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: Jan 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, there was a smoke odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed smoke coming from the battery. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was no... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
Not sure if this requires investigation by NHTSA so I am reporting it and will let you decide. 2020 Audi Q-3. Purchased Certified Pre-Owned in April 2023 with 13,000 miles on it. Found that at highway speed when you apply brakes the pedal pulsates and shudders. I now have 17,900 miles on it and the pulsation is getting worse. To my regret we did not take a very long test ride when buying. ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
the transmission has had a few problems, but it started to not go into gear and I almost got destroyed by a large truck pulling out of my road since my truck would not go out of 1st gear and then all of a sudden jumped to 4th gear and took off.
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. 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 had not exp... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2021
The warning lights dealing with the braking system malfunctions. All warning lights dealing with the Braking system come on the dash. The brakes failed to engage and the car began to roll backward on a hill had to use the emergency brakes to stop the car. This problem has happened twice since I had the car on 12/6/2023 at which time all warning lights came on dealing with the brake system and on ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the navigation system was dialing numbers independently. The contact stated that the air conditioner and heater were independently activating and deactivating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who determined there was no indication of delamination to the screen. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The contact... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the spark plugs. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and it was determined that there was a misfire in cyl... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
This is on a brand new Versa less than 20 miles and had been replicated a few more times over the course of 200 miles. If the car stalls because the clutch was engaged too soon, the engine will entire limp mode and will cut the power in half. THis severely limits highway speeds to 60 mph. It should be known what limp mode is so I shall save myself anymore explanation. It sometimes shows a check... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Air bags are common problem. It can be googled. Ours stopped working. When braking the steering wheel shakes bad. Got fixed and came right back week later. Common problem. O2 sensor needed changed cause when slippery road indicator comes on car won't accelerate over 25 mph. Have to cut engine off wait for seconds and cut back on and its fine. Oil leak is where everyone online said there's is. Ther... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
Radio not turning on at all
Incident date: Oct 14, 2020
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The electrical keeps shutting off and own after hitting speed bumps. It shuts off all power on hvac windows seats and the odometer. I have heard this same issue with many owners
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
On 12/1, around 7:20am my fiancé and I were getting ready to leave for work; there was frost on the car so my fiancé went out to start it and turn on the defrosters. After starting the car, he turned on the heater and front and rear defrosters, he then went inside to retrieve some items we needed to load into the car. He was inside for about 5 minutes before coming out to see smoke emanating fro... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
We have a 2013 hyundai santa fe and it has done the same thing that is described in the engine recall for the 2012 the bearings have worn out and now our engine is blown up at 120000 miles and every one that I have talked to has said the same thing they should be held responsible for this its the same engine same problem
Incident date: Dec 31, 2023
Rear windshield suddenly cracked and completely shattered.
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
I’m very frustrated with Hondas lack of response to the fuel pump recall. Here is what I’ve been told: I called Rusty Wallace Honda in Knox, they told me they can fix my car until earliest November 2024. I called Honda Recall Number- they told me there is nothing they can do at this time. They told me to keep driving it and if something happens to call, but the recall says the call could sta... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that she restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The contact stated that the last time ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? + AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN HEAD-ON COLLISION How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? + DUE TO FAILURE, DRIVER SUSTAINED MILD CONCUSSION WHEN HEAD HIT STEERING WHEEL AND PUT AT RISK OF LIFE THREATENING INJURY AND IMPAIRMENT Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a deal... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
The brake system is leaking fluid in the cab of the truck creating a safety hazard; the brake fluid is a slick oily substance that can potentially inhibit the application of the braking system when the foot is applied to the pedal with the brake fluid on the pedal or picked up on the bottom of the foot.
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
All the warning lights come on. When they do, none of the features work including cruise control and advanced vehicle detection.
Incident date: Oct 20, 2023
Since 2021 I have been complaining odd a smell (Burning/ Rotten) upon 1st starting up the vehicle. It was on the faint side when 1st discovered. Taken into dealership I bought it from when 1 first noticed. Dealership said no authorized Jeep mechanics on site and recommended to take it to a authorized Jeep dealer. Taken to Jeep dealership 2022 with same complaint. Replaced inside air filters. No re... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Tailgate inadvertently opens. There is no visual or audible alarm to inform me the rear tailgate is open. This is a Denali package truck. I have lost items, coolers, small folding tables among small items without warning. Most of the time I was traveling on a highway. Could cause accidents, injury to others as well as I have lost my belongings. I have had the dealership as well as 2 requests with ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
Transmission has failed on this 2019 Toyota CHR 2 years after purchase. Took to Toyota dealership and was told this vehicle is notorious for transmission issues from year 2018-2020. Both Toyota dealership and headquarters are unwilling to look into the issue because there is no “recall” even though supervisor at dealership stated this is an ongoing issue. $10,000 quote for a $17,000 vehicle. V... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
Many complaints about the nissian cube... the battery are good and even put new batteries in the key fob.. the car isn't registering it and steering wheel is locked bc is a security feature.. many complaints online for these.. is this a recall yet?
Incident date: Dec 23, 2023
This Hybrid XLT maverick is equipped with Auto Brake/Stop while the vehicle is at a stop sign or red light. Two times the vehicle moved forward when the car in the front took their foot off from the brake pedal. The maverick was in full electric mode while Auto Engine Stop was activated and while the other vehicle moved forward, the maverick's Hybrid system switched to regular gas power and moved ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2022
In the time of 2 years of ownership of this vehicle, I have had a blown out tire happen 3 separate times with these particular tires, whether it has been the rear left side or rear right side, leaving me stranded on the street.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
Was in a frontal collision air bags failed to deploy and forward collision system did not work. Received error messages from both systems that they failed
Crash
Incident date: Jan 4, 2024
1.At 63263 miles ADAS front Parking sensor and at 96000 miles Active park assist modules are failing with a pop up message asking for a service. The parts are working intermly but, I believe it could potentially mislead the driver when parking using Active Park assist and can cause and injury or damage if the safety system fails. It was inspected by a dealer before but exact diagonisis was not pro... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that the "Service Air Bag" warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that there was a defect with the air bag system. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and confirmed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired.... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Power tailgate problem repeatedly flashed on dashboard but would disappear before it was legible and the car was beeping while driving. We stopped and tried to see what the problem was but it wasn’t until we finally arrived home that it finally showed the full error on the screen. Apparently this drained the battery as well and we had to call AAA the following day to start the vehicle. They test... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2023
In my area, there has been lots of heavy rain. There was a water leak on the interior rear driver side, causing the tailgate control module (TCM) to fail part # 74970-THR-A12 The tailgate trunk or 5th door is not working, will not open, will not activate. I took my 2020 honda odyssey my local dealership but no help. Many vans from Honda, years 2018-2021 are having this very same issue. Please help... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2023
In my area, there has been lots of heavy rain. There was a water leak on the interior rear driver side, causing the tailgate control module (TCM) to fail part # 74970-THR-A12 The tailgate trunk or 5th door is not working, will not open, will not activate. I took my 2020 honda odyssey my local dealership but no help. Many vans from Honda, years 2018-2021 are having this very same issue. Please help... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
For multiple months, a "front camera fault" warning would display while driving on the highway, usually while using cruise control or automatic steering. This would then suddenly kick off all driving features and the car would begin to drift, requiring driver intervention. The vehicle will also periodically slam on the brakes and warn of a forward collision, but when no cars were in front. This ob... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2023
My gas gauge read 37 miles till empty and then died in the middle of a main rd. Had to get it towed $320 for the tow and $200 diagnostic fee. Just to find out that the gas gauge is incorrect and not to trust it.
Incident date: Nov 4, 2023
Power steering failure almost resulted in a fatality. Could not steer away from a pedistrian
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
The chasis function is limited on this vehicle due to failed right rear air suspension. Leaking right rear strut, and failed air compressor. Additionally, as a result my car needs an alignment. There was a service bulletin in regards to this exact issue in which BMW offered an extended warranty to repair vehicles free of charge up to 8 years/80,000 miles (MC-10215743-9999.pdf) My vehicle is cu... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
My New 2023 Nissan Rogue encountered a warning "Engine Malfunction Power reduced Service Now" after the car was driven 4600 miles in July 28th 2023. The car did not accelerate higher than 15 miles/ hr with the warning and it was difficult to change lanes while driving the vehicle to Nissan Service at Jeff Wyler Nissan, Eastgate, Ohio - 45103. The warning light went off after the car was restarted... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
My New 2023 Nissan Rogue encountered a warning "Engine Malfunction Power reduced Service Now" after the car was driven 4600 miles in July 28th 2023. The car did not accelerate higher than 15 miles/ hr with the warning and it was difficult to change lanes while driving the vehicle to Nissan Service at Jeff Wyler Nissan, Eastgate, Ohio - 45103. The warning light went off after the car was restarted... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
My relatively brand new BMW X5 with only 7,500 miles was parked in an enclosed parking garage with valet service. The car only had its warranty service about 7 weeks ago and was in fine condition. There were no issues with the suspension or steering. There was no accident and the car has never gone over a hard bump or pothole. The lower right front control arm snapped cleanly as if from meta... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
Hcu system failed now trucks and system is messed up, can’t use cruise control and nervous too drive the truck for safety reasons. Dealer says it could be months for a new system
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
Hcu system failed now trucks and system is messed up, can’t use cruise control and nervous too drive the truck for safety reasons. Dealer says it could be months for a new system
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Upon entering parked vehicle and closing doors, the rear windshield spontaneously shattered leaving a large gaping hole.
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
245/35 R20 Dunlop Sport Maxx GT Found tires to be bulging out on sidewalls. Service center confirmed that both front tires were separating and are unsafe to drive on. Susceptible to blow outs. Rear tires have not been inspected as of yet.
Incident date: Dec 31, 2023
The ABS module is defective on my truck which controls the antilock brakes, Anti slip function, and the cruise control. Dealer ship has diagnosed problem and ordered parts but the parts have been on back order for quite sometime with no ETA from RAM when parts will be available. My dealer ship says they currently are wating on 25 parts for different vehicles with same problem.
Incident date: Dec 26, 2023
The steering no longer returns to center after a turn, and manual correcting force is needed. This creates a safety risk in the event the driver is unable to correct the steering wheel. This problem was confirmed by a dealer, but the cause was not diagnosed. Multiple Bolt drivers have reported failed steering gear with the same symptoms, which is likely the cause. No warning lights appear when exp... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2023
When the driver of the vehicle is coming to a stop a loud whine is coming from the transmission area caused by the paper filter cartridge inside the transmission housing being plugged causing damage to the transmission due to no maintenance as indicated by the manufacturer. The manufacturer has indicated the transmission is bad and needs replacing after hearing it in the parking lot, but has also ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
The abs module started throwing a code and had to be replaced in 2022 which cost me around 900.00 dollars and the same module has malfunctioned again in 2023. This seems to be a very common problem with 2017 and 2018 ram 2500 trucks. This module should be recalled for parts and labor.
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the temperature gauge increased rose to an elevated level. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing coolant. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant and water intrusion in cylinder #3, which ca... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
Was driving and the vehicle stalled well driving, Had a hard time trying to stop and could barley steer the vehicle. Vehicle was flashing shift to park. This has happened two times to me now and I took it to the dealership and it happened to them as well. The radio screen sometimes doesn't light up and it will freeze and won't let you do anything, when cell phone is connected via blue tooth it wil... Read more