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: Aug 16, 2022
Visa transmission light engine light the car jerks when driving. Puts itself in neutral
Incident date: Aug 16, 2022
Visa transmission light engine light the car jerks when driving. Puts itself in neutral
Incident date: Sep 26, 2022
Problem started 1 month ago. As I approached the round about I am at very slow speed,and for no action on my part, my MDX accelerates! Fortunately it has only happened as my vehicle is coasting or I am applying the break slowly. This is happening more and more. It has over 20K miles on it.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2022
Every day I. The morning, the car would not start even though the battery is new and the car is driven everyday and mechanics can not find the problem and it passes all tests when checked for problems.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2022
Every day I. The morning, the car would not start even though the battery is new and the car is driven everyday and mechanics can not find the problem and it passes all tests when checked for problems.
Incident date: Sep 22, 2022
My 2017 Acura MDX has many issues with both the transmission and electrical. It has an issue shifting between gears, makes a loud sound like metal on wash board, then loses power for 3-5 seconds. I went to put the car in drive and it would not go in drive recently. I've now had to replace the transmission at 79,006 miles. The electrical system lights up when driving telling me my electronic pa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2022
My 2017 Acura MDX has many issues with both the transmission and electrical. It has an issue shifting between gears, makes a loud sound like metal on wash board, then loses power for 3-5 seconds. I went to put the car in drive and it would not go in drive recently. I've now had to replace the transmission at 79,006 miles. The electrical system lights up when driving telling me my electronic pa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2022
My 2017 Acura MDX has many issues with both the transmission and electrical. It has an issue shifting between gears, makes a loud sound like metal on wash board, then loses power for 3-5 seconds. I went to put the car in drive and it would not go in drive recently. I've now had to replace the transmission at 79,006 miles. The electrical system lights up when driving telling me my electronic pa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2022
While driving, the car slips into manual gear shift and is slow to accelerate and it will have a hard shift of gears from 20 - 60 mph. The emissions check and transmission indicator lights are on. I can not drive the car safely because of the jerks of gear shifts or the slow acceleration when driving on roads and highways. The car is being inspected for transmission issues with concerns that the... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
OIL SHOT OUT THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY, CAUSING ALL THE OIL TO SHOOT OUT, AND THE ENTIRE FUNCTION OF THE CAR TO STOP WORKING. THE ENGINE ESSENTIALLY DIED, CAUSING THE BRAKE, THE GAS, AND STEERING TO LOCK AND NOT WORK.CAR WENT FROM 65 MILES A HR TO 5 MILESW, VERY SCARY Summary ON Certain Passenger Vehicles, Prolonged High Under-Hood Temperatures MAY Cause THE Power Steering... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
OIL SHOT OUT THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY, CAUSING ALL THE OIL TO SHOOT OUT, AND THE ENTIRE FUNCTION OF THE CAR TO STOP WORKING. THE ENGINE ESSENTIALLY DIED, CAUSING THE BRAKE, THE GAS, AND STEERING TO LOCK AND NOT WORK.CAR WENT FROM 65 MILES A HR TO 5 MILESW, VERY SCARY Summary ON Certain Passenger Vehicles, Prolonged High Under-Hood Temperatures MAY Cause THE Power Steering... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
OIL SHOT OUT THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY, CAUSING ALL THE OIL TO SHOOT OUT, AND THE ENTIRE FUNCTION OF THE CAR TO STOP WORKING. THE ENGINE ESSENTIALLY DIED, CAUSING THE BRAKE, THE GAS, AND STEERING TO LOCK AND NOT WORK.CAR WENT FROM 65 MILES A HR TO 5 MILESW, VERY SCARY Summary ON Certain Passenger Vehicles, Prolonged High Under-Hood Temperatures MAY Cause THE Power Steering... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2018
The headlights are very dim to the point where I cannot see at night! It is very u safe driving this vehicle at night times due to the nonfunctioning headlight. I have been driving with my high beams just so I can see. It is sad when the high beams look like normal headlights! How and why Acura was allowed to produce and sell these vehicles is beyond me! Let alone pass any type of safety inspectio... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while stationary at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the battery warning light was illuminated temporarily. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving to her destination. The contact stated the had occurred four times. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who was unable to dupli... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while stationary at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the battery warning light was illuminated temporarily. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving to her destination. The contact stated the had occurred four times. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who was unable to dupli... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2022
The contact called on behalf of her mother who was the owner of a 2017 Acura RDX. The contact was reporting the complaint based on verbal information she received from a police officer. The contact stated her mother was driving out of her driveway when she drove into an embankment and the vehicle was stuck. The contact stated the police officers informed her, that the cause of the fire was due to ... Read more
Crash
Fire
1 deaths
Incident date: Jun 24, 2022
The contact called on behalf of her mother who was the owner of a 2017 Acura RDX. The contact was reporting the complaint based on verbal information she received from a police officer. The contact stated her mother was driving out of her driveway when she drove into an embankment and the vehicle was stuck. The contact stated the police officers informed her, that the cause of the fire was due to ... Read more
Crash
Fire
1 deaths
Incident date: Sep 26, 2022
In stop and go traffic on a highway, the car went to auto idle mode, then shifted to neutral by itself instead of restarting to drive. This was a safety issue in that I was on a major 4 lane highway with my kids and could've been hit from behind. The only thing I could do was completely turn off and restart the car. There were no warning lights. It has not been inspected by the dealer yet. There h... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2022
On 9/22/22 travelling on I-290 near Boylston, MA I was passing a large tractor trailer in the far left lane going up a hill. It was and had been raining very hard for at least the previous hour. When I stepped on the accelerator to increase speed, the car suddenly decelerated to about 20 mph and the check engine light began flashing. I was able cross all three lanes in very heavy traffic to the sh... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2022
On 9/22/22 travelling on I-290 near Boylston, MA I was passing a large tractor trailer in the far left lane going up a hill. It was and had been raining very hard for at least the previous hour. When I stepped on the accelerator to increase speed, the car suddenly decelerated to about 20 mph and the check engine light began flashing. I was able cross all three lanes in very heavy traffic to the sh... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2022
While traveling on highway, parking brake intermittently activated several times and parking brake malfunction alarm flashed on dashboard. This caused the vehicle to brake unexpectedly while driving through a construction zone on highway 45. Fortunately, we were very close to the Acura dealership where the vehicle was purchased and managed to drive the vehicle to the service department. The Par... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2022
The paint on the vehicle is chipping away. There are a few spots on the vehicle that the paint is chipping away. This can lead to rust. I purchased the vehicle new and the vehicle does not even have 5k miles as of now.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2022
Rotors warped and changed through warranty but loud humming and vibration is back after 2,000 miles on new rotors. Steering column is leaking fluid down to brake pedal. Steering wheel is making a clicking noise when turning. Speakers are crackling after Fakra replacement under acceleration or going over bumps.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2022
Rotors warped and changed through warranty but loud humming and vibration is back after 2,000 miles on new rotors. Steering column is leaking fluid down to brake pedal. Steering wheel is making a clicking noise when turning. Speakers are crackling after Fakra replacement under acceleration or going over bumps.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2022
Rotors warped and changed through warranty but loud humming and vibration is back after 2,000 miles on new rotors. Steering column is leaking fluid down to brake pedal. Steering wheel is making a clicking noise when turning. Speakers are crackling after Fakra replacement under acceleration or going over bumps.
Incident date: Sep 20, 2010
The headlights are very dim. It doesn’t happy in one day, it’s a gradual process to get worse by the day. It’s so dangerous to drive at night. Replacing bulb, cleaning do not help. It’s the whole fixture and cost so much to replace. Dealer said $1000 each. Should be recalled to fix it.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
The car, unexpectedly fishtails while driving straight.This has happened since I purchased the car and it is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS as it can thrust the car into oncoming traffic. The service technicians can never duplicate the problem. The problem, according to the dealer is the PAWS system rear wheel steer and it is a very well known problem with the 2014 RLX. The dealer told me that the PAWS sys... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2022
I purchased my 2015 Acura RDX in February 2022. You obviously don't test drive vehicles at night so I was unaware of the EXTREMELY dim headlights until a week later. I drove to the store and it was dark when I was done. As I started driving home I noticed it didn't look like my headlights were on. I had no choice but to turn the high beams on and continue home. The next day, I immediately contacte... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2021
Transmission was stuck in 1st gear. This situation happened to me while stopped at red light with auto idle stop engaged, when it restarted at green light, transmission got stuck in 1st gear, I drove for about 1/4 mile and still the vehicle would not shift gears. I pulled over safely to the curb, shut down the car, waited 10 seconds and restarted, vehicle drove normally back home I had it all rec... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
The Idle stop feature will NOT automatically restart and causes me to stall for an unsafe amount of time. There is a recall call for my Acura 2018 TLX but my VIN does not fall under the qualifying vehicles. I am very upset and this is a safety matter that needs to be addressed ASAP.
Incident date: Sep 14, 2022
Fuel pump (High - pressure & low- pressure) failed which has caused significantly reduced acceleration and caused the engine to stall in mid operation of the vehicle. I (Driver) was the only person in the vehicle and there was no crash. I would say there is high risk of a crash and it is a serious safety hazard. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the fa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2022
The car jerked while braking and then gave the code p1440. The ima light, check engine light, and brake light all came on. The car feels like it is dragging and does not have the same power. The battery is no longer charging nor is it indicating the battery is being used. It continues the have a jerk at rhe end of braking. It seems there is an extension warranty for certain Vins of this same year ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2018
THIS VEHICLE BURNS SO MUCH OIL. I USE 5 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES IN THIS VEHICLE. UNREAL! SO DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA.
Incident date: Jun 8, 2018
This vehicle unrealistically burns oil. 5-6 quarts of oil is added to engine between oil changes.
Incident date: Sep 17, 2022
transmission torque converter shudder during 20 to 45 mph.
Incident date: Sep 5, 2019
While driving car, speed decelerated despite pressing on gas/accelerator pedal. Total ability to control speed on high way ended, as car crawled to a speed of under 5mph, nearly resulting in being hit by vehicles behind me. Immediately called independent mechanic who advised me to cut off ignition and restart the car. Highly dangerous to even attempt on a highway during rush hour traffic, nearl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2019
While driving car, speed decelerated despite pressing on gas/accelerator pedal. Total ability to control speed on high way ended, as car crawled to a speed of under 5mph, nearly resulting in being hit by vehicles behind me. Immediately called independent mechanic who advised me to cut off ignition and restart the car. Highly dangerous to even attempt on a highway during rush hour traffic, nearl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2019
While driving car, speed decelerated despite pressing on gas/accelerator pedal. Total ability to control speed on high way ended, as car crawled to a speed of under 5mph, nearly resulting in being hit by vehicles behind me. Immediately called independent mechanic who advised me to cut off ignition and restart the car. Highly dangerous to even attempt on a highway during rush hour traffic, nearl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2022
The engine does not start at once and when the key is turned off to try again, the engine explodes and the upper part of the engine case is completely torn off. At this time, there was a huge explosion sound like a bomb exploding and a lot of black smoke came out. It's not really a rocket engine, which is a huge force, but I really don't understand how much pressure was applied in the engine of an... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2022
On this model car, the low beams get so dangerously dim, that (my case for example), I literally could not tell if the low beam headlights were on or off if I were driving on a street where any street lights (even just residential neighborhood street lights) were anywhere within eyesight. The only time I could make out that they were on would be if I were on a pitch black section of a street, in w... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Acura RDX. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, he closed the front driver’s side door and the rear window glass exploded. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the conta... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2022
I was accelerating up a hill on a WV highway in a steady rain, the engine cut power, the check engine light flashed on and off, further throttle input did nothing, the car slowed on its own. I had to pull over from the left lane dangerously cutting in front of vehicles in the right lane as I could no longer maintain highway speed. Shut the car down and waited to rekey. Vehicle has operated fine ev... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2022
I was accelerating up a hill on a WV highway in a steady rain, the engine cut power, the check engine light flashed on and off, further throttle input did nothing, the car slowed on its own. I had to pull over from the left lane dangerously cutting in front of vehicles in the right lane as I could no longer maintain highway speed. Shut the car down and waited to rekey. Vehicle has operated fine ev... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2021
My 99 will unexpectedly shut off while driving down the road whether it be 5 miles an hour or 60 miles an hour. When this happens all power is off then kicks itself back on but won’t start until about 5 minutes to 10 minutes later and then runs smoothly but sometimes it will shut off again and take longer to start.
Incident date: Sep 16, 2021
My 99 will unexpectedly shut off while driving down the road whether it be 5 miles an hour or 60 miles an hour. When this happens all power is off then kicks itself back on but won’t start until about 5 minutes to 10 minutes later and then runs smoothly but sometimes it will shut off again and take longer to start.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
This problem is all over the internet and Acura refuses to recall. My lights have dimmed over a period of time and now I have to run my lights on high beam to be able to see. This is a safety concern for anyone because of bright lights in faces of other drivers. This started happening about a year ago and now I can't drive my car at night. The dealer has confirmed this in other Acura vehicles a... Read more
Incident date: Sep 12, 2022
First item: vehicle keeps shutting off during idle while parked or while brake is depressed. It has happened multiple times. I've done some research and see there are several sites indicating issues with the fuel pump and vehicle stalling. Acura says there are no current recalls. I'm not the only person this is happening to. Second issue: vehicle has gone into neutral on its own while driving. A... Read more
Incident date: Sep 12, 2022
First item: vehicle keeps shutting off during idle while parked or while brake is depressed. It has happened multiple times. I've done some research and see there are several sites indicating issues with the fuel pump and vehicle stalling. Acura says there are no current recalls. I'm not the only person this is happening to. Second issue: vehicle has gone into neutral on its own while driving. A... Read more
Incident date: Sep 12, 2022
First item: vehicle keeps shutting off during idle while parked or while brake is depressed. It has happened multiple times. I've done some research and see there are several sites indicating issues with the fuel pump and vehicle stalling. Acura says there are no current recalls. I'm not the only person this is happening to. Second issue: vehicle has gone into neutral on its own while driving. A... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2022
2018 purchased a little more than a month ago as a certified used Acura. Twice now we have been overridden by the automatic forward collision detecting something in front when NOTHING was there. Once on the freeway went from 70mph to 15 quickly and almost got rear ended. Just now on city street car stopped in the middle of intersection while turning left and overrides driver pressing gas pedal in ... Read more