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 5, 2023
Brake failure - major near miss accident on Sunday March 26, 2023.
Incident date: Apr 5, 2023
Brake failure - major near miss accident on Sunday March 26, 2023.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
My 2023 Tesla Model Y Extended Range (purchased 3/13) is experiencing phantom braking when autopilot (adaptive cruise control) is engaged. At random times and with no apparent obstacles ahead, the vehicle performs aggressive braking without warning. This has occurred at various times of day on divided freeway. This is consistent with what other Tesla drivers have described consistently for several... Read more
Incident date: Feb 23, 2023
on 30th MAR 2023, when my wife drove on to our drive way with gentle speed, car rammed into closed garage door and broke the door and rammed into living room wall with breaking room entry door . there is neither emergency breaking /stop nor collision warning . it damaged wall , garage door and more living room property damage with addition to damage to the car. i am really worried about the safe... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 26, 2023
El auto luego de estar encendido y se apaga, se trata de prender de nuevo pero sale un mensaje de “Engine Warming Wait to Star” luego hay qie esperar varios minutos para que vuelva a encender.
Incident date: Apr 2, 2023
While driving my truck several times now it shuts off in the middle of driving it without any warning. Many lights come on oil, wrench, check 4x4, limp mode, says remove item on passenger seat. Nothing on seat. Sometimes the truck starts back up other times it does not for approximately 15 minutes. Was almost rear ended by another vehicle one time. I have complained to Ford Motor company and unfor... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
March 24th 2023 @ 1:58 pm I was sitting at a red light behind another car, when I was rear ended @ 40+ mph and pushed in to the car ahead of me. The air bags never deployed after colliding with the car in front of me causing my head to hit the steering wheel and the roof of my car. I was unconscious for 30 seconds. Pictures available upon request.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Nov 11, 2022
My 2022 Tesla Model Y suddenly stopped on the road with a message on the screen saying “Pullover safely Vehicle Shutting Down”, but the car stopped immediately and would not move. Another error came up saying “Rear motor disabled”. The sudden stopping was very dangerous, and it could have been life threatening had it been on a highway. Luckily for us, I was just pulling the car back fro... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structurer) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the failure was related to... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2023
While driving for a few months now at 5K miles the car is having steering control issues. Where the steering is sticky while driving shifting from side to side and locking in a steady state while driving around a bend. There are no safety warnings present on the dashboard. Because of this vehicle issue, I feel unsafe driving my vehicle. I have taken it to a dealership to look at and investigate. T... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
I was backing up from the parking lot and heard a clank. I immediately got out to check what happened and saw that the suspension had completely detached itself from the wheel (see pictures). The wheel immediately started to go sideways. If I was on the highway or on the road this would have 100% caused an accident and quite possibly my life. Tesla says there is no recall and is blaming the proble... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
Driver display not working. (cable issue) Known issue with the c7 corvette. Can't see navigation, radio display, backup camera display and car settings. started out intermittant then permanent.
Incident date: Mar 27, 2023
Hyundai issued a recall on 06/27/22 to repair part of the seat belt pretensioner, and they continue to send reminders to have the repair. However, they are out of the required part and according to dealers they will not give an ETA for delivery of the part. I have been in touch with my dealer since last fall and they state they have not ever been given any guidance from Hyundai regarding the par... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2023
Car unexpectedly accelerated when turning into a parking space. Gradually braking going in to the space and then car suddenly accelerated across the curb and hit a building. Car can be available for inspection. No one was hurt but only because of being lucky that no one was on the sidewalk by the building. Emergency services were called and police made a report and all is reported to the insur... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 27, 2023
I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY PERSONAL MECHANIC BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TIGHTEN AND THEN RELEASE WHENEVER TURNED TO RIGHT AND RELEASE ON LEFT TURN. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON A REGULAR BASIS WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. THE MECHANIC DID RECOMMEND THAT I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO CHECK IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM. WHICH I DID. RESPOND WAS NO AND SO I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE REPRES... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2023
Driving my explorer and the water pump went bad. Got overheat warnings and now I find this happens to all of these engines. A class action suit has been filed. The cost to repair is nearly $4000 for an issue does knew about it? Not recalling and fixing these is negligent and dangerous.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2023
First off there was no lights on other than the low tire pressure symbol that shows up, so I decided to go have my tire replaced, got it done, I drove off after having a tire replaced and within a minute or 2 of being back on the road my car just shuts off. I pulls over to see or access the car, don’t know what happened. I ended up having to have the car towed home.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2023
First off there was no lights on other than the low tire pressure symbol that shows up, so I decided to go have my tire replaced, got it done, I drove off after having a tire replaced and within a minute or 2 of being back on the road my car just shuts off. I pulls over to see or access the car, don’t know what happened. I ended up having to have the car towed home.
Incident date: Mar 13, 2023
Hydraulic control unit was replaced July 2020 (ABS traction control lights coming on MEANING, NO ABS NO TRACTION NO 4 WHEEL DRIVE.) Hydraulic control Unit not working AGAIN. I have NO ABS, NO TRACTION, NO 4 WHEEL DRIVE, AGAIN. CHIME GOING OF CONSTANTLY AND DEALERSHIP HAS HAD "PART ON ORDER SINCE JAN 2023"
Incident date: Mar 20, 2023
To whom it may concern; I am writing you with deep disappointment as I am experiencing dissatisfaction with the quality of car that I leased on December, 06, 2021. Panamera was always my dream car, however, today it is a life threat to me and my family. The car is experiencing failure during drive, it self shifts itself to neutral while driving as well failed AC system. Yesterday, 3/19/23, on fr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2023
I've filed the specific issues in other complaints, but also wanted to input this for a record. After taking the card to the dealer, the dealer DID NOT address any of the following: Right door speaker rattle Engine squeak (when shutting off) Hood vibration Did not troubleshoot the smell coming from the ventilation system. Did not apply the fix (if there was one) for the infotainment unit restart... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Gear shift from park to reverse is hard. Also, my wife has always complained about a smell coming from the engine, that when she’s inside my vehicle she gets a headache.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2023
2nd time putting car in shop to fix the parking sensor. When you place the vehicle in park get a alert to place vehicle in park. Had it repaired once and problem is back. Have to shift to park several times before it will work properly. Already paid once to repair it and the dealer said it's a common problem. I think a recall is needed. I called the dealer and the service advisor said a new ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she lost control of the vehicle. The contact's wife veered into the median and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the rear toe link was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advis... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2023
Vehicle use an electrical power assist. Vehicle became hard to steer leading to unsafe condition.
Incident date: Feb 19, 2023
One of the HEHR windows blew off of the motorhome while driving down I-5 in California. The window shattered. (Fortunately it did not hit the motorhome driving behind us, and fortunately we were in the right lane so it didn't hit anyone else.) We had to go two and a half months driving with no window in that place (the bedroom) - we, of course, blocked it with styrofoam, etc and good old duct ta... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2023
One of the HEHR windows blew off of the motorhome while driving down I-5 in California. The window shattered. (Fortunately it did not hit the motorhome driving behind us, and fortunately we were in the right lane so it didn't hit anyone else.) We had to go two and a half months driving with no window in that place (the bedroom) - we, of course, blocked it with styrofoam, etc and good old duct ta... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V024000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the passenger’s side drain tubes had become clogged, and water had accumulated in the passenger’s side foot well. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he related the failure ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
There is no known dealership near my location for the recall to be fixed.
Incident date: Mar 14, 2023
Driving down the freeway, horn started blaring and power completely went out in car -engine steering etc The dealership is replacing the computer in the vehicle
Incident date: Mar 2, 2023
SOMETIMES WHEN PUSHING THE START BUTTON THE CAR TRIES TO TURN OVER FOR HALF A SECOND THEN STOPS. ALL GAUGES AND DISPLAY SHOWS THE CAR IS ON. PUSHING THE START BUTTON AGAIN DOES NOTHING. MUST WAIT A MINUTE, PUSH BRAKE IN AND PUSH START BUTTON AGAIN AND IT STARTS. HAPPENS MANY MULTIPLE TIMES BUT CAN NOT NARROW DOWN TO AS WHY.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2001 GMC Jimmy. The contact stated that while at a complete stop with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle turned off independently. The contact stated that he had to depress the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal at the same time to keep the vehicle running. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the spider fuel injectors needed to be replaced. Ad... Read more
AUDI
A6 ALLROAD
(2020) - SUSPENSION
Mar 14, 2023
Incident date: Mar 14, 2023
While driving my car on the open highway, I noticed that the steering wheel became somewhat sticky and resistant. This started in September of 2022 and the problem has become increasingly worse. The steering wheel requires excessive force to turn at speeds above 40mph, making micro-adjustments to the steering very difficult and causes oversteering. If there is a bend in the road and I turn the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2023
Steering: Car pulls to the right when travelling above 50mph. Done 4 wheels alignment at Lexus dealership already but the problem still persists. Technician said the steering rack is the problem but refused to acknowledge that it's the common issue with this car! Brakes: The 2-piece rotor makes clicking noise at low speed. the break pads make loud squeal noise every time the paddle presse... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2022
When I was parking my Honda Pilot 2019, the car suddenly accelerated on its own without pushing the gas pedal and hit the wall of a building. This accident caused head, neck and back injury for myself. FYI, there was not any warning lamps or messages or other symptoms. I have also reported this incident to American Honda Motor but no one has inspected my car yet.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started very rough with a rattling sound coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. On another occasion, while opening the front driver’s side door, the door handle fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer wa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
Interior rear view mirror glass adhesive deterioration obstructing vision. This is the auto-dimming mirror with reverse camera integrated. This has been a documented issue in online forums. It is as though the mirror is scratched by polishing with an abrasive, but originates behind the mirror glass.
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
When traveling at speeds above 50 mph, my steering has a dead-spot, on-center. At this steering position when trying to keep the car straight on the road or highway, the steering wheel sticks and requires force to keep my car heading straight.
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
TPMS has not been functioning correctly since October 2021. The rear wheels will randomly loose communication causing the TPMS display form that tire to disappear. (No Pressure reading). I have taking it to the Dealer NRIVC in Atlanta, GA., they added a second antenna in the rear. This did not fix the problem. I then took the Coach back to the manufacturer Spartan; they moved the antennas to ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2022
In Nov 2021 we had the recommended recall repairs done at a Cadillac dealership which replaced the rear toe links with a non-adjustable bar. 2 months later we installed new tires at Big O Tires but they were unable to perform a rear alignment due to the stationary toe bar. We went back to the Cadillac dealership days later but were assured the alignment was fine. Just over one year later (approx 1... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2023
When I start my car my car play will not connect. When I start my car and put my car in reverse to use the back up camera and then put in drive the back up camera will remain on. The speakers are static sometimes. The screen will not work and it will be slow or shut off completely. I have pulled over and shut off my car and opened my door to shut off screen and it remains on for a couple mins play... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond and went to the floorboard. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic control unit (HCU) needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Cam... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stopped with the Hybrid Propulsion System failure warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle turned off immediately. The vehicle was towed the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission need... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2022
Rob bearing failure. Totaling $8,000 repairs
Incident date: Dec 3, 2022
The contact owned a 2008 BMW 128i. The contact stated that after driving at an undisclosed speed in inclement weather, she parked and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle later caught fire when she returned. A bystander witnessed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact noticed there were flames coming from the engine compartment. The fire department arrived on the scene and extingui... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 19, 2022
My operating my Model 3 in autopilot mode, there is one particular location that my car "phantom brakes" every time I pass. I travel this location an average of 4 times per week. I have been reporting the phantom braking to Tesla for almost two (2) years and they still have not fixed the problem. They claim the car is doing what it is supposed to do. The phantom braking occurs on a divided h... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine made knocking sounds, with a burning odor coming from the vehicle and the vehicle then stalled. The failure occurred intermittently and while idling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle became inoperable. The contact had spoken to the dealer who confirmed that the vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2023
The rear subframe of my car is severely corroded. Both dampers (not sure if I have that name right, the cylinder inside the rear suspension coil) have rusted off. The rear left lateral control arm has rusted off. It is higher in mileage so it might be expected, except, other owners have reported the same problem with way less miles. Also there was a recall for the front crossmember in salt states ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2023
I can’t control my vehicle, the steering wheel sometimes work sometimes lock that I can’t turn to right or left. Called Ford with recall recall 14 e-001 13S14. Called the dealer and now it is an extended warranty, they ask for mileage and they don’t want to update the system or replace it. I’m the second owner when they send the letter, previous owner didn’t take the ca to the dealer to ... Read more