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: Jan 4, 2022
At parking lot speed, the brake pedal went nearly to floor during stopping. All lights came on the instrument panel. Required the use of emergency brake to bring the car to a stop.
Incident date: Apr 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered while coming to a complete stop. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2018
The trunk latch in my 2016 Hyundai Elantra is broken. I brought it to the dealer in 12/2022 and showed it to them, and it had been failing for some time. It would not open using the latch next to the drivers seat. That just did nothing. The guy at the dealer told me that there was no recall and it would cost $800 just to diagnose the problem. I can’t afford that so I didn’t have it done. It co... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the auto park features independently engaged. The contact stated that the feature would shift the vehicle to park (P), turn the vehicle off, and set the parking brake. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle could be restarted; however, the failure occurred at a ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the auto park features independently engaged. The contact stated that the feature would shift the vehicle to park (P), turn the vehicle off, and set the parking brake. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle could be restarted; however, the failure occurred at a ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2020
Car accelerated into a garage door unintentionally. The brakes did not work. The problem has not been reproduced. The car was taken to a honda dealer twice before the accident for the same reasons of sudden unintentional acceleration. The vehicle has been totaled and has not been inspected by anyone. There were no warning indicators that I am aware of.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 10, 2023
My latest transmission problem is most noticeable in Tow/Haul mode. It is also the most concerning and dangerous. At higher speeds, such as on the interstate, when braking for some reason, such as traffic congestion, the transmission downshifts and the r.p.m. slows as it should. However around 2nd or 3rd gear and 1,900 r.p.m. the engine speed abruptly increases to around 3,500 r.p.m. and then b... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2022
Kia Sedona 2017 with 134,682 miles. Feb 6, 2023. Sudden engine failure during rush hour traffic resulting in a very hazardous situation. No warnings were given prior to failure. All service and recall stuff done by Kia dealer. Kia diagnosis, engine frozen and needs new engine. Failure of warning systems and failure causing an inoperable condition placed driver at grave risk and needs prompt ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2020
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) 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 not e... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2023
Good afternoon, I would like to bring an issue to your attention and file a complaint on Honda Motor Company. Last week, I scheduled an appointment in the Service Department at Russell and Smith Honda to diagnose my 2018 Honda Pilot. My vehicle jerks when driving at a low speed. Russell and Smith diagnosis was a transmission oil flush and a system update with "recommendations to replace the batter... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2023
Rear hatch body welds have failed causing a rattle. The dealership took it apart and placed some foam and sound deadening material. But I was told if the problem was to reoccur, I would have to take it to a body shop.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that after the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for a routine oil change, the mechanic also determined that the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced and an unknown engine software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was advised to file a complaint with the ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2023
The panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded on the highway. There were no other vehicles nearby that could have thrown any debris at my vehicle. The edges of the glass are pushed out as if the force came from inside the vehicle.
Incident date: Apr 8, 2023
It would seem to be the steering and related component’s including the computer. I have heard a low-pitched oscillating sound coming from the passenger front wheel well. well occasionally it would pull the car to the right, not all the time just randomly whenever traveling in the 40-70 mph range. The 2 dealerships I have taken the car to they say it’s my aftermarket exhaust, so they blow me of... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 31, 2023
The display operates by itself. This is a known issue commonly called “ghost touch” and Mazda has issued service bulletins for 2014-2016 model year cars. Unfortunately other cars including my 2017 CX-5 are also affected. This is a safety issue as the navigation will stop working and the constant beeping from the ghost clicking is very distracting and can lead to the driver not focusing on the... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Sport Contact, Tire Size: 225/40/R19, DOT Number: LMJAD5UR (Front Tires) and Pirelli Tires, Tire Line: P Zero, Tire Size: 225/40/R19, DOT Number: 93X2Y082 (Rear Tires). The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2022
First off the power steering goes out and can only be fixed by applying dielectric grease to the bcm but that will fix it. second the airbag light will randomly go on but this can also be remedy by fixing the yellow connection under the passenger seat try jiggling it if that doesnt fix it just cut the two wires off the connector's and splice with crimp connectors. hope this helps you as much as... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Continental. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V644000 (Back Over Prevention) 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 contact stated that the back-up camera alarm operated as needed; however, the display screen w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2023
The engine dies while slowing down or immediately following a stop and start, dies in the middle of an intersection or just going down the road. It has died at a railroad crossing. This could be a deadly situation if it happened in heavy traffic since the driver can't get out of the way. It sets the emergency brake. It has to be at a complete stop before we can press the brake, manually unlock t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2023
When I turn left or right, I slow down to turn and when I accelerate after turning, the engine shuts down and the parking brake auto-engages. This has occurred twice in heavy traffic scenarios, endangering myself, my passengers, and the drivers behind me. According to blogs with posts of this same issue with other Ram 1500 owners, issue has not / cannot be reproduced due to its arbitrary nature of... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
The brake system went completely out. The brake pedal has no pressure and goes all the way to the floor. When looking online there are 197 complaints after reading through the first 9D all of them were about the ABS control module. All other repairs regarding to the brakes have already been made with the problem still not being fixed. there were no warning signs of this happening. The brake switch... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2023
The metal bar that is used with part of the recline system has gone through the side of the plastic shell of the seat. There is a hole that it went through and broke through a sticker on the side of the seat. Metal bar does not stay in place and could slide all the way out when in recline position #1. When in recline 2 or 3 another part of the plastic shell keeps the metal bar in place. Concern of... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2023
While I am driving or waiting for a light to change a message on dashboard states the vehicle is coolant temperature too high, which is a false over heating warning. Then the car will either stall/shutoff and has rolled back while my foot is on the brake. I would have to put it on park and restart vehicle. This has happened while my kids are in the car. I have taken it to 2 different auto repairs ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2023
In a parking garage I found a open space and slowly moving towards that to park, car was approaching space at about 10 ft from that, all of a sudden car accelerated and lurched forward and hit the parking structure wall. Airbags deployed for all three of us, one of my colleagues was in passenger seat, another in the back seat. There was no warning on no time to react, this happens in seconds.
Crash
Incident date: Apr 4, 2023
My AC system stopped working and when checked it was a faulty AC condenser that was on recall. So the dealer fixed it for free then about 4 months later my air blows only hot again. Went back to get it checked and now they are saying the evaporator core needs to be replaced and charged me $2600 to fix. Seems fishy and I feel if one component is failing the whole system should be covered under an e... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2023
The steering pump is faulty and the car only has 56,00o miles on it. I have read other people’s same issue on the internet. It is extremely dangerous because you cannot control the steering on the car and you could possibly injure yourself or someone else. 04/08/2023
Incident date: Apr 12, 2023
I'm the only owner of this vehicle. In Dec 2021 (@ 61000 miles) I had problems with steering my vehicle. I went to break and could not break on the expressway. I was on a 55 miles expressway during rush hour traffic. I came to a stop on the side of the road and when I try to engage the accelerator to get off to the exit the car will not move. It kept stalling and making grounding sounds. The ste... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2021
Truck stalles when wheel is turned at idle or low speed. No warning just dies. No problem restarting.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the steering wheel was seized while driving at various speeds. The contact would unlock and lock the vehicle to correct the steering failure. After the last failure, the contact was unable to fix the steering failure and the vehicle remained inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2023
My 2021 F150 XLT with 19,000 miles has never had functioning trailer brakes. Initially I was plagued with constant trailer wiring fault / trailer disconnected issues, and zero slide or pedal brakes, when trying to tow a travel trailer. Two separate dealerships initially dismissed my concerns because it passed their trailer simulator test. Eventually, Ford replaced the trailer wiring harness unde... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
Vehicles continues to make random unwanted and dangerous sudden braking at highways speeds while the cruise control is engaged.
Incident date: Apr 5, 2023
Accident after side swiping cattle guard, flew off the road at 70mph, landing roughly, and bouncing off desert terrain, trying to control crash outcome, realign no brakes, and no way to slow down vehicle, except no acceleration, and turned away from homes and power poles, to eventually slam into a a higher terrain, until complete stop. My repaired airbags didn't deploy, and at that speed, my passe... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 5, 2023
Accident after side swiping cattle guard, flew off the road at 70mph, landing roughly, and bouncing off desert terrain, trying to control crash outcome, realign no brakes, and no way to slow down vehicle, except no acceleration, and turned away from homes and power poles, to eventually slam into a a higher terrain, until complete stop. My repaired airbags didn't deploy, and at that speed, my passe... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-350. The contact stated that after a freezing rainstorm, the front driver’s side and front passenger’s side doors would not latch properly and the doors would not remain closed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign N... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2023
Our 2022 Tesla Model 3 has "phantom braked" three times on the highway. During each episode, the vehicle slowed from 75mph to 45mph in about half a second - with no vehicle or obstruction in front of us. This was a 4-lane highway all three times. If a car was behind us, it likely would have collided with us. No precipitation, the car was clean and cameras clear. I took the car to the Latham Servic... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated while slowing down at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle downshifted roughly and would jolt while shifting into gear. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that the RPMs would remain high while he was at a complete stop. The contact stated that the RPMs would rise above 3... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2018
On several occasions while driving the vehicle would would appear to lose power and the front wheels would shake. After turning off the engine and restarting the car the problem resolved itself. It was taken to the dealership and they said they could not replicate the problem. Two days ago it did the same thing along with the passenger side front wheel heating and smoking. It was towed to the dea... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2018
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra GT. The contact stated that on two sperate occasions while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving she heard a ticking and knocking sound under the hood of the vehicle before the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated; however, after five minutes, the con... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2022
Hitch receiver cracked along input joints. Occurred most proximal portion between the chain connection openings.
Incident date: Apr 13, 2022
Hitch receiver cracked along input joints. Occurred most proximal portion between the chain connection openings.
Incident date: Mar 30, 2023
Within 6 months of purchasing this car used at a Toyota dealership, the check engine, exclamation light, and "Go to dealership/check AWD" lights came on. I took it to the dealership who told me it would cost $250 just to check the lights. I took it to a car parts store who said "it's throwing a bunch of old codes". The dealership also suggested during oil change about $800 worth of work needing to... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2023
Within 6 months of purchasing this car used at a Toyota dealership, the check engine, exclamation light, and "Go to dealership/check AWD" lights came on. I took it to the dealership who told me it would cost $250 just to check the lights. I took it to a car parts store who said "it's throwing a bunch of old codes". The dealership also suggested during oil change about $800 worth of work needing to... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2023
I was driving in a state Highway when without warning in traffic my truck stopped driving but the engine was still going. I have been to the dealer and complained about electronics like the radio just ceasing to work and the display unit as well as the erratic shift pattern of the transmission 3 times . Thankfully no one was injured and it was late night/ early morning hours, in moderate traffic w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
While driving in a parking garage and going down a ramp to the next level, all of the lights on my dashboard popped on and the brakes stopped working. The emergency brakes failed to work, and we crashed into a wall/air conditioning unit. Luckily, we were going slow since we were in a parking garage and did not hit another car, but if we were on a highway and/ my entire family were in the car, so... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 31, 2023
While driving the car the electrical power steering randomly goes out often during a turn making it extremely hard to complete a turn and avoid hitting something the part has had a recall on other pontiac g6 cars and the electrical power steering goes out without warning it happens suddenly and immediately while driving.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Excessive oil consumption. Less than 3,000 miles between changes, consuming roughly 2 quarts less than 3,000 miles. Up on reading others having same engine experiencing same problems. My car serviced religiously. Still runs, now going to dealer.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Hello this complaint is in reference to recall #18S32. I had issues with my vehicle telling me I had gas when it was really empty. The dealership got me in, said it was a recall and repaired it quickly for me, This was in 2019. The past couple months my vehicle is stalling when I get gas. It's usually always associated with me getting gas. I had some mechanics check it out and they all said it w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
The horn doesn’t work. Everything mechanically works great. Concern is if airbag works Never worked since purchased in January 2015.
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
The horn doesn’t work. Everything mechanically works great. Concern is if airbag works Never worked since purchased in January 2015.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
The vehicle rolled away after the driver exited the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake was not applied. This negligent design flaw is because BMW has chosen to not revert the vehicle to Park if the door is opened like other car manufacturers. A simple software update or design change could prevent a potentially fatal incident caused by BMW’s negligence in this matter... Read more
Crash