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: Nov 1, 2023
Rear coil spring broke without any load on the vehicle. This condition causes some of the safety features to not work such as adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
Incident date: Dec 3, 2023
Left lower rear control arm is broken. Luckily it happened as I entered the garage. Could have been catastrophic on highway driving. There was no warning message of light.
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
Steering and suspension were compromised at highway speeds upon hitting a mild change in surface (such as a bridge expansion joint). The front axle bounces and shakes violently and steering is extremely difficult. Reducing speed (below highway speed while on a highway in traffic) eventually ends the violent shaking and bouncing. This problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent servic... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
It cut off in the middle of traffic every time I drive it . The. Stability engine power reduced comes on. I have small kids in the car it becomes a issue because we almost got hit
Incident date: Dec 7, 2022
Brakes keep squealing and as of a result of previous recall service my engine drink oil fast and not to mention the oil pan gasket is leaking oil. The engine smoke and have a burning smell that seep inside the car vents.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V746000 (Suspension). The contact stated that on two occasions while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle began jerking to the right. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The ve... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Dec 1, 2023
Incident date: Nov 30, 2023
I lost control of the vehicle on the highway due to a "Death Wobble" in the steering system. It threw me into the next lane and I was lucky to survive. This happened on an interstate highway at about 55 MPH. It included violent shaking in the steering after passing over a minor bump in the road and came without warning. Ford replaced the steering damper under warranty. I still get this conditi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
While driving on the 215 (Southern California) freeway at approximately 70 miles per hour and without warning I experienced a sever wobble in the front end of the truck. it was so bad I had to pull over on the shoulder of the freeway. I was lucky traffic was light and could do this safely. I took the truck to a mechanic that specializes in ford trucks, and he recommended several components be repl... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
The front suspension lateral link fasteners on the driver side wheel came loose and fell off the car in my driveway when I was backing up the car. There is an active recall for this issue - 23V235000, but my VIN wasn't included in that recall.
Incident date: Nov 24, 2023
ABC high pressure hose blew off while driving at low speed made a loud popping sound abc light came on with message drive carefully and fluid came pouring out
Incident date: Feb 13, 2023
Frame under truck bed totally rusted, cracked and broken in numerous locations. Gas Tank is hanging by a rusty thread! This problem should have been a recall. My $20k truck is now worth scrap value!!
Incident date: Nov 8, 2021
The All Wheel Drive of my 2022 MDX has been going out in the rear, and only the front wheels are powered. This happens nearly every time I drive the vehicle for the last 2 months, at least. My safety is at risk because I live in Montana and the roads have been getting icy with current weather conditions. When the AWD drive gives out, I lose all power briefly as the front tried to regain power. G... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
On a irregular basis, would get warning messages and dash warning lights about " Service Anti-lock Brake system" , and " Service Electronic Brake System", and vehicle would start to immediately lose power and in some locations, would be on an open highway at highway speeds. Would have to pull off road to try and cycle truck off and on to regain operation. Getting rear-ended on the highway is NOT a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
We bought a Hyundai palisade from them. And as a military family we travel and are placed at different duty stations. When we bought the Hyundai palisade, we also got the bill Navarre warranty, it was our fault for not reading every line about the warranty. The Hyundai palisade is a 2022, sadly the brakes started acting like they were not working. We called them and were told that if we use the wa... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle vibrated violently before returning to normal functionality. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the CV axles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2023
I have a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander that I purchased July 26, 2023, from Ciocca Subaru of Philadelphia with a 100,000 mile/24-Month Dealership Warranty, an Extended Warranty in addition to the Manufacturer's Warranty, Ciocca Dealership Promise Warranty, Tire Warranty , Service, and Collision Care Program Warranties. The control arm broke as I was coasting in the parking lot of the supermarket on W... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
was driving down the road with no warning car popped and made loud noise.. the left front of the car dropped down and steering was un responsive and came to a stop made a clunking sound when trying to move it out of road but was unsuccessful...
Incident date: Sep 18, 2023
“Death wobble” vehicle was at highway speed when hit a bump and cause the vehicle to shake violently, causing unsafe driving conditions with lack of control.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
While parking the left suspension fore link completely broke. The car only has 50k miles on it. I believe it is this issue: [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Nov 23, 2023
Driver side compliance link bushing and lateral link bushing were both torn and required replacement of entire lateral and compliance links. Major suspension components failing when the vehicle has only 27k miles is unacceptable and unsafe, potentially effecting drivability. Obviously poor quality parts were used during manufacturing and replacements should be covered by recall or goodwill regardl... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V413000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not expe... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2021
On the morning of 10/31/2023 I was on my way to work. I had the cruise set at 75 MPH, and I heard what sounded like an explosion/ loud bang. The truck immediately veered off to the left, hit a drainage culvert, and went airborne. With the front tire folded in, no steering was available to use. Upon inspection, while at the tow yard, the lower control arm snapped in half, as well as the CV join... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
The contact's brother-in-law owned a 2007 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her brother-in-law was driving 60-62 MPH, her husband was sitting in the front passenger's side seat, the contact was sitting in the rear passenger's side seat and her sister was sitting in the rear driver's side seat. The contact stated that the front passenger's side end of the vehicle collapsed and hit the gr... Read more
Crash
4 injured
1 deaths
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2020) - SUSPENSION
Nov 29, 2023
Incident date: Nov 23, 2023
Purchased my truck last year and was unaware of problems with this truck.whikr traveling couple miles from my home on a paved two lane road I ran over a small gravel or walnut which immediately sent my truck into uncontrollably shaking in the front end my speed was between 30 and 35 mph it was all I could do to get it to the side of the road and stopped.Shaking I got out and looked underneath the ... Read more
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2022) - SUSPENSION
Nov 28, 2023
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
X-REAS sport enhancement system is failing in a vehicle (2016 Toyota 4 Runner) with 58,000 miles that has always been driven on city streets. Front struts and rear shock absorbers are both leaking and require replacement.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
1. Both rear springs have broken within 1 year of each other. There were no accidents or any kind or off road driving. These are Expensive to fix. 2. Driver side airbag light is on. No idea why. Afraid to drive this vehicle.
Incident date: Jun 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the rear driver's side wheel, the lower control arm, and the axle detached, causing the contact to almost lose control of the vehicle. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
Car tends to jerk and almost jump when first pulling out of almost anywhere. Seems to have happened with other people with the same car. When you turn after pulling out sometimes, the car will jump and the suspension sounds like it’s jumping. The particular issue makes it hard to steer and can easily make the car lose control for anyone not experienced.
Incident date: Nov 26, 2023
On Nov 28th 2023 while driving at approximately 70 mph on highway SR408 in Orlando the front suspension on my vehicle starting shaking violently.
Incident date: Nov 28, 2023
When driving and you hit a slight bump, the steering wheel and front end shakes violently. The only way to gain control of the vehicle is to slow down. This happens frequently if you are driving on a highway that has ridges or bumps.
Incident date: Nov 28, 2023
Driving 20 mph on paved downtown street when cross arm failed causing wheel to twist 90 degrees causing damage to brakes, drivetrain, abs, and steering. No warning just pop and trying to maintain my lane before able to turn into parking lot. Towed to dealer and diagnosed with control arm failure. They are aware of this issue and now replace control arms stronger rough country control arms and leve... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER
(2015) - SUSPENSION
Nov 28, 2023
Incident date: Nov 25, 2023
The rear subframe is cracked. This puts myself at risk and others if vehicle is involved in an accident. The problem has been confirmed by two independent service dealers. The vehicle has only been inspected by independent dealers. No warning lights.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2023
I went to dealer for an oil change last week. They told me the left front shock had a minor leak and they would be ordering me a new one. After arriving home I noticed that the passenger side shock was also leaking. On 11/28/23 the truck went to the dealer to get both front shocks replaced. Upon arriving home after the new ones were installed I looked at the shocks and noticed the passenger side... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
Window motors and window controls failing. I replaced two window motors at in 2017, at dealer because they failed, then the rear passenger window motor failed in 2020 and was replaced at mechanic shop with factory replacement, this rear passenger window is seldom used, but rear passenger window motor failed again in 2023 and was replaced again at mechanic shop. Drivers window motor now needs t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
"On August 18, 2023, I was driving at 70 mph on I-95 near the 100-mile mark using Full Self-Drive. The front driver-side suspension housing cracked, causing the bottom part of the suspension to detach. This led to the front tire striking the upper part of the wheel, resulting in a tire blowout. A piece of metal from the suspension fell onto the road and hit the rear driver-side tire, causing it to... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Each time I drive my 2021 Jeep Gladiator Diesel over 55-60mph, I experience the 'death wobble' and i have to brake /slow down to under 50mph before it will stop. This is really dangerous on the Atlanta highways where people are driving far in excess of 60mph and tend to tailgate & change lanes quickly. When I first bought the truck, I didn't experience this but in the past year, it has been happe... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2023
ABS module stopped working and the ABS module light is on. Car automatically brakes by its self sometimes or locks up at stop lights creating dangerous driving situations
Incident date: Nov 17, 2023
My spouse and I owned this vehicle from day one. Front subframe assembly was rotting and was replaced by manufacturer under a recall but rear subframe assembly was not included. The rear subframe assembly is now rotted to the point where it needs to be replaced before vehicle becomes unsafe as it has for others. Vehicle barely has 72,000 miles on it and was garaged for the first 12 years of its li... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2023
Over last 3 months have had 8 occurrences of “Death Wobble”. Front end shakes violently at high speed. During a recent road trip, event occurred 4 times, so violently that I had to pull over and stop vehicle.
Incident date: Oct 3, 2023
Traveling about 67 mph. Hit a bump on the road. Truck started shaking violently.Lost control of truck and entered ditch. No other vehicles involved. Had to use 4 wd to get onto road. Has done this couple times before but not to this extreme danger.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2023
First Occurrence (5 Oct 2023): On 5 Oct 2023, as I was backing my 2018 Tesla Model 3 into a parking spot, I heard a loud metallic sound as I turned the wheels. I stopped the car to investigate and found a large bolt (about four inches long) under the front end of the car. Further inspection revealed that a similar bolt was partially backed out of the steering linkage. I also noticed the le... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2023
The right front suspension failed. Something broke so that the wheel/brake component bent away from the car causing a sudden left hand turn/jerk. This was confirmed upon exiting the car and looking at the front right semi-attached wheel. The car traveled THROUGH highway safety cables, front windshield shattered, right passenger side arm bag deployed and car stopped in median before going into on... Read more
Crash
1 injured
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2017) - SUSPENSION
Nov 27, 2023
Incident date: Oct 6, 2023
Front drivers side control arm broke at bracket point and lost control of vehicle steering. And car was damaged hitting a post. Vehicle per recall for control arm had already been “fixed” contacted Subaru if control arms were replaced under recall or the “rust proofing” applied.
Crash
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2017) - SUSPENSION
Nov 27, 2023
Incident date: Nov 26, 2023
Please see the recall info here: 2006 Honda Ridgeline Recall Item Affected: STRUCTUREDate Announced: 06/16/2022Description of Recall:Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles that were sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2023
I [XXX] went with my mom [XXX] to buy a vehicle off of [XXX] . It was a 2016 ford explorer. I payed 13,000. The began to lose control when driving on a bumpy road and while braking I took the car to a Ford dealer and had some repairs, but they didn’t find the problem. I used the car sparingly and within two weeks it got much worse. Very unsafe to drive I brought it to another Ford dealership a... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2023
Vehicle started rattling uncontrollably on Interstate 95 north, Just north of Richmond Hill, Georgia. We had to pull over and we inspected the jeep for damage. No noticeable damage and we turned around and went home and switch cars. We read that this could be the aluminum steering box or the Jeep rattle. We feel these are known defects that Jeep should be responsible.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2023
Rear shock absorbers are not functioning properly after 70,000 miles. I have had no success after no less than 10 attempts to purchase replacements from dealers and online Hyundai parts suppliers. Hyundai is aware of the defective shock absorber issue but has not corrected the replacement issue.
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
Has been having issues with the hydralyft suspension. There has been a leak in both front air suspension fittings that connect to the air lines that supply air to both of the front air bag suspension suspension shocks. Replaced both of those out of pocket. My main reason for contacting you guys today is because I've searched my vin number & after further research I've found out that my 2014 jeep ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
Front right knuckle cracked and separated from upper control arm ball joint causing front lower control arm ball joints to fail and inner CV axle joint to separate and also cause damage to air spring. The part failure occurred while I was driving and the vehicle lost all control. I feared greatly for my safety and if I were on a highway, I could've crashed into other vehicles. The manufacturer ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2015
The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started to sway from left to right, and a message displayed reading "Stability Control System Fault". No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the rear passenger’s side cradle was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not noti... Read more