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: Jul 10, 2023
My car started making a whining noise from the engine. I took it into my Toyota dealer, and was told there was an internal bearing failure in the transmission. The transmission would have to be replaced. This is not right for a car only 4 1/2 years old. I contacted Toyota Brand Engagement Center Headquarters. They were of little help. I have researched other cases on the Toyota forum with exact sa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2023
Abs lights are coming on and off I took to a shop where they told me it's known problem and parts are on backorder
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power; however, there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to stop on the side of the road and shut off the vehicle. The contact attempted several times to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. T... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2023
My entire Electrical system failed, the engine wouldnt start , the warning flashers would not work, the vehicle wouldnt go into neutral to be pushed. So I was blocking an intersection for about 2 hrs waiting on a tow truck to tow it to the nearest dealership. The dealership was unable to reproduce the problem just wants to replace the end result of a 150 amp fuse block blown at $400 for a $50 part... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2023
2017 CR-V has 55,000 miles on it. ALL of the dashboard warning lights are coming on randomly, causing panic and making it impossible to tell if something is really wrong. Very Dangerous. Honda dealer diagnosis is to replace all 4 fuel injectors at cost of $1,726. There are literally thousands of reports about this online, people being given the same repair fix, often without permanent success, and... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2023
2017 CR-V has 55,000 miles on it. ALL of the dashboard warning lights are coming on randomly, causing panic and making it impossible to tell if something is really wrong. Very Dangerous. Honda dealer diagnosis is to replace all 4 fuel injectors at cost of $1,726. There are literally thousands of reports about this online, people being given the same repair fix, often without permanent success, and... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was a burning odor coming through the vents. The contact stated that smoke was coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, when the vehicle was parked, there was condensation underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the intake manif... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
While traveling at highway speeds from Colorado to Texas and from Texas back to Colorado my car continuously slammed on the brakes without warning while the autopilot(cruise control) was engaged. There was no visible evidence or object in common for each event. What made this dangerous is any untied objects in the car would shift forward and the vehicles behind me would have to slam on their bra... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
Bought a used 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport in December of 2022, as a second owner from a third party car dealer. No extended warranty was purchased. The vehicle currently has 122,750 miles. At the second oil change service done at Valvoline they told us it was not showing it had oil at the dipstick. I have driven it 337 miles thus far and it is already showing at the low mark. There is a recent set... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed on an incline, the engine revved but the vehicle failed to accelerate. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or rep... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
The locking actuator gradually started going, where the locking knob would go down or up slowly as if it was stuck. Then one day the rear doors stopped working, then the front doors started to go. I have to unlock by key or manually inside the vehicle. Not only that though, I started having a weird not start situation. I tested the alternator and starter and were in good margin so I replaced the... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2023
There is a clicking sound in the Hyundai's steering column. The issue is common enough that Hyundai has extended the warranty on the coupler for Elantras and Sonatas - however the dealer charges over $160/hour diagnostic charge so the extended warranty is not helpful. I think Hyundai should issue a recall for this item. Hyundai is claiming that this is not a safety issue, but it is very concern... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
2017 HONDA ACCORD EX-L INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM (RADIO) WHEN USING AM/FM/XM STARTS TO STATIC BADLY AND SLOWLY DRIVES TO FULL CRACKLING/STATIC INTERFERENCE NOISE THROUGH ALL SPEAKERS IN THE SYSTEM. POWER ON AND POWER OFF DO NOT CHANGE SYMPTOMS, ONLY PULL OVER AND POWER CAR ON AND OFF. CANNOT HEAR SURROUNDING VEHICLES WHEN DRIVING, EVEN WITH WINDOWS DOWN. DIFFICULT TO CONCENTRATE AND DRIVE SAFELY WITH... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The following occurred in a 2022 Ford F150 Raptor with less than 500 miles. As soon as I put the car in drive and turned out of the parking lot, there was a huge boom that sounded like an explosion. I assumed that something had burst or all of my glass was shattered and the sound of loud crackling noises could be heard coming from the speakers. After the explosion-like sound, I was unable to hea... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
I noticed that the driver's door was making an odd clicking sound when the door was closing. Upon further investigation, I found the silver door bolt holding the door to the frame was loose. I have since then had the bolt tightened.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
Every since I purchased this car in 2013 I have had nothing but trouble out of it I have called the Kia company numberous times and they never respond all I asked them to do is replace the car I trusted in Kia I love my car but it is severely dangerous please help me before it gets me and my family hurt
Incident date: Apr 19, 2023
UCONNECT - touchscreen digitizer is delaminating from screen. Causes phantom touches on the screen, including random calls and changing directions. Rear backup camera is also inaccessible. Very distracting and potentially dangerous.
Incident date: Jul 27, 2023
This vehicle is programmed to shut off, if the driver leaves the vehicle with the key fob, after 15 minutes. This is very dangerous. I left my pet in the car, in the Florida sun, with the air conditioner running, while I stepped into a store briefly. When I got back to the car, I was surprised to discover my car had shut off. My pet was in a black SUV, in the Florida sun, without air. I resea... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2023
ABS CONTROL MODULE AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT FAILING. REPLACED COMPONENTS IN 2021 AND 2022 AND FAILING AGAIN IN 2023. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THESE UNITS FAIL THEN IT CAUSES LOSS OF ANTILOCK BRAKING AND SPEED CONTROL
Incident date: Jul 23, 2023
The rear drivers side slider door has locked shut and no amount of tries to release the lock will work. This is a major safety concern being that we cannot open the door manually or otherwise in case of emergency
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
In June 2023, the air bag light came on intermittently. In July 2023, the air bag light came on and stayed on (no longer intermittent.
Incident date: Jul 5, 2023
Engine shut off after a brief warning message on the dash while highway driving. I don't remember the exact words but it was a "drivetrain" problem. After the the message came on the car sputtered 2 or 3 times and then the engine shut down without warning. The car would not re-start. The car was stuck in the middle of the highway dead in it's track, in real danger of being rear ended by oncoming t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2023
Engine shut off after a brief warning message on the dash while highway driving. I don't remember the exact words but it was a "drivetrain" problem. After the the message came on the car sputtered 2 or 3 times and then the engine shut down without warning. The car would not re-start. The car was stuck in the middle of the highway dead in it's track, in real danger of being rear ended by oncoming t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2022
The auto start stop service light keeps going on. It drains the battery. The car now puts itself into park while at a red light or stop sign. In the last year I've had 2 batteries replaced and since 2019 the car has been in the shop 5 or 6 times, still they cannot fix the issue.
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
When turning, I hear a thumping, grinding or chatter noise from the rear differential and the car slows. Mechanic changed the differential oil and found metal shavings/particals. Noise was not there for about 80 miles but has returned. I have to get a new right differential. I checked on the forums and this seems to be a common problem, one owner has had to replace his differential 4 times.
Incident date: Jul 29, 2023
UNKNOWN- intermittently - multiple times a day for the last month the car starts making clicking noises like a card in the spokes of a bicycle. Mechanic could not find the cause. UNKNOWN- two times in 2 weeks- while making a turn my car stalled in the middle of an intersection, all the lights on the dash went on, and wouldn't start up again for a couple minutes. Then car starts and runs fine besi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2023
UNKNOWN- intermittently - multiple times a day for the last month the car starts making clicking noises like a card in the spokes of a bicycle. Mechanic could not find the cause. UNKNOWN- two times in 2 weeks- while making a turn my car stalled in the middle of an intersection, all the lights on the dash went on, and wouldn't start up again for a couple minutes. Then car starts and runs fine besi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2023
UNKNOWN- intermittently - multiple times a day for the last month the car starts making clicking noises like a card in the spokes of a bicycle. Mechanic could not find the cause. UNKNOWN- two times in 2 weeks- while making a turn my car stalled in the middle of an intersection, all the lights on the dash went on, and wouldn't start up again for a couple minutes. Then car starts and runs fine besi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while his daughter was driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP mode. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 5 MPH. The contact's daughter pulled into a parking lot. The contact stated that he used an OBD reader to determine that cylinder #2 was misfiring. The ve... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2023
Wipers are too slow to safely see during a downpour of rain - went to dealer - was told nothing was wrong with wiper speed. This is my 4th Toyota and 3rd Camry and all other cars had a faster speed. I noticed this before but thought it was me - but after a 9 hour drive during heavy rain storms - I realized it is the car,
Incident date: Jul 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was firm. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist due to the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
While driving under normal conditions and with significant distance from another vehicle in front of me, a small rock/pebble hit the windshield of my vehicle, which caused a rock chip. The rock chip quickly "spidered" out and spread within a matter of an hour. Currently there are known and report manufacturer defects with regards to Kia windshields, specific but not limited to the Telluride model.... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
The contact's company owns a 2022 Freightliner M2. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the front driver seat was not steady and would rock to the side (left and right) and the front passenger recliner was not stable. The contact took the semi truck to the local dealer but was unable to repair the seats. The semi truck was not repaired. The contact called the seat manufacturer and they provide... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
The contact's company owns a 2022 Freightliner M2. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the front driver seat was not steady and would rock to the side (left and right) and the front passenger recliner was not stable. The contact took the semi truck to the local dealer but was unable to repair the seats. The semi truck was not repaired. The contact called the seat manufacturer and they provide... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
Fire from fuel pump engine failure catalytic converter issues from engine
Fire
3 injured
Incident date: Jun 8, 2023
Headrest deployed under normal driving conditions
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 8, 2023
Location: car wash tunnel Symptom: ghost braking/shifting While in car wash mode and neutral, Tesla shifted inexplicably from neutral to park, causing Tesla to be rear-ended by the car behind in the car wash tunnel. My passengers and I could have been injured. Tesla engineers completed a technical review of the safety incident but refused to provide the full report instead directed me to consult ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 8, 2023
Location: car wash tunnel Symptom: ghost braking/shifting While in car wash mode and neutral, Tesla shifted inexplicably from neutral to park, causing Tesla to be rear-ended by the car behind in the car wash tunnel. My passengers and I could have been injured. Tesla engineers completed a technical review of the safety incident but refused to provide the full report instead directed me to consult ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 15, 2023
Windshield spontaneously cracked at top. I came outside in the morning after a temperature fluctuation and there was a crack at the top with one piece of the glass sitting lower… it has since grown. I have been forced to drive with the crack as Subaru will do anything to not honor a warranty, ever. The eyesight I am learning is necessary for the vehicle to avoid front end collisions and to pro... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2023
Coolant Bypass Valve failure/malfunction. Frequently reported issue for model/year.
Incident date: Jul 25, 2023
Intermittent Shift to Park Message Displayed While Vehicle in Park. Frequently when I shift the car into park and turn off the engine, a "Shift to Park" display appears on the driver dashboard. The "Shift to Park" display doesn't clear unless turning the car back on and turning it off again.
Incident date: Jul 7, 2023
Coolant is leaking into the engine causing check engine light showing misfiring in #3, loss of coolant, heater to not warm up. It is available for inspection currently until we are able to replace the long block of the engine. Ford has an ongoing law suit over this Ecoboost engine coolant issue of which they are doing nothing to help repair the issue. The local Ford Dealership has confirmed the le... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2023
Car has only 3000 miles and already has a bad battery. Code DTC P1AA600
Incident date: Jul 27, 2023
Tail lights constantly burn out. I have now replaced the same taillight harness 3 times and each time it is burned. This is a serious fire hazard
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
Every single dash warning light is showing up on my car and I've had it looked at and claimed to be fixed but it has popped back up and I'm unaware of the problem and it's been this way since I've bought my car and I've read online a few others have had this problem
Incident date: Jul 7, 2019
Vehicle unpredictably hesitates during light to moderate acceleration in all driving modes (Sport, Normal, and Eco). This is especially dangerous when crossing in front of oncoming traffic from a stop or slow speed. Had a certified mechanic drive the car and verify the problem, but the car's systems don't report that there is a problem, so he had no answers.
Incident date: Jul 7, 2019
Vehicle unpredictably hesitates during light to moderate acceleration in all driving modes (Sport, Normal, and Eco). This is especially dangerous when crossing in front of oncoming traffic from a stop or slow speed. Had a certified mechanic drive the car and verify the problem, but the car's systems don't report that there is a problem, so he had no answers.
Incident date: Jul 7, 2019
Vehicle unpredictably hesitates during light to moderate acceleration in all driving modes (Sport, Normal, and Eco). This is especially dangerous when crossing in front of oncoming traffic from a stop or slow speed. Had a certified mechanic drive the car and verify the problem, but the car's systems don't report that there is a problem, so he had no answers.
Incident date: Jul 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted 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. Th... Read more