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: Apr 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and the vehicle started shuddering. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway to restart the vehicle, but the failure reoccurred. The messages "Mobilizer Malfunction" and "Engine Service" were displayed on the... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) 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 manufa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
The contact owned a 2001 Acura CL. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, there was a vehicle driving toward the contact's driver's side that ran the red light and crashed into the front of the vehicle. The entire front of the vehicle was damaged. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt restraint system did not operate. The contact was treated for a back muscle injury... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was a loud ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics where it was diagnosed that there was a cam phaser malfunction and that the timing chain and an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
While driving the steering became very "tuggy". There was nothing smooth about maneuvering the vehicle. You could steer with little effort, then for no reason it would be real hard to turn, then turn quickly forcing a correction. It changed significantly from the way it was in the first two or three thousand miles. The dealer looked at it and said I could not drive it home. I received a loa... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2023
The vehicle had been making a noise and would occasionally lose power. I had made an appointment with Ford and had just left my home to drive the car to drop off when the oil light came on, then the check engine light and a wrench light. The car was making a terrible noise and I had to turn around. The engine was starting to smoke when I got back to my home. The car had previous issues with losing... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2024
My escape keeps having the brakes go to the floor. Then they will be fine again for a while and then go to the floor again and have to be pumped to stop. The brake components are good. We replaced the master cylinder, continued to have the problem. Blakes bled by mechanic twice, again the same problem. Mechanic has determined it is a failure with the hydraulic control module. In researching they a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
Brakes completely failed on the car when driving. Had it towed to the Subaru dealer, which reports that it’s the SAME issue as the recall on the 2008-13 Foresters: rear brake lines rusted completely through. Subaru claims it’s unrelated.
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Apr 7, 2024
[Recall] Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) Reported by investor, as recall was sent via email, but not listed on site. please report. THANKS
Incident date: Apr 7, 2024
The contact leased a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V132000 (Suspension, Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loose and was shuddering intermittently while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not d... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. Upon starting of the vehicle, the contact placed the vehicle into drive(D); however, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated while driving at highway speeds, the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
Our Honda pilot has always had its routine maintenance and been kept in a garage. One day as we started it, the car made a weird noise and before we could get it back home the engine light was flashing red. We immediately shut it off and upon getting it towed to the dealership they took it apart to find the problem, didn’t really give us a conclusive answer and was told it now seized up complete... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
Through diagnostic at Honda Dealership, the #5 bearing failed causing engine damage (crank shaft and connecting rod). This pilot year is included in the current Part 573 Safety Recall Report, however this particular VIN is not currently included.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2024
Saw that there was an airbag item recall (NHTSA I.D.: 08V69000) for my vehicle. Airbag warning light is on. However, dealer says, "No open campaigns" and vehicle is out of the warranty period.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
If engine stalls, lifting clutch pedal too fast, etc, upon restarting engine power is considerably impacted. Car can barely keep up with traffic. Problem eventually goes away until another stall occurs. This has occurred several times. I have not this issue inspected by others. I have seen similar complaints online stating this issue. They recommended I enter acomplaint to your office I have not n... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN too... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while opening the front driver's side door, it made an abnormal popping sound. Additionally, the rearview camera failed to display an image or displayed a distorted image while in operation. The front driver's and passenger's side windows inadvertently rolled down after being rolled up. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fron... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated on one occasion while driving approximately 35 MPH, the second-row passenger’s seat folded onto the contact's nine-year-old son. The child sustained neck soreness. Medical attention was not provided. On another occasion, while the vehicle was turned off, the second-row passenger seat folded inadvertently. The vehicle was not diagnos... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
Failed transmission. Hard shift from 2-3, and 4-5. Also transmission is slipping. Only 40,600 miles on the car. Car is a dealership for evaluation, they recommend replacing the transmission.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2024
I have lost all confidence in this vehicle and my family, and I are scared to drive in (especially my 5 year old daughter). The mechanical failures that were experienced during these events were intense and life risking. During the first incident the vehicle brakes engaged while driving and caused the vehicle to stall in the middle of an intersection while turning left to enter highway, numerous v... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
Sunroof unexpected exploded. No external interfaces (rocks or debris or weather) radio off sunscreen open sunroof closed. Speed was approximately 30 mph. Took car to dealership and was told sunroof don't just explode something had to hit it. They mentioned nothing about the issues with these sunroof, complaints or investigations that has done.
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The f... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Freightliner Cascadia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Forward Collision Avoidance feature engaged inadvertently. Recently, the contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the brake assist system engaged after a plastic bag flew by the vehicle. The Forward Collision Avoidance alarm sounded during the failure. The contact called the local dealer... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
Was on the highway and there was a rumbling noise coming from under the car. It would only happen at highway speeds. (The dealer said this was normal and happened when he trest drive another car of the same model.) When driving at parking lot speeds and making sharp turns, the car would have a shudder and grinding noise. The car has 5,700 miles, and after taking it to the dealership, they said ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
For over 3 months the ABS Brake warning, the anti skid control and the cruise has not worked in my truck. I have had it to two different dealers, and opened a case with Ram. Case#89336043. They told me part is not available and has not been for the past year. Just drive my truck like it is??? I dont really know what options i have at this point. Please help!
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
While out of town, the check engine light came on and the car began sputtering. There was a Lincoln dealer a couple miles away so I went there. The scan found code p303 and coolant had intruded in cylinder 3 and the engine needed to be replaced. The Lincoln dealer stated that there was a service bulletin issued about this problem with eco boost 2017 Lincolns.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2022
The drivers side door made a popping and cracking sound like the hinge broke off when I went to open it, it sounds like the door is going to fall off,the car has 37000 miles on it bought it from a certified ford dealer in watertown, NY and less than 90 days later it is broke. The drivers window will not go down and the arm bracket/ hinge is broke . I took the car to the ford dealer where I purch... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the charger indicator warning light illuminated and the engine seized. The battery was recharged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed valve cover gasket leak and that the valve cover gasket and the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Power steering stopped working. Lane departure light came on in dash. Warning about steering came on in display. When vehicle was turned off and then started back, power steering worked and warnings were off.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The lead frame on my truck was experiencing issues. The truck would intermittently randomly downshift at high speeds or get stuck in one gear. I was going 65+ mph on the freeway and and my truck shifted to second gear with no warning causing me to swerve and slam on the brakes. Other times my truck did it on surface streets. There were no warning lights or anything to let me know it would happen. ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (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 contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not expe... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
Our new CRV developed "sticky" steering within months of being new. Periodically, the steering wheel will momentarily catch when making minor steering adjustments, requiring additional force to make the wheel respond. In heavy traffic, especially at highway speeds, this creates a dangerous situation, preventing subtle steering changes and often causing oversteering when exerting the extra force... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
I was in a parking mode and was leaving the parking lot. I reversed my car lo leave, and the car went out of control and was not until it crashed on two other parked cars that came to a stop. Then, After reversing my car, when trying to put it into drive, it would not move. When I tried to turn it off, the engine (re) started again and it worked so I could clear the path for other cars and wait ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
I have been experiencing random and harsh shifting. Starting from a stop, the truck would struggle to find a gear. Kind of scary when you are pulling out into traffic. Driving on the highway, the truck would randomly come out of gear for a few seconds and then back into gear. It would harshly downshift from 8th gear down to 2nd and back up again. All while driving 70mph. I took the truck to th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
I have been experiencing random and harsh shifting. Starting from a stop, the truck would struggle to find a gear. Kind of scary when you are pulling out into traffic. Driving on the highway, the truck would randomly come out of gear for a few seconds and then back into gear. It would harshly downshift from 8th gear down to 2nd and back up again. All while driving 70mph. I took the truck to th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2024
Unwanted Lane Assistance in Tesla Model Y made the car swerve to side. When I tried correcting it, the steering got hard to control and whole car swirled 360 degrees and hit shoulder rail. Brakes didn’t slow the car.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 30, 2024
Transmission will down shift to first while driving on highway. Code come up for transmission speed sensor short. Same as in the 2011 to 2013 models. That tab should be extended to later models. It is unsafe and could cause an accident/ death in high speed driving.
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
Power Tailgate is not functioning and the trunk opens on its own. Yes, available for inspection. The trunk opening on its own puts the safety of everyone in the car at risk. I had the same issue 9 months ago, the dealer charged me $1200 to fix it. The dealer inspected it and stated it was due to a water leak that damaged the control module for the Power Tailgate. Nothing prior, a "Power Tailgate P... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
car always go to coolant temp high when driving and goes back down to middle mark, i will put antifreeze in the car and it will be okay for about two weeks and starts back up again. i always have to put antifreeze in my car and more frequent when the weather gets warmer.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while at a stop light the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer where it was diagnosed ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2024
Loss control while going down the highway, as the traction control is not working, I loss control when the road had a slight hill and curve. It has been a little under a year since my ABS module/control as gone bad. This causes the loss of traction control, ABS braking and other issues. This is a safety concern as the traction control is needed and brakes lock up without the ABS. This is a well... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
The car just randomly turns off mid drive, several times a week. Even in drive the engine turns off and says I need to put it in park and return on the whole car, very unsafe.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
I was accelerating onto an interstate and my vehicle would not accelerate. My foot was to the floor on the gas but would not go above 35mph. I had to turn around on a on ramp , drive on the grass and limp my way home at 35 mph. No warning lights appeared.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
The display in front of the steering wheel when out yesterday. It is completely black. We have only had the vehicle for three months. There is no way to know what speed you are driving, how much fuel you have, see any warnings or anything! The KIA dealer said they can check out the problem next Wednesday, April 3, which is one week from when the problem occurred. This is a major hazard to n... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
I have had a recurring issue where the vehicle lunges forward when going over a speed bump, pothole or any rough spots on the roadway even when pressing on the brake pedal. It appears that the regenerative braking temporarily fails as does the standard brake in this occurrence, making the vehicle feel out of control and unsafe. Fisker announced that this was addressed with software version 1.10 bu... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2024
The contact called on behalf of his girlfriend who owns a 2015 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated while his girlfriend was driving approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated independently, and the driver pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and driven to an independent mech... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2006. Dodge Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V833000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and Emissions Recall T21 Reprogram Engine Control Unit however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2006. Dodge Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V833000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and Emissions Recall T21 Reprogram Engine Control Unit however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time... Read more