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 23, 2023
I purchased the vehicle in 2021 . It was running fine at first but recently . been having alot of issues with the vehicle. When parking the vehicle and you put it in park it moves forward . also been having alot of tire blow outs one after another for the past 8 months . also sometimes it drives proper and at times it starts swerving . the ride gets bumpy. I already replaced the arm controls also... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
Front Suspension Lower Fore Links, yes it is available for inspection. The incident occur while driving the vehicle; which is ground for significant safety risk. The vehicle is in the process of getting towed. Vehicle has not yet been inspected. No warning signs, the vehicle just came out of Tesla Service Center.
KIA
SPORTAGE HYBRID
(2023) - SUSPENSION
Feb 14, 2024
Incident date: Sep 12, 2023
My bmw x4M competition 2020 has pop off a sign that said chassis possible continue driving . It put me in sport suspension and it off traction mode . It is very dangerous for me to drive because in a snow or rainy day it very slippery and sometime I almost cash because slip indicators turn on . I cannot turn it off to drive safe and vehicle drive very different .
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2023) - SUSPENSION
Feb 14, 2024
Incident date: Jan 14, 2024
My 2021 Wrangler began experiencing a violent shaking and reduction of steering control in July 2023. The violent shaking would begin if my vehicle hit a bump while traveling at 65 mph or more. To regain control, I would have to brake and reduce speed to under 65mph (which also is extremely dangerous to do on a freeway). Thunder Jeep in Bartow, FL replaced a broken steering component that temporar... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear end of the vehicle shifted while depressing the brake pedal hard. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who informed the contact there was a recall for the failure. The contact called the dealer however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was n... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
After owning this vehicle from brand new, it now has a rotting rear subframe. Nissan customer support is not interested in providing good will or recall for this issue. My mechanic has reported that the same model and year vehicle showed up a week prior with the exact same issue. A core part of the frame should not crumble due to rust within a 10 year timeframe. Searching on the internet has reve... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
On [XXX] my son [XXX] took the Nissan Sentra in for service at Coggin Nissan for a routine oil change. My son told me before I made the appointment for service that he thought that some of his fluids may be low because the steering felt weird. I requested that the steering and other fluids be checked as well as the tire pressure. After the service on the Sentra was completed service we were provid... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
Subject: Urgent Vehicle Safety Complaint Regarding Defective Water Pump in Ford and Lincoln Vehicles I am writing to bring to your attention a critical safety concern affecting numerous Ford and Lincoln vehicles worldwide, specifically those equipped with Cyclone (Duratec) engines. The issue at hand revolves around a defective water pump, which has manifested in various models, including but not ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
The car tries to start in its own. Even if the key is on the off-position. The car struts and shocks aren’t the best it won’t take a bump without moving the car
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
My 2023 Jeep Wrangler is experiencing the "Death Wobble" while driving down the highway or on uneven paved roads. During the "Death Wobble", the steering wheel starts shaking uncontrollably. I have to decelerated to regained control of the vehicle, at which point the shaking of the steering wheel stops. This has become a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnose... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2023
Non operating. No tags . No plates.
FORD
FUSION HYBRID
(2018) - SUSPENSION
Feb 13, 2024
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
Extreame front-end vibration ("aka" death-wobble as described for other F250 and F350 pickups on Google). Driving 60mph on 65mph limit highway. Small bump on road. Truck starts severe vibrations from the front end. No steering control. Slight drift into left lane. Another car in the lane left to me had to break to avoid me. Vibration would not stop until I applied brakes and the truck speed was ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear differential axle seized. The contact stated that the vehicle had seized in the middle of the road. The contact was able to safely get the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed rear suspension and a failed rear differentia... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
I'm contacting nhtsa to make a recall request on chevys 2020 trax . less than 3 years old and has 23,300 miles , the chevy trax needed both control arms, both side tie rod ends , 2 alignments. I'm going to say to nhtsa I think chevy didn't manufacture the 2020 trax with strong enough front suspension and steering parts. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for in... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
Steering wheel violently shakes at speeds above 50 mph, essentially if hitting any sort of bump in the road. This is known as the Jeep "death wobble." We received a damper from Jeep that supposedly fixes the problem. That did not fix anything. Steering wheel still violently shakes at speeds above 50 mph. It can shake for short periods of time (5-10 seconds) or indefinitely. We have to completely s... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
There were two issues that occurred within months of each other: 1) Power steering failed on several occasions– immediately following a service appointment in which the CV joint/half shafts were replaced and an alignment performed. Tesla implied that the intermediate shaft failed in pure coincidence; this is not the case: intermediate steering shaft failure after 40,000 miles with no warning and... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
Over the years, Toyota has had to issue numerous recalls for their Toyota Tacomas and frame replacements/maintenance required by Toyota due to rust and corrosion. However, Toyota chose not to replace all frames, instead decided to "treat" the issue with underspray. My Toyota, like many others, has received the recalled Toyota undercoat spray to prevent rust and corrosion on a frame with known is... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
Full service history is detailed below. Since purchasing the Model 3 in April 2018, we have had three different instances of issues with control arms/suspension system. The most recent instance occurring this week (February 12, 2024) required the whole suspension system to be replaced with only 63,900 miles on the vehicle. The suspension system should not need replacing on a vehicle with only 63,9... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
The past few weeks I’ve been taking my vehicle for service to the Honda Dealership located in Daphne, Alabama and I’ve been complaining about suspension problems and my main concern is my tie rod end and the dealership refuses to repair, then yesterday when I brought it in for service they charged me for a diagnostics without my permission and I asked for the report and won’t hand it over an... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the passenger’s side rear wheel started wobbling, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound while experiencing the failure. The contact pulled over and waited for a tow - lucky he moved tow lanes to the shoulder without issue. There was no warning light il... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
Severe uncontrollable shaking of the front wheels. I had to slow down to about 10 miles an hour on the freeway, people has to swerve to avoid me. It has happened 4 times in the last 3,000 miles. The date below is the most recent time it happened. I'll be taking it to the Ford Dealership.
Incident date: Feb 6, 2024
Over 60mph, hit a small road imperfection and steering shakes violently with the full loss of steering control until vehicle speed is reduced to below 45mph
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The vehicle experienced a catastrophic control arm failure at low speed while turn left onto a residential street. the brake line severed, the wheel began to roll under the drivers side of the vehichle.
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
The catalytic converter is failing on this vehicle. The vehicle had been maintained pre manufacturer specifications. Check engine light came on without warning. Crank shaft and cam shaft sensor both Failed on vehicle and had to be replaced. All bearing had to be replaced. Two of which were fixed before 60,000 miles. Hood rusted completely through. Cross members are rusting through.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The passenger side lower control arm broke in half while backing out of a parking spot at a low rate of speed, not turning very deep.
Incident date: Mar 11, 2021
The transfer case is shot. As well as the rear differential. As a result of the transfer case messing up, the transmission is tore up. We need struts as well.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The drivers side mount for the rear trailing arm has rusted to the point it may be unsafe to drive according to my mechanic. I looked online and saw that Honda has issued a recall campaign in Canada but not the US. I do know from my local dealer that Honda did have them bring in several customer cars for inspection and several of those also had the same problem. These cars that have been affected ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2024
My vehicle was rear ended while parked on the side of the road. No one was in the car so there was no personal injury. The car was repaired but after the repair the rear tires were found to be wearing out at a rate of 4 times normal speed. Two repair facilities (one of them being a Tesla service center) measured the vehicles rear alignment and found the camber to be outside of manufacturers specif... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 19, 2023
I have been experiencing the "death wobble" front end issues. It prevents me from highway driving. First experience almost caused an accident. Dealer said it requires a new steering damper but have been terrible with information on if and when part was shipped and when I can expect the issue to be resolved.
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
I was driving and would hear a squeaking sound when turning right. Then I started to hear rattling I pulled in my driveway that has a curb and noticed an object sticking out that looks like it should have been screwed into something. It ended up being the front right passenger strutt it exploded through its casing. Not only damaging the casing but the hood of the car. If I would have continued to ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Jul 18, 2022
The truck experienced excessive shaking when it hit a bump in the road while driving on the interstate. The steering wheel rattled so badly that the truck was difficult to control or steer. The shaking was so severe, that it felt like we had been hit by another car or had a blown tire. The violent shaking occurred when driving at speeds over 50 miles per hour.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
6/15/23 @ 18,357 miles the car was given a four wheel alignment at the owners request. Due to loud tire noise and visible cupping on the right rear inside edge, it was clear the car's wheel alignment was wrong. The dealer's before and after alignment is attached. When presented the before and after, I noted RR Camber was.-2.3 vs. a range of -1.8 to -0.3 degrees. The reading was unchanged from... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
Vehicle won't pass inspection due to a Broken or cracked coil spring front passenger side. It was in a recall that we never received notification. And I don't feel like we should be out over $200 to get it licensed.
Incident date: Jan 30, 2023
Death wobble when hitting a bump over 50 mph. Only 31K miles but out of warranty. Dealer repalced track bar, but it didn't reslove the problem. Waiting on a dampener replacement. Both I hve had to pay for.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
-I was driving 65 mph in morning rush traffic when I drove over an overpass. Near the end of the there are some small wrinkles in the concrete. Once I drove over these wrinkles in the pavement, my steering wheel and front end started violently shaking. I removed my foot from the accelerator and once my speed decreased to I'd say 20-30 mph the shaking stopped. My research show that this if referred... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The rear trailing arms are rusting faster than anything else on my beloved Honda. Honda has recalled the Elements of similar model years in Canada for this problem, and the CRV of similar model years in US for this exact problem. This suspension issue could cause a catastrophic failure if left unrepaired. My family and I need this vehicle, but it feels unsafe to operate. Why hasn't Honda recalled ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
Clunk and popping sound while driving, especially while turning the wheel or going over bumps in road. Maneuverability and control of vehicle felt impacted which could have resulted in an accident, damage to property, and injury and/or death of people. The issue was reproduced at the vehicle's Service Center and identified as a lose bolt that connects the front suspension lateral links to the su... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
Well my 2002 jeep liberty has been messed up lately,it will just not crank so I thought it was the battery but it turned out to be the ignition switch also it did this off an on for about 6months ,the heat went out when I bought it and it will act as if it is overheating but it won't do anything for while then all of my windows have problems with the motor s in them the suspension, control arms I'... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2024
When driving at freeway speeds and some in town speeds 40 mph and up and also when turning at those speed especially on banked turns the steering becomes stuck and takes a lot to unstick and momentarily scary. And you can hear a click or clunking noise when it unsticks. Sometimes after driving the car for a long period you can feel it get stuck by just sitting still and turning the wheel to the le... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2023
1. Track bar and tie rod front suspension. 2. It causes high speed death wobble. Steering wheel and whole front end of 2021 Jeep wrangler shakes violently and unable to control jeep without slowing way down while on interstate. 3. No. I called the dealership and they said tuff luck, no warranty. I have 50K miles on Jeep wrangler. 4. No. 5. No. First appeared with 50k miles on Jeep and drivin... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2022) - SUSPENSION
Feb 7, 2024
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
Rear sub frame on car rusting out. Never protected from corrosion or rust. Car is currently in shop. Car has rusted out in the joint just behind drivers rear tire. Received notice of recall on the front of car due to salt and weather conditions front sub frame area replaced . Currently multiple cars have same issues Mazda hasnt fixed or issued any repairs for this
Incident date: Feb 4, 2024
1.The vehicle shakes uncontrollably when hitting a bump on the highway at all times. Started with only every now and then. Currently I am unable to drive the vehicle on the highway due to safety concerns. If traveling 50 miles or more, steering wheel shakes and whole car shakes until I slow down. Vehicle is available to inspect and drive to confirm. 2.My safety and that of others is put at risk ev... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2023
We have taken the vehicle to Tesla service center multiple times (3 or 4) for the passenger side suspension creaking. Fore and aft links replaced as well as upper control arms. Car continues to make noise and service center stating they cannot duplicate the problem - this is happening to multiple model x.
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
My truck has developed the death wobble and I have down everything to remedy this situation and no one has been able to get this very scary problem fixed.
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while reversing out of the driveway, the steering wheel was turned to the left, and the sway bar link detached from the front driver’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the sway bar link was made of plastic. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to National Automotive Parts Association Auto Parts and the contac... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
The rear cross member/subframe is completely rusted in two and the rear lower forward control arm is detached from cross member/subframe on both sides. There is currently an active recall for the front cross member due to accelerated corrosion from road salt but I’m not aware of any inclusion of the rear frame or suspension components tied in with this recall. It definitely needs added to it as ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2020) - SUSPENSION
Feb 6, 2024
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
My rear suspension, right lower control arm I believe it's called. Snapped out of the subframe do to corrosion . My hole rear subframe is getting worse, eating up by corrosion
Incident date: Feb 3, 2024
The rear subframe and suspension are rusted. I have been hearing a rattling sound for the past couple of weeks, especially when driving over bumps. When I took the car to my mechanic, he detected a cracking in the rear subframe/suspension due to the rust. If this would totally break it would be a substantial safety risk to myself, the driver, as well as other drivers on the road. No warning lights... Read more