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: Sep 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the tailgate unintendedly opened. While taking boards in a trailer, the tow gate opened and struck the trailer. The contact stated that the tailgate continued to open unexpectedly. While parked and placing groceries in the rear, the tailgate opened. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was previously tak... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (POWER TRAIN); 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 failure. VIN tool confirms part ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2025
Braking Issue and ADAS Warning + Lack of Access Concerns I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the ongoing issues that are being seen with the NHTSA recall campaign numbers 24V865000 and 24V623000. Specifically, the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) in my vehicle, which has become increasingly distracting and, frankly, dangerous due to an incomplete or failed 2.2 Over-The-Air (... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2025
Me and my grandkids had a scary experience sitting in my 2023 Honda HRV in parking lot with the vehicle off. The back window exploded around the perimeter. The window started making a crackling sound then completely shattered. I have owned the vehicle for just about a year. I took the car to the dealership in regards to this issue and spoke with a manager who approved repairing the window and hav... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion Energi. The contact stated while attempting to drive out of the drive-thru, the gear shifter was stuck in park(P). The contact had experienced several failures. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift into drive. The contact stated that once the vehicle was parked the gear shifter remained stuck in park(P). The contact manually depressed the but... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2025
Subaru windshild in my 2019 Ascent have been replaced twice in 30,000 miles due to very inadequate glass. I'm struggling to get Subaru to acknowledge their responsibility to replace this current cracked windshield with a new part, as per my reading of a settlement that they should be following [XXX] ). They are currently trying to send me to a 3rd party repair business to do the repair, but sup... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2024
There has been no communication from bmw regarding the engine coolant pump recall besides the initial notice of the recall. I have not been able to drive my vehicle for almost 3 months because the engine coolant pump could leak onto electrical components and cause a fire. I have been unable to obtain a loaner vehicle during this time and this is affecting my livelihood.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2024
The vehicle had a complete loss of control of the power steering. Thankfully, it happened in the driveway and not on the highway. The message said Power Steering Assist Fault. Upon doing some research, I found that the NHTSA issued a recall in the past on some of the same vehicles in that model year (14V316000). We were hoping that this vehicle could added to that recall, due to the fact that it i... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2024
The vehicle shut off on the expressway causing a very dangerous situation. After several attempts it would not start again. I had to have the vehicle towed to the dealer and they advised me the engine has seized up. Most likely they told me the engine blew and will need replacing.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
Engine block failed allowing coolant into the cylinder heads. Vehicle stopped going to interstate into "limp mode" and daughter was stuck. Check engine light came on and said there was a misfire in cylinder 3.
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
Multiple times the vehicle slammed stopped for no reason nothing around to warrant a stop or anything no real warning before it automatically brakes
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
Lack of oil in the heads after sitting for a while results in dry valve train at start up and over time results in premature failure of hydraulic lifters not pumping up and rocker arms and cams being dry until oil reaching these parts.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
ABS module failed 2 years ago. No traction control, no cruise control, no stability management. This part has been on backorder for 2 years and affects many years. Issue started intermittently about 3 years ago while driving, now the vehicle is extremely unstable in wet conditions. Dealership has diagnosed and said to check back every few months for a solution. Additionally the plastic oil filter ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
I am $851 out of pocket for repairs to address NHTSA mandated recalls. Software updates have not fully addressed all issues, notably excessive and distracting repeating audible and visual driver alerts related to ADAS failures, especially when raining, dark, or driving into direct sunlight. Vehicle was subject to multiple recalls (software: 24V865000, 24V623000, 24V405000, 24V404000; hardware: 2... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2025
Dear NTSB Team, I am writing to formally report a serious safety incident involving my 2019 BMW 530E, which occurred last night on [XXX] in Danville, CA. My vehicle was parked in my friend’s private driveway, with the parking brake engaged and the gear selector set to Park. I was chatting with my friend who was in the passenger seat . My feet were on the floorboard, my seat belt was on and the... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Feb 8, 2025
Unannounced and unauthorized software update caused a motor control unit failure. My vehicle was unable to go into gear or drive after this unannounced update.
Incident date: Feb 8, 2025
Unannounced and unauthorized software update caused a motor control unit failure. My vehicle was unable to go into gear or drive after this unannounced update.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2025
The transmission has failed and was replaced, but the replacement engine has also been recalled and replaced with another recalled engine. Additionally, the tires and various electrical sensors continue to malfunction, the brake lights and sockets are persistently failing, and the front suspension along with wheel bearings require replacement. The car is unsafe to drive, vibrates excessively, and ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
All wheel drive disengages while driving. It has disengaged several times while driving up a steep hill in the rain resulting in loss of control of vehicle. First time car skidded into a ditch. Warning on dash said return vehicle to dealer. Vehicle has been returned 3 times. They blame the problem on a defect in the emission control system which turns off the AWD system when a leak in the vapor co... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the engine overheated. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The thermostat symbol was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that an unknown hose was cracked. The mechanic performed a compression test, and the top of the radiator was cracked. The vehicle was repaired, but th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
NO Recall work performed on my car. Received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V499000 & Recall TSB10032403. NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V623000 (Service Brakes, Electric) Fisker Inc has gone out of business. A mandatory recall has been issued and the bankruptcy court has assigned a trustee to ensure vehicles are updated to version 2.2 to address safety recall issues. The update to 2.2 has b... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
NO Recall work performed on my car. Received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V499000 & Recall TSB10032403. NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V623000 (Service Brakes, Electric) Fisker Inc has gone out of business. A mandatory recall has been issued and the bankruptcy court has assigned a trustee to ensure vehicles are updated to version 2.2 to address safety recall issues. The update to 2.2 has b... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that back over prevention camera failed to operate as needed with a black image displayed on the screen. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
The door lock actuator for the front driver door failed twice. The first time it failed, the car would not unlock from the outside. All other doors would unlock. I had my kids in the back of the car and I was trying to get inside the car to drive and it wouldn't open. I had to pry off the cap covering the keyhole on the door with a screwdriver and then insert the blade key and manually turn the a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
On a normal trip to work the dash light lit up then gave me these warnings. Service ESC, Service Trailer brake, Brake system Failure-62 mph top speed, steering assist reduced. Dashboard lights that were on, ABS Check Engine, Brake, Traction Control. When I tried to slow down the power assist was gone on the brakes, I had a little braking when I pushed the pedal all the way to the floor as hard as ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
On a normal trip to work the dash light lit up then gave me these warnings. Service ESC, Service Trailer brake, Brake system Failure-62 mph top speed, steering assist reduced. Dashboard lights that were on, ABS Check Engine, Brake, Traction Control. When I tried to slow down the power assist was gone on the brakes, I had a little braking when I pushed the pedal all the way to the floor as hard as ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2025
Fisker entered Chapter 7Bankrupty. As part of the court order certain recall work was to be completed and funding was given to do this to a company. I have to date only received partial software updates and not the full requirement of the recall to Software 2.2 that was ordered by the court. I also had to pay out of pocket for a technician to replace by 12V battery because of software issues aft... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V840000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that during a State Inspection, it was noticed that the steering knuckle was cracked. The contact stated that a local dealer and Land Rover Brooklyn (809 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224)... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
The vehicle has a fault in the ABS system that is causing the ABS light to stay on, as well as the traction control light and the Brake light. This means the brakes will lock up, causing the vehicle to slide, the vehicle has no assisted traction control, and the cruise control will not engage. In a vehicle like this (a pick-up truck) the back end is notoriously light and will easily loose traction... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2025
I was driving with Travel Assis on, the car steered left into the center divider then swerved right into other lanes… I was unable to regain control of steering wheel or break to deactivate travel assist for about 10 seconds, the steering wheel felt stuck in the direction that Travel Assist was steering to.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 20, 2025
while i was driving the truck lost power and i could not turn on my 4 way flashers when i was on the side of the road. when i called ford and asked if i would replace the battery if i would get compensation they told me no even though there is a recall
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving the vehicle with her boyfriend seated in the passenger’s seat, while approaching a stop sign at 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was stopped safely on the side of the road, and then the vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The c... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
The power tail gate stopped working on 1/28/2025. After diagnosis the power tail gate and it's controls on passenger side rear control panel it is observed that there is water on the controls module. Part 74970-THR-A12Control Module for tailgate has been taken out and found that the water coming though it's sockets. The $200 new control module will temporarily fix the issue but the defective re... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2024
Vehicle stalls when started, after vehicle is up to temp the rpm’s fluctuate and vehicle misfires. I was driving down the road when all of a sudden the car went into limp mode I couldn’t do anything and me and my son almost got run off the road but after a few minutes of pressing the gas pedal it finally started to move. Dealership is unable to fix problem because they can’t even figure out ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
NHTSA recall campaign numbers for the software recalls are 24V865000 and 24V623000, or others can be found in this link for 2023 Fisker Oceans [XXX] . I had to pay out of pocket for the water pump recall work (receipts provided in file upload). Also, all the software updates to address software recalls have not been done and i've been waiting. I've been getting constant safety alerts ranging fr... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V499000 Water pump replacement resulted in an out of pocket cost of $420 by an authorized shop NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V865000 OTA updates didn’t complete successfully, and rendered a few modules to stop working. NFC reader to open door stopped working and needs to be reinstalled. Vehicle lost exterior sound at low speed to warn pedestrians.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
Hello, we recently had an oil change on our 3.6 liter chrysler minivan. The engine seized and failed shortly after. The oil cap on oil filter housing had a part come off and plug the oil channel, resulting in engine failure. The car is currently at a Chrysler dealer with noone accepting responsibility.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
My vehicle is under the Manufacturer Recall # CB4 (NHTSA Recall #24V-896) On January 1, 2025, while driving on a rural road, all the warning lights for the ABS and Traction Control systems lit up and I lost all braking power. I pushed the brake pedal to the floor, no brakes. I veered off into a field to stop the vehicle. Turned the vehicle off and back on. Still no brakes. I started to drive the v... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Exhaust filter overloaded, drive to clean", after which the vehicle entered LIMP Mode, and was unable to accelerate above 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). The vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Exhaust filter overloaded, drive to clean", after which the vehicle entered LIMP Mode, and was unable to accelerate above 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). The vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2025
Eye warning keeps coming on. Then resets a few days later.
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the parking brake lever was engaged but failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to stop and continued rolling forward. The contact stated that the vehicle came to a stop once the gear shifter was shifted into park(P). The contact stated that after the first failure, the vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
I parked my truck which had been having no problems and went to get back in it the next day and the steering wheel light came on in the dash and the steering wheel was locked up. Spoke with a dodge dealership and they said they was aware of the problems unfortunately there was no recall on this and my only option is to buy a whole new steering rack which is not cheap. Truck is available for inspec... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
On [XXX] , my wife heard a rattling noise while driving. I verified the rattling noise on [XXX]. On [XXX], I researched online and there are a lot of 2020 Telluride owners that experienced the same issue. They mentioned they had no oil in their cars. I checked the oil that morning and confirmed my wife's car had no oil. I reviewed the manual and checked the oil again according to the instruct... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
On several occasions (10+) the windshield wiper would not activate when turning the dial on the stalk. On all but one occasion, the stalk worked on the next drive. That one occasion, the stalk worked on the following drive. There are no lights or warnings, the wipers just fail to work. This is more problematic
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
Both front and rear axles are faulty. The make clunking noises when you make a 90 degree turn. The dealership says the car is safe but this is a bad experience.
Incident date: Jan 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the RPM elevated to a high level while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure persisted while depressing the accelerator pedal without a warning light being illuminated. The contact used a code reader to diagnose the vehicle; however, no fault codes were ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-350. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the diesel particulate filter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Customer Satisfaction Program: 20M06 as the possible cause for the failure. The manu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2025
3 weeks ago, the warning light of the front airbag turned on. The airbag system has a malfunction and is available for inspection I did research and found a Safety Recall on my car (VW Atlas SUV FWD 2021) with the Code: 69PZ I have not received any notice from my car dealer or manufacturer I am worried that the faulty airbag system could deploy in the middle of a drive or not deploy in case of... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2025
3 weeks ago, the warning light of the front airbag turned on. The airbag system has a malfunction and is available for inspection I did research and found a Safety Recall on my car (VW Atlas SUV FWD 2021) with the Code: 69PZ I have not received any notice from my car dealer or manufacturer I am worried that the faulty airbag system could deploy in the middle of a drive or not deploy in case of... Read more