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: Sep 9, 2023
Car engine stalling while driving and failure of the EPS/EPC light comes on When attempted to start the car warning start stop system malfunctioning unable to start at times
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
IVE PAID TOO GET THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THE EXACT CAR I LAST Had. IM ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE rpm hits 7000 so car automatically slows down which cause my last accident this is crazy such expensive cars have the same ongoing problems help please
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
In my 2020 Toyota RAV4, a "Engine Maintenance Required: See Dealer" message came onto my dashboard and would not go away when I cleared it. I took it into the dealership, and they stated that they had many RAV4's come in with this same message. They said it was most likely the engine's coolant bypass valve. After diagnosing the problem, the dealership confirmed it was the coolant bypass valve. T... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
The car turned off several times while I was stuck in traffic, it was raining an the wipers were on. This happened on Riverside Drive, NYC on 9/8/23 around 5 pm. The warning said: low steering power. There were cars behind me and could have crashed my car.
Incident date: Feb 18, 2022
I was driving at about 45mph and my vehicle brakes suddenly stopped responding. The car alarms went crazy and said "regenerative brake failure" which is fine and all, but why the hell would the regent failing impact my ability to stop entirely? I could not get the vehicle to respond by pumping the brakes, so I put my flashers on and rolled into a lot and thankfully didn't kill anyone. Rolled into ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
The roller for the headliner falls when I open the sunroof and this causes me not to be able to see out of my mirrors when driving. There has not been an accident or anything to the vehicle and the vehicle has been taken care of the entire time.
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
Coolant leak into the cylinders of the 1.5 L GTDI EcoBoost engine and causes the vehicles to misfire, overheat and even catch fire. As a result of the failure which has been confirmed by an independent mechanic, the car is not operational only has 103K miles.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
My vehicle consumes oil according to my Midas repair shop. I was unaware that when I brought it in for regular servicing, the engine was almost empty of oil according to the mechanic. It had been rattling upon acceleration and lacking power set on ECO, but I ignored it. Now, I have to check and add 1/2 to 1 quart of oil every 7-10 days as the dipstick shows oil is low and also very dark. There is ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2023
1. My car is very old and has 189,000 miles. Takata airbag recalls are now known and issued by the NHSTA, it shows that I have 6 recalls and BMW does not see the recalls. As well as my brakes they are super soft and the only thing I did for the brakes is replace new brake pads they are OEM and also my emergency parking brakes are not working. It is avaible for inspection. 2. My safety while drivi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the engine revved but the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. However, the contact stated that the vehicle accelerated after removing the foot off the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the Service Electronic Stabili-trak warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the engine revved but the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. However, the contact stated that the vehicle accelerated after removing the foot off the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the Service Electronic Stabili-trak warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2023
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Sear, safety belt, airbag and the speedometer 1.The driver side seat was powered by electricity, it moved forward by itself during the crash. However, the car battery was destroyed and caught on fire as soon as the crash happened. 2.The airbag might have a delayed deployment, which caused my right ... Read more
Crash
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
Driving on highway in Dallas in high heat with no cars in front of me. Nothing appeared to hit Windshield or fly up but windshield cracked at very edge of drivers side and cracked at least 12 inches across within 5-10 minutes.
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V338000 (Electrical System, Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The co... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V338000 (Electrical System, Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The co... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2023
The rear lower brake lights stopped working. Only the top center brake light will work. This is the second time in about a month and a half that this has happened. The first time the dealer replaced the brake light switch located on the brake pedal. This time I have been told that the main fuse block has to be replaced. If this is not fixed, this will cause other system's to malfunction includin... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2023
I WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH IN 5TH GEAR WHEN MY MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING, AND THE CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY WENT INTO LIMP-MODE AND WOULD NOT TRAVEL ANY FASTER THAN 25 MPH. I WAS NEAR A SERVICE STATION, SO I PULLED OVER AND STOPPED. I WAS ABLE TO RETURN HOME TRAVELING 25 MPH, AS FRUSTRATED CARS FOLLOWED CLOSE BEHIND ME. MY HARLEY DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THE ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
Over the last 3 years we have had ongoing issues with our truck going into limp mode. We have spent thousands of dollars at dealerships and mechanics trying to troubleshoot the issue. Several occasions while trying to merge onto the freeway the truck would slip into limp mode causing us to have other drivers slam on their breaks almost hitting us. We had 2 cars in January of 2023 veer off the ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
Over the last 3 years we have had ongoing issues with our truck going into limp mode. We have spent thousands of dollars at dealerships and mechanics trying to troubleshoot the issue. Several occasions while trying to merge onto the freeway the truck would slip into limp mode causing us to have other drivers slam on their breaks almost hitting us. We had 2 cars in January of 2023 veer off the ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
My 2013 Kia Optima sunroof exploded as I was at a stop, about to turn into work. I experienced a pop and had glass falling on me within seconds. There were no recent rock experiences and the road was completely clear. After dealing with the initial clean up, I drove to an auto glass shop to have it professionally removed. The glass was bowed and left with a large hole, almost like it had just expl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
The brake, steering, and a few other dashboard warning lights come on. Upon checking the diagnostic code, it indicated that the VSA Modulator Assy was the problem. This requires part number 04571-T2F-L01 (replaces 57110-T2F-L01). However, this part has been on a nationwide backorder for several months. I called several local Honda dealers and checked with online vendors as well and they all to... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
I bought a 2023 Cross in good faith the end of March 2023. I needed it as a replacement car as mine had been totaled as I was hit head on Feb. 9,2020.Then the covid long months and years hit right after and then I could find no car. When I finally found one through a dealership then I got no 1 recall and later no2 recall.I have not been able to drive it much as safety issues and it has been sittin... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
I parked the car in the garage and my child left the passanger side sliding door open. Then, the door malfunctioned because it would not electronically close after being left open more than 80 minutes. I tried to manually close the door, but encountered resistance. Afterwards, I pushed the "power door main switch" and was able to close the door manually. Our safety was at risk because if a da... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
The Auto Idle system that enables the cut off the engine is now working intermittently some or not at all, regardless of temperature outside or inside the cabin. Note: Took to Honda Mall of GA dealership to look at this very issue, and according to the technician, it is 'heat' related. I feel this is 100% incorrect, as the temperature in the evening has dropped into the 70s and the issue continues... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2023
The main windshield bracket holding the front camera (responsible for Driver's Assistant including front collision warning, pedestrian warning, lane departure warning, etc.) has the tendency to break on its own. The bracket is made of thin plastic and can melt under direct sunlight and/or usage of vehicle as the camera gets hot as well. Any reasonable exposure or usage will eventually cause the br... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2023
I am experiencing a recurring issue with gas backflow at the gas pump, whereby gasoline expulses back out of the nozzle and onto my hands and clothing. It happens every time.
Incident date: Aug 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the dealer was servicing the vehicle, she was informed that the vehicle was experiencing a minor engine oil leak due to the engine oil being overfilled. The dealer cleaned the engine compartment. The contact stated that the engine was running rough, and the vehicle was vibrating while idling. The contact stated that while driving w... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
Service Electronic Brake system and ABS unavailable lights constantly. Brakes locked up while towing a trailer. This apparently is a known problem that Ram refuses to recall. $1500 to $1800 to fix a known faulty part is unreasonable and is going to make people choose to continue to drive with the warning light on because it is too expensive to repair.
Incident date: Aug 3, 2023
There is a failure with the camera not being able to calibrate and a number of error messages
Incident date: Aug 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined there was coolant intrusion into the engine, causing engine damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined there was coolant intrusion into the engine, causing engine damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2023
While driving in normal street conditions, the dashboard lit up and all the lights came on. Traction control, stability control, check engine light, tire pressure, brake, ABS all lit up. The digital dash showed two errors: 1. Forward Collision System Unavailable and 2. Steering assist is reduced, drive with care. I noticed that steering became much more difficult and braking was extremely difficul... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2023
While driving in normal street conditions, the dashboard lit up and all the lights came on. Traction control, stability control, check engine light, tire pressure, brake, ABS all lit up. The digital dash showed two errors: 1. Forward Collision System Unavailable and 2. Steering assist is reduced, drive with care. I noticed that steering became much more difficult and braking was extremely difficul... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle experienced misfiring, and a knocking sound was coming from underneath the vehicle while shifting into reverse. There were fumes coming from outside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the driveshaft was faulty ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
The ford sync 3 freezes and asks to check for updates. When it checks for updates it states your vehicle is up to date. The sync 3 freezes and all it functions crash. This affects all things the sync controls including the back up camera, navigation, and radio. This has been reported on numerous forums and ford doesn’t have a fix.
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted with several unknown warning lights flashing on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact pulled over and restart the vehicle. Once the vehicle was restarted, the contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and was diagnosed with a m... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
We purchased a new 2023 Chevy Silverado in approximately January 2023. The onset of the problems with the new truck was Friday, August 4, 2023. The engine light came on, skipping occurred when accelerating - powertrain issues. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and was jerking when shifting between the first and second gear. No warning lights were illuminated. Then after arriv... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2023
my 2007.5 GMC Duramax has been parked for 1 month, had to barrow a truck to go to work, just not willing to pay the 1600-4500 dollars that suppliers or private sellers are asking for the TCM, tried a private seller on EBAY and it turned out to be a scam, local Dealership has no clue on ETA, I use my truck 6 days out of the week and now sitting not being moved may cause other issue when I do f... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2023
Headlights-Headlights are intentionally designed to accentuate two diagonal slashes ('/') in their beams. Consequently, when these beams project light, they tend to illuminate more of the front right side in the darkness. This shift in illumination can divert the driver's attention from the center of the lane towards the right, leading to an unnatural driving pattern and distraction. This effect i... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2020
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated that while his wife was opening the driver's side rear door, she was shocked by an electrical discharge. The contact stated that his wife's hand hurt for several days, however she was not burned by the discharge. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repai... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 18, 2023
My 2014, Honda Accord has every warning light on the dashboard on. Once this happened, I took it to my local dealership and was informed that my ABS module had failed. The dealership also informed me that the vehicle was not repairable because of the part being available. The part is on back order with no timetable of when the dealership will get the part.. my car is now sitting because it is unsa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2023
Honda Pilot 2023 Elite shows 15+ error messages on the instrument panel. Messages indicate emissions systems, breaking systems, power steering and various risk mitigation systems experiencing problems resulting in reduced performance. Errors show up when the vehicle starts and are easy to reproduce. Dealer has looked at the vehicle 3 separate times. Problem occurs again in few days after dealer vi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2021
Abrupt, rapid, unannounced deceleration with no apparent cause. Has happened multiple times.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
Vehicle at 700 miles is having suspension issues causing bumping and shaking during the ride making it unsafe.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
Vehicle at 700 miles is having suspension issues causing bumping and shaking during the ride making it unsafe.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
My car has around 74k miles on it. I had the following service request warning present itself this last week, 'Passenger restraint system malfunction:' on my drive into work in the morning. At first I dismissed the message and closed it to see if it would clear itself. It did not clear. It came back up a couple of minutes later. This time I left it alone. It proceeded to close itself and reo... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
While driving at 60 miles per hour, a warning appeared stating "service power steering soon". I immediately found a place to pull over, but within minutes, it stated "service power steering now" - the steering capability ceased and locked up. It is known this is a recall amongst the 2011 ford explorers, yet mine was not recalled.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
Rear toe link and bushing issues. I have the same car as my sister. She has a 2016 with the same rear toe link as my 2019 and her car is covered under the recall and mine isn't.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
I was driving when the vehicle engine randomly shut down with out warning I was on the freeway at the time and could have been hit by a car. I took thr car to an auto repair shop, had the problem inspected snddiagnosed and was told the engine was faulty. I had the engine replaced and the same issue occurred. There were no warning lamps, messages, or alerts prior to the problem occurring. The drive... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Front passenger headrest deployed for no reason and it cannot be put back. Will be taking to dealership. Seems to be a common issue.