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: Nov 10, 2023
The key gets stuck in the ignition when gear selector is placed in park. This issue is due to the Gear Shift Assembly - Ford (9L2Z-7210-BB) malfunctioning.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
The cruise control has been braking for no apparent reason, putting myself and the people behind me at risk. It also tried to stop at multiple green lights rather than continue driving. The his also outs me, my passengers and people behind me at risk. There were no warnings about this behavior. I have the latest update and will also contact Tesla about the issue.
Incident date: Jan 7, 2024
Vehicle loses power during driving and unable to accelerate further. It slows down by itself and nearly stops on the highway. This has happened at least three times and almost caused an accident. Took it to a Hyundai dealership and was told it was fixed just to experience a similar problem the next day. They gave me a rental Hyundai Santa Fe and I experienced the same issue with loss of accelerati... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
Intermittent ABS / traction control light and dinging! 49000 miles. Just like every other person complaining about the same exact issue on 2018s. I’m a disabled vet with a family of four on a single income. I can’t afford a 1200 abs module that lasts only 1-2 years. Clearly this is a major manufacturer issue, experienced by many Americans. This needs to become a recall. This is [XXX]. INFORMAT... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
For lighting, model came with the quad beam and headlight would often malfunction leaving headlights stuck in the low position and high beams not usable. For power train, the 10 speed would cause sharp jolts and shifts that is not normal for regular driving. Very abrupt jolts that make operating vehicle unsafe to drive in traffic. Vehicle began experiencing these symptoms around 25k miles and ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2024
I was yielding to make a left hand turn , in the middle of the intersection, and my car turned off and wouldn’t turn back on. In addition the car occasionally jerks as I’m driving almost like if it changes gear. Sometimes I can’t get the car in park position I have to press the button multiple times. The recall going on right now can cause a fire crash or injury and they cannot replace the p... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2024
January 2nd 2024 at 4:45pm driving at the speed of 57 mph on the highway. Alert appeared on my dashboard Low Engine Fuel. The vehicle was slowing down and there was a loud knocking sounds. My safety was at risk due to ongoing traffic which my speed was dangerously reduced. I was able to make it to the Ford AutoNation Dealership which conducted a diagnostic test results was an engine replacement. F... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2024
January 2nd 2024 at 4:45pm driving at the speed of 57 mph on the highway. Alert appeared on my dashboard Low Engine Fuel. The vehicle was slowing down and there was a loud knocking sounds. My safety was at risk due to ongoing traffic which my speed was dangerously reduced. I was able to make it to the Ford AutoNation Dealership which conducted a diagnostic test results was an engine replacement. F... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2023
I was driving on the highway and a semi truck hit my car from behind, pushed my car and I hit the car in front of me. I was doing around 55 mph when thee truck hit me.The airbags did not deploy. but the airbag light was lit up on the cluster. Later I received a message through the toyota app about a malfunction on my car's airbag system, that I have to contact the dealership to get it fix.
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: May 1, 2021
My steering wheel jerks on highway constantly
Incident date: Jan 5, 2024
When opening and closing the driver's door, it makes a creaking sound. It will not open completely and will not stay open. In addition, the power windows seem to be affected. I have taken it to a dealership and they report that the door hinges welding has failed.
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
While driving home going about 40 mph my Ford Escape lost acceleration and then completely shut off IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD! I was able to "limp" it to the side of the street where it would not start at all. I then placed it in reverse (as I was on a hill) to roll it backwards into a neighborhood to get it out of the way of on coming traffic. It was 10 PM at night! I waited for a few minutes and... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
While driving home going about 40 mph my Ford Escape lost acceleration and then completely shut off IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD! I was able to "limp" it to the side of the street where it would not start at all. I then placed it in reverse (as I was on a hill) to roll it backwards into a neighborhood to get it out of the way of on coming traffic. It was 10 PM at night! I waited for a few minutes and... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
The contact's husband owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop at the traffic light, the vehicle shut off inadvertently. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact pressed the Push to Start button several times, and the vehicle restarted. The message "Reduced Engine Performance" was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illum... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Over this past summer all 4 of the suretrac wide climber rt tires -35/12.50/22 12 ply separated? failed. Each did so one at a time over a 2 month period but ALL 4 tires failed. CLEARLY its a manufactures defect and all of these should be recalled and pulled from the market! Literally all 4 failed. these tires need to be recalled and removed from the market. ive tried to click on upload photos but ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2024
My car will lose all power as I'm driving, switch between gas/ elec and almost stall, it will accelerate when I take my foot OFF the gas , it will lose power on a turn.. it's random. form what I understand it's the BECM and it happened just after 100k miles. I have 105k.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Steering sticks, which has to be overcome causing the steering wheel to jerk resulting in over-correction, especially at highway speeds (with and without LKAS activated). Steering does not feel centered.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The ABS keeps going off and this is the second time. I read reviews and this is a known issue, that needs to be recalled.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
I've recently been in touch with an Acura dealership about my vehicle's wireless charger not working. So shortly after purchase I made my complaint that the wireless charger pad is not charging my phone. They've replaced the pad but still not charging my Samsung ultra 22+ unless the car is parked and sitting still. They've asked me to allow time for researching the issue and taken all the make mod... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
In 2003 I purchased a KIA minivan and couldn't promote the company enough. In 2012 I bought a KIA Sportage and Forte. In 2023 KIA issued a recall on all cars having a key start ignition to update them with some software to prevent the cars from being stolen. I called KIA corporate after notification and they sent me a club for my forte as an interim fix until the software could be updated. L... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
In 2003 I purchased a KIA minivan and couldn't promote the company enough. In 2012 I bought a KIA Sportage and Forte. In 2023 KIA issued a recall on all cars having a key start ignition to update them with some software to prevent the cars from being stolen. I called KIA corporate after notification and they sent me a club for my forte as an interim fix until the software could be updated. L... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
This complaint references the open recall with the Kia reference SC276 and the NHTSA reference of 23V534. Kia has not been able to provide me with repair despite a notice from them stating a remedy is available, and appears Kia may be sending out faulty notices. I first received notice in July/August, 2023 that this recall was in process but remedy was not available. This week, I recieved a lett... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2023
Multiple warnings occur on information screen. 1. Transmission system problem. 2. Blind spot info system problem. 3. Electric parking brake problem. 4. Emissions system problem. Transmission begins to slip and behave radically. RPM rev above normal as if it can't upshift. Dealer recently did service on transmission and replaced module. Also had recall service completed for stalling at intersection... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2023
2014 Toyota Prius V [XXX] [XXX] (17:45 CST) Sudden loss of braking ability. Brake pedal goes nearly to the floor. Nearly caused collision. ABS, BRAKE, VSC and Orange Exclamation Point Warning all indicated simultaneously. Brake ABS pump / actuator makes buzzing sound audible in driver seat about every 5 seconds. CSP/TSB coverage apparently expired 75 days ago. Occurred at mileage 152,589.... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2023
On 12/28/2023, my wife was traveling on the highway at normal operating speed when she encountered the front end of our 2022 Jeep Wrangler begin violently shaking. I looked over the jeep to inspecting for any visual cues, but could see none. I thought maybe it was something in the road, so I drove it on the highway, all seemed well until I began to travel over a bridge and I thought the front en... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
Auto would not go into reverse or drive gears at startup in regular parking space. Received a Bluetooth message that Drive Train would not function. Towed to dealership where problem confirmed. Electric engine ordered along with high voltage wires. Upon installation of these parts it was discovered that the Assay Harness was severely crimped during construction of vehicle at the factory and had cr... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
bracket tack welds failed in drivers side front door at attachment of the door check to the door frame. Resulting loose end causes multi-part safety hazard. First, it jams door, randomly presenting it from closing and latching properly, which defeats the auto-lock safety features designed to maintain body integrity in the event of an accident (hazard 1). It also binds now and then, preventing door... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
Steering is sticky. Difficult to maneuver away from straight, particularly at higher speeds (45+). Car does not center in lane when LKAS is engaged, and will often drive out of the lane by itself.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
During highway driving, on two separate occasions that were two days apart, while using cruise control set to ~72MPH the vehicle suddenly tried to stop. It quickly decelerated by ~25MPH before I intervened by pressing the accelerator. There were no obstacles in the road and on the second instance there weren't any other vehicles in site (was in remote northern NH/VT). Had someone been driving behi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
During highway driving, on two separate occasions that were two days apart, while using cruise control set to ~72MPH the vehicle suddenly tried to stop. It quickly decelerated by ~25MPH before I intervened by pressing the accelerator. There were no obstacles in the road and on the second instance there weren't any other vehicles in site (was in remote northern NH/VT). Had someone been driving behi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
LOW TIRE WARNING CAME ON. WENT TO TIRE SHOP. THEY REMOVED THE TIRE & SAID IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. WHILE THE TIRE WAS OFF THE RIM, HE SAID WE NEED TO TAKE PICTURES. THE SIDEWALL WAS CRACKING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. HE SAID THERE WAS NO DAMAGE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. PIRELLI TIRES P235/55R17 I HAVE THE PICTURES, BUT YOU WEBSITE WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO UPLOAD THEM.
Incident date: Jun 12, 2023
Driving 75mph on cruise control. Car sensed a vehicle in front of me (which there were no vehicles in sight) my Tesla started flashing the red car light and making the alert noise. My vehicle automatically slammed on the brakes dropping me to about 40mph instantly. My greatest fear continuing to drive this vehicle is if I use cruise control, and it senses a vehicle in front of me without their a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2023
After noticing my engine light come on, I had my vehicle checked out, the dealer informed (after spending $250.00) that the problem is the crankcase ventilation and it's a common problem. It seems the oh so familiar crankcase ventilation system is not working. This is a common problem with the GLC300 and Mercedes Benz needs to correct it. The engine is not being ventilated properly and the ove... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (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 not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
The car couldn't start and stopped abruptly on the way through bunches of errors on the dashboard with check engine light and steering was firm and could not lock the Car or open the door Here are the warning list for 2019 Audi A6: Electrical system malfunction Electrical system malfunction Parking aid malfunction Transmission malfunction Rear spoiler malfunction Drive system: malfunction Tract... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
I purchase the vehicle at 58,000 or so miles, used at a dealership. The next day I returned the vehicle because while driving out of town, the vehicle said: Warning, Warning -- This vehicle is not safe to drive. Some components may not operator correctly. Do Not Drive this vehicle. This happens when you're on the highway above 50 miles per hour. There was a smoke smell also inside the car and ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the power steering functionality was inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized. The contact stated that the dealer was located directly across the street. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed steering wheel rack and pinion. The contact was informed that th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
Vehicle again experienced ‘high-speed’ stalling with rapid de-acceleration + additional loss of power steering + transmission lock. Due to lack of brake lights upon rapid de-acceleration, nearly caused trailing vehicle to rear-end the subject Jeep Wrangler and swerve into oncoming traffic. Vehicle had to be towed to dealership due to unable to start and transmission lock. Video provided of ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
Vehicle again experienced ‘high-speed’ stalling with rapid de-acceleration + additional loss of power steering + transmission lock. Due to lack of brake lights upon rapid de-acceleration, nearly caused trailing vehicle to rear-end the subject Jeep Wrangler and swerve into oncoming traffic. Vehicle had to be towed to dealership due to unable to start and transmission lock. Video provided of ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not... Read more
ACURA
RDX
(2019) — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE:SOFTWARE:PEDESTRIAN/CYCLIST/OBJECT/OBSTACLE/ RECOGNITION
Jan 2, 2024
Incident date: Dec 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5. The contact stated that the pedestrian warning system was inoperable while reversing. Additionally, the contact stated that the battery was 92 percent charged; however, while driving 30-40 MPH, the message "Electric Power Failure" was displayed. The contact turned off the heater and the radio and continued driving. The contact stated that while parking the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
Parked my Escape in the garage on Thursday evening, December 14, 2023. Everything was ok. Opened the driver door Friday morning, December 15, 2023 and it made a funny creaking noise and felt draggy, didn't open smoothly. The noise continued each time I opened the door and seemed to get worse. On Tuesday morning, December 19th I took my vehicle to a Ford dealership to see what the problem was. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2023
• When driving, the steering wheel occasionally "sticks" in place. It's most noticeable when 1.) Exiting the apex of a curve and attempting to gradually return the wheel to the center position, and 2.) Driving in a straight line for an extended period then attempting to turn the wheel to navigate a curve. The steering wheel requires significant driver input to "unstick" it and move freely. Th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2023
Slowing down at a red light, getting into a left hand turning lane there was a "thud" sound and then the car completely shut off. Nothing worked, screens went blank, no hazards, no lights. We were stuck in the middle of the road with no way to even get the car out of the way. Every once in a while the green would come on or an alarm would go off but quickly went back to black. Tow truck was able t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2023
We were told by our auto mechanic that this vehicle needed a new electrical control module. The part has been on back-order with the local KIA dealership for a couple of months. My daughter was driving the car recently when all of the lights went out, and the car would only drive forward approximately 5 miles per hour. The car began to shudder and I had my daughter pull into the nearest parking... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2023
Start up in the morning started to drive and the engine started to make a knocking noise
Incident date: Dec 25, 2023
I experienced so called Phantom braking several times. First time it happened i wasn't aware about this and look up online and realized that this is a known problem and Tesla is aware of this. It is a safety issue when traveling on highway the vehicle unexpectedly slows down by about 20-30 mph. I complained to Tesla but they only gave me generic answer w/o any solution and plans to fix the problem... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2023
I bought this car with just under 48k miles September 2023, it had a very small chip on the bumper that I assumed was from a rock. After driving this car for a while, I noticed that chip got bigger and eventually other parts of my bumper and hood started bubbling and chipping as well.90% of my bumper is now lacking paint and it’s starting to chip on my hood more. I’ve only driven it an additio... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
The vehicle is a Fifth Wheel RV. Jayco Eagle HT 27.5 2018. The frame cracked, welds broke suspension/springs/equalizers where all compromised and the unit started swaying dangerously on the Interstate. Thankfully we managed to get off the highway without the unit falling over and causing catastrophic damage to us or those around us. The speed limit on the section of the highway is 80 miles an ho... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
Broken bolt in passenger side rear axel. While pulling off the tire the bolt fell to the ground. It is evident it had been broken for quite some time. I think it prevents lateral movement of the axel.