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: Nov 11, 2022
My 2018 Subaru Forester front low control arms and wheel bearing were damaged after about 24000 miles of driving in 5 years. I got it second hand in 2020 and it had only about 14000 miles. I had them replaced due to safety concern.
Incident date: Dec 27, 2022
Steering wobble - I was driving on I-5 at 70 mph and ran over a small pothole. The steering started violently and uncontrollably shaking. It caused the truck to drift into the left lane but fortunately no other vehicle was along side. I was able to regain control by cautiously slowing down to about 35 mph. At that point the shaking stopped and steering went back to normal. Checking the tpms, t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2020
The contact owns a 1999 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel started pulling to the left with extreme force. The contact attempted to correct the over steering and the vehicle started pulling to the right and the left. The contact stated that an unknown warning was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to his residence. The contact s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2022
My pickup rebel "leans". My driver side will be down 2 inches (entry mode) on the stops while my passenger side is in (area mode). It's really unsafe to drive. Has left me stranded a handful of times. Brought it into the mechanics with no prevail. Does it when it is below 32 degrees.
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2011) - SUSPENSION
Dec 28, 2022
Incident date: Dec 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear driver’s and passenger’s side wheels swayed left to right, and the rear driver’s side wheel detached from the suspension. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe was rusted and needed to be replaced.... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while getting a routine oil change at the dealer the mechanic stated that there was a large hole in the subframe due to excessive rusting. The contact was informed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The contact recalled Technical Service Bulletin, NHTSA ID 10140027 (Suspension, Steering) from approximately 5 years ago and inquired... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2022
While driving between 50 and 60 mph the steering wheel begins to violently shake until you slow below 50 MPH. This is known as the Death Wobble.
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2012) - SUSPENSION
Dec 28, 2022
Incident date: Nov 20, 2022
Sub Frame broke from rust. Mercedes Benz has acknowledged the issue in Europe and repaired/replaced the part at no charge. Numerous problems and complaints can be found on line indicating that we, the car owner must and can complain to Mercedes for partial or complete support on the repair. But they do not acknowledge the problem in the US.
VOLKSWAGEN
PASSAT
(2003) - SUSPENSION
Dec 28, 2022
Incident date: Dec 28, 2022
Vehicle has major fuel pump issue, currently at 132,000 and noticing loss of power, car shaking, and occasional stall. A code reader is unable able to detect the issue which is a major concern. I have contacted the volkswagen Manufacturer and I consistently keep getting ignored after bringing up the recall that was put out for the fuel pump. While driving on the highway my rear and front suspensi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2022
On three separate occasions over a two-day period, while driving at highway speed, the steering wheel and front of the truck went into an extremely violent shaking episode nearly causing complete loss of control in heavy traffic. The shaking was only stopped by braking sharply to reduce the speed putting other drivers at risk of a colliding into the rear of the truck. The vehicle has been parked ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2022
The car has been erratic in its performance since purchase. The car has a continuous issue with the suspension, electronic system, and brakes. I have reached out to Hyundai manufacturer on numerous occasion regarding the car and no one is addressing my concerns. The car drives so erratic and unpredictable that I am fearful that someone will be injured or worst. Attached is a photo of the ent... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2022
I keep receiving error messages on my vehicle, I spoke to a dealership and they stated that there is in fact for a recall.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2022
The brakes failed, and I could not stop or control the car. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car nose-dived off the highway onto the on-ramp, I was with my brother and we could have died, and his back is broken, and my face is messed up. Scared to drive been crying every day the front airbags did not come out Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer ... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Oct 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle was swinging from side to side, almost striking the side rails. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the front passenger’s side control arms and bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the rear of the vehicle experienced a similar failure. The vehicle w... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2022
driving on I495 in Alexandria Virginia, on 26-dec-2022 at 1746 hrs est, north bound, at 55 mph, I drove over a series if raised areas on the roadway and suddenly the steering wheel started shaking violently and then the entire jeep was shaking back and forth like it was going to come apart. i slowed down as much as I could and moved over to a more or less vacant lane. this action made NO differen... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 38 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated, and the rear suspension lowered abruptly. The contact stated that the passenger’s side rear lower control arm had snapped from excessive corrosion. The contact was able to drive to her residence at a reduced speed. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the rear passeng... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2022
When the temperature dropped below -10F last Thursday, the front air suspension dropped to the bump stops and remained there until the temperature rose to above 32 degreesF. This made the truck unable to steer completely to the right or left, greatly lengthening the time and distance required to make a turn, lane change, etc. In effect, the vehicle is unsafe to drive under those conditions. No err... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2022
Driving at 55 mph and hit small bump in the road and front end started shaking violently. Had to come to a complete stop to get it to quit
Incident date: Feb 6, 2022
The truck developed a "death wobble" about a year ago. Over the past year the death wobble has happened almost every single time we have drove it. We have had multiple diesel mechanics look at it numerous times. We have replaced all the tie rod ends, drag link, steering stabilizer, track bar and track bar bushing. When the truck starts shaking, the driver has to immediately engage the breaks, runn... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2022
Frank Hyundai sold this vehicle with significant structural damage to everything that is metal due to rust.
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2016) - SUSPENSION
Dec 26, 2022
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
Sensor temperature transmission
Incident date: Dec 22, 2022
Death wobble while driving south on 95 approaching 71 MPH.
Incident date: Dec 6, 2022
The "death wobble" occurred for the second time on December 6th, while traveling on interstate 10 W, about 12 miles west of Pensacola, FL. I had just passed over a bridge connection when the violent shaking of the front end started. I had previously had this issue in 2018 on Highway 45 south, about 15 miles south of Meridian, MS, and returned the vehicle to the dealer and it was supposedly repai... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2022
DEATH WOBBLE IN FRONT SUSPENSION
Incident date: Dec 24, 2022
Death wobble on highway when you go over a bridge or pavement seam.
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2008) - SUSPENSION
Dec 26, 2022
Incident date: Dec 26, 2020
Rear end has a bar inside of axle( bar broke ) took to dealership service guy asked me to explain I did he said ohhh we hear this a lot you need new rear end !!! DO WHAT my car has 94,000 miles and needs new rear end never never any accidents so why new rear end also elec isuess u turn car off and u hear electronic buzzing also breaks are horrible and replaced whole rear end like everything posssi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2022
My complaint is commonly know as the “DEATH WOBBLE”. This has been going on with Ford trucks since at least 1973. I have personal experience. The problem is while driving on the highway, if you hit just a small pothole, the truck begins to shake violently and will not stop until you slam on the brakes and slow considerably. This is extremely dangerous on the highway with the possibility of loo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2021
the other person jeep tires were sticking out my wife was blind sided by sun glare the only one hurt was my wife since jeep was parked outside on street she was the only one hurt since her right tire hit the jeep tire ,on other side of this narrow street was a plummers van ,the only damage was on my wife very nice vehicle passenger side rim cracked and tire also my wife had to go to hospital with ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2011) - SUSPENSION
Dec 24, 2022
Incident date: Dec 23, 2022
There is a hole rusted through the vehicle's rear subframe assembly and it is dangerous to drive. My car is an E350 Mercedes with 78,000 miles and garage-kept. Mercedes knows of this issue and is not helping anyone with this problem. The job costs about 5000.00 to fix.
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2013) - SUSPENSION
Dec 24, 2022
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
RUST ON THE REAR SUBFRAME AND CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. MB WILL NOT HELP AND THESE CARS ARE A DANGER TO THE PEOPLE ON THE ROAD AND WILL CAUSE DEATH IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD 5K TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ALL THESE CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND MB IS NOT TAKING THE BLAME FOR THIS AND NOT LISTING THIS AS A RECALL TILL SOMEONE DIES.
Incident date: Dec 21, 2022
At highway speeds after hitting a pothole, small bump, or bridge transition the vehicle begins to shake violently. The steering wheel, and all front end suspension components will shake violently until the vehicle is slowed back down below 40 miles per hour. This has happened multiple times. Looking online this has been encountered by other motorists and is commonly known as the “Jeep Death Wob... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2022
Honda Civic Ex CVT 2 door coupe 2015 It has 117,00 miles CVT transmission problems I went to mechanic to see if I had fluid because the vehicle was sluggish when shifting I was told plenty of fluid, just nasty sludge. I was told I need a new transmission. He also said my wheel bearing on passenger side needs replaced Mechanic said ,” CVT are the worse in that year” I’m wondering why no reca... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2022
My truck start shaking after going over bumps or grooves in the road. To stop the shaking, I had to quickly slow down and than stop completely.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2022
Driving at normal highway speed while going over a bridge on highway 290 Worcester, mA the vehicle went over the metal plate that connects the bridge to the road, the front end of the vehicle started to shake. Slowly at first and quickly becoming uncontrollable. The vehicle would not stop violently shaking until I brought the truck to an almost complete stop on an extremely congested highway two d... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2022
On delivery the vehicle pulled to the left on the highway. Vehicle returned to dealer next day and 4 wheel alignment supposedly done. Car no longer pulled to left. Vehicle seemed very unstable in wet weather but owner assumed it was ok. At 3000 miles owner discovered all 4 tires wearing severely while adjusting tire pressures. Called dealer and dealership wanted a month to get back into service... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2022
On my 2010 Honda CRV, the rear frame stiffener became excessively corroded over time which resulted in frame stiffener perforation . On 10/18/22, the rear trailing arm separated from the vehicle's body while I was driving, forcing loss of control until I could bring the vehicle to a stop. I called my auto service provider to come and examine the problem which he confirmed that the rear trailing ar... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2022
I was turning right on a very busy four lane street and the left front CV-shaft (axle) broke into. Thank goodness I had enough momentum to get off the street. Honda had a rubber damper on the shaft that trapped salt and water, thus rusting and weaken the axle. Hinda had a recall on later model Hondas, but not my year.
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Dec 23, 2022
Incident date: Nov 15, 2022
I own a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350, 4matic. that yeah car has approximately 64,500 miles on it. I recently Took it in for service and was advised that the rear subframe has a whole rusted through on the left side. The dealers advice was to replace the rear subframe. I was advised that it is not presently a safety issue, but it was going to be a safety issue as the rust continued. I was dubious about... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2022
Overall and to the best of my knowledge, the malfunctioning and failures on my vehicle were the suspension and engine. They are the culprits and it’s honestly very scary and traumatizing to have them completely fail, especially since no one is ever prepared for accidents and/or potential death to happen. Otherwise it wouldn’t be called an accident. With the suspension overall, it’s just awfu... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2022
REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN- BOTH SIDES WATER PUMP LEAKING AT 70K MILES
Incident date: Oct 14, 2022
I had taken my car in to the dealership for oil change i was told by the mechanic not to drive my car unless it was absolulute necessary my whole undercarriage has rusted out i am unable to find out if there was ever a recall on this matter but dont understand why this has not been brought to my attention before this last oil change i am a retiree living on a budget and this has been so hard ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V154000 (Suspension) however, while attempting to leave the dealer after the repair, the vehicle was shifted in drive(D), but the vehicle failed to respond. The contacted stated that the electronic parking brake appeared to be engaged. The contact stated... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2021
The left ball joint (front lower control arm) became squeakier and squeakier until the mechanic said it should be replaced or risk it failing while I drive which could leave me unable to steer/control the car. The mechanic said the dealer ought to cover it since they recalled some of this model year for this same issue on the right side but not all of them. The dealer would not cover replacement.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2022
While driving, left front lower fore link broke. Front wheel became lose in the fender well. Smashing the wheel front and back in the well, whilst pulling the car very hard to the left. Front link completely broken. Inspection shows, two rear links cracked and ready to break . Telsa knows about this in Safety Bulletin SB-17-31-001 . They did not notify us. And additionally refuse to fix it... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
While driving at higher speeds the multiple CT4 vehicles that I have driven share steering issues. While driving straight, there are no issues. If following gentle bends in the highway to the RIGHT, randomly the vehicles will increase the force required to maintain the current ground track. This causes the vehicle to slightly pull away from the desired track to the left. It does NOT occur when ste... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2015) - SUSPENSION
Dec 21, 2022
Incident date: Dec 20, 2022
My 2015 Jetta SE was making noises in the left front end. I was driving when something fell off my vehicle. I was able to stop and pick up the item that fell off. It was part of a coil spring that was from the left front side of my car. The VW dealer replaced the left front coil spring. That was 6 months ago. Recently, I heard a loud bang from under my car and a couple of days later a piece ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2022
Recently experienced the "death wobble" on a high speed highway. My entire car started wobbling and seemed like I lost balance in all 4 wheels. Dealership claimed it was a defective steering wheel damper, in which is the steering stabilizer. This is so dangerous, especially going at a high speed on the freeway. This can potentially cause a huge accident. Please help recall.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2022
While driving on the highway my air suspension fails dropping my front end all the way to the frame stops causing speed wobble and an almost loss of control. After replacing a fuse dude to the compressor failing The very next day the right rear dropped while driving causing unsafe driving conditions. This is the third time in 6mo that this has happened with my truck. My truck is welcome to b... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2022
During a normal service visit it was brought to my attention that the rear suspension coil was broken. They attributed this to normal wear and tear after only 52,000 miles. Upon research it seems this is far more common in 2018 Q5s than it should be this is early.
Incident date: Dec 19, 2022
“Death wobble” violent shaking going 50+ miles per hour.