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 24, 2022
During Idle stop at red light car stops and goes into neutral and engine stalls. 2019 MDX won't move unless completely restart the car in the middle of busy intersection. High risk for accident and injury. There is few recall mention in Acura site for 2019 MDX, but when input vin number its claims no recall to this vehicle . Need urgent help.
Incident date: Oct 24, 2022
During Idle stop at red light car stops and goes into neutral and engine stalls. 2019 MDX won't move unless completely restart the car in the middle of busy intersection. High risk for accident and injury. There is few recall mention in Acura site for 2019 MDX, but when input vin number its claims no recall to this vehicle . Need urgent help.
Incident date: Oct 24, 2022
During Idle stop at red light car stops and goes into neutral and engine stalls. 2019 MDX won't move unless completely restart the car in the middle of busy intersection. High risk for accident and injury. There is few recall mention in Acura site for 2019 MDX, but when input vin number its claims no recall to this vehicle . Need urgent help.
Incident date: Nov 4, 2022
When stopped at a light or in traffic the vehicle engages the auto idle feature. (turns off the engine to save gas). Upon releasing the brake, the car should re-start, instead the car does not start. The car jumps out of the drive gear into neutral on the transmission. The electrical system goes crazy and does not allow you to either turn off the car's electrical system or re-restart the car us... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2022
I had the transmission system failure error came on the dash and the car wouldn’t drive to D or reverse then blind spot and adaptive cruise control error propped up
Incident date: Jun 30, 2022
I had the transmission system failure error came on the dash and the car wouldn’t drive to D or reverse then blind spot and adaptive cruise control error propped up
Incident date: Jun 30, 2022
I had the transmission system failure error came on the dash and the car wouldn’t drive to D or reverse then blind spot and adaptive cruise control error propped up
Incident date: Oct 28, 2022
My wife and i have noticed the low beams on my RDX are extremely low, they barely light up the road. we are concerned this could be a safety hazard. i took the car to the dealership today and they confirmed "the bulbs do not project light properly. Headlight assemblies will need to be replaced" They charged me $74.50 to tell me this, and quoted me $2500 to replace the headlight assemblies. i hav... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2022
The rear (trunk) window of my 2019 Acura SUV shattered upon entrance into the vehicle after I closed my driver side door. The vehicle was parked at my place of employment and when I approached the vehicle, the vehicle looked fine, and window was intact. In addition, there prior to the incident, there is no visible crack on the window or indication of attempted theft. There were no lights warning i... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
The headlights on our Acura have grown dangerously dim. The process happened gradually over the last few years. It is nearly impossible to see at night unless the high beams are on. The dealer advised that this is a problem for our model, but that no factory recall has been initiated by Acura. We have replaced the headlights, which did not help much at all and are now in the process of replac... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
The car dashboard is severely cracking. More specifically, there is an area on the right passenger side that has cracked outlining where the airbag is located. It is feared that due to this cracking the airbag may falsely break free at any time.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
Both headlights are very dim making it unsafe to drive at night. I replaced the bulbs twice, but they are still too dim. Need to replace both assemblies.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2018
After purchasing the car in 2018 I noticed the low beam headlights were dimmer than other vehicles I've owned but gradually, they have gotten much, much worse. I have to drive with high beams on at night or I can barely see the road in front of me. Without the high beams engaged, visibility is limited to maybe 5-10 feet in front of the vehicle with virtually no visibility to the sides of the road.... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2017
Consistently getting low oil notification shortly after getting oil changes. This has been happening since 2017. Dealer does a oil consumption test and says it is not a problem. However I cannot go between oil changes without getting the notification. I have no oil leaks. Furthermore, I have had 'oil' services done over the past 5 years that never fix the problem. I'm afraid this is doing da... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2022
The low beam headlights are so dim that night time driving is dangerous. The car has approximately 150K miles on it. I have tried changing bulbs thinking they were just getting old and it did not improve visibility. I have seen other complaints about this for the RDX 2013, '14, & '15 online so it is definitely a known issue. Acura needs to recall these vehicles and replace the headlight assemb... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2022
It is having oil consumption issues .
Incident date: Oct 6, 2022
The car was bought in November, 2018, and is still under warranty. In the morning of October 3, 2022, The car would not start. The voltage of the battery was measured to be about 11.5 V. A new battery was bought and put in by myself on October 4, 2022, since I did not realize that the battery was still under warranty. Everything looked normal on October 5, 2022. But in the morning of October 6, 20... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The low beams are nearly impossible to see with while driving at night. Have heard countless other people complaining of same issue.
Incident date: Jul 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle was jerking upon acceleration and deceleration. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the transmission control module (TCM) software was updated, and the transmission fluid was flushed; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to a local ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2022
Had just picked up my car from being repaired from an accident and was just driving along and I turned the seat heater on and I started seeing smoke coming from under me and was getting hot so I pulled over and found my seat was on fire ,I was 9 months pregnant at the time and feared for me and my soon to be child's life. I called the fire department where they put the fire out for me.I had it the... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 15, 2022
I was driving at low speed on a local street and the moon roof shattered suddenly with great explosive force. I wasn't injured because the carpeted moon roof shade was closed at the time. I was lucky because the kids were not in the vehicle. If the glass had rained down on the kids in the back seat, there would be injuries. There were no warning signs. Weather was nice partially sunny day a... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2021
Inner taillight on passenger side of vehicle not working. According to an independent service center, there is a faulty seal and water/moisture in inner taillight housing.
Incident date: Oct 5, 2022
The car accelerated rapidly when I came to a stop. When I brought it to, the dealership they found 3 problems with the transmission. First, the transmission had overheated, there were problems in the clutch assembly, and I don't know the third.
Crash
Incident date: Oct 7, 2022
2021 Acura Rdx Sh-awd purchased brand new. Rear brakes squeak very bad. Have taken car back to the dealer and contacted Acura several times, but still have yet to receive any resolve/resolution. Brakes started squeaking very loud when car was moving @ low speeds. & when vehicle was coming to a stop. Brakes started squeaking when the car was only a few weeks old and continue to presently sque... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact was unable to shift into park (P) or into neutral (N) as the gear shifter became stuck into drive (D) position. The contact stated as he turned off and restarted the vehicle several times, the gear shifter responded as needed. Several unknown warning lights we... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact was unable to shift into park (P) or into neutral (N) as the gear shifter became stuck into drive (D) position. The contact stated as he turned off and restarted the vehicle several times, the gear shifter responded as needed. Several unknown warning lights we... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2017
Purchased vehicle around 9/2017 and noted low headlights were not bright. I used high beam more than with other vehicles I have driven. I requested the Acura Service Dept to look at them and they changed the bulbs out. This did not help. I was still using my high beams. I requested again for them to look at the lights and Acura told me I would have to replace. I have been driving with high bea... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2022
As I was driving on 278 headed south traveling at approximately 65mph, the radio shut off as well as the car. There was a warning light that said "Check emission" The ABS light would come on as well I had to try to get the car into the far right lane and restarted the car. I was able to restart the car and made it home with the car periodically completely shutting off. As I was driving the radio ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2022
As I was driving on 278 headed south traveling at approximately 65mph, the radio shut off as well as the car. There was a warning light that said "Check emission" The ABS light would come on as well I had to try to get the car into the far right lane and restarted the car. I was able to restart the car and made it home with the car periodically completely shutting off. As I was driving the radio ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2022
There is a known issue of Certain Acura MDX models having a "judder" (i.e. bouncing rev counter) at certain speeds. This causes the torque converter to not lockup and continue to find the right gear, per se. This is a known issue and Acura has a TSB (16-062) for this: https://www.tsbsearch.com/Acura/16-062 The issue is, even though, unaddressed in a timely manner and continual use of the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2022
There is a known issue of Certain Acura MDX models having a "judder" (i.e. bouncing rev counter) at certain speeds. This causes the torque converter to not lockup and continue to find the right gear, per se. This is a known issue and Acura has a TSB (16-062) for this: https://www.tsbsearch.com/Acura/16-062 The issue is, even though, unaddressed in a timely manner and continual use of the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2022
Noticed loss of power, car would randomly go into limp mode while driving, I’d have to pull off to the side and restart the vehicle. Sometimes would hesitate or jerk.(this happened on the free way since I’m frequently on them) driveshaft feels likes it’s not performing 100%
Incident date: Sep 2, 2022
Noticed loss of power, car would randomly go into limp mode while driving, I’d have to pull off to the side and restart the vehicle. Sometimes would hesitate or jerk.(this happened on the free way since I’m frequently on them) driveshaft feels likes it’s not performing 100%
Incident date: Sep 2, 2022
Noticed loss of power, car would randomly go into limp mode while driving, I’d have to pull off to the side and restart the vehicle. Sometimes would hesitate or jerk.(this happened on the free way since I’m frequently on them) driveshaft feels likes it’s not performing 100%
Incident date: Oct 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that he recurringly experienced failures with the instrument panel brightness being dimmed and then not displaying properly as needed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the instrument panel operated as designed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken twice to a local dealer; however, the failure was not dup... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that he recurringly experienced failures with the instrument panel brightness being dimmed and then not displaying properly as needed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the instrument panel operated as designed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken twice to a local dealer; however, the failure was not dup... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2004 Acura TL. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH with her mother in the front passenger’s side seat, her mother informed her that the vehicle was bouncing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the front lower control arms, shocks, and bushings were replaced; however, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side of the v... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2022
On July 24, 2022, while driving from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois back to our home in Lisle, IL, in a heavy rainstorm, our RDX suddenly started flashing the engine light and lost power on Interstate 57. We were fortunate to be able to maneuver it to the side of the road, and off the nearby ramp at Bradley, IL. We ‘googled’ the circumstances on our iphone, to learn that this is considered a seri... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2022
On July 24, 2022, while driving from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois back to our home in Lisle, IL, in a heavy rainstorm, our RDX suddenly started flashing the engine light and lost power on Interstate 57. We were fortunate to be able to maneuver it to the side of the road, and off the nearby ramp at Bradley, IL. We ‘googled’ the circumstances on our iphone, to learn that this is considered a seri... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2022
On July 24, 2022, while driving from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois back to our home in Lisle, IL, in a heavy rainstorm, our RDX suddenly started flashing the engine light and lost power on Interstate 57. We were fortunate to be able to maneuver it to the side of the road, and off the nearby ramp at Bradley, IL. We ‘googled’ the circumstances on our iphone, to learn that this is considered a seri... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
Low beam headlights are very dim and present a hazard when driving at night due to limited visibility. The halogen projector lens inside the headlight assembly appears to have haze built up and the reflector bowl may be compromised by build up or heat damage. The faulty design and inability to clean the projector lens or refresh the reflector bowl may necessitate replacement of the entire headligh... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2022
This car burns oil at an insane rate. I have to go to Jiffy Lube after only 1500 miles, and they are in shock when they top me off each time. Two of the employees have said that my engine is at trial of exploding because this car burns through oil so fast. Your website says that there is no recall, but there actually WAS a recall for this car, but I was NEVER NOTIFIED about this dangerous issue. A... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
The engine idle stop function is unreliable and often fails to restart the engine when the brake pedal is released. The vehicle will, suddenly and without notice, become inoperable and undrivable wherever it rests, whether at a red light or stop sign, in the middle of an intersection while making a left-hand turn, or on an entrance ramp to a highway, causing a dangerous situation for myself and ot... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
The engine idle stop function is unreliable and often fails to restart the engine when the brake pedal is released. The vehicle will, suddenly and without notice, become inoperable and undrivable wherever it rests, whether at a red light or stop sign, in the middle of an intersection while making a left-hand turn, or on an entrance ramp to a highway, causing a dangerous situation for myself and ot... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2000 Acura RL. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light, and the vehicle stability assist (VSA) system warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced; however, the part had ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2000 Acura RL. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light, and the vehicle stability assist (VSA) system warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced; however, the part had ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2019
FOR MANY YEARS NOW I HAVE WONDERED WHY MY HEADLIGHTS WERE DANGEROUSLY DIM TO THE POINT THE LIGHTS WOULD ONLY LIGHT UP ABOUT 15-20 FEET AHEAD. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THERE ARE MANY WRITE UPS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FROM MANY OTHERS. THEY ALSO CLAIM TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY COSTING OVER $2000 FROM THE DEALER OR LESS THAN $100... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2022
Visa transmission light engine light the car jerks when driving. Puts itself in neutral