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 17,413 complaints for ACURA
Incident date: Oct 21, 2022
Transmission shifted to neutral limiting controllable forward movement. This occurred without any warning while in traffic. This created a VERY HIGH SAFETY RISK. This issue occurred three times creating a need to have it towed into a repair dealer, diagnostics, and resetting of the electrical circuit. The diagnosis code was P0973.
Incident date: Nov 16, 2022
Headlights (low beam) have become dim, unsafe, difficult to see when driving, reflector is defective.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2022
The headlight bulb was recently replaced and the driver side headlight it still dim. My mechanic thinks there is an issue with the lense in front of the bulb. I see online that some 2015 Acuras have been recalled for headlight issues. This recall needs to be expanded.
Incident date: Nov 14, 2022
Low beam headlights unacceptably dim/dangerous. Despite a significant amount of discussions about this issue on the internet, I spoke with service department McGrath Acura in Morton Grove Illinois and they denied being aware of the issue. Have just ordered aftermarket replacement headlight assemblies for approximately $710.
Incident date: Nov 8, 2022
On Tuesday, November 8, 2022 I had my 20 month year old grandson in a rear facing car seat and he wrapped the middle seat seat belt around is neck and was choking and coughing. I was on my way to pick up my other grandson at school about 4 miles from my home and when I arrived at the school I opened the back door on the driver side where he was sitting and to my surprise and fear he had the seatb... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
While in traffic the auto start sometimes fails to engage and the car stalls. Battery lights come on and the car goes into neutral on its own. I have to sit there and wait about 5 minutes in traffic before it restarts. Battery checked out fine. It has happened 3 times now. This is dangerous, and can/will cause a collision.
Incident date: Nov 11, 2022
The headlights are extremely dim resulting in poor visibility while driving at night.
Incident date: Nov 12, 2022
When the brake is suppressed at a Stop sign or stop light, the vehicle has an Auto Idle stop feature which shuts off the engine completely to preserve fuel. The vehicle is supposed to restart once the brake is released. In my case, there have been multiple times when the brake is released but fails to restart and go. I have encountered the issue in the following scenarios: 1. Getting off the free... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
First on off glitching when ever accessory mode is used WHILE IN MOTION, FIRST BRAKELIGHT HAD WARNING THEN WARNING ABOUT TRAILER STABILITY ASSIST. WHEN I WENT IN REVERSE, THE WHOLE DASHBOARD INCLUDING THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WENT BLACK AND THE CAR FELT LIKE THE ENGINE STOPPED. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. I DON'T THINK THE ENGINE ACTUALLY STOPPED THOUGH BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR. THE B... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
First on off glitching when ever accessory mode is used WHILE IN MOTION, FIRST BRAKELIGHT HAD WARNING THEN WARNING ABOUT TRAILER STABILITY ASSIST. WHEN I WENT IN REVERSE, THE WHOLE DASHBOARD INCLUDING THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WENT BLACK AND THE CAR FELT LIKE THE ENGINE STOPPED. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. I DON'T THINK THE ENGINE ACTUALLY STOPPED THOUGH BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR. THE B... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
First on off glitching when ever accessory mode is used WHILE IN MOTION, FIRST BRAKELIGHT HAD WARNING THEN WARNING ABOUT TRAILER STABILITY ASSIST. WHEN I WENT IN REVERSE, THE WHOLE DASHBOARD INCLUDING THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WENT BLACK AND THE CAR FELT LIKE THE ENGINE STOPPED. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. I DON'T THINK THE ENGINE ACTUALLY STOPPED THOUGH BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR. THE B... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while his son was driving 55 MPH, the power steering and the brakes failed with the ABS and power steering warning lights illuminated. The contact's son managed to coast the vehicle onto the shoulder as the power steering and the brake functionality returned. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it remained for sever... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while his son was driving 55 MPH, the power steering and the brakes failed with the ABS and power steering warning lights illuminated. The contact's son managed to coast the vehicle onto the shoulder as the power steering and the brake functionality returned. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it remained for sever... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while his son was driving 55 MPH, the power steering and the brakes failed with the ABS and power steering warning lights illuminated. The contact's son managed to coast the vehicle onto the shoulder as the power steering and the brake functionality returned. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it remained for sever... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
Headlights remain dim even with new bulbs and cleaning the lens covers. They are so dim, it is a safety issue.
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
Headlights remain dim even with new bulbs and cleaning the lens covers. They are so dim, it is a safety issue.
Incident date: Aug 18, 2022
The factory original windshield wipers caused micro scratches in the glass. Dirt cannot be thoroughly cleaned from the scratches and collects more dirt during driving. When facing the sun, dirt particles in the scratches reflect in the scratches obstructing clear vision. Changing windshield wipers after just two years of use from new did not correct the problem. This particular vehicle is garaged.
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
-Alerts for all safety systems going offline appeared. Also said AWD is not working. Car would turn off with on push of ignition. -tailgate went haywire. When opening it just went up and down and halfway. Had to push it close Both issues went away, for now, after several restarts
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
-Alerts for all safety systems going offline appeared. Also said AWD is not working. Car would turn off with on push of ignition. -tailgate went haywire. When opening it just went up and down and halfway. Had to push it close Both issues went away, for now, after several restarts
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
-Alerts for all safety systems going offline appeared. Also said AWD is not working. Car would turn off with on push of ignition. -tailgate went haywire. When opening it just went up and down and halfway. Had to push it close Both issues went away, for now, after several restarts
Incident date: Nov 8, 2022
UNKNOWN VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN ON
Incident date: Nov 8, 2022
UNKNOWN VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN ON
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The defect with stalling after auto start continues even after Acura applied a software update. They refuse to complete second part of recall including starter replacement and valve adjustment as indicated on their attached letter. THIS NEGLIGENCE IS A HIGH RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO MY FAMILY AND I.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2022
I changed the oil in my car with synthetic 4k miles ago. About 1k miles ago I started getting an error that said low oil level. I went back into the lube shop to see what was going on, they said there was no leakage or issues there but there was hardly any oil in my car and that it was probably burning oil. I searched for issues with my 2013 MDX burning oil and an issue in 2019 with clogged oil co... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The low beam headlights are very dim. Researching on the internet this is a known issue with this model from 2013-2015, but there is no recall for this obvious safety issue. My dealer states they cannot do anything about it without recall, and it is very expensive to replace the entire headlight assembly. Apparently the low beam reflector oxidizes over time. I am afraid to drive this vehicle at ni... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2022
I’ve been having a problem with my 2014 Acura RDX for dim low-beam headlights for some time now. I took my Acura to my dealership approximately 5-6 months ago, for regular service and reported the problem of the dim low-beam headlights, which at the time also seemed uncentered. At that time, the dealership said there was no problem found with the headlights. No warning alerts from the dashbo... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2022
I’ve been having a problem with my 2014 Acura RDX for dim low-beam headlights for some time now. I took my Acura to my dealership approximately 5-6 months ago, for regular service and reported the problem of the dim low-beam headlights, which at the time also seemed uncentered. At that time, the dealership said there was no problem found with the headlights. No warning alerts from the dashbo... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2022
During Idle stop at red light car stops and goes into neutral and engine stalls. 2019 MDX won't move unless completely restart the car in the middle of busy intersection. High risk for accident and injury. There is few recall mention in Acura site for 2019 MDX, but when input vin number its claims no recall to this vehicle . Need urgent help.
Incident date: Oct 24, 2022
During Idle stop at red light car stops and goes into neutral and engine stalls. 2019 MDX won't move unless completely restart the car in the middle of busy intersection. High risk for accident and injury. There is few recall mention in Acura site for 2019 MDX, but when input vin number its claims no recall to this vehicle . Need urgent help.
Incident date: Oct 24, 2022
During Idle stop at red light car stops and goes into neutral and engine stalls. 2019 MDX won't move unless completely restart the car in the middle of busy intersection. High risk for accident and injury. There is few recall mention in Acura site for 2019 MDX, but when input vin number its claims no recall to this vehicle . Need urgent help.
Incident date: Nov 4, 2022
When stopped at a light or in traffic the vehicle engages the auto idle feature. (turns off the engine to save gas). Upon releasing the brake, the car should re-start, instead the car does not start. The car jumps out of the drive gear into neutral on the transmission. The electrical system goes crazy and does not allow you to either turn off the car's electrical system or re-restart the car us... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2022
I had the transmission system failure error came on the dash and the car wouldn’t drive to D or reverse then blind spot and adaptive cruise control error propped up
Incident date: Jun 30, 2022
I had the transmission system failure error came on the dash and the car wouldn’t drive to D or reverse then blind spot and adaptive cruise control error propped up
Incident date: Jun 30, 2022
I had the transmission system failure error came on the dash and the car wouldn’t drive to D or reverse then blind spot and adaptive cruise control error propped up
Incident date: Oct 28, 2022
My wife and i have noticed the low beams on my RDX are extremely low, they barely light up the road. we are concerned this could be a safety hazard. i took the car to the dealership today and they confirmed "the bulbs do not project light properly. Headlight assemblies will need to be replaced" They charged me $74.50 to tell me this, and quoted me $2500 to replace the headlight assemblies. i hav... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2022
The rear (trunk) window of my 2019 Acura SUV shattered upon entrance into the vehicle after I closed my driver side door. The vehicle was parked at my place of employment and when I approached the vehicle, the vehicle looked fine, and window was intact. In addition, there prior to the incident, there is no visible crack on the window or indication of attempted theft. There were no lights warning i... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
The headlights on our Acura have grown dangerously dim. The process happened gradually over the last few years. It is nearly impossible to see at night unless the high beams are on. The dealer advised that this is a problem for our model, but that no factory recall has been initiated by Acura. We have replaced the headlights, which did not help much at all and are now in the process of replac... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
The car dashboard is severely cracking. More specifically, there is an area on the right passenger side that has cracked outlining where the airbag is located. It is feared that due to this cracking the airbag may falsely break free at any time.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
Both headlights are very dim making it unsafe to drive at night. I replaced the bulbs twice, but they are still too dim. Need to replace both assemblies.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2018
After purchasing the car in 2018 I noticed the low beam headlights were dimmer than other vehicles I've owned but gradually, they have gotten much, much worse. I have to drive with high beams on at night or I can barely see the road in front of me. Without the high beams engaged, visibility is limited to maybe 5-10 feet in front of the vehicle with virtually no visibility to the sides of the road.... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2017
Consistently getting low oil notification shortly after getting oil changes. This has been happening since 2017. Dealer does a oil consumption test and says it is not a problem. However I cannot go between oil changes without getting the notification. I have no oil leaks. Furthermore, I have had 'oil' services done over the past 5 years that never fix the problem. I'm afraid this is doing da... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2022
The low beam headlights are so dim that night time driving is dangerous. The car has approximately 150K miles on it. I have tried changing bulbs thinking they were just getting old and it did not improve visibility. I have seen other complaints about this for the RDX 2013, '14, & '15 online so it is definitely a known issue. Acura needs to recall these vehicles and replace the headlight assemb... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2022
It is having oil consumption issues .
Incident date: Oct 6, 2022
The car was bought in November, 2018, and is still under warranty. In the morning of October 3, 2022, The car would not start. The voltage of the battery was measured to be about 11.5 V. A new battery was bought and put in by myself on October 4, 2022, since I did not realize that the battery was still under warranty. Everything looked normal on October 5, 2022. But in the morning of October 6, 20... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The low beams are nearly impossible to see with while driving at night. Have heard countless other people complaining of same issue.
Incident date: Jul 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle was jerking upon acceleration and deceleration. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the transmission control module (TCM) software was updated, and the transmission fluid was flushed; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to a local ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2022
Had just picked up my car from being repaired from an accident and was just driving along and I turned the seat heater on and I started seeing smoke coming from under me and was getting hot so I pulled over and found my seat was on fire ,I was 9 months pregnant at the time and feared for me and my soon to be child's life. I called the fire department where they put the fire out for me.I had it the... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 15, 2022
I was driving at low speed on a local street and the moon roof shattered suddenly with great explosive force. I wasn't injured because the carpeted moon roof shade was closed at the time. I was lucky because the kids were not in the vehicle. If the glass had rained down on the kids in the back seat, there would be injuries. There were no warning signs. Weather was nice partially sunny day a... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2021
Inner taillight on passenger side of vehicle not working. According to an independent service center, there is a faulty seal and water/moisture in inner taillight housing.