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: Oct 4, 2022
The low beam headlights are not bright enough to see under normal night driving need to use high beams which is not safe
Incident date: Dec 2, 2022
Driving my 2011 Acura TL on I95 South in NC from VA to SC at about 2p on 12/2/22, It is a clear sunny day. It is 62 degrees out, there were no vehicles around and no debris flying or dropping and no overpasses or anything around. Heard a loud explosion. Sounded like a shovel with a ton of rocks being dropped on the roof. Opened the slider for moonroof (which is a original manufactured item) and re... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2022
Driving my 2011 Acura TL on I95 South in NC from VA to SC at about 2p on 12/2/22, It is a clear sunny day. It is 62 degrees out, there were no vehicles around and no debris flying or dropping and no overpasses or anything around. Heard a loud explosion. Sounded like a shovel with a ton of rocks being dropped on the roof. Opened the slider for moonroof (which is a original manufactured item) and re... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2022
I was driving down the freeway, heard a large boom & my sunroof shattered. There was no impact. Nothing thrown. It did this on its own.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2000
Headlights are too dim to drive safely at night.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Forward Looking Camera failed at 62k miles, it won't communicate with the computer according to dealership diagnosis on 11-18-2022. Replacement cameras are on backorder, with no availability date. Vehicle is available for inspection. The issue directly affects Forward Collision, Lane Departure and Cruise Control. It no longer warns me if approaching something too quickly. It no longer tells m... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Forward Looking Camera failed at 62k miles, it won't communicate with the computer according to dealership diagnosis on 11-18-2022. Replacement cameras are on backorder, with no availability date. Vehicle is available for inspection. The issue directly affects Forward Collision, Lane Departure and Cruise Control. It no longer warns me if approaching something too quickly. It no longer tells m... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Forward Looking Camera failed at 62k miles, it won't communicate with the computer according to dealership diagnosis on 11-18-2022. Replacement cameras are on backorder, with no availability date. Vehicle is available for inspection. The issue directly affects Forward Collision, Lane Departure and Cruise Control. It no longer warns me if approaching something too quickly. It no longer tells m... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2021
Stopped at a red light, I was waiting for the opportunity to make a right turn. When the right lane was free of traffic I began to turn into that lane, but an approaching car made a lane change as it neared the intersection, and I let my foot off the accelerator for a split second before I realized I was too far into the lane. I tried to accelerate quickly to avoid getting rear-ended, but my Acura... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2022
The headlights have gradually become so dim you can’t even see at night time. It is extremely dangerous.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
Hearing a knocking noise when driving at slow speed over a bumpy road. Having it checked soon but read several complaints on this same issue. Owners have repaired vehicle but still have same issues. Is there going to be a recall soon?
Incident date: Nov 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that she had parked her vehicle and went inside a store as her children waited inside the vehicle. Her son then texted her from inside the vehicle that the alarm had gone off. Soon after the alarm went off, her daughter noticed that both white and black colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle. Her children exited the vehicle as the front en... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Nov 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that she had parked her vehicle and went inside a store as her children waited inside the vehicle. Her son then texted her from inside the vehicle that the alarm had gone off. Soon after the alarm went off, her daughter noticed that both white and black colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle. Her children exited the vehicle as the front en... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 30, 2022
I have a 2021 RDX. Was on the interstate moving at about 70 MPH coming back from Missouri. Raining. Lots of semis creating huge following misty, hard to see rain. Decided to accelerate to pass a couple. Car nearly stalled and acted like it had lost a cylinder's worth of power. Turned on hazards, slowed, pulled over and lifted the hood hearing all kinds of unusual noises. Shut the car off and resta... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2022
I have a 2021 RDX. Was on the interstate moving at about 70 MPH coming back from Missouri. Raining. Lots of semis creating huge following misty, hard to see rain. Decided to accelerate to pass a couple. Car nearly stalled and acted like it had lost a cylinder's worth of power. Turned on hazards, slowed, pulled over and lifted the hood hearing all kinds of unusual noises. Shut the car off and resta... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2022
I have a 2021 RDX. Was on the interstate moving at about 70 MPH coming back from Missouri. Raining. Lots of semis creating huge following misty, hard to see rain. Decided to accelerate to pass a couple. Car nearly stalled and acted like it had lost a cylinder's worth of power. Turned on hazards, slowed, pulled over and lifted the hood hearing all kinds of unusual noises. Shut the car off and resta... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2022
The car does not restart after it has turned off during an idle stop. This is part of the start/stop system. The stop/start feature will leave you stranded at stoplights due to a failure to restart the car. To restart, you must put the car in Park mode and hit the start/stop button at least twice to turn it off, then turn on the car. This causes some panic when you get into the situation, as it is... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds at night, the low beam headlights were significantly dim, affecting the visibility of the roadway and the side of the roadway. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed but no issues were found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mile... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2022
Low beam lights lost their brightness, lenses have been polished even though that wasn’t the reason the lights are dim. Dealer looked at the problem and offered to replace the head light assembly for $2,000 plus. It’s very difficult to see the road ahead at night.
Incident date: Jun 10, 2022
uneven tire wear, cupping/feathering, diagnosed by dealer in June 2022, tires rotated to reduce noise, did not help, thumping getting worse, tire size p 235 / 55 R 19, uneven wear makes it dangerous to drive affecting both me and my passengers, no warning lights just noticeable road noise
Incident date: Oct 21, 2022
Transmission shifted to neutral limiting controllable forward movement. This occurred without any warning while in traffic. This created a VERY HIGH SAFETY RISK. This issue occurred three times creating a need to have it towed into a repair dealer, diagnostics, and resetting of the electrical circuit. The diagnosis code was P0973.
Incident date: Oct 21, 2022
Transmission shifted to neutral limiting controllable forward movement. This occurred without any warning while in traffic. This created a VERY HIGH SAFETY RISK. This issue occurred three times creating a need to have it towed into a repair dealer, diagnostics, and resetting of the electrical circuit. The diagnosis code was P0973.
Incident date: Oct 21, 2022
Transmission shifted to neutral limiting controllable forward movement. This occurred without any warning while in traffic. This created a VERY HIGH SAFETY RISK. This issue occurred three times creating a need to have it towed into a repair dealer, diagnostics, and resetting of the electrical circuit. The diagnosis code was P0973.
Incident date: Nov 16, 2022
Headlights (low beam) have become dim, unsafe, difficult to see when driving, reflector is defective.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2022
The headlight bulb was recently replaced and the driver side headlight it still dim. My mechanic thinks there is an issue with the lense in front of the bulb. I see online that some 2015 Acuras have been recalled for headlight issues. This recall needs to be expanded.
Incident date: Nov 14, 2022
Low beam headlights unacceptably dim/dangerous. Despite a significant amount of discussions about this issue on the internet, I spoke with service department McGrath Acura in Morton Grove Illinois and they denied being aware of the issue. Have just ordered aftermarket replacement headlight assemblies for approximately $710.
Incident date: Nov 8, 2022
On Tuesday, November 8, 2022 I had my 20 month year old grandson in a rear facing car seat and he wrapped the middle seat seat belt around is neck and was choking and coughing. I was on my way to pick up my other grandson at school about 4 miles from my home and when I arrived at the school I opened the back door on the driver side where he was sitting and to my surprise and fear he had the seatb... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
While in traffic the auto start sometimes fails to engage and the car stalls. Battery lights come on and the car goes into neutral on its own. I have to sit there and wait about 5 minutes in traffic before it restarts. Battery checked out fine. It has happened 3 times now. This is dangerous, and can/will cause a collision.
Incident date: Nov 11, 2022
The headlights are extremely dim resulting in poor visibility while driving at night.
Incident date: Nov 12, 2022
When the brake is suppressed at a Stop sign or stop light, the vehicle has an Auto Idle stop feature which shuts off the engine completely to preserve fuel. The vehicle is supposed to restart once the brake is released. In my case, there have been multiple times when the brake is released but fails to restart and go. I have encountered the issue in the following scenarios: 1. Getting off the free... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
First on off glitching when ever accessory mode is used WHILE IN MOTION, FIRST BRAKELIGHT HAD WARNING THEN WARNING ABOUT TRAILER STABILITY ASSIST. WHEN I WENT IN REVERSE, THE WHOLE DASHBOARD INCLUDING THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WENT BLACK AND THE CAR FELT LIKE THE ENGINE STOPPED. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. I DON'T THINK THE ENGINE ACTUALLY STOPPED THOUGH BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR. THE B... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
First on off glitching when ever accessory mode is used WHILE IN MOTION, FIRST BRAKELIGHT HAD WARNING THEN WARNING ABOUT TRAILER STABILITY ASSIST. WHEN I WENT IN REVERSE, THE WHOLE DASHBOARD INCLUDING THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WENT BLACK AND THE CAR FELT LIKE THE ENGINE STOPPED. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. I DON'T THINK THE ENGINE ACTUALLY STOPPED THOUGH BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR. THE B... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
First on off glitching when ever accessory mode is used WHILE IN MOTION, FIRST BRAKELIGHT HAD WARNING THEN WARNING ABOUT TRAILER STABILITY ASSIST. WHEN I WENT IN REVERSE, THE WHOLE DASHBOARD INCLUDING THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WENT BLACK AND THE CAR FELT LIKE THE ENGINE STOPPED. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. I DON'T THINK THE ENGINE ACTUALLY STOPPED THOUGH BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR. THE B... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while his son was driving 55 MPH, the power steering and the brakes failed with the ABS and power steering warning lights illuminated. The contact's son managed to coast the vehicle onto the shoulder as the power steering and the brake functionality returned. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it remained for sever... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while his son was driving 55 MPH, the power steering and the brakes failed with the ABS and power steering warning lights illuminated. The contact's son managed to coast the vehicle onto the shoulder as the power steering and the brake functionality returned. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it remained for sever... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while his son was driving 55 MPH, the power steering and the brakes failed with the ABS and power steering warning lights illuminated. The contact's son managed to coast the vehicle onto the shoulder as the power steering and the brake functionality returned. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it remained for sever... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
Headlights remain dim even with new bulbs and cleaning the lens covers. They are so dim, it is a safety issue.
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
Headlights remain dim even with new bulbs and cleaning the lens covers. They are so dim, it is a safety issue.
Incident date: Aug 18, 2022
The factory original windshield wipers caused micro scratches in the glass. Dirt cannot be thoroughly cleaned from the scratches and collects more dirt during driving. When facing the sun, dirt particles in the scratches reflect in the scratches obstructing clear vision. Changing windshield wipers after just two years of use from new did not correct the problem. This particular vehicle is garaged.
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
-Alerts for all safety systems going offline appeared. Also said AWD is not working. Car would turn off with on push of ignition. -tailgate went haywire. When opening it just went up and down and halfway. Had to push it close Both issues went away, for now, after several restarts
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
-Alerts for all safety systems going offline appeared. Also said AWD is not working. Car would turn off with on push of ignition. -tailgate went haywire. When opening it just went up and down and halfway. Had to push it close Both issues went away, for now, after several restarts
Incident date: Nov 9, 2022
-Alerts for all safety systems going offline appeared. Also said AWD is not working. Car would turn off with on push of ignition. -tailgate went haywire. When opening it just went up and down and halfway. Had to push it close Both issues went away, for now, after several restarts
Incident date: Nov 8, 2022
UNKNOWN VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN ON
Incident date: Nov 8, 2022
UNKNOWN VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN ON
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The defect with stalling after auto start continues even after Acura applied a software update. They refuse to complete second part of recall including starter replacement and valve adjustment as indicated on their attached letter. THIS NEGLIGENCE IS A HIGH RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO MY FAMILY AND I.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2022
I changed the oil in my car with synthetic 4k miles ago. About 1k miles ago I started getting an error that said low oil level. I went back into the lube shop to see what was going on, they said there was no leakage or issues there but there was hardly any oil in my car and that it was probably burning oil. I searched for issues with my 2013 MDX burning oil and an issue in 2019 with clogged oil co... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The low beam headlights are very dim. Researching on the internet this is a known issue with this model from 2013-2015, but there is no recall for this obvious safety issue. My dealer states they cannot do anything about it without recall, and it is very expensive to replace the entire headlight assembly. Apparently the low beam reflector oxidizes over time. I am afraid to drive this vehicle at ni... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2022
I’ve been having a problem with my 2014 Acura RDX for dim low-beam headlights for some time now. I took my Acura to my dealership approximately 5-6 months ago, for regular service and reported the problem of the dim low-beam headlights, which at the time also seemed uncentered. At that time, the dealership said there was no problem found with the headlights. No warning alerts from the dashbo... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2022
I’ve been having a problem with my 2014 Acura RDX for dim low-beam headlights for some time now. I took my Acura to my dealership approximately 5-6 months ago, for regular service and reported the problem of the dim low-beam headlights, which at the time also seemed uncentered. At that time, the dealership said there was no problem found with the headlights. No warning alerts from the dashbo... Read more