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
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2017) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Mar 2, 2022
Incident date: Feb 21, 2022
Passenger rear sliding door will not open even manually
Incident date: Feb 17, 2022
Windshield cracked spontaneously without impact. Upon further investigation, this is a common issue observed with Subaru on multiple models from previous and current years. There has been a couple of class action lawsuits against Subaru in other states for the same issue, and both cases were ruled in favor of the plaintiff and the court deemed these windshield defective. My concern and question is... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2022
During a road trip with my wife I discovered that the headliner started leaking down the A-frame and into the curtain airbags on the A-pillar on the driver and passenger side of the vehicle. Within 2 minutes of googling the issue I found out that 2019-2020 RAV4s with the factory installed roof rails experience a leak caused by a faulty gasket. This information was confirmed by my service advisor a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
Sub frame cracking due to rust.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2018
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the subframe of the vehicle was severely corroded and had disintegrated due to the severe corrosion started developing in 2018. . The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. A c... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLA 250
(2015) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Mar 1, 2022
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
Sunroof shoes have deteriorated and panoramic roof has become loose off the rails. This is a highly disturbing erosion putting drivers and other vehicles on the road in danger. I have found hundreds of reported cases of the same issue with no recall in place.
Incident date: Nov 5, 2020
Bought this van new & when traveling down a hill, brake assist helps slow up the van. Once the van is on level ground, it will NOT shift back out of the brake assist & it takes effort or time to return to normal D. I was told I must set up & find a hill. I had major water leaks in the van & once corrected, there started a whistling of air now. The passenger door was 1/4" off, nowhere near flush... Read more
HONDA
ACCORD HYBRID
(2021) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Mar 1, 2022
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
2/24/22 - Drove to work in the morning. Front driver door will not open from outside or inside. Had to climb over the center console and exit thru the passenger door. The driver's door will unlock, but will not open. Problem disappeared when getting back to the car after work (4pm EST). 3/1/22 - Rear driver door would not open from outside or inside. This was going on most of the day. Took the c... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2022
Frame is rotted out. Vehicle is well maintained and it is upsetting. After spending good money for a reputable brand, the frame did not last. It is not drivable and is unsafe to be on the road. It is not safe to travel with my family. Everyone I know that has these years wrangler TJ model has this problem. Lower and upper control arms need to be welded back because they rotted off.
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER SPORT
(2013) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 28, 2022
Incident date: Jan 16, 2022
Passenger side rear view mirror became inop. Horn inop/ unresponsive. Air bag driver and passenger side (components inside cabin roof posts lateral of vehicle dashboard coming loose.
Incident date: Mar 18, 2021
This vehicle had a wheel separation while traveling at low speed. The right rear wheel separated from the car. The cause is excessive rust to the trailing arm and specifically to the subframe to which the trailing arm is attached. The car is available for inspection. I also have photographs that show the problem. The safety issue is clear. After separation the car cannot be controlled if ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2022
The incident occurred after a rainstorm and there was some debris laid out across the road. We were travelling in the morning before sunrise at 20 mph and we felt a small branch or object hit the underside of our car. We took it out to drive again at noon time and it warned us that the coolant was low and that car may not start up once shut down. We towed it to tesla service center in Paramus NJ a... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2015
On November 13, 2015, my son, [XXX], was killed just a few miles west of Tijeras, New Mexico, when a semi-truck driver forced his Honda Civic off the road, causing his Civic to become pinned underneath the 2016 semitrailer built by Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company. [XXX] car was subsequently dragged for about 0.5 miles under the Utility semitrailer until his car caught fire. The autopsy confi... Read more
Crash
Fire
1 deaths
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 28, 2022
Incident date: Feb 20, 2022
The hood on my 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SE AWD shakes at speeds 50 mph and higher. My Outlander was produced in November 2021. The hood shakes so violently that I am afraid it might fly open
Incident date: Feb 26, 2022
I was driving down a highway on the afternoon of February 26, 2022, when we heard a loud pop. At our next stop, we pulled back the interior sunroof cover and discovered the sunroof had shattered spontaneously. It was buckled up, not down, so I don't believe anything on the highway hit the vehicle. We were very lucky the interior cover was closed at the time it happened, or it's possible glass coul... Read more
NISSAN
ROGUE SPORT
(2019) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 28, 2022
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
The interior of the driver's side door was dented by the seatbelt being shut in the door. This causes the door sensor to alarm that the door is open. No other damage was done, and the vehicle has been in no wrecks that would cause this kind of damage. The metal should be strong enough to avoid denting by a seatbelt.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2021
The white paint on this vehicle is delaminating and peeling off in several spots, mostly on the hood door frames and the roof.
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2021) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 28, 2022
Incident date: Jan 17, 2022
Upon starting vehicle, dash screen indicated that there was an issue with the Driver Door Contact Switch, and back driver's window lowered automatically. This automatically triggers the emergency brake to engage. If you disengage the emergency brake, the vehicle beeps, acting like a door is open, even with all doors closed. There were other incidents where this did not happen until driving on the ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2022
The rear drivers side door will not open from inside or outside. The lock works when car is in gear but the door will not open!
Incident date: Feb 26, 2017
THE DASH BOARD IS CRACKING AND FALLING APART. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE DAILY. FOR WHAT THESE VEHICLES COST, THE DASH SHOULDN'T BE FALLING APART. VERY SAD ON GM'S PART.
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2018) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 27, 2022
Incident date: Feb 20, 2022
The drivers side sliding door has stopped working and is stuck in the locked position. It won’t unlock and will not open manually. From what I can tell it’s a problem with the actuator in the door. It is available for inspection. This could endanger my passengers if I’m hit on the passenger side and my passengers can not get out. I have yet to go to the dealer since I found out it’s a ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2022
Purchased on February 10, 2022 after driving a week windshield cracked, traveling at 40mph on city street.
Incident date: Oct 15, 2021
2021 Dodge Durango R/T power liftgate fails to recoil when an obstruction is met before latching. The liftgate will squeeze upon object and try to latch and then it just stalls. The problem has been demonstrated over and over again at two different dodge service centers. It has been replicated by technicians in the field. FCA Corporate is aware of my complaint. The field representative said this ... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 27, 2022
Incident date: Feb 10, 2022
Hood flutters or vibrates when driving 60 mph and above .
Incident date: Feb 26, 2022
Vehicle handle will become frozen and because of the design, it is difficult to open the door. Once it is opened, the windows will not roll down far enough for the driver to close the door. Because of this, the driver will need to move or drive the vehicle with the door open.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2021
My vehicle frame was cracked and very unsafe to drive. My inspection cannot passed until I fixed the crack developed on the frame. Inside the car the weather strip is cracked all side.
HONDA
ACCORD HYBRID
(2018) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 26, 2022
Incident date: Jun 15, 2021
Hood release cable has seized closed - Honda has been unable to give any explanation as to why and repair times for part are months out - unable to access engine or battery compartment due to this- unable to refill washer fluid, check oil etc -
Incident date: Jan 20, 2022
Glass in front of the moon roof exploded outward. Corners where collapsed inward. Traveling aprox. 50 mph. Clear sunny day. No traffic in front or behind. My first thought was flat tire. Glass was standing straight up with a 2 in gap in the center. The next one may completely leave the vehicle and cause an accident. Not looking for reimbursement. Paid by insurance. I think there was some sort of p... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
CLA250
(2016) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 26, 2022
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
The panoramic sunroof failed to close after it was opened. I attempted to close the sunroof after use and it stayed open. This is concerning as debris could have flown into the car and impaired operation. Another concern is the short-circuiting/fire risk of the internal wiring and components in the event of rain. We took the car to the dealership where an associate told us that this is a common pr... Read more
FOREST RIVER
SANDSTORM
(2018) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 25, 2022
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Forest River Sandstorm. The contact stated that there was a fracture near the front on the driver's side. The contact had not taken the trailer to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and advised the contact to take the trailer to a body shop. The body shop suggested that the outside side paneling needed to be replaced as well as placing a seal on the ve... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2015
Cracked Dash - multiple cracks around the airbag module, made worse by airbag module replacement. Scared that if the air bags ever go off, the dash will shatter, throwing shrapnel all over the occupants.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
Blizzard Pearl White paint started peeling off the car's body around the top areas of the 4 side doors (passenger & driver sides). There seems to be an active recall on this from Toyota for the same paint color and type, but the Prius model is not included in the active recall for this same condition. It has become a hazard such that such paint chips can be ingested by children. I took it to the ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2021
Snow White paint is chipping and peeling on random parts of the car
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2009) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 25, 2022
Incident date: Feb 21, 2022
the rear subframe @lower control arms right side rust on bracket when put break on the car go to right and make noise!!! the car just have 83.000 miles!! this have re call or not?we d'ont know untill seaching on web side findown couple owner C300 have problem said some
Incident date: Oct 13, 2021
Pearl White paint peeling around windshield, paint bubbling and lifting on roof and trunk lid.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2022
Severe rusting and corrosion of chassis/under body, body and frame of truck.
MINI
COUNTRYMAN
(2020) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 24, 2022
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
TRUNK/REAR HATCH POWER LIFT WILL ENAGE IF KEY FOB HAS HATCH BUTTON PRESSED WHILE CAR IS IN DRIVE OR IN MOTION. HATCH WILL RAISE CREATING SITUATION WHERE OBJECTS CAN FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. DISCUSSION WITH DEALER REVEALED OTHERS HAVE SAME ISSUE ONLY ON THE COUNTRYMAN MODELS AND DEALER DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO FIX THE SOFTWARE.
Incident date: Nov 24, 2021
SUV's lift gate has opened on its own twice. Once in the garage resulting garage door damage as well as $798.00 in lift gate damage. The second time the vehicle was outside unattended.
Incident date: Jul 21, 2017
After about 59,000 miles I noticed that the paint on my vehicle began to bubble and chip then rapidly began peeling off. Over the years this has gotten progressively worse and has now moved to different parts of the vehicle. I have included images of the vehicle and all of the locations it is peeling. I also included an image of water pooling between the paint and vehicle. This is a great conc... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Upon coming to a complete stop in the left turn lane and waiting for the red light to change, the sliding rear passenger side door automatically opened without prompt or warning. The door had just been opened and closed while the car was stopped, however the door opened even though the car was in Drive.
Incident date: Feb 21, 2022
I took my car in for routine maintenance and they pointed out rust on the frame and suggested it was more than it should have and could cause a safety hazard.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2022
On parkway 50 to 55 mph driver side ball joint broke. Truck could of flipped or hit another vehicle. Could of caused damage to my body or death. No warning of impending breakage. I do have pics of broken balljoint and it did cause damage to driverside fender. Frame is rusting. Worried about frame unsafe could brake at any time. Toyota refuses to check and replace.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2022
Purchased a 2017 Ford Escape Titanium in lighting blue in October 2019. Now it's February 2022, the odometer reads 32,500 miles, and the paint is peeling on the driver's side next to the windshield. The warranty does not cover this issue. No accidents.
Incident date: Feb 21, 2022
High pitch noise coming from upper side of vehicle while driving on a freeway with strong side winds (35-40mph wind gusts).
Incident date: Feb 13, 2019
The car's paint is comiming off
Incident date: Jan 11, 2021
Clear Coat on car is peeling everywhere. Car manufactured in 2015 and purchased from Carmax in Doral, Miami.
Incident date: Jan 11, 2021
Clear Coat on car is peeling everywhere. Car manufactured in 2015 and purchased from Carmax in Doral, Miami.
Incident date: Feb 22, 2022
My 2013 ford edge has the sunroof rails broken . i think because they are made out of plastic. So the only thing holding the front of the glass is some wires to prevent it from the glass from catching air and catching air borne which will shatter the glass. Im really scare to take the freeway.
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2022) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 22, 2022
Incident date: Feb 20, 2022
The front hood is structurally weak, causing flexing, bouncing, and fluttering. When driving over 55 mph, it feels like the hood is going to pop open while driving. It is a very distracting and unsafe feeling when driving on the highway.
Incident date: Feb 8, 2022
The factory installed bike rack is not sealed properly and leaking water when rains,etc… into the SRS airbag on passenger and driver side