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: Oct 14, 2024
My 2018 Ram rear turn signals intermittently work. They can be working and the in the middle of a turn stop working. They may not work at all on any given day. They may work all day. Has been looked at. Not short in wiring, has good solid connection, just intermittent working
Incident date: May 12, 2024
Rear trunk power lift gate would not open. There is an emergency release on rear lift gate if someone is stuck in the car. Emergency release doesn't work, pulled on it multiple times and it is jammed doesn't move. So in an emergency you are stuck. Appeared today for first time. I have called Tesla to fix this issue. There are three beeps when the system malfunctions but a lot of good that does you... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
We experienced multiple/many warning lights all at the same time. Systems not working. Repeated every time. The Acura dealer diagnosed the problem to the DTC U3000-49 Multipurpose Camera internal electronic failure. Replaced the unit and they performed a couple of calibrations. Thank You, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
Left and right turn signal buttons located on the steering wheel intermittently does not work when pressed. I have taken my car to a Tesla service appointment on 10/11/24. There diagnostic system did not show an error and Tesla choose not to offer a repair or help of any kind. I feel unsafe driving my vehicle. Upon a google search, it appears I am not the only 2024 model 3 customer with this issue... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
Left and right turn signal buttons located on the steering wheel intermittently does not work when pressed. I have taken my car to a Tesla service appointment on 10/11/24. There diagnostic system did not show an error and Tesla choose not to offer a repair or help of any kind. I feel unsafe driving my vehicle. Upon a google search, it appears I am not the only 2024 model 3 customer with this issue... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2024
The hydraulic control module and the ABS module are not working properly. This is a known defect on these trucks. When the lights are on, the ABS will not engage. I have had the truck at the dealer, and they said since there is no recall, they can do nothing. This problem was addressed in a recall for 2020 and newer trucks but not for 2018 trucks. I know of two class action lawsuits, one in Texas ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 CAN-AM Spyder RT. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to shift as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift into neutral. The contact stated that the motorcycle was taken to the dealer and had been at the dealer since September 2023. The contact stated that the recall repair for NHTSA Campai... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Bluebird Next Gen seats continuously break. The seat bottoms break under the weight of a high school aged kid. If the child is sitting in the seat when it breaks it could injure the child. The seat backs also break regularly.
Incident date: Oct 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); 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. Parts distribution disconn... Read more
Incident date: Jun 7, 2024
NHTSA Recall Number23V-858 Recall issued December 18, 2023. I have been on the waiting list to complete the repair at Yonkers Honda in Yonkers, NY, since May. I spoke to Yonkers Honda today, October 9, 2024, and Honda still has not provided replacement parts to dealers to complete the recall work, with no ETA.
Incident date: Jun 7, 2024
When I make a right turn, after completing it, my left turn signal flashes three times. This is very confusing to other drivers around me and I’m concerned could cause an accident. This has been occurring since I purchased the vehicle. The dealership advised that the headlight flicker repair would likely fix it, but it did not.
Incident date: Oct 9, 2024
My 2018 RDX has started to jerk when I stop and then restart. I have noticed some hesitation and a bit of jerky driving but today it was very noticeable. I could barely go above 40 miles an hour after I started driving after a stop light and the car was very jerky. It seems to be either a fuel pump or transmission issue. I am going to check with the RDX dealership where I bought the car in 201... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2024
Approximately six weeks ago, I began to notice the steering locking up ever so slightly as I made corrections in sweeping turns at 50 mph or so. In the beginning, I thought that it was road imperfections, but then it became more persistent and undeniable. Following this, it began to lock up more so when turning from a standing stop and accelerating, as when I was merging into traffic from my subdi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the engine was overheating. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the starter had failed and caused the battery to fail. The contact was informed that the starter and battery needed to be replaced. T... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start after refueling. The contact had to rev the engine to keep the vehicle running. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who used a code rea... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2024
Porsche Cayenne dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. The airbag in the dashboard may not deploy properly in the event when there is an accident. Porsche dealer recommended the dashboard to be replaced. Many vehicles have this issue after warranty is out
Incident date: Oct 7, 2024
Driving to work, about to merge onto the highway when my car beeped at me and several warning messages appeared on my dashboard: "Road departure mitigation system problem. See your dealer.; Low speed braking control problem. See your dealer.; Electric power steering system problem. Steering assist not available. Do not drive.; Collision mitigation braking system problem. See your dealer." Simulta... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2024
Driving to work, about to merge onto the highway when my car beeped at me and several warning messages appeared on my dashboard: "Road departure mitigation system problem. See your dealer.; Low speed braking control problem. See your dealer.; Electric power steering system problem. Steering assist not available. Do not drive.; Collision mitigation braking system problem. See your dealer." Simulta... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2024
I purchased a brand new 2024 Toyota Highlander Limited on [XXX]. On September 12th, we were going on our first road trip with our [XXX] son to Wilmington, NC (~209 miles from where we live). I bought this car as it was bigger and with a newborn wanted to feel safe. Approximately 15 miles out, as I was gassing the car on the highway, the speed limit was slowly dropping. After I released the gas, th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2024
In march 2024 my vehicle unexpectedly cutoff on [XXX] heading into wash. Dc. Called a tow to my mechanic and had the alternator and battery replaced. Mechanic noticed that the vehicles battery light remained and investigated further. After amonth in the shop we observed that components were utilizing battery power when the system should be off. We heard mechanical diagnostic sounds, and the batte... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
This has been a problem since I got it and they said it would go off
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the infotainment system display disappeared, the icons on the instrument panel became darkened, the vehicle stalled, the transmission shifted unintentionally, and the transmission sensor was inoperable. Several unstated warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The failure reoccurred on several occasion... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2024
The dashboard and user interface for the vehicle resets, crashes, reboots, crashes and reboots while driving constantly. The dash and entire console is affected. We have had it serviced at least three times for this issue and it has not been remedied even though VW has done full module replacements. The doors also unlock and lock and unlock and lock repeatedly. We no longer feel safe driving the v... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2024
The dashboard and user interface for the vehicle resets, crashes, reboots, crashes and reboots while driving constantly. The dash and entire console is affected. We have had it serviced at least three times for this issue and it has not been remedied even though VW has done full module replacements. The doors also unlock and lock and unlock and lock repeatedly. We no longer feel safe driving the v... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2024
engine "spun a bearing" while driving on highway, car began shaking and was very unresponsive. This is the 1.5l, turbo 3 cylinder engine that appears to have had reported issues before. Would like to have documented in case of future recall or class action lawsuit.
Incident date: Oct 6, 2024
Brake Booster failed last February 2024 while driving. The mileage at that time was around 89,270. Found out there was customer service support program for this issue that run through 2023. Since I bought the car used from Honda of Capitola (2018), I didn’t get any notification or unaware of this CSP. And the issue came out only this year. Had I know about this letter, I could have this inspecte... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2024
Luz de faros delanteros poca vicibilidad
Incident date: Oct 3, 2024
Lane keep assist is not able to detect curves and bend, and it tries to pull on the opposite lane instead keep it in the center of the lane. It is hard to override the steering input.
Incident date: Oct 3, 2024
All tires failed. 225/75 R15 Took my tires in for a routine rotation and balance cracks were on the tires. Dry rot
Incident date: Oct 5, 2024
Bought this vehicle new from dealer. Have had all maintenance done at the suggested intervals by VW. Have had ongoing issues with “check coolant” alerts. Coolant has been low on multiple occasions but dealer assures there is no leak. I’m am now out of warranty and car has lost coolant again, well below the minimum level required. Please help with ongoing issues that now dealer will not cove... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2024
Bought this vehicle new from dealer. Have had all maintenance done at the suggested intervals by VW. Have had ongoing issues with “check coolant” alerts. Coolant has been low on multiple occasions but dealer assures there is no leak. I’m am now out of warranty and car has lost coolant again, well below the minimum level required. Please help with ongoing issues that now dealer will not cove... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2024
The coolant bypass valve is needing to be replaced. The vehicle only has 52k miles and just happened after warranty.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired on 3 different occasions for transmission failure under warranty. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the warrant being expired. In addition, the contact stated tha... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2024
Engine fire caused by AC compressor. On 09/28/24, at 1700 miles and in the parking lot of a restaurant, smoke suddenly began filling the cabin and when I looked out the window the entire car's front was engulfed in a gray smoke. The overpowering smell was of burning wire insulation, plastic, and rubber. I immediately shut the car off, popped the hood, and was ready to run into the restaurant f... Read more
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
In September 2023 went in for an oil change. Next day all My CMBS, ACC, LKAS and Road Departure Mitigation System all light up on my dashboard as well brake system light. I called and took the car in they said that it had something to do with the camera sensor. I left a complaint and the manager called after I explained to him he said he would call me back. 1.5 years later he never called back.... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
Seems that when brake pedal sensor can trigger a "pressed" reading when not actually being pressed. The only way to turn off the car manually is defeated by, you guessed it, depressing the brake pedal. This causes the vehicle to remain on and unlocked. Even if you are able to leave the vehicle in a locked park state, at any point, the sensor can register a "pressed" reading and essentially unlock... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
Seems that when brake pedal sensor can trigger a "pressed" reading when not actually being pressed. The only way to turn off the car manually is defeated by, you guessed it, depressing the brake pedal. This causes the vehicle to remain on and unlocked. Even if you are able to leave the vehicle in a locked park state, at any point, the sensor can register a "pressed" reading and essentially unlock... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2024
Front welded frame mounting point for gas tank "Tee-Strap" rusted through causing front of gas tank to sag from frame and only be supported by remaining rear gas tank strap. The actual T-strap is structurally sound, it is the the frame mount that rusted through that allowed the Tee-Strap to pull through the mount. It appears that the design of the mounting point allowed moisture and road grit to ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
The vehicle shut off while on a freeway. Leaving me completely without power to navigate through fast pace traffic.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
There was a prior recall where if there was discoloring or charring of the battery terminal a new battery was suppose to be installed. I reported this and showed the damage, and they just cleaned the terminals and sent me down the road. Now that these are burning houses down I would like to get out of this lease, its almost up anyway.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
There was a prior recall where if there was discoloring or charring of the battery terminal a new battery was suppose to be installed. I reported this and showed the damage, and they just cleaned the terminals and sent me down the road. Now that these are burning houses down I would like to get out of this lease, its almost up anyway.
Incident date: Sep 14, 2024
A drunk driver ran into the back of my car as soon as the light turned green. I just release my break and h9t hit going about 70mph. The airbags never went off at such a great impact. The car was totaled.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 14, 2024
On the morning of September 27, 2024 while stopped at a retail store in Wake Forest, NC, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 steering column module part #j764 failed without warning. The steering column locked up and would not unlock after many attempts. The vehicle’s drive systems were also impacted resulting in the drive units/gears to lock resulting in the car becoming inoperable until the unit is repl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2024
On 09/12/2024 Ran over a small sharp object in the road and popped the rear drivers side tire and the tire sensor light came on. Two days later on 09/14/2024 we took the car to the dealership and had them change all four tires. We were told the mechanic found a broken off sensor in one of the tires. It was not in the blown out tire, it was in a tire that had no damage to the tire or rim. I talked ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (Air Bags); 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 ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); 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 contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made awa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
Main cluster blank (charge, speedometer, etc). Cannot be resolved unless shut off for 30-60 minutes. This happened previously 1-2 months ago (no report filed).
Incident date: Sep 27, 2024
I find myself in this situation due to a defect in my 2023 Hyundai, which is under Full Factory Warranty. I have had all my required services completed by Hyundai on time, and as the consumer had no idea anything was wrong with my vehicle. On 31 August 2024, just 25 days after being service by Hyundai Yuma on 6 August 2024, this defect caused a catastrophic failure in my front driver side tire res... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 16, 2024
When attempting to accelerate the vehicle does not respond and experiences a three to five second delay. The delayed response began occurring shortly after purchasing the vehicle in 2018 and has only increased in frequency. This issue appears to be systemic with this model and year and the dealership has no remedy to mitigate this safety issue / concern.