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: Apr 3, 2024
For about 4 months I had a smell that my son and I could not locate. Upon further investigation it was discovered that the fuel pump which is located under the back seat had hair line cracks that caused the fuel to spit out and damage the seal around it thereby damaging the underside of the back seat to infiltrate the the foam with the gasoline. We tried to see if there were any recalls but foun... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
2015 Acura RDX Headlights have dramatically dimmed over time, to the point of jeopardizing safety of self, passengers and others: it's not discernible they're on unless there's no external lighting/street lamps. Problem potentially confirmed via excess reporting online for a range of RDX years inclusive of 2015. Also seeing a relevant, potentially related headlight recall from late 2014.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
The ABS and anti skid lights on the dash come on and off sporadically. The pump and module have been replaced. The problem did not occur for awhile. Now it has started over again. It seems harder to brake since the problem has started.
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
The Jeep caught fire underneath while I was driving on the highway. There were no warning lamps or symptoms of the problem prior to failure. I saw flames come up over the front of the car and immediately parked and ran with my child. We could have died.The fire and stopped car in the middle of the highway could have caused a pile up of crashes. It is unknown what component or system failed and I ... Read more
Fire
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
TRUCK WAS AT THE SHOP FOR A REPAIR, UPON THE TECHNICIAN DRIVING THE TRUCK WHEN HE TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT THE WHOLE TRUCK SHUT OFF, TOW TRUCK HAD TO BRING IT BACK TO THE SHOP, THIS IS A PROBLEM IN THIS TRUCK BUT THE VIN DOESNT HAVE RECALL ALTHOUGH 15 EPS SERIAL #'S ARE INCLUDED IN A POWER STEERING RECALL.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, she observed smoke issuing from under the hood and from under the vehicle. No warning lights had been illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and shut the vehicle off, however upon exiting the vehicle she saw that flames were coming from under the vehicle from an area just behind the front tires. ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
Repeated several times leakage of brake liquid. The mechanic said that there is the manufacturer's defect and must be fixed.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
BMW is not addressing this recall in a timely manner. The history makes me think they're intentionally stalling the process and allowing customer engines to fail, reducing repair loads on their service centers. This VANOS bolt issue has been well-known and wide-spread for over a decade (see [XXX] for example), and BMW has been selectively recalling very narrow ranges of engines over this period. ... Read more
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
REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE.OWNERS CAN CONTINUE DRIVING THESE VEHICLES; HOWEVER, HYUNDAI RECOMMENDS PARKING THEIR VEHICLES OUTSIDE AND AWAY FROM STRUCTURE UNTIL THE RECALL REMEDY IS AVAILABLE AND COMPLETED. There is no remedy available yet. This needs to be addressed yesterday!!
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
Ignition key keeps intermittently locking into ignition when trying to retrieve key. Putting vehicle in park, key will turn engine off, but then will not turn all the way to release the key. Key has a key fob, vehicle is placed on parking gear. Sometimes restarting vehicle can help, sometimes shifting gears and driving vehicle again can help. Sometimes turning steering wheel helps. Sometimes all y... 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
Driving around 40 mph and suddenly my dash lights up light a Christmas tree. Car enters limp mode and slows down on its own. Notified via ford app of power train failure, pre collision and service engine (although my car was serviced a couple of weeks prior). Dropped my vehicle off at the dealership and they decided to hang onto it as they have no solution and are waiting for engineering to provid... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I'm writing out of deep concern and frustration regarding the unrepaired safety recall on my 2014 Hyundai Elantra. Recall #23V651000 warns of an alarming risk of engine compartment fires, yet there's still no fix available from Hyundai. This isn't just a theoretical risk for me. I have no choice but to park my car in a public garage, making th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2024
The transmission can switch gears at anytime when driving in the highway so I would like to get this repaired before it becomes a huge accident and harms someone
Incident date: Mar 30, 2024
I was recently informed through the news that there have been complaints of downshifting unexpectedly in my year and make of truck. (2014 f-150) I have noticed similar occurrences in my vehicle at low speeds while in parking lots. I will be pulling out of a spot with no gas pressed, essentially just rolling out of the spot when it downshifts and jolts forward unexpectedly. I have not had any accid... 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: Mar 28, 2024
I bought this THOR Scope with a recall on the awning. I reported to you that the fuel leaked from line to generator. I also reported all lines, propane/fuel/electrical touching everything sharp. THOR has tried to fix my awning recall 3 times in less than one year. Each time they say they’ve fixed it, it comes out going down the road. I have to pull the fuse. So does EVERYONE who has bought thes... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
I first noticed an issue with the alignment. The vehicle would always pull to the left. After 3 different alignment procedures, it remind the same. I started noticing a clunking sound when I would brake. While driving I hit a moderate pothole and the car lurched side to side, causing me to lose control. It was fortunate that I was on a surface street, and that I was only traveling about 35 mp... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2024
I have a 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid. The Audio System or Radio has now become dangerous. I filed a complaint with American Honda and they said I had to take it to the dealer for diagnostic and that no Recall or Technical Service Bulletin on my car Audio exists. I created a YouTube video to show the problem. I contacted my local Honda Dealer but they want me to pay a Diagnostic fee. It is over $190 t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly shut off while driving over a bump in the road. The vehicle taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle began shaking violently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 21,415.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the seat belt buckle failed to secure the seat belt locking clip. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the seat belt buckle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was refer... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated while the vehicle was idling, there was an abnormal noise coming from under the hood. In addition, the vehicle failed to maintain engine power, while driving at various speeds. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or re... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Passport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an indepen... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2024
While driving up hill a check engine light and power train malfunction/ reduced power warning appeared. This caused my vehicle to be unable to accelerate and could have caused the vehicle that was behind me to collide with my vehicle. This is the second time this issue has happened and the dealer I have taken it to has been unable to figure out the issue. As far as I know only my dealer has insp... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2024
While driving up hill a check engine light and power train malfunction/ reduced power warning appeared. This caused my vehicle to be unable to accelerate and could have caused the vehicle that was behind me to collide with my vehicle. This is the second time this issue has happened and the dealer I have taken it to has been unable to figure out the issue. As far as I know only my dealer has insp... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2024
Our antisocial brake modele has been out since November 2023.The light keeps coming on. We had it checked with a diagnostic check twice and it was confirmed. The dealer cannot get the part and we have tried to escalate the problem through Chrysler, they refuse to do so. The mechanics can not tell us it is safe to drive so we are barely driving the truck. We are afraid we won't have brakes and if w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2024
EGR cooler faulty; the year this vehicle was manufactured in 2019 has an active recall with this same issue; however because my vehicle in the same year; 2019, was manufactured in a different time bracket Ford will not honor said repair. Leaving me with an extended warranty whom will not cover said repair also. $1800(+) out of pocket expense. Any insight on how one is too challenge this?
Incident date: Mar 23, 2024
I was driving on the highway with my two children when my car initially kept overheating so I pulled over to let it cool and add water to the anti coolant piece as it had been leaking. Then once my car cooled all the way down I proceeded to drive that is when it started to fluctuate and kept going hot then cool and it did that for a while before it overheated again. So I pulled over again and thi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. 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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine sounded abnormally loud... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2023
Motorcycle has 45000miles and the transmission started to stutter in 4th gear, the symptoms match the recalled transmission for 2017 bmw k1600. This is very dangerous and in 4th gear the vehicle is traveling at around 50mph, when applying throttle the whole bike bucks and becomes unstable
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
Abs & traction control lights come on and off constantly. Cruise control will not work when lights are on. They stay on 95% of the time. Told this is an abs pump failure issue
Incident date: Apr 19, 2019
A couple of weeks ago on my way home from school I could smell something burning. I stopped my car and started looking around to find that the front passengers seat was smoldering and burning a hole in my backpack, toque and the seat itself. The seat warmer switch was in the off position. My dad has since disconnected the wiring to the seat warmers on both drivers and passenger sides. This seems t... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
Engine Maintenance Required Alert popped up on my vehicle. It’s a 2019 RAV4 with barely 60k mileage on it that I bought new off the dealership back in 2019. They are charging me $800 to get the coolant bypass valve repaired, but this is a known issue that all RAV4’s are experiencing (regardless if it’s at 20k or 100k miles)
Incident date: Mar 26, 2024
The fuel gauge is non linear and erroneous. It is a safety issue because the level of fuel left is unpredictable and I have run out of gas in unfamiliar areas because of this.
Incident date: Mar 26, 2024
There's an obvious issue with the steering lock system in 2009 Altimas that Nissan fails to address with a recall. They opened an extended warranty period that ended in 2020 apparently, with no notification from the manufacturer or dealership that this was happening. Also, I have been seeing complaints from owners who did get the steering lock box replaced at that time and are again having an is... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle to drive with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle suddenly jolted forward. Later, while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to decelerate, the vehicle suddenly downshifted, losing motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was able to di... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Car loses power when driving at highway speeds after driving for about 45 minutes. The car won’t accelerate when this happens and shows no warning signs on the dash. The only way to get the car to run right is to turn it off and wait for about 15-30 min and then start it again. Sometimes this happens 3 times in a trip and when it happens is random but always at highway speeds. This makes the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
The truck was parked on hill and as I unlocked it, it rolled down 2 blocks. Hit a brick wall and finally went into a yard and hit a parked car. This is the second time this truck has rolled down. First time, I was able to catch it but this time I couldn’t. It was horrific to witness.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 22, 2024
The SAM system failed and car would not start !It took months to be diagnosed by 3 different mechanics! The message said quite often that the Air bags have been deployed !The dealer could not determine the issue! There have been various recalls on the Takata air bags stating my C230 2005 Kompressor is included in the recall over the last few years and when I put in the vin it says my car is not in... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated after the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an unknown recall repair, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact also became aware that the driver’s side headlight was inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a detached headlamp wiring harness. The dealer recommended that dri... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2024
The fuel gauge will randomly reset itself to full. This poses a safety concern as the truck may run out of gas while it is showing that it is not empty. This could happen while doing something like pulling out in to traffic or turning across a lane of traffic. This affects many trucks, not just mine.
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
I purchased the 2019 Nissan Altima March 22,2024 for the last week the car will start when it wants , the collision sign on the dash comes on and states it’s blocked , the car will stop or shut off while driving ( on the highway with my two children ) the car stoped & a big truck almost ran in the back of me , the seat belt on the right side doesn’t work . Theirs 4 other problems with the car ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
I purchased the 2019 Nissan Altima March 22,2024 for the last week the car will start when it wants , the collision sign on the dash comes on and states it’s blocked , the car will stop or shut off while driving ( on the highway with my two children ) the car stoped & a big truck almost ran in the back of me , the seat belt on the right side doesn’t work . Theirs 4 other problems with the car ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 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. An unknown dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2023
GMC has a problem with the electronic brake controller on their 2024 Sierra 2500HD and 3500Hd trucks. All trailers are required to have trailer brakes. In addition the trailer must be equipped with an auxillary battery to activate the emergency breakaway brakes. If the voltage on this battery is higher than the towing vehicle battery, the vehicle controller can display a trailer wiring fault ... Read more