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: Jun 23, 2022
Back passenger door locked. Could not open. Originally they told us it would not be covered under warranty.
Incident date: Jun 23, 2022
PAINT IS CHIPPING ALL OVER THE CAR HOOD, TRUNK SIDE OF WINDOW, ETC. ESTIMATE HAVE BEE SENT AND PICTURES. HAD PROBLEM APRIL2021. AND HAD HOOD PAINTED NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN
Incident date: Jun 3, 2020
Have a 2016 Kia sorento 93000 miles it is pearl white the paint is coming off peeling off ,chipping off
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2020) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 23, 2022
Incident date: Nov 2, 2020
The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while he was approaching the vehicle, the side step was extended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the actuator was replaced. The failure continued and the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and the actuator was replaced again however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was not contacted. The ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2021
My vehicle was marked salvage without me as the owner knowing until recently informed by a Carfax report at Toyota. I was wondering why it was marked salvage and if it was done by Carfax or insurance.
Crash
Incident date: Jun 23, 2022
So much rust has developed the frame is literally giving out. Toyota admitted to a rust issue- it’s now a safety issue with this generation of 4Runner. They did a recall on the same frame for Tacoma but not 4Runner.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
The contact's son owns a 2017 Jaguar XF. The contact stated that there was water inside the trunk of the vehicle where the battery was located. The contact was unaware of the location of the leak. The contact stated that the electrical wiring was corroded from the water intrusion. The contact was concerned that the electrical system might fail due to the failure. The contact's son reached out the ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GL550
(2015) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 22, 2022
Incident date: Jun 16, 2022
As I was driving down the freeway the whole vehicle caught on fire and we got out of the car and within 2-3 minutes while car was burned to ashes.
Fire
Incident date: Jun 20, 2022
This Rav4 developed a leak in the roof by the front and back windows. Found many references to this on the internet. It is a known problem for this vehicle that is not being addressed by Toyota. This problem can cause mold and damage to the side air bags. This is clearly a safety issue.
Incident date: Jun 19, 2022
- Molding piece and underlying bracket located between the windshield and side passenger window. Molding piece is long and over 24 inches long. - Became loose and detached completely during driving. -The issue first appeared when the vehicle had under 36000 miles- at that time a Ford service technician glued it to the underlying mounting bracket to remedy the problem. The issue happened to th... Read more
TOYOTA
REDUNDANT SIENNA
(2021) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 22, 2022
Incident date: May 18, 2022
I went on a trip to Missouri to visit my son and family. When going through St. Louis on 5/18/2022 I ran through a thunderstorm with a lot of rain. After I stopped, I noticed a puddle of water between the front seats. I could not find out where it came from. Later that same day I went through another storm. Again I found a puddle of water between the seats. This is a vehicle that was modifie... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 22, 2022
Incident date: Jun 18, 2022
Hood flutters on high way. More violent at higher speeds and high winds.
Incident date: Jun 19, 2022
While driving on I-64 with direction to Lexington, KY, the hood of the car flew back and smashed the windshield. I was going at 70mph on I-64, driving in the middle lane and with my 3yo son seated in the back in his carseat. I managed to keep control of the car, slowed down and pulled to the right side of the road. The car was non drivable, so AAA had to tow us. My insurance company, Kentucky Farm... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2022
My 2017 white pearl quartz ELANTRA started to peel in January 2022!! The hood and roof is just horrible. The dealership does not want to do anything about it. I bought this car brand new! This is a paint defect and Hyundai knows it!! This should be recalled!! Tons of other vehicles are just like mine! It’s ridiculous!
Incident date: Mar 30, 2022
Every time I put my car in park and I take my foot off the break it rolls back a little. I did have a overheating warning and my rear camera didn’t work and it is also upside down.
Incident date: Aug 7, 2020
On or about August 12, 2020 the car was enroute from Corpus Christi, Texas to College Station, Texas. The bumper dislodged from the car and almost feel underneath causing a serious accident. This is a low clearance car with the bottom of the car having an extension causing more difficulty. The car was pulled over to the side of the road and temporarily put in place. The car was taken to AutoNa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2022
For the second time, the plastic retaining nuts have come off of the splash shield underneath to come lose and almost causing an incident. No warning prior to the failure.
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2010) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 21, 2022
Incident date: Jun 21, 2022
Rear subframe corrosion hast rusted through and the subframe is no longer attached to the lower control arm car has only 56k miles this has been recalled in Canada and the issue needs to be addressed in the us it is a safety issue
FREIGHTLINER
CASCADIA
(2021) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 21, 2022
Incident date: Jun 21, 2022
Upon driving this truck for the first time, previous trucks were Kenworth and Peterbilt, it quickly came to my attention that the passenger side door mirror housing blocks drivers view when scanning to the right before entering a roadway. I the affected area extends from the front of the A-pillar to the outside of the mirror housing. When this model was designed the mirror housing that attaches ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2022
Passenger door will not close.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2022
The paint of my white Elantra is peeling for about 5 months now!! It is a known issue that the paint is defected!!!
Incident date: Jun 10, 2022
Car's brakes went to floor when engaged. Driver pumped them several times to slow car. Engine light came on; took car to mechanic and brake repair was made, but engine light kept appearing. Then the car would not crank and was towed to the mechanic and the battery was replaced. Finally, the car's body/wheels appeared to be shaking when driving and the engine light appeared again. Car was taken ... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2017) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 20, 2022
Incident date: Dec 1, 2020
Drivers side rear door wouldn't open by using buttons on key fob, buttons in vehicle or by manually opening it. The door unable to be opened. I had to take it to the dealer.
Incident date: May 2, 2022
The trunk latch stopped working. There was a recall in 8/2021 for the same issue with Hyundai and Kia models. I strongly believe this recall should be extended to include 2016 Hyundai elantras because this is a safety issue. God forbid someone were to get stuck in the trunk they would have no way of getting out as I do not have a trunk release button on my key fob or a key hole on the trunk itself... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2022
Rear subframe broke Confirmed by a mechanic
Incident date: Jun 20, 2022
SEAT BACK MECHANISM FAILED. COULD NOT LATCH IN PLACE. FAILED WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING. MOTOR MOUNT BROKEN WITH MILAGE ONLY AT 56,000 MILES.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2022
The back driver’s side door of my 2008 Impala is not locked, but it cannot be opened. I’ve read online that this happens on other Impalas. Because this is a major safety issue, as well as a major inconvenience, these vehicles should be recalled and repaired at no cost to the owners. People should be able to enter and exit through all doors of a vehicle, especially during an emergency. Because ... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
(2013) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 19, 2022
Incident date: Jun 19, 2022
The front bumper is cracking on the corners. Also found a forum where others are also experiencing this https://www.rangerovers.net/threads/front-bumper-cracked-no-impact.338578/
Incident date: Jun 17, 2022
On 05/17/2022 I was on my way to work driving about 68-70mph on the interstate, WA HWY 520. At around 0625 am I suddenly heard a loud boom-explosion, and then glass everywhere—the sunroof spontaneously exploded and I looked up and there was a bug hole in it. I swerved a bit and then pulled over on the left, but due to very little shoulder in the road I got back on the highway. I am a physician ... Read more
TOYOTA
FJ CRUISER
(2007) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 19, 2022
Incident date: May 31, 2020
The vehicles frame and other underbody components have rusted extremely badly. The fuel tank straps broke due to rust, the radiator splash guard fell off while driving due to being very rusty, exhaust clamps have also broken due to rust.
WINNEBAGO
MICRO MINNIE
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 19, 2022
Incident date: Jun 18, 2022
Purchased brand new 2022 Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108DS on 6/14/2022. Take it on first camping trip on 6/18/2022. Slide mechanism breaks and pulls slide frame away from side of camper. Slide is stuck partially out. Cut leg due to slide failure. Winnebago customer service is useless and says it’s on us to fix and up to them if they will reimburse! This needs to be addressed ASAP before someone get... Read more
1 injured
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2014) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 19, 2022
Incident date: Jun 19, 2022
The left side passenger sliding door won't latch thus causing a safety hazard. I have read that hundreds of thousands of these cars suffer the same defect and this is being investigated by the NHTSA. https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2021/chrysler-dodge-minivan-sliding-door-problems.shtml https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c24092_ds899542
Incident date: Jun 16, 2022
I went to get my car inspected and was told that I would need to replace my cross member/subframe which would cost thousands. I was trying to figure out how to fix it for less when I came across a discussion board where everyone with these vehicles were having the same problem. I also look on YouTube and all the comments under multiple videos showing how to replace it also had the same problem. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2021
The rear frame is rotted I am a retired ASA certified in 5 categories Mechanic and I have my ranger apart now but I need new rear frame where the spring hangers rotted out and the bracket that runs the top of the gas tank is rotted out that holds the 2 frame rails is rotted out. THESE PIECES CANNOT BE WELDED. Needs a new frame.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
The paint is peeling or delaminating from the car. It is happening in many places. The paint is Snow White Pearl. The car now has about 110,000 miles. The paint warranted for only for 36 months. But it is obvious that this is a quality issue and latent defect. The paint shop says he has seen this a lot with Kias. The paint is not sticking to the primer. I keep hoping there will be a recall on the ... Read more
MERCURY
MOUNTAINEER
(2002) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 18, 2022
Incident date: Jun 18, 2022
Body : to much rust, corrosion, on rear of truck other failure or detachment of exterior body like rear gate frame components, and other structural components that may present a safety hazard. Electrical : electrical systems and items such asa wiring and cable on or inside the door, ignition switch cover detach ,instrument panel and gauges blinking that causes motors and actuators that power mech... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2022
Air bags: passive restraint system items and devices that protect occupants in a crash such as front, side, side curtain air bag light stayed on after taken to a recall devices that may present a safety hazard. Body: Windshield panel flew away ,failure or detachment body and frame components flew away all body pain pilled away with no reason, and other structural components like inside of car s... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2022
I noticed today that paint was peeling from the upper groove between the roof and back window panel of the car. I’m very concerned that overtime this will lead to corrosion that may possibly affect the integrity and safety of the back window leading to potential injury. Per my research, a “Service Bulletin” was realeased by Honda on Aug 29, 2019 extending the warranty for 2014-2015 Honda Acc... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2020
The roof rack leaks every time it rains or gets wet car wash etc. Underneath that roof rack mounting hole is the curtain airbag which is soaked every time that happens. The airbag is rusting/staining my headliner and I think based on that tachata recall this would be under the same scrutiny. Concerned about whether or not the airbag will deploy of if it's corroding away each time it rains. I reach... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2022
While driving the rear wheel trim piece went flying off and struck the car behind. Noting was loose, showed signs or issues beforehand and nothing was struck on the road. Online searching has shown this is an issue others have experienced.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2013
Paint has pealed away, exposing the metal on the body which is starting to rust. The major areas are on top of hood, roof and top of trunk.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
I have a 2013 Kia Optima with pearl white paint. My paint has significantly chipped away on multiple parts of the body including the roof, side of drivers side windshield, and the drivers side body. This chipping is due to a paint defect during the manufacturing process and the entire car needs to be repainted.
MERCEDES-BENZ
SLK350
(2005) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 16, 2022
Incident date: Mar 12, 2021
A few days after a scheduled service visit at a local Mercedes-Benz (MB) dealer I noticed a creaking sound coming from the rear of my 2005 SLK350 that continued to get louder as time went by. I scheduled another appointment for post-inspection and I received the unfortunate news that corrosion of the subframe had resulted in a critical fracture rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive and that I was ... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2016) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 16, 2022
Incident date: Jun 8, 2022
The drivers side siding door lock has failed making the door unable to be unlocked automatically or manually. This has left the door inoperable. This is a serious safety risk which leaves a person in the back seat unable to exit the vehicle through that door in the event of an emergency. The vehicle has not yet been inspected for this issue. There was no warning indicators of the failed door lock... Read more
FOREST RIVER
CHEROKEE
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 16, 2022
Incident date: Jun 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Cherokee. The contact stated that all three slides of the RV extended independently. While attempting to return the slide into place, the contact was unable to retract the slide. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure prevented him from having the RV taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V243000 (Equipment). The dealer was... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2018
Exterior Paint Pearl White Kia. Started with small specks all over the entire car around 2018/2019. Last week inches came off with out me noticing since I washed my car three weeks ago. Peeling very fast only has 56,000 miles on it. “Dealer included Paint protection” Have only just begun my research. I have all my purchasing paper work and Maintenace. Bubbling indicates Latent defect, online e... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2010) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 15, 2022
Incident date: Jun 7, 2022
Corrosion of sub frame. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. June 7, 2022 Viti service advisor reports rust hole in sub frame. Putting the safety of myself and family members at risk. Due to corrosion deteriorating the structural integrity of the sub frame. Sub frame could break causing catastrophic accident. Loss of control, rollover, fire, puncture fuel tank, etc. This appears to ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2022
There was no accident. My paint keeps chipping. I’ve never had a car chip paint like this one. I’ve seen multiple other cars who have the same exact car in the color Snow White have this problem. Very frustrating.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2011) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 15, 2022
Incident date: May 23, 2022
Rust through the frame. It appears that this is directly related to TSB PI0564K. The rust proofing failure of the vehicle has lead to rust causing holes in the frame of the truck. I have followed the Owners Manuel regarding cleaning of the frame during winter time. There is additional rust on the body rocker panels that are not structural. Repairs will be extensive in scope and cost.