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 10, 2025
We have a 2014 GMC sierra 4.3 V6 6 speed automatic.. with only 100k miles and the frame is rusted and cracked rear shocks mounts are rusted and broke and the leaf spring mounts are rusted and they broke.. this should be a recall issue..
Incident date: Jun 6, 2024
Screen is delaminating. Becoming unresponsive at times. Making ghost touches, phone calls, opening apps, messing with GPS. Seems unsafe when it could be going haywire and especially using GPS trying to navigate traffic.
Incident date: Dec 12, 2022
Reverse camera started to act up causing my camera to not be available while I am in reverse, this has also coincided with an error message stating "Service Electronic Throttle Control". My truck has experienced slow acceleration and the maximum speed is only 60 mph. My stability control warning light is also on with the flashing "lightning bolt" and I can no longer use my cruise control. The audi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
Phantom braking event on highway. Going about 65 miles an hour. It slammed on the brakes. Car is on latest software. I have the video clip whet it shows me trying to get the car under control.
Incident date: Dec 24, 2023
Experienced delayed then hard shift into gear when starting from stop this caused the vehicle to sit in road for extended time then lurch forward when it finally went into gear. Also while driving heard a noise then completely lost power and there was no throttle response for 10-20 seconds. This has happened multiple times while driving on busy highway and while trying to change lanes causing th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2025
valve train/camshaft fairlure which damaged entire engine - happened at 99,650 miles
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign number: 24V951000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle into reverse(R), the rear-view camera displayed a distorted image, compromising the back-over prevention system. The contact stated that on a separate occas... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
My panoramic sunroof just shattered without reason.i wasn't close enough to any vehicle for a rock or debris to be the issue I was driving a steady speed on the freeway when it happen. The glass that broke seemed to have broke outward not inward.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
Ford 2017 - Coolant Intrusion - Mileage drove (116,700mi) Vehicle vibration during everyday start of the car. White smoke during every day start of engine. Engine check light is on. Took it to Ford dealer service, they confirmed its coolant intrusion and quoted 11k$ for long block replacement. I can’t afford for it. Worried that it would lead to severe risk like engine fire in near future. R... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
Last week, On Thursday, [XXX], at 8 am, I dropped off my vehicle (VIN# [XXX] ) at the local Ram dealership in Houston for performing the recall issued three years ago, on Jun 09, 2022, Manufacturer Recall Number Z46 , NHTSA Recall Number22V-406 . I have been reading online that there are no parts available since the recall was issued in 2022 and I did not want to wait, as this truck is my work ve... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
The engine began sounding like a diesel and pushing the gas pedal made the car surge/lurch. Then, while driving in rush hour traffic, the car went into what I now know is called “limp mode” where I could not accelerate and I received a warning that told me to pull the car over.
Incident date: May 16, 2024
When I reverse the car, the back up camera repeatedly goes black and says not available. In order to correct this I have to park the car in the midst of backing up and put in reverse again to reset the system. Very dangerous when backing up or out of spots when the camera goes black.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2025
Was driving approx 30 mph down road when alert/light flashing for crash detection. At the same the brakes slammed on causing the wheel to pull to the right and pulling the wheel from my hands. This sudden stop was abrupt enough to leave seatbelt mark on shoulder. There was no car in front or behind me in my lane of travel. There were no people on either side of the road walking. I have had the lig... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
On 3/10/2025, when driving my 2015 Ford Fiesta SE, I experienced a sudden failure consisting of a "lurch", lost all drive power to the vehicle, and had to use inertia to steer myself out of traffic to the shoulder of the road. After exiting the vehicle, I inspected all tires (no issues) and popped the hood (no visible issues like smoke). I requested emergency roadside assistance to tow my vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 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 unavailable. 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. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate lid lights did not function as intended. The contact was pulled over by the local Police and was informed that the taillights were not operating. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with failed tailgate lid lights. The contact was informed that the tai... Read more
ACURA
RDX
(2020) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
Mar 12, 2025
Incident date: Mar 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter and spark plugs were faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the parts were replaced; however, soon after the repairs, while her husband was driving 40 MPH, the transmission started slipping and failed to shift prope... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2025
Sunroof is not closing
Incident date: Feb 20, 2025
The Over-The-Air (OTA) team pushed updates out to my car without warning...without any kind of notification. I was extremely upset as many cars from other owners got bricked. Luckily mine didn't get bricked but the full 2.2 updates did NOT get pushed. They picked and chose which modules they felt needed updated. So my car says it is at 2.2.2. I drove from Cleveland to Columbus to get my extra Key... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2025
When I turned the ignition on the car wouldn't start. But the ABS light and all other lights flickering when trying to start the car. The alarm kept going off. Passenger side front and rear windows won't function. Smell like something was burning. This is the second incident ([XXX]). Fuses had to be removed to silence the alarms on the first incident on [XXX] because the lights were still flickeri... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The 4WD light keeps coming on and going off. This issue is reported all over the internet with Jeeps. It started about 60,000 miles, which is also reported as a normal mileage of failure. When the 4WD light is on the vehicle loses stability control which could result in an accident in anything other than dry road conditions. Why is this issue not a recall? A lot of the complaints online seem ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
No dome light no vanity or sunroof power but when I open the door the dome lights come on. When I shut the door n try to press the lights to turn them on they does not come on. My sunroof will not open at all also my sunroof certain will not close many jeep owners i talk to say it a serious problem with jeep manufacturers i just bought this 2013 jeep grand Cherokee 2 months ago
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
ABS is not working and no part is available. Towing an RV without trailer brakes is dangerous. The ABS malfunctions at random and we never know when this will happen. ABS control deactivates traction control, as well as trailer breaks, and effects transmission functions as well.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
The LED dashboard keeps failing. The LED screen is what allows one to see mileage, charging, engine codes, and a whole host of necesary information. Orignal failed at 10k, preplaced under warranty, replacement has failed at 40k, no longer under warranty. LED screens are not available as a separate part, must purchase entire dash and be recallibrated by a dealer. This is a known issue with t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
I was Driving down the highway at 45-50 mph when the truck suddenly the engine started to rev very high approximately 5000-5500 rpm and the truck lost all Drive gears. I immediately put it in neutral and tried again to put it in drive and nothing happened. I immediately pulled over to the shoulder and shut the truck off. I waited and restarted the truck but the truck did not have any movement in a... Read more
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
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
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: Nov 20, 2024
Engine oil cooler leaking with no dash lights causing burning plastic fumes only when sitting at an idle to enter car cabin causing passengers to feel unwell at times. With no warning lights for specific leaks or overheating warnings caused high repair bills at the shop. Also, probably causing engines to malfunction earlier than normal since the only sign is the smell of something burning when at ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
There are 2 big and long distortions in the windshield that effect the view. Viewing out of the windshield is hindered by causing objects to look distorted and different than reality. There is one on the right and left side of the windshield effecting the view of both sides.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
Brake system light keeps coming on
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
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds in a parking area and attempting to stop, the brake pedal failed to depress all the way to the floorboard and was firm, requiring an increased effort; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact was able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop by turning the vehicle off. No warning lights wer... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Tundra Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard with no resistance. The contact depressed the brake pedal again and on the third attempt, the brake pedal functioned as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the ve... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
The airbag warning light randomly remains on. From what I understand this is a known issue as there has been previous recalls by Mini. This could potentially mean the airbag system is faulty and non-operational. Based on online searches, it seems like a lot of there problem are wiring problems though, bad connections. The previous recalls should be extended further, as there are other cars with 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
At 135,815 miles, my 2018 Ford Fusion SE experienced a sudden transmission failure while driving, with no prior warning signs. The vehicle was towed to Certified Transmission, where technicians confirmed: Transmission fluid level was correct but black/degraded. Multiple failure codes were present. Transmission pump whined and stopped functioning. Diagnosis: Internal transmission failure (6/17/202... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
At 135,815 miles, my 2018 Ford Fusion SE experienced a sudden transmission failure while driving, with no prior warning signs. The vehicle was towed to Certified Transmission, where technicians confirmed: Transmission fluid level was correct but black/degraded. Multiple failure codes were present. Transmission pump whined and stopped functioning. Diagnosis: Internal transmission failure (6/17/202... 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: Jan 16, 2025
There is a jerking or shuddering during either or both of the following: Cornering or accelerating from low speeds Driving with low to medium loads [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
Airbag light keeps coming on and we take it in to be serviced and they say hey it shows low voltage so we tighten down your battery and that fixed it. Then we drive 100 miles and it's back on. Took it to a different dealer and they said the same thing. Another few hundred miles airbag light is on again. Putting my families lives in danger. When we bought this vehicle from Carmax that the same issu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
Making a slight left, turn the steering wheel sticks
Incident date: Dec 7, 2024
While my daughter was driving, the panoramic sunroof of her 2021 VW Tiguan just shattered for no reason and stated that it sounded like a gunshot, she was terrified and decided to pull over on the side of the road. She called me crying and I can tell that she got scared thinking that someone shot her car. Upon researching there are numerous same exact incident but there are still no action taken. ... Read more
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. Slow down to turn or to use round about car goes into EV. When i go to accelerate the gas motor will not re engage and the hybrid alarm system will go off. I lose all power to go any where. I have to pull over shut my car off give it a min then restart so the motor will come back on so i can drive again. I have to do this mulitple time in a 20 mile drive.
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
Vehicle displays Front Left safety restraint system fault/Service is required
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
Subject: Urgent Safety Concern – Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ) Dear NHTSA, I am writing to report a serious safety issue with my 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle experiences sudden power loss due to the following error codes: P079A-00 (transmission issue), P0A43-00 (hybrid battery issue), and P0A7D-00 (battery voltage issue). These problems have nearly caused a... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 5, 2025
The contact owned a 2010 Mini Cooper S Hartop. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH with the two sunroofs open, the vehicle caught fire. There were flames underneath the rear of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact opened the hood and threw baking soda on the flames but sustained burns to her hands and face, and medical attention was provided. The neighbors... Read more
Fire
1 injured