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: May 6, 2022
The following systems are not functioning or malfunctioning Forward Collision Warning with light braking function Pedestrian Warning with City Collision Mitigation Active Blind Spot Detection Rear-end collision preparation Parking collision warning
Incident date: Mar 31, 2025
On July 1st 2025, while slowly reversing out of my driveway at approximately 3–4 mph, the vehicle’s collision detection system errantly detected an imminent collision. Despite there being no obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, or objects in the vehicle’s path, the system abruptly engaged the automatic emergency braking (AEB). This sudden and forceful braking caused me to experience whiplash du... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 31, 2025
The contact's partner owns a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while his partner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver noticed smoke coming from the rear driver's side sliding door interior and a strong burning electrical wiring odor. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The contact met the driver and noticed that there was a significant... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2025
Driving home on a two lane road that is joined by a side road at a 45degree angle. A woman ran the stop sign and suddenly appeared on my road right in front about 40-50 feet away. The BMW did not show any visual or audible warning and the forward collision mitigation system functioned in a substandard way not mitigating the crash into the woman’s drivers door. Damages amounted to 25.8k to my v... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 31, 2025
Started normally, but had a message on the screen saying “Check Fuel Cap.” I needed gas anyways, drove about 3 minutes to the gas station, turned engine off, put gas. Turned engine back on and within 3 seconds it shut off. The screen displayed “engine stopped- Power steering low.” I tried a handful of times to start, it did not. After 20 minutes and some rest, it started. With no more mess... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2025
Started normally, but had a message on the screen saying “Check Fuel Cap.” I needed gas anyways, drove about 3 minutes to the gas station, turned engine off, put gas. Turned engine back on and within 3 seconds it shut off. The screen displayed “engine stopped- Power steering low.” I tried a handful of times to start, it did not. After 20 minutes and some rest, it started. With no more mess... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Jun 9, 2025
My vehicle’s backup camera does not work about 98% of the time and a black screen will show up with a message saying it is not working. Once in a great while it will actually work.
Incident date: Jun 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler 300C. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) and 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were 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 issu... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2025
Bought my truck with 29,000 miles on it. Was making a noise in rear tire. Took it in and it was the break calilper. Dealership wanted $1500 to replace it a week after I bought it. Stated that it was not covered. After a week of arguing, they did not charge me for it. Around 40,000 miles, every once in a while, it would feel like I was being rear ended when I came to a stop. It was not often, bu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2025
As I am driving, the truck shutters off and on and its shifts hard when shifting gears. I drive long distances daily and if the transmission fails, this could cause an accident that could put the safety of my children’s lives, or mine, at risk. It has not yet been inspected, but I spoke with several transmission specialists and have been told this is a very common issue among 2021, and other ye... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
The rear turn signal on the 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee is very small. Following vehicles seem to have difficulty in seeing a signaled turn. This condition is exacerbated when driving into the sun. On several occasions, when attempting a left-hand turn and stopped for oncoming traffic, following vehicles have had to brake hard to avoid a rear end collision. This puts the occupants of both vehicles a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
The vehicle is a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid SUV. While driving in heavy traffic on a 45 mph road, the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion, with the dash lighting up with a large "Service Hybrid System" warning. After several seconds of no response, with traffic trying to work its way around my stalled SUV, the vehicle began to move again, albeit very slowly, just enough to limp it to a si... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The component that failed is the engine cooling system, specifically due to a known issue with coolant intrusion into the short block. This failure led to significant engine damage in my son’s 2018 Ford Escape. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
BMW has issued an update to their software. There is a setting on the car where you press auto H and if you press the break, it will stop as if it’s parked now. This software update has a bug and nkw this feature turns off even though you have it set, so you think you’re parking and you press the brake and lift your foot which should put it into park and the car keeps moving and you hit other ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
Vehicle experienced water intrusion through sunroof drainage system during rainfall, causing saturation of interior components and electrical malfunctions. Water accumulated in cup holders, dashboard areas, and saturated headliner materials. Following water exposure, vehicle developed multiple safety-critical electrical failures including: false forward collision avoidance system activation causin... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2025
E torque alternator generator failure, loss of power while driving to all vehicle electrical systems. Part is on national backorder. Reading forums this has been an issue with ram on failure and backorder issues for over a year.
Incident date: Feb 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); 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 contact stated that water was entering the cabin of the vehicle through the A-pillar and B-pillar trims, sunro... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
During a recent visit on 6/6/2025 to the Ford dealership in Torrance for an oil change, I've informed the service staff of my concern for the diminishing coolant levels. Upon completion of the oil change, they've informed they did not find any issues with the coolant and did not find any signs of leaking. Today is June 30, 2025 and I've come to a local mechanic for a different concern of vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
The MMI randomly shuts down repeatedly while driving. It will shut down and reset while driving every 5 minutes or so regardless of what is connected to the system. It happens when my phone is connected via bluetooth, via android auto, or if no phone at all is connected to the system. Its very very frustrating.
Incident date: Jun 29, 2025
Our battery died in April 2025. We've had this car since October 2021 with only 8 miles on it. We've replaced: The PCV valve The PCV valve tube The MAF sensor The sparks plugs 3 times which was $90 each time Replaced our battery 2 times since April 2025 3 oil changes And finally replacing our entire fuel injector system with the hard fuel line. And replacing the battery the first time is what ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2025
I recently received an OTA update for my 2021 Polestar 2. The update was supposed to fix a known rear view camera issue which presents as an error message on the infotainment screen, instead of the rear camera view. I am still experiencing the error message when putting the car into reverse.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2025
Since the door handle recall. The door handles on the front driver and passenger side have dead spots which make it harder and annoying to open the door. Volkswagens has even admitted to these dead spots .
Incident date: Jun 29, 2025
While driving on highway I get a message on my dashboard "High Engine Temperature/Engine Output may be limited" warning message. I pullover and see that the cooland is low. I wait for thee car to cool down and fill with coolant. After 5 minutes of driving, get the same message on dash. I had car towed to Martin Mazda in Delaware. Diagnosis is that I need a new EGR valve and new engine $13,000. How... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2025
I own a 2018 Honda Civic that is subject to an open fuel pump recall. My vehicle suddenly became completely inoperable. When attempting to start the car, all of the dashboard lights come on, but the engine will not start or crank. The vehicle has power but will not turn over at all. This failure happened without any prior warning. I contacted Nalley Honda in Union City, GA, and they confirmed tha... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2025
I own a 2018 Honda Civic that is subject to an open fuel pump recall. My vehicle suddenly became completely inoperable. When attempting to start the car, all of the dashboard lights come on, but the engine will not start or crank. The vehicle has power but will not turn over at all. This failure happened without any prior warning. I contacted Nalley Honda in Union City, GA, and they confirmed tha... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2025
Multiple issues with the software. 1. Since yesterday, [XXX] car failed to start with the message "software upgrade failed". Sitting like a brick now - engine doesn't start and can't get the car off parking mode. 2, Last week, the remote functions of the software as well as emergency call system stopped working. Called the local dealer BMW of North Canton on June 25, Ohio to check and fix and the... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2025
While driving uphill in my 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, I experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of power, accompanied by a flashing check engine light, ticking noise, and loss of oil pressure. The engine began to shake violently and I nearly rolled backward into another vehicle before I was able to shut it off. After restarting the truck, it began jerking and misfiring, making it completely un... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2025
Owned car for only a week with 470 miles on odometer. At appromately 10am CST on June 26 while on an exit ramp the tire sidewall failed catastrophically causing extraneous damage to fender well liner and molding. Car was stopped immediately as emergency services police and towbtruck were called. Weather was clear and there was np obstructions on the road. There was also no indication of low tire p... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while attempting to start vehicle, there was an abnormal rumbling sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. A local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
Truck was in "Park" idling for 20 minutes when it went from Park to "Reverse" on its own. A person sitting in a dump truck saw the backup lights on my truck come on and the truck started backing towards his truck. My truck hit his truck causing damage to my left rear bumper.
Crash
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
The CUE touchscreen display has cracked for the second time in seven years without any physical impact. This appears to be a widespread defect in Cadillac SRX models. The screen becomes unresponsive and is a major distraction while driving, impacting safety, navigation, climate control, and backup camera visibility. Cadillac previously replaced it under warranty, but it has failed again. GM has no... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
On 6/26/2025, I was on an elevated one lane exit ramp of a major freeway. My 2022 Tahoe suddenly lost complete power with no warning at all. The car behind me slammed on his brakes and narrowly missed me as I could do nothing except get as close to the concrete barrier as possible. Thankfully the Tahoe went into Neutral so I managed to roll down the ramp. I prayed that I could get across 3 lanes ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
Securty system, I have had my car broken into multiple times had the fobs replaced and the car keeps getting broken into. I bought a fob cover as well. I have taken it to multiple dealers regarding issue just have me do a fob reset. For over a year this has been happening even filed a claim with Attorney Generals office. Contacted Honda as well they offered nothing and did nothing.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
The car has over 18000 miles, in March 2025 we noticed a rattle at the right front area while going over rough roads. we took the car to the (Dealer Cerritos Jeep) and were told that the right front strut was (Broken ?) and it was under warrantee. Then was told the strut was out of production and it would be May 30 before they could get the replacement, May 30 was told that the all the parts did n... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2024
The brakes on my Airstream travel trailer have malfunctioned. The brakes started to “grab”, and the only way I could stop the grabbing was to reduce the gain on the brake controller from 5 – 5 ½ to 3 – 3 ½. At one time in a parking lot the trailer brakes brought my entire rig to a halt after I had gently applied the brakes and then released them. I am concerned that this issue is a sa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2024
The brakes on my Airstream travel trailer have malfunctioned. The brakes started to “grab”, and the only way I could stop the grabbing was to reduce the gain on the brake controller from 5 – 5 ½ to 3 – 3 ½. At one time in a parking lot the trailer brakes brought my entire rig to a halt after I had gently applied the brakes and then released them. I am concerned that this issue is a sa... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2025
Sync to my phone works off and on. The radio stays on even when the vehicle is shut off, and media button stopped working.
Incident date: May 15, 2025
Cant fast charge the Vehicle, remedy has not been issued yet. Remedy keeps getting pushed back. latest remedy went from March 2025-October 2025.
Incident date: May 15, 2025
Presently this vehicle has 57,000 miles on it. It began having issues with a drivetrain malfunction warning back in 2021. Reported on complaint # 11427753. To date I have had to have fuel injectors replaced, a catalytic converter, the transfer case, two high pressure fuel pumps and an O2 sensor to resolve issues. Approximately $15,000.00 in repairs over the last 20k miles. This particular engine i... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2025
The vehicle stop in middle of the road. And can't start without starter. Noises coming out from the car. I went to caddilac dealer they just give me power to battery and saying everything ok. And happened a lot
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
Ram issued a TSB 23-098-23 REV. A for the rear window leaking. Water has soaked the inside around the air bags all down the rear seats and floor. I’m concerned the issue could have damaged my air bags and the electrical in the vehicle. Vehicle rear window has been replaced in 2023. Still leaking water in around the rear airbags.
Incident date: Jun 19, 2025
The car was unable to charge using level 3 DC fast chargers, necessitating the use of a level 2 charger for an extended length of time in order to be able to return home. A Hyundai dealer replaced the charging inlet lock actuator (invoice attached).
Incident date: Jun 19, 2025
While merging into highway traffic the truck surged with RPM going to 5,000. Shortly after this event there was a grinding or rattling noise in the transmission bell housing along with unusual shifting behavior and a repeatble vibration + rotational noise between 50 and 60 MPH. The vehicle was brought to the dealer for inspection at least 4 times with claims they could not hear the obvious noise... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
As I was driving on the freeway at approximately 65MPH, the steering, suddenly and unexpectedly, became extremely hard. It was so hard I had to use a lot of arm power to steer it to the shoulder of the freeway. The incident scared me to death, as it has never happened to me before in any vehicle. I loaned my truck to my twin brother and it happened to him too. He actually almost crashed. According... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a distorted image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. In addition, the screen occasionally turned off, compromising the back over prevention system. No warning ligh... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
I received a recall notice from BMW in October 2024 for Recall 24V-608 involving a water pump electrical connector defect in my vehicle. According to the notice, this defect may cause liquid to drip onto the water pump’s electrical connector, potentially leading to a short circuit and, in rare cases, a fire. As of June 2025, nearly eight months later, there is still no remedy available. I have ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for an oil change. The contact stated that approximately 5 weeks after returning the oil change, while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle and steering wheel started shaking abnormally and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the traction control, check engine, and stabili-trak... Read more