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
FORD
FUSION HYBRID
(2017) - SUSPENSION
Mar 16, 2022
Incident date: Feb 25, 2022
When I turn right my vehicle made this ugly noise kind of like metal grinding and then it started kind of jerking my gear started switching and buying themselves it turned into neutral and then a warning sign came on and said transmission not in part stop vehicle safely now as I kept driving I stopped the vehicle turn it back on road home and kind of let the car just roll home I turned right again... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
While traveling on a paved roadway at approximately 55 miles per hour, I hit a small bump in the roadway and the steering wheel began shaking violently. This continued until I slowed and came to a near stop.
Incident date: Mar 5, 2022
Front end suspension started making creaking noises, rattles when driving over bumps and holes, steering wheel makes popping sound when turning. Had estimate from Tesla for repair totaling almost $7,000. After doing some research myself this is a common issue with these vehicles from 2012-2018 and some have been repaired at no cost to keep consumers quiet about the issues.
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY
(2017) - SUSPENSION
Mar 16, 2022
Incident date: Mar 14, 2022
Our 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE TDi6 has been to the dealer multiple times since purchased new in 2018. This vehicle has several safety issues. First is the random and repeatable shut down of the ABS, Stability, Automatic Braking, Electric steering, windshield leak causing considerable water penetration. The primary concern is the vehicle will lose communication with the ABS, Airbag, Stability, ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2022
Unknown- I was driving and felt the car wobble but didn’t know what it was, when I got home noticed my back wheels ware sticking out,and I was scare,I had a mechanic look at it in my driveway because I’am afraid to drive it,and the mechanic said that it was rusted and I shouldn’t drive it cause I could cause a accident,I pick up my kids every day from school and I been asking for help pickin... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
(2012) - SUSPENSION
Mar 15, 2022
Incident date: Mar 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. The contact stated while driving at 30-40 MPH, the suspension of the vehicle emitted abnormal metallic sounds intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who lifted the vehicle and diagnosed that an unknown vehicle clamp was lose. The vehicle was repaired; however, the independent mechanic informed the contact that the fue... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2021
Model X 100D makes noise during driving whenever I turned the steering wheel. Took it at Tesla service center for service and concurred the my concern and replaced front upper Arm. The suspension contributed to brand new tires to wear out quickly in less than a year. Driver and passengers windows fails to close after opening regularly, Map navigation and live traffic data does not work properl... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2021
While driving my model X on highway, making quick turns on the power steering wheel felt too stiff in order to avoid car or objects. I took it to Tesla service center for inspection and confirmed the issue with the suspension. The replaced Front suspension, lower -Aft-LH/RH. Parts they replaced, Washer cam, Bolt H cam, Washer, Nordlock, Front suspension AFT link, Nut CLN HEX, NUT HF & adjusted ca... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
I was experiencing very loud noises from the suspension and/or steering while driving and turning. The tires were also wearing excessive and very unevenly. Within 500 miles, the tires went from 2/32nds to completely bald with no signs of tread at all and very chopped. I took the vehicle to Tesla for inspection. They came back with a repair order for $6,171 for suspension parts such as fore link as... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2022
Rear subframe rusted to failure. Vehicle has 143,000 miles. Dealer service manager says the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to the posibility of the rear wheels detaching from the vehicle. This is the third vehicle with the same condition the service department has seen in the last two weeks
Incident date: Feb 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving over a bump in the road at an undisclosed speed, the front suspension was shaking violently. The vehicle experienced the death wobble. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while the vehicle was being inspected by an independent mechanic, she was informed the vehicle was pulling to the left and the transmission fluid needed to be replaced. The contact was informed to contact the Toyota dealer where she bought the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle back to the Toyota dealer, to have the maintenance work comp... Read more
Crash
Fire
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2013) - SUSPENSION
Mar 14, 2022
Incident date: Feb 15, 2022
I bought my c300 Mercedes-Benz in 2013 from the Euro Motorcars dealership in Germantown, MD. On about February 15, I heard some clanking/banging in the rear of my car. I thought it was the rear driver side break. I took the car to my local mechanic and he indicated the rear sub-frame had rusted though and it was banging on the gas tank (see attachments). Very dangerous, I should not drive.
Incident date: Jan 31, 2022
The chassis of my truck is rusting through. I took it to the dealership and was told that the recall for the vehicle chassis expired in 2019. I told them I was not aware of the recall. They then told me the recall was extended until 2021. I told them I brought the vehicle in for a recall repair in 2020 and asked that they check for all recalled repairs. They said they couldn't help me and directed... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
On February 3, 2022, the right front lower control arm bushing was observed to be leaking fluid. This condition was confirmed by a Honda dealer toward the end of the same month. The failed bushing is a defective design that has existed on Pilot vehicles since at least 2009 and persisted in successive models. The fluid-filled elastomeric bushing failure is manifested by loss of fluid which leaves a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2022
Mileage 64000: Vehicle went in for oil change and the mechanic noticed an issue with the differential mounts. The right bolt was corroded and broken leaving that side unsecured. The other bolt was heavily corroded also but still "intact". I had the support bolts, nuts and washers replaced on both sides for safety. These bolts were in a bad condition in relationship to a everything else under the v... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2019
I believe my Toyota frame is rusted. The truck has 56,000 miles. The front wheel has a noticeable problem with the camber - it can not be driven safely.
Incident date: Mar 13, 2022
I have experienced at least 6 incidents with my truck in which it starts violently shaking at highway speeds. In order to stop the shaking, I have had to either slow way down or pull over and stop completely to get the truck to stop shaking. In the most recent incident, there was a semi truck directly behind me and I was barely able to get to the side of the road to avoid being struck from behin... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2022
Driver side fore link failure, driver side suspension collapsed on the tire. The car came to an immediate stop. The car did go up in the air for some time before stopping. Since the driver side fore link failed, Tesla said that they have to change both the fore links.
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Mar 14, 2022
Incident date: Sep 15, 2021
We were driving on a highway and all of a sudden felt/heard a loud bang causing the car to swerve. We slowed down and there was a continuous loud rattling sound. We brought the car to the dealership and they told us the coil springs were fractured. Had to pay for the replacement- $2,825.73. Then we learned that the later models were recalled, but not this one. Then I heard that there was a recall... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2022
Bracket to the sway bar bushing fell off
Incident date: Feb 14, 2020
Having rust issue with my 2005 Honda Element causing steering and handling issues Unsafe to drive per my mechanic This model has been recalled in Canada to address this issue Is there anything investigating ongoing in the USA as this problem is affecting many elements in the USA as well
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2013) - SUSPENSION
Mar 14, 2022
Incident date: Feb 21, 2022
The Rear subframe rusted and broke off, car was not stopping safely.
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2018) - SUSPENSION
Mar 13, 2022
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
Car has 50k miles on it. Around 35k miles I started hearing noises in the suspension. Took it in and my tires are wearing uneven and bubbling. Mechanic told me my shocks are bad. I know there was a recall on some 2018 tiguans for poor welding of shocks. Not sure if there is a bigger problem affecting more tiguans.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
My truck has a front suspension problem, known as "death wobble." I tried to search death wobble on the Ford website, but did not find any results. I was traveling on an interstate highway yesterday, when I encountered some bumps in the road surface. Upon hitting the bumps my truck started to violently shake (oscillate) in the front end and would not stop till the truck went from about 60 mph to 4... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2022
Experienced “death wobble” at 60mph. Vehicle has 22k miles and steering components checked out to be good. This is very unsafe and scary. Steering wheel started shaking violently and had to slow way down, almost to complete stop, to regain control. Thank you
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
SUSPENSION: 2021 Jeep Gladiator - 12,000 Miles: On several occasions at freeway speeds vehicle hits uneven road / bumps and vehicle looses steering control like it jumps off the pavement / shutters over road way with no control: At one point I thought I blew a front tire and did loose some control of vehicle and pulled over to shoulder to scope it out: No tire blew: This is a major concern: My sa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2022
The front end suspension causes the entire front end to shake uncontrollably then travels to bed of the vehicle. It makes the vehicle difficult to control, and we have had to stop or slow to below 40 mph to gain control.
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Mar 13, 2022
Incident date: Mar 7, 2022
The car was brought in for scheduled maintenance and they told me that my rear sub frame rusted out and had snapped. Car is only 7 years old, always garaged, basically a main part rusted out. Mercedes prides itself on durability and safety. There were no warning lights, alarms, nothing. Whenever I braked the rear end of the car would slide to the left and I had to try and adjust accordingly. Pri... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2022
When Echo light on the ban vibrate the mechanic said it's the rear motor mount
Incident date: Feb 25, 2022
Almost caused a accident because coming to a fast braking my wheels were uncontrollable and swerving .
Incident date: Mar 13, 2022
While driving on the interstate near my current jobsite location, I went over a rough surface section of road on a curved exit ramp and my front end began to violently wobble. I have felt it shake a littke on this section of road, but now it has become more violent. This seems to only happen when i hit a bump at higher speeds, but not every time I hit a bump. Maybe 5% of the bumps will cause this ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2022
*Incomplete Recall Status* ***Defect in transfer case*** Complaint of Manufacturer Defect in 2005 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 3.7l v6. While driving at a speed of 30mph on a smooth paved highway and selector switch turned to 2 wheel drive mode; out of nowhere, the transfer case tried to engage 4 High which resulted in SVC 4X4 warning lamp illumination and a loud grinding/stuttering sound from under... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GL450
(2013) - SUSPENSION
Mar 12, 2022
Incident date: Mar 3, 2022
Unknown:The road adaptive tire pressure sensors are off and the air suspension is malfunctions.At the cost of this model I would expected a little more class of safety measures.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2022
Hitch broke off due to ford common frame rot. Frame is rotted from leaf spring shackle and back
Incident date: Jan 22, 2021
The front control arms broke 2 times within the last 2 years from corrosion! No warning lights
Incident date: Feb 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the contact heard a cracking and popping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The sound was heard when the vehicle would slow to make a turn to either the right or the left. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Audi A4. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking space, there was big rock next to the bumper on the front passenger's side of the vehicle and there was a scallop area with stones next to the passenger's side of the vehicle as well. The contact stated that she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the scallop area and the vehicle was stuck between the... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 25, 2021
Unknown engine runs really poor at idle I was ac is and is really loud transmission jerks and spark plugs replaced
Incident date: Mar 8, 2022
Driver had uneasy feeling with stability of vehicle as if it was swaying. He got it looked at and was told he probably needed lower control arm and links to take care of the problem. After ordering parts, the vehicle, while driving to work, a loud popping sound was heard and then the vehicle dropped down and had to be towed home (thank God this didn't happen on the expressway). I then looked up an... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2022
MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND ALL THE CAPOMINTES ARE ALSO. I CANT CHANGE ANYTHING PUT BECAUSE OF IT. MY LEAF SPRINGS ARE SHOT WHERE THEY ARE MOUNTED TO THE FRAME. IS WEAKING WHICH IS MOVING MY BACK AXLE OFF BALANCE. MY FRONT AILMENT IS COMPLETELY OFF. I AND DREAK ANYTHING LOSE TO FIX THE ISSUE'S. IT FEELS LIKE THEY COMPLETELY FORGOT TO SPRAY MY FRAME ON MY TRUCK
Incident date: Mar 11, 2022
2014 Cadillac CTS rear differential with 55,000 miles started to make a wobbling noise going past 10 mph. Went to third party mechanic and was shown metal shavings coming from rear end
Incident date: Mar 10, 2022
2013 PORSCHE BOXTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUE WITH CONTROL ARM MOUNTS ON REAR SUSPENSION. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL 21V-679. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE.
AMERICAN HAULER
SILVER HAWK
(2022) - SUSPENSION
Mar 10, 2022
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
Trailer was purchased new and after unfavorable towing conditions, was inspected and found to have mis matched axles with differing installed heights resulting in inability to distribute weight properly and tow safely.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2022
I have been experiencing a light oscillation of the steering wheel when hitting expansion joints and bumps in the road at highway speeds (50-75 MPH). Today when I hit the same expansion joint/ bump, my steering wheel oscillated violently, the truck shook violently and the brakes were not very effective in slowing the truck. This lasted about 3 to 5 seconds. I was travelling about 70 MPH when this ... Read more
JAYCO TRAVEL TRAILER
JAY FLIGHT
(2021) - SUSPENSION
Mar 10, 2022
Incident date: Feb 10, 2022
We have experienced an axle failure on our 2021 Jayco Travel Trailer. The trailer has never been over GVW. After a month of discussion with Lippert/Jayco they are unwilling to correct the following issue. Lippert's axle sticker (photo attached) states the Static Load Radius as measured is 11.9" & not to exceed this rating by more than 10%. The Baja Edition option as built by Jayco comes with 16" w... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle would violently shake and vibrate while driving over bumps in the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the front shock absorbers and rotated the tires however, the failure persisted. The cause of the failure was not yet repaired. The manufacturer w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front-end of the vehicle would lower and the front end was unstable. In addition, the check engine warning light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was also consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The engine fan had failed and the transmission was faulty. No further information was availa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
If I go around 50 mph my truck shakes very badly.