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: Feb 1, 2025
I noticed my oil was not staying in the engine. Oil has been changed but seems not to retain. The car stalled out on February 2nd and would not restart. I believe it is seized. Noticed a very new and recent shake during braking days before it stalled. The fuel seems to show like 42 miles to go until empty but run out , i guess fuel pump or fuel float. Also a fuel smell. Also the digital service op... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2024) - SUSPENSION
Feb 3, 2025
Incident date: Jan 4, 2025
Rear suspension has failed. Back of car bounces on slightest of rough roads. Ride is very rough for passengers in back two rows. Driver and front passenger also experience bumpy ride that was not there before. When researching, this seems to be a common issue for Palisades with self leveling rear suspension. Car does not seem safe from bouncing due to rear suspension failure.
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
My jeep has just started this problem going lower speeds and hitting a bump in the road. All of the sudden my jeep will start to shake violently and will not stop until I slow way down almost to a stop. It is happening approx. 8 to 15 times every day now. I no longer can go even one day without this happening. I believe it is called the death wobble. the shaking is so bad that it has steered me in... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2014) - SUSPENSION
Feb 3, 2025
Incident date: Jan 10, 2025
I am respectfully requesting that MHTAS submit to Ford an alternative Ford parts subsitution to nullify the recall for my Bronco and others to whom this applies. The recall states that replacement parts will not be available until 3rd quarter of 2025. I have been informed by the dealership service manager that these defective rear shocks could be replaced with Ford heavy duty shocks which shoul... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
Steering sticks and does not return to center in sweeping turns. Clicking noise over bumps in very cold weather (may or may not be related--steering issue most concerning). Most prominent at higher speeds (for example, getting off of the highway) but occurs at any speed. Once you turn the wheel, it will return slightly then stick in place. It takes a small amount of extra force to correct it back ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2024
While driving on the roadway, I was almost to a four way intersection, as i was going to get into the left turn lane, I turned the steering wheel slightly to the left as the steering wheel turned but the car almost did little adjusting to turn into the left turn lane. As this occurred you could here a noise underneath the vehicle . As I wasn't sure exactly what had happened, I attempted to limp th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2025
When starting again and driving in Slidell Louisiana only 70458 car is making loud noises from console radio network seems as if it's a tracking device linking into my car causing it to break gas is just draining starting Is loud just went to jeep in Nola jeep Xtreme on 29th all was fine seems as if there plugging in broke cars or trucks on my car. When off it makes noises every 20 min it's very... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2022) - SUSPENSION
Feb 2, 2025
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
On three separate occasions the vehicle began violently shaking giving the impression the front wheels were coming off (aka the death wobble). On all three occasions the shaking started while driving straight on paved road at 45-60mph. The first two incidents occurred within a week’s time. The Jeep services testing reported no issues. At that time they performed a realignment and sent me on ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
Took my vehicle in for an alignment, was told by my local Audi dealer the rear subframe has rotted through and will need to be replaced. I asked how could this happen on a vehicle under 10 years? They said they see a lot of Q5's with similar rust issues due to a design flaw where a plastic protective cover cups and holds water directly on the structural part of the vehicle. They quoted me $8,000 t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2025
In less than one year with this car, 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT, is hesitating when accelerating then jerking forward into 4th gear, while driving at various speeds, the steering column vibrates makes loud sound, I’ve replaced the headlights at least 6x, water is getting in the vehicle somehow even a car wish will leave the floorboards soaking wet, the steering sways. This car had given me ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2024
The vehicle shakes at speeds starting at 68 mph and is extreme at 73 mph. I have taken it in for repairs at the Chevrolet dealership twice and to a tire shop. I fear this could be the start of the term known as the "Death Wobble". Chevrolet is aware of this issue and have issued Technical Service Bulletins relating to shake and vibration complaints. This is a brand new 2025 vehicle. Because this v... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
The SUV when driving about 45 MPH and go to place the brakes the car shakes and when you back up it is a real loud high Shril sound took it to Ford and they wont return the car I can not take anymore I am tired I have had problems since I first purchase the ford suv I am disgusted fuel injections transmission back breaks problems I want to return the car please contact me [XXX] [XXX]... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V025000 (SUSPENSION); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufactured had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not exp... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2022
Some 2019 Tesla model 3’s recalled due to lateral and control link issues. Problem seems to be more wide spread. Exactly same problem is apparently happening with my car - also a 2019 Tesla model 3, but not covered for some reason.
Incident date: Jan 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300W. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an alignment. The contact was later informed that the wheel alignment was not fully completed due to extensive corrosion on the subframe. The contact picked up the vehicle and upon investigation discovered that there was a warranty on the vehicle for the corrosion of the subframe. An appointment was scheduled, and... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2011) - SUSPENSION
Jan 31, 2025
Incident date: Jul 20, 2016
Top of wheel well around shock absorber broke off due to rust as well a frame disintegrating due to rust. When shock broke free part of wheel well lodged behind the tire and destroyed the brand new tire.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2022
This complaint is to document severe frame damage due to corrosion my 2000 Toyota Tundra. The rusted frames of the 2000-2003 Tundra’s are a well-documented problem that the Toyota Corporation has tried, unsuccessfully, to remedy in the past but continues to be a safety hazard to passengers and other innocent people when the frame finally fails. Some owners have been fortunate enough to have the... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving on uneven terrain, there was an abnormal clanking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that a front shock suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. Upon further investigation, the cont... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
The vehicle abruptly stopped driving going 40 mph, this could have caused an accident or rollover had It been on the highway. The check engine light came on after the incident. This was towed by flatbed to the dealership where it was diagnosed as the ptu.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2024
The manufacturer failed to align the vehicle at all prior to leaving the factory. The failed parts all have to do with the alignment. My safety was put at risk because of the persistent pull while driving, shaking while driving, instability at high speeds, and the fact that the tires are now damaged due to the alignment issues. The dealer kept the vehicle for over 60 days, and was able to rectify ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
I was driving on a 1200 mile trip with my 39ft camper. I came off an overpass bridge and my truck felt like both front tires had popped. My steering wheel was bouncing like crazy and luckily I was able to get the vehicle to a stop and off the road. My 2 children and fiancé were also in the car and were lucky not to be killed. After stopping I looked over the truck and trailer and saw nothing wron... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the front end of the vehicle started shuddering uncontrollably. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue driving to the residence at 20 MPH. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
The steering relay rod or drag links that connect to my idler arm is giving very loose steering and have been known to go bad. It randomly pulled when going on the highway. It also clunks when maxing the steering wheel and sometimes pulls me towards one side. The tie rods are loose as well. I hasn't been inspected by Toyota but there was an act in 2005 for a recall for this particular reason, same... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
1. When I turn my car either left of right there is a huge noise under the hood at the joint like a cracking noise. It is very concerning and doubt that some thing big is broken. I got to know in the forum that almost all the cars are having this issue. 2. When using my HondaLink app to unlock the door, sometimes the app has issues sending the signal to the car. This is a safety issue because in ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2024
The truck's frame has severely rusted. The frame has deteriorated. It is unsafe to drive as the frame is breaking in half. According to Toyota, this was a huge problem with the 2006 Tacoma. They will not fix the frame or offer any solution. My son can not safely drive this vehicle.
Incident date: Dec 11, 2024
This Toyota has several large rust holes directly on the frame. i hit a pot hole and more structure damage was revealed on the frame from rust. The truck drives rough now. The vehicle only has 150,000 miles. The rust holes are so severe that they're directly under my suspension. I feel very unsafe driving this vehicle. Their was once a recall for the frame. It doesn't seem that it was satisfied. I... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2025
Vehicle Information: Make: Tesla Model: Model 3 Mid Range Year: 2018 VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 60,000 Issue Description: My 2018 Tesla Model 3 is experiencing premature wear of the front upper control arm ball joints and lower links at only 60,000 miles, despite the sealant fix from Tesla Service Bulletin SB-20-31-006 being previously applied. This premature wear suggests a defect in materials or des... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2024
Failed component: drivers front coil spring broke. Yes available for inspection upon request. Does not appear to have signs of exterior corrosion. Could effect drivability of vehicle. I think Nissan issued a technical service bulletin for 2022 Altima but not for 2017 Altima. Part has not been inspected by manufacture, police, or any others. No warning indications to driver. Incident occurred pu... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2025
Driving down highway, hit dip at bridge seam, when the car bounce up from dip, the right rear control arm snapped in half. Car lost control to right, fortunately I was able to maintain control somewhat and avoided accident. Right rear wheel tilted at 45 degree angle. Car currently at repair shop with snapped lower rear control arm
Incident date: Dec 26, 2024
Took the car in for an oil change and asked them to look at the brakes and rear as there was a strange noise. Vehicle was inspected and found the entire subframe is rotted. Was advised this is a common problem with Mercedes and there were some recalls. Unfortunately no open recall on this vehicle and it is now not driveable as this is a safety risk. Car has been driven 60 miles/day for the pas... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
My F-150 has been a nightmare since I purchased it in April. Ford dealers are unwilling to even look into my complaints. It has now got to the point where I cant drive the vehicle on the interstate because it is too unstable at those speeds. As in the steering wheel moves one way and the truck steers another. The truck is on its 3rd set of tires with only 30k miles on the odometer, but Ford al... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2017) - SUSPENSION
Jan 28, 2025
Incident date: Jan 28, 2025
Repeated issues of rear self leveling shocks/suspension noise
Incident date: Jan 28, 2025
We were driving through a mountain range and the trailer brakes went out on Trailer. Had to us exhaust brake to slow trailer down and stop. We could have crashed putting my family of 4 at high risk as well as others on the road. This was an extremely scary trip with no trailer braking. Our inverter and battery switch caught fire during a camping trip 8/12/24. My family was put in harm's way with ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
Multiple mechanics working at and including but not limited to: Firestone, discount tires, Midas, Walmart, independent mechanics have informed me the rear wheels can not be realigned with the front wheels due to how it was designed. This has caused my rear wheels to become more and more out of alignment with no way to repair the misalignment. So all steering components have been more and more har... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, engine oil was leaking onto the ground while the vehicle was parked. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the spark plugs, and cylinders #3 and #4 twice, and an independent mechanic had r... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2022) - SUSPENSION
Jan 28, 2025
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds over bumps in the roadway, the vehicle experienced a "death wobble". The failure caused the front of the vehicle to shake uncontrollably, causing the contact to temporarily lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions where the front steering damper and tie rods were... Read more
CHRYSLER
PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2018) - SUSPENSION
Jan 28, 2025
Incident date: Jan 26, 2025
Lower control arm rubs against subframe. Makes noise as going over bumps. Acura has a service bulletin, 20-025, from June 19, 2020 identifying issue. Issue told to tech in past but was identified. Now identified at 66,881 on car out of warranty but Acura will not cover. Rubbing seems like safety issue over time
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
The car started making a strange high pitched creak sound whenever I would turn the steering wheel, or go over bumps in the road. I brought the car to Tesla and they informed me that the following parts needed to be replaced. 1. Front Lower Compliance links (left and right) 2. Front Lower Lateral Link (left and right) I was notified that the failure of those components was a potentially serious ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2025
- when driving on the highway, vehicle and steering wheel will shake uncontrollably if going over any bumps or grooves. vehicle is available for inspection and is currently being inspected by nearest dealership. - car would begin shaking and steering wheel would begin shaking and locking up. - problem is currently being assessed by nearest jeep dealership. - no warning signs or messages appeared p... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2025
- (1) failed/black instrument cluster/panel. unable to see mileage, fuel level, engine temperature, tire pressure, etc. - I can hear multiple warning lights going off, but I'm unable to see any. - the vehicle has been brought in for servicing at my nearest jeep dealership - the vehicle is currently being inspected at my nearest jeep dealership - there were no warning messages or lamps prior to fai... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2025
There is a loud knocking or banging sound when making sharp turns. Particularly a turn of 90 degrees or sharper. It sounds almost like something under the car coming from the wheels area. It goes away as you release the steering and straighten back out. But it is loud enough that I am thinking of going back to the dealership to get it checked out.
Incident date: Jan 19, 2025
Rear shocks failure at less than 20K miles. Dealership replaced both rear shocks, but will happen again in another 20K miles?
Incident date: Jan 25, 2025
Within a few hundred miles of owning, the CV joint started clicking. Dealer says they can't even locate the part. Told me to keep driving it, but it seems unsafe. Problem seems to be getting more severe and dealer still has no eta on the part to fix the problem. Concerned that CV joint will fail while driving - but dealer keeps saying it's fine.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2017) - SUSPENSION
Jan 27, 2025
Incident date: Jan 7, 2025
My wife was driving her 2023 Model Y with our [XXX] son in it, suddenly she heard a loud sound back to back twice and the car stopped, she couldn’t drive or move the car, she stepped out and saw 2 large bolts on the ground near the front passenger tire and the tired turned inwards and the tire would not turn upon steering and would not move at all. We called Tesla Roadside assistance. The tow t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
My rear shocks and or insulator were replaced under a TSB 22-SS-001H at 50000 miles. At 79000 they are needing replaced again. I am told the TSB no longer applies since it is out of warranty. I see others having the same issue. Can Hyundai be held accountable for obviously replacing a defective part with another one?
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
Driving at approximately 20 mph on a busy highway, when accelerated to do a lane change, my vehicle did an extremely aggressive jolt and I can hear my engine struggling. I managed to move over lanes to the closest center divider and when i tried to put my car on "Park" it did not shift, it was stuck on drive. I had to apply the emergency foot break and turn off the vehicle. I quickly turned it ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2024
My car was recalled by Hyundai for a critical safety issue and has been at the dealership since July of 2024 awaiting repairs due to missing parts. Despite repeated follow-ups, Hyundai has been unable to provide a timeline for the repair. Recently, they offered to buy back the car, but the offer was far below its fair market value. When I declined, they stated they would return the car to me unfix... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
I’m still waiting for the current recall to be corrected. The suspension is worn out. Replaced rear shocks, front struts, lower control arm. This is the worse automobile I’ve ever owned. If possible, I will never buy another ford. The car’s rear back up camera has been replaced and has stopped working again.
TOYOTA
AVALON HYBRID
(2021) - SUSPENSION
Jan 27, 2025
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
Experienced rattling while driving. Brought car in and was told this is a known problem. Obtained copy of the bulletin from Tesla saying this was a “fix upon notification” rather than a recall. Then was forced to pay for the repairs. Upon investigation, this has been reported consistently since 2016. This seems fraudulent as it should cross the threshold of a recall. I would like Tesla to cove... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
I was driving normally down the road and all of a sudden I lost control and couldn’t turn my vehicle apparently the control arm rusted from the subframe, causing me to swerve hit a curb and cause more damage to the front end. Thank God I was on a not so busy street! I could have killed myself or someone else all because this company’s metal rusted out.
Crash