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: Oct 12, 2022
Quiet close doors do not latch
Incident date: Oct 7, 2022
THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE EITHER REAR OR OTHER WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE AND PERSON CAN GET TRAPPED IN THE SEAT. PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HYUNDAI. HYUNDAI HAS EXTENED RECALL WARRANTY BUT NOT FOR THERE SISTER COMPANY GENESIS WHO HAS SAME PROBLEM. INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP AND CASE NUMBER PROVIDED BY GENESIS # 20424715 NO WARNINGS GIVEN AND HENCE NO ABILITY T... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2022
I came home from work last evening and when I opened my car door it sounded like it was falling off. I got my husband we looked at it and could see nothing. I call 5 Ford Dealerships because I have the premium warranty with 100,000 miles coverage. I was told what was wrong with my car the welds inside the door was broken and that it wasn't covered under the warranty and its about $3000 to fix th... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2012) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 12, 2022
Incident date: Oct 12, 2022
Rear Subframe Cracking in Mercedes Benz 2012, C- Class, Sports. It can be life threatening for driver and passengers. Cost is $5700 for repairs. This replacement is free in Europe and Canada.
Incident date: Feb 24, 2016
Toyota Tacoma has excessive rust throughout the frame and suspension.
TOYOTA
FJ CRUISER
(2014) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 11, 2022
Incident date: Sep 6, 2022
Frame corrosion and complete frame failure. The area compromised affected the steering of the vehicle. Luckily, the failure was discovered before failure at Highway speeds . No warning of any kind prior to failure. The vehicle is currently at a Toyota dealership awaiting a complete frame replacement . Should the failure have occurred at Highway speed, this would have been a catastrophic event as... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2022
This as well as many many other 2019, 2020, & 2021 Rav4s develop water leaks in the roof (due to inadequate gaskets in the rood rails) which result in water entering in vehicle very close to the side curtain airbags. Toyota updated the parts on the current model year but refuses to issue a recall. This is dangerous due to the strong possibility of water contacting the airbags and or the electric... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2022
Paint delamination on hood.
Incident date: Oct 9, 2022
Power lift gate failed and dropped closed while person under it. No injury but continues to fail each time now. Will be going in for repair next week. Looks like there was recall on 2007-2012 for this issue.
Incident date: Oct 3, 2022
Front Drivers Side Door makes a popping noise when opening and closing. Cannot open door all the way. Also, window will not roll up or down unless door is open. Took car to body shop place to find out the cause. According to them, spot welds on the door broke off. Concerned about damage to door and would not be able to get out of car through window if window is not able to be rolled down. Ad... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
Paint is chipping around the back windshield and is starting to cause paint chipping towards the top of the vehicle. Have never been in a collision.
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2014) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 10, 2022
Incident date: Aug 23, 2022
2014 E350 with 41,000 miles. Rusted subframe and was informed that it represented unsafe and risky driving conditions. Reported this to manufacturer as, apparently, it is a very common problem with certain Mercedes classes. No recall and very expensive fix ($4500)! Not my idea of a safe and reliable car, as Mercedes likes to advertise. Consumers should not be responsible for manufacturing defects... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The pearl white paint pealing in 4 different areas in the body of the car to include the front and top of the car above the windshield; both sides of the outer body framing of the windshield and now the hood of the car.
FOREST RIVER
ROCKWOOD
(2006) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 10, 2022
Incident date: Oct 7, 2022
We bought the camper used, we had it inspected before we purchased it and there were no signs of water damage. The seller told us the floor was soft due to a design issue, which we confirmed by seeing post in several online forums about the bad design of the floor. The first night we slept in the trailer, the rear slide-out fell off with us in it. Luckily we were not injured. Looking the damag... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2015) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 10, 2022
Incident date: Oct 1, 2019
Both driver side and passenger side doors are clicking when they open and close, seems like a hinge has been damaged. When opening the doors they will close on their own quickly unless opened all the way.
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2012) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 10, 2022
Incident date: Sep 25, 2022
Rare Subframe breaking off parts are not available for at least 6 months. I have kids and mechanics advise me to keep it off the road. My only means of transportation
Incident date: Oct 10, 2022
Excessive heat on shoes while driving. Found defective and rusted floor boards on driver and passenger side.
Incident date: Oct 8, 2022
We drove the Honda Odyssey 2007 to a nearby swimming pool and opened the driver side sliding door. The door resisted opening and fell off onto the ground. Nobody was hurt but someone was almost hurt. The door had made grinding noises and was difficult to open for about a week before the incident happened.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2022
Honda is aware of an issue affecting many CR-V's. Honda has recently issued a recall of the 2007-2011 model-year CR-V's in Canada for a rusting problem that could result in a rear suspension control arm separating from the vehicle. This recall applies to vehicles in all provinces from Ontario east, which experience heavy road salt usage and humid operating environments. Dealers were instructed to ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2022
I opened the back passenger door and now it wont shut.
Incident date: Oct 7, 2022
The door latch (handle) on the rear driver side door is unable to open the door from the interior or exterior of the vehicle.
Incident date: Apr 14, 2020
Severe Paint chipping at roof
Incident date: Oct 6, 2022
I AM A 79 YEAR OLD DISABLED MAN WHEN I STOPPED AT TH SPOKANE VA HOSPITAL THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. I TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD AND COULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR.TO GET OUT.EVEN THE KEY IS ONLY AN ELECTRIC SWITCH THERE IS NO MECHANICAL WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR. IF I HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE CAR WAS ON FIRE I WOULD HAVE DIED. AS IS I HAD AN EXTREMELY DIFICULT TIME CLIMBING OUT OF THE CAR. I ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2022
Purchased truck Sept 30th, 2022. I drive home from the dealership that evening during a heavy rainstorm. Two days later I went to remove front passenger floor mat to put in all weather mats I noticed the carpet floor mat was damp and underneath the mat was wet. I felt the water direction towards the front tire wall area. Truck is back at dealership to determine cause.
Incident date: Jun 29, 2022
I have a 2013 Kia Sorento, I am the only owner and purchased the vehicle new from the dealership. I Have kept this vehicle part and housed in a covered garage for the entire duration of owning the vehicle keeping it from being exposed to extreme elements any kind of horrible storms it's always been protected in the garage. Even though I've taken good care of the vehicle and housed it in a covere... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2022
Was driving home for lunch and stopped at traffic light. Parking brake self-engaged and would not release. I could not move the car in either direction. Repeated attempted to get parking brake to release by pushing/pulling on switch. Finally turned off car (sitting in moving traffic) and when I restarted the brake released. Was able to get car home and parked. Called my regular mechanic and got it... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2016
The Kia has been having paint that just comes off around the windshield at the top and now on the hood. I’ve seen several other Kia’s (white) having the same issues. Why won’t Kia stand behind this issues? I know this is not owners fault. Something is wrong with the paint on these white 2015 sorentos.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2020
My Jeep if fully corroded and corroding on all seams of the vehicle. The paint is bubbling and chipping. Chrysler refuses to buy the car back.
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2019) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 7, 2022
Incident date: Jun 11, 2022
2019 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4x4 was purchased April 30, 2022- I've noticed that the hood moves, vibrates, flutters almost aggrssively while drivng on local streets and the hwy. It's as if the hood was made of paper or flimsy material and wants to fly off it's hinges. At times I'm fixated on it, although my attention should be on the road and watching for other drivers. The hood makes me nervous as i... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2022
My catalytic converter was stolen when my car was parked. Honda owners has been targeted for its catalytic converters, and there are numerous reports of Honda’s cats being stolen. Honda has a major defect where it makes it easier for thieves to steal the cat in minutes. There are 3 major flaws with the product. 1) Hondas don’t automatically come with a cat converter steel shield, cage, or othe... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2022
This a Window Model the fixed windows are coming out of the van. Vehicle has never been wrecked. Took the vehicle to the dealership they do not how to repair. Spoke to the manufacturer they refuse to assist even though it is under warranty. This is a serious safety issue if the Fixed Windows are detaching from the body they will fall into the Van causing injury to passengers. If they fall o... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
I have a Toyota Sienna 2011 XLE for 4 years and both doors stops randomly when opening and closing. My daughter was stuck in the car at least 10 times. She afraid to use the car because she repeatedly in danger of falling, the beep sound comes and the door stops suddenly. I used to drove my car leaving my door open once, because the door stuck and I couldn’t realize till I drove. I was lucky, m... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
Windshield continously cracks. The windshield is prone to cracking. Within two years I've had two windshield cracks
Incident date: Sep 19, 2022
Frame on 2005 Toyota 4Runner has excessive rust due to Toyota’s negligence on frame production. I can make it available if needed. My safety is 100% compromised, had my mechanic not have told me of the issue, I would have kept driving the vehicle and the suspension could have detached from the frame at any point. The problem has been confirmed by my independent service center South Lake Automoti... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2021
Water is entering the vehicle thru a body seam that is causing the wire harness to corrode. These vehicles have had this problem since they rolled off the assembly line and Nissan knows this. On November 14, 2014 Nissan put out this service bulletin detailing how to diagnose and fix the Rogue that was brought in for service due to the carpet being wet on the driver and/or front passenger floor. It... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2022
THE DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. THE HITCH THAT HOLD THE DOOR SHUT IS BROKEN AND DOES NOT ALWAYS KEEP DOOR CLOSED. IT WILL OPEN WHILE DRIVING.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
The left side sliding door does not completely latch when closing. I have looked for obstruction and do not see any. I and my children are very concerned that we will not completely shut the door thus causing it to open when in transit or turning resulting in an unnecessary accident, injury or fatality. Whomever is driving the car has to stand outside and push the sliding door inward as it is l... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2019
Roof and sunroof structures began making continuous loud "popping" noises, very startling and distracting to driver and passengers. Toyota is aware of the problem, it involves the structure of the sunroof mating to the structure of the vehicle roof. This defect has existed since at least the 2007 model year, and Toyota published official guides for Toyota dealer repair procedures. Toyota refuse... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2022
The vehicles paint started peeling on one of the rear columns. I have noticed very many different Kia optimas with the same issue when it came to the same color paint. The paint is snow white pearl. I’ve had no success working with Kia and it is clearly a defective paint issue. I own several cars older and they never had issues. They are unwilling to help.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
After having the odyssey repaired for the recall rear passenger door latches, the rear passenger door still continues to open randomly, it has happened on multiple occasions while the vehicle is parked (at a park) with no one near the vehicle, at least twice since the repair while the vehicle is going between the speeds of 35-45 mph the rear passenger door on the driver side slides open.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2022
Sliding door closed on a child's arm and bruised it. We have had multiple situations where the door does not stop if it hits something, it just continues to close.
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 3, 2022
This year, the paint on both side view mirrors and door handles started chipping away. The vehicle is a 2019, so it is less than 4 years old. There is no reason that the paint in those specific areas should be chipping away already except for a factory defect.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2022
Glass between windshield and sunroof spontaneously shattered while parked in private driveway. There was no impact, the car had not been driven for two days, it was just parked and the glass busted. It is unknown if water will cause a problem with leaking into the cabin of the vehicle.
Incident date: Oct 3, 2022
Confirmed with local mechanic that the rear cross member of the sub-frame needs to be replaced immediately. Badly rusted and is a safety issue.
Incident date: Sep 28, 2022
6 of the 8 polyurethane cab mounts positions 1, 2 and 4 crumbled and fell out of the truck
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
My rear passenger doors were unable to open. The falcon wing doors could not be opened leaving my child trapped inside. The child locks were on but I could not open the doors from inside or outside the vehicle even if I tried overriding the system. I attempted a vehicle restart and that did not resolve the issue. Finally I turned off the child locks and reached inside the vehicle from the driver d... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2021
On nine separate documented occasions, the passenger front wheel molding trim piece, in which one of the proximity sensors is mounted, completely detached, causing the proximity sensor to alarm continuously. On two of these nine occasions, the trim piece detached while the vehicle was traveling on the road, and on one of these two occasions, the vehicle was traveling on the highway at highway sp... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2017
Hi I have this 2007 Toyota sequoia. It has a rusty rotten frame with holes. I called Toyota in the past about but they didn't do any thing and I never received any recall notice form Toyota about frame. What should I do ?. Thanks [XXX] Sorry I put wrong address. I live in Canada and Vehicle is also registered in Canada. My address is [XXX]. [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
Passenger side carpeting and foam are soaked from a leakage somewhere. The fuse panel under glove box is soaked and not working correctly. Water is almost making its way into battery under passenger side rear floor. Rust has formed under the shifting console. Car is moldy. No one can tell me what is happening but thousands of complaints online regarding GMC Acadia all have this problem. My vehicle... Read more