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: Sep 11, 2023
Car has the same 6f35 transmission issues as previous years and nothing is being done about it my car has 63k on it with a dead transmission because of the flexplate issue from previous years
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
Stock OEM right rear spring on 2021 BMW M2 Competition F87 had snapped in two back in August 2023. Vehicle only has about $10,000 miles. Online forums also had online users with the same problem where OEM rear springs snapping on either side. Users also stated that vehicles were parked and springs suddenly snapped. The OEM coil springs should be looked into as this poses danger and safety for the ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2023
The bolts were loose on the driveshaft on the all-wheel-drive, which caused them to have to replace the entire driveshaft! If the driveshaft would’ve broke, whoever was driving the vehicle, whether it be me, or with my son in it, we would’ve wrecked and possibly died! The problem has been confirmed with a certified dealer! There is no warning signals. There was nothing and there is a recall on... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2023
The bolts were loose on the driveshaft on the all-wheel-drive, which caused them to have to replace the entire driveshaft! If the driveshaft would’ve broke, whoever was driving the vehicle, whether it be me, or with my son in it, we would’ve wrecked and possibly died! The problem has been confirmed with a certified dealer! There is no warning signals. There was nothing and there is a recall on... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2023
I was driving slow to a 4 way st and slowly had a car pass across me so far away and it passed and all of a sudden emergency break and slam on break by itself causing the passenger in my car to hurt them self ... I was unable to control this accident so bad!!!!
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 6, 2023
I was driving slow to a 4 way st and slowly had a car pass across me so far away and it passed and all of a sudden emergency break and slam on break by itself causing the passenger in my car to hurt them self ... I was unable to control this accident so bad!!!!
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 1, 2020
On October 18, 2023, at about 11 am, I was approaching to enter our driveway with my foot on the brake system when all of the sudden the car sped up at a very high speed that I was unable to control. The speed was so forceful that the car crashed unto the house resulting in a lot of damage to our house, all this happened in less than one second. I had a next door neighbor in the car with me and ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 2, 2023
High Voltage battery failed twice. At highway speeds and during failure vehicle resorts to turtle mode.
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
abs / traction contol light keeps coming on. dealer not able to replace part because of so many trucks having this same problem that the new ABS hydraulic control unit (HCU) will not be available until sometime in 2024 and will be up to all customers to replace at customer cost. should be a recall done becuase there is an over 50% fail rate on these units. 2017-2018 ram 2500 trucks
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
I plug in my phone and the infotainment system goes black. It also happens when my phone isn’t plugged in I don’t know what’s going on but it happens when I’m driving
Incident date: Oct 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, there was smoke coming from the A/C vents and from the defroster. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and parked the vehicle. The contact stated that the smoke persisted; however, there was no flame. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed,... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Keystone Cougar RV. The contact stated that the side panels of the camper were detaching at the corners. The contact stated that her husband inspected the chassis of the camper and noticed that the chassis was severely corroded and fractured. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The RV was not diagnosed or repaired. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
Honda Civic 2014 - The right CV axle (drive shaft) was corroded and detached causing the vehicle to become immovable while in traffic. Fortunately, we were near a stop light and traffic was going slow and able to go around the vehicle without causing a crash. The vehicle had to be towed. This same issue is already a recall for the Honda Accord 2013-2015. We had this same thing happen to our 2013 H... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing rough starts with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that there was coolant inside the engine cylinders and that the engine needed to be replaced. The eng... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 no... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2023
The headrest worked when I got the car and the headrest stopped working it won’t stay open it went down to fold into the floor and it won’t lock in position so the seat is unusable because the headrest is locked/ broken in the down position that has it hit right at the middle of neck for some that 5’2 and it would mostly break someone’s neck if an accident occurred
Incident date: Oct 29, 2023
When wipers are in auto mode they do not start until well after visibility is at a dangerous level.
Incident date: Oct 30, 2023
I own a 2019 Subaru Forester. Approximately 5 months ago, I experienced a failure in the auto start-stop feature. My car intermittently shuts down when stopped at traffic lights or in the middle of an intersection. Subaru conducted a diagnostic assessment to address the issue, but they couldn't identify any problems. This has happened about six times within the last five months. They claim to have... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
My Honda 2017 CRV, EX AWD Touring was serviced for oil change, transmission fluid change and complementary 20-point check on August 8, 2023 by Honda Dealer. Unintended sudden acceleration caused accident at a speed of less than 5 miles while parking the car in empty library parking lot Oct 22, 2023 collision summary: As I was parking the car I turned into an empty parking spot with a speed of ab... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
Lightly leaned on door when it was shutting, making it so it wouldn't shut all the way, soft close system engaged jamming the door and making it impossible without destroying the door/motor to open even with the emergency release latch in the map compartment of my vehicle (driver side under the electronic release button) the door eventually threw up an error letting me know the door was malfunctio... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
At speeds around and above 60 MPH, my 2023 CRV's steering becomes "hesitant and jerky". This is most noticeable when driving on the highway. As highway roads are generally not curvy, I make normal small adjustments while driving to stay centered in my line. Almost continuously, however, when I attempt to make these steering inputs and adjustments, my steering wheel feels "stuck in place" for a up ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
My low beam headlights very low ,so low seems like they aren't on,have to drive with high beams on, there was a recall in 2022, that I wasn't made aware of also the control arm front driver and passenger side is cracked and my car has never been wrecked. Brought it brand new off the Nissan dealership lot. Had issues from the start with the interior they call themselves fixing ( but did not).
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
Drivers side front brake makes grinding noise, Ford dealer mechanic states I do not drive it enough. The brake noise is most apparent at low speed. Second problem. Using remote entry at night does not turn on interior lights, nor opening the door. But after using the truck and turning off the ignition the interior light is on.
Incident date: Oct 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and would not properly accelerate. Additionally, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust system with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that cylinder #3 was faulty, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The ... Read more
ACURA
MDX TYPE S
(2022) - POWER TRAIN
Oct 25, 2023
Incident date: Oct 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate and was hesitating and jerking while changing gear. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who determined that the transmission was faulty. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who confirmed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
Entire electrical system went out while driving causing check engine light to come on after the failure of system; there was no dashboard working at all when the system went out; without the dashboard out it was not certain if the vehicle was safe to drive anymore; the dealer has not been able to reproduce the problem; the vehicle has been with the dealer repair system for several weeks and have n... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the steering wheel was not functioning properly and had become extremely loose. The contact briefly lost control of the vehicle, nearly causing a crash. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the retaining bolt was loose and... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
"Stickey" steering. Produces momentary increases in steering effort while driving the vehicle. Happens at different speeds, especially on highways after driving for a certain amount of time. My vehicle currently has aprox. 12,000. This issue was noticed after 10K
Incident date: Oct 24, 2023
My wife was in an accident. She was doing 35 mph and hit a Honda Accord. The airbags in the Honda deployed, but the air bags in our Hyundai did not deploy.
Crash
Incident date: Oct 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted. The contact stated that the sensors were inoperable. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failed lead frame harness. The contact was informed ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
Vehicle has a 1.5L dragon 3 cylinder. When passing vehicles, on 3 occasions it throws codes that says that the engine has an engine overheated issue, service asap, and goes into a limp mode which does not give you any time to get to safety before your speed is dropped below 55 mph. It will not go out of limp mode until you completely shut off the vehicle and wait 5 or so minutes and turn it back ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
Our Car lost power and engine failed to start in the middle of traffic today. [XXX] This article shows what is happening to our vehicle and I’m making the complaint today. This needs to be recalled! Very dangerous! My wife was driving and is 6 months pregnant with twins and thank god we were not on the highway and I was with her. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2021
My rear windshield just shattered on its own
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
Wireless ignition module fails and will stall out the engine. This can happen at speed or stopped. Wireless ignition module will intermittently fail and cause a loss of power at speed causing no power steering or power brakes
Incident date: Oct 21, 2023
FIRST MY ENGINE WENT OUT; REPLACE WITH USED ENGINE $5,000. ONE CV JOINT WENT OUT; REPLACED $1400. DIFFERENTIAL BUSHING WENT OUT; AUTO SHOP SAID HE CAN'T FIND BUSHING; HAS TO REPLACE WHOLE DIFFERENTIAL $3,800. I'M SURE I'LL HAVE TO REPLACE THE OTHER CV JOINTS SOON. THIS CAR HAS 128,000 MILES ON IT. HOW DOES AN ENGINE AND TURBO GETS RUINED? THAT DAMN CAR WAS $21,000. NOW THE REPAIRS ARE ALMOST AS ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
I was driving down the road and spun out of control because my rack and pinion steering inner and outer tie rod snapped in half, because of rust from salt water and corrosion on the metal, resulting in my loss of control and front passenger wheel turned 90 degrees inward and nearly ripped the front tire off and under the car, brought the car home and inspected it tthoroughly, and saw the immediat... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2023
Our 3rd car (used by our daughter) has started to smell like mold. I then noticed the back seat behind the driver side was wet. All windows were up and fully closed - never left open. I soaked up the water. Days later the water returned. I did some research online and found this is a recurring issues were weld joints breakdown and then leak. In that same forum the post referenced water built up wh... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Can-Am RD Spyder. The contact stated that while his son was driving at approximately 35–40, the vehicle caught fire from the front of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries. There was no police report filed. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The contact called the local dealer, who informed... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Sep 27, 2023
My driver side and passenger side mirrors are wobbling and vibrating.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
I most recently started noticing that my oil changes were not lasting at around 46,174 miles. I found this to unusual in a car with low mileage. I had to result to buying oil from a local store. The light indicator started coming on when ever I apply the brakes. When I checked my oil, it was completely dry. So I started monitoring the oil intake, even after I had oil changes at the dealership in w... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
I most recently started noticing that my oil changes were not lasting at around 46,174 miles. I found this to unusual in a car with low mileage. I had to result to buying oil from a local store. The light indicator started coming on when ever I apply the brakes. When I checked my oil, it was completely dry. So I started monitoring the oil intake, even after I had oil changes at the dealership in w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2023
While driving my 2018 Chevy Colorado with 42000 miles I noticed my vehicles steering would get stuck while making turns on the highway and local streets. The problem was intermittent and was getting worse. I didn't receive any warning lights or codes for this problem but realized I had to bring it to a Chevy dealer to try to resolve the issue because I was afraid to drive it any longer due to st... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2022
My car was diagnosed with positive crankcase ventilation regulator valve performance failure. This should be recalled by the manufacturer because many c300 are having this very same issue.
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
June of 2021 I received an oil consumption recall notice, immediately brought the vehicle into Flagler Chrysler Dodge. Mileage, 20,400. They told me to bring it back in 1000-2000 miles which I did at 22,001 miles, they said it was fine and closed the recall. Shortly thereafter as I was driving my vehicle it would hesitate and by the time I could get it to the dealership within 2 days, I work 2 job... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
Car has just over 5000 miles and making minor steering adjustments suddenly requires more force than it should. The amount of force needed to "unstick" the wheel results in constant corrections and potential over-corrections due to the sticking anytime the wheel is not in motion. Issue is most noticeable at highway speeds but even with the car stopped, the wheel has a notchy feel instead of the ex... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2023
Variable timing Valve Malfunction , causing metal shaving to get in to the engine Causing a engine failure
Incident date: Oct 20, 2023
Hi My wife arrived home from work and put the truck in park. A message came up on the instrument panel saying shift to park and would not let her shut the vehicle off. I went out could not figure out what was going on because the truck was clearly in park. After moving the gear shift around the message went away and I was able to shut off the truck. A couple of days later when she got to work, it ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2023
Left front lower control arm broke when parking.
Incident date: Jan 4, 2023
Vehicle refuses to turn off due to "Shift to Park" error being displayed. Vehicle also gives "Driver assist unabled. Drive safely" message and AC will not cool and vehicle coolant gauges will not work.
Incident date: Oct 19, 2023
The low engine oil pressure light came on and within seconds the entire car lost acceleration. This car only has 54,000 miles on it and has always had regular maintenance. Ford made a lemon engine and is refusing to fix it.