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: Mar 18, 2023
Appears to be an issue with the Dual Clutch Transmission. Makes the suv jolt after starting, waiting in traffic/red light and/or randomly driving around. Speed is not a determine factor in causing this “jolt”, for it happens at any rate of speed. Fear is the suv will randomly just stall and/or completely give out while driving, especially on the highway!
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
My car is registering code P052E71. The diagnosis says the valve for crankcase ventilation has a malfunction. The actuator is blocked. This is a common problem for this car with research. Some people have had to replace this part multiple times for their Mercedes which is a part that shouldn't fail. Nothing has been done such as a recall on this vehicle. The part and labor to repair this issue cos... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manuf... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2023
My dashboard is lit up with lights .. Abs,break vehicle skid control, and steering wheel .I need a new abs control module I am told I have 178,000 The breaks are new, but now making a funny nose. Including shaking and vibrating and squeeking in my driver side wheel. The driver wheel makes a clunking noise only when the lights turn on. And breaks seem to be acting weird.. when lights come on my ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
For the past year and few months I’ve been having to do an oil change every two weeks because of how fast the engine is burning the oil. Several times I arrive to the shop to find the oil pan is completely empty causing issues with my engine beginning to make strange noises that are concerning. The dash light does not come on to notify me that there is no oil. I’m sure the damage is severe bec... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2023
Driving down the road sunny, dry roads, no vehicles around, car starts flashing brake and slams on break has happened 3 or 4 times. Also, Diver assist warning lights keep coming on with radar obstructed. Honda please do something about this before someone gets hurt. I am a single mother and loved this car until recently. I don't have the money to pay the dealership to run diagnostics and lie and s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2023
We have a fleet of eighteen NV200s. The one that was listed was just repaired on 11/20/23. It had issues with the occupant air bag system. The issues with the air bag system are happening in other NV200s that we own. I believe there is a defect in these vans that could lead to them not operate as designed, causing injury or death. The other air bag issues we have had in the NV200s, not including t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
I have been getting my Tundra alignment done every other month since I purchased it brand new and have actually run out of warranty on the alignments and have been coming out of pocket ever since. The vehicle pulls quite aggressively to the right unless extra pressure is applied to the left side of the steering wheel. It has steadily gotten worse after every alignment and I can’t even pull an em... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2023
REAR HATCHBACK GLASS SHATTERED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHILE I WAS WARMING UP CAR
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
i took my car to acura carland in duluth georgia and i went initially for a check up on my recall i was notified for regarding my rod bearing and was told that there’s nothing they can do about it and offered to do a wheel alignment on my vehicle and that should help with the knocking noise i had coming from my engine and that i would have to wait till january for anything else regarding my reca... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
The vehicle had an intense loss of power and slowed down to a few miles per hour even with the gas pedal pushed down all the way. This put us in harms way until we could get out of the way of moving traffic. In a parking lot, the vehicle stopped and would not start. The engine light came on briefly before the event. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The service department indicated that the eng... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
My Ridgeline was at the Honda dealer for a recall on both left and right exterior mirrors. (Glass only) Both were replaced. After leaving the dealer, the drivers side mirror image appeared wavy and distorted. It was difficult to focus on the image while driving rendering the mirror almost useless. The passenger side appears perfect. How can a replacement drivers side mirror installed due to a reca... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2023
Vehicle has 101k miles on it, just over the 100k Hyundai warranty. Vehicle began shaking and sputtering while driving, and check engine light illuminated, I was able to get it to a local mechanic. Mechanic said it had multiple codes (P300, P302, and P304). They did a compression test and said the engine has internal failure and should be replaced; quoted 13k to replace. I had it towed to the H... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the vehicle failed to emit an audible chime, indicating that the seat belts had not been fastened. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer,... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
ABS control module has been back order since June 2023. Abs light flashes and bing on regular bases. Cruise will not work when the ABS light is on. I’ve been on a wait list since June 2023, truck is very annoying trying to drive with constant binging. Towing my 5th wheel is very concerning with on going ABS module problems.
Incident date: Nov 9, 2023
The fault code P0172: System too Rich (Bank 1) has resulted in loss of all Advanced Safety features, as well as the electric parking brake becoming inoperable.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
Investigation: EA23003 Momentary increase in steering effort or "sticky steering".
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (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 wa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
The three issues above seems to be related or affect the other and does not allow cruise control to operate. The air bag light remains on and associated component light up the dash. Surprisingly, my VIN does not show up for air bag repair. I wish I did not have to wait for possible recall announcement for my vehicle before I can get it repaired and instead to fix it now. Frustrating.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The Hydraulic Control Unit Chrysler part number 68143491AA failed and was replaced on my vehicle. I had the vehicle back to the dealer numerous times before they replaced this item. 14000 miles later the same problems are happening again. This causes the Anti-lock braking system and Traction control system to no longer function limiting function under wet or slippery conditions. This puts the... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2023
1. MY car shuts off while driving and I don't understand why because my battery is new and all other components don't seem to be the issue i.e.: battery, starter, alternator. 2. My safety and the safety of my passengers were at risk because the car shuts off with no warning while driving. 3 I currently have the vehicle being inspected by my local Ford dealership but the problem has happened sever... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
We have noticed the steering wheel "catching" at times; this hasn't been severe yet but is concerning. It tends to happen more on highways as opposed to dirt roads, so the higher the speed is. We have an appt today with the local Honda dealer so hopefully this gets fixed.
Incident date: Dec 4, 2023
According to my local Ford Dealer, my 2017 F150 3.5 L EcoBoost Engine needs the Cam Phasers replaced. When the engine is cold and started it creates a metal “rattle” sound for a few seconds practically every time now. My motor has 131,348 miles on it. Ford previously had a recall 21B10, 21N03 and 21N08 for this issue but according to my call to Ford Motor Company today, December 4, 2023, ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2023
while driving, the steering wheel seems to be sort of STICKEY and not smooth when correcting the wheel. So when you need to slightly correct the wheel on the road it seems to be "stickey ".
Incident date: Nov 30, 2023
I've had multiple failures on this vehicle. First, the engine had a rod knock and Acura gave me a very hard time approving the repair and eventually replacement of the engine. Second, the ADAS system is not working and is a huge safety concern. I keep getting error messages that my road mitigation and lane keeping assist systems do not work. Third, the ABS module system cannot communicate with my ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2023
The car smelling of burning and is not safe to drive.
Incident date: Mar 31, 2023
The manufacturer taking unreasonable long time to fix the recall, its urgent recall thats limiting usage of the vehicle. High risk recall associated with vehicle catching fire
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
It cut off in the middle of traffic every time I drive it . The. Stability engine power reduced comes on. I have small kids in the car it becomes a issue because we almost got hit
Incident date: Dec 2, 2023
I started my vehicle, as usual, and when driving at a very slow speed (neighborhood speed limits) I approached a very busy intersection and the car just stopped. Not only did it stop, it would not steer and a bunch of warning lights came on the dashboard. Tav I believe, oil, check engine light. Even with the key in the acc mode, the power steering was not functioning. Everything just stopped funct... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2023
I was driving on the highway at a speed of about 60 mph. I tried to push the break pedal because a car stopped in front of me. The distance between the other car and my car was initially about 200 ft. After I pushed the breaks, the breaks did not respond at all and the car kept going at the same speed. That caused an accident. These details are documented in a police report. I am reporting in case... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 2, 2023
.Engine wire harness/yes . Could of started a fire/ cause multiple safty problems .no professionals confirmed .multiple problems with the new trans solenoids (new) problems with gas, tcm, I fixed the wire for the speed sensor and more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
I lost control of the vehicle on the highway due to a "Death Wobble" in the steering system. It threw me into the next lane and I was lucky to survive. This happened on an interstate highway at about 55 MPH. It included violent shaking in the steering after passing over a minor bump in the road and came without warning. Ford replaced the steering damper under warranty. I still get this conditi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2023
Not related to any specific event, but the headlight housing on my Acura RDX has degraded such that the lights are nearly too dim to be usable at night. The dealer has advised me of a $3k cost to fix, but this is apparently a known, recurring issue related to this model, and perhaps other Acura models. Apparently, the reflective housing degrades around the headlight.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after a visual inspection of the vehicle, she became aware that the vehicle was leaking oil. The check engine warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with failures to the... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2023
Tailgate controller issue. 2018 Honda Odyssey: A day after a day of rain, we went out shopping and stopped at a store. Getting out , we saw "Tailgate Controller Problem" message appear on the dashboard. I tried to open/close the tailgate but it just kept latching and unlatching. I was finally able to get it to remain closed by pushing on the tailgate. After heading to another store, saw a "high-b... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the service brakes were inoperable, and the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The vehicle came to a complete stop on the highway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact called and made the dealer aware of the failure. The contact stated that the f... Read more
ACURA
MDX TYPE S
(2022) — STEERING
Dec 1, 2023
Incident date: Oct 17, 2023
Steering wheel feels like it “sticks” or is stiff. Brought to dealership and they drove it and compared to an identical vehicle on lot and confirmed that they felt the steering wheel was stiff. They contacted the tech line but were told there have been no issues so sent me home. They had taken a video of the technician stating the wheel was stiff when driving.
ACURA
MDX TYPE S
(2022) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dec 1, 2023
Incident date: Oct 17, 2023
The EGR Valve has failed and they have not provided a replacement yet. Been 4 months. Decline to give an ETA.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
My car has had recall for over 2 years I’ve contacted multiple dealers to get it replaced no one has gotten to me and my car has been stalling while driving my most recent problem was I was driving on the highway and my car decided to stall and a 18 wheeler was coming behind me and it almost lead I to a wreck that could have cost me my life also my check engine light has come on a thousand times... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2023
Head restraint on passenger side deployed while not car. There was no collision. The car was parked in my drive. Chrysler avoids responsibility. My car has under 64,000 miles. It could have hurt a passenger if I was traveling. There should have been a recall. There are class suits on the problem with Chrysler vehicles.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
Between oil change intervals, the check engine light flickered intermittently. I checked the oil level and it was very low. I added 3 quarts of oil and took it to my Hyundai dealership. They performed all the oil consumption tests and told us that the car now burns seven-tenths of a quart every 1000 miles. Hyundai USA claims that this is acceptable oil consumption. I disagree of course. I called ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2023
Vehicle May not Accelerate Several drivers have reported that their vehicle will stop accelerating in traffic. It may shift into neutral, or it may appear to be in gear while the RPMs climb but there is no forward motion.
Incident date: Feb 6, 2023
The contact's daughter owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving from a complete stop in a parking lot, the vehicle stalled. A message indicating a transmission failure was displayed. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer informed the conta... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
The steering has become "sticky" when turning between the 10 and 12 positions (clock face), at all speeds, slow or highway. It happens mostly when I make a long left turn and return the wheel to its straight "12" position. I get a sticking/stuck/notch feeling through the wheel, which feels like the rack is sticking. At highway speed, this is extremely unnerving.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
Sometime the rear soft closed door ajar with child safety locks engaged while in motion. Child safety locks used because have small children in the back seats. The children safety are at risk when the door ajar while turning. Had to pull over to re-closed the door because the door ajar warning light and sound is on. The dealership had inspect the issue and said there is a service bulletin on the l... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
Sometime the rear soft closed door ajar with child safety locks engaged while in motion. Child safety locks used because have small children in the back seats. The children safety are at risk when the door ajar while turning. Had to pull over to re-closed the door because the door ajar warning light and sound is on. The dealership had inspect the issue and said there is a service bulletin on the l... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2023
Since I took delivery of my 2023 Ford Bronco on August 1, 2023 I have not been able to connect to the FordPass (get updates, etc..). Dealer replaced the Gateway Module and has not been able to load software onto the module. The Gateway Module is a "hub" that routes signal to major components of the vehicle (safety, body control, telematics, power train, etc..). Since replacing the Gateway Modu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
Out of nowhere the headrest "exploded" with force while I was driving and it was like a punch to the back of my head. I am nauseous and have a headache hours later.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the seat belt pretensioner needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 186,228.