Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 49,040 complaints — component: STRUCTURE:BODY
Incident date: Dec 16, 2023
Frame is so rotted it is falling apart in pieces. Truck doesn’t even have 100000 miles
Incident date: Dec 17, 2023
Under the bottom of my truck, there is tons of rust. I know a lot of the trucks my year, make, and model has been recalled for rust on the body and other parts of the truck. I was told that a Toyota dealership should replace it with the amount it has, and now a hole has appeared but they only told me a price to fix everything that is rusted. Just puts my vehicle at risk driving it back and forth t... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF R
(2017) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Dec 18, 2023
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Sunroof shattered and detached at highway speed without impact
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
3 weld spots failed on driver door arm latch
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
Hello, I took my Nissan Altima into my local Nissan dealer for a hood latch recall on 11/13/2023. On 11/21/2023 at about 6:40 pm I was driving my car at a speed of maybe 45-50mph and my hood flew open hitting my windshield causing damage to my car, and scaring my son and I. I called the dealer the next morning and spoke to Anthony from the service department regarding this situation, and he stated... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
Driver side door suddenly began making loud creaking and popping noise when opening and closing. The driver side window also will not let all the way down since the noises started. Took it to the Ford dealership advised it was the door check assembly that was broke and they order the part. Took it to a 3rd party to have it put on and they advised that there was a failure with the spot welds in the... Read more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the body mount on the vehicle was deteriorating. The owner stated that there was a rattling sound coming from the vehicle while driving at various speeds. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that the body mount was deteriorating. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was waiting for an appointment with the local dealer.... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2023
On December 14, 2023 I noticed there was an orange spot and several smaller orange areas that appeared under the clearcoat on my front bumper. I was unable to remove them through hand washing and waxing. I decided to take it in to two local body shops who pointed out to me that the fender was misaligned. After further review we found paint peeling and cracking on and under the hood as well as the ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2015) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Dec 18, 2023
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
We had car at a car dealer and the manufacturer declined doing the recall on the car for corrison on the front crossmember, telling us due to car has a total loss record on Carfax. The vehicle total loss record was for a accident that didn't effect that part of the car that's under recall, it was due to vehicle repairs were more then what car was worth. The piece I think they call it crossmember... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2023
We bought this trailer brand new in 2016. A few months later the gate opened at one side because it had not been centered when the trailer was manufactured and the latch pin didn’t go far enough into the receiver. The manufacturer paid to have this defect corrected. A few weeks ago the pin opened once again due to a faulty welding spot at the bracket. The bracket is welded onto the frame at 2 ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
Bought my daughter a 2020 Ford Escape. Last week, while at college, she called to say her door was making loud sounds when opening and shutting it and her window wouldn't roll down. Concerned that the door wouldn't stay shut I had her go to the Ford dealership in her college town. They told her they have seen two other Ford Escapes this week with the same issue and that she would probably need ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
1998 Ford F150 S/N 1FTRX18L7WNB03063 Mechanic said the frame is rusting badly. Suggested I not pull a heavy trailer or haul heavy loads in the bed.
HYUNDAI
SONATA HYBRID
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Dec 18, 2023
Incident date: Jun 29, 2022
Been over 30 days since vehicle was inspected for a recall that requires installing a tow hitch. Manufacturer will not provide an ETA for parts however I can go thru various other methods to obtain parts needed within a few days. Seems like manufacturer is stalling and not wanting to fix issue.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
My car fail to start or move after a charge, have to get it tow to dealer, My rear strut making a popping noise dying the summer n winter the noise limited There a puddle of water on my passenger rear left side floor
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
The roof of the vehicle crackles and pops when it is in the blowing section of an automatic car wash. We have never had any experience like this before. The roof of the truck is so flimsy that it was actually dented by the hard blowing of air. I don’t feel like this car is solidly constructed and safe.
Incident date: Dec 16, 2023
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Panoramic stationary sunroof between the windshield and sunroof glass panel disbonded while vehicle was in operation and almost caused an accident on the highway. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Exterior panel disbonded while in operation and alm... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2023
2013 G37 with only 58K in miles. The passenger interior was flooded after some rainstorms. The dealer has provided me an estimate of $3,000 to repair the sunroof drain and the water damage to the body control module (BCM). Infiniti Consumer Affairs has been zero help. They just gave me the run around. There are tons of videos and posts regarding the defect with the sunroof drain.
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
Dec 7, 2023, I was driving on [XXX] in Gaston County and someone slammed my vehicle as I was driving safely and not fast. I was in the middle lane and barely saw the vehicle that slammed me pushing me to the left of the interstate. Officer Talley, J was there to help me: The report number is [XXX]. The vehicle was totally damaged and I am waiting for Progressive to complete the claim so I can ge... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
APIM unit and plastic body components 2016 F150, 31,071mi., Sync3 v3.0.20204 Symptoms: Malfunction of the power window controls, radio controls and instrument panel. The APIM also controls many other safety functions, such as rear camera, safety lanes, park assist, backup guides, gps, cruise control, trailer/tow information, and other warnings/features. It is notable that Ford has issued recalls... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
APIM unit and plastic body components 2014 Explorer, Sync2 v3.10 Symptoms: Malfunction of power window controls, radio controls, rear camera and vent controls. The APIM also controls many other safety functions, such as safety lanes, park assist, backup guides, gps, cruise control, trailer/tow information, and other warnings/features. It is notable that Ford has issued recalls for the APIM due to ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2020
The TRUNK will not open. It is supposed to open by pressing the button on the key fob or taking the thin key out of the key fob and manually open the truck with the keyed lock. Neither method works. There is absolutely no way to open the trunk otherwise (i.e. inside button or lever). When the key fob button and the thin key do not work there is absolutely no way to open the truck. There is no way... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2023
Drivers door latch will NOT lock/engage after opening door.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
The paint of my 2019 Pearl White Sonata is peeling off on the hood. I see that there was an extended warranty extension on the same car of 2017 and 2018. I would like to know why not including 2019 of the same color on the same car.
HYUNDAI
GENESIS COUPE
(2013) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Dec 15, 2023
Incident date: Sep 22, 2023
the paseenger side door hinge welding has come apart making my door unsafe
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Dec 15, 2023
Incident date: Oct 12, 2023
The rear subframe is rusted through in several areas. The rear sway bar connection point on the rear driver side control arm is no longer connected due to rust. The rear tires are slanted inward causing uneven tire wear. The vehicle sways from side to side while driving on any surface that is even slightly slick. The problem was discovered while replacing the rear brakes on the vehicle.
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
Large area of roof has paint peeling off exposing metal. Several paint chips on roof and sides as well. Hazard: Polyisocyanates such as toluene and 4,4'-diphenylmethane are found in paints and other automotive coatings. These are toxic to the nervous system and are also skin and eye irritants.
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS CLANKING/ POPPING NOISE WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. THE DOOR DOOT STAY ROD WELD IS BROKEN AND THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN. IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN TO OPEN IT AND THE DOOR HINGE WELD IS BROKEN. THIS HAS HAPPENING TO OTHERS AND THE DEALER HAS SAID IT IS A PROBLEM THEY HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR.
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2023) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Dec 14, 2023
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
So essentially I stopped for a charge about 30 minutes before, I charged it, then hopped back on the turnpike as I was heading to Outer Banks NC, while I was on the turn pike where I believe at the time I started to go around a curve not a sharp one but a curve right after coming off this bridge. Every 1 minute and 30 seconds you have to put your hands on the wheel and give it a jerk to keep it en... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 1, 2023
The hood latch recall was done June 2022, but it became malfunction 1 year after recall was done. When driving, the hood flies up and almost hit the windshield. Luckily I didn't drive on the highway. Called the dealer and said it was out of the warranty which is 1 year or 10000 miles after the recall. Why this important parts have so short warranty. The hood can't be open when I closed it after th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
I was stopped at a light, and I as I continued my trip after the green. I had put the car in auto pilot. As I approached the curve there deer to my left that got my attention. The vehicle didn't follow the road, nor did it announce with any warnings, or lane assists that the vehicle was departing the lane. Impact was made into a broken guard rail. Guard Rail impaled the vehcile from the left side ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 14, 2023
Major major frame and wheel well rust , ever one I see is exactly the same , I live in upstate ny and yes we use salt but I've done a lot of research and the problem is country wide , please do some things this isn't right , I'm not trying to get a new free truck , just not get screwed out of the one I have cause it will fail inspection soon
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
driver side door check bracket, makes cracking , crunching noise feels /sounds like it is ready to fall off.
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
The welds on the door bracket broke from just opening the door with no force
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2011) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Dec 13, 2023
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
Paint adhesion. Pearl white color coats flaking off in several parts of body.
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
The door hold back has detached from its spot welds
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
Unknown: we were on [XXX] when the car went out of control. It first spun one way and then the other way and then we hit the concrete abutment where the guardrail connects to it. We hit it head on. It was as if we were on ice or oil, unable to gain control or brake. We checked the road and it was dry. Other cars were going by with no problem. The airbags didn’t deploy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURS... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
paint peeling off hood and doors now after already having the roof repainted under Honda extended warranty. now dragging feet on honoring paint peeling off the rest of the problem areas.
Incident date: Sep 22, 2023
I have a 2017 RAV4 Hybrid XLE that I bought brand New. I have done all schedule maintenance on it. I was driving to an appointment on 15 November 2023 and the vehicle all the sudden jerked violently side to side throwing me off the road. I brought the car to the shop thinking an alignment or something. My whole rear subframe was cracked, and by the driver side rear wheel bolt it was broke straigh... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
3 out of 4 doors have stopped opening from the outside. The locks still work properly and have no effect on the outside door handles. The doors still open just fine from the inside, except for the driver door. The driver door will not open at all, which is a major safety issue and should have been recalled, especially since the door handles are well known issue for Hondas. Although the car does ha... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
Tailgate hinges ripping and tailgate will not close properly. no accident no abuse, this is something that is happening to a lot of Rav4's.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
Drivers door making noises. I was given the option WHOLE new door- total cost $2900 - I have to pay $1635 for NEW door which by the way will not match my car color as car 3 - 4 years old! SSM 50150 from national highway traffic safety administration. They also offer another solution to solve the problem. Ford should offer a better solution as shabby workmanship
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Truck's power door lock actuators are failing and fail to unlock the doors via remote or the interior door(s) electric unlock button(s). The only way to open the door is via exterior key (if you happen to have it accessible) or if you pull the vehicle's interior door handle, which then "pops" the door lock button. This failure is alarming as in the event of an emergency, access to the interior cab... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2023) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Dec 12, 2023
Incident date: Dec 12, 2023
SSM 51553. My vehicle has a known problem with the left front door that has been reported by many other car owners. It presents with a cracked or broken spot weld in the left front door at the check arm attachment point in the vehicle assembly. The wider is also impacted as it will only open approximately 5 inches. A door assembly replacement at the cost of $2100 has been recommended. I contac... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2023
Frame failure due to rust. Suspension is detached with springs hitting frame. NOTE: fuel tank partially detached previously due to rusted brackets 3-4 years ago and all components were replaced. Filed NHTSA report at that time however had technical issues completing… Still have photos.
Incident date: Sep 25, 2023
Door made popping sound and door is no longer latching. Hinge broke. Dealership states faulty spot weld.
Incident date: Dec 5, 2023
Pieces and or flakes of vehicle paint are falling off the body of the vehicle. Mainly affected areas is the top front portion of the roof above the windshield and front of the hood. Paint started peeling off around the 28,000 mile mark. I’m currently at 30,000 miles. Keeps getting worse. A piece of paint peeled off and was stuck to my windshield and I could not visibly see the road. Had to pull ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2023
Front left drivers door hinge check arm attachment welds have broken causing a terrible noise and making it hard to close the door. It hasn't been reproduced or confirmed yet by a dealer or independent service center as I just now figured out what the noise was and it's getting worse every time the door is used. Hasn't been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
I went to get the vehicle inspected today and was told it failed due to the chassis frame in the rear being rusted thru. This could cause the suspension to collapse any time. I see on the internet that multiple others have and are experiencing the same with the Sierra and Silverado. My vehicle has unlimited washes and has been washed 40 times a year and looks new from the outside.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2023
Blind spot. Numerous times the driver mirror is large and close to the window /door frame causing a huge blind spot as to where I've almost hit people crossing in a crosswalk, mostly by making a left turn.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
This 2017 Highlander Blizzard Pearl White paint is defective on the drivers side door. Paint started to bubble in 2021 then peeled off with rust stains underneath due to water damage. It appears that there is no sealant on the door for the paint to adhere so it continues to peel and rust. A defective paint job on this vehicle when manufactured. Please have Toyota take responsibility for their ... Read more