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 49,687 complaints - component: STRUCTURE:BODY
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
A rain storm came and I left my car out of the garage and the rain peeled off huge parts of my paint. There is no reason that my car last paint should have been washed off from rain.
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLE450
(2016) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Apr 10, 2024
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
I was doing maintenance on front and lifted splash guard for access to bolt. On top of the frame, near the firewall, was severe rust. It looks as if the frame could crack at any time. If this happened in highway speed or in traffic, severe risk of injuries. These are known to have issues in salt states (had recalls) and I thought I checked it pretty good before buying. I think this may be from... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2023
Tailgate will open in it’s own while driving or when parked.
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
I have already put in a complaint about the broken spots welds, I am now adding to that complaint. I had the window fixed but because the door is broken I cannot roll down the window. My door is now not locking so stays open even when engaging the locks. The electrical system is giving me errors telling me that there is no key detected and so the engine won't start right away. The radio scree... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2023
I have owned this vehicle for over ten years and now there is paint delamination on the hood and roof of the vehicle which is a manufacture defect.
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2017) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Apr 10, 2024
Incident date: Apr 9, 2024
I was driving my car to appointment up a hill and the transmission completely gave out, additionally, since I bought it, It has consistently had problems accelerating, and getting above 45mph. The problem cannot be pinpointed
Incident date: Mar 29, 2024
Multifunction tail gate opens while driving, opens when going over speed bumps, opens going over small bumps and opens while driving down the highway. I brought the vehicle to the GMC dealer, they replaced an electrical switch on the tail gate. This did not fix the problem, I called the dealer and they told me GMC does not have a repair for this new issue. This is a brand new truck that is under f... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
The back bed rails rot/rust very quickly and trying to buy new beds run 4500$ along with o2 sensors ir intake sensors go out of blue no reasoning let alone the power steering lines rusting very very quickly
Incident date: Apr 10, 2024
The driver’s side front door mades a creaking/popping sound when opening, hard to open drivers door due to an issue with the welding First noticed when getting into the car where car was parked
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2023) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Apr 9, 2024
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
I have a 2016 Snow White Kia Sorento that the paint is coming off of. Paint is coming off from the hood, above drivers side door and above back hatch.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2020
Car exhaust inside the vehicle when driving at low speeds, idling, or parked into the cab of the vehicle. Only way to stop the exhaust fumes is to use the recirculate interior air. Rear hatch hydraulics are failing, hatch will not open completely and partially shuts when opened. When driving very loud squeaking from vehicle.
Incident date: Apr 5, 2024
My fj cruiser has terrible rust on the frame. It literally looks like it was stored in the ocean for 50 years. This vehicle is from 2007 and should not have this much rust.
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2017) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Apr 9, 2024
Incident date: Apr 9, 2024
The paint is suddenly peeling off the car in large pieces. This is occurring above the rear window. The paint is white and I've found numerous complaints of others experiencing the same issue with the Honda white paint. Honda states they will not cover this as it is no longer under warranty and there are no active recalls on this vehicle. When I asked if this was covered for the 2013 Honda CRV t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2024
On at least 3 separate occasions, we parked the vehicle in a lot with no cars or obstructions nearby. We attemped to open the falcon doors to get our baby out and they would not open signalling an 'obstruction'. Then we attempted to override the obstruction and it refused to override. We had to remove our baby out of the front of the vehicle. I've reached out to Tesla for over one month with zero ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2024
I submitted a previous report regarding my passenger front door attempting to open while the vehicle was in motion. Yesterday the door fully opened under motion with my wife as a passenger. It sounds like the latch kept cycling until the door opened. My wife just prior to departure decided to start video recording while driving as we both believed the dealer may not be able to replicate the incide... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2024
My tailgate has been unlatching while driving and I do not understand why. It came down while I had my trailer attached and it damaged the tailgate. No one is touching the button that unlatches the tailgate and it is closed when I start driving, but sometime before I arrive to the next destination it's miraculously down. This is very dangerous and I would like help getting it taken care of
Incident date: Dec 11, 2023
"What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?" - Rear subframe. Total rust through due to improper steel alloy and insufficient paint. Same as happened for the front subframe. Front subframe was recalled as 2818I (Mazda's number) and 19V-323, 18V-631 (NHTSA numbers). NHTSA should also mandate rear subframe be recalled. "How was your safety... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
The paint on the body of the car is chipping, and peeling away. There are large patches of paint missing. While driving down the road paint falls off. The paint comes off randomly; allowing the environment to be affected. There is rust forming on the locations the paint, and primer have peeled away at. The vehicle has not been inspected at this time. No symptoms until the paint, and primer s... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
Water getting into rear liftgate control module. Had to replace seal and module.
FORD
F-150 LIGHTNING BEV
(2022) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Apr 8, 2024
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
Tailgate. Yes it can be inspected. It opens and closes randomly , I was going on to the freeway for work when I suddenly received a notice that the tailgate was opening. when I pulled over the gate was open and all the contents were at the end of the truck bed, power saws and equipment almost flew out into traffic! I then called the dealer who told me there was a recall and to bring it in, so I d... Read more
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID
(2020) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Apr 7, 2024
Incident date: Apr 6, 2024
I'm writing this in anticipation of my carbon-fiber roof failing, though it has not yet. It is showing standard early signs, consisting of blistering of the clear coat, which appears to be directly over the fiberglass composite roof surface proper. I keep it covered, and that probably has much to do with the blistering not advancing noticeably in recent times.
Incident date: Apr 5, 2024
Rear window leak causing whole inside back to get soaked. Have paid hundreds of dollars to have sealed didn’t work. New window didn’t work it still leaks. It’s going to cause interior to mold and body to rust. Dealership and glass business both say it’s body issue and they have seen many GMC and Chevrolets with this issue. Google show 1000s with same problem.
MINI
COUNTRYMAN
(2015) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Apr 7, 2024
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
The paint began flaking off in dime size chunks after a car wash. primarily around the back windshield but also around the gas door cover. I brought it to a body shop to be checked on. They said this was a common thing they see in civics from 2017, and it is a manufacturing defect.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2024
Vehicle's rear end bolts rusted through had to replace the rear-end, we also had a 2004 that the frame rusted and broke in half, and the rear-end rusted out on it too. It was said it was caused by a design flaw that wouldn't allow the water to drain properly. They have recalls on it in the uk and other countries.
Incident date: Apr 12, 2023
The driver side door fails to open from the outside. I'm not sure if it is available for inspection, as I've tried to contact the Hyundai dealership I got it from, and they haven't gotten back to me. This is a safety issue because it causes me to have to walk around to the passenger side door and either climb over, or reach over and partially open the driver door then get back out and walk over to... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
There is water leak on Driver side floor and is covered under Nissan Service Bulletin NTB14-105a. The carpet is wet on the driver and/or front passenger floor and the source of the wetness is not caused by the air conditioning system.
Incident date: Sep 22, 2023
Two times already the driver side door of the 2024 Subaru Outback opened while driving. One time it was on the freeway, at freeway speeds. The second time happened today 4/6/2024 while driving on a city street. Both times once the vehicle was in motion, there was no indication, no chime, or anything that suggested that the door latch wasn't closed. To be specific, the door actually opened, free fr... Read more
TOYOTA
RAV4 PRIME
(2024) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Apr 6, 2024
Incident date: Apr 6, 2024
Signs of frame flex/failure Lag boats through frame beam into exterior walls, are protruding and coming out. Countertop and cabinet, rubbing against the walls, lots of cracks in the Front Cap. The RV as less then 5000 miles on it and only used maybe once a month during summer months. Per my research these are signs of frame flex/failure.
GRAND DESIGN
MOMENTUM
(2021) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Apr 6, 2024
Incident date: Apr 6, 2024
Pearl white Telluride paint chipping off with no explanation. Several body shops state that this is a well known issue.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
The frame of the vehicle has a recall on it because of excessive rusting. The previous owner had not gotten the recall fixed. The rusted frame causes issues with steering, maintenance, and general control and safety of the vehicle. Toyota dealerships claim this recall has expired. A rusted frame violated NY State inspection. Since this indefinitely violates the NHTSA guidelines and regulations, ho... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
ML350
(2013) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Apr 6, 2024
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
Driving down the highway on April 6, 2024 I hear a loud explosion and the passenger rear window had exploded sending glass flying everywhere. The window is completely exploded. Today was the first warm day that I had to turn the air conditioning on in the car and 5-10 min after I turned the air-conditioning on, the window exploded.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
My Honda Pilot PAINT started coming off, paint peling off. Location: roof above windshield passenger side. My vehicle is garage kept at all times. Hand and automatic washed regularly. Please advise on how to proceed with repairs. Thank you in advance
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2022) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Apr 5, 2024
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
I was driving in the street at 10 miles, I turned to the right and I push the break but the car didn't break and I crashed with the car in front of me.
Crash
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
Welds all over the structure continue to break. Multiple cross member welds have failed. Multiple wall stud welds have broken Multiple floor joist welds have broken.
Incident date: Apr 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Maverick. The contact stated that mold was forming inside the front of the cabin due to a leak from the windshield. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was confirmed. The contact stated that the mold was a hazard to the health of any occupant while inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possess... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2024
Rear window is leaking into truck came home from vacation and it rained while vehicle parked outside found both my key fob could not be detected and UCONNECT would not respond to commands thru phone. Vehicle totally inoperable could not start. Had towed to Shivley Motors where it currently sits. Found out that water leak could ruin the rf module and electrical componets behind rear seat to include... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2024
My 2020 SEL Ford Escape has faulty spot welds on the drivers side door hinge. All three spot welds have broken and has caused the door to make metal scraping noise and is hard to shut. Also, I can not longer roll down my drivers side window because the hinge is blocking the window from rolling down.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The ignition switch shorted, a fuse shorted and these symptoms revealed a bigger problem. The holding area for the tire in the rear (does not hold a tire because of space issue) was repurposed by the manufacturer to mount the rear fuse box and amp. When the sunroof overflows or gasket allows moisture to build this area holds water. Unknown water source at this time but there is no drain for the wa... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
2020 Ford Escape has an failure of spot welds in the vehicle's doors, causing the door check arm to break off. Unable to open window all the way or open door all the way. Having repaired before I'm unable to close door or it falls off.
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
Door hinge on front driver's side door is broken and door swings open hard (especially in wind). It has knocked people (myself, my wife) over and has hit vehicles parked next to it. Took it in to Ford and they said things like this break. Now the same thing happened to the passenger side front door. This seems to be a manufacturing issue.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
Lost the driver side A pillar in January- now just lost passenger side A pillar driving on I-16
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Sunroof unexpected exploded. No external interfaces (rocks or debris or weather) radio off sunscreen open sunroof closed. Speed was approximately 30 mph. Took car to dealership and was told sunroof don't just explode something had to hit it. They mentioned nothing about the issues with these sunroof, complaints or investigations that has done.
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
My 2021 Silverado (~29500 miles) pickup has a multifunction tailgate. I noticed about two weeks ago that the tailgate would unlatch and come down at random. I might unlock and open the door or I might start the vehicle or I might turn off the vehicle and the tailgate would come down. It is very random and has no pattern to why it is happening. The gate is electrically controlled inside the veh... Read more
INTERNATIONAL
MV
(2019) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Apr 4, 2024
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
Front Stationary Sunroof Panel (between the windshield and the sunroof) deteriorating and cracking in the middle. I've read about a recall on previous year models that will extend to this year model or even further year but waiting on this recall to reach my vin number. I've seen same model year in other states have this issue resolved with the recall update in Feb 2024. This is related to the NHT... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2016) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Apr 4, 2024
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
Panel between front windshield and sun/moon roof was vibrating loose as well as the clear coat completely peeling off the piece. The car is only at 57k miles so this should NOT be occurring. That piece felt like it will fly off while driving. Unsafe.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2024
Driver's door safety check arm spot welds broke
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
Corrosion around driver and passenger door hinges.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2024
I purchased my vehicle from Southern Pines NC and at the time it had 12k miles on it. At about 40K I started having transmission problems. It would hard shift in 1st and 2nd gears. It also would not go into reverse. Hendrix Chevy had my vehicle multiple times attempting to fix things. Telling me it was not the transmission etc etc. My power train warranty expired at 60K. I have asked for my comple... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2024
Automatic Trunk (Lift Gate) Guillotine Problem: The convenience of the trunk (lift gate) is a helpful feature to the driver and/or passengers of the vehicle, but this feature can be deadly at the wrong place and wrong time, for example: The driver/passenger presses the open/close trunk (lift gate) and a child’s hand, head, and/or body part is against/leaning/underneath/over that opening while t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
Tailgate drops without warning, lower button on tailgate doesn't work.