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 41,082 complaints for BMW
Incident date: Sep 4, 2024
Engine knock (cam phasers) when starting vehicle. Happens whenever the vehicle has been sitting a few hours. The vehicle has been brought to the manufacturer dealership regarding the noise and when brought to their attention that it may be the cam phasers they remarked they hope it isn’t. Problem not fixed.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs had failed to remain connected. The spark plugs were reconnected. The next day the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the sa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's husband connected the vehicle to the diagnostic machine. The contact retrieved a code for a misfire in cylinder #1. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the spark plugs were replaced. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the f... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2024
I was rear-ended and the driver's seat did not maintain it's position and fell into the seat behind it.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 6, 2024
My 2023 EQS 580 randomly stops while driving. It has happened 5+ times while traveling at speeds between 10-25mph. My dealer here in Atlanta has replaced the front sensor which didn't resolve the issue. I am thankful that so far the vehicle has not stopped on city streets and not highways. There are no warnings just a hard stopped like other complaints state. I comtacted Mercedes support but they... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2024
My 2023 EQS 580 randomly stops while driving. It has happened 5+ times while traveling at speeds between 10-25mph. My dealer here in Atlanta has replaced the front sensor which didn't resolve the issue. I am thankful that so far the vehicle has not stopped on city streets and not highways. There are no warnings just a hard stopped like other complaints state. I comtacted Mercedes support but they... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
The lead frame on valve body in transmission, most fords have this recall, truck gets stuck in gear
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
Fuse box has a defect causing the AC blower motor to intermittently not work. Appears to be the result of loose connections between the fuse box and the fuse itself. The receptacle for the fuse is clearly burnt/melting, and appears to pose as a fire hazard as a result. The car is currently in the shop for repair on this part, but won't likely be fixed for a month+. I do have photos of the damaged ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine overheated with coolant leaking from the engine. Additionally, the vehicle shut off while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to Eddie Gilstrap Motors, Inc. (207 S Main St, Salem, IN 47167) where the contact ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
iccu unit battery problem car will not start or cannot turn off engine no problem with car until dealership in a recall appointment upgraded software instead of a total replacement of the iccu unit as in directed in the recall in June 2023 The initial problem began1 in July 2023 replacement of recall of unit was not done by dealership simply installed new software recurring proble... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
I have been having issues with GPS navigation with my car for over a year without a fix from VW. I cannot use Google Maps, Apple maps or the car's own internal maps becuase the GPS can't identify where I am on the map. When I choose a location and start directions, it doesn't know where I am, telling me to turn down wrong streets, showing my location in lakes or miles away. When I unplug my pho... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
I bought this vehicle brand new, and shortly after purchase it started to shutter when I accelerated. I had the clutch replaced three times while under warranty. The vehicle is no longer under warranty and recently, it has been having trouble starting and it's been having shifting issues. It's revving and taking longer than it should to shift gears, shifting hard when it does shift, and doesn't a... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine was misfiring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
My clutch slave cylinder failed with approximately 64000 mi on the vehicle. This is a hydraulic system sharing the same reservoir as the brakes. The clutch pedal stuck to the floor leaving me unable to change gear while driving on the highway. Had to pull off on the side of the road and manually pull up the clutch with my hand. After that it functioned seemingly fine. I took the car to a local gar... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle started decelerating with a slight clunking sound coming from underneath the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle then lost motive power. The contact coasted to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. After waiting for a while, the vehicle was started and the con... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Tundra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V566000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 24V381000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that for approximately an hour while... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
The engine is running rough and loses power when it turns on for the first time and speeding up around 6th gear. Also the 2nd gear takes about 3-5 sec to downshift and you lose the opportunity to step on the gas hard or it will slam into another gear. The lose of power and random shifting causes you to slow down and not able to get out of the way or drive well esp. on the highway. The jeep dealer ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2024
The touchscreen is delaminated. The delamination makes the backup camera useless. This is a possible danger to me and anyone behind me- turning to look reputedly behind and at the sides doesn't help when cars are moving parallel to me. The 'media' switches between radio and CD, FM and AM, and switches into HD mode at random. There's no way to turn it off, so the beeping is a distraction while dr... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V482000 (Tires); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
My backup camera glitches and my APMI module has gone out, which was diagnosed by Ford. I’ve seen this is an issue with other Ford models as well, however there are no active recalls for my VIN. The Airbag light is also on.
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
ABS, TRACTION CONTROL , BRAKE, A YELLOW EXCLAMMATION POINT, RED BRAKE LIGHT ALL COME ON, AS WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD, AND THE BREAKS START TO FEEL SPONGEY AND NOT WORK AS WELL. THE ACTUATOR STARTS TO BUZZ EVERY FEW SECONDS TRYING TO KEEP PRESSURE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM, BUT IT CANNOT DUE TO A LEAK IN THE ACCUATOR, IN WHICH THEN CAUSES THE ABS SYSTEM TO DEACTIVATE, A KNOWN PROBLEM OF THE LEX... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
ABS, TRACTION CONTROL , BRAKE, A YELLOW EXCLAMMATION POINT, RED BRAKE LIGHT ALL COME ON, AS WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD, AND THE BREAKS START TO FEEL SPONGEY AND NOT WORK AS WELL. THE ACTUATOR STARTS TO BUZZ EVERY FEW SECONDS TRYING TO KEEP PRESSURE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM, BUT IT CANNOT DUE TO A LEAK IN THE ACCUATOR, IN WHICH THEN CAUSES THE ABS SYSTEM TO DEACTIVATE, A KNOWN PROBLEM OF THE LEX... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and vibrated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak into the engine, and it was determined that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact rel... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
Infotainment system within the car will randomly touch the screen and make distinctive changes that alter the cars driving state. Has called SOS system multiple times. Changed climate control settings and opens up backup cam while traveling forward and not in a parking state. Causes a distraction within the car for the driver and the passengers, and could potentially have harmful driving effects, ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2024
On our 2016 BMW 428i----RECALL 24V608--Engine Coolant Pump --no remedy as of yet (9.3.24). We have contacted BMW several times. We are worried for our safety because the drops of liquid could drip down onto the electrical connector of the pump. This could short circuit and might even cause a fire. Please HELP! Thank you for your attention to this time sensitive issue.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the RPM increased to 6,000 and the vehicle lost motive power. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics where it was ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the A-Pillar trim on the driver's side loosened and was blown off the vehicle. The contact was unable to recover the trim from the highway. The contact stated that later, the passenger’s side A-Pillar trim also blew off the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was di... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
I was driving to work this morning and my check engine light started flashing.I took it to O'reilly's and plugged it in and it said something wrong with my engine.I just had it serviced and everything was fine and tell all of the sudden.This happened?Time this happened.I had to have 4 new engines put in my Kia.This has to be a recall
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
EME (ELECTRONIC MOTOR ELECT.) The vehicle is already at the service department of BMW in Puerto Rico. According to them, there was an EME failure. The warranty says the electrical system is covered under a warranty of 8 years or 60,000 miles. Neither of them has passed. The service department says the warranty is on the main battery, but the EME is part of the electrical system. They want to charg... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
Was driving down highway and steering wheel locked up and service power steering alarm came on, almost hit an oncoming car in opposite flow of traffic. Shut truck off and re started it and was able to limp the truck home on back roads with the steering still intermittently giving out. Got it home and called service to get it scheduled and had to have it towed as steering went fully out and the sho... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
2017 Ford Fusion Titanium 2.0L Ecoboost purchased brand new. Coolant intrusion into Cylinder #1, causing a misfire,registered in Vehicle Health Alert system; check engine light on. Liberty Ford dealership was notified within the first week of the 1st misfire. Autozone found fault code P0301. Code scanner suggested replacing cylinder #1 spark plug. If misfire cont., it stated to replace Coil on cy... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 3, 2024
Since the purchase in 2018, the radio screen stays black for several minutes after starting. Dealer says nothing is wrong but replaced it once. Death wobble is back after recall of steering dampener.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Lexus RX350. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH over thin black ice, the contact lost control of the vehicle, causing the rear passenger's side of the vehicle to crash into the guard rail. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was drivable and the contact drove to the orthopedic for medical assistance. The contact sustained a left shoulder joint fractu... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
When I was driving suddenly vehicle shakes and gas/acceleration paddle stopped working middle of the road. I pulled my car side of the road, put it in park and turn off vehicle and start it back on gas/acceleration paddle work again. Problem is this happened several times last few weeks.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The convertible top on this car is up and secure but the information system says it's not secure. In this situation the trunk will not open and the top not secure warning with a alarm bell goes off. GM is aware of the issue and has done nothing. The most often reported is a bad switch for the top latch. The switch is no longer available through GM. So how can I get it fixed?
Incident date: Aug 20, 2024
I was driving 50-55 mph on a two lane road. The car in front of me was 3 car lengths ahead and the car on my right side was approaching from behind. As I drove under an overpass my car jerked forward almost coming to a complete stop. I jerked forward and then back into my seat back. I had my ID badge on my front seat and it flew to the floor. As the car was jerking to almost stop the brake light o... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Aug 20, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Sep 2, 2024
This vehicle had a software update for the cross traffic warning and rear view camera. The camera is working but since this update, the cross alarms do not work consistently. Just today, I almost backed into a parked car, no alarms or anything.
Incident date: Sep 2, 2024
The vehicle unexpectedly accelerates in multiple situations, all related to “iDrive” (one pedal driving), either failing to engage, or unexpectedly disengaging. It almost hit something while parking, and it started accelerating into oncoming traffic from a stop sign. I’ve driven the car for 60 miles. I suspect there are other similar scenarios that I haven’t discovered. Steps to reprod... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2024
Dealer is replacing power steering rack.Making noise when turning left an right.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2024
Power steering assist went out on vehicle while driving down the road. Power steering assist light came on and locked up entire system causing car wheel not to be able to turn. Took to body shop and notified rac and pinion electrical system shut down
Incident date: Aug 8, 2024
After researching, I found multiple videos on YouTube and hundreds of replies saying that people have had the same problem and don't know why there is not a recall on this problem. 2017 ford 3.5L eco boost engine has plastic valve covers that crack and leak oil(dangerous due to flammability). I found this problem since I was researching a vvt solenoid after scanning and finding code p0022. I have ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2023
My turbo actuator went out in 2022, paid $2,000 to get it fixed. A year later in 2023 it went out again and ruined both the low and high turbos, had to get them replaced again this time under warranty but Nissan of Dearborn in Dearborn, Michigan had my truck for 87 days before I got it back. They tried to tell me I needed a whole new engine block. I’m scared because if this happens again who is ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2024
My son bought this used car. The STOP ENGINE light came on, got an oil change but the light did not go away. Were told that the oil pressure might be the issue so took it to the mechanic. We were told it was most likely the oil pressure switch. There were multiple codes(cones) and were cleared. The switch was replaced but the engine light's still on & the STOP ENGINE comes on but goes off. It appe... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2024
My son bought this used car. The STOP ENGINE light came on, got an oil change but the light did not go away. Were told that the oil pressure might be the issue so took it to the mechanic. We were told it was most likely the oil pressure switch. There were multiple codes(cones) and were cleared. The switch was replaced but the engine light's still on & the STOP ENGINE comes on but goes off. It appe... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2024
PTU completely bad...just purchased the vehicle and it went bad less than a month after
Incident date: Aug 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the battery was drained due to the vehicle being parked and not driven for several months. After recharging the battery, several warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the TPMS, brake system hold, Lane Keep Assist, and vehicle stability assist (VSA) warning lights were illuminated. The contact researched and noticed simi... Read more