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: Jun 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while his son was driving on the highway, the accelerator pedal was slightly released; however, the vehicle stopped instantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to drive to his destination safely. The vehicle was towed to the contact's workplace. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to b... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2022
Above 60 mph if my truck hits even the smallest pavement imperfection or small pot hole my truck will begin to vibrate uncontrollably. The vibration will continue until I slow below 50 and the vibration will go away. Watching videos on the internet, they refer to it as "Death Wobble". VERY dangerous situation and I will not allow anyone to drive my truck but me.
Incident date: May 5, 2021
The engine cradle is rooting out from the AC unit is draining on it and it about to brake because of the way Honda did it I hope the recall is made on it
Incident date: Jun 25, 2022
I was traveling on HWY 98 in Florida, headed home to Austin, TX from vacationing. I was with my wife and three young children. I stopped at a stop light, and when I went to reaccelerate, the car lurched. I pulled over and discovered I could barely turn and the suspension was making a terrible sound. I was able to maneuver into a parking lot and determined that my front driver's side fore link ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2022
Squeaking suspension not allowing for a safe drive.
Incident date: Jun 27, 2022
I am now trying, for the third time, to have Jeep dealership resolve a classic symptom of "The Death Wobble" that has manifested for the last year with our under 20,000 mile vehicle. Two hours ago, I encounter a sever episode of a recurring issue with my 2021 Jeep. At speeds above 50mph, the Jeep's front-end will begin to shake violently after crossing the leading edge of a a bridge on the Flori... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2010) - SUSPENSION
Jun 27, 2022
Incident date: May 28, 2022
The rear suspension cross member has rusted out on both sides. The rear wheels turn during braking, causing the vehicle to swerve. This is a original materials defect or design flaw.
Incident date: Jun 27, 2022
IMPRESSIVE HANDLING AT THE STEERING WHEEL, LOTS OF PLAY AT THE STEERING WHEEL
Incident date: Jun 27, 2022
When the vehicle is traveling over a certain speed and hits bumps or uneven road it loses control of the steering wheel.
DODGE
CHALLENGER
(2012) - SUSPENSION
Jun 27, 2022
Incident date: May 1, 2021
2012 Challenger SRT8 TIPM is this issue and there is no recall for this, while it should due to being a major part of the electrical system that controls all aspects of the safety system. Also now I am being told Dodge does NOT make this part any longer....how is that possible. This IS a recall for other Dodge models, why not mine
Incident date: Jun 22, 2022
I was driving at 25 MPH when I heard and felt a clunk. The car drove strangely and each small bump in the road was noisy. I pulled over and did not see anything obvious. I put on my flashers and drove the car to my mechanic. He discovered a broken rear wheel control arm. He said I was lucky this happened at a low speed rate. Nissan has refused and coverage. I was told by my mechanic that this is ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2013) - SUSPENSION
Jun 27, 2022
Incident date: Jun 27, 2022
Vehicle inspection during oil change has revealed that the vehicle has a broken rear subframe. Apparently this is a common problem in Mercedes C300 vehicles, which are subject to recall for this issue in Germany and Canada. Vehicle report here (with video of broken subframe): https://xoxocar.com/inspection.aspx?inspectionid=9e225031-77b5-4304-8ec1-a10c859b90f0&print=true
Incident date: May 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH on the expressway, the vehicle drove over a bump on the roadway and the vehicle and the steering wheel started shaking violently. The contact depressed the brake pedal and veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred three times while driving over bumps on the roadway the same day. The con... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2019
1. The component/system that failed, malfunctioned, or is defective is unknown. The clinking/rattling noise appears to be coming from the cabin and the right side of the vehicle. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. My safety is put at risk each time I drive the vehicle. The noise sounds like a loose component or system; consumer does not feel comfortable driving the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2022
On June 24, 2022 I was driving my vehicle on 435N to work. My steering wheel jerked to the left and started spinning out of control. I was driving at 60mph in the inside lane. When my steering jerked it caused me to turn headfirst into the inside wall. I proceeded to spin out of control across 3 lanes of rush hour traffic, clipping a second vehicle, before smashing into the outside wall and then r... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 1, 2022
This vehicle has been repaired numerous times for death wobble. JEEP tells me their are no recalls for this..I have replaced nearly every suspension part to try to correct this..and every time it stops for 6 months and comes back.
Incident date: Jun 16, 2022
My vehicle violently shakes when hitting even the most minute bump in the road, known to some as the "death wobble." I took it to the dealership to inspect and Ford will not fix it, unless I pay. It is a safety issue and in the last month, I've had four instances where I have stopped traffic behind me while the truck was shaking and it literally bounced its way into another lane. I am a service me... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Jun 26, 2022
Incident date: Jun 24, 2022
It increased speed, then tried to break and the breaks locked up, then I tried to move to not hit the car in front of me and the whole front passenger side control arm snapped off causing me to loose a tire.
Crash
Incident date: Nov 18, 2021
Hey my name is [XXX] I recently took my Chevy impala for repairs they told me I need more repairs done I’m like cool my bottom of my car is rusted n my struts are bad n my oil pump n other stuff is not working as well I’m when I gave Chevy a call ball they took my they manager not to bring the car back I’m kinda upset bout this whole thing idk cause they had to fix my head gasket for free bu... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jun 26, 2022
When hitting bumps around 50 mph the vehicle front end begins to shake violently and a sudden slow down or stop is required.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSB
(2019) - SUSPENSION
Jun 26, 2022
Incident date: Jun 18, 2022
While riding at highway speed in the left lane the motorcycle began to lose power, proceeded by a loud grinding sound coming from the engine. After finding a way out of a life threatening situation I exited the highway and towed the bike home. It appears that no oil was getting to the top of the engine causing the engine failure at high speed.
FOREST RIVER
CHEROKEE
(2021) - SUSPENSION
Jun 25, 2022
Incident date: Jun 25, 2022
No current incidents that I'm aware of. Landing gear on the 5th wheel isn't designed for this heavy trailer. There is a potential for someone to be seriously hurt, or killed if they have to resort to using bottle Jack's to lift trailer. Also the suspension is very weak, and i believe could break, and cause a major accident...
Incident date: Jun 25, 2022
Make a right turn into a parking and the drivers front wheel popped off. The car was undriveable and it separated the front and side fenders. If this happen on the expressway someone who be badly injured
Incident date: Jun 19, 2022
Spring coil on strut broke off on passengers side of car. Sliced tired while driving. A couple years after getting that side repaired same exact thing happened on the driver's side.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
the rear subframe is rusted all the way through from the inside out. I work at Toyota Motors Manufacturing Indiana and I happen to work in the are that builds subframes for siennas and highlanders if toyota had a known issue such as this with such a safety concern there would for sure be a recall. This was discovered from a knocking noise in the rear of the vehicle we elevated the rear and remove... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2022
While driving on freeway at 65 mph the truck began to shake violently. Slowed down to 40 mph and shaking eventually stopped. Extremely hard to steer vehicle during the shaking.
Incident date: May 25, 2022
Driving 75 mph on the interstate and truck steering wheel and entire front end started to shake uncontrollably and almost pulled me into the other lane where another vehicle was. Would continue to shake until the vehicle speed would get below 45 mph. Has happened numerous times. Started doing this May 25, 2022. 84k miles on the truck
Incident date: May 17, 2022
Anti-Skid light on, Hill Start Assist Not Available Light on and Cruise Control inoperable. Come to a stop, turn engine off. Restart engine, Anti-Skid light still on, drive away and within 100 yards Skid light will turn off and cruise control will work. Within 5 miles Anti- Skid light back on and cruise control cuts out. Repeat procedure again. Same results. At times, no problem for 150 miles. At ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2022
While breaking quickly due to another group of vehicles suddenly breaking, my truck began to shake violently similar to symptoms noted in the repeated reports concerning death wobble. My tires have less than 10,000 miles and the truck has had the alignment checked in the last 12 months. It is important to note that the steering shook so violently that it came out of my hands. This could have cau... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2019
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving approximately 3 MPH, there was a failure with the transmission and loss of power steering assist. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed. The contact also stated that the rear axle and suspension warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Georgetown constructed on a 2020 Ford F53 chassis. The contact stated that the weight of the motorhome was falsely advertised and that the motorhome was over the weight limit for the chassis it was built. The contact stated that the motorhome OCCC (Occupant Carrying Capacity Certificate) advertised for the motorhome was 19,208; however, the contact weighed the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2022
At 135,000 miles, this car should not have transmission failure. The Constant Variable Transmission is defective and should be eligible for recall.
FOREST RIVER
SURVEYOR
(2019) - SUSPENSION
Jun 23, 2022
Incident date: Jun 12, 2022
Brake drum assembly and wheel fell off my RV on a smooth highway because Lippert did not install a locking cotter pin. Lippert denied the warranty claim, stating it was a bearing failure. Further, the shower drain and outdoor kitchen drains were broken and Forest River has a recall on them. The tires on the 2019 we dated 012018 and all blew out in 2021. The tires are 6-lug but the spare was a 5-lu... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2013) - SUSPENSION
Jun 23, 2022
Incident date: Jun 23, 2022
My rear subframe is rotting out. This was found at a Mercedes dealer while they were performing a normal scheduled service. They quoted a price to replace the subframe at $3400. It has chewed up my right rear tire and they suggested I replace all four tires at a cost of $1275
Incident date: Jun 22, 2022
Rear toe links loose makes my car feel like I don’t have control when steering. Took the car in for repair they had to be replaced.
TOYOTA
REDUNDANT SIENNA
(2021) - SUSPENSION
Jun 22, 2022
Incident date: May 18, 2022
While driving approximately 70 MPH the vehicle tends to "float" or wanted to change lanes on me. The vehicle would jerk to the left or to the right requiring corrective action on my part. At first I attributed the problem to the windy conditions, but later decided the wind was not the cause. It appears that when driving less than 40 MPH, there is no problem. This problem continued for my entir... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2022
I experience extreme shaking of the steering wheel when traveling in the freeway and hitting a small imperfection on the road causing the care to shake and the steering wheel to vibrate violently to the point i have slow down abruptly from 70MPH to under 50MPH. Took the Jeep to have it check after a day the dealer was not able to reproduce the issue, advised them of the speed that it happens at a... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2021
It is unknown what caused this issue but ever since I bought my vehicle on April 5, 2021, I have been experiencing vibration issues when driving between 65-75 MPH. I have had my vehicle inspected at multiple Volvo Service Centers across Texas and no one can seem to figure out what is causing the vibration issues. My front rotors have been replaced 3 TIMES, my rear rotors have been replaced once, I... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Jun 22, 2022
Incident date: Jun 22, 2022
My 2014 Mercedes C300 4matic currently has a rusted through rear subframe. I know this has been reported to your Bureau numerous times by various people. This affects all 2008-2014 C Class and E Class Mercedes (as I used to work for a Mercedes dealer). Mercedes is trying to avoid liability at the sheer cost and man hours required to replace these parts. This is a MAJOR safety hazard, and has c... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2009) - SUSPENSION
Jun 22, 2022
Incident date: Dec 1, 2020
Rear subframe rusted through near connection with control arm. This left the rear wheel connected to the rest of the car only through an axle and sway bar. This is a very common issue on these vehicles, and was remedied through the replacement of the subframe.
Incident date: Apr 26, 2022
Truck has only 93,000 miles after 19 years. Housed in a garage. Gets undercoat wash mid-winter and post-winter. yet frame severely rusted out to the point that vehicle can't be loaded or tow 3,500 lb boat/trailer.
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2013) - SUSPENSION
Jun 21, 2022
Incident date: Jun 13, 2022
Car with just 130,000 miles needs significant subframe and related parts replaced. There are countless discussion boards of similar failures across Mercedes Benz car lines. The estimated cost of repairs at the dealership exceeds $5000 just for subframe work. When braking the car veers to the left and the right end tries to swing around. Again, this is noted on multiple discussion board. MB has c... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
ML350
(2015) - SUSPENSION
Jun 21, 2022
Incident date: Jun 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, she noticed an unknown fluid leaking from the vehicle. Over time, the contact noticed that an unknown pink fluid had also started to leak form the vehicle. On one occasion while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate with an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle. The... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2015
Death Wabble. Truck uncontrollably shakes in the front end while driving on the highway over 50mph. Extremely scary. It seems like the truck may flip over. Reducing speed below 25mph is the only way to stop it from shaking. Cannot apply brakes while shaking because the truck shakes even more. Allowing the truck to reduce speed on its own is the only safe option.
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER SPORT
(2015) - SUSPENSION
Jun 21, 2022
Incident date: May 20, 2022
Car has several problems with the transmission causing many safety concerns. Riff shifting and loss of power when trying to move car sometimes. Very dangerous condition having it towed to mitchabichi dealer..
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Jun 20, 2022
Incident date: Apr 11, 2022
The air ride suspension failed and is available for inspection. The "Service Air Suspension Immediately" notification appeared while driving. The problem has been confirmed by Stellantis dealership. The components were inspected by the manufacturer and insurance. There was not an indication of failure prior to failing. Stellantis technician claims the air suspension experienced an electrical failu... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2022
I was traveling down an interstate (60 mph)and hit a bump in the road. The vehicle and steering wheel started to shake violently. I had to abruptly apply my brakes to reduce my speed to 30MPH to regain control of my vehicle. All this while towing a 36 Feet long camper. This happened 3 times within a 10 mile distance.
Incident date: Apr 16, 2019
4/2019 at 34,038 miles front drivers side spring broke while backing out of driveway. It was towed to dealer and repaired. A day or two later after driving from NY to NC the passenger side spring broke. Again car was towed to dealer. Parts were back ordered and car was in shop for approximately 2+ months before it was finally repaired. Was told it was faulty materials. Was fixed under warranty. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2022
Sunday 06/12/2022: Driving south in the center lane on I-65 near Shepherdsville, Kentucky, the front end of my truck began shaking uncontrollably. I had to fight to maintain control of my truck as I attempted to decelerate and steer towards the shoulder. The shaking lasted approximately 15 seconds before I could safely get to the shoulder, and numerous cars has to brake rapidly and swerved to mis... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2022
I took my explorer on June 7, 2022 and had toe link replaced due to recall. We were heading on vacation in it on June 11 and almost wrecked. We took to a garage and we’re told the wrong toe link was put on it because there are no adjustments on it to line it up. On a wet road and when you hit a bump the back end of the explorer wants to slide around. We ruined our tires driving it. It ate the ti... Read more