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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints
140,173 Reported Crashes
56,794 Reported Fires
8,580 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›
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Showing 16,369 complaints for AUDI

AUDI Q5 (2018) - STEERING Sep 10, 2026
Incident date: Sep 7, 2026
Incident Description: While accelerating from a red light during rush hour, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of steering control. The steering wheel locked completely and could not be turned. Simultaneous loud, long beeping and dashboard warnings appeared, stating: "Steering malfunction stop the vehicle immediately." The vehicle was immobilized in the middle of a highly congested, ... Read more
AUDI Q5 (2018) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 10, 2026
Incident date: Sep 7, 2026
Incident Description: While accelerating from a red light during rush hour, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of steering control. The steering wheel locked completely and could not be turned. Simultaneous loud, long beeping and dashboard warnings appeared, stating: "Steering malfunction stop the vehicle immediately." The vehicle was immobilized in the middle of a highly congested, ... Read more
AUDI Q3 (2022) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Sep 10, 2026
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
Description of Safety Failure:I am writing to report a recurring, premature safety failure of the fuel delivery system that poses an immediate risk of engine stalling at highway speeds. The original factory fuel pump failed at approximately 75,000 miles and required replacement. A brand-new replacement fuel pump has now failed prematurely just 30,000 miles later (at 114,000 total vehicle miles).Th... Read more
AUDI RS 6 AVANT (2025) - STRUCTURE:BODY Sep 10, 2026
Incident date: Sep 10, 2026
Continued central locking malfunction warning, predominantly on the passenger side doors. Car will not lock properly in this state, leaving the car in an unsafe state. Have had the passenger front lock replaced previously, but continue to get the problem since purchase.
AUDI Q5 (2015) - ENGINE Sep 10, 2026
Incident date: Oct 11, 2024
Ever since I have purchased the vehicle it has consumed alot of engine oil. I have to add engine oil every two months. I have reached out to Audi regarding the issue with no response or help.
AUDI Q5 (2009) - STRUCTURE:BODY Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Sep 9, 2026
I am reporting a potentially serious safety defect involving the rear subframe/crossmember of my 2009 Audi Q5. I discovered significant corrosion on the vehicle's rear subframe, which is a structural component supporting the rear suspension and rear axle assembly. The corrosion is substantially more than normal superficial surface rust. There is visible rust scaling and loss of material in areas ... Read more
AUDI SQ5 (2026) - ENGINE Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Sep 9, 2026
The vehicle had come to a stop at a 4-way intersection. It started to drive into the intersection and shut off for no reason. The first thought was this was auto start/stop but it was not. The ignition button needed to be pressed to restart the vehicle to proceed. The vehicle is available for inspection. The vehicle came to a stop for no reason in the middle of the intersection making it a ha... Read more
AUDI SQ5 (2026) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Sep 9, 2026
The vehicle had come to a stop at a 4-way intersection. It started to drive into the intersection and shut off for no reason. The first thought was this was auto start/stop but it was not. The ignition button needed to be pressed to restart the vehicle to proceed. The vehicle is available for inspection. The vehicle came to a stop for no reason in the middle of the intersection making it a ha... Read more
AUDI SQ5 (2026) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Sep 9, 2026
The car is new with less than 500 miles. At approximately 7:45am the car was being driven on a 2-lane road through a rural area at approximately 50+mph. The car initiated forward collision systems and went full collision avoidance applying full brake and tensioning the seat belt. The car slowed substantially to an estimated 10mph as quickly as it could. There were no vehicles or obstacles in any d... Read more
AUDI Q6 E-TRON (2025) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Sep 5, 2026
My 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron has repeated intermittent door-lock/door-release failures affecting multiple doors. Doors have failed to open from both inside and outside. I am concerned this could prevent or delay occupant egress in an emergency. The vehicle has been presented to Audi [XXX] repeatedly for this concern: XXX and XXX. Repairs have primarily involved software updates. During the August visit... Read more
AUDI Q6 E-TRON (2025) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Sep 5, 2026
My 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron has repeated intermittent door-lock/door-release failures affecting multiple doors. Doors have failed to open from both inside and outside. I am concerned this could prevent or delay occupant egress in an emergency. The vehicle has been presented to Audi [XXX] repeatedly for this concern: XXX and XXX. Repairs have primarily involved software updates. During the August visit... Read more
AUDI Q6 E-TRON (2025) - STRUCTURE:BODY Sep 9, 2026
Incident date: Sep 5, 2026
My 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron has repeated intermittent door-lock/door-release failures affecting multiple doors. Doors have failed to open from both inside and outside. I am concerned this could prevent or delay occupant egress in an emergency. The vehicle has been presented to Audi [XXX] repeatedly for this concern: XXX and XXX. Repairs have primarily involved software updates. During the August visit... Read more
AUDI A3 (2015) - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Sep 8, 2026
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that the dealer had previously repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the vehicle was not driven until a year later after the recall repair due to medical issues. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, fuel was backing up in the fuel filler neck. Additionally, while driving at a... Read more
AUDI Q3 (2015) - SUSPENSION Sep 8, 2026
Incident date: Sep 1, 2026
The rear subframe broke while driving due to rust and corrosion causing the driver side rear wheel to be at an acute angle which caused the car to wobble all over the road. The car is currently not safe to drive.
AUDI Q7 (2021) - ENGINE Sep 8, 2026
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
Water pump failure causing coolant to leak into engine.
AUDI Q5 (2023) - LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST Sep 8, 2026
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
While driving, the Active Lane Assisting warning signal will come on and make warning noise which startles the driver.
AUDI Q5 (2023) - LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING Sep 8, 2026
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
While driving, the Active Lane Assisting warning signal will come on and make warning noise which startles the driver.
AUDI SQ5 (2025) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 8, 2026
Incident date: Sep 7, 2026
On at least five occasions since we purchased this vehicle brand new in January 2026, the digital transmission system has failed to switch into park and would not switch into park -- producing an error message. To resolve the issue, it required multiple restarts of the car, and there is no clear step to resolve the issue. It feels like luck. We've taken it to the dealership multiple times, they... Read more
AUDI SQ5 (2025) - POWER TRAIN Sep 8, 2026
Incident date: Sep 7, 2026
On at least five occasions since we purchased this vehicle brand new in January 2026, the digital transmission system has failed to switch into park and would not switch into park -- producing an error message. To resolve the issue, it required multiple restarts of the car, and there is no clear step to resolve the issue. It feels like luck. We've taken it to the dealership multiple times, they... Read more
AUDI Q7 (2024) - LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION Sep 8, 2026
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
While driving my vehicle screen displayed SAFE CP. Though it did not cause an accident but all my safe features were disabled. Now I have to pay for an update which isn’t affordable due to it being beyond my control. What do I do?
AUDI Q7 (2024) - LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST Sep 8, 2026
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
While driving my vehicle screen displayed SAFE CP. Though it did not cause an accident but all my safe features were disabled. Now I have to pay for an update which isn’t affordable due to it being beyond my control. What do I do?
AUDI Q7 (2024) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Sep 8, 2026
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
While driving my vehicle screen displayed SAFE CP. Though it did not cause an accident but all my safe features were disabled. Now I have to pay for an update which isn’t affordable due to it being beyond my control. What do I do?
AUDI Q6 E-TRON (2025) - ENGINE Sep 7, 2026
Incident date: Sep 3, 2026
Sudden complete loss of propulsion while driving, with no opportunity to safely leave the travel lane; failure repeated again seven miles later after vehicle restart. Once propulsion is lost the driver has 1 to 2 seconds before multiple loud banging noises and the vehicle shuddering to an immediate stop without the driver using the brake pedal. The warning on the dash was "High Voltage Electrical ... Read more
AUDI Q6 E-TRON (2025) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 7, 2026
Incident date: Sep 3, 2026
Sudden complete loss of propulsion while driving, with no opportunity to safely leave the travel lane; failure repeated again seven miles later after vehicle restart. Once propulsion is lost the driver has 1 to 2 seconds before multiple loud banging noises and the vehicle shuddering to an immediate stop without the driver using the brake pedal. The warning on the dash was "High Voltage Electrical ... Read more
AUDI Q6 E-TRON (2025) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Sep 7, 2026
Incident date: Sep 3, 2026
Sudden complete loss of propulsion while driving, with no opportunity to safely leave the travel lane; failure repeated again seven miles later after vehicle restart. Once propulsion is lost the driver has 1 to 2 seconds before multiple loud banging noises and the vehicle shuddering to an immediate stop without the driver using the brake pedal. The warning on the dash was "High Voltage Electrical ... Read more
AUDI Q8 (2020) - VISIBILITY/WIPER Sep 7, 2026
Incident date: Sep 5, 2022
I am reporting a recurring problem with the front passenger-side window on my 2020 Audi Q8. This issue began when the vehicle was approximately two years old and has continued intermittently. When attempting to close the front passenger window, the window will sometimes automatically reverse direction and go back down instead of closing. On September 7, 2026, after the vehicle was parked and turne... Read more
AUDI Q8 (2020) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 7, 2026
Incident date: Sep 5, 2022
I am reporting a recurring problem with the front passenger-side window on my 2020 Audi Q8. This issue began when the vehicle was approximately two years old and has continued intermittently. When attempting to close the front passenger window, the window will sometimes automatically reverse direction and go back down instead of closing. On September 7, 2026, after the vehicle was parked and turne... Read more
AUDI SQ5 (2019) - ENGINE Sep 7, 2026
Incident date: Apr 22, 2026
Piston skirt extended warranty calls for replacement of the pistons. This does NOT fix the issue if the vehicle was driven long term with damaged pistons. In my case the vehicle started knocking 1000 miles after replacement. Unsafe to drive and I now how to pay for a new engine on my own.
AUDI S5 (2025) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS Sep 6, 2026
Incident date: Jan 26, 2026
I am filing this safety complaint regarding my 2025 Audi S5, VIN [XXX]. Since taking delivery on [XXX], the vehicle has experienced repeated and intermittent malfunctions involving the driver-assistance and steering systems. On numerous occasions, the Lane Departure Warning/Lane Assist system has applied unexpected and excessive steering input. When attempting to change lanes, including while usin... Read more
AUDI S5 (2025) - LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST Sep 6, 2026
Incident date: Jan 26, 2026
I am filing this safety complaint regarding my 2025 Audi S5, VIN [XXX]. Since taking delivery on [XXX], the vehicle has experienced repeated and intermittent malfunctions involving the driver-assistance and steering systems. On numerous occasions, the Lane Departure Warning/Lane Assist system has applied unexpected and excessive steering input. When attempting to change lanes, including while usin... Read more
AUDI S5 (2025) - LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING Sep 6, 2026
Incident date: Jan 26, 2026
I am filing this safety complaint regarding my 2025 Audi S5, VIN [XXX]. Since taking delivery on [XXX], the vehicle has experienced repeated and intermittent malfunctions involving the driver-assistance and steering systems. On numerous occasions, the Lane Departure Warning/Lane Assist system has applied unexpected and excessive steering input. When attempting to change lanes, including while usin... Read more
AUDI Q7 (2017) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 5, 2026
Incident date: Sep 5, 2026
The vehicle has a recurring electrical failure involving the camshaft position sensor circuit (DTC P0365). The sensor itself is functional, but the wiring harness leading to the sensor develops internal copper fatigue due to a design flaw in the factory routing. The harness is bent tightly behind the passenger-side cylinder head, causing vibration-induced internal wire breakage that is invisible e... Read more
AUDI E-TRON (2022) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 5, 2026
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
While driving, the vehicle displayed three simultaneous warnings — “Drive system malfunction, safely stop vehicle,” “Electrical system malfunction, restart not possible, contact service,” and “All-wheel drive malfunction, limited stability” — and lost propulsion completely. This occurred on at least two separate occasions while driving. After each event, the vehicle would not resta... Read more
AUDI A6 (2026) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING Sep 5, 2026
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
This report is on a new vehicle. The incident occurred within one week of purchase. While driving on a freeway at constant speed, with the closest vehicle in front of me approximately 25 yards away and with no warning, the car slammed on the brakes in an emergency fashion and aggressively tightened the seat belt shoulder harness. This was followed by a notice "emergency call cancelled". It is clea... Read more
AUDI A6 (2026) - SERVICE BRAKES Sep 5, 2026
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
This report is on a new vehicle. The incident occurred within one week of purchase. While driving on a freeway at constant speed, with the closest vehicle in front of me approximately 25 yards away and with no warning, the car slammed on the brakes in an emergency fashion and aggressively tightened the seat belt shoulder harness. This was followed by a notice "emergency call cancelled". It is clea... Read more
AUDI A6 (2021) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Sep 4, 2026
The vehicle went in for a software update. After purchasing the vehicle, the software update was part of a recall. Since that recall was performed, my vehicle has a lot of electronic glitches and a lot of issues. My external Morty just got done, paying $4500 to track down a central locking issue on top of the electronic issues. Did not fix the issue. I am out of town going to see family in Califor... Read more
AUDI Q5 (2020) - STEERING Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
On September 2, 2026, I purchased a used 2020 Audi Q5 with disclosed Lemon Law Buyback title branding. Approximately two hours after taking delivery, the vehicle began exhibiting a pronounced vibration/judder in the drivetrain when turning the steering wheel at low speed, approximately 1-5 mph. Initially occurring only at full steering lock, the symptom has progressively worsened and now occurs du... Read more
AUDI Q5 (2020) - POWER TRAIN Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
On September 2, 2026, I purchased a used 2020 Audi Q5 with disclosed Lemon Law Buyback title branding. Approximately two hours after taking delivery, the vehicle began exhibiting a pronounced vibration/judder in the drivetrain when turning the steering wheel at low speed, approximately 1-5 mph. Initially occurring only at full steering lock, the symptom has progressively worsened and now occurs du... Read more
AUDI Q7 (2025) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Sep 4, 2026
Incident date: Aug 28, 2026
I placed my child into the back seat of my 2025 Audi Q7 and secured the child in the car seat. The key fob was inside the vehicle in the back seat, and the vehicle was turned off. After placing my child in the vehicle, the Q7 unexpectedly locked with both my child and the key fob inside. I did not intentionally lock the vehicle. I attempted to regain access to the vehicle, but the doors remained... Read more
AUDI A6 (2020) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Sep 3, 2026
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
The electronic/central door locking system on my 2020 Audi A6 malfunctioned. The vehicle and affected components are available for inspection upon request. The vehicle was running with my two young children secured in car seats in the rear seats. I briefly exited and closed the driver's door. When I attempted to re-enter, the vehicle was locked and I was unable to gain access for approximately 10... Read more
AUDI S5 (2026) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING Sep 3, 2026
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
Summary of Safety Event: While traveling at highway speeds with active traffic behind me, the vehicle’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) suffered an un-commanded, severe "phantom braking" event. The vehicle aggressively engaged the emergency service brakes and decelerated rapidly with absolutely no obstacles, pedestrians, or vehicles ahead. This sudden, violent deceleration created an i... Read more
AUDI S5 (2026) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL Sep 3, 2026
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
Summary of Safety Event: While traveling at highway speeds with active traffic behind me, the vehicle’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) suffered an un-commanded, severe "phantom braking" event. The vehicle aggressively engaged the emergency service brakes and decelerated rapidly with absolutely no obstacles, pedestrians, or vehicles ahead. This sudden, violent deceleration created an i... Read more
AUDI S5 (2026) - SERVICE BRAKES Sep 3, 2026
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
Summary of Safety Event: While traveling at highway speeds with active traffic behind me, the vehicle’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) suffered an un-commanded, severe "phantom braking" event. The vehicle aggressively engaged the emergency service brakes and decelerated rapidly with absolutely no obstacles, pedestrians, or vehicles ahead. This sudden, violent deceleration created an i... Read more
AUDI E-TRON (2022) - SERVICE BRAKES Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: Jul 29, 2026
The vehicle is experiencing an intermittent but active 'Electrical system: malfunction!' safety alert on the dashboard and myAudi app, caused by an internal high-voltage battery cell circuit fault (Diagnostic Trouble Code P0DB400 / U04A300) and a failure in the battery thermal runaway detection system. When the fault occurs, the vehicle suffers a complete loss of regenerative braking, severely a... Read more
AUDI E-TRON (2022) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: Jul 29, 2026
The vehicle is experiencing an intermittent but active 'Electrical system: malfunction!' safety alert on the dashboard and myAudi app, caused by an internal high-voltage battery cell circuit fault (Diagnostic Trouble Code P0DB400 / U04A300) and a failure in the battery thermal runaway detection system. When the fault occurs, the vehicle suffers a complete loss of regenerative braking, severely a... Read more
AUDI Q5 (2019) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: Aug 20, 2026
Severe consequential safety defect involving total anti-lock braking system (ABS) failure stemming from a manufacturer recall defect and volatile CAN-bus network conditions during repair. This vehicle has less than 7,500 miles and has been grounded at an authorized dealership, Audi Brooklyn- Lic# [XXX], 700 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231, for exactly 20 days since being flatbed-towed on [XXX], d... Read more
AUDI Q5 (2019) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: Aug 20, 2026
Severe consequential safety defect involving total anti-lock braking system (ABS) failure stemming from a manufacturer recall defect and volatile CAN-bus network conditions during repair. This vehicle has less than 7,500 miles and has been grounded at an authorized dealership, Audi Brooklyn- Lic# [XXX], 700 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231, for exactly 20 days since being flatbed-towed on [XXX], d... Read more
AUDI Q5 (2019) - SERVICE BRAKES Sep 2, 2026
Incident date: Aug 20, 2026
Severe consequential safety defect involving total anti-lock braking system (ABS) failure stemming from a manufacturer recall defect and volatile CAN-bus network conditions during repair. This vehicle has less than 7,500 miles and has been grounded at an authorized dealership, Audi Brooklyn- Lic# [XXX], 700 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231, for exactly 20 days since being flatbed-towed on [XXX], d... Read more
AUDI Q3 (2024) - WHEELS Sep 1, 2026
Incident date: May 30, 2025
I am submitting this complaint because I have experienced serious safety-related concerns involving Audi vehicles, and I am extremely concerned that these issues could result in a serious accident, injury, or loss of life. My personal vehicle is a **2024 Audi Q3**, which has experienced safety-related problems involving the braking system, wheel/speed sensors, parking recognition system, and other... Read more
Crash 1 injured
AUDI Q3 (2024) - STEERING Sep 1, 2026
Incident date: May 30, 2025
I am submitting this complaint because I have experienced serious safety-related concerns involving Audi vehicles, and I am extremely concerned that these issues could result in a serious accident, injury, or loss of life. My personal vehicle is a **2024 Audi Q3**, which has experienced safety-related problems involving the braking system, wheel/speed sensors, parking recognition system, and other... Read more
Crash 1 injured
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