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 20, 2024
The car is un safe to drive, the RPM fluctuations, gos up and down at low speed, doesn’t potential problems with the torque converter clutch, is juddering and unstable RPMs, noticeable during acceleration or deceleration
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
Brake system light keeps coming on
Incident date: Jun 4, 2024
There was a mandate that an update be performed to address safety issues with braking. The update has been partially done which has not addressed the original issue and has created other safety issues (inability to see screen, no AC control, no rear camera, no blind spot, no emergency braking).
Incident date: Jun 4, 2024
Brake system alarm. When the mechanic put the computer reader on it, it’s saying it’s a vacuum issue. This issue has been recalled on several 2011 FordF150’s, but when I look up my VIN, it says there isn’t a recall on mine
Incident date: Jun 4, 2024
My car shakes really bad when driving at 75 mph on smooth highway. Others have experienced the same problem online and most users pointed the problem to the cv axle
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
The ATF Warmer failed. This allowed engine coolant and transmission fluid to mix. This caused the engine and transmission to overheat. No warning messages appeared up until the transmission overheated. A warning appeared about the transmission, but not about the engine. Honda says that they do not think my VIN was impacted by this known issue. And, yet, my car has a textbook defective ATF wa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
Radio does a hard reset all on its own, we lose backup camera, alerts and all safety functions that are built into the radio for adjustment. Also get collision warning stating it’s not working. Radio is no longer working. We asked the dealer and they said it’s going to be a recall very soon when we went in for an oil change.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Vehicle has shut off for no apparent reason when slowing and turning. This has occurred three times in the last year. This is very unsafe and I believe there are recalls for the same make/model vehicle built in prior years.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall repair, the contact stated that while attempting to depress the brake pedal, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that whenever the warning lights were illuminated and the brake pedal was depressed, the rear brake lights failed to illuminate as designed. Th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
I was driving down the street and the car just turned off. Would not go into gear and said the battery was bad. The exact same thing happened last year they said it was the alternator. Both times my car just power off with no warning while driving down the street
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
What I assume happened to my wiper blades: In December of 2024 we got a lot of heavy snow. I turned on my car to heat it up while I worked on cleaning off the outside of the car. My wipers were set to auto so the car automatically tried to clear the snow from the windshield. I did not notice this since they didn't move due to the snow weight. Once snow was removed I noticed the wipers did not work... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
The car while I’m driving, when I start driving it has a kick could be transmission
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 228I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2024
The power steering failed while driving, which made it difficult to navigate the turn safely
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 228I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2025
MY HYUNDAI HAS A LOOSE STEERING WHEEL WITH AN AIR BAG LIGHT ON IT. SO WHEN YOU DRIVE THE STEERING IS WEAK. I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THEIR WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING IN RECALL, BUT NOW ITS NOT FOUND. WHY? MY AIR BAG I BELIEVE IS NOT GOING TO WORK BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS ON FOR AIR BAG.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2024
Transmission malfunction/failure caused loss of all power and had to coast over 3 lanes to the only available shoulder on the left side of the express lanes. This in and of itself could have been catastrophic due to the speed of the vehicles on the express lanes. Turns out there's a failure point on the flexplate and nissan techs are aware of the issue. Nissan as a whole should replace them if thi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2025
When driving over 55 + jeep shakes violently also does the same when going in reverse. Rollover warning ⚠️ light is constantly on warning me not to drive over a certain mph. Diagnostic test came back as faulty suspension.
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
This has been an ongoing issue. Truck currently has 45,000 miles on it. When driving on the interstate for 30 minutes, transmission flutters causing the cab to shake. It feels like running over rumble strips. Flutter lasts for several seconds and gets worse (longer duration, harder flutter) as time goes on. Dealer won't diagnose it because no codes are recorded. No dash lights light. T... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experience... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2025
There is lack of information on how to file a complaint for a dealer not repairing a recall in a timely manner on this website. This complaint is in regards to the safety recall on my Jeep 4XE- Recall 95B/NHTSA 24V-720. I made an appointment for this recall and took it to Franklin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Franklin TN. They have had my Jeep for 2 days working on this recall. The letter I recei... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
When driving the vehicle it would not accelerate beyond 31 mph. We were in traffic so not being able to drive the speed limit posed a risk of other vehicles hitting us. Also when merging into highway speed traffic this was very unsafe. No warning limits or check engine lights came on and the dealer can not replicate the issue nor can they tell us why this happened.
Incident date: Feb 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a nearby parking lot. The contact parked the vehicle and opened the hood. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed pieces of the serpentine belt on the engine. The contact turned the vehicle off. T... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormally loud ticking sound coming from the engine before the vehicle decelerated. The check engine warning light and traction control light were illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
I was at a stop light in a busy area and I got a message saying critical engine malfunction warning, engine power reduced. I had to floor the car to get it to 5 mph, then when I got it in the only minimally safe area I could the emergency braking system was the only thing that stopped it. My brakes failed too. My car has only 71K miles and is not quite 5 years old. It's been meticulously maintai... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
Noticed steering wheel “sticks” when lightly turning to the left. I have to use significantly more force to move the steering wheel past this stick compared to the rest of its travel.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
Power Steering intermittently stops working upon starting the vehicle, trying to park the vehicle and twice during driving on the road. This condition makes it almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. If on a curved road it could cause the vehicle to leave the road. Problem was replicated by Dodge / Ram dealership with a dash warning to "Service the Power Steering Unit" but code and messag... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
There are warning lights for all safety modules, The LKAS, Headlight warning system accident prevention system, collision avoidance system etc..
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
Having to have a new oil cooling housing replaced at 94,102 miles. Also had to change out front struts around 87,000 miles
Incident date: Aug 23, 2022
[XXX] [XXX] Case #[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Must be affixed to the vehicle before to deliver purchaser Dealer# 31804 Salesperson# S705254 License [XXX] VIN# [XXX] Date sold # [XXX] Mileage 110,411 REG 51 (REV) 9/2019) UH Pursuant to California vehicle code §4456 Reference: CCR §1962 Dealership on 1461 Concord Ave, Concord, CA 94520 and put me on danger caution warning didn't know that Acura 2010 ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2022
Drivers seat belt is hard to latch and comes unbuckled
Incident date: Aug 23, 2022
Driving 60 mph and my power steering went out on me and I almost missed the curve and into oncoming traffic. Could have cost some lives! Took it to dodge dealer and the guy told me it was a huge problem with trucks like mine and there are no new parts to fix it. My truck has 60,000 miles on it and I cannot drive it and Dodge will not repair it! Not happy at all!
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
Passenger seat belt goes off when no one is sitting there.
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
I was invited to an over the air update cohort six. I left my car at work for a couple of days so that my car would be connected to solid reliable Wi-Fi the car was great before the update. I was on 2.1. After the update the car indicated 2.2.(2/3) The main issue is unreliable ICC. Center screen is often times blank also experiencing trouble getting it to go into drive modes and sometimes the scre... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
1. The Transmission 2. -While driving at highway speeds the vehicle slipped into neutral multiple times, other vehicles have swerved to avoid our sudden slow down. -Has lurched forward from stop when foot was removed from brake at intersection with pedestrian present. -Stalled completely when auto stop start engaged and impeded cross traffic at night 3. Yes the problem has been reprodu... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V838000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the iss... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
According to Campaign P8243, Ref ITB08-045e, NTHTSA # 08-521, my 2008 Infiniti G37 has a warning blinking light for the passenger airbag. I contacted the National Consumer Affairs Dept of Infiniti and they said that my vin # did not indicate it has a recall. I was quoted $5000 to replace the seat by other mechanical shops, but my vehicle is not worth that anymore. Please advise. Thank you.
Incident date: Feb 20, 2025
Front grill upper trim piece ripped off after strong wind gust while driving at highway speed. Grill flew up and hit windshield causing small glass chip. This event occurred on 2/13/25 and this item is now a known GM recall for this vehicle which was issued on 2/11/25.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Transit. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V226000 (Tires); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2025
The front passenger heat seat is automatically turned on whenever car is turned on from phone. This time when driving in the evening there was a burning smell for 1 hour which I thought was from the vents. Then the passenger seat started smoking and the fumes were so bad that I could not breathe. No one was in the passenger seat at that time thank goodness. It created a hole in the seat. Tesla wil... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
Driving to work, the engine became completely disabled which required emergency maneuvering to leave the roadway which had heavy traffic. Received dashboard messages stating the engine malfunctioned and needed to be taken to the dealer immediately. This was a very dangerous situation as the vehicle immediately lost all motive power when the engine stopped working. Dealer diagnosed the issue as ... Read more
ACURA
RLX HYBRID
(2018) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 17, 2025
Incident date: Feb 17, 2025
I purchased the vehicle on [XXX] after seeing the carfax report the dealer furnished. Now my car is no longer driveable due to the numerous repairs it needs. I looked at a real carfax report recently and found out thar dealer didn't give me the true report. It only showed 2 owners and mileage close to the odometer reading. However, there are 4 previous owners and the mileage is 172,000 just befor... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2025
I am submitting this complaint regarding serious safety issues with my vehicle. After a recent 180-mile trip, the car initially functioned without issue during local driving. However, on the morning of February 16, 2025, I encountered multiple warning messages at startup, including "Service Brake Assist," "One Pedal Driving Unavailable, Use Brake for Stopping," and "AUTO HOLD Unavailable." These w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2025
Engine failed mixing oil and coolant
Incident date: Feb 16, 2025
Front passenger seat headrest deployed for no apparent reason at all . This is a severe safety hazard that can result in severe injury or death as there are sharp parts that could pierce into the passengers head . I have had no help from Chrysler Dodge . I have emailed 3 times with no response and also called several times and they say there is no recall for my vin and warranty is expired . This n... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2025
I am writing a complaint for 2019 Honda CR-V. While I am aware of the fuel pump recall for this model, what is not recalled and needs to be are the multiple dashboard lights that turn on and remain lit that many owners of this model and several years earlier have not been able to find solutions for. The lights turn on regardless of having a new battery. 2017-2019 Honda CRV owners have not been a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2025
Having a different electrical issues with this vehicle since I purchased it, of course the warranty has fallen off after just bringing it in for diagnosis for different reasons. Now it’s winter time and the truck will not start without a jump. I took it to get tested. Everything came back One thing that stood out at the auto parts store that the dealership could not find, kind of frustrating. Th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2025
I am writing a complaint for 2019 Honda CR-V. While I am aware of the fuel pump recall for this model, what is not recalled and needs to be are the multiple dashboard lights that turn on and remain lit that many owners of this model and several years earlier have not been able to find solutions for. The lights turn on regardless of having a new battery. 2017-2019 Honda CRV owners have not been a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
The system/component that failed is the panoramic moon roof retractable shade. This is an electronic retractable fabric shade on the inside of the car that covers the moon roof glass. The tracks that hold the shade taught and in place have failed, this is a major safety concern due to the sagging fabric blocking the view of the rearview mirror and side windows. This impairs visual awareness of sur... Read more