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: Mar 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate or shift into gear. During the failure, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Previously, a... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
My vehicle became difficult to steer, similar to driving with all the tires low on air. I made an appointment with Proctor Honda. They determined the Electronic Power Steering Rack was sticking and replaced it with a 5320-TLB-A23 : G/BOX ASSY, EPS. Honda assured me this was not a recall issue. After paying the $4365.66 repair charge, I determined there was a Service Bulletin 23-037 issued for th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
Well known steering issue causing steering to almost "lock" and not return to center. Seemingly caused by lack of grease on the steering gear. Obviously dangerous for all involved as it is a steering problem.
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The vehicle has now been towed three times, completely shut down while driving three times, with the latest incident being especially dangerous-the car shut off while in drive, the brakes failed, and the steering wheel locked. My [XXX] child was in the car with me, and we were nearly hit by a semi-truck. It was a terrifying experience that could have been fatal. Not to mention when I was able to ... Read more
FIAT
124 SPIDER
(2017) - STEERING
May 1, 2025
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality while turning into the driveway. The contact was able to park the vehicle at the residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 ( Steering). The contact called the local dealer w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
Sticky steering wheel. It catches when beginning to turn(i.e. when changing lanes or turning corners). Right now, it doesn't keep me from continuing to turn, but issue is getting worse in terms of frequency of occurrence. It occurs every time I take the car out. Currently, the car has less than 14,000 miles on it. Problem has not been examined nor confirmed by dealer. There have been no warning... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) - STEERING
May 1, 2025
Incident date: May 1, 2025
My engine and all electrical components including power steering and power brakes and all dashboard electrical will fail while driving. It is becoming more frequent and has almost caused an accident on numerous occasions to the point of not being able to drive safely on the highway any longer so now I only stay on surface streets and can't use for any out of town work. I usually do all of my own v... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds and accelerating out of the neighborhood, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power, with the check engine and EPS warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel was sticking. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,955.
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2024) - STEERING
May 1, 2025
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel became temporarily firm and was difficult to turn while at the center position, causing the driver to turn the steering wheel with additional force, causing the vehicle to experience oversteer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) - STEERING
May 1, 2025
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
Steering damper has been replaced 4 times due to random starting of violent shaking when hitting a bump on the highway. When this shake occurs the vehicle is harder to control and entire vehicle shakes. It was replaced 4 times but they had 6 chances to permanently fix this issue. Some times they chose not to do any work on the car. Being as this makes the vehicle harder to control, hitting anothe... Read more
FORD
TRANSIT CONNECT
(2022) - STEERING
May 1, 2025
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
The button on the steering wheel get hot then fail to work this has happened several times i have complained to ford. The cruise control quits working and all the buttons for the dash menu quit working. I will be driving down the road with the cruise control on and all of a sudden it will quit working. Then it will just come back on like you never shut it off and when you least expect it. when thi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
Lost communication on ABS, traction control , 4wd service, vehicle put itself in auto park, steering wheel locked up and wasn't able to turn the steering wheel, dashboard lights flickering, try turning on vehicle but wasn't responding until a 3 minutes later , check engine light is still on but doesn't have any store messages on dashboard, I have a video of it.
Incident date: Apr 25, 2025
Electrical power steering system failed, warning light came on. Vehicle suddenly became very difficult to impossible to steer. Failed to negotiate a turn and nearly hit a tree. I have an appointment set with an independent service dealer near me, but I’m afraid to drive it there, so I may have it towed. The warning light came on just moments before the initial failure.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2025
I purchased the vehicle December 29 of 2020 and it was already stiff and difficult to drive. When driving above 20 mph the steering wheel gets stiff/ sticky and starts making clicking noises. It becomes harder to turn and remain in the lane. You have to jolt the steering wheel. There are no visible indications that there is an issue with the steering. Dealerships have conducted many multi point in... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
We have a big ign. Key that at times won't turn. Was informed by the dealer the mechanism is broke and it's a backordered item due to it being a common item . Failures of this part can cause the steering wheel to lock I have read
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
Steering assist reduced. It has been faulty for the past six months and auto pilot doesn’t work. Not repaired as the cost of repair is 5K.
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2015) - STEERING
Apr 30, 2025
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
With 652 miles the vehicle initially went to the Ford Dealership due to pulling to the right on a straightaway road. It’s been back to two different dealerships on four more occasions and the vehicle still pulls hard to the right. Ford engineers have looked at it and the problem can’t be fixed. The vehicle now has 4,000 miles on it.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering mod... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to complete a turn, the steering wheel seized, with the "Steering Assist Fault Detected" message displayed. The vehicle was restarted and returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to d... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
the electric power assist steering motor has stopped working. there was a recall for other similar models of the same car and same year that a recall was issued, but my car doesnt fall under the recall even though it has the same steering system and it has failed just like all the others.
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2024) - STEERING
Apr 30, 2025
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
Sticky steering wheel. Wheel will get stuck when making minor steering adjustments while driving. it’s sticky and jerky feeling when driving, causing to have to overcorrect left or right when making slight adjustments to center.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
I have continuous issues with my steering wheel with the turn signals failing to work. Because the buttons aren't physical buttons, more times than not, they are failing for me to be able to use the turn signal. This causes a major safety concern. I have mentioned it with a service ticket with Tesla, but they state there is no fix for this as of today.
Incident date: Feb 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the power steering, service stabili-trak, and the check engine warning lights illuminated, and the steering wheel seized briefly. The contact stated that shortly after the failure, the steering wheel unlocked, and the contact was able to continue driving safely. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the power steering became inoperable. The contact stated that the message to service the power steering was displayed. The contact stated that the check engine, service ESC, power steering failure, and service back over prevention camera warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an indepe... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
Since I leased the car, I have taken it to the dealers 4 different times for the steering wheel shaking out of control the first time the "fixed" it but turned me away the 2nd and 3rd time. Each time I requested the left mid speaker to be checked and replaced but they refused to do anything about it until my last oil change 2 months ago. Last year around November they fixed and oil leak, but the c... Read more
SPORTWORKS
APEX 3
(9999) - STEERING
Apr 30, 2025
Incident date: Jan 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds; the vehicle lost automotive power and the steering wheel was pulling to the left and was difficult to turn in either direction. No warning light was illuminated. An appointment with the local independent dealer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was no... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) - STEERING
Apr 30, 2025
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
After a recent regular tire rotation and balance, my vehicle steering felt shakier than normal. Had rotation and balance checked again, but problem continued. Thought an alignment might rectify the problem but was informed this was not needed. Went to my regular mechanic and did notice the steering vibration. Found that it had to do with the forward bushings, and provided me a copy of a service b... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2025
My vehicle stalled while driving on a busy highway & I had no option but to pull over, which left me & my family in a very dangerous position. Had to remove my daughter's wheelchair onto a tow truck as the vehicle had no power to use the hoist for her powerchair. Again, on the side of a busy road! Towed the vehicle to a GM dealership, who stated there was catastrophic engine failure & the engine h... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2024
Car purchased in Feb 2022. November 9, 2023 after a couple of previous complaints about the car riding rough, this time , after telling them the car jumps and throws into the next lane, it was diagnosed as having passenger rear leaking strut, front pinion seal leak, front driveshaft c/v joint torn and leaking grease. These were repaired under warranty. Dec 2024: had noise and had vibration felt th... Read more
MICHELIN
CROSS CLIMATE 2
(9999) - STEERING
Apr 30, 2025
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
My vehicle stalled while driving on a busy highway & I had no option but to pull over, which left me & my family in a very dangerous position. Had to remove my daughter's wheelchair onto a tow truck as the vehicle had no power to use the hoist for her powerchair. Again, on the side of a busy road! Towed the vehicle to a GM dealership, who stated there was catastrophic engine failure & the engine h... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated the steering wheel had seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while turning and almost caused a crash. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic steer... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
2010 F250 repeatably experienced violent shaking of the front wheels and steering at highway speeds (commonly referred to as "death wobble"). This shaking has been so violent that I had no control of the vehicle steering and had to abruptly brake and slow to a near stop in 75 mph traffic! Vehicle has 71K miles and has been very well maintained and garage kept (single owner). Substantial repairs... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was play in the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20E090000 (Steering, Suspension, Equipment). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was no... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2019
The power steering goes out. There is not warning light. The vehicle has been to several mechanic shops. They are able to reset the system and it works temporarily, but happens again. There were no warnings, or other symptoms. It happens out of the blue, and could potentially cause an accident.
Incident date: Apr 12, 2022
I have never had this issue before with this car. I started the car up to go to the store and saw all these lights on my dash. I keep my car maintained well. Tires, oil, tune up etc… and when I saw the lights on the dash it said service advance trac and steering loss stop safely with 2 other icons above it. So I didn’t know what that was so I sent to get power fluid not knowing it wasn’t a r... Read more
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2022) - STEERING
Apr 30, 2025
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The steering gets notchy when warm. The issue isn't as noticeable during colder month but when the weather warms it becomes very problematic. You have to fight the steering wheel back to center after moving left. The steering will not self center either. This is an accident hazard as someone who might be a new driver could panic or elderly may not have the strength to fight it back.
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
On April 16, 2025 I was driving home from work. I went to steer to the right around a turn and my steering wheel felt like it locked up making it very hard to navigate through the curve. My steering was very tight and it caused a very uneasy feeling like I was going to crash. I called my local Ram dealer and they weren't able to get me in till April 28th. In the meantime I had another car to driv... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2025
Steering and hand rest console vibrates above 70 mph, no resolution kia with 6 times visits to dealership
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2024) - STEERING
Apr 29, 2025
Incident date: Apr 24, 2025
As I was driving around a corner, the steering wheel got hard, very hard and it no longer worked
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
I bought the car in 7/23 at Auto Savvy Sta fe New Mexico, after 3-4 weeks the power steering wheel light on I called the dealer so they checked n then they said nothing is wrong so after that the lights . The car were 3 times at the dealer and the last time was there for 9 weeks. So they said they changed the steering column, the clock spring and the lights came back. So one time I lost the cont... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
My [XXX] daughter's 2024 Toyota Corolla stopped in the middle of the road and would not move. She received a message that said, "engine stopped steering power low". She called me in a panic and could not move the car out of traffic. I asked her to turn the car off and back on and it resolved the issue. This could cause a traffic fatality with loss of control of a car in traffic. INFORMATION... Read more
FLEETWOOD
DISCOVERY LXE
(2020) - STEERING
Apr 29, 2025
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
Electric portion of rack and pinion faults while driving causing loss of power steering Safety factor is loss of power steering Ford dealership has confirmed the issue and the truck only only has 37,000 miles
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
The CVT valve body was diagnosed as defective by the Subaru Dealership service department. The car was taken to the dcealership when the A/T OIL EMP, HILL ASSIST, ABS and TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITY CONTROL lights came up. The valve body is still available for inspection. The car was taken to the dealership for a Brake Light Switch recall that has the same simptoms.
Incident date: May 16, 2024
The EPS has failed. The steering wheel automatically turns to the left on its own which almost caused an accident and it is difficult to turn the steering wheel
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
While actively driving into an intersection, driving on the street and or stopped at a light or at a stop the vehicle will shut off, the lights on the dashboard will sometimes be on, other times go completely black, a notification pops up on the dashboard saying "engine not in P". There is no way I'm aware of to re create this action. My children's safety as well as mine has been put at significan... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2023) - STEERING
Apr 29, 2025
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
The power steering failed. The message display keeps indicating that there is a power steering system fault which results in a loss of my ability to steer the car, increasing the risk of being involved in a crash. The first time the message appeared was around the beginning of March. When I consulted the Owners Manual, it instructs the driver to stop the car, turn off the engine for at least ten... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to inform you of a recurring issue I am experiencing with the power steering in my 2022 Model X Plaid. This problem began on [XXX] and has progressively worsened. Initially, the power steering would function normally for approximately 30 minutes of driving. It would work fine when starting in the morning or when the car was cool. However, after driving about ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2025
Hello, This is [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] . This vehicle has a shorted steer sensor part#8t4z-3f818-a. If traction control button is not turned off at start up, the vehicle will slam on the brakes and jurk the steering wheel while going around a curve. I took the car to Crossroads Ford for diagnosis. They inspected and stated it needed the steering angle sensor. I payed them $377.90 for the part to be ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
Unknown but my car shakes and makes a loud grinding noise