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: May 9, 2023
My wife was dropping my kid in the school drop off line. The speed was probably about 5 mph. The Tesla suddenly went into a sudden spontaneous acceleration. When my wife tried to brake, the brakes did not work. There was no forward collision warning beeping sound that went off, which is supposed to. It hit the vehicle in front and finally hit a fence. so, both the accelerator and brake malfunction... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 15, 2023
The passenger door latch cracked and door would not close. This is exactly as described in a recall of other Ford vehicles from the same model year, however, the Flex was not included.
Incident date: Jun 10, 2022
The door weld on drivers side door cracked and became unwelded and door will only open partically and win dow does not operate to go down SSM 50150 - 2020-2021 Escape - Cracked Or Broken Spot Welds In The Left Front Door At The Check Arm Attachment Points In The Door Assembly Some 2020-2021 Escape vehicles may exhibit cracks... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2021
While driving 75 mph on I-80 in Nebraska, the passenger side windshield trim flew off my 2018 Ford Explorer with no warning. This is the second time it has happened, although we heard something hitting the car before it flew off the first time. This was in 2020.
MERCEDES-BENZ
C230
(2006) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 14, 2023
Incident date: Jul 3, 2009
Body frame terrible
Crash
Incident date: May 14, 2023
My rear passenger side rusted right out completely and the strut mount is not attached to any part of the body. It caused my vehicle to swirve off the road almost hitting another vehicle when it was raining out also in the snow this occurred several times where my rear end jerked sideways pulling my truck into a complete circle.
Incident date: May 7, 2023
Constant rattling after only 2,000 miles. Sounds like it’s coming from behind the glove box. Another constant rattle from the head up display.
Incident date: May 13, 2023
The dashboard of this vehicle has become sticky to the touch and excessively shiny, and appears to be melting in spots, causing glare on the windshield that obstructs vision while driving.
Incident date: May 9, 2023
I opened the driver side door after returning home and heard some kind of popping sound, kind of like something in the door was catching on something else and then I opened the door more to see three holes on the door near the middle hinge. I opened the door all the way to get out and am now unable to close the door because the hinge is completely broken. I googled it and have seen other people ha... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2020) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 13, 2023
Incident date: Apr 29, 2023
Simalar issue to Toyota T-SB-0121-20 December 14, 2020 Sloshing or Splashing Noise Caused by Water Inside Doors The lower door seals are to tightly fitted and obstruct the door drainage holes. Debris builds up inside the drainage hole. In hard rain or car wash the door fills full of water causing potential for corrosion and damage to electrical components inside door.
Incident date: May 12, 2023
2004 Lexus GX470 factory-installed Blizzard White paint is peeling off in sheets. Was told by certified body shop that there is a clear defect with the primer. The areas affected are the hood, roof, and near back windows - no impact or other damage is present. This is unsafe as it will lead to the corrosion of the body of the car. There was a recall for the 2008-2009 models with this paint color, ... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2023
The rear tail gate seal for lamps on both the left and right side have failed and the lamp assemblies condense and fill with water. I have read other reports on your website of the same problem with the highlander. In your other reports the a person was told Toyota will not warranty the lamps because of moisture in them because it is not a safety issue. While it is because the moisture blocks the... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2023
This vehicle was subject to a recall NHTSA campaign number: 20V710. Tesla’s own number for this recall is SB-20-12-005. It appears the inspection carried out in 2021 apparently passed at the time and no corrections were made, however, the part in question recently last week. The center spine panel came apart. Tesla are not willing to accept any liability or responsibility even though they now th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 23, 2023
Since we purchased the vehicle in December, 2022, the doors have been unable to open on at least nine occasions, sometimes locking passengers in the vehicle, and sometimes locking passengers out of the vehicle. Using the remote key does not allow the doors to open, only making a clicking sound. As we approach the hot summer months, it is a safety risk to not be able to exit the vehicle. In additio... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 11, 2023
Incident date: Apr 10, 2023
While traveling at highway speed on Interstate 20 W in Texas, the right A-pillar molding detached and flew off. There were no indications of the part beginning to loosen prior to detaching. I have not taken the vehicle to the dealer as it is out of warranty.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2022
Was driving at highway speeds when a hitting sound was heard to the body. Could not determine while driving what or where the noise came from. Later discovered the RH side a-pillar trim had detached from the car. Unsure whether the trim piece affected other vehicles on the road.
Incident date: Apr 20, 2023
While driving the car I began to loose steering control . The car would not go in the direction I wanted to go. It was a harrowing experience but I managed to get to my destination. There My father noticed that the right front tire was rubbing the front of the wheel well. After further inspection I could see where the right lower control arm had broken free of the front subframe. I took photos... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side windshield trim detached. Additionally, while driving at 80 MPH, the driver’s side windshield trim detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,415.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2023
The subframe is rotting out and I’m feeling unsafe driving it
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 10, 2023
Incident date: May 10, 2023
Our camper has a cracked frame at the rear welds of the axle mounting bracket. The crack is traveling up the frame rail itself. This is occurring on both sides of the trailer.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
The paint on my vehicle is pealing off
Incident date: May 10, 2023
The contact's sister owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, it spontaneously caught fire. The ABS warning indicator light had previously been turned on and off. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. A police report was filed. The fire department was able to extinguish the ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 27, 2023
I was making my daily commute to work on 5/8/2023. Location:Between Liberty Texas and Devers Texas on Highway 90 Rundown of Events: I was Driving on the highway 90 alone. No inclement weather and no other motor vehicles within atleast 700 ft or more. For absolutely no reason, my sunroof randomly exploded with no 3rd party influence such as a rock/animal etc etc. The music was at a low level where... Read more
FORD
EXPLORER SPORT TRAC
(2008) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 10, 2023
Incident date: May 7, 2023
Car has strong smell of gas inside. Seeing by the other reports here that there is a regular problem with the fuel pump causing this issue. Is a safety hazard for obvious reasons. Drive shaft failed last year at less than 60,000 miles, but luckily had it replaced under dealership warranty. Others have not been so lucky, as I can see in these reports. Like tons of other reports here, door panels ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2022
I’ve had two instances of the windshield moulding becoming detached and flying off the car while on the highway. The first was a couple of years ago and involved the right side windshield moulding, this last one involved the left side windshield moulding. Each time I can’t be sure that the moulding didn’t fly into another car because it came off with such force, it actually scratched my ca... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 9, 2023
Incident date: May 3, 2023
My wife was driving the car through a twisty road, and she heard a clunking noise come from the front passenger door, and then the door opened. A warning came up that the emergency door release was pulled and that the door was open. My wife was the only person in the car and could not have pulled the emergency door release on the passenger side door. I took the car to Tesla, and they were able ... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2023
the whole frame is rusting out and the bed dipped and looks like it will fold in half.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
Frame is massively rusted and is hazardous. Need full replacement.
FORD
ESCAPE HYBRID
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 9, 2023
Incident date: Feb 22, 2023
I was driving on the interstate, traveling about 70 MPH, when my windshield trim piece of my car just detached and flew off the car. There was no initial impact or causing factor when this occurred. I was confused and looked back when it happened not knowing that a piece of my car had flown off in the moment. I do not know if it struck another car or caused any damage to other vehicles. The car be... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Chipping paint from the hood and drivers por and all four passenger doors have chipped paint and the bare metal is exposed. Started happening a couple months after I bought the vehicle and progressively getting worse. I have taken it to the dealer at Checkered Honda of Virginia. They said this car didn’t have any paint recalls but they mentioned some Honda civics and accords had paint issues.
Incident date: May 9, 2023
Paint peeliing and car rust has stated as soon as warranty ran out.
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 9, 2023
Incident date: May 8, 2023
Windshield cracked without even being hit by debris. Large crack. Less than 9k miles on the car
Incident date: Aug 2, 2021
paint coming off. peeling, flaking
Incident date: Jun 20, 2022
Passenger side Window trim. Trim detached flying off at traffic behind almost striking vehicle traveling directly behind my vehicle on interstate. No inspections have been completed by any professionals at this time. trim retainer is broke in half while still attached to the car. the trim piece itself was unable to be safely recovered. rubber along windshield next to trim came loose minutes before... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2023
Vehicle will randomly lock various doors and not allow them to be opened from the outside unless they are first opened from the inside and then the car will allow the extrnal handle to be used to open the door. This has happened on the passenger side front and rear and on the driver side rear door.
Incident date: May 8, 2023
Defect where rear controller arm connects to frame is rusted out. This would cause the rear tires to fall off. The rest of the car isn’t that bad. Canada there is a recall for this but not in the USA.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
Outer plastic A-Pillar Trim detaching from body of vehicle, putting other drivers at risk of vehicle parts coming off and hitting vehicle or causing accident
Incident date: May 5, 2023
After completing door latch recall there is still an alert the the hatchback is open. And doesn't shut off. The dealer states that I have to pay for replacement since the recall shows complete. Except the instructions did not show anything in regards to this component , in regards to the fuel system, the dealer said I would have to pay for test to determine if the PCM would fix the engine ight af... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2023
Driver door suddenly began making a very loud sound when opening and shutting as if the hinge is going to break.
Incident date: May 8, 2023
August 28, 2021 I was driving on the interstate when out of nowhere the rubber moulding/trim on my passenger side came partially detached and continued to bang up my window for the remainder of my trip (about 20 minutes at that time) until I could safely pull over and see what was happening. Majority of the rubber was missing and continued to disintegrate and fall off over the last 2 years. Yes... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2023
While driving on the interstate at 65mph, the driver side windshield trim cover and outer rubber windshield seal flew off the vehicle. There was no evidence of this possible issue prior to the event and no previous damage to the part.
Incident date: Feb 7, 2023
The glued seam on the convertible top has come unglued above the back window. The car has been garage kept and only has 66,000 miles. When riding down the road, I am afraid the top may continue to peel back and try to come loose. This isn't only a safety concern, it is a security concern, and protection from weather. It seems to be a known issue in the Mercedes forums.
MINI
COOPER CLUBMAN
(2010) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 8, 2023
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
Roof Rails are leaking and is a known issue. Water stains in the headliner and close to the side air bags. Smell of mildew causing health issues with my Asthma. Love the vehicle, but I do not trust that the air bags could or might not deploy or other electrical issues due to this.
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2015) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 8, 2023
Incident date: Mar 2, 2023
Electric fire drivers side rear inside, parked in driveway, hadn't been started for 24 hours, no inspection, not sure who to contact, disconnected battery and extinquised fire with water, major melting on inside and paint on outside, lucky we saw what was happening when we did close to fuel tank could have caused explosion
Fire
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
Drivers door will not latch and car thinks the door is closed/latched. This allows the driver to drive away with the door unlatched. I've had to open and close the door while moving to get it to latch which is obviously unsafe. In attached picture you can see how open the door is but the car gives no indication this is the case. Tesla has confirm the issue and has tried twice to correct the issue... Read more
Incident date: Sep 24, 2018
Drivers side door popping from doorwell due to broken arm.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
The drivers side door hinge broke and the window no longer rolls down. When I took it to the dealership they told me the weld on the hinge broke, that it was not covered under warranty, and that I would need a whole new door. It is the middle hinge that stabilizes the door and stops the top two hinges from becoming damaged. My door is still functional (despite making a very loud popping noise w... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2023
I made appointment with Galena Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat, Fort Myers, FL for May 4, 2023 at 9 AM to repair the Frame Stud defect (28A/NHTSA 23V-191) on this vehicle. After having received no communication from this dealer after 5 days, I went to pick up the vehicle the evening of May 8, 2023 and discovered no attempt to remedy this defect had been made. My plans are to drive this vehicle fro... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2023
The gas tank was only getting 10 gallons of gas and not 16 gallons like it was suppose to. We ended up running out of gas on a road trip with our two young daughters in the middle of the night on I-75. The gas tank said you had 100 miles to go before empty and then 3 miles later it would drop to 0 and you were running out of gas. This car was used in street racing which was late devulged to... Read more
Fire