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: Oct 1, 2023
On several occasions the lane keeping assistance has attempted to steer my vehicle into energy absorbing barrier, both with me driving and with my sister driving. Vehicle speed approximately 40 mph, lane splitting, I was taking left lane. Forty feet from point of barrier, wheel jerks hard right, setting me up for dead center collision with point of barrier. If I had not immediately jerked the w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The automatic braking system detection the RB system as it’s identified on the Subaru Dash heater, failure airbag deployment, all disabled repeatedly removal of the battery connections for a period of 30 minutes reset it but failure has repeated
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
The rear hatch on our 2005 Toyota Sienna, after being opened, comes down almost immediately and can hit a person who is reaching into the back cargo area and cause injury. Other people have also reported this same dangerous malfunction online as far back as 2007.
Incident date: Nov 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound and the contact became aware that the steering wheel intermittently became firm, causing the vehicle to be difficult to turn. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. 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 contact stated while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2023
I purchased my 2017 Ford with approximately 300 miles on the speedometer. Have driven my vehicle with care and routine maintenance getting well over 40 miles per gallon. Twice I have had a issue with the clutch and/or transmission under warranty. The car would shutter and vibrate while shifting from 1st gear to 2nd gear and increasingly become worse the more driven. Whether the car is warm or cold... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2023
The windows will get stuck down and will not go back for a few minutes. When trying to roll them up they will continuously click like it is trying, but can not go up or they go halfway and then back off
Incident date: Sep 22, 2022
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 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 was made... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2022
I’ve had the steering slip several times and recently the steering coupler went out causing loose, bumpy steering and a popping sound when turning.
Incident date: Sep 22, 2022
I have taken my car to Mountain states Toyota as well as corwin toyota for a tripped light it has to do with vehicle stability system it trips leaving the vehicle stability option not usable. I have told both dealers not to just reset the code however this is what’s happening and they don’t seem to know why it’s doing this. we have repaired the knock sensors and speed sensors. It feels unsaf... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2023
Even with the steering safety assistance turned off... the steering "sticks" while trying initiate turns/adjustments. Turning straight after a curve becomes jerky and unsafe. Keeping straight in a lane without jerking an overcorrection can cause concern. This is also adding to hand/wrist fatigue over long distance commute. Bottom line it feels unsafe.
Incident date: Nov 6, 2023
The monitor/screen is delaminating. This is causing the screen to go haywire. It asks me if I want to adjust my clock setting every couple seconds which makes using the screen for anything else impossible; at times I can't adjust my heat, use the navigation system, etc. This is a known issue per numerous Jeep forums I've visited where hundreds of people are having the same issue with a defectiv... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2023
power steering shows stabillitrack and I lose control.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
My truck got hit in the front right, including the front right wheel that had a fairly high impact, alloy wheel is bent in one section (see attached photo). After that impact I was not able to steer or apply the breaks. The steering wheel would not move either direction no mater how much force I applied. On top of that, the brake pedal was rock solid and no matter how much force I applied, I could... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Severe jerking, hesitation and jerking when starting acceleration up to 35/40mph. Already had faulty EGR cooler replaced one month ago. Lost ALL coolant with no overheating signs on dash and coolant leaked into exhaust causing dense white smoke and horrible smell. This happened when only driving 5 houses down from my house.
Incident date: Nov 21, 2023
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Transmission suddenly stopped shifting correctly resulting in a sudden loss of power, a lugging of the engine, and almost cause of an accident. Specific components have been diagnosed by Crest ford in centerline. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Without proper shifting the... Read more
ACURA
MDX TYPE S
(2022) - TIRES
Nov 20, 2023
Incident date: Oct 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Discoverer True North, Tire Size: 235/35/R17, DOT Number: RN811KW1322. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH, the front driver's side tire sustained a blowout. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the sidewall of the tire had failed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The cont... Read more
ACURA
MDX TYPE S
(2022) - SERVICE BRAKES
Nov 20, 2023
Incident date: Oct 17, 2023
The ABS and HCU are bad in my vehicle. It appears to be a widespread issue with this year model. A recall should be issued by the manufacturer to correct this safety issue. I recently collided with a barrier wall because my ABS system was not functional.
Crash
Incident date: Nov 20, 2023
My 16 year old son was at a church function until after dark because daylight savings time means it is dark earlier. When he began to drive home he could not see the roadway because the low beam headlights provided close to zero illumination. He lost visibility and drove off the road into someone’s yard. There were children outside and they could have been killed. Only minor damage to the grass ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 6, 2023
I purchased the car and took delivery on 12/29/2022 where immediately I noticed while driving the car home that there was a high pitch creaking sound from what I think is the front drive unit of the car. I have brought back the car to the service dealer over 8 times to rectify the concern of the noise. There were many service technicians that heard the sound while I test drove before the car went... Read more
Incident date: Nov 19, 2023
I bought car being financed in sac,ca. August 8, 2023. Took back referred to mechanic round corner. Brake rotor issues fixed front this was August 14 noise still exist took back turned back rotors scraping noise pulling to left took to other automotive repairs ,inspections shocks original 2010 208,000 miles , brakes rotors scratches need replacing , pads, sway bar crack or been welded, sway bar li... Read more
Incident date: Nov 19, 2023
Our car seat is nearly brand new (first used at the end of Sept 2023 upon birth of our daughter) upon placing the car seat in the base, we noticed it wasn’t making the clicking sound indicating a secure lock to base. Upon further investigation it appears the pieces that lock the car seat in place are jammed and not operating properly. If we had gotten in a car accident the car seat would not hav... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2021
2007 Hyundai Veracruz AWD Limited died while young female driving in dark, winter, remote location. Towed to nearby reputable repair center. Front Valve Cover gasket & rebuilt (no new available for this old of veracrus) alternator installed and owner notified of up and coming recall not yet formalized: NHTSA # 20V705000 RECALL #197. Paperwork submitted to Hyundai along with extensive proof of wo... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
Car has an heavy gas smell like when the car is started ,has to crank up and car shakes when it’s started steering is off and etc.
Crash
Incident date: Nov 18, 2023
I m having issue with te code po52e its annoying i fixed and still the same issue
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
Another owner of a 2020 Forest River Georgetown GT5 model 34H5 just posted a pic of a crack at the 90-degree bend in the rear propane tank mounting bracket. This is an ASME tank that can contain 19.5 actual gallons of propane. Previous ASME propane tank mounting bracket cracks reported by owners of Georgetowns were all on the front propane tank mounting bracket and were broken welds that allowed o... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2023
Engine coolant is usually water–based, and may also be oil. A three–valve–per–cylinder was originally slated for the LS7, and was abandoned imputable to design complexities. E85 ethanol should is an understatement to the ‘war on fossil fuels.’ The L98 is a modified version of the L76, with increased power and reduced redundant hardware. A Vee engine is common configurations of in... Read more
2 injured
2 deaths
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact heard a chime and the “Steering Maintenance" warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving and exited the highway and stopped at an auto parts store where the contact was advised that the power steering was electrically assisted and was referred to a dealer. The contact was able to... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Randomly while driving the steering feel stiff and sticky. After making a turn, sometimes the car will stay stuck in the turn and the steering won’t naturally straighten itself out. When turning the steering wheel, it feels “notchy”. The dealership said because I had a curb mark on my wheel that this was the cause and I needed to pay $3000 for a new rack and pinion. The wheel scraping a curb... Read more
Incident date: Nov 14, 2023
I was on an exit ramp from one freeway to another. The Honda Collision Management Warning System activated with 2 warning indicators and alerts then immediately activated the brakes hard skidding the tires. After 2-3 seconds it released the brakes. There were no vehicles in front or to the side of me. A vehicle behind braked to avoid me. The weather was clear with good visibility. The sun was to t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he attempted to turn the steering wheel; however, the steering wheel was locked. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a fee would be charged for a diagnostic test and repair because the failure was no... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts n... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 28 MPH, the vehicle became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approx... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2023
The power steering failed and the car was not drive-able. The warning light for no lane assist available also turned on. The vehicle was in-operable and left us stranded. This would have been a much bigger issue in the winter time, or if I was not at my home. I contacted Land Rover, who had me call LandRover road side to have the car towed to the dealership, since this occurred on a Sunday. Th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
my 2016 kia optima start at 60000 miles was using about a qt.ever 800-1000 miles under the 10yr. 100000 warranty they replaced the motor with about 80000 miles on it now with new motor now with about 80000 miles on 2nd.motor it doing the something they did all text now at 1000 miles I'm using about 3qt. after all the tests they say nothing they can do.was told after test was done if all checked o... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2014
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine failure was intermittent but had recurred at various speeds. Additionally, the co... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
This car has a standard transmission and a hydraulic clutch. The synchronizer for low gear lets it pop back out of gear. This is extremely dangerous if you are pulling out into a busy lane of traffic. It throws the shift lever back out of gear with a lot of force. I have had the hydraulics bled but plan to take it to a dealer soon. There are others listed on YouTube as having the same problem.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
I bought my car brand new off the lot 0 miles on it. Recieved a letter in mail Dec. 7th 2021 bout the pistons not being treated properly. And the software being available. I've been putting anywhere from 1 quart to 1.5 quart of oil in weekly. There's no leaks no smoke not sure where oil is going. It stalls when stopped or idling. When in park will stall. After I get gas it won't start I have to ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
Rear window shattered while parked in garage with no impact
Incident date: Nov 9, 2023
The headlight reflector has been burned by the halogen lamp. After doing some research it’s a very common problem. Replacing the halogen bulb does nothing as the reflector does not work. Honda/ Acura is denying any responsibility. The car has ZERO visibility at night. The light power is equivalent to a candle light
Incident date: Sep 29, 2023
The engine has been reported as failed. It is available for inspection. The safety of the persons in the vehicle and on the road around us were at risk, specifically with the loss of acceleration and power while driving in traffic and merging. Vehicle became unsafe for use for our family to use so we towed it to be evaluated at odometer reading of 97,181. What happened: Vehicle suddenly starte... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2023
Electric power steering ,loses power ,on board computer lost memory ,clock went 0,active fuel management mileage recorder to 0,M/L smog number to no ready
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
When I'm stopped at a light and go to push on the gas, the vehicle doesn't move, then all of a sudden it just takes off. Next the exterior driver side door handle doesn't open I have to pull on it a few times then it opens, there's like a delay. There are tones of complaints online about this, it's like the 2017 model's were just looked over when it came to SAFETY. My car only has 70K. Thank you... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2022
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered after coming from a complete stop. Additionally, the vehicle jerked while accelerating. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the clutch assembly had previously been replaced five times; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the d... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle shut off inadvertently. The contact stated that while in the process of veering to the side of the road, the vehicle restarted independently. The contact continued driving; however, the Lane Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Braking assist, Driving Assist, ESC system, TPMS warning lights, and other ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2023
Rear windshield shattered on its own while driving. No other cars around and no projectiles found in the vehicle. Glass is shattered with large hole (baseball size) in top left, similar photos seen online of other HRVs with similar windshield damage. Hole continues to enlarge while driving home, now half of the back windshield collapsed into the vehicle. Honda dealership was called today in PHX, A... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the message "Service Transmission Now - Unable to Shift Soon" was displayed. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
Incident date: Nov 4, 2023
Headlight flickering and turns off and on randomly.
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
Cowl trim on front windshield is detaching from the windshield and flapping while vehicle in operation. Concerned this will fly off the vehicle snd possibly land on another traveling vehicle and possibly cause an accident. This just started making a buzzing noise approximately two weeks ago and after further investigation the trim is literally coming off the windshield in pieces. No warning lig... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
Cowl trim on front windshield is detaching from the windshield and flapping while vehicle in operation. Concerned this will fly off the vehicle snd possibly land on another traveling vehicle and possibly cause an accident. This just started making a buzzing noise approximately two weeks ago and after further investigation the trim is literally coming off the windshield in pieces. No warning lig... Read more