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: May 22, 2021
Purchased new 2021 Acura TLX in April 2021 from Leith Acura Raleigh. On 5/22, 7/6, 7/23, & 11/2/21, the fuel capless unit was adjusted once replaced 3 times. American Honda is aware of the problems with the part & sent service bulletins to every Acura service dept. American Honda stated this & the 2 dealerships did also. On 8/4, there was an issue. Steering column began dripping grease. Grease dr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2020
Steering abruptly turns rear wheels when car is going straight, usually after a turn. This has happened multiple times when driving at moderate speeds over the last year or so. I thought it was the tires, so I got new tires and it is still happening. It is very scary and now I'm afraid to drive my car on the interstate at high speeds. I believe that this is a serious safety issue and consumers are... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the front driver's side air bag PODS control unit and sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that he contacted the manufacturer who confirmed that there was a manufacturer recall f... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2022
There are cracks forming on the dashboard of my 2005 Acura TL that I have researched and found are chronic issues in the 2004-2008 TL, and might compromise the ability of the airbag to deploy properly (either prematurely or not at all when expected to imnan accident). I've watched my dashboard go from having 1 crack 5-10 years ago to forming 2 more recently (for a total of 3) and have concerns af... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
I purchased new 2012, for the first time after 10 years, the car is unsafe, brake pedal becomes hard after start up cold - noticed if outside weather between 30-25 degrees brake pedal becomes hard for the first 2-3 times and car will not stop, if the weather below 16 degrees it will take 9-10 times - if you push and pump the brake pedal the brake pedal power comes back to normal but not the first... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2015
The headlights are extremely dim. Have been since I purchased the car in 2015 and has worsened since. I’ve seen that this is a recurring issue with ACURA. It is unsafe for my family and Acura is charging upwards of $2700 to have this issue resolved.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2022
The contact's wife owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing out of the driveway with his grandchildren in the rear seats, she stopped the vehicle to check for incoming traffic but the vehicle switched gears to drive on its own and accelerated forward. The contact's wife depressed the brake pedal but it failed to respond and the vehicle crashed into his unoccupied... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 19, 2022
I was driving down HWY 101 in Oregon State in the rain. I was accelerating because I had just turned onto the highway, I got up to about 60 mph whe the car started dinging as it does when you open the door with the keys still in the ignition. The VSA light, as well as the engine, oil, abs and battery lights all started flashing on the dash and the car turned off. The steering wheel locked up and I... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2022
I was driving down HWY 101 in Oregon State in the rain. I was accelerating because I had just turned onto the highway, I got up to about 60 mph whe the car started dinging as it does when you open the door with the keys still in the ignition. The VSA light, as well as the engine, oil, abs and battery lights all started flashing on the dash and the car turned off. The steering wheel locked up and I... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2022
I was driving down HWY 101 in Oregon State in the rain. I was accelerating because I had just turned onto the highway, I got up to about 60 mph whe the car started dinging as it does when you open the door with the keys still in the ignition. The VSA light, as well as the engine, oil, abs and battery lights all started flashing on the dash and the car turned off. The steering wheel locked up and I... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2022
I purchased this vehicle used last April, 2020. Six months ago, I noticed while driving at the night that it seemed as if my headlights were not on. I even pulled over at one point to see if they WERE! I purchased a commercial lens cleaning kit to see if it helped the illumination. It did not. I purchased new bulbs with a higher lumen rating than the OEM bulbs. No change. I have spoken with a mast... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2022
RDX 2015 57, 500 miles. This is my 5th Acura . Since OCt 2021 difficult driving at night due to low beams not deflecting enough light-now cannot drive vehicle when it gets dark-UNSAFE took the car to acura dealership and service advisor stated the panel where bulb deflects and receives lights from is shattered. "This is a common defect". He stated I would need to replace the whole headlight as... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2022
Back windshields have been spontaneously shattering. Sitting in my car parked for 20 minutes waiting for my son and the back window shattered…all the edges with a strange crack and the glass appeared shattered…ran my hand across it and cut my finger. People that came over to the car had me lift the hatch and the center of the window fell in. I joined an RDX owner Facebook page and it seems ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2022
Rear window spontaneously exploded while opening my door to enter. There are no replacement glass available from Acura, I am forced to drive with plastic and duct tape covering my rear window. Acura denies there is a problem/ that hey are at fault. The are currently daily posts on the 3rd Gen Acura RDX Facebook group of owners rear window spontaneously exploding. This has been a know issue with ow... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2022
Back windshield spontaneously shattered
Incident date: Nov 21, 2021
Car was parked in the garage ..woke up in the morning found my car back window glass shattered
Incident date: Jan 13, 2022
As normal I remote started my vehicle. Walked over to my vehicle opened my driver door and closed it normal.. all of a sudden my rear window shattered!
Incident date: Dec 26, 2021
Common problem with this generation RDX. My back glass shattered once I turned on the rear defroster. Now I have glass in my rear tailgate as well. This problem is being fixed under warranty in Canada but not in the US. Acura/ Honda are aware of this defect and still not doing anything to fix it.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
The headlights are extremely dim, dangerously so. I have tried troubleshooting and the voltage at the headlamp connector is 3 volts. The fusebox and headlamp relay are 14 volts. Searching for an answer online, I find there are a myriad of other owners with the same dim headlamp problem. Dealerships seem unable to fix to the issue.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2022
The dashboard on 3rd generation Acura TL has a design defect to where they will crack all over. In the event of a crash which results in a passenger-side dashboard airbag deployment, the dashboard can rip uncontrollably and send shards of rubber flying at everyone's face in the car and prevent the airbag from deploying properly. This is a very well known problem with this generation of Acura TL ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2022
The dashboard on 3rd generation Acura TL has a design defect to where they will crack all over. In the event of a crash which results in a passenger-side dashboard airbag deployment, the dashboard can rip uncontrollably and send shards of rubber flying at everyone's face in the car and prevent the airbag from deploying properly. This is a very well known problem with this generation of Acura TL ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Acura ILX. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, the airbag deployed without impact which resulted in the contact crashing into a pole. The contact sustained a hurt knee and headaches that required medical treatment. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was awaiting repairs. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The manufactur... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 9, 2022
When driving at highway speeds, intermittently and unpredictably, the throttle control will become unresponsive and RPMs will drop to minimum levels. This causes the vehicle to rapidly decelerate, creating an incredibly dangerous situation. When this occurs, the gas pedal becomes unresponsive and has no control over the RPMs or speed of the vehicle. This has happened approximately 6 times and ea... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2021
After 4 times of taking the vehicle to two dealerships for the same concerns, I am having the following problems with my vehicle at this time:: wind/whistling/whining noise heard while driving and has gone unresolved. The car consistently makes a whining/whistling noise when reaching speeds between 40-65mph and has been a known issue with this year make and model per documentation provided to me b... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2021
When closing driver side door, rear window shattered and blew out.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2022
I opened my driver's side door and sat down when I heard a crack sound. I turned around and heard a louder crack sound and saw my back window was shattered. I called Acura twice and spoke to two different agents and both stated they never heard of this happening nor were there any bulletins about this being an issue. I called three Acura dealerships near me and all three stated they have never he... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2022
Very poor visibility from low beam lights. The daytime running lights are brighter than my low beams. Had bulbs replaced with upgraded bulbs still unable to drive this vehicle at night. I'm the original owner purchased new no accidents. Acura has a recall or warranty enhancement for other models with the same problems. I was told by the dealer only way to correct my issues is by replacing th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2021
Both headlights are very dim. The headlights have been gradually dimming. It is very dangerous to drive at night. Headlights should fail in this manner.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
My car has started to jerk. I called the dealership where I got it from and they told me that if it didn't jerk in there possession there is nothing they could do. It's a 2020 and it has a little over 28k miles on it. There are 2 open recalls on my vehicle, but my specific vin isn't affected. I don't know what else to do .
Incident date: Jan 4, 2022
The low beam reflector surface is failing and the quality of the lighting on the road at night at standard low beam is a danger to me and to pedestrians. This almost resulted in serious injury to someone was when I was driving in the early evening last week and did not see a pedestrian walking along the side of the road until the very last second and swerved to avoid them. They were not wearing br... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2021
I HAVE A 2004 ACURA TSX I PURCHASED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER BACK ON MAY OF 2018 WITH 55000 ORIGINAL MILES. THE CAR RUNS LIKE NEW IT WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF WITH THE ORIGINAL OWNER ALL SERVICES AND INSPECTIONS WERE UP TO DATE AS/ CARFAX REPORT. THE CAR SINCE I'VE OWNED I PUT 19000 MILES WITH ALL SERVICE AND INSPECTIONS UP TO DATE SO THE VEHICLE HAS NOW 74000 MILES. 3 WEEKS AGO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMIS... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2022
Low beam headlights shine very dimly. Can not see at night without using high beams Problem has not yet been reported to dealer. Vehicle has not yet been inspected by dealer, police or insurance representative No warning lights activated to warn about problem
ACURA
TL
(2013) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
Jan 10, 2022
Incident date: Dec 24, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Acura TL. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, he heard abnormal rattling sounds coming from the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the serpentine belt had failed and needed to be rep... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2022
I was driving on a 80-mph 3-lane one direction (6 both) toll road, following a Tx State Trooper. About a 1/4 mile ahead of me were two waste disposal trucks. One in the right land and one passing the other in the center lane. The trooper and I pulled into the left lane. As we approached the waste disposal trucks (about 1/8 mile away) my brakes automatically engaged and braked hard for no reason. I... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2022
I was driving on a 80-mph 3-lane one direction (6 both) toll road, following a Tx State Trooper. About a 1/4 mile ahead of me were two waste disposal trucks. One in the right land and one passing the other in the center lane. The trooper and I pulled into the left lane. As we approached the waste disposal trucks (about 1/8 mile away) my brakes automatically engaged and braked hard for no reason. I... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2020
Headlamp failure. Headlamp light getting progressively dimmer, forcing me to drive with the brights on at all times after sunset, even on highways and on well - lit roads - causing hazard to other drivers. I can barely see the cars ahead of me. Inclimate weather is practically impossible to see at all - does not illuminate lane lines. I had the dealer change out the bulbs and inspect the outer... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Headlight Assembly. Yes, it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Visibility at night is significantly diminished. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Car engine and body is in great shape.... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2021
On multiple occasions (6 times within a week) the powertrain loses power. While traveling 60 mph in 4 lane Interstate traffic engine loses all power and accelerator ceases to respond. Passengers were at risk due to no power. Acura Dealer has not been able reproduce. Some dealers have affirmed that they've had customers with the issue but can't reproduce. The issue seems to occur more frequent... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2021
On multiple occasions (6 times within a week) the powertrain loses power. While traveling 60 mph in 4 lane Interstate traffic engine loses all power and accelerator ceases to respond. Passengers were at risk due to no power. Acura Dealer has not been able reproduce. Some dealers have affirmed that they've had customers with the issue but can't reproduce. The issue seems to occur more frequent... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2021
On multiple occasions (6 times within a week) the powertrain loses power. While traveling 60 mph in 4 lane Interstate traffic engine loses all power and accelerator ceases to respond. Passengers were at risk due to no power. Acura Dealer has not been able reproduce. Some dealers have affirmed that they've had customers with the issue but can't reproduce. The issue seems to occur more frequent... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2018
Cruise control set to 37 mph, vehicle accelerates to almost 50 mph on downhill without braking.
Incident date: May 15, 2018
Cruise control set to 37 mph, vehicle accelerates to almost 50 mph on downhill without braking.
ACURA
MDX SPORT HYBRID
(2019) — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Jan 8, 2022
Incident date: Dec 23, 2021
My FCW/Auto-brake settings are all set to minimum interference. In approaching a left turn (via green arrow) the car in front of mine abruptly stopped, and immediately moved again. I stopped, just as the system did. It however, held the brake for 2-3 seconds and I was almost rear-ended by the person behind me for not moving again with traffic. The following has happened at least 3 times: on a ... Read more
ACURA
MDX SPORT HYBRID
(2019) — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Jan 8, 2022
Incident date: Dec 23, 2021
My FCW/Auto-brake settings are all set to minimum interference. In approaching a left turn (via green arrow) the car in front of mine abruptly stopped, and immediately moved again. I stopped, just as the system did. It however, held the brake for 2-3 seconds and I was almost rear-ended by the person behind me for not moving again with traffic. The following has happened at least 3 times: on a ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2021
I own the Acura RDX 2022 and from the very first week the front left brakes were making a rough contact noise when braking. I took to two different dealership and they said the grooves should wear and it may take sometime. I am at 3000 miles and still the same noise. Other brakes function properly. Also, now the weather dropping to 20 F the same front brakes makes a loud grinding / gurgling noise ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2021
The SUV was taken to an Acura dealer Ponce P.R. for inspection due to the fact that the engine was consuming too much oil and they didn't bother to check it as they told me that the warranty period had expired. The MDX had 75,000 miles and 10 years when I took it for inspection.
Incident date: Dec 30, 2021
On a number of occasions, a warning light came on stating "Passenger Airbag Off". Each time there was someone (usually my adult wife or daughter weighing 112lbs to $125lbs respectively) sitting in front seat in a correct position. The issue was first noticed about 2+ years ago. I had mentioned this to our dealership during an inspection but there was no firm explanation to the cause, or if it w... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2020
Q. Basic Introduction: Like hundreds of people all over the internet, my 2014 Acura RDX base model's low-beam headlights deteriorated to the point of being of no use while driving. Quite literally, without exaggeration, at night, I saw nothing but a faint glow on the street immediately in front of the car. Q. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
Headlights have gotten so dim it is unsafe to drive at night. No change in brightness even after replacing the halogen bulbs with brighter than OEM version. The problem is apparently deterioration inside the headlight assembly/housing causing the light to not reflect out forward properly.
Incident date: Dec 22, 2021
My rear windshield popped while my car was parked in my workplace without hitting any thing on it . i read on line lots of owner for Acura had a same problem .