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 2, 2026
The steering is often "notchy", especially in warmer weather. When trying to make small steering adjustments while driving the wheel will resist changes until turned hard enough that it jerks suddenly. This issue makes driving in a lane next to another car uncomfortable as the driver is never confident that the wheel will actually turn, especially on the highway or at high speeds. The issue on ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2023
The vehicle experiences intermittent power steering malfunction while driving. Warning messages including “Power Steering Malfunction” and “Low Voltage Abnormality” appear, and the steering wheel becomes stiff and difficult to turn. This has occurred multiple times during normal driving conditions, including at low speeds and while turning. When the issue occurs, it requires increased eff... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2026
The steering gear went out causing the steering wheel to completely lock up. It’s costing thousands of dollars to repair. Not sure why this recall isn’t associated with my VIN number but other 2016 ford fusions. My car is in the shop now to be fixed and was quoted over 3k$
Incident date: Mar 30, 2026
Vehicle has a major problem steering down the road as I am traveling, its also makes loud clicks while turning left or right, also if freezing up and getting stiff along the way, The item that's causing this problem is call EPS , my light will not go out on its own, My local dealership will not honor the warranty or the recall stated it was repair ed I am the 2 or 3 owner of said vehicle, I c... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2026
The steering wheel clunks and locks when turning at low speeds or when ISG turns the car back on. At times, it is a hard enough jerk to pull it out of my hands. It was taken to the dealership multiple times. The coupler was replaced, but it still jerked the steering wheel. The dealership in Utah could not replicate the sound, even though it occurs multiple times a day at this point. Loss of the ab... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
CLA 250 4MATIC
(2020) - STEERING
Mar 30, 2026
Incident date: Mar 30, 2026
Per Acura service bulletin 23-022, Dated June 9th 2023, Acura extended a warranty on the rear steering actuators that were admitted to be “manufacturer error” parts, to extend 10 years from purchase date. In my opinion any part that is known to have manufacturer defects that effect the primary Rear wheel drive system that effects almost all safety systems on the vehicle to include limp mode on... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2026
The vehicle intermittently displays a “Steering lock faulty, stop!” warning and fails to start. When this occurs, the vehicle cannot be operated at all. This issue has occurred multiple times within a short period and has persisted despite prior repair attempts by authorized Volkswagen dealerships. The failure of the steering lock system prevents the vehicle from starting, creating a safety ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2026
There's a recall on the knuckle. An independent shop verified the damaged and the vehicle is not safe to drive. The dealership said the parts haven't came yet. Confirmed cracked front suspension knuckle under recall D019. Manufacturer cannot provide parts for over 4 months. Vehicle may be unsafe to drive.
Incident date: Mar 30, 2026
i have a 2019 chevy traverse i bouth it 2020 /9/11 2020 i have had problems scense then i right now havb to buy a transmission GMC had me to take it to a chevy dealer and ask for some coast asistant they would not so they baclk out now i am about to sue
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
My shifter doesn't recognize that its in park and won't let me remove my keys. It gets stuck on ACC and I can't turn my key/ignition to the off position. And for the 3rd time it's like popped outta gear. I bought it used. This started 2 months ago but for the 10 days its continually gotten worse. 8 outta 10 times I go to put it in park and I can't get key out. I haven't had it inspected or look... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2026
The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power steering while in operation, creating a safety concern due to reduced ability to control the vehicle. At the time of failure, multiple electrical and control module faults were present. The vehicle was inspected by a dealership, which diagnosed the issue as requiring rack and pinion replacement. The owner paid out of pocket for this repair. Dealershi... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 3500
(2024) - STEERING
Mar 30, 2026
Incident date: Feb 21, 2025
Continuously experiencing sticky steering when making turns and curves/bends on the road. Have to use a lot more force to get the steering wheel back to the initial position or a safe position.
Incident date: Mar 30, 2026
While driving under normal conditions, without any prior impact, collision, or road hazard, the control arm on my vehicle suddenly detached. This occurred during active driving and caused an immediate loss of vehicle stability and control. The failure happened without warning and posed a serious safety risk. At the time of the incident, my children were in the vehicle, which significantly increa... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
All the sudden, the power steering stopped working as I was backing out of my parking spot at the grocery store. Luckily, I stopped before anything bad happened. I literally couldn't turn the steering wheel at all. I put the car in park, turned it off and turned it back on a couple of times and it started working. This happened maybe 3 or 4 times over maybe 2-4 months or so. It finally happened on... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
At 31,000 mile my horn is no longer working along with my steering wheel controls on the left side of the wheel. Upon researching online it seems these truck have a common issue with clock spring fail. This is concerning because not only does the clock spring provide power to the horn and steering wheel controls, it could also effect the airbag function.
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2019) - STEERING
Mar 30, 2026
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
Steering is sticking at speeds over 30 mph when turning wheel left, have to kind of force wheel back to 12 o'clock position or else the car will keep turning. Driving on highways where little adjustments are needed while driving requires me to almost have to jerk the wheel to keep the car straight. This is unsafe and makes my car scary to drive. Started around 45k miles
Incident date: Mar 11, 2022
While driving the 2024 Mazda CX-90 and making turns the steering wheel become difficult to straighten/reduce deflection from the turned position. This has caused the vehicle to depart from our lane in traffic on the freeway multiple times. This has caused safety risk for ourselves with traffic barriers as well as with vehicles in other lanes. It is possible to over power the “sticking point” h... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2016) - STEERING
Mar 30, 2026
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
Belt Starter Generator failure rendered car undrivable -- power steering failed while in motion. Issue is subject to Class Action Settlement in USDistrict Court, Case # 3:23-cv-02291-RK-RLS. But this should have been a recall because of danger of Injury or Death. A recall would provide notice that the notice of settlement failed to provide. This failure happened to me on March 29, 2026. De... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
For approx. the last 12-18 months, I have experienced "sticky steering" during every drive. The "sticky" feeling becoming worse as the speed of the vehicle increases. There is a recall on 2023-25 CR-V EPS Grbx Greasing Saf Rec, but not on 2019 Honda CR-V's. I took my CR-V to the Honda dealer who was able to experience the steering issue of our CRV and was quoted $3,987.65 for the repair plus $1... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
Transmission is now not shifting out of park and this is after having issues with the engine allowing coolant to get in and causing damage with the cylinders. Would not pass the pressure test. When calling ford customer service and headquarters telling me there is no way they can help with good will. Find this troublesome when they already know the EcoBoost causing issues to the car and my car is ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while making a left turn out of the driveway, there was a clunking sound coming from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to steer or turn properly. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not yet diagnosed; however, the tow truck driver stated that the ball joint of the upper control arm on the passenger’... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2026
Driving at highway speed (65-70mph) on curve with slight road surface deviation experienced the infamous "Death Wobble". Slowed to 45-50 mph before vehicle steering returned to normal. The steering dampener was previously replaced to fix the first time this happened. Apparently this is not a fox.
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
I was driving home and and out of no where my power steering went out, good thing I was driving slow and that no other cars was heading toward me, it was very difficult to keep my truck in my lane. I did get a warning light stating no power steering, I stop the truck when I got home and restarted it and the problem went away? (So did the warning light) I looked into this issue online and ther... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
Steering wheel sticks when driving straight. I have to jerk the wheel to get it loose to make minor adjustments on steering. Similar issue reported with new models that were recalled but no recall has been made for 2018 vehicles. There are a lot of other reports of this in 2017-18 CRV models. This has not been inspected by police, insurance or anyone else. There are no warning lights or other symp... Read more
JEEP
WAGONEER S
(2025) - STEERING
Mar 30, 2026
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
Blind spot warning does not come on until the vehicle is past you, and the display screen that has your speed and everything else on it is fading again, this is the second screen they have had to put in my car. and the steering wheel moves when it is in the locked position you will be driving down the road and then out of know where the steering wheel will just start moving without being unlocked.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
Steering is difficult and makes noises when turning
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
Power steering / power steering assist failure. Complete loss of power steering
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2026) - STEERING
Mar 29, 2026
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
While actively driving at speed this loaner vehicle, the vehicle's Driving Assistance Professional Package (DAPP) completely deactivated without warning. This caused an immediate, unexpected loss of both adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping steering assistance, requiring sudden manual emergency intervention to maintain control of the vehicle and avoid a collision. This is a severe safet... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
While actively driving at speed, the vehicle's Driving Assistance Professional Package (DAPP) completely deactivated without warning. This caused an immediate, unexpected loss of both adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping steering assistance, requiring sudden manual emergency intervention to maintain control of the vehicle and avoid a collision. This is a severe safety defect. The vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
EPS light comes on intermittently and locks steering while driving at random. Checked all fuses and conctions all good. Battery was replaced 1 month ago so Battery good and power good. Wiring is good.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
This is an intermittent issue that has been happening for a while now and the car was sent to the dealership twice but the issue still persists. The engine would shuts down or partially loses torque all of a sudden and the steering becomes very stiff. At the same time you would see all kinds of alarms, error messages, and check lights on the dashboard. I would then have to pull over to the side ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2026
I am the lessee of a 2024 Ford F‑150 Lightning XLT, VIN [Insert VIN], and I am submitting this description due to repeated failures, recalls, and safety-related defects that have significantly impacted the safe operation, reliability, and value of my vehicle. Since taking delivery, the vehicle has experienced multiple malfunctions in critical systems that have been confirmed by the dealership an... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2026
Driving over small bumps when power steering suddenly failed and power steering light came on dash. Steering became very heavy and difficult to control
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
While driving on the highway there was a random harsh jerk on my car, and I was immediately unable to maintain safe speeds driving nearly causing a serious crash. All of the service lights (Service Parking Assist, Service Power Steering, Service StabiliTrak, and Check Engine Light) should up on the dashboard. Trying to engage the vehicle into drive after parked had a harsh jerk shifting into gea... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2026
There is a class action lawsuit for 2021-2023 Jeeps where the power steering catches fire. That happened to us.
Fire
Incident date: Feb 11, 2026
The CV Axle joint has prematurely worn down and makes a popping sound when executing a sharp turn at low speeds. Honda is aware of the issue and has noted that it is widespread; however, they have offered no solution for fixing it.
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
While driving home from Church Sunday afternoon, I was on the highway driving 65 mph. Suddenly, and without warning lights or any other ability to know or prepare for the catastrophe about to take place, my 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk lost all control and function in the drive-train and braking. The rear differential completely froze, forcing the vehicle to skid recklessly without operator control o... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
Steering wheel does not return to center, requiring driver input to do so. Force needed to turn the steering wheel continued to increase throughout the past year, getting abnormally difficult and unlike any other vehicle. Had the steering rack replaced, which corrected the problem.
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
Loss of steering, erratic steering control. Steering locks up
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
The complaint is regarding a 2010 Ford Escape, original owner and maintained mostly at dealer shop. Vehicle only has 79k miles on it, and has been garage stored. It has rust in the rear wheel wells and a crack in the rear right subframe due to rust.
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
Steering, Rack and Pinion is failing after 44k miles, Steering gear is binding internally
Incident date: Mar 19, 2026
I was entering the on-ramp to [XXX] , from [XXX] , to merge onto the freeway east bound towards [XXX] , when my Tesla suddenly lost all power, the brakes did not work and the power steering completely failed making it feel like it was locked up. I was traveling approximately 40-50 mph at the time nearing the gore point to merge onto the freeway. Fortunately I was in the inside lane and I rolled to... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
My vehicle has been throwing codes that the shifter cable is misaligned or misadjusted for a long time now. The dash flashes between neutral and drive while im driving. It says shift system fault all the time. I have to shut the car off and turn it back on to get it to work. I stalled out on a hill the other day and was almost rear ended by someone behind me. The steering wheel has physical play.... Read more
TOYOTA
COROLLA CROSS
(2026) - STEERING
Mar 28, 2026
Incident date: Dec 16, 2025
Vehicle repeatedly loses power steering and adaptive steering while driving. It happens randomly and can be at high speeds and low speeds.
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
My car would we still in the middle of the road and one day I was turning to go home and it cut off with everything on the dashboard was still on and the power steering went out and I tried to turn real fast to get my driveway and next thing I know my Cortizone fire meanwhile every now and then I would see a light blinking my dashboard fast and then go away. It was the battery light barely show up... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 26, 2026
After replacing the newest recall for the rear toe link on my Explorer, I’ve noticed (along with a couple others on some forums) that the alignment does not stay set and will come undone. I finished driving 1000 miles after the swap and had sudden pressure loss in my rear tire. When I looked at it the entire outside of the tire on both driver and passenger side were completely eaten through and ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
On two separate occasions, my car has shaken violently and stopped both times while idling one in my driveway one at a stoplight and then an alert that says engine stopped steering power low came on
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
My 2024 Mazda CX-90 has the STICKY WHEEL condition however it does not show-up as REcall for my VIN.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
I am filing this complaint regarding serious safety and consumer protection concerns involving my 2022 Jeep Wrangler (VIN: [XXX] ), manufactured by Stellantis, as well as issues involving the towing company E&R Towing following my accident. Prior to my accident on November 8, 2025, my vehicle experienced multiple ongoing mechanical issues, including overheating, shaking while driving, and abnormal... Read more
1 injured