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: Jun 20, 2023
My car has 122,760 miles and has had multiple fuses blow repeatedly. In the last 2wks. Today is 06-21-2023 I can change a fuse and it will blow within 15miles. Also the trim going around my windshield has disintegrated. It literally crumbled into pieces when I touched it. I noticed this almost 3 yrs ago.
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 21, 2023
Incident date: Jun 14, 2023
My Kia Sorrento Snow White Paint Peeling Chipping Flaking. Rapid peeling of paint. Delamination. My Kia is just a little over three years old. Should not be peeling. This is my second kia. My older one same color no paint issues even after 6 years. Paint is bubbling in some areas and seems like a manufacturer faulty paint job. Paint is coming off in big flakes on doors sides, around windshield and... Read more
CHRYSLER
PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2018) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 21, 2023
Incident date: May 5, 2023
At around 66,000, I opened the driver's side door and noticed a popping sound when the door opened wide. I investigated a bit and noticed the door welds were cracked. The workaround was to only open the driver's side door slightly when entering and exiting. Then the driver's side window began behaving erratically. It could lower slightly but then may roll back up or roll all the way down without h... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2023
Bought the vehicle used from a dealership. The windshield wobbles at highways speeds. Noticed today that the trim on the left side of the vehicle is detached partially. Dealership will not do anything to resolve the issue. Serious safety concern.
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
The Panoramic Vista Glass Sunroof on my 2015 Ford Edge shows many cracks along the front edge of the glass for no apparent reasons. This was discovered recently on a calm cloudy day. I've attached some pictures at different angles. This roof has the potential to explode if going on a high speed. I'm surprise to discovered that their is no recall issue for this model, but on other Ford Models w... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
As I was driving the car today, I had a car ahead of me at a full stop, so in order to slow down the car I lifted my foot off the acceleration pedal. However, instead of slowing down it sped up. My car has regenerative breaking (and it was turn on) which usually applies break when the pressure is lifted from acceleration pedal. However in this instant my car started speeding up. I then applied pre... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
On Sunday, 6/18/2023, a little after 9pm, I was STOPPED at a traffic light outside the Shell station at 600 S Michigan St, Seattle, WA. Whilst waiting for the traffic light to turn green, the sunroof exploded from the inside out! (Traffic camera should confirm the sudden hole in my sunroof) It was an EXTREMELY loud bang and initially I thought someone threw a large rock at my cars' window. Howeve... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
My dash constantly makes this buzzing sound coming around the center of the dash. It is highly distracting and has almost caused me multiple incidents trying to stop the noise and find out where exactly it’s coming from. Yes it’s been reproduced by others.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2023
The driver's inside door handle broke off during routine use. This could pose an egress hazard. No accident happened; the handle broke while the vehicle was parked. The handle was replaced by the dealer at our cost (warranty was expired). We still have the broken handle in our possession, and are providing pictures.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
Passenger Side Air Bag sensor flashes possibility due to faulty sensor in passenger seat. Water enters cabin on passenger side causing water to pool on floorboards, possibly causing electrical damage and failure. Water entering could be due to flawed design in water channel or sunroof.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
The power sliding rear door on the driver side is stuck in a locked position for 4-5 days now. This has happened previously to our power sliding rear door on the passenger side as well (before the current extended warranty) and we corrected that issue on our own by replacing the door actuator. Now that it has happened again and there is a warranty on it, I took it to the dealership and they are ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2023
The glass sunroof has spontaneous wavy cracking throughout 50% of the front portion. I am concerned about the integrity of the glass, as well as the safety of myself and passengers in the vehicle. There was no apparent point of impact; it appears to be a tempering/temperature issue. No warning lights, messages, etc. were present. I noticed the issue upon opening the shade screen below the roof, ... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2023
Passenger door suddenly opens at highway speed (over 70 mph), requiring very dangerous manoeuvres to stop and close it again. This happened 6 times in 4 hours of travel.
Incident date: Dec 14, 2022
Door guide hinge failed where the guide hinge is "welded" (glued) to the internal frame of the door, causing the door to sometimes not to close, window to stop lowering, and inoperable lock. Shockingly not covered under warranty
Incident date: May 27, 2023
I was driving my car and had just entered the highway and my panoramic sunroof exploded. It sounded like a gun had went off in my car. I immediately drove to the dealership who informed me that it was not covered under warranty. I had it replaced as I was out of town 8 hours from home and the glass started falling onto the headliner which I kept closed for safety. I did catch the incident on my d... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2022
Rear hatch on our Odyssey EX-L started giving a "Power Tailgate Problem", and it would not open at all except by mechanically releasing the hatch from the emergency access panel. I replaced the rear hatch control module and the hatch could now again be opened from the outside as normal, but the power tailgate still did not function up and down, and requires manual lifting open and pushing closed. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
The Power Step / Running Boards do not operate as intended, especially on the driver's side. They are not deploying or retracting as they should, possibly leading to personal injury, ie. spain ankles, injury to the knees, legs and or backs of individuals, who assume the Power Step has deployed before entering or exiting the vehicle. I am seeking a recall be established concerning this matter, and ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
Frame rail has rusted out causing this vehicle unsafe to drive. A quick google search showed this a common problem. I know Mercedes Benz have recalled rusting brake boosters and provided extended warranty on rear subframe rust. Toyota has recalled truck frames. Dodge is ignoring this issue.
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 19, 2023
Incident date: Apr 29, 2023
Driver side windshield trim detached from vehicle while driving at highway speed. Do not have the actual trim, have photographs of the A-post where trim detached. Safety of other drivers at risk due to part flying off vehicle at highway speeds. A quick Google search shows this as an issue for many drivers. No inspection of the issue completed. No warning lamps or messages. Rubber trim around winds... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
Drivers door started making grinding noise when opening and shutting. Found all six spot welds broke. Car has less than 29000 miles on it and just out of warranty. Dealer said Ford wants the door replaced. Cost me 1,880.00 dollars to replace. Highway robbery!. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
Side pillar flew off while driving
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
I brought my car brand new from the KIA DEALERSHIP.. I started to notice paint that was missing which I thought maybe from a rock(2019)But the peeling continued to peel. At this point my hood is 35% peeled off now and the top of my Kia is now starting to peel . I have noticed a lot of Kia owners that have this exact same problem.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
Passenger side window trim blew off at highway speed without warning. Have not had it to the dealer yet as this appears to be a problem for the Explorer. I am not sure where the piece ended up. There was not a vehicle immediately behind the car so I don’t believe it struck anyone.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
1-Clips that secure the front grill and font quarter panels have broken for no apparent reason. 2-Body parts can fall off during driving if not repaired 3-Inspected at dealership 4-No warnings - the front camera looked "cloudy" because it had fallen when the grill clips broke and became loose The entire grill has to be replaced. All parts are on backorder with no date for restock. This is my dai... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2023
Truck has no spare tire, totally missing the assembly and bracket originally used to hold the tire (have a junk one in the bed). The crossmember under the truck is about 50% intact is getting ready to fall off. Brake lines and rocker panals rotted out as well. Holes in the frame starting and a patch was already needed on the frame (drivers side rear). As well as a loose bed. The truck is very cle... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2023
The trim on the front windshield blows off constantly at highway speeds. I’ve had this car for a little over a year now and we’ve already replaced it four different times. Every time, it stays on about a month before it detaches and blows off again. The last time, it just barely missed the car behind me. I haven’t replaced it since then because I am terrified the next time it happens, a moto... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
I was in a head on collision where my vehicle went off the road and hit a guard rail head on. My vehicle was totaled but not a single air bag deployed. If I was not wearing my seat belt I could have been ejected from the vehicle. There were no warning lights of any kind shown. It was raining and wet out during the day.
Crash
1 injured
GMC
SIERRA 2500
(2024) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 18, 2023
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
I attempted to open my rear passenger driver side door and it wouldn't open from the outside, then tried inside door handle and still would not open. Tried the door lock and key fob. Still would not open. Searched on Google and many other people have the same issue with the same car where the rear driver side door will not open. This is a safety hazard as you are unable to escape from the vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2023
The passenger side window trim flew off on the expressway. Barely missing the vehicle behind. The drivers side trim looks as if it's becoming detached also.
Incident date: May 27, 2023
My Ford Explorer 2016 windshield outer trim fell off while driving causing major danger on the highway.
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
Rear drivers side door will not open. Difficult to access kid in car seat. It has not been taken to dealer yet, BUT it’s a common and expensive failure of door latch discussed online.
Incident date: May 20, 2023
A Piller trim came flying off on the highway.
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
First, the plastic around wheel wells began to come out, then other parts of underneath near the skid area at the front of car begin to drag. Eventually a lot of the plastic pulled away underneath the car taking some of the front bumper. Then the car ran hot and had zero fluid in the radiator even though I regularly have oil changed and fluids topped off. Now the air conditioner throws out hot air... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
My F-450 has had the tailgate recall 19S48 completed. However, this did not correct the problem and the tailgate still unlatches and extends without warning while driving. In this latest incident, a cargo trailer I was towing was severely damaged as a result.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
Body damage when I bought the truck
Incident date: Jan 7, 2023
I would like to bring to your attention two safety concerns regarding the 2016 Ford F150 model, specifically related to the braking system and the panoramic roof hardware. I have experienced these issues which may pose potential risks and compromise the safety and functionality of the vehicle. Brakes Dragging or Caliper Seizing: Brakes on my 2016 Ford F150, which have experienced dragging brake... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
I was having the truck inspected per state yearly requirements and when the shop lifted the truck, the bed bent backward. The frame was rusted out on both sides.
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
The lower front clip/air dam came off the vehicle at highway speeds(75mph) on a 2 lane highway. Highway 180 in west Texas east of Seminole, TX. A flat front face semi-truck(75mph I am guessing, but it is known the trucks exceed that speed regularly in that area.) traveling in the opposite direction. I was completing the merge to the left as a passing lane section of the highway was ending. As we p... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2018) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 16, 2023
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
Vehicle is switching to mud and sand mode on its own, which according to a quick google search is a common electrical problem. Possible cause listed by other drivers is a roof rail leak. Upon inspection I see water stains on the inside of my headliner where the roof rails sit. So confirmed roof rail leak. I have not yet had this looked at to learn the full extent of the damage.
Incident date: Mar 19, 2023
Hit a pot hole in a parking lot and the gas tank fell onto the ground. Upon further inspection, it was discovered that the frame cross members and fuel tank straps are rusted/rotted and cannot support the tank.
Incident date: May 28, 2023
Driver A pillar molding flew off and hit the driver's mirror and driver's side window doing 70 mph. Amost resulting in a accident.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
The rear axle on my vehicle snapped while I was driving causing me to lose control and leave the roadway. I contacted Ford who told me there was a recall for the rear axle of my vehicle and that I would have no out of pocket expenses for the repairs and the towing of the vehicle to the service center. After they set up the towing I received a message saying I had to pay $381 for the towing before ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 31, 2023
While driver 47 mph to work this morning my rear windshield suddenly popped and shattered. I was not under on over hangs or buildings. There were no others cars even around me at the time. I did have the rear defrost on. The whole windshield broke and fell apart.
Incident date: May 30, 2023
Driver side door will make a loud clank everytime you open the door as if it is coming off the hinge. The driver side window will no longer go down properly. The driver side door lock won't open with the key fab but the key only. I took it to ford to be fixed under warranty and they tried to say it wasn't their problem and it isn't covered. They said it was in an accident and it wasn't.They said I... Read more
KTM
V-TWIN RC8 SUPER DUKE R
(2017) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 15, 2023
Incident date: May 1, 2022
My ruck was recalledseveral years agofor the frame. To correct this issuea toyota dealer spray the frame.this did not stop the frame from rusting.a lot of other people I talked to said their frames replaced with no questions asked. But not mine.when I talked toyota for the new england territory, I was just given a run around. And nothing was done. There have been other recalls such as the air bag ... Read more
HYUNDAI
GENESIS COUPE
(2013) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 15, 2023
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
While on the freeway, my passenger door unlatches and opens. The warning indicator goes off that a door is open and it is free from the locking mechanism, requiring the door be opened and pulled closed while in motion. The door has done this repeatedly for over a year. Most recently, it opened and almost hit another vehicle on the road. This is incredibly dangerous and a panic inducing concern tha... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2015) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 15, 2023
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
Upon cruising down the highway about 60 MPH,my powered windshield support arm broke and the windshield fell back toward me in between the handle bars. Upon inspection,arm broke in half leaving the windshield unsupported. Our safety was put at risk because windshield was laying flat instead of upright for protection from winds and bugs or debris as designed. We had to prop it up with a coat to fini... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2023
I was operating my car on a 4-lane highway early in the morning, conditions were sunny and weather was approximately 50 degrees. Without warning the panoramic sunroof on my E63S exploded with a loud pop and showered the interior of my car with glass. This was sudden and unprovoked by any outside object or force. Mercedes Benz USA has denied any responsibility via both dealership and choosing to be... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
The surface of the drivers side interior door handle has peeled and created a dangerously sharp edge that WILL cause physical harm to the drivers hand. The middle finger on my left hand was sliced open on 06/15/2023. I made an appointment with the dealer to have to handle inspected/replaced and a service done. The vehicle is available for inspection and I have photos of the faulty door handle and... Read more
1 injured