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
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO EV
(2025) - STEERING
Dec 24, 2025
Incident date: Dec 21, 2025
On this day, I financed the vehicle and was promised that it was safe to be on the road. This is the second vehicle. He’s done this to me with. He gets these vehicles and just put stickers in the windows and then people break down or their lives are in jeopardy so I left there After I purchased the truck the following day I was driving and I noticed a bunch of defects which included a death wobb... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
Steering wheel sticking at a higher speed (above 60 mile per hrs) causing the vehicle to over correct when turning to the right very dangerous, almost caused me to lose control of the vehicle several times
Incident date: Dec 10, 2025
When driving the car, the power steering system lost functionality. It can still be driven with many efforts and extra forces. The dealer checked it and confirmed that it was the power steering malfunction.
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
Orchid Isle Ford in Hilo has replaced the electronic power steering rack and pinion already once but now it’s gone bad again.I don’t understand why because I hardly drive my truck and it has only 40 something thousands miles on it
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
The vehicle is unsafe to operate and presents an immediate highway safety risk. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle experienced multiple safety-related failures. Headlights were inoperable from the time of delivery, requiring use of high beams at night to see the roadway. This created visibility and traffic safety issues from day one. Within the first month of ownership, the vehicle required tow... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
While driving at highway speed approximately 70 mph), the vehicle suddenly veered into an adjacent lane without any steering input and began swerving back and forth uncontrollably. I did not make any steering corrections that caused this behavior. After approximately 10 seconds of back-and-forth swerving, the vehicle straightened out on its own. No collision occurred, but the incident felt life-th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
The steering has become jerky despite a previous recall that was supposed to fix the issue. When driving at speed, changing lanes become dangerous because of the sudden jerky slip of the steering wheel as if it takes more effort to turn the wheel and suddenly jerks to the left or right.
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2010) - STEERING
Dec 23, 2025
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
I’ve taken my car to the dealer multiple times for an issue with steering and a loud clunk in my front end that wasn’t there when I bought it. I’ve constantly been told it’s normal or nothing is wrong but it’s becoming a real concern for me to drive I’ve almost been veered into oncoming traffic because the car wanders and steering doesn’t react very well. I’ve tried switching wheel... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
The steering wheel is the principal reason for this incident. Because when I'm driving on the highway almost to get an exit to the right going at the speed limit of 70 MPH the right tire passes through a high/low on the street, then my steering wheel locked lightly and started to pull to the right like for 2-3 seconds. Causing me hit the wall on the highway. Then straightened itself back, I'm jus... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
The Electronic Power Steering system failed on my Ram 1500 and it became extremely difficult to steer the truck. It created a very unsafe condition to drive the vehicle and Stellantis doesn't cover this VIN in the existing safety recall for this steering system on other Ram trucks.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) - STEERING
Dec 23, 2025
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
The vehicle suddenly and without warning experienced a complete loss of steering control, rendering it undrivable and forcing it to stop on the side of a public roadway. This created a significant risk to my personal safety and to public safety. On the same day, the vehicle was towed to an authorized RAM dealership for inspection. The dealership confirmed that the serpentine belt had broken, ther... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2025
At speeds 35+ MPH the steering has a “sticky” “notch” feeling making steering at high speed very difficult to do smoothly, especially when cornering. This has led to close-calls nearly resulting in accidents, but fortunately being avoided. I suspect it has to do with the steering rack issue that is a common complaint with this MY.
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
While executing a right turn, the steering wheel became locked. The driver attempted to apply the brakes, but they were unresponsive. Consequently, the vehicle collided with the divider.
Crash
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
For a few weeks prior to 12-21-2025, I've experienced minor Jeep "death wobble" (suspension issue) at highway speeds when encountering an irregularity (bump) in the road surface. On 12-21-2025, I experienced moderate Jeep "death wobble" at around 60 mph (several times). On a desert 2 lane highway, I was seriously in danger of running off the road to the right (crashing into rock faces bigger tha... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the messages "Service Power Steering Assist Fault" and "Advancetrac" were displayed, and the steering wheel suddenly became very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the steering rack had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not r... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
on 8/1/25 service steering assist light came on, vehicle was driven to the auto repair shop with no hard codes to diagnose. Vehicle was driven towards home on 8/6/25 and lost all steering within a matter of seconds while on the highway at 60 mph. Steering assist light came on and stabilitrac light flashed. Vehicle had to be towed and rack and pinion needed replacing. Once fixed the vehicle was dri... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
Steering rack and pinion locked up while driving, delayed inputs, unsafe at high speed. Service power steering light came on, disappeared shortly after with steering inputs still jumpy and hard to control.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Failure" was displayed, and the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under ... Read more
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2024) - STEERING
Dec 23, 2025
Incident date: Dec 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to make a turn, there was a loud cracking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V514000 (Steering); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the de... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2025
Kia has a known ICCU issue with several of their electric vehicles. Mine went out yesterday creating an extremely dangerous situation on the road. After it blew, I lost the ability to accelerate or steer. This was obviously very scary for me and the drivers around me. I feel very lucky to have not been hit by another car. Although Kia is replacing these, this does not guarantee a fix. That is to s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
This 2021 Toyota Supra, subject to Toyota’s own “Original Brake System Defect” recall, exhibited chronic braking noise from delivery. Despite multiple dealership visits, the core issue was never resolved. The defect escalated in late 2025, with the vehicle intermittently displaying the most critical “STOP DRIVING” brake warning. In mid-December 2025, it experienced a catastrophic “Sudd... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2025
There seems to be a constant problem with the service driver assist error code popping up and check engine light coming on. The ac heating keeps losing temperature. I've looked for support for this issue and it seems to be a common problem for chevy owners. Why isn't there a recall on this.
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
Steering wheel covering delaminates and peels during normal use, creating loss of grip and distraction while driving.
Incident date: Dec 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2025 Vinfast VF8. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the cruise control and steering assist feature did not function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel independently steered into an unintended direction. The contact stated that the failure almost caused a crash. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. In addition, ... Read more
JEEP
WRANGLER 4XE
(2024) - STEERING
Dec 22, 2025
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
Electronic power steering has stopped working, flashes a message on the dash, and vehicle is stuck with Armstrong steering without it's electronic assist.
TOYOTA
GR COROLLA
(2025) - STEERING
Dec 22, 2025
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering became inoperable and failed to function properly, with the brake assist, power steering, stability control, and tire pressure monitoring system warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact also stated that while the vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
While driving the road was wet the vehicle brake failure and the steering wheels stopped completely lost control of the vehicle and keep running over the curb and hit moving vehicle
Crash
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
Description of Issue: I am reporting a power steering system defect related to improper hose clamping that creates a risk of power steering fluid loss and potential loss of steering assist. At approximately 17,000 miles, in February 2025, a power steering fluid leak was observed originating at the power steering pump return hose. Original inspection by MB Bonita Springs, FL indicated 'NO LEAK'. ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
On Sunday, December 14, 2025, I was driving a 2022 Honda Civic Sport with my wife in the passenger seat when the vehicle’s driver-assist/steering system unexpectedly intervened and caused the vehicle to veer off the roadway and down a steep embankment (approximately 40–50 feet) without driver input. I attempted to correct the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to respond as expected. There was n... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
Recall 19v-631, I am experiencing a faulty steering issue as reported in the recall. My vehicle was in production around the same time as the recall vehicles.
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
The vehicle starts but the steering wheel won’t move. It’s very stiff and takes two pairs of hands to turn it to the left or right.
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
I'm Experiencing a KNOWN Jeep issue called the "DEATH WOBBLE". I only have 17800 miles on the vehicle and I'm 6 months out of warranty. when this vehicle gets into the death wobble mood it becomes totally uncontrollable and extremely unsafe to drive. the driver needs to slow down to under 40MPH or to a complete stop for it to stop. You can be driving at 65 MPH and the vehicle will go into convulsi... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
Turning into a parking lot, power steering disengaged and warning message "Power Steering Assist Fault" appeared. Took the vehicle to an O'Reilly's auto store to have the DTCs read and the printed sheet listed code C1277-20: steering angle sensor signal failure. This issue was dealt with under the recall 15S18 and then customer satisfaction 15N01 for Ford, but I can't tell after calling Ford if my... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
While driving, the power steering warning light illuminated and steering assist was lost. The steering became extremely hard, especially at low speeds. The vehicle makes grinding/whining noises when turning, and the car vibrates while in Drive. This creates a serious safety concern, especially during turns and parking maneuvers. Issue appears to be electric power steering (EPAS) failure.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
The right side passenger CV joint makes loud clicking sound turning.
Incident date: Dec 12, 2025
As I was driving onto the highway, my battery low voltage indicator came on and shortly after my power steering failed. I had this issue earlier this year in April 2025 and replaced the old battery with a new one but after this incident, I don’t think it’s the battery anymore. I believe it’s the Electric Power Steering system.
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
The vehicle's suspension is excessively stiff and harsh since new, transmitting all road imperfections, bumps, and irregularities directly to the driver and passengers, causing discomfort and fatigue. Additionally, there is abnormal noise (clunking/rattling/creaking/popping) from the steering rack area, especially when turning the steering wheel at low speeds, over bumps, or when stationary. The s... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TAOS
(2023) - STEERING
Dec 21, 2025
Incident date: Dec 20, 2025
Power steering went out and Esc warning came on the dash . This has happened multiple times mostly while sitting at idle. Turned off car and restarted and it was corrected. This is becoming more frequent.
Incident date: Dec 21, 2025
I am submitting this complaint to report a serious safety defect involving a complete loss of steering control in my vehicle, 2013 Scion FR-S. While driving and making a turn, the steering system failed entirely, leaving me unable to control the direction of the vehicle. I retained only braking and acceleration capabilities. There where no waring lights or mechanical indicators of potential or pr... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The Legacy (my third one) was about a month old and had about 30 miles on the odometer. I had no warning of any problem with the car. On or about 5:45 PM on Oct 22, 2025 I was driving my Subaru Legacy when the engine stalled. I was in the HOV lane of an interstate highway. Multiple times the starter failed to restart the engine. Traffic was blocked in my lane and diverting around me. It was dusk w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2025
1.)When driving the vehicle it will randomly shutoff while driving with loss of brakes and steering until it will randomly turn back on.The vehicle experiences intermittent electronic and drivability malfunctions. The issue appears to involve one or more vehicle control modules and/or electronic systems. At times, warning lights and system messages appear, and vehicle performance is affected. The ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2025
“Violent steering oscillation / loss of steering control at highway speeds” Speed when it occurs (usually 45–70 mph) Trigger (bumps, bridge joints, potholes) It requires slowing significantly to regain control. “This is consistent with Jeep’s known steering damper failure causing death wobble. I requested evaluation under Jeep’s known corrective actions.”
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
I was driving down the road and lost all control in the steering wheel. No power steering at all. A steering wheel with exclamation point light flashing on dash. Dealership quoting $4100 for this repair. I checked to see if there is any recalls and none for mine but many for models 2019 and above. It states "some" 2018 models. I would like to see if my repair qualifys for this recall. A costly re... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2025) - STEERING
Dec 20, 2025
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
The vehicle steering locked up doing 65 mph, this could have potentially caused an accident. It would not turn after several attempts. The power steering rack and pinion had malfunctioned after careful diagnosis.
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2008) - STEERING
Dec 20, 2025
Incident date: Dec 16, 2025
Steering wheel locked driving hazard lights on dashboard on power steering light on stranded on road with my kids took it to riverside chevrolet almost 2 months in dealership 2 technician could not give me a diagnostic on the truck they could not repair the vehicle vehicle not drivable
Incident date: Dec 20, 2025
The steering wheel locks at 9 and 3 when turning the wheel. It doesn’t spin back like it should when returning straight. Very dangerous!
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) - STEERING
Dec 20, 2025
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
The warning light for a steering assist needs service came on the dash. The dealer had a code (po128) that pertained to a bad thermostat and coolant temp. sensor. The steering assist could have failed, along with possible engine damage. The dealer replaced the thermostat and the coolant temp sensor. Their were no police or insurance reports needed.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2014) - STEERING
Dec 20, 2025
Incident date: Dec 20, 2025
Was driving at 55mph and suddenly truck went into a terrible death wobble & almost caused a serious crash. On 11/25/2025 I had taken it in to the ford dealership to correct this problem since it had happened four times in August & September of this year. Which also almost caused four serious accidents. The ford dealer replaced L & R dragline ends & adjuster sleeve.Replaced right outer tie rod end ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2022
Bushing related to steering wheel was a safety issue that causes steering wheel play and possible loss of control. I was never informed of the issue and Kia said it would not repair it since the warranty expired.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) - STEERING
Dec 20, 2025
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
Sometime sudden decrease of power , f250 truck rpm goes high while parking with engine on and now pitman arm broke off causing no control of steering . Having it push safely off the road , contact dealership but no parts to fix and timely how long it takes to get part to fix problem. 2020 ford f250 start but very unsafe to operate with no control of the steering