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: Nov 10, 2022
The window regulators of this car (& other vehicles of the same model) is a poor product of productivity. The cable wires that hold the window to guide the window up & down are known to & have become tangled up around the component that is said to properly wrap up the guided cable wires in the correct placement for the windows to continue to be able to roll up & down as intended. It's not just one... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2023
The paint is chipping significantly in the area on both sides of my windshield and starting to continue down into the rest of the car. I have a snow white car and my research has shown this make, model, year and color has been reported of having the same problems. It really affects the look of the car. This paint chipping has been going on for the last 5 years or so. I purchased this vehicle... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2023
The truck is leaking rain water into the cabin driver's side floor. Technicians have not been able to find the leak and the carpet is moldy and smells. The truck has been in the shop two times now and Ford has not offered to replace the moldy carpet under warranty.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
Water intrusion into racetrack tail light. This has apparently been an issue for ten years on this style of light on Durangos with no recall or fix offered. There are hundreds of YouTube videos on how to drain water by removing a bolt, applying silicone caulk or other random fixes. Now my rear tail light is so dim it's nearly undetectable and the dealership wants to charge $1600 to fix it. But I r... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2023
No warning lamps. I managed to reset the actuator but it jammed up again. The doors won't unlock or lock depending on the position the actuator failed in. I haven't taken this to a dealer, but based on several videos and forum questions I was able to self diagnose and reproduce the problem.
Incident date: May 7, 2023
My clutch pedal went out before a moth of ower ship, my transmission 3rd gear went out before a month of owner ship, my bumper second time flying off on me 2nd month of owner ship.
Incident date: Apr 25, 2023
Water leak from windshield/top, water dripped on.dashboard, floor, and phone charger was filled with water, unknown water damage to electrical components on the dashboard
GMC
SIERRA 3500
(2016) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 6, 2023
Incident date: May 6, 2023
The frame has rusted thru, the fuel tank strap has failed and the fuel tank has dropped. If this had happened while driving, it could have killed him and many others. Upon researching for information, we found recall U04/nhsta 18v-160 which stated this document replaced service bulletin TSB# 1400218 - all for this exact problem. This was a regional recall/extended warranty and was not issued... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2023
Door latch on back two doors failed and will not open at all. First door failed at 60,000 miles while getting additional maintenance at Hyundai dealership and door was discovered broken upon pickup. Dealership diagnosed problem but refused to fix it. The second door latch failure occurred at 67,000 miles. It happened while out on family trip. Having both rear doors unable to open was a major safet... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
While driving, a large piece of debris came off of my windshield area causing the vehicle next to me to swerve. The remaining material was flapping in the air at highway speeds causing a startle reaction. I initially thought I had hit something. When stopped, I discovered the material in question was coming from around the windshield. Large portions of the material are coming loose.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
There are multiple whirring and clicking noises in the walls of the cargo area, mostly in passenger side. This happens when I lock/unlock the auto, and close the doors. I also hear what sounds like a moan coming from the dash, at least 2-3 times after I've closed and locked it, from the inside. I just purchased it used, with around 98k miles on it.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 5, 2023
Incident date: May 3, 2023
The tailgate door attempted to close on my head when I was putting something in the trunk when my husband walked away with the key. I had a key with me too.
Incident date: Apr 30, 2023
Extensive rust on the frame, barely holding together. This caused the drive shaft to shake and break the differential. Even if the differential would not have broken the truck was not road worthy. It could have broke in half at any second. No reputable body shop would even attempt to fix it. No warnings or symptoms until a snow plow was hooked up again last winter and the weight of it bent the fr... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2023
Literally overnight large pieces of paint began peeling off of my hood and roof. Within days I took it to a body shop and they immediately identified it as a factory defect. The pearl white paint is separating in sheets. If not repaired it will rust the metal underneath.
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2019) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 4, 2023
Incident date: May 4, 2023
There was a recall issued for my daughter’s Chevy Spark back in August 2022. The dealer said there is still no fix available. This seems like a long time to me.
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 300
(2018) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 4, 2023
Incident date: May 4, 2023
Unknown Paint started chipping little by little and a big chunk just came off.. I'm concerned became new chips are appearing.
Incident date: May 2, 2023
The windshield trim is dethatching from the vehicle. The detached item can cause damage to other vehicles or injury to other motorist. The problem has been confirmed by a service center but not inspected. There is no warning lamp, discovered after hearing a noise while driving.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
-Driver side and passenger side back doors do not open from the inside or outside. They just stopped opening one day, months apart. Nothing hit them or could have caused a jam. It is available for inspection upon request. -The doors don’t open, and I could not get my dog or child from out of the backseat. -This is a recurring problem based on what I have read online. The issue has been confirm... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2023
Broken Drivers side Front Door Check Arm Attachment. Door made a popping sound and dealership states that it is a common problem with this model. This happened without accident or unusual circumstances.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2023
In March my driver’s side door starting popping or squeaking. I thought my door needed oil. I didn’t call the dealership because was going on vacation and was going to get it oiled when I returned since my car would just be in the garage. I came home mid April and it was much worse. I was finally able to get in and told it is SSM50150 and that the weld broke and my door needed replaced. My car... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2014) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 2, 2023
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
The frame has rusted out on this vehicle. The passenger side frame above the rear axle is completely rusted out. I can put my thumb through the rear frame on the driver's side. The exhaust system on this vehicle is still intact - ironic that the frame would rust out before the exhaust system.
Incident date: Apr 6, 2023
The vehicle was parked, not running in a shopping center. The trunk was open and I was putting groceries into the trunk. The trunk started to close while I was leaning inside loading groceries. The trunk did reverse up only after it hit my back, quite hard. This has happened to me three times, each time injured a part of my body. No sounds were made to alert me the trunk was closing while l... Read more
1 injured
TOYOTA
COROLLA CROSS
(2023) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 2, 2023
Incident date: May 1, 2023
The paint under the rear tailgate at the top is gone and surface rust has already started to come thru. Honda has had issues with several models of CRV’s with different model years resulting in recalls. This model is having the same issue. The owners manual does show a 5 year warranty no mileage for surface rust if it is a “ lack of craftsmanship “ but Honda is not wanting to stand behind th... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2023
The lifegate will shut without warning while loading or unloading from the back end. The sensors underneath were not foot triggered to initiate the gate closing.
Incident date: Apr 27, 2023
I was driving down the interstate and the passenger side pillar molding appliqué completely dislodged and flew off behind me, narrowly missing a vehicle behind me. Had I not already been in the furthest left lane, it would have hit another car. When I arrived to my destination, I checked the same part on the drivers side, which includes the electric keypad entry, and it was also pulling away a... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2023
I've had both passenger and driver side Windshield A-Pillar Molding rip off while driving on highway which thankfully no one was behind me but could have causes serious damage if it hit another vehicle going 70 mph. Both of these have failed to stay intact/ place
Incident date: Apr 19, 2023
GM has a defective wax coating on the vehicle frames of nearly a dozen models of their vehicles, spanning at least 2011-19, which they knew can lead to premature rust and corrosion, causing the frames to fail much earlier than expected. The evidence I have gathered includes the detailed internal service bulletin where GM describes the defect, as well as texts and e-mails with GM, and a transcrip... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2023
Have been driving Murano thinking only needed 4 wheel alignment. Rear wheels as I was told some time ago looked like to tow in I think you call it was off, leaning in. Took to garage, mechanic stated, k- frame completely rusted in half on both sides. Stabilizer bar just dangling. Stated it's a wonder I had not been killed. Said from the look I had been driving it for quite some time in this condit... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2023
The vehile comes with panaromic, all-glass power sunroof as a standard option. The power sunroof on my vehicle had failed to operate due to a broken "guide", as identified by the dealer. I initiated an out of warranty claim through the dealer because I believe this is a quality defect, during follow-up correspondance I learnt from dealer that the manufacturer acknowledged this is a known issue. On... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2023
Rear sub frame allowed for rear suspension arms to be bolted to. One of the locations where those arms have ways to be attached to is no longer safe to do so because of corrosion and rust. I noticed there was a recent safety concern for a generation of Honda CRV having a similar, or indeed the same complaint.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 1, 2023
There is a technical service bulletin published (15-NA-082) that is the result of insufficient welds between the bracket and frame rail that hold the sway bar on the models listed in the TSB. Recently while on a road trip we experienced heavy (almost uncontrollable) truck swaying while on the high way. I now have to find someone with welding experience in order to fix this problem because I am c... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2023
driver's side back door is stuck in the closed position. Unable to open from outside, unable to open via key fob and unable to open from roof panel. The lock appears to be in between the lock and unlock position. From my understanding its the actuator that needs to be replaced. This door has not been used near as often as the passenger back door and it has no issues. I see online where lots of p... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
None of my doors will open from the outside all of them have broken. How will someone get me out of the car if I am in an accident and unconscious or hurt and can’t open the car myself. Why has not been recalled yet
Incident date: May 1, 2023
On April 29th 2023 while washing my Volvo XC90 I opened the trunk to clean out the crevasses around the car. As I continued to wipe down/dry the vehicle I placed my hand at the top of the trunk opening and moved my way downwards to wipe the bumper and side of car. Unfortunately, the handsfree tailgate feature activated and the trunk began to close on my hand. Due to my hand being so close to the ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 29, 2023
The rear crossmember subframe is rusted out very badly, and has all the rear axel and components attached to it. This is very unacceptable for car that cost nearly 40 grand.
Incident date: Apr 20, 2023
While driving on highway I-20 at 80 miles per hour, the trim panel around the windshield detached. The panel detached on the drive side but the passenger side is already detaching from the bottom part.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2023
When I was approaching my vehicle from the rear, I noticed my back window had chunks of glass missing and it appeared cracked. As I got closer, I noticed the entire back window was shattered. Pieces of glass were on the ground, meaning this occurred here, at the store. I would have noticed this earlier when leaving work because I approach my vehicle from the rear and the window was fine. Even look... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2023
I recently discovered that my Q5 tubular rear subframe/crossmember (part # 8R0505235N) has rusted thru near a bushing that supports the rear transaxle. The rust thru area at the transaxle is about a foot long. This subframe supports the rear axle and all the rear suspension components. I brought my Q5 to the local Audi dealer and they took a video showing two areas on the subframe that have rus... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2022
Windshield bonding has failed on the top edge of the windshield. It leaks and I can move the glass easily. I am worried that the windshield will fall out in a crash and reduce the airbag performance
Incident date: Mar 21, 2023
The frame has rusted out of the vehicle at only 156,000 miles. It is unsafe as the rear suspension and sway bars are no longer connected to the frame. This causes unsteady movement and swaying when in motion endangering the driver and others on the road. The problem was confirmed by a professional mechanic. I have not had it inspected by the manufacturer nor another party. There were no warni... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2023
Its the third time i find the hud of my car open! I was driving in the city and the speed was under 25 mph when i found out , im just concerned if im driving in a highway and that happens!
Incident date: Apr 28, 2023
My truck bed is resting against my cab due to frame rot. There is big chunks missing from the frame.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2023
The sunroof exploded outward. We were on expressway @70 MPH and did not notice any road debris nor under any bridges at time. Dealer could not find any other damage to windshield or car body. Had 6 people in car at time. Collected all glass that fell in, but only about 1/3 of total glass area, so feel most went up and out. Dealer admits to 3 other cars in their shop with sunroof issues. Was ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2023
The rear trailing arm on the driver side of the vehicle broke away from the frame causing the wheel assembly to jam under the vehicle, bringing it to an abrupt stop. My daughter was driving the car at the time. The failure occurred while she was pulling into the entrance of the hospital where she works, blocking the entrance to the hospital. Fortunately the failure did not occur minutes earlier w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2023
Sunroof exploded upwards. Nothing hit the sunroof and there was no existing damage
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
while driving my son saw smoke coming from the rear window defogger, I pulled over and saw melted pieces of plastic, I contacted my dealer when I saw a recall online, my dealer said even though your vehicle is the same year and model and the exact same condition occurred, your vehicle is not listed under the recall. I don't understand why this vehicle is not under the recall when the exact conditi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
Moving glass panel in sunroof cracked. Happened between laminations. Cannot feel crack on either face of glass. Car was parked in parking lot. No visible external impingement or reason I can see. Reporting here after Googl search and seeing other Subaru owners having same issue.
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2014) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Apr 28, 2023
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
4/27/23 - Panoramic sunroof exploded going over a bridge. Front glass panel only. No advance warning. Shade was closed and no glass entered cockpit. Local PD responded and saw no evidence of impact or criminal activity. Vehicle is at local dealership for warranty repairs.