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: Feb 16, 2023
My 2005 Cadillac XLR Was Being Towed To Vera Cadillac Dealership And The Roof Flew Off The Car [XXX] Why Was This Not A Recall ? Thank You [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Incident date: Mar 28, 2023
The trim on the driver side of the windshield blew off while driving.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2023
I was driving on I93 North in Massachusetts when the front trunk (frunk) suddenly released. The secondary latch stopped it from coming all the way open. Since then it has happened 6 other times! I have a service scheduled with Tesla and thought I should report it as this could have been really bad.
Incident date: Mar 23, 2023
I have noticed water leaking into the inside of my windshield and also noticed that the front and rear carpets are damp and the car is developing a musty smell. Upon closer inspection it appears that the top of the windshield is unbonded from the frame and moves outward when pressure is applied against it. This is a serious safety concern as the windshield is a structural component of the vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2023
Rear doors are randomly not able to be opened from outside or inside door handles. Multiple clicks of drivers door unlock / lock will sometimes (30-50 clicks) will allow the door to open from the inside handle. Once opened from the inside door handle the outside handle will work until the door is relocked. The locking mechanism clicks ( sounds like other doors ) removal of the door panel did not r... Read more
JEEP
GRAND WAGONEER
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Mar 27, 2023
Incident date: Mar 24, 2023
Driving at 70MPH on interstate and glass on top of roof in front of sunroof became separated and flew off of car. Part appears to be named Cover OSR. Our safety was not at risk however part breaking off at highway speed could have caused accident for a vehicle behind us or caused injury if someone was struck by the part. When the part became detached, there is no longer a seal to prevent water or... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2023
Car unexpectedly accelerated when turning into a parking space. Gradually braking going in to the space and then car suddenly accelerated across the curb and hit a building. Car can be available for inspection. No one was hurt but only because of being lucky that no one was on the sidewalk by the building. Emergency services were called and police made a report and all is reported to the insur... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 26, 2023
The paint has started delaminating and is coming off in sheets. This problem started about 2 months ago. I am worried that a large sheet of paint can fly off and affect a vehicle or motorcycle behind me.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
Large sections of paint peeling from vehicle. Paint starts to bubble and then crack in large pieces. One section has peeled and flew onto the windshield while driving. Hyundai has recently had issues with this white color paint and it is continuing to be a problem. Report has been made to Hyundai with no resolution.
Incident date: Mar 24, 2023
When doors are unlocked, driver door outside handle will not open the door. It can be opened from the inside. No safety concern currently. Problem was reproducible by dealer technician and he stated he has a similar issue and showed me to hit below the handle with my fist. This is not a fix! When we took our Tucson for a warranty issue regarding the engine, we notified the technician of the prob... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2023
The issue reported has been since day one having the vehicle. The hood shakes excessively, sometimes violently, while driving at highway speeds as well as at non-highway speeds if any significant headwind is present. This flapping creates uneven and unpredictable drag that affects the straight-line tracking of the vehicle under normal driving situations. These characteristics are exacerbated by... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2023
In my 2017 white Elantra, the paint in the hood and top started peeling off. I have seen multiple elantras especially white color having this issue. It seems like a manufacturing defect and Hyundai should address this issue through a recall.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2021
Was hit from the rear emd amd air bags did not deploy. Back bumper was totally destroyed amd brakes go out fast
Crash
HONDA
CLARITY ELECTRIC
(2018) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Mar 25, 2023
Incident date: Mar 25, 2023
The frame of the truck is excessively rusty and the manufacture undercoating has flaked off. All components of the frame and underbody have significant rust for the age of the vehicle. This was just addressed with the dealership who stated there was no warranty to cover it. There has been no service done to the frame and all preventative maintenance and service checks have been done at the deal... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2018) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Mar 24, 2023
Incident date: Sep 15, 2022
I broke down with a bad shifter cable so I called a tow truck 4 hr later he gets to the car, he puts on the tow truck and takes off for the Vera Cadillac dealer. AND THE ROOF BLUE OFF CAME OFF THE CAR AND BROKE And Cadillac knew they had the problem but NEVER RECALLED THEM NOW WHAT DO I DO ?
Incident date: Mar 8, 2023
I read an article online dated 1/31/23 that indicated that the NHTSA was investigating windshield trim panel issues on certain year models of the Ford Explorer. My 2011 Ford Explorer driver-side windshield trim panel flew off the vehicle while driving at highway speeds (70+ mph) on May 3, 2021, so I wanted to provide this information and photos of the damage. I agree this is a serious issue for ... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2021
Pillar Trim piece next to windshield on the passagener side flew off my car while driving the speed limit of 65 on highway 20 in Iowa. Piece could have hit other cars, was fortunate no cars were near me.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
There is a safety issue with the driver side mirror, as it shakes in its housing at varying speeds and on non-smooth roads, in that it becomes a distraction of focus in the small time of you looking at the mirror to then switch back to front. This has happened to me few times, changing lanes to the left lane, I saw the shaking of the mirror and lost focus of the image in the mirror and momentarily... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2017) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Mar 24, 2023
Incident date: May 21, 2022
Developed cracks in dash starting in 2018 and progressively got worse. Rattles when you drive. Driver door pull has also broken in several places and has pinched my hand multiple times. Dealer is aware this is a common problem but will need to replace whole door panel and dash at my expense. Transmission went at 81,000. Chevy, you can do better. I was warned not to buy this, but I took my chances.... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2022
Went for an inspection and entire frame is completely rotting out. Could have ben killed. Truck only has 65,000 miles on it because it was previously owned by my 80 year old grandfather. Toyota should have to fix everyone of these issues not just a certain time frame.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2023
When driving the car the hood flew up damaging the hood, windshield, and corner of the top fenders
Incident date: Mar 23, 2023
I've raised two tickets with ticket numbers 13709173 and 13719701to Honda customer care, the issue is a rust spot on the trunk, there has been no external damage on the trunk and the issues seems to have originated from under the panel. I have been receiving no support from the Honda customer care team and the dealership the dealership was interested in knowing that if I bought this vehicle from t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2023
Rear suspension rusted and broke during operation; control arm, tie rod and/or wheel bearings rusted and broke during operation causing vehicle to lose control
Incident date: Feb 28, 2023
faulty spot welds on the drivers door checklink bracket failed and are preventing the door from closing correctly, and now the window wont roll all of the way down. not sure what else is broken inside of the door.
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2021) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Mar 23, 2023
Incident date: Mar 22, 2023
The door locks FREEZE SHUT in the winter. You CANNOT open the affected door(s). This is a widespread, serious safety issue and Volvo has done nothing about it. A passenger could die if unable to exit the vehicle. Note that both of my rear passenger door LOCKS - not just the door seals, the LOCKS - have done this repeatedly during my ownership. The vehicle is kept out of the elements in a garage.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2023
I have repaired my Tesla door handles once under warranty and then again to a “3rd generation” out of warranty by a Tesla Service Center. 2 weeks after the “upgrade repair” another door handle stopped operating and would not close the car door continually unlocking and propping the door open while driving. I had to drive home with an open door handle. There was most recently a class actio... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2023
-AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION!! -SAFETY! We were in a HEAD ON COLLISION and our airbags never deployed, if they had my daughter and I would have Significantly less bodily injuries and trauma!! -No warning lamps or messages appeared before or after impact -yes vehicle has been inspected by police, insurance reps, auto service center rep, lawyer I was driving our newly purchased (... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Mar 22, 2023
Dash becomes very sticky from sun and heat shining on it and produces a glare that causes blind spots and makes difficult to see out front window. Can't see what is out there depending on direction sun hits dash. If sun is coming from straight ahead makes a glare that is very difficult to see anything in front of you. Makes it difficult to see traffic lights or pedestrians which could cause danger... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2023
In preparing for a trip, the automatic tailgate went out of alignment and would not close. A local body shop diagnosed the issue as a bent hinge. There was no incident that caused this - the hinge appears to be insufficiently sturdy for a heavy tailgate. The body shop temporarily hammered the hinge back into place, but the seal of the tailgate is imperfect, allowing exhaust fumes to enter the cabi... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2018) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Mar 23, 2023
Incident date: Nov 9, 2020
The driver side rear door can not be opened. It appears the paneling of the door is caught on the frame, which prevents the operation of the door. This has been reported twice to the dealership, and so far they have ignored the request to inspect or fix it. In an emergency if needed passengers would not be able to exit through this door, which would put that at risk if the car were pinned on one s... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Mar 23, 2023
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
We were driving down the highway, when a huge explosion sound occurred. We pulled off at the next safe spot to look what happened. The sunroof had exploded and a huge hole was in the sunroof. Glass shards were everywhere. Thankfully the interior cover was shut. We might not be alive today if it would have been open. Glass in my eyes, crash into other vehicles, use your imagination on how bad... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2023
I'm writing in concern about my 2016 F150 brake lights. This concern is due to the rear break light assembly is breaking for no reason. I am on my third set of break light assembly. The driver and passenger side rear break light assembly keeps breaking on its own. There have been no accidents involving the rear end of the truck . It's becoming a safety concern . Looking to see if any other incid... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2023
This incident occurred on January 20, 2023. I was driving alone on I-73 in Greensboro, NC. It was around 5:45 AM and was about 40 degrees outside. I had no vehicles in front of me and a very large separation to the vehicles in the oncoming traffic direction. The car was still new as it only had 4k miles on it. I was driving at 65mph merging onto I-73. Suddenly, I heard what sounded like an explos... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
My 2022 Ford F 350 platinum truck came optioned from the factory with the Ford winch, and collision avoidance as well as adaptive cruise control. Ford has included the collision avoidance sensor in the bracket for the winch. Ford is aware that the bracket can be distorted by the winch which disables the collision avoidance, adapative cruise, and abnormal cruise creating a safety issue. Ford refu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2022
In brief, the front passenger door unlocks and unlatches while the car is in motion. This happens frequently, unpredictably, whether the car is stationary, in reverse, forward or at various speeds. There is. no warning or indication that the problem is happening, other than the door unlatching. We've brought the vehicle into an authorized service center and brought this concern to VW Customer Car... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2023
As part of the Tacoma Frame Replacement program (ZH6 and H0F), I brought my Tacoma to my Toyota dealer. They deemed my frame to NOT qualify for the replacement and lazily applied corrosion resistant spray to the rust on the frame that quickly flaked off. As soon as the program ended, the frame deteriorated quickly. There are 3 spots on the frame where my hand can slide through near the front of th... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Mar 22, 2023
Incident date: Aug 1, 2021
Driving down the road, no vehicles nearby or trees along road, the panoramic sunroof exploded. It was slightly bowed out and then fell into the vehicle in pieces. Thankfully no passengers were in the back seat, or they would have been injured by the shattered glass.
Incident date: Mar 22, 2023
Tailgate window randomly shattered with no force or impact to the vehicle and had to replace it with my insurance.
Incident date: Mar 21, 2023
Auto was in reverse and moved backwards while rear rt side door was open causing damage to another auto parked alongside. Shouldn't the auto not move in gear when a door is open and unlatched ? The auto can move forward or back with any door that remains open. I thought this would be a safety issue
Crash
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2013) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Mar 21, 2023
Incident date: Mar 21, 2023
My vehicle has been making very odd noises, the steering wheel keeps looking off center and the car is kicking/fishtailing at times without warning. Our mechanic has looked at the car SEVERAL times and finally discovered that the sub frame is completely rusted out and broken. We were told not to drive the vehicle anymore as it is extremely dangerous. After researching about this issue, we found... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2023
there has been intense rust and corrosion in the roof seams and welds. This has led to water leaks and damage to the interior of the vehicle. The integrity of the roof has been compromised, and I am concerned about the possibility of roof crush should there be an accident. Not to mention the mold, rot and damage to the interior and electrical systems I have already suffered due to the defect. On ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2023
Driving on the highway and drivers side windshield trim blew off at highway speeds almost hitting vehicles behind me. I'm not sure if it hit anyone. I pulled over as soon as I could and no one else pulled over. It could have caused serious accidents.
Incident date: Mar 17, 2023
This problem pertains to a Holiday House Travel Trailer, model 18RB. The frame is not per Holiday House published specifications. The aluminum that was used for the frame is smaller and thinner than what HH specified. The frame is starting to sag which is the same problem reported by other owners prior to total frame failure. Since the frame has not failed yet and no crash occurred, I can't answer... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2022
The sunroof/moonroof glass shattered while my daughter was driving on the highway, causing glass to fall down on her while driving. She stated that it sounded like a gunshot, then glass was breaking while driving. She was upset and crying, which could easily have caused an accident if it weren't that it happened in the evening. The car scheduled to be repaired I contacted the VW dealership and t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
The rear driver side door popped open so as to be not fully closed, but not fully open (door not fully secure/ajar) while driving. The vehicle was being driven on a highway with speed no more than 55 mph, exiting an off ramp and approaching a stop light. When the brakes were depressed to ease into the off ramp stop there was a loud pop and the instrument panel displayed the door open warning for... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2023
Exterior windshield trim on passenger side. Yes it is available for inspection. This part flew off of our vehicle while driving on the highway. This part could have hit another vehicle and caused harm. Yes this is a known issue when I took my vehicle to Corwin Ford in Springfield MO. Service representative stated that this is under an Investigation for recall. Vehicle has not been seen by any othe... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
2018 Ford Explorer windshield trim panels detached and nearly flew while driving at highway speeds. I’ve also experienced the passenger side window panel detached while driving at highway speeds. The consequences of the defect could result in a detached panel hitting another vehicle's windshield, a driver, or even a pedestrian. This could cause a driver to swerve and cause a major accident. Fo... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
Severe hood vibration, bouncing and shaking present at various highway speeds (55mph-65mph). VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V932000 (Structure, Latches, Locks/Linkages). Upon visual inspection hood latch was significantly loose. Gaps evident in seal of hood and severe vibration of hood presented and remain present following recall/repair. The vehicle was brought to the dealershi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2022
While driving on the interstate going the speed limit of 70 mph the plastic windshield trim on the left side of the vehicle (driver’s side) became loose and flew off. This was alarming and caused a distraction that could have resulted in an accident. The trim piece is about 2-3 feet long and could have caused damage to the vehicles behind us. Or worse an accident. The trim appears to have also d... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2023
The hands free sensor on the liftgate will randomly allow the door to open with the key as far as 20 feet or more from the vehicle. The liftgate opened on its own from the motion of a garage door, becoming entangled with the garage door and damaging the door. The door has opened on its own at least twelve times without a person standing directly in front of the rear bumper making a kicking motion.... Read more