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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints

140,173 Reported Crashes

56,794 Reported Fires

8,580 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›

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Showing 117,788 complaints - component: STEERING

Incident date: Dec 3, 2025

ABS stabilizer light on dash shows ABS malfunction.took it to certified mechanic to check the problem and was told the system had to be replaced at the cost of $4000.

Incident date: Jul 16, 2024

Steering system is stiff and all the warning lights are on in the dashboard. Vehicle pulls hard to the left and you have to hold the wheel steady to keep it from pulling to the left. Appears there is a steering rack issue. I've seen on internet that many 2015 Accords have this issue. There needs to be a recall. Honda dealership quoting $3500 to $5000 to repair. This is not right!!

Incident date: Nov 1, 2025

My power steering went out when driving on the highway. I had it towed to the dealership and was told the power steering rack fried and it would be almost $5 to fix. Taxes LINE C CONCERN: Power steering warning pops up on dash at startup and I have no power steering. The light goes away after a minute or two and the steering comes back. The truck sat for five days and this issue started on my fi... Read more

Incident date: Dec 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the service steering unit warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was almost uncontrollable. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an internal fault of the EPS m... Read more

Incident date: Nov 17, 2025

Electric steering failed while driving

Incident date: Dec 4, 2025

I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2021 Ram 2500 (VIN: [XXX] ). The truck has experienced three separate transmission failures within a few months. Each time the transmission was replaced, the vehicle failed again shortly afterward. At one point, the dealership returned the truck to me without transmission fluid, causing additional internal damage and creating an extreme safety risk. I... Read more

Incident date: Dec 4, 2025

I am reporting a serious safety hazard involving a 2010 Toyota Camry purchased from GA Carz 4 Less, LLC through the GovDeals.com platform. The seller provided no disclosures of mechanical issues. Immediately upon receiving the vehicle, it exhibited violent engine knocking, shaking, heavy oil leakage, and repeated engine shutdowns. Two certified mechanics inspected the vehicle and confirmed that th... Read more

Incident date: Nov 20, 2025

On November 15, 2024, my Ford Mustang Mach-E was involved in a rear-end collision on Interstate 270 near Clarksburg, Maryland. I was struck at high speed by a box truck, which pushed my vehicle forward into the van in front of me. The rear of the vehicle sustained significant damage, including the complete shattering of the rear window. During the impact, the steering wheel detached from the stee... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Nov 28, 2025

My father was in a fatal vehicle accident in which the car was going very fast and then he crashed into a building. The car then started on fire. The black box was unable to be recovered to check car function. There were no medical findings

Crash Fire 1 deaths

Incident date: Jun 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. 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 turn. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unava... Read more

Incident date: Jul 1, 2024

I would hear squeaking/tearing/rattling noises, this was found to be due to malfunctioning/broken nuts and compliance arms and control arms. This happened three times so far, attached are two repairs that was required previously. Per report with Tesla staff, this has been a recurring issue. Per additional Tesla owners, this has been a frequent issue amongst many different Tesla forums. Now I have... Read more

Incident date: Nov 19, 2025

1. Failure to Address a Safety Recall Promptly When scheduling the appointment, I informed the dealership of an open safety recall (Recall V06, NHTSA 19V-021) involving the steering linkage jam nut (a defect which can cause loss of steering control). This recall is critical for safety, yet I was told on the phone that the dealership “could not work on it yet” due to unspecified changes being m... Read more

Incident date: Dec 4, 2025

Experiencing sudden loss of power steering while driving - unsafe condition. Experiencing sudden loss of electric power steering assist while driving. Loss of power steering persists until ignition recycling (stop, put car in park, turn ignition off, turn ignition back on), which seems to clear it. Problem re-occurs intermittently on subsequent drives. Issue has been experienced at multiple M... Read more

Incident date: Dec 1, 2025

Bad front driver's side axle. Loud clicking noise heard when turning left, on every turn

Incident date: Dec 3, 2025

Incident date: May 22, 2022

Hello , I would like to report a failed front differential on my vehicle. This issue was diagnosed by an independent BMW shop and is currently being repaired. Mine made it to 69k miles but many others have had theirs failed before 50k miles. My main goal is to bring light to this issue since it seems to be a design flaw. There's also numerous reports for failed transfer cases since they aren't... Read more

Incident date: Dec 3, 2025

My steering has become sticky. It started slowly but has become very dangerous. I can no longer drive it safely. I have to jiggle the wheel to pull it out of a lock up during long turn in which causes the rear tires to sway. It recently started to do it while even going straight . Took it dealership but they say they can not duplicate the problem. I have talk to other Pacifica owners with the ... Read more

Incident date: Nov 15, 2025

While driving at highway speeds 40 and over vehicle may begin to experience “death wobble” where deceleration and sudden stopping is required. It becomes very hard to control vehicle and loss of control may be possible. Vehicle violently shakes from front end after minor bump or skip in roadway. Although reporting for first time now has happened several times since I have owned the vehicl... Read more

Incident date: Nov 4, 2025

Front Suspension Steering Knuckle Cracking

Incident date: Dec 1, 2025

While driving on the highway my Jeep lost speed and power steering. All the warning lights flashed on and off while dinging. Dealership can't get a code to see what the problem is to fix correctly. Jeep has 2 dangerous recalls that could catch fire while driving or sitting. Both issues put my life at risk. Stellantis denied buy back.

Incident date: Nov 30, 2025

On the dashboard there’s an message saying “Error: Steering Lock” and it won’t let me turn on the car.

Incident date: Dec 2, 2025

Service high voltage system light/notification has come on three times since we got it last September 2024. The first time the light came on we heard lots of clicking leading up to the notification. The second time there wasn’t anything noticeably wrong besides the light coming on. The third time the heater wouldn’t heat the air coming in, it stayed cold. Then when trying to charge the ca... Read more

Incident date: Dec 1, 2025

The power steering fails and SERVICE ESC is displayed on the dash. This has been happening intermittently on my daughter’s car and she struggles to control the vehicle when it loses power steering. A quick internet search revealed is a known issue and is extremely dangerous. Please consider recall immediately.

Incident date: Nov 29, 2025

While driving and turning left and right, and while cold and turning It does a grinding/groan noice, and recently while driving it did that, and It started losing speed and the grinding worsening and I was losing control of the vehicle. Putting the vehicle in Auto makes the groan/grind worse.

Incident date: Dec 1, 2025

Please add this to complaint number: 11702732 This is a supplemental complaint regarding the same safety issue I previously reported involving Safety Recall C4B on my 2018 Ram 2500 - complaint # 11702732 In addition to the safety concerns and the prior accident I described in my original complaint, the unresolved recall has also caused significant financial harm. I still owe approximately $15,10... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Nov 21, 2025

The Brake Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) covered under Safety Recall C4B has been unavailable for several years, leaving my 2018 Ram 2500 with ongoing ABS, traction control, and electronic stability control malfunctions. This defect has already caused an actual accident. In January 2024, during snow conditions, the ABS and traction control failed while I was braking in my driveway. The truck slid u... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Dec 3, 2025

When I make a hard full lock turn, like a U-turn for example, i hear a distinct crunching and creaking sound. It sounds like saying the nonsensical word "garrump"

Incident date: Nov 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKC. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle revved and then the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact's brother was following the contact and assisted with traffic. The Sheriff’s Department as... Read more

Incident date: Nov 10, 2025

With the vehicle running, regardless of bein parked or in motion, if I turn the steering wheel either Left or Right, the steering wheel kicks back against the direction the wheel is being turned. Having to fight the steering wheel while driving makes it dangerous while driving at highway speeds around corners, curves, etc. Took it into the dealership and they did verified the issue, their report... Read more

Incident date: Dec 3, 2025

The vehicle exhibits harmonic oscillation in the steering column since the day I drove the vehicle home on the interstate. Even though tires had been balanced out of pocket due to long service center wait times with a road force balancer, balanced again at the service center, match mounted and road force balanced again out of my own pocket, noise reducing foam removed and balanced on an uncalibrat... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2025

On November 24, 2025, I discovered that multiple connected and safety-related systems on my 2025 Cadillac Optiq had stopped functioning. We believe a GM over-the-air software update was installed the weekend prior, and the dealer has inferred that the update may have caused the failure. We brought the car into the dealership on November 26th. The car was "fixeed" and we picked it up on December 2... Read more

Incident date: Nov 19, 2025

On October 17, 2025, I was driving my 2014 Volkswagen Jetta at approximately 25–30 mph on the bypass in Muscatine, Iowa. Another vehicle cut into my lane and struck the front driver-side of my car. My vehicle suffered significant front-end impact, including wheel/tire damage, bumper and fender damage, and visible suspension impact. During the crash, the driver-side airbag did NOT deploy, even t... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Nov 1, 2025

I was leaving the store pulled out on a main road in town about to head on the highway. My steering wheel locked and would hardly move with all my strength and the help of my significant other we pulled back into the store parking lot rarely missing hitting several vehicles in the process. I had my children with me at the time in this vehicle as well. The power steering assist fault message popped... Read more

Incident date: Dec 1, 2022

I have a faulty steering column in my truck that needs to be replaced. This is not normal wear and tear. The truck only has 60k miles on it and is still under warranty till 1/17/26. The steering column is supposed to last the Life of the truck. I brought the truck to dealership (nye) to diagnose the cause of the bad steering column. But instead they tell me they cant tell me the cause of the faul... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Nov 28, 2025

Car shuts off & other lights light up on dash. Not driving over 20mph.

Incident date: Nov 24, 2025

Power steering. While I was driving in my neighborhood the power steering went out and I could not make a turn. It locked up while driving. I could have got into a head on collision/accident becasue the road turns. Yes, I reported it to Ford and they told me my flex did not have a recall despite the ford website stating that some 2013 ford flex are affected. The description of 15s18 sterring reca... Read more

Incident date: Aug 15, 2025

I was using the snow mode because there was a little bit of snow and ice on the road. I had been driving it that morning and did not have a problem until I turned in to my street. I turned right and the steering and brakes and accelerator all locked, leaving me where my car slid across the road and the left drivers side tire ran over the curb. I was not able to correct anything as everything locke... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jul 16, 2025

Approximately one month after purchasing a new vehicle, the steering system suddenly failed without any warning. While the car was parked at home and started normally, the steering wheel became extremely heavy, hot, and then completely locked. The vehicle could not be steered at all and became entirely non-drivable. Multiple warning messages appeared, including warnings related to reduced steerin... Read more

Incident date: Nov 28, 2025

I would need to change many more of the points on the top, see report.

Incident date: Nov 1, 2025

The contact owned a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH the vehicle was losing forward velocity and the steering was pulling slightly to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly and violently turned to the right. The contact was not aware of any warning lights. The contact was unable to counter turn and the vehicle crashed into the guard rai... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jun 2, 2025

Severe lateral swaying / side-to-side swaying (“boat-like” or “floaty” motion) at highway speeds (65–80 mph) on any concrete-surface interstate, especially grooved or slightly uneven concrete (typical on Illinois highways such as I-90, I-294, I-55, etc.). Description of safety concern: The vehicle continuously rocks side-to-side in a pronounced, pendulum-like motion that requires constan... Read more

Incident date: Nov 29, 2025

I was driving to Independence missouri and the power steering went out, it was difficult to steer and if I was going slow enough I could not turn the wheel at all. There was an alert that popped up stating power steering fault. My mechanic reset the code and it was fixed for about 30 minutes before coming back on. I took it to a Ford dealership in chillicothe missouri and they had to reset the ent... Read more

Incident date: May 20, 2024

Electric Power Steering / Rack and Pinion unit suddenly stopped working and there is a warning light on the dash board.

Crash

Incident date: Nov 11, 2025

I was driving my vehicle, the roads were snowy so was traveling slowly. I attempted to slow down a little more, when I pushed on the brake there was absolutely no response, usually you can feel and even hear the brakes (abs) functioning, there was nothing. I also tried to steer, again, no response, the vehicle continued straight, we went into a ditch and rolled on our side. I tried to put down ... Read more

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Jun 1, 2025

My 2024 Honda Prologue has numerous issues. First, the CV joints are making the clattering noises when turning right from a stop. Started at almost 8000 miles, more faintly, but now very noticeable. I noticed the left has now started making the same noises as well at 9000 miles on the odometer. Soon after purchase, the automatic braking/collision avoidance slammed on my brakes HARD while driving a... Read more

Incident date: Nov 29, 2025

while I am driving on a highway the steering tries to turn right while i am driving. there a ditches on the right on the highway my car is not safe to drive it is putting me and my family in danger. I took my car to the dealership twice they said my car is fine.

Incident date: Sep 22, 2025

As I was driving home on the highway, my car began making a noise I never heard before. I looked out of my rear view and began to see smoke coming from my car. As I was trying to get off the highway, my car began to lose control. I couldn’t get completely off the highway so I pulled into a small corner. I realized my hood was on fire when I stopped. I grabbed my purse and keys and ran down the h... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Oct 30, 2025

My 2021 Kia K5 EX has a severe and unsafe steering problem. The vehicle consistently pulls hard to the right on its own, even on straight roads. If I loosen my grip even slightly, the car immediately veers to the right. The steering wheel does not stay centered, and I have to constantly fight the steering just to keep the car in the lane. This issue has continued despite multiple alignments, tire... Read more

Incident date: Dec 1, 2025

I am submitting this complaint to report a safety issue with the turn-signal buttons on my steering wheel of the 2024–2025 Tesla Model 3 Highland. The turn-signal buttons are located on the steering wheel surface instead of a traditional stalk. When the steering wheel is turned at any angle, the buttons are difficult to locate by feel, often requiring the driver to look down to activate them and... Read more

Incident date: Sep 11, 2020

About once a week while driving, the steering seems to catch or lock up for a moment. This usually happens when the steering wheel is just slightly off center by 15 or 20 degrees and more often to the left side. You can force to turn through it however it maturely free up and cause you to oversteer and weave on the roadway. It is serious enough that my wife refuses to drive the car. I noticed th... Read more

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Consumer Safety Complaints

What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?

How to interpret what you read

If you've experienced a defect

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