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 1, 2022
I had driven the car for about 80 miles on a mix of urban expressway, parkway, and city streets, when inexplicably the "frunk lid" (or hood) released itself from the fully closed position to the "ajar" position. That is the position that the lid would assume if you pulled the inside release. To open fully, one must manually release the "safety catch," after which it would open fully. As soon as t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
The dashboard has pulled away from the windshield and is rippling. If it continues it will obstruct my view. I think it would affect the airbags as well. I've seen another 640 with this same problem at the store. I am available for inspection, I also attached BMWs invoice to show it was diagnosed. No warning lamps. I also use the garage and a window shade if not in garage.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear windshield trim separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear windshield trim needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that he needed to pay for the repair because the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was no... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while her husband was driving 65 MPH, the front driver’s side trim detached from the vehicle and landed in the middle of the road. The driver then continued driving to his destination. The driver took the vehicle to the local dealer and ordered the front driver’s side trim. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informe... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2022
White paint has started to peel off the body. Vehicle is past warranty (>3 years, >36,000 miles) and Hyundai refused to deal with it. It has been a known problem that their pearl white paint easily peels off the body down to the steel but they refuse to issue a recall for it.
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 31, 2022
Incident date: Oct 31, 2022
Traveling at speeds over 50mph or heading into a strong headwind the hood bounces and looks like it will fly open at anytime. Took it do the dealer who were unable to fix it
MERCEDES-BENZ
SLK350
(2006) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 31, 2022
Incident date: Oct 24, 2022
I was traveling on I20 going about 60mph. Car suddenly started fish tailing and thought I had a flat tire. Pulled over, no flats but back driver's side wheel was crooked. Had car towed to service center. Back frame is extremely rusted. My whole wheel could have come off which would have been extremely serious. My car only has 46000 miles and garage kept. No warning signs. I don't drive in wintry ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2022
I opened the sliding door for my 5 yr old grandson, and while he was getting in the sliding door Opened and shut while he was getting in an almost closed him in by squeezed him alil I had to push the button instantly to open back up.an it happened when we was at the zoo also it Opened half way an was closing on its own
2 injured
Incident date: Oct 29, 2022
Hello yes this has been happening since May2022,,sometimes my sliding door will open then shut while someone is trying to get in,or it won't shut it will close the Open right back up while driving or sitting, so several times either my children or my grandmother was getting in after I opened the sliding door, an all of a sudden it almost smashed my 3 yr old she jumped in so fast it almost caught h... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2022
The undercarriage is rotten you help my thanks
CHEVROLET
AVALANCHE 1500
(2002) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 31, 2022
Incident date: Sep 21, 2022
Vehicle was involved in a collision, striking a cement stair case and embankment, before rotating to final rest during which time the cab separated completely from the frame. One occupant was trapped in the cab and one was ejected. Information submitted by case investigator, Trp. [XXX] - Iowa State Patrol INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6... Read more
Crash
1 injured
1 deaths
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2004) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 31, 2022
Incident date: Sep 21, 2022
Vehicle was involved in motor vehicle collision. This unit was struck broadside by a semi resulting in the cab and box of this unit to separate from the frame. The frame of this unit, cab, and box all came to final rest in different locations in the scene with the driver remaining in the driver seat.
Crash
1 injured
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2001) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 31, 2022
Incident date: Oct 15, 2022
Vehicle was involved in a motor vehicle collision where this vehicle struck another in an offset head-on manner. The cab completely separated from the frame of this vehicle. The cab came to final rest on the roadway separated from the frame, with the bed remaining attached to the frame.
Crash
1 deaths
MERCEDES-BENZ
METRIS
(2016) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 31, 2022
Incident date: Oct 31, 2022
There is an open recall for 3 months whereby there is a possibility that wheels are inappropriately specified and not able to carry body weight. My van is constantly have trouble with tires/wheels breaking, ripping within no time. I feel like I’m buying new tires every 1-1.5 years. It is a constant state of low tire pressure warnings followed by replacing tires. In May 2022, I had an incid... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2022
Today I could not get my fuel door to open. This is frequent and I’ve had it replaced once already. Today I in frustration accidentally popped off the door to the fuel tank and had to go to a dealership to even get it open and get fuel. Then I get home and I try to open the sliding door and it fell off. It was still connected on the track on the bottom. I looked it up and this seems to be a fre... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2021
Sliding door jumps track, opening and or closing. Have driven home with door open because it wouldn't shut.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2022
Right passenger slide door on minivan opened while my son was in the car and would not close. There is a recall on this and extended 15 year warranty but Kia wouldn’t honor the electronic controller that burnt out but warranted the motor. Passenger can fall out or something can hurt them. Kia dealer confirmed this and I had to pay a large repair bill for there recall defect. I am afraid to take ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2022
Rear power liftgate opens and drops halfway on my head. This is not a one time problem. It's a defective liftgate issue where it opens to the top and then drops halfway every time the liftgate opens.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
Began in august as a minor paint chip to rain. Has continued to progress and flake off more, to now triple the size within three months on the drive side door panel. Chipping has now began on the hood as well. Was informed that this is paint delamination due to poor adhesion of paint.
Incident date: Oct 28, 2022
My 2013 KIA Optima in Snow White Pearl "SWP" has delaminating and pealing paint issues all over the body of the car. Mainly in the front bumper, hood and A pillars of the car. It extends to every single panel of the car even obscure out of the way areas. Only the paint is affected. The body underneath shows no sing of denting from a hard hit of any type. The paint simply delaminates on its own.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
Warning doors are opening by itself headlights are not working and parking sensors emergency braking as well a lot of issues with this car.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2022
While greasing the wheel bearings on my 2016 SportTrek ST282VRL I found cracks on both sides of frame in the location between the spring mounts. The cracks are located on the doubler propagating from the large huck bolt on the forward side of the axle and spring mount. On the right side there was one crack that ran through the huck bolt. On the left side there were two cracks running through the b... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLA 250
(2015) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 30, 2022
Incident date: May 1, 2022
Panoramic sunroof slider shoes failing, being cracked and stuck in the railing, causing a sunroof malfunction. The main concern of danger is that during closing the sunroof, with a lack of support glass bangs down coming in contact with some metal parts, risk of being shattered and cause injury to passengers. In my specific car, somehow all 4 shoe sliders failed on a car with less than 50,000 mile... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2022
Military member stationed overseas. Purchased vehicle through Military Auto Source. Dealer has to take wrangler into local Jeep dealer. Dealer heard banging on right side of wheel. When local Jeep dealer completed inspection they noted the chassiss weld completely missing. This is a huge safety issue. This car has not even been driven 100 miles yet. I would like someone to look into this issue. My... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2022
Rear frame is rusted to the point that it is unsafe to drive as per Monroeville, PA Chrysler/ Jeep. I included some images and the cost of repair from the dealership. I am having the repairs done at this dealership. Please extend the warranty to Jeep Compasses. Mine is a 2015 and it is unsafe to drive and is costing me more money to replace tires.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2009) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 28, 2022
Incident date: Oct 28, 2022
Fuel system leak at fuel pump due to corrosion. Found raw gas leaking out from under vehicle while vehicle in operation. Upon further investigation, found metal supply and return lines severely corroded and leaking. Repaired with new pump. While being repaired, noted severe corrosion on frame and cross members to include upper shock mounts and spare tire mount. Holes in frame were noted.
Incident date: Oct 21, 2022
During the conduct of the Fuel Tank corrosion recall, the dealer identified that the location on frame where the rear control arm attaches was completely corroded away and no longer supporting the control arm. They said this was a safety issue that can cause the rear wheel to collapse in. The dealer tried to get Honda of America to cover the repair as a part of the fuel tank recall but Honda of Am... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2022
Power rear sliding door will not close properly.
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2012) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 27, 2022
Incident date: Oct 26, 2022
I have a 20212 Mercedes C300 with 70,000 miles. I took it into the MB dealership for inspection and was told that the rear subframe was rusted through. The subframe's failure also caused the brake lines to rust to the point of needing to be replaced. The subframe repair will cost $5,900 and the brake line replacement will cost around $1,200. The dealer told me the car couldn't be driven safely, s... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2022
Driving on freeway, keeping a regular and safe distance from other vehicles around me, when all the suddenly I hear a loud boom. Didn’t see anything fly at my car, like rocks, things off other cars, etc. Then, immediately after I pulled over with my hazards on, I thought I had popped a tire, but I heard air whooshing through something like my window was rolled down. But all of my windows were fi... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2012) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 27, 2022
Incident date: Oct 20, 2022
The rear subframe rusted and completely cracked. The car started to shake violently while I was on the highway. Fortunately I was in the right hand land and was able to slow down. I was driving in the car with my mother. My understanding from the mechanic is that we were lucky not to be killed or hurt anyone else. The frame is completely cracked. I called the local dealership and they said this is... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2021
The tailgate has been malfunctioning since day one and I had it kind of working here and there but then it ended up coming apart completely and the backup camera has been lost due to that and I just seen that that is a problem that they've had with many of these vehicles and I would love to get that fixed. Also because I do not have no backup camera on this truck it's just crazy. I mean I use it f... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Armada. The contact stated the paint on the hood was deteriorating. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2013) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 26, 2022
Incident date: Sep 13, 2022
Rear subframe / crossmember failed due to corrosion. The rest of the car is in great condition, with no rot or corrosion. This is a regularly serviced vehicle. The part is recalled in other countries. Aside from the lack of a USA recall - the manufacturer is not providing any replacement parts. I am now without a car, and could have been killed if I didn't get it checked out. I do not see how it i... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2022
My vehicle caught on fire while parked and unoccupied. Fire started in the engine compartment.
Fire
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2015) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 26, 2022
Incident date: Oct 21, 2022
The rear subframe of the car (MB E350, 2015 with 81,000 miles) is completely rusted/corroded through creating an unsafe situation where the car pulled left on braking with resultant loss of control of the vehicle as it spun out. The brake lines are adjacent and are also currently being inspected by MB Open Road Service [XXX] in Bridgewater, NJ. It is a miracle we (my three grandchildren, my husb... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2022
Dodge Charger 2014 BOUGHT IT ON 2015 NO USED WAS GREAT WHEN WE GOT. But IT'S BEEN 8 YRS NOW AND HAVING LOTS BIG PROBLEMS THAT ARE DEFECTED FROM THE MANUFACTUER COMPANY. Lock DOOR THEY DO NOT OPEN OR CLOSE DUE TO THE INTIROR OF THE DOORS ARE DETACHING FROM THE FRONT WTH TH KEY LESS REMOTE. MOST OF ALL THE DASHBOARD IS UNPLEEING FROM TOP OF THE DASH AND DOORS MIDE SECTION. STEERING IS BOUNCHING WHIL... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2022
The safety feature on the sliding back doors is not safe for children. Previous vans I have owned had a sensor that would trigger the door to open back up if it were closing and ran into something, like a child getting caught in the sliding door. I am a grown adult and the door closing on the Kia Carnival is too strong for me to even stop with my entire body weight. A child is going to get crushed... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2022
sun roof exploded while parked in my driveway
Incident date: Oct 14, 2022
My mechanic found excessive premature rusting to my truck's under carriage/frame. He suggested that I contact Toyota to see what could be done about this condition. Having never received a notice of recall I searched for recall information and called Toyota's "Brand Engage3ment Advocate". I found out that the recall for the frame expired 6 months ago. This is intolerable since the truck I own n... Read more
TOYOTA
FJ CRUISER
(2007) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 25, 2022
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
I was planning on trading in my FJ Cruiser, so I took it to our local mechanic to look it over. After he put it on the lift, he showed me that the frame and gas tank straps were rusted out and that it wasn't safe to drive. I took it to another body repair shop and after putting it up on the lift, he said he has never seen a frame so rusted out in his twenty five years of doing body work. I contact... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
Contacted local Ford dealership(s) in reference to 2 open recalls on my vehicle: Transmission gear shift linkage and door latches. I was made aware of the door latch recall when I was traveling with my 2 children who were in the back seat and the back door opened and would not latch closed. Upon researching, I found the 2 recalls and have tried for over 4 months to get it repaired as it is a serio... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
SL550
(2014) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 25, 2022
Incident date: Oct 12, 2022
The whole dashboard leather has come apart. The seam around the vent is peeling up, the top part is looking really bad. The top part of the instrumental console, the leather cloth has fell and you cannot see the face of the panel. This car should not be falling apart like that. The color is great, just coming aprt from the seams.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2015) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 25, 2022
Incident date: Oct 25, 2022
this is a cosmetic complaint the paint is peeling
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
The paint is chipping off and looks horrible.
Incident date: Oct 25, 2022
Body scratches were repaired on the truck after minor scrapes done while parking vehicle. Passenger side door repaired scrapes and after repaired door would not open from either inside or outside. Repair place sent us to Ford dealer for repair of door latch, then Ford dealer told us it was not covered by recall. Amount charged was 189.99 and we still have problem with an estimate of around 700.00 ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2022
Driver-side rear door fails to open from the inside or the outside. Currently, the passenger seated on that side of the vehicle has to enter and exit the vehicle using the door on the opposite side, which can easily be a safety issue. Thankfully, we have not been in an emergency incident or car accident where someone has had to use that door to get out of the car in a hurry. The failure to unlock ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2014) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 24, 2022
Incident date: Oct 7, 2022
The rear sub-frame involving vehicle stability under braking and turning. A component that should remain attached to the vehicle has broken off due to corrosion. My vehicle is not that old that a key structural component of the car should break at the weld/attachment point. I have video of this defect. But its greater than 10MB and will not let me upload it is there an email I can send it to ?
Incident date: Sep 15, 2022
Jeep Patriot 2011 Latitude with severe corrosion to front and rear subframe assemblies. Noted for recent emergence of clunking sound on front end when passing over dips and bumps. Made arrangement for towing of vehicle to personal mechanic to check out and also make state inspection. Noted to have severe fracture of front subframe then resting on axle and wheel assemblage parts. Rear subframe me... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2020
Vehicle's "Falcon Wing" doors would malfunction when exposed to direct sunlight where door panels would become hot. Doors would not open remotely due to the sensor believing an object was blocking the door, the message on screen would read "Obstacle detected" when no object was present. Occupants would manually have to hold down the open button on screen or the physical button in order to open the... Read more