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 117,775 complaints - component: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
My car started making a loud noise several months ago so I took it to a mechanic. When he looked at it, he informed me that the bearing in my transmission failed and could not be repaired because it would all need replaced. I couldn’t afford it so I called 3 other places who told me it needed fully replaced also since it’s CVT. I’ve been trying to trade it in with issues for months and nobod... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
The front windshield cracked without any impact. We drove from Arizona to California and nothing hit our windshield or vehicle. We parked our vehicle and a visible spot and can see our vehicle at all times and we walked out and our windshield was cracked down the middle all the way into the driver side. It was not drivable back home to Arizona.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Infiniti has acknowledged that certain vehicles equipped with this engine may experience bearing failures caused by a manufacturing defect affecting the main, A-, C-, and L-link bearings. These defects can result in engine damage or complete engine failure, as outlined in Infiniti’s recall notice. In September 2025, I took my vehicle to an authorized Infiniti service center after receiving notic... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
LaFontaine Ford Birch Run MI falsified recalls on my 2016 f150. They claimed they were done, however i have had several other Ford dealers state that there is missing parts and it was obvious it was not completed. This recall is for my door cables freezing up making it unsafe for me to commute when cold. I have held my door shut all the way to work multiple times because it would not latch. Other ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
Front Passenger door unlatched with no warning. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I made a quick stop off the highway and my passenger and I got back in the vehicle and pulled off and the door opened. She pulled the door closed and it wouldn't latch. At this point we were miles away from home. The door could've unlatched on the highway that we were just on and caused a major accid... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2025
The electric sunroof/moonroof shade malfunctioned and pulled off the track, with part of the shade falling into the car compartment and obstructing the driver's view out the rear, including obstructing the rear view mirror. The dealer looked at it and stated that a spring had broken, but that the entire sunroof shade assembly needs to be replaced —a $2100 repair. In my opinion, this is a safety ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2025
-Infotainment/Radio failure. Not available for inspection: its whereabouts are unknown to this driver-has been given to Jeep/Mopar. -Backup camera intermittently working: Would freeze up while the car was actively in reverse. While driving (vehicle in forward) backup camera would turn on & show footage of the car in reverse from much earlier in the day (>7 minutes have passed since reversing th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
This has happened out of the blue and randomly more than once recently. loss of power/no acceleration. once it had no acceleration when taking off from a stopped position, and then again it lost acceleration while driving at a speed of around 50MPH the car would no longer accelerate, had to pull off to the side of the road and turned the car off and let it sit for a few minutes and then restarted ... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER
(2015) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 10, 2025
Incident date: Nov 10, 2025
I was driving my 2023 Hyundai Palisade at 75 mph on I25 in Northern Colorado when I heard a terribly loud noise like an explosion above my head. I jerked but kept control of the car. My immediate thought was that something dropped on my roof but I wasn't under an overpass. Frantically looking in all directions, I saw something dark flying in the air towards the side of the road. At the same time, ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
SLK250
(2015) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 10, 2025
Incident date: Nov 9, 2025
My vehicle was stolen. Dent on right back fender . Footage needs to be pulled from Gull Aire Village 34677. Witness was [XXX] . First dent. Sunpass has image. Reported to CLWR pd. Accident photos sent. Not same car. Allstate Insurance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash
Fire
MERCEDES-BENZ
E300
(2017) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 10, 2025
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
My vehicle was stolen. Dent on right back fender . Footage needs to be pulled from Gull Aire Village 34677. Witness was [XXX] . First dent. Sunpass has image. Reported to CLWR pd. Accident photos sent. Not same car. Allstate Insurance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash
Fire
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
i have tried to get the recall 25V-514 repaired at two separate LR dealerships. One in MA and one in FL No parts available and no information on when they will be available.. Call LR customer service only to be told they dont have any information on parts availability. Recieved original notification 12/18/24 Second notification 9/5/25 MANY people affected by this safety issue and NO-ONE KNOWS WH... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2025
I had an appointment scheduled for November 18, 2025, at Lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT of Santa Fe to address five outstanding recalls on my Ram 2500 truck. On the morning of November 10, 2025, I called to verify my appointment and was informed by a representative in the service department that my vehicle would need to remain in the shop for at least 48 hours, and that they had never perfor... Read more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
My 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 has become unsafe to drive due to strong gasoline fumes filling the cabin. The smell is overwhelming and makes it difficult — and frankly dangerous — to sit in the vehicle for more than a few minutes without feeling lightheaded. I have since learned that this issue is part of a known defect covered under NHTSA Recall #21V961, which affects 2016–2020 CLA 250 mode... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2021) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 10, 2025
Incident date: Jul 22, 2025
While I was driving my car on the highway doing the speed limit of 60mph my car lost complete power and lost speed to below 20mph and would not gain speed. I pulled over on the highway turned the car off and back on. It begins driving again normal. The next morning it was mis firing so I took it in to the dealer and this is what I was told after getting a diagnostic check: FOUND CYLINDERS 1 AND 4... Read more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
Subject: Request for Investigation and Recall – Door Handle Failure on Volkswagen Vehicle Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am writing to formally request an investigation and potential recall concerning a serious safety issue with my 2022 ID.4 AWD Pro S Volkswagen vehicle. The problem involves the door handles failing to open from either the inside or outside of the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2025
Auto Start Stop Issue - Vehicle will stall and not start when waiting at a red light after you let go of break. All warning lights would turn on and stall.
Incident date: Nov 9, 2025
This making model has become known for a parasitic drain of the DCM module. It’s all over the public forums that this module doesn’t shut down properly and causes a drain on the battery system. The remedy is to plug your car into a battery tender system.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
Unknown. The roof is separating along the groove line causing rust on my 2025 Chevy Equinox
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE L
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 10, 2025
Incident date: Nov 10, 2025
On [XXX], my 2022 Volkswagen I.D. 4 burst into flames and exploded while it was parked in my apartment complex parking structure ([XXX] ). My car was completely engulfed in flames, nearby cars as well as the parking structure experienced heat damage. My life and others were put in danger because even though my car was electric, it was parked in a resident garage near other cars who are gas operate... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Nov 10, 2023
1. The vehicle’s emissions system is malfunctioning, specifically the ECM (Engine Control Module) related to the exhaust emissions system. The diagnostic trouble code is P2C7A, indicating the system is not performing as expected. Key components such as the NOx catalytic converters and diesel particulate filter have been repeatedly replaced, but the issue persists. The vehicle and all replaced co... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2025
I have open recalls on my vehicle, and Volkswagen is refusing to fix them. This includes the door handles and the battery. The battery recall has been open for a while, and NO dealership is fixing it for me. Additionally, the local dealership refused service and tried charging me to fix the recall, which is supposed to be free. The "date this incident occured" below is today, because they are com... Read more
ALFA ROMEO
GIULIA
(2017) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 10, 2025
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
My Subaru has an auto start/stop. I was at a complete stop, making a left-hand turn, and my car completely shuts off with the following message: For safety, auto restart disabled; eyesight with a \ through the words, put car in park and restart vehicle. In the time it took me to put the car in park and restart, I was almost T-bone. This was terrifying. This had happened on previous occasion in st... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2022
When driving below 5 mph—forward or reverse—with the rear passenger door fully open, the only alert is a small “door ajar” icon on the dash. This icon is the same drawing, whether the door is completely open or semi-latched, so the driver has no way to know the extent of the hazard. Without an additional warning, an fully open door can strike pedestrians, poles, garage, or other vehicles, ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
On the morning of 11/01/2025, the vehicle was in volved in a fire. The cause of the fire is uncertain so the insurance company is investigating it and asked I report it to the NHTSA.
Fire
T & B WELDING & TRAILER
HAY HAULER GOOSENECK
(2023) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 10, 2025
Incident date: Nov 3, 2025
Honda’s Auto Idle Stop system shuts vehicle off when at a full stop and fails to restart after removing foot from the brake. Instead, when you remove your foot off the brake, the vehicle switches to neutral or park and does not restart despite following on screen instructions to restart (Example: switch to park, put foot on the brake, and press start button). We have to put the hazard lights on ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
I was stopped by a railroad crossing and when I started driving, my automatic emergency braking activated and jerked to a stop. This happened two consecutive days in a row. Gratefully no one was behind me, or they would have rear ended my vehicle.
Incident date: Sep 10, 2024
While driving, my husband noticed a clunking or knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. He contacted the dealership in September and was told they were experiencing a system outage and could not assist us at that time. We continued to drive the vehicle, and soon after, the steering began to feel loose and started pulling to one side. While I was driving, the car suddenly jerked sharp... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2025
Radiator needs fluid and the liquid would go to the engine. The head gasket is blown. Repaired multiple times still giving the same issue. Oil is leaking.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
I have been calling my local dealership for over a year trying to get my car fixed due to the recall and the dealership keeps saying they do not have the parts and will call when they do.
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 300
(2018) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 10, 2025
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The sunroof on my 2023 Santa Fe exploded.
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
My vehicle automatically shuts off after 30 minutes of inactivity. This poses a safety hazard as when I 1st received this vehicle from my fleet company I left my 1 year old in there to nap and had no idea that it was going to automatically shut off. Thankfully, it was not a hot day and nothing happened to her. Today I read a story about a 2 year old that died after being left in a vehicle that has... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
On Wednesday, November 5th, the rear glass on my 2019 Acura RDX spontaneously shattered without warning. I brought the vehicle to Safelite for repair; however, they were unable to assist due to the technical complexity of removing and replacing the glass. I then contacted an Acura dealership by phone and was advised that I may be required to replace the entire rear hatch, rather than just the glas... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
Glove book hanging down. Rear cup holder in arm rest is stuck.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 10, 2025
Incident date: Nov 5, 2025
This Is another complain on this car I bought car on 10 /10/25 because of cold weather approaching I asked my son to check and see if the antifreeze looked ok in car and the radiator looked hallow in could not see any fliud then checked container for antifreeze looked empty no fluid touched the stick. What is going on . seemed like the dealer would have checked it before they test drove it ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2025
This site is useless. There are so many complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Trax on here, but yet nobody is doing anything about it! I believe it is a severe safety hazard for all vehicles on the highway when a vehicle loses power without warning , whether it is on the interstate, or a residential street! But I guess the manufacturer does not think it's a safety hazard, but apparently if your ve... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
After normal operation, I shut off the vehicle, and within seconds it caught fire without any external cause. Our insurance company and Look Larson Dodge investigated the incident over approximately 3½ weeks but could not determine a definitive cause of the fire.
Fire
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
Every since I purchased my 2022 Honda Pilot, I have had soo many issues with the windshield chipping. I bought the car brand new. Within the first 6 months, I had a chip at the top right corner (passenger side) the ended up cracking all the way to the edge. I had to replace the windshield. Fast forward to within a year of the new windshield being in place, and I know have FOUR chips. All on the ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
Problem seems to be within the steering component.While driving it wanders back and forth pretty bad. Yes it would available for inspection if requested. It has not been confirmed by a dealer but i have reed many complaints about the same problem.I think it is dangerous the way it wanders.
Incident date: Oct 28, 2025
I think the recall is on communication software. I contacted Mercedes Benz many times in the past 2 years. Mercedes Benz asked its dealer to do the recall but dealer said they cannot do it. Mecedes Benz also said their software supplier had not found a solution yet.
Incident date: Aug 21, 2025
Hello, I am writing to escalate an urgent issue involving my vehicle recall and my scheduled shipment. I have paid over three thousand dollars to Montway as my broker, and at this point all involved parties have failed to provide a clear solution. I cannot move forward without immediate support. My Jeep is experiencing a recurring battery recall for the seventh time. This is a product defect... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
My 2015 BMW 320 is having a performance issue. After I diagnosed this is due to corrosion on the wastegate actuator and has failed. The bushing and part corroded and the rod is dangling. This should be covered by the extended warranty on the part as it’s a known defect failure by BMW
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
A safety recall performed by Hyundai automotive company was completed on 10.4.2022 to remedy a known security flaw in Kia/Hyunai vehicles made between 2011 and 2022. This recall was performed successfully by a certified Hyundai dealer. Since this, the vehicle has been stolen not once, but twice. The security sytem that should be in place to prevent the ease of theft has not been effective. This ... Read more
Crash
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2025) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 9, 2025
Incident date: Jun 27, 2025
I was just leaving from work to home as soon as I entered in my car, I saw a big hole in my rear windshield( back glass) and it seems like whole glass shattered.
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2025) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 9, 2025
Incident date: Jun 27, 2025
Continuously receiving error message to have front sensors cleaned. Vehicle brought into dealership several times, for weeks at a time. On last visit sensors replaced, and I was told that “ The front sensors have a level of damage caused by sand, salt and other road debris. This has resulted in some scratches which are triggering the sensors and giving you the warnings that you are referring ... Read more
HYUNDAI
VELOSTER N
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 9, 2025
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
All dashboard lights came on and car lost speed while I was driving on the freeway in traffic.I couldn't even use emergency lights.Lucky I didn't get hit and maybe killed.Thus had happened several times and after researching i see other people have the same problem.
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2015) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 9, 2025
Incident date: Nov 8, 2025
I am a second time owner of Ford cars, it's really concerning to me that for one, they have the reputation of their transmissions being faulty, lastly that this being my second vehicle that I have purchased from them that's having transmission issues. Transmission issues that are identical to each other. The transmission keeps slipping and I've only owned the car going on two years. There should b... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2025
The back up camera is intermittent or is a black screen. It also displays like a mirror image instead of what is directly behind me (right is on the left and left is on the right)