Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 40,555 complaints for BMW
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the navigational system and radio continued to reboot, and volume increased to high levels without driver interaction. The contact replaced bank two and valve two and stated that the cam shaft exhaust was faulty. The vehicle was repaired, bu... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while reversing in a parking lot, the contact became aware that there was a significant amount of engine oil had leaked onto the ground. The contact stated that she added oil to the vehicle and drove to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil pressure switch had failed, causing oil intrusi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
After having two recalls done on 2/29 the next day my vehicle dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. There was a message about low gear, the shifter was blinking, I lost collision assist, traction control, and something called bill start. I was able to pull over and shut it off. When I restarted a minute later it accelerated on its own with no input from me. Braking worked but it was slowly movin... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
I was in electric mode pulling slowly into a parking garage parking space this was a rental car from National. As I pulled in the car lights came on and the car accelerated and crashed me into the cement wall of the parking garage, the brakes would not stop the car. There was damage to the front but the air bags did not deploy. I called National to have the car towed. I see there are several rep... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
Car stops suddenly on highway, going into, "limp mode." All dash warning lights came on. Rich emissions. VTM-4 issue. This is an ongoing issue with CR-Vs, yet manufacturer has issues no solution, clearly opting to work each situation independently. Therefore, manufacturer saves the time and money associated with these repairs.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
Car stops suddenly on highway, going into, "limp mode." All dash warning lights came on. Rich emissions. VTM-4 issue. This is an ongoing issue with CR-Vs, yet manufacturer has issues no solution, clearly opting to work each situation independently. Therefore, manufacturer saves the time and money associated with these repairs.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
Ford has a CSP for the Transmission Control Module on this vehicle, which will be replace the TCM. My vehicle had a TCM replaced in 2016, but it has still caused the transmission to prematurely fail. I am currently being quoted nearly $4,000 to replace the clutch pack/transmission in my vehicle, even though there were ZERO issues. My vehicle is currently at a Ford dealership and they are saying th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
There's problem with the wiring harness under the drivers seat, causing a fault in the airbag sensor, and the airbag warning light to illuminate. If you look online, many owners are having this same isssue. I have had this Airbag warning light illuminating off and on my 2018 Range Rover for over 6 months now. When I raise the seat to its highest position and "wiggle" the wire harness, the airba... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2023
when starting the truck the ignition sticks in the start position making the starter motor run while the engine is running sometimes slips from run position into start while driving
Incident date: Oct 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shuddering and there was a lot of exhaust and a burning odor. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was coolant in the compartment where the spark plug was located, and that the head gasket... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
When driving the vehicle at 60mph or faster, the steering wheel will begin to shake uncontrollably and continue to rattle for approximately 30 seconds until the vehicle is reduced speed to about 40mph or less. If I resume speed again, the shaking vibrations will continue to happen repeatedly. This puts my safety at risk when I attempt to drive on the freeway and approach the speed limit and cau... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2024
Out of the blue on highway. Tachometer reved up to 6 without using throttle. No power, then it jumped out of gear to neutral down a hill. I almost got hit by a truck , no dash lights came on till I called fot help and my husband drove to a safe area and ford escape reared up in air . Then transmission default light came on . A guy put transmission module in to it and it didn't work. So this... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2024
Out of the blue on highway. Tachometer reved up to 6 without using throttle. No power, then it jumped out of gear to neutral down a hill. I almost got hit by a truck , no dash lights came on till I called fot help and my husband drove to a safe area and ford escape reared up in air . Then transmission default light came on . A guy put transmission module in to it and it didn't work. So this... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
Your vehicle inspection has been completed. Unfortunately we found all 4 of your brake lines are swelling and will need to be replaced. The parts are not in stock and will need to be ordered. Until they're replaced we don't recommend to drive the vehicle due to safety concerns.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. The Service Power Steering System warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned; however, the failure recurred when the contact arrived at ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
The Forward Collision Warning has been turning on and off for no reason. River Oak Kia has checked the system once. My windshield has cracked twice. I am having a third windshield installed when I obtain the funds. I purchased the car on 12/30/2023. The windshield has cracked two time and I am about to install third windshield. I am having the same problem with my 2021 palisade.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
The Forward Collision Warning has been turning on and off for no reason. River Oak Kia has checked the system once. My windshield has cracked twice. I am having a third windshield installed when I obtain the funds. I purchased the car on 12/30/2023. The windshield has cracked two time and I am about to install third windshield. I am having the same problem with my 2021 palisade.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
Hybrid System, Air Suspension System, Engine, Power Train Car acceleration power cut out while driving 50 mph suddenly while driving down the road. Held up traffic when came to complete stop, vehicle would not restart immediately. Needed to restart vehicle multiple times before it started moving again. Problem has not been able to be reproduced by the dealer. They reset codes and took on a test ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2024
Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02. DPS6 Automatic Transmission. Ford customer service recommended I contact you as my vehicle barely falls outside of the rebiuld date requirement of this program but is experiencing the same problems. They said you could add this VIN number to the program to get repaired under this program.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear driver's side door failed to open from inside and from outside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the bottom center door panel retainer was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2023
my taos is been on the shop several times for a check engine light and it works for a couple of months and the light comes back on according to the dealer ship it is an evap sensor that keeps failing the power train it not at 100% it can cause an accident I was traying to do a buy back but the company said that NO my car it been on the shop at least 5 times for the same problem. Please HELP.
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
The forward collision warning activated out of the blue and the automatic emergency braking was applied for no reason. Was driving to go pick up daughter from school on March 11, 2024 at approximately 11:50 AM. Driving on neighborhood road with speed limit of 40 mph. Driving at 40 mph with no other vehicles anywhere near me in front, behind, or in opposing lane. All of a sudden the front col... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2024
I had my vehicle in for a recall from Kia PI2103 for Kia to update the software in my Kia Sportage. Which was to install software that could help my engine from failing. This was performed on January 19th 2024. Along with this recall they were supposed to extend my warranty to 15 yrs 150,000 miles. Shortly after aout 500 miles later and a few weeks my engine developed a knocking noise. I took back... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
When using lane trace assist as part of the adaptive cruise control the vehicle will violently pull the steering wheel to the left or right out of the lane. This will occur even with vehicles in the lane it pulls to that are detected by the blind spot monitoring system. Brought to a Toyota dealership and they only verified 4 wheel alignment however this did not correct the issue.
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
UNKNOWN. My sister had went to town in her car. She had came back home and parked the car in the driveway. After doing so her and her husband we inside, heard a rumbling sound went outside and car was on fire. The neighbors say they saw the car just catch on fire in her driveway. She had purchased the car less than 60 days ago in Manhattan, ks from CSM AUTO.
Fire
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
UNKNOWN. My sister had went to town in her car. She had came back home and parked the car in the driveway. After doing so her and her husband we inside, heard a rumbling sound went outside and car was on fire. The neighbors say they saw the car just catch on fire in her driveway. She had purchased the car less than 60 days ago in Manhattan, ks from CSM AUTO.
Fire
Incident date: Feb 26, 2024
A red light came on in my vehicle that read restraint system. Does that mean the airbags are faulty or is it with the seatbelts.
Incident date: Feb 26, 2024
WAS PARKED IN BANK PARKING LOT. STARTED ENGINE, PLACED CAR IN REVERSE AND CAR ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. (LIKE I WAS IN A DRAG RACE!!) APPLIED BRAKES, WHICH DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. DID NOT STOP UNTIL I RAN INTO A PARKED CAR. WHOLE INCIDENT TOOK JUST SECONDS. CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE AT THE DEALERS ON [XXX]. NOW HAS 16,597 MILES ON VEHICLE. CAR TO BE SERVICE... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 26, 2024
WAS PARKED IN BANK PARKING LOT. STARTED ENGINE, PLACED CAR IN REVERSE AND CAR ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. (LIKE I WAS IN A DRAG RACE!!) APPLIED BRAKES, WHICH DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. DID NOT STOP UNTIL I RAN INTO A PARKED CAR. WHOLE INCIDENT TOOK JUST SECONDS. CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE AT THE DEALERS ON [XXX]. NOW HAS 16,597 MILES ON VEHICLE. CAR TO BE SERVICE... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 26, 2024
Integrated trailer brake module produced by Continental Part Number 68237782AB does not function correctly. No voltage when gain set to 10 and manually activated. Issue frequently mentioned on RAM Forum pages. Dodge acknowledges that "may" have been an issue with a change in vendors. No warranty coverage.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
I went to start my vehicle one morning and the cars DSC light and Steering lights were on. The steering wheel had loss of power as the electronic steering went out. A got a group of warning messages. Warnings include: Cont. driving possible: Chassis stabilization, Increased Steering effort: Drive carefully to the closet service station, Driving Assistance support reduced, Pedestrian Warning was d... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
Paint is peeling all over and I see there is a lawsuit for this for my truck. How will this be covered?
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
There is an electrical drain causing the battery to drain to the point where it will not start. Alternator was replaced, then the issue persisted. Most recent problem include the power tailgate opening on its own. Rear power tailgate issue. The rear tailgate will attempt to open while driving, but the warning sound chimes and alerts to the problem. If the vehicle is left unlocked the ta... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
The rear window shattered on March 8, 2024. The defroster had been used briefly to clear fog. It was parked and when I returned to the car later, the window was shattered. There was a hole in part of it where it had broken with glass on the inside and some shards on the outside on the ground. It was is also broken around the edges where it would be sealed to the rest of the car. I had to drive hom... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2023
Same issue with my Santa Fe Sport with the engine burning oil. It left me stranded on a back road up hill when it just slowly stopped accelerating and shut off. I had it towed to Hyundai dealership who wanted me to purchase a brand new engine. After talking to a friend who is a mechanic he told me about the lawsuit going on. I confronted Hyundai with this new information I had gotten. I was able t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2023
Same issue with my Santa Fe Sport with the engine burning oil. It left me stranded on a back road up hill when it just slowly stopped accelerating and shut off. I had it towed to Hyundai dealership who wanted me to purchase a brand new engine. After talking to a friend who is a mechanic he told me about the lawsuit going on. I confronted Hyundai with this new information I had gotten. I was able t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2024
I purchased a used 2020 Ford Explorer ST. The vehicle is having significant transmission issues and I’ve owned the vehicle for five months. This is absolutely a safety issue as at times, the vehicle stalls while merging into traffic, which could cause an accident. The vehicle also sometimes downshifts randomly while traveling at highway speed, which could also cause a serious accident. I have ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2024
I am writing to express my serious concern regarding a safety issue with my Hyundai vehicle, and the apparent lack of resolution from Hyundai despite repeated attempts to seek assistance. Last year, I received a notification from Hyundai about a critical safety issue concerning the EMERGENCY FIRE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ("ABS") MODULES, which could potentially leak brake fluid internally and lead t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
Odometer display malfunction. Periodically, the display will go blank or display incorrectly. It also blinks on and off a lot.
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the headlights and taillights were inoperable, and the trunk failed to open. Additionally, all the doors failed to manually lock, and while utilizing the key fob, the door locks were inoperable. The door-ajar message was displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMING ON, AND STEERING NOT TURNING LEFT AT TIMES.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
- The passenger airbag system has a malfunction (recall) that can cause it to go off or not go off when it's supposed to -No one can ride in my front passenger seat and no one has been able to ride in the front passenger seat since 3-29-2023. Almost 1 year. -Yes, the recall has been confirmed and known about for almost a year now. -No, the vehicle manufacturer hasn't even reached out to me. -The... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2024
While parked and without impact from any object, the windshield cracked causing visibility issues for the driver leading to unsafe driving conditions for those inside and outside the vehicle. The problem is a common issue among many Subaru vehicles. The issue has been reported but not yet inspected. There were no warnings before the issue appeared.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2024
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? STEERING. MOMENTARY INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT FREQUENTLY OCCURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? YES, DEALER CONFIRMED ON 3/8/2024. Has the ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 23, 2024
All MB GLA and CLA 2015 cars have a common issue "CRANKCASE VENTILATION VALVE" which should be replaced a few times for the cars. Each service will cost at least $2000.00. Please ask MB to recall their cars and fix this issue.