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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints

140,173 Reported Crashes

56,794 Reported Fires

8,580 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›

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Showing 49,170 complaints - component: SUSPENSION

Incident date: Mar 6, 2026

No less than 6 occasions now I have experienced extreme shaking (death wobble) even after Ford replaced the steering damper. I'm done with the vehicle and will take it in again for this issue.

Incident date: Nov 10, 2025

On April 2nd I took my vehicle into the dealer for recall servicing. After leaving the dealer I had my vehicle inspected the next day by a third party repair shop and my brake caliper was missing the main bolt that connects to the brake pad. Brake pads were also less than 5% wear remaining. Myself and others were put in serious danger if my brakes had failed due to this serious oversight and disre... Read more

Incident date: Apr 1, 2026

While driving in slow, heavy highway traffic, the vehicle suffered a structural failure of the rear crossmember / rear subframe due to severe rust. This is a safety-critical structural component and part of the rear suspension mounting system. When braking, the vehicle swerved hard to the right and crossed into the shoulder. Fortunately, the vehicle was already in the right lane, which likely prev... Read more

Incident date: Mar 24, 2026

This vintage 2014 Audi A5 has a well known serious rust perforation issue with the rear subframe. The corrosion / rust through of two major holes, approx 3 inches in diameter, causing structural failure of the sub frame. This is a major saftey concern with these cars from model year 2009 thru 2017. The only remedy is replacement of the sub frame under Audi's 12 year rust perforation warrant... Read more

Incident date: Apr 2, 2026

Improper factory alignment leading to excessive and premature tire wear on all four tires which creates a safety issue - tire blowout. Toyota refuses to address the issue since my car is 11 months old (within their 1 year warranty period) but has 15K miles (outside their warranty period). Local Toyota dealership stated the car has a bad factory alignment which was confirmed by an independent rep... Read more

Incident date: Aug 19, 2024

Alignment went bad 23489 miles and took to dealer. It was inspected and found out the front cam bushings and bolts were already worn out and had to be replaced both sides. Plus realignment after. Cost was 544.00 dollars had to pay because alignment from factory only goes to 12000 miles , how convenient on fords part , nothing would wear out that soon or shouldn't under normal wear. So , I had to p... Read more

Incident date: Feb 1, 2026

Rotted and rusted out trailing arms

Incident date: Mar 18, 2026

While driving at highway speeds, I drove over an expansion joint on a bridge and experienced violent shaking of the vehicle. This included violent shaking of the steering wheel and interior of the truck. I also slowed down to under 30 mph on the highway to stop the shaking. This occurred several other times and, upon researching, found it to be called a "death wobble". I brought my truck to a ... Read more

Incident date: Apr 3, 2026

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving over a railroad track at 40 MPH, the rear axle snapped. The wheel hub to the axle was barely connected. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number:15V608000 (SUSPENSION); however, the contact had not received the recall notification. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufactu... Read more

Incident date: Feb 27, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle felt as if the rear suspension had failed. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who determined that the rear suspension arms were detaching from the subframe. The dealer was contact... Read more

Incident date: Nov 28, 2025

Loud clicking or ratcheting sound coming from front suspension (ball joint/control arm/axel) that occurs when taking tight turns, left or right. Dealership said its not visibly broken after visual inspection, so there is no warranty coverage until Honda issues a formal recall or other directive.

Incident date: Nov 28, 2025

Posterior shocks fractured at 24,000 miles. Car handles poorly and drives unsteady. Dealer has confirmed fracture and has promised new shocks 4 months ago. Have contacted Hyundai corporate and have been told weekly that they are working on a solution but have no idea when a solution will come. There was no warning when this occurred.

Incident date: Feb 3, 2026

My 2023 Ford Explorer (VIN: [XXX] ) has a persistent front suspension clunk/rattle/knock when driving over small bumps or uneven pavement at low speeds (8–20 mph). The noise is repeatable and has progressively worsened. It matches the condition described in Ford Special Service Message SSM 52405, which identifies a manufacturing defect involving a loose internal pressure tube inside the front st... Read more

Incident date: Mar 27, 2026

Since I purchase my vehicle I have had to continuously replace my tires on the front. Going through my carfax acct I came across some recalls that showed up that I had no idea of the car may had which was prior to purchase from the dealers. I would think that these issues were fixed prior to reselling. I recently had to pull over on the freeway due to the tire making noises then realized that the... Read more

Incident date: Dec 2, 2025

Around 20,000 miles my car began having faint metallic clanking/clicking sounds turning left and recoiling back to the left under 15 miles an hour and while parked. My lane mitigation, see dealer light turned on for 5 minutes while backing in to a spot then turned off. No issues steering just noise. Glad I am not deaf and I know better because it was a very easy and quiet noise to ignore or miss.... Read more

Incident date: Mar 15, 2026

While my vehicle was at an authorized Hyundai dealership for engine warranty repair, I reported a suspension grinding noise and requested that it be inspected. This concern was raised while the vehicle was in the dealership’s possession and was communicated as a safety concern. The engine repair was completed and the vehicle was returned to me. No inspection findings, documentation, or technici... Read more

Incident date: Mar 16, 2026

On friday, march 27th, 2026. My 2019 ford ranger began shaking before the engine stalled. Warning lights for an engine check came on and my vehicle would not go above 20 mph after restarting. When pressing on the accelerator the engine would rev but the vehicle would not accelerate. I took the 2019 ford Ranger to a local Ford Dealership service center and they diagnosed the following problems (lis... Read more

Incident date: Dec 1, 2025

At speed, my wife was driving and without warning was pulled into oncoming traffic. Thank goodness, no accident. A completely failed and broken rear control arm (photo attached). I was told Nissan offered an extended 10 year warranty for this. We were 10 months beyond that. This is no exaggeration, people will be killed because of this. The part literally separated in 2, causing the wheel to immed... Read more

Incident date: Feb 19, 2026

Front coil spring fractured at 84,554 miles. I am the original owner with full dealer-maintained service history. VW issued Safety Recall 42J5 for premature rear coil spring fracture on 2018–2019 Tiguans due to material specification and manufacturing process defects at the spring supplier. The front springs on this vehicle came from the same supply chain and production window. VW dealer in [XXX... Read more

Incident date: Apr 2, 2026

BE ASVISED, THIS REPORT MAY BE INTERCEPTED, DELETED, HIDDEN, OR MODIFIED UPON RECEIVING. NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION Vehicle Safety Complaint Complainant: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Vehicle: 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee ------------------------------------- SAFETY DEFECT COMPLAINT – POST-REPAIR VEHICLE CONDITION I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my v... Read more

Incident date: Mar 26, 2026

1) Major transmission failure, fluid leakage, and visible undercarriage corrosion on a newly leased car with under 3K miles on it. Additional: Losing vehicle function. Car would not shift into gear and would not move. Car is currently at the dealership in which it was leased. 2) Yes, huge safety concern. Losing vehicle function while traveling on a bridge—with limited ability to safely stop pose... Read more

Incident date: Nov 3, 2025

Bought a SUV from a car lot was told the only problem it had was the o2 sensor needed to be changed test drive was good so had it a few days driving it got to be extremely bouncy ended up taking to my mechanic he said the struts are worn down nothing left on them the suspension was bad and the axles can snap anytime from how bad it bounces and said the airbag sensors are out

Incident date: Apr 1, 2026

The CV joints are making a clicking noise now every time I turn and I’m starting to notice that there is some sticking when that happens. It would be available for inspection on request. Yes the dealer acknowledged the failure, but says the parts to fix it our back ordered and so has told me twice to just bring the car back at a later date. There are no warning lamps.

Incident date: Mar 31, 2026

2020 Acura RDX Rear Coil Spring snapped in half on left side. Safety concern drove to nearest independent service center to be accessed within 5 miles of incident. Advised not to drive it. Called Acura Dealership. Advised to replace both Left and Right side and have new alignment. No warning lights or other symptoms, just an extremely loud bang to left side while driving. Estimated out-of-pocke... Read more

Incident date: Mar 1, 2026

2022 Rivian R1T, VIN [XXX] . On March 14, 2026, my service appointment at El Segundo Rivian service center [XXX] ) was deleted from the Rivian app along with all service requests and a timestamped customer message thread documenting my visit that day. Deleted items included active recall remedies FSAM-1795 (seat belt retractor bolts improperly torqued, NHTSA notification mailed ~March 9, 2026) an... Read more

Incident date: Jan 10, 2024

2022 Rivian R1T, VIN [XXX] . Recurring suspension defects since delivery June 2022, documented across 18 service visits over 3.5 years. Rivian performed multiple repairs including Gen 2 suspension component replacement. This defect has never been permanently resolved. On July 11, 2025, El Segundo service center [XXX] ) repaired the front end lowering in standard parking mode — causing the vehic... Read more

Incident date: Mar 28, 2026

I am reporting a severe steering safety defect on my 2022 Honda Civic that matches the symptoms of NHTSA Campaign Number 24V-744 and Honda TSB 23-037.At highway speeds (40–70 mph), the steering wheel "sticks" or "notches" in the center position. To make small lane adjustments, I must apply significant force to "break" the wheel loose. This causes the car to jerk or overcorrect, creating a high r... Read more

Incident date: Dec 1, 2025

UNKNOWN The frame and wall of the RV seem to be separating. This is called frame flex in the industry. We are having the RV inspected to be sure. If this is confirmed it could put the passengers and others on the highway at risk. There were no warnings with the exception of physical seeing the damage before a professional inspection was done.

Incident date: Jan 7, 2026

Noise while driving, gets louder when speed increases. Wheel bearings need replacement.

Incident date: Mar 11, 2026

My SUV pulls hard to the right when braking at speeds above 50 mph and much more on the interstates at 65 mph and above. I first experienced this after three weeks of ownership on a drive up I-95 on a trip to NC. It has happened numerous times while traveling on the interstates and has almost caused loss of control when having to brake hard when cut off by another driver or traffic suddenly coming... Read more

Incident date: Apr 1, 2026

My 2023 Lincoln Aviator has a grinding noise when I back up. Also a rattle has begun at all speeds. I had vehicled check and the axles were found to be totally rusted. Prior to having it towed to the detail i did some research and found the following -- A 2023 Lincoln Aviator recall regarding a "rusted" or breaking axle generally refers to a serious issue where the rear axle bolt can fracture, ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 1, 2025

My vehicle currently has only 27,500 miles, yet it has been producing a loud and disturbing thud or clunk whenever the vehicle encounters bumps in the road. This problem began earlier this year and the ride quality has progressively deteriorated. I brought the vehicle to Subaru dealer for diagnosis and was informed that the rear stabilizer bushings required replacement and was provided with part... Read more

Incident date: Nov 15, 2024

I have replaced several sets of tires with this Tesla Model X 2019. After years of dealing with a front end alignment problem, I finally had the repair done with some assistance from Tesla. When I purchased my vehicle under warranty, I reported problems with steering and pulling to one side, but they repeatedly claimed they couldn't replicate. This was before they allowed customers to drive wit... Read more

Incident date: Mar 30, 2026

I was driving one day when I began to hear a knocking sound on my vehicle. I then took the time to look up the recall on my current vehicle and it had mentioned “Rear Suspension Knuckles (24S49): Certain vehicles have defective rear suspension castings that can fail, leading to loss of vehicle control”. I just got off the phone with Ford and they expressed me how I do not have that recall unde... Read more

Incident date: Mar 13, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

Incident date: Mar 10, 2026

I am the original owner of a 2023 Jeep Wrangler Sport with approximately 16,240 miles. The vehicle is completely unmodified. I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the steering and suspension system. When driving at highway speeds (50 mph and above), the vehicle experiences a violent front‑end oscillation whenever it encounters a bump, uneven pavement, or bridge expansion joints. The s... Read more

Incident date: Mar 30, 2026

The contact owns a 2014 BMW I3. The contact stated that while driving at 49 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal screeching sound and was leaning on the driver's side rear-end. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a rear-end inspection was performed, and the contact was informed that no failure was found. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to... Read more

Incident date: Mar 26, 2026

Incident Overview: In late February 2026, at approximately 114,000 miles, this 2022 Rivian R1T suffered a comprehensive failure of its kinetic (hydraulic) suspension system. The failure occurred during normal on-road operation at approximately 60 mph in temperate (60°F) conditions. The vehicle has no history of off-road use or heavy hauling. Safety Risk & Critical Failure Mode: The suspension is... Read more

Incident date: Mar 30, 2026

There's a recall on the knuckle. An independent shop verified the damaged and the vehicle is not safe to drive. The dealership said the parts haven't came yet. Confirmed cracked front suspension knuckle under recall D019. Manufacturer cannot provide parts for over 4 months. Vehicle may be unsafe to drive.

Incident date: Sep 19, 2024

Referring to my 2008 Honda Pilot, as I was pulling into my driveway I heard a very loud bang in the rear area of my vehicle. When I looked underneath the vehicle I could see the rear subframe had rusted through and detached. This is my main vehicle that I use on a daily basis to provide rides to family members. 3 weeks before this happened I had 7 people in this car that I drove approximately 3... Read more

Incident date: Mar 1, 2026

While driving under normal conditions, without any prior impact, collision, or road hazard, the control arm on my vehicle suddenly detached. This occurred during active driving and caused an immediate loss of vehicle stability and control. The failure happened without warning and posed a serious safety risk. At the time of the incident, my children were in the vehicle, which significantly increa... Read more

Incident date: Mar 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V101000 (Suspension); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts for the recall repair were on back order. The contact called other dealers nearby and was provided the same information. The contact stated th... Read more

Incident date: Mar 26, 2026

Driving at highway speed (65-70mph) on curve with slight road surface deviation experienced the infamous "Death Wobble". Slowed to 45-50 mph before vehicle steering returned to normal. The steering dampener was previously replaced to fix the first time this happened. Apparently this is not a fox.

Incident date: Nov 7, 2025

Steering is difficult and makes noises when turning

Incident date: Oct 15, 2024

I have 2021 Kia Telluride with 38000 miles on it. When I wash my car, I normally wash the roof and in order to do that I put one foot on 3 step ladder and one foot on the back tire. I always had a plenty space above the tire and under the fender and I could stand up on the tire while I was washing the roof. On my last wash after the harsh winter weather, I notice I can not place my foot on the tir... Read more

Incident date: Mar 28, 2026

In January I brought my truck into ford to get service on the recall 23S65. Since then the recall has broke and I cannot and haven’t been able to drive my truck since then. It has been at Statesboro ford since then sitting waiting on parts. I am under the understanding that the parts have been on back order since 2024 and it could be a year before I even get my truck back and fixed. Since it’s... Read more

Incident date: Jan 22, 2026

2 open recalls on safety with no fix yet. Suspension has messed up, random electrical issues in dash and cruise control.My transmission also stalls at certain times. Dealership replaces struts, states they can’t get the vehicle electrical to act up although I have photos and videos and they can’t get the engine to stall. They can’t fix my seatbelts or the airbag and now a theirs row recall n... Read more

Incident date: Dec 5, 2025

The complaint is regarding a 2010 Ford Escape, original owner and maintained mostly at dealer shop. Vehicle only has 79k miles on it, and has been garage stored. It has rust in the rear wheel wells and a crack in the rear right subframe due to rust.

Incident date: Dec 5, 2025

The bed is completely rusted out to the point every time I had it inspected i had to replace the struts. I was not being told the struts were NOT attached to the vehicle and thats why they needed replaced. Its available for inspection at ANY time. March 18th I made an appt for March 24th and was told "it was covered." March 24th I called to say we would be late as it was being towed. Thats when ... Read more

Incident date: Aug 8, 2025

Drive to work suddenly engine show emergency issues many symbols appearing in front of screen and break is not controlled and car is stop running.

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Consumer Safety Complaints

What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?

How to interpret what you read

If you've experienced a defect

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