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: Feb 2, 2022
The rear tail lights stopped working completely due to manufacturing defect of rear tail lights causing electric short circuit by moisture . Defective tail lights Safety recall was performed in August 2021 by Dennisville Acura. The rear tail lights stopped working again due to same issue.Took to the dealer Davis Acura on 17 Feb 2022 to perform the safety recall again and dealer refused to perform... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2022
TRANSMISSION IS JERKING WHEN ITS SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO SECOND REALLY HARD.CAR FEELS LIKE IT SHIFTS,LUNGES FORWARD.WHEN GOING DOWNHILL ITS RPM GOES TO 4 TO 5 THOUSAD RPM.VERY UNSAFE .THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP!!!!!!!
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Headlamp assemblies have failed due to apparent manufacturer defect. The defects are so significant that the vehicle becomes unsafe to drive at night, and even brand new bulb replacements have no effect. The entire headlamp assemblies are defective and must be replaced. These are known issues, and the predominent complaints listed not only on replacement part websites on the internet, but in NHT... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2018
When the car accelerator pedal is pressed, from either a stop or slowly rolling from a stop, there is no response from the vehicle, no transmission downshift, no sounds - it just sits as if the car is off for 1-3 seconds and THEN accelerates/lunges. This happens everyday, intermittently throughout depending on where we are driving and the number of stops/turns but it is repeatable. This is a saf... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2022
The contact's wife owns a 2021 Acura RDX. The contact stated that there was a crack on the rear windshield. There was no impact to the rear windshield that could have caused the crack. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the rear windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the airbag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the driver's side airbag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2022
The sunroof exploded while driving on an empty road. This was alarming and could have been very dangerous had the cover been open as broken glass would have fallen all over me and my children. The dealership said they cannot help because there is no recall for this. No warning, just completely out of the blue, explosion and cracked completely while going 50mph.
Incident date: Feb 4, 2022
The headlights have gotten progressively worse over time to the point I cannot see. The light does not extend more than a feet feet and very dimly. Oncoming traffic is flashing brights at me as if i have no lights on. It is extremely dangerous and I have nearly had accidents.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2022
My SUV would accelerate when going down hill and the message: “transmission system problem”along with “blind spot warning malfunction” would come on. Took to dealer the message went out. Will come on intermittently. This has gone on For past month. They sai it had to stay on for them to diagnose. Now car will not go in reverse at all. This transmission was replaced November 2019 bec... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2022
My SUV would accelerate when going down hill and the message: “transmission system problem”along with “blind spot warning malfunction” would come on. Took to dealer the message went out. Will come on intermittently. This has gone on For past month. They sai it had to stay on for them to diagnose. Now car will not go in reverse at all. This transmission was replaced November 2019 bec... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2022
I got in my vehicle, closed the driver door and heard a loud "pop" followed by the sound of glass falling. Turned around and saw a giant hole in the middle of my rear windshield. Got out to investigate and noticed the rear window was completely shattered all the way to the edges of the glass. There are multiple reports of this happening and yet Acura USA refuses to acknowledge it. Instead, forcing... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2022
I was driving my car home on 2/4/22 and the indicator light (check power steering system!) starting flashing and my steering was extremely hard to turn. I had to pullover in a parking lot and turned off the engine for a few minutes and the indicator light turned off and I was able to drive home. On 2/11, I was trying to pullout of my driveway and the indicator light went on again and I was unable ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2022
Rear windshield spontaneously shattered while car was idle. Seems to be a common issue especially in the cold. Outside temp was about 20F when it happened.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2019
The contact owns a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact mentioned that after depressing the accelerate pedal multiple times, the vehicle was finally operating as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the fail... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2021
See attached letter for details. Incident date below reflects the VIN I currently own, when testing identified the safety-related defect. Accident details from previous same model. The same headlamps were the subject of the July 14, 2014 NHTSA Acura ILX Electrical & Lights Recall: 14V323000 on the 2013-2014 Acura ILX model. Yet, Acura continued to use these headlamps and failed to rectify the de... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Feb 3, 2022
While my vehicle was parked, indoors, my rear window shattered without any signs of impact marks that suggest damage. It happened when I closed the driver's door.
Incident date: Feb 5, 2022
Vehicle produced a dash warning light for airbag/supplemental restraint system on January 29th or 30th, 2022. Went away and back on again 3 times in the following week. No prior issues related to this. Vehicle has never been in an accident. Acura dealer scanned vehicle 2/5/2022 to find vehicle code 11-11, meaning bad airbag and possibly bad cable reel. No recalls or effort by Acura (contacted b... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2018
Headlights are very dim and make it extremely difficult to drive in the dark. Can barely see a few feet in front. Auto shops have commented how dim the lights are and have changed to the brightest bulbs and still there is no change. This makes driving conditions dangerous
Incident date: Feb 8, 2022
Reported problem of rear tail gate making loud popping noises First reported at 4454 miles Current reading 21470 miles Gunshot popping noises continue when tailgate opens. Contacted dealer and Acura with ticket numbers Unresolved with incessant diagnosis and false assurances
Incident date: Feb 6, 2022
I happened to be driving and out the nowhere my rear back trunk window shattered, mind that this is the second time this happens one last year my truck was sitting in the garage and I close my door and just hear a loud bang and my back glass shattered.
Incident date: Feb 7, 2022
The low beam headlights on my 2013 Acura RDX have become so dim that it is dangerous to drive the vehicle at night. I am the original owner. The vehicle has been driven approximately 70,000 miles, has never been in an accident and is in excellent condition otherwise. A Honda dealership recently diagnosed the problem and advised that the headlight assemblies would need to be replaced at a cost of >... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2022
For some unknown reason while car was in garage the rear window blew out. I have been told that this is an ongoing problem with this vehicle and manufacturer has no replacement windows available and no time frame when it can be replaced. According to glass replacement company my insurance contacted to replace our window there are hundreds of blown out windows of same vehicle also waiting on replac... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2021
The airbag warning indicator keeps appearing. When message is pressed it says that airbag may not deploy when needed. States to turn car off and restart to see if indicator disappears- if reappear take to dealership to inspect
Incident date: Jun 1, 2020
Low beam headlights have gotten so weak it is dangerous to drive after dark. Lights are working, but ouput from the lamp is greatly diminished. This is NOT involving the clear exterior cover to the headlights. Dealership service department confirmed lights working and recommends replacement of both side headlight assemblies, at cost of $2,000 plus.
Incident date: Feb 4, 2022
I was driving down the freeway, in a new 2021 Acura TLX with 2000 miles on it. It was raining when I went to switch lanes and floor it to pass another car and the check engine light came on and the power dies and speed dramatically slows down and I’m unable to accelerate. The check engine light is flashing and the car will not reach 40mph. Again I’m on the freeway. This was a very dangerous ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2022
I was driving down the freeway, in a new 2021 Acura TLX with 2000 miles on it. It was raining when I went to switch lanes and floor it to pass another car and the check engine light came on and the power dies and speed dramatically slows down and I’m unable to accelerate. The check engine light is flashing and the car will not reach 40mph. Again I’m on the freeway. This was a very dangerous ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2022
Vehicle is 2014 with 130K miles. We noticed that the headlights are getting dimmer to the point where it is unsafe to drive at night. The internal low beam reflector lens is fogged up preventing the headlight to light the road adequately. Called Acura dealer in Greenville SC and spoke to the service manager on 2/4/2022. He told me the heat from the headlamp is intense and the coating is starting t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2022
The headlight low beams are very dim and the service manager at Acura said this is a known problem with 2015 RDX. The metal lining that projects the bulb light deteriorates and the lights go dim. The replacement cost is about $2500. Acura has agreed to pay all but $750. I think this is a safety defect worthy of a recall. Please assist me as soon as possible. It’s a major safety issue that Acura ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Engine light would come on if I drove 65 MPH check engine emission system problem I would try drive press on gas peddle & car would slow down I almost got rear ended by 18 wheeler semi truck
Crash
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Engine light would come on if I drove 65 MPH check engine emission system problem I would try drive press on gas peddle & car would slow down I almost got rear ended by 18 wheeler semi truck
Crash
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Engine light would come on if I drove 65 MPH check engine emission system problem I would try drive press on gas peddle & car would slow down I almost got rear ended by 18 wheeler semi truck
Crash
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
I would like to filed a safety issue dues shatter rear window on my 2019 Acura RDX. Around 1:47 pm on 2/2/2022 I got in my car and start it up and I hear a pop I look back to see what was going on then noticed my rear window was shatter I then got out off the car to inspect what was going on I didn’t not see any Visual impact and item that could damage or shatter my rear window. The temperature ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2016
Subframe rusted through on the passenger side where the cause is a manufacturer defect of condensation from the air conditioning dripping directly above onto the subframe on the passenger side, which created a perforation of the passenger side subframe. Subframe holds the suspension and steering components together and if the passenger side frame from the manufacter defect were to break traveling ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2016
Subframe rusted through on the passenger side where the cause is a manufacturer defect of condensation from the air conditioning dripping directly above onto the subframe on the passenger side, which created a perforation of the passenger side subframe. Subframe holds the suspension and steering components together and if the passenger side frame from the manufacter defect were to break traveling ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2016
Subframe rusted through on the passenger side where the cause is a manufacturer defect of condensation from the air conditioning dripping directly above onto the subframe on the passenger side, which created a perforation of the passenger side subframe. Subframe holds the suspension and steering components together and if the passenger side frame from the manufacter defect were to break traveling ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
On the date of the incident, I remotely started my car from the office before leaving for the day. I got into my vehicle shut the door, started the vehicle (push start), and heard a loud sound that sounded like a gunshot and something shattering. I looked around my surroundings and noticed my rearview window was shattered. The rear window had a large hole slightly just above the rear wiper. I imme... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2022
The rear window shattered car was just sitting there.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Opened my Acura RDX car door, sat down, closed the door - and then my rear windshield shattered and collapsed into my trunk. I knew of no damage to it - the car is a 2020, relatively new - This incident caught me my complete surprise. Searched on internet, and see similar complaints from other Acura owners about exploding rear windshields after closing driver side door.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Brake light is not working properly, I was pulled over with a warning
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Brake light is not working properly, I was pulled over with a warning
Incident date: Jan 1, 2018
The contact owns a 2014 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving at night the low beam headlights were extremely dim causing a visibility hazard to the driver; nearly causing the vehicle to hit a pedestrian. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The contact indicated that previously the light bulbs were replaced, and the len... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2022
The rear windshield shattered unexpectedly while the car was parked. Seem that others might be having the same issues.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
The dash on the car is cracking, large cracks. The cracks are on the same area of the passenger airbag. In an accident, I am afraid that the airbag section of the dash will not separate correctly and that pieces of the dash will injure the passenger in the car.
Incident date: Jan 30, 2022
The rear hatch window unexpectedly blows out and shattered glass, without warning. No impact involved.
Incident date: Jan 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving at night at an undisclosed speed, the low-beam headlights failed to illuminate as needed. The contact had to use the high-beam headlight for safe driving. The dealer and Acura of Peabody (233 Andover St, Peabody, MA 01960) were made aware of the failure, and informed the contact that the headlight assemblies needed to be repl... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2021
My Telemetrics Control Unit failed on Acura update. This is part of the system that calls for Emergency help when involved with a crash. I t was identified at an Acura dealership and the part was ordered. It is on back order now for over a month with no known delivery date
Incident date: Nov 26, 2021
The headlight assemblies are poorly designed and accumulate moisture. The water condenses on the inside of the headlight housing reducing lighting output. In sub zero temperatures the condensation freezes, further reducing light output. The reduced light output reduces the amount of usable light illuminating the roadway. The water/ice can also produce reflections/glare which may impair oncoming dr... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2005
In both 2012 and 2014 I complained to Acura CS and was told that they wouldnt do anything for me when their hands free unit refered to in TSB 08-057 This was causing a parasitic power leak draining the battery overnight. After researching the cause online and the solution which was to remove the defective HFL unit which was done. Yesterday I came across that TSB and contacted Acura with my co... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2022
Back Glass just randomly shattered after car was started. Car was stationary and not moving. Others have shown similar things happening.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
Headlight delaminated causing passenger side low beam to be so dim it doesn’t look like it’s illuminating. Pulled bulb to replace to identify it illuminates just as bright as driver side. Opened a case with Acura to which they referred me to go to the dealership and if they agreed they would consider it covered. 10 min into the diagnosis the tech agreed with me. Acura then denied my case indic... Read more