Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 48,554 complaints — component: SUSPENSION
Incident date: Jun 15, 2021
While driving on a residential street during daylight hours, on a clear day at approximately 20 miles per hour the right wheel on my car dislodged. This caused me to lose control of steering the vehicle and strike a parked car. There were people walking about on the sidewalk at the time and other cars traveling. When I exited the car I saw that the passenger side was completely on the ground... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 7, 2021
This vehicle suffers from the Ford death wobble on the freeway when driving with the flow of traffic. We were traveling south on I-5 and hit some bumps on the road which began the process of the whole truck shaking. The steering wheel went out of control and the whole body was visibly shaking. There were no accidents but we had to pull off the freeway and stop the vehicle. I have a video of the in... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2021
The right Front Lower Control Arm broke off. When I applied the break (abruptly) at the light ( driving speed ~35mph and the street was wet), the front right wheel was bouncing and making a weird noise. I managed to drive home and found out that the control arm has broken off. I did some research and realized that this is a common problem with Tesla vehicles. I am wondering if this is a recall ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2021
The death wobble is back. The Ford dealership where I purchased it conducted an inspection 11/1/21. They identified front-end issues not covered under the previous death wobble fix. I’ve owned three previous trucks with no violent shaking issues while driving. This should be fix by Ford!
Incident date: Nov 6, 2021
Front end began shaking violently at 70mph after going over a rough bumpy patch. Pulled over checked lug nuts (all tight). Started driving and happened again at about 60mph, very violent front end movement again with a series of small bumps. Got off turnpike and drove slow with no issues. Was able to recreate the wobble a third time at about 60mph in a safe area. Going straight each time. Vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2021
My 2018 x5 had the rear driver side air bag suspension give out where makes the ride very bouncy and hard pound on the uneven roads where makes you lose control of the vehicle and possibly have an incident. Came across a few more X5 owners with the same issue and hasn’t been a recall for these years 14-18. Suspension air seems to just give out under 60,000 miles on many people I have talk to alo... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2012
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while her grandmother was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle began to shake forcefully. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to drive to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact stated she also experienced the failure on 2013. The contact took the vehicle to t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2021
2012 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR TOE LINK SUSPENSION SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAFETY RECALL FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER AS THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE PARTS AND HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS DENIED FOR U... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac SRX. The contact initially received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. After receiving the letter, the contact noticed that abnormal rattling noise was coming from the vehicle with the service engine warning light illuminated. The contact then received a second notice for... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2021
For the 3rd time in the last 3 years the control arm has had to be replaced on this vehicle! I have been driving with my children in the car when the control arm snapped and made my car un drivable ! There was no warning lamp!
Incident date: Nov 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at 8 MPH, the driver’s side rear wheel assembly detached from the vehicle without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to his home. Upon inspection, the contact discovered severe corrosion on the frame of the vehicle which he linked to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notifie... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2021
The contact owns a 2007 Ram 1500. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 70 MPH, the driver’s side front wheel suddenly separated from the vehicle causing the driver to nearly loses control of the vehicle before eventually stopping the vehicle. During the incident, no injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. Upon inspectio... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2021
The Front And Rear Cross Members have severe Corrosion. These components are available for inspection upon request. The front cross member has a corrosion hole through an entire section. in addition to severe corrosion through out. The rear cross member had corroded to the point of failure while the vehicle was being operated. This resulted in the drivers’ side lower control arm to break away... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2021
The frame rusted and at least two parts of the frame rusted through. Informed by the mechanic upon state inspection. On or around October 18, 2021
Incident date: Nov 4, 2021
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the contact stated that the front suspension detached from the vehicle. The contact called the police as he waited for a tow truck to assist because the vehicle was stopped in the middle of traffic. Once the tow truck arrived, the vehicle was towed to the contact's home. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 - 35 MPH, a loud bang noise was heard, then the front passenger’s side tire kicked back and damaged the wheel. Upon inspection, the contact saw that the front passenger’s side control arm was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2021
I'm told by the MEN..."DEATH WOBBLE"!! 2016 Ford 350 Platinum At a certain speed and with a bump in the road, FEELS LIKE THE TIRES ARE GOING TO GO FLYING OFF!! I had to get myself together fast, slow down, and get a better control of the steering! Oh man, the accident it could have caused being next to semis and the every day people driving their vehicles!! This could of caused a BAD accident on... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2021
While driving several time at highway speed about 50-55mph I hit a bump and my truck goes into a violent shake. The steering wheel shakes and about lose control of the very heavy truck. I have asked the dealer to look at it next week. They said it was known as the "Death Wobble". My truck was shaking so bad I thought something had broke and I was going to wreak. I ask if this was under a reca... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
The issue involves front and rear subframes and trailing arms. Bought a used 2007 Dodge caliber with 127,000 mi on it. Upon further inspection found the front and the rear subframes to be rusted beyond safe operation. After inspecting those found out rear trailing arms are in the exact same condition unsafe for the road. Replaced the front suspension at my cost. Doing the same for the rear. If not... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2021
The contact's son-in-law owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was no... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2021
Truck starts violently shaking and hard to control after hitting bumps and have to come to almost a complete stop to make it stop
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac SRX. The contact initially received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact then received notification that parts were available and the contact was informed by the dealer that the parts wo... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while making a right turn and accelerating at 30 MPH, the vehicle started swaying inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle with a suspension failure. The dealer repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 2... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2013) — SUSPENSION
Nov 4, 2021
Incident date: Nov 4, 2021
Mercedes C300 2013, bought used in 2014 at approximately 7300 miles on the odometer, have always done the repairs and maintenances at Mercedes dealerships. In either late 2019 or early 2020 at around $50,000 miles on the odometer, the dealer informed me that the "rear sub frame is rusted and has hole in it" and recommend for the replacement of the rear sub frame, they even refused to pass my state... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2021
Vehicle was WB on I94 in Minneapolis when the rear toe link fractured causing loss of steering control and a crash. The driver and injured party is [XXX]. I am his attorney. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 5, 2021
The contact leased a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the front end and rear end of the vehicle wobbled while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer who diagnosed that no alignment issues were found. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failur... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the service Stabili-trac and traction control warnings were displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle also failed to start and was towed to the dealer. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The contact stated that her husband replaced the camshaft sensor. The contact stated tha... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
I was driving north on US 521 between Sumter and Rembert, South Carolina. Without warning, my vehicle began to violently shake. I held on tightly to the steering wheel as it was almost uncontrollable. It was an extremely scary situation as I could hardly maintain control among passing cars and a narrow road shoulder. I braked slowly, pulled partially off the road (extremely narrow shoulder aft... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2021
Vehicle has engine failure at 156600mi. Bearings and axle are worn out which caused the engine to go into limp mode (code P1326). Car is accelerating poorly and does not oprate over 60mph. Vehicle required a new engine. Dutch Miller of Charlotte Kia, 7725 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC ensured that engine would be brand new. However, the engine was used, and obtained at LKQ costing $3600. Total cost fo... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while her son was driving and approaching a stop sign, he heard an abnormal noise which caused him to lose control of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2021
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon the depression of the accelerator pedal, the front passenger’s side subframe collapsed without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that severe corrosion on the passenger’s side subframe had caused the collapse. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer h... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2021
The contact's significant other owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he was informed that the front passenger’s side subframe was severely corroded. The independent mechanic informed him to no longer drive the vehicle due to the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. T... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that an abnormal squeaking noise would emit from the brakes as the 4-wheel drive and tire pressure warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who discovered severe corrosion was on the entire subframe, but mostly on the front end of the vehicle. The mechanic replaced the rear... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2021
My frame rusted and broke into where spring hanger bolts to the frame. They are saying n was recalled but time has ran out but I did not receive a recall notice as we moved to another area of the state ( Ashtabula) where we bought a shop for our oilfield business then we moved to ( Cambridge ) and are now renting our first home from my daughter who bought it in New Concord. Sad thing is we had it ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2021
Above 50 Miles Per hour...hitting any irregularity on the pavement such as expansion joints, potholes, road joints causes the front end to vibrate violently making the truck very difficult to handle. I took it to the dealership once,(Phil Long Ford in Colorado Springs) and they replaced the steering stabilizer. It seemed that just masked the problem. 10k miles later the problem has come ba... Read more
GRAND DESIGN
REFLECTION
(2018) — SUSPENSION
Nov 2, 2021
Incident date: Sep 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Grand Design Reflection. The contact stated that during maintenance of the vehicle, he noticed that the driver’s side rear upper shackle pin on the Dexter trailer axle was not drilled to allow lubricant grease to enter, causing the pin and spring to dry out. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the service rear axle warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V473000 (Suspension. The contact called the local dealer and was informed about diagnostic testing. The contact informed the dealer there was no noise or light illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension). The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle was inadvertently pulling to the right, while making a turn, the tires felt like they were dragging, and the front passenger’s side fender was making noises while turning. The traction control and another unknown wa... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
CC
(2016) — SUSPENSION
Nov 2, 2021
Incident date: Sep 15, 2021
Vehicle has factory installed splash guards, the car bottoms out when hitting the slightest bump. Nina at VW corporate has been totally useless.
Incident date: Oct 29, 2021
The contact's company owned a 2014 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving at 60-65 MPH, he heard an abnormal loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated the rear wheels detached and flew off, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The stated the vehicle drove off the road, hit a ditch, rolled over three times, and landed on the passenger side. The air bags ... Read more
Crash
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The contact stated that the VSC OFF, and the VSC traction and brake warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road before deciding to continue to drive. The contact stated while driving to his residence, he heard an abnormal noise. The co... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2021
On October 27, 2021 I was pulling into a parking lot at extremely low speed and upon turning heard a pop noise and felt a minimal jolt in the steering wheel. Letter in the day as I was leaving I turned right to come home and had the same experience. The next morning same thing at slow speed turning either left or right. Made appointment at dealer for first available date which was November 1, 2021... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2021
I have experienced the "Death Wobble" experienced by many during my internet research into the violent shaking and oscillation of the front wheels at speeds in excess of 50 MPH. The condition occurs routinely on approach and departure from bridges where the concrete slabs have subsided causing a "pothole" effect, on pavement patches, and potholes. The violent oscillation and shaking can cause temp... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2017
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced the death wobble after driving over a bump in the road. The contact stated that the vehicle violently and uncontrollably shook after driving over the bump in the roadway and the contact was able to regain control of the vehicle once the vehicle had slowed down. The dealer and the ma... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2021
******* DUPLICATE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS AN INADVERTENT DUPLICATE OF ODI# 11438859*DJR ******* DUPLICATE VOQ *******
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension). The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the rear wheels were wiggling and the vehicle went side to side before the contact lost control of the vehicle and ended up in a ditch. The contact sustained injuries to his neck, right shoulder, and back. The passenger did n... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the front driver’s side tire had detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic went to the contact's residence and diagnosed that the lower control arm rusted and detached from the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension). The contact stated that after receiving the vehicle back from the dealer after the recall repair, an abnormal noise was heard, and the vehicle would not accelerate and then stalled. The contact noticed there was red fluid leaking on the ground. The vehicle was taken to another ... Read more
FOREST RIVER
FR3
(2021) — SUSPENSION
Nov 1, 2021
Incident date: Aug 31, 2021
Our 2021 Forest River FR3 34DS is built on the 2020 Ford F53 V8 chassis. When bringing the RV in for other service, the Ford dealer noticed that one of the bolts was missing from the rear sway bar. Further inspection showed that the coupling used to attach the sway bar was seriously deformed. This had a negative impact on the steering/handling of the RV in windy weather and when being passed ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2021
The contact rented a 2015 Ford E-450. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was shaking in the rear. The contact had to maintain an approximate speed of 40 MPH to control the vehicle. The fuel warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the rear w... Read more