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: Jul 15, 2023
In 2021, driver door popped and made grinding sounds when opening. Mechanism inside had broken. Door was replaced under warranty by the dealer, Boucher Ford. Fall 2022, same issue with the driver door. Also started noticing door wouldn't always close completely and intermittent problems with the electric window not remaining closed. Dealer would not help despite only one year since it had been rep... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2023
Paint code WW8. Paint peeling from trunk and other areas of car. Have also seen numerous Hyundai and Kias around Jacksonville, FL with the same and often severe paint peel. Needs recall and HYUNDAI to fix.
Incident date: Jul 2, 2023
I received an open recall notice via email on 1 May 2023 for my 2011 Honda CR-V. The notice stated that my vehicle was added to the open recall on 9 Apr 2023. My vehicle has been housed in the state of Virginia since August 2016 (7 years) that is affected by the recall NHTSA campaign number: 23V228, Honda code for recall: XDZ. Our family is active duty military and our vehicles are registered in t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
I have a Certified 21 Ford Escape Hybrid - I opened the drivers side door and the 3 welds to the hinge broke. The internet stated this is a common safety issue. It was a past recall with Ford. Ford is not honoring their quality, and refuses to fix the issue. Even the dealer admitted it is a common safety issue. The case number with [XXX] / Ford Motor Company [XXX] / [XXX] will not return calls,... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2023
My elentra is BLUE....the courage of the hood has faded. Wish you could see it. It has gradually faded. I purchased ii 2019
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2019) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 14, 2023
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
Noticed a crack on the fiberglass under front slide out. This crack is associated with a frame failure on the upper portion of the fifth wheel close proximity to the hitch. I have not had a full failure but if someone does not notice or catch this the trailer frame could fail going down the road and who knows what could happen then.
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
My Mallard 25 manufactured by Heartland was in the shop for another issue (black water tank). As they removed the under-belly, they noticed 4 cracks/fractures in the I-Beam on both sides behind all 4 wheels. The cracks vary in length. They told me to contact Heartland to see what can be done. I have done that and have received no response. I believe this is a dangerous driving condition and that N... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2023
We were driving and the front passenger door unexpectedly opened. Fortunately my wife was able to grab the door and pull it closed without incident.
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
Front windshield pillars came off auto while driving. The passenger side flew off in July 2022 and the driver side came off in July 2023. Nether hit a car behind us but it happened on the freeway so could not stop to find the piece. We had the passenger side replaced by Vroom auto shop and just ordered a non OEM part for the driver side. If we have Ford replace it the cost is about $500 EACH.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
I was getting out of my car and when I opened my door it sounded like someone had hit my car. I checked to see if there was any damages and there was none. After further investigation I noticed that the spot welds on the driver side door of my 2020 Ford Escape came loose and the door was starting to move freely inside the door. This causes the door to not be able to open all the way. I took my ve... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The rear wall developed a gap shortly after delivery. RV was brought back to dealer for a repair. The repair from dealer was to caulk the gap. This is insufficient as the wall is not attached at the bottom to the frame. This defect renders the rear wall incapable of using the storage above the couch as the wall can not hold the weight and there for pulls away from the bottom of the trailer causing... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2023
Door check device on the drivers door broke off at the riveted attachment point. Device started making a popping noise followed by a complete failure. Door would not close and window would not roll down or get stuck in the down position. Stopped and had body shop remove door check device.
Incident date: Jul 7, 2023
FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR ASSEMBLY BROKE IN WHICH WINDOW WOULD NOT GO DOWN. REPAIRED ON 1/24/23 AT HYUNDAI OF ST AUGUSTINE FOR $737.27. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO PUT WINDOW DOWN IN CASE OF EMERGENCY AND DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN.
Incident date: Jul 5, 2023
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP ON 7/05/23. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND WHILE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS PULLING CAR OUT HE PUT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DOWN AND IT WOULD NOT ROLL UP. I HAD THIS WINDOW DOWN 2 HOURS PRIOR AND HAD NO ISSUES WITH IT GOING UP. HYUNDAI OF ORANGE PARK SAID MOTOR AND WINDOW REGULATOR ASSEMBLY STRIPPED DUE TO ASSEMBLY BEING CHEAP PLASTIC. COST TO... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2023
The paint on the roof of the car is peeling off excessively.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2021
My 2020 Ford Escape has the reported problem with the door making a popping noise due to a problem with the spot welds on the inside. I have not had an issue with the door coming open on its own and did not know that was a possibility until I read about it in the news today however my vehicle does have the same symptoms as are reported. I was in the process of taking the vehicle in for the other s... Read more
FOREST RIVER
WILDWOOD
(2018) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 13, 2023
Incident date: Jul 11, 2023
Spot Welds at door check are starting to crack/fail making a intermittent snapping noise. This is on both front doors. There are 6 spot welds holding bracket on. At this time the ones behind the check on the door is failing putting stress on the other spot welds. Dealer said it out of 36 month warranty so, I would need to pay myself when it completely fails.
Incident date: Oct 7, 2022
When I first purchased vehicle noticed passenger side windshield frame cracked, so I asked dealer to repair which they did. 2 weeks later driving on the freeway at 70 mph the piece flew off. Luckily I was in the lane next to exit and no cars were hit. I then purchased the kit to replace the one lost and same thing happened again but this time on a side road going 45-50 mph. I hope this gets taken ... Read more
CASTLE ROCK
RADIAL ST226
(9999) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 13, 2023
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
2020 Ford Escape - 3 Broken Spot Welds In The Left Front driver Door At The Check Arm Attachment Points In The door assembly. The door swings wide open. Just broken off on their own. Nothing stops door now bc arm limiter is detached off. Can see 3 obvious Welding holes that broke off. Closing door is very difficult bc broken arm is in way. Makes cracking clicking sounds. Window will not go down n... Read more
Incident date: Sep 24, 2019
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while using the remote key fob to unlock the doors, the doors failed to unlock. The contact had to manually unlock the doors. The contact then stated that the electrical system started malfunctioning and the A/C unit, the radio, and the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) light failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer wh... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
On 7/12/23 passenger side front door would not close after multiple attempts. I unlocked the doors from the driver side to allow my son in. He tried closing the door multiple times once he got in. I ensured nothing was blocking the door, and it still wouldn’t close. I pulled on the inside handle and tried closing it again. This time it did and I haven’t been able to replicate it again. I... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2015) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 12, 2023
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
The right side of the dashboard melts when the sun is out it’s very sticky and black comes off
Incident date: Jan 1, 2003
Last fall when I stopped at my in-laws and got out my drivers door made a popping sound and I proceeded to close it. When I came back out and got in and went to close it it sounded like a door out of the Addams family. Lot of creaking and grinding. Immediately called the Ford dealership and was told to bring it over first thing the next morning. After [XXX] looked at it he had guessed the spot wel... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
Windshield trim piece came loose and broke off while driving on the highway. I had to tape down the part that was still on there two times before I could have it repaired so that I did not lose the rest of it on the highway and cause an accident. The driver's side failed first and now my passenger side has split apart and is rattling while on the highway, so I have to have both sides repaired out... Read more
CONTINENTAL
CONTI PRO CONTACT
(9999) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 12, 2023
Incident date: Jul 6, 2023
In past three weeks, the tailgate just drops down for no reason at all. Sometimes going down the highway, other times while I am parking vehicle the Tailgate Lowers itself automatically.????Is their a recall out for this, if not should be as you can lose portions of a load in the bed, right out in highway in traffic.....What action if any should I take at this point.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
On May 30th my driver's side door hinge broke and arm fell inside the door, my Ford dealership ordered new door, due to not being able to make repairs, still waiting on 1st door, then on June 27th the passenger front door did the same exact thing, only this time door would not close, had to go to dealership while my wife had to hold door because it was open, we are both elderly and this is dang... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2019
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that water was leaking into the trunk of the vehicle during inclement weather. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring for 4 years. Additionally, the contact stated that a message regarding theft was displayed while in the process of turning off the vehicle. The contact stated that upon attempting to release the ignition k... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
On the second row seat, passenger side door will not open using the door handle with the child safety switch in lock or unlock position. It will open from the outside handle. This is a safety concern. In case accident happen or fire in the vehicle occurs, the second and third row passengers can not get out of the vehicle fast enough for their safety. This has not work for over a year now.
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
Jan 2023-check engine light for oil came on-just had oil change November 21, 2022 and only went 3000 miles. No oil in engine so it was topped off at a local Volkswagon Satellite and inspected for leaks no leaks found. Mid Feb 2023 had to put 2 quarts oil in car and high pitch noise/humming coming from car when driving. Mar 2023 went to VW dealership and explained noise and oil. They said noise w... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
The driver side front door made a creaking sound, could not be opened, and the window would not go down. The internal weld to the door failed.
Incident date: Jun 30, 2021
Drivers side door weld points in the hinge system failed causing the door to fall off the car. Door was repaired by FORD but we have had issues with same door and are not being taken care of.
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
The initial occurrence was on March 7, 2023. The door suddenly made very loud popping noises when opening and closing the drivers side front door. The window was inoperable because of the door malfunction. I took the vehicle to Borgman Ford on March 8, 2023. They acknowledged that they knew what the problem was and had seen quite a few Escapes with the same issue. My Escape was then scheduled for ... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2012) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 12, 2023
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
While opening and closing left front door (driver door) making a popping noise which is now making it difficult to close and open the door. This opposes a safety if I’m not able to open my door when needed. This has started a few days ago so I have not contacted dealership and confirmed with them but I have watched a few YouTube videos regarding others having the same problem and concern. There ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2023
Frame rail rust holes, brackets wielded to frame supports for leaf springs wields rusted completely through frame making vehicle unsafe due to the potential leaf springs supports to frame of vehicle breaking away from frame dropping rear of vehicle onto rear axles and tires. Frame of vehicle has a lot of rusting and holes due to the excessive rusting.
Incident date: Jun 29, 2023
The door welds came apart with a loud pop. The door would not open or close properly. There was no warning prior to the failure. Ford inspected door and gave an estimate of $1900 to paint and replace the door. Independent body shop inspected and welded new check arm for $700.
Incident date: May 19, 2023
Both Passenger rear doors will not open. It is available for inspection. My passengers had to crawl over the rear seat to exit the vehicle. If for instance there had been a fire or an accident they may or may not be able to get out safely. Yes I have taken it to two dealers who wanted $ 3,000.00 to repair them. No warning lamps. No messages. They actually began closing on my passengers while tryin... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2023
Exterior RV retractable awning (model = Latitude) manufactured by Carefree of Colorado and installed by Dynamax Corporation on the Isata 3 models. Several RV owners are reporting that the awning pitch adjustment locking screws are missing on their Isata 3 vehicles. These pitch adjustment screws are "pitch locking" screws, yet neither Dynamax Corporation (responsible production and installation o... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while opening the front driver’s side door the contact felt the door falling off the hinge. When the contact entered the vehicle and attempted to roll down the window, the window failed to roll down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and stated that the front driver’s side door was defective and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was re... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2023
The driver door made a loud noise when I opened it. I took it to my Ford dealer and they told me the door hinges had broken. Now my window will not go down and the Ford dealer suggested I take the car to a weld shop to fix.
Incident date: Jul 7, 2023
Panoramic sunroof is closing right way. While when i drove air comes in .
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
Informed by Al Serra at 4200 Bay Rd in Saginaw, MI 48603 that there are holes present in the frame that pose a dire safety concern. This is a known issue with this model year, but Toyota says the recall is no longer valid.
Incident date: Jul 11, 2023
The rear camera and warning system has failed numerous times. On one occasion I hit a vehicle because of the failure. Also, the windshield has a leak that sometimes is like a waterfall causing serious visibility problems.
Crash
Incident date: Jul 11, 2023
A week and a half ago, as I opened my driver's side door on my 2020 Ford Escape, i heard a clunking and popping sound. As I examined closer, I noticed that the door hinge limiter was rattling and the hinge pin was moving, along with the sound. I took it to my nearest Ford dealer to get it investigated (Academy Ford, Laurel MD) and they determined that indeed, the welds for the door hinge had broke... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2023
The integrated "safety cage" in the front of the vehicle, as designed by Mercedes Benz has completely rusted through over the past few years. The rusting was from within the hollow members that comprised the "safety cage". It is impossible to notice until the metal has rusted through the topcoat of paint. At this point the front of the vehicle is compromised and would not provide any resistance or... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2018
The pain is delaminating (peeling) throughout the vehicle. The pain color is white pearl, it starts bubbling up then peeling off in large areas.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
Good afternoon, my name is Anthony Eakins, and I live in south west Florida. I have a 2006 Toyota tundra and I absolutely love my truck I believe this is one of the best trucks on the road even though it was built in 2006 (275,000 miles) The issue I'm having is my frame is to the point where I will have to get rid of my truck. The other issue is the frame is so bad I can't even sell my truck. I kn... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2023
The rear frame of my CRV has corroded and deteriorated. The rear trailing arm is at risk of falling off and could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall paperwork I received from American Honda Motor Co. Inc. states, “Your Honda dealer will inspect the rear frame for corrosion. Depending on the extent of corrosion, the dealer may attach a support brace to t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2023
Windshield trim blew off going down the interstate. I replaced it and it blew off again! Now I have extra wind noise and I’m scared it’s going to leak. I would try to glue another one down but do not want to affect my windshield integrity.
Incident date: Jul 11, 2023
Numerous problems with engine overheating light coming on, leaking coolant, going up hill, car hesitate, car shakes at times.