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 1500
(2024) - STEERING
Dec 1, 2025
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
power steering will shut off when moving at slow speeds or when stopped with car running such as at a stop light. warning lights will flash. Saw that there was a recall in 2014 for the same issue and was never informed. when checking recall alerts, i don't see my VIN however i am having the same issues as the recall.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
UNKNOWN - The steering wheel sticks in the center position when driving on the freeway or highway. When I go to adjust the wheel to correct my direction the wheel sticks and I have to turn harder and it results in an overcorrection and jerks the car. This seems to be a common problem and from what I have read online and it is either the EPS system or the clock spring in the steering wheel. People ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2025
Car shows ESC error message not detecting brake pads, and locking the wheel.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while stopped at a light and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and became difficult to turn, and a crescent wrench warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was provided error code B2278 and informed that the steer... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH in the snow, the message "Service Power Steering" was displayed, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle became difficult to maneuver, and the contact had to use force to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact's stepfather used... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
Steering rack broke, wheel won’t return to center. Dealer wants $3k dollars to fix. This should be recalled as the amount of cars it happens to is significantly high.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2013
The front driver's side tire on my 2023 Chrysler Pacifica (77600 miles as of 12/1/25) has started making a loud rumbling sound regardless of my speed. This is happening when I turn the wheel from left to right and occurring every time I am driving. There are no warning lights on the dashboard. I had a mechanic evaluate the tire while on racks in the air and was shown the tire visibly rapidly bounc... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
The radio volume knob has an electrical defect. If you touch or use the volume knob the volume will automatically increase unexpectedly. This is a problem when driving. It will turn up so loud and unexpectedly that I have all most crashed my car. At this point the stereo is inoperable. Also was told the steering column has a crack. I bought this car brand new. That feels like a defective part a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
While driving down the road way the collision mitigation warning failure flashed and then pulled the steering wheel pulled me off the roadway and nearly caused me to crash.
Incident date: Nov 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and shut off. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road even though the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated that the failure had recurred while d... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
I drove car for about 15 minutes and pulled into a parking space. There was no bumping or other incident. I left the vehicle for about 10 minutes and returned. The screen on my return showed 2 warnings, 1. Steering assist disabled, and 2. Collision avoidance system currently inoperable. Dealing with warning number 1: On starting to back out of parking space, i discovered there was no assist fo... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILURE light appears on dash board The power steering went out
Incident date: Nov 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, and occasionally while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized, and the message “Power Steering Malfunction” was displayed. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
Sudden power steering failure while driving. I was cornering when power steering failed nearly causing a crash. no prior warning lights or indicators. During research noted other same year models recalled for the same issue but not my VIN. Contacted manufacture customer service and dealer. Both offered no assistance.
Incident date: Oct 17, 2025
After filling up with gas, started the vehicle & it displayed SEVERAL warnings regarding the steering, stability control, etc. Only about 2 miles from home. Started driving home & the steering wheel was variably going from fairly difficult to turn to VERY difficult to turn. Got within about 150 feet of my home & could not turn the steering wheel AT ALL. Tried multiple times to back up / go for... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
2016 Honda Civic LX. Electronic power steering has sticky feeling when traveling at highway speeds, does not return to center. This leads to a danger situation as car becomes difficult to control when traveling at highway speeds. Honda is away of this issue on newer generation of Honda's. Upon inspection, the mechanism that is having an issue is almost identical in Honda's 10th generation of vehic... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
My 2015 ram ecodiesel is getting a brake light for ABS, traction control, emergency brake all not working. Dealership wants $4000 to fix it with a part that’s back ordered 2yr. I’m having a hard time understanding if so many people online are having this issue why it’s not a SAFETY RECALL. The stock part failed at no fault of the customers.
Incident date: Nov 30, 2021
AFTER STARTING THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT, I ATTEMPTED TO NAVIGATE FROM THE PARKING SPACE. I SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE BACKED UP BUT I WAS UNABLE TO STEER IT. THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE. I CONTACTED TESLA ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO DO SEVERAL DIAGNOSTICS AND EVENTUALLY ORDERED ME TO DO A RESET OF THE ELECTRO... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2025
Power steering maintenance light comes on and power steering is lost. This happens intermittently. Vehicle can be turned off, error goes away, and vehicle regains power steering and can be driven.
Incident date: Nov 30, 2025
Issue 1: I reported transmission issued to the dealership/service center where I purchased the car. They assured me its just the electronic transmission trying to find the right gear while driving. Continued to complaint about the jerks and shifting. Dealer warranty expired, then they agreed that I needed a new transmission. Fortunately I had an outside extended warranty otherwise they'd probably ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
My power steering has failed five times in the last year. Yes, my vehicle is available for inspection. The power steering went out on me while I was driving, making it very hard to turn my steering wheel. Took it to a Ford dealer last year. They said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. It is very unpredictable when this will happen. It doesn't happen every time I drive it. Don't feel very s... Read more
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2025) - STEERING
Nov 30, 2025
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
The vehicle makes a noticeable clicking sound when making routine left and right turns. This noise is not coming from the cabin of the vehicle, but sounds like it's coming from the wheels/axles. I have observed some level of clicking sound during turns since I purchased the vehicle in May 2025, but with each passing month, the volume and frequency of the clicking has increased. I now feel unsafe m... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
The issue involved the electronic power steering (EPS) system on my 2022 Hyundai Veloster N (approx. 70,000 miles). While driving, the EPS stopped providing steering assist and a fault warning appeared on the dash. After checking the engine bay fuse box, I found that the PDM 7.5A micro blade fuse (which powers the EPS circuit) appeared heat-discolored/burned. I replaced it with an identical 7.5A ... Read more
HYUNDAI
SONATA HYBRID
(2017) - STEERING
Nov 29, 2025
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
My 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring-L has suffered repeated and dangerous electrical failures since purchase. Shortly after buying it from AutoNation Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in Valencia, CA, I had to return it twice for electrical repairs that kept it in service several weeks under warranty. About two years later, while still under extended warranty, the engine underwent a complete rebuild for multi... Read more
SAFETY FIRST
ROLLER SHADE
(9999) - STEERING
Nov 29, 2025
Incident date: May 1, 2023
While traveling 40 mph, car flashes a warning, "Check Hybrid System", and then the car shuts off. No power steering and brakes are difficult. The warning is only 3-5 seconds before everything shuts down. This is definitely a hazard to myself and others. If in traffic at higher speeds, there would certainly be an accident with devastating results.
Incident date: Feb 11, 2020
While picking up my son from school, my 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid suddenly experienced a complete steering failure. The steering wheel locked without warning and became impossible to move, making the vehicle inoperable and creating an immediate safety hazard. My son and I were stranded for over 7 hours in a public area. AAA was dispatched twice, but they were unable to resolve the issue. The vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
Based on what I experienced, the fire appears to have resulted from an internal mechanical or electrical failure that occurred without warning while the vehicle was in motion. No prior issues or dashboard alerts were present at the time, and there was no external impact or damage that could explain the fire.
Fire
MERCEDES-BENZ
A 220
(2019) - STEERING
Nov 29, 2025
Incident date: Jul 4, 2025
We recently bought Tesla Model Y. Last week of October 2025. Last week we had visited our friend who lives in Pineville. Less than a mile from our place. We were at his place for an hour, as we decided to leave and as we put the car in park to drive we get a warning that “steering assist is not available.” I was unable to move the steering even with all my strength. The steering had become ve... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2025
-EPAS malfunctioning and is available for inspection. -Steering sticks in turns and requires too much effort to return to center causing me to overcorrect which causes the steering to stick in the opposite direction and so on. This is not consistent or predictable Also The car is constantly drifting left to right and requires constant corrections to maintain center. -I replicated the issue with t... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2017) - STEERING
Nov 28, 2025
Incident date: Nov 22, 2025
Cv joints clicking. Local Honda service department is aware of the problem, but no fix for it. Service high voltage battery with reduced power. This just came up that limits driving. Heater stopped working. Infotainment center will black out on and off every time I turn on the car. Very dangerous when I forget and I’m backing out of my garage.
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
My 2020 Tesla Model X experiences severe vibration, shaking, and rattling during acceleration, especially between about 20–45 mph and at higher suspension settings. The vibration is strong enough to affect steering stability and safe control of the vehicle during acceleration and lane changes. Tesla has already replaced the front half-shafts twice under warranty for this same problem, but the i... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2025
after receiving my car on Friday morning 10/31 from the dealership, I drove to work, where all my dashboard lights popped on, I lost power steering, and I lost my speedometer (which is what it was in the shop for that whole week). I tried to drive it back to Kia and it completely stopped working in the middle of the road, even though it was turned on, it wouldn’t drive or change gears. Leaving m... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
Airbag Clock spring has failed in my 2015 Jeep Wrangler. The airbag dash light is now on and the whole steering wheel system no longer functions properly. I see there was a documented recall for this year/model. It’s not showing on my VIN. The clock spring has failed in my vehicle.
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
ve had the 2024 Honda Prologue in for repair for service high voltage system 5 times. The car was purchased on 20 Jan 25, the first time was on 17March 25 and the car had 1880 miles, the second time was on 13 Oct 25 and the car had 7141 miles, the third time was on 23 Oct 25 and the car had 7357 miles, the 4th time was on Nov 3 and the car had 7421 miles,the 5 times was on 17 Nov 25. With the se... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
A couple of months or so ago...summertime maybe I started feeling a choppy feeling in the steering almost like lane correction was enable but it wasn't. I started seeing posting about sticky steering and that's what it feels like. It's mostly noticeable out on the highway but sometimes on 40 mph zones. I've emailed the dealer about it to see if it can be covered. Mine is a 2019 so it's not include... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
It threw an error that said “Steering assist reduced” and the power steering no longer functioned. It was very difficult to turn the wheel. The vehicle was stopped when the error popped up, but was driving fine up until that point.
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
Steering wheel vibration violently . Is on Kia safety recall. Has 15 year warranty Started slowly about two months ago Contact dealer on safety recall repairs and refused to honor safety recall. Steering gear assembly flexible coupling Very dangerous at high speed . Safety recall for that particular year. Thank you
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the messages "Gear Shift Reset", and "Loss of Stability Control" were displayed, and the check engine warning light, the brake system warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the power steering feature suddenly failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Faulty Battery and Charging System" flashed on the screen, and the vehicle failed to immediately start. The contact stated that while driving later, several messages, including the messages "Faulty Power Steering" and "Faulty ABS" were displayed, and the vehicle suddenly stalled and failed t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH on a rainy day and pulling into driveway at the residence, the steering wheel became very loose and then very firm. The contact stated that the LKAS feature activated and independently steered the vehicle over to the right. The contact attempted to turn the steering wheel to the left, but the vehicle failed ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 28, 2024
I am filing this complaint regarding a known safety defect affecting my 2019 Jeep Wrangler Sahara (VIN: [XXX] ) - specifically the steering damper column defect commonly referred to as "Death Wobble." ISSUE: My vehicle experiences violent and uncontrollable steering wheel oscillation when hitting bumps or road imperfections at highway speeds (typically above 55 mph). This phenomenon causes the en... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
My car's steering wheel started making a noise when turning at around 2,000 miles per hour, and the steering wheel became very heavy when turning. I took it to the Honda service center twice. The first time, they told me there was nothing wrong with the car. The second time, they fixed the noise, but the heavy steering problem remained. When I drive at around 25/35 mph in a 25-35 mph zone, the ste... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2023) - STEERING
Nov 28, 2025
Incident date: Nov 9, 2025
I began driving the vehicle and the steering locked up. An error message presented stating that there was an issue with the steering and to see the dealer. This is a severe safety issue. Kids were in the car and this could have lead to a severe accident. It has been inspected and confirmed by Fox Honda Grand Rapids. There were no indicators/warnings prior to the incident.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
Power steering warning light appeared then steering wheel tightened while slowing down to make a turn into my apartment. This occured two times in 3 weeks.
MERCEDES-BENZ
AMG G63
(2023) - STEERING
Nov 27, 2025
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
Consistently after 10-20 minutes of driving with steering assist or immediately upon driving on cold days (under 50F), the steering wheel generates loud squeaking noises with the steering wheel stiffening and becoming harder to turn, creating a potential safety issue. The change is gradual but required a full stop of the car, shutdown, and restart to remedy. This issue has persisted for months... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2025
Steering sometimes catches momentarily at the 1 o'clock and 11 o'clock positions. Seems most common during turns at highway speeds. Been monitoring intermittent occurrences for about a year. On 11/26/2025, it occurred several times in close succession while making gradual turns going 35 to 40 mph.
Incident date: Nov 10, 2025
Steering sticks occasionally at 1 and 11 position while traveling at highway speed.
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
All my dash lights turn off u can drive it but all my dash light is off the abs light its on
Incident date: Feb 8, 2023
Wheel/Tire makes shudders during a turn at low acceleration or going up a hill leading to uncontrolled acceleration. I have brought the car in for inspection and service and the issue could not be replicated by the techs, however the problem occurs with daily driving. An online search shows that this is a very common problem with the transfer case.
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
The vehicle in question, has been to a certified jeep dealer twice, to remedy the problem of locking axles and the center differential. The remedy by Crown CDJR in Columbus OH, was to replace the control module. Performance CDJR of Gorgesville /Columbus OH had removed the center differential/transfer case for an inspection and performed updates. None of the aforementioned warranty work, fixed t... Read more