Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 16,985 complaints for ACURA
Incident date: Mar 16, 2022
Was driving on the interstate with slight rain and trying to accelerate but then the check engine light started flashing and the car would not accelerate. Speed on the interstate is 70mph, but the car immediately dropped down to 35mph. Traffic behind me had to slow down to avoid an accident as I had to move the car to the side of the road. Restarted the car and the check engine light disappeared.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
I have owned this vehicle for about 9 years and been seeing major cracks in the IP trim, around passenger airbag area. The cracks started to develop about 5 years ago. They were insignificant in the beginning but have accelerated very quickly over the past year or so and seem to be getting worse by the month. I am concerned that these cracks would result in malfunctioning of passenger side airbag ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
I have owned this vehicle for about 9 years and been seeing major cracks in the IP trim, around passenger airbag area. The cracks started to develop about 5 years ago. They were insignificant in the beginning but have accelerated very quickly over the past year or so and seem to be getting worse by the month. I am concerned that these cracks would result in malfunctioning of passenger side airbag ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2022
When trying to accelerate after braking the vehicle has a MASSIVE hesitation where it just sits there doing nothing literally for a solid second. Not only being very frustrating it's IMO very dangerous. If I'm at a yield and then need to merge quickly, if I'm getting on a highway from a parking lot, if I'm trying to switch lanes in traffic, etc etc the vehicle just bogs down and does nothing for t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2022
When trying to accelerate after braking the vehicle has a MASSIVE hesitation where it just sits there doing nothing literally for a solid second. Not only being very frustrating it's IMO very dangerous. If I'm at a yield and then need to merge quickly, if I'm getting on a highway from a parking lot, if I'm trying to switch lanes in traffic, etc etc the vehicle just bogs down and does nothing for t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
When at a red light, I pushed the brake and the auto idle stop feature become engaged. When the light turned green and I lifted my foot off the brake, the car went into neutral and would not move or start. In order to turn the car back on, I needed to put the car in park mode and then restart the car. This is a safety hazard since this happened at a busy intersection, with no warning, and cars ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
When at a red light, I pushed the brake and the auto idle stop feature become engaged. When the light turned green and I lifted my foot off the brake, the car went into neutral and would not move or start. In order to turn the car back on, I needed to put the car in park mode and then restart the car. This is a safety hazard since this happened at a busy intersection, with no warning, and cars ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2022
NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:19V-060 appears to be EXACTLY what is going on with my vehicle. I was broke down on the side of the road with warning lights on my dashboard. After having it towed to my mechanic they were able to identify the issue is related to the fuel pump. I looked up issues with my 2019 Acura TLX and fuel pumps and found that there is a recall. Only my VIN does not qualify for the recall.... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2022
dash is cracked air bag is not secure seat are torn
Incident date: Mar 8, 2022
dash is cracked air bag is not secure seat are torn
Incident date: Mar 8, 2022
dash is cracked air bag is not secure seat are torn
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
I was driving at 65 MPH on the highway in the left lane during a rainstorm. Suddenly the engine shuttered and began to shut down. I could not accelerate the engine. The engine light came on and was flashing. I was fortunate enough to maneuver through traffic to the shoulder of the road - sitting there where other drivers would not be expecting to see a car. I turned the car off and sat there in a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
I was driving at 65 MPH on the highway in the left lane during a rainstorm. Suddenly the engine shuttered and began to shut down. I could not accelerate the engine. The engine light came on and was flashing. I was fortunate enough to maneuver through traffic to the shoulder of the road - sitting there where other drivers would not be expecting to see a car. I turned the car off and sat there in a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2022
Rear glass shattered right after I got into my car and closed my door, 100% sure I’m not the only one having this issue. Acura RDX 2019
Incident date: Mar 10, 2022
May the water leak causes fire . I have many issues going on on my new 22 MDX 7k miles on it , the car is acting crazy no keyless entry working, remote is not working, I called many dealers after they checked it they said we have to keep the car for few days because there's water leaking on the driver side, it was a shocking for me that a brand new car having that, I called the worst company eve... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2022
While I was reversing my car on my driveway, I heard the loud pop sound and back window was shattered. My car did not hit any thing. It just happened without any impact. I have been told that this is an ongoing problem with this vehicle and manufacturer has back order for the windows and no time frame when it can be replaced. This is very bad as I will not be able to drive the car until the back w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2022
All warning lights came on dashboard. Car wouldn't turn off
Incident date: Feb 7, 2022
All warning lights came on dashboard. Car wouldn't turn off
Incident date: Feb 7, 2022
All warning lights came on dashboard. Car wouldn't turn off
Incident date: Jan 20, 2022
Rear lift gate window shattered while parked. Nothing came into contact with the vehicle or the glass before it shattered. Reached out to insurance company and was referred to Safelite. Safelite inspected the glass and crash wrapped the window. Other 2019-2021 RDX’s are experiencing the same issue hence the glass to fix it, is backordered. If I had been driving the vehicle it would have bee... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
The contact leased a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, a loud abnormal, squealing noise would emit from the brake pedal upon depression without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the dealer where they acknowledged the failure but stated that the parts for the repair were not yet available. The contact was given a loaner vehicle of the same model; ho... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
The contact leased a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, a loud abnormal, squealing noise would emit from the brake pedal upon depression without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the dealer where they acknowledged the failure but stated that the parts for the repair were not yet available. The contact was given a loaner vehicle of the same model; ho... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, she approached the rear of the vehicle to open the hatch and noticed that the edges of the rear window was crumbling. The contact stated that upon opening the hatch, the middle of the hatch window cracked and the pieces fell inside the trunk. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2022
(1) Passenger airbag periodically turns off when seat is occupied. This surfaces major safety concerns. (2) Technology package - Apple car play turns black and disconnects often. As someone working from their car, this needs to stay connected in order to avoid safety concerns of needing to look down at my phone.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2022
(1) Passenger airbag periodically turns off when seat is occupied. This surfaces major safety concerns. (2) Technology package - Apple car play turns black and disconnects often. As someone working from their car, this needs to stay connected in order to avoid safety concerns of needing to look down at my phone.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2022
Acceleration has a very slow response after pressing gas pedel, transmission is very jerky only 12000 miles on car. It can lead into accidents at traffic or other
Incident date: Feb 28, 2022
Back LEFT inner tail light assembly strip and RIGHT Outer LED strip tail light assembly damaged by water moisturizer getting inside of them.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
Over the last year or so, the halogen headlights have gradually become so dim that visibility at night is severely impaired. Dealer has tested all electrical components and the bulbs have been replaced, with no improvement in visibility. Dealer recommendation is to replace both headlight assemblies at a quoted cost over $2500. I have found other owners complaining of the same degradation of visibi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 10 mph and making a left turn, the steering wheel was hard to turn and it was shaking. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000.
Incident date: Feb 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked at her residence, a loud sound was heard coming from outside. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear windshield had shattered and there were glass shards on the driveway and inside of the vehicle. There was no impact to the rear windshield that could have caused it to shatter. An auto glass company ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2022
My car slid off of the road during a blizzard and hit a tree head on. My front end had smashed in and the car was totaled. The airbags did not deploy and the police who arrived on the scene believed that they should have. I brought my car to a body shop to assess the damages as well as look into the issue of the airbags. He told me that all of the crash sensors had gone off and my seat belt had lo... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 20, 2022
My vehicle has similar behaviors to the most recent investigation that is happening with the investigation of the Honda Accord and CRV noted in this article: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2022/INOA-PE22003-5540.PDF. On a handful of times while driving on the freeway, my car has unexpectedly decelerated when passing another vehicle, or on a curve the adaptive cruise control slows the vehicle dow... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2022
My vehicle has similar behaviors to the most recent investigation that is happening with the investigation of the Honda Accord and CRV noted in this article: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2022/INOA-PE22003-5540.PDF. On a handful of times while driving on the freeway, my car has unexpectedly decelerated when passing another vehicle, or on a curve the adaptive cruise control slows the vehicle dow... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2022
My vehicle has similar behaviors to the most recent investigation that is happening with the investigation of the Honda Accord and CRV noted in this article: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2022/INOA-PE22003-5540.PDF. On a handful of times while driving on the freeway, my car has unexpectedly decelerated when passing another vehicle, or on a curve the adaptive cruise control slows the vehicle dow... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the brakes applied independently. The contact stated the brake warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 10 MPH however, quickly started accelerating after depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had no... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the brakes applied independently. The contact stated the brake warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 10 MPH however, quickly started accelerating after depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had no... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2021
This morning I read that you were investigating the automatic braking for certain Honda models. I have had this same thing happen with my 2017 Acura MDX several times over the past few years. I would be driving (not following another car), and my car would suddenly brake and flash "Brake" on the screen, without my doing anything. Both times, I attributed the issue to driving into a bright sun, ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2021
This morning I read that you were investigating the automatic braking for certain Honda models. I have had this same thing happen with my 2017 Acura MDX several times over the past few years. I would be driving (not following another car), and my car would suddenly brake and flash "Brake" on the screen, without my doing anything. Both times, I attributed the issue to driving into a bright sun, ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the inadvertently slowed and decelerated to 30 MPH. The brake alert warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2022
Check airbag sensor keeps coming on intermittently.
Incident date: Feb 14, 2022
On Feb 14, the back window exploded and shattered on its own, additional the fron windshield was cracked from one side to the next. I came out of my office to find a hole in the back window, shattered glass every where . No one was in or around the vehicle, no vandalism or impact occured to the car. Now the remaining pieces of shattered glass are in the door which could not be removed. This is t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2015
We purchased our 2013 Acura RDX new and have owned it since. After about 2 years, I noticed that the Low Beam lighting was not as bright as it use to be (it never seemed exceptionally bright in the first place). Over the next few years, it appeared to be getting worse. I replaced the bulbs with the appropriate aftermarket, higher lumen rated halogen bulbs, that improved it a little bit, but not... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2022
Unknown but transmission is slipping in and out of gear even while going down the road
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
Front headlights have gradually gotten dimmer to the point where they are almost unsafe.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2019
At random times the engine dies while driving the car which has resulted in unsafe handling and loss of power steering while in traffic conditions. I was unaware of a recall (02V120000) until recently. I have owned this car sense 2002 and the current millage is 109,000 miles. I contacted Findlay Acura in Henderson NV. and they stated there was no recall on the ignition switch which I have recent... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2022
Sunroof spontaneously exploded outward while driving children to school. Loud boom like an explosion, no rain or inclement weather. Received a splinter from small shards of glass after Acura dealership vacuumed. They quoted me $1100 and $1400 for repair of this defect, and was unable to determine when glass would arrive. Did not give loaner or anything, and car is less than 30 days old.
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the rear wheels were turning independently while the contact was driving straight. The contact stated that the steering wheel needed to be turned in order for the wheels to be straightened. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The app... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2020
Was driving down interstate 70 at approximately 75 miles an hour. My cruise control was set and I was going up a small hill and out of nowhere my car decelerates down to about 50-60 miles an hour and it won't shift into gear/turn over and is making a grinding/revving noise. Almost all of the warning lamps and messages started flashing when this happened. There were cars behind me and next to me on... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2020
Was driving down interstate 70 at approximately 75 miles an hour. My cruise control was set and I was going up a small hill and out of nowhere my car decelerates down to about 50-60 miles an hour and it won't shift into gear/turn over and is making a grinding/revving noise. Almost all of the warning lamps and messages started flashing when this happened. There were cars behind me and next to me on... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2020
Was driving down interstate 70 at approximately 75 miles an hour. My cruise control was set and I was going up a small hill and out of nowhere my car decelerates down to about 50-60 miles an hour and it won't shift into gear/turn over and is making a grinding/revving noise. Almost all of the warning lamps and messages started flashing when this happened. There were cars behind me and next to me on... Read more