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: Mar 28, 2023
Air Bags malfunctioning, if fact, not even working on this 2023 Tesla Model Y.
Incident date: Mar 17, 2023
Driving and all of the sudden you get a death wobble, truck bouncing/ rattling making it hard to steer and won't stop until you slow down or stop. More than one date bit the one I will add below is most current
Incident date: Mar 21, 2023
Error msg indicating “secure vehicle against rolling” appeared. also, “transmission: secure vehicle with parking brake when stopped. consult service center.” apparently from many comments from other bmw owners and mechanics the issue is common and is related to an inexpensive spring that has broken in the shifter box. it seems the broken spring prevents the electronic system from receiving... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2023
I bought this car used one year ago and have had to change the low beam lights twice and now they are out again. At night I drive with the high beams on and they are so weak no one can tell. Last month the engine started surging making the car try to take off wether in neutral, park or drive. I have to hold the brake very strongly to keep the car from taking off. This is extremely dangerous for ob... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2022
My truck 2011 F150 shows symptoms 3 times as described by Fords 19S07 recall (NHTSA #19V0790000) but my vin is not listed as needing to be recalled and it should be as it has down shifted into 2nd gear on 3 occasions between 55 and 60 mph.
Incident date: Mar 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to shake without warning. The contact then stated that she attempted to operate the A/C unit, when she heard an abnormal sound inside the unit. The contact also stated that the unit failed to dispense cool air. Additionally, the contact stated that after the accelerator pedal was depr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
UNKNOWN At least four occasions, my Veloster stalled at an intersection within a two month time period. On at least two unique occasions, the vehicle stalled out in the middle of oncoming traffic at night. A check engine light appeared after the vehicle stalled out. The dealership has inspected and reportedly performed work to resolve the engine issue; however, after bring the vehicle for servi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2023
As I was pulling in to park my vehicle, the car accelerated and after running over three small trees, finally stopped. Both my feet were on the brakes; I could not stop the car. Luckily, no one was hurt. The car was towed and Subaru had the car for close to 7 weeks for inspection; they reported no abnormalities with the car. I know that the car accelerated on its own- I had no control as I avoided... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
The Forward Collision Warning System has not functioned on my brand new 2023 Ram Laramie 1500 Limited since I bought it on March 3, 2023. I can make my vehicle available for inspection at your convenience. I feel that this feature, although not standard equipment, not functioning puts both myself and my family at risk through not functioning. The issue has been confirmed by a dealer. Although the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the yellow wrench warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact continued driving to her residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure and the con... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2023
I was backing out of my driveway and the rear view camera and rear sensors didn’t work. Due to vehicle in the road’s location and my mirrors view I could not see vehicle behind me and ran into the vehicle.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 11, 2023
There is an issue with the VCT actuator in all 2.4 liters engine built by Honda from 2011 to 2016. I have a 2015 Honda CRV and I am worried that it may cause a major breakdown for me on the road or a major accident due to this. I have taken my vehicle to the dealer multiple times for this issue and they refuse to fix it saying it is out of warranty and we cannot do anything. Tried calling Honda co... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2023
Drove car into driveway to park. Shift remained in drive. Car would only go into neutral. I had to hold brake. Applied emergency brakes and put brakes behind wheels to keep it from rolling backwards. Another problem dealing with removing key from ignition.vehicle taken to dealer for repair. Diagnose as broken chain in brake line. However, brakes never failed. I purchased vehicle in 2018.
Incident date: Mar 11, 2023
To the truck to the dealership to get the airbag and rear end recall when it was finished I went to pick it up and the service manager told me that the rear tires have come apart on the sidewalls on the inside and have big knots on them brought it home and took them off and took them back to get them warranted and the tire shop told me it was 2 days past the warranty mark still have not gotten the... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2023
During my driving shift on Lyft my first ride was right next to me at the medical clinic when I accepted the ride but Lyft sent me 10 minutes away to park in the middle of a median facing a memorial for a car crash victim (while playing Stan by Eminem about a fan being killed in a car accident after no one gets his letters(On Tesla Radio which has been proven to be hackable and I have reported to ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2023
While decelerating and still in motion, the vehicle drops out of drive, unable to accelerate, and a warning appears on the display cluster to shift the vehicle into park and then back to drive.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2023
The vehicle has had rear and front camera failure within 72 hours of me buying it (91 miles); and I let my sales guy know, we decided to bring it by the dealership one day when it is malfunctioning. I got it to act up that Saturday 3/18/23 with 123 miles, and it showed 2 DTC's (B1A62 and U0131), but with a limited staff, they had no one to look at it. Still not upset, I said whatever and figured I... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2023
I was backing up from the parking lot and heard a clank. I immediately got out to check what happened and saw that the suspension had completely detached itself from the wheel (see pictures). The wheel immediately started to go sideways. If I was on the highway or on the road this would have 100% caused an accident and quite possibly my life. Tesla says there is no recall and is blaming the proble... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2023
This vehicle has started to lose power was taken to firsteam Norfolk Va where purchased took for oil change and tire rotation also loss of engine power at speeds of 20-32 mph and 50-62 mph. Dealership at Norfolk Va sent to firstteam Hampton VA Chevrolet for diagnosis and came back no engine light and small misfire 3/4 sparkplugs needed changed 177.00. After plugs were changed still had misfire the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2023
While driving my 2015 GMC Canyon my power steering service light goes on and I have no power steering making difficult and dangerous to control my vehicle. Also, at the same a service stabilitrak light goes on. I'm aware of a recall for this problem as been issued for 2015 GMC trucks but so reason my truck is not included in this recall even though I am experiencing the same problems for which the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2023
I was trying to park my car on March 11, 2023 at noon, and I noticed a sudden uncontrolled acceleration even when my foot was off the accelerator pedal. Parking collision front sensors failed to provide an early warning, and automatic emergency brake did not engage leading to a minor collision with the vehicle parked in front. The situation occurred so rapidly that I did not have enough time to re... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 11, 2023
I experienced premature failure of all 3 modules is the vehicles PCS (Power Conversion System) part of the HV Battery System. Although a TSB was issued to replace the same part in other cars with "affected" VINs Tesla has ignored this faulty part and has declined to replace it under the vehicles HV Battery warranty even though the unit is replaced as a single unit when the HV Battery requires repl... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2023
I have issue with brake hoses rupture while driving and loose brake capability (as Ford did not include all VINs affected I had to paid for repair, now they issue Customer Satisfaction Program 22N02 and they do not want to refund). NHTSA must make sure Ford is responsible for their issues on a safety topic as they are clearly not being.
Incident date: Mar 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for tire replacement, the dealer determined that the rear toe link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to Ron Currier's Hilltop Chevrolet (385 NH-108, Somersworth, NH 03878) where it was also determined that the rear toe link needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the rear toe ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2023
While driving home from a meeting I began to hear a knock. It sounded like a stick was hitting my fan. There were no warning lights on at this time. Once I turned the corner onto my street, the car died, luckily I was able to just coast home. After getting home, I checked the oil and there was 0 oil in the car. I knew that this is bad. We just had an oil change completed a month ago. I went to the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
PLEASE DO RECALL ON THIS 2014 KIA Sedona, only 53,000 miles, for bad airbag system 2014 KIA airbag light on instr panel comes on, then off, then stays on. I took it to kia dealer and they said it was the ocs (passenger occupant sensor) in the seat, BUT when i sit in the drivers seat and with both seatbelts latched, i can press down on pass seat and the passenger airbag off light on the middle d... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Stability Control, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control); however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the transmission gear shifter failed to shift between gears and ceased. The air bag warning light illuminated inte... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2021
Was hit from the rear emd amd air bags did not deploy. Back bumper was totally destroyed amd brakes go out fast
Crash
Incident date: Mar 24, 2023
When autopilot is engaged, the car randomly decelerates on the highway. This has happened multiple times. I have tried to report this to tesla but to no avail. They tell me the following: 1. They are unaware of any issue 2. Then, it is my specific car's problem and not a design issue and they will not fix it without charging me over a $1100 3. When I asked them what the issue is, they said they d... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2022
The electric power steering system (EPAS) on my 2009 Ford Escape failed. Without the power steering the vehicle is unsafe to drive. It is currently sitting in my driveway undriven since July of 2022. The dealer has ordered new parts, but there is a long wait list because of the number of these failures. I believe there had been a recall issued for this problem but apparently my vehicle and many o... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2022
Emergency brake failure. I have a very slight slope on my driveway. My car rolled halfway down my driveway. I assumed I did something wrong although I knew I had the car in gear with the E brake on. Two hours later I came back from an errand parked on my driveway was sitting in my car and my car started rolling backwards. The car was off in gear with the E brake on. I videotaped this happening eve... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2023
Rear suspension rusted and broke during operation; control arm, tie rod and/or wheel bearings rusted and broke during operation causing vehicle to lose control
Incident date: Feb 14, 2017
My electric power steering keeps going in and out now I don't have any anything but stiffness from the steering wheel. Car is not drivable. Big safety risks.
Crash
Incident date: Oct 17, 2018
Windshield panels pulling away from the window.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
On Feb.3, 2023, my wife made a turn into a parking lot. She was driving our 2022 BMW 540. She paused and the engine began to rev up. It then shot forward nearly 50 feet and hurled her over a meridian into another car. She pressed as hard as she could on the brake and suffered a torn meniscus ligament. There were no warning lights and although the car hit front right, no airbags were executed. B... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
In more than a couple of instances the vehicle has miscalculated the need for emergency braking causing the vehicle to suddenly brake in traffic and also when the lane keeping assist system was activated, in which no braking was necessary and no vehicle or pedestrian was nearby at all. There has not been any accident as of yet, but the possibility of incident is there. This has been happening sinc... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
In more than a couple of instances the vehicle has miscalculated the need for emergency braking causing the vehicle to suddenly brake in traffic and also when the lane keeping assist system was activated, in which no braking was necessary and no vehicle or pedestrian was nearby at all. There has not been any accident as of yet, but the possibility of incident is there. This has been happening sinc... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2023
Driving home from work when my vehicle lost control, when trying to steer my steering wheel straight the rear end of my vehicle locked up and ended up in a guard rail , there was nothing in the road or any pedestrian or other cars I have no idea what caused my car to lock up but I don’t know what caused my car to lock up I know when my sales guys first go over my car he didn’t fully mention ev... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 15, 2023
Driving home from work when my vehicle lost control, when trying to steer my steering wheel straight the rear end of my vehicle locked up and ended up in a guard rail , there was nothing in the road or any pedestrian or other cars I have no idea what caused my car to lock up but I don’t know what caused my car to lock up I know when my sales guys first go over my car he didn’t fully mention ev... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 20, 2023
The safety retention cable associated with securing the the driver's seat belt to the driver's seat broke. The stainless steel cable, being approximately 1/4" to 5/16" in diameter, became disconnected from the entire driver's side seat belt. Making the seat belt totally unusable to the driver of the vehicle. It is unknown what caused the cable to because cut and/or fail but, I am a 30 year mil... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2023
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V661000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was 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... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
As I was driving on the highway 101 in Bay Area California, suddenly the sunroof glass exploded and the fragments were deposited on the under cover. No weather related issues at the time. Did not feel any debris hitting the car either. Seems like a manufacturing defect. Vehicle still under warranty.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
The steering wheel sticks at times. Driving straight and in turns. It's a slight stick, but increasingly more noticeable. While driving straight it happens if I don't touch the wheel for a few seconds. Then I'll need to make a minor correction and it's stuck. I have to put some decent pressure on the wheel to make it unstuck, which causes an over-correction. If i steadily make corrections it does... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
Steering wheel seems sticky when making minor adjustments in wheel causing over correction often.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2023
I checked the car history report for this car, it said that it had all of the scheduled maintenance. I have not driven this car hard, I used the best gas I could. I had this car for only 4 months - I took it in to Carmax to get checked out about 2 weeks after I got it back in October. They ran tests, and told me everything was fine that "it could've been a loose fuel cap". 3 months later, well bef... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while reversing, the radio stayed on the display screen. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer also stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was 28,000.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2023
This car does not have an accurate speedometer. The analog dial only marks the MPH number every 20 miles (eg numbers shown for 20 / 40 / 60. But not for 10 / 30 / 50). So impossible to easily or safely see the speed you are going. There is no digital speedometer showing the MPH number.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2023
On Saturday, December 24th, I was leaving to go to the gym with my wife. I pulled left out of the driveway and we heard a loud screeching type noise, very high-pitched. Many lights came on in the vehicle at that point. Too numerous to document actually which ones. We also smelled burnt smoke and there was actually some smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. I turned the car around which was di... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an unknown code for the throttle body. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,0... Read more