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
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 10, 2024
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
When the vehicle was recently brought in for annual PA state inspection, I was informed by the inspector that there was so much corrosion where the rear trailing arms attach to the subframe that the rear wheel on either side could suddenly collapse leading to a sudden and unpredictable loss of vehicle control. I then brought it to an authorized Honda dealership for their inspection. They produce... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
I own a 2016 Hyundai Tucson and have noticed that NONE of the doors other than the driver door will open either from the inside or outside. I have small children that I drive to and from school, activities. If we were to get into a wreck or were to run off rode into a body of water my children could drown or die due to doors not opening. This seems to be a very common issue with Hyundai and needs ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
After a 20 minute drive and arriving at destination, I put the vehicle in park and tried to exit the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The driver door would not open by pulling the handle. I tried unlocking & locking the vehicle with the button on the side of the door, but it did not activate the locks. I also tried using the key fob and it would not unlock or lock the vehicle. I then put the car... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2020) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 9, 2024
Incident date: May 15, 2024
White paint is peeling on roof and exposing bare metal. Risk of rust, corrosion and structural degradation. Background: Acura/Honda knows of an issue with their White Pearl paint from 2016 and has issued a TSB to address the paint on certain VIN numbers. However, many owners are finding that even though they have a 2016 White Acura MDX, the VIN is not covered by the TSB. The TSB extends the wa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the dashboard lights were abnormally dim. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to restart. After waiting for a while the contact was able to restart the vehicle with the Push to Start button. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the electrical wiring undernea... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
I drove from California to ohio after I bought the truck, I noticed that when stopping to get gas my tailgate was open without me touching it. I drove with cameras showing the truck bed to see what happened and I watched it do it again while driving the vehicle, it just opened on its own while driving. The incident happened again once I was back in ohio when I had my trailor hooked up and it cause... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
The paint chipping and causing rust to car
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
The hood flew up and shattered windshield while driving. It was never popped or unlocked. This car only has 1000 miles on it. A warning went on seconds before it happened.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Trim is coming off below windows. Can be a hazard if it comes off in traffic and flys into another vehicle.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2024
Front left bumper panel needs to be clipped down/manufactured better. Keeps/stays popped out. Pushing it in does not work. Multiple other 2024 Sonata drivers having similar issues
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
Just noticed B Pillars on both R&L front doors have become detached at the tops and I am concerned that one or both will come completely loose and fly off while driving and cause injuries or accident. No incidents or injuries to report as of yet.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
When my truck is outside and gets rained on. The Tailgate automatically drops and keeps dropping over and over again. It’s been doing this for months. I have many safety concerns. I’ve had my tailgate open while driving. I had a young child standing behind my truck and it automatically opened. Recently over the period of the night it kept sending signals to drop annd lights would alol tu... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2021) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 8, 2024
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
1 - the failed component is the tailgate. The tailgate lowers automatically without any input from me while the vehicle is in operation. It has happened three times since buying the truck in February 2024. 2 - During the third event, I was backing up my Airstream trailer into its storage building when the tailgate dropped. At that time, I was negotiating a sharp turn in reverse and the tailgate c... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
We live and travel full time in a 2022 Grand Design Momentum model 376THS. Screws and bolts holding the front opposing schwintek slides are breaking or backing out of the slide frame every time we travel, the front floors are squeaking and getting worse, the front cap developed stress cracks and was repaired one year ago - they have now reappeared and there are several more stress cracks visible... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2020) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 8, 2024
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
I am writing to report a serious safety concern regarding my Volkswagen Tiguan 2020. The dome light in my vehicle has completely broken off, melting the plastic from the screws, and was hanging by the electrical wires. This issue poses multiple safety hazards: 1.Injury Risk: While driving, the dome light unlatched and fell and struck me on the side of my head, causing a distraction and injury. 2.... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
Frame failure at the pin box, 2 cracked welds, missing lag screws on upper decking rails and wrong size, had dealer inspect and make repairs per Grand Design, these defects are putting me and my family, and other people on our highways at risk due to possibility of complete king pin failure and rv coming detached from tow vehicle, I personally feel that Grand Design and Lippert are covering up a s... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
We are having issues when braking. The backend of the car wiggles when braking hard. Shop advised that the subframe on the passenger side completely broke away and on the driver side it is very rotted. They advised this is a safety issue since the broken side could pierce the gas tank. I googled this and found that there was a warranty extension for the same year and make car (document MC-102... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2017) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 8, 2024
Incident date: Jun 21, 2024
My 2014 Toyota Tacoma is experiencing paint chipping in large sections on multiple sections of the vehicle. Primarily this can be seen on the passenger side doors near the windows. I believe there was a recall for this vehicle for years 2016-2022. My request is to have my year model included as it is experiencing the exact same issues as the years already on the recall.
Incident date: Jun 30, 2024
This 2023 Lexus RX350H and several others vehicles of the same model and year and the 2024 year model have made sporadic roof popping noises that appear to be causes from heat expansion and/or flexion of the vehicle. I have taken this vehicle in a total of seven (7) times to two different Lexus dealerships. The first (4) trips to the dealerships they were unable to duplicate the vehicle, because t... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2023
Body paint chipping. Is known issue when speaking to insurance, Kia dealer and paint body repair.
CHEVROLET
EQUINOX EV
(2024) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 7, 2024
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
While driving on the freeway with outside temperatures of about 89/90F, at about 67-68 mph, our passenger window randomly exploded and shattered. There was no prior damage to the window or any indication that a rock, projectile or other debris had hit the window. Prior to this incident, we had observed that the passenger window would rattle inside the door pocket/window frame when the car was in ... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
Hood shakes in the middle presenting the appearance that the hood will open on its own, side mirrors shake causing distorted view
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
Paint is bubbling up and peeling off everywhere on my car
Incident date: Jul 7, 2022
In reference to Toyota Motor North America - Customer Support Program ZKG. My Toyota vehicle has experienced paint peeling on the exterior metal body panels. I have applied to receive coverage from Toyota for the paint peeling as part of the ZKG Program. Toyota has denied my request for coverage and did not provide me with notice of the ZKG Program. The paint color of my vehicle is the original... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2024
Every time I start the vehicle and open the door and close the door, the driver side mirror, rearview mirror, either moves all the way out or moves all the way in which is a safety concerns. I can’t see the traffic on my left side and behind me.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
1. Since owning the 2014 SRX the headlights are so dim to the point of not being able to use the vehicle at night or storms for fear of a crash. Now the Driver side HID Has failed along with the headlights housing to be cloudy on the inside. 2.Rear Door Hatch malfunction. Will not open or close with door switch , key fob or button on rear hatch door. I can open manually and close manually however... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
I was driving on the highway utilizing the full self-driving mode. There was traffic and I was behind an 18-wheeler. The 18-wheeler turned into the right lane, but because of the traffic, it couldn't completely clear the lane so the rear was slightly sticking. The Tesla stopped because it couldn't clear the lane while the 18-wheeler was sticking out. I didn't intervene because it had stopped. ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The hood release doesn’t work and cannot access anything in the engine bay. No oil changes until the hood can be opened. Clear recall due to the danger of not being able to open. The handle inside the car broke by attempting to open the hood.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2024) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 5, 2024
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
While I was driving my wife and I heard a sound that was similar to a ratchet strap being run over while attached to a vehicle. Once in my drive way I began to inspect what the noise could have been. After looking underneath my truck I could see my GAS TANK hanging at almost a 45 degree angle. I crawled underneath to see what had happened and found that 1 of 2 fuel tank straps had been ripped out ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
Snow White Pearl Paint is peeling at numerous location Rear driver's side window button not working Siruis XM radio not working .Dealt with XM and stated it was a Kia antenna however Kia tells me its Sirius xm problem
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
This vehicle is the C70 convertible. When driving and hitting a speed bump or a pothole, both the driver and passenger doors pop open from a fully closed state to a partially open state. The doors do NOT fully disengage but in the partially closed state the doors rattle and shake. When this happens, the "door open" warning light appears on the dashboard, and you need to fully open the door and t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
On July 5th 2024, I attempted to open /pull down the Tailgate. Was not able to pull the Tailgate down. I purchased the Vehicle on January 10, 2024. This is the first occurrence of the Tailgate being inoperable. No interior Lights, flashing signal to indicate Tailgate inoperable. I looked Online and entered my Truck Information. Several sites have Posted, Noted, Documented Reports of Faulty Tai... Read more
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2023) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 5, 2024
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
The entire rear subframe of any W205 body model including but not limited to the C class from 2009-2014, CL class, SL, class ETC. suffers admittedly from MB USA, premature rust, deterioration etc. there is an active recall for these same models in Canada and all of Europe but not the USA. My garage kept 2009 C300 has suffered extensive rear end damage from a factory defect that Mercedes refuses to... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2023) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 4, 2024
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
Car was summoned and turned a sharp right directly hitting the car parked next to it while pulling out. The location was the parking lot of [XXX] on [XXX] . I have a full video of this which shows the car pulling forward then taking a sharp right impacting the vehicle parked next to it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash
MITSUBISHI
MIRAGE G4
(2023) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 4, 2024
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
Hello NTSB, the frameless windows Thor used on my rv are all failing.. basically the adhesive used to glue the bottom rail onto the glass keeps failing. This week I had two windows fail. The top bunk window, and the emergency exit window. Both window (at separate times) failed while driving. Lucky I saw them break loose and my wife was able to grab the window before it flew off on the freeway and... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2024
3rd row headrest will not go down when straps are pulled to put the seat down. This prevents the 3rd row from being able to be put down. Summit white paint chipping/peeling within 2 weeks of ownership. Normal driving, no gravel. Under 1,000 miles.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
Paint started chipping away from hood and roof 2 months after purchase I am the 2nd owner so warranty is voided
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
My compilation of known issues are: 1. Bumper gap: front bumper gets dislocated from the main body of the car that can cause road debris/hazard 2. Flimsy / slipping clutch: causing grindy shifter (1-2-3) or lose control of the vehicle’s acceleration 3. Oil overheating and rear differential 2WD: might contribute to car’s sudden combustion
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
When checking for frame failure per Grand Designs TSB. My RV shop found 4 missing lag bolts and the ones installed were incorrect ( 3/8 installed should be 1/2 ). Then in examining the front upper frame they found cracks on both sides. I have pictures of the cracks.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2024
Attempted theft with injury Kia's reputation has caused this vehicle to be at risk for theft. Many resulting in injury. Kia had vehicle in 2023 and completed "upgrade" and placed stickers on the windows. Vehicle was still targeted. Insurance rates are insane for this as a result.
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 9, 2024
Vehicle had water falling from dash while turning. Sizzling/Hissing noise with water sloshing around in dash area. Vehicle was returned by dealership with soaking wet carpet and horrible smell after appointment a week later. Mold issues since. Vehicle used to transport Vetran with termial lung disease
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
Vehicle had water falling from dash while turning. Sizzling/Hissing noise with water sloshing around in dash area. Asked by dealer "where do you keep it parked" I asked them where they kept it parked back because it was purchased 8/15/2019 and began making the noises in early october when we got rain. Vehicle given back from the dealership with excessively wet carpet and smelling of mold and f... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2024
I received the first recall notice about 7 months ago and have made the intent to set appointments with Kendall Toyota and West Kendall Toyota many times, but they stated that they don't have the fix available yet. They stated that they put me down in a waiting list and I will be called for an appointment according to the person on the phone the recall for my car is not a life-threatening recall. ... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2019) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 2, 2024
Incident date: Jun 11, 2024
The water is leaking from the Driver- Side rail beween the diver window and from windshield. I took it to Honda dealer they told me windshield issue need to replace it. As recommend i replaced the windshield and the water is pouring from it during the rain. Issue still exist. I reached out several mechnics they told me it is body issue from sun/moon roof.
TOYOTA
SEQUOIA HYBRID
(2024) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 2, 2024
Incident date: Jun 24, 2024
The bumper cover that covers the hitch and is removable has fallen off of my car three times on the highway. I have only had the car for about four months and it is brand new. The first incident was when i had about 1500 miles on the vehicle, the second at 3200 miles, and now at 4800 miles. This is an obvious design flaw and a hazard to other drivers as it could hit them and cause an accident.... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2022
we have frame flex issues, the doors to the generator compartment has come open while driving, the safety lights are being pushed out from the body, trim is coming off, our bedroom slide does not close all the way, our living room slide broke and dropped down. Our hitch flex while on the our trucks, and the trim is moving so the movement on the frame is actively happening. We had the unit now for... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
2008 Lincoln MKZ AWD. Driver's door won't open from inside. Multiple Online mentions of this dangerous problem. Can't get out of vehicle in case of emergency.
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
The panel next the windows on both sides are cracking. The dealer said they need to be replaced on my dime. After doing a search for this problem, it appears that this is a common problem. It appears to be an issue with the seal and hot/cold weather creating the issue.
Incident date: Oct 19, 2002
My gas door has fell off 3 times exposing my gas cap. I got it replaced twice. It fell off on the highway and the other times I was just doing gas and it fell off into my hand. No excessive force. I didn’t want to pay again to repair it so I just taped it.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2024
The panoramic sunroof makes popping sounds when I drive the car up or down ramps or curbs at angles that twists the chassis. This could potentially break and shatter the glass on top of the driver and passengers or worse dislodge from the mounting bracket and fall into the cabin of the car.