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
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2016) - SUSPENSION
Jun 15, 2023
Incident date: Jun 10, 2023
This issue has been going on for over a year now. Vehicle shakes violently when leaving uneven surfaces such as coming off of a bridge on the highway. You have to come to a complete stop to get it to stop shaking. This is very dangerous when on a highway. Vehicle has been inspected by local dealership and parts have been ordered but continue to be on backorder. The dealership states that they have... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ram1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brakes applied independently without being depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. While driving over a bump in the roadway, the vehicle inadvertently shifted lanes and the vehicle became uncontrollable. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the death wobble and the vehicle spun out o... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2021
3 wheel alignments in same vehicle needed in less than 30 months: <5,000, 30,000 and 35,000 odometer readings It’s not from pot holes; I have owned about 14 cars in family fleet and have never had 1 vehicle need more than 1 alignment during it’s time of ownership of over 1,000,000 miles driven Something is wrong with vehicle design or mechanical components to go out of alignment so frequentl... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The contact stated while the vehicle was being inspected by a certified mechanic, the contact was informed that the coil springs were fractured. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
Each time service was required my car had suddenly stopped running without any acceleration. The start engine button would not work. Each time car was towed to Serra Hyundai. At no time, was there any mentioning of needing a new engine or engine replacement. The service dates: 01/05/2023, 01/14/2023, and 04/14/2023. My last non acceleration occurred on night of June 4, 2023. It could have been tr... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Jun 14, 2023
Incident date: May 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH in a rainstorm, the rear of the vehicle started to violently fishtail from side to side. The contact stopped and inspected the vehicle but found no failure. The vehicle was later re-inspected, and the contact discovered that the rear tires showed severe treadwear. The contact stated that the failure had oc... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the camshaft and timing belt was faulty. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Additionally, the contact stated the front passenger’s side wheel was shaki... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2023
Vehicle was regularly maintained and did not show any air bag codes on a reader. Was told by tow truck driver a new ball joint failed after recently being replaced. This caused me to lose steering around a small bend and lead me to go straight into a guardrail at 55mph. Upon impact of guardrail and a 10foot drop off the air bag never went off upon a 55mph head on impact. I had be rushed to hospita... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 14, 2023
I have been told by an independent Maine state inspection company that my left front frame rail has perforating corrosion and will not pass inspection. I have not had GMC inspect this yet but I do not think they will repair it. This truck is 10 years old and only has 59,000 miles on it. It looks like new (except for some rear bumper damage) It is unusable now and I'm afraid the left front suspens... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2023
This 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid, and all first and second generation (2001-2012) Escape models, were designed and built with a significant, known defect in the mating area and materials used for the rear floor pan, rear sub-assembly/rails, and rear inner fender liners/upper shock absorber mounts, all made of pressed steel. The design of the components renders them subject to trapping road debris/salt... Read more
CHRYSLER
PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2018) - SUSPENSION
Jun 14, 2023
Incident date: Jun 14, 2023
Currently own a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Texas Edition Z-71. Transmission continues to hard shift / lunge in forward and reverse. The transmission has popped so hard, on multiple occasions that I was convinced that someone had hit me from behind and had to pull over. The downshift is occasionally so hard that it that you jerk forward out of the seat. In October of 2022 the downshift at 15 mph... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 14, 2023
The rack and pinion isn’t working properly. Damaged.
Incident date: Nov 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed over a speed bump, he heard a rattling sound coming from the front passenger’s side suspension. Upon visual inspection, the contact observed that a bolt had detached from the suspension. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined a damaged frontal lowe... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2023
I have a recall on rear suspension I have called to have the repairs done several times I was given response of they didn't have the parts needed and would take several weeks . Rear suspension is very unsafe and now the engine cooling component is causing issues with over heating and not giving any warning lights on dash and am afraid found cause fire or some unsafe issue
Incident date: Jun 13, 2023
- The vehicle had loose front suspensions from the manufacturer on a brand new 2022 Honda Accord - This was a major safety concern due to driving the vehicle on the free way and could have caused death. - The problem was addressed by dealership and took it in for repair. - Yes vehicle was inspected by an Authorized Honda service facility. - No warning notifications popped up, I started hear ti... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2023) - SUSPENSION
Jun 13, 2023
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
While im driving the steering is shifting to the right and seems lower on right side. My tires daily need to have air in them because of the uneven weight. While I drive and let go of the gas the car pulls back like an E brake could be stuck not sure though. No accidents at all but it seems like the vehicle is getting weaker and weaker with the uneven weight going down on the tires and steering s... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2023
I have owned my Honda since it had 11 miles on it, brand new in the parking lot I took it home. I’ve noticed in the past few months since September of 2022 ish the lane assist, and lane departure do not work now. Out of 100 times I drive the lane keep only works maybe 5/100 times. I called the dealership explaining how it’s a safety concern if it ever defected. And it’s not keeping me in the... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
The rear axle has failed due to corrosion. Loss of right rear wheel assembly was narrowly avoided. Noticed the wheel was squatting oddly and upon inspection the wheel assembly was nearly removed by hand.
CHEVROLET
REDUNDANT SILVERADO 2500
(2001) - SUSPENSION
Jun 12, 2023
Incident date: May 26, 2023
Certified Mazda cx5 sold with faulty wheel bearing and had to be back in service less than 24 hours from purchase. They failed to replace the piece of engine after 35.000 maintenance and another dealer found 5 areas that needed work 3 weeks later. Brake warning system went off took5 days to determine it was a dead switch and replaced exactly one month later Brake system warning goes off after car ... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Jun 12, 2023
Incident date: May 31, 2023
A- arm on rear suspension rusted out.
FORD
FUSION HYBRID
(2018) - SUSPENSION
Jun 12, 2023
Incident date: Dec 17, 2022
I went to have this issue taken care of over 3 time and the repair shop gave me a hassle everytime now the car is gifted to my 16 year daughter and I would like for her to drive safely please help Safety Risk A rear toe link fracture may reduce the ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Dealers will replace rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners.
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
The vehicle experiences what is known as the "death wobble". It has happened six times, and the frequency is increasing. Each time it has occurred the truck has been towing a travel trailer on the highway/freeway at speeds of approximately 60-65 mph. It usually happens after hitting a bump or imperfection in the roadway. When the incidents occur, the front end of the vehicle shakes uncontrolla... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The wheel came off the car while driving with no warning. It was just at service at the Tesla in Devon PA on May 12, 2023. This is a safety issue! Tesla refused to cover the repair and charged a diagnostic fee on top of that!
Incident date: Jun 2, 2023
I have a 2019 Jeep wrangler. Within the first 3 months of having my jeep I experienced issues with the battery. I came to a stop at a stop sign, the auto on/of turned the vehicle off but then it wouldn't come back on when I tried to drive. It showed a battery light and the auto on/off sign with an exclamation mark first then all lights on the dashboard started flickering, windshield wipers came on... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
May 31.2023 I was involved in an accident your left front wheel Castor and wheel . Separated from vehicle. Causing me to crash into a light pole.in the east bound lane when I was going west bound on Franklin rd in Boise id Knocking me unconscious idaho state police made report. Before accident left front wheel pulled left when braking gave car gas car pull right last thing I remember. EMT took Alf... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
Vehicle is absolutely destroying tires at an alarming rate (every 10k miles we need new tires). We have had multiple 4 wheel alignments done and verified that the alignment is perfect. Despite this, the front and rear tires wear the inside leading edge down to wire while the outside edge has 80%+ tread remaining. The other issue is the creaking/groaning and premature wear the control arms displ... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2023
Axle broke on passenger side. Broken parts unavailable. Car stopped at a busy intersection. No warning. Parking brake failed to engage at the same time.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2019
I was driving and turned right and the issue started. Pulled over to a safe place and notice d rear wheel bracket was broken. Towed to dealer. The dealer insisted I hit something I did not. The car has less than 8600 miles. I could not believe this was not covered under warranty. In addition, the fuel injection recall there are no parts available and waiting list. I am trading the car in ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2023
Air suspension component started leaking and lost pressure - unable to safely drive without repair. The entire front end of vehicle dropped lower than the rear and was not level. Incident appeared to happen after changing "driving modes" to a rain setting. Vehicle messaging stated a warning to seek servicing. Suspension started making a loud pressurized hissing sound and seems potentially hazardou... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2021
I have concerns about the ball joints on my Ram 3500 they have been replaced 4 times under warranty. Each time the truck becomes hard to keep under control and wonders back and forth while driving. This is a known issue with Ram
VOLKSWAGEN
TAOS
(2023) - SUSPENSION
Jun 8, 2023
Incident date: May 16, 2023
Control arm and both front struts failed
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2010) - SUSPENSION
Jun 8, 2023
Incident date: Jun 6, 2023
Rear lower control arm broke from mount. Broke just before reaching a secondary rd with a speed limit of 55
Incident date: Apr 26, 2023
On June 5. 2023, My family was on the way to Dallas. In Huntsville, TX, we were driving approximately 68MPH when we hit an small divet in the roadway. The truck then began to shake violently and would not cease until we pulled off the highway to a complete stop. After checking the truck over, no apparent damage had caused the occurence. I had heard previously about a "Death Wobble" and after some ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2023
On multiple occasions when driving at speeds over ~50 MPH, and hitting a bump or hole in the road (highways), a terrifying wobble occurs in the steering wheel. It is shaking so violently that it also feels as though the suspension, steering, and maybe other components are compromised. I am concerned that this is an issue that could lead to severe accident / injury / fatality. I am able to regain c... Read more
Incident date: Jun 7, 2023
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Air Suspension Compressor needs to be remove and replace. Left Rear Air Bag is Leaking. Tires have 3/32nds tread remaining which is unsafe. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Might cause accident when driving especially in freeway. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2023
Failure of front subframe while driving. Vehicle is unable to be driven. Vehicle pulled severely to drivers side while driving. Subframe had severe deterioration by rust . Vehicle is at Annen Brake Fond du Lac, Wi and available for inspection. Replacement part is unavailable and there is no ETA by manufacturer.
Incident date: Nov 6, 2019
Upon hitting small road bump while accelerating to highway speed, steering wheel started violently shaking (death wobble), had to decelerate quickly to regain control. Upon later inspection found steering damper bad and some resulting ball joint play in several areas due to bad steering damper.
Incident date: Apr 6, 2023
PLEASE include my car in recall “CAMP113” see photo! The rear crossmember steel is doing exactly what your recall is for!! Please HELP BEFORE I DIE!
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2023) - SUSPENSION
Jun 6, 2023
Incident date: May 22, 2023
In April 2023, while performing a rear brake service both right and left suspension springs were found with deteriorated suspension spring coating, corrosion and breakage of the coil springs. Suspension spring failure poses a safety hazard and risk of damage to other suspension components. It is unclear when exactly the springs broke but when the vehicle was inspected in Feb of 2022 there was no m... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
When driving on an uneven or bumpy highway my stock Jeep wrangler experiences the infamous “death wobble”. It has done this several times when going 40 or over and hitting small bumps or uneven pavement. Slowing down to around 20 or 25 resolves the issue. This is extremely scary when it occurred on a highway going 70 mph per the speed limit and having to slow down to a slow speed (which creat... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2023
The 2020 Range Rover, under warranty with 33,200 miles, has been inspected by the insurance and determined to be a total loss due to an electrical failure that caused the SUV to catch fire. The driver and a 4 year old were in the vehicle when the electrical failure started. The fire was behind the child seat, on the rear right hand seat, in the trunk compartment. The risk of serious bodily injury ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
On 6/4/23 I was on SR 2 in Erie county ,Ohio. The speed limit was 70 mph and my cruise control was set at 70 mph & traffic was fairly heavy. I passed over an expansion joint and my steering wheel started shaking violently back and forth and the vehicle was nearly uncontrollable. The other vehicles near me fortunately saw I was having trouble and luckily they were able to steer clear of me. The... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated that while driving into the driveway, the front air suspension suddenly failed causing the front-end of the vehicle to collapse onto the front tires, making the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the failure... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2023
When Mazda recalled the front frame they should’ve fixed the rear frame too I believe that this should have been recalled because there is the same problem all over the internet with this model. When my 16 year old daughter was going down the road @ 60mph and the rear subframe broke - bent the exhaust and then the tire rubbed the wheel well smoked like crazy and thought is was on fire & it then ... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2023
Vehicle shakes at highway speed (62-75mph) and under heavy acceleration (highway on ramp) since 1st day of owning vehicle. Steering wheel vibrate and rear mirror shakes and is unusable. Took to dealer on 3rd day of owning car and they balanced tires and performed alignment with no improvement. Dealer stated it is a problem known to Volvo with no corrective action and they were instructed by Vol... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
2020 Jeep Rubicon - wife was driving 60 mph on highway, went over a small bump and the steering wheel began shaking violently causing her to lose control. She was able to gain control and get to the side of the road, almost getting hit by several vehicles. She turned the Jeep off and restarted. She began traveling again, going slower this time, and it didn't happen again for about 30 minutes. S... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -Due to the Suspension recall that was released in March 2023. My car spinned out of control on the High causing my car to loose control on HW 85 south I nearly lost my life but the car stopped due to a limb in the grass. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others?No, becaus... Read more
Crash
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF SPORTWAGEN
(2016) - SUSPENSION
Jun 5, 2023
Incident date: May 28, 2023
I was driving on the highway at about 70 mph when the truck suddenly lost control. I almost crash into the nearest wall. Fortunately I didn’t, and I managed to break however as I was braking the truck kept shaking. All the tires were inspected and they aren’t the issue. Something to do with the suspension caused the lost of control.
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2017) - SUSPENSION
Jun 4, 2023
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
- The front suspension, steering and tires are available for inspection. - A safety risk occurred immediately as I crossed an uneven transition from asphalt to concrete at the beginning of a bridge. The steering wheel/front end/vehicle began to shake violently at highway speed and maintaining control became difficult. I was unable to keep the vehicle in my lane. I immediately decelerated and with... Read more