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
CHEVROLET
CHEVEROLET SS
(2014) - STEERING
Aug 5, 2025
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
Steering is sticky and grabbing. There is a catch in the middle position. There is a warranty extension out for this problem but not for my VIN #. How do I get Honda to cover this? Problem has been progressing over the last month. This occurs at variable speeds.
Incident date: May 31, 2025
The electric power steering (EPS) system failed/malfunctioned this past week. When going over 35 mph my steering wheel would become "knotchy/jerky" and lock up and be difficult to turn. As a result, I took it to Honda to which they stated my whole rack and pinion needed total replacement. No warning signs, messages, icons, or lights came on in my car.
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact had read about steering recalls on the year, make, and model of the vehicle online. The contact stated that while his son was driving 40-50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, causing the vehicle to drive up a curb and to nearly crash into a bridge post. The power steering warning light was illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2022) - STEERING
Aug 4, 2025
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
Power steering motor went out. Went to the dealer to get special coverage 14119 ( I was aware of the issue ). Dealership refused to do work for free as stated in service bulletin. Called GM Corporate and they also said work would would not be done for free. 14119 specifically stated that power steering motor would be changed and I quote " at no cost to the customer " unquote. They want $175 just t... Read more
KIA
SORENTO HYBRID
(2025) - STEERING
Aug 4, 2025
Incident date: Aug 3, 2025
Subject: Safety Hazard – Turn Signal Button Placement on Tesla Model 3/Y (Newer Models) Hi there, I am reaching because the newer Tesla models have eliminated the turn signal stalks and instead incorporated the turn signal controls as buttons directly on the steering wheel. This became a critical safety hazard multiple times when taking a turn and had to give the turn indication. The issue happ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
My 2007 mazda5 power steering stopped worked abruptly while turning on a major highway. The sudden change in steering nearly caused an accident. I checked the ODB reader for codes but none were present. Then it happened again the next day in a similar situation, the power steering shut off but this time we were able to see the dash light for the power steering failure come on. It kicked back in a ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
I was driving to work and the steering wheel just looked up and got really stiff and hard to control which was really dangerous. Prior to the I could just be sitting idle and the steering wheel would just start moving by itself out of nowhere.
MERCEDES-BENZ
C 300
(2020) - STEERING
Aug 4, 2025
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
At higher speeds the steering wheel sticks, this make making minor corrections to stay within the lane difficult, subsequently causing the vehicle to swerve while making these adjustments.
Incident date: Jul 17, 2025
The steering wheel sticks when you try to turn it. The best example of what happens is when you're driving on a fairly straight road, you typically make small steering adustments to keep your car in it's lane. What happens is, when you try to turn the steering wheel it "sticks" and doesn't move and so you turn harder than what would be normal to turn it. So you have to turn the wheel harder to ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the vehicle failed to turn to the left or right, and the steering wheel was stiff. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and pulling into a parking spot, the steering wheel was stiff. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was turned off and restarte... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
Dealer says that Power Steering control unit/steering rack needs to be changed. Looks like same recall was there(17V-595) but my vin number is not in Mercedes system to be fixed. Happens when park. Steering was not working, van needs to be towed. Can you check if that should be part of recall?
Incident date: Aug 4, 2023
on or about 7/29/2025 while driving at approx 45 mph (2018 Dodge Ram Rebel) - multiple dash warning lights came on. Parked at safe location. Vehicle would not start and again multiple dash lights came on, steering wheel tight. Had vehicle towed to Reedman Dodge Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Service Rep said vehicles needs replaced drive train and other electrical work costing $5,000.00. Vehicle h... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel, and the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
The EPS began sporadically and severely jerking the steering very powerfully while driving and stationary and draining the battery at an accelerated rate necessitating multiple replacements of and charging 2 batteries to get to and from my job and anywhere else making everyday life very difficult beginning in early 2024. A couple months before this issue became a daily and constant occurrence in i... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal cracking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V392000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and 24V840000 (Steering); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was co... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2023) - STEERING
Aug 4, 2025
Incident date: May 7, 2025
While driving and turning the steering wheel totally locks up momentarily. At this point there is no control of steering. The first time it happened I just missed a parked car when turning a corner. When I took it to the dealer the mechanic almost ran into a building driving it into the shop.
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 65 MPH, the power steering assist feature was disabled, and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The messages "Service Advance-trac" and "Steering Loss - Stop Safely" were displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to make a right turn at 20 MPH, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed with the "Steering Assist Fault Service Required" message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that her left arm had been fractured before the failure and that the loss of power steering assist almost caused a crash. ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
THE STEERING MOVED SUDDENLY BY ITSELF; several times on highways. Never had a vehicle do that before.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
I am writing to report severe safety concerns involving my Tesla Model Y. Without any accident or impact, my vehicle experienced a mechanical failure on [XXX}, when the front left tire detached, making the car immobile. The vehicle had approximately 31,500 miles and no prior damage or accident history. Tesla towed the car for repairs. However, during the repair process, I discovered that the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
The power steering in my '08 Ford Escape has intermitten issues, and does not engage sometimes (especially when starting the vehicle). There was a recall by Ford (recall id: 14S05) in 2014, and when I called the Ford Customer Service, they said the recall was repaired in 2015. They said my current issue would not be covered under the recall. I called my local Ford Dealership, and they said they wo... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
Steering wheel would not turn left or right and became very jumpy and stiff to steer!
COACHMEN
FREEDOM EXPRESS
(2017) - STEERING
Aug 4, 2025
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The stabili-trak warning light was illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approx... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2025
While making a left turn, truck pulled hard to the right causing it to hit a parked truck. Upon exiting my truck seen that entire passenger front wheel was off. No warning whatsoever that there was a problem before this happened. Wreck occured out of state but truck is being transported to my dealer. it will be available for inspection.
Crash
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
Steering worm gear shaft making noise, through research found this to be an ongoing issue with the Hyundai Palisades. If this fail's it can lead to complete loss of steering control.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
The power steering rack failed making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The problem steadily grew worse over several months and was verified by a dealer service center. Clearly, faulty steering is a safety risk and one that Honda is aware of, having previously recalled 1.7 million vehicles similar to mine. The dealer merely changed out the power steering rack rather than actually investigating ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop from a traffic light, the vehicle made an abnormally loud popping sound. The contact exited and inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that upon attempting to resume driving, the steering wheel was uncontrollable, the suspension seemed to have failed... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
The steering requires different amounts of pressure to turn the wheels. The steering wheel is stiff in the center then breaks free making it hard to control. Mechanic says it needs a new steering gear ( rack and pinion). This car has less than 50k miles and after a google search this seems to be a common problem and some have been recalled but not mine, yet.
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to turn. The message "Drive with Care" was displayed. The traction control warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power train torque sensor needed to be repl... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2025
While driving the car i get a sticky steering sensation which requires additonal force to steer the vehicle. Also, while car is stationary and when i try to steer the vehicle completely left or right, i get the noise of clicking.
Incident date: Aug 3, 2025
the steering assist fails, Power and steering is reduced at driving speeds. Steering wheel locks and vehicle looses voltage and stalls while driving at low speeds and have been close to collision. Vehicle was inspected by Group One Gmc in el Paso Texas. They did not fix recall because it "did not pertain to my vin" . There is a recall for the steering assist on all gmc 2015 1500, but not for my g... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2025
Entire vehicle shakes/wobbles extremely uncontrollably going a speed around 65; have to slow to avoid an accident and put on hazards. Makes our heart stop not knowing what danger we have been put in when it occurs. Very scary and DANGEROUS to ourselves and others. Occurs with roadways involving dips, highways, ridges of bridges such as bumps or gaps, and/or differences in road, etc. This has occ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2024
Civic EX 4D bought new in 2016, Steering wheel is “sticking” seems to be a common issue on 10th gen Civic’s but is only recalled on 11th generation models. When driving straight at highway speed, steering wheel does not want to stay in the middle. Car has been aligned (twice) and has 4 new tires and it seems the issue is even MORE felt. The car does not PULL either side, it is just impossibl... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2025
After driving for over 30 minutes, the steering becomes sticky. When I try to make minor corrections to stay in the lane, the steering gets stuck, requiring a little extra force, resulting in a slight over correction. At high speeds this slight over correction is very dangerous. This happens on all extended drives. It happens at all speeds.
MERCURY
GRAND MARQUIS
(2005) - STEERING
Aug 3, 2025
Incident date: Sep 10, 2022
As I was parking my 2015 Ford Explorer Sport, a warning appeared on the instrument panel stating “Power Steering Assist Fault,” and the steering suddenly became so difficult that I was unable to move the vehicle. Although this has only happened once, I’m very concerned about the possibility of it occurring again—especially while driving on the highway. Losing the ability to steer could pu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2025
I bought this car from some stranger who doesn’t care about my shoulder pains driving a car with the steering wheel upside down these part stores & insurance companies get theirs can I please get what’s due to me so tired of the brakes making my steering wheel jerk & didn’t have any heat in a car I’ve spent my entire check on I really can’t believe this much over a faulty can I get some ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Intermittent Power Steering Faulire
Incident date: Jul 15, 2025
Loud clunking and creaking noise from front suspension when driving on uneven or bumpy road surfaces.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
The steering rack loses its lubrication make it turn harder and could potentially fail completely leading to a loss of steering. I noticed that when I am steering around a curve the steering wheel fails to pull back to the center position and has to be manually forced back. Loss of steering or steering malfunction could lead to a fatal crash. I have not had my vehicle inspected by a dealer or mech... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2025
The power steering suddenly stopped working while I was driving. The steering became extremely stiff and difficult to control. At one point, the power assist abruptly returned, causing the steering wheel to jerk, and I nearly hit a pedestrian. It was a frightening and extremely dangerous situation. Brought the car to my mechanic multiple times, but the issue kept coming back. After 3 times, I br... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2025
The steering is sticky and it is hard to keep the car in the lane requiring you to over correct. I have been told it is an issue with the steering rack and needs to be replaced. This repair is very expensive. This has been an issue for several years but I did not associate it with a problem until I started doing some research. No warning lights. My car has low mileage and has been maintained... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
The truck lost power steering due to the soldering on the star connecting being messed up. The truck also had 4x4 not available,as well as no brake assist in reverse due to the communication issue. The dealership had to replace the star connector due to soldering issue.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
At low speeds and at high speeds steering feels sticky not fluid. Sometimes it feels like I have to tug a bit to move the steering wheel. On a long trip this gets to be a nuisance and I feel it makes me overcorrect when steering.
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLA 250
(2021) - STEERING
Aug 2, 2025
Incident date: Aug 2, 2025
I was driving down the road and my power steering stopped working. I could have caused a crash because I could not turn the steering wheel, but I was able to pull over on the highway. There is a recall out for this problem but for some reason my dealership and Land Rover in Scarborough Maine have said my VIN# is not part of the recall #N642 and repair will cost me $4,600.00. My mechanic has looke... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
While stopped in traffic, the car started shifting from Drive to Neutral and Parking, the lights of the shifting wheel started blinking, and it was not possible to turn off the engine. After ~20 minutes, it stopped doing that and I was able to turn it off. 10 minutes later I started the engine and I was able to drive home but the steering wheel was very hard to move and the Check Engine light and ... Read more
POLESTAR
POLESTAR 2
(2023) - STEERING
Aug 1, 2025
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
While driving to work on a local road, I approached a red light where there were no vehicles immediately ahead. However, my vehicle unexpectedly steered off the road in front of a construction sign, entering a ditch. Despite my attempts to regain control of the steering and braking systems, I was unsuccessful. The vehicle subsequently stopped automatically on an incline. Fortunately, I avoided a ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
Electronic steering pulls hard to the left and is more difficult to turn right.
POLESTAR
POLESTAR 2
(2021) - STEERING
Aug 1, 2025
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
Sticky steering. At times, the steering wheel feels stuck, and it takes greater force to break the turn, causing a jerking motion. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
The vehicle randomly shuts off while driving dash goes black and then randomly starts back up or I have to put it in (n) to start it back up while Im at a free role i lose control of the power steering and braking this is a dangerous for myself my children and grand kids also others Im the road this is seriously gonna get someone hurt this issue should not be occurring this is very dangerous
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Just recently, my power steering started to fail when it’s in ‘S’ gear (I just started using it a few weeks ago). The steering wheel gets catchy and can be difficult to control, especially going around corners. It’s intermittent and it didn’t start until I started to use the ‘S’ gear. I had the power steering checked by a mechanic and they said it’s functioning properly. I do belie... Read more