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: 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 .
Incident date: Dec 1, 2020
It is my understanding that the seatbelt on my vehicle is 100% covered under lifetime warranty. However, my airbag light is on and remains on due to a sensor failure in the driver's side seatbelt buckle and the tensioner. I went to the Acura dealer in Chantilly, VA to have repaired and was informed by the Service Manager (Kyle C.) that Acura was only going to pay 50%, which was unacceptable as i... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2020
Headlights problems of the 2014 Acura RDX. Unable to see with headlights at night. I can't see the road. I have escaped couple of accidents luckily.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
Car broke down 3 times on the road while driving, it show 12Vbattery failure, ABS failure nd started flashing lights on the dashboard nd broke down while driving. When first time it happened dealer said they have fixed the issue. It happened again md yesterday is 3rd time. Vehicle is 19k miles only it. Pls help us getting this resolved. Dealers make false promises and it’s breaking down again a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
Car broke down 3 times on the road while driving, it show 12Vbattery failure, ABS failure nd started flashing lights on the dashboard nd broke down while driving. When first time it happened dealer said they have fixed the issue. It happened again md yesterday is 3rd time. Vehicle is 19k miles only it. Pls help us getting this resolved. Dealers make false promises and it’s breaking down again a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
The current mileage on my odometer is 69,125. Over the past few weeks (last few hundred miles), I have noticed that my low beam headlights have become very dim and are continually getting dimmer. Having read MANY other complaints about this problem with this particular year model, I took my car to our local Acura dealership to be diagnosed. The findings were that the internal reflector has deterio... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2021
Low beam headlight projectors reflective backing has deteriorated causing loss of reflected light end result very dim low beam headlights. Obviously everyone in my vehicle or on the roadway around me is at risk of injury or death due to poor forward lighting. Problem has been confirmed by a 30 year Master ASE certified technician. Manufacturer has not inspected the vehicle but has notified me that... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
Front headlights (low beams) are very dim even after replacing the bulb. This was noticed on a long drive back home during the night. While passing opposing traffic it was almost impossible to keep visibility of the lane markers and road.
Incident date: Dec 29, 2021
Driving on highway when sunroof exploded
Incident date: Jan 2, 2022
Car went into “limp mode” in a raining day while accelerating - suddenly loses power while check engine light blinks. Nearly hit by following cars on the highway trying to pass other cars. Luckily was able to pull over to the emergency lane. Turned off the engine and turned it back on, the problem went away. A service bulletin related to this well known issue already exists - 20-053. Please a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2021
While driving on the freeway we experienced 2 conditions 1 The steering wheel jerks back and forth by about an inch in each direction 5 or 6 times 2 when changing lanes the steering wheel moved the car back from the lane we were coming from. It took force to keep the car in the lane A message came up in the dashboard COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM PROBLEM Acura Of Roseville CA denies there is a prob... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2021
While driving on the freeway we experienced 2 conditions 1 The steering wheel jerks back and forth by about an inch in each direction 5 or 6 times 2 when changing lanes the steering wheel moved the car back from the lane we were coming from. It took force to keep the car in the lane A message came up in the dashboard COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM PROBLEM Acura Of Roseville CA denies there is a prob... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
I was driving for approx. 3 hours on the interstate and exited to return home. After stopping at the red light my car would not excel. The rpm where moving up to 4 plus but the car wouldn’t go over 20 miles an hour when pressing the excelerator. No warning lights came on but I pulled over and turned the car off trying to decide what to do. I couldn’t get back on the road driving 20 miles an ho... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
I was driving for approx. 3 hours on the interstate and exited to return home. After stopping at the red light my car would not excel. The rpm where moving up to 4 plus but the car wouldn’t go over 20 miles an hour when pressing the excelerator. No warning lights came on but I pulled over and turned the car off trying to decide what to do. I couldn’t get back on the road driving 20 miles an ho... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2021
we bought this Acura RDX in 2015 and noticed the headlights are dim; as we drive more often in nights recently, it becomes obvious that this kind dim headlights are very dangerous for driving in nights, particularly on high way. I was looking for repairing but was told this was all without faulty from the original equipment. I searched online and realized this was a safety problems many drivers h... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2021
The fuel pump was replaced in July 2020 due to a safety recall. That new pump failed on October 2021. No fuel pump fails so quickly unless the pump has same situation. Dealer replaced pump but charged me for part and labor of their own bad job form July 2020. I was lucky that it failed while I was moving at a slow speed in a safe place
Incident date: Oct 16, 2021
When my car got to the 80000 mile mark, my headlights became progressively dimmer. I have cleaned the lens, and replaced the bulbs 3 times in the last 3 months, and now they are so bad that I don't dare drive the car at night. I googled the problem and found a whole litany of Acura RDX owners who have experienced the same problem at the same time. see: https://www.carproblemzoo.com/acura/rdx/head... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
This is a white car with no after-dealer modifications. The paint is peeling from around the windshield and rear window.
Incident date: Dec 24, 2021
Rear windshield shattered while parked in my drive way. Vehicle was not being driven. I have read several reports of this happening to other Acura rdx. I have contacted the dealership and Acura who have both told me I need to pay out of pocket to get this fixed. This is an Acura problem and Acura was unable to help. I should not be responsible for getting this fixed as vehicle was in driveway when... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving at night, the low-beam headlights were dim. The contact had to utilize the high-beam headlights while driving. The contact called the local dealer but, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the reflectors inside the headlight housings were def... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the Forward Collision-Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking suddenly activated causing the vehicle to abruptly stop in the middle of the road. During the failure, the dashboard warning lights and messages remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who serviced the vehicle. No further... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2021
The vehicle VIN - [XXX] The vehicle, 2021 Acura TLX, was purchased on June 8, 2021, from the showroom floor of Metro Acura Dealership. The vehicle was sold as being compatible with iPhone, Bluetooth HandsFree Link, and Apple CarPlay. Not to mention the innovative technology, Automatic Lighting Control, and Auto-Idle Stop System. The vehicle was purchased with a full 4 year/50,000-mile warran... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2021
The vehicle VIN - [XXX] The vehicle, 2021 Acura TLX, was purchased on June 8, 2021, from the showroom floor of Metro Acura Dealership. The vehicle was sold as being compatible with iPhone, Bluetooth HandsFree Link, and Apple CarPlay. Not to mention the innovative technology, Automatic Lighting Control, and Auto-Idle Stop System. The vehicle was purchased with a full 4 year/50,000-mile warran... Read more