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 2, 2022
The vehicle was at a complete stop, when the gas pedal was tapped to move forward slightly the vehicle suddenly accelerated out of control. There was an attempt to apply the brakes, but the vehicle continued to accelerate and "Drive Train Malfunction" began to flash on the dashboard of the vehicle. The vehicle proceeded to accelerate as it jumped a curb, crashed into a ditch, before finally beco... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 2, 2022
The vehicle was at a complete stop, when the gas pedal was tapped to move forward slightly the vehicle suddenly accelerated out of control. There was an attempt to apply the brakes, but the vehicle continued to accelerate and "Drive Train Malfunction" began to flash on the dashboard of the vehicle. The vehicle proceeded to accelerate as it jumped a curb, crashed into a ditch, before finally beco... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 2, 2022
The vehicle was at a complete stop, when the gas pedal was tapped to move forward slightly the vehicle suddenly accelerated out of control. There was an attempt to apply the brakes, but the vehicle continued to accelerate and "Drive Train Malfunction" began to flash on the dashboard of the vehicle. The vehicle proceeded to accelerate as it jumped a curb, crashed into a ditch, before finally beco... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 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 contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop at the stoplight, the vehicle hesitated. The contact smelled a burning plastic odor within the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 528i. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, she smelled a burning odor and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood and through the vent. The (!) malfunction indicator warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would jerk intermittently while driving. The contact received recal... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128i. 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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed wi... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428i. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal cracking sound. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). T... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2022
I have contacted NHTSA and BMW several times. I want this in writing in the case myself or my children are injuried when in this vehicle. My bmw x3 is my only form of transportation the engine light is on and it has started to smoke twice when engine is off. I just purchased the car second week of March 2022. It is hard for the car to accelerate and once the car is stopped at light or stop sig... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. 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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Engine Service Soon" warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. Th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 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 unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer wa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2022
X3 started locking up the brakes, it seems that every time you pressed the breaks the calipers will engage and would not release them, making the vehicle completely stop or force you to accelerate to move the vehicle forward by force and get out of the moving traffic. No error codes came up at all or warning lights on the dashboard. The only way to resolve the issue was to turn the vehicle off ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2022
I have read on the BMW forums that the plastic cams that are attached to the throttle bodies will crack. If a crack is spotted the cams need to be replaced because they can fail causing the motorcycle to stop running. This spring while doing my spring maintenance I inspected the cams and found both of the throttle body cams cracked. I replaced both of the cams with after market aluminum cams that ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2022
The bike is a 2008 BMW R1200RT. The throttle bodies for each cylinder has a plastic cam that is the point of attachment for the throttle cable. That plastic cam broke and completely detached from the bike. I was accelerating to merge into traffic on Interstate 64E at Corydon, IN. Once established in the right lane, the bike suddenly lost power and slowed rapidly while I was approached from the rea... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice to be diagnosed. The diagnostic test was performed; however, the contact was unsure of the results. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2022
The car overheating due to the pcv valve heater core. Causing severe damage to my engine. Good have put me in danger. BMW should have taken care of this a long time ago if there was a issue with it. Now my car is damaged and undrivable. I need a new engine. It could have caught fire.
Incident date: Jul 12, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH that all the lights became illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle began to emit smoke from under the hood, the vehicle lost power, and additionally, the contact had a failure of power steering and brakes. The contact was able to safely coast off the roadway and stopped. The vehicle continued... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jun 26, 2019
Water pump failure Radiator hose disconnected Thermostat Assembly
Incident date: Jun 26, 2019
Water pump failure Radiator hose disconnected Thermostat Assembly
Incident date: Jun 26, 2019
Water pump failure Radiator hose disconnected Thermostat Assembly
Incident date: Jul 1, 2019
Broken coolant pipe causing engine to overheat
Incident date: Apr 9, 2022
After running errands and car had been parked for an hour or so, I returned to my vehicle and it would crank but would not start. After trying to start a few times it finally started and I was able to make it home without having to call a tow truck (Or being abandoned in a mall parking lot in the middle of the night). My car drove fine the next day, after driving for about an hour I parked at my p... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2022
After running errands and car had been parked for an hour or so, I returned to my vehicle and it would crank but would not start. After trying to start a few times it finally started and I was able to make it home without having to call a tow truck (Or being abandoned in a mall parking lot in the middle of the night). My car drove fine the next day, after driving for about an hour I parked at my p... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2022
After running errands and car had been parked for an hour or so, I returned to my vehicle and it would crank but would not start. After trying to start a few times it finally started and I was able to make it home without having to call a tow truck (Or being abandoned in a mall parking lot in the middle of the night). My car drove fine the next day, after driving for about an hour I parked at my p... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2022
Loss of “E” clips for windshield retaining pins, causing excessive shaking of the windshield and disrupting visibility and creating the potential for the windshield to fly back into the rider.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 530XI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. Th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
BMW recalled our car twice to replace the hybrid battery. Purchase in late July 2020; first recall about August 2020; second recall about September 2021. BMW replaced the hybrid battery as part of the second recall. Since then the vehicle check engine light has intermittently illuminated. The service department has confirmed faults in the hybrid drive system but has not identified the cause of the... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2021
On 11/23/2021 while driving the computer screen stated malfunction with personal protection device with in 10 seconds the rear of the car burst into flames the fire inspector from our insurance company traced the cause of the event to the fuse box neither BMW or the dealership will take any responsibility this car had never been repaired and only authorized dealership did yearly service
Fire
Incident date: Apr 11, 2022
The engine and all electrical components including power steering spontaneously cutout while driving, usually while engine isnt being stressed at all, sometimes while idling. If the car is rolling, i have to restart the engine while driving and using manual power to steer. Obviously, this is a huge safety problem. I've just had the alternator and battery replaced, and they test fine. This has ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2022
The engine and all electrical components including power steering spontaneously cutout while driving, usually while engine isnt being stressed at all, sometimes while idling. If the car is rolling, i have to restart the engine while driving and using manual power to steer. Obviously, this is a huge safety problem. I've just had the alternator and battery replaced, and they test fine. This has ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2022
The engine and all electrical components including power steering spontaneously cutout while driving, usually while engine isnt being stressed at all, sometimes while idling. If the car is rolling, i have to restart the engine while driving and using manual power to steer. Obviously, this is a huge safety problem. I've just had the alternator and battery replaced, and they test fine. This has ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2022
Loss of “E” clips on retaining pins for passenger pegs, retaining pins vibrate out of holes causing loss of passenger pegs while riding. Potentially causing serious road debris and loss of passengers footing could cause accident or serious bodily injuries to self or others Cause is normal riding. Dealer acknowledged problem as a common issue and replaced “E” clips but have no actual soluti... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2022
After day to day use the seat belt stopped functioning. The mechanism to lock the seat belt is stuck and will not unlock to latch the seat belt properly. Ultimately the driver and passengers are unable to latch the seat belts at anytime.
Incident date: Apr 9, 2022
Rear cross traffic alert does not work. Almost got into collision multiple times when backing out of parking spaces. Dealer inspected and stated it is working as expected. No audio or visual alerts on system during various near collision incidents.
Incident date: Mar 14, 2022
My bmw start smoking from the inside then caught on fire it was a electric fire on the light module
Fire
Incident date: Mar 14, 2022
My bmw start smoking from the inside then caught on fire it was a electric fire on the light module
Fire
Incident date: Feb 21, 2022
The contact owned a 2008 BMW 528I. The contact stated that after parking, the vehicle flames were suddenly present coming from under the hood. The contact attempted to extinguish the flames but was unsuccessful and the vehicle was destroyed along with a second vehicle parked nearby. The fire department and police were called to the scene and reports were taken. During the incident the contact suf... Read more
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 24, 2022
From a stop, the car will refuse to stay in either Drive or Reverse and jumps back into Park as soon as you take your foot off the brake pedal. Message center says the car is rolling, but it is NOT! My wife has been stuck twice in a situation where she could not drive the car. She tried the parking brake, but since it is not rolling, it does not help. The actual reason is that a door is ajar... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328i. 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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning odor was detected and there was smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed w... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328i. The contact initially received a google alert on her smart phone for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was then notified about the recall and informed her that parts for the recall were not yet available. The contact then received a recall notice in the mail that stated that parts for the recall were unavailable. The manufact... Read more
BMW
328I
(2008) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
Apr 8, 2022
Incident date: Mar 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact stated upon turning off the vehicle after driving for approximately 2-3 hours, she smelled a burning plastic odor inside and outside of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign N... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 8, 2022
Car has 15,000 miles and always stored in climate controlled garage. Drove it today and within 1/2 mile the electronic power steering failed making it very, very hard to steer. Shut vehicle off and restart and the problem goes away but only for a minute or two and then returns.
Incident date: Apr 6, 2022
I went to park my mom's car. Tapped the brakes, moved up a little, tapped the brakes again-the brakes gave out and the car lunged forward at a high speed. The only reason I stopped was because a metal fence stopped me. Earlier in the day the car switched modes by itself from Sport to Economy. This is the 2nd time this has happened in this car. The first time my mom was parking in her drivew... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 6, 2022
I went to park my mom's car. Tapped the brakes, moved up a little, tapped the brakes again-the brakes gave out and the car lunged forward at a high speed. The only reason I stopped was because a metal fence stopped me. Earlier in the day the car switched modes by itself from Sport to Economy. This is the 2nd time this has happened in this car. The first time my mom was parking in her drivew... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 750XI. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming a quart of oil at an excessive rate. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that coolant had been leaking from the engine; however, ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2022
the left brake lamp continues to come on after changing the brake lamp and checking sensor - I dont know if the light is out or its another issue the brake lamp has been working fine , the warning is incorrect Also , the added safety features installed in the car and paid 1000's extra for no longer work due 3g phase out , Bmw claimed drivers can use their phones but they will not retro fit the ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2022
the left brake lamp continues to come on after changing the brake lamp and checking sensor - I dont know if the light is out or its another issue the brake lamp has been working fine , the warning is incorrect Also , the added safety features installed in the car and paid 1000's extra for no longer work due 3g phase out , Bmw claimed drivers can use their phones but they will not retro fit the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2022
I just purchased a bmw x3 2007 the 2nd week of March 2022. Immediately, after driving home and parking the car. I turned the car off and the car began to make a loud noise and the engine start smoking very bad. I contacted bmw via email, and was told that there is not a remedy to the recalls effecting my car. The bmw x3 2007 is my only form of transportation and bmw cannot fix the problem. Th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2022
I just purchased a bmw x3 2007 the 2nd week of March 2022. Immediately, after driving home and parking the car. I turned the car off and the car began to make a loud noise and the engine start smoking very bad. I contacted bmw via email, and was told that there is not a remedy to the recalls effecting my car. The bmw x3 2007 is my only form of transportation and bmw cannot fix the problem. Th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2022
I had two situations in which my car would unexpectedly lurch forward after coming to a complete stop with my foot on the brake pedal, and another case in which I could not place the vehicle in park with the DCT Shift lever malfunctioning and making the car undrivable.