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 4, 2021
The car stop running completly when I was wainting at the stop light An anounsmemt came out in my dash saying that I have to repleaced the fuel pump I know that there was a recall abuot this problem but I never got any notice or letter from bmw
Incident date: Jun 28, 2021
Car only 9 months old, tread on both front tires bald, hydroplaning on wet roads. Almost was in an accident, I travel for work and got a BMW for reliability, I’m really second guessing my choice of cars right now.Bridgestone said tread is from out of alignment. BMW checked alignment and front is spot on. 13,000 miles on tires. Horrible driving experience in such a short time. Very disappointed t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2021
2008 BMW 328I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTED BATTERY CABLES WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE.
Fire
BMW
K 1600 GTL
(2013) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jul 2, 2021
Incident date: Apr 30, 2021
The dealer has been unable to make a repair in a reasonable time. I called my dealer in May at Moon Motorsports in Monticello, MN to schedule an appointment for Recall Campaign No. 21V-060. They said replacements for this recall have been backordered. I called again today (July 2) to get an update. He said there are 32 standing orders and the #1 person had called on April 15. My bike is now smelli... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
Bmw of Murietta will not honor the recalls
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
Bmw of Murietta will not honor the recalls
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
Bmw of Murietta will not honor the recalls
Incident date: Jun 16, 2021
My driver and passenger airbags deployed because my car all of the sudden lurched forward on it's own and I bumped the car in front of me and when it happened my car started accelerating and revving all on it's own into the car ahead and I was trying to make it stop by pushing the brakes but the brake pedal wouldnt move it was hard and wouldnt move so my car kept accelerating bumping the car in f... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 16, 2021
My driver and passenger airbags deployed because my car all of the sudden lurched forward on it's own and I bumped the car in front of me and when it happened my car started accelerating and revving all on it's own into the car ahead and I was trying to make it stop by pushing the brakes but the brake pedal wouldnt move it was hard and wouldnt move so my car kept accelerating bumping the car in f... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 16, 2021
My driver and passenger airbags deployed because my car all of the sudden lurched forward on it's own and I bumped the car in front of me and when it happened my car started accelerating and revving all on it's own into the car ahead and I was trying to make it stop by pushing the brakes but the brake pedal wouldnt move it was hard and wouldnt move so my car kept accelerating bumping the car in f... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving approximately 70-75 mph, he heard a rumbling sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stopped and inspected the vehicle and saw that the driveshaft had detached from the vehicle and was laying on the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the detached driveshaft caused a hole to deve... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving 5 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that the vehicle would not shift gears correctly. The contact stated that the ignition start malfunction warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2021
Started without any engine warning or oil warning. When drove on highway, "low oil pressure" message popped on dashboard, then engine started giving up. Then "drivetrain: cont driving possible" message showed up, engine completely died, couldn't start or shift gear. The car was towed to dealership for diagnosis and report came back with timing chain failure. But there's no conclusive result/fully-... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bags warning light was illuminated. There was an abnormal chiming sound detected. Additionally, the digital screen was obstructed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed the sensor mat needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2021
Vehicle has less than 50,000 miles and already having steering malfunction alerts. Steering randomly stops working and unable to turn vehicle.
Incident date: May 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328i. The contact stated that at start-up there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 101,947. This recalls affected vehicles are all F30 mod... Read more
BMW
K 1600 GTL
(2012) — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Jun 28, 2021
Incident date: Apr 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 BMW K-1600. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) 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 vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The ma... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 BMW R-1200 GS. The contact stated that the motorcycle failed to start-up. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 20V471000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was referred to the dealer however, there was no dealer within a 50-mile radius. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.
Incident date: Apr 28, 2021
During warm weather the steering will momentary stick while driving which requires additional force to overcome. This happens at all speeds but is more noticeable at highway speeds while trying to maintain vehicle in driving lane. There are numerous complaints of this on the NHTSA site. I have written to BMW North America about this safety problem and mentioned the multitude of similar complaint... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2020
Total engine failure while driving. No prior warning message. Car stopped dead in the middle of an intersection. Wheels would not turn to move the car. These cars have known defective time chain module, it is made of plastic and it breaks down causing engine failure. There is a class action lawsuit, see Gelis v. BMW North America. BMW sold 600,000 cars with this defect to Americans and has not do... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact stated while entering the vehicle she noticed that the passenger’s seat occupancy sensor light was illuminated however, there was no one occupying the seat. The contact stated that the warning light remained illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as a faulty memory SRS light a... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2021
The car started to leak gas from the tank.
Incident date: Jun 16, 2021
The car started to leak gas from the tank.
Incident date: May 27, 2019
May of 2019 my driver door airbag, driver side front to rear pillar airbag bursted open while driving 30mph on a flat smooth road. Took to BMW dealer and they informed me that there was a recall and they'd look into it. Days later picked up my car and they said they went off from aftermarket items on my car. Which is absurdly inaccurate. I'm an auto mechanic of 10 years and nothing I've done to my... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 11, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 BMW R 1200. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V060000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. A local dealer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that they were awaiting parts from t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 BMW R 1200. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V060000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. A local dealer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that they were awaiting parts from t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2021
1 of my headlights is currently displaying an adaptative headlamp malfunction warning error. I took my vehicle to the dealer and the resolution offered seemed more trial and error. The dealer offered to dry out my headlight assembly which was holding condensation but could not guarantee this will resolve the issue. If the dry out method did not work the only other option was to replace the entire ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X5. The contact stated while reversing out of their driveway and making a right turn, the display screen on the center console went red. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the pedal went all the way to the floor. The contact took their foot off the brake pedal and depress on the accelerator pedal, when the contact noticed the display screen showed the vehicle wen... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2021
2012 F10 had issues while running as car installed and stopped completely multiple times in traffic. Fuel supply sign came on. Diagnosed as low pressure fuel pump degraded and need replacement. Same recall took place for 2007-2011 5 series model as well via recall campaign No. 16v-746: In-Tank Fuel Pump. 2012 have same issue and very dangerous to drive on road when vehicle stalls and stops while... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2021
My cars check engine light and drive train alert came on, so I took it to be inspected. It was not running well, seems to have much less power than usual on the way to the mechanic. I have been told that the power chain guides have broken and must be replaced. This could cause the power chain to come off mid-drive and completely shut the car down.The cost of parts and labor for repair will be arou... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2021
My cars check engine light and drive train alert came on, so I took it to be inspected. It was not running well, seems to have much less power than usual on the way to the mechanic. I have been told that the power chain guides have broken and must be replaced. This could cause the power chain to come off mid-drive and completely shut the car down.The cost of parts and labor for repair will be arou... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2021
System displays warning to secure vehicle with parking brake because the car could roll while the transmission is in park.
Incident date: Jun 21, 2021
On my drive home I noticed a strong smell of dizel fuel.Stoped as soon as it was possible . Noticed a fuel was poring to the ground under my engine. Shut it down and call AAA. At the BMW dealership repair shop they found a broken fuel supply line that was rubbing against the vacuum pipe.My car was covered with fuel from engine to a trunk to everything under including muffler ,soaking wet weals and... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2021
On my drive home I noticed a strong smell of dizel fuel.Stoped as soon as it was possible . Noticed a fuel was poring to the ground under my engine. Shut it down and call AAA. At the BMW dealership repair shop they found a broken fuel supply line that was rubbing against the vacuum pipe.My car was covered with fuel from engine to a trunk to everything under including muffler ,soaking wet weals and... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel locked up not allowing the contact to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated the chassis stabilization warning light was illuminated on the control panel. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it has yet to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the fa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel locked up not allowing the contact to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated the chassis stabilization warning light was illuminated on the control panel. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it has yet to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the fa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2021
Front passenger seat occupancy mat (OC3) problem safety code. Supplemental Restraint System (SRS/AIR BAG SYSTEM) I contacted BMW OF NORTH AMERICA and they stated my 2010 BMW X5 is to old, one way to look at it. I requested assistance and BMW will not help out. I am the original owner and MY VEHICLE is garage kept. This air bag will not deploy and the passenger could be killed and or injured i... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2021
Front passenger seat occupancy mat (OC3) problem safety code. Supplemental Restraint System (SRS/AIR BAG SYSTEM) I contacted BMW OF NORTH AMERICA and they stated my 2010 BMW X5 is to old, one way to look at it. I requested assistance and BMW will not help out. I am the original owner and MY VEHICLE is garage kept. This air bag will not deploy and the passenger could be killed and or injured i... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2019
Two years ago, the driver side door would not open from the inside or outside of the car (pulling on both handles didn't open it) and attempting to unlock it by the dash unlock button didn't work. . The only way to exit the car was to crawl across the front of the car and exit out the passenger side. Was told that the problem was caused by a faulty door actuator. Fast forward to today and t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2021
It seems that the Bolts holding the Vanos unit intact have come loose or sheared and cause a loud high pitch squealing along with a higher volume in oil loss and this has also cause a seal of some sort or go bad and excess oil burning. Also, the car has a loud tick in the engine now. My vin number is not accepted u der the recall list but my cars make model and year for the credentials along with ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2015
SRS failure on the passenger front seat air bag. BMW has many safety issues with the Code OC3. Passenger seat occupancy mat failure, seat pad requires replacement at a cost of $2,000 BMW is aware and is tone deaf to this safety defect. BMW should care about people possible dying from the airbag failure to deploy.
Incident date: Jun 17, 2021
Tire warning system came on and found that front drivers side had no air in it, since it's a run flat tire I was able to drive slowly for just a few miles to home. After filling the tire with air I found that the sidewall was leaking excessively. No visible hole but a bulge in the outer layer causing air loss. No scuffs or any other other damage to tire or specifically sidewall. Mileage is 22,... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2021
Tire warning system came on and found that front drivers side had no air in it, since it's a run flat tire I was able to drive slowly for just a few miles to home. After filling the tire with air I found that the sidewall was leaking excessively. No visible hole but a bulge in the outer layer causing air loss. No scuffs or any other other damage to tire or specifically sidewall. Mileage is 22,... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2021
Tire warning system came on and found that front drivers side had no air in it, since it's a run flat tire I was able to drive slowly for just a few miles to home. After filling the tire with air I found that the sidewall was leaking excessively. No visible hole but a bulge in the outer layer causing air loss. No scuffs or any other other damage to tire or specifically sidewall. Mileage is 22,... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2019
Door operation mechanism breakage - inability to Unlock or to Egress/Ingress.
Incident date: Jun 8, 2021
While driving (car moving and in Drive) the rear hatch opened on the vehicle to about a mid-way position completely obscuring vision from rear view mirror. Fortunately I was able to pull to the side of the road and nothing fell out of the cargo area. Key fob was in my pocket - no buttons were pushed (on purpose or accidentally).
Incident date: Jun 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 BMW 230i. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and while attempting to open the driver’s side front door, there was a scraping sound from inside the door brackets. The local dealer was contacted to schedule an appointment which was still pending. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failu... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325i. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact stated the failure was like NHTSA campaign number: 17V676000 (Electrical System). The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Incident date: Aug 11, 2016
i purchased this car in 2014 and since then i keep bringing my car for repairs the dealer keep finding so many problems, every time i take it for service. this car has stalled on me few times, and i almost have an accident with my two grandbabies with me, supposedly the dealer fixed it but few months later it broke again with the same issues, they said it was still under the warranty and i didnt p... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2016
i purchased this car in 2014 and since then i keep bringing my car for repairs the dealer keep finding so many problems, every time i take it for service. this car has stalled on me few times, and i almost have an accident with my two grandbabies with me, supposedly the dealer fixed it but few months later it broke again with the same issues, they said it was still under the warranty and i didnt p... Read more