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 4, 2022
The windshield trim on the passenger side flew off the vehicle unexpectedly while driving 70 mph on the freeway. The piece hit the windshield and then flew off and could have struck a vehicle behind me or caused someone to swerve unexpectedly. This is extremely dangerous. There was no warning lights or indicator light. While searching for recalls online numerous people have complained of this ... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2022
I kept hearing an odd click, creek noise from the driver side front end. It sounded like something was hanging or something had broken off. I took it into a shop and it was discovered that the front sub frame was rotted in several places and had broken. When the rear was inspected, it is rotted to the point where you could push your finger through if you tried, and there was a section bent. I ca... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2022
Paint is sliding off vehicle Pearle White drivers side, side window frame & top above window. I see many others have made complaints on those issues. Yes this vehicle is 8 years old, but is kept in a garage in the winter, I have never had a problem with other vehicles like this & have them beyond 10 years.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2022
The welding link on the frunk is broken and while driving the frunk is pressing down while driving the car.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
On June 1 I parked my blazer in the driveway and went into the house and came back out to my car in flames. I have had lots of electrical issues with the vehicle had it in the dealer to be repaired and reset several times. It was never fixed and now it has gone up in flames.
Fire
Incident date: Apr 15, 2022
The A pillar was leaking and has since been addressed by my local dealer adhering to the service Bulletin, however there are hundreds of other owners of the 21 and 22 Nissan Rogue experiencing the same thing with many having reoccurrences after 6 months. My concern is mildew/mold forming. It took months for proof of leaking to show (colors from Carwash bled through).
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 5, 2022
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
Hood flutter at any speed, back struts leak oil now the SUV feel unsafe to drive car shake and feel losing control when driving in the highway, steering wheel is super sensitive quick turns this makes the SUV feel nervous and busy and is making worse the problem with the struts current miles on the car 9,452
Incident date: Jun 3, 2022
I ordered a new Tesla X on 01/10/2021 and I just received it on 06/03/2022. I can’t believe that the car passed quality inspection (I found that the passenger falcon door can’t close unless I override the door to close from the driver seat and non of the closing bottoms works in addition to safety seat built is not even attached to it seat!! These issues should be fixed on the spot (actually I... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 5, 2022
Incident date: Jun 5, 2022
When cruising on a highway at around 70MPH my driver side mirror started shaking. The visibility through that mirror is getting worse. The left side mirror is fine no issue with vibration.
Incident date: May 28, 2022
Unable to open passengers rear door from inside
FOREST RIVER
WILDCAT
(2006) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 5, 2022
Incident date: Aug 27, 2021
Frame cracked and bent near the fifth wheel pin box housing while driving down a bumpy interstate 10 in El Paso Texas.
Incident date: Jun 4, 2022
Sliding door not latching all of the way, opening and closing on its own
Incident date: Apr 14, 2021
rear passenger door wont latch shut.Door flies open when making turns
Incident date: Jun 4, 2022
Driver and Passenger Sliding Doors have issues closing sometimes. It would close ranging from 70% to 90% of the way, and then slide back open. This happens occasionally enough to not have confidence in the doors consistently closing. We made sure there were no obstructions to the door, as well as nothing preventing the sliding rail roller from completing full movement. The family would have ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2022
From time to time the automatic sliding doors (usually the driver side) would fail to close when the close button was pressed. The sliding door would move toward closing but it would bounce back to open position after traveling 2/3 of the way as if it detected an obstruction. At time it would take many tries for the door to actually close itself successfully. It happened at random occasions with... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2022
Mechanic showed me the rusted rear K frame that not safe to drive. It shouldn’t happen at 180K mile.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2022
The driver side rear door handle does not open the door. The door is able to be opened from the door handle on the inside, and it can be locked and unlocked. This could create an unsafe situation in which a parent is unable to reach a child in the second row who needs assistance. Having two methods of entry and egress (i.e. a driver side and passenger side rear door) in the second row contributes... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
I had my truck inspected for the frame recall a few years ago. My current mechanic says the frame should not look as bad as it does for the 125k miles it has on it. They have concerns that using a lift on it will damage the frame. This could make it nearly impossible to remove/change the tires. I look at other trucks from ford/Dodge/GM near the same age and I do not see anything similar on the fr... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2022
Vehicle is experiencing paint adhesion failure
Incident date: Jan 4, 2013
recalled COMPANY HONDA reason I follow them too much time recalled my car over 10 year from 2007 to now , But It did not work , It is not fix include my car was destroy more , they destroy horn my car more , include cheatting and charged my money Recalled INSURANCE department OF CALIFORNIA : they abused POWER Violate my human right and my civil right before COURT and CONGRESS , Include theft my m... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: May 29, 2022
Driving down the road started hearing minor noises in the rear, then louder clunks when driving over road patches and bumps. Parked in our driveway, and inspected, found out the entire strut tower on the rear driver side tire is rusted from the frame and there is a large crack that has formed in the unibody has well. Our local Ford dealership in town sent us to the auto body shop and the auto bo... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2022
The secondary safety hood latch failed causing the hood to fly up and shatter the windshield while also obstructing visibility on the road. The complete obstruction of the windshield presented a dangerous situation putting myself and others at risk of death of severe injury. In addition this caused glass shards to enter the driver/passenger compartment if the vehical further presenting risk to t... Read more
Crash
1 injured
FOREST RIVER
XLR
(2020) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 1, 2022
Incident date: May 24, 2022
THE FRAME/WALLS OF THE 5TH WHEEL CAMPER ARE NOT PROPERLY MANUFACTURED. EXTERIOR WALLS ARE NOT COMPLETELY IN TACT WITH THE FRAME. CAMPER IS NOT STABLE AND CAUSES A HUGE RISK FOR COLLAPSING. PROBLEM WAS FOUND WHEN THE CAMPER WAS BEING REPAIRED FROM A TREE FALLING ON IT. THE SERVICE CENTER HAS BEEN VERY THOROUGH TO CHECK FRAME FOR DAMAGE AND FOUND NO DAMAGE TO THE FRAME BUT DISCOVERED THE EXTERIOR W... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
The rear passenger sliding door fell off the hinges and onto the ground. My 6 year old son was in his car seat next to the door and was nearly hit in the head when the door fell off.
Incident date: May 23, 2022
Door Striker Plate, latching Hook on Rocker Plate, lower side of driver side door frame, between front and rear doors is rusted. This does not allow the doors, front or rear driver side, to close securely. Attempted to contact Ford dealerships with no response. Took to independent Body Shop who said it is definitely a safety issue.
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 1, 2022
Incident date: Mar 19, 2022
The hood of the vehicle vibrates and lifts while driving, especially at higher speeds, causing alarm to driver and passengers. The dealership did not disclose the known issue when we purchased and was subsequently contacted within days of purchasing regarding the problem. We presented personally and was told rather than replacing the latch and seals like some dealers, our entire hood would be r... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2022
Water was trapped in both the rear doors. Even though I was able to drain both using the plugs on the doors, this is a reoccurring problem because a lot of water was trapped inside the door panels. I could hear it sloshing around while driving and every time I opened or shut the doors. I don’t know if this could cause rust over time or if this could cause damage from becoming frozen inside the p... Read more
FOREST RIVER
CHEROKEE
(2021) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 1, 2022
Incident date: May 27, 2022
We have had our travel trailer for about 1 year and have had it in for service to the bedroom door as we noted it was sticking. This weekend the bedroom door failed. The frame of the door itself came away from the door making it difficult to open. At the same time the other entry door was stuck shut. My wife was unable to open the door. I was able to open it with great difficulty. The door side of... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E300
(2017) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 1, 2022
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
The door will not stay open on hills and makes a loud clicking noise
Incident date: May 20, 2022
Water is entering vehicle from roof rack over the driver side A-pillar. The headliner is getting wet, and the side curtain airbags are located in this area. The concern is that the water will affect airbags, along with issues with mold and rust.
Incident date: May 29, 2022
Rear undertray composite cover partially peeled off and began dragging on the road creating a driving hazard. This problem has been reported in online forums on many occasions.
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2013) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 31, 2022
Incident date: May 1, 2022
Subframe cracked while driving vehicle and began to sway in the rear very badly.
Incident date: May 20, 2022
Someone sold me this car unsafe. The subframe is rusted all the way, and it’s barley holding the back of the car together. An accident could’ve happened while I was driving it. The problem has been confirmed by my local mechanic. There were no signs indicating this safety hazard.
Incident date: May 21, 2022
I was involved with an accident in May 21, 2022. The front body parts were almost destroyed (please refers to the attached photo), but the air bag still did not deployed, which is NOT a safe matter.
Crash
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2018) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 30, 2022
Incident date: May 26, 2022
The sliding door will not unlock and can not be opened from the interior or exterior. There is an extended warranty covering 2015 through 2017 Dodge Grand Caravans but it does not cover 2018 or newer models even though it is the same design.
Incident date: May 28, 2022
The rear trailing arm mounts rust right off the car and the entire piece falls off out of nowhere. I was lucky to be going about 10 mph when this happened to me and it slide the car sideways .I have no doubt I would have flipped at highway speeds. I’ve seen hundreds of other elements with the same issues on forums it’s bad enough that in Canada they have a buyback. The police where there q... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 300
(2021) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 30, 2022
Incident date: May 27, 2022
Sunroof glass panel exploded outward. Fabric retractable interior sunroof liner did contain all of the fragmented safety glass. No prior impact on or to the sunroof. If the interior fabric sunroof liner had been retracted, the interior of the vehicle would have been showered with the glass shards impacting the driver and all passengers. There was no warning. A loud sound similar to gunshot occurre... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
Vehicle was manufactured 04/2002 recalls state that from oct99 to jan04 multiple states had issues with rusting with suspension causing the car to crash. My vehicle was made in one of the states and has alot of underbody rusting. Back hatch latch gets stuck often and will not open. Drums on the back are sticking causing the vehicle to drag at take off, abs had a recall ford dealer "fixed" the issu... Read more
Fire
Incident date: May 30, 2022
The tailgate unlocked and dropped, hitting the trailer jack and damaging the tailgate. The tailgate was locked and shut, this was confirmed before we left the house. The tailgate dropped sometime while driving to another location. The truck is available for inspection. This put others at risk as we had large amount of very large agates in the bed of our truck we were transporting on a very busy... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2022
Driving at highway at about 65 mph last night with almost no cars around us when we (wife and I) heard loud bang above us almost like an explosion. I pulled over safely and found out the sunroof is completely shattered out of the blue. There was no cars or trucks around us and no debris. It just exploded. We were not harmed since the shade was pulled and prevented glass from falling into the insid... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2022
The roof glass cracked with no impact and no accident. No chip or missing pieces of glass. Everything is in tack but has cracked
Incident date: May 28, 2022
Hello, I have a 2015 Kia Optima with Snow White Pearl paint. The paint has started to bubble and chip off. I understand that this paint color is an issue for cars in South Florida which have had the same issue. I have included pictures of the areas and also the vin with paint code.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2020
Dash panel cracked in multiple spots - was like this when we bought it used from a Dealer.
Incident date: May 22, 2022
Driving vehicle about 60-65 mph when collision with another vehicle occurred resulting in moderate front end damage to almost all of front bumper with no airbag deployment and put driver in danger due to speed and mechanism of collision which seems to be a malfunction in safety equipment.
Crash
1 injured
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2016) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 27, 2022
Incident date: Apr 18, 2022
The rear drivers side door suddenly stopped opening. Happened at 56k miles.
Incident date: May 24, 2022
Rear suspension rusted from chassis. Google search shows multiple people with same issue. Issue making car unsafe to drive. Car has extreme rust problems.
Incident date: Jul 15, 2021
The biggest problem is that the oil is going into the spark plugs this started happening approx 1 year ago and I have been complaining about this to Hyundai to the B.B.B. and the Attny Generals office I am told to take it too hyundai dealership whenI mentioned they will charge me to tell me what I have already been told I was told by Hyundai they can not control there own dealership??? Keep in min... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
Paint chipping/flaking off driver side pillar...over 4-5 inches in length
Incident date: May 17, 2022
Took the vehicle in to local Ford for 120000 mile service and was informed the subframe was rusted and starting to separate. The part is no longer available and maybe they could find a used one as they have had to do in other cases. Not sure why just the front subframe is bad and no other part of the frame structure also the car has had rustproofing done on it. Reading on the internet this seems ... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2022
passenger rear door will not open, not from the inside or outside of the vehicle