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: Apr 3, 2023
Driving on US 395 near Mojave, CA, with cruise control enabled, the car braked suddenly twice within a 20 minute period. There were no other cars on the road but there was still a "phantom brake" that came out of nowhere.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2023
Hello my name is [XXX] . Approximately [XXX] my 2015 Kia Sorento practically stopped performing on [XXX] highway nearly having to dodge an accident. At first, I noticed a burning scent which I thought was just in the air until my car started to slow down by itself followed by coming to a complete stop amid 70 miles per hour traffic. I had my car towed in to the nearest Kia dealership which was loc... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V255000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had n... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2023
The contact owned a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated that while her son was driving at 65 MPH, a trailer crossed into his middle lane which forced the vehicle off the road and into the median. The air bags did not deploy as the other driver fled the scene. The contact stated that her son had sustained frequent headaches after the accident but had yet to seek medical attention. A police report wa... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 28, 2023
Radio shuts off and turns on randomly its weird
Incident date: Mar 30, 2023
The accident took place on February 13 at approximately 7:40 a.m. My wife (the primary driver of the vehicle) had just dropped my son off at school and was pulling the vehicle into our garage as she has done at least four times a day since we purchased it in February 2022 for use as our primary family vehicle. She pulled into the garage, came to a complete stop, pressed the “Park” button and c... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the windshield wiper started to function erratically, and the steering wheel became stiff. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced a power module failure; however, the vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2023
My 2014 Kia Optima engine started seizing on 03/25/2023. I called to the Kia dealership and explained to them what my car was doing was told they could not get to my car until Monday 04/03/2023. I had my insurance tow my car to Kia on Monday 04/03/2023. The service guy called me and said he couldn't start the car due to the engine being locked to update the KSDS system, and with that being said Ki... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
I bought the High Country one year ago, signed a paper "we owe you" computer chip for front and rear bumper sensors. They said "should be in by July '22. I have checked with Service and Sales, no answers and no help. How do I get the sensors ?
Incident date: Mar 31, 2023
P052E positive crankcase ventilation regulatory valve Part number 274-090-17-29-80
Incident date: Dec 19, 2018
The contact owns a 2015 Itasca Sunstar 36Y built on a 2014 Ford F-59 chassis. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side window exploded, and the shattered pieces were propelled inside the vehicle. There were no injuries sustained. The contact replaced the window himself. The contact stated that the RV was jerking while driving at various speeds. The power train... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2023
As I was stopped at red light it stalled as I drove thru. So I pulled over. Got out to open hood. It was smoking.struggled to open hood. Ran around to get towel to smother the fire. But it was too far gone. Man told me just leave it. It was total loss.
Fire
Incident date: May 25, 2021
Vehicle has, on multiple occasions, had blinker lights flicker while vehicle is turned off. Vehicle has locked by itself, without anyone touching the lock buttons. Vehicle has had multiple issues with the fuel injectors, where the vehicle will read “reduced power engine.” Vehicle has been to a Chevrolet dealership for repair, although the issue still persists. I believe there is an electrical ... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2021
Vehicle has, on multiple occasions, had blinker lights flicker while vehicle is turned off. Vehicle has locked by itself, without anyone touching the lock buttons. Vehicle has had multiple issues with the fuel injectors, where the vehicle will read “reduced power engine.” Vehicle has been to a Chevrolet dealership for repair, although the issue still persists. I believe there is an electrical ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
2015 Buick Enclave with 19k miles on it and the AC just broke and freon sprayed through the vents while driving. Almost caused an accident as we couldnt breathe and had to pull over.
Incident date: Mar 21, 2023
While driving with sound volume at normal setting (volume 8), speakers started to pop and static erratically, which startled me, almost causing an accident. The issue will randomly go away, no warning lights on screen or dashboard. The static and pop sounds still continued at volume setting one. The erratic static and pop goes away then it happens again 20 min later. My ears are ringing from the p... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
ABS & Traction Light flicker on & off randomly at no specific duraction. I cannot predict when lamps will come on, also cruise control is disabled when lamps light up. I understand this has been an on-going issue for Ram.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
The carplay keeps freezing, which causes a safety issue when attempting to fix the problem. For instance, the carplay froze while traveling long distances. I did not notice it stopped working and kept driving, assuming the exit was further away. Once I briefly looked again at the highway, I realized it was frozen, and I had to go to the shoulder of the road to restart the car play. I leased the ca... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the airbag warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving, the transmission failed to shift out of first gear. The vehicle was restarted, and the failure was corrected. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The fa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the airbag warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving, the transmission failed to shift out of first gear. The vehicle was restarted, and the failure was corrected. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The fa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
My vehicle has under 18,000 miles. Driving down the road, the Service Antilock Brake System error light came on and also the Service Electronic Brake System light - they both started coming on and the bell to the light rang. It did this for the next 6 hours of driving (we were on a long trip) - I did research, and it appears to me, this is an ongoing issue with the 2018 RAM 3500 and people have ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2023
Leaking coolant underneath the vehicle
Incident date: Mar 7, 2023
The vin to my car does not match with the motor. I find this odd. When I looked up my car vin on Kelly blue book the description was a 4 cylinder but how because I spicifically bought the 6 cylinder. also I just noticed that my car has two safety recalls that I just had found today. Another thing that I will tell you (you will find this odd at first) but once you investigate you will understand. i... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2023
Long Block replacement due to design flaw with 1.6L eccoboost engine. Engine failure occurred at 59,000, despite having every safety recall addressed and regular servicing by Ford. The design flaw, as I have leaned is due to a channel carved into the block between the cylinders. The resultant notch in the head gasket, reduced the gasket surface contact. This engine has a history of overheating,... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2023
2/17/23 Car was disabled on highway lost speed in the middle of traffic and could not go over 20MPH at dealership- it was confirmed that catalytic convertor went out. 2/23/23 Car CC was replaced picked it up and noticed weird sound from engine 2/24/23 Car returned to dealership 3/3/23 Dealership stated the engine was bad 3/13/23 We were informed that KIA would not cover the repairs and we had to p... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2021
on 30th MAR 2023, when my wife drove on to our drive way with gentle speed, car rammed into closed garage door and broke the door and rammed into living room wall with breaking room entry door . there is neither emergency breaking /stop nor collision warning . it damaged wall , garage door and more living room property damage with addition to damage to the car. i am really worried about the safe... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
When starting vehicle (2015 Tacoma TRD Sport) on a cold morning, received check engine light and trac light. Used code reader and received code P0418 Secondary Air Injection System Control A Circuit error. I reset the code and it came back immediately. I did some research and it is a known issue. I also contacted a local Toyota Dealer (Kool Toyota) and they stated there is no open recalls on my ve... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2023
My rear window leaks there is a bulletin on it Call GM says it is not responsible for the repair because it is over on the years but not the mileage it’s clear they know about the problem it’s in many pickups that gm manufacture here is the bulletin file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/97/07/3010617D-BBB0-4FB8-859B-4BA5E2BE3F3A/Ed%20blakeslees%20truck.png
Incident date: Mar 17, 2023
When braking, apparently when the vehicle transitions from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking, there is a brief total loss of braking force and a noticeable sense of acceleration before the hydraulic brakes begin to grab and slow the vehicle resulting in an unanticipated increase in stopping distance and causing a near collision as my vehicle went several feet past the stop line into an act... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 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 28, 2023
"Electronic Braking Service Required" message and ABS and Skid control light turn on in the instrument cluster and Service ABS come on. The warnings will go off and then re appear over and over. The repair part is not available. It affects other components such as the cruse control.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2022
The contacts wife owns a 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the vehicle stalled while refueling. The contact stated that the vehicle made abnormal sounds while restarting, and often took 30-seconds to start operating normally. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions with the engine running and attempting to refuel the vehicle, the vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2023
My steering wheel jerks me back when I try to turn right and other times it will stick when I turn right and I have to jerk the wheel back straight. It is also jerky when traveling straight down the highway - just worse when turning right. After taking it to a mechanic, he found nothing. I took it to the dealership and was told I have to replace the entire steering system. I see there have been LO... 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 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 15, 2023
Vehicle randomly stops on the road, warning power steering low, engine shut off. In the middle of traffic
Incident date: Mar 11, 2023
The brake assist malfunctioned causing the brakes to abruptly stop without cause or warning. When the braking system abruptly stopped it caused a jack knife and lost of a trailer on a congested highway with vehicles in all lanes, I was able to finally get control of the tractor with out causing contact or injury with other vehicles and the rear trailer broke free and rolled back and landed in the ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 11, 2023
The brake assist malfunctioned causing the brakes to abruptly stop without cause or warning. When the braking system abruptly stopped it caused a jack knife and lost of a trailer on a congested highway with vehicles in all lanes, I was able to finally get control of the tractor with out causing contact or injury with other vehicles and the rear trailer broke free and rolled back and landed in the ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
I saw [XXX] on Twitter recommending a woman put her children or dogs inside his cars with overheat protection on however I have been recording and reporting this fatal error for several months and they have NOT corrected it. The car has overheat set at 100F I routinely screenshot the car reaching 130F (assuming the cars thermometer is even accurate) this is hot enough to kill basically ANY living ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2023
I HAVE A 2012 GMC YUKON DENALI XL THAT STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION "6L80" ISSUES AT 120,000 MILES.(03/20/2019) BEAMAN GMC STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. OF COURSE JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. SO ON I SPENT $6031.19 TO HAVE IT REPLACED/REBUILT, NOW 80,000 MILES LATER ON 3/24/2023 I JUST HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED/REBUILT AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THIS TIME TO THE TUNE OF $945... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 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 2, 2023
My car is in park and when I cut the car off, it tells me I need to shift to park. This means I have to restart the car and try again. It happens multiple times and has been occurring often.
Incident date: Jan 14, 2023
Power windows rolled down on their own
Incident date: Mar 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated while coming to a stop, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that no failure was found. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000.
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
Tha front cap appears to be moving or the body is flexing too much. This is causing the sides to come out of the front trim moulding. If this happens going down the highway while in tow it could cause the side of the trailer to be torn off.
Incident date: Mar 19, 2023
Losing half a quart of oil every 1000 miles, that would be about 3 quarts every 6000 miles This is not normal for a 2018 car with 65700 miles on it Car had an Oil Consumption Test by dealer No warning lights have come on
Incident date: Mar 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal amount of smoke come from the exhaust system. The contact reversed out of the garage and parked the vehicle in the driveway. The contact turned off the vehicle and while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and t... 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 11, 2023
Involved in an accident low speed on 3/17/23. Upon impact with other car passengers seat belt did not activate until passenger hit dash with her head and then it apparently engaged and threw passenger back with tremendous force injuring passenger. Upon inspection at the body shop they found the following code: U0452..invalid data received from restraints control Panel. History. They will be calli... Read more
Crash
3 injured