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: Jul 10, 2021
Driver airbag did not deploy. I hit the steering wheel with enough force to break the steering column.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 13, 2021
At approxamitately 1:20pm on July 13, after being parked for a little over an hour I was told that my car was burning. 911 was called immediately and the owner of the establishment went outside and called to the firemen at the station on the other side of the street. Their response was immediate. Response was so quick that damage was limited to the right rear. Which seems that the fire started i... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 9, 2021
Without warning, the sunshade came loose on one side. Apparently it is a very common problem and repairs can be upwards of $2500. This has the potential to be very dangerous if the shade comes completely loose or detached. It can be seen hanging down when looking in the rear view mirror and obstructs the view. The problem needs to be addressed.
Incident date: Jul 15, 2021
My girlfriend has owned this vehicle for about two years now. Along with other maintenance (all understandable until now) there is a $2000 cost. The Fuel tank has started leaking due to a major design flaw by BMW. To save money they (bmw) used tanks from previous model years and glued a cap over a no longer needed hole and now the cap is not sealing and the tank is leaking! If you do not believe m... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. During the failure, the message "transmission malfunction" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the residence and later examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufactu... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. During the failure, the message "transmission malfunction" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the residence and later examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufactu... Read more
BMW
K 1600 GTL
(2012) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jul 14, 2021
Incident date: Jul 14, 2021
Dealer has not received ANY parts to repair this and cannot provide a date when they expect to receive them.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2021
The engine failed while driving on the highway on 06/22/2021. My safety was put at risk because the traffic was heavy during the middle of a rain storm on the interstate. Cars had to swerve to avoid me as I was only able to coast my vehicle to the side of the highway. I was almost struck by traffic. A number of warning lights suddenly went off without have gone off before in king and oil press... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2021
The engine failed while driving on the highway on 06/22/2021. My safety was put at risk because the traffic was heavy during the middle of a rain storm on the interstate. Cars had to swerve to avoid me as I was only able to coast my vehicle to the side of the highway. I was almost struck by traffic. A number of warning lights suddenly went off without have gone off before in king and oil press... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2021
The engine failed while driving on the highway on 06/22/2021. My safety was put at risk because the traffic was heavy during the middle of a rain storm on the interstate. Cars had to swerve to avoid me as I was only able to coast my vehicle to the side of the highway. I was almost struck by traffic. A number of warning lights suddenly went off without have gone off before in king and oil press... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2021
Vehicle was being driven and showed power supply issue and then flashed a drive train warning and lost propulsion power. The vehicle started hopping / jerking. The A/C stopped working and the center console became intensely hot to the touch; so much so it was uncomfortable to keep you hand on the center console. The vehicle is currently at the dealership stating they believe a software update wa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2021
Vehicle was being driven and showed power supply issue and then flashed a drive train warning and lost propulsion power. The vehicle started hopping / jerking. The A/C stopped working and the center console became intensely hot to the touch; so much so it was uncomfortable to keep you hand on the center console. The vehicle is currently at the dealership stating they believe a software update wa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2021
Vehicle was being driven and showed power supply issue and then flashed a drive train warning and lost propulsion power. The vehicle started hopping / jerking. The A/C stopped working and the center console became intensely hot to the touch; so much so it was uncomfortable to keep you hand on the center console. The vehicle is currently at the dealership stating they believe a software update wa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2021
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2000 BMW 323i. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign numbers: 20V018000 (Air Bags) and 19V853000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed him that the parts for the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2021
The contact’s girlfriend owns a 2004 BMW 325XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V018000 (Air Bags). The contact’s girlfriend took the vehicle to the local dealer for the recall repair. After the vehicle was repaired and the vehicle was retrieved, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The driver took the vehicle back to the local dealer for the warning light. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2021
The contact’s girlfriend owns a 2004 BMW 325XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V018000 (Air Bags). The contact’s girlfriend took the vehicle to the local dealer for the recall repair. After the vehicle was repaired and the vehicle was retrieved, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The driver took the vehicle back to the local dealer for the warning light. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2021
Tailgate suddenly opens without warning. Happened twice this month while car was parked and engine was turned off, as well as while car was stopped, in Park, and engine was running. Note that this happened repeatedly during the first year of ownership, and BMW Monterey (California) tried at least 4 times to fix it. Claimed it was finally fixed, and it did not recur for some months, but once ag... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
Air bag light malfunction passenger side
Incident date: Mar 1, 2019
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 135i. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. T... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2019
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 135i. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. T... Read more
BMW
K 1600 GTL
(2013) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jul 12, 2021
Incident date: Apr 8, 2021
Fuel pump replacement recall due to potential fire hazard was issued April 8, 2021. There are no parts being made available to dealers to make the repair. It has been over 3-months and per discussion with the BMW customer service there is no information as to when parts will be available. This is not being remedied in a reasonable period of time.
Incident date: Jul 9, 2021
while driving on the highway the car turned off suddenly. Car was towed to home after checking possible causes we found out the even the THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS displaying a large amount of fuel ( 1/2 tank) actually it was empty . We did put 2 gallons of gasoline than car start up again but the fuel gauge still showing half of tank.
Incident date: Jun 19, 2021
Driving down I-89 in Vermont, just South of Montpelier, we were driving at highway speeds toward a construction zone, suddenly, all of the power to the car cut out. There was no warning, no lights, no “bing bong” of the car to let us know there was an issue, it just stopped. We had less than 10 seconds to make a decision. When the car lost power, We had no power brakes or steering. We were in ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2021
Driving down I-89 in Vermont, just South of Montpelier, we were driving at highway speeds toward a construction zone, suddenly, all of the power to the car cut out. There was no warning, no lights, no “bing bong” of the car to let us know there was an issue, it just stopped. We had less than 10 seconds to make a decision. When the car lost power, We had no power brakes or steering. We were in ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2021
Driving down I-89 in Vermont, just South of Montpelier, we were driving at highway speeds toward a construction zone, suddenly, all of the power to the car cut out. There was no warning, no lights, no “bing bong” of the car to let us know there was an issue, it just stopped. We had less than 10 seconds to make a decision. When the car lost power, We had no power brakes or steering. We were in ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2021
I was at a stop light and when the light changed I stepped on the gas. The car suddenly turned completely off. I had no steering, no braking no ability to turn the hazard lights on. I was in the middle of the street with traffic behind me and my child was in the back seat with me. The car completely died. There were no warning signs at all Cars started to go around me and I exited the car wi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2021
I was at a stop light and when the light changed I stepped on the gas. The car suddenly turned completely off. I had no steering, no braking no ability to turn the hazard lights on. I was in the middle of the street with traffic behind me and my child was in the back seat with me. The car completely died. There were no warning signs at all Cars started to go around me and I exited the car wi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2021
I was at a stop light and when the light changed I stepped on the gas. The car suddenly turned completely off. I had no steering, no braking no ability to turn the hazard lights on. I was in the middle of the street with traffic behind me and my child was in the back seat with me. The car completely died. There were no warning signs at all Cars started to go around me and I exited the car wi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2021
The headlights are failing due to wiring rotting and falling aaprt inside the headlight units similar to the wiring failure in the blower motor
Incident date: Jul 10, 2021
The headlights are failing due to wiring rotting and falling aaprt inside the headlight units similar to the wiring failure in the blower motor
Incident date: May 26, 2021
Engine is available for inspection upon request. Earlier this month, my 550i completely shut off at a traffic light. When attempting to restart the engine, the Starter strained very hard and smoke came out of the engine. Engine was immediately shut off and the car was towed to a local shop. In turn the shop replaced the Starter the following day and heard knocking from the engine once it turned ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2021
The engine oil keeps going down every couple hundred miles and needs to be topped. Embarrassing doing this every month.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2021
The engine oil keeps going down every couple hundred miles and needs to be topped. Embarrassing doing this every month.
Incident date: Dec 9, 2019
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 530i. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the brakes would not engage when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that he had to use additional force on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the vacuum hose and the brake... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2021
I have issue with fuel pump or fuel rail.. car is only 7 years old i smell gas on the car
Incident date: Jul 8, 2021
1) The electrical section of the dashboard for speed, checking gas levels etc. is no longer visible. It is available for inspection! 2) For the obvious reason: unable to determine all safety measures such as speed, driving safety such as gas level, warning signals etc.! 3) The problem was the result of numerous visits to the dealership regarding the rain leaking into the car. Which they said they ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2021
1) The electrical section of the dashboard for speed, checking gas levels etc. is no longer visible. It is available for inspection! 2) For the obvious reason: unable to determine all safety measures such as speed, driving safety such as gas level, warning signals etc.! 3) The problem was the result of numerous visits to the dealership regarding the rain leaking into the car. Which they said they ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2021
1) The electrical section of the dashboard for speed, checking gas levels etc. is no longer visible. It is available for inspection! 2) For the obvious reason: unable to determine all safety measures such as speed, driving safety such as gas level, warning signals etc.! 3) The problem was the result of numerous visits to the dealership regarding the rain leaking into the car. Which they said they ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2021
On 6/8/2021, when pulling out of my driveway approximately 9:00 am, I experienced the car switching from Hybrid mode to Sport mode without me engaging the Sport mode control. The following day (6/9/2021), after a day of primarily interstate driving (over 200 miles), while stopping at a red light, I felt the brake pedal fall to the floor faster than I was applying pressure and I came to a sudden ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2021
Drove car after it sat for a few days. Got about a mile from my home and thought I smelled some smoke. Rolled down windows to make sure it was not outside (was in rural area). It was not. Went another mile and pulled over. Seemed to be a small amount of smoke coming out near vent and near seatbelt uprights near door. Looked under hood and under car and saw nothing. Opened sunroof to determi... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 7, 2021
The sunscreen on the panoramic sunroof is sagging because the motor has broken and it is lost tension leaving the sunscreen sagging overhead blocking driver Visibility
Incident date: Jul 5, 2021
My car has been experiencing the same issues as reported in the BMW safety recall campaign 15V189000, since I purchased the car in October 2018. "If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash." The last issue just happened recently on the interstate, which almost resulted in a crash. My Vin number production year is 2/2015 and is not part of the camp... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2021
Vehicle has stalled while in operation (at speed) 5 times since owning. All were very dangerous situations for my wife and surrounding drivers. All issues were apparently "fuel system" related. I purchased this vehicle on May 11, 2018 (POC) from Fields BMW South Orlando, FL. The car was most recently brought in for repair for a continued issue on May 3, 2021. Vehicle has never been in a wreck... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2021
Vehicle has stalled while in operation (at speed) 5 times since owning. All were very dangerous situations for my wife and surrounding drivers. All issues were apparently "fuel system" related. I purchased this vehicle on May 11, 2018 (POC) from Fields BMW South Orlando, FL. The car was most recently brought in for repair for a continued issue on May 3, 2021. Vehicle has never been in a wreck... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X6. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently shifted into neutral with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V755000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) as a possible solution to the failure however, the Vin was not included. Neither the de... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
light assembly has became compromised with moisture , casued a total light failure ! repair cost is $4000.00
Incident date: Jan 6, 2020
Passénger seat occupancy seat mat has failed and passenger air bag system does not work. Diagnosed recently- repair scheduled soon for cost of $1588.35 It looks like there may have been a recall in 2017 but I don’t have any record of being notified or having it fixed.
Incident date: Jan 6, 2020
Passénger seat occupancy seat mat has failed and passenger air bag system does not work. Diagnosed recently- repair scheduled soon for cost of $1588.35 It looks like there may have been a recall in 2017 but I don’t have any record of being notified or having it fixed.
Incident date: Jan 6, 2020
Passénger seat occupancy seat mat has failed and passenger air bag system does not work. Diagnosed recently- repair scheduled soon for cost of $1588.35 It looks like there may have been a recall in 2017 but I don’t have any record of being notified or having it fixed.
Incident date: Apr 23, 2019
This is a two-cylinder engine with an independent throttle body for each cylinder. The throttle is actuated by a cable and pulley which rotate the throttle plate on a shaft. The pulley is attached to the shaft with molded plastic. Upon inspection during service, both plastic moldings (both cylinders) were discovered to be cracked and near failure. Failure of this part will cause that cylinder to... Read more