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: Nov 1, 2021
Hi, so my mechanic checked my vehicle and my the subframe is Rusting and it’s unsafe to drive the vehicle. The vehicle only have 93k miles. I have pictures and proof about the rusted subframe. Hope to hear from you back because I really need vehicle to go to my job and now this is unsafe to drive.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
My truck is having the same issues as listed in the recalls but isn’t on the recall list. Running rough dash board turns off and loses power to the cab. Low voltage light comes on but batteries and alternator test fine. Factory installed lift blocks have cracked and caused can bushings to fail.
Incident date: Oct 30, 2021
I just purchased this 2020 F250 on 10/21/21 with 39000 miles. While driving the vehicle on a Ft Worth toll road at 70 mph, below posted speed limit of 75, truck and steering wheel began to shake violently. Luckily there was light traffic that kept me from causing an accident before I could get it stopped. Took vehicle to Ford dealer and was told my vin # is not included in trucks that Ford has bee... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2021
Transmission shakes or quivers around 25-30 mph. At speed above 35mph right rear suspension (axle) shakes, quivers. I was checking For a recall because of all the complaints of same issues on honda owners website. The car is becoming unsafe to drive. This is the first effort I have made to research problem. The Honda website indicated a 2013 crv Recall but not for my vin number.
Incident date: Sep 6, 2021
To whom it may concern, Tesla Model S, and potentially other vehicles, have notorious issues with their front suspension fore links perhaps causing unsafe driving conditions. The topic has been brought up on Tesla forums numerous times and countless drivers are experiencing the same issue due to faulty parts provided during the manufacture of Tesla vehicles. The issue causes turning tightness, ... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2021
Every time I make a turn or go over a bump, there is a loud squeaky noise and the tire pressure goes down from 44 to 36 psi. Even when driving straight without anything like a stop or a bump, the squeaky noises happens. The noise comes from the front passenger side.
Incident date: Oct 29, 2021
Car only has 48000,00 miles and tie rods need replaced This is not normal ware for a car. My Ford Fusion has 98000.00 and just now needs tie rods. This has to be a defect
Incident date: Oct 29, 2021
When driving down the interstate the truck started shaking vigorously where we had to pull over 6 times to get the truck to stop shaking. It looked like the tires were bouncing of the road. Very scary.
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2013) — SUSPENSION
Oct 29, 2021
Incident date: Oct 17, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, she started to hear an abnormal sound. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to her residence however while depressing the brake pedal the vehicle was pulling to the left. The contact continued driving to her residence. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2021
Death Wobble. Hit a dip in the road steering wheel and whole truck Shakes out of control until you slow WAY down or stop.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact initially received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the parts for the recall repair were unavailable. The dealer was notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The contact then received another recall notice that stated that parts were now availabl... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not ex... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2021
Front top strut mounts completely broken loss of turning and grinding metal on metal clunking noise when you turn 22,000 miles alignment is way off factory issue bad parts
Incident date: Oct 19, 2021
Driving in a residential area I was unable to complete a left hand turn (less than 10mph). I bumped the curb and ended up with the right tire knocked off of its suspension. Upon inspection one of the links was broken. The car came to an immediate stop and I could not steer it. In the drive leading up to the turn which I could not complete all left hand turns were difficult. Tesla offered no ass... Read more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2021
Several recalls on the same make and model as mine. Why is my truck not covered under recall. These issue should not happen to a vehicle 5 years old with less the. 85k miles and all work has been completed at lithos ford of boise where I purchased it.
Incident date: Oct 14, 2021
Had vehicle inspected on Oct. 1 ,2021 for road trip to North Carolina from Washington, DC. Was informed that my vehicle is unsafe by the automotive shop (name withheld) due to [rusting] frame front suspension components' threads rusted off on bolts that hold suspension, control arms, and shocks on both front and rear areas + body of vehicle located where shocks bolt to the body. I also had two... Read more
HYUNDAI
ELANTRA TOURING
(2010) — SUSPENSION
Oct 28, 2021
Incident date: Oct 15, 2021
Traveling 25-30 MPH on a gravel road, car shuddered and seemed to tilt sightly to the left. At the same time a loud grinding noise was heard and steering felt funny. On stopping and exiting the car, I saw the left rear wheel was toed to the left, and leaning so that the top of the tire was extended beyond the fender arch. Looking beneath the car, I could see the left rear control arm had torn loos... Read more
LEXUS
HS 250 HYBRID
(2010) — SUSPENSION
Oct 28, 2021
Incident date: Oct 5, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Lexus HS250 Hybrid. The contact stated had they had recently purchased the vehicle and had minor repairs performed on the vehicle by an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle could not be aligned due to the repair as stated in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V596000 (Suspension). The contact stated that the tie rod could not be adjusted. The mechanic refer... Read more
Incident date: Sep 24, 2021
Front cross member (Subframe is completely rusted)Causing a loud thumping noise when applying brakes or driving over bumps in the road. Very dangerous if the subframe would come completely separated from the vehicles body.(THIS Should definitely be a RECALL and why it hasn't been is a real mystery to me. This is not an isolated problem. Every Patriot owner I have talked to seem to have the same pr... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2021
VGRS WARNING SYSTEM STAYS ON, INFORMS ME TO TAKE CAR TO DEALER. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON THIS SYSTEM BEFORE,BUT THE SAME PROBLEM HAS RETURNED.I'AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED FOR A KNOWN DEFECT.THANK YOU
Incident date: Nov 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-35 MPH, the control arm detached. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the control arm was replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no furt... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2021
machanic noticed rust when took in for service frame is thru and thru with rust damage especially at rear torsion bars NOT safe to drive
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Gold Wing Motorcycle. The contact stated that while riding at various speeds, the motorcycle would pull to the right side. The suspension was replaced, and the failure was remedied. Also, the front tire had experienced uneven wear on both the right and left sides causing the motorcycle to become extremely unstable while riding on wet pavement. The cause of the failure... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2021
Right rear shock failure which lead to shock oil leaking onto brake system. Local dealer states parts are not available due to current allotment met for the month. Took truck into Olathe Dodge for warranty repair on Monday 10/25/2021, two hours of waiting to be told part would not be available until end of November. No warning lamps etc displayed. Oil was found all over the rear end including ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH when the contact heard a noise coming from the vehicle and shortly after lost control of the vehicle resulting in the contact hitting a parked vehicle with no air bags deploying. There were 3 injured, the son and daughter sustained bruising over arms and legs. The mother sought medical treatment and sustained ... Read more
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Oct 15, 2021
My forester has been used in salt belt for 12 years. Was on the list of recall for Front Suspension Control Arm Failure. We brought it to the dealership to have the car inspected and for a 4 year old car, they didn’t do anything. On 10/15/21, the front control arm broke right after we drove off highway. If the arm broke on the highway, then us and others might have been killed as the tire would ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2021
Subframe or cradle Subaru OEM # 50527AJ01A is a vital safety component (see dealer's written comments below) and as designed and installed completely supports the weight of the engine and transmission - rust and corrosion per mechanics at 3 different garages (Mickey's, Weber, Ganley Subaru) advised vehicle is unsafe to drive due to subframe corrosion and imminent failure. Corrosion of sub frame a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2021
On 10-16-21 Saturday around 7:40 PM, I was going to my brother-in-law's house which is on the left side of the road I was driving. It is a single lane road in a busy residential area. I wanted to park outside of the house by the road. I took a left turn towards the gate, then slight reverse and put in drive to pull to park parallel to the road. My Tesla Model-x went into 'Sudden Unintended Acceler... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (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. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had n... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2007) — SUSPENSION
Oct 26, 2021
Incident date: Oct 26, 2021
Dash cracking, fuse box continues to throw codes, front end problems
Crash
Incident date: Jan 5, 2018
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V278000 (Suspension) was completed. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, she heard abnormal sounds coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notifi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2021
When it's wet on the road or raining my car deploys and I lose control I've been telling the dealer ship since the first day I had this car they told me it's nothing yesterday when it was raining my car did it again also u I called to have my recall fixed and they said there was not any in my car??? This car is a risk I'm going to kill myself driving this car or get hurt I had 3 rental cars becaus... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2021
2016 RAM 1500 Air Suspension, I have seen many report of a faulty LEFT REARAIR BAGS dropping to the ground making unsafe to drive. I have seen many people repotting the Left Rear bag issues and when taking to the manufacture they refuse to troubleshooting and locate the issue but wants to replace the entire rear bags and compressor for more than $3000
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manu... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2020
Rear driver side wheel bearing is bad at 75,000 miles
Incident date: Aug 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension) however, the manufacturer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH on a curved road, the rear end of the vehicle slightly drifted. The contact stated she was able to continue to drive the vehicle. T... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2021
This is in regards to the Ford "death wobble" that occurs at under normal driving conditions where the vehicle rattles to violently it is not able to be controlled or operated safely. This has happened numerous times and with greater frequency. Ford will only replace the steering dampener, which they have, and it did not fix the problem. If anything it made it worse. Ford also does not conside... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2021
The death wobble. Hitting a bump - no matter the size and without warning - may cause your entire vehicle to wobble/shake uncontrollably and loose ability to steer. You’re only recourse is to let off of the accelerator and TRY to hold the truck in the lane and pray you don’t have to brake or make a turn. It has happened multiple times but the worse was while traveling I-10 in San Antonio, T... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2021
“Engine power reduced” shows on dash after I’ve taken it to the dealership. I’ve been on the highway where the speed slow down drastically cars coming behind me! Very dangerous! Also “shift to park” displays when it is already in park! Have to either wiggle the gear shift or, turn car off/on several times for the message to go away. Also when backing up, there’s a popping noise in t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2021
High speed wobble when driving over un even pavement such as a transition from asphalt to concrete. if turning slightly while driving 60 - 70 miles/hr and you run over slightly rough pavement, it will start to wobble violently and you have to slow to 25 or 30 miles/hr for it to stop. when you are on a multi lane highway and on the inside lane(s) you have to navigate to the shoulder to slow down ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2020
I dont know exactly is the front ball joint or something else but something happen when run and stop the tundra, all the time hear a noise how to something is broke
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
The steering is extremely lose and has a shimmy or “death wobble” when going over any type of bumps or other issues and at speed on the highway. Similar to recall 09L02
Incident date: Oct 22, 2021
I was parallel parking and as I was turning the steering wheel I heard a loud think. Without thinking too much about it, I continued to try to park and get my car out of the way. There began to feel pressure on the front tire so I got out to evaluate the issue. I saw that the tire was attached to the arch liner of the vehicle. I quickly ran back into the car to straighten out the wheel. I then not... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2021
Passenger rear sway bar bracket came off after factory installed nuts and bolts became loose.
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2011) — SUSPENSION
Oct 23, 2021
Incident date: Oct 11, 2021
When I applied the brakes, a slippage and rubbing noise occurs. Moments later, I could brake. No engine lights are visible on the dashboard. This has occurred several times.
Incident date: Oct 23, 2021
My mechanic just took a picture of the subframe of the car which is almost completely rusted through. He said that this is extremely dangerous and that if it was to break while driving the car, I would loose control. I have seen numerous complaints about this on the 2005 Hyundai Sonata on the internet which makes me think this is a common issue.
Incident date: Oct 14, 2021
Front end shimmy few times installed new tires it seemed to help. Shimmy came back rebalanced wheels didnt happen for a while. Rotated tires and added new ones in rear. Drove for awhile seemed ok. 2 weeks ago we were driving about 50 mph had a shimmy but turned into violent shaking and truck was headingbinto oncoming traffic. My wife was screaming and ducking down. When it stopped and I steered it... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the steering wheel would emit an abnormal whining noise while both stationary and while making turns in either direction. As the failure persisted, the steering wheel began to vibrate, and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact calle... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2021
I took my vehicle for a state inspection as I had just purchased it was explained to me as a body rust only no frame rust vehicle. Upon inspection the mechanic showed me that the frame was rushed out completely at the rear end subframe inboard mounts. The gas tank strap mount was missing and held in with a nylon strap. Most of the secondary subframe is nonexistent and frame at radiator core suppor... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2021
Brought vehicle in for service and frame is completely rusted through in critical areas where suspension and body mounts are supposed to be mounted. The car is not road worthy and unsafe to drive. I came to understand that there was a recall for these truck frame, however my frame was never replaced. My frame was never treated for rust. This truck has always been maintained and serviced at a T... Read more