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 5, 2023
vehicle has a front rusted subframe in two spots on passenger side it will not pass inspection. it is Dangerous to keep driving it it looks like there is a recall on this issue in 04/2009, but it says 0 unrepaired recalls which is obviously not correct Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY Mfr's Report Date: APR 14, 2009 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V124000 EA08016 NHTSA Action Number: EA08016
Incident date: Feb 4, 2023
While driving at highway speed, both windshield trim covers flew off and away from our vehicle. Fortunately there were no cars behind us at the time but had there been that piece would have surely hit and potentially impacted their vehicle. I understand this is happening to many of the ford explorers on the road and it is extremely unsafe.
Incident date: Feb 6, 2023
Windshield cracked after preheating the car and pulling out of driveway in cold weather. Saw and heard the crack happen. Found hundreds of other complaints online of owners reporting similar issues. Brought into Tesla dealer and they claim it was from an external windshield chip that then spread although no external chip was present. They seemed very knowledgeable about this issue and trained to t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
When I was driving the vehicle on the interstate (approximately 75 mph) the roof rack railing flew off. Luckily there were no cars following behind me. This was a prior recall that was fixed on my vehicle and I was told Ford was no longer fixing that because they found the glue was faulty.
Incident date: Jan 6, 2023
As is common with Dodge Caravans, this 2017 model has had a door lock actuator fail and the sliding door is inoperable and will not open - it is stuck closed. This prevents safe exit of the vehicle in the event of an accident or fire or other emergency endangering the lives of the passengers.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
The sunroof shade is a common failure point on these cars that’s not being addressed. A quick internet search provides hundreds of reports of the same with the 2016+ vehicles. While it may seem harmless, my 3 year old constantly had the sun beating on the top of his head, especially in the hot summer sun. I had to pay somebody to install 5% tint on the glass because the sun was enough to give hi... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2021
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WITHOUT WARNING, IN 8/2022 AND AGAIN IN 12/2022, THE VERTICAL WINDSHIELD PANELS FLEW OFF MY 2018 FORD EXPLORER SUV WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED ON US RT. 495 IN HAVERHILL MA., POTENTIALLY POSING A HAZARD TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES.
Incident date: Feb 4, 2023
My pregnant girlfriend was driving our Explorer on the highway (70mph) with her father in the passenger's seat when the driver's side A-pillar trim came off. She said it came loose and stuck the window, scaring them both, before it detached completely. They weren't sure if there was a vehicle close behind them when this happened. This seems like this is a big safety issue worthy of a recall. I pur... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
A 220
(2019) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 5, 2023
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
Took my 2011 C300 4matic to a local mechanic after I noticed a dramatic pulling sensation to the left after braking. After mechanic's inspection, I was informed that the rear subframe was rotted out and that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. I still have the car available for inspection of the rear subframe. The rear subframe caused the pull to the side under braking, which alone could cause an acc... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2023
As I was about to exit the alley my front bumper got hit to the road. The road was under construction and there were no signs of detour or bump. My bumper got damaged from the bottom.
Incident date: Feb 4, 2023
Driving down the road and the driver's side windshield trim detached and flew off into traffic at highway speed. The shock of it flying off and into traffic makes it a safety risk. Repair shop person informed me it was a common issue. There was no message indication it was going to detach. Replacement was $200.
Incident date: Feb 4, 2023
The bed of the truck rots out around where it is bolted to the frame. It is a common problem with Toyotas. The bed could collapse down and possibly come off. If this happens on the road it could cause a sever accident. Also the frame on Toyotas rot . If it rots by spring hangers this can be carastrofic.toyota has issued a frame recall on this. I had mine undercoated in 2015 from an authorized Toyo... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2015) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 4, 2023
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
The passenger side windshield panel dislodged and flew off the car while driving on the highway at highway speeds. It was sudden event and I had no warning or noise before it happened.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2022
While driving, the driver side windshield trim flew off almost hitting a car behind me. While inspecting the vehicle, the other side is also starting to coming off, and the panel near the code to enter the drive side door is also starting to come off. The auto body shop has confirmed that this was a recognized problem by Ford and they have seen many Explorers come in with this issue and the body p... Read more
FORD
ESCAPE PHEV
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 4, 2023
Incident date: Jan 6, 2023
The sunroof spontaneously exploded and shattered all over while driving on the highway at approximately 65 miles an hour. Mother and child were in the vehicle. The sunroof was opened on "vent" position. The sunroof cover was also opened (cover inside the vehicle) Mother and child sustained minor physical injuries however, this could have been a major much bigger accident with many other vehicles ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
The main body frame is completely rusting through from under the drivers side door back past the fuel tank. It is rusting through on the passenger side as well. The large amounts of rust have caused other issues throughout the entire body of the truck as well as rusting of other components. The frame of this truck will need to be replaced as there is no way to repair it or the vehicle becomes s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2023
The trim piece on the windshield post along the side of the windshield fell off while traveling on a highway. It flew into the air and may have struck another vehicle. We replaced that piece on the drivers side of our car but a few months ago the trim on the passenger side flew off while traveling. This causes a safety problem to other drivers and could cause an accident. The first piece of trim w... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2022
Power Sun ROOF is coming off the tracks of the roof which it is attach to. I feel this is an extreme safety hazard because I believe it will eventually come off my vehicle and cause a serious accident flying into another vehicle or even a pedestrian. This was fixed by Mercedes Benz [ BENZE BUSCH of NJ ] back in to 2018 and now it is doing it again.I Contacted the dealer again about this and t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
Same problem that many others have reported. Took car dealer for a battery. Was told subframe is rusted and about $5000 to fix and that if not fixed could lead to car failure. 1) Why has Mercedes not informed the many thousand 2010-2014 C-Class and E-Class drivers affected by this dangerous defect. Many do not take their cars to the dealership for service anymore and could miss the problem until... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2023
Body: windshield Trim detached last year and flew off at highway speeds. Didn’t cause damage to my own vehicle but could have bounced off someone else’s. Drivetrain: non serviceable (unable to do a fluid change) on my power train unit. Due to this it started leaking at the front seal and others reported failure during driving. The fix would be to add a drain plug and make it a serviceable un... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
I own a white 2012 Kia Sorento that the paint is rapidly peeling off of across the piece of roof just above the windshield (body shops have called this Delamination). I have the pearl white paint, which began peeling in a tiny spot at approximately 45,000 miles and I thought this was a chip from a rock or something that fell on it, but since then it rapidly began peeling all over and now is in a f... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2020
A deer ran out in front of me. I hit it head on. My hood unlatched and flew up and the hinges cut into the very top of the fenders. I don’t think a hood is supposed to pop open like this.
Crash
Incident date: Dec 15, 2022
While driving down the interstate, the driver’s side windshield trim panel flew off my vehicle.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2023
This is about my 2014 ford explorer passenger side "windshield trim panel ",it fly away when I driving at speed around 70mph at I275 ,it did make some noise before fly away,and i found out it's the trim panel when i home. already bought a replacement but not sure when will happen to the driver side.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2022
I was traveling on Rte 25 in Wareham, MA at approximately 65 mph when without warning the passenger side A-pillar trim piece flew off of my vehicle (2015 Ford Explorer). This startled me which caused me to be momentarily distracted. I just thought this was a rare incident so I did not initially report it however I was prompted to report my incident after hearing about other incidents on the news... Read more
KIA
SORENTO HYBRID
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 3, 2023
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
Paint peeling on hood. Does not look like it came from a stone chip.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2023
Rear passenger door handle came apart. Handle clicked in place, but came apart each time attempted door opening. Auto shop replaced door handle assembly. Door was unusable. No warning other than handle falling off
Incident date: Jul 12, 2016
Driver door check arm attachment point (black door hinge) snapped from manufactured spot weld to frame of door. Ford Dealer stated my Escape was the 3rd one that month with the same problem. Mechanic said the hinge was not welded properly at the bottom spot weld by manufacturer and that I should call Ford and NHTSA to see why my 2020 Ford Espace S 1.5 AWD isn't covered under the Recall ID # 10201... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2019) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 3, 2023
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
The passenger door unlatches after hitting mild bumps in the road. The door does not fully open due to the secondary safety latch but it still represents a dangerous condition especially if a person is sitting in the passenger seat.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Jayco Seneca Prestige. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the front entry door was flapping, shaking, and vibrating abnormally. The contact was concerned that the door was unsecured and might inadvertently open while driving. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistan... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
we were driving on the 58 freeway in CA and when we went to stop for gas we noticed that the passenger side windshield trim panel had broken off somewhere on the freeway.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
Window trim pillars have blown off the car multiple times at highway speeds
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
passenger side rear sliding door, this door is currently stuck half-way open (or closed). nothing works to open/close it. not by any button or manually. tried to reset and to disconnect battery. I push a button, it moves 3-4 inches and stops. i shutter to think if someone vulnerable like my wife was stuck in her wheelchair, trapped inside and it was zero outside. well i guess the fire department w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Vehicle window trim, (Front right) detached and flew off vehicle when traveling between 50-60mph. I was unaware that this wasn't an isolated incident until the news reported a potential investigation.
Incident date: Dec 12, 2022
I bought the 2017 Ford Explorer on 8/29/2020. The next month I drove to Nags Head, N.C. from Nashville, Tn. Sometime within an hour of arrival, the a piece of trim on the passenger side panel between the doors fell off while going over the bridges. We never saw it and did not know where it landed. I ordered a replacement from Ford Parts to replace it.
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS CROSS SPORT
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 2, 2023
Incident date: Jan 19, 2023
Every since I bought this vehicle back in December 2016. I've had major problems that consist of the battery lasting a year an half. In 2018, Ford had it for two weeks due to a major problem that they repaired but never told me what the issue was. Still, to this day, I don't know what they repaired. In 2021, My water pump went out, something is wrong with he fuel injection that may be causing t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2022
I am having the (seemingly common) problem of a malfunctioning driver's door handle/latch. The safety issues are: A) the door will sometimes pop itself open while driving - it happened to me while making a right turn and I had to grab the open door with my hand; B) on one occasion I was unable to open the driver door from inside the vehicle, and had to climb out the passenger side; C) I also consi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2022
Windshield trim panels flying off vehicle while driving down the road
Incident date: Jan 26, 2023
The driver side windshield panel thing flew off while I was driving.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2023
Sunroof drains are not draining correctly causing vehicle to flood when there is precipitation, flooring is wet/molded, seat belts have mold on them, unpleasant smell, and condensation collects on the windows. Also causing water marks/stains on vehicles exterior body.
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2019) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 2, 2023
Incident date: May 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side windshield trim detached. Additionally, the driver's side door handle had also detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2023
Three times in 8 years I have lost windshield trim panels when traveling at elevated speed (approximately 70 MPH). I believe it would have occurred more often but I grew weary in 2018 of paying the $135 to replace the trim part. Each time it occurred the trim piece left the car with a resounding & startling "crack" sound and happened without warning. All three occurrences involved the driver's ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that she discovered that the side panel trim for the front passenger’s side window was missing from her vehicle upon exiting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they diagnosed that the adhesive had deteriorated causing the panel to detach from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer w... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
CLA250
(2017) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 2, 2023
Incident date: Feb 26, 2022
I've had to replace the windshield trim panel piece three times because they keep flying off.
Incident date: Jan 16, 2023
Trim piece on driver-side windshield flew off while driving. To the best of my knowledge it did not hit any surrounding vehicles. There was no warning prior to this happening...I just realized it was missing when I returned to my vehicle after work. I had just heard on the news about window trim pieces flying off Ford Explorers the same day this happened to mine.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2022
Car has 41,019 miles. The paint is peeling off the car. This issue seems to be widespread and effects both Kia & Hyundai. Mine 1st appeared Jan. 31, 2023 on the driver's side hood above the headlight. Paint color is W8, Quartz White Pearl (this color seems to have the most problems). Hyundai was notified immediately, 02-01-2023, but have gotten no response. There is a Facebook page concerning... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2003
windshield trim panels flying off the car while traveling at highway
Incident date: Jan 10, 2023
Frame is rotting for some reason and I take care of my vehicle. At some point in time it will be very dangerous to drive.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
I have had to replaced two separate times my windshield trim pieces that cover the hardware on windshield. Every time I have lost them it has occurred on the highway where I was going a speed of 65-70mph. When I have had a professional reinstall new parts it has cost me almost $350.00 The parts are coming directly from ford nothing aftermarket and they are being reinstalled by a professional. I sh... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
Plastic Trim piece, which covers the windshield rubber seal on driver side “A” pillar, fell off my 2014 Ford Explorer Limited. Incident happened about 2018.