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 16, 2025
2021 Palisade was in for a repair on 5-13-2025. Mileage at that time was 62,144. I requested that a noise that I was hearing in the back of the car be investigated. The noise sounds like a pop that happens when turning or going over bumps. I was told by the dealer that the rear shock insulator caps needed to be replaced to the tune of $2000. I was not told there is a TSB for this issue. Unf... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started bouncing. The contact stated that the transmission also failed to shift properly. The service engine and suspension warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that a bearing had detached, and the transmission had failed. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
At approximately 99,900 miles, my 2020 Ford Fusion began experiencing serious transmission issues, including rough shifting, hesitation, jerking, and difficulty accelerating, especially at low speeds or while merging onto highways. These symptoms created an unsafe driving situation, particularly in traffic and intersections. I took the vehicle to multiple repair shops to have the issue diagnosed.... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
when driving this car at highway speeds, if you hit any sort of obstacle, you are going to experience an extreme amount of sloshing in the back of your car. This same experience occurs when you are going down a hill, around a bend, and hit a pothole or any sort of irregularities in the road surface. When this sloshing occurs, it feels as though the back end of the car is going to whip around, caus... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
2020 hyundai palisade limited with 71k miles. The rear shocks have been replaced 2x and the front struts have been replaced once already. The front struts knock over smooth rides and low impact imperfections. the rear shocks feel to have seemingly worn out, resulting in reverberating knocking sounds over bumps, cracks and road imperfections.
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
The lower control arm of the passenger front wheel separated from the vehicle entirely while the vehicle was in motion. There are two bolts which attach the bushing to the front sub-frame assembly. These bolts pass through the frame and are secured into nuts which are affixed to the frame. The bolts are not captured; there is no retention device (pins, wiring) which prevent these bolts from bac... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
When vehicle stopped at red light, foot on break. The whole car shut down and locked up and I was unable to move. I had to turn the car off and back on and jerk the wheel to get it to respond again. This happened twice in one drive. This is right after getting my car back from dealership for parts that had to be replaced due to a re-call.
Incident date: Jun 11, 2025
Hello - I'm having extreme Inner tire wear on rear tires due to a bad camber arm design on my Tesla model X. The negative chamber is way outside of normal standards. I had an issue recently where my tire blew out. I did not notice until I had to replace it. I have changed tires three times in the last year. That's just egregious.
Incident date: Jun 14, 2025
Vehicle begins to shake when speed reaches 60 to 70 MPH (issue has been happening since the vehicle left the lot). Shaking can be felt in the steering wheel, gas/brake pedals and front seats. Vehicle has been taken to a Toyota dealership three different times and after three realignments and tire rebalancing, the issue still persists. Several 4Runner owner forums are experiencing the same issue in... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2021
on 5/20/25, I had my Tesla repaired as I had suspension issues. They repaired my car to rectify my suspension for both my front and rear tires. Then on 6/12/25, I was driving on the highway and going about 70-75 mph when I heard a huge pop. No warning indicators came on and something did not feel right. I figured nothing else came of it. I was about 30 miles away from home and when I got home, my ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
PASSAT
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Jun 14, 2025
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
Rear Trailing Arm Rusted Out, Car Can not be repaired per two citified mechanics.
Crash
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
Just like the same era's Honda CR-V (the Honda Element's sibling car with many of the same components), the undercarriage rust on my vehicle is excessive: as described in the same era Honda CR-V's NHTSA Recall (23V-228). Large sections of my car’s rear frame are completely missing, and as shown in the photographs even the rear bumper fell off because of all of the rust. Just like with the CR-V, ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
Just like the same era's Honda CR-V (the Honda Element's sibling car with many of the same components), the undercarriage rust on my vehicle is excessive: as described in the same era Honda CR-V's NHTSA Recall (23V-228). Large sections of my car’s rear frame are completely missing, as shown in the photographs. My car is now undriveable. I had it towed to two Honda dealerships at my expense and b... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rumbling sound coming from the undercarriage while driving over bumps in the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the front struts had failed and needed to be replaced. The co... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2023
Incident Summary: On [XXX], I was in an accident and dropped my Tesla Model 3 at Tesla’s North Phoenix Collision Center in Nov 2024. I received the car back in Dec/Jan. Immediately, I noticed dangerous swaying, bouncing, and veering when hitting dips—especially on the freeway. The car was unstable and unsafe to drive at high speeds. In Feb/Mar, Tanner (assistant manager at the collision cente... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V025000 (Suspension); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclos... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud clicking sound coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with fractured front driver's and passenger's side axles. The contact was informed that the driver's and passenger's side... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2017) - SUSPENSION
Jun 13, 2025
Incident date: May 7, 2025
It’s been a known issue that Toyota Highlander has transmission problems under 100k miles from 2016-2021 or later (social media sites confirmed such). My vehicle require a trans axle replacement as well as the struts are leaking oil and my vehicle has less than 62k miles and is only 5 years old. This is being covered under my extended warranty but parts are on back order After doing research m... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2025
While driving my 2024 Ford Maverick on a highway at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost power to the front wheels while passing a slower-moving vehicle. This caused the truck to jerk and decelerate rapidly in the oncoming lane, forcing me to veer back into my original lane abruptly. In doing so, I narrowly avoided a head-on collision, but the sudden maneuver caused the driver behind me... Read more
3 injured
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
I purchased this vehicle from Vroom, who is also my lender under United Auto Credit. The car was sold with a washed title and undisclosed prior structural and mechanical damage. I have documentation confirming the vehicle had serious pre-existing issues and should never have been sold as a clean-title car. The differential has failed three times in under 6 months, and I’ve experienced full driv... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2018) - SUSPENSION
Jun 12, 2025
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
CV joints failing. 61k miles and getting a shaking front end wheel driving. A failure could cause an accident or other safety odor for the drivers and others. I’ve seen many reports of the same failures but no recalls yet. Ford should take care of this issue.
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
With only 53500 miles the gears stopped working. The gear shift pulls and hesitates when changing gears. The engine pulls when excelerating even at low speeds while struggling to shift. The Cam is also causing issues with loud start up sounds.
Incident date: Jun 9, 2025
After a trip I found a crack in the fiberglass under the slide out, the dealer sent me to a Bodyshop. They have determined that the welds for the frame have broken. I have contacted forest river they will not try to help with the repair. I believe this is a safety issue with their product.
Incident date: May 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while driving, he drove over a bump in the road, and the back end swayed and it fishtailed. The contact pulled over and was unable to locate the cause of the failure. The contact continued to drive while driving over 35 MPH; the vehicle swerved. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic,... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while reversing at approximately 4 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear driver's side wheel well of the vehicle. The contact stated upon shifting to drive(D), the contact noticed that the vehicle was wobbling from left to right in the lane. The traction control warning was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle s... Read more
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2024) - SUSPENSION
Jun 12, 2025
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
I went for an oil change, tire rotation, etc at the dealer on 6/9/25 and was told that my frame had rust damage/holes and would not pass inspection this coming December. Went to Ziebart on 6/11/25 and they confirmed multiple hole/rust damage on frame which needed repair. They were perplexed as no problem was seen at my last yearly check of the rust protection in July of 2024. Also, no mention o... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
1st incident cracked frame/suspension support for front suspension, 4 months to fix, 2nd incident oil pump, lifter failure, replaced under warranty. 3rd failure engine sieze while driving at 55-60 mph. Warning light flashed loss of oil pressure shut down immediately, put it in neutral to coat to side of road but moment I shifted to N engine failed, had to tow home cuz dealer was a month out to loo... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2025
Front Coil Spring Cracking (TRD Pro Models) I observed cracking of the front coil spring, a design defect in the spring's termination and how it sits on the top hat and bottom perch. This can lead to a sudden loss of control and a crash. Furthermore, pieces of the broken spring coil can fly out underneath the vehicle and cause serious injury to person and/or damage property, when vehicle is dri... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2024
Vehicle alignment caused per mature outside tire wear on both front tires. Service bulletin found for different trim level but not for my vehicle. Dealership suggested paying for alignment to remedy. Vehicle and tires have 28000 miles
GMC
HUMMER EV SUV
(2025) - SUSPENSION
Jun 11, 2025
Incident date: Jun 6, 2025
Rear sub frame has significant rust, snapped while driving at slow speed, there was no injury but steering was affected, no harm done this time but it is a known issue, 2wd model has a recall for the same part with the same issue
Incident date: Jun 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that upon pulling into the driveway at 5 MPH, there was an abnormal snapping sound coming from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that the rear cradle bolts attached to the suspension had failed. The contact stated that the failure caused damages the driveshaft, mu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
After about 15,000 miles of normal driving (a few road trips but mostly commuting and taking the kids to school and sports, no towing or off roading), my vehicle developed a clunking noise. This noise was inspected by the dealer and determined to be an issue with the rear struts. This is the first time in almost 30 years of vehicle ownership that I have had a vehicle require a strut replacement.
Incident date: Jun 11, 2025
Front subframe (also referred to as K-frame, engine cradle, crossmember) rusted through forming large holes in two locations which could cause failure of the front subframe during operation. Locations mirror each other, are at the forward-facing side of the cross member just in from the point where the crossmember connects to the side beams of the K-Frame. Holes formed at ~100,000 miles. The su... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
The differential came apart while my family and I were traveling on the highway out of town. This cause the vehicle to start violently jolting and wheels locked up. The vehicle began to skid across the center line into on coming traffic, we were almost hit head on and from behind due to this. My husband couldn’t get the vehicle to move, it was making a grinding and screeching noise. Finally,... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
We have been having problems with our slide out for 2 years. The slide mechanism kept getting damaged/"chewed up" and kept needing to be replaced. We could not get the slide to go in or out on its own several times over the 2-year period. After 2 years of taking it for repeated repairs, a Lippert tech came to the shop to inspect it. Per Lippert, the manufacturer of the chassis, "Inspection of chas... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2015) - SUSPENSION
Jun 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 22, 2021
the brakes and system isn't stablest shakes ,wobble left to right going over bumps.i fixed things over and over
Incident date: Jun 10, 2025
I originally started out at World Kia in Matteson, where I was approved for a newer vehicle. But then they suddenly changed their minds and tried to put me in an older car instead. That rubbed me the wrong way, so I went to their Joliet location hoping for better service. Boy, was I wrong. Even though they had already run my credit in Matteson, they reran it again in Joliet, which made no sense ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
Suspension has been an issue since 10,000 miles. Rear shocks replaced at 58,000. 3,000 miles later the noise & bumpy ride have returned. Had to replace front brakes before 50,000 miles due to wear. Replaced all 4 tires due to extreme uneven wear at 45,000.
Incident date: May 25, 2025
Braking after hitting a pothole was a nightmare! No warning lights came on to prepare me for anything. Brake pedal went to the floor and would not work properly. Finally after getting my vehicle to stop I pulled over pumped my brakes and seemed to work after 5 tries. Toe link recall was “fixed” well not the case. After 2 recalls on the toe link I had a nice bill the cost me $1.450.00 after hav... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF SPORTWAGEN
(2016) - SUSPENSION
Jun 9, 2025
Incident date: May 2, 2025
Took my vehicle in on 10/16/2023 to the Morgan Hill Jeep store where I bought the vehicle indicating that vehicle was unsafe to drive due to shaky front end suspension. Was told that the tech could not verify my complaint but they replaced the steering damper under a recall. Shortly after, vehicle continued to shake over bumps and uneven pavement to the point that on 06/07/2025 on a 2 hour road ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
I purchased a brand new 2025 Subaru Forester Wilderness and immediately noticed a persistent vibration in the steering wheel, seat, and footwell area. The vibration is present at all times — while driving at various speeds and even while idling. It is very distracting and uncomfortable. This ongoing vibration creates a constant sensation of movement that affects my comfort and ability to stay f... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2020) - SUSPENSION
Jun 9, 2025
Incident date: Jun 4, 2025
Tuve un Choque mi carro no freno y Choque a un carro que iba a dar vuelta a la izquierda, frene y mi carro no lo hizo , el impacto fue el que freno , mi carro se dano todo el frente , el punto es que yo lleve mi carro a remplazar las bolsas de aire al dealer , hace como 7 messes que porque estaban defectuosas ,, a mi carro no le hicieron ningun cambio de bolsas de aire solo las desconectaron ,... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 4-Star Horse Trailer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the rear wheel on the driver’s of the trailer detached from the axle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who replaced the wheel and the axle. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the failure re... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn into the intended direction. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle failed to remain in the intended lane while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the shocks and struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was re... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a 2019 Buick Regal, which I purchased as a used vehicle in 2023 with approximately 19,000 miles. Since owning the car, I have added only 14,000 miles, yet I have experienced multiple significant and ongoing issues that raise serious concerns about the safety, reliability, and warranty service associated with this vehicle. Vehicle Problems:... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
I have a 2014 Ford Flex. My axle shaft came undone while driving. My Ford flex was manufactured 07 of 13 my mechanic said that there's a recall for your front axle shaft on the passenger side and it falls within the guidelines of the affected vehicles but Ford says that it's not covered. My vin was never added to the recall and it’s the same exact issue that the others had for that year.
Incident date: May 25, 2025
My airbag light and seatbelt light are on and the horn has stopped working. Frame and front suspension is making a horrible creaking sound and has been for months. Frame seems to be rotted … I’ve taken it to multiple places to have it looked at…. I’ve also seen other complaints on here of people having the same issue! This poses a huge safety risk! Definitely needs a recall for both issues... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2021) - SUSPENSION
Jun 8, 2025
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
Vehicle started rattling going over bumps.
Incident date: Jun 6, 2024
Car started shifting hard during deceleration giving a jolt forward. Check engine light came on for power train control module. Also started hearing a rattle and had to replace control arms.