Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 16,985 complaints for ACURA
Incident date: Nov 1, 2002
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon. The contact stated after the vehicle was serviced, while driving 30 MPH and depressing accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated, and the contact shifted to a lower gear to drive to the residence safely. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2024
The electrical system failed (dashboard warning light appeared while in park) and then a pop was heard (fuse bursting). Car could not safely drive. Dealer confirmed ICCU failed once checked at dealer. No prior warnings noticed and no issues charging with approved systems leading up to the failure.
Incident date: Dec 19, 2024
One day last December it rained very hard for a couple of days. It about 6:30pm I got in my car to go to an appointment. There was water inside the cab, on the seats, inside of the windshield, in the dashboard and controls... and about 4 inches of water on the floor on both passenger and driver side. When I tried to start the car, all the electrical systems went haywire. Everything was blinking a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
Car started loosing power and fouling spark plugs 2 and 3. Took it to dealer shop and head gasket was bad.
Incident date: Dec 21, 2025
Power steering went out and Esc warning came on the dash . This has happened multiple times mostly while sitting at idle. Turned off car and restarted and it was corrected. This is becoming more frequent.
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
While driving with my family, my vehicle experienced a sudden and total failure of the front-facing multi-purpose camera mounted behind the windshield. This component is the primary sensor for the Honda Sensing suite. The failure caused multiple critical safety systems to become inoperative simultaneously, including the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), and Ad... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2025
Since I purchased my Subaru Forester new in 2020, people regularly flash their high beams at me at night when my low beams are on, because they think I have my high beams on. I also flash my high beams at cars when I think they have their high beams on then they do the same, to show me they have their low beams on. It needs to be illegal for manufacturers of cars and/or headlights to manufacture l... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
Didt show how close car was to pole
Incident date: Dec 16, 2025
On 2 ocassions the vehicle failed to execute a stop. The first was going down a mild hill at 20 mpg; I applied the brakes and the car started to slow and then the brakes felt like there was a shudder and released, and then engaged again and the car finally did stop. That same day on flat ground the same thing repeated. A second brake problem has occurred multiple times; likely 50 - 60 times... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
Hello I have a 2014 grand Cherokee 3.6 and the oil cooler went out again .. this is TH 3RD TIME. The last 2 times I pay out of pocket for it but now 3 different mechanics told me there’s either a recall or something with the oil cooler when jeep has to fix it. I don’t want to pay another $1000 again PLEASE HELP ME OUT JEEP OF LOWELL DIDNT HELP AT ALL
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
I was heading home early in the morning on 12/13/2025 to drop a few passengers on Springfield avenue heading east in Champaign IL (the Main Street) and the other vehicle came from 5th st heading north (5th street is a side street with a stop sign at that intersection). As I approached the intersection I saw the car come forward and then come to a complete stop before the intersection I assumed to ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
When driving at higher speeds (60-70mph) and needing to pass another vehicle the clutch slips which triggers the accelerator to shut down. Leaving you helpless in the passing lane. All you can do is hope there is space to safely pull off the road and shut the engine off. This puts it in limp mode.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
I WAS EMPTY NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 95 IN GA, NEAR EXIT 49 WHEN TIRE FAILED VIRGIN STEERING TIRE CAME APART LIKE A RECAP
Incident date: Jul 10, 2025
I was driving and heard a loud popping sound and there was glass everywhere and my part of my sunroof was blown out. I think it was what they can an exploding sunroof.
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 7, 2024
Car started overheating randomly while driving and pulled over to see why. Opened the hood to white smoke everywhere and an active leak of coolant by the exhaust manifold. Took it to a mechanic and was told the cylinder head itself has porosity and/or a hairline crack. Pressure tested as well and can visibly see the leak coming from the cylinder head itself.
Incident date: Dec 17, 2025
The car keeps saying the turn signals are out when they all function properly. The car is equipped with the LED factory headlight systems. When it thinks the bulb is out it makes everything flash or turn off so other drivers can’t see your signal. Several other users are also reporting issues online. Dealer says the only way to fix is an entirely new head light assembly at $1300 since the turn... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2025
My bearings in my rear assembly has failed before 100K miles. In addition, I had to replace the eTorque generator before 100K miles.
Incident date: Nov 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Lincoln Corsair. The contact stated that upon attempting to purchase the brand-new vehicle on September 1, 2025, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was on a Stop Sale because the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact was later contacted by the dealer and was advised that the recall repair was completed, and th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
My daughters’s 2019 ford fusion/4dr sdn/sel/fwd began to run hot and my son checked and notice low on coolant. He filled back up and vehicle ran with no problems. A day or so later noticed again and my husband checked again and realized again and low again and checked all and no apparant leak in lines or hoses but short drive again to check it began to overheat and check engine light came on an... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
The rear window shattered when the front passenger door was closed. Research confirms this is a known defect and has occurred with numerous other owners, even while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who refused to repair, stating my vehicle wasn't included in TSB 22-014. The vehicle VIN is included in TSB 22-014. The window was repaired out of pocket with another company. There was no... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
I was at a red light. My auto idle kicked in. I went to turn it off and Either simultaneously or right before I hit the idle off button my car stalled. It took several attempts to turn back on and a bunch of codes threw. I almost got rear ended. This is a known problem. Ive contacted acura / honda via email as well.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
I was at a red light. My auto idle kicked in. I went to turn it off and Either simultaneously or right before I hit the idle off button my car stalled. It took several attempts to turn back on and a bunch of codes threw. I almost got rear ended. This is a known problem. Ive contacted acura / honda via email as well.
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
My stationary sunroof exploded with no Impact while driving. You can tell from. Photos the hole is inside to outside. This happened May 1st, I had it repaired with OEM glass on 5/10 and from day 1 after the repair had the shade vented to alleviate hot air getting trapped as they say they could be a factor. Well then it happened again today on Dec. 17th !! Something is wrong with either frame or th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V655000 (Electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the recall summary included a possible fire risk. In addition, the contact stated that because of the unrepaired recall, the quick charger was not usable. The manufacturer was contact... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2025
Piston skirt recall and warranty. Bulletin number AWA-25-08. Needs investigated. Based off average Audi owner statistics along with NHTSA statistics, when this bulletin was released in August of 2025, over 60% of vehicles with this 3.0T engine code EA839 would be disqualified from repairs for under 80,000 miles.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
While driving on the highway, my 2018 Hyundai Sonata experienced sudden loss of engine power and became undrivable. The failure occurred without warning at approximately 86,500 miles. At the time of the incident, there were two children in the vehicle, and the breakdown occurred at night in cold temperatures (approximately 20°F). An authorized Hyundai dealership later diagnosed zero compression ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Got multiple warnings, systems don't work: Collision Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Asist, Road Departure Mitigation System. All those additional systems designed for safety are no longer working. The front camera failed, as confirmed by the dealer. Part is available for inspection.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Got multiple warnings, systems don't work: Collision Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Asist, Road Departure Mitigation System. All those additional systems designed for safety are no longer working. The front camera failed, as confirmed by the dealer. Part is available for inspection.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
The built in heater for my steering wheel is making the steering wheel smoke.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Toyota has issued a recall 25V-668 that affects the second row seat rails and suspect welding of them. The defect involves the seat rail assemblies, which may not be properly welded and could allow the second-row seats to detach or move unexpectedly, particularly during a crash or sudden stop. This presents a safety risk to vehicle occupants. Toyota has recommended no one sit in or use a child r... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
Strong gas smell when the engine is turned on. I started feel this issue about 2 year ago, now the gas smell is more stronger every time engine is turned on.
Incident date: Dec 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the fire risk was a major concern. In addition, the contact stated that the temperature was 14 degrees below freezing the past weekend where the contact resided. The contact inquired about... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
This has happend twice in the past 2 months, I came to a red light and the auto stop/start engaged automatically. When the light turned green and the vehicle was supposed to engage it turned off completely, all lights on the dash came on and it and wouldn't restart. Had to open the drivers side door and try to restart the vehicle, it restarted after a few tries. Very dangerous intersection I wa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
*High Voltage Battery defect/failure - this is what was believed to be the issue when it was towed to the dealership. What is left of it is available for inspection at the dealership for now, however the insurance may take it to a salvage yard since the fire department finished their investigation. *While at the dealership after they spent the day trying to recreate what happened they parked it a... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
Pirelli Scorpion MS 255/45 R20 105V M+S A large bulge was found on the inside sidewall of the tire immediately adjacent to the tread. We had it inspected due to a slight shimmy in the nearly new (<3000 miles) vehicle, which had been present since delivery when traveling at highway speeds. We were told that the car was unsafe to drive but neither the dealership where we bought the vehicle and the... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
I'm concerned Ford has a defective seat belt buckle and can be a safety issue, causing passengers to forego using the seat belts since the belt tongue cannot be retained in the buckle. I brought my new 2025 Bronco Sport to the dealership i bought it from for failed rear seat safety belt buckles (drivers side and center) and was told it wasn't under warrantee because "there's something stuck in i... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
I experienced excessive rear tire wear on both rear tires inner side The tire ended up blowing out on the rear passenger tire
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Blind spot warning, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assistance, and high beam lights keep flashing on dash giving a code of: U3000-49. The dealership quoted me $2000 to fix a faulty front facing camera. Research shows this is happening to thousands of people.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Blind spot warning, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assistance, and high beam lights keep flashing on dash giving a code of: U3000-49. The dealership quoted me $2000 to fix a faulty front facing camera. Research shows this is happening to thousands of people.
Incident date: Dec 13, 2025
Since purchasing my vehicle in January of 2023 the front breaks have been squeaking. I brought this to the attention of the dealer where I purchased the vehicle, several times. I even asked them how I will I even supposed to know if I need new brakes because the start of the squeaking is typically a sign to get your brakes checked. Anyway, online auto forums are loaded with this squeaking brak... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
The fuel delivery system, specifically the fuel pump, has malfunctioned. This vehicle is subject to a fuel pump safety recall, which was reportedly repaired in 2022; however, the vehicle continues to experience the same failure symptoms and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle has stalled multiple times at highway speeds, resulting in sudden loss of power while driving and creatin... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
I began hearing an intermittent moderate grinding sound seeming to come from the center of the vehicle just below my console while driving for about the last month's time. On some days, I would not hear the noise at all. On [XXX] I pulled onto a road and when on the road heard a loud clunk then head continuous grinding sounds. I believe it to be a failure of the PTU. I had an issue of a more c... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
Went to work, drove home, went to take my daughter to her friends and noticed my windshield on the passenger side was cracked big time. Just from sitting in my driveway.
Incident date: Nov 12, 2022
My airbag light has remained on, uninterrupted, for over about one month now. I had the fault code read by an independent shop and they informed me that the fault was the occupant sensor for the passenger seat (BodySense front passenger seat occupancy sensor mat). They also informed me that this was the subject of a recall. Recall 17V-133/AMA2. I contacted a Porsche dealer as to the problem, m... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
I purchased a 2019 Ford Edge in 2021. About a year ago my service engine light came on. I took it to my dealer and was told there was a torque converter issue, but it would not leave me on the side of the road. I have tolerated this stuttering issues more than a year now every time I drive this vehicle. The maintenance on this car has been well maintained. I took my car in for routine maintenance ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
The back up camera is inverted. It shows perfect on the screen. Just inverted. There is a known recall for other 2019 dodge vehicles for the same issue. NHTSA 25E052. How is the grand caravan not included in this. They are having the exact same issues.
Incident date: May 15, 2015
I am writing to file a complaint regarding a safety issue with my 2023 Model Y Performance Tesla vehicle. The steering wheel's faux leather covering is peeling and bubbling, causing the material to come off while driving. This poses a significant hazard as it compromises my grip and creates a distraction, potentially leading to loss of control. Additionally, Tesla does NOT want to repair this, eve... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
The vehicle cannot pick up speed, and it is displaying the DTC- P1C2D03. This is similar to the issues that led to "Safety Recall 236 to repair a condition involving the 8-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) system" in earlier model years (till 2022) for certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles. NHTSA should issue a recall for 2023 model years also as Hyundai has not addressed this issue to the fullest e... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
I drove my car in the morning and parked it in the lot for about an hour. After I came back and started my car, the following multiple safety systems displayed on my dashboard at the same time: - Lane Keeping Assist Problem - Collision Mitigation System Problem - Road Departure Mitigation System Problem - Auto High Beam Problem - Adaptive Cruise Control Problem When I took it to the dealership o... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
I drove my car in the morning and parked it in the lot for about an hour. After I came back and started my car, the following multiple safety systems displayed on my dashboard at the same time: - Lane Keeping Assist Problem - Collision Mitigation System Problem - Road Departure Mitigation System Problem - Auto High Beam Problem - Adaptive Cruise Control Problem When I took it to the dealership o... Read more