VIN: [XXX] ) is covered under Customer Satisfaction Program 15N01 – EPAS Steering Efforts, with instructions to schedule free service with a dealer. However, my local dealer refused to honor it, stating it had expired. I never received any notification of this program, and it involves the steering assist system which is a serious safety i... Read more
GMC
HUMMER EV SUV
(2024) - STEERING
Aug 20, 2025
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
The vehicle stopped running while driving, my wife stopped at a stop sign after vehicle had run ~ 10 minutes. Upon entering the inter-section the vehicle started to run rough, and ultimately stalled and would not restart. She was able to coast into a parking lot entrance within On Top of World subdivision where we live and get off of main road. After multiple AAA attempts to jump start, AAA con... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2024) - STEERING
Aug 20, 2025
Incident date: Aug 19, 2025
Suspension and steering issues purchased many new tires throughout the yrs to find out it had suspension issues. There are 4 recalls listed on my insurance policy that describes exactly what's been wrong with my car since purchased. When calling nissan and checking your data base my vin # has never had any recalls for these issues but is obvious this make and model has been affected as well. Pleas... Read more
HYUNDAI
TUCSON HYBRID
(2025) - STEERING
Aug 20, 2025
Incident date: Aug 19, 2025
Driver Assistant cruise and steering components relating to the warning system. The system notification is turned off in the settings; however, the issue overrides the setting. Cruise control and steering assist shuts off after brief but consistant warning to keep my eyes on the road. My eyes are on the road. I can do nothing to stop it from warning. It may happen up to 20 times in a distance of ... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) - STEERING
Aug 20, 2025
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
My vehicle has a death wobble when you hit seams in the roadway.
THOR MOTOR COACH
CHALLENGER
(2014) - STEERING
Aug 20, 2025
Incident date: Jul 16, 2025
I was driving my 2007 Toyota Avalon returning home from work and was driving on a local road at approximately 25 MPH and turning my vehicle towards right on a curved road and the steering wheel seized and car veered and jumped the curb causing the passenger side bottom of car protection plastic guard clips damaged. No other damage to car observed other than minor scratches to front bumper due to ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2025
The contact owned a 2024 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving approximately 70 MPH on the interstate, the steering wheel had malfunctioned and the driver was unable to properly steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle erroneously drifted into the right lane and crashed into the driver's side of a second oncoming vehicle and causing the vehicle to experi... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Aug 5, 2025
I have a 2024 Palisade, and any small bump, pothole, or lane bump causes my steering wheel to shake uncontrollably. If I go over a speed bump or come down an incline, the brakes make a rumbling sound, and if I try to brake, the brakes stutter and just shake. I’ve almost hit a car in front of me a few times because it didn’t want to stop. This is a very expensive SUV to be having these issues,... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2025
While driving Kia Optima, unable to turn steering wheel. No notice when first starting vehicle. While driving, a traction and steering wheel light turns on without a sound(ding) to notify driver. Then once driver attempts to turn, unable due to steering wheel locked. Unsafe to drive on the road. Dangerous for all passengers. Our safety is put at risk due to unable to turn steering wheel while driv... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2025
Steering gear is bound up due to a documented manufacturing error. Steering is increasingly stiff at speed, and will not return to center without significant driver input. This is a widespread issue that has been documented and causes a major safety concern to Chevy Bolt owners and should be addressed and repaired by the manufacturer.
Incident date: Aug 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V252000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the recall repair was completed in 2018. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. After several attempts, the vehicle failed to start. The contact deactivated the push start button and attempted to start the vehicle with the key whoever,... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2025
While driving, the electric power steering went out. I purchased this vehicle on Aug 15 2025 and the Carfax report did not have any information pertaining to an issue with EPAS. To have this repaired will cost me over $3k which I was not prepared for. Being that other Ford vehicles have this EPAS recall, shouldn't a recall be made on the 2013 Ford Focus as well.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Request for investigation and recall of 2018 Dodge Ram Tradesman vehicles due to exhaust manifold defects, Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning causing driver impairment, indirect impact on steering system functionality, and documented cases of accidents. I became disoriented, severe headache, drowsy, confused, steering wheel vibrated, pulled over got out of vehicle set on side of road until feeling bet... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel became extremely stiff and was difficult to turn. Additionally, the "Steering Fault" message was displayed on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2025
I purchased this vehicle new from the dealer. At approximately 8500 miles a noise developed with the steering. It was a low pitched hum. I have taken the vehicle to the dealer a total of 3 times to repair the issue. They have performed the TSB work 3 times and it has not resolved the issue. I just picked up the vehicle for the 3rd time from the dealer and they say that there is nothing more at thi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal shaking coming from the engine while attempting to steer the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the power steering reservoir and the power steering lines were faulty a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
have to have the rack and pinion system replaced due to a torque steering sensor. There was a stabilitrak and power steering warning and the power steering went out on the interstate.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Power Steering Failure -Service Immediately" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side road. The contact was able to drive to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the steering column needed to ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
I drove over a rough patch/bump in the road. A ton of warning messages and failure lights activated on the dash. In addition to the check engine light, there were warnings for electronic stability protection, sway bar disconnect, ABS failure, power steering failure, shift lever malfunction. In addition to these malfunctions a failures, the windshield wipers turned on un-commanded and the radiator ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
Safety Complaint – Power Steering Failure on 2019 RAM 1500 Big Horn 4x4 Not Covered by Recall VB8 To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding a recurring safety issue with my 2019 Dodge RAM 1500 Big Horn 4x4. The vehicle experiences intermittent power steering loss, particularly during colder temperatures. This issue matches the symptoms described in Safety Recall VB8 / NH... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while in the process of towing the vehicle on a tow dolly, the contact attempted to steer the steering wheel to verify that the steering wheel was locked, but the steering wheel was not locked and could be turned. The contact stated that the Owner's Manual stated that the steering wheel would lock while the vehicle was turned off.... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2025
Power steering rack failure, while driving though a puddle less than 6 inches deep. Cost over $1900 to replace. My wife's 2014 volkswagen passat is able to drive though deeper water.. on 8/13 I was unable to move over on a road that had some puddles due to oncoming traffic. After driving though the small puddle my power steering went out. Took to the mechanic and he said its a known issue due to h... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2025
Title: Engine Defect – Excessive Oil Consumption and VTC Actuator Failure My 2016 Honda CR-V (purchased from Mohawk Honda, serviced at Rensselaer Honda) developed a serious engine defect after only about 25,000 miles. The vehicle began consuming excessive oil, and later the VTC actuator failed, causing severe loss of power during acceleration and uphill driving, creating unsafe conditions. Dea... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2025
Rack and Pinion steering rack is failing. The steering wheel is not returning to center, causing the vehicle to meander into oncoming traffic when executing left turns. Recently this forced a vehicle in oncoming traffic to ditch onto the shoulder. Luckily there was no incident (to their vehicle or driver) after stopping to check with the other driver. Dealer has since confirmed the failure of ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while in reverse (R) and backing up at approximately 5 MPH down a slight incline, the vehicle accelerated inadvertently. The contact stated that she turned the steering wheel to the right to get on the road. The contact had taken her foot off the accelerator pedal when the vehicle gained momentum and drove backwards about 50 feet and ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2023) - STEERING
Aug 19, 2025
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Service Power Steering" was displayed, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. Additionally, the ABS and Stabili-trac warning lights remained illuminated. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The local dealer was informed of the failure, but no ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2025
I lost power steering , a message came on display and a warning sound and then no power steering while driving on highway, I check the recalls and it shows a recall related about this issue was completed back in 2021 august , but I never took my car to dealership to get this fix because I never received a letter notifying me about it. please I need to get this issue fix and no it has not been com... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2025) - STEERING
Aug 18, 2025
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
Not sure what malfunction part but car steering locked up. Could not steer the car. Brakes failed. Car accelerator engaged. Car slammed into pole. Car is totaled I only had it less than 3 weeks. BMW 3 series 2024.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufact... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
Driving on the freeway going 75-80 mph and my steering wheel locked up. When this happens I am unable to turn my steering wheel. Have to let my foot of the gas and try with all my muscle to get the car to go to the side of the road to put the car in park. Turn it off and turn it back on. This exact incident has happened to me 3 times in a row on the freeway on [XXX]. Once while the road had a curv... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for maintenance, the contact requested the independent mechanic to run a diagnostic test on the vehicle. The contact was informed that the steering knuckle was fractured. While an independent mechanic was attempting to remove the steering knuckle, the axle froze and seized in the hub. ... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2009) - STEERING
Aug 18, 2025
Incident date: Jul 8, 2013
1. Power steering shutdown and went into manual mode, on 3 occasions in the past 6 months. Stopped the vehicle, turned off, restarted and power steering was engaged. The vehicle is available for inspection. 2. It was very difficult to maneuver/steer the vehicle, putting myself and others at risk. 3. The problem was not reproduced for the dealer. The dealer reset the codes the first time and repl... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA CRUZ
(2022) - STEERING
Aug 18, 2025
Incident date: Jul 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle jerked abnormally with the powertrain warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to function properly and became difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
Heated steering wheel so hot on the left side. Almost caught on fire. It cause a little smoke, burning smell and burned marks.
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2016) - STEERING
Aug 18, 2025
Incident date: Aug 18, 2025
Steering suddenly stopped working, causing me to have a hard time turning the steering wheel to complete my turn.I have found out that Ram is recalling certain Ram trucks but mine is not included in the recall.
Incident date: Jun 23, 2025
I had several instances where my electronic power assist steering (EPAS) has failed resulting in advance trac and other errorson my information screen.This has resulted in effectively NO steering. Thank goodness I was in a parking lot or going slow otherwise may have resulted in severe injury or death. This appears to be a problem with my make and model of truck based on what I have read on the in... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became firm. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering module link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
While driving on or around 6/5/25, an active recall on my vehicle caused damage to my battery connections causing my vehicle to completely shut off while driving on an highway exit ramp. I almost lost complete control of the vehicle. Thankfully, the vehicle turned back on and I was able to get the vehicle to safety. I had to get the car towed and repaired. The repair was directly related to the da... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
The steering wheel has a noise when turn, actually the noise is so loud now that it shakes while I'm driving. I have a video of it. I also brought to the mechanic and he told me that this is from the manufacturer problem. The videos are not support to download here. Let me know if I can send it through another way. Thank you, I'm going to kia dealer on Sep. 2nd to fix another recall, if please, se... Read more
GRAND DESIGN
SOLITUDE
(2021) - STEERING
Aug 18, 2025
Incident date: Nov 18, 2024
Vehicle would not steer lost power steering and loud noise. Had the vehicle towed to a mechanic. The mechanic informed me that the bolts for the electronic power steering had corroded causing the electronic steering motor to fall. He told me that it is a problem with these cars and gave me a reference number (N202301950) I called GM and they said it was not a recall it was a service bulletin which... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
Power steering assist failed while driving. Can still be steered manually by force, but no electronic assist. Makes the vehicle unsafe to drive, and thankfully I was able to get safely off the road. When I looked into this, it’s a known issue with rams, and hasn’t been addressed in my year model, 2013. I can’t understand how a safety risk like this is going unaddressed. I was quoted 2 thousa... Read more