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: Jan 25, 2023
Rear left exterior door handle. Peeling chrome plating on the under side of handle creates a sharp ragged edge that cuts fingers. The ragged edge also prevents the handle from retracting completely into the door, which may affect secure closure of the door. Reported to Tesla, who declined to cover the repair and sent me an estimate of $270 for parts and labor to replace the door handle.
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 27, 2023
2015 Kia Sorento with Snow White Pearl Paint is just peeling off of car in various areas. This is a manufacturer defect and should be repainted by Kia or reimbursed for a repaint. Several other complaints regarding this same paint color. I have filed a couple complaints to Kia who states that its out of warranty. The warranty should be extended as this is a defect. Your paint should not just ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2023
SUB FRAME ON MERCEDES HAS RUST ISSUE, RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I ONLY FOUND OUT BECAUSE I GOT NEW TIRES. ONLY 70K ON THE VEHICLE
Incident date: Jan 24, 2023
Rear window across back of cab shattered for no apparent reason while traveling down the road. Contacted dealership and ford warranty and they said this was not a warranty issue. The truck only has 13,000 miles. I feel this is a defective product .
Incident date: Dec 26, 2022
Heavy Rust/corrosion/hole in driver & passenger floorboard. Visible from underneath vehicle when the vehicle is up on the lift. I’m concerned my feet will go through the floor. Inspected by an authorized auto body shop and they confirmed this is very unsafe and a manufacture defect.
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA SPORTWAGEN
(2014) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 29, 2023
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
This is 2018 Mercedes Benz - C300 and it seems across this model line up and models from that year it looks like headliner particularly fabric starts to separate from the pillars in the rear. Across google there is bunch of C300 with the same issue in the same spot starting. The Car is only 5 years old and if it would be any other brand I would not be to upset about it. But this is Mercedes and th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
Driver door swung open while driving and then would not stay latched. Door frequently will not latch.
Incident date: Jan 26, 2023
I was recently driving my 2019 RAV4 when it started switching to mud and sand mode and turns of all my safety features. This would occur at random when I was parked and driving. I was able to find several discussion boards about this issue by searching ‘ 2019 rav4 switching to mud and sand mode.” I took it to the dealership and they discovered that there is a leak from the roof racks that is c... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
The drivers door lock sticks in the cold, so it will occasionally lock me into or out of my vehicle. I feel this is a safety issue, because I may not be able to exit my vehicle quickly in an emergency situation. It also may not lock leaving the vehicle vulnerable to theft.
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2021) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 28, 2023
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
My 2008 Chrysler Aspen floor board and seat belts are drenched with water when it rains. The truck is leaking and allowing water to get inside the body of the truck. I had to replace my radio and other computer components in my truck because this is what the dealership told me was the problem. My truck was fixed at Lander's Chrysler Dodge and Jeep in Southaven, MS about 2 years ago. It's now do... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2023
The rear hatch opens unexpectedly with no command given. It happened twice while in Drive pulling out of my garage. There was no audible or visual warnings the hatch was opening. The hatch impacted the garage door frame causing the glass to shatter and denting the metal. First incident was 4/2022 the second was 1/2023. Both were reported to my insurance provider and the Ford dealer. I also cont... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2023
I was driving down the highway in my 2016 jeep compass and my hood flew up causing me to veer into oncoming lanes because I was not able to see.
FREIGHTLINER
CASCADIA
(2019) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 28, 2023
Incident date: Jan 6, 2023
This Truck that I'm buying from USCryo Carriers that is a Freightliner has been in the shop numerous times for electrical issues and lighting issues and body and tires problems and they have yet to fix them and get them properly repaired and the Truck is shocking me while driving and whenever laying in the bunkso much it hurts and causes headaches I pay insurance and for the truck, but my c... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2023
The adhesive bond between the panes of glass on the driver’s side frameless window has failed. Approximately 80% of the adhesive has failed allowing the front of the glass to detach. I not only fear it will now fall out while driving, but it is also constantly fogged up and hard to see my mirror. This is a large piece of glass. Thor (the manufacture) has done nothing more than inform me that ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2023
Falcon door windows leaked a ton of water into my vehicle, the falcon door window trim disintegrates. Tesla ended up saying it was the sealant on the window but would not cover it. This is a constant issue with Tesla model x vehicles and all just dismiss it as a “thats just a tesla” problem. They need to be held liable to repair faults in their manufactured products. There is absolutely no rea... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2023
Rear doors are stuck and locked shut, the known defect is on youtube with experts explaining this safety flaw where the door handles get stuck and locked and now TESLA REFUSING TO SERVICE.
FOREST RIVER
GEORGETOWN
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 28, 2023
Incident date: Sep 18, 2022
Back up sensors not working. Truck also not having a vin number even though it was bought from the the Chevy dealership. Also was told the electrical system is not working properly
Crash
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
When breaking at high speeds, the car feels like I will lose control of it. Has happened a few times and I thought I was going to hit the neighboring car. Took it to a repair shop and found out that the rear driver side subframe Is completely rotted out and the rear control arm is hanging. The car only has about 97,500 miles on it, has not been driven in high salt areas, and doesn’t have any oth... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
Weather strip repair on all four doors windows over 8 time on my vehicle n not getting the proper fixing service on it.. I get water leaks into the vehicle and loud wind noise. I had ask several time did they take off the panel n look n see how far my window are going up and causing damage to the weather strips.. I had Google this issue n told them about the window regulator not being adjusted rig... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2015) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 27, 2023
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
CAR LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING BELOW 20 MPH. ENGINE STILL ON BUT WHEN STEPPING ON GAS PEDAL NO ACCELERATION. PEDAL IS FIRM BUT NO GAS. LOOKS LIKE IAM PUSHING AIR. I HAVE TO LIFT MY FOOT OFF AND ACCELERATE AGAIN IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR GOING. VERYSCARY AND DANGEROUS WHEN CHANGING LANES. ALSO, ANOTHER ISSUE... PAINT COMMING OFF ON A LOT OF LOCATIONS. COTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER AND SINCE I WAS N... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2023
Driver door closed sensor malfunctioning. Can’t get to go off so not sure if door is actually closed or not
Incident date: Jan 21, 2023
While on a road trip and driving aprx 70 MPH, the passenger door released to the secondary latch position and the "Passenger Door Ajar" light came on. After stopping and opening and closing (and locking) the door, the light went off. However, later it released again. The driver side door also released in the same manor. There were four occasions of this happening. After returning home, I did som... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2023
Was told parts still backoreded. Door latches present safety hazard
Incident date: Jan 20, 2023
Read passenger subframe bolt fell out while driving. The subframe of my vehicle and the mounting plate had a 3 inch gap between it. It made the rear end shake and loose control at speed. Tesla refused to give me torque specs twice. I was able to find service manual online and re-torque it. There was no locktite on the bolt. There was no warning, just a metal clanking noise and then the vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2023
I was hit head on mostly drivers side. Car totaled. I went by ambulance to hospital. Air bags did not deploy. Contacted Vovlo. They seem indifferent
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
Currently, Hyundai has issued a notification for extended warranty on a 2016 Hyundai Tucson and the Hyundai ELANTRA for an issue with the door latch system. However, this problem is occurring in several other Hyundai models. I own a 2016 Tucson and also a 2013 Sonata. the problem starts out usually when you try to open the door you have to pull the handle 2 to 3 times before it opens eventually it... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2022
Timing belt broke and caused vehicle to stop running, this was after I took it to a mechanic who did a diagnostic and no issues showed up. Now, because of the timing belt breaking, the engine is irreparable and the entire engine will need to be replaced. It only has 116K miles. Another minor complaint is the front driver's side side windshield panel has come unglued. Luckily, the vehicle was stati... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2022
Tailgate does not latch properly. Falls open randomly.
Incident date: Jan 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Quality Cargo Trailer. The contact stated while hauling the trailer, the front driver’s side of the roof detached from the trailer. The contact continued driving to his destination. The contact took the trailer to the local dealer, who took pictures of the failure and sent them to the manufacturer. The trailer was not repaired. The contact stated the trailer had been stat... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 2500
(2019) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 26, 2023
Incident date: Jan 23, 2023
I’m driving on expressway going southbound with no traffic & out of no where the hood jumps open, the result of that resulted in the windshield being cracked also the sunroof. The glass from sunroof came Shattered & hit me & my daughter forehead leaving glass inside the car. These was a traumatic experience, and actually my very first Nissan.
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 26, 2023
The trim located on the driver’s side door (next to the window, on the side of the window closest to the rear of the vehicle) came off while we were driving 70 mph down a highway. It hit near the window of the passenger door (on the driver’s side, where a child was seated), causing damage to our vehicle, and then continued to fly, thankfully not hitting any vehicles behind us. I report it beca... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2019
The passenger sliding door continues to fail to lock intermittently which is obviously a safety hazard since the door is not completely closed. It is available for inspection upon request. It has not been seen by a dealer or inspected by police or insurance. My father is a mechanic and has looked at it. He is unsure how to fix the broken or why it keeps happening. The door ajar warning light is on... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2011) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 26, 2023
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
Vehicle has absolutely no safe way to hook up to tow. My wife got the car stuck in the snow and needed a tug out with a tow strap. The owners manual states that only some vehicle of this model are equipped with a towing eye. Mine is not, and from what i hear all subsequent year rav4 are not equipped. I crawled underneath the car front and back and dug snow out to find there is no place to hook... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2023
I bought this 2014 Mazda 2 Sport HB on Thursday January 26, 2023. Upon driving it home, this vehicle with only 41,280 miles on it, shook, vibrating , hearing a very loud popping clicking sounds. Like body metal clanging. It was hard to see. I don’t know if the low beams were set wrong or what but visibility wasn’t good with the low beams at all. I told him that the air conditioner made a horri... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2022
Rear window, third brake light & sxm antenna all leak into the cab.. Not covered under warranty. All ram trucks have this issue. Should be recalled
Incident date: Jan 22, 2023
My 2011 c300 has a rotted rear subframe making the car not able to be driven. It has major ,life threatening, costly damage and this issue already has a recall all over the world but not in the United States.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
The overhead console in the vehicle detached on its own in October 2022 and will not stay secured. This has prevented my ability to see out of the front windshield and therefore hindered my safe operation of the vehicle. The dealer confirmed the issue but would not cover it under warranty, claiming that it was my fault for installing a dash camera. However, no wires are near the roof liner and ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2014) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 25, 2023
Incident date: Jan 22, 2023
Rear crossmember subframe rusted through. Front crossmember subframe rusting. Vehicle unsafe for driving
Incident date: Oct 11, 2022
Muffler and exhaust pipes have gotten rusted. I only have 37k miles on it. Is this a defect from manufacturer? I have many other cars but not rust over 100k miles.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2022
As I was driving down the road I heard what sounded like a gunshot and glass shattering. Upon getting to my destination I found that my panoramic sunroof had shattered outward.
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 25, 2023
Incident date: Jan 17, 2023
The front Uni body to front engine/ transmission subframe mount area on left front and right front has rusted away the front 2 subframe mounting points are not connected to the uni body structure anymore due to corrosion damage causing a clunking noise while driving
Incident date: Nov 6, 2022
This vehicle is part of the now famous Frame Rust Issue on 2004 - 2008 f-150 Extended Cab pickup trucks. This is a one owner well maintained, very clean vehicle in perfect running order. During regular service, I found rust spots on the frame. The rust appeared to be from the inside out. After further investigation the frame had been destroyed by internal rust. I condemned the vehicle and too... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2023
Freezing recall Driver’s door fail to close after fixing recall No fix recall
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
I was driving east on imperial hwy around 11:50 when a car switched into my lane causing me to collide head on
Crash
Fire
Incident date: Jan 24, 2023
Drivers side door will not latch closed AND OPEN WHILE DRIVING
Incident date: Dec 26, 2022
The driver door unlocks and occasionally opens on its own. Took the car to the dealer at a faulty door handle was diagnosed. A replacement handle was installed and the problem was corrected. This problem happened for about a week before taking it to the dealer (at their next available time). On almost all occasions, the door unlocked and became ajar, but did not fully open. Only once when I was t... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2021) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 24, 2023
Incident date: Dec 28, 2022
Bad engine mount after 32k miles. seems to be a common problem if you do a google search. These cars should be recalled for this.
Incident date: Jan 10, 2023
I bought my car July 27,2022 from Rt 119 Auto Sales and service. It came with a drive train warrenty. Nothing was said to me of a problem until I took it to get inspected then I found out my frame is rotted out on both sides.
Incident date: Jun 16, 2021
The rear liftgate on this vehicle does not stop if there is an obstruction, i.e., a hand, a head or other body part. Not only does it not stop in case of obstruction, there is no audible sound made to indicate the door is in motion. I was hit in the head hard this morning - hard enough to cause stars and get a nice golf-ball sized bump on my skull. This is dangerous and should be remedied. THI... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2022
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? "Paint flaking/chipping" How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? "No safety concern or issue" Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? "Not currently" Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance rep... Read more