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: Sep 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2023 Mack Granite. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the secondary fuel filter detached, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was repaired. The fuel filter was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,443.
Incident date: Jul 23, 2023
2015 GMC canyon power steering wheel locks up on several occasions while driving and can no longer steer properly on the road and freeway, major safety concern almost caused accident several times There has been a past recall for this same issue on model of trucks 2015 GMC Canyons Reference recall ID N202325410 Just a concern might have been part of the issue and was missed on recall
Incident date: Jul 22, 2023
Over the past 2 weeks my Telluride has stalled when restarting at a turn or sign sign 3x. I didn't take it to the mechanic yet because it restarts fine and there are no lights on the dashboard or codes so I know the mechanic would send me away. Tonight I was driving home on a local highway and heard horrific sounds coming from the car and smoke from under the hood. I pulled over to the side of ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2023
Inlet charging port overheats causing charging to be interrupted when using 40A or higher EVSE. This is dangerous because the charging port or the wiring harness behind it is overheating because of high electrical power which can cause a fire. Kia has acknowledged this problem by issuing a TSB which reduces the charging rate when the overheating is detected but this does not solve the actual pro... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2023
The door locking actuator failed. The door will no longer open from the inside or out. It’s essentially stuck locked. There was a loud buzzing noise which now I know was the warning signal for the actuator starting to go bad.
Incident date: Jul 6, 2023
Basically, this is a common problem with the c300 coupes, I had an recall to replace front stationary sunroof panel. My sunroof panel started lift the last few months in 2022, therefore I took it to the dealership at the start of 2023 which they notified me this was a big problem and was unsafe on the road because it will eventually lift off while driving. Sense my engine lights were on and needed... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
Coolant Bypass Value Replacement required on my 2020 Rav 4. I have 33,000 miles & purchased in 2019, so it is not covered under warranty. The dealer is charging me over $850 to replace. I have been told by the Dealer that this is a "KNOWN" problem with this and other Toyota models. Why is there not a recall or extended warranty on this repair if so many owners are paying hundreds of dollars on ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
ABS / Traction Control turns on and off intermittently without warning when this happens the cruise control turns off creating sudden loss of speed control
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
The trac control is activated while the car is driving variable speed and brake the car and and the driver loose control of acceleration.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
The trac control is activated while the car is driving variable speed and brake the car and and the driver loose control of acceleration.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
I have had several issues over the course of 2 years with the what appears to be an electrical or computer problem with this vehicle. The dashboard will light up and all the warnings constantly display. It is not always the same alert. It has also happened a couple times while I was driving and I had to pull over. Today I had another issue I went to get in my car and there is beeping and flashi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
The DIC (Driver Information Center) keeps failing since I bought the car. The volume shoots up, the controls will not work, the screen freezes and then goes black, the rear camera stays on in forward motion, it does not always reset after turning off vehicle and opening door. My dealership replaced the module and reprogrammed it. This did not work and it failed shortly after. It went back in t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
There is condensation and moisture present inside the high definition front headlight assemblies, which causes the headlight illumination to be diminished and created a visibility hazard while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the Ganley Chevrolet dealership who diagnosed that the front headlight assemblies were faulty and needed to be replaced. The cost to replace both is about $3,000.... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The middle hinge of front door has broke off inside the door and has my window “pinched” and no longer able to be rolled up or down. Occasionally the rod that is broken off will prevent me from closing my door all the way and will come unhinged going down the road. Was 500 miles over warranty (took me a few days to bring it in due to getting a day off approved) and FORD says it’s $2500 to ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
I took my 2014 Kia Forte Ex for a warranty job for Fex steering coupler. The service advisor(Nick Lum)at DCH of Temecula said it only cover 5 years, 60,000 miles. I understand Kia extending the warranty to 10 years, unlimited Miles. The Service advisor told me they won't fix it because it's not on the computer information. I would like to get this fixed as my 10 years end on [XXX]. INFORMATION... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
My front subframe broke. I was driving the car and was exiting the highway. I heard a snap n then had no control. Had my mechanic look at car and said frame snapped and control arm broke. The week before i had my car alignment and new tires put on. Nothing was noticed then. Mechsaud rusted from inside out.. After talkwith many different repair shops, they all stated that the front subframe break... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
The drivers door when opening looks like it’s going to rip off at the hinges.
Incident date: May 10, 2023
Ram 3500 Larime Crew Cab Deisel with 47,800 miles. We were driving home from our seasonal campsite, (about a 2 hour trip on highway) and it began to rain (about 15 minutes into the trip) it continued to rain very hard at times the whole trip home. Around 30 minutes into our trip the ABS warning light, Check Engine light, & Traction Control light came on. I pulled to the shoulder of the road and ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2022
In late March 2023, the touchscreen on my Bronco went dead, along with the USB ports in the console below. With the dead screen, I have no back up camera, which is a huge safety concern. Also, all other features managed by the touch screen are gone (no radio, no navigation, no hands free phone usage, etc.). I have been to the dealer twice, and they said we just have to wait for Ford engineers ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2022
We purchased our 2018 AUDI Q5 in May 2018, which currently has 31,567 miles. Having done the majority of the driving, I am pleased overall, and continue to be a proud AUDI owner. However, as with all new cars, we had some glitches. For example, when backing out of the garage, the pre-sense would activate for no apparent reason, causing the brakes to lock up This happened three times and each tim... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2023
Ignition module failed, causing van to stall while driving. The stall forced the vehicle to lose power steering and it had to coast over to the shoulder to get out of traffic, this could’ve resulted in a crash or blocking traffic. This happened twice, once during a very hot day. The van was able to restart after about 30 minutes and finished the short distance to the destination. The second tim... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2023
Hot day (~107f), car started fine but after a mile of driving ALL ELECTRICAL systems appeared to STOP with the following error: "Starter System Faulty. Please Service Vehicle." The engine kept going, and the car was driven home (with no signals, speedo, air conditioning, lights etc.) If this had happened in a more demanding situation (e.g. weather, night or traffic) there could have been an accid... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2023
The contact owns a 1999 Cherverolt Silverado equipped with tire band Cooper tire line Discoverer HTP tire size 235/70R16 DOT not available. The contact noticed that the front driver-side tire had a sidewall compound on it. The contact added air to the tire, but the sidewall compound was still on the tire. The tire was not replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 60,000... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
I have a Series 1 Jeep Wagoneer with Dual Moon Roof… and my 3rd Row Moonroof also shattered but I had no idea until I took it to a carwash on my way to get it serviced and my moonroof ended up on top of my roof! thank god my Daughters weren’t with me at the time! I reviewed the video from the carwash and it was shattered prior to entering the wash I called corporate office they said they I hav... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
I just purchased this vehicle, in May 2023 and I have honestly had nothing but problems. I have no idea what is causing this but the speedometer/odometer does not work at all (all the lights and warning symbols work, cruise control doesn't work, TPM is lit up on the dash as I checked all the tires and all has same to, the key fob buttons worked when it wanted to (has NEW battery it was replaced 3'... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
2019 Ram 1500 Laramie. Currently 23,040 miles on odometer. Warning light comes on indicating failure of electronic braking control and trailer brake failure. This condition renders stability control, antilock braking, cruise control and trailer braking inoperative. Very dangerous situation when you lose your trailer brakes when towing. Dealer diagnosed as ABS module failed, part not available unti... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
Accelerator petal does not always result in acceleration from a stopped position. This causes the hill assist to hold and does not allow movement forward, resulting in an engine stall. The vehicle has also set the EPC light while traveling resulting in reduced engine power to the point of not enough power to move forward. Turn the ignition off, then on resets the EPC and limb mode.
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
A few days prior to this incident, I noticed a crunching noise as I would turn the steering wheel every now and then. As I was turning right to pull into my driveway, I heard the clock spring crunch and finally give up. Airbag light on. Airbag error when I start the car. Steering wheel buttons and horn unresponsive.
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
A few days prior to this incident, I noticed a crunching noise as I would turn the steering wheel every now and then. As I was turning right to pull into my driveway, I heard the clock spring crunch and finally give up. Airbag light on. Airbag error when I start the car. Steering wheel buttons and horn unresponsive.
Incident date: Jul 13, 2023
My 2019 Honda Ridgeline had very noticeable torque converter judder with milage in the 40k. I do not tow other than an occasional utility trailer, loaded lightly. Additionally, the vehicle was always operated in normal conditions. There were never any warning vehicle codes or any other Honda notices on potential problem. On 7/14/2023, I took it to a Honda dealer who verified condition in writi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2023
My rear passenger side coil spring broke. It has 77000 miles. I don’t drive much. Not sure why it would of broke
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been involved in a crash due to unintended acceleration, which caused the contact to rear-end another vehicle. The vehicle had body and paint repairs performed; however, the vehicle later experienced jerking, and the transmission was seized while driving. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The deal... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 13, 2023
My power steering is leaking fluid, I didn't have anymore and had a loss of steering power while driving. So far I have just added more fluid, but haven't driven it since.
Incident date: Mar 31, 2023
Regarding the Action Number PE22005 that is still in open investigation, I would like to report having this same issue with a 2018 Honda Pilot Elite that I purchased through a dealer on June 24. I recently had this same issue, where at a stoplight the car went into the engine idle stage, and the engine completely shut off, instructions popped up on the dashboard to put the car in park and restart... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2023
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had n... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2023
Airbag recall program instituted January 2023. Vehicle is still not repaired by Volkswagen; awaiting go ahead and scheduling. Vehicle is dangerous to drive until repair is made.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the clutch; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was not repaired.... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
I removed my wheels for standard rotation. When I removed the wheel from the passenger side rear, I found the rear axle bolt was fractured. The portion of the bolt and washer were inside the wheel. This appeared to have been chronic. Pictures available. I did not attempt to remove this bolt. This spontaneously sheared off. It was literally sitting inside the wheel hub.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
Rear suspension control arm bracket rusted, broken off from frame of vehicle makes a slight to moderate sound when driving or going off bumps I avoid rough surfaces, I drive at a respectable speed ,I never came across as long I owed this vehicle.
Incident date: Jun 28, 2023
Transmisión problem when acelerate my car
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle in the morning, the vehicle would start after several attempts. The contact stated that he opened the hood and checked the battery and became aware that both battery terminals were corroded. The contact cleaned the terminals and still had issues with starting the vehicle. Additionally, the steering whee... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
The body of vehicle has paint chipping away in large pieces for no apparent reason. The color is a pearl white
Incident date: Jul 6, 2023
I have had 2 transfer cases and now I need a transmission all in 2 years I’m so over the jeep products all done by the jeep dealership
Incident date: Jul 6, 2023
I have had 2 transfer cases and now I need a transmission all in 2 years I’m so over the jeep products all done by the jeep dealership
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
My 2016 Santa Fe engine spun a rod bearing at 130,900 miles. Took to dealership and they diagnosed it and refused any warranty.
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
Vehicle is experiencing a loss of power steering at all speeds. Steering stiffens and loosens erratically. Repair shop reports failure to electronic steering system and state that a replacement of the electronic steering gear assembly is required.
AUDI
Q4 E-TRON SPORTBACK
(2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 7, 2023
Incident date: Apr 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that after investigating the failure online, her husband purchased a fuse box relay from an unknown dealer and installed the part underneath the rear seats of the vehicle. The vehicle then started; however, the failure recurred approximately 5 days later. The contact's husband replaced th... Read more
AUDI
Q4 E-TRON SPORTBACK
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Jul 7, 2023
Incident date: Apr 14, 2023
The contact rented a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 65 mph, attempting to slow down, he crashed into a deer. There were no warning lights illuminated. The passenger-side front knee air bag was partially deployed. The passenger sustained bruising to her lower leg. There was a plastic substance released from the air bag which cut her ankle.... Read more
Crash
1 injured
AUDI
Q4 E-TRON SPORTBACK
(2023) - VISIBILITY/WIPER
Jul 7, 2023
Incident date: Apr 14, 2023
My vehicle's windshield washer sensor has malfunctioned as it regularly flashes a warning light indicating low washer fluid regardless of the actual washer fluid reservoir level. The persistent warning light on the dash is a constant distraction to the driver. Furthermore, a driver may become ambivalent to the warning light if another system actually malfunctions (or in the case of the washer res... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
My car has a recall for the left and/or right tie rod may be bent. A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. I brought the car in two days prior (July 3rd) to get fixed but the dealership wasn’t allotted enough mechanics to be able to get to my car, (july 5th) I turned out of a hotel parking lot and my front left tie rod broke. The recall nu... Read more