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: Sep 6, 2024
Recently, on multiple occasions, have not been able to move console shift handle into PARK position to remove ignition key. This results in vehicle remaining in ACCESSORIES mode. I can turn radio OFF, but driving lights as well as any accessory remain POWERED on. Searched NHTSA for any recalls and found nothing related to my 2022 CHEVROLET COLORADO.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
My complaint is that VW has not fixed a recall in a timely manner. I am writing in reference to recall number 24v344. This is a software recall that was initiated almost 4 months ago and has not been addressed. This diminishes the value of the vehicle and makes it unusable for my purposes. In addition, there is a second new recall for #24V651. This is the second time there have been issues wit... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Brake module malfunction kicks out cruise control and dings constantly. Seems to be a recall for other years but this year is missing?
Incident date: Sep 2, 2024
While driving from Abilene, tx to Houston, tx on [XXX] my vehicle displayed intermittently several warning message. The first message said idle-stop was unavailable and lasted for about 30 minutes. The second message was displayed in red and stated the electric steering was inoperative and lasted for about 10-30 seconds and it was definitely harder to turn the steering wheel. INFORMATION REDACTE... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
I am reporting significant safety issues with my 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited X. The vehicle has repeatedly experienced failures in critical safety systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), ParkSense, and Lane Departure, which randomly disable while driving, particularly in cold weather or after a restart. These failures compromise essential safety functions necessary for highway driving ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
I am reporting significant safety issues with my 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited X. The vehicle has repeatedly experienced failures in critical safety systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), ParkSense, and Lane Departure, which randomly disable while driving, particularly in cold weather or after a restart. These failures compromise essential safety functions necessary for highway driving ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
I noticed within a day or so of receiving my new 2024 GMC Cayon that the headlights would randomly flicker. No specific pattern or time interval just random. When I was finally able to get the truck in to the dealership for service, they reviewed the issue and called me the following day to inform me that couldn't repair it. Seems that GMC is aware and they currently have no fix since all headl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
My 2023 EQS 580 randomly stops while driving. It has happened 5+ times while traveling at speeds between 10-25mph. My dealer here in Atlanta has replaced the front sensor which didn't resolve the issue. I am thankful that so far the vehicle has not stopped on city streets and not highways. There are no warnings just a hard stopped like other complaints state. I comtacted Mercedes support but they... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while his wife was starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that after a while the sound ceased. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine, causi... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2024
From the first day of purchase of vehicle bought NEW. The second row was not installed correctly from manufacturer. I had taken to VW for maintenance to fix. VW of Clear Lake stated seat was fixed. Seat is still not fixed. Not correctly aligned and still making very load noise. I went back to VW. VW stated it’s too late for repairs. It hasn’t been a year until February 2025
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Genesis G70. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V528000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); 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 tool confir... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
I started receiving messages that the cameras were occluded and that there was an error and ALL of my system safety features were disabled. No front forward collision warnings, no emergency braking available, nothing available and the system computer that showed all of the traffic and everything completely disappeared from the screen, the car has literally gone blind. All of this started happening... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
I started receiving messages that the cameras were occluded and that there was an error and ALL of my system safety features were disabled. No front forward collision warnings, no emergency braking available, nothing available and the system computer that showed all of the traffic and everything completely disappeared from the screen, the car has literally gone blind. All of this started happening... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the "WRENCH" symbol and the check transmission warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH. The contact was able to exit the highway and pull into a parking lot. The contact looked underneath the vehicle and saw that transmission flu... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
The vehicle lost power while driving and could not accelerate. Fortunately, it was on a residential street and not a highway or busy road.
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
I was driving and when I came to a stop light the power steering stop working and I had to go because the light turn green so I had to steer very hard and pull over to the side. It was very dangerous and I can’t believe this happened. The warning light came on as well and it says service power steering drive with care.
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
I researched this issue and noticed a widespread problem with the light detection of the 2017 modes and the 2018 Audi Q7 left front-side marker light. I have had this issue with my vehicle twice, resulting in over 4,000 dollars in repairs each time. I noticed that the 2018 models were left off, but I am sure there are more owners with this exact problem, and I believe this recall should be granted... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
The engine is consuming extreme amounts of oil. 1-2 quarts a week. The oil light does not alert that oil is low and could cause a very dangerous situation. My car was running and just stopped while driving because oil had coated the spark plugs. Hyundai refused to honor my warranty. They want the car for 6 months to put new motor and only after I pay $1000 for a cleaning when they even admitted i... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
Back rear window on truck door just shattered. Was sitting outside and just popped and shattered.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2023
My car's display screen which shows the speed has now malfunctioned twice while driving and today while reversing the car, the center screen displaying the rear camera also reset mid-driving. In both cases, I turned off the car waited a few minutes, restarted the car twice and then the display came back on but who knows when the display will crash again. I have reported this issue to VW and to a... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
The Shift to Park feature malfunctions. Although my car is in Park it does not recognize it, gives me a 'Shift to Park' message and won't allow me to shut off the car. My car not correctly recognizing what gear it's in is a significant danger. This problem was a recall in 2017-2018 GMC Acadias but my car produced the same issue and was not recalled. The component was replaced by an IG Burton deale... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
The other day I went out to my truck and the battery was dead lights clicking and wipers going. It's the original battery so I assume that I needed a new one bought one put it in find a couple days and then went out in the morning and the battery was dead. Put in another new battery, same thing drove a few days and this morning the battery is dead. So something is draining my battery? I have not d... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2024
I've had an ADAS fail indication on my instrument cluster for over a month now. Along with this happening, I've lost my automatic emergency braking, my blind spot warnings, my forward collision warnings, and my rear cross-traffic warnings.
Incident date: Sep 2, 2024
I've had an ADAS fail indication on my instrument cluster for over a month now. Along with this happening, I've lost my automatic emergency braking, my blind spot warnings, my forward collision warnings, and my rear cross-traffic warnings.
Incident date: Aug 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered upon depression of the accelerator pedal, there was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact determined that the failure was likely caused by the torque converter. The dealer was contacted about the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle for an inspection. The contact took the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Aug 16, 2024
I noticed and smelled fuel while parked in garage and researched the recall and was not informed by landrover
Incident date: Sep 3, 2024
2021 Mazda CX-5. On 8/6/24, I turned right into a parking space between 2 parked vehicles at the DMV parking lot. I turned right and eased into the parking space facing a large Ford F 150 white pickup truck. I was approximately 1-1.5 feet from the front of the white truck. I had my foot on the brake, suddenly the vehicle accelerated by itself and I heard the car revving at a very high rpm and th... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Sep 3, 2024
2021 Mazda CX-5. On 8/6/24, I turned right into a parking space between 2 parked vehicles at the DMV parking lot. I turned right and eased into the parking space facing a large Ford F 150 white pickup truck. I was approximately 1-1.5 feet from the front of the white truck. I had my foot on the brake, suddenly the vehicle accelerated by itself and I heard the car revving at a very high rpm and th... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: May 9, 2023
Vehicle was sputtering while idle or in park. Engine light came on and when tested the diagnostic said “cylinder 2 misfire” Noticed coolant level would decrease quite drastically in short matter of time, also causing vehicle to run hot or begin to over heat. It’s not always possible (or safe) to pull over on the side of a busy freeway or wherever you are driving when this happens. After inve... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding my 2019 Ford Explorer, which is currently subject to the 2011–2019 Ford Explorer® — A-Pillar Trim Detachment Recall (Recall Reference Number: 24S02). The exterior A-pillar trim on my 2019 Ford Explorer, covered under the aforementioned recall, has caused severe issues including vibrations and a loud whistling noise around the windshield are... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding my 2019 Ford Explorer, which is currently subject to the 2011–2019 Ford Explorer® — A-Pillar Trim Detachment Recall (Recall Reference Number: 24S02). The exterior A-pillar trim on my 2019 Ford Explorer, covered under the aforementioned recall, has caused severe issues including vibrations and a loud whistling noise around the windshield are... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2022
I’ve noticed a few times where the key fob would get stuck in the ignition of the car when I turn it off, I would have to turn the car back on and sit it in for at least 5 minutes before the fob would come out. Then the bushing cable got disconnected, the key fob stopped working I had a buy a new one and I’m still having the same issue of the fob getting stuck in the ignition. The first this i... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2022
Driveing home from the grocery store check light can on got home call the dealer sunday night with the ai bot awswering service had a appointment at 11:30am on monday, 5.3L cam, lifter valves ,push rods. Valve was stuck in the closed position No fuel or air could pass tru, destroy cyclinder wall,spark plug fused the valve closed. Bent the push rod and damaged the cam roller. After new motor wa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2022
Driveing home from the grocery store check light can on got home call the dealer sunday night with the ai bot awswering service had a appointment at 11:30am on monday, 5.3L cam, lifter valves ,push rods. Valve was stuck in the closed position No fuel or air could pass tru, destroy cyclinder wall,spark plug fused the valve closed. Bent the push rod and damaged the cam roller. After new motor wa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
My front collision system will sporadically start flashing when there is nothing in front of me. One time a dealer was able to read a code saying that it overheated, and told me that was a known issue with no solution. It was 100F, but I have had the same issue at 35F. The dealership and corporate cannot tell me how the safety system will respond with this error, either disabling my crash preve... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2024
EGR valve failed while driving on the freeway. Loss power. Check engine light on. Propulsion power reduced. It is safety and emissions related.
Incident date: Aug 21, 2024
EGR valve failed while driving on the freeway. Loss power. Check engine light on. Propulsion power reduced. It is safety and emissions related.
Incident date: Aug 21, 2024
Received customer satisfaction bulletin 23B56. Door reinforcement can crack and door pulls away from car Salinas Valley Ford had my car for 6 weeks. Claims they have no ETA on door arrival Won’t pay for rental car any longer. Wants me to drive unsafe car until they get new door whenever that may be This is a safety issue. I can hardly get in or out of car. They know it’s a bad door other... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2023
The Pearl White paint falls off of the vehicle, exposing the primer to the elements and reducing the life and usage of the vehicle. Paint has also flown up and stuck to the windshield, obscuring visibility.
Incident date: Nov 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 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 contact stated that the driver's side and the passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trims had separated, causing water entry into the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was n... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 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: Aug 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driver's side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 354,000.
Incident date: Aug 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Volvo XC60. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's seat belt retractor did not function as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed front passenger's seat belt retractor. The contact was informed that the front passenger's seat belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2024
Hello, I have Hyundai Sonata 2023. The fuel tank of this car is expanded on [XXX]. I have never heard about this issue to any cars. I took my car to dealership they said they don’t know why this happened and they said they cannot fix it, my car at the dealership more than a month. I have created a case with Hyundai corporate office in CA, it’s been a month since this case was created and I cou... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2024
Hello, I have Hyundai Sonata 2023. The fuel tank of this car is expanded on [XXX]. I have never heard about this issue to any cars. I took my car to dealership they said they don’t know why this happened and they said they cannot fix it, my car at the dealership more than a month. I have created a case with Hyundai corporate office in CA, it’s been a month since this case was created and I cou... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2024
I was driving the truck when the light came on for EBS (Electronic Braking System) and the steering wheel locked up then the truck dash read a warning stating "Service Power Steering". Through my research on Kelly Blue Book this is a common problem with this year make and model of Ram 1500 pickups yet mine doesn't have this as a specific recall. I also have an issue with the exhaust manifold bolts... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving up an incline at approximately 30 MPH, there was a loud clanking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle started to shudder and vibrate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes); 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 y... Read more