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: Jan 1, 2026
NHTSA COMPLAINT - 2026 BMW X3 WINDSHIELD DEFECT Our brand new 2026 BMW X3 has experienced two complete windshield failures within six weeks of purchase. Both windshields spontaneously cracked from the perimeter bonding edge with NO rock strikes or impacts: ∙First failure (Week 3): Crack from driver-side A-pillar edge ∙Second failure (Week 6): Crack from top horizontal edge near rearview mirror... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2016
1. TICKING NOISE WHILE CORNERING WITHOUT THE BRAKES APPLIED: Ticking noise coming from front wheel while cornering without brakes applied, noticeable at low speeds. The vehicle must be moving. 2. CRACKING NOISES FROM THE FRONTAXLE AREA WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS, WHEN STATION: Cracking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds (e.g., parking lot maneuvers) or when tu... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2025
My 2021 Nissan Versa was struck at high speed while parked and required extensive repairs that exceeded the vehicle’s value. After the repairs, the transmission began acting erratically. The car shudders, hesitates, and feels unstable while driving. Acceleration is unpredictable and the vehicle does not feel safe or reliable. These issues were not present before the collision and have continued ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
I brought my 325ci into BMW Buena Park to have an airbag recall completed. There were no issues prior to dropping the car off at dealership but when the car was returned the airbag system light was on and was filled with error codes. I returned the car to the dealer and they cleared the codes but on my way home the dash light returned and faults were present after taking to 2 independent special... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
I own a 2020 GMC Terrain with approximately 110,000 miles. While driving in winter, the vehicle suddenly lost cabin heat and defrosting capability. The temperature gauge began fluctuating and the cooling fans continued running after the vehicle was shut off. A mechanic diagnosed the cause as a cracked radiator that allowed coolant to leak out, which is a known frequent failure on this model. Beca... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the VIN no longer showed the recall as being open. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
The piston ring function has deteriorated causing ring low wear toughness such to the point that sludge has been created fowling the spark plug. This leads to carbon fowling and misfiring of the engine. There have been two incident's one in March of 2025 and the second in Late July of 2025. Both times we after my wife freak out because the car was falling apart she had it towed to a mechanic an... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
Vehicle went in for service on the airbags. The dealer has been sent the incorrect OEM part 5 times from Volkswagen parts dealers.Volkswagen Cstomer Care sent email confirmation that the part is correct, dealer is stating part is not correct. The part delivered is a different part number than what is on the packaging. The vehicle has been in the shop since 12/8/2025. The invoice for the part the f... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
At highway interstate travel speeds, vehicle was losing intermittent power. Exhaust at stopped, idle during trip smelled heavily of gasoline. White smoke blowing from exhaust with only 38k miles on the truck. Dealership is replacing the entire engine now and sounds like GM doesn’t want them to fully explore the cause of failure.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
While driving under normal conditions, the Lane Keep Assist system on my 2025 BMW Alpina XB7 unexpectedly and violently jerked the steering wheel without driver input. The sudden steering intervention caused the vehicle to abruptly change direction and strike a curb, resulting in a loss-of-control event. This occurred without warning and could have resulted in a serious crash involving other vehic... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
While driving under normal conditions, the Lane Keep Assist system on my 2025 BMW Alpina XB7 unexpectedly and violently jerked the steering wheel without driver input. The sudden steering intervention caused the vehicle to abruptly change direction and strike a curb, resulting in a loss-of-control event. This occurred without warning and could have resulted in a serious crash involving other vehic... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The hazard, power steering, and LDA warning lights were illuminated. The message "Lane Departure Alert Malfunction - Visit your Dealer" was displayed. The contact stated that when the LDA was deactivated, a red power steering warning ligh... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2026
I was driving down the highway going about 60-65mph with cruise control and LKA on. I turned my blinker on to switch lanes, checked my blind spot, and moved over to the left. As I was doing so, a semi switched lanes from the left into the right (my new lane) right in front of me. The truck then slowed down a lot, and usually my Forward Collision Warning would say something if my Adaptive Cruise Co... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 17, 2026
The vehicle has experienced premature and widespread paint peeling and clear coat failure on multiple body panels. The paint began deteriorating without impact, collision, or environmental damage and has progressively worsened over time. This condition is consistent with a known manufacturing defect affecting certain Toyota vehicles, which Toyota acknowledged through a Customer Support Program. T... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2020
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera display blacked out. The contact stated that the rear-view camera display operated properly occasionally. Additionally, the front passenger’s side B-pillar trim was loose, and there was an abnormal whistling sound coming from the B-pillar. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contac... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
On December 29th 2025 my car displayed an alert "Electrical Fault Detected: Please Pull Car Over Safely". I was in rural New Hampshire at the time so continued driving (for about 5 minutes) until I lost all power steering, stability controls and ability to drive the car - luckily by this point I had made it to Gorham, NH. Luckily it was just me in the car and not my family as the temps were below ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Lucid Air. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air conditioner blower failed to operate while the heater was activated during the winter months, and the windshield could not be defrosted. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased with a Salvage Title, and the Lucid Service Center would not service the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2000
While driving at highway speed, 65mph, the 2013 Town and Country shut down. The dash instruments and all internal lighting shut off, the radio shut off and the blower fan for heat shut off. I lost the ability to steer and brake (power steering went out) but managed to maneuver the vehicle to the right lane. The car would not respond to any acceleration attempt. I tried turning the key while co... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2000
-My infrastructure system management has been affected overtime—which covers electronic control units (ECUs), software, and network architecture—are driven by the need to manage increasing system complexity, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and electronic malfunctions. -My De-icing fluid management system-Has been affected by potential engine damage, reduced structural integrity, and risk of in... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2000
-My infrastructure system management has been affected overtime—which covers electronic control units (ECUs), software, and network architecture—are driven by the need to manage increasing system complexity, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and electronic malfunctions. -My De-icing fluid management system-Has been affected by potential engine damage, reduced structural integrity, and risk of in... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
We purchased the vehicle in 2020 with appx 33,000 miles. In fall 2023- winter 2024 it began having electrical glitches when the weather was cold. The car will start, but will not shift into gear. It throws alarms such as service Parking Brake, Shifter, Engine, Traction Control and that you must put it in Park. Although it obviously is in park or it wouldn't have started. The dealership kept it ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
On returning to my locked vehicle that had been in the parking ramp for 3 days, I started the car and the display message indicated that my vehicle was completely out of gas and the oil was very low. The vehicle had nearly a full tank of gas when it was parked. The vehicle was towed to the dealership who assessed the vehicle. The service department indicated that the vehicle likely did not soun... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that after the latest update was pushed out, the speed regulation on the vehicle failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the speed regulation was set to "Standard Mode" and the vehicle accelerated to 70 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. The contact stated that was not the mode selected. In addition, when the contact set the speed regula... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
THE TRANSMISSION "SHUDDERS". It does not happen with any regularity and with no advance warning. It may be electronic or mechanical or both.
Incident date: Jan 29, 2020
Rear sliding doors have an electrical issue that can cause a warning that the door is open to be displayed on the drivers information screen while the vehicle is in gear, and being driven. After a moment you will hear a relay click, the error message goes away, and after a while the error message shows up again this repeats in cycles. Attempts to disable the sliding door system for safety removing... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2020
On January 29, 2020, while driving my 2016 BMW 5 Series under normal operating conditions, the engine compartment caught fire without warning. Smoke and flames originated from the engine bay while the vehicle was in motion. I was forced to pull over and exit the vehicle immediately. The fire spread rapidly, and the vehicle was declared a total loss. At the time, both my insurance carrier and BMW r... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 29, 2020
On January 29, 2020, while driving my 2016 BMW 5 Series under normal operating conditions, the engine compartment caught fire without warning. Smoke and flames originated from the engine bay while the vehicle was in motion. I was forced to pull over and exit the vehicle immediately. The fire spread rapidly, and the vehicle was declared a total loss. At the time, both my insurance carrier and BMW r... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 26, 2025
I was driving on the highway with my daughter with dry normal conditions approximately 65-70mph when all of a sudden the jeep downshifts into 1st gear causing an extreme deceleration almost to a complete stop. I had a dead gas pedal and could not accelerate to get to a safe area or shoulder. The problem stopped after I came to a complete stop. My Jeep has been in the shop many times with unrela... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact shifted into park while the vehicle was in motion to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. In addition, the contact stated that while attempti... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2026 Rivian R1T. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the messages "Service Parking Brake - Vehicle Unable to Drive" and "Secure Vehicle to Keep from Rolling" were displayed. The vehicle was towed to a service center, where an unknown repair was performed; however, the failure recurred two weeks later. The contact stated that upon verifying the vehicle service hist... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a hole on top of the fuel tank. The contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The cont... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2025
It’s been an ongoing and progressively worsening condition since about week two after my purchase. Was not experiencing any of these things upon purchase or I would not have purchased a consistently and worsening progressively alignment issue castor is out and there is no adjustments provided by the manufacturer, therefore it can’t be fixed . Second issue is the transmission which has had cont... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for maintenance, the contact was informed that the water pump had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that prior to the visit, the vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not found. The failure persisted. On a separate occasion, while the vehi... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for maintenance, the contact was informed that the water pump had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that prior to the visit, the vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not found. The failure persisted. On a separate occasion, while the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
I own a 2021 Silverado 1500 6.2 v8. Since October of 2025 this truck has been in and out of the dealership. First engine (Oct. 24, 2025) issue as my teen driver was on the expressway and luckily was able to get off and get safely to an unknown persons driveway. Then the motor seized and died as we tried to drive it home. A friend was able to tow it to our driveway and GM sent a tow truck to pick i... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2025
The turning signal button on the steering wheel doesn't respond intermittently. It's a safety hazard to not engage a turning signal when making a turn.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
After reporting to work on [XXX], I discovered that the front of my vehicle was on fire. Emergency services were immediately contacted, and employees on site attempted to contain the fire using fire extinguishers. The fire department arrived shortly thereafter and successfully extinguished the fire. Despite these efforts, the vehicle was ultimately deemed a total loss. Later that day, my sister a... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
My 2018 BMW M6 which cost me almost $90,000 suddenly lost its suspension balance and height. Driving got bouncy, axles lost balance, driving turned hazardous. It was diagnosed that , The Virtual Dynamics Management module was fried and defected. The replacement cost $2,571.40 which Irvine California BMW made the recommended repair. After revisiting and researching the root cause, speaking with... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
My 2018 BMW M6 which cost me almost $90,000 suddenly lost its suspension balance and height. Driving got bouncy, axles lost balance, driving turned hazardous. It was diagnosed that , The Virtual Dynamics Management module was fried and defected. The replacement cost $2,571.40 which Irvine California BMW made the recommended repair. After revisiting and researching the root cause, speaking with... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
I own a 2019 Honda Ridgeline rtl. I presently have 66000 miles and am having issues with my engine emmision system, the number 2 sensor keeps going off and on and fuel rpm at 1.5 make my truck sputter until it gets pass 2 rpms. The lights going off and on! And the media system goes from music to GPS and volume goes up and down spontaneously! Honda in Calhallen Texas say no recalls on it! Not s... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
At approximately 20,000 miles, the vehicle was inspected by an authorized dealer due to abnormal noises from the front suspension when turning the steering wheel. The dealer confirmed abnormal noise from the front struts when the wheels were turned while the vehicle was on a lift and diagnosed premature front strut failure. The affected components are available for inspection upon request. Repair ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
My steering computer is bad. The steering wheel goes the opposite way. I’ve taken it to the dealership and they’re saying that the computer software and the whole computer needs to be replaced and affects how the way the car steers and is aligned.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
I was in an accident due to the recall. I paid for the steering rack replacement as Honda dealership refused to replace it. I need reimbursement for replacing this part
Crash
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
My wife was driving home after picking up my daughter from a nearby school around 3:30pm on Thursday 1/22/2026. She was driving down a road maybe at 35mph and while her foot was on the accelerator the car did a hard brake though there's nothing in front of her nor is the adaptive cruise on. She didn't hit any button and was taken by surprise along with my daughter. Luckily the car behind her wa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
I did an OTA update that made the rear view camera work intermittently. It would just flash an image every couple of seconds instead of a live stream. I took it into the dealer, and on the way, it totally gave out in the middle of traffic in a very unsafe way. I was flashed with many warning signs and was not able to get it started again for 5min by just turning it on/off again. I finally got it... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); 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 time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
The rear windshield shattered out of nowhere while parked outdoors on a cold day (<20 degree weather). There was no impact involved in the shattering. Dealer stated that I must go through insurance in order to get rear windshield repaired. Upon further searching this is a problem that is common with the Acura RDX model from years 2019-2023 there was even a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) on May ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
While driving, the electronic parking brake (EPB) system malfunctioned. The vehicle was stopped in DRIVE with Auto Hold active. When the driver door was opened briefly, the vehicle attempted to transition from Auto Hold to applying the electronic parking brake as a safety function. At that moment, the EPB malfunction warning appeared and the parking brake system faulted. There were no prior mecha... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
The computer in my car has been undergoing short circuiting, rendering all driver safety features inoperable. This is a known problem with hardware 4 and reported many places. I was backing out of my garage and the read camera and automated braking are not functional and it is nearly impossible to see out the back. When backing out, I struck another car in the driveway, resulting in damage to b... Read more
Crash