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: Jul 12, 2023
Truck has only 65, 000 miles on it, I’m the second buyer, has never haul anything or hitch a trailer, I’m having this electrical brake system failure ABS, this vehicle is to expensive and new to have early issues on it. ABS Motor Control- General Electric failure. I seem other similar problems reported with same year and same problems.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
My 2008 BMW X5 was taken to a shop to be diagnosed due to Diagnosis as followed:( low coolant light coming on) “coolant crossover pipe from timing belt cover leaking” it is available for inspection, although it is not safe to drive. The low coolant light went off after I put more in it and did not come back on. Me and my then 10 month old were picking my 14 year old up from school and I notice... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
While driving, the front passenger headrest just deployed and sprung forward, hitting my son in the back of the head
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
While driving, the front passenger headrest just deployed and sprung forward, hitting my son in the back of the head
Incident date: Jul 11, 2023
UConnect Screen delamination - cannot adjust vehicle controls since most are managed through UConnect screen. Dangerous situation. Appears Jeep FCA has an issue with 2018 UConnect screen delamination due to bad adhesive making the screen non functional - Jeep is not responsive
Incident date: Jul 11, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); 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 ti... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2021
My brake vacuum pump seized while driving in the far left lane on the freeway. My car began to lose power and my rpms dropped and rose back up quickly making my car lunge forward and back quickly multiple times. My check engine light came on and a warning saying my engine was losing power flashed across the dash.I exited the freeway and pulled over to a safe location, when attempting to stop my ca... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
I removed my wheels for standard rotation. When I removed the wheel from the passenger side rear, I found the rear axle bolt was fractured. The portion of the bolt and washer were inside the wheel. This appeared to have been chronic. Pictures available. I did not attempt to remove this bolt. This spontaneously sheared off. It was literally sitting inside the wheel hub.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle after the vehicle had been parked for several hours, the vehicle hesitated and then shifted abnormally into the intended gear. The contact stated that the transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. Th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2022
I'm emailing due to issues with my 2023 Cross Sport I purchased. It's a dire situation, as I had issues with my 2021 Cross Sport and VW ended up repurchasing the vehicle from me due a number of safety concerns. During my search for a new vehicle, I could not find anything that I liked so I ended up contacting Hawk VW in Joliet, IL to ask about the new 2023 Cross Sport and asked if they were aware ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2023
Been having issues with the car for over a month, changed water pump thermostat fuel pump, but it still would crank, got another diagnostic and now I have an engine leak, and FRM ) a serious electrical problem, I feel like some of these things should have been done before the dealer sold the car, I’m asking for help, with getting my car fixed or replaced
Incident date: Jun 29, 2023
while driving, with the audio system off, suddenly I heard a loud explosion. next I heard what sounded like class breaking. I thought i was involved in an accident and slammed on my brakes. Realizing I was ok, the next thought that came to mind was that someone shot at me. The crackling sounds ( like glass breaking did not stop). i drive directly to a ford dealership. they heard and acknowledged ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 29, 2023
while driving, with the audio system off, suddenly I heard a loud explosion. next I heard what sounded like class breaking. I thought i was involved in an accident and slammed on my brakes. Realizing I was ok, the next thought that came to mind was that someone shot at me. The crackling sounds ( like glass breaking did not stop). i drive directly to a ford dealership. they heard and acknowledged ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
Each time I drove my car the tire pressure light would flash before the ABS, brake system, power steering and traction lights would come on and the dealership could not find the problem although my car would not accelerate and the speed sensor has already been changed because only one went bad prior. 3 times to the dealership and no codes could be found and they couldn’t never duplicate the pro... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
My power steering continues to go in and out while driving. There is a “service esc” light on the dash along with multiple other lights. I see this among thousands of other 2009 Chevrolet Malibus, yet they are not recalled. I feel this is a serious safety warning for everyone who has one or might get one in the future.
Incident date: Jun 28, 2023
Problem with the hybrid system and the engine control system. Unit changed automatically and unexpectedly from battery power mode to engine power mode when on battery power mode only. This change is not supposed to happen. This failure happened when starting the unit, put on drive and starting to move forward. This failure caused the unit to charge forward with more power unexpectedly. Causing... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
We have experienced several episodes of the car suddenly breaking for no reason when using cruise control. The speed is very quickly reduced a good 15 mph without warning.this is not only very alarming as drivers/passengers but it is incredibly dangerous. If there was a car following closely behind us, they would have hit us.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
We have experienced several episodes of the car suddenly breaking for no reason when using cruise control. The speed is very quickly reduced a good 15 mph without warning.this is not only very alarming as drivers/passengers but it is incredibly dangerous. If there was a car following closely behind us, they would have hit us.
Incident date: May 15, 2023
Message warm engine before start. Car won’t start message key fob damaged when it’s not. Engine clicks but no engine turn over.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
On Tuesday June 20, 2023 at 7:20am I was awakened by my neighbor who informed me that my car was on fire. A report was done by the fire department and they did not believe it was done on purpose but something with my car. My car was totally consumed with fire nothing but ashes.
Fire
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
ABS (automatic braking system) audible alarm and visual light comes on constantly. Dodge Ram has changed it twice but it continues to fail. They have said the parts have been on back order for almost a year. Please help me get this safety issue resolved.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
ABS (automatic braking system) audible alarm and visual light comes on constantly. Dodge Ram has changed it twice but it continues to fail. They have said the parts have been on back order for almost a year. Please help me get this safety issue resolved.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
Sensor for forward collision warning failed to work and I was involved in an accident.
Crash
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
The vehicle will not move due to judder in transmission.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
The underbody frame is 95% rusted out, this vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I could have been fatally injured, not knowing the under frame was gone, until vehicle was taken in for new tires. The vehicle was inspected by Firestone tire and Gene Butman Ford. There were no warning messages and the problem was first noticed in 2019 and was told the vehicle was unsafe to drive, a haz... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2023
On July 4, 2023, my kids and I were in Tifton, GA shopping. My car just cut off in the middle of the road. The only way I could get it to turn back on was by turning the car completely off and then turning the car back on. I was in the middle of the road and almost got run over. My car had gas in it and wasn't acting up prior to this happening. I believe that this problem has to do with the fuel... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2023
upside down camera- this is a known ford problem, just not linked to my VIN number. Can you please add my VIN so that I can get it fixed.
Incident date: Jul 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor throughout the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a fuel leak coming from underneath the vehicle, above the fuel tank. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 202,800.
Incident date: Jul 7, 2023
My car has a recall for the left and/or right tie rod may be bent. A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. I brought the car in two days prior (July 3rd) to get fixed but the dealership wasn’t allotted enough mechanics to be able to get to my car, (july 5th) I turned out of a hotel parking lot and my front left tie rod broke. The recall nu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
I have been trying to have my car repaired last year. I have expressed to BMW USA that none of their certified dealers want to touch a diesel and/or work on one that another dealership had done poor work on. They have asked me to continue reaching out to this dealership even though I have mentioned I do not feel comfortable about it as I have slipped thru the cracks multiple times with them which... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started overheating with the high-engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the head gasket and the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaire... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
Speakers static when on audio but hands free are clear through the speaker
Incident date: Oct 10, 2021
On 10/10/21 my wife and I were sitting in a parking lot when we heard a loud crack. The windshield of my Subaru cracked from midline on the passenger side post thru the middle of the windshield. After going through SOA and multiple times back to the dealer, the dealership repaired the windshield for no charge. Three weeks ago my wife and I were sitting at my son's house and a crack appeared onc... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2023
Start/stop error occurred on dashboard and a day later the check engine came on. I took it in to get diagnosed & was told the software was recalled and needed updated. A few days later the start/stop error came back on, engine light came on, car was jerking and my engine would shut off as I am driving and would tell me to start my engine manually. I was then told the evap purge valve and evap can... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2023
Start/stop error occurred on dashboard and a day later the check engine came on. I took it in to get diagnosed & was told the software was recalled and needed updated. A few days later the start/stop error came back on, engine light came on, car was jerking and my engine would shut off as I am driving and would tell me to start my engine manually. I was then told the evap purge valve and evap can... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2023
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2023
Blindspot indicators are blinking on and off and they do no longer make a noise when there is a car near your blind spot
Incident date: Jul 6, 2023
Yesterday my rear windshield was shuttered spontaneously at 10:00 pm on the drive thru of burger restaurant. Cameras shows no vandalism or 3rd party was involved. The rear windshield shuttered with whole on the right up side suddenly after I had my defrost on to clear the rear windshield. Irresponsible Honda America agent over the phone hanged up on me and the dealership was laughing loud withou... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2023
The airbags is displayed as not working/off. The blind spot warning, and the lane keeping assistance does not function. There was an incident that happened where I hit a pot hole and ended up hitting a construction cone. No warning signs went off and my car wasn’t assisted yo avoid the cone.
Crash
Incident date: Jun 25, 2023
Fuse junction box- fuses start getting loose causing signals and other electrical issues.
Incident date: Jun 25, 2023
Fuse junction box- fuses start getting loose causing signals and other electrical issues.
Incident date: Jul 4, 2023
excessive oil consumption. it has been confirmed by valvoline instant oil change center. after an oil change, round 600 miles the oil is to be checked and topped off completely because the reservoir is bone dry. can not make it a complete 3,000 miles until the next oil change. the oil has to be topped off at least 2-3 times until the next oil change. there are no warning lamps, messages, or other ... Read more
BMW
K 1600 GTL
(2015) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 5, 2023
Incident date: Jun 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the back over prevention camera independently disconnected. The contact stated that he had received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V082000 (Back Over Prevention) in January 2023 in which he presented to the dealer; however, the dealer informed the contact that the notification had expired.... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2023
Put a box of moderate weight into the passenger seat (hard drives) - probably 40 lbs. After driving for a few minutes and over a few bumps, the seat belt warning light came on because the seat sensor was tripped by the weight. Put the seat belt on to silence the warning. Shortly thereafter, both the seatbelt and passenger airbag warning lights showed on the dash, regardless of occupancy. Hooke... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2023
My Emplyoer has not fixed anything on the truck, the truck shouldn’t be operating, doesn’t meet DOT Regulations, I was told not to go into any scales or weigh stations, loses air and the air doesn’t build back up properly, I lost all air in my breaks while driving on the road
Incident date: May 18, 2023
My Emplyoer has not fixed anything on the truck, the truck shouldn’t be operating, doesn’t meet DOT Regulations, I was told not to go into any scales or weigh stations, loses air and the air doesn’t build back up properly, I lost all air in my breaks while driving on the road
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
I received a recall notice for my tires which came on my motorcycle. I immediately took the MC out of service for my safety and contacted the dealer I purchased from. Upon contacting them, they had no resolution due to ALL manufactures being short of tires in the recalled sizes. The dealer had no date that they could remedy the recall. I called each week to check - same answer. I use a few (Online... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2023
While driving on the highway my dashboard displayed a warning of “reduced power steering “, engine light came off and on, loss of speed , and “stabilitracking” light came on. Brakes also vibrated badly as if they were unable to hold a grip. I was unable to accelerate and was really in danger. The car was taken immediately to the dealership where they replaced the battery and told me it was... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2023
While driving on the highway my dashboard displayed a warning of “reduced power steering “, engine light came off and on, loss of speed , and “stabilitracking” light came on. Brakes also vibrated badly as if they were unable to hold a grip. I was unable to accelerate and was really in danger. The car was taken immediately to the dealership where they replaced the battery and told me it was... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
Upon driving, my vehicle just started randomly cutting out. I was told that it had to do with the throttle body. I did further research, and I noticed that I haven't been the only Explorer owner that has had this issue, so I'm not sure why there isn't a recall already established. Not only does it put me and my kids at risk, but it also puts drivers around me at risk. My car shuts down, which coul... Read more