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: Jul 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated while driving out of a parking lot at 5-10 MPH and making a left turn, the windshield wipers and the rearview camera engaged independently. Additionally, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and crashed into another vehicle that was unoccupied and parked on the left side of the road. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained... Read more
Crash
1 injured
ACURA
MDX TYPE S
(2022) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 13, 2023
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
1. The car started making a noise then started surging and jerking. I'm not a mechanic, so I don't know what happened but it will not crank now. Yes, someone can come inspect the vehicle, by appointment only. 2. I was afraid that the car was going to blow up or the brakes would not hold. 3. No, the problem has not been reproduced or inspected. 4. No, the vehicle or component has not been inspec... Read more
ACURA
MDX TYPE S
(2022) — ENGINE
Sep 13, 2023
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
1. The car started making a noise then started surging and jerking. I'm not a mechanic, so I don't know what happened but it will not crank now. Yes, someone can come inspect the vehicle, by appointment only. 2. I was afraid that the car was going to blow up or the brakes would not hold. 3. No, the problem has not been reproduced or inspected. 4. No, the vehicle or component has not been inspec... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
I took delivery of my 2022 Chevy Silverado in March, 2022. I still does not have the park assist and Emergency Stop when backing up installed, which of course is a safety hazzard.
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
Anti-loc braking system, and electronic braking system issues. Modules needed. Ram has back-ordered them for months. There appears to be a class action suit starting, What is NHTSA doing?
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
Anti-loc braking system, and electronic braking system issues. Modules needed. Ram has back-ordered them for months. There appears to be a class action suit starting, What is NHTSA doing?
Incident date: Aug 29, 2023
Shuddering occurs at speeds between 25-75 mph. GM has s TSB #18- NA-355. This bulletin accurately describes what I was experiencing. They know that there is a problem with their 8 speed automatic transmissions, but will not tell consumers about it. There should be a recall to fix all of the vehicles effected during the time of defective transmission fluid..
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
When im driving I get my "Check Engine Light" that turns on, and it says "Check charge system" which I assume is possibly referring to the recall of the battery cable. When I make frequent stops my car suddenly will turn off, as if it lost power, and I will have to then exit the vehicle, to adjust the cables for the battery, therefore its putting my life in danger, as im having to turn the car bac... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
2017 GMC Terrain motors consume oil at an excessive rate (1 quart per 1,000 miles). Getting an oil change every 5,000 miles, even consistently, puts the engine at risk for major internal failure and safety risks to the passengers. My engine in my 2017 GMC Terrain has a broken timing chain and internal damage due to the excessive oil consumption issue. The engine will have to be replaced. GM has ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2019
I have purchased low pressure AC hose part from the local Nissan Altima dealer as there is a mechanical design issue where the low pressure AC hose is rubbing with the other part and causing a damage to the hose thus leaking refrigerant gas and spilling on the floor. I have replaced this part twice. The first time I replaced this part did not understand the real issue, the second time I have taken... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, an abnormally strong fuel odor was detected. The following day, while starting the vehicle, the strong fuel odor was detected again. Additionally, the contact noticed fuel leaking from the fuel line onto the ground when the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had previously received an unknown recall notification rega... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2019
- my car started releasing white smoke - i took it to repair shop, stated it was fixed, white smoke continued -car started overheating -Took it to KIA dealership and was told i was responsible for fuel leaking into engine, was told my car was not covered under warranty, I also have an extended warranty at the dealership which they wouldn't honor stating it was not covered -Recently while driving t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2019
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V767000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local 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: Sep 1, 2023
The PASSEMBLY POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM- 48AMP 1PHASE(1135558-04-A part is part of the powertrain attached to the battery pack.. Without it, the car is unable to charge. This failed at approximately 32,000 miles on 8/29/23 on my 2018 Tesla Model 3. The repair was not covered under the powertrain warrenty despite being a critical component.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and started to shake with the RPM increasing. The vehicle was taken to an AutoZone to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC: P0456 (EVAP leak). Additionally, the contact stated that the 02 ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
My vehicle was parked when the rear windshield shattered. Nothing came into contact. Dealerships are refusing to help out and they are aware of the issue. Please help us get this covered under a recall.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2023
At 48k miles with all service maintenance performed by GM dealer I experienced a ticking noise and loss of engine power. The vehicle was taken to dealership and I was told it was a lifter problem with no explanation of how or why this has happened. I was without a vehicle for 3 weeks. I picked up the vehicle and was told the vehicle was repaired only to still find the vehicle had hesitation while ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
When driving to town with family, drove over train tracks and all warning lights on dash came on and power steering was lost. I was going about 30 mpg and barely able to steer the vehicle to shoulder of road in a populated neighborhood. My wife and kids were really scared and i was glad this didn't happen in a much busier area. The warning lights were: Adaptive Cruise Control, parking brake, Lane ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
My driver door opens while i'm driving, the first time it happened in feb 2023 had i not have my seatbelt on I would have fell out of car. It has happened severals more times, it feels like the lock or the pin is not engaging. Now my front passenger door is starting as well. I contacted Nissan Consumer affairs the woman was arrogant with No concern over my safety, maybe it's a defective door or lo... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
My driver door opens while i'm driving, the first time it happened in feb 2023 had i not have my seatbelt on I would have fell out of car. It has happened severals more times, it feels like the lock or the pin is not engaging. Now my front passenger door is starting as well. I contacted Nissan Consumer affairs the woman was arrogant with No concern over my safety, maybe it's a defective door or lo... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2023
Driver's side door on my 2013 BMW X1 sDrive28i will not open using either the outside door handle or the inside door handle. The door locks open and close using either the remote key fob or the key inserted into the driver's side door, but the driver's side door will not physically open. The other doors, as well as the rear hatch, do open. The mechanical part of the door lock actuator that holds t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2023
ABS, brake light on dashboard. Malfunctioning ABS solenoid valve. Brakes locking up.
Incident date: Aug 14, 2023
Shifts hard sometimes slamming into and out of gears causing car to jump. No warning lights torque converter replaced at 58000 miles. Less than two years later problem came back. It causes the car to jerk sometimes when it shifts and stutters at times as well causing the car to slow down. May someday stop with no warning causing a crash.
Incident date: Nov 10, 2022
Was driving on highway at approximately 65 mph. Check engine light came on. Engine started to stop responding to gas being given to car. Pulled off to exit highway approximately 1 minute after check engine light came on. At bottom of exit, car completely lost power. Attempted to put vehicle into park and wouldn't shift. Started to see smoke coming from engine and then shortly after started ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 14, 2022
When driving (Once going downhill 6% grade, several times driving level on the freeway and once on a 45 MPH road with ruts), the front end began shaking violently to the point I was losing control of the vehicle until I slowed down. The vehicle would be available for inspection upon request. Safety was impacted by the loss of control resulting from the vehicle violently shaking. I took the truc... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2023
Bottom bracket Dinette seat screws were not installed. Causing the top bracket to come loose on one side. Factory must have forgotten, built during Covid. Nov, 2020 build date.
Incident date: Sep 23, 2022
Vehicle has been consuming oil between oil changes. Recently the ABS, Down hill assist, and traction control lights came on. We took it to the dealer and were advised it was a wheel speed sensor in the passenger rear, but they wanted over $600 so we did not repair. Two days later all the lights went off and we had no issues. A month later I drove to Florida, checked and filled the oil with a lit... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact pulled to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that upon inspecting underneath the vehicle, he noticed that the transmission oil cooler was covered in red fluid due to a crack near the oil cooler line. The vehi... Read more
ACURA
TLX TYPE S
(2023) — ENGINE
Aug 31, 2023
Incident date: Aug 31, 2023
My wife pulled into a diagonal parking space and was ready to put the vehicle into park when the engine rpm increased dramatically and propelled us into a concrete wall. The front end and left front fender are damaged and the two seat belts locked. The airbag indicator light is on but the air bag did not deploy. Thankfully we suffered no injuries. I contacted American Honda who initially seemed in... Read more
Crash
ACURA
TLX TYPE S
(2023) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Aug 31, 2023
Incident date: Aug 31, 2023
I own a 2011 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton pickup truck. It currently has 98 k miles. The crossmember for the frame rusted out and fell off last month. Yesterday the frame broke in two. I see from looking online that GMC failed to add rust inhibitor to the steel for the frame. This is a safety issue and could have been catastrophic. Is anything being done about this failure? Online forums show this hap... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2023
In October 2012, my 2018 Ram 2500 had issues with the brake module and ABS system. The truck had 49000 miles when the system intermittently displayed messages to service ABS system. A trusted local mechanic checked and found a service bulletin about the issue. I had him replace the brake module and master cylinder. I then had a Chrysler dealer reprogram the module. My costs was approximately 800 d... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
I own a 2011 Ford Edge. Recently, I’ve been having problems when I get in the vehicle and, also when the passenger behind me gets in and we then shut our doors…. a warning light comes up on the dashboard stating that the passenger’s side door is ajar. After many attempts of slamming the door, the light goes off. My fear is that if I have a passenger, there could be an issue of the door openi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
I was traveling on the highway (on a very rainy day), when my car's green signal lights and orange engine light began blinking. Immediately, an orange warning sign on the dash read, "Some Driver Assist Systems Cannot Operate, Radar Obstructed". A few seconds after that occurred, I accelerated to pass a vehicle & as soon as I switched lanes to get over, my car went from speeds of about 85 MPH, abru... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
Coolant Bypass Valve on my 2020 RAV4. There needs to be a recall; even Toyota dealerships in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex say that there needs to be a recall. Service advisors say this is a big problem they see daily and with all cars and at all mileage. The cost to replace the Coolant Bypass Valve in my car = $855- RIDICULOUS!! In addition, due to the constant “Engine Maintenance Required”... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
Rear passenger seat belt came unattached from receiver on braking. 7 year old in booster seat lunged forward
Incident date: Aug 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact coasted to the side of the roadway. The "Transmission Fault" message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to a transmission specialist, who diagnosed that an unknown pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2023
Door took waaaaayyy too much pressure to stop it from closing The recall before literally added beeping noises but it NEEDS more sensitive sensors this is ridiculous
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
My check airbag light came on. Also, when I'm driving, my car stalls in the middle of the road and is unable to move, and it keeps doing that. And it does not have a check engine light, but it keeps stalling.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
POWER STEERING IS LOCKING UP, NOT WANTING TO TURN.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
There is an open recall with no available fix. I don’t feel safe driving this car without the fix. We basically have to purchase a new car with less trade in value as it os unethical to sell or pay for a loaner. I called GM & they referred to the dealership. 2 different dealerships including dealership of purchase say there is nothing they can do as there is no fix. Please help.
Incident date: Jul 25, 2023
The torque converters for the 2015 Chevy Tahoe’s or the 6L80 transmission are failing at a rate not seem on a newer vehicle. Chevy dealerships in my area are backed up for 2 to 3 weeks just to look at the possible problem. The failure appears to be due to poor design of the transmission torque converters. Safety is at risk due high failure rate that could occur at highway speeds and thus mak... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
Headlights do not work. I have replaced the low beams bulbs 3 times since purchasing my car over three years ago and each time the lights only work for a brief period of time them seem to short out unexpectedly, for no reason whatsoever. The high beams have been replaced multiple times as well. I purchased the fluorescent bulbs for better night vision. The lights were bright for a short period th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2023
I purchased a 2010 Hyundai Sonata in February 2022 from the original owner. In July of this year, my engine failed due to the oil consumption defect found in many of Hyundai's engines produced at the Alabama factory. My oil and check engine light came on before it was time for my following oil change, despite making on-time synthetic oil changes during ownership. The vehicle hesitated and jerked... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2023
I purchased a 2010 Hyundai Sonata in February 2022 from the original owner. In July of this year, my engine failed due to the oil consumption defect found in many of Hyundai's engines produced at the Alabama factory. My oil and check engine light came on before it was time for my following oil change, despite making on-time synthetic oil changes during ownership. The vehicle hesitated and jerked... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
On 8/20/23 heading south on I-294 in Chicago : in center lane with cruise control on and no cars close in front of me when the car suddenly started a hard braking without warning. No orange warning to brake came on but engine warning light of left of dashboard was on. Immediately turned off cruise control. Car would not accelerate and came to a stop on the highway. Tried to start without success,... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
My rear windshield shattered out of nowhere. My son was in the backseat when it happened. I called the police and they are also confused on how my window shattered, it doesn’t show any puncture or impact of any kind just a shattered window. No warning lights came on before or after. I took my baby to the dealer and they also did not see what could have caused it to shatter. Believe it may be an... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
I am experiencing problems with my ABS & Traction Control system. This is the 3rd time I have had this issue with my truck since I purchased it new in 2018. The truck only has 56k miles on it. ABS/Traction control is definitely a safety issue due to brake not functioning properly as the truck is designed to do. Dealer says there are no alternative parts that can be installed & there is no reca... Read more
ACURA
MDX SPORT HYBRID
(2020) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
Aug 21, 2023
Incident date: Aug 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front driver’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the traction control, brakes, the Pre-Collision System (PCS), and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the brake actuator and... Read more
ACURA
MDX SPORT HYBRID
(2020) — POWER TRAIN
Aug 21, 2023
Incident date: Aug 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the "Shift from Park to Drive" message displayed. Additionally, the SVC warning light illuminated. The contact shutoff and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission shifter was replaced. The ... Read more