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: Jul 12, 2022
All software systems failed, disabling the vehicle. Error messages included failure in braking, steering, and other vital systems. Acura roadside assistance determined that the car had to be towed to the nearest dealer. The dealer confirmed the issue was a "DTC P061B PCM internal malfunction" and performed a "PGM-FI software update to correct the issue." The vehicle was completely disabled, and we... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2022
All software systems failed, disabling the vehicle. Error messages included failure in braking, steering, and other vital systems. Acura roadside assistance determined that the car had to be towed to the nearest dealer. The dealer confirmed the issue was a "DTC P061B PCM internal malfunction" and performed a "PGM-FI software update to correct the issue." The vehicle was completely disabled, and we... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2022
All software systems failed, disabling the vehicle. Error messages included failure in braking, steering, and other vital systems. Acura roadside assistance determined that the car had to be towed to the nearest dealer. The dealer confirmed the issue was a "DTC P061B PCM internal malfunction" and performed a "PGM-FI software update to correct the issue." The vehicle was completely disabled, and we... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2022
Suspension clicking noise when turning wheel to from one end to another. I found that the outer tie rod end ball joint wasn’t torque down. I double checked the lower ball joint and found it wasn’t torque down as well. The clicking went away after torquing down the outer tie rod joint.
Incident date: Jan 6, 2018
The headlights are extremely dim. I have replaced the bulbs 2x. After looking on line, see that owners of 2013 - 2015 Acuras report this dangerous problem - can’t see clearly at night and especially in the rain. Called Acura - they said no recall. From the hundreds of posts it is a visibility/safety problem. Has gotten worse over time.
Incident date: Jul 9, 2022
1. On dash flashing air bag system off 2. Upon acceleration and getting up to speed it missing like bad gas but its not. I use required premium. 3. Not shifting properly upon acceleration of speed properly.
Incident date: Jul 9, 2022
1. On dash flashing air bag system off 2. Upon acceleration and getting up to speed it missing like bad gas but its not. I use required premium. 3. Not shifting properly upon acceleration of speed properly.
Incident date: Jul 9, 2022
1. On dash flashing air bag system off 2. Upon acceleration and getting up to speed it missing like bad gas but its not. I use required premium. 3. Not shifting properly upon acceleration of speed properly.
Incident date: Jul 25, 2022
In an auto collision where a car rear end the vehicle from an idle position into an 18-foot box truck in front which was also idle. The vehicle smashed in the front and back which it was deemed a total loss and the airbag did not deploy. This caused the driver to have several injuries including a head concussion. When contacted the dealer service department where recall maintenance had been per... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 25, 2022
In an auto collision where a car rear end the vehicle from an idle position into an 18-foot box truck in front which was also idle. The vehicle smashed in the front and back which it was deemed a total loss and the airbag did not deploy. This caused the driver to have several injuries including a head concussion. When contacted the dealer service department where recall maintenance had been per... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 25, 2022
Vehicle failed MD emissions inspection 3 times in a row because OBD computer could not communicate.
Incident date: Jul 17, 2022
My experience is in the attached file. My concern is Honda (Acura, same company) issued a service bulletin with VIN ranges (which my vehicle falls in) and yet there is no diagnostic error code to show it happened to the car, repair persons/dealerships can and have denied fixing anything because they can’t diagnose it and it’s in the owner’s manual directing the owner to take it to the dealer... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2016
The contact owns a 2004 Acura TSX. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a standstill, the vehicle would accelerate independently and he was unable to control the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated on 7/29/2022 while depressing the accelerator pedal, he lost control of the vehicle again. The contact knoc... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 1, 2016
The contact owns a 2004 Acura TSX. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a standstill, the vehicle would accelerate independently and he was unable to control the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated on 7/29/2022 while depressing the accelerator pedal, he lost control of the vehicle again. The contact knoc... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 5, 2022
I've had the vehicle since around 44 k , Purchase and shortly months later technology lighting a battery issues, someone started hacking me saying they were a car warranty services , harassment in cybersecurity daily I've had over 6-8 electrical light replacements, 2-3 battery replacements, 3 alternator replacements, hacking is daily asking me to pay brides of 1000.00 which I have never participat... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2022
I've had the vehicle since around 44 k , Purchase and shortly months later technology lighting a battery issues, someone started hacking me saying they were a car warranty services , harassment in cybersecurity daily I've had over 6-8 electrical light replacements, 2-3 battery replacements, 3 alternator replacements, hacking is daily asking me to pay brides of 1000.00 which I have never participat... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2022
I've had the vehicle since around 44 k , Purchase and shortly months later technology lighting a battery issues, someone started hacking me saying they were a car warranty services , harassment in cybersecurity daily I've had over 6-8 electrical light replacements, 2-3 battery replacements, 3 alternator replacements, hacking is daily asking me to pay brides of 1000.00 which I have never participat... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2022
While traveling on Interstate at 7:30am there was a sudden Blowout Explosion of the sunroof glass. There were no other vehicles around they may have thrown debris. Vehicle has been examined by automobile glass shop
Incident date: Jul 28, 2016
The contact owns a 2014 Acura ILX. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer and was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced; however, the failure reoccurred six months later. The contact stated that he was replacing the vehicle battery every six months. However, after the replacement of the batte... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the collision mitigation braking system inadvertently activated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had since deactivated the collision mitigation braking system. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2021
Like many other Acura RDX 2014 owners, I have also experienced the dimming of headlights to the point where it is unsafe to drive in the evening or during severe weather conditions. After replacing the bulbs twice and cleaning the lenses, I took it to an Acura dealership. They checked the wiring and confirmed there were no issues, and said that the headlight assemblies are failing and need to be r... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2022
My sunroof shattered while I was driving on the highway.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2022
My Catalac converter needs to be replace I took it in backin March because dash lights were on . It was covered under warranty barley made it the first time I took it into Acura they failed to look if it was covered for me . After a month of stress and research it was so I took it back to Acura with the paperwork and spoke to the manager who checked it 2 times and said it wasn’t I handed him th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2022
My Catalac converter needs to be replace I took it in backin March because dash lights were on . It was covered under warranty barley made it the first time I took it into Acura they failed to look if it was covered for me . After a month of stress and research it was so I took it back to Acura with the paperwork and spoke to the manager who checked it 2 times and said it wasn’t I handed him th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2022
My Catalac converter needs to be replace I took it in backin March because dash lights were on . It was covered under warranty barley made it the first time I took it into Acura they failed to look if it was covered for me . After a month of stress and research it was so I took it back to Acura with the paperwork and spoke to the manager who checked it 2 times and said it wasn’t I handed him th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Acura RLX. The contact stated while switching lanes to the left, the vehicle started fishtailing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time. The contact was informed that the RTC actuators needed to be replaced. The ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2020
Low-beam headlights are so faint, it's dangerous to drive at night. Dealer will not repair, local service station will not repair - both say that the entire front facia (bumper, grill, headlight assembly) would all have to be removed to access the headlight reflector. From your website, there have been hundreds of complaints for the same issue - what needs to be done for a recall, someone gettin... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2022
During driving, Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) will activate and "BRAKE" light will blink, indicating that you should apply brakes. This happened multiple times. Finally the CMBS warning light came on permanently. I took my car to Acura Dealership for repairs. They informed me that it was a software issue and update of the software should resolve this problem.
Incident date: Jul 14, 2022
During driving, Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) will activate and "BRAKE" light will blink, indicating that you should apply brakes. This happened multiple times. Finally the CMBS warning light came on permanently. I took my car to Acura Dealership for repairs. They informed me that it was a software issue and update of the software should resolve this problem.
Incident date: Jul 22, 2022
Transmission issues with my 2016 Acura MDX slipping into neutral and staying there while driving at high speeds on interstates. This could've caused injury to myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the road due to the high speeds. Without being to able to accelerate when needed, it could've resulted in harm. Transmission Service Problem and Blind Spot Malfunction lights appeared. I took ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2022
Transmission issues with my 2016 Acura MDX slipping into neutral and staying there while driving at high speeds on interstates. This could've caused injury to myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the road due to the high speeds. Without being to able to accelerate when needed, it could've resulted in harm. Transmission Service Problem and Blind Spot Malfunction lights appeared. I took ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
While driving on I-95 north, the check engine light began flashing on and off. We had been driving in a thunderstorm for approximately 100 miles, when it began flashing. Then suddenly the car began slowing down. There was no response to repeatedly stepping on the gas pedal. As the car slowed down I was able to get over to the shoulder, and put the car in park. Again trying to get a response by st... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
While driving on I-95 north, the check engine light began flashing on and off. We had been driving in a thunderstorm for approximately 100 miles, when it began flashing. Then suddenly the car began slowing down. There was no response to repeatedly stepping on the gas pedal. As the car slowed down I was able to get over to the shoulder, and put the car in park. Again trying to get a response by st... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2022
I recently purchased this vehicle and had nit driven it at night. On 07/20/22 at approximately 930pm I had to pick my son up at a friends home. We live in Florida and thunderstorms are routine here. While driving I noticed my visibility of the road was not clear. I pulled over during the storm and visually checked that my headlamps were on. They were except that the lighting was dim. I proceeded t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2022
I recently purchased this vehicle and had nit driven it at night. On 07/20/22 at approximately 930pm I had to pick my son up at a friends home. We live in Florida and thunderstorms are routine here. While driving I noticed my visibility of the road was not clear. I pulled over during the storm and visually checked that my headlamps were on. They were except that the lighting was dim. I proceeded t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2022
This his happened 3 times now. I have been driving on the highway with no cars in front of me in my lane within a quarter mile, and the braking since starts flashing a warning and starts to hard break, it is not only startling but very dangerous. This happened the 3rd time in a year. I usually try to disable it to prevent these issues but it auto turns itself back on every time i start the car so ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 5, 2021
Hard, jerking shifting at approximately 20 mph. Potential problem moving in close traffic such as from traffic light or entering traffic. No diagnostic warning/error lights. I’ve taken my car to Crown Acura 14080 Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, OH on July 11, 2022 for diagnosing and servicing the problem. It’s an intermittent problem so they couldn’t replicate so they couldn’t diagnose the probl... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2021
Hard, jerking shifting at approximately 20 mph. Potential problem moving in close traffic such as from traffic light or entering traffic. No diagnostic warning/error lights. I’ve taken my car to Crown Acura 14080 Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, OH on July 11, 2022 for diagnosing and servicing the problem. It’s an intermittent problem so they couldn’t replicate so they couldn’t diagnose the probl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2022
Ofttimes when parking the car does not fully shut off because the accessory mode fails to shut off. I have to restart the car and put it in gear go forward or backward attempting to shut off everything several times before the car fully shuts off. I have had to purchase a new battery because the car failed to shut off when parked by an attendant. Sometimes it will take me at least six (6) attempt... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE THE CONSUMER PLACED THE REQUEST.*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
Incident date: Jan 10, 2022
WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED, THERE IS A SPRING RELEASE/CLICKING NOISE. AS WE HAVE PUT MILAGE ON CAR IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER.
Incident date: Jul 19, 2022
I was driving my car with my infant daughter in the backseat. We were stopped at a red light in the middle of a busy intersection. The car was in idle mode. When I went to turn left the car shifted into neutral. I could not go into drive. I had to turn the car off and turn it back on again to get it to move out of the intersection. We almost got rear ended. When my husband brought the car in the s... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2022
I was driving my car with my infant daughter in the backseat. We were stopped at a red light in the middle of a busy intersection. The car was in idle mode. When I went to turn left the car shifted into neutral. I could not go into drive. I had to turn the car off and turn it back on again to get it to move out of the intersection. We almost got rear ended. When my husband brought the car in the s... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2022
Upon rapid acceleration, pushing the gas pedal down, the engine light started blinking and the car went into limp mode losing all power. This was a serious concern because we had just got off the interstate and if we had been full speed attempting to pass a vehicle, we could have been in a serious accident due to failure of power.
Incident date: May 23, 2022
Upon rapid acceleration, pushing the gas pedal down, the engine light started blinking and the car went into limp mode losing all power. This was a serious concern because we had just got off the interstate and if we had been full speed attempting to pass a vehicle, we could have been in a serious accident due to failure of power.
Incident date: May 23, 2022
Upon rapid acceleration, pushing the gas pedal down, the engine light started blinking and the car went into limp mode losing all power. This was a serious concern because we had just got off the interstate and if we had been full speed attempting to pass a vehicle, we could have been in a serious accident due to failure of power.
Incident date: Jun 24, 2022
Complete Transmission failure at 77,000 miles. Vehicle lost power at highway speeds causing a dangerous situation and stranded our family 650 miles from home. Had vehicle towed to the nearest acura dealership where I was told the transmission was terminal and needed to be replaced. Three weeks later the dealership has failed to find a transmission and nothing has happened. Acura extended a good fa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2022
When applying brakes, irrespective of speed at which I am traveling, I experience a distinct vibration/judder in the front brakes when applying the brakes on my 2017 Acura MDX.
Incident date: May 23, 2022
A case of SUA (sudden unintended acceleration). Approaching a car stopped at a red light. I stepped on the brake pedal to stop the car but instead, the car accelerates and rear ends the car at the red light. A couple hours later, driving the same car, another car makes a u-turn in front of me. I stepped on my brake pedal but instead, my car accelerates and almost crashes into u-turn vehicle. The ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2022
Tire size: 225/50R18 95H While parked I noticed the tire tread pealing off face of tire (the part that touches the road surface) and exposing the under layers of tire rubber and internal tread shapes Almost like outside and inside tread layers separated Not sure if from road hazard or the two layers separated on their own?