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 11, 2023
I started my truck to go to work and 3 warning came on, the abs system, the traction control service, and 4x4 disengaged. This vehicle has 16,100 miles on it. I tried to drive it to the dealership for repair and the rear tires are locked up.
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
The problem is when driving the vehicle losses power , service icon come on , but all the instruments go blank including speed , oil pressure, fuel . the vehicle accelaration does not work proper, it feels like it get stuck on high gear. unable to accelerate rapidly. when checked for codes not codes indicated. then when i turn the vehicle off and restart it , everything start to work proper.
Incident date: Nov 26, 2022
When my dealership inspected my rear frame for corrosion related to warranty 22V-430, they noted that the rear frame corrosion was so severe that the rear passenger wheel was no longer secured to the rear frame, resulting in a severe safety risk. However, warranty 22V-430 relates to corrosion of the rear frame resulting in an unsecured fuel tank which may result in a fuel leak and an increased ris... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
While driving the check engine light came on moments later the steering wheel stiffened up then released mid turn when I turn the steering wheel the tires didn’t respond I hit a curb
Incident date: Jan 5, 2023
Second time rear suspension dropped, less that 30K miles since last repair. On December 15th 2022, my car suspension dropped and my ride got bouncy. If this condition had ocurred in a high speed highway it can make the driver to lose control of the vehicle and possibly have an accident. The unit was taken to the Service Center and was diagnosed with exact same parts that were replaced the first... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension). The technician then became aware that the front alignment needed to be adjusted due that the rear alignment adjustment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but declined to perform the alignment. The approximate failure mileage was 100... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel started wobbling. The contact stated that the rear of the vehicle was also wobbling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the stabilizer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part not being available. The manufacturer was not con... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
First incident. 4 hours into 8 hour road trip. Flashing check engine light. Stabilitrack failure. Misfire codes. Took it to 4 different shops in Las Vegas Nevada. Non would complete repair. Took it to dealer in Utah hour and 45 minutes away, jerking missfires loss of power and power steering, dealer offered to do repair for 1800$ :/. Repair completed. Drove 150 miles, codes popped back up to it in... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2023
Both Rear shocks leaked oil at 37k causing vehicle to become very bouncy and unsafe to drive/control
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
Tesla Suspensions system squeaking problems is well known among the Tesla owners community and Tesla wouldn’t do anything about it. I bought my vehicle in 12/2019 and have brought it in at least 4 times to get the squeaky noise fix and at least 2 more times complaining about it. That’s 6 times in the span of 2 years. Tesla is well aware of the issue but couldn’t find a solution. When sch... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
Front upper control arm sway bushings cracking after being replaced. Strained vehicle Noise when going over numbs or dips. Unstable suspension. Also output shaft is leaking oil.
Incident date: Jan 5, 2023
Bought a used 2019 Jeep Wrangler with approx 17000 miles. At speeds between 60-75 mph on highway roads that have small bumps and or divots, the front axle begins a divergent shudder and wobble side to side that is uncontrollable. It has happened now 7 times. In traffic I have almost caused accidents because the vehicle is not controllable with the steering wheel. At highway speeds, the only way to... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2022
The main frame is so corroded that it is unsafe to drive. The body has no rust and the engine only has 73,000 miles on it. I went to the Ford garage for new tires and they found the damage to the frame
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
Front right passenger side suspension slams hard on the ground while driving at times. It has occurred multiple times and this can be dangerous while driving. It has been checked out and repaired by replacing them but front right side suspension still slams while driving after a few months. This is an expensive problem as well as dangerous.
Incident date: Jan 10, 2023
While driving our 2019 Ford F250 Superduty at highway speeds it develops a "death wobble" at this point it is very difficult to control the truck and the only way to get it to stop the violent shaking is to come to a stop. This is a known problem for Ford and they claim the parts are on backorder and it'll be months before parts are available. This vehicle has been inspected at a Ford dealersh... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2022
Needed to replace a wheel bearing and a front control arm bearing at 18k miles. Have seen multiple reports of the control arm bearings going bad prematurely on these vehicles and it seems this could be a serious safety concern. There should probably be a recall for the front control arms on this year/make/model.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2022
I was exiting a freeway offramp and as I was turning at a speed of approximately 35 mph, I had both hands on the steering wheel and full control, but the actual car wheels disengaged from the steering. The car went in a different direction than the steering wheel and hit a wall. I was able to reverse. But, as I kept driving, the steering wheel was not controlling the car wheels correctly. When I w... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 6, 2023
extensive frame corrosion, on the box frame, all the way through the frame. The Box frame corroded from the inside out.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2012) - SUSPENSION
Jan 10, 2023
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
Took car for 60000 mile check up mechanic said it should not have worn bushings and control arms at 60000 miles.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2020
Constant shudder when driving because of design flaw in Camber & control arms. We tried reaching out to Tesla multiple times but they don't want to cover it under warranty Multiple owners are having same issue
Incident date: Jan 4, 2023
I purchased a brand new 2022 Gulfstream travel trailer from Optimum RV in Pottstown PA. When I arrived home a neighbor noticed the wheels were not straight. Looking under I saw there were 2 shackles missing from the spring. The tire was rubbing on the wheel well. We could have been killed driving down I 95. Gulfstream and Optimum have been no help.
Incident date: Nov 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the rear end of the vehicle pushed out. The contact looked underneath the vehicle and noticed that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the control arm had detached. The contact called the local deal... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2013) - SUSPENSION
Jan 9, 2023
Incident date: Jul 30, 2022
while driving in an emergency braking situation the car went left...so much so i lost control and spun 360 degrees. i thought that wasnt rite...upon investigation it turns out the right rear torque arm was no longer connected..the cradle or sub frame. it was rotted thru causing the arm to break off !!....car is not drivable and mercedes wont repair it... someone is going to get killed if it hasnt ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2022
When driving at high speeds and hit a bump the vehicle's front suspension starts wobbling and keeps it up till you reduce speed. Not able to drive over 60 MPH, worried the wobble may start from hitting a bump.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
I took my car in to get a tire alignment and the mechanic could not do it and pointed out the rusted out sub rear frame on the driver side. I took to a auto collision shop and will not touch it for liability reasons. if im driving 70 mph down the interstate and the back wheel bends in from the rust, there is going to be a serious accident. i am without a vehicle at the moment till this is resolve... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2023
My truck has done what is known as the death wobble, which is easily searchable.The infamous death wobble that many Ford truck drivers have experienced is a violent shaking of the front end of the truck and the steering wheel. This issue typically occurs at highway speeds or after hitting a bump in the road. But it can also occur under any typical driving conditions. Ford truck drivers who have ex... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2022
While driving at approximately 62mph, my truck hit a small bump in the road and began shaking so violently that I could barely hold onto the wheel. I immediately braked which caused the truck to shake even more until I finally slowed to about 20th and pulled off the 2 lane highway. Luckily there was very minimal traffic and I was able to keep from losing control. I have only had this truck that I ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
The Vehicle shakes radically after going over a bump. After pulling over, the suspension normalizes.
Incident date: Oct 5, 2022
It’s has come to my attention that this is an on going issue with tundra frames rusting out after being sprayed I inherited this truck from a family friend and the truck is getting to where it’s not drivable for frame issues this needs to be addressed by Toyota ASAP!!
Incident date: Jan 8, 2023
Both front frame mounts that hold the engine suspension crossmember rusted away. What is even worse GM discontinued the replacement parts. I had to use components from a similar platform. This is a safety related rusting problem that is life threating as vehicle can become unstable and uncontrollable at highway speeds.
Incident date: Jan 7, 2023
I was driving on a highway at between 60 & 65 mph, the wheels crossed an expansion joint in the highway and the steering started vibrating and violently and shaking from side to side. It felt like both wheels were bouncing long after I crossed the joint in the road. I almost lost control of the vehicle. I had to slow down and upon doing so the shaking abated.
FOREST RIVER
SURVEYOR
(2018) - SUSPENSION
Jan 9, 2023
Incident date: Jan 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating. There was an abnormal buzzing noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact sta... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
Electric assist steering failure, truck is getting hard to steer either direction. Air ride system is bouncing like having no suspension at all, went into dealer and they report that the compressor, control board and manifold all need to be replaced. Vehicle only has 68,000 miles.
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
I have a 2005 Honda Element, undercarriage and suspension components have severe rust. I tried to get an inspection from Virginia and it failed immediately due to the rust. The mechanic lowered the vehicle as quickly as he could because of it falling off the lift. ultimately he told it is unsafe to drive. After doing some research I found out that Honda Canada has done a recall on Honda elements f... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2023
I was traveling on the interstate at the posted speed limit of 70 mph. I was crossing an overpass and upon exiting the overpass my vehicle began what is often referred to as ‘death wobble’. My front suspension began shaking so violently that I temporarily lost control of the vehicle and had to reduce my speed dramatically in the travel lane to regain control before I was able to steer into th... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) - SUSPENSION
Jan 9, 2023
Incident date: Oct 18, 2022
Rear subframe assembly prematurely rust causing failure of the assembly requiring replacement. If not found could cause failure while driving resulting in an accident.
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
When the VSC light or the traction light comes on the alarm sounds and the the van brakes for me! It can be up hill or down hills, between 30mph-70mph, left or right curves. Thas happend on dry pavement, It is dangerous because the Van braking suddenly for me and dont let me accelerate.
Incident date: Jan 7, 2023
At highway speeds (about 60 or more) when you hit almost any bump, the truck becomes almost uncontrollable due to the front end shaking.
Incident date: Sep 12, 2022
My car was hesitant to start i called the recalls line and i let the nissan lot know that my car had recall on the break switch which is connected to my gears, i never received a notice informing me about this issue so when i let the lot know they told me nothing was wrong, after driving it again it wouldnt start i took it to the lot and they said its my transmission and break switch battery ect. ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
First Failure 3/22- Vehicle makes clanking/rattling of metal sound when going over bumps. Sound is felt near driver caliper and rattles. Can be felt in steering. 4/22 Vehicle is taken to BMW for inspection; needed to come back as they couldn't figure it out. 5/22 Vehicle sound is replicated by BMW dealer service center. I have not received any warning messages or lights prior. Current lights... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2023
July 14, 2020 To whom it may concern I [XXX] is owner of Kia Sportage 2006 [XXX] I purchase this vehicle 12/2005 from Kia in Paramus NJ. This vehicle now has 137,296 miles also what make note it has not never been in accident or given me big issues. In May 2018, I received a recall on this vehicle for application of additional anti- corrosion material (SC104) which I brought my vehicle to Tenaf... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2023
Severe shaking in the front end ( death wobble) This has happened to me several times now.
Incident date: Jan 4, 2023
When i applied the brakes the car pulled to the right so I brought it to my mechanic to find out the rear control arm bracket pulled out of the sub frame near the body bushing the rest of the car is not rotten only parts of the sub frame
Incident date: Dec 29, 2022
Driving on highway, 80 miles an hour in Southern Utah, three times I hit a normal bridge / road seam and the Jeep "Death Wobble" occurred. This is a well known thing amongst Jeep owners, but since I was a new owner I had no idea what was going on. After slowing down the wobble stopped. I thought I was going to crash. I am making an appointment with my local Jeep dealer to have it looked at.
Incident date: Sep 17, 2022
I purchased my 2018 Jeep Wrangler 4 door Saharah Unlimited summer of 2022. The vehicle had less than 10k miles on it when I purchased the vehicle. Vehicle runs really well and alignment seems to be perfect. But occasionally at freeway speeds, usually anytime above 40mph. If I hit a bum (even road reflectors), either on a straight road or in a turn. I'll get a really violent shaking. I can get the... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2022
I purchased my Ryker in June of 2022. Since my purchase I have been dealing with a death wobble in the front during left turns, a serious wobble in the rear during left turns, and continuous vss fault/Limp home mode failure. I reported the issue to the dealer and they attempted to correct the issue, but it has continued to fail. I contacted BRP the parent company, and they refused to respond. Ther... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2022
The toe-link on the rear-passenger side wheel broke and caused the vehicle to fish-tail uncontrollably before going into the ditch and rolling. My wife was driving with our two sons, 3 & 1 at the time, luckily no one was physically injured apart from some minor bumps and bruises. After the fact, we found out there was a recall on this specific part and it was repaired but, again, there was a recal... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 3, 2023
New strut assemblies (complete struts, assembled by manufacturer) were professionally installed on 01/03/2023. During a road test, clunking on the front right of the vehicle. The vehicle was returned to the shop to investigate the issue. The issue was determined to be the strut assembly was not assembled correctly by the manufacturer. The retaining nut that hold the assembly together, was not to... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2023
New strut assemblies (complete struts, assembled by manufacturer) were professionally installed on 01/03/2023. During a road test, clunking on the front right of the vehicle. The vehicle was returned to the shop to investigate the issue. The issue was determined to be the strut assembly was not assembled correctly by the manufacturer. The retaining nut that hold the assembly together, was not to... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2023
Frame is falling apart rusted right out unsafe to drive a truck I'm making payments on.