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: Feb 1, 2024
While sitting idle in the parking lot at work, I suddenly got a "engine off steering power low" warning on my vehicle. The check engine and power steering warning lights came on. I could no longer operate the vehicle. When trying to restart the vehicle, it started up but the entire vehicle began shaking and the engine shut off again. I have researched this problem on Toyota and Rav4 forums online,... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-350. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that there was fluid leaking from the front axle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the axle seal and barrier failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2024
Vehicle start up diagnostics show multiple failures, including ABS, e-steering, emergency braking, adaptive speed control. Dealership found a problem with the right rear ABS sensor. The sensor wire harness was severed. The harness showed damage in multiple places (see photos). Besides being severed, it showed another deep cut and a place where the outer plastic sheath was cut away. The loss of ABS... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
My truck wobbles out of control when I drive it above 40mph. It shakes uncontrollably. Nothing is wrong with it according to mechanics. I believe it's realated to the death wobble, many reports I have seen on tv regarding this matter on Ford trucks.
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
I've called American Honda's Customer Support, along with my local dealer in Arlington, VA, (Safford Brown), where I purchased the vehicle, numerous times since early November. Each time I call, I am simply told that the parts for the repair are not available and they don't know when they will be available.
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
My trancontrol started to run hot,and the vehicle started to jerk when it in motion and My driver shaft went bad and the transfer case assembly went outthe jeep compass is broken down
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. There was no warning light illuminated. A dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. T... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering control module (PSCM) had failed and ne... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2024
Experiencing intermittent loss of power steering making it difficult to turn or maneuver the vehicle, which is more prevalent during colder temperatures. A safety issue is created by the inability to react quickly or control the vehicle in certain situations, such as icy or snowy road conditions where loss of traction occurs. A diagnostic scan has been performed and a code was recorded for a short... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2018) - STEERING
Dec 17, 2024
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2025 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (STEERING); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aw... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2024
front skid plate rusted and corroded. fame rusted and corroded.suspension parts rusted and corroded.hole in fame.called Toyota of America in Texas told agent what the problem was.he told me no reports at this time on this make.also told me no solutions for this at this time.toyota had this problem with their Tacomas they settle lawsuits and made free repairs.12
Incident date: Feb 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became sticky while turning. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering gearbox was defective and was provided an estimate for the repair. The contact was then referred to th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2024
Any switch on the right side of the steering wheel - Up/down/Left/Right/Center switches not functioning or intermittently functioning. It is available for inspection upon request As the buttons are not warning, any signs or anything which comes on the center display cannot be removed or moved The vehicle or component has not been inspected but the technical journal (REF NO: TJ 32033.5.0) for the s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2025 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, there was an abnormal sound before the vehicle stalled. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering). The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The dealer informed the contact that someone would call t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
The steering is "sticky" leading to ever-changing steering effort. At times, so much force has to be applied that overcorrection occurs. It decreases the safety margin when driving and applying corrective steering to prevent lane departure or collision. Luckily, I have not had any accidents occur yet. Still, I can easily imagine that it contributes to a collision if and when the margin for an acc... Read more
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID
(2021) - STEERING
Dec 17, 2024
Incident date: Nov 4, 2024
experiencing total power steering loss, and intermittent loss of power steering
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
ALL WHEEL DRIVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING IN ICY/SNOWY CONDITION. CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. WARNING MESSAGE: Driver display indicates, "ALL wheel drive module faulty, driver assist not available. Service required!" and an orange wrench displayed >>There is already a bulletin on this issue for 2020 Ford Escapes CSB21B19, April 2021, however our VIN was not included in bulletin. >> We took the... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2019) - STEERING
Dec 17, 2024
Incident date: Dec 11, 2024
Driving home from work 7/1/2024 approx 5:15PM Smelled burning smell, no noise or dash lights, thought it was another car. 1 minute later, heard a thump from under hood and "Charging System Failure" came on dash. Decided to take to Chevy dealer, which was 5 minutes away. Within next 2 minutes steering failed. As I came to next intersection, brakes failed, went thorough red light, luckily not hit by... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
We purchased our Honda in 2022. Within three months the lane departure system was failing. The wheel was jerky and at times difficult to correct. This occurred while staying in lane and not close to lines on the road. We took it in they identified the issue and replaced it. Within nine months it failed again. This time even worse. They identified it was the same issue. This was December of 2023. O... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2024
While driving, I experienced abnormal steering control. I am not sure if it’s a mechanical or electronic issue. The vehicle was towed to a local towing facility. I have reported the issue to Tesla but have not received a response regarding an inspection or next steps. This could be a potential safety issue.
Incident date: Oct 7, 2024
My vehicle is undrivable. Multiple times per trip the check engine light comes on and I see multiple messages come on the driver information center. These are: Service ESC Reduced Power Service Adaptive Steering System The codes that come up are: P0089 for low fuel pressure P00C6 This results in an immediate speed reduction nearly causing multiple collisions with people following me on the h... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The contact stated when the vehicle was driven over a pothole and the steering wheel shook erratically. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
(2017) - STEERING
Dec 16, 2024
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 failure. Parts distribution... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2022) - STEERING
Dec 16, 2024
Incident date: Dec 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to control. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehic... Read more
TOYOTA
RAV4 HYBRID
(2021) - STEERING
Dec 16, 2024
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
Power steering (EPAS) has failed with no explanation
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
The dash lit up with all lights and it said SOS Power STEERING is out. I could not turn the wheel. The lights such as my miles was blinking, the seat belt was flashing along with dinging even though my seat belt was on. There has been recalls due to power steering issues but my car isn't on there. It put me and my son at risk for a terrible accident. I have taken it to a dealership. Th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2025 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was mad... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS CROSS SPORT
(2023) - STEERING
Dec 16, 2024
Incident date: Apr 16, 2024
The steering wheel locked up and it caused the car to hit a concrete barrier.
Crash
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
Warning light on dash (power steering) I had no power steering at all !thank God I was at a Drive Thur at that moment . Took car to my mechanic(Steve Brook)Family Auto 26937 Eckel Rd. Perrysburg Ohio 43551 419-931-1900 they diagnosed power steering needs to be replaced and they looked up recall on 2008 Chevy Malibu’s so I called around and I’m getting no where on a recall on this but when l... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
The vehicles steering stopped working with no warning and a Steering Assist Fault alert came on the dashboard.
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
I have recently starting to experience my vehicle having power steering issues. This has caused the power steering to go out as I'm drive which has almost caused me to be involved in multiple accidents. I did some research online and found out that this is an ongoing issue with my vehicles make and model. I am hoping that this being a KNOWN issue with this year and model of vehicle it gets put on ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2024
Hello, I would like to report that someone attempted to steal my 2010 Kia Soul. The incident occurred on [XXX], in San Jose, CA 95111. As a result of the attempted theft, there is damage to the car’s steering wheel and ignition. Please let me know if additional information or documentation is needed to assist with this report. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (F... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle while turning right or left. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, a diagnostic result was not provided. The independent mechanic made the contact aware of an undisclosed recall however, ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
Driving at the speed limit 65-70 miles ph my truck started to slow in speed the tire sensor came on then the truck began to smoke and the brakes locked up at a high speed, lucky for me there was no one behind me. I was able to limp to a safe spot and park the truck would not MOVE at all..After an hour I tried to move it again it would not go into drive. Had to tow it to the dealership..$$$$ late... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
The contact's grandfather owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the power steering assist had failed to operate with the "Power Steering Assist Fault" message displayed. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was provided with the cost for the diagnostic test. The contact declined to pay for a diagnosti... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering was vibrating and jiggling. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loosened near the gear housing. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
The contact owned a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while his son was driving approximately 25-35 MPH, the steering function failed, and the vehicle veered to the right. The driver attempted to turn to the left, but the steering was inoperable. The vehicle went over a curb and crashed into two mailboxes. There were no reported injuries or fires. The air bag warning was illuminated, but th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 14, 2024
The contact's husband owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became firm. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer on several occasions; however, the dealer was initially unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact was info... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2024
Intermittent Power Steering Malfunction while driving causing car to violently "self-steer". Vehicle is NOT equipped with adaptive cruise control or lane assist features. Loss of control while driving become intermittently high risk having to clutch the steering wheel and counteract undesired vehicle self-steering forces to avoid hitting other cars on the road. No other vehicles or other prop... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2023
I was driving on the highway when the touchscreen lit up with multiple error messages including: - Steering assist reduced (Steering may require increased effort) - Traction control disabled (Drive with caution) - Stability control disabled (Drive with caution) - Parking brake functions degraded (Parking brake may not apply or release) - Lane Departure Avoidance features unavailable (Features may... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2023
The contact owned a 2000 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized, with the steering column warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and became aware that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for ass... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2024
with lane-keep assist /lane-centering enabled, the steering will try to straighten the car while turning. experienced this during on-ramp and off-ramp of highway. this is super dangerous. even experienced it at low speed in the neighborhood. steering wheel will fight me during turn and disengage for brief second - this is very disconcerting while making a turn. even with lane-keep assist disabled... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
For almost 8 months, the electrical system experiences complete malfuncation. First it was stabilitrac lighting up, the steering wheel would jerk out of my hands. To issue to mechanic where ground wire under passenger side was cleaned and re-installed. This seemed only a temporary fix. As of today, the 2014 Silverado 1500 LT is experiencing flickering dash lights, surging and dropping voltage (bat... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 failure. Parts distribution... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
My traction control light, ABS sensor light and brake indicator dash are on. My cruise control does not work and sometimes the car will not start. I'm afraid to drive it. Thinking that it may turn off while driving it. My mechanic says that it is the ABS Control Module. There is a recall for this part, but not for my vin number. A number of Dodge owners I know are having this same issue.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
I recently purchased this car, on [XXX] I had an issue with a "power steering assist default" I noticed that there was an outstanding recall for this issue and took it to Bill Collins ford in Louisville Ky for the recall repair, I picked the vehicle up and the next day I had the same alert on the dash with no power assist steering, I called the service writer Hunter at Bill Collins ford and was to... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2024
The JEEP was taken to the dealership for the steering recall, but upon return, the same issue still exists. Once the JEEP hits EXACTLY 51 MPH (does not happen at 49), the steering wheel starts to heavily vibrate making the JEEP UNDRIVABLE and UNSAFE. Upon contacting the HW HUNTER JEEP DEALER, and explaining that the issue still exists, they provided NO HELP and said that was all they could do. S... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
I was driving to the mailbox today and the car revved forward and the steering became hard to control and steer. This is the second incident. When I originally reported to the Supervisong Service agent at my Honda of Katy, Mr. John Kasimoff, he dismissed it since the "check engine light" did not turn off. He and the staff at Honda of Katy discouraged me from bringing in the car. I am afraid to dr... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
I bought Nissan Rogue 2017 in 2021, but I have been having issues with tires, even though i had pump it and went to repair the tire many times, I received a notice for key recall in 2023, I went for to Evan Mills Nissan dealer in March 2023, They just straighten the key, that I should not bend the key, and I have been having issues with car engine light, ABS and Malfunction's, I have, this car had... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
The transmission stops switching gears after going 70 mph on the highway no acceleration was possible Just stopped working. I had my kids with me I had a tractor trailer behind me and in front of me and beside me on a very busy highway going 70 mph and the transmission just stopped working no gas was it was just redlining when it was supposed to be accelerating no gears were reached I had to thro... Read more