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: Jul 1, 2025
The steering at highway speeds doesn't allow for small corrections. If you move the steering wheel slightly nothing happens , then it suddenly “grabs” causing overcorrection then , you get it back to center but then it “grabs” too much in the other direction. Taking the car to dealer tomorrow for inspection. Something wrong with the steering rack cpuld cause big problems.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
My 2025 GMC Denali EV has experienced repeated safety-critical issues, including severe torque pull under acceleration, making it difficult to maintain safe lane position and compromising steering control. This behavior persists even after inspection and is documented on video. The vehicle has also had repeated service brake assist faults, including one critical failure at under 6,000 miles and a... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2019) - STEERING
Jul 1, 2025
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the power steering failed to function as intended and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact called a friend to drive the vehicle to the residence. The c... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
When driving at highway speeds, steering feels like it is stuck in particular position. Especially while navigating a slight left turn. Needing to use additional force to bring the steering back to center
Incident date: May 30, 2025
After doing multiple search online came across multiple user complaints about new Tesla model y juniper 2026 Lr awd you can feel vibration from steering wheel at highway speeds it is really specific at 80mph this is not a normal behavior especially vibrations took it to the service center and was told it was the wheels are not balanced properly so they fixed it apparently but is still doing it. I ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
We were driving down the interstate and my truck went into limp mode. This almost caused an accident. We were able to get off the road and into a parking lot but the whole truck locked up. The dash started saying "Service Throttle Positioning System" and the gear shift locked into park. The truck got stuck in first gear and I was able to get out of the way before we were rear ended. We had the tru... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2025
The contact owned a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the contact's son was driving at 20 MPH, the contact's son noticed an unusual sound. The steering wheel did not turn in the intended direction. No warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the steering wheel was detached and loose. The vehicle crashed into a nearby tree. The contact's son did not sustain any injuries. In addi... Read more
Crash
OLDSMOBILE
INTRIGUE
(2002) - STEERING
Jul 1, 2025
Incident date: May 19, 2025
This is a current recall for the 2023 CRV but my 2022 CRV is having the same issue of sticking when I turn left. This needs to be a recall issue.
KAWASAKI
NINJA ZX-6R
(2024) - STEERING
Jul 1, 2025
Incident date: Jun 9, 2025
While driving approximately 35 MPH and exiting the highway, the brakes locked up and the power steering became inoperable. The steering wheel was difficult to turn. The power steering, low brake speed, and Lane Keep Assist warning lights were illuminated. The message “Do Not Drive Vehicle – See Dealer” was displayed. If a vehicle had been behind me it definitely would have hit me. I got to a... Read more
HONDA
ACCORD HYBRID
(2017) - STEERING
Jul 1, 2025
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The power steering unit failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic power steering rack. The contact was informed that the electronic power steering rack needed ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
almost had an accident do you to the Jeep 2020 gladiator going haywire steering wheel got hard like you had no power steering luckily I was going 45 miles an hour wipers went crazy the shifter went into parking luckily my wife my son and myself we're OK no accident had towed to my house replaced both batteries auxiliary and main battery still nothing replaced can bus it says it does not have conn... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the buttons on the steering wheel failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that while at a gas station, attempting to start the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal, the ABS failure warning light illuminated. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2025
Our steering has started to be “sticky” and needing over correction for over a year now. It is progressively getting more prominent and is worse when driving on the highway (causing swerving). There is currently a recall for Hondas with this problem, but only from 2022-2025. Mine is a 2016 Honda civic and many others have the same problem with older models and needing to pay $4000+ to get it r... Read more
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY
(2019) - STEERING
Jul 1, 2025
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
I have been reading many similar steering defects on the Honda CRV. The problem is the steering wheel sticking when trying to maintain the Honda on a straight path. The steering is not fluid! Calling the dealership the first time ,I was told ,rather rudely that it was probably the rack and pinion steering gearbox. They also said it was going to cost north of $5,000.00. After exhausted research of ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel felt like it was sticking. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Th... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel momentarily became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the electronic power steering unit was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
As this car was being driven by my mother, she was going approximately 40 mph around a turn on a road she drives every day and for now reason the car starting saying she had been in a crash, the steering stopped working and the brakes locked and she was no longer in the car. She was able to manuever it into a ditch, which fortunately wasn't very deep to avoid any other cars. We took this to the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2025
Driving at 40-65mph vehicle begins to shake violently, known as the death wobble. Extremely unsafe to be on the road. Transmission gets stuck in 3rd gear, hard shifts and does not respond when shifting to reverse. Mileage is 69110 but has been an issue since about 27000. Unfortunately I have no money to take to a mechanic. Very disappointed in Jeep will not be purchasing Jeeps in the near future.
HYUNDAI
ELANTRA GT
(2019) - STEERING
Jul 1, 2025
Incident date: Jun 23, 2025
Clunking noise coming from rear possible tow link, clicking noise coming from steering even when vehicle not moving
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
Electric Power Steering Motor Attaching Bolts Corrode (NHTSA 19V-632, OEM 19S26): Corrosion of bolts in the electric power steering system can lead to loss of power steering assist in 2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles in certain states. Dealers will replace bolts and apply a sealant, or install a new steering gear.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2008) - STEERING
Jun 30, 2025
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
STATEMENT OF FACTS 1.I am the registered owner of a 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (VIN: [XXX]), purchased for approximately $75,000 USD, inclusive of all taxes and registration, in cash. 2.I have been driving different cars for over 25 years and have owned multiple vehicles. This Jeep Wrangler is the most expensive vehicle I have ever owned, and the only one to cause severe safety issues for me and m... Read more
POLESTAR
POLESTAR 2
(2021) - STEERING
Jun 30, 2025
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
While driving the vehicle in early February, I experienced a severe stability issue that caused the vehicle to nearly roll over while turning. The vehicle has since developed extreme wobbling, bouncing from left to right, especially when braking or turning. A loud crackling noise is present when making right turns. These symptoms are visibly apparent from outside the vehicle and severely affect st... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle was still drivable. The contact stated that the “Service Power Steering Now” warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to reset the vehicle and the message was displayed on the instrumen... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2021) - STEERING
Jun 30, 2025
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
My truck started to skid as I was making a left turn. I wasn't going fast enough to skid. I then noticed the idiot light was on so I took it in for an estimate. I was told that the truck needed a power steering rack and the cost would be around $3000.00 I arranged for the repair. Truck mileage was 101051.
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was very loose. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact was forced to grip the steering wheel with force with the front of the vehicle abnormally shaking. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the shaking of the front of the vehicle increased. There were ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the message “Power Steering Failure” was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also stated that a handheld diagnostic reader retrieved DTC: U3000, 49-48, U300096C8, and BID2368-48. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was appr... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2025
Well i bought this Brand New car from HONDA PLANET in NJ UNION 2024 August have been have this issues with axles making clicking noises also when Stopping Suddenly in Reverse this is not normal have been taken to the dealership since i bought this car and its getting crazy for me for my comfort because i bought this car for my comfort use not to be feeling uncomfortable and not safe driving this c... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
When turning the steering wheel at 25 mph or higher there is sometimes a clicking sound from the steering wheel like something is getting caught in the wheel when it turns, the dealer was unable to find the cause but tightened some loose bolts sating that may be the cause, it wasn't.
Incident date: May 22, 2025
The vehicle is unsafe to driver and others on the road. The power steering hose has had a leak since it was manufactured and was not fixed by the manufacturer at all! Tie rods gave away within 5 years of a mileage less than 24,200 miles. Cv joints along with tie rods have been easily compromised and damaged causing loss of control and steering .suspensions are no longer in tact nor reliable and w... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal beeping sound coming the instrument panel three times and the steering wheel unexpectedly became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The con... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2024) - STEERING
Jun 30, 2025
Incident date: Mar 27, 2024
my power steering randomly go out while driving the vehicle
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2024) - STEERING
Jun 30, 2025
Incident date: Mar 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to complete a left turn, the contact briefly heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle, after which the steering wheel jerked abnormally. The vehicle quickly returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights we... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2025
The Power Steering Rack/Gearbox has been determined to be faulty and needs to be replaced. It will keep getting harder to steer. The dealership said that another had recently been replaced. There has not been any inspection by Honda, only the dealership who diagnosed the issue. There has been a recall of later models by Honda. October 9, 2024 — TORRANCE, Calif. Approximately 1.7 million Honda... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the failure was self-corrected; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering gears needed to be ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The failure had occurred on several occasions. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2025
The horn being a button is a safety hazard, and Tesla should replace it at no cost. On many occasions my steering wheel was upside down and I had to press the horn button and couldn’t find it. I expressed my concerns to Tesla and they said I have to pay to get the steering wheel with the horn in the center.
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated abnormally while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken for an alignment; however, after driving for five miles, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vibration had become progressively worse. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-350. The contact stated that on three occasions while driving approximately 60 MPH, the front end of the vehicle started to wobble violently. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle decelerated below 30 MPH, the wobbling ceased. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact’s wife observed an unknow... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2025
On [XXX] I headed out for an event. I had been driving for 8 minutes when I lost the ability to steer, the Brake, TSA, and Steering system warning lights flashed on the dashboard and I immediately turned onto a side street. One message stated to contact dealership immediately, DO NOT DRIVE. The car was towed to Mungenast St Louis Acura. It was scheduled for service on Monday, June 23, already,... Read more
HONDA
ACCORD HYBRID
(2023) - STEERING
Jun 30, 2025
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
The right front suspension upper knuckle joint cracked. The left knuckle didn't crack, but was not in good working order.
KAWASAKI
NINJA ZX-6R
(2024) - STEERING
Jun 30, 2025
Incident date: May 30, 2025
After driving about 4 hours on the highway, I noticed my steering wheel started to stick if I turned it to the left at all, and there was a groaning sound coming from the wheel well. Steering issues could directly affect my safety and those around me on the road. I took it into Honda, and they said it was my steering gear box, and that it needed to be replaced. It seems there was a recall associat... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who discovered that the catalytic convertor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The mechanic also inspected the vehicle and determined that the steering rack, front struts, and suspension control arms were also ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while attempting to make a left turn, the front and rear end of the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that neither a dealer nor an independent was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an undisclosed T... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel seized. The message "Check Power Steering" was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was n... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel felt loose and was wobbling abnormally. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Incident date: Jun 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the contact was informed that the power steering was defective however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-60 MPH, the “Power Steering Failure” warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver before the steering wheel seiz... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
The steering is binding up when turning and there is a clicking noise. I notice this a low speeds. Local mechanic inspected all suspension and drive train parts and said everything looked ok. He did not check the steering. I see this recall for later year models: The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to diff... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2025
My truck's electric power steering is failing and should be added to the current investigation RQ 23-003. I am hopeful that you will make a decision to order FCA to replace, at no charge, all of the affected electric power steering units on Ram 1500 trucks, including mine.
Incident date: Jun 29, 2025
When driving straight, the wheel gets stuck and requires some force to become unstuck which then causes the wheel to jerk in the direction you are turning. This results in over steering and is very dangerous. I have found many complaints about this online after looking for solutions.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
On 6/19/2025 while driving on both residential and highway I noticed extremely sloppy/sticky steering wheel and did not feel safe while driving. The temperature was in the high 80's. I had not noticed anything like this before. Today is 6/29/2025 and I have been to the dealership I bought my CRV vehicle from 3 times relating to the steering for substantial visits on 6/20, 6/24 and 6/26. They were ... Read more