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: Dec 15, 2023
I was driving at 50mph when I lost power to my brakes. The brakes still worked well enough to get home, but I had to slow down well in advance of every turn and push hard on the brakes. Warning lights saying Brake System Failure (43 MPH Top Speed), Service Stabilitrak, and Steering Assist is Reduced Drive with Care. This problem has been talked about by other owners on Forums on the internet. Here... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2023
When it’s below freezing, I am experiencing a loud humming/rumbling noise while driving. It last for a mile or two then stop. I haven't drove the vehicle much in fear or damaging anything. There are 2 other vehicle in my area experiencing the same issue & they have the same vehicle. I've been to dealer, they werent able to duplicate the issue but informed me a sales advisor there with the same ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
has went less than a 1000 miles car had full oil change on 9/17/23 had to add 4 qts of oil
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
In February 2023, we took the Malibu into the dealership for reduced engine power dashboard notification. Light went off when in shop, got the car back and light on once again. When at a red light that turned green, accelerated but car would not go over 20 MPH. Almost rear ended. Dealership replaced the vacuum pump gasket and seal. Fast forward one year later. Once again, reduced engine power... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
I was on a ramp going from one highway to another when the engine oil pressure warning came up. Within seconds after the engine started to reduce speed and the engine light came on. The Wrench light came on and the engine continued to reduce speed. I had to put my hazard lights on and try to slowly get it to the dealership that was luckily only a couple exits away. I had my 3-year-old in the back ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
Started the car, dash had multiple warning lights for "drive start control system", "ev system malfunction" and "systems not available" (all safety systems were off). Took car to dealer, they said the car stored no codes, reset the car, took it home. Two days later- same thing happened but also this time the car had NO HEAT. Luckily the heated seats worked but it was 20 degrees F and I had to driv... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2024
Airbags failed in accident passenger and I were hurt and significantly impacted and then informed about recall after the fact recall number is 23TB15/23TA15
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
I have been the owner of a 2023 Mazda CX-30 since July 2023. On [XXX], 2023, I received automated warnings on the dashboard and through the Mazda App stating, "ActiveSense system malfunction. ActiveSense advanced safety and driver support system may not operate correctly." The service department at the dealership where I purchased the car explained that the sensors had overheated due to the hot we... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 29, 2023
When parked and shut off the car rolled backwards about 6 inches when the door was opened. This happens when returning to the parked car and the door is opened from the outside. It has happened twice. It also happened once when being unplugged from the level 1 charging unit. The dealer was unhelpful, based on the infrequent nature of the incident and inability to reproduce it.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
I placed my truck in Park, exited the vehicle to assist my daughter to the truck. As we approached the front of the truck - the truck started Rolling forward. I tried to enter the driver side door to stop the vehicle but realized my truck was going to collide with the vehicle next to it and I tried to clear my body of the two vehicles. I was caught between the two vehicles near the rear driver s... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The vehicle was diagnosed with a short in the electrical steering cable. It started off with just a minor glitch when steering which caused the car to simply caused the car to shift into neutral but was quickly resolved by shifting the gear into park and then into drive. This resulted in a really major glitching in system while steering to where the car was shifted into neutral in the middle of d... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2022
I has replaced 2 coil packs then the engine started clicking
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
The camera on the Honda van seems to act up when either its hot outside or cold outside. Due to this, the car will show these codes, (LKAS, ACC, Collision Avoidance, Auto High Beam Problem). Due to the camera having these isues, the collision avoidance puts myself and family at risk.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
This complaint has to do with Toyota's electrical steering. I will begin this complaint by explaining what I've learned about the new Toyota vehicles. I've been having electrical problems with my car for the past year. It started with the radio going in and out about eight months ago, and now it has been out completely for two months. The tire pressure sensor warning light cycled intermittently wh... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Complete loss of headlights while driving at night. Having to replace headlights monthly. Heater fuse keeps blowing.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
The frames of Toyota trucks are known for rusting through and perforating causing the vehicle to be unsafe to own/drive. My frame is seperating and rusting through. The dealer "stated" they performed a treatment to prevent this deterioration from happening, however it clearly did not work. I have contacted the dealer to have the frame replaced under the safety recall but the are refusing since the... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
On 3/25/2023 with less than 800 miles on the vehicle, the throttle got stuck. The cruise control was on but NOT activated. After passing a vehicle on a 3 lane interstate, the vehicle accelerated on its own to over 100mph. I hit the cruise control button to turn it off, but the car continued to accelerate on its own. I hit the brake to slow down and try to get it to shut off (thinking if was a crui... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
On 3/25/2023 with less than 800 miles on the vehicle, the throttle got stuck. The cruise control was on but NOT activated. After passing a vehicle on a 3 lane interstate, the vehicle accelerated on its own to over 100mph. I hit the cruise control button to turn it off, but the car continued to accelerate on its own. I hit the brake to slow down and try to get it to shut off (thinking if was a crui... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
Hello. My 2008 Toyota Prius had a malfunction with the "combination meter" which caused the vehicle dashboard to turn off completely, and we could not turn off the engine at times when stopped and parked. The dealer fixed the problem at a cost of $1580, and both the dealer and Toyota corporate through their brand engagement advocate acknowledged a long term problem with the combination meter. T... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
Hello. My 2008 Toyota Prius had a malfunction with the "combination meter" which caused the vehicle dashboard to turn off completely, and we could not turn off the engine at times when stopped and parked. The dealer fixed the problem at a cost of $1580, and both the dealer and Toyota corporate through their brand engagement advocate acknowledged a long term problem with the combination meter. T... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
Hello. My 2008 Toyota Prius had a malfunction with the "combination meter" which caused the vehicle dashboard to turn off completely, and we could not turn off the engine at times when stopped and parked. The dealer fixed the problem at a cost of $1580, and both the dealer and Toyota corporate through their brand engagement advocate acknowledged a long term problem with the combination meter. T... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
Had three incidents now - where I attempted to warn other drivers of potentially unsafe activities - went to push the horn, however this car has removed the horn from the center of the steering wheel and replaced the horn with a capacitive button. Finding and operating this capacitive button in an urgent and safe manner to either warn other drivers, road users or pedestrians or animals is not nat... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
My 2015 Acura RDX headlights are so dim it is dangerous to drive at night, especially with rain on the road. This affects my ability to drive safely at all times, on any roads, at night. I've tried replacing the bulbs, but the problem is inside the headlight assembly on the reflector and the lens. In order to be safe, I must perform a complete replacement of the headlight assembly, which costs o... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
I have not been in an incident yet, but when I slow down coming off the highway and try to come back up to traffic speed the the transmission bucks or shutters. Also when starting from a red light or stop sign the truck bucks or shutters very notable in 3-4-5th gear. I watched the tachometer and it shutters most of my drive. In all fairness, I have not brought it to the dealership yet. I see other... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2019
I was on [XXX] when my jeep started shaking violently I pulled over in a rest area. Checked my tires and lug nuts everything seemed fine. Got back on [XXX] and about 5 miles later it happened again. On Friday [XXX] going to holly hill I hit a rough spot and my jeep wrangler shook violently again!! I caller a dodge dealer service department explained what happened and the young man called it a (DEA... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
My Ford Expedition started randomly stalling and it stalled in the highway. The engine just shut down in the middle of the highway and it was such a scary a life endangering experience. This total loss of power in the middle of the highway when vehicles are traveling at highway speeds can cause death very, very easily to the occupants of the Ford Expeditions suffering this defect. I have been read... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2024
Vehicle has frequent occurrences of phantom breaking while in cruise control. Tesla reviewed 3 occurrences and determined the system was working as Tesla intends it to and refuses to remedy. The system is prematurely identifying potential hazards which are not yet hazards and applying the brakes thereby creating a hazard due to vehicles being behind me and could reared my vehicle. One instan... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his grandson was driving at approximately 35–45, there was smoke entering the vehicle through the vents. The driver was able to pull over, and upon exiting the vehicle, it caught fire. There were no warning lights illuminated before the failure. The police extinguished the fire, and a report was filed. There were no reported i... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
I had an accident on 1/14/24 and the airbags did not deploy. When we bought the vehicle from I-5 Toyota it had been in a previous accident and was repaired. I have a picture from the dash stating “ SRS air bag system malfunction” on the day of incident. The vehicle is being picked up by insurance 1/18/24 to be inspected. There were no warnings prior to the accident.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 4, 2023
I was getting my car serviced, I was getting a State inspection the mechanic told me they could not inspect the vehicle due to the fact that a headlight was not working.. they tried replacing the headlight it still did not work.. I had to leave without getting my vehicle inspected!! I was going to try to take it to the dealer to try and get it fixed.. I checked on line and found several other Jeep... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
Experienced overheating issues at only 105,000 miles due to leaking cylinder head gasket diagnosed at multiple mechanics, including the local Kia dealership. I was informed that this engine has a common defect where the head gasket bolts strip out of the engine block.
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to shift gear as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle independently shifted from 6th gear to 2nd gear and the vehicle ended up sideways in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed output shaft speed s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the motor mounts, oil pump hose, coolant hose, and brake fluid hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the motor mounts, oil pump hose, coolant hose, and brake fluid hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that on four occasions while driving with the Adaptive Cruise Control function engaged, the vehicle shut off unintendedly. The Adaptive Cruise Control was set to 76 MPH and the vehicle decelerated to 34 MPH in several seconds. The contact stated that the steering wheel became inoperable. After several attempts, the vehicle restarted and drove... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
The panoramic sunroof gets stuck on passenger side, and came off the rail on the passenger side as i was driving on the freeway
Incident date: Jan 14, 2024
On 12/15/23 my wife was driving her father to a dental appointment and when trying to pass a slower moving vehicle on a rural stretch of our highway system. The car died after she accelerated to pass the slower vehicle. She was in the oncoming lane of traffic when she lost engine power, power steering, power brakes and electronics. The car she was passing slowed down to allow her to get over, as a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
The Mazda 5 was in a minor collision. The vehicle rear-ended another vehicle in stop-and-go traffic. Both vehicles were in motion, approximate speed of the Mazda 5 was 15MPH or less. The front seat airbags deployed. The other vehicle had rear bumper damage but the Mazda 5 immediately had smoke and flames under the hood. Thankfully, all four occupants immediately exited the vehicle to safety. ... Read more
Crash
Fire
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
C0020-01-ABS PUMP MOTOR CONTROL - GENERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. Service electronic breaking system Service antilock break system When this alarm happens you lose traction control, ABS breaks, and trailer breaks if towing a trailer this is a huge safety factor.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2024
Tesla model Y AWD 2023 Took delivery of a new Tesla about 3 weeks ago. Upon returning to Crofton Maryland from Charlottesville Virginia January 15 on a snowy day, we parked our Tesla model Y AWD in our driveway. The vehicle was subsequently engaged at the parking gear position with the operator and all passengers out, my wife then opened the trunk to unload our groceries to the garage. Within thre... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2024
On Jan. 1, 2024 at around 2:19-2:20PM, the vehicle in front of me made a sudden brake causing my vehicle to trigger the Automatic Emergency Brake. My foot was on the brake pedal as well, I even floored the pedal to make my car stop right away but it continued anyway, the pedal felt so loose/soft. My car almost made a full stop but when the vehicle in front of me started moving, the car started to ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
Mazda has a known technical service bulletin [XXX] which has numerous engine cylinder heads which leaks coolant causing the engine to overheat without warning. On new cars. Mazda knows it’s an issue and has not pushed this information down to its consumers. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
Mazda has a known technical service bulletin [XXX] which has numerous engine cylinder heads which leaks coolant causing the engine to overheat without warning. On new cars. Mazda knows it’s an issue and has not pushed this information down to its consumers. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
AFM Lifters failure: - During the AFM activation and deactivation the lifters on my truck were observed to be collapsed causing the engine to malfunction. Transmission/Torque converter: Clunking noise when shifting between gears Makies noise when the gear is in neutral Rough shifting “Chevy Shake” - My truuk shakes violently while driving over 35 miles per... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Rear differential or axle suffered catastrophic failure on highway, causing both rear wheels to lock up and the driveshaft to shear off/separate from the differential housing. Locking rear wheels at 55mph caused the vehicle to lose traction and spin out. Vehicle crossed multiple lanes of interstate highway, colliding with a snow bank facing the wrong direction. Fortunately traffic was light (in... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 17, 2018
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while his son was driving 45 MPH, he observed a loud noise coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that code: P1326 (KSDS – Possible bearing wear) was retrieved usi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
Bought brand new car from Toyota. While driving on Highway at 60 mph car suddenly went dead and catastrophic warning showed up on dash. Was barely able to pull over to side of road. Very dangerous. Had car towed to Toyota who informed me that battery was defective in cold weather and went dead. Battery replaced. Recall inspection is warranted.
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
Just hit 5000 miles 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy. Got my first oil change a couple hundred miles ago, car has been good. FWD model. 49 degrees outside. I was driving to work and the car suddenly lost all power, i was pushing accelerator further because the car was not moving and nothing. RPMS didnt move or anything. Coasted to the side, turned it off, restarted the car and continued to work. ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
Just hit 5000 miles 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy. Got my first oil change a couple hundred miles ago, car has been good. FWD model. 49 degrees outside. I was driving to work and the car suddenly lost all power, i was pushing accelerator further because the car was not moving and nothing. RPMS didnt move or anything. Coasted to the side, turned it off, restarted the car and continued to work. ... Read more