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: Oct 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven at a low rate of speed, the rear passenger's side wheel suddenly detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the rear axle bolts snapped off causing the wheel to detach from the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the f... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2021
My 2004 has codes relating to transmission problems, along with ongoing codes for emission problems. I have taken it in and it dose need a new transmission. It also needs emission work . I have been told that this rare with this make and model. Also the input for the gas is not working well.
Incident date: Oct 11, 2021
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal grinding noise would emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact then stated that upon turning into a driveway, the front lower control arm detached from the vehicle without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to his home where he began to repair the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2021
you have serious construction going on at 21425 spring street at the veteran shelter where i stay. well the crew dug up sections of the road and cut it where it is a Sharpe dip to go up and down. i went over one at 1am on my way to work and it hit my undercarriage the following morning my car was leaking oil and now the ignition and battery are out ! i ask my insurance but it is not and accident ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2021
I was driving and it started rattling and getting very bumpy. I exited the freeway and came to a stop. The vehicle would no longer move. I had it towed to my mechanic. The right front axle broke. He replaced it and drove it around the block for a test drive. It was very loud and turning tight when the left axle broke. It has been diagnosed with a bad differential. Everyone I have spoke with at mul... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2021
Upon inspecting the undercarriage of my vehicle found the right side of Front Subframe Cradle Suspension rotted almost completely through. When researching for issues pertaining to this model found a TSA was issued , after a lawsuit in California, for the years prior and after my vehicle. The damage is concurrent with the TSA bulletin but excluded. How does a manufacturer whom obviously is awar... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2021
Rear Subframe split in half, without any warning. The tires inside edges were worn to the point of failing and the frame is detached from the body, creating potential crash and death.
MITSUBISHI
MIRAGE
(2015) — SUSPENSION
Oct 13, 2021
Incident date: Sep 15, 2021
mirage 2015 DL Automatic trasmission CVT, The rubber on the driver's left side has a buzzing sound, the caliper was replaced. CV Axle was replaced. Left side By manufacturer's warranty. on that side of the left side and also has a Wheel Bearing problem. on the left side it is making a very huge humming noise and they do not want to give me a guarantee because they indicate that I am the second ow... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2021
Twice my truck has shook violently when I hit a Pot hole or bump traveling above 50MPH. The shaking is so bad, your scared, needing to slow down quickly or even stop to get it to stop. It's a danger to the occupants and the surrounding vehicles when this occurs.
Incident date: Oct 12, 2021
The Truck Violently shook when I hit a bump on the highway. I've never felt anything like that before. My wife and I we're shocked as what the truck was doing. I slowed down immediately and pulled over on the shoulder of the highway and walked around the truck to see what happened. Didn't see anything wrong, so I got in the truck and drove to the house.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac SRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (SUSPENSION) however, the part to the recall was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer along with a second dealer Lynch Chevrolet Cadillac of Auburn Parts (154 W Creek Pkwy, Auburn, AL 36830: (334) 246-0398) and was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated tha... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2021
Driving on highway 287 in NJ and hit slight bump in road causing severe uncontrollable shaking of truck. Finally got truck to pull over and stop. Kept pressure on brakes to stop shaking. Then continued. The next day, on another highway, rt 80 in NJ, I again hit another bump on road going 60, and it happened again.
Incident date: Jul 12, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a local dealer they informed the contact that their vehicle frame was rusted and needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V604000 (SUSPENSION) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact that they ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
Severe and violent steering wheel oscillation after hitting bumps at highway speeds without warning. Multiple incidents beginning at 20,000 miles, steadily worsening with time. Requires emergency out of control stopping on interstate in order to regain control of vehicle--putting passengers and other vehicle operators in severe danger. Ford replaced steering stabilizer but problem continues wit... Read more
Incident date: Sep 26, 2021
While driving the speed limit of 60 mph. I drove over a bump in the road. The steering wheel stared shaking back and forth violently. The truck was barely controllable and could have ended in a deadly crash. The truck shook until I slowed to 15 mph. After getting home and researching the problem I found this is known as the death wobble. I see why it is called that. This problem is going to take p... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2021
My car failed state inspection: "Ball Joint on Right Front Lower Control Arm has excessive play. Part# 1048951-00-B" This is the THIRD such part that need replacement since I have owned the vehicle (four+ years). The replacement solution was a different part, which was not compatible with the second existing Ball Joint (replaced in 2018, approximate) for the passenger side of the vehicle. Therefor... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the independent mechanic for an oil change, a strange noise was coming from the rear of the vehicle. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a faulty carrier bearing and the rear differential needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that ... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER SPORT
(2006) — SUSPENSION
Oct 11, 2021
Incident date: Oct 10, 2021
I can be driving and the car will just cut off. The real danger was when I was on the freeway and I almost couldn't pull over to the side and a semi truck was behind me. That happened about 3 years ago. Also when I start the car and put it in reverse the parking brake warning light come on, that also started happening a couple years ago. The above happened again yesterday and the day before, O... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2021
As I was backing out of my driveway the passenger side front tire detached from the axel for no apparent reason. There was no accident, alert, or indication of anything being wrong with the vehcile.
Incident date: Oct 2, 2021
There is a very loud creaking noise coming from the front driver side suspension. This happens every time when I put the vehicle in reverse and turn and lock my steering wheel all the way to the right and press the accelerator to back up. It doesn’t sound safe. I know prior models were recalled for bad lower control arm ball joints. My vehicle didn’t fall in that window, but this vehicle sh... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2021
violent front end shaking made the vehicle go out of control on a freeway
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2012) — SUSPENSION
Oct 10, 2021
Incident date: Sep 13, 2021
Driving Service air suspension light came on then front end dropped as pulled into driveway and put in park. Turned car off then on and suspension didn’t lift towed to mechanic and air suspension was changed. Air suspension light came on not even two years later saying service suspension towed to shop and they said Transfer Case Control module was not working
Incident date: Apr 5, 2021
Vehicle has started to make a clanking sound when going in reverse or forward at low speeds. Have taken to multiple mechanics that say there is no visible reason for the issue although they also noticed it when driving. It is alarming that the mechanics cannot find the issue and it is getting worse by the day.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2021
I have noticed that my vehicle doesn’t seem to be balance and most of the time i am afraid the tires will fall off by the movement of the vehicle. And the metal parts that attachment part it looks very bad on the metal parts like it rusted so bad. I hope they will be able to figure out whats wrong and if i am the only one who is experiencing this issue.
Incident date: Oct 8, 2021
While driving 60mph or faster and drive over a little bump or a highway over pass, bridge with expansion things, the steering wheel and front tires shake , wobble uncontrollably . You have to hold on for dear life and slow down and pullover. Well that's not that easy on the interstate. It happened last night on the interstate and scared the living daylite out of me. Now I'm afraid to drive the tru... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2021
I was going 65 MPH in center lane, hit a pothole. The right front wheel began to vibrate wildly. I thought it was going to fall off. I slammed my brakes and veered sharply right to reach the breakdown lane. We were nearly in a violent collision. The car behind me slammed his breaks, leaving skid marks, the car in the lane to my right was forced into the breakdown lane, also leaving skid marks... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2021
I have had 3 upper rear lateral links snap off. 2 on the rear driver side and 1 on the rear passenger side. I am researching recalls. And there is a recall on some explorer models for the rear toe links. Sounds like the same thing that keeps happening to my vehicle. I am scared to drive it now. They literally just snap and the back tire starts steering however it wants.
Incident date: Oct 6, 2021
I purchased a 2013 Ford F-250 and ever since I bought it it had speed wobbles on the freeway. Took it into the dealership numerous times and they did nothing, I filed a lemon law complaint, they didn't help and again Ford did nothing!!!! Bought a 2015 been dealing with this same issue since I purchased it, on the freeway you feel your teeth are going to come out and rattle out of your skull! I ju... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2021
Driving 72 mph on the interstate when I exited a bridge, there was a bump in the road. The front started to vibrate vigorously and the steering vibrated so hard that I almost had a wreck. Slowed down to 40 mph and the vibrating stopped.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would bounce abnormally. The deale... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2021
My steering became very loose with a lot of movement in the steering wheel. The universal joint in the steering column shaft was bad. Upon further investigation, both lower control arms on the front wheels were rusted through, (from the inside out), with one of them bent because of the lack of metal support that rusted away, which caused my wheels to be misaligned and hard to control. Upon addi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2021
Driving 72 mph on interstate, crossed a bridge and as I exited the bridge hit a rough spot and the 2018 Jeep Wrangler I was driving, suddenly the front end started vibrating vigorously and the steering wheel starting vibrating so bad I almost lost control of the vehicle. Finally I slowed down to 40 mph and the vibration stopped. I am afraid to drive the vehicle at a high rate of speed on the in... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and making a right turn, the front passenger’s side tire and wheel inadvertently detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road, where he noticed that the lower control arm had detached from the subframe and was resting on the floor. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. Th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2021
I was driving when the rear of my car began vibrating, then fishtailing and I lost control and hit a curb resulting in mostly forward damage. In reviewing the Preliminary Estimate from the auto-shop and insurance adjuster, there was quite a bit of damage to the Rear Suspension including a broken Trailing arm lock nut, washer, and bolt, as well as the Protector lining, lower control arm, its lock n... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Excursion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the suspension made an abnormal popping sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that an air bubble had formed on the front passenger’s side tire which he linked to the suspension failure. The tire was not replaced. The contact also stated that after he replaced the radio inside t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Infiniti FX35. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, an abnormal banging sound was coming from the vehicle without warning. The contact was unaware of what caused the banging noise. The contact slammed on her brakes and the vehicle independently veered to the left. The contact notified the independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and discovered that the left torque... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
Underbody of car is so corroded that the vehicle could lose control.
Incident date: Oct 6, 2021
Algunas veses el veiculo no quiere encender ,como que se descarga la bateria ,pero no siempre ,como que algo esta Mal
Incident date: Sep 30, 2021
Whenever I turn the steering wheel, the squeaking noise appear. I contacted the service center, without seeing my car, they know that I have to replace the both side front upper control arms which made me believe there is a well-known defect with it. The control arms plays very important role in steering the car, if there is a defect and Tesla won't recall it then it might kill someone after the d... Read more
Incident date: Sep 17, 2021
While backing out of a parking stall I felt a large vibration. I could tell something wasn't right. I pulled out of the parking lot and checked my tires and brakes as every time I pressed the brake pedal I felt the vibration. I couldn't tell what was going on, but the car was not driving correctly. I slowly drove to a nearby tire center when they diagnosed it as a broken control arm on the dri... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2021
The Undercarriage of my 2007Toyota 4runner sport has irregular rusting issue. The truck has 128,000 miles on it and has been well maintained and garaged most of its life. I was under it the other day to check the exhaust system and noticed the frame is rusting like no other car I know of. Even cars that sat in junkyards for decades. I know they had a recall for similar issues with other vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2021
I was driving my 2019 Ford F350 65-70 mph on the interstate when I hit a rough patch. The steering wheel began to shake violently. I started slowing and merging into the emergency lane. The steering wheel did not quit shaking until I slowed down to about 10 mph. The truck felt nearly out of control during the event. An internet search revealed this condition to be know as a "death wobble". Wi... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2014) — SUSPENSION
Oct 6, 2021
Incident date: Sep 28, 2021
Shifter service, Power steering yes available for inspection. Power steering went out, lights on dash board flashed and beeped and then would go black. Jeep diagnosed my jeep. No warning and happened about 2 weeks ago and has continued consistanly
Incident date: Oct 6, 2021
The front sub frame rusted out and almost killed everyone in the car the wheels turned out and lost all steering was really scary is there any way we can get this fixed by dodge this should be a recall I’ve looked at 6 calibers and all of them are rusted out
Crash
Incident date: Jun 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 unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed 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 not made... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2021
Violent shaking of steering column at highway speeds starting around 50 mph. Occupant has to slow down and pull over on side of road in order for violent shaking to stop.
Incident date: Oct 6, 2020
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac SRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
REAR SUBFRAME RUSTED/ROT. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BOTH REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE THROWN OFF AND WHEELS ARE BENT INWARDS. FURTHER DRIVING CAN CAUSE REAR SUBFRAME TO COLLAPSE AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND DRIVER/PASSENGER. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE MADE IMMEDIATELY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE
MERCEDES-BENZ
E550
(2010) — SUSPENSION
Oct 6, 2021
Incident date: Oct 5, 2021
Rear K Frame front part has completely rusted out. Mount ripped trail arm. Both rear tires were ready to shoot off. This was confirmed by a mechanic when the car was being serviced after the check engine light came on one day before taking it to be serviced. The car is not drivable. It only has 60,000 miles on it. It was always serviced at the Mercedes dealers. It appears as a defective part.