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
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
Heard load popping sound opening door. Driver side door stop spot welds broke. Door stop broken and door swings freely out; window can't roll down.
THOR MOTOR COACH
WINDSPORT
(2018) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Aug 26, 2024
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
The frame is rusted out at the cross member where the shocks Mount
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2015) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Aug 26, 2024
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
Headlights are cloudy to the point of dimming the visibility of the light. When I asked the dealer, they could not clean headlight apparatus. I also cannot clean the buildup as it is on the inside of the headlight cover. I feel that this is a defective part that could potentially be the cause of an accident.
Incident date: Nov 6, 2022
The black plastic "roof rails" on the roof of my truck began cracking several months ago - I reported this to the dealership and just got excuses. I showed this to my dealership again on Friday and they said they would look into it. Today while driving the truck the entire roof rail came off and flew into traffic on the highway.. luckily no one hit it or did it cause a crash, etc. However when I d... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the tow hitch detached from the vehicle while going through the car wash. The contact stated that the vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact was concerned that the tow hitch could have detached while driving on the road and caused an accident. The manufacturer was not not... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
The front door check-arm spot welds failed on the driver's side.
Incident date: Aug 25, 2024
My frame is rusting and has holes in places. Is there a recall for that?
Incident date: Aug 23, 2024
Air bags recall with no resolution. Recall announcement was release in June 19 big safety concern for our family, especially with the cost of the vehicle. We dont trust and won’t feel safe with a airbag replacement
Incident date: Aug 23, 2024
My 8-year-old's finger was in the door frame and the door came close enough to engage the soft close feature and she tried to pull her finger out as we watched the door slowly continue closing on it. After 4 x-rays the doctor determined it was not fractured, but it is badly bruised, swollen, and was cut. This should not be possible that it doesn't sense her finger. On a car not equipped with soft ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 22, 2024
The driver side rear passenger door can not be opened,either by remote or manually. This poses a threat to the safety of passengers in the rear seat area in the event of a crash. First responders would need to take other measures to tend to any injured passengers.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2024
Drivers door Arm assembly that limits door opening. First it started to have a small 'click' when closing. Then it had a loud clicking and snapping noise. Tried to lubricate assy. Didnt help. The next day, the door wouldn't close. Inspected the arm and found it detached from the door at the welds. In order to drive vehicle i unbolted the arm at the door jam and removed the two nuts from the arm a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2024
The falcon doors window seals are detaching from vehicle. Part detached and made contact on to another vehicle behind me while in traffic. I asked my Tesla service center and was told I must have the windows replaced to have seal rubber replaced. I was informed by window replacement vendor the issue is common for the Tesla Model X.
Incident date: Jul 4, 2024
While pulling a trailer down the highway the tailgate of my truck dropped all by itself causing considerable damage to the tailgate. If I had been carrying material in the bed of the truck it could have blown out and became a safety hazard for other motorists.
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
(2017) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Aug 23, 2024
Incident date: Aug 12, 2024
Due to a failure to properly prepare the frame (GM Service Bulletin 19-NA-255), the frame of my 2013 Chevrolet Silverado has rusted and cracked due to the extensive rusting. I was made aware of this issue by my mechanic while repairing another unrelated issue. Had I not taken my vehicle in for service, I may not have been made aware and the damage could have gotten detrimental to safely operate.... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
Driver and Passenger door will not stay shut while driving, I almost fall out the passenger door while my boyfriend was driving the car from Fett's city motor in omaha nebraska when we bought it the door wouldnt shut we have to lift the doors and slim them shut and lock them and that doesnt even work. My Little 15 year old baby brother and his girlfriend was riding with me while driving down [XXX]... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
Exterior trim of car is coming off and warping.
Incident date: Aug 23, 2024
The exterior "door entry keypad pillar molding trim" became detached from the vehicle and sent debris into the roadway while traveling on the highway. This component is the door access keypad found on the drivers side door of many Ford vehicles.
Incident date: Jun 29, 2024
The rear passenger control arm broke off of the subframe due to severe corrosion despite Hyundai applying a corrosion preventative under recall 17-01-013 on 12/1/2015. During all service work following the preventative in 2015, corrosion was never brought up as a concern by the dealership (we have all service records since date of initial purchase). Thankfully we had just reached our destination a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2024
Non working door handles which is a KNOWN issue with Kia! Extremely dangerous obstruction in an event of an emergency where occupants need to get in and out of the vehicle. The ineffective door handles also makes the car less secure because someone who is not authorized can access the safety measures that the vehicle has. This is not right that Kia customers have to spend hundreds for an ongoing i... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
The hood latch and cable malfunctioned three times in one year. Once in January 2024 (I replaced the latch); once in July 2024 (the dealer recommended to eventually replace the cable, but was able to fix it); and most recently on [XXX] (the dealer identified the cable was faulty and needed to be replaced). The hood would close but not all the way and the hood release had no tension. There was pri... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2024
To Whom It May Concern, I need a Recall Letter send to me to get my 2012 Kia Soul repaired. My Catalytic Converter needs to be replace, and my engine is leaking oil and that will need to be replace, and the Pillars on the front of my car, on the right & left side, needs to be replace, they flew off my car while I was driving on [XXX]. I looked up the information on the computer, that the vehicle e... Read more
POLESTAR
POLESTAR 2
(2024) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Aug 22, 2024
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander that I financed through your bank. Since purchasing the vehicle brand new in 2022, I have encountered numerous issues that have caused significant inconvenience and concern for my safety. In the past two years, my vehicle has experienced multiple problems, including: 1.Randomly Shutting Off: Last year, my car began rando... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2024
know issue with Toyota Tundra Frame, and refuse to give option to repair.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
Hi i see this vehicle had a recall campaign previously under notice P1261/NTB12-003/NTB14-076. This campaign includes the replacement of the links and other items under this campaign. This vehicle is a convertible and the top frame is once again damaged due to the same recall for links. I recently took the vehicle to Lorenzo Nissan as the top is not working. They advised the frame links are ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
after pulling the camper home from a trip, we noticed that the molding was separating from the frame, after further inspection, we found that a weld was broken up on the frame that you can view from the front propane storage compartment. We contacted Grand Design and Lippert, we were told from Lippert to contact GD, we did that and GD has scheduled an SRT team to inspect our unit at the end of Sep... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2024
Pressed the button to open the rear passenger sliding door and it would open. When opened manually it would open only about 12 inches. Then when we were driving on the highway the door opened on its own. The door had to be manually closed and now it will not open. This is now a safety concern that in the event of a crash passengers may not be able to exit the vehicle or the door could open again... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2022
Multiple areas of my jeep are starting to rusting and corroding. Jeep knows there are issues and are doing nothing about it. Not only is it unsightly but rust also compromises the structural integrity of the body of the vehicle.
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS CROSS SPORT
(2023) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Aug 21, 2024
Incident date: Aug 21, 2024
I own a 2011 Toyota Camry. The dashboard has begun to melt and is causing potential glare issues, making the windshield turn into a mirror. Toyota is aware of the issue, and offered to replace the part through a special service campaign, once in 2018 and in 2021, however, they did not send the notice to the correct address - which we confirmed with them was an outdated address. Since we just began... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
Another Ford F150 Supercrew leak from the front cowling area into the passenger floorboards. This is a 2022 Hybrid F150 Supercrew built during COVID and purchased March 9, 2022. There are too many reports online of leaks due to lack of sealing components where large aluminum parts meet. For example the fender and the cowling area. This particular leak is having a dealership spend 17 book hours... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2024
Plastic molding on rear driver’s door came loose, and I had to push it back on. Door panels(driver’s door and rear passenger) make rattling noises while driving. Oil leak from under vehicle near drain pan.
Incident date: May 4, 2024
I purchased a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Two years ago, I'm having issues with my car paint peeling off in the hood, roof and trunk. Many times I when to the dealer to ask them about the recall, and they state that there is nothing they can do since they did not have anything registered for a paint peeling recall. My car day by day is getting worse and I need help for this issue to be fix.
Incident date: May 30, 2024
Picked up our brand new Winnebago in Boise, ID on [XXX]. While en route to our home in the Seattle area I noticed a loud flapping noise while driving on the highway. I could see the plexiglass window that is part of the RV coach door was coming loose and flapping in the wind. Upon further inspection I could see that the bottom and top portion of the plexiglass was no longer adhered to the door fr... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
Brand new car. No accident. The Front and rear passenger doors noted to be misaligned from beginning (with sharp edges). It’s a hazard. Tesla says nothing they can do about it. Unacceptable.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
Since 2018 to present day. I been having difficulties with the visibility from my front windshield at sunny days. The dashboard has this sticky substance that make the dashboard really shinny, and reflect the sun light on the windshield, blocking the view and make it hard to see the road and vehicles. I had to use sunglasses to block this issue, but in some cases this will not improved and can ma... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
Glass on main cabin door became loose while driving on the interstate (08/10/2024) and we had to duct tape it on to prevent it from completely coming off. Called Winnebago on 8/20/2024 to report it and to obtain repair advice.
Incident date: Jul 4, 2024
I purchased my vehicle from the Mercedes Benz Dealership and received a recall letter in the mail stating that driver side deployment may occur. After receiving notice I brought the car to the dealership to get the recall repaired. I've been driving around with a false sense of security believing that this issue was repaired. However, recently, while I was driving the driver side airbag unexpect... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2024
The paint of the exterior body is peeling off after becoming bubble on the surface. It appears all over the body including hood, roof, doors, etc. For reference, please see attached photos. This can eventually start rusting. This has come to know only after using a car for a year and four months, which proves this needs to be addressed because it may be going to start rusting other parts of the bo... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2024
1) BODY: My passenger was unable to open the door from the inside and I was unable to open the door from the outside. I had to unlock and lock the car with the key fob and I was able to open the door from the outside. 2) LIGHTING: Rear reading lights turn on randomly. 3) SEATS: When passengers are in the vehicle, the alert pops up saying the seatbelts aren't engaged even though they are.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
Our Highlander has a recall for the clips on the front bumper. A few weeks ago, my wife was driving behind a truck pulling a trailer. My wife that it was a set of caster wheels that flew out from the trailer and made contact with her front bumper. Upon inspection the impact from that debris put a crack in the upper front bumper. No other visible damage was present. Later that day while my wif... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
Frame has very severe rust and has started to come part in places. Soon vehicle will no longer be road worthy.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2024
The windshield keeps chipping easily. I have not had it inspected. I am not sure who inspects them. It is obviously a safety risk.
Incident date: Aug 14, 2024
The sunroof glass exploded on a hot day while my wife and I were in the car traveling 55 mph with the air-conditioning on. The remaining glass edges were flared up and outward. The sunroof glass was fully closed and the cloth sun shade covered the glass. It was either improperly installed or the materials could not withstand the heat. Nothing impacted the glass. The glass could have cut & injured ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2024) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Aug 19, 2024
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The heat shield above the catalytic converter and associated pipes were not extended far enough which caused the pass through storage and wiring harness covering to melt. This could have been a disaster. There is a recall on 2018 and prior same models for the exact same problem. Jayco is of no help as there is not a recall for this year model. There are other owners with the same problem. This cou... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The wind deflector/bug guard on the sunroof broke and pieces from the broken mechanism proceeded to lodge themselves throughout the track of the sunroof causing the entire track system to break/malfunction. There are several screws that were snapped from the plastic track, which then left the sunroof glass “bouncing” and unsecured on the car. If this was not noticed prior to hitting the highw... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
Water is leaking into the passenger compartment to the point of pooling, I am constantly having to shop vac water out but, I feel this could lead to the floor pan rusting out and the seats falling through the floor. This is a GM TSB issue so, GM knows about the problem. There are many other Saturn Aura owners who have experienced this issue.
Incident date: Apr 10, 2024
Vehicle has manufacturer defect paint started to peel
CHRYSLER
PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2023) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Aug 18, 2024
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
I finally found a place to report issues with my 2023 Ram ProMaster 3500. I have experienced different issues with this vehicle. The turn indicator failure first started around 8000 miles. The door ajar light for the sliding door started around 35000 miles. What I believe is the traction control, has been an ongoing issue unsure of when it started, but is the most common issue. 1) Multiple times, ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2024
The car has had a lot of issues. The inside driver side glass for the display dash fogged up and had to be replaced. The first replacement didn’t fix it and I had to threaten legal action to get Mazda to replace the glass a second time before it finally resolved the issue. The car (which is washed and waxed weekly), got rust on it in year 3. Mazda repaired it and promised it would not return. 1... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2024
While driving down the road the hood just opened shattering the windshield. Closed the hood back and drove down the road and it did it again.
Incident date: Aug 9, 2024
I opened the lift gate with the fob and went to put my groceries in the back and hydraulic lift gate started closing on me almost immediately. I had to physically force the hatch up! If it had been my wife it could have pinned her in and trapped her. This is a major issue it could kill a child! I know it is an older car but they should have built in a force safety switch to disable the hydraulic... Read more