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: Apr 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was pulling to the left or the right independently. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the recall repair failed to prevent the failure. Shortly after the recall repair was completed, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2023
I bought this 2022 Jetta new on August 2022. The dealership replaced brakes on their own on July 1, 2023. This was 11 months after I purchased the vehicle. Vehicle had 10, 900 miles on 7/1/2023. On August 26, 2024 I brought the vehicle to the dealership and reported issues with the breaking system. The service technician discovered worn-out pads and break rotors needed replacement. The servic... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started to pull to the left, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact felt a vibration in the steering wheel, and the vehicle pulling to the left or the right while driving downhill or on the highway. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2025
The vehicle is making a loud clunking noise in the steering column when driving down the road. It is veering all over the road and when I hit a bump it’s very bad. It’s difficult to keep in the lane. I brought it to my mechanic who said it was most likely the electronic steering motor assembly. He said he would not drive it in its current condition. Hyundai themselves said that it would be dan... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) - STEERING
Apr 3, 2025
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
Vehicle has front axle clicking sounds when turning right or left. It also makes clicking sounds when driving over bumps or entering driveways(uneven concrete surfaces). I brought it to a Nissan Dealership several times and they acknowledged the issue. However, they have not been able to resolve the issue.
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V840000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, an abnormal sound was coming from the front end of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Unexpectedly, The power steering went out on my 2020 Jaguar F-Type while driving. The power steering assistance reduced light came on in my dashboard. I'm being told by Hennessy Jaguar in Atlanta that even though my car has a little over 30k miles VIN # [XXX] , it's going to need a new Power Steering Rack. The cost for this repair is going to be over 6k. This is not acceptable, and this repair or ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Honda - In 2016 I purchased a new Honda Civic Tour model from a dealership and currently have 23000 miles (23K) recently the steering became a problem. I took it to the dealer where I purchased the vehicle and was advised that there was an issue known as "notching" where a gear component became defective. It was dangerous to drive and there was no options but to have it repaired. The repair cost n... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2022) - STEERING
Apr 3, 2025
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle became difficult to turn to the left or right. The contact stated that as a temporary repair, the vehicle was restarted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contac... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
It’s a sticky feelings when turning the wheel and a clicking noise.
MERCEDES-BENZ
C250
(2013) - STEERING
Apr 2, 2025
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
When I turn left or right from a complete stop it makes a clicking noise. I believe it is the CV joints. When backing the car randomly puts on the break with nothing around the rear of the vehicle.
Incident date: Mar 29, 2025
I am reporting multiple serious issues with my 2016 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0, which has only 30,000 miles. Despite the low mileage, the vehicle is experiencing major safety and quality problems. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) light stays on constantly, indicating a system failure. On startup, the car sometimes applies the brakes by itself, and there’s a loud noise like something is stuc... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2021) - STEERING
Apr 2, 2025
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
Axle or CV joint makes excessive clicking noise when turning right. Delaer has confirmed the issue. Parts have been backordered and no resolution for 2.5 months. Note, this problem appears to be reported by many other 2024 Prologue owners on the web.
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
The car developed "sticky steering". In a curve the steering would stick and then give way suddenly to continue the turn. The dealer said the electronic power steering rack was binding and it needed to be replaced. The safety issue was the sudden give to the steering which led to some overcorrection. When this problem was first identified in 2018 Honda recalled 54 cars which they said had a fa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
The steering is temporarily disabled when the vehicle is in the auto off/fuel saver mode. I had an approaching EMS vehicle that I was almost struck by because my vehicle was off due to that feature. The steering wheel was not responsive.
Incident date: Apr 2, 2025
Steering wheel sticks while driving down the interstate, having to use more force to turn wheel then have to over correct. There is already a recall on this issue just not for this VIN and it needs to be included
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
Car was working fine and had been parked. Then the next morning got ready to take my youngest to school. Started it up, and began backing out of the driveway and out of nowhere the service power steering now light comes on as well as the service trac light. My wheel locks up and I almost hit the neighbor opposite side of the street who was getting ready to take her kids to school because of the di... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2025
Issue Summary: The Chevy Volt has experienced recurring electrical problems, including the "Shift to Park" message, loss of power, and dead 12V battery. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership three times due to these issues. One incident involved a power loss while driving at 65 mph, which caused a near-miss with a semi-truck, posing a significant safety risk. Warranty Status: The additi... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2021) - STEERING
Apr 2, 2025
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
The steering wheel pulls the one side drastically when I drive over a bump or a crack/line on a road or highway. It’s quite scary and I’m afraid I could have an accident
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rack and steering assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hot... Read more
FORD
TRANSIT CONNECT
(2019) - STEERING
Apr 2, 2025
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the “Suspension Fault” error message displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V840000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amou... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2017) - STEERING
Apr 2, 2025
Incident date: Mar 17, 2025
Death Wobble on this vehicle. It shakes uncontrollably at higher speeds after hitting a bump in the road.
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla Hatchback. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering power low and the engine stop warning lights illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power in the middle of the road. The contact's infant child was an occupant in the vehicle at the time of the failure. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle was almost rear-en... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The contact owned a 2019 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle occasionally drifted to the left or right. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated while attempting to turn the steering wheel, excessive force was needed while turning the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel was stuck occasionally. No warning lights were illuminated.... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) - STEERING
Apr 2, 2025
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated there was corrosion on the passenger’s side front struts. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who declined the repair under Manufacturer Campaign ID: R1107 with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering, Suspension). The driver’s side front struts were repaired prior to the failure. ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
Steering damper is affected by a recall and i have not received the recall. Causes truck to abruptly jerk left or right causing a lif e threatening matter to everyone one the road
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
This is a follow up of an incident reported on 3/30/2025, after the vehicle was driven approximately 30 miles in the rain, then stopped for 5 to 10 minutes idling with windshield wipers on intermittent setting. Engine began to shudder, engine rpms increased/decreased erratically as the engine shook. The vehicle was turned off. After approximately 5 minutes, restarted vehicle and engine again ran... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was loose and had no resistance. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering shaft had fallen out of the lower steering column. The mech... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE L
(2021) - STEERING
Apr 2, 2025
Incident date: Apr 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became significantly difficult to turn. No warning light was illuminated. An unknown local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
Upon startup, power steering service needed, no AEB, no lane departure warning available. Power steering does not work.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
1) power steering module failed resulting in steering failing on highway. Car is not available for inspection due to being totaled. Issue was a known service bulletin by Audi however new owners had no way to know it was a life threatening issue. 2) The car lost control when power module failed, steering wheel locked up. 3) Yes 4) insurance and the dealership. The dealership refused to cover it ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
If im driving at normal rate of speed while on highway the steering becomes very loose and sticky when adjusting steering. The passenger wheel will feel like it wobbles on its camber axis or will act like a shopping cart wheel. At times changing direction of vehicle entirely. At that time suspension will feel really spongy.
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
Steering suddenly became hard to turn the wheel. Felt kind of jumpy.
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER
(2015) - STEERING
Apr 1, 2025
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
I can't control the car properly, because I need to turn the car too much, this is due to the pending market recall and the dealer doesn't fix the problem., they just give excuses, and it's been 5 months and fix the problem.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V840000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact ha... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2020) - STEERING
Apr 1, 2025
Incident date: Mar 19, 2025
The power steering on my 2008 Mazda 3 went out. I took it to a mechanic shop who diagnosed the power steering pump is creating pressure that is getting to the rack and pinion and the fluid is just bouncing off of the rack and pinion and the computer system does not know how to function, so the power steering is not working.
FORD
ESCAPE PHEV
(2022) - STEERING
Apr 1, 2025
Incident date: Mar 29, 2025
When driving down the highway the steering sometimes sticks or locks slightly. This is mainly when driving straight and doing a slight turn or correction. Alignment and balance are fine on the car. There are no warning lights. This is an intermittent problem and only occurs occasionally. I cant always duplicate. It has not been diagnosed by a mechanic yet as it is intermittent and it only occurs o... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2025
Steering sticks at highway speeds, particularly around curves. While driving on the highway I noticed around curves that instead of the steering wheel straightening out on it's own (or with very minimal effort) the steering would stick and I had to force it out of that stick. It was very alarming at first and frankly terrifying with how badly it was stuck. I did have the lane keep assist on so I t... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle several times, the power steering became operable. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. The dealer was notified of the fa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the stabili-trak system warning light illuminated. The stabili-trak not functioning, the engine, and steering was reduced. The vehicle was violently shaking and rumbling while driving. The information screen went black while driving. Intermittently, the rear driver's side window was inoperable. The service t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the messages "Reduced Steering Assist”, "Check Engine” and "Service ESC" warning lights were displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact drove the... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while reversing into a parking space at 2 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel became significantly difficult to turn. The contact could not recall whether a warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to Tire Kingdom, where it was diagnosed. The m... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2025
Hi I keep needed a oil change on this vehicle please have Kia to check why thanks and I sometimes smell oil out of no where thanks [XXX] [XXX] and I have had serval oil changes at Walmart only since I got the vehicle from carmax INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2023) - STEERING
Apr 1, 2025
Incident date: Mar 15, 2025
Steering assist reduction from coolant temperature reading malfunction. Power steering reduction risking potential loss of control of vehicle. Code confirmed by Chevy dealer.
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
Just purchased the sedan and took it to a shop to get checked Reason for the doing was because vehicle felt a lil rough after getting the vehicle checked they came to the conclusion that the motor had seized
Incident date: Mar 29, 2025
Lost control of steering. Was extremely hard to contor vehicle. Put me at great risk of accident.
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2022) - STEERING
Mar 31, 2025
Incident date: Mar 30, 2025
I was driving and electric steering went out and almost crashed few to no way you can steer it cause front end damage
Incident date: Mar 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The service steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failur... Read more