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: Feb 4, 2024
Traveling in Florida on [XXX] going approximately 65 mph the rear side plastic window on our soft top wrangler blew out without any warning. Other vehicles destroyed it. I luckily was able to pull over in the median to retrieve the damaged window. It was a very dangerous situation. I looked up wrangler forums and saw that many owners had the same problem. After reading the forums and talking to th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
I was driving on city streets at normal speed during a rainy day. I turned right from one road to another road, and as I started to accelerate out of the right turn, my driver side front tire blew out and the TPMS started screaming because it read the tire pressure as 0. I immediately pulled over and checked the tire and saw a huge gash on the side wall, close to the rim. The road I was on was n... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
Vehicle is burning oil too fast. First 2 oil changes seems normal but after the next few oil change seem to last a shorter time. Know it’s only lasting 6 weeks.keep getting service know message even though it just went threw service a few days ago Getting check engine light on for lost of power in engine and hearing load nosies coming from engine like cracking loses burned oil buildup even thou... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
I have had 14 incidents over two years where this vehicle suddenly, rapidly accelerates from slow speed, usually less than 15 mph, and six of those incidents had a near collision. Most of the incidents happen in a parking lot or drive-thru and require immediate fast braking to avoid collision. This sudden, unexpected acceleration has been widely discussed on the Mach-E Forum and there is general a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
Starting late December 2023, the vehicle drained the battery in the car very quickly. I replaced the battery twice, and twice the battery was drained to death very quickly. It was discovered by the local Honda dealer that the Body Control Module (BCM) on the car wakes up by itself while the car is shutdown and parked. BCM drains the battery very quickly and leaving the car in-operable, leaving us ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle lunged forward. While starting the vehicle, the vehicle revved high. While driving at high speeds, the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that several times, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, wh... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Maserati Levante S. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the transmission would independently shift to neutral(N) causing the vehicle to decelerate unintendedly. During the failure the driver was able to shift to the park(P) and back to the drive(D) to correct the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving 30-35 MPH, the Lane Keep Assist was oversensing and attempted to steer the vehicle into traffic. The vehicle failed to recognize the lane markings and continued to steer over the highway lanes. While driving, the brake assist was engaged when a shadow was detected. The contact turned the features off. There were no wa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2023
Battery died twice on 2 separate occasions since the day car was received on 1/17. Car was ‘serviced’ after the first time battery died, but this morning I could not get it to turn on again. This car has been giving me nothing but issues and I haven’t had it for a month yet.
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
My Traverse intermittently displays 'shift to park' message and I was not able to shut the SUV all the way off. I would have to play with the shift gear in order for it to turn off. I am under 50k miles.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle in cold weather, the power steering was inoperable. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rack and pinon and power steering control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacte... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2023
1. Dashboard has been cracking for years, now the defrost vent fins are breaking off. Happens when I clean the inside of the windshield. Makes flapping noise when I use defroster. 2. The interior light switch on the passenger side front door does not work anymore. 3. The cruise control will randomly turn itself off and other times speed up by itself.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
I have had to replace the battery 2 times. Dealer has replaced once ~1 year of purchase. I replaced the battery ~3.5 years after purchase.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
I was trying to come to a stop at a red light using regen braking. At a remaining speed of about 20 mph both front wheels hit a significant bump between two concrete road surface plates. When hitting the bump, regen braking immediately disengaged and the car continued at 20 mph without any regen brake support. I had to depress the brake pedal hard in order to bring vehicle to a safe stop as, at th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2024
I was driving , went to turn onto a street from another when my car lost power. Warnings popped up but I was so concerned about getting out of oncoming traffic, that I did not have time to read them, let alone take photos. I turned the engine off and restarted the car. It started without problem but a Brake System Problem alert popped up. It advised to take the car to the dealer. After turning the... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
Background Info : On November 28th, 2023 I filed a case with Hyundai Consumer Affairs due to smoke and sparks coming from my 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA engine. I was assigned to a Case Coordinator Carla who did not provide her last name at telephone 714-694-4963. She was my contact person for the repair. I signed a tow authorization on November 28th , 2023 authorizing HMA to tow the vehicle to the neares... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the "Service Engine Soon," message was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle then inadvertently lost motive power. The low oil and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the oil pump. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2024
I was driving, the power steering failed and caused me to start to lose control of my vehicle while turning on the freeway, which caused me to slightly crash into the side wall and almost go over the highway into the water. I also hit my head on the driver side window and felt very dizzy for a while afterwards. Because I was so in shock and scared, I wasn’t able to drive the car home for hours, ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 27, 2024
On December 27, 2023, vehicle was taken to the service center of the dealership where it was purchased. The primary concern was that the car would at times suddenly launch forward and increase in speed on its own. Employees/repairmen test drove the vehicle, scanned the codes and the concern was not duplicated. On January 14, 2024, when slowing to park this vehicle, it suddenly raced forward, ca... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 31, 2024
I have a 2024 Mazda CX-5 but this is in any model and year that has the Adaptive Radar Cruise Control. When you set the distance you want to follow the vehicle in front of you, you will go the speed you are going until you come to the space you have set for the vehicle in front of you. Your vehicle will slow to match that vehicles speed. If that vehicle slows down, you will slow down. What it doe... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2023
Brand new Jeep gladiator. 458 miles on it and the windshield glass cracked. No rock or external object hit it, simply faulty glass. I went to an online forum and found that windshields cracking on jeep’s is extremely common and Jeep refuses to warranty or do anything about it.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
Brake line bracket failed. It appears that the bracket is made out of plastic and is a common failure for BMWs. The failure causes the line to rattle against the lower body and eventually break. The bracket is in a place very difficult to access. BMW wants to charge 1000$ while the part cost in under 10$
ACURA
MDX SPORT HYBRID
(2019) — ENGINE
Jan 30, 2024
Incident date: Aug 10, 2023
In the last 12 months my engine began to have a ticking sound which started out as a slight ticking to now a loud ticking sound. I am afraid that it may lose power or fail all together. I could be driving in heavy traffic or cause a chain effect of crashes. This vehicle is my primary "good" vehicle that I drive. I will be taking my truck to the dealer very soon for inspection.
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
I am encountering a serious problem with FSD 2023.44.30.8 06f534d46010. When navigating to a destination the vehicle will drive in a clearly identified bus turn off stop on the right side of the right driving lane. It then abruptly stops and is unsure what to do. The vehicle should not navigate to a bus turnoff stop. The vehicle repeatedly does this at not one but numerous bus turnoff stops in my ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
Coolant intrusion into cylinders of engine. Coolant leak into the cylinders can lead to corrosion, misfires, engine failure, and even potential car fires. Local ford mechanic confirmed thus was the issue and that he's personally seen SEVERAL others. No warning lights
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
Starting at just over 36,000 miles after the last time I used LKAS there is now a stickiness in the steering. Light catches that almost seem like the LKAS is still trying to correct. I can overcome the catches, but makes the steering less comfortable than it should be and worry about worsening issue. Will be taking the car in for service but have seen may issues related to steering on this model o... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
Upon purchasing my vehicle the frame bolt had rattled loose and the motor mounts were broke because of how hard the engine rattles.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Engine light came on and vehicle decelerated while making a turn in traffic. Based on the owners manual and code test, it comes up as a DPF issue. We could have been seriously injured had the oncoming traffic been closer to us or had someone attempted to follow me on the turn. When the car lost power, I could not accelerate to complete my turn. The problem has been duplicated by my husband who has... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2024
Drove home from work and stopped the vehicle, put it in park to check the mail. When I returned the vehicle to drive the steering locked up and "service power steering" light came on the dash. I drove into the yard a bit because the steering wheel was incredibly difficult to turn. I thought I was going to break something with how much force I had to use to get the vehicle to steer into the garage.... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2024
The truck will start once in awhile has been taken to the shop and they said they ipdm module is the problem and that there's a recall on that part.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
Burning smell and smoke. No oil leak. Car will not start. I do not have another vehicle to use. I have 2 young children
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
Car was sitting idle when a fan inside the engine compartment starting being very loud. Sound went away when car started moving. Noticed coolant was empty. Filled with coolant and made a 5 mile trip. Checked again and coolant was empty again.
Incident date: Jan 23, 2024
New kia telluride 2023 7357 miles and i have a bought on less than a year. My windshield suddenly chip under normal driving condition and i have a dash cam in my telluride. When i park the car i saw a chip in the windshield. Then after a few hours i checked the car and the windshield started to crack then after a few hours again of checking the crack keep running and keep getting bigger and bigger... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2024
It won't catch up speed it slips on the freeway. Once I pass 60 miles per hour it excelerates very high and rpm get stuck after I hit 50 miles per hour. There's a knocking noise coming from the engine and burns oil fast.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
23V-838 This recall made my car less safe, you should not have forced this change on my car I do not like it. It makes the car unsafe
Incident date: Oct 21, 2023
Driving my 2020 Subaru Forrester on 1/26/24, at night. Stopped at traffic light. Car started shaking, dash lights system lights came on. Turned off car and restarted. Car would not accelerate. Had towed to mechanic. Diagnosed as probable thermo regulator. Could not repair because part only available from Subaru. Called dealer who was not sympathetic or helpful. Told to bring in and leave.... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2024
There was a Purge Valve Replacement and a Valve cover replacement recall on other Ford Focus Models. Ford Customer Service personnel and website stated not on my model.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
Engine problems after problems on all charger no warning sign or nothing and electric issues on whole vehicle work temporarily
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver's side door spot weld was fractured. The contact stated that the door was difficult to close. The driver's side window also failed to open as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the hinge and door weld had failed. The mechan... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The contact stated that when the gear shifter was shifted from park to drive, the vehicle jerked excessively. In addition, the contact stated that while driving uphill, the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine service and the dealer was made awar... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
While braked at a red light, my vehicle completely turned off. The engine would not restart, and all electrical panel light indicators did not come back on. I could not even turn on my hazards. The whole car was dead. After about a minute, I was able to restart the vehicle, but it took 5 attempts. I changed my battery two months ago, and just had my car checked by a mechanic and nothing was found ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Thor Motor Coach Tuscany 45AT built on a 2017 Freightliner XC-R Chassis. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, two of the passenger's side windows detached and started flapping against the RV wall. The contact veered to the side of the road, and duct taped the windows to the side of the RV. The contact drove to the Camping lot; however, while the RV was parked, he h... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start and made abnormal sounds. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle was running rough and shaking. The contact stated that the steering wheel was making an abnormal clicking sound while turning left and right. There was an abnormal burning and melting odor detected. The contact stated that ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2024
The passenger door start making a creaking/popping sound. Within the last week, it started to get louder and louder because the spot weld around the door check arm had completely broken. I took it to the dealership I purchased it from and ford denied assistance with my issue. They recommended I pay a body shop to fix it.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2019
The windshield makes a loud cracking sound (for the last 4 months- this is how ong ive owned it) and a few weeks ago, the sound happened and the window cracked from the frame toward the center (about 7").
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
Started the car, dash had multiple warning lights for "drive start control system", "ev system malfunction" and "systems not available" (all safety systems were off). Took car to dealer, they said the car stored no codes, reset the car, took it home. Two days later- same thing happened but also this time the car had NO HEAT. Luckily the heated seats worked but it was 20 degrees F and I had to driv... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
Started the car, dash had multiple warning lights for "drive start control system", "ev system malfunction" and "systems not available" (all safety systems were off). Took car to dealer, they said the car stored no codes, reset the car, took it home. Two days later- same thing happened but also this time the car had NO HEAT. Luckily the heated seats worked but it was 20 degrees F and I had to driv... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
had to put in 5qts of oil due to engine is burning the oil just had oil change 9/17/23