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 15,943 complaints for AUDI
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
1–2 second delay in throttle response from pedal input, followed by sudden uncommanded surge/jerk forward. Occurs when vehicle is on hold mode in a slope or in plain flat conditions at a light or a stop sign. It happens when the car is cold or warm. I consider the vehicle unsafe to drive. The cruise control also has a major problem. When activated the lane departure feature also gets activated a... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
1–2 second delay in throttle response from pedal input, followed by sudden uncommanded surge/jerk forward. Occurs when vehicle is on hold mode in a slope or in plain flat conditions at a light or a stop sign. It happens when the car is cold or warm. I consider the vehicle unsafe to drive. The cruise control also has a major problem. When activated the lane departure feature also gets activated a... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2026
I was driving down a regular road by my house, full sunshine, perfect road, nothing unusual. In fact, it was such a nice day, the sunroof was open and windows were down. My dog was in the back seat after just being picked up from grooming happily enjoying the day with his head out the window. I was on a road with the speed limit of 30. I was going 30 mph. Nothing unusual. Literally, out of nowhere... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2026
I was driving down a regular road by my house, full sunshine, perfect road, nothing unusual. In fact, it was such a nice day, the sunroof was open and windows were down. My dog was in the back seat after just being picked up from grooming happily enjoying the day with his head out the window. I was on a road with the speed limit of 30. I was going 30 mph. Nothing unusual. Literally, out of nowhere... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2026
I was driving down a regular road by my house, full sunshine, perfect road, nothing unusual. In fact, it was such a nice day, the sunroof was open and windows were down. My dog was in the back seat after just being picked up from grooming happily enjoying the day with his head out the window. I was on a road with the speed limit of 30. I was going 30 mph. Nothing unusual. Literally, out of nowhere... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
I am reporting a severe safety hazard on my 2020 Audi Q8 directly caused by the software update for NHTSA Recall 25V900 (Audi 90TV). The recall shows as "completed" on my VIN, but it left the vehicle with an active driver assistance defect that did not exist before. No accident has occurred, but there is a severe risk of a crash. Following the recall, the Audi Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring) ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
I am reporting a severe safety hazard on my 2020 Audi Q8 directly caused by the software update for NHTSA Recall 25V900 (Audi 90TV). The recall shows as "completed" on my VIN, but it left the vehicle with an active driver assistance defect that did not exist before. No accident has occurred, but there is a severe risk of a crash. Following the recall, the Audi Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring) ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2026
I am reporting a severe safety hazard on my 2020 Audi Q8 directly caused by the software update for NHTSA Recall 25V900 (Audi 90TV). The recall shows as "completed" on my VIN, but it left the vehicle with an active driver assistance defect that did not exist before. No accident has occurred, but there is a severe risk of a crash. Following the recall, the Audi Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring) ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2026
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Jun 10, 2026
At 70,000 miles with only one owner, it develops transmission problems, making it unsafe to drive and control the car; control of the car is lost. Here is the link from the Dealer [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Sep 10, 2025
I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the door locking and electrical systems in my 2024 Audi SQ8. On two separate occasions the vehicle experienced a complete electrical malfunction. During the first incident, I and my child were trapped inside the vehicle. The doors would not open from the inside and the vehicle would not start. After the first incident, the vehicle was taken to an Au... Read more
AUDI
A6 ALLROAD
(2026) — POWER TRAIN
Jun 9, 2026
Incident date: May 1, 2026
Was told that the rear differential was defective and needed to be replaced. After this rear differential was replaced, it still is not fixed. The problem was confirmed by the dealer. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership and the manufacturer. No messages or warning lamps were activated. Symptoms of problems included reverberation of vehicle below the driver's seat, unable to keep the c... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2026
My 2020 Audi SQ7 has a recall for the backup camera malfunctioning. The recall is 90TV according to Audi. My vehicle has been at the Audi Dealer in Brentwood, TN for 2 weeks now because their software update that is supposed to fix the vehicle is not working. According to the Service Advisor, Taylor Ellis, they are having issues with this all over the US and other countries. I have no update on wh... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2026
My 2020 Audi SQ7 has a recall for the backup camera malfunctioning. The recall is 90TV according to Audi. My vehicle has been at the Audi Dealer in Brentwood, TN for 2 weeks now because their software update that is supposed to fix the vehicle is not working. According to the Service Advisor, Taylor Ellis, they are having issues with this all over the US and other countries. I have no update on wh... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2026
My 2020 Audi SQ7 has a recall for the backup camera malfunctioning. The recall is 90TV according to Audi. My vehicle has been at the Audi Dealer in Brentwood, TN for 2 weeks now because their software update that is supposed to fix the vehicle is not working. According to the Service Advisor, Taylor Ellis, they are having issues with this all over the US and other countries. I have no update on wh... Read more
AUDI
A6 SPORTBACK E-TRON
(2025) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 9, 2026
Incident date: Apr 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Audi A6 Sportback E-tron. The contact stated that while his wife was attempting to exit the vehicle through the rear door, the door failed to open as needed. Additionally, the contact was unable to unlock or gain access to the vehicle via the phone key and keyless entry features. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and had also occurred on a 2025 Audi Q6 E... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
CENTRAL LOCKING MALFUNCTION. Central locking malfunction will lock my kids INSIDE my car and my key not work. It will also lock me inside the car and the emergency not work. There is a class action lawsuit for this!!! And all of my electrical will completely go out.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
CENTRAL LOCKING MALFUNCTION. Central locking malfunction will lock my kids INSIDE my car and my key not work. It will also lock me inside the car and the emergency not work. There is a class action lawsuit for this!!! And all of my electrical will completely go out.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
CENTRAL LOCKING MALFUNCTION. Central locking malfunction will lock my kids INSIDE my car and my key not work. It will also lock me inside the car and the emergency not work. There is a class action lawsuit for this!!! And all of my electrical will completely go out.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
Defective side‑marker LED inside sealed headlight assembly Component: Exterior Lighting / Headlights Make/Model/Year: 2017 Audi Q7 prestige Issue: Defective side‑marker LED inside sealed headlight assembly Complaint: The side‑marker LED inside the headlight assembly on my 2017 Audi Q7 has failed due to an internal LED driver defect. The LED module is sealed and non‑serviceable, so the e... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2026
I and my wife were emerging from an intetstate highway entrance ramp when our car suddenly and completely lost power. A "Transmission Malfunction" warning suddenly (and for the first time) appeared on the dashboard.We had just completed a merge with heavy traffic going 70-75 miles per hour. Immediately behind our car was a very large tractor-trailer that hit its brakes but came within inches of th... Read more
AUDI
E-TRON SPORTBACK
(2022) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jun 8, 2026
Incident date: Jun 7, 2026
Running 4430 MMI/MIB3 software (that was release almost 2 years ago) and now have stereo EQ settings that reset on their own, personalized favorites that delete on their own, and other personalization settings that reset on their own. Happens every 6-24 hours if settings are adjusted. Audi knows about it, refuses to allow dealers to update to newer software that will fix these since there are upda... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2026
I was traveling at highway speeds in active, high-velocity traffic when my vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical failure that nearly resulted in a severe multi-car accident. Without any warning, the vehicle completely lost its ability to accelerate, flatly refusing to pick up speed or maintain momentum despite pressing the gas pedal. This unexpected, immediate drop in propulsion ma... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2026
I was traveling at highway speeds in active, high-velocity traffic when my vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical failure that nearly resulted in a severe multi-car accident. Without any warning, the vehicle completely lost its ability to accelerate, flatly refusing to pick up speed or maintain momentum despite pressing the gas pedal. This unexpected, immediate drop in propulsion ma... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
I have experienced multiple events in which the there is a central locking system malfunction which renders the fob, door lock button, and at times, the door handle nonfunctional and effectively traps occupants in the vehicle.
Incident date: Jun 5, 2026
My Audi Q6 Etron has 1 year and 10,390 miles. I was informed by the dealership that tires are already showing excessive thread wear causing a safety hazard due to lack of traction. Replacement is needed. This was never disclosed by Manufacturer or dealership until last Friday during the 10,000 mile service. Short life span was hidden to me until my first service and is affecting all Audi Q6 Et... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
When driving, my vehicle recieved multple warning messages at the same time. The first message was that my brake was malfunctioning, and when I went to brake, the brakes did not work. Thankfully, I wasn't going too fast when this happened and I was able to bring it down to a slow and turned into a lot. I could've easily hit another vehicle or totaled my car because the brakes simply stopped work... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
When driving, my vehicle recieved multple warning messages at the same time. The first message was that my brake was malfunctioning, and when I went to brake, the brakes did not work. Thankfully, I wasn't going too fast when this happened and I was able to bring it down to a slow and turned into a lot. I could've easily hit another vehicle or totaled my car because the brakes simply stopped work... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2026
While parked in my residential garage with the engine shut off and car door closed, the vehicle suffered an un-commanded rollaway incident due to a suspected defect in the electronic parking brake or automatic-park transmission software. The vehicle was completely stopped, the driver exited the vehicle and the driver's door was closed. Moments later, the vehicle shifted out of its parked state or... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 3, 2026
While parked in my residential garage with the engine shut off and car door closed, the vehicle suffered an un-commanded rollaway incident due to a suspected defect in the electronic parking brake or automatic-park transmission software. The vehicle was completely stopped, the driver exited the vehicle and the driver's door was closed. Moments later, the vehicle shifted out of its parked state or... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 3, 2026
While parked in my residential garage with the engine shut off and car door closed, the vehicle suffered an un-commanded rollaway incident due to a suspected defect in the electronic parking brake or automatic-park transmission software. The vehicle was completely stopped, the driver exited the vehicle and the driver's door was closed. Moments later, the vehicle shifted out of its parked state or... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
I am reporting recurring safety-related defects on my 2018 Audi A4 involving Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Audi pre sense/front-collision functionality, and related electrical/driver-assistance reliability. The AEB/forward-collision system has shown two unsafe intermittent behaviors. At times it has failed to activate as expected when crash-mitigation assistance appeared... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
I am reporting recurring safety-related defects on my 2018 Audi A4 involving Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Audi pre sense/front-collision functionality, and related electrical/driver-assistance reliability. The AEB/forward-collision system has shown two unsafe intermittent behaviors. At times it has failed to activate as expected when crash-mitigation assistance appeared... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
I am reporting recurring safety-related defects on my 2018 Audi A4 involving Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Audi pre sense/front-collision functionality, and related electrical/driver-assistance reliability. The AEB/forward-collision system has shown two unsafe intermittent behaviors. At times it has failed to activate as expected when crash-mitigation assistance appeared... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
The contact owns 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated while parked and when attempting to input fuel into the vehicle the fuel hose sprayed fuel into the contact's clothing and shoes and began to leak under the vehicle near the rear tires. An independent mechanic was contacted. The contact mention the failure has occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q3. The contact stated while attempting to refuel the vehicle, fuel spilled out of the filler neck and fell onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V673000 (Fuel System, Gasol... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2026
Dear Sir or Madam: I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2022 Audi Q3 involving water intrusion from the sunroof. At approximately 41,000 miles, approximately a month ago, water began leaking through the front edge of the sunroof despite the sunroof never being opened prior to the issue. The leak was not caused by clogged drains or lack of maintenance. Water entered through the overhe... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2026
Dear Sir or Madam: I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2022 Audi Q3 involving water intrusion from the sunroof. At approximately 41,000 miles, approximately a month ago, water began leaking through the front edge of the sunroof despite the sunroof never being opened prior to the issue. The leak was not caused by clogged drains or lack of maintenance. Water entered through the overhe... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2025
The contact leases a 2025 Audi SQ5. The contact stated that the driver's side exterior rear-view mirror position was blocking the driver's view while making a left turn. The manufacturer was contact and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for it to be test-driven. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximat... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that when filling the fuel tank, fuel leaks out of the vehicle. The failure would occur as soon as the contact filled the tank with about $ 3 worth of fuel. The contact recalled that previously, they struggled to open the fuel cap. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, diagnosed that the suction pump had failed. The issue related to NHTSA Campaign... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
I was driving my car would not accelerate on the highway and it almost caused me to get into an accident with my niece in the car. When I took the car to Audi this is what I was told my the service adviser. “Good afternoon. The technician has been looking into the vehicle and has found the cause of the issue. He has found the coolant water pump has failed internally causing coolant to leak inter... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
I was driving my car would not accelerate on the highway and it almost caused me to get into an accident with my niece in the car. When I took the car to Audi this is what I was told my the service adviser. “Good afternoon. The technician has been looking into the vehicle and has found the cause of the issue. He has found the coolant water pump has failed internally causing coolant to leak inter... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2026
Our '22 Audi Q5 experienced a spontaneous sunroof implosion while driving on the highway. Temperature would not have been a considering factor here, nor did anything hit the sunroof but it exploded and showered the occupants with glass - both pebble-sized pieces and small shards. The curtain was open at the time and glass went everywhere. Thankfully, the driver had the good sense to pull over i... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
Vehicle: 2015 Audi Q3 | Engine: 2.0L TFSI 4-Cylinder Turbo Component: Engine Complaint Description: While driving on the interstate at highway speed, the red oil pressure warning light illuminated suddenly and without prior warning. The standard low oil level warning light did NOT illuminate prior to the failure. Oil level was verified as correct and within specification at the time of failure.... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
Vehicle: 2015 Audi Q3 | Engine: 2.0L TFSI 4-Cylinder Turbo Component: Engine Complaint Description: While driving on the interstate at highway speed, the red oil pressure warning light illuminated suddenly and without prior warning. The standard low oil level warning light did NOT illuminate prior to the failure. Oil level was verified as correct and within specification at the time of failure.... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
Vehicle: 2015 Audi Q3 | Engine: 2.0L TFSI 4-Cylinder Turbo Component: Engine Complaint Description: While driving on the interstate at highway speed, the red oil pressure warning light illuminated suddenly and without prior warning. The standard low oil level warning light did NOT illuminate prior to the failure. Oil level was verified as correct and within specification at the time of failure.... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2026
On May 6, 2026, while operating the vehicle on a neighborhood street, the vehicle experienced a sudden, violent, and dangerous failure. After accelerating away from a stop sign, the vehicle was traveling at approximately 20-25 mph when, simultaneous with a warning message, it came to an immediate and abrupt stop. A number of error messages appeared in rapid succession on the vehicle’s MMI. Th... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2026
On May 6, 2026, while operating the vehicle on a neighborhood street, the vehicle experienced a sudden, violent, and dangerous failure. After accelerating away from a stop sign, the vehicle was traveling at approximately 20-25 mph when, simultaneous with a warning message, it came to an immediate and abrupt stop. A number of error messages appeared in rapid succession on the vehicle’s MMI. Th... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2026
On May 6, 2026, while operating the vehicle on a neighborhood street, the vehicle experienced a sudden, violent, and dangerous failure. After accelerating away from a stop sign, the vehicle was traveling at approximately 20-25 mph when, simultaneous with a warning message, it came to an immediate and abrupt stop. A number of error messages appeared in rapid succession on the vehicle’s MMI. Th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
2022 Audi Q5 (VIN: [XXX] ). Engine lubrication system failure — persistent abnormal oil consumption across two separate engines over 14 months. Beginning March 2025, the low engine oil warning light began activating repeatedly, sometimes after as few as 300 miles. AutoNation Audi Bellevue confirmed 1 quart low and initiated oil consumption tests. Their technician noted in writing that oil found ... Read more