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: Sep 13, 2021
On 11/10/21 I was advised by Long Beach BMW (Long Beach, CA) that my car needs a new engine. The car smells of gas (both when running and when sitting) and burns excessive amounts of oil. The car requires a quart of oil every 200 - 400 miles. The first engine was replaced after only 77,000 miles because the car was stalling unexpectedly. Now, the current engine needs to be replaced after only ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2020
My car one day just turned on all lights inside including emergency break and the engine started smoking out....
Incident date: Sep 9, 2020
My car one day just turned on all lights inside including emergency break and the engine started smoking out....
Incident date: Sep 9, 2020
My car one day just turned on all lights inside including emergency break and the engine started smoking out....
Incident date: May 10, 2021
No warnings. The car started smoking while driving down the interstate. Lost electrical and brakes at around 30 mph while trying to stop. My daughter had to roll out of the car while moving because my brakes wouldn’t stop. Finally slammed in park. Car was totaled.
Fire
Incident date: May 10, 2021
No warnings. The car started smoking while driving down the interstate. Lost electrical and brakes at around 30 mph while trying to stop. My daughter had to roll out of the car while moving because my brakes wouldn’t stop. Finally slammed in park. Car was totaled.
Fire
Incident date: Feb 12, 2022
Sometimes when I drive the vehicle I smell smoke and there is a strong burning plastic smell. Occasionally, I see see smoke from the engine compartment. When I raise the hood it appears the smoke is coming from the back of the engine unit on the passenger side of the SUV. The problem is intermittent. Since COVID I barely drive so I have fairly low trip mileage.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2022
Sunroof exploded while driving on the highway
Incident date: Mar 9, 2022
Sunroof exploded while driving on the highway
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
I was at a red light while driving my car.When I stepped on the gas once the light turned green the car stalled and started jerking i immediately smelled smoked and seen smoke coming through the cabin..lt made a strange sound from the engine The service engine light came on and said reduced engine power/ drive train malfunction get service immediately.I was able to coast the car to a curb luckily... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
I was at a red light while driving my car.When I stepped on the gas once the light turned green the car stalled and started jerking i immediately smelled smoked and seen smoke coming through the cabin..lt made a strange sound from the engine The service engine light came on and said reduced engine power/ drive train malfunction get service immediately.I was able to coast the car to a curb luckily... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
I was at a red light while driving my car.When I stepped on the gas once the light turned green the car stalled and started jerking i immediately smelled smoked and seen smoke coming through the cabin..lt made a strange sound from the engine The service engine light came on and said reduced engine power/ drive train malfunction get service immediately.I was able to coast the car to a curb luckily... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Nov 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530i. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated, and remained illuminated. Additionally, the check engine and brake warning lights also illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 BMW X1. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the warning message "Secure Vehicle with Parking Brake" illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to drive the vehicle; however, he would engage the parking brake whenever he was parking the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic whe... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2021
I can smell a burning smell at times coming out from my blower and the heat and air condition is not functioning properly. Also my rear hatch lights on the interior are always on and when I hit bumps they flash off and on.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
No warnings just went dead in traffic had it towed to a mechanic and his diagnosis is fuel pump is bad. A B160416 fuel pump was a recall and replaced thru BMW Chattanooga, TN on 12/08/18.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2022
Since 12v battery is down towing truck driver tried to jump start the car, there is no way to move the car, he failed to start car so move manually for towing to BMW service center. they reported EME(controller computer) Board damage, and BMW guessed jump start could damage, so insurance appraiser came to review and rejected this because BMW said there is no way to prove this, and then they charge... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2022
I recently acquired a 2019 BMW X5. When I requested seat belt extenders as your web site suggests, "If you need a roomier belt, contact your vehicle manufacturer to obtain seat belt extenders." my dealer told me that they "cannot get them." I contacted BMW corporate customer services and while the gentleman I have been dealing with is trying and is very courteous, he can't seem to find any infor... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2022
Recall for PCV valve (NHTSA 17V683) has been outstanding since Oct 2017. I received a letter July 2021 from BMW saying I needed to urgently have this repaired and could lead to a fire. It said parts and remedy are available. Went to BMW dealer 3/8/22 and the dealership is telling me that the system tells them there is no fix available for this recall. (Service agent: Yordano Rios Reyes, and Serv... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and making a right turn into a parking lot, the turn signals, interior lights, and instrument panel lights became inoperable. Additionally, the side-view mirrors no longer operated as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where the vehicle was d... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and making a right turn into a parking lot, the turn signals, interior lights, and instrument panel lights became inoperable. Additionally, the side-view mirrors no longer operated as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where the vehicle was d... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 BMW R 1200. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the fuel pump failed and leaked fuel all over the motorcycle and onto the contact. The contact was able pull the motorcycle off the highway and with the assis... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 328D. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the r... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2022
I was returning home from work and the engine started to sputter/vibrate. I was right next to a gas station and as I was pulling into the gas station, the engine died and would not restart. I had the car towed and then I proceeded to troubleshoot the problem. I did a fuel pressure test and found that there was no fuel pressure. I tested the fuel pump relay and found it to be operational. I accesse... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
Car was parked and when I came out of Walmart it was on fire coming from the steering box. I tried to put it out with my jacket but yellow fire was too much. Fire department came on scene as well as police. By stander had large thermos of coffee and extinguished the fire before fire truck arrived.
Fire
Incident date: Jan 26, 2022
My drive belt got worn out and when it snapped it got sucked in to the engine and warped around my timing chain I started looking into it and this has happened to a lot of people who have a BMW X3 and the shop told me that because they have had other BMW X3 but my was the worst that they have seen they have now change there policy for dealing with a BMW X3 when it comes in
Incident date: Jan 26, 2022
My drive belt got worn out and when it snapped it got sucked in to the engine and warped around my timing chain I started looking into it and this has happened to a lot of people who have a BMW X3 and the shop told me that because they have had other BMW X3 but my was the worst that they have seen they have now change there policy for dealing with a BMW X3 when it comes in
Incident date: Mar 4, 2022
2022 BMW X4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LUNGES, ROCKS, AND JERKS WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS ROAD TESTED THE LUNGES WERE AKNOWLEDGED, BUT THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED.
Incident date: May 1, 2021
ROUGH IDLE UPON START UP. OCCURS DAILY. WEATHER IS NOT A FACTOR. CONFIRMED WITH COLLISION CENTER.
Incident date: May 1, 2021
ROUGH IDLE UPON START UP. OCCURS DAILY. WEATHER IS NOT A FACTOR. CONFIRMED WITH COLLISION CENTER.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2022
Bought car from third party with rebuilt title 333,000 miles currently and has been recertified by state patrol in 2015. Control cluster says taillight failure, and has issues with not starting. When jump started the car has reduced power with transmission limp mode light. Sometimes light comes on with limp mode, other time no limp mode at all. Have replaced taillights, battery and alternator wit... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2022
Bought car from third party with rebuilt title 333,000 miles currently and has been recertified by state patrol in 2015. Control cluster says taillight failure, and has issues with not starting. When jump started the car has reduced power with transmission limp mode light. Sometimes light comes on with limp mode, other time no limp mode at all. Have replaced taillights, battery and alternator wit... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2022
Bought car from third party with rebuilt title 333,000 miles currently and has been recertified by state patrol in 2015. Control cluster says taillight failure, and has issues with not starting. When jump started the car has reduced power with transmission limp mode light. Sometimes light comes on with limp mode, other time no limp mode at all. Have replaced taillights, battery and alternator wit... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2022
My wife was driving the car (her main, work car) with our 13 year old. She called me upset and told me that the car would barely move. This was disturbing. She was in heavy traffic. Also the car has been mostly reliable and we only have above 120k on the vehicle after almost 10 years. My wife slowly made it down busy Stocton Blvd. A few hundred feet and safely made it to a business parking lot. I ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2022
My wife was driving the car (her main, work car) with our 13 year old. She called me upset and told me that the car would barely move. This was disturbing. She was in heavy traffic. Also the car has been mostly reliable and we only have above 120k on the vehicle after almost 10 years. My wife slowly made it down busy Stocton Blvd. A few hundred feet and safely made it to a business parking lot. I ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2022
My wife was driving the car (her main, work car) with our 13 year old. She called me upset and told me that the car would barely move. This was disturbing. She was in heavy traffic. Also the car has been mostly reliable and we only have above 120k on the vehicle after almost 10 years. My wife slowly made it down busy Stocton Blvd. A few hundred feet and safely made it to a business parking lot. I ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2022
Vehicle engine RPM will arbitrarily increase from 500-600 RPM to 1200-1500 RPM while idling in drive and at operating temperature, such as at a stoplight or in a drive-through. The vehicle also makes a distinct clunking sound under normal stop-and-go driving conditions.
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
“Secure vehicle against rolling” is the code, it comes on everytime I enter the vehicle or exit the vehicle when it is off, I dot not want my vehicle to roll and hit somebody or something all because a faulty spring within the gear shifter mechanism fails. This happens I’m all associated drivetrains whether it be the BMW X1 or mini coopers. This should be a recall and repaired by dealerships... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 528i. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, an 18-wheel semi-truck approached the vehicle closely and the contact attempted to honk the horn however, the horn failed to function. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the driver's side air... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 528i. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, an 18-wheel semi-truck approached the vehicle closely and the contact attempted to honk the horn however, the horn failed to function. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the driver's side air... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2022
The driveshaft connection to the differntial has unusual movement that causes a clunking noise when changing low gears. This means the internal differential parts are subject to fail in the long term and can cause injuries to the driver if not fixed and vehicle gets out of control
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
I purchased 4 new Pirelli P zero tires a year and half ago since then I’ve replaced 5 tires where the sidewalls have blown out in that year and half time frame. I’ve only kept two of the tires and I’m not sure if the other tire has a different DOT # but it is the same brand and size. I gave the dot from the most recent tire. Pirelli has a road hazard warranty but will not honor it and swears... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION COMES ON DASH, DUE TO TIMING CHAIN BEING OUT OF "TIME" MEANING THAT THE CRANSHAFT AND CHAIN HAS MOVE OUT OF PLACE, THIS REPAIR IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT 10K, OTHER VEHICLES OF THE THIS TYPE ARE ALSO INCLUDED, THE RECALL FROM BMW IS CALL THE "N63 CUSTOMER SERVICE PACKET", N63 IS THE KIND OF ENGINE THAT THIS CAR AND OTHER IN SIMILAR SERIES AND YEARS ARE KNOWN AND INNEVIDATABL... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION COMES ON DASH, DUE TO TIMING CHAIN BEING OUT OF "TIME" MEANING THAT THE CRANSHAFT AND CHAIN HAS MOVE OUT OF PLACE, THIS REPAIR IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT 10K, OTHER VEHICLES OF THE THIS TYPE ARE ALSO INCLUDED, THE RECALL FROM BMW IS CALL THE "N63 CUSTOMER SERVICE PACKET", N63 IS THE KIND OF ENGINE THAT THIS CAR AND OTHER IN SIMILAR SERIES AND YEARS ARE KNOWN AND INNEVIDATABL... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION COMES ON DASH, DUE TO TIMING CHAIN BEING OUT OF "TIME" MEANING THAT THE CRANSHAFT AND CHAIN HAS MOVE OUT OF PLACE, THIS REPAIR IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT 10K, OTHER VEHICLES OF THE THIS TYPE ARE ALSO INCLUDED, THE RECALL FROM BMW IS CALL THE "N63 CUSTOMER SERVICE PACKET", N63 IS THE KIND OF ENGINE THAT THIS CAR AND OTHER IN SIMILAR SERIES AND YEARS ARE KNOWN AND INNEVIDATABL... Read more
Incident date: Nov 19, 2021
NHTSA Recall Number21V907 has been in recall incomplete status since November. Holding up my vehicle for months.
Incident date: Feb 7, 2022
Warning light - Secure Vehicle from rolling Car is in Park and Brake is applied but warning light comes up
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
I am getting a warning when I turn on the car to secure vehicle against rolling.
Incident date: Nov 9, 2021
Limpmode: Life Threatening failure of vehicle shutting down accelerating in heavy traffic in speeds over 70 mph. On 9 Nov 22 I was driving on interstate to take my wife to her radiation appointment. Within 1 mile of exit, traveling in far-right lane in 4 lanes of heavy traffic with an additional two lanes of heavy traffic merging in from the right, I had to get over into the merging oncoming tra... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2021
Limpmode: Life Threatening failure of vehicle shutting down accelerating in heavy traffic in speeds over 70 mph. On 9 Nov 22 I was driving on interstate to take my wife to her radiation appointment. Within 1 mile of exit, traveling in far-right lane in 4 lanes of heavy traffic with an additional two lanes of heavy traffic merging in from the right, I had to get over into the merging oncoming tra... Read more