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: Jan 19, 2024
On June 3, 2024, vehicle was taken to dealer for rattling noises under truck close to front passenger side and state inspection. Dealer informed flex pipe was rattling and offered repair. Repair declined. Dealer/service department emphasized vehicle was safe to drive, no impact on performance or safety. On June 18, 2024, while pulling up to home, metal noises were heard under car. Observed a pipe... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
Front radar system continues to not work without having damaged caused. Makes cruise control not work. Forward collision not work, etc.
Incident date: Apr 25, 2024
About 4 weeks ago (mid-May) I was driving in stop and go traffic on a major highway. My car is a 2018 Hyundai Elantra, manual transmission. After about 30 minutes of this, the car started to just cut out, the engine cut out when I was changing gears. It did this about 6 times on my drive home. I noticed that when the rev meter got below 1, the engine would just stall out, so I tried to give it gas... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2024
Body control module constantly fails and begins to parasitically drain the battery of the vehicle. I've had to swap the body control module twice now after it has failed shortly after the warranty period. This is not as serious as other issue but having the battery drained at unexpected times can cause safety issues.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that upon closing the front driver’s side door, the rear windshield shattered into several small pieces. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and it was discovered that the failure occurred due to a defective rear defroster system. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The manufacturer was not notif... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2024
Our 2017 Honda Ridgeline started making a rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. We took it to our local mechanic, who determined the engine rod bearing had failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the local Honda dealer for repair in case it was covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer diagnosed that the... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk abnormally while shifting gear. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there was no warranty cov... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2024
Leased vehicle in September 2022. In December 2022 Apple Car Play stopped functioning. This was a safety issue as when driving to a destination all of a sudden it stopped working so the GPS directions stopped and the calls would not come through either over the Bluetooth so we had to fumble with the phone. Also when this would happen the car’s NAVI system would not work or even load. Numerous vi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2024
There is a bracket that welds to the frame and supports the crank for the ice house and the entire weight of the RV. there are some very questionable welds on the brackets that looks like they were blown through the metal so now that bracket is bent and unlevel and digging into the side of the fish house causing the diamond plate in the wheel house to come off and expose the insulation.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was sputtering, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manuf... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2024
I was driving on the freeway and the transmission suddenly went out, causing me to quickly lose speed. The car was on, my foot was on the gas, but I wasn't moving forward. I maneuvered to the side of the road as best I could, with a semi on my tail and almost rear-ending me. I put the car in park, then in reverse and again in drive, put my foot on the gas, and still no movement. I turned the car ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2024
The motor blew. Dealer confirmed no compression in cylinder 2 and damage to the top and bottom of the head requiring the motor to be replaced. I was accelerating onto the freeway going uphill when I lost acceleration. The car went into "limp mode". I had no warning lights until the vehicle lost power at which time the service engine soon light illuminated and flashed intermittently. Evidently it'... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
I've taken my car in for over a year multiple times for the same issue. When driving the car will jerk almost as if I've hit a car and power goes down. Many times it fails to go when accelerating after this has happened. The movement of the car is worrisome and the loud noise made can be heard out the car. When this happens the steering locks up and makes it hard to turn along with the power going... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2024
I recently had my car repaired for the recall and a brake job (replacing pads and resurfacing rotors). A couple of days later, I was driving on the highway at about 60mph. Suddenly, the check engine light, parking brake light, brake light, and brake system light all went on. Additionally, the car was flashing neutral, drive, and parking gears while I was in park and driving. I started to slow down... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2024
I recently had my car repaired for the recall and a brake job (replacing pads and resurfacing rotors). A couple of days later, I was driving on the highway at about 60mph. Suddenly, the check engine light, parking brake light, brake light, and brake system light all went on. Additionally, the car was flashing neutral, drive, and parking gears while I was in park and driving. I started to slow down... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2024
I recently had my car repaired for the recall and a brake job (replacing pads and resurfacing rotors). A couple of days later, I was driving on the highway at about 60mph. Suddenly, the check engine light, parking brake light, brake light, and brake system light all went on. Additionally, the car was flashing neutral, drive, and parking gears while I was in park and driving. I started to slow down... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2024
Component= Traction control and cruise control. Safety risk=Driving a Ford e-450 Class C RV on interstate at 63 MPH going generally up hill with cruise control on, the "Service AdvanceTrac" warning light came on dashboard. I Immediately lost cruise control capability and steering became a little shakey. Pulled into rest area shut vehicle off. A few minutes and started again. Error went away and cr... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2024
Operator was completing an inspection of their secondary fuel filter and found that the newly replaced fuel filter was leaking fuel. The filter had been replaced on 5/31/24.
Incident date: Jun 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off without the key in the ignition, her daughter bumped into the gear shift selector and inadvertently shifted the vehicle into reverse. As a result, the vehicle began to roll, coming to a complete stop after colliding with another parked vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lig... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 15, 2024
I was driving a New 2024 Venue Model car by Hyundai when the electronic system of the car failed or dropped dead and I almost caused a collision. The dash board light iluminated and said start the car in neutral or park. I did this. 3 times the car started sputtered and stopped. Sputtered and stopped. Horns blasting, I had to get out of harms way to avoid a colilsion. I could have bee... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2024
While driving the car a message appears " check starter system" and the car stops. This happened after about a quarter mile away of driving after starting the car. This has happened twice on really hot days. The first time it happened the car started back up normally, the second time (today) it did the same shut off three times before I had it towed. I am going to call the Volkswagen dealership to... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2024
I previously sent a complaint regarding my vehicles CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I took it to a dealership and I now have to wait for the part to be ordered! Then it is going to be about 2 weeks before it can be repaired! I was told by the dealership that this part had been on a recall list! So I feel someone should be responsible for fixing and paying for this repair! Approximately $1000! I bought... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2024
After taking my Nissan Pathfinder to Nissan 112 for a safety recall on February 10, 2024, they improperly completed the recall, leaving the hood stuck closed. Despite multiple appointments and 23 calls with consumer affairs, the issue remains unresolved. The recall I brought my vehicle in for was R22A3, a safety recall having to do with the hood opening during vehicle operation. The procedures st... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2024
Transmission. Hesitates from a stop to highway speeds and hard downshift upon stopping…either controlled or emergency stop. Seems hard to find a gear. Indecisive acceleration. I took it back to Ford and they drove it and said they could not replicate my complaint. No one has inspected it except when I took it back to my dealership. No warning lamps or issues. There is a definite problem with the... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2024
My sunroof exploded for no reason while traveling at highway speeds. Fortunately my sunshade was closed preventing shattered glass from entering the cabin which could have injured me. Shattered glass also damaged the paint on top of my vehicle which will require repainting. The noise made by the glass exploding startled me and could have caused an accident in addition to the glass that flew off of... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2024
I WAS DRIVING AT 70MPH AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE STEERING BECAME STIFF AND VERY UNSTABLE THAT I ALMOST CRASHED, IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY (MY WIFE AND MY 2 DAUGHTERS)
Incident date: May 3, 2024
Severe oil leak coming from the engine. I had it in the Volvo Dealership, they claimed it was due to a loose oil filter. When I drove the vehicle home and parked in my driveway, It started to stain the driveway with a fresh oil leak.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Express 3500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the front end of the vehicle was violently shaking and vibrating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The brake rotors and brake pads were replaced, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2024
The headrest restraint in the driver's seat spontaneously deployed hitting the back of my head while I was driving. It is available for inspection. The deployment was startling/surprising - quite a distraction - my impulse was to turn around to see what hit me - it wasn't readily apparent until I re-oriented my body in the seat and found my headrest had moved forward making it uncomfortable to d... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that 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 r... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2024
This vehicle is owned by the City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department. We are submitting complaints for multiple Tahoe's that have stopped during operation causing extreme danger to our staff and other drivers in the city. The cause is always bad fuel pumps and our units have had to have the pumps replaced in some cases multiple times. 6/5/24 The vehicle continues to stall out and shut off in ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2024
CHECK ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION WARNING, FLASHING "S"DRIVE, NO EYESIGHT, AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHTS, ALL CAME ON AT ONCE AND STAYING ON. POSSIBLE THERMO CONTROL VALVE ISSUE - NEEDS A RECALL!
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Fuel pump quit working. Dangerous traffic.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2024 BMW X6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V44000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer, BMW of Dayton (7124 Poe Ave., Suite 3, Dayton, OH 45414). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The con... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
I have a 2018 Ford Edge SEL with 36,460 miles on it. Problem began a few months ago on startup, engine would shudder for a few seconds then clear up, no check engine light came on. A few weeks later I experienced the same issue but the engine light came on! The repair shop changed the ignition coil, the spark plugs and the #2 cylinder injector! Vehicle ran well for a few weeks. While driving on [X... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
While driving down the road the vehicle automatically shuts off without power brakes or power steering. Must come to a complete stop put the vehicle into park and the vehicle will then restart. Has happened twice in one week.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2023
CHECK ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION WARNING, FLASHING "S"DRIVE, NO EYESIGHT, AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHTS, ALL CAME ON AT ONCE AND STAYING ON. POSSIBLE THERMO CONTROL VALVE ISSUE - NEEDS A RECALL!
Incident date: May 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly began to vibrate and shake before returning to normal functionality. Later, while the vehicle was parked and running, the contact observed excessive smoke emanating from the exhaust and smelled exhaust fumes on the interior of the vehicle; after which... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2023
Fan inside stereo has stopped working causing stereo screen to overheat and go black. Screen is hot to touch. No back up camera visible or any other controls. Have taken it into Jeep to be looked at and all the do is confirm the issue. $2000 to replace!
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
On 3 occasions the transmission has downshifting without warning as I was traveling at 65 mph it shifted down to 1st gear, fortunately I wasn't rear-ended. When I called the Ford recall center they told me they had a safety recall on this problem but they are considering it to be an extended warranty and unfortunately my warranty has expired due to it being over 10 years old and because of the hig... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
Tailgate opening and closing on its own. No input from key FOB, switch on tailgate, or switch inside of cab. No fuse indicated to pull to stop.
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) 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 contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a burning odor ... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle while parked. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the fuel vapors were coming from the fuel pump sending unit. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer spoke with the manufacturer about the failure however, the manufacturer offered no ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
Cracked Frame. Visual inspection. The frame is Steel. Frame is cracked at weld and across the vertical beam surface. If the frame cracks all the way the trailer could break away from tow vehicle without the hitch becoming disconnected. The left side the frame has a crack all the way across, the right side it is only about 1.5 inch.
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
Currently there are 17500 miles on the vehicle and at times the extreme harsch downshift is back. The car will shake so strong that it seems that someone hit us in the back. No hills, smooth and flat streets, no potholes. Not sure what is going on.
Incident date: Jun 8, 2024
there was a ford program recall to fix the ecoboost cam phasers but it has now ended. and now my 2018 F150 is experiencing cam phaser issues (as per Ford dealer service) at 60k miles; however, Ford has not issued another recall.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electronic braking system malfunctioned, and a message to contact the dealer was displayed. While at an intersection, the Pre-Collision System engaged, and the brakes seized with an oncoming vehicle approaching. While entering the parking lot, the brake pedal was depressed, but t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2024
When the vehicle comes to a stop and the auto-engine-start-stop feature is engaged, the vehicle will shift itself into neutral and will not disengage until you shut off the vehicle and turn it back on.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2024
Car burning oil every 1,000 miles or less causing catalytic converter to over heat, which could cause fire. Wiring harness on driver side shorting lights out which could cause a fire. Vehicle can be ready for inspection at anytime. Have been calling dealer about it since 2019 said recall was fixed but wasn’t done properly. Electrical issues started around 01/15/2024.