Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 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 2,245,377 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 49,687 complaints - component: STRUCTURE:BODY
THOR MOTOR COACH
CHALLENGER
(2017) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Sep 6, 2022
Incident date: Sep 6, 2022
My 2017 THOR Challenger was part of NHTSA recall 21V-845. I made repairs to my coach in 2017 and 2018 totaling $4600. I have sent THOR all pictures and receipts from those repairs. I started the process in March 2022. Last week they informed me it is not a Thor recall, and I would have to deal with the company that manufactured the doors for them. I have included recent correspondence wit... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2022
The paint on my 2019 Civic Coupe began to completely flake off inside the fuel door jam. The primer is completely exposed. There was no scratching or dent or any kind of impact that could have brought on the paint damage since the area is tucked away. I brought my car to the dealership today and they took pictures to document the occurrence and are escalating my concerns. Hopefully this will be co... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C250
(2013) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Sep 6, 2022
Incident date: Jul 31, 2022
The interior driver side door handle broke and I was trapped inside my vehicle. Upon checking with the local Mercedes-Benz repair shop, this is a known problem with this type of vehicle and the design of the door handle is prone to this kind of a problem. As of now, the contact has stated that their current solution for the issue is to roll down the window and open the door with the exterior hand... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2016
It was bad weather the other car hit behind me
Crash
Incident date: Jul 20, 2022
On my 2021 Subaru Forester the rear passenger wheel well rubber cover came loose during travel. This has happened on my wife's 2019 subaru forester on the driver rear, and the one on the passenger rear is coming loose. The part was slapping against the side of the car and if we had not pulled over and manually removed it it could have easily flown off the car. The driver side on my wife's car h... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2022
My frame has rusted in two
Incident date: Apr 27, 2022
In April 2022 hood latch malfunctioned and caused hood to open while driving on interstate. Caused damage to Hood, Fenders, Windshield and Roof. I was able to get stopped safely without injury.
Incident date: Aug 23, 2022
Spontaneous explosion of front passenger door window while driving
FOREST RIVER
SALEM
(2022) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Sep 5, 2022
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
I have a 2022 Salem FSX170SS. While traveling on our first trip with this vehicle, the fresh water tank fell out of the trailer and dragged on the pavement. I was fortunately traveling through a construction area at low speed and damage was limited to the loss of the tank and underbelly. This same model had a safety recall in 2021 for the very same problem. The remedial action was for the de... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2022
Front bumper and side view mirror cover (passenger side) have been badly deformed with in past few months and getting worse for a vehicle which is still under warranty (~2 year old and under 36,000 miles). Side view mirror cover (driver side) has also started to deform. Side view mirror cover (passenger side) has been deformed to an extent that a slight hand touch or push detaches it from the veh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
Both rear doors are not opening from the inside. At first the right side rear door wasn’t opening and I filed a complaint here-few years ago. Now the left side rear door has stopped opening from the inside.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
Where the sway bar is bolted to the chassis has completely deteriorated causing sway bar to completely detach from both sides of the frame. This has caused it very difficult to steer and nearly impossible the more MPH the vehicle goes. I own another vehicle nearly exactly the same but a 1998 dodge ram 1500 vin number [XXX]. It to has the same exact problem. I believe that the quality of steel used... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2022
Obstacle detected error code. It shows this when trying to open rear falcon wing door. No obstacles or anything around. I’ve researched and it’s a very common problem with these cars and the door sensors.
Incident date: Sep 2, 2022
Peeling paint Paint started peeling away on hood, and now on roof. On a single drive to town about half the paint peeling from my roof. There’s also little bubble in various areas on the vehicle where the paint looks like it’s about to start coming off. Appears to be a manufacturer defect as they’ve had this same issue before with numerous models.
Incident date: Aug 24, 2022
The front cover (frunk) keep opening even when the car moving , which is easily can block the ability to see cars infringe of you , I tried to reach the dealer services and they told me that they are so busy and it will take time to fix my car , the problem that I have to drive the car to go work and the dealer would not give a me a sooner time to fix this issue , it is a serious problem and can e... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
I have bought 2 subaru vehicles...brand new off the lot. Both my 2017 subaru impreza and now my 2022 subaru outback wilderness had brittle windshields from the factory.. I had 4 cracks within the first 2 months of owning this outback and I'm probably going to have to pay to have my windshield replaced. The replacements are always strong, safe and reliable. Why is my 41,000$$ car come with an unsaf... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2022
Snow white pearl paint has peeled after a rain storm. No evidence of issues before hand. Several other complaints on this paint color doing the exact same thing. Paint should not peel off after rain.
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2012) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Sep 3, 2022
Incident date: Jun 10, 2022
During a routine oil change Mercedes mechanic discovered our rear subframe is rusted on both sides and needs to be replaced. This is apparently a well known problem, and Mercedes will replace this for free in Germany, but has not recalled the subframes in the US. Mercedes created a new OEM part as the replacement part, proving the original part is faulty. However Mercedes does not have enough part... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2022
Both front doors fill with water in even the lightest rain. A health emergence is developing due to mold forming. Additionally, any/all electronics in the door are likely to short out causing many safety issues if this known problem is not addressed by the manufacturer .
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2017) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Sep 3, 2022
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
When I shut my car off and open the driver's side door there is a loud buzzing sound in the passenger side sliding door. Very annoying. I noticed there are quite a number of complaints with this problem on different websites. One person had to pay $680 to the dealership to have it repaired. It seems that this should be a recall issue. That is a lot of money.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2020
The paint on the front hood and also on the roof above the driver side is chipping away and peeling for no reason. It started about 24 months ago as a small chip on the roof right at the windshield above the steering wheel. Thought is was perhaps from a rock. Now that small chip has grown, the metal that was under it has started to rust, there are also now multiple chips and peels on the front h... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2022
The front pillar columns on either side of the windshield have flown off while driving on the interstate. This is a ongoing Ford issue that should be fixed and is so dangerous could crack someone’s windshield
Incident date: Sep 2, 2022
I don’t have any incidents
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2013) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Sep 2, 2022
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
I have a 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C300 Sport 4MATIC with roughly 90k miles. Car is in great condition, a well maintained vehicle that has been regularly serviced (receipts in hand). I recently sent it in for an oil change, air filter change, and to check out a slight rear noise that started a couple weeks ago. I was told the Rear Subframe is severely rotted, and hitting the gas tank. My car is completel... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2022
Since November of 2021 I have my truck towed 20 times due to frame rusting out had it inspected at downeast Toyota in brewer a few years ago to have Frame replacement because all crossmembers where rusted so bed wasn't even on now can mounts completely gone . reason for towing so many tis frame had rusted away pinched wiring harness so I had to pay 1500 for repairs I was always told it was covered... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2012) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Sep 1, 2022
Incident date: Aug 31, 2022
Dealer states that the rear subframe has rusted and degraded to the point of requiring full replacement. The car is 10 years old with 98,000 miles on the odometer. This is premature degradation of an essential component.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
Frame has rusted to the point of actually having a hole that I can put my finger through. The truck has only 79000 miles on it and is in excellent shape otherwise. I bought it new from the dealer in 2008. I think this is a potentially dangerous condition but could be repaired via an Toyota recall. My father was a Toyota G.M. and Toyota's are all my family have owned for 30 some years. I hope Toyot... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2021
Frame is excessively rusted. The recall that already exists for this issue only covers certain frames from Japan made with this steel. However, the same frames were imported to America and a large percentage of 4Runners were made with the same steel and didn’t receive a recall. Mine is one of them.
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2022) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Sep 1, 2022
Incident date: Jul 10, 2022
Was driving through a sand storm at about 65mph. Forward collision sensor had to be turned off as when the wind and sand hit car, the car kept giving warning. Also hood shock aggressively. Was scared that it will pop open
Incident date: Aug 26, 2022
Paint peeling off 3 spots.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
The rear door on the driver’s side will not open from the inside or outside. This was not the result of a collision or incident. A quick online check revealed this to be an issue with several Hyundai vehicles.
Incident date: Aug 31, 2022
My mechanic reported that car's rear control arm has broken away from frame of car and is a very unsafe condition to use. No warning was given. Was found during normal inspection on mechanics lift. Manufacturer would not help during owners notification of problem but recognized the seriousness of the problem. Dealer has not been notified just my mechanic professional's recommendation.
Incident date: Aug 31, 2022
The car is leaking from the third rear brake light (at the rear roof of the car). It appears the seals and possible clips/fasteners have failed and water is entering the car during rain or water immersion from the rear brake light, to the back seat, trunk, and rear floor. There is now visible mold in the car.
FOREST RIVER
GEORGETOWN
(2020) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Aug 31, 2022
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
Weld seams broken on battery shelf which holds 4 27D Batteries. If I had not noticed this problem the batteries would have fallen to the road below, and possibly cause injury.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
I bought a 2021 Toyota RAV4 XLE Midnight Black Metallic, last year on July 2021 from Hillside Toyota in Jamaica, NYC. From the very beginning since the delivery, I was not at all happy with the build quality of the car as Toyotas used to be before. There were issues with paint finishing, noise from engine, and issue with pick up. I reported this to Toyota as well as my dealer, Hillside Toyota and ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2019
Paint peeling off all over body of car
Incident date: Jun 10, 2022
The front subframe has a hole in it it rusted for some reason and upon research there was a recall on this particular issue but now there isn’t one. I went to two dealerships and they informed me that Hyundai had recalls on this issue that’s why I’m confused on why when I search by my VIN there isn’t any open recalls. Just because they isn’t any open recalls on this doesn’t mean that p... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2019) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Aug 31, 2022
Incident date: Aug 19, 2022
Driving 70 miles per hour part of the roof rack blew off the vehicle; the molding and front cap on the driver side of the vehicle. The roof rack had never been used. A Ford dealer inspected the area where the parts were and could not determine what caused the failure.
Incident date: Aug 31, 2022
The paint is chipping in large patches on various places throughout the body of the vehicle.
Incident date: Aug 24, 2022
The rear passenger side child lock will not disengage. The child lock is engaged when the dog is in the back seat and disengaged otherwise. The lock was engaged once and will not disengage. If adults are riding in the back seat and there is an emergency, they are limited to the driver's side to exit. If the driver's side child lock mechanism fails, they will be forced to rely on someone to ope... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2022
Water may leak from heavy rain, from the sunroof region into a part of the roof, leading to water leaking from the interior microphone above the driver seat. Seems to be a common issue amongst 2016-2017 RX350’s but no recalls. This is a safety issue given that the microphone is where the water leaks to, compromising other electrical systems. In addition, water builds and wets the headliner causi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
My Vehicle has been with me since I’ve had It since 32,000 miles it’s up to 87,000 miles now The first thing I had to replace the starter at 32,000 the alternator and CV axle on the passenger side and the clutch is second and third clutch And the inside dome lights an the dash lights shorted out all went out the day after I got it now since then at 84,000 the The front clip just fell off goin... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 31, 2021
The paint (white pearl) is bubbling and peeling. I currently have several rust spots that appeared where the paint peeled. I have researched this issue online and found that it is a common occurrence with this particular paint color on Kia cars for this time frame. Also, the Kia dealership that I have been to is aware that this is a problem as well. I recently had the unfortunate experience of ... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2019) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Aug 30, 2022
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
The front panel of the panoramic sunroof exploded into small pieces for no apparent reason. I was driving under 35 mph, on a 2 lane road, in clear, warm weather. I heard a "pop", then glass sliding over the roof of the car. In the rear view mirror, I then saw glass falling past the back window. When I stopped to investigate, I found that glass had also fallen down onto the fabric shade, which was... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
1. Frame was replaced under recall due to excessive corrosion, and now it's corroding again and should be replaced. also the trailer hitch is excessively corroded and was not replaced during the recall. I pull trailers all the time with this truck and don't want there to be failure with the hitch due to excessive corrosion. 2. The body paint and clear coat on this vehicle is weak and needs constan... Read more