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 16,369 complaints for AUDI
Incident date: Aug 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Audi A4. The contact stated that while purchasing the vehicle the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact contacted the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
Incident date: Aug 6, 2021
Our 2017 A4 suddenly had the passenger airbag warning light illuminate while driving. In addition a different warning stated "safety system malfunction." We took the car to the dealer. They saw that there was a code in the computer but said that this could be "because a wire moved." They claimed it was "fixed" by "restarting" the car.They did no repair despite our protests, and told us to bring it... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2021
My 2014 Audi Q5 2.0L Turbo, at 84339 miles, is consuming oil between oil changes. 4300 miles after my last oil change by the Audi dealership, I had to add oil. The dealership, Gwinnett Audi, 3190 Satellite Blvd, Duluth, GA 30090, said that Audi is paying for the oil top off for all customers. Seems odd that if this is normal that Audi would voluntarily reimburse the dealership for this expense... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2021
I was traveling down a dip in the road and the Audi Pre Sense initiated emergency braking. There was no vehicle in front, the road ahead was totally clear. The vehicle behind me nearly ran into the back of my car.
Incident date: Aug 9, 2021
The water pump system is leaking, and also the after water pump is malfunctioning. I was in danger when driving and the "turn off engine and check coolant levels" warning light message turned on. The engine was very hot and I was at risk of a fire. The issue has been confirmed by an auto repair shop for audis, that was close to me. They sent me a detailed diagnostic. I also have a recall letter fo... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2021
About 3 weeks ago I noticed the beginning of a steering problem. I first noticed that the wheel seemed to require more than normal force to turn, especially in about the 10 and 2 o’clock position. It would behave pretty normally most of the time, but then, unpredictably, this would happen. Now it seems to be pretty constant. The steering wheel now requires much more force than usual, but only wh... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated while turning in either direction at a low rate of speed, the vehicle vibrated abnormally without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they informed him that the failure was caused by tension between front and rear differentials and that the failure was comfort related. The dealer linked the failure to TSB number 2059129. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2021
While driving a brand new Audi Q5 it suddenly went into "Panic mode" with the windows going up & done,Steering malfunctioning, warning the driver to pull over. The car shuts down unexpectedly without reason. The whole car freezes ! While at the dealership, the tech told us there was another car being repaired with the same issue .Turns out if the back battery gets wet(hidden under the back cup ho... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2021
I was driving down a one lane road in my car that is less than a month old, when all of a sudden my car aggressively veered to the right over the shoulder line, then it veered to the left over the yellow line and then the right again and it kept going over the line down a slight embankment into the woods about 30 feet. All the while the steering and brakes completely failed and would not work and... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 8, 2021
255/40 R19 100H Rear driver side tire spontaneously blew while parked. Tire side wall shows about 1.5 inch linear mark with irregular border (not cut by a person but occurred naturally). Also has a near by person's dash cam video showing gun like "pop" sound when the tire blew spontaneously.
Incident date: Aug 4, 2021
while driving, my 2021 Audi q5 with 1400 miles, it began to malfunction; every light & warning (transmission, brakes, AWD , etc.) began flashing as failing on the dashboard. The windows begin going up & down. Steering began to be hard. Finally, I was able to steer the q5 out of traffic. Traffic was going about 40-50 mph. 2. the q5 was towed to Audi for diagnostic 3. Audi called & said that... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2020
Takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 Audi A6. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V056000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated the parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer w... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2021
I was driving about 67 on the open highway and was struck from behind by another vehicle. I lost control of my car and careened into a guard rail. I went unconscious and when I woke I was badly injured. All the air bags in car had deployed except for the driver's airbag. As a consequence, I sustained severe damages to my ribs and neck. I am lucky to be alive.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 3, 2021
EPC light and Engine light keep coming on and causing the car to go into limp mode while driving on highway at 55+ mph. This has happened three times. Each time I have taken the car back to Audi Marietta Jim Ellis. Each time I have paid thousands of dollars to remedy the problem. But other issues with the car engine keep arising. I have replaced the entire suspension at 60k miles... and Air struts... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q3. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side door locking mechanism intermittently failed, and the door could not be opened from the inside or outside of the vehicle. The contact indicated that when the failure occurred the door could not be unlocked manually or while using the key fob. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the door a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2021
Acc audi breaking guard fault lane assistance malfunction.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2021
Acc audi breaking guard fault lane assistance malfunction.
AUDI
A3 CABRIOLET
(2016) - AIR BAGS
Aug 5, 2021
Incident date: Apr 1, 2021
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated the parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made awar... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2021
The Lighting system is SUB-PAR because You NHTSA has been dragging your feet on approving the ADB Matrix Headlights and allowing AUDI to update the software and enable the system. This is a Safety issue as we cannot realize the full capability of visibility when driving on the highway! NHTSA, please get your ACT together and approve the ADB Headlights!
Incident date: Aug 5, 2021
System malfunction acc and breaking guard
Incident date: Aug 5, 2021
System malfunction acc and breaking guard
Incident date: Aug 5, 2021
System malfunction acc and breaking guard
Incident date: Jun 20, 2021
Dear Leadership @ NHTSA, On July 5th, I reported an incident of Air conditioner not working on my Audi Q7 car with Dealer- Audi Bellevue, located at 1533 120th Ave NE, Bellevue Washington 98005. Findings from the service team was, faulty Control Module and it was replaced. However, this replacement did not fix the problem. Further Investigation led to puncture in the Condenser as the cause. I... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2021
I purchased this vehicle used on 7/14/21 from Audi of Des Moines. Not even 3 days after purchasing, the rear view mirror fell down, the back of the front driver and passenger seats came off, the car had been hail damaged at the dealership but they didn't inspect the entire car so I have to replace the windshield and front license plate plastic grill attachment. However, my biggest concern is the... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2021
I purchased this vehicle used on 7/14/21 from Audi of Des Moines. Not even 3 days after purchasing, the rear view mirror fell down, the back of the front driver and passenger seats came off, the car had been hail damaged at the dealership but they didn't inspect the entire car so I have to replace the windshield and front license plate plastic grill attachment. However, my biggest concern is the... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2021
Passenger side air bag light came on and off even with not passenger on the vehicle PODS
Incident date: Jul 26, 2021
The contact owns a 2008 Audi Q7. The contact stated that his vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V660000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where the recall repair was performed. Two years later the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V818000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) after the initial remedy failed to correct the failure. The contact r... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2021
Failure of seal between injector and fuel rail caused fuel to be sprayed into engine compartment. I believe the injector seal was damaged during a prior service. Fuel sprayed onto the front of the engine and gasoline fumes filled cabin. Check engine light came on after engine died from lack of fuel. Safety issue is the accumulation of gasoline in the engine compartment & the car continues to pu... Read more
AUDI
A3 CABRIOLET
(2017) - AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Jul 30, 2021
Incident date: Jul 30, 2021
2017 AUDI A3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PODS SYSTEM AND IT WAS UNKNOWN WHEN IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO USE THE PASSENGER SEAT.
AUDI
A3 CABRIOLET
(2017) - AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Jul 30, 2021
Incident date: Jul 30, 2021
2017 AUDI A3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PODS SYSTEM AND IT WAS UNKNOWN WHEN IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO USE THE PASSENGER SEAT.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2021
It says driver system malfunction. Day before that it says Auto Start and Stop malfunction failure. When you are the traffic light and slow down and take a turn then the car gives kinds of couple of pushes as if the It gearbox is not able to adjust the speed automatically . You need to accelerate to keep the balance of the Car. Every passenger of the car feel the same. After 2 days I started getti... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2021
It says driver system malfunction. Day before that it says Auto Start and Stop malfunction failure. When you are the traffic light and slow down and take a turn then the car gives kinds of couple of pushes as if the It gearbox is not able to adjust the speed automatically . You need to accelerate to keep the balance of the Car. Every passenger of the car feel the same. After 2 days I started getti... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2021
It says driver system malfunction. Day before that it says Auto Start and Stop malfunction failure. When you are the traffic light and slow down and take a turn then the car gives kinds of couple of pushes as if the It gearbox is not able to adjust the speed automatically . You need to accelerate to keep the balance of the Car. Every passenger of the car feel the same. After 2 days I started getti... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2021
The car start chugging and lost power while driving. My safety and the safety of other drivers were at risk, because the vehicle stalled immediately. This issue happened while exiting off the highway. The vehicle was inspected by an Audi dealer and the issue reported was Turbo Charger issue. There were no warnings prior to the failure.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2021
Brakes and rotors P.s the the pictures I attached are of the new rotors they installed 500 miles ago after they acknowledged that there was a issue Front passenger seat doesn’t lock in position Windows when down they shake when you open and close the doors Shaking when going above 50mph
Incident date: Jul 26, 2021
During a trip the tire blew and separated at the sidewall. The vehicles tire pressure was correct and only had approximately 30,000 miles. The tires are the manufacturer installed Continental ProContact 225/40R18.
AUDI
A3 CABRIOLET
(2015) - AIR BAGS
Jul 27, 2021
Incident date: Jul 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) had failed to operate with a passenger seated in the front passenger’s seat. The contact then received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that an int... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2021
While driving on Interstate at normal speed the tire pressure light for the driver rear came on. There was no road debris or road hazard material present. On exiting the tire was going flat . The car was placed on the jack and removed and noted tread separation and protruding steel belt wiring . The steel belt wiring protruded through the tread in several places up to several inches away from ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2021
While driving my audi Q7 2017 SUV on highway with my family (spouse and two kids), i got alert on audi dashboard that steering wheel is malfunction and was not able to use power steering, it immediately feels like manual steering. I also lost adaptive cruise control, lane assistance and object identification assistance. I took car to audi dealer and they refused to admit that there was a recall re... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2021
2021 Audi Q5 parked (not running) in parking lot , outside temperature 95F, gasoline dripping from under right rear passenger area (approx 1/4-1/2 liter). Audi Service Center inspected and said the fuel pump needs replacing. Fuel system warning light had been yellow and gas cap gasket had been replaced .
Incident date: Jun 11, 2021
I bought the car recently and drove it on the freeway, on the way back home I noticed a shaking/Vibration coming from the right side of the vehicle. It made the car very hard to control and staying in one lane was almost impossible. It swerves left to right uncontrollably at random times. I haven't taken it in to any dealership or manufacturer to check it out for me, also there's no warning light... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2021
The incident occurred on a busy road during evening rush hour. I was in the middle lane of three lanes, and the lane to the right of me was closed due to construction. The phrase “electrical malfunction” flashed across my dashboard, there were beeping sounds, and about 5-10 later the steering froze up and the car would no longer accelerate. There were no other prior warning indications. I was ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2021
The incident occurred on a busy road during evening rush hour. I was in the middle lane of three lanes, and the lane to the right of me was closed due to construction. The phrase “electrical malfunction” flashed across my dashboard, there were beeping sounds, and about 5-10 later the steering froze up and the car would no longer accelerate. There were no other prior warning indications. I was ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2021
The incident occurred on a busy road during evening rush hour. I was in the middle lane of three lanes, and the lane to the right of me was closed due to construction. The phrase “electrical malfunction” flashed across my dashboard, there were beeping sounds, and about 5-10 later the steering froze up and the car would no longer accelerate. There were no other prior warning indications. I was ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2021
When I was driving and trying to make a right turn to merge into the traffic, the transmission suddenly stalled and stuck in neutral, put my car in the right lane with large traffic on the lane and forced other cars to make sudden stop. After restarting the engine multiple times, it was suspected that somehow the transmission is always in neutral while the onboard system showing it is in driving m... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2020
ESP malfunctioned while driving on highway: tires braked several times rapidly on one side without warning, making car difficult to control. Immediately took foot off gas and had to steer out of a small fishtail. At the time I was driving at normal speed, not cornering aggressively or anything, on a smooth dry road. In heavy traffic or on a wet road this could have resulted in a crash. On just a ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2021
After taking my '15 A3 to the dealer to have the Passenger Occupant Detection (POD) serviced, the issues started. For example, the passenger seatbelt sometimes chimes when no one is in the passenger seat, to the airbag shutting off when someone is seated in the passenger seat. As a result, I've reached out to my local Audi dealer to schedule an appointment to fix the issue. However, the service re... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2021
Passenger-side rear seat belt buckle (latch) no longer secures the seat belt tongue (latch plate). Repeated attempts were made to engage the tongue and reset the buckle with no success. Seat is currently unusable.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2017
Airbag warning light came on. Dealer said passenger seat occupancy sensor must be replaced, at cost of $1500-3000 since it's 5 months past my warranty. Numerous Audi models from 2012 onward have a recall for this sensor, but not my 2011 model (yet). Other automakers have extended their warranty for this safety-critical part -- BMW to 15 years, for example. Technicians could not tell me if the sen... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Audi A4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V295000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not mad... Read more