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: May 18, 2022
While traveling down the highway at the speed limit, the truck hit a bump and started to shake violently. I slowed down and pulled over to resecure a freezer that was shook loose. We continued on and when I went to make the next right turn, one of the straps, which was sliced during the death wobble, snapped. The freezer slid and seesawed over a cooler. The corner of the freezer came through the r... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Aug 19, 2023
The front strut springs are breaking while driving and while the vehicle is parked. The spring material is defective because of the many fractured parts. This is on a vehicle with less than 65000 miles on it.
Incident date: Aug 29, 2023
The right rear coil spring broke after only 52,679 miles. The car was NEVER taken off road and most of the mileage was on highways. It was driven by my wife, who is a very conservative driver. The dealer discovered this. The independent shop to which I took it for a second opinion stated that the coil spring looked like new but had a break in it, which they've never seen with a car in pristine ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2023
2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited rear and front shock towers and/or stabilizer links rattle and are not stable at low speeds, and probably at high speeds also but for traffic noise. Causing instability when navigating in traffic and under road conditions
Incident date: Sep 17, 2022
The vehicles steering wheel makes a clunking sound and there is a lot of play in it. It makes noise from left to right and vibrates at higher speeds. I have to drive with both hands gripping the wheel to hold it steady. I drive on the freeway at least once a week to visit my son and grandkids and now to nervous to drive it as it’s an hour drive. I am a senior and cannot afford to pay out of po... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E320
(2005) - SUSPENSION
Aug 29, 2023
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
The rear trailing arm broke loose from the frame causing the wheel to twist back into the wheel well. It is now at my garage and could be inspected. This happened at about 45 miles per hour causing me to take evasive action so as not to cause an accident. There was no warning lamps affiliated with the suspension system.
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle inadvertently shut off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
Have been experiencing what has been termed as the death wobble that is a known problem in the ford f250 and f350 from 2005 to 2019 trucks. Mine is a f350 2016. While driving on highways over 50 can experience a violent shaking in the front end after hitting a bump in road. Feels like the truck can not recover and like loosing control of vehicle. Very scary sensation that at any time could make... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F53. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V731000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Several local dealers were contacted, and the contact was informed that an appointment to repair the vehicle was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed there was no appointment yet available to... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that subframe was severely corroded. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. T... Read more
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2022) - SUSPENSION
Aug 28, 2023
Incident date: Aug 28, 2023
Transmission / or gear shifting
Incident date: May 30, 2023
While traveling down the interstate, the right rear leaf spring broke causing the two right tires to rub and bellow black smoke. There is a Jayco recall on this, and Southaven RV claimed to have inspected it. Either Jayco is at fault for a weak recall or Southaven RV is at fault for not completing the recall properly. Both need to be investigated. 9901513 is the Jayco recall and the bulletin numb... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact discovered cracks on the front-end structural casting. The contact stated that some cracks went through the structure and were close to the strut mounts, which might lead to a failure with the suspension. The vehicle had been taken to Tesla (2710 S Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22206) and Tesla (8500 Tyco Rd, Vienna, VA 22182) on five separate occasions... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2023
Authorization failed Limited access is the reason there recalled I can't pair ⁶
Crash
Fire
15 injured
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
Keeps having a death wobble when I hit a bump going faster than 50 miles per hour that can't be controlled or stopped without pulling over to a stop or near stop.
Incident date: Aug 3, 2023
2103 Ram 1500 Electronic Power Steering failed or malfunctioned, my vehicle is available for inspection if needed The loss of power steering capabilities put my safety and the safety of my family at risk by the possibility of and accident and injury. The loss of power steering capabilities is still evident and has been electrically verified. The EPS failure has NOT been inspected by the manufac... Read more
TOYOTA
REDUNDANT SIENNA
(2021) - SUSPENSION
Aug 27, 2023
Incident date: Aug 9, 2023
The air bag suspension in these model cars are a known issue and they been known to fail almost every equus has this same problem and Hyundai knows about it
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2018) - SUSPENSION
Aug 26, 2023
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
08trd Tacoma Frame rust bad I bought it in 2011 certified used vehicle. I 2015 had frame inspection They undercoat It has 66000 miles on it Tues this week asked mechanic change oil He said the frame is rusted bad Contacted Toyota that as soon as I got home, I had the email copy I sent to you. She gave me a little glimmer of hope she has a one. Oh I do bring it to the Smithtown dealership wh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2023
2010 Outback Subframe or cradle Subaru OEM # 50527AJ01A is a vital safety component and as designed and installed completely supports the weight of the engine and transmission - I have excessive rust and Corrosion of sub frame. This should be a recall. A google search shows this is a common issue for this model. Please review my complaint
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
Rear subframe rotted away and not the driver rear tire is leaning and car is not drivable
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
The air suspension on this vehicle continuously fails I've had to replace the rear airbags multiple times as well as the air compressor it will fail while driving down the interstate if it sits overnight will come back out to a truck that's completely on the ground it will fail and drain all the air out of the rear airbags but not the front or the left side but not the right side especially in col... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2023
There was a recall on the front subframe due to rust. The rear subframe has the same safety issue but there is no recall for that and there should be
Incident date: May 27, 2023
Death wobble started at 55 mph, with no warning. No warning lights and no warning codes were found. Death wobble started a second time at 70 mph with the same results. This is the third time that this has occurred. Vehicle has never been off road, is a complete factory stock vehicle, with proper tire rotation schedule based on manufacture and dealership service department.
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
Nothing has happened to date. Dealership said that I need two new rear toe adjustment links when the car has less than 50,000 miles, no accidents, 1 owner, and properly maintained. This is a known issue with GM cars including Buick LaCrosse, Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, GMC Acadia, Cadillac XT5, and Cadillac XT6. The Chevrolet Traverse needs to be added to this recall as numerous customers ha... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2023
Upon uneven roads or light pot holes the front strut tower mount interior completely slips up toward the engine lid. The parts does not tears it completely slips out causing the strut to hit the bonnet. If this happens at high speed it would be catastrophic.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Aug 25, 2023
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
On June 8th 2023 I brought my car into a Honda service center to be inspected per safety recall 23V-228. After inspection I was told that the rear frame was severely rusted out but that the shop could not do anything about it. I was given my vehicle back and told it was safe to drive and that Honda of America would be reaching out to me in a few days. Approximately 2 weeks passed with no word from... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2021
I don't know what is going on. I hope I don't have any problems I worked hard for this car and now it a rust bucket and I can put my grandchildren in harmsway. I've always wanted a Honda crv and now look. Disappointed Douglas Hammond
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
I was driving 75 mph in traffic when my steering wheel jerked hard and the truck made a loud noise from underneath. Lights on dash engine light and traction light on. Dash read out said service stabilitrak and service traction control. I could have been hit from behind. The truck was stuck in 3rd gear. Would not go but under 30 mph. This all happened [XXX]. My dad had stroke, I wasn't able to assi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle for repair, the contact was made aware of rust on the steering shaft and the support arms and the front end of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the contact was informed that there was no fix for the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the fai... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
The contact's father-in-law owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact's father-in-law received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V675000 (Suspension). The contact stated that while her father-in-law was driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear end of the vehicle was sliding. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear toe link was fractured, the rear wheel knuckl... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the front upper control arm, and the shifter cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage w... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2023
I previously had asked Tesla to check my front suspension as I was noticing a unusual sound which they did however the technician assessment was that all was fine. Today, just 4 months out of warranty (but still under the 50k), the front control arm just fell off while I was driving. This resulted in the control arm to brake as well as my front fender (it hit the tire in motion). To my disbelief t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
To whom it may concern, I recently purchased a 2002 Toyota sequoia. I brought the truck to a local shop for a (overall assessment of the vehicle) since I just Purchased it. The shop owner ( I have their name address if needed). The chassis is rusty and has holes sue to rust. If someone can get back to me It’s much appreciated
Incident date: Sep 23, 2022
2015 Honda Odyssey Steering Rack leaked while driving vehicle on the highway and Front Lower Control Arm bushing broke due to age of the vehicle. Honda Dealer has suggested not to drive vehicle until Steering Rack is replaced/fixed. Honda dealer has warned as it is safety hazard to other vehicles on the road. Vehicle component was inspected by Honda Dealer and has recommended to replace Steering ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
The Subframe has rusted out and it’s causing my arm to move. It appears this is a common issue with Nissan vehicles in general. My mechanic stated that it should not have rusted out like that.
TOYOTA
REDUNDANT SIENNA
(2021) - SUSPENSION
Aug 23, 2023
Incident date: Jun 2, 2023
Rear tires wearing out inside prematurely due to wheel alignment got off, install all new tires and did wheel alignment and found out that camber adjustment required to fix the issues but repair shop and even Honda dealer can’t adjust camber settings since camber is not adjustable in 2019 Honda passport. Honda dealership told me to go somewhere else and have them install aftermarket camber adjus... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2017) - SUSPENSION
Aug 23, 2023
Incident date: Aug 16, 2023
Suspension is failed at 68,000 miles. Their technicians don't know how to service suspension system, when there are any issues, they just replace parts and rob customers for diagnostic and test drive charges. After service my suspension is still making same noise and that will lead my car to a safety issues. Parts may be fall a part. I have complained many times, but they said this is not a safe... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle became extremely difficult to maneuver and was not turning as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V072000 (Su... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
I hit a medium sized pothole on a freeway in 2019 and cracked 2 rims. After replacing the rims and tires, I still had vibration. Now, over about 100-1000 miles, my alignment goes out and my suspension and steering begins to loosen (or feel that way), leading to steering instability, bounciness and vibration through the steering wheel. There are no warnings to identify this, but the car's own "a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2023
Only when driving on HWY speeds 65 mph and above the steering pulls, while correcting to drive safely the car jerks and is very unsafe during hwy speeds as if i'm fighting to keep straight on the road. Tesla confirmed it was the lower lateral links which was replaced but did not fix the issue. the vehicle continues to have the same issue and now Telsa is saying the steering rack may need to be rep... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2023
On 08/22/2023, I took my vehicle into an auto service repair center to have diagnostics done due to a creeking sound. I was worried something could be wrong, and should any issues not be addressed or resolved, I could do more damage by continuing to drive my vehicle. Unfortunately I was advised that the sound was due to a rear suspension knuckle issue, a part that can't just be repaired based on... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
The rear subframe is completely rusted out where the trailing arm is attached. I was looking to see if I could purchase a used Pilot on line and maybe do an engine swap and was shocked how common this problem is. Many owners were selling there Pilots for parts because of this problem. I originally noticed this while inspecting the cause of the vehicle swaying from side to side at speeds over 40mp... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2023
LF diver side belt loosens up and has had a rattling noise . The braking system has happened 4 times one almost causing an accident behind me for randomly braking . And suspension has caused me two sets of tires in one year and 3 alignments
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
2011 C300 4matic Sport I'm very concerned about the front subframe after going over the invoice and everything that was replaced on the rear subframe due to a recall Mercedes issued. But wait doesn't the whole subframe have severe rust corrosion all throughout yes it does per mechanic/technician. I'm having steering issues while driving the vehicle when applying the breaks the vehicle pulls very ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2022
At slow speeds such as parking or backing up, when you turn the wheel, you hear a popping sound from the left front wheel area.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started to pull to the left and the contact became aware that front driver’s side wheel had separated from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road safely. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. A police report was filed. The c... Read more
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2021) - SUSPENSION
Aug 22, 2023
Incident date: Jul 11, 2023
Left rear wet bolt sheared mid-bolt at the hole where the grease comes out to grease the sleeve in the spring eye. Spring was sliding side to side, causing the shackle hanger to bend and the spring to detach from the shackle. I have Summo springs on the trailer, and the one on the left rear took the weight of the trailer, and may have prevented further issue's. This occurred on the freeway at appr... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the ABC warning light illuminated. Additionally, the message "Drive Carefully" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABC tandem pump, struts, and hoses needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that ... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Aug 22, 2023
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
After consulting many others that own or previously owned 328i bmw from around the same years (2015-2017); a common issue was found and assumed to be the timing belt. when i press on the accelerator moderately/ as per usual, my RPMs and speedometer hesitate for a solid second then it will catch up and start shaking. i suspect its the timing belt.