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: Dec 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and the recall was serviced. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted without warning. The contact pulled over as certain parts of the instrument panel had gone blank. The contact restarted the ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
Sunroof glass exploded: While driving in light traffic -- approximately 65 mph -- I heard a loud crash exploding sound and then the sound of glass breaking. No other vehicles were near me but I quickly scanned my front, back, and side windows and mirrors and nothing was broken. No warnings on instrument panel. I could hear wind coming in the vehicle and realized it was coming from the sunroof. I ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2023
I had all the warning lights come on my 2018 Honda CRV. At one time the car also lost power. I have been visited my dealer 3 times, and still is the same problem!! It has happened 4 times.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Your latest mandates has arguably made the car less safe by removing what allowed the system to operate safely. Please roll back this “recall” it’s not a recall in the slightest it’s a shot at someone or multiple people that dislike Tesla.
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION: To the documented tune of 40 quarts consumed April17 - December 15, 2023, encompassing 24,116 driven miles. Hyundai America and this dealer knows all about this issue and is stalling on the remedy because it requires total engine replacement. Presently I am experiencing a P1326 engine knock sensor fault and I'm told by my mechanic a prospective catalytic converter failure ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
When traveling on the highway, the cruise control system will cut out on random intervals, and not be available to turn back on unless you stop the vehicle, turn it off, and then turn it back on again. This poses an electrical system risk, and may encourage drivers to pull over on the side of the highway to restart their vehicle to regain access to cruise control. There are already many Reddit and... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2023
Fuel pump/engine began failing before the engine locked up. I was driving down a country road and lost power. When I floored it the top speed was approx. 7 MPH. I did not have anywhere to pull over. It has been inspected by the manufacturer and they said it needs a new engine. There were no warning signs or anything. I don't know how to answer if the problem has been reproduced. Via Kia forums, th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
Apparently a known issue with the HID lights coming on or off intermittently.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
The Ford Edge has a known and documented issue with the brake booster failing and having to be replaced numerous times. I recently had to apply my brakes suddenly to avoid a collision with a car that cut me off. After noticed the brakes lost pressure and appear to be compromised. This is the second time this has happened after already replacing the same brake booster issue less than 3 years ago. W... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2023
We bought this trailer brand new in 2016. A few months later the gate opened at one side because it had not been centered when the trailer was manufactured and the latch pin didn’t go far enough into the receiver. The manufacturer paid to have this defect corrected. A few weeks ago the pin opened once again due to a faulty welding spot at the bracket. The bracket is welded onto the frame at 2 ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2023
Bought vehicle used in August 2022. In August 2023, started getting intermittent chime, abs and brake warning lights and messages to service anti-lock brake system and to service electronic brake system. Took it to my mechanic and he diagnosed a bad abs control module and bad abs hydraulic pump fault codes. He did some research and found this to be a known problem with these trucks. Apparently Ste... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
First, the vehicle does not hold on any degree of incline. The vehicle comes with "strong regenerative braking", but when coming to a stop on a hill and taking one's foot off the accelerator, the vehicle drifts backward as if it were in neutral. It will continue backwards and gain speed, creating a danger to the driver and vehicles behind it. When one's foot is on the brake pedal and the driver... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2019
*Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor- It is available upon request. * Due to the malfunction of the accelerator Pedal Position Sensor, the check engine light comes on and it flashes "engine reduced power" which slows the car down to a very low rate of speed not allowing the driver to go any faster. I was on the highway going speeds of around 75mph and that light came on and slowed my ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2019
Just like with the other double cab Tacoma recalls I am hearing about, the third rear tail light is leaking water into my access cab. The interior smells like mildew. I’m not sure why my truck is not covered by the recall, but it is experiencing the exact same situation. Water leaking through the deteriorated seal of the break-light. I think with accompanying mold build up.
Incident date: Dec 14, 2023
Airbag light went on. Took it to the Nissan dealer in Naples, Florida paid to have diagnostics done to determine the problem. The drivers seat airbag is defective. Per the diagnostics, The dealer service department said it was a safety issue.
Incident date: Dec 17, 2023
Airbag light went on. Took it to the Nissan dealer in Naples, Florida paid to have diagnostics done to determine the problem. The drivers seat airbag is defective. Per the diagnostics, The dealer service department said it was a safety issue.
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
The power steering went out on us several times, but this last time, I was almost in a accident. Also, it has a rubbing/ grinding sound in the front with a shimmy and no matter what,it won't quit.
Incident date: Dec 16, 2023
The headlights and rear break lights keep going out, we have changed the bulbs multiple times and they keep burning out and not within months it happens within weeks the bulbs completely burn out which has caused us to be stopped by police and given warnings. The headlights look very dim when on which as well have been changed but still give a dim look. The engine has given out, the last time dr... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2023
Steering is sticky, even with lane assistance turned off. Steering wheel resists efforts attempting to manipulate it when trying to make changes in direction, whether for turns, adjusting for curves in the road. or straightening position in lane. Steering wheel does not operate smoothly - must fight the wheel with every input. Issue is not intermittent, it is persistent, happens at all speeds, a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2023
Clockspring failed. No horn, driver airbag, controls to cycle evic and radio stopped working.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Vehicle gives false oil life of 20% when oil is 0% blowing engine. Oil consumption issue blows engine.
Incident date: Nov 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that after turning the vehicle off, the brake lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the Hydraulic Control Unit was faulty and needed to be reprogramed. The Hydraulic Control Unit was reprogrammed under NHTSA Campaign: 22V426000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) but the failure persisted. T... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
The vehicle only has 15K miles and the breaks are already producing a grinding sound. Brought it back to the dealership and they said that the pads and rotors are measuring correct and that it was the humidity. No vehicle that we have ever experiences has had grinding, so new and blamed weather. They are stating that the pads and rotors are made up of higher iron and corrosion is happening quic... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
ABS electronic braking system failure.
Incident date: Nov 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted from park to reverse but failed to reverse. The vehicle was pushed out of the parking space and the vehicle was able to be driven. No warning lights were illuminated at the time of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was then taken to... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion Energi. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V440000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the plug-in battery failed. The contact stated that he was able to continue driving and pulled into his friend's garage. The contact stated th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2023
While sitting in my driveway getting ready to go to town, I pulled the seat belt to lock it into place when I hear a pop then the seat belt would not retract at all. It was as if the retractable spring broke. I left the truck sitting until I could get a replacement belt from Ford (450.00) to repair this safety issue. Had this belt failed in a collision it would have caused severe damage to the dri... Read more
ACURA
INTEGRA
(2024) — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
Dec 14, 2023
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the screen display was blue and black and became inoperable. While reversing, the screen was blue. The contact was unable to use the GPS feature. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle could be repaired under warranty. The system showed that the scree... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
Rainy road, 60mph on the hw with my family. Truck decides to engage stabilitrak or something to that feel and locked up the brakes. Talk about a scary moment with an 18 wheeler coming in hot behind you. Obviously, in the moment, I had no clue what was happening other than something with the truck was malfunctioning. This scenario could have gone wrong in so many ways. I'm honestly in shock s... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2023
Oil Pressure loss, possible belt failure.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2023
Oil Pressure loss, possible belt failure.
Incident date: Dec 11, 2023
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Available for inspection upon request. Please do! Loss of power. Reported same issues a year ago. Brought to dealership, sold on other services that did not solve problem. Opened a case with Hyundai. No solution. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Random loss of power. Hyundai ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2023
On multiple occasions my fuel gauge has randomly reset from 3/4 full to above full. Had I not noticed this change I could have run out of gas. Toyota refuses to do anything about this and I have reported this to corporate and two different dealerships. Taken it in for repairs 4 times. They tell me there is nothing they can do???
Incident date: Nov 17, 2023
My car had been broken into and was attempted to be stolen on December 22, 2022. A few months ago, a neighbor left a note on my car stating that someone was looking through the windows suspiciously. Today, December 12, 2023, my car was stolen from a paid for parking garage at my apartment complex with no cameras. The issue should have been resolved considering my boyfriend and co-owner of the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2021
Abs brake light is on and cruise won’t work with brake light on told by dealer ABS MODULE HAS FAILED manufacturer has no idea when parts will be available This needs to be a recall don’t know if abs brakes will ever work
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
While driving at highway speeds in a straight line, the steering wheel stiffens, and takes effort to adjust steering. Also, sometimes while driving at moderate speeds, the steering wheel gets stuck when taking long left turns and does not revert back to center without forcing it back to center with hands.
Incident date: Dec 12, 2023
Service ABS brake system and Service Electronc braking system warnings constantly come on and affects braking system and cruise control. Dealers have no answers, Dodge has no answers. As a commercial vehicle driver if my abs doesn’t work properly then I’m shut down, but dodge can get away with this in a regular vehicle. This is a very very common problem with 2018 dodge 3500’s and any help t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2023
My hyaundai is burning through oil every 500-1000 miles it will be completely empty
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
For the last 3 months the car will turn on by itself and drain the battery. Went to several mechanics that could not find a reason for this issue. This weekend, while I was driving on the road, the car stopped while driving on the highway. This happened 4 times risking my life, wife, and my children. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by other owners of this car on various forums. I ha... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2018
Gas smell while AC/HEATER is on and car is sitting idle. My car is not included in the 2019 safety recall 24DP although it should be.
Incident date: Dec 11, 2023
Spot welds holding the door check arm in place have failed causing loud crunching noises when door is opened or closed
Incident date: Dec 11, 2023
I purchased this vehicle from Galles Chevrolet in Albuquerque New Mexico as a certified pre owned vehicle. Couple of days after I noticed a vibration coming from the front steering and drivetrain I immediately took it back to Galles and they told me nothing was wrong with it and that the aggressive tires was what I was feeling. So I took it back and drove it for a couple of weeks and the vibration... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal squeaking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the rear brake pads and rotors. The contact was informed that the rear brake pads and rotors needed to be re... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
This has happened to me 3 times now. When I start the truck, a loud pop can be heard and then an extremely loud static noise starts throughout the entire truck. All speakers produce loud static and popping sounds. I took this to the dealer and while happening and the dealer had “no idea” what to do. The only remedy I’ve been given is to disconnect the battery for 5 minutes and reconnect. Thi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
This has happened to me 3 times now. When I start the truck, a loud pop can be heard and then an extremely loud static noise starts throughout the entire truck. All speakers produce loud static and popping sounds. I took this to the dealer and while happening and the dealer had “no idea” what to do. The only remedy I’ve been given is to disconnect the battery for 5 minutes and reconnect. Thi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2023
The board computer started to mention „service shifter“ when I was driving. Then the engine switched in neutral when I was still driving, telling a problem about the shifter. Later other systems failed, for example the servo for the steering, ehat has been very dangerous, as the steering wheel did not react anymore and I had to do a emergency break. Also, the engine could not be stopped.
Incident date: Dec 10, 2023
--Exhaust leak, at left first band clamp downstream from catalyst --Safety is of immediate concern due to exhaust leak directly under driver seat --Local Ford dealership service dept did not fix leak --Exhaust leak was inspected and reported to local Ford dealer service dept- NOT fixed On 20 November 2023, I purchased a 2021 Ford F-150 XL, VIN: [XXX] , from Crain Ford of Jacksonville, Arkansas, ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2023
I’ve had this happen 4 times now with my 2019 RDX. The latest Is on 12/10/23. Low speed braking and the tac revels to over 5000. Vehicle lurches forward with both feet on the brake peddle nearly hit a car broadside that was moving perpendicular to me., Three times under warranty to the dealer who could find anything. They even had the factory rep , in who after keeping the car for 5 days replace... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2023
The component that failed was the hatchback window. It completely shattered and it is not available for inspection unless you want to look at it before December 13. I am now without a car and this was the first available date to get it fixed. I was not at risk because I was outside of the car and had just closed the door. I could imagine if you were a passenger in the back seat you could have bee... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2023
Multiple tires have developed a bulge in the sidewall. This is now the third time.