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: Aug 1, 2024
Car only has 16,000 miles on it. Started smelling antifreeze when the car was started. Took to dealer- faulty, failing head gasket. Bad since manufactured. Also, brakes had sounded loud since purchased. Told this was just the type of brakes. Upon inspection of the vehicle for the head gasket it was noted that the rear brake pads need replaced!! Again, this car only has 16,000 miles on it. ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
Car only has 16,000 miles on it. Started smelling antifreeze when the car was started. Took to dealer- faulty, failing head gasket. Bad since manufactured. Also, brakes had sounded loud since purchased. Told this was just the type of brakes. Upon inspection of the vehicle for the head gasket it was noted that the rear brake pads need replaced!! Again, this car only has 16,000 miles on it. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that the failure caused the vehicle to crash into a n... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
Complete engine failure at about 175000 miles, also transmission failure at about 125000 miles
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
Part # 68623194AB alternator generator has failed twice and now the truck has been at the dealership for 1 month with no parts available. Truck bought new Oct 2021. Parts failed at 78,000 miles (09/24) and again at 95,0000 (04/25). I paid the $4000 bill on the 1st failure. Now I'm told 2nd repair is warrantied after they replaced the starter and in addition to need the alt/gen. My safety was at ri... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
My vehicle has stranded me twice due to the same issue—error code P1326, which I am regrettably too familiar with. It is apparently associated with the Knock Sensor Detection System and the possibility of defective piston oil rings
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
I just purchased this 2013 Escape with roughly 133,000 miles on it. The Car Fax showed the open recalls (latches and bushing) but that was it. Had the recalls done. Car immediately had issues with actuator and heater core. I tried to return the car and local dealer refused. Had heater core replaced for second time, after engine overheated due to coolant leak. Fuel sensor also had to be replaced ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
Driving approx 60mph on expressway and engine stuttered for 3-4 seconds, check engine light came on and vehicle completely shut down. Wouldn't restart. Family with kids had to cross 4 lanes of traffic to make it to the shoulder of an on-ramp. Towed to dealership and they stated the motor seized and needs a complete replacement. Vehicle has 72,000 miles on it, always stored in a temperature co... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2025
1 The CVT Transmission Failed, It is available, but it has to be towed. 2 While we drove down the expressway the transmission began to slip and skip gears in mid traffic at about 60 mph and at one point it stops pulling and I pull off the road and stopped but then it would not engage in gear (Pull off). 3 When... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2025
Transmission shifting erratically between gears, sometimes shifts hard enough to jerk the truck. I have searched Ford owner databases and this is a common problem with the 10R80 transmissions
Incident date: Feb 14, 2025
Traveling home from Arkansas towing our RV. No difficulties noted pulled RV.Traveled only DOT roads never boondocking in which case not been taken off road. When pulling out of a Bucees in Pigeon Forge our rear driver side wheels went over a scooped curb. Did not feel it but my husband the driver saw it in the rear view mirror. Stop in Branson MO noted the driver side rear slide did not go out all... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2025
At 14000 miles my 2022 Camaro main rod bearings sized up, ruining the engine. This is the same exact 6.2 engine that is in the recalled GM trucks so I’m not sure why it is limited to just the trucks and not the Camaros as well. I was denied warranty coverage because of an intake and engine ECU calibration not performed by the dealership. I changed oil and filters regularly and the ECU calibratio... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
The manufacturer sent a third party to fix an airbag recall. Before the third-party technician touched my truck for the recall, both my horn and cigarette lighter worked. Now, after their repair, neither works. Therefore, something they did caused an electrical fault. I advised whoever sent the technician and they said they would send the guy back. No one will answer my calls and no one has fixed ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
The manufacturer sent a third party to fix an airbag recall. Before the third-party technician touched my truck for the recall, both my horn and cigarette lighter worked. Now, after their repair, neither works. Therefore, something they did caused an electrical fault. I advised whoever sent the technician and they said they would send the guy back. No one will answer my calls and no one has fixed ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
There was a recall back in October 2024 and there still is no remedy as of yet and it can cause a fire risk.
Incident date: Apr 26, 2025
Hard time stopping and controlling the vechile
Incident date: Apr 26, 2025
I am waitning for A pilar under recall over year and Ford never had that part available I check with the dealer on monthly bases they said the part never came.
Incident date: Apr 26, 2025
While driving, the vehicle experiences intermittent braking failures, electrical glitches, and/or sudden loss of power. These issues match known problems reported on similar 2023 BMW i4 models. My VIN does not show an active recall, but I am experiencing dangerous symptoms. I am concerned for my safety and others. I respectfully request an investigation.”
Incident date: Apr 26, 2025
The transmission out of no where started to hard shift from 2nd to 3rd gear then making noises. Spoke with a mechanic who specializes in transmission he had 2 other tahoes same year same problem that are in front of mine to work on.
Incident date: Apr 26, 2025
Getting a misfire code P0302 due to a coolant leak. I know it's a coolant leak due low coolant in reservoir. The check engine light comes on and off intermittently and the exhaust blows white smoke at start up.
Incident date: Apr 26, 2025
Electrical system stalling stopping the car it won’t move breaking system
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
When I turned my ignition key, it would not turn on the car no power
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
I was driving back from getting breakfast and the truck started to smoke and the truck just shut off on the street. As soon as the truck shut off, I received an alert on the dash that told me not to exceed a certain speed, but the truck was not moving at the time. I tried to restart the truck and I received another alert that said to put the truck in neutral and I ended up having to push the truck... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2025
The transmission (randomly) fails to upshift. 1st to 2nd gear. Cold or hot. Start or in morion. Transmission was last serviced at 120,000 miles.
Incident date: Sep 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and at various speeds, several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster. Additionally, the contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was hesitated before responding as needed. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and at various speeds, several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster. Additionally, the contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was hesitated before responding as needed. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that after having an oil change, the engine started to misfire. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 15 MPH and failed to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that a multi-air actuator replacement was needed. The ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The veh... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
Every morning when I go to leave in my 2022 Ford Explorer when it's cold or not. I go to start the vehicle and it automatically says that their is a malfunction in the brake system that it requires service right away. That advance track and a whole bunch of safety systems had failed. The instrument cluster is lit up like a Christmas tree. Then when you do put the Explorer into reverse, your foot a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The contact stated that the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the alternator and battery were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The contact stated that the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the alternator and battery were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stopped at a traffic light, and the engine unexpectedly shut off while the brake pedal was depressed. The transmission inadvertently shifted to neutral(N). The message to "Push Start to Start Engine" was displayed. The contact's husband pressed the Auto Start/Stop but... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
Roughly one to two times per day, a notification pops up on the infotainment screen stating that the brakes need to be serviced due to the brake assist system failing. The vehicle has been brought to 3 different dealerships and none of them know what the problem is, how to fix it, or whether it is safe to drive the vehicle still. The brakes seem to be working fine, however, it is concerning that e... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
Roughly one to two times per day, a notification pops up on the infotainment screen stating that the brakes need to be serviced due to the brake assist system failing. The vehicle has been brought to 3 different dealerships and none of them know what the problem is, how to fix it, or whether it is safe to drive the vehicle still. The brakes seem to be working fine, however, it is concerning that e... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
P 235 / 55 R 20 This tire has developed a sidewall bulge. It has always been properly inflated. I currently have the tire but the manufacturer has requested that I send it to them.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
P 235 / 55 R 20 This tire has developed a sidewall bulge. It has always been properly inflated. I currently have the tire but the manufacturer has requested that I send it to them.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failur... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2025
Would drive my car and the check engine light would come on and the car would basically lose power and could barely move it to safety!!! Called and wouldn’t be able to get in for a couple months. Happened again, got to the side of a road. Meantime, get the recall on the piston oil rings; determined the engine lights are related to this recall. Car into the Dealership and it failed inspection... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
Wife was driving 2024 Mazda CX-30 with (bought demo from dealer in February with 2500 miles on it and now 4006 miles) daughter ([XXX]) in passenger seat. Airbag deployed with no warning or malfunction lights or alerts prior. Knocked my daughter across the vehicle, startled and traumatized both of them. They were able to safely pull into a shopping center parking lot. Got vehicle towed to the deale... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
2015 ram 1500 truck the abs module failed , the truck will put itself in park and it has to be towed to a safe place, the truck has been taken to a dealer and they have no parts to fix it with, the warning lights did come on but by that time the truck was not drivable , it has been almost 6 months and the parts number 68228991ad is under engineer review and they are not making the part . there are... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
When accelerating to enter the highway the car loses forward momentum and emits a loud grinding sound from the console area from the transmission
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
The only way I could explain it was as if my brakes were failing. After joining the bmw i4 group on Facebook and having my kids record while driving. I was able to capture the issue. The vehicle drive train will malfunction causing the vehicle to move while not in motion when at a stop light. The vehicle will accelerate on its on. It has recently power off on me while driving and restart back up. ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2025
I have a Chevy Traverse. When I shift into park. There is a display that reads " shift to park" It takes a while for that to disappear. It seems like it is getting worst. How can that be fixed?
Incident date: Jan 16, 2025
Vehicle wouldn’t accelerate on the freeway and then shuttered and would not shift in the transmission. Was told by a repair man that the transfer clutch failed and the transmission is failed.
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
The engine coil packs and spark plus were faulty. After we paid the dealership 700 to fix WHICH WAS NEVER FIXED then we fixed on our own paid a family friend to look at and fixed and then to another dealer to fix NEVER WERE fixed which cause faulty engine and engine collapsed. When told the dealer ship the problem they told us they couldn’t look at it until 2 weeks from that day and then we had ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Jayco Jay Flight. The contact stated that while utilizing the RV for recreational purposes, the contact became aware that the propane stove, furnace, and water heater were no longer functioning. No warning lights were illuminated. The RV was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the propane regulator. The contact was also made aware that the refrige... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, and the contact discovered an unknown liquid leaking underneath of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System); however, the par... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2025
My backup camera works when it wants to mostly not at all. It just flickers when I put the car in reverse. I really need it because of the blind spots. Also since the fuel issue was recalled and fixed my car smells like it's not burning the gas properly. In other words I can smell fumes.
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
Engine has 85000 miles on it and has never missed an oil change or service. Car has never overheated, but a check engine light has come on for a misfire in cylinder 6. Dealership indicates there is a blown head gasket and pitting on the engine. This car is too new to have such significant engine problems and it looks like it is a very common occurrence.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
I was driving and I heard a huge explosion so I pulled over and found that the panoramic sunroof had exploded.