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: Apr 29, 2022
Starting around 20,000 miles, my car started to majorly hesitate when I would step on the pedal trying to accelerate. Over time the problem became increasingly worse to the point where the car would slip into neutral causing a major hazard driving on the tollway when my car would decelerate when stepping on the gas pedal. This has caused me to have several very close near accidents. The dealership... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2022
Got into the RDX, closed the driver door and rear glass shattered. Called Dealership and spoke with salesman and service manager and both said they never heard of this before. Reading online this has happened several times. Acura in Canada has acknowledged that this is a defect and repairs are done under warranty. What can be done in USA?
Incident date: Mar 26, 2022
The steering ability and rear suspension failed on the vehicle. I was driving straight on a major interstate and the car veered to the right. I was able to correct the vehicle by turning the steering wheel to the left. This happened on several occasions during this particular weekend. However, 2 weeks prior to this incident, I received forward collision warnings, brake warnings, and lane departure... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2022
At slow speed our brand new vehicle with only 800 miles the electric power steering system failed causing difficulty manually steering the vehicle and pulling off the roadway. In addition every warning light illuminated on dashboard. Vehicle was towed to Acura of Turnersville in NJ and after three days is still being diagnosed. Internet searches have revealed several other owners with the 2022 Acu... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2021
Low beam headlights have become continually worse in the past four years. The bulbs are working fine, but the low beam headlights only project light out a few feet from the front of the car. The car is unsafe and undriveable at night using only the low beam headlights. The high beam headlights are fine, but driving with the high beam lights on at all times is also a safety hazard. The dealer ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2022
My Acura TL has many issues and is dangerous to drive
Crash
Incident date: Apr 20, 2022
My Acura TL has many issues and is dangerous to drive
Crash
Incident date: Apr 20, 2022
My Acura TL has many issues and is dangerous to drive
Crash
Incident date: Apr 27, 2022
I was merging on to the freeway going about 60mph, with traffic right behind me. Car started decelerated and the dash board lit up. A car behind me had to swerve to avoid hitting me. I put on my hazard lights and tried to move to the shoulder the car was only going about 5mph at the time. I turned the car off and restarted to see if it would move, but it was still going about 5mph. After doing thi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2022
I was merging on to the freeway going about 60mph, with traffic right behind me. Car started decelerated and the dash board lit up. A car behind me had to swerve to avoid hitting me. I put on my hazard lights and tried to move to the shoulder the car was only going about 5mph at the time. I turned the car off and restarted to see if it would move, but it was still going about 5mph. After doing thi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2022
I was merging on to the freeway going about 60mph, with traffic right behind me. Car started decelerated and the dash board lit up. A car behind me had to swerve to avoid hitting me. I put on my hazard lights and tried to move to the shoulder the car was only going about 5mph at the time. I turned the car off and restarted to see if it would move, but it was still going about 5mph. After doing thi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Transmission surges when shifting between 1st gear to 2nd, feels like rear ended, the whole car jumps. Acura of America seems to not have a fix for this issue that a lots of 3rd generation ACURA MDX owners suffer from . Acura dealership only suggestion is transmission fluid flush, which is not a real fix for the transmission jump that can cause a serious accident while operating the vehicle in t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2022
I was driving onto an exit ramp around 50 to 60 mph on Rt 50 yo 495 south and VSA light appeared on dash. Also steering felt extremely loose. No control to steer and could not accelerate either.
Incident date: Apr 24, 2022
I was driving onto an exit ramp around 50 to 60 mph on Rt 50 yo 495 south and VSA light appeared on dash. Also steering felt extremely loose. No control to steer and could not accelerate either.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2022
On several occasions the vehicle will come to a stop and from that stop will begin to stall-at that point almost completely loosing power and an indicator light on dash indicates that an undefined problem *exclamation mark* Each time, the car almost completely slows to almost a stall out, and the car behind me comes dangerously close to hitting me from behind.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
I was told by a mechanic that this 2006 Acura TL I bought from Joe's Garage here In Clovis Ca was a car I do not want to be driving. Now when purchased from Joe's Garage he stated he put engine didn't say new or used, He also said the car was practically brand new because previous owner was a high school kid who assume he cracked his radiator and was not the problem, but the kid bought a new car a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
I was told by a mechanic that this 2006 Acura TL I bought from Joe's Garage here In Clovis Ca was a car I do not want to be driving. Now when purchased from Joe's Garage he stated he put engine didn't say new or used, He also said the car was practically brand new because previous owner was a high school kid who assume he cracked his radiator and was not the problem, but the kid bought a new car a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
I was told by a mechanic that this 2006 Acura TL I bought from Joe's Garage here In Clovis Ca was a car I do not want to be driving. Now when purchased from Joe's Garage he stated he put engine didn't say new or used, He also said the car was practically brand new because previous owner was a high school kid who assume he cracked his radiator and was not the problem, but the kid bought a new car a... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2022
The brake pedal in my car was soft. pressed it and did not stop the car until its almost to the floor. Called acura and they told me there was a tsb as other have had this problem Honda TSB 19-022. the car needed to be reprogramed and fixed the issue. they charged 87.78 for the reprograming. i filled a complaint with honda to get reimbursed case number 12954925. This is a saftey issue... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2021
On a regular basis, if accelerating to cross an intersection, car stops or hesitates for several seconds. We have almost been hit by cars several times in the past year. Dealership states everytime i have it serviced, they are unable to replicate and they have never heard of this. In a 5 minute internet search I have found many references to the same issue.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2021
On a regular basis, if accelerating to cross an intersection, car stops or hesitates for several seconds. We have almost been hit by cars several times in the past year. Dealership states everytime i have it serviced, they are unable to replicate and they have never heard of this. In a 5 minute internet search I have found many references to the same issue.
Incident date: Mar 21, 2022
The reflector plate inside the sealed front headlamps has deteriorated. The headlamps no longer project enough light to drive the Acura RDX safely at night. The Acura dealership inspected the vehicle, acknowledged the problem, and will replace the two lamps for a little over $2K. It’s my understanding this occurs on model years 2013 and 2014 as well. Deterioration of the reflector plate occu... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2022
The car kept stalling while I was trying to accelerate on the highway. I pulled over and turned it off and the problem resolved itself
Incident date: Apr 14, 2022
The car kept stalling while I was trying to accelerate on the highway. I pulled over and turned it off and the problem resolved itself
Incident date: Apr 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH the transmission erroneously shifted to the neutral position causing the vehicle to lose power. After stopping and restarting the engine the failure continued to occur. The contact unplugged the engine battery which temporarily resolved the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2021
I was getting ready to pass a semi and when I went to accelerate I had no power. I pushed the pedal several times with no power. Then it finally kicked in and the car accelerated. I was almost rear ended due to me losing power. This has happened multiple times. No lights ever come on. I am also experiencing the car completely shutting off while stopped. When it does this, a message pops up that I ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2021
I was getting ready to pass a semi and when I went to accelerate I had no power. I pushed the pedal several times with no power. Then it finally kicked in and the car accelerated. I was almost rear ended due to me losing power. This has happened multiple times. No lights ever come on. I am also experiencing the car completely shutting off while stopped. When it does this, a message pops up that I ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that the entire dashboard was cracked. Additionally, air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Incident date: Apr 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that the entire dashboard was cracked. Additionally, air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Incident date: Apr 8, 2022
Had front collision with another vehicle and hit their passenger side of the vehicle and their Airbags Deployed on that side but my Airbags didn’t Deploy in the Front. I suffered injuries because it didn’t work.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 9, 2022
As I was driving on major road the car shift from drive to neutral with all these problems flashing at me with not any warning signs. I was scared and I am scared to drive my car.
Incident date: Apr 9, 2022
As I was driving on major road the car shift from drive to neutral with all these problems flashing at me with not any warning signs. I was scared and I am scared to drive my car.
Incident date: Apr 9, 2022
As I was driving on major road the car shift from drive to neutral with all these problems flashing at me with not any warning signs. I was scared and I am scared to drive my car.
Incident date: Jan 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the check engine, ABS, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was not able to restart the vehicle immediately. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with code P0087 for the fuel rail system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2022
My 2015 Acura RDX headlights are so dim it is dangerous to drive at night, and changing the bulbs won't help. It seems to be a common problem for many other customers with this model.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2022
While driving on a highway the car lost all power and every dashboard light came on and started blinking. Car wouldn’t shift gear and lost all power abruptly! I almost caused a horrible accident and this has happened at least 10 times now and I’ve only had my car a year!!!!
Incident date: Apr 4, 2022
While driving on a highway the car lost all power and every dashboard light came on and started blinking. Car wouldn’t shift gear and lost all power abruptly! I almost caused a horrible accident and this has happened at least 10 times now and I’ve only had my car a year!!!!
Incident date: Apr 4, 2022
While driving on a highway the car lost all power and every dashboard light came on and started blinking. Car wouldn’t shift gear and lost all power abruptly! I almost caused a horrible accident and this has happened at least 10 times now and I’ve only had my car a year!!!!
Incident date: Apr 3, 2022
Sunroof exploded while driving for no reason!
Incident date: Apr 5, 2022
during acceleration on highway to pass a vehicle the Acura RDX lost power and decelerated. Check engine light came on....engine lost power to accelerate/maintain highway speed almost causing an accident.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2022
I was driving on the highway at normal highway speeds of 70MPH when the car lost the ability to accelerate, and I was forced to make an emergency stop on the side of the interstate. With the heavy traffic on the interstate, this scenario could have been catastrophic as there is currently construction and no place to pull over for emergencies. The vehicle was towed to Hubler Acura in Greenwood IN... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2022
I was driving on the highway at normal highway speeds of 70MPH when the car lost the ability to accelerate, and I was forced to make an emergency stop on the side of the interstate. With the heavy traffic on the interstate, this scenario could have been catastrophic as there is currently construction and no place to pull over for emergencies. The vehicle was towed to Hubler Acura in Greenwood IN... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2020
Purchased my 2021 in November of 2020. Two weeks after, i was driving with adaptive cruise on at 65 mph on a freeway. 100 yds ahead i could see a diesel going slower than i, so i looked and saw no one coming at all, so i moved over to the passing lane. I got 5 feet into the lane and the car slammed on its brakes, on its own!!! Thank god no one was behind me or i might have died!! I reported this ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2020
Purchased my 2021 in November of 2020. Two weeks after, i was driving with adaptive cruise on at 65 mph on a freeway. 100 yds ahead i could see a diesel going slower than i, so i looked and saw no one coming at all, so i moved over to the passing lane. I got 5 feet into the lane and the car slammed on its brakes, on its own!!! Thank god no one was behind me or i might have died!! I reported this ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2022
Was driving to the store and the vehicle lost all power it will crank and idle but. When u push the gas pedal it will not accelerate all the dash lights are flashing or staying on as of right now the vehicle is on the side of the road I had to walk 15 miles cause I left my phone at home so I couldn't call no one and. My 11 year old daughter was with me so she had to walk as well
Incident date: Apr 2, 2022
Was driving to the store and the vehicle lost all power it will crank and idle but. When u push the gas pedal it will not accelerate all the dash lights are flashing or staying on as of right now the vehicle is on the side of the road I had to walk 15 miles cause I left my phone at home so I couldn't call no one and. My 11 year old daughter was with me so she had to walk as well
Incident date: Apr 2, 2022
Was driving to the store and the vehicle lost all power it will crank and idle but. When u push the gas pedal it will not accelerate all the dash lights are flashing or staying on as of right now the vehicle is on the side of the road I had to walk 15 miles cause I left my phone at home so I couldn't call no one and. My 11 year old daughter was with me so she had to walk as well
Incident date: Feb 16, 2022
Engine fails to start after idle stop, when the idle-stop off button is not engaged, and the battery doesn't have enough power to re-start the vehicle. Essentially, the engine tries to start up at a traffic light/intersection but fails, causing the car to turn off and shift to Neutral without warning. I then have to realize what is happening, shift the car from Neutral to Park, and hit the start... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2022
Engine fails to start after idle stop, when the idle-stop off button is not engaged, and the battery doesn't have enough power to re-start the vehicle. Essentially, the engine tries to start up at a traffic light/intersection but fails, causing the car to turn off and shift to Neutral without warning. I then have to realize what is happening, shift the car from Neutral to Park, and hit the start... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2021
Hi, I have a 2020 Acura RDX, and it haves a popping and cracking sound on the speaker even wend the radio is of. And it have being check buy the dealer Bella International in Puerto Rico, and they say they cant fix it, to keep using it like that and that’s not an answer to my problem, know they are not answering the phone, the unit is still on warranty, please what can I do? Thanks