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: Jan 18, 2023
The brand new car, not even a month in use, turned itself off in the road. Gave several error message. I turned back on and drive several miles again when it turned it self off again, showing the same error messages. A towing truck took it to the dealership Miami Lakes Automall on Wednesday 5/26 no body in service department answers my calls to give me information on my car
Incident date: Feb 22, 2023
*Inside of car smelt like urine upon start. Car went into limp mode. First trip to dealership, catalytic converter was replaced. After the 6th time to dealership for same issue, manufacture approved engine replacement. *The car went into limp mode which posed a safety risk to our family as well as other vehicles on the road. This happened twice while on the freeway and we could have been rear-e... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
Frame rotting, brake line connections rotting
Incident date: Apr 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he previously received a recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. They stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at approximat... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 27, 2023
I purchased this vehicle used and out of warranty in February of this year 2023. I've had continuous issues with the steering. I have contacted my local dealerships explaining my issues. I've contacted FCA explaining my issues. By both I'm told I need to bring my vehicle in for a diagnostic test that will cost me $250 plus dollars and then ANY REPAIR will cost out of pocket. The vehicle wonders wh... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2021) - SUSPENSION
Apr 28, 2023
Incident date: Apr 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, no failure was found. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound worsened and the battery drained immediatel... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2019
I bought this vehicle brand now. The Edge only has 69k miles on it and I have replaced the front and back brakes (rotors, pads, calibers) 3 times (yes...3 times). I also had to recently (in 2023) replace the muffler, left and right outer tierods, left and right front wheel bearings and hubs. NOW: April 2023: my front brakes are pulsating and I brought the vehicle back to my mechanic for a complet... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2023
The front axle steering stabilizer shock/damper failed at approximately 36 months after delivery, to the point where the the front end shakes violently when the vehicle goes over a bump at highway speeds and the front tires hit the bump at diffferent times, i.e., diagonal overpass joint. This is a known issue, commonly referred to as "death wobble." Stellantis has settled a class action lawsuit... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2021
On 4/27 I was driving home on the freeway and there were little to no cars around me. There were no large trucks or debris coming from above me and there was no harsh weather. I heard a loud pop when i was driving and I pulled over and my whole sunroof shattered. The sunroof also has not been opened that day. The problem won’t be suspension is that when going over rough roads or bumps, my car s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2018
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at various speeds on several occasions, there was a cranking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that several unknown components needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the ... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2016) - SUSPENSION
Apr 28, 2023
Incident date: Apr 28, 2023
My truck bed is resting against my cab due to frame rot. There is big chunks missing from the frame.
Incident date: Sep 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and driving over a pothole, the vehicle started to shake uncontrollably. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and the vehicle stopped shaking. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 21,000. The VIN was not available.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2023
Both rear springs shattered in three paces withing 6 weeks of each other. One occurred while driving on highway beginning of March 2023. The first time there was no immediate issue because of the way the spring collapsed on itself. I replaced the spring. The second spring shattered and collapsed (end of April 2023) onto the shock causing loud banging sounds. Luckily it collapsed while on city s... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2023
We purchased this vehicle new in August 2019. Since, we have had it in for service multiple times concerning a popping/creaking noise from the front suspension. Most recently, the vehicle has been at the dealership/service department since February 8, 2023, and they are unable to remedy the issue. My own research shows a recall of approximately 48,000, 2018 Chrysler Pacificas, manufactured in t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2023
The first time the violent shaking of the steering wheel and vehicle was at highway speed. Fortunately I was able to pull over safely. I called to make an appointment with my closest dealer immediately and was made to wait 30 days. That first time my vehicle had 34,000 miles on it, by the time of my appointment they said it was out of warranty for the steering dampener since I was then over 36,000... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2023
My wife was driving and the left front suspension became disconnected. It appears some type of connection bolt came loose. The car became undriveable and unable to steal properly.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2022
THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT IS RUSTED ON BOTHE SHOCKS. THE MAIN FRAME RAIL IS RUSTED AND HAS HOLES IN THE FRAME. BEFORE LONG THIS WILL CAUSE A PROBLEM IF THE FRAME GIVES WAY. THE REAR WHEEL WELLS ARE ALSO RUSTED ABOVE THE TIRES ON BOTH SIDE. IT WAS INSPECTED BY A BODY REPAIR AND SAID FRAME WILL NEED REPLACED ALONG WITH TWO BED PANELS
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2017) - SUSPENSION
Apr 26, 2023
Incident date: Apr 15, 2020
Control arm failure
TOYOTA
SIENNA HYBRID
(2023) - SUSPENSION
Apr 25, 2023
Incident date: Apr 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was alerted by another motorist that the spare tire had lowered underneath the vehicle. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the rear cross members had corroded, causing the spare tire to become unsecured underneath the vehicle. Additionally, while driving ov... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2023
My Honda pilot has rust on one of the subframe mounts causing it to come loose from body. Honda issued a technical service bulletin about it for an investigation from nhtsa. But, the dealer is acting like there is no such thing with the known issue and repair kit they made to fix the issue. I will attach the service bulletin below to about the issue of what Honda put out supposedly to fix the pro... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2023
Vehicle shakes very bad once I go over 65 MPH. The dealer has serviced this issue twice with no resolve. During some instances, I am required to slow down and pull to the side of the highway placing myself and family endanger.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
While driving on the freeway (65-70mph) headed home from work my front end began to shake so hard along with my steering wheel. I had no idea what was going on their was no warning of something wrong. It lasted a min or two but very unsettling. My mother-in-law called this a death roll, her roommate has a 2011 F-250 and just experienced this same feeling. Thank you in advance for your time, Dan... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2023
Lower control arm bracket failed. Yes available for inspection. The adaptive cruse lane assist function malfunctioned. Yes available for inspection. I was injured. Police inspected the wheel and called it into question a manufacture defect in the police report. Manufacture (Jeep) acknowledges it but has been unresponsive. No warning when the wheel assembly disengaged (wheel, brake, tie rod, con... Read more
Crash
1 injured
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2012) - SUSPENSION
Apr 25, 2023
Incident date: Jun 18, 2021
I purchased this car used 12/05/2022. The seatbelt /driverside, doesn't catch on sudden stops, lurching me forward. I've almost hit the steering wheel with my face and head. Tesla says they are not responsible for replacing seatbelt. I have to pay for it. I don't know previous owners knew about this issue prior to selling it , but according to tesla, this issue doesn't fall with in their purview. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2019
Rear passenger side coil spring failed during vehicle operation. Vehicle has only 61,000 miles and has never seen any heavy duty including trailering anything.
MIDWEST AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN
DAYCRUISER
(2022) - SUSPENSION
Apr 25, 2023
Incident date: Mar 27, 2023
We have had our 2022 Wagoneer for 5 months. I noticed that the right rear axle had the boot torn and there was grease all over the bottom of the car on the right rear side. We also felt vibrations coming from the right rear. We took the car in to get the axle replaced, however we are still feeling these vibrations. After looking through Internet forums based on consumer experiences of our vehicle,... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2023
Lower ball joint detached, nearly caused major problems for me on the road
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2019) - SUSPENSION
Apr 24, 2023
Incident date: Jul 4, 2022
Both rear coil springs broken
Incident date: Aug 20, 2021
When driving and get up to 60mph car shakes and moves side to side hard to control.
Incident date: Apr 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was being inspected at a local dealer for a State Inspection, the contact was informed that the front passenger’s side tire needed to be replaced, and that both rear shocks were leaking. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called an independent mechanic and was informed that the rear shocks sho... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2023
Honda CRV subject to NHTSA recall 23V-228. I called the dealer who confirms vehicle recall and informed me Honda has no parts available to carry out the recall. Called Honda customer service, phone agent initially said vehicle has been recalled, and I can get reimbursed for parts needed to fix it. I explained Honda dealer said no parts available. Honda CSR after a brief hold said upon further ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2023
The rear self-levelling shocks have failed completely, providing no shock absorbtion whatsoever. The vehicle is extremely difficult to control on bumpy roads even at moderate speed as it bounces so violently it is difficlult to maintain steeering. My vehicle is a 2021 Telluride SX with towing package
Incident date: Mar 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln LS. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the front suspension ball joint detached. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, it was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V359001 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileag... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln LS. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH the contact heard an abnormal noise. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and the contact noticed the front passenger side tire had separated from the joint. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing a similar failure as NHTSA Campaign Nu... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
At just 10 days over 4 years of ownership, which is out of warranty, and at about 44,360 miles, I noticed noise when going over small bumps, moving from stop to go and while turning the steering wheel. It appears that the upper control arm, a recall on about 3000 Tesla Model 3 and Y, was the culprit. I contacted the service center and right away, over the Tesla Mobile App, the knew it was the con... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2023
TPMS light comes off and on even though tires are fine. Back of vehicle shakes, and feels unstable especially on highway when speeds are higher. And you can hear a sound clicking that comes from the rear end of the vehicle.
Incident date: Apr 24, 2023
The rear sub frame broke/ rusted, needing to be replaced unable to drive car safely
Incident date: Apr 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the rear driver’s side trailing arm had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2023
While under a hard stop the vehicle’s rear end started to swing back and forth suddenly causing loss of control of the vehicle. Mercedes Benz diagnosed the problem as a rusted through subframe which they’ve said is a “known issue” and extended the warranty on the part. The part is unavailable and there’s no ETA from Mercedes which means that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and cannot be r... Read more
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2021) - SUSPENSION
Apr 23, 2023
Incident date: Apr 23, 2023
Front end suspension and steering problems, very loud rubbing sound and unstable feels like it might brake apart.
Incident date: Apr 23, 2023
The rear wheel on the left driver side detached from the frame while driving on the hwy and lost control. Luckily I could pull off and drive into the ditch. The frame is rusted enough that auto shop says that the repairs aren't worth it because the entire back frame is rusted and will just happen on the other side. No sounds beforehand to indicate their would be a malfunction. The control arm... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2023
While driving on a highway at approximately 65 mph the car seemed to lose traction and the slip indicator light appeared. Once able to safely look at the vehicle it was noticed the rear wheels were not aligned and the lower rear control arm had snapped.
Incident date: Apr 23, 2023
My vehicle has approx 50,000 miles and the right rear shock tower, mounted to frame, rusted and broke away from the frame.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
LEFT REAR (DRIVER SIDE) TRAILING CONTROL ARM CAME OUT OF THE MOUNTING BRACKET CAUSING THE TIRE ASSEMBLY TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND NARROWLY ESCAPED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS DEFECT HAS A RECALL NOTICE IN CANADA BUT NOT USA. I NOTICED SIMILIAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS A DESIGN DEFECT BY HONDA WITH NO GOOD REMEDIATION. THIS COUL... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
The truck has “death wobble“ or steering oscillation. When travelling on any road between 55 and 75 miles per hour, the truck will shake violently when you cross a bridge, train tracks, or imperfections in the road. You must nearly come to a complete stop as quickly as possible. It is difficult to turn or stop while this is happening. My vehichle has been well maintained and only has 105k mile... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2023
Frame cracks at axle connections. https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f6/broken-frame-eagle-ht-27-5rlts-97024.html
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
I just purchased a used 2010 toyota rav 4 base fwd and when making left or right turn I hear loud clunking noises and when backing up I hear squeaking noises plus I see liquid under car near middle. I also noticed when I add washer fluid and check level couple days later without using it ,,it is not visible ...and can't find pink coolant in stores that is in resivoir which needs to be topped off ... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2022) - SUSPENSION
Apr 22, 2023
Incident date: Apr 19, 2023
There is a know issue with suspension that Volvo is not addressing. XC 60 owners are reporting the car was shuttering and vibrating heavily under acceleration or coasting at different speed (at 30K miles). This is getting more severe with increased mileage. Volvo has redesign the CV joint, but has not advised owners. The issues: 1- The right drive axle had a play 2- Front Prob drive shaft CV J... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2022
When I was traveling down the road when hitting a bump my steering started rattling uncontrollably. It felt as if my truck was going to steer off and hit the side wall. My safety was put at risk and others not knowing where my vehicle was going to go on the road. This is not just a problem with my vehicle either. Thousands and thousands of forums online ford customer have experienced the same prob... Read more