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: Jun 15, 2022
Rotors warped and changed through warranty but loud humming and vibration is back after 2,000 miles on new rotors. Steering column is leaking fluid down to brake pedal. Steering wheel is making a clicking noise when turning. Speakers are crackling after Fakra replacement under acceleration or going over bumps.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2022
Rotors warped and changed through warranty but loud humming and vibration is back after 2,000 miles on new rotors. Steering column is leaking fluid down to brake pedal. Steering wheel is making a clicking noise when turning. Speakers are crackling after Fakra replacement under acceleration or going over bumps.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2022
Rotors warped and changed through warranty but loud humming and vibration is back after 2,000 miles on new rotors. Steering column is leaking fluid down to brake pedal. Steering wheel is making a clicking noise when turning. Speakers are crackling after Fakra replacement under acceleration or going over bumps.
Incident date: Sep 20, 2010
The headlights are very dim. It doesn’t happy in one day, it’s a gradual process to get worse by the day. It’s so dangerous to drive at night. Replacing bulb, cleaning do not help. It’s the whole fixture and cost so much to replace. Dealer said $1000 each. Should be recalled to fix it.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
The car, unexpectedly fishtails while driving straight.This has happened since I purchased the car and it is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS as it can thrust the car into oncoming traffic. The service technicians can never duplicate the problem. The problem, according to the dealer is the PAWS system rear wheel steer and it is a very well known problem with the 2014 RLX. The dealer told me that the PAWS sys... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2022
I purchased my 2015 Acura RDX in February 2022. You obviously don't test drive vehicles at night so I was unaware of the EXTREMELY dim headlights until a week later. I drove to the store and it was dark when I was done. As I started driving home I noticed it didn't look like my headlights were on. I had no choice but to turn the high beams on and continue home. The next day, I immediately contacte... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2021
Transmission was stuck in 1st gear. This situation happened to me while stopped at red light with auto idle stop engaged, when it restarted at green light, transmission got stuck in 1st gear, I drove for about 1/4 mile and still the vehicle would not shift gears. I pulled over safely to the curb, shut down the car, waited 10 seconds and restarted, vehicle drove normally back home I had it all rec... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
The Idle stop feature will NOT automatically restart and causes me to stall for an unsafe amount of time. There is a recall call for my Acura 2018 TLX but my VIN does not fall under the qualifying vehicles. I am very upset and this is a safety matter that needs to be addressed ASAP.
Incident date: Sep 14, 2022
Fuel pump (High - pressure & low- pressure) failed which has caused significantly reduced acceleration and caused the engine to stall in mid operation of the vehicle. I (Driver) was the only person in the vehicle and there was no crash. I would say there is high risk of a crash and it is a serious safety hazard. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the fa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2022
The car jerked while braking and then gave the code p1440. The ima light, check engine light, and brake light all came on. The car feels like it is dragging and does not have the same power. The battery is no longer charging nor is it indicating the battery is being used. It continues the have a jerk at rhe end of braking. It seems there is an extension warranty for certain Vins of this same year ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2018
THIS VEHICLE BURNS SO MUCH OIL. I USE 5 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES IN THIS VEHICLE. UNREAL! SO DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA.
Incident date: Jun 8, 2018
This vehicle unrealistically burns oil. 5-6 quarts of oil is added to engine between oil changes.
Incident date: Sep 17, 2022
transmission torque converter shudder during 20 to 45 mph.
Incident date: Sep 5, 2019
While driving car, speed decelerated despite pressing on gas/accelerator pedal. Total ability to control speed on high way ended, as car crawled to a speed of under 5mph, nearly resulting in being hit by vehicles behind me. Immediately called independent mechanic who advised me to cut off ignition and restart the car. Highly dangerous to even attempt on a highway during rush hour traffic, nearl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2019
While driving car, speed decelerated despite pressing on gas/accelerator pedal. Total ability to control speed on high way ended, as car crawled to a speed of under 5mph, nearly resulting in being hit by vehicles behind me. Immediately called independent mechanic who advised me to cut off ignition and restart the car. Highly dangerous to even attempt on a highway during rush hour traffic, nearl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2019
While driving car, speed decelerated despite pressing on gas/accelerator pedal. Total ability to control speed on high way ended, as car crawled to a speed of under 5mph, nearly resulting in being hit by vehicles behind me. Immediately called independent mechanic who advised me to cut off ignition and restart the car. Highly dangerous to even attempt on a highway during rush hour traffic, nearl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2022
The engine does not start at once and when the key is turned off to try again, the engine explodes and the upper part of the engine case is completely torn off. At this time, there was a huge explosion sound like a bomb exploding and a lot of black smoke came out. It's not really a rocket engine, which is a huge force, but I really don't understand how much pressure was applied in the engine of an... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2022
On this model car, the low beams get so dangerously dim, that (my case for example), I literally could not tell if the low beam headlights were on or off if I were driving on a street where any street lights (even just residential neighborhood street lights) were anywhere within eyesight. The only time I could make out that they were on would be if I were on a pitch black section of a street, in w... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Acura RDX. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, he closed the front driver’s side door and the rear window glass exploded. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the conta... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2022
I was accelerating up a hill on a WV highway in a steady rain, the engine cut power, the check engine light flashed on and off, further throttle input did nothing, the car slowed on its own. I had to pull over from the left lane dangerously cutting in front of vehicles in the right lane as I could no longer maintain highway speed. Shut the car down and waited to rekey. Vehicle has operated fine ev... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2022
I was accelerating up a hill on a WV highway in a steady rain, the engine cut power, the check engine light flashed on and off, further throttle input did nothing, the car slowed on its own. I had to pull over from the left lane dangerously cutting in front of vehicles in the right lane as I could no longer maintain highway speed. Shut the car down and waited to rekey. Vehicle has operated fine ev... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2021
My 99 will unexpectedly shut off while driving down the road whether it be 5 miles an hour or 60 miles an hour. When this happens all power is off then kicks itself back on but won’t start until about 5 minutes to 10 minutes later and then runs smoothly but sometimes it will shut off again and take longer to start.
Incident date: Sep 16, 2021
My 99 will unexpectedly shut off while driving down the road whether it be 5 miles an hour or 60 miles an hour. When this happens all power is off then kicks itself back on but won’t start until about 5 minutes to 10 minutes later and then runs smoothly but sometimes it will shut off again and take longer to start.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
This problem is all over the internet and Acura refuses to recall. My lights have dimmed over a period of time and now I have to run my lights on high beam to be able to see. This is a safety concern for anyone because of bright lights in faces of other drivers. This started happening about a year ago and now I can't drive my car at night. The dealer has confirmed this in other Acura vehicles a... Read more
Incident date: Sep 12, 2022
First item: vehicle keeps shutting off during idle while parked or while brake is depressed. It has happened multiple times. I've done some research and see there are several sites indicating issues with the fuel pump and vehicle stalling. Acura says there are no current recalls. I'm not the only person this is happening to. Second issue: vehicle has gone into neutral on its own while driving. A... Read more
Incident date: Sep 12, 2022
First item: vehicle keeps shutting off during idle while parked or while brake is depressed. It has happened multiple times. I've done some research and see there are several sites indicating issues with the fuel pump and vehicle stalling. Acura says there are no current recalls. I'm not the only person this is happening to. Second issue: vehicle has gone into neutral on its own while driving. A... Read more
Incident date: Sep 12, 2022
First item: vehicle keeps shutting off during idle while parked or while brake is depressed. It has happened multiple times. I've done some research and see there are several sites indicating issues with the fuel pump and vehicle stalling. Acura says there are no current recalls. I'm not the only person this is happening to. Second issue: vehicle has gone into neutral on its own while driving. A... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2022
2018 purchased a little more than a month ago as a certified used Acura. Twice now we have been overridden by the automatic forward collision detecting something in front when NOTHING was there. Once on the freeway went from 70mph to 15 quickly and almost got rear ended. Just now on city street car stopped in the middle of intersection while turning left and overrides driver pressing gas pedal in ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2021
The headlights are so dim the vehicle can not be driven at night. My mechanic tells me this is a known issue for the RDX and I will have to replace the headlights at my own expense. The estimated cost is over $2000. Its hard to say when I first noticed the issue but it is at the point that if I am driving at night I must use my high beams.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2020
Headlight low beams are dangerously dim. When driving at night the headlights are so dim it is impossible to see.
Incident date: Aug 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated while at a stop light and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that a warning message to "Park and Restart” the vehicle was displayed. The contact shifted the vehicle into park(P) and attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle would not start immediately. The contact stated t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2022
On September 6, 2022, at 7:45 AM I was traveling from my home to work in my 2020 Acura RDX. As I was merging on to an interstate in heavy, high-speed traffic, my RDX suddenly lost power and started to decelerate with absolutely no warning at all as high-speed traffic was approaching from behind. My vehicle decelerated to a speed of about 20mph on an interstate in the midst of heavy, high-speed t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2022
On September 6, 2022, at 7:45 AM I was traveling from my home to work in my 2020 Acura RDX. As I was merging on to an interstate in heavy, high-speed traffic, my RDX suddenly lost power and started to decelerate with absolutely no warning at all as high-speed traffic was approaching from behind. My vehicle decelerated to a speed of about 20mph on an interstate in the midst of heavy, high-speed t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2019
S25 S25 recall fuel system 2012 Campaign Number 12V063000
Incident date: Apr 1, 2019
S25 S25 recall fuel system 2012 Campaign Number 12V063000
Incident date: Sep 4, 2022
16 y/o driving and stopped at a traffic light. He attempted to go when the light turned green, heard a pop, engine was revving but the car was not moving. It was acting as if it was in neutral. Luckily a police car was right there and they helped him push it to a parking lot. This car has 99K miles on it. He almost got hammered by the car behind him. This is a transmission issue and we had absolut... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
Low beams (both) became so dim as to be unsafe to drive at night due to reflector becoming very clouded. Many other owners have reported the same issue. FYI: low beam bulbs are good, high beam lights are fine, car has only 75k miles and is seldom driven at night
Incident date: Sep 2, 2019
The low beam bulb seems to be fine. But the road is barely visible at night. Could be the reflector got damaged over the time? No warning lamps or messages.
Incident date: Sep 2, 2022
The car several times now has stopped in traffic and died after the idle stop was initiated while stopped in traffic. It will not start up for at least 30 seconds to a minute. We were almost rear-ended because we were stuck in the middle of the road. I was told that Canada has issued a recall because of this issue
Incident date: Apr 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Acura ILX. The contact's daughter was driving approximately 10 MPH and accelerating after stopping at a traffic sign when the vehicle was crashed by another vehicle. The contact's vehicle had the front bumper removed. There were no injuries and both vehicles were drivable. The contact's daughter had exited the vehicle and retrieved the front bumper. She got back into the dr... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 18, 2022
Car will not restart from the Auto Idle Stop when at a stop light. The dash goes blank then flashes everything and it takes a minute or so to restart. It has happened 3-4 times in the last 6 months. Once on a 55 mph highway. Very dangerous safety issue. I have take it to the Acura dealership service department and they say diagnostics does not show why. However, They said it has happened to their ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
On numerous occasions the Electric Power Steering, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Keeping Assist problem lights illuminate on the dash and I lose all power steering. My car becomes extremely difficult to turn, particularly at lower speeds. This is a major safety hazard and warrants a recall. Had my wife been driving when this occurred she would not be able to turn the vehicle. This has happe... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
On numerous occasions the Electric Power Steering, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Keeping Assist problem lights illuminate on the dash and I lose all power steering. My car becomes extremely difficult to turn, particularly at lower speeds. This is a major safety hazard and warrants a recall. Had my wife been driving when this occurred she would not be able to turn the vehicle. This has happe... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
On numerous occasions the Electric Power Steering, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Keeping Assist problem lights illuminate on the dash and I lose all power steering. My car becomes extremely difficult to turn, particularly at lower speeds. This is a major safety hazard and warrants a recall. Had my wife been driving when this occurred she would not be able to turn the vehicle. This has happe... Read more
ACURA
MDX
(2019) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE:FUEL LEVEL FLOAT/SENSOR/SENDING UNIT
Sep 1, 2022
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V215000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle and driving several miles, the fuel gauge fluctuated to empty. The contact stated that the fuel gauge would indicate the incorrect amount of the fuel in t fuel tank. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dea... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
Turbo went out at 109230 miles. No warning lamps or anything prior. Unknown on other questions. Just know mil had a turbo go out and ended up being apart of recall
Incident date: Aug 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 Acura TL. The contact stated that multiple cracks had formed on the dashboard, exposing the passenger’s side air bag. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dashboard was originally replaced under warranty. Recently, the contact stated that the failure returned with multiple cracks forming on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. T... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2022
Driving down the freeway cruising around 70 miles per hour when the multiple sensors tripped and car started to slow down to 50 mph. Took the exit and when I came to a stop the car was moving very slow. Had to go over an overpass and it barely made it over. Close to home so drove the car slowly. The car at times would stop moving and took a little time for it to pick up and started moving slow... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2022
Driving down the freeway cruising around 70 miles per hour when the multiple sensors tripped and car started to slow down to 50 mph. Took the exit and when I came to a stop the car was moving very slow. Had to go over an overpass and it barely made it over. Close to home so drove the car slowly. The car at times would stop moving and took a little time for it to pick up and started moving slow... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2022
Driving down the freeway cruising around 70 miles per hour when the multiple sensors tripped and car started to slow down to 50 mph. Took the exit and when I came to a stop the car was moving very slow. Had to go over an overpass and it barely made it over. Close to home so drove the car slowly. The car at times would stop moving and took a little time for it to pick up and started moving slow... Read more