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: Dec 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated after parking and turning off the vehicle, the brake lights remained illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The dealer the vehicle was purchased from, was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be charged for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notif... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and coming to a stop, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated he was able to continue to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) howev... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2024
None of the air bags deployed. The vehicle is currently sitting in a tow yard, but is awaiting a an assessment by the insurance adjuster. If the car is totaled, I do not know where it will go. My safety was compromised both when I was T boned by the first car on the passenger side of my car, which no air bags deployed at that time, and then from that car, I was pushed into oncoming traffic, where... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 1, 2018
Driving down [XXX] in Ohio, electrical components in the car started flashing and the check engine light came on. "Charging malfunction" something or other and it also said "steering power low". Then the car completely shutoff and I had to coast to the shoulder. It was then towed and is at a local shop. It's a 2019 with 75,000 miles - this should not have happened. I saw the 2020 Camry 2.5 liter r... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2018
Driving down [XXX] in Ohio, electrical components in the car started flashing and the check engine light came on. "Charging malfunction" something or other and it also said "steering power low". Then the car completely shutoff and I had to coast to the shoulder. It was then towed and is at a local shop. It's a 2019 with 75,000 miles - this should not have happened. I saw the 2020 Camry 2.5 liter r... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
Airbag light came on. Car is in otherwise perfect shape (red flag). Brought to Hyundai dealer. Was told it was a short somewhere on front passenger side. But it will cost $250 to figure out where. Then possibly over $1000 to fix it!! Upon researching it I found many complaints on same issue on otherwise normal good condition sonata’s. Clearly they used inferior components designed to fail. Simil... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
Seat belt extenders are not made available at Kia Dealership.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
I was driving my car in the city going 40 mph down a 4-lane road. There was no other traffic on the road at that time ahead of me, and the conditions of the roadway were dry with sunny weather. My vehicle's dashboard flashed and indicated automatic emergency breaking a couple of times, and suddenly slammed on the brakes. If the driver behind me had not been paying attention, then they could have r... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2024
As I was driving home one day in February 2024, my car felt like a strong gust of wind was getting up underneath the hood of my car, causing it to pull left and right slightly. When checking the weather, wind gusts were at 5 MPH and you could barely see trees/leaf movement. I pulled off the side of the road, checked underneath the car to see if anything was dragging/missing and all was fine. As I ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2024
As I was driving home one day in February 2024, my car felt like a strong gust of wind was getting up underneath the hood of my car, causing it to pull left and right slightly. When checking the weather, wind gusts were at 5 MPH and you could barely see trees/leaf movement. I pulled off the side of the road, checked underneath the car to see if anything was dragging/missing and all was fine. As I ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
I was driving on the highway when the engine would not accelerate. I was stuck in a high speed lane and drivers were on my rear bumper. I could not move over and felt helpless. I pulled off at the next exit and the vehicle was sputtering. I made it home at reduced speed. The vehicle would not start the next morning. I had it towed to the nearest dealership. I was contacted days later and informed ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2024
The sensors simply don’t work. CMBS system constantly raises warnings, often alarming me as a driver, almost creating accidents. On one occasion, coming into a turning lane of intersection with green arrow and cars moving forward into left turn, CMBS actually applied the brakes for about 1 second, alarming me and causing the driver behind me to react as well. There’s no permanent disabling o... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
The sensors simply don’t work. CMBS system constantly raises warnings, often alarming me as a driver, almost creating accidents. On one occasion, coming into a turning lane of intersection with green arrow and cars moving forward into left turn, CMBS actually applied the brakes for about 1 second, alarming me and causing the driver behind me to react as well. There’s no permanent disabling o... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
The sensors simply don’t work. CMBS system constantly raises warnings, often alarming me as a driver, almost creating accidents. On one occasion, coming into a turning lane of intersection with green arrow and cars moving forward into left turn, CMBS actually applied the brakes for about 1 second, alarming me and causing the driver behind me to react as well. There’s no permanent disabling o... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
Tesla is unable to remediate recall 23V-838; TC2023-657, the over-the-air software update will not install on my car and is asking me to pay at least $200 to diagnosis the issue and then potentially $1000 to fix failed hardware.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2024
VOLVO DEALER DESCRIBE AS ISSUE: Motor mounts: Front lower engine mount collapsed, other engine mount not yet verified. Power Steering: Stiff and hard to turn wheels. Transmission: Transmission shift sometimes is not easy to move up to down.
Incident date: Apr 9, 2024
I was driving my Honda CRV 2017 on I-65 in Birmingham - Montgomery area in Alabama in March 2024 and suddenly in the middle of the busy highway the vehicle stalled and wouldn’t drive even after stepping on the accelerator a little harder. I then turned on my emergency lights to signal to the behind vehicles that I have and emergency situation became I was in the middle of a busy highway and the... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2024
I was driving my Honda CRV 2017 on I-65 in Birmingham - Montgomery area in Alabama in March 2024 and suddenly in the middle of the busy highway the vehicle stalled and wouldn’t drive even after stepping on the accelerator a little harder. I then turned on my emergency lights to signal to the behind vehicles that I have and emergency situation became I was in the middle of a busy highway and the... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
I was driving down the road at 30 mph and my steering wheel seized, I got a check steering alarm on my dash.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on almost a dozen occasions while driving at approximately 60 MPH, multiple unknown warning lights illuminated, and the instrument and head unit panels turned off and on and failed to work as intended. On another occasion, while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle started bucking and lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to a dea... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
I am having really bad transmission issues. my car screen for GPS, Bluetooth doesnt even work... or wont even play my bluetooth music half the time... my sunroof, will not go down anymore. this is a 2019 Nissian Sentra i just GOT 5 months ago..
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
A Tesla Model Y has one screen which is all instruments, warning indicators and reverse camera. On March 3rd, 2024 I had just completed about a 40 mile drive. I parked the vehicle for approximately three minutes and upon returning to the vehicle the screen failed to turn on. The vehicle ran and drove perfectly normally, but I had zero instrumentation or warning indicators. I drove home about two ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
I noticed significant fraying that formed a tear a quarter of the way into the seat belt on the right side of the seat belt that is under the seat padding where a child’s buttock/hip/thigh would be. Evenflo told me it was rodent damage and would not replace the seat, but there’s no way a rodent would have done that given its location, nor any other damage to the car seat or other damage anywhe... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2023
Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked at it and recommended replacing it. This is a very common issue
Incident date: Mar 30, 2024
Multiple Issues to report: 1 - Transmission stuck in gear WHILE RIDING! -The transmission or shifting mechanism became unresponsive during riding. The transmission allowed for a downshift from 3rd gear into 2nd, then remained in 2nd gear as the transmission became unresponsive to upshifts/downshifts. -This could have resulted in an accident but it did not. I was able to safely stop the motorcycl... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2021
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Apr 9, 2024
Infotainment system randomly becomes unresponsive and the screens will go black. The dealership stated that my phone was causing the issue. This is not true as the issue has happened when my phone is not in the car, phone is in the car/connected via bluetooth, in the car/connected via apple carplay (wired connection). This could be dangerous during the summer as these screens control the temperatu... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2024
Rear brakes are worn to require replacement of brakes and rotors at 12,500 miles. No off road driving. Just normal highway and city. Took vehicle in for oil change and dealer service technician noted the wearing of the brakes pads and rotors.
Incident date: Apr 10, 2024
My Camry has the reflection from the dashboard causing vision issues looking out of the front windshield. Also the dash is very sticky and peels off if your finger nail hits it. I know Toyota had a TSB on this issue but when I reach out to them they said they knew about the issue but my car is out of the timeframe. If it is a safety issue it should not have a time limit, you need to be able to see... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
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: Jan 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel had become very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the message that the engine was overheating was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted the vehicle, and smoke came from the exhaust pipe. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the coolant reservo... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2023
On [XXX] I purchased a Mazda 6 at Ocean Mazda in Miami, Florida. The car has 18,700 miles. The reason why the car has only 18K miles it's because out of the 4 years we have owned it, it was not used as much as a result of the COVID pandemic and my daughter attending online classes. I have always done timely maintenance services as required by Mazda at our service dealer Ocean Mazda and have proo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2024
My vehicle will no longer start and after inspection from a mechanic, it was determined that the fuel pump was the cause. There was no indication of any issue besides not starting. I am now being told by my local dealership that they will not have replacement parts until the fall and they are unable to provide a loaner during this time, leaving me without a vehicle for an unknown amount of time.
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
The transmission began slipping causing poor control at higher speeds using the cruise control or passing gear. Only about 42,000 miles on the vehicle and no financial help from Ford. Service for a new transmission was $7667.11at Dave Sinclair Ford, 7466 South Lindbergh, St. Louis Missouri, 63125. 314-892-2600
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
The transmission began slipping causing poor control at higher speeds using the cruise control or passing gear. Only about 42,000 miles on the vehicle and no financial help from Ford. Service for a new transmission was $7667.11at Dave Sinclair Ford, 7466 South Lindbergh, St. Louis Missouri, 63125. 314-892-2600
Incident date: Apr 7, 2024
Sunday night 4/7/24, I was on my way to the emergency department with my 5 month old baby to be seen. 30min into my drive i came to a stop light when my truck completely shut off (BLACKOUT) No Power, NO LIGHTS not even my hazard would turn on, my car wouldn't go into park or allow me to press on my breaks it was like they were glued stuck. all my doors locked and I couldn't get them to open, not e... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 7, 2024
The engine became inoperable, warning lights and sounds, came up while driving the engine experienced some hesitation and turned off.
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle was shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informe... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
Several times upon starting the car in the mornings the mileage cluster does not work or goes in and out.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact observed a loud bang and smoke emanating from the front passenger’s seat. Additionally, the front passenger’s seat belt had seized and was not able to retract or extend. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mile... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2024
Multiple reports of; Codes P0171 System too lean bank 1 P0138 O2 sensor circuit high (b1s2) P0087 Fuel pressure too low P0036 B1S2 *** frequent fuel pump and fuel injector replacements/ services due to defects in the system. Causing major damage in other systems including engine.***
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
Engine light came on while driving and vehicle began to malfunction with bogging and little power to move the vehicle properly. Vehicle was towed to Hyundai dealership for diagnostics. Determining that there is rod bearing failure in the motor. Contacted Hyundai corporate who denied warranty claim citing I did not properly maintain the vehicle per owners manual although they were provided with rec... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, his daughter observed a crack under the Ford emblem where the air bag was located. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 89,072.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
ABS light is on and diagnosed needs replaced shortly after purchased the car November 2022, and is ongoing and currently an issue 4/5/24. The original ABS began to go out, would have to pump the brakes to stop and would not always catch. I have concerns this would be closely related to your current recall and believe the 2013 Equus be considered for inclusion in this risk. [XXX] recalls?nhtsaId=23... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. 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 and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was... Read more
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