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: Dec 5, 2022
The high beams quite working
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
When it rains, the lights inside start flashing, it throws a check engine light and error messages about chasis control and braking system, the lights inside flicker, turnsignals and flashers stop working, the car goes into limp mode and you can't turn the car off .
Incident date: Jan 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the remote start feature on the key fob was used to start the vehicle, which then automatically activated the window defroster. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the rear passenger's side window, and then a loud explosion was heard. Additionally, a strong fuel odor was... Read more
AUDI
Q5 SPORTBACK
(2022) - SUSPENSION
Mar 3, 2023
Incident date: Feb 2, 2023
My Ford Explorer had a rear suspension toe link Recall, and in December I took my vehicle to the Ford dealership to get it fixed. At that time, they did a full vehicle inspection, fixed the part, and told me everything looked great. Shortly after the service, we had a snow storm, and my SUV would fishtail in Icy/snowy conditions. Every time it'd snow, it made me so scared to drive, because I'd ess... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 3, 2020
Mechanical knocking sound under acceleration. Issue appears to affect other vehicles of the same model. https://www.xc40forum.com/threads/rapid-clicking-noise-under-heavy-acceleration.5551/
Incident date: Nov 15, 2022
The Engine of the car stopped while on the road. The car is available for inspection upon request. Due to the engine while driving in the middle of the road. The safety of others was at risk The problem was not reproduced by the dealer or by a service center. Yes the manufacturer inspected and failed to reproduce the failure Yes, The error message was “Check Hybrid System, Stop in a safe pla... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2023
The original low beam bulbs (halogen) melted the cover making visibility abysmal. I’ve replaced the bulbs with a LED option, and still very low visibility. There is seemingly no difference between the headlights being on and being off.
Incident date: Feb 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as designed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on three separate occasions while his wife was driving. On one occasion while making a turn, the vehicle stalled, nearly causing a crash with... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as designed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on three separate occasions while his wife was driving. On one occasion while making a turn, the vehicle stalled, nearly causing a crash with... Read more
AUDI
A6
(2019) - SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Mar 1, 2023
Incident date: Feb 22, 2023
The contact’s son owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that his son received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V469000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall was repaired however, the contact stated that a month later while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, he depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle failed to stop. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH and approaching a stop sign, the vehicle inadvertently shut off. Additionally, the steering wheel and the brake pedal seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2022
Vehicle has auto hold feature which activates on an incline. UNABLE TO TURN OFF. when driving a manual transmission car, this is causing premature clutch wear. Brake will be engaged for 3 seconds even when gas pedal is depressed. people unaware of this feature can let go of gas pedal and brake causing a roll back into another vehicle or object.
Incident date: Feb 26, 2023
While driving, all ADAS and Emmision System malfunctioned AND went offline (errors appear on main control panel and these features were no longer working). Fortunately, the car was otherwise still drivable without these features. It was brought to a local Acura dealer and they performed a software update which fixed the problem (at least so far after a week of driving).
Incident date: Feb 26, 2023
While driving, all ADAS and Emmision System malfunctioned AND went offline (errors appear on main control panel and these features were no longer working). Fortunately, the car was otherwise still drivable without these features. It was brought to a local Acura dealer and they performed a software update which fixed the problem (at least so far after a week of driving).
Incident date: Feb 27, 2023
When I started driving the vehicle in 2021, I noticed it had a weak power and it was shaking. I purchased a set of four new coils, and spark plugs at the suggestion of a mechanic. I have had to change coil number 3 -three times since then and less than 3000 miles driving. This has to be a magnufacturing issue. I need someone to look at this issue to see why it is giving me so much problems.
Incident date: Oct 26, 2022
I was driving on a rainy day on the freeway where my breaks went out on me. I pressed down all of the way and the car wouldn’t stop. After I let go of the break I then pressed on the break again and they seemed to have locked on me. I ended up using my emergency breaks and was able to get off the freeway and luckily no one was hurt. Soon after they started working again and I was able to get it ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact disconnected and reconnected the battery and the mass air flow sensor to correct the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2023
When we started vehicle, a wide array of systems shut down including cruise, Eye Sight, lane detection, auto high bean, adaptive light cornering - essentially anything “automated” or assisted - along with the heating. The car ran at a higher RPM at idle - 2000 vs a usual 700-800 - and rough shifted at speed. Again, as if the automatic transmission lost its sync. The water temp gauge was also o... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
Service airbag light just came on car only has 27,000 miles on it
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
Extreme gas smell in cold weather until car heats up when running heat/defrost. Known issue in other models that warranted a recall.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle independently made a sudden stop, with unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the camshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that parts were not available. The manuf... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the front windshield trim detached from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front windshield trim to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
AUDI
A4 ALLROAD
(2020) - EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:TV/RADIO/SPEAKERS
Feb 24, 2023
Incident date: Feb 23, 2023
The problem appears to be with the B&O Unleashed audio system, possibly the factory stereo amplifier in my new 2022 F-150 Platinum Powerboost. I was pulling up to a red light intersection, with the audio system off but connected via wireless Apple Carplay, when the audio system produced a deafening noise so loud that I thought I was involved in a major traffic crash. The noise startled me so badly... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2023
The service shifter light keeps coming on. Sometimes when stopped in traffic the vehicle’s transmission will shift from drive, to some unknown position, then the engine will stall out when attempting to go forward with traffic. The car will then not start and the shifter will not allow any gear shifting to be done. Can not be put into neutral in order to be push or easily towed. This has happene... Read more
Incident date: Feb 23, 2023
The contact's wife owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the sunroof shattered without impact. The contact immediately pulled over and inspected the vehicle. Despite the failure, the contact drove the vehicle back to his home. Both the dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, and both stated that a rock must have struck the sunroof causing the ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2020
This is the 5th complaint I have called into JEEP directly as well as 2 different dealerships. My car is shutting down randomly on the highway. I was notified that it was "fixed" with a software update. This is a current recall that the dealership has said was "fixed". However they refuse to call a star tech or a field tech which JEEP service said was required at this point. I have tried to have ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2022
I own a 2015 Kia Sorento in Snow White Pearl. I have 2 Complaints: 1.) The paint is peeling off of the hood. I have read many reviews online where similar issues are happening with Kia vehicles manufactured in a similar timeframe that have issues with SWP peeling off of the hood and the pillars. My car, specifically, is peeling in both the hood and the pillar. Photos attached. 2.) Our vehicle's ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2023
This 2019 Honda Pilot Elite has an Engine Auto Shut Off that engages when stopped at traffic lights, stopped traffic, etc. It can be turned off manually each time after starting the car ignition but when it is not - it will engage in these stopped positions. Recently, the Auto Shut Off has been engaging and the vehicle will completely shut off and go into Neutral. This has happened to us at sto... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, there was a knocking noise coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle failed to restart, and no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to an indepen... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
2019 HONDA CR-V. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) AND COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM (CMBS). THE CONSUMER STATED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED AND RANDOMLY SLAMMED ON BRAKES WITHOUT THE DRIVING DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
We received the two recall notice letters from Ford Motor Company, 20V795 & 22V089, for our 2021 Jayco Redhawk class C RV. Upon receiving the first recall notice, 20V795, an appointment was made with our local Ford Dealer, Spradley Ford Lincoln Mercury, in Pueblo, CO, on Oct 1, 2021 to have it inspected and recall taken care of. Upon arrival that morning, was told they did not have the parts, woul... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2023
Engine lost power over night. No warning lights or other signs prior to it happening prior. One day it was running, the next it wasn't. The starter, battery and all oil etc was changed. After everything has been changed out, the car starts but is not in running condition. A continuous knocking in the engine is heard. Had it professionally diagnosed and was told the engine is bad. There is only 69... Read more
AUDI
Q5 SPORTBACK
(2022) - LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Feb 20, 2023
Incident date: Jun 11, 2022
SEE ATTACHED..................... The attached tell the whole story. When I looked at this car last June, it was the color we wasted. We have looked at so many Audi's, at other dealers, before this, and because of the pandemic they were very short on stock.. My last three SUV's always had all the safety equipment. The issue here is they didn't tell show us the window sticker and it was not a ... Read more
AUDI
Q5 SPORTBACK
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 20, 2023
Incident date: Jun 11, 2022
The front windshield of my vehicle cracked excessively after being hit by a pea sized piece of gravel while traveling less than 50 MPH. I felt that the safety of my family was put at risk as the crack quickly spread to over 8 inches in length by the end of that same day.
AUDI
Q5 SPORTBACK
(2022) - ENGINE
Feb 20, 2023
Incident date: Jun 11, 2022
Subaru dealer diagnosed oil leaks on the valve cover gaskets. I took the car to an independent repair business and the problem was diagnosed as a camshaft carrier oil leak. Upon removing the necessary parts, the company reported to me they found chunks of silicone around the carrier. I first noticed a smell of something burning after Subaru had done an oil change about 2 months prior. I was also... Read more
AUDI
A6 ALLROAD
(2020) - POWER TRAIN
Feb 19, 2023
Incident date: Jan 22, 2023
While driving on the interstate, I received a warning about an electrical system malfunction. As I neared my home, I received warnings about transmission failure, suspension malfunction, steering malfunction, sensor failure, and more. After a tow to the dealership I was told it is a generator/alternator (?) failure and the part is on national backorder and may be 3 months or more.
AUDI
A6 ALLROAD
(2020) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Feb 19, 2023
Incident date: Jan 22, 2023
MY VEHICLE IS THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AND ENGINE AS THE ONE ON RECALL. BUT MY VIN ISNT. BUT I HAVING ISSUE WITH THE RECALL PART . OCTOBER AS PUMPED GAS , MY VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING AND CUT OFF, THOUGHT MAY OF BEEN BAD GAS. WELL EACH TIME I ADD GAS , IT STARTS SPUTTERING, DIES AND STALLS AT STARTING. I LOOKED IT UP AND REALIZED PURGE VALVE ON CAR WAS OBVIOUSLY CAUSING ,MY ISSUE. ... Read more
AUDI
A6 ALLROAD
(2020) - ENGINE
Feb 19, 2023
Incident date: Jan 22, 2023
2016 Kia Sorento LX which was regularly serviced and well taken care of completely shut off while I was commuting to school on a notoriously dangerous stretch of road. I was in disbelief when the mechanic diagnosed our vehicle as a complete engine failure with 122,000 miles. I thought things couldn’t be any worse until I had the trauma of interacting with Kia “customer service” and I use tha... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2020
there is a gas odor that is overwhelming when the truck starts. the gas mix with oil fumes will cause headaches because the odor comes into the vents of the truck and does not stop until after the truck is turned off. when the vehicle is turned off there is a hissing sound in the engine that does not stop until after 15min the engine stays off. There is no overheating but the engine is hotter then... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2020
NHTSA - I own a 2016 Kia Soul that has a damaged failing engine; the problem is excessive oil consumption. This defect is causing motor oil to migrate into areas of the engine that it shouldn't be, thus inevitably causing a catastrophic failure; rendering the engine inoperable and irreparable. The oil pressure warning light came on only after the damage was done. Horne Kia in Gilbert Arizona, ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2020
Transmission is hunting, popping, and jumping out of gear. Started popping into reverse at approximately 20,000 and multiple dealerships told me “I did not understand the transmission”. Power train warranty expired at 60K, at 62K it began violently shifting out of gear on acceleration.
Incident date: Mar 29, 2022
On December 29, 2022, the heater unit in the car failed. This caused ice to form on the inside of the car, all windows. Winter in Chicago. Dealer said they are aware of other Tacans having this came issue but there are no parts available and could be 4 to 6 weeks for parts. it is now February 15th and still no parts and the car is unsafe to drive as you can not see out of the windows. If you look ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2022
Our 2012 Toyota Prius experienced brake failure due to the Accuator and Accumulator. I contacted Toyota Corporate office, which advised it is a known problem and had a customer support program that expired last year. The Toyota rep advised me to not drive the vehicle because of the brake failure and opened a ticket advising it is a known issue. After researching online, it is a very common issue.... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2022
Our 2012 Toyota Prius experienced brake failure due to the Accuator and Accumulator. I contacted Toyota Corporate office, which advised it is a known problem and had a customer support program that expired last year. The Toyota rep advised me to not drive the vehicle because of the brake failure and opened a ticket advising it is a known issue. After researching online, it is a very common issue.... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2023
When driving I accelerated and then the engine light turned on. after that the car was jolty and turned off completely when stopped. had to force a restart at the light. code that came back was p052E. This is a major and common issue with these cars. part is 400+ dollars. labor is much more since this is a 6 hour job. the work to replace this part is incredibly intensive that makes it impossible f... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2023
The vehicle was acting weird and not providing power in the way that I would expect it when accelerating. If the vehicle cannot accelerate, I am at risk because I may be merging into traffic and a car could hit me. I tried calling the dealer but they don't have a solution to the problem yet. It is a safety recall but they don't have a way to fix it. There's also a lawsuit that I'm not related to... Read more
AUDI
A3 CABRIOLET
(2016) - AIR BAGS
Feb 16, 2023
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Back glass has crack in frame around sliding glass window. Water is leaking into the truck from crack and causing back seat, carpet, ceiling liner and airbags in the ceiling liner to get wet.