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 49,170 complaints - component: SUSPENSION
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
It shakes, rattles and sound like a ship yard while backing up
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
In 2020 I got a recall for engine support from Mitsubishi. We took it in and told me that the support was find that I didn’t need to be replace even tho the recall called for it. They ended up putting rust paint on the support. 4 weeks ago that part broke on my wife when she was driving down the road. The steering wheel was taken out of my wife’s hand while driving. She was able to get the off... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
I was traveling on the interstate (~75 mph) when the rear of my vehicle suddenly jerked to one side with enough force to cause a loss of control. There were no lights or warning sounds to indicate that there was anything wrong with the vehicle in that moment or leading up to it. I was fortunate enough that no contact was made with any other vehicles as my car crossed all three lanes; from the cen... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
The motor mounts failed and need to be replaced, the car has never been in an accident or even driven in harsh conditions. There is another part that failed in the engine which causes it to leak oil. The vehicle has a hard time accelerating intermittently.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the tire went flat on the front passenger's side, and the tire pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken into a parking lot where a spare tire was installed on the vehicle, and it was taken back to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
(2023) - SUSPENSION
Mar 27, 2024
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The contact leased a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact was recently notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V132000 (Suspension, Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel began shaking violently, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the air was bled from the dampener and the tires were rotated. Additionally, there was a crack in the ball joints, and it was diagnosed that the steering dampener needed to... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2023
Driving on interstate @ 65 mph, in very heavy traffic, experienced death wobble after going over a road seam bump, making it hard to control the vehicle. Slowed down to 50 and it stopped. I was terrified I was going to crash. It happened several more times during the same trip, whenever over 55 mph. Brought to dealer on 11/27/2023. Dealer says Stellantis is aware of the issue -- and has been ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
I am writing to file a complaint against Tesla, Inc. for refusing to repair recurring suspension issues that were supposedly addressed through previous recalls. As an owner of a 2020 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [XXX] ), I have experienced numerous problems related to the vehicle's suspension system, steering, and safety restraints, which I believe pose serious safety risks. My vehicle has undergone mult... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
I am writing to provide feedback and express my concerns about the safety and reliability of my 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. Over the last 12 months, my vehicle has been subject to three recalls, including a severe safety recall involving the potential for the Upper Control Arm (UCA) to separate from the knuckle, and a failed rear differential. The most recent recall, announced on February 28, has ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the vehicle was registered from the Chicago plant and the vehicle resided in Northern Nevada, 30 minutes from Lake Tahoe. The contact stated the vehicle was susceptible to corrosion due to the weather in Northern Nevada. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
Car tends to brake in autopilot without having any car in front causing jolt feeling and dangerous scenario for vehicles behind. Suspension work like upper control, half shafts, ball joints, toe and struts been replaced 5 times. One time entire wheel came off.
Incident date: May 10, 2023
On multiple occasions I have experienced the “F250 death wobble”. When reaching speeds of over 60 mph my front end and steering wheel start shaking violently. The entire truck is uncontrollable. It feels like the vehicle is going to shake apart. It is difficult to even hold onto the steering wheel and keep the vehicle going in a straight line. I have to slow down to about 30 mph on an inters... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 BMW XM. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH the vehicle was shaking. The roll over, chassis, and improper steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the shaking. The vehicle was repaired by removing and replacing the tires; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the control arm needed to be replaced; how... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2024
This is the 3rd time a control arm on the car has cracked. I see tons of people online complaining about the same issue with the fault aluminum control arms. I have no damage and no rust and it just cracked on its on as i was backing out of a parking spot. I could have been seriously injured or my daughter had this happened on the highway. My dad is an issurance adjuster for 30 years and has n... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
my suspension failed with the leaf springs breaking and the shackles and bushings failed then the frame is breaking( flexing). all fasteners were loose and some missing the body came loose from the frame... this is a issue with many other grand design 5th wheels ... hopefully the parts that fell off on the freeway did not hurt anyone... ( leaf springs)
Incident date: Mar 22, 2024
Rear passenger side coil spring broke. Vehicle has 85K miles. Happened when traveling on a highway - heard a loud bang. Car still ran however sitting 1' lower on that side. Repair estimate in the $1500 range. Research in online forums shows this is happening to a lot of 2017-18 Q7s. definitely a design/component flaw.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The Front Suspension Subframe Crossmember had rusted though and the front tires become out of alignment SUDDENLY causing the vehicle to veer of course. The vehicle is then disabled and must be towed and the Front Suspension Subframe Crossmember has to be replaced.
Incident date: Mar 11, 2024
While merging onto an interstate the truck began to violently shake causing me to begin to lose control. I was able to brake hard and pull off the road before I lost complete control. I was extremely upset after this event. After regaining composure on the side of an interstate I pulled back onto the interstate. Within the next 10 min I hit a bump in the middle of the interstate and the truck aga... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2024
Cannot get accurate information from manufacturer about safety recall 24V-132. Both the FCA website and NHTSA date the recall at 2-22-24, which places it before my sales date. They keep providing conflicting information about the date of this recall, which has left me confused and uncertain able the safety of my new vehicle. If FCA sold me a vehicle they knew was defective, had an open safety r... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2024
Jeep will occasional shake violently at approximately 60 MPH. Had vehicle in to dealer in July 2023. Dealer said problem fixed. Most recent incident March 19th. Commonly referred to as Jeep “death wobble.” Vehicle in shop again.
MERCEDES-BENZ
AMG EQS
(2023) - SUSPENSION
Mar 25, 2024
Incident date: May 26, 2023
After spending 500 miles on the motorcycle, having spent money on a set of new tires (supposedly was the fix) even and I even had the dealer look over the motorcycle, I have came to the conclusion that there is a serious engineering issue with this motorcycle. At speeds above 55mph, the motorcycle is having a steering oscillation issue. Basically, it does not track straight and exhibits a wobble. ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
AMG EQS
(2023) - SUSPENSION
Mar 25, 2024
Incident date: May 26, 2023
Rear spring excessive wear at 66,000 miles and needed to be replaced. Both sides worn but left more than the right
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
Unresolved knock/pop sound coming from the front wheel passenger side. Dealer replaced front passenger strut, this did not resolved the issue. Apparently now the dealer is telling me it's an engine mount that will get an engineering update soon from the manufacturer.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2023) - SUSPENSION
Mar 25, 2024
Incident date: Mar 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing a hard pull to the right while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving from a complete stop and while driving on the highway. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V746000 (Suspension) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
The truck was parked on hill and as I unlocked it, it rolled down 2 blocks. Hit a brick wall and finally went into a yard and hit a parked car. This is the second time this truck has rolled down. First time, I was able to catch it but this time I couldn’t. It was horrific to witness.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
The rear leaf springs are rusted and corroded, and make a noise when I drive the vehicle.
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
Grinding noise turning right at slow braking speeds.
Incident date: Mar 23, 2024
The front tie rod adjusting sleeve pulled apart from the tie rod end. The threads were stripped off so where you can just pull it off and on. It caused me to drive almost into a tree where I lost complete control of the truck. I did not hit any potholes or bumps that would have caused any damage. There is NO WAY that these two parts should have came apart. This is a severe safety hazard. The tow t... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
Several malfunction indicator lights in dash appeared suddenly. Car would not start after shutting off. Finally started and drove to repair shop. Diagnosed as faulty ride height sensor. Shop searched for part at several dealers and online and found the part was discontinued in 2021. I contacted Buick and was offered $1500 off on a new GM car. I have not received any suggestions on how to repair th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2024
Rear unibody rust through allowing the drivers side rear trailing arm to become detached. Pulling up to stop sign very slowly luckily. At speed this failure would have assuredly led to a crash from loss of control. Calls have been placed to local Honda dealer as well as American Honda where I was informed there was no recall for this problem in the USA.
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
Both rear shocks, mounts, wheel wells, entire length of body door panels passenger seats are just absolutely rusted beyond repair. I've gone to a couple different shops and each one said that there is nothing they can do to fix the issue. Now the vehicle when ridden in just bounces horribly wearing out bearing springs and tires are being worn out. There is only 110759 miles on it and bought this f... Read more
KIDSEMBRACE
MARSHALL
(2020) - SUSPENSION
Mar 23, 2024
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
Found a crack along the tab of my subframe along the rear control arm pocket. Searching for solutions and repairs, I found several hundred people who broke the tab while driving on CTSVowners, ctsvforum and various Facebook groups This seems to impact both the base model and V series CTS.
Incident date: May 8, 2023
The front suspension steering damper on my vehicle not effectively damp oscillation of the steering system, resulting in a sustained shake or shimmy in the steering wheel. This can be more noticeable when driving at speeds exceeding 55 Miles Per Hour (MPH) 88 Kilometers Per hour (KPH) after contacting a bumpy road surface and in temperatures below 40° Fahrenheit (5° Celsius).
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2005) - SUSPENSION
Mar 22, 2024
Incident date: Nov 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension). The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds and making a left or right turn, the wheels continued to turn. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that the electric steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The ve... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2023
Suspension bushings failing after 40,000 miles. There is ample evidence online that Tesla's have serious suspension and steering issues, just do a search for Tesla Whompy Wheels. In China the government cracked down on Tesla and required a physical recall and replacements of defective parts. Why is the US not protecting drivers the same way the government of China is? Please issue a recall on ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2024
Took 2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 to Toyota dealership to be serviced. Dealership called me to explain unable to do alignment, due to rear back frame excessive rusted through. Dealership advised waste of money to align new tires just purchased, unable to even do alignment and it was dangerous. Now what is to be done? This is my daily driver for work. How did this happen that its unsafe and dangerous to... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2024
I purchased a used 2021 Chevrolet Silverado from a dealership 5 months ago. Almost immediately after purchasing the truck, I would hear and feel an intermittent pop that originated from near the floor of the front passenger side. The sound became more frequent and would happen mostly when making sharp turns but also when making softer turns. I took it to the dealership to investigate. They had ... Read more
GRAND DESIGN
REFLECTION
(2024) - SUSPENSION
Mar 22, 2024
Incident date: Mar 4, 2024
Well I am uncertain but we have two 2006 Cadillac cts and both have had multiple transmissions replaced. Multiple differential problems and air bag and wireing problems
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
We brought our vehicle into the dealer for a recall for undercoating on [XXX]. The work was completed by Tarbox Hyundai in north kingstown ri. We noticed our car started drifting to the right and our tire was out of align. We brought the car to our local mechanic and were told that the entire under carriage is rotting away and needs to be replaced. I feel Hyundai should be responsible for this b... Read more
FOREST RIVER
GEORGETOWN
(2019) - SUSPENSION
Mar 21, 2024
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle would pull to the right direction and drift to the left direction. Also, while driving at highway speeds the vehicle would shake and rattle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who recommended replacing the front tires. The front tires were replaced but the failures continued to occur. The ... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 2500
(2022) - SUSPENSION
Mar 20, 2024
Incident date: Jan 9, 2024
Last week while driving, one of the front corners level suddenly went down in the middle of the road. Car was towed to the dealership. After it was inspected by BMW dealership I was informed that there is a suspension damage and one tire rim damage " due to impact" and either the car hit something or had pothole incident. I did not run or hit any object and did not drive over major potholes. So... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
Engine will RANDOMLY CUT OFF AND IT WOULD DO THAT EVEN WHEN IN DRIVE LIKE IT WASNT GETTING GAS. The dash board would light then continue going WOULD START RIGHT BACK AWAY AND HAS DONE THAT EVER SINCE.i purchased it I ALSO HAD THE O2 CENSOR REPLACED AS WELL. THE TIRES ARE AWFUL THE SUSPENSION. Electrical Problems I have to hit my headlight to come on before I leave when it's dark. Sometimes when I ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2024
I own a 2019 Ford F-350 SD. While driving 60 MPH and driving over a pothole, the vehicle started to shake uncontrollably and pulling the vehicle to the left. Luckily I was in the left lane and only went onto the berm, If I had been in the right lane I would have hit the vehicle beside me. I pulled over on the side of the road and once I got below 25 miles and hour the vehicle stopped shaking. The... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension) was previously completed on the vehicle. The contact stated he noticed that the tires were shredding after the recall repair. The contact stated that the tires were replaced four times due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was inform... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan mobility vehicle. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side rear wheel air bag was deployed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The contact stated that the vehicle had been converted into a mobility vehicle by Compacity Trucks. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
In February, while I was driving on the interstate, I started to lose the ability to control the speed of my car. I pulled over and shut off my car. When I tried to start the car again, it wouldn't start. After I towed it home, I tried jump starting and an error message popped up stating it was the engine oil pump belt tensioner. After speaking with Ford customer service and a Service manager,... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2015) - SUSPENSION
Mar 20, 2024
Incident date: Jul 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at 70 MPH, she noticed that there was a change in the rear suspension and it felt like a rear tire was deflated. No warning lights had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear driver's side and passenger's side suspension toe links had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicl... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) - SUSPENSION
Mar 20, 2024
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently veered to the opposite lane of the road, causing the front driver's side to crash into an embarkment. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that he hit his left knee and sustained severe pain that lasted a long time. The contact received medical assistance. No police re... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
At speeds between 55-65 MPH, inconsistently the car will shake so violently I have to nearly stop the car to make cease shaking. The vehicle shakes so badly other drivers slow down to avoid being around. It feels as though it’s going to fall apart. I’ve taken the car 4 times now for repair and the dealership has had the car for 32 consecutive days with no solution.