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: Mar 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, she approached the rear of the vehicle to open the hatch and noticed that the edges of the rear window was crumbling. The contact stated that upon opening the hatch, the middle of the hatch window cracked and the pieces fell inside the trunk. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2022
(1) Passenger airbag periodically turns off when seat is occupied. This surfaces major safety concerns. (2) Technology package - Apple car play turns black and disconnects often. As someone working from their car, this needs to stay connected in order to avoid safety concerns of needing to look down at my phone.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2022
(1) Passenger airbag periodically turns off when seat is occupied. This surfaces major safety concerns. (2) Technology package - Apple car play turns black and disconnects often. As someone working from their car, this needs to stay connected in order to avoid safety concerns of needing to look down at my phone.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2022
Acceleration has a very slow response after pressing gas pedel, transmission is very jerky only 12000 miles on car. It can lead into accidents at traffic or other
Incident date: Feb 28, 2022
Back LEFT inner tail light assembly strip and RIGHT Outer LED strip tail light assembly damaged by water moisturizer getting inside of them.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
Over the last year or so, the halogen headlights have gradually become so dim that visibility at night is severely impaired. Dealer has tested all electrical components and the bulbs have been replaced, with no improvement in visibility. Dealer recommendation is to replace both headlight assemblies at a quoted cost over $2500. I have found other owners complaining of the same degradation of visibi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 10 mph and making a left turn, the steering wheel was hard to turn and it was shaking. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000.
Incident date: Feb 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked at her residence, a loud sound was heard coming from outside. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear windshield had shattered and there were glass shards on the driveway and inside of the vehicle. There was no impact to the rear windshield that could have caused it to shatter. An auto glass company ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2022
My car slid off of the road during a blizzard and hit a tree head on. My front end had smashed in and the car was totaled. The airbags did not deploy and the police who arrived on the scene believed that they should have. I brought my car to a body shop to assess the damages as well as look into the issue of the airbags. He told me that all of the crash sensors had gone off and my seat belt had lo... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 20, 2022
My vehicle has similar behaviors to the most recent investigation that is happening with the investigation of the Honda Accord and CRV noted in this article: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2022/INOA-PE22003-5540.PDF. On a handful of times while driving on the freeway, my car has unexpectedly decelerated when passing another vehicle, or on a curve the adaptive cruise control slows the vehicle dow... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2022
My vehicle has similar behaviors to the most recent investigation that is happening with the investigation of the Honda Accord and CRV noted in this article: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2022/INOA-PE22003-5540.PDF. On a handful of times while driving on the freeway, my car has unexpectedly decelerated when passing another vehicle, or on a curve the adaptive cruise control slows the vehicle dow... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2022
My vehicle has similar behaviors to the most recent investigation that is happening with the investigation of the Honda Accord and CRV noted in this article: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2022/INOA-PE22003-5540.PDF. On a handful of times while driving on the freeway, my car has unexpectedly decelerated when passing another vehicle, or on a curve the adaptive cruise control slows the vehicle dow... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the brakes applied independently. The contact stated the brake warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 10 MPH however, quickly started accelerating after depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had no... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the brakes applied independently. The contact stated the brake warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 10 MPH however, quickly started accelerating after depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had no... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2021
This morning I read that you were investigating the automatic braking for certain Honda models. I have had this same thing happen with my 2017 Acura MDX several times over the past few years. I would be driving (not following another car), and my car would suddenly brake and flash "Brake" on the screen, without my doing anything. Both times, I attributed the issue to driving into a bright sun, ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2021
This morning I read that you were investigating the automatic braking for certain Honda models. I have had this same thing happen with my 2017 Acura MDX several times over the past few years. I would be driving (not following another car), and my car would suddenly brake and flash "Brake" on the screen, without my doing anything. Both times, I attributed the issue to driving into a bright sun, ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the inadvertently slowed and decelerated to 30 MPH. The brake alert warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2022
Check airbag sensor keeps coming on intermittently.
Incident date: Feb 14, 2022
On Feb 14, the back window exploded and shattered on its own, additional the fron windshield was cracked from one side to the next. I came out of my office to find a hole in the back window, shattered glass every where . No one was in or around the vehicle, no vandalism or impact occured to the car. Now the remaining pieces of shattered glass are in the door which could not be removed. This is t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2015
We purchased our 2013 Acura RDX new and have owned it since. After about 2 years, I noticed that the Low Beam lighting was not as bright as it use to be (it never seemed exceptionally bright in the first place). Over the next few years, it appeared to be getting worse. I replaced the bulbs with the appropriate aftermarket, higher lumen rated halogen bulbs, that improved it a little bit, but not... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2022
Unknown but transmission is slipping in and out of gear even while going down the road
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
Front headlights have gradually gotten dimmer to the point where they are almost unsafe.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2019
At random times the engine dies while driving the car which has resulted in unsafe handling and loss of power steering while in traffic conditions. I was unaware of a recall (02V120000) until recently. I have owned this car sense 2002 and the current millage is 109,000 miles. I contacted Findlay Acura in Henderson NV. and they stated there was no recall on the ignition switch which I have recent... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2022
Sunroof spontaneously exploded outward while driving children to school. Loud boom like an explosion, no rain or inclement weather. Received a splinter from small shards of glass after Acura dealership vacuumed. They quoted me $1100 and $1400 for repair of this defect, and was unable to determine when glass would arrive. Did not give loaner or anything, and car is less than 30 days old.
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the rear wheels were turning independently while the contact was driving straight. The contact stated that the steering wheel needed to be turned in order for the wheels to be straightened. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The app... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2020
Was driving down interstate 70 at approximately 75 miles an hour. My cruise control was set and I was going up a small hill and out of nowhere my car decelerates down to about 50-60 miles an hour and it won't shift into gear/turn over and is making a grinding/revving noise. Almost all of the warning lamps and messages started flashing when this happened. There were cars behind me and next to me on... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2020
Was driving down interstate 70 at approximately 75 miles an hour. My cruise control was set and I was going up a small hill and out of nowhere my car decelerates down to about 50-60 miles an hour and it won't shift into gear/turn over and is making a grinding/revving noise. Almost all of the warning lamps and messages started flashing when this happened. There were cars behind me and next to me on... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2020
Was driving down interstate 70 at approximately 75 miles an hour. My cruise control was set and I was going up a small hill and out of nowhere my car decelerates down to about 50-60 miles an hour and it won't shift into gear/turn over and is making a grinding/revving noise. Almost all of the warning lamps and messages started flashing when this happened. There were cars behind me and next to me on... Read more
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