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
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2017) - SUSPENSION
Nov 21, 2023
Incident date: Nov 20, 2023
This Jeep has the death wobble. When you’re going 70+ miles an hour and hit a bump. It violently shakes and you have to slow down to 55 quickly for it to stop. This has been an ongoing issue and I have even put a new set of tires on and it’s continued. This is a known issue but there’s not been a recall. I had a previous 2012 Jeep and it did the death wobble on that as well.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while reversing, there was a banging sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Later, while driving the traction control warning light illuminated, and the rear of the vehicle became unstable. After parking the vehicle, the contact discovered that the vehicle was tilted towards the driver's side. The vehicle was towed to the local mec... Read more
Incident date: Nov 14, 2023
Both rear coil springs have broken. Ref: NHTSA Campaign 19V188000
MERCEDES-BENZ
E 400
(2018) - SUSPENSION
Nov 21, 2023
Incident date: Sep 26, 2023
The bolt the holds the rear axle/hub on the 9.75 HD rear-end sheared off. This is an ongoing issue with their rear-end.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
excessive front end shaking that is uncontrolable - dealer has not been able to fix or figure it out
Incident date: Nov 14, 2023
Loud suspension clunks at low speeds of 5-25 mph. Dealership has found no visual representation of damage or evidence of part failure. Audibly it sounds like suspension is failing from road use from city driving. Extremely loud and rough ride over typical city streets.
Incident date: Nov 21, 2023
As I was driving from work, I noticed that when I started using the brakes I starting hearing a metal sound coming from the back, the day after I looked down and realized a whole part from the sub frame was completely broken and the part is corroded.
Incident date: Nov 12, 2023
I am the original owner and began experiencing the death wobble in 2020. I put $5k into my suspension and put an additional steering stabilizer bracket to still experience the wobble. It’s dangerous and has nearly made me wreck with my only child onboard. Something has to be done. This is a known issue that Ford will not address or repair properly. These vehicles are not cheap and we shoul... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 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 unavailable. 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 experienced a failure. Parts distribution ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon inspection of the vehicle, he discovered severe corrosion on the suspension. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where pictures were taken of the corrosion and were sent to the manufacturer. The manufacturer informed the contact that the corrosion warranty on the vehicle had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The fail... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2023
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A RECALL ISSUED BY NHTSA. THE RECALL WAS V06 DRAG LINK. WHEN THE RECALL WA PREFORMED, THE ALIGNMENT NUTS ON THE DRAG LINK WERE WELDED SO THE COULDN'T COME LOOSE. I'VE HAD TO HAVE MY TRUCK REALIGNED 2 TIMES SINCE THE DRAG LINK NUTS WERE WELDED. AS OF RIGHT NOW THE NUTS ARE NOT WELDED AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE DRAG LINK IS COMPROMISED. I'VE HAD IT INTO 3 DIFFERENT IND... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2023
Purchased this vehicle new. The vehicle has 58,000 miles and the suspension went out, upper & lower control arms, ball joints, struts and stabilizer. This controls the driving ability of the vehicle and could have caused me to loose control of the car. Confirmed by an independent service center and repaired. There were no warning lamps or messages. The vehicle started making a loud noise when... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The rear toe suspension link failed on my Ford 2016 Explorer Sport for the 4th time on 10/20/2023 while I was driving. I heard a pop and lost total control of my vehicle. My vehicle immediately veered right going down an embankment. Thankfully trees where there to stop the vehicle from going into a roll. My safety was put at risk. I could of died. I have sustained injuries physically and ment... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 20, 2023
Left rear control arm broken and unable to move!
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
While driving in the rain the rear end was sliding thought I was going to lose control. It was also happening when driving on rough roads or bumps. Rear Tires are also wearing out quickly.
Incident date: Oct 12, 2023
vehicle has too many manufacture errors
Crash
Fire
Incident date: Oct 18, 2023
I bought car being financed in sac,ca. August 8, 2023. Took back referred to mechanic round corner. Brake rotor issues fixed front this was August 14 noise still exist took back turned back rotors scraping noise pulling to left took to other automotive repairs ,inspections shocks original 2010 208,000 miles , brakes rotors scratches need replacing , pads, sway bar crack or been welded, sway bar li... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Nov 19, 2023
Incident date: Aug 22, 2022
I was driving and all of a sudden vehicle became hard to control. I got it stopped and noticed drivers side rear tire was sideways. upon inspection I noticed trail arm was broke loose at frame. apparently it had rusted through at the frame.
Incident date: Nov 18, 2023
Our vehicle has just over 100k miles, and we have had the front control arms replaced twice. Tesla says that we have to keep replacing because it's a safety issue, but refuses to take ownership of the fact that the control arms should not fail this frequently. In China, Tesla is doing recalls for this part and there is a class action lawsuit in the US. However, Tesla has told me that I need to ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 19, 2023
When driving this vehicle, it will suddenly go into a violent shake. I have to slow the truck down and pull over to a stop to make it stop shaking - it will not drive through it. It will do it 8 times out of 10 driving it. The steering becomes difficult to handle. All I can do to stop it is pull over. It has done it several times between 1 August and 19 November. I will give you the most recent d... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
The front driver side coil spring ejected out while driving, causing the front of the car to dive down on the driver side. I do have the parts that came out. Luckily I had just got off of the freeway and was only going around 10 mph when it happened and no one was hurt. I'm sure at hwy speeds you could potentially lose control. This issue just happened today 11/19/23 and no repair shops, insuran... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON THE INTERSTATE THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING SO HARD THAT I HAD DIFFICULTY HOLDING ONTO IT. THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND I ALMOST WENT INTO THE GUARD RAIL BEFORE I COULD SLOW DOWN TO A STOP AND BRING THE TRUCK UNDER CONTROL. I MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION AND LOOKED AT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Nov 19, 2023
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
I bought a brand new Kicks Sport S that was delivered to me with 231 miles on it. It ran great but when driving on the Interstate when a slight crosswind kicked up the vehicle steering was almost unmanageable. It was difficult keeping the vehicle on the road below the posted speed with only 5 -10 mile winds. Tire inflation was proper and everything worked great until there was even the slightes... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
On September 17, 2023, while traveling at 65 mph on the highway, my car's steering suddenly pulled, resulting in a blown front passenger tire. The impact forced the car into construction barriers, damaging the passenger side mirror. Due to construction constraints, finding a safe spot to pull over was challenging, so I drove a short distance to assess the damage. Upon inspection, the tire was shre... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
vehicle makes noise at low speed when turning at inclined or passing over speed bump. i went 4 different dealers regarding this problem but they can not figure out the problem. first, dealership said nothing wrong with vehicle. then i took van to different dealer and they replaced front driver side strut. after few days started hearing noise again. so i took van to different dealership and they re... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
Vehicle chassis vibrates noticeably at speeds around 30 mph and 65 mph, which is translated to the steering wheel. The vibration is of a high frequency, almost akin to a sander, and is most prominent under acceleration or deceleration. It's been present since I took delivery of the car in December of 2022 and can be felt on every drive. Polestar can reproduce the problem in other Polestar 2s and c... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
On or about August 27, 2023, I heard a loud noise as I was pulling out of a parking spot with my wheel turned to the left. As I drove away and over bumps, I heard loud metal-to-metal sounds coming from the front of the car. I scheduled an appointment with a Tesla service center and took it to them on September 8th, 2023. They found that a bold had sheared in half on the front stabilizer bar. They ... Read more
TOYOTA
RAV4 PRIME
(2021) - SUSPENSION
Nov 18, 2023
Incident date: Nov 18, 2023
Airbag light stays on after dealer has fixed it three times. First time was a recall came back on. Fixed second and third. CAME BACK ON....
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
Passenger side sliding door jammed halfway open and would not close or open. Had to have the car towed to the mechanic and have all components of sliding door replaced (twice!). Driver's side strut spring broke under normal use - with 62000 miles on the vehicle. Now rear backup camera/GPS/radio unit has ceased working at all. Passenger side door also randomly begins to close part way through ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
this vehicle (2013 kia forte rides extremely rough.It sounds like the suspension has totally faild.New engine at 40000 miles. well aligned and rides well.terrible noise inside vehicle while driving on gravel roads.(very concerned) appreciate any input
Incident date: Nov 14, 2023
Pulling away from getting gas I heard and felt a loud bang. Could not turn my wheel much. Something was scraping the ground. I got out and saw my lower ball on the driver's front broke off slightly pulling my cv joint. Sat for hours until I got a tow back home. I'm lucky I wasn't on the highway, I could have died. Doesn't show a recall but I just purchased this car. Have had nothing but iss... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2022
I just had my vehicle in the shop for starting problem and oil leak. The former mercedes mechanic told me about my subframe having holes in it and the rear wheel moving forward and back during braking. I'm taking it to the dealership for replacement, but I'm upset knowing that I just took a 1400 mile trip with this problem on my vehicle with family in the vehicle and it could have been catastrop... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
Front, right, strut disconnected from upper mount during driving.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2019
Whenever i hit a bump on the side of the road, the truck jerks really badly and if im not grasping the steering wheel with all my strength, it will jerk me off the highway from the bump making the entire car go off the road. Also, each bump i hit, i hear a very very loud metal on metal knocking sound from the right passenger side of the tire area. Not sure if it is a strut assembly or engine mount... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 300
(2018) - SUSPENSION
Nov 15, 2023
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
Car shudders and wobbles on freeway speeds when it hits seams or bumps in the road. Has steering stabilizer replaced in Feb 2023, which temporarily solved the problem. It has since started doing it again. The car has 20,000 miles on it.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 40-44 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that there was play in the rear wheels and the rear wheels seemed misaligned. The contact also stated that while coming to a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, the rear wheels and the trailing ... Read more
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2022) - SUSPENSION
Nov 15, 2023
Incident date: Aug 26, 2023
When driving at highway speeds and hit a slight dip in the road, or a gap in the roadway, or a hole, the front end wobbles violently as well as the steering wheel. The only way to stop the wobbling and make the vehicle controllable again is to slow way down. This is dangerous on the highway and may cause an accident.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
Installed a factory Jeep Fox 2" lift kit after reaching 700 miles on new 2022 Sahara. Checked and rechecked all torque specifications and took to dealer the next day for an alignment. They straightened the steering wheel which is a normal requirement when installing a lift. After about one month, I had an occurrence of the "death wobble". This is my 5th Jeep Wrangler, some with lifts, some without... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2023
While driving on the Interstate at 65 mph I experienced a severe side-to-side shaking of the steering wheel. This included the entire front-end of the vehicle shimmying and visibly vibrating. If I didn't have a good grip on the steering wheel at the time, we would likely have crashed. This appears to be the "death wobble" described in numerous online forums and subject of a previous recall on 2018... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2019
The car is not running right I can feel shaking, but no one else can
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2017) - SUSPENSION
Nov 15, 2023
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
Water intrusion via a faulty sunroof seal and drain system. Water drains into the vehicle and collects under the flooring carpets and is not detectable. Water then disables and shorts out electrical components and computer modules eventually rendering the vehicle completely inoperable … including airbags, suspension system and electronic engine components. All control is lost. System also displa... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V675000 (Suspension) and 21V537000 (Suspension) however, after the repairs, the vehicle started experiencing suspension and alignment failures. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle seemed misaligned and was pulling to the right and to the left. Addition... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
severe erosion of my undecarriage, metal just falls off from under the car. My fuel tank leaks and gas pours out. It has been deemed unsafe to drive by my Honda dealer, but has a good engine and other parts. It has been severely impacted by rust and erosion. The previous owner was a resident of Chicago, where salt is used, which I believe influenced this defect.
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
We had the death wobbles going 65 on cruise control everytime we hit a bump on the freeway. I lose control until I slow down to 35 mph.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
brought my tacoma truck in for trade in at toyota dealership,after they inspected vehicle,they told me frame on truck is rusted so bad that it has to be replaced.i have been driving this truck pulling my boat and hauling heavy loads.i had no ideal that frame was so rotted and is a saftey hazard on the road.now i have truck nobody wants and will cost to much to repair.truck is only 2008 with 111000... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2023
transmission failure suddenly while driving with no check engine or warning lights.
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
Front left wheel of vehicle started pivoting under causing tire to bottom out on inner fender without any prior incident or issues. Inspection revealed one of two bolts missing on the lower lateral control link, which was later found in the driveway. Second bolt was 1/3 loosened. Car was towed to Tesla and they proceeded with repairs to include replacing both sets of lower lateral control links. A... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2023
Since June of 2023 I have had instances of excessive wobbling of the front end of my truck. Severe to the point that I've almost lost control. Took it into the Ford dealership in July of 2023. Determined to be consistant with "Death Wobble." Extensive work done and then again in September of 2023. Took it in again. Additional work done by Ford. On October 31,2023 a reoccurance of wobble and ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2022
Driving on the interstate at speed limit after hitting a bump the driving straight the truck began to shake or ocellate violently to the point I did not have full control of the vehicle. Almost forced me off the pavement. THis is a known problem known by Ford but they are not going to recall it becuse no one has died YET! [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2023
* Left front substrate to which the Coil Spring Perch mounts is badly rusted and the spring is about to come off under pressure of the cars weight, thereby endangering myself and the general public. The car was towed to Feldmann Imports, a Mercedes-Benz dealer at 4901 American Blvd west, Bloomington , MN 55437 (952) -641-7908 and can be inspected there. * If the spring perch loosens any furth... Read more