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: Apr 13, 2026
Replaced batteries, and power steering went out, it put my vehicle out of alignment... I tried getting an alignment at local Firestone. Told me they could not connect to the angle sensors and that I need to get a new rack and pinion
Incident date: Jul 2, 2026
The date was XXX there was a recall on the transmission for my 2014 Chevrolet Spark I took my car to Ben Mynatt [XXX]. They check my car and told me that my car transmission was effected and that they put an order for a new transmission. They called me the next day to bring the car in which I did, they gave me a loaner. On XXX they called me and told me my car was ready and that I can come and p... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2026
My oil plug fell out of my jeep. Within minutes all of the oil had splattered underneath and the back of the jeep. The oil lamp went on in my jeep. From the time the oil warning came on to the seizure of the engine was a couple minutes. The jeep went into protection mode or would not allow me to go over 25 minutes. I saw the engine light come on and went straight to Mobil1, the closest place... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2026
Car shaking, oil is burning , and drive hard. Engine and, oil light is now appearing.
Incident date: Jul 4, 2026
The rear driver‑side seat belt in my 2025 Hyundai Elantra will not extend or retract. The seat belt was used under normal conditions, with no excessive force, misuse, or accident that would cause damage. It suddenly stopped functioning and is now completely inoperable. A non‑functioning seat belt is a serious safety hazard because passengers cannot be properly restrained. I brought the vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2026
Headlights visibley shake when the car encounters a bump in the road, during braking, and anything else that can create an impulse on the car. The vehicle is available upon request for inspection. It creates a distint and distracting event that is distracting to the operator when and potentially on-coming traffic when driving at night. I have heard that others have also verified this with dealers... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
I am thoroughly disappointed and overwhelmed. My vehicle has 122,000 miles on it. Yes that may be considered many for some but this vehicle has been taken care of extensively and all routine scheduled maintenance has been performed. I purchased from Preston Ford in Pittsville, MD and the vehicle had 48000 miles as a used vehicle. I have had many minor issues,(fuel flap), A/C issues and 2 recalls f... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
Issue with the trailer brake system keeps coming up on my dash. I know a lot of other people have had the same issue keeps dinging will not stop causes me to get distracted while driving. Unable to use other features because of this distraction and safety issue. The safety issue needs to be fixed this is an effective product with so many people having an issue you need to do a recall. I did let Gr... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2026
transmission not shifting right and back up camera not cutting off while driving
Incident date: Jun 13, 2026
transmission not shifting right and back up camera not cutting off while driving
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
I was driving around and my [XXX] daughter was complaining that the seat was getting super hot . I told her to stop playing with the seat warmer she then replied she was not . I kept driving and then she again told me it was burning her so i pulled over and saw that her leg was super red and i saw the seat was pretty melted . I called mercedes care center and they adviced me to take it to my loca... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
Whining sound can be heard while accelerating the vehicle. Maintenance crew is reporting an issue with transmission. UA80F 8 speed transmission on V6 engine in Toyota Highlander has this failure noise. Given that the transmission can fail anytime. It is dangerous to operate the vehicle. No action is taken from Toyota yet.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
Windshield wipers go off randomly even with rain detection turned off.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
A few months after purchase, the power cut off on me. Then it happened again the following year. Then the screen for backing up started going on and off. Then I started feeling like the car was loosing power. In the last 2 years the power cutting off has occurred 3 more times and the rear screen camera has started glitching more where it goes out when switching in reverse.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
A few months after purchase, the power cut off on me. Then it happened again the following year. Then the screen for backing up started going on and off. Then I started feeling like the car was loosing power. In the last 2 years the power cutting off has occurred 3 more times and the rear screen camera has started glitching more where it goes out when switching in reverse.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
A few months after purchase, the power cut off on me. Then it happened again the following year. Then the screen for backing up started going on and off. Then I started feeling like the car was loosing power. In the last 2 years the power cutting off has occurred 3 more times and the rear screen camera has started glitching more where it goes out when switching in reverse.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
My 2018 Audi Q7 3.0T Quattro is experiencing extreme oil consumption — dropping from full to minimum level in approximately 230 miles. This is approximately 14x beyond Audi's own threshold for excessive oil consumption of 0.5 quarts per 1,000 miles. Documented timeline: May 2026 (88,692 miles): Oil change required 2.2 extra quarts beyond standard 7.2qt fill. Low oil light triggered during highw... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2026
The short-term MPG / fuel-consumption display gives illogical and inconsistent readings. The display can show a significant drop in short-term fuel economy after the vehicle has been parked, locked, and not running, as if the system is incorrectly factoring parked/off time into the MPG calculation. This suggests a possible fault in the onboard computer, instrument cluster, fuel-consumption calcula... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2026
The short-term MPG / fuel-consumption display gives illogical and inconsistent readings. The display can show a significant drop in short-term fuel economy after the vehicle has been parked, locked, and not running, as if the system is incorrectly factoring parked/off time into the MPG calculation. This suggests a possible fault in the onboard computer, instrument cluster, fuel-consumption calcula... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2023
The vehicle intermittently gives a false proximity/collision warning while stationary or while maneuvering at low speed. The sensors beep and display a warning on the screen as if an object is about to hit the vehicle, even when nothing around the vehicle has changed and no object is present. This appears to involve the parking/proximity warning system, sensor system, control module, wiring, calib... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2023
The vehicle intermittently gives a false proximity/collision warning while stationary or while maneuvering at low speed. The sensors beep and display a warning on the screen as if an object is about to hit the vehicle, even when nothing around the vehicle has changed and no object is present. This appears to involve the parking/proximity warning system, sensor system, control module, wiring, calib... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2023
Unknown it makes a ticking noise check engine light came on and oil isn't low. Recently bought it.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The engine oil level has been gradually dropping and has required monitoring and/or adding oil between normal service intervals. The exact source is unknown. It may involve abnormal oil consumption, an external oil leak, internal engine oil consumption, PCV/oil separator issue, turbo-related oil consumption, gasket/seal issue, or oil loss that is not leaving an obvious visible puddle. This is bei... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The engine oil level has been gradually dropping and has required monitoring and/or adding oil between normal service intervals. The exact source is unknown. It may involve abnormal oil consumption, an external oil leak, internal engine oil consumption, PCV/oil separator issue, turbo-related oil consumption, gasket/seal issue, or oil loss that is not leaving an obvious visible puddle. This is bei... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The engine oil level has been gradually dropping and has required monitoring and/or adding oil between normal service intervals. The exact source is unknown. It may involve abnormal oil consumption, an external oil leak, internal engine oil consumption, PCV/oil separator issue, turbo-related oil consumption, gasket/seal issue, or oil loss that is not leaving an obvious visible puddle. This is bei... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
The fuel filler door/gas door intermittently fails to open, preventing normal access to the fuel filler area. This appears to involve the fuel door latch, release mechanism, lock actuator, body component, electrical control, or related wiring/module issue. This is being reported as a safety concern because inability to open the fuel door can prevent refueling when fuel is low. If the vehicle cann... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
The fuel filler door/gas door intermittently fails to open, preventing normal access to the fuel filler area. This appears to involve the fuel door latch, release mechanism, lock actuator, body component, electrical control, or related wiring/module issue. This is being reported as a safety concern because inability to open the fuel door can prevent refueling when fuel is low. If the vehicle cann... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
The fuel filler door/gas door intermittently fails to open, preventing normal access to the fuel filler area. This appears to involve the fuel door latch, release mechanism, lock actuator, body component, electrical control, or related wiring/module issue. This is being reported as a safety concern because inability to open the fuel door can prevent refueling when fuel is low. If the vehicle cann... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
While driving approximately 75 mph on I-77 S our van stopped accelerating without warning. The engine would rev but no acceleration was occuring. There had been no signs of any issue prior and no warning lights appeared. We were able to make it to the side of the road and immediately called a tow truck to take us to the nearest Honda dealership. We had to wait on the side of a very busy interstate... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
The exterior side mirrors have intermittent electrical/memory malfunctions. When locking the vehicle, the side mirrors begin to fold, pause or glitch briefly, and then continue folding. Separately, when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, the right-side mirror tilts downward to assist with backing/parking, but when shifted back to drive or park, the mirror does not reliably return to its original... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
My vehicle completely lost power and stalled on the freeway, requiring a tow. A Toyota dealership has diagnosed it with a total internal failure of the UA80 transmission and quoted me $9,000. This vehicle has been properly maintained, including a documented transmission fluid service at a Toyota facility in March of this year. A modern powertrain should not suffer a life-threatening failure at 130... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
My vehicle completely lost power and stalled on the freeway, requiring a tow. A Toyota dealership has diagnosed it with a total internal failure of the UA80 transmission and quoted me $9,000. This vehicle has been properly maintained, including a documented transmission fluid service at a Toyota facility in March of this year. A modern powertrain should not suffer a life-threatening failure at 130... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
I have had this car since 2018 when I purchased it the radio was shutting itself off and turning back on every 30 seconds I replaced it with a new one same radio and since then I have had issues with volume control it’s turning up by itself, even with the speed of adjustment control off the knobs for my ac and all those other buttons work when they want to sometimes my park sense beeps for almos... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
MANUFACTURER RECALL CAMPAIGN: Nissan R24B2 / NHTSA Campaign 24V-700 VEHICLE: 2019 Nissan LEAF (13,801 original miles) SUMMARY OF SAFETY DEFECT & REMEDY FAILURE: The manufacturer's safety recall software remedy has failed to stabilize or remedy a known high-voltage battery defect under real-world driving conditions, creating a severe, immediate risk of unexpected vehicle stalling in active traffic... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
1)The truck experiences an intermittent but complete failure of the Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor circuit and multiple chaffing points of the vehicle wiring harness. This issue is a documented manufacturing and electrical defect covered under General Motors Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) #24-NA-012. Yes, the truck is available for inspection. 2)This issue has happened to me on five occasions ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
1)The truck experiences an intermittent but complete failure of the Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor circuit and multiple chaffing points of the vehicle wiring harness. This issue is a documented manufacturing and electrical defect covered under General Motors Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) #24-NA-012. Yes, the truck is available for inspection. 2)This issue has happened to me on five occasions ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
The Driver Door lock actuator has failed. The truck has only 78k miles on it. People can now break into my truck just by opening the driver door There was a TSB for older model super duty’s. There needs to be a recall for this because there are a lot of people that are having the same issue
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
The vehicle was misfiring, smoke emitting from the exhaust, overheating, and constantly running out of coolant. The service engine light first appeared roughly a year ago. A code scan revealed a cylinder misfire. I replaced the spark plug and timing coil and noticed the coolant was extremely low and refilled it. The service engine light recently reappeared and the misfires, smoke, vehicle shaking ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
The screen is now severely ghost-touching, overriding navigation, and falsely reporting accidents while I drive. This is a severe distraction and a safety hazard.
Incident date: Jun 29, 2026
The dashboard lit up with a lot of warning lights, and the vehicle stated driving differently with a lot of the safety features deactivated and vehicle not acting normal
Incident date: Jun 29, 2026
Received Safety Recall Notice NHTSA 25V695 in October 2025. Lincoln has not been diligent in providing a timely remedy for replacing the rear view camera in my vehicle. Rear view cameras are not an item that should take 10 months to replace with a new component. NHTSA shouldn't allow car manufacturers to issue Safety related recalls that are not rectified with 120 days. An excuse of "parts are not... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2026
Honda Accord 9th Gen ABS/VSA Issues - DTC Code 81-20 /32-11. TPMS/ABS/VSA/Brake/Power Steering lights are on. Dealer claim is an ABS module issue and need replacement.
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
The remedy for Safety Recall 23V-431 (MOST bus FAKRA connectors), performed 8/2023 at Joyce Koons Honda (Manassas, VA), has failed. The recall's stated safety risk, rearview camera failure when MOST communication is lost over 20 seconds, now occurs regularly on my vehicle. Symptoms began early 2025 and have worsened: intermittent loss of the rearview camera in reverse, infotainment reboots, and s... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
My vehicle has an active Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbag dashboard warning light. A professional diagnostic scan has confirmed the active fault code: B143100 - "SIDE AIRBAG REAR DRIVER RESISTANCE CIRCUIT SHORT TO GROUND This exact physical failure matches the known manufacturing defect detailed in NHTSA Campaign 23V-035 (Kia Recall Code SC262). While my specific VIN does not currently ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started jerking, lost motive power, and the RPMs elevated to the red line. The contact pulled over to the side of the road with the engine running, but the vehicle was unable to drive forward. The vehicle had experienced transmission failure. The vehicle was towed to a local transmission shop whe... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled with the drive train warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure and the pressure-regulating valves needed to be replaced. The high-pressure fuel pump was replaced... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the second-row driver's side and passenger's side seat belts became excessively tight and seized. The contact stated that the seat belts had to be unlatched and latched. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while two minor children were seated in the second-row seats. The dealer was ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
The front facing camera and the rear backup camera and the entire camera system is intermittent. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. You become a bit dependent on the backup camera and when it does not work & it causes undue stress especially if you are handicapped in the neck turning area. The problem has not been taken to a dealer yet because they cost is prohibitive to just drive it i... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2025
Hello. I just started smelling gas fumes when my car has been running. I see no drips , etc. It happens everytime I drive it to the point where someone pointed it out to me. I had a new engine put in by KIA for my old engine "going to sleep" about 4 years ago. I have been told that this is a on going problem with the Model I have. I want to know what I should do at this point. Im [XXX] and [... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2025
Hello. I just started smelling gas fumes when my car has been running. I see no drips , etc. It happens everytime I drive it to the point where someone pointed it out to me. I had a new engine put in by KIA for my old engine "going to sleep" about 4 years ago. I have been told that this is a on going problem with the Model I have. I want to know what I should do at this point. Im [XXX] and [... Read more