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
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
While performing routine maintenance on my 2018 Acura TLX, I discovered a critical structural failure in the front right (passenger side) lower control arm. The factory weld connecting the stamped steel control arm to the compliance bushing housing has failed and separated. Visual inspection reveals a clear manufacturing defect: there is a significant crater and void in the weld bead, indicative o... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2025
Early issues at 56,000 miles with rear shock suspension causing excessive bouncing. Read this is common and can happen multiple times
Incident date: Jan 12, 2026
Rear trailing arm attachment point to frame is rusting out and will cause the trailing arm to detatch from the frame. Vert little rust anywhere else on the car. This is a wide spread issue and very common with this model. Why is honda not taking this serious?
Incident date: Dec 24, 2025
My truck is been having a death wobble for years now. It's scary, I changed tires suspension and I still have the issue.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
I’m writing to ask for you all to honor the recall for my jeep. I purchased a 2022 Jeep Wrangler in April of 2025 Months after the purchase I began to notice that on certain road conditions that my vehicle would shake violently back and forth at higher speeds if I hit a bump. As you can tell this causes great concern for mine and my children's well being. My teen son is also driving my vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
Subject: Catastrophic Suspension Failure Resulting in Total Loss of Trailer Braking Vehicle: 2017 Keystone Montana On January 5, 2026, while traveling at highway speeds, the rear driver and passenger-side leaf springs suffered a catastrophic "brittle fracture" failure. This resulted in the axle shifting 6+ inches, wedging into the chassis I-beam. The violence of the axle displacement severed the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2026
I am contacting you on a problem I cannot fully describe. However, I believe there is a mechanical problem with the right side of my vehicle with handling and braking. I have downloaded the form with the information as reported to me and explained via the North American Corolla Facebook group. Please look at the attached documentation.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2024
Event Description - Car began veering off the road to the left - Driver attempted to correct the unintended maneuver, but the car increased in speed, despite braking - The car then lost all steering and braking capability, - In an attempt to control/stop the car, it instead proceeded uncontrollably performing a doughnut on the roadside embankment, and another doughnut that landed the vehicle b... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2026
2024 - 19k miles. Both rear shocks were leaking. Dealer replaced both at no charge. 2025 - 30k rear shock shows signs of leaking. Dealer states no leak. 2025 - 32k Tire shop says shock is leaking. I told them the dealer said it was not. they took pictures. 2025 - Arrive at dealer (2nd time same issue) Dealer states no warranty because I did not pay for replacements. They stated had I payed for r... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2025
I was driving and went through an intersection when all of a sudden the car automatically shifted into Neutral and lights started flashing and stalled. The engine ceased up. I checked to see if I had oil. I did. Prior to this event on multiple occasions while driving on the HWY and trying to accelerate the engine had problems getting into gear. This vehicle has made me feel unsafe multiple times... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
Very bad clunnk on driver side when hitting any bump on the road and it's loud.dealer ship sold me the car like that . Electrical issue gauge cluster radio cluster turn signals your first camera anything that works off the instrument cluster of the radio TV screen goes off while I'm driving comes back on hit a bump it comes back on no headlights driving at night time. The dealership sold me the ca... Read more
KIA
OPTIMA HYBRID
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Jan 10, 2026
Incident date: Dec 12, 2025
this vehicle was purchased from Don Chalmers Ford in Rio Rancho on 1129, 2025, upon purchasing a 2018 Toyota foreigner Limited I traded in a 2020 Acura RDX with only 50,000 miles. The salesman seemed to trustworthy. He showed me the Carfax Clean had no accidents no recalls then I receive some paperwork stating this vehicle is eligible for a buyback. I still have not received the license plate or r... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2026
I could hear a loud grinding noise while driving and the rear of the truck felt like it was driving without any type of suspension. Any bump or slight imperfection in the roadway felt like metal banging and a severe thump could be felt inside the vehicle. The front of the vehicle felt fine but the rear felt extremely strange and unstable.
Incident date: Sep 10, 2025
Had a minor wreck was to be two weeks to then it had to have a new frame they said it coun't be repair if a minor wreck can do this much damage there is a problem with subpar frames that any sudden stops or turns
Crash
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
The vehicle experiences abnormal vibration and shaking felt from the rear during braking at moderate to highway speeds. The condition does not occur during steady driving and is isolated to braking events. An authorized dealership inspected the vehicle and documented rear brake rotor thickness variation but no repair was performed. The issue has continued and raises concerns about braking stabilit... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
While driving malfunctioning alert regenerative battery not available, servuce air bag system, audible ding sounds, parking brake alert, and I received Alert the car " Brake and suspension service required" I was told by Ron Tonkin Dodge Service that car is not safe to drive; towed in.
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
Engine makes rattling and knocking noises. Transmission hesitates and jerks Suspension front struts and rear shocks are bad. Possible the isolators. Having horrible back pain when riding in car. Starter intermittently doesn't work Lane keep assistance goes over small bump in road will make car drive in opposite lane into on coming traffic. Took car to Tameron hyundai in Birmingham on the 29th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2025
Air suspension keeps failing in cold weather.
Incident date: Dec 28, 2025
UNKNOWN I WAS TOOD IT WAS DUE TOA RECALL AND EVEN WITH MY EXTENSED WARRANTY I AM BEING REFUSED AND MY VWHICLE HAS BEEN AT WILLOWBROOK FORD FOR TWO MONTHS, I cannot afford the repairs up front and sunbilt will only approve for $500 financing. Please help me if there are any solutions to fix my only means transportation and have the customer satisfaction service codes approved for repair
LAND ROVER
DEFENDER
(2023) - SUSPENSION
Jan 9, 2026
Incident date: Dec 14, 2025
BMW issued a warranty extension covering air suspension struts for certain vehicles (8 years / 80,000 miles). I own a 2018 BMW 740i. I reported front suspension concerns to an authorized BMW dealership (United BMW, Alpharetta, GA) at 64,354 miles (8/16/23) and again at 77,582 miles(3/19/24. Service records document front suspension issues, including thrust-rod and suspension defects. During thes... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
The front suspension lower 'lateral link' bolts that go into the subframe side of the lateral link fell out. One completely fell out of and was only held loosely in place by the undercarriage plastic. The other bolt (there are two holding the lateral link into the subframe) had backed out about two revolutions. This resulted in a very loud banging noise and the us having to stop the vehicle to ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
When I turn to the left or right I hear a clicking/popping noise. Took it to the dealer and they said it was the CV axle. So they replaced the driver side. After the repair, it would make the same sound from time to time so I took it back in to the dealer(Northside Toyota in San Antonio, TX) they couldn't recreate the sound and notated my account. This was all when the car had less than 30k miles.... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2025
Around 3000 miles both front axles developed a clicking sound when turning. The sounds has gotten progressively worse over the next 2000 miles. Honda dealer service center confirmed bad axles but states Honda America no longer allows them to replace the axles since the replacements are failing quickly. Second dealer also declined to fix defective axles stating Honda America is "working on a new pa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2025
1) Part that failed per General Motors Chevrolet dealer was the Thermostat along with Coolant Sensor. 2) I was getting warning notices on dash board screen stating (Reduced steering assist) I was also getting a ESC warning 3) Problem has been repaired at GM dealer 4) Parts were replaced by GM dealer/service center 5) ESC warning light that came on for a short time after motor stopped for auto sto... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2025
I am reporting a catastrophic suspension failure on my 2023 Tesla Model Y that matches the description of Recall 22V-895 (Manufacturer No. SB-22-31-002), despite my vehicle being excluded from the official recall population. On [XXX], the front driver-side lateral link separated from the subframe while driving. Tesla Service /confirmed the separation in their repair notes, stating the cause was a... Read more
TOYOTA
GRAND HIGHLANDER
(2024) - SUSPENSION
Jan 8, 2026
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
I purchased this car new in 2018 and recently replaced the front lateral suspension arm due to worn bushings. During the process, I discovered that one of the 14 mm bolt threads on the right side of the suspension arm had a helicoil inserted. While removal was straightforward, reinstalling the bolt proved difficult. I spent several hours reattaching it to the new suspension arm, but did not apply ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
The lateral lower front right suspension link and its securing bolts failed, causing the control arm to drop and the vehicle to become uncontrollable. (The bolts actually fell out on the ground) This was the second repair involving the same suspension area, with prior work performed on March 27, 2025. The replaced components should be available for inspection upon request. The failure caused th... Read more
ALFA ROMEO
GIULIA
(2019) - SUSPENSION
Jan 8, 2026
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
As of [XXX] , I witnessed a squealing sound coming from the rear end of my 2018 Denali Yukon XL truck. And it's affecting my braking. And it jerked when I changed my gears on my truck . And there are lights on in my dashboard on my truck. The engine light was blinking on and off and the traction control light was blinking on and off also. But the back driver side of the truck was squealing also. P... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2026
The car has harsh knocking downshifting. In slow speeds, the has abrupt transmission changes.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
CV joints making clicking noise when turning both sides.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
Clicking noise when turning left signs of a failed CV joint
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
When going over a bump the jeep goes into a "death wobble". This was fixed approximately 3 years ago. It now has started again.
Incident date: Dec 31, 2025
My 2025 Chevrolet Equinox (VIN: [XXX] ) was at Island Chevrolet from Thursday, June 26, 2025, through Monday, July 14, 2025, due to the transmission seizing. The vehicle was not even a year old at the time, as I purchased it in April 2025. Today, [XXX], my Equinox is at Freehold Buick because the OnStar hardware has failed. There is currently no estimated time of arrival for the replacement parts... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2025
NISSAN ALTIMA TORQUE STRUT MOUNT AND PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE
TOYOTA
RAV4 PRIME
(2022) - SUSPENSION
Jan 7, 2026
Incident date: Jan 23, 2025
Suspension or steering system makes an awful clicking noise when turning left or right.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
I was merging onto Interstate 20 with my 7x16 enclosed trailer properly hitched to my 2026 RAM 1500 with factory four corner air suspension. Upon reaching 63MPH the truck lowered from normal ride height to aerodynamic ride height. This caused a sudden and significant shift in ride stability and introduced sway that normally would not exist. The owners manual states that when in tow/haul mode and w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
Left rear coil spring is broken
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
while driving in light city traffic at low speed the right front wheel developed a terrible grinding noise and would not steer properly, pulled off of the road and called a tow truck car is now at a Tesla service center waiting on repair service
Incident date: Jan 6, 2026
The front and rear subframes of my 2013 Infiniti JX35 has experienced severe corrosion, perforation, and structural weakening, resulting in an unsafe driving condition. The corrosion is extensive enough to compromise suspension geometry, stability, and overall vehicle control. A structurally compromised subframe poses a serious risk of loss of control, increased stopping distance, and potential cr... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
The front suspension began having grinding noises. This was especially pronounced during turning at low speeds. At 58k miles. Tesla charged for having a tech ride along. They then did a front suspension investigation and said the following parts all were damaged and required replacement. Lower Compliance Links Lower front suspension links Lateral links Subframe assembly It would be consistent ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2025
[XXX] has stearing gear needing to be replaced after <60K miles. is there a way to report that this may be design flaw. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
One to two times per month upon starting my Cybertruck I receive multiple notifications for systems not working including "Driver Assistance - Automatic Emergency Braking is unavailable" and "Steering & Braking - Adaptive ride control degraded/Ride comfort may be reduced." These alerts cause the disablement of the regenerative braking, auto-hold (braking), emergency braking, adaptive ride control... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
On 6/28/2023, without any type of advanced warning, my rear driver's side control arm on my 2015 Nissan Altima failed, almost causing me to get into a severe accident; noting the rear tire was almost completely torn from the vehicle. The steering wheel also abruptly turned and locked to the left with a complete loss of control of the vehicle. The only thing that saved me from getting into a head... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
Purchased this car in September 2024 for our [XXX] son. Upon inspection at our local Mercedes Dealership on December 1, 2025, we were informed that the rear subframe should be immediately replaced as there is a rusted hole in the subframe, "compromising the structural integrity of the rear of the vehicle." We were informed that the prior bulletin issued for 2010-2014 C-Class models did not inclu... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2025
The vehicle's steering and suspension are making a clicking noise at the CV joint. There are no clear dashboard signs or error indicating that there is an issue with the vehicle. It started a couple months ago and I see that it is a common issue in Honda prologue coming from Chevy component reuse.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) - SUSPENSION
Jan 5, 2026
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
Vehicle has 11,500 miles on it and constantly pulls to the right. Pulls harder under hard acceleration, requiring steering correction when accelerating hard and again correcting when backing off the accelerator. Have had to dealer multiple times. They claim they can't fix. Correcting to the left under load and back to the right can cause car to weave at highway speeds and cause it to be unstab... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
Both front ball joints wore out at 20,000 miles The 3rd break light leaks into the cab at 26,000 miles & won't be warrantied even though there's an active recall for our same truck, same part just different model
Incident date: Jan 3, 2026
Invoice no. XXX Frame recall. I have a receipt stating…”J# 20TOZFRAM,;CS FRAM Inspection TECY(S):351 Warrenty inspected Frame, Frame failed, perforation, Replaced Frame at Dealer”. Except they did not replace the frame, I have a receipt stating they replaced the “ spare tire rack assembly. Now, my frame is so rusted it will not pass inspection next September. It has been welded already, ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH on a dirt road in Death Valley National Park for 30 miles, the passenger’s side front shock failed, then the driver’s side front shock and driver’s side rear shock failed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who declined to repair the vehicle under t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
While driving on to a rough area such as a bridge crossing the vehicle exhibited excessive bouncing and caused the direction of travel toward the next lane. Repairs to the front struts were made at the dealership where the vehicle was originally purchased. The repair part was described as JL1Z 18124 E Shock Absorber Asy. The service advisor said struts are described this way due to the way it is l... Read more