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: Jan 10, 2025
I parked my car in the garage. It was turned off. I left the garage door open and went inside. After approximately 5 minutes I heard a car horn sounding. I went outside to check and saw flames coming from the passenger side of the car. I got the hose to put the fire out, and my neighbor called 911. The flames grew quickly and were growing. Soon the flames were on both sides of the car. Both the po... Read more
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 10, 2025
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Dec 12, 2024
Drivers seatbelt is coming unlatched while I’m driving (maybe 5-10 minutes into the drive).
Incident date: Sep 12, 2024
The issue started last year over a period of several months when my car kept stalling at a traffic light. After stopping on a red light my car stalled. I had to shut off the car then restart to get it going. Had the battery replaced and problem was gone until this week. Car stalled at the traffic light again (in the middle of busy downtown and being the 1st car at the intersection), but this time ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-50 MPH or above, the vehicle was shaking and jerking. The contact stated that the RPM became elevated before decreasing. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the cruise control was activated or deactivated. The ABS, the brake light, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact who... Read more
Incident date: Sep 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-50 MPH or above, the vehicle was shaking and jerking. The contact stated that the RPM became elevated before decreasing. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the cruise control was activated or deactivated. The ABS, the brake light, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact who... Read more
Incident date: Nov 14, 2024
Repeated issues with leaking water pump and broken seals under the intake manifold causing vehicle to be underivable.
Incident date: Dec 11, 2024
I purchased a this vehicle at a dealership Laurel Ford as is no warranty for $14,000 and not even in a week of me having it the key fob was not working and it’s been giving me problems so now it’s not is not reading the ignition switch and it won’t turn on it’s not drivable, and I have small three kids. I love it but the headache I can’t deal. Please help!!!!
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
Brakes have failed twice and been repaired. Several sensors have failed and been repaired. The engine failed and had to be totally rebuilt. The vehicle has only 45000 miles. Minor, but paint has peeled down to bare metal. The engine has just been repaired by dealership - it was a bear to get that accomplished. Ford Corporation would not assist but the dealership itself was very proactive. W... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2025
Vehicle failed to accelerate when throttle pressed.
Incident date: Nov 28, 2024
There wasn't a proper "Problem Parts" option for my issue. My car has a manual transmission and VW has decided that adding a brake hold feature whenever the car is stopped at an intersection or in traffic etc. would be a good idea. I'm hear to tell you I have almost become part several accidents with this car even though it only has 40 miles on it. This is a well know issue with these cars that... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
"service air bag" light is illuminated. Deal states the replacement part is out of production. Apparently, this is a relative common problem with this vehicle. The illumination of the warning light indicates the air bag system is not working.
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
2024 COLORADO TB purchased new on [XXX]. About 3 days later with 150 miles logged parked in my driveway I noticed OIL spots and leaking. Drove to dealer and they kept it for around 3 days. Dealer contacted GM to supply data points and information. GM had a bulletin placed for REAR MAIN OIL SEAL AND GASKET failure they attributed to faulty parts from original plant inside U.S. Dealer receive... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
Shark fin antenna - Telematic control module malfunctioning. Seems to have a leak issue causing modules inside/under antenna to get wet from rain or car washes. This is causing an error message "SOS emergency call system malfunctioning", you will not be able to make calls under an emergency. Other issues include GPS, remote start, lane assist, adaptive cruise control etc... not working properly a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the roof rails were inoperable. The contact stated that the roof rail on the driver's side had detached from the vehicle and the rail on the passenger's side was fractured. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2021
EL EMBLEMA DE RESINA EN LA CUBIERTA DEL MÓDULO AIRBAG DEL CONDUCTOR EN LOS VEHÍCULOS AFECTADOS PUEDE TENER DURABILIDAD REDUCIDA DEBIDO A POSIBLES VARIACIONES EN EL PROCESO DE PRODUCCIÓN DEL PROVEEDOR. EN ESTA CONDICIÓN, CON EL TIEMPO, LOS POSTES DEL EMBLEMA PUEDEN DESARROLLAR GRIETAS, Y EL EMBLEMA Y LOS COMPONENTES DE RETENCIÓN PODRÍAN DESPRENDERSE EN CASO DE QUE SE DESPLIEGUE EL AIRBAG.
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
Headed to my work ,outside temp 26 deg F, when on hiway entrance ramp, vehicle lost all acceleration. Vehicle is a hybrid, condition no warning lights on dash, vehicle was stuck in EV mode, which the ICE engine would not start to help as normally would do. Hybrid battery began draining very quickly. There was a semi truck right behind me accelerating hard to get on highway .This time I managed to ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
Headed to my work ,outside temp 26 deg F, when on hiway entrance ramp, vehicle lost all acceleration. Vehicle is a hybrid, condition no warning lights on dash, vehicle was stuck in EV mode, which the ICE engine would not start to help as normally would do. Hybrid battery began draining very quickly. There was a semi truck right behind me accelerating hard to get on highway .This time I managed to ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
Had a collision with another vehicle and my airbags never deployed. The other vehicles airbags did deploy.
Crash
Incident date: May 8, 2024
The moonroof malfunctions and can be stuck in the open position. The drain plug for the moonroof can easily get clogged causing water to back up into the overhead structure. This causes water to fall onto the driver and passengers. The water flows from the overhead area, the side pillars and onto the floorboards. The electrical components are then compromised and the motor that controls the mo... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2025
The vehicles turn signal inductors did not work. After I left my home and began to signal a lane change, I discovered that moving the turn signal stalk did not activate the signal indicator. Additionally, the instrument cluster shows 0 mph even while the vehicle was moving. Video: [XXX] Later while on the freeway, received a warning that front radar unit was not working: [XXX] INFORMATION R... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
Okay guys this is a HUGE problem with not only the civic si but any motor car equipped with a 1.5t engine (accord, Honda, crv) . My car is bone stock and I’m casually accelerating onto highway followed by abrupt misfireing( I believe and completely out of nowhere) and all of a sudden my engine completely explodes! Literally engine parts on the highway and my car has next to now power and I barel... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
Went to open the drivers side left front door and heard a loud clunk, now door isn't opening or shutting properly and we can't use the drivers window either. I've heard of peoples doors falling off while driving because of this and we just bought the car at the end of October. We have yet to get it looked at, but it's not a cheap fix. There were no warnings or signs. I opened it normal like every ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2024
Went to open the drivers side left front door and heard a loud clunk, now door isn't opening or shutting properly and we can't use the drivers window either. I've heard of peoples doors falling off while driving because of this and we just bought the car at the end of October. We have yet to get it looked at, but it's not a cheap fix. There were no warnings or signs. I opened it normal like every ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2024
Recall notice # 24V-608 was issued in October 2024. BMW has not yet provided a remedy as of January 2025 (more than 3 months) for this safety issue. I therefore complain about BMW's lack of responsiveness to this recall. Please remonstrate with BMW to cause this repair to happen with alacrity. Please use whatever federal regulatory powers you wield to prod BMW into compliance.
Incident date: Aug 21, 2024
On Thursday last week, I went out to my car that I have parked in the garage the day before I had no issues with the vehicle drove it all day, but on Thursday, I left home to go out to make some errands hopped in my car and I tried to start it. First car wouldn’t turn on, so I thought maybe I should turn off headlights and interior lights. Then I waited a few minutes and thought maybe the cold t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2025
At 164 miles on the odometer, I had the following issues: a. Received a message that the active high beam was not available and that it would be necessary to run the wipers to clean the front camera. I ran the wipers with washer fluid to clear the camera as instructed, but it did not clear the error message during the drive cycle; b. Car has Driver Support System Fault; and c. Car has Lane K... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2022
Sorry for my bad English, I am from Quebec, in Canada. On [XXX], our jeep wrangler 2023 burned. The 95B recall was process on December 19th 2024. The battery burned, no flames were visible, only chemical fire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Fire
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
Passenger seat, headrest exploded part of cars, active restraint system, hitting my son in the head
Incident date: Jan 5, 2025
THROTTLE LAG WHEN PRESSING GAS PEDAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULITIPLE OCCASIONS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. NO WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING THIS. I FEAR THAT IF THIS DOES NOT GET FIXED MY FAMILY AND I WILL BE SEVERLEY INJURED OR MAY END UP DEAD. I TOOK IT TO 2 TOYOTA DEALERS. ONE IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AND ONE IN DEL RIO, TEXAS THEY BOTH SAID, "WE SEE NOTHING WRONG. AND TO... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
The emergency brakes engaging in reverse and while in drive. Not available for inspection as the vehicle is now totaled. It was involved in a rollover accident. I believe the emergency brakes caused the rollover. If the rollover was in fact due to the emergency brakes engaging, the accident could have happened on the highway, or a busier street putting several lives in danger. Thankfully, there w... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
The rear differential is messed up on this truck, and there is grinding noise - when i turn left or right, and there,s a whinning noise while driving, and also black fluid drips from in between the oil pan, and transmission and hissing sound when turned on..
AUDI
A4 ALLROAD
(2024) - POWER TRAIN
Dec 30, 2024
Incident date: Dec 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message “Shift to Park" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that an unstated part in the gear shifter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The fai... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2024
Reverse camera saying not available when car is put in reverse. There is an update for the 2021 backup camera. My VIN is apparently not on that even though it is a 2021 Edge.
Incident date: Dec 7, 2024
Traveling interstate at 80 mph 2023 Honda CRV Hybrid with 15,500 miles had a critical power failure, and warning lights to stop vehicle as soon as safe. We had the car towed and went to Honda dealer in (Community Honda) in Lafayette, LA (traveling). They state a fuel injector failed I have seen multiple social media posts of a similar experience, but have not seen a recall listed. I wanted to ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2024
Control arm of the left front suspension system detached with no warning other than an occasional noise that started about 2 weeks before the incident, usually when turning the front wheels at slow speed. This was a potentially dangerous situation for the driver, passengers, and any other vehicles on the road as the tire could have come off at any time. Fortunately the car was being parked (0-1 mp... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
I got to know that I have two recalls open since October 2024. I called Honda campaign to follow up on the recalls as and I opened a case with them on [XXX]. The case number is [XXX]. I was referred to the dealer and when I contacted the dealer who sold my car, he said that he is repairing cars based on a waitlist and that parts are not available with them for both recalls. This car with its curre... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
My vehicle has been consuming oil at a rate of approximately 1 quart every 1,500 miles. The VW dealership I took my vehicle into reported that VW considers this “normal”. After arguing that any vehicle that will burn its entire oil reservoir between oil changes is not normal, they agreed to perform an oil consumption test which is currently underway.
Incident date: Dec 27, 2024
The Engine Auto Idle Stop system causes the vehicle to intermittently drift backward (without power) for 1-2 seconds, until restart, when at certain types of intersections (extremely minimal incline or near-level intersections). This has caused numerous unsafe situations during normal driving involving the backward drift. Furthermore, the drift and restart delay cause significant hesitation duri... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURER); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact had not experience... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated the vehicle was consuming excessive oil consumption. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was consuming oil every 2,000 miles. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was consuming oil at a regular timeframe. The manufac... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
While driving on the highway, the engine started to sputter when gas pedal was depressed, turned around and drove it straight to a mechanic. At the mechanic, they were unable to shift the car out of park, and noted the transmission had "catastrophic failure, irrepairable" We called Ford, and they said while there is a recall for 2020 Ford Escapes, this one was built in a different factor and was... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while at a red light, the vehicle stalled and shuddered. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, the independent mechanic stated that the failure cause was unidentifiable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to a different... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000(Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road, ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2024
In the headlight assembly the main headlight bowls are deteriorated/defective. The amount of light that the regular low beams or high beams provide at night is insufficient. This makes driving at night with the factory assembly lights highly dangerous.
Incident date: Oct 3, 2024
There is a lot fuel- fumes/odor entering the cab of the vehicle when exceling the speed.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
All cameras stopped working. Blind spot detection not working. Blinkers stopped working. No parking assist. Auto wipers . Adas not working. Screen auto brightness not working. Clicking when letting off accelerator. We damaged our tire and rim due to this issue.
Crash
Incident date: Dec 20, 2024
Rearview Camera does not work (Signal Loss message appears). I nearly hit 1 adult and 2 small children that were passing behind my vehicle in a parking lot. I felt the need to report this even though a recall is being put into place. I have an appointment already to have the camera repaired.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2024
There was no warning, engine seized on main Hwy at night driving approximately 45mph. Couldn’t even pull off to the side. My child and I were stuck on a main road with no warning anything was wrong. Car stopped driving completely. This was my forth engine. Hyundai has always replaced it. 4 in 27k miles. This time they denied it.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2024
My 2017 KIA Soul failed while going 70 on the highway, almost completely lost power. Pull over to the side of the road to check the issue. Checked the oil, and it was down to less than a quart. There was no indicator light to bring attention to this issue. Brought it into the dealership after returning home. The Soul was completely unsafe to drive due to engine knocks. Despite letting the dealersh... Read more