Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,192,899 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 137,559 crashes, 55,854 fires, and 8,555 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 2,192,899 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 48,099 complaints — component: SUSPENSION
Incident date: Jul 4, 2020
The steering wheel shakes violently . It occurs at above 50MPH. The steering wheel can not be held or the vehicle controlled. You have to slow to almost a stop to regain control of the wheel and ultimately the vehicle. The shacking was very subtle to begin with but now it is getting more violent as time goes on.
Incident date: Dec 16, 2021
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V328000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, vibration sounds were heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. The local dealer, All American Ford of Paramus (375 NJ-17, Paramus, NJ 07652) and Mahw... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2021
While driving my 2008 CRV this morning, the right rear wheel became disengaged from the frame rail. When I had it towed to a local garage, the mechanic took one look and said that corrosion had allowed the rear control arm bolt to rust through and that is could probably not be repaired. We went to his computer and punched in recall information for my car. He said that there had been a recall for t... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2008) — SUSPENSION
Dec 16, 2021
Incident date: Sep 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a grinding sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the tie rod end and ball joints replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2021
While driving on the highway at 83 mph (80 mph posted speed limit), my 2019 Ford F250 began to violently "wobble" and vibrate to the extent it was quite difficult to control the vehicle. I was in the far left lane and had to brake and maneuver through high speed traffic to get to the shoulder to stop. The violent wobbling did not reside until I was almost to a complete stop.
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2018) — SUSPENSION
Dec 15, 2021
Incident date: May 24, 2021
VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHAKES AT ALL SPEEDS. DEALER BLAMED TIRES, I HAD NEW TIRES INSTALLED, STILL SHAKING. DEALER SAYS "NO PROBLEM FOUND, OPERATING AS DESIGNED" TRUCK IS A NUISANCE TO DRIVE, SHAKING BADLY
Incident date: Dec 12, 2021
Traveling on i90 at 70 mph hit a slight bump in the road and the steering wheel started vibrating violently to the point I couldn't control the truck. My life flashed before me!!! Luckily traffic seen what had happened and back off. Truck is at fugate ford at this time.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2021
Frame and rear passenger control arm bracket, rotted out .only there, 2 nd time this has happened, same spot but on my previous 2001 4runner
Incident date: Dec 15, 2021
We were driving on a highway at about 70 mph when the front of the vehicle began to violently shake as if we blew a tire. We slowed down to about 40 and the shaking abruptly stopped. This is not the first or even the second incident. No one seems to know what causes it or how to fix it.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2021
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear passenger side. The contact looked in the rearview mirror and saw sparks coming from the rear passenger side. The contact pulled over, and upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear passenger's side tire was inward and the cross member was ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 15, 2021
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the vehicle made screeching sounds. The contact saw smoke and detected a burning odor. The vehicle then stalled. The contact was able to pull over and park the vehicle in a parking lot, where it remained. The contact's boyfriend inspected the vehicle and related the failure to the rear axle. The vehicle was not... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle felt like it had a flat tire or low tire pressure. Upon inspection, the contact noticed the rear passenger's side strut had detached and was sticking up inside of the trunk. The vehicle was taken to three independent mechanics and diagnosed that the rear passenger's side strut was faulty, or the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2021
Picked up vehicle and heard several bangs from the right front wheel assembly The vehicle was driven from The manufacture in Forest City Iowa to the dealer in West Chester PA A mounting bolt for the hub sheared. The bolt part hit the rotor and punctured same thus causing the remaining bolts to strip and come loose Dealer appears to have never inspected vehicle as per Pennsylvania law and the p... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2021
This is the 3rd time this happened to me. The first time I was driving around 55 and the truck started to shake so bad I could not actually hold onto the steering wheel, and I made it to the side of the road. I thought was a flat tire and I pulled over to find nothing wrong. The second was bad as it shook so violently, I was unable to make it to the side of the road, so I hit the brakes in the m... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2021
Driving westbound on I-10 east of Houston Texas, near Beltway 8. I was in the left lane. I apparently hit a small bump in the road. My truck instantly began to become impossible to control. My steering wheel was shaking back and forth uncontrollably. My entire truck was shaking, almost like it was having a seizure. It was almost violent. I tried to hold control of the wheel, while trying to ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2021
The left front lower control arm came loose while I was getting out of my garage. The vehicle immediately became undrivable.
TOYOTA
FJ CRUISER
(2013) — SUSPENSION
Dec 14, 2021
Incident date: Dec 14, 2021
Frame rust. Gas tank strap rust. Undercarriage rusted.
Incident date: Dec 14, 2021
Hello, I have a 2020 Hyundai Elantra [XXX] Vin. The car has a major problem with the steering and suspension at speeds over 45 mph. I am talking with [XXX] at this time after dialing [XXX] at Hyundai cust care (case #[XXX]). She told me she is on the West Side location. I asked where is that and she stated she is unable to let me know where. The car does not hold the road and the su... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2019
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hit a pothole and the front-end shook uncontrollably until coming to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with an unknown front-end failure. Several unknown front-end parts needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was called the... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2021
I was driving on the freeway (75mph) and my truck went into a death wobble. The whole truck was shaking like all 4 tires went flat. I immediately tried to slow the vehicle down and pull over. Luckily there was no traffic and I did not cause an accident. Once the vehicle slowed down to about 20mph it smoothed out and no longer wobbled. This happened on the 16th of November and hasn't happened si... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2021
2016 Tahoe with 57,000 miles. All 4 of the shocks are locked up. The truck bumps very hard with no give making control at high speeds dangerous. This problem is known to Chevrolet if you look at the reviews but nothing is done to recall or fix. Instead they expect the customer to discover it and pay $4,000 to replace. I discovered because of bad situation on the highway. Are they going to wait unt... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2021
While backing out of a parking space turning the steering I felt the car lurch and then heard a grinding noise from the left front tire area. Car was un-driveable and the front wheel moved forward and backward in the wheel well causing the tire to rub.
Incident date: Dec 14, 2021
A common, but irregular violent shaking of the steering after I go over a bump in the road of come off an overpass. Sometimes it happens once in a week, sometimes it will happen 2 times in 2 miles. The problem doesn't occur under 45 MPH. It is so dangerous that I don't want anyone driving my truck except me, in case this happens again. Very scary. Very dangerous.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2020
This vehicle has been in an accident with damage exceeded $5000.00 (I have a Ford Dealerships estimate to prove damage on the vehicle has not been eepaired nor reported) Again, substantial, front drivers side, hood, wheel, breakline, door and underbody damage occurred to this vehicle. It was never reported to Carfax nor any online reporting agency. This vehicle is being resold with a 'clean' carfa... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 10, 2021
at 70mph or higher driving over rough highway transition joints will cause steering wheel and entire car to shake violently until slowing down to 60 mph
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2011) — SUSPENSION
Dec 13, 2021
Incident date: Nov 23, 2021
Rear subframe failure of left lower control arm mount bracket at weld that rusts prematurely from improper treatment at time of manufacturing After failure while braking at low speed 10mph rear end of vehicle fish tails left and front end of vehicle moves right There are numerous reports around the world with this specific model and identical safety hazard on the left side of vehicle in almos... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2021
Slowly crossed railroad tracks ball joint came disconnected forcing disconnection of the front drive shaft
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
I bought Model X in 2017. Soon the suspension system failed and they had to replace the whole system. Again in Dec,2021 the whole system failed. I was given a quote for $5000 for replacing the compressor and the suspension. When they replaced the whole system back in 2019 I told them the car doesn't seem fine with suspension but they said they will extend the warranty if anything happens to it. B... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2021
9/28 Took vehicle into shop to get wheel alignment done, but was told frame was too rusty and to call Toyota because they had a frame recall. 10/15 gas tank strap & bolt rusted off, gas tank is hanging low. 11/19 bolts are coming through truckbed. 12/13 called Toyota about frame rust and the frame rust warranty being extended to 15 years.
Incident date: Dec 10, 2021
While driving my 2019 F250 (which has just over 6,000 total miles on it at this time) at highway speed towing an empty trailer (which I have had for several years and towed with several vehicles before) the truck started shaking violently! I could hardly control it and had to dramatically slow way down to get the violent shaking to stop. This happened 4 times on two trips in the last couple weeks... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2021
The contact's wife leased a 2018 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at 60-62 MPH, she heard abnormal clinking sounds and the vehicle lost suspension and inadvertently turned to the right. The contact stated that as she quickly steered the steering wheel to the left, the vehicle spun out three times. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road and exited the vehicle to de... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2011) — SUSPENSION
Dec 13, 2021
Incident date: Dec 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact son stated while driving at various speeds, the rear of the vehicle would sway while braking. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with needing the subframe to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
Passenger side strut insulator is cracked
Incident date: Dec 4, 2021
Driving at posted limit on I55, left front hit small bump in road and front end shook violently for about 20-30 seconds. Steering damper replaced 5 days later, per TSB 21-2173, but no root cause indicated. Concern that this may lead to injury until fully repaired.
Incident date: Oct 7, 2021
The rear subframe of my 2010 Nissan Murano completely rusted out prematurely and broke when I was driving on a highway. I could not control the car. I almost crashed. The left wheel folded under the car. I had to have the car towed to the repair shop. The car was put on a lift. The rest of the metal on the under carriage is only mildly rusted. The rear subframe, however, is totally rusted out. I c... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2021
Front right suspension lower forelink sheered apart while backing out of a parking space.
Incident date: Dec 6, 2021
16,000 miles . Experienced a significant shaking wobble after hitting rough patch on bridge at 70 mph. Had to slow almost to a stop for it to subside. Has happened 2 more times in last week. Very scary and dangerous. Someone will die because of this.
FORD
FUSION HYBRID
(2017) — SUSPENSION
Dec 12, 2021
Incident date: Nov 3, 2021
TIE RODS, OUTTER AND INNER TIE ROD THREADS WHERE STRIPPED FROM FORD MOTOR CO. CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. TIE ROD SEPARATED WITH OUT WARNING WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE NEARLY CAUSING A ACCIDENT AT SPEEDS OF 55MPH+
Incident date: Dec 12, 2021
rear subframe front right portion rusted through this is a connecting point to the body and a connecting point for The control rod that keeps the wheel from moving forward and back teaming the car unsafe to drive as the wheel can turn inward or outward at will causing car to change directions on its own possible throwing one into ditch or into oncoming traffic major safety problem request Nissan t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2020
Hit a pot hole, at 65 mph with the front wheel. The hole truck started shacking violently, and I about loss control. I stood on the brakes, and vibrated into the emergency lane. The whole truck stopped shacking below 45 mph. And was fine coming back up to speed, until I hit another pot hole. Please watch YouTube ford death wobble, ford states there is no problem.
OLDSMOBILE
BRAVADA
(2004) — SUSPENSION
Dec 11, 2021
Incident date: Nov 17, 2021
Brakes system keeps malfunctioning. Service brake system.notice keeps coming on dash even after new brakes had been put on and serviced. Had to do a last mo.ent quick stop but brakes went to floor amd I hit a car head on cause brake system keeps malfunctioning and the ABS
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Nov 6, 2021
I am writing you in regards to NHTSA # 20V-072, Ford Recall # 20S04. I own a 2012 Ford Flex. It was not included in this recall. The recall included Ford Flex years 2013 through 2018. Though my SUV wasn’t included in the recall for the defective toe links, my SUV’s toe links were found to be defective on June 1, 2015 at Taylor Ford in Michigan. At that time my vehicle had 56,071 miles on ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 17, 2021
THE WHOLE CONTROL ARM BROKE AND THE CAR ONLY HAD 44 000 MILES ON IT HAD TO REPLACE IT AND THE RADIATOR CRACKED TOO WITH SO MANY LITTLE MILES CONTACTED SUBARU NO ANSWER THEY WONT EVEN REIMBURSE ME PAID OVER 2 GRAN TO FIX IT VERY UNRELIABLE CAR
Incident date: Dec 4, 2021
Two days in a row while driving 80 miles an hour on I-15, I drove over a rough spot in the road and the truck (steering wheel) immediately began wobbling violently and did not stop until I slowed down to about 20 miles per hour. Vehicles behind me had to switch lanes to over my truck. I took the truck to the local Ford dealer and reported the issue. They said this has been an avoid me as I quick... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2021
Lower passenger front ball joint corroded and broke in half. Luckily this happened backing out of a parking space . Somehow this vin does not show on the F23 RECALL???
Incident date: Oct 10, 2021
my car is 7 years old but has only 57,000 miles on it. i had an older car so used that most of the time and saved this car. i have had endless problems with this car with its electrical system, the headlights go out all of the time and now the undercarriage is costing me alot of repair costs. dont know if i am being ripped off because i am a female senior citizen or the car is really fallingj apar... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, he heard an abnormal sound. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated when exiting the vehicle, he noticed that the rear driver’s side tire was slanted. The contact stated while inspecting under the vehicle, he noticed the rear lower control arm was disengaged. The vehicle was not d... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, he heard abnormal banging sounds coming from the rear of the vehicle and the vehicle was shuddering violently. The contact veered to the side of the road and exited the vehicle to determine the cause of the failure. The contact noticed that the rear tires had moved forward and were close to the wheel well. The vehicle w... Read more