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: Apr 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325i. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, he smelled a burning plastic odor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2022
2014 BMW 528i N20 engine failure at 70K miles. My wife was driving on a divided highway and had just tried to accelerate to change lanes. Without warning or any warning lights, the engine died and she was able to coast nearly off road. The car was locked into park and would not restart. This could have resulted in a serious accident as she was just off I-40 in Raleigh in very heavy traffic. Vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2022
I was driving my car and the car overheated due to a faulty pcv valve heater: 1.The purpose of the PCV heater is to prevent the PCV valve from freezing in cold ambient temperatures. Heated PCV valves are heated either by water or electric. Water heated systems use engine coolant to heat the valve to prevent freezing. Electrically heated systems use a heating element enclosed in the PCV valve to pr... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2022
I was driving my car and the car overheated due to a faulty pcv valve heater: 1.The purpose of the PCV heater is to prevent the PCV valve from freezing in cold ambient temperatures. Heated PCV valves are heated either by water or electric. Water heated systems use engine coolant to heat the valve to prevent freezing. Electrically heated systems use a heating element enclosed in the PCV valve to pr... Read more
Incident date: Nov 19, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2022
I am seeing this error while getting in the parked vehicle -'Secure Vehicle against rolling' in the odometer display and in the dashboard display - 'Secure Vehicle with parking brake when stopped. Consult service center' .
Incident date: Apr 17, 2022
I am seeing this error while getting in the parked vehicle -'Secure Vehicle against rolling' in the odometer display and in the dashboard display - 'Secure Vehicle with parking brake when stopped. Consult service center' .
Incident date: Apr 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330i. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently and the engine exploded. The automatic transmission gearbox warning light illuminated. The contact immediately exited the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a significant amount of dark smoke and there was fire underneath the hood of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished indepen... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330i. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently and the engine exploded. The automatic transmission gearbox warning light illuminated. The contact immediately exited the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a significant amount of dark smoke and there was fire underneath the hood of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished indepen... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 20, 2022
Passenger seat occupancy mat with program.
Incident date: Apr 20, 2022
Passenger seat occupancy mat with program.
Incident date: Apr 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that when he started the vehicle, he noticed that the seat belt warning light was red and the message on the instrument panel displayed "passenger restraint system failure." The contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat belt was identified on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and was told by the ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2020
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, between 5-70 MPH, she smelled a plastic burning odor. The contact saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road for thirty minutes. The contact then continued to drive. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who inform... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328D. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a complete stop at the traffic light, she noticed smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle and she could smell a burning odor through the vents. Ther... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 27, 2022
2002 BMW 325 I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REMAINING EXPENSES.THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.
Incident date: Jul 11, 2021
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530i. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the contact observed an unspecified "yellow" warning light on the dash and heard a small explosion sound issue from the engine compartment. The contact stated that smoke began to come out from under the hood. The contact turned the vehicle off and set the transmission to "neutral" coasted off the roadway on... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 428i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal humming sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration. The ABS and headlight warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failur... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 428i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal humming sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration. The ABS and headlight warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failur... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2022
El radiador Manguera de anticongelante
Incident date: Apr 26, 2022
El radiador Manguera de anticongelante
Incident date: Dec 6, 2021
The contact owned a 2006 BMW 330i. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving 65 mph, he heard an abnormal noise coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to park on the side of the road and exit before the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The driver saw the fire starting under the transmission. The driver stated no one was ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 6, 2022
Rear backup camera stopped working when backing car up. Also rear tailgate electric hatchopening stopped working along with lights. Dealer troubleshot problems and couldn’t determine failure cause but stated real tail gate control module needed replacement. Picked up car from dealer and the problems resolved themselves! Been working for several weeks so far but seems this might be an intermitte... Read more
Incident date: Nov 19, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2022
The vehicle accelerates to 5,000 RPM randomly, and unintentionally. This happens when shifting gears(manual transmission), or when in any gear. Braking barely slows the vehicle down. I've nearly crashed due to this issue, multiple times. The floormats are not in the way. This is a case of sudden unintended acceleration.
Incident date: Mar 25, 2019
My car was just sitting in my driveway and my roommate noticed she said is there is your car supposed to be on fire and we went out there had to break the windows and it was already on fire and totally ruined from any repair. I didn't receive a recall until a year after it had already caught on fire. The car is totaled in my backyard. And is beyond repair because of the fire
Fire
Incident date: Apr 10, 2022
The contact owned a 2018 BMW 440i. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a donkey. There were no airbags deployed upon impact. The windshield glass shattered and hit the contact's face. Her boyfriend's knees hit and cracked the passenger's side dashboard, and her daughter sustained bruises on her right side from hitting the passenger's side rear door; however,... Read more
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Apr 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X1. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the airbag was faulty and the airbag module might be damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530i. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle started smoking from the engine and steering wheel. There was no fire in the vehicle. The check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over safely to the side of the road. The vehicle was cooled down and then was driven to an independent mechanic who was unable to dete... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2021
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact stated that the vehicle would frequently surge while in idle position and she was smelling an abnormal oil odor. Upon opening the hood of the vehicle to determine the cause of the failure, the contact's husband noticed that oil was leaking from the valve cover gasket onto the engine compartment. The warning message "Service Due Soon", "Misfire in cylin... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced at a collision center after it was rear-ended in a collision; however, after the vehicle was repaired, an abnormal sound was coming from the vehicle and a burning odor was detected while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer's mechanic was test driving the vehicle and it lost motive powe... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328D. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacture... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the sunroof fractured with some pieces of glass detaching from the sunroof assembly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,200.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact stated while slowing down for traffic signals or signs, the vehicle started to idle roughly. After coming to a complete stop, the vehicle would then lose motive power and stall without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure would soon recur. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had n... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2022
Vehicle rpm’s rev wildly in park and neutral. When driving vehicle speeds up on its own and rpm’s climbs out of control. When stopped at a light or in traffic, car leaps forward against the break .
Incident date: Apr 3, 2022
Vehicle rpm’s rev wildly in park and neutral. When driving vehicle speeds up on its own and rpm’s climbs out of control. When stopped at a light or in traffic, car leaps forward against the break .
Incident date: Apr 3, 2022
Vehicle rpm’s rev wildly in park and neutral. When driving vehicle speeds up on its own and rpm’s climbs out of control. When stopped at a light or in traffic, car leaps forward against the break .
Incident date: Apr 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering was locked in a slight left turn and he had to apply the brakes to keep the vehicle on the road. The contact was able to pull off to the left side of the highway. The contact stated that a yellow steering wheel warning light was ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
this vehicle is dangerous and I cannot drive it without it smoking and overheating, exhaust or fumes get inside the vehicle not safe for my family, I bought it last year and have had problems since and I cant get it fixed. I tried to call the BMW office last year to no avail and no returned calls, I constantly had to fill coolant when driving and afraid to drive no more because smoke from engine a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
this vehicle is dangerous and I cannot drive it without it smoking and overheating, exhaust or fumes get inside the vehicle not safe for my family, I bought it last year and have had problems since and I cant get it fixed. I tried to call the BMW office last year to no avail and no returned calls, I constantly had to fill coolant when driving and afraid to drive no more because smoke from engine a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
this vehicle is dangerous and I cannot drive it without it smoking and overheating, exhaust or fumes get inside the vehicle not safe for my family, I bought it last year and have had problems since and I cant get it fixed. I tried to call the BMW office last year to no avail and no returned calls, I constantly had to fill coolant when driving and afraid to drive no more because smoke from engine a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
The BMW E36 Z3 1996-2002 (I have the 1998 1.9) are prone to having a separation of the Rear subframe from the differential causing the drivetrain to hang off the vehicle and/or rip out of the trunk's weak aluminum sheet subframe. BMW Germany has acknowledged the problem for a few individuals over the past decade and a half and kept it on the low for them to not spread it further. BMW North Americ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
The BMW E36 Z3 1996-2002 (I have the 1998 1.9) are prone to having a separation of the Rear subframe from the differential causing the drivetrain to hang off the vehicle and/or rip out of the trunk's weak aluminum sheet subframe. BMW Germany has acknowledged the problem for a few individuals over the past decade and a half and kept it on the low for them to not spread it further. BMW North Americ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2022
Water pump keeps going bad 2nd time replacing in 2 years rough idle and failed part problems that BMW service team does not understand. Vehicle has stalled at 0 rpm I'm thinking there is an issue with the engine also reported by previous owner and I also have the same complaints, as well the foot release which I was was told was an option never worked. Please search vin [XXX] for all incident repo... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2022
Water pump keeps going bad 2nd time replacing in 2 years rough idle and failed part problems that BMW service team does not understand. Vehicle has stalled at 0 rpm I'm thinking there is an issue with the engine also reported by previous owner and I also have the same complaints, as well the foot release which I was was told was an option never worked. Please search vin [XXX] for all incident repo... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2022
Water pump keeps going bad 2nd time replacing in 2 years rough idle and failed part problems that BMW service team does not understand. Vehicle has stalled at 0 rpm I'm thinking there is an issue with the engine also reported by previous owner and I also have the same complaints, as well the foot release which I was was told was an option never worked. Please search vin [XXX] for all incident repo... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2022
The sunroof shadescreen failed to close: it is a safety issue because it is impossible to close the shade anymore and the sun is hitting your head and eyes all the time: when I first noticed it I was driving and a sound came from the sun roof and if I looked it would have been a crash. Taking to the dealership iwould cost 2000 dollars to replace. It is a manufacturer defect that that something th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2022
The sunroof shadescreen failed to close: it is a safety issue because it is impossible to close the shade anymore and the sun is hitting your head and eyes all the time: when I first noticed it I was driving and a sound came from the sun roof and if I looked it would have been a crash. Taking to the dealership iwould cost 2000 dollars to replace. It is a manufacturer defect that that something th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2022
Error message displayed: "Secure vehicle against rolling" This message is displayed due to a broken spring in the gear selector mechanism. Because of the broken spring, the car's computer cannot detect whether or not the gear selector is in park. This creates a safety hazard because the gear selector can be shifted into Drive without having your foot on the brake. Note that a very large numbe... Read more