Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 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 2,245,377 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 41,082 complaints for BMW
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
Component Turbocharger, power train Safety vehicle would not restart so was stranded on highway Unknown if others have had similar issues Components have not been examined at this time but are available Warnings, 1st check engine, 2nd power reduced, 3rd engine was dead Going uphill on the interstate, the check engine light came on. I then observed the turbo boost climbing to 30 PSI, dark smoke ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
Component Turbocharger, power train Safety vehicle would not restart so was stranded on highway Unknown if others have had similar issues Components have not been examined at this time but are available Warnings, 1st check engine, 2nd power reduced, 3rd engine was dead Going uphill on the interstate, the check engine light came on. I then observed the turbo boost climbing to 30 PSI, dark smoke ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
While driving down a curving mountain highway above 70 mph, the gauge cluster displayed “shift to park” or “shift to drive” I don’t recall exactly. The transmission then downshifted dramatically, perhaps into 3rd gear, then the motor shut off.Thankfully, I successfully merged through heavy traffic to the narrow shoulder but the truck would not restart. After over 30 minutes of attempt... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2025
Engine is losing coolant. 2018 Ford Escape with 64000 miles on it. Was recalled by Ford, however our VIN was not included. This is not right, some people are getting help getting it fixed and we cannot. Coolant intrusion.
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
Sometimes seatbelts come unbuckled in the front and back seats. Currently front passenger seat will not buckle has happened several times. Seems to not always latch all the way. Have had a seatbelt, unbuckled while driving a few different times. Huge safety issue.
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
In January 2025, we had issues with the transmission not shifting smoothly while out of town. While driving on the freeway at around 65MPH, in traffic, the transmission suddenly downshifted from 10th to either 3rd or 4th gear immediately slowing the vehicle. We almost got rear ended and tried to get over to the shoulder. By the time we could get over, which took about a minute, the transmission re... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
I leased this vehicle approximately three weeks ago, yesterday as I was adjusting the dashboard lighting, the service high voltage battery warning came on. Now the vehicle wont take a charge, the vehicle has changed the charge setting to 40%, and I cannot increase it. I 've reserved an appointment for 4/11/2025 for the vehicle to be serviced, and was told that I wont be given a loaner vehicle. Thi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. 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 expe... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that upon reaching his destination and shifting the vehicle into park, the vehicle failed to recognize that the gear shift lever had been moved to park (P). The contact stated that the "Please Shift to Park" message was displayed and the doors were unable to be locked. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); 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: Aug 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (POWER TRAIN); 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 dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
TRANSMISSION CHATTER AND SLIPPING. I WAS NOT ABLE TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. ATTEMPTED TO CALL GM FOR ASSISTANCE AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME FOR DIAGNOSIS AND COULD NOT ASURE ME OF ANY ASSISTANCE AND SINCE I HAD A DIFFERENT ISSUE WITH MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DUE TO FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND I WAS CHARGED AND DID NOT GET MY MONEY BACK, I WENT A... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2025
The contact owned a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while attempting to enter the garage from a stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed and it traveled to the floorboard, causing the vehicle to violently accelerate 7 feet and crash into the garage. The vehicle crashed into the garage, through a wall, garden box, fence, and a mud ground where the vehicle came to a stop. No warning... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 9, 2025
Engine seized up while traveling on the interstate at about 80 mph in traffic and rainy weather. Vehicle was able to coast to the side of the roadway. No warnings or lights. Gauges were normal. It just shut off out of nowhere. Vehicle never got past 20% warning for oil changes and proper oil was always used.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The windshield wipers stop working after 1 wipe
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning issue regarding the instrument panel of the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento. My car - 2017 Kia Sorento. In approx. 2021, I noticed a small 2 cm crack resembling a razor blade cut on my instrument panel (Part Number: 84710-C5000WK, also 84710-C6000WK and 84710-C6001WK). At the time, I did not find this defect alarming as it was minor and located far from... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2024
Rear suspension cradle attachment points at the frame corrode. This is common on all pilots in northern climates. Honda has recalled both the Ridgeline and CRV models for corrosion issues related to suspension attachment point corrosion but refuses to recall the pilot. While they claim you will not lose control when the suspension disconnects from the frame the vehicle cannot pass inspectio... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2024
Driving on [XXX] ) at highway speed in traffic when the engine started making a sudden rattling noise, shaking, and had immediate power loss. Within seconds the engine light started blinking, the oil light illuminated and the information light came on. I was forced to pull over and shut the vehicle off. We were forced to stand on the side of [XXX] on a Friday evening while we waited for a tow truc... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2025
Hello. I am following up with the previous safety report I submitted for my vehicle. I just received an updated repair estimate citing the parts that will need replaced (pdf attached). I also confirmed with the service advisor that the functionality of the safety restraint system may be impacted by this issue, however, Tesla still wants to charge drivers $1,300 for this repair.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while shifting from reverse(R) to drive(D) or from park(P) to drive(D), the vehicle jerked before shifting into the intended drive mode. While driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was shaking abnormally while accelerating. The check engine warning light had illuminated intermittently. The wrench symbol was displayed on the instr... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle turned off on several occasions, the message "Parking Brake Fault" was displayed. The contact stated that each time the vehicle was started, the message was no longer displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that on another occasion, the windshield wipers stopped midway and kicked back. The vehicle was not diagnosed o... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle turned off on several occasions, the message "Parking Brake Fault" was displayed. The contact stated that each time the vehicle was started, the message was no longer displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that on another occasion, the windshield wipers stopped midway and kicked back. The vehicle was not diagnosed o... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
Passenger side front airbag reports as inoperable.
Incident date: Feb 13, 2025
On [XXX] brought Maverick 24 2.0L gas AWD on Electronic Control Unit ( ECU) to Ford Dealer#3 PJ Ford. Was advised Hybrid trucks have ECU on inside bulkhead rear cab wall behind flip down seat. However on later 2.0 L options gas are mounted behind driver side front bumper near and behind front driver side plastic/ fabric wheel well parallel to shot axel ( CVJ) approximately 12 high from ground. Up... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2025
Audi Pre-Sense failure warning came on. I took it to Audi Fairfield CT and it was diagnosed as having a bad camera/sensor in the windshield. This could have resulted in a collision. the repair would have cost almost $3000. I bought a used one and went to an independent shop for calibration.
Incident date: Apr 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed the interior of the vehicle was full of smoke. The vehicle was unoccupied. The contact stated no visible fire was noticed. The contact inspected and noticed that the passenger side of the dashboard and the glove box were melted. The contact stated the vehicle had just been driven an... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 8, 2025
While using the adaptive cruise control, the speed of the vehicle rapids accelerates. If set to any speed less than 50, the vehicle speeds up to 56mph. If set to any speed greater than 56 but less than 86 mph, the speed of the vehicle accelerates to 86 mph. I have tested this issue over and over. I haven't talked to the dealership yet, but plan to today. Very scary to have the vehicle accel... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (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 contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clicking and humming sound coming from ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
Driving vehicle home on main highway at 55MPH, had been driving for about 15 miles. vehicle completely shut down. Engine shut off, power steering failed, lights shut off, everything electric shut down. was unable to steer the vehicle to the shoulder and it rolled to a stop in the middle of the 2 lane road in the dark. once it stopped it locked into park and couldnt be pushed off the road. Hazard l... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
Driving vehicle home on main highway at 55MPH, had been driving for about 15 miles. vehicle completely shut down. Engine shut off, power steering failed, lights shut off, everything electric shut down. was unable to steer the vehicle to the shoulder and it rolled to a stop in the middle of the 2 lane road in the dark. once it stopped it locked into park and couldnt be pushed off the road. Hazard l... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
This incident to my truck has happened twice. First time on [XXX] and this last time on [XXX]. I was driving and all of a sudden the truck downshifted, loss power even when pressing on the gas then again all of a sudden the tach. and the engine will Rev up very high then lunge forward. This last time my truck made a big jerk. This really scared me. I pulled over and called a tow truck because I w... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
Audi pre sense has applied the breaks and cause dangerous situations a total of three times. This occurred twice within the first six months I had the car. I made a left turn and the car suddenly stopped in the intersection and applied the brakes with great force that I was jolted quite hard. I brought the car into an Audi dealership and they adjusted the Audi pre sense settings to be less sensiti... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
Vehicle has many fault codes that will not clear. Took to dealership and the state they believe its a wheel speed sensor and vehicle is safe to drive. Flashing warnings include AWD system problem, electric parking brake problem, brake system problem, brake hold system problem, electric power steering problem, antilock brake system problem, vehicle stability assist problem, hill start assist prob... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
Hello this is my second time filing for a complaint because the first time I did not receive an email confirmation. On Thursday night (April 4th) I was driving back home, I had just existed the highway and was now on a regular big busy street. I was driving approximately no more than 25 MPH. At the traffic light when it turned red I obviously had my foot on the break. When it had turned green and... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2025
No specific incident, but the expected resolution date for this recall has been pushed out 3 or 4 times, and now there is no expected resolution date. I've already implemented the interim step for the recall and had to have a battery cell replaced, which took over 2 weeks for the dealership to complete. It's frustrating to constantly have a potential 2+ week fix hanging over our head, not to menti... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2025
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The base to my baby’s car seat. We have the Maxi-Cosí Peri 180 Rotating Car Seat. My husband and I were placing the car seat to clip in to the base. When doing so it span around and would not stay locked I place. Once we clipped the car seat in and turned it to lock it kept spinning even when th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2025
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The base to my baby’s car seat. We have the Maxi-Cosí Peri 180 Rotating Car Seat. My husband and I were placing the car seat to clip in to the base. When doing so it span around and would not stay locked I place. Once we clipped the car seat in and turned it to lock it kept spinning even when th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
I was driving and the engine stalled just like I shut it off . I pulled off the road and restarted the engine to have it do the same thing several more times. No codes no warning lights.
Incident date: Mar 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2025
Sunroof exploded while driving, no evidence of any debris or external force
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the brake warning lamp remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the brake booster vacuum line was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the brake warning lamp remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the brake booster vacuum line was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
Death Wobble Severe steering problems occur with this vehicle. Especially when hitting even a slight bump in the road. When pulling a trailer across a bridge, it became so severe that the truck and trailer changed lanes and I had NO control. This problem occurs regularly and is a very dangerous situation!
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
This notification continues to pop up on my screen and when going to the dealer they are stating that my VIN number is not effected but I continue to get this notification. Safety is put to risk when the airbag is turned off while driving in the event of something terrible happening. We are not protected. The Dealer will not inspect this without having to pay out of pocket for a diagnostic.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
Car was charging on a typical 48A J1722 home charger. Car stopped charging early and displayed "Service High Voltage System" and "Reduced Acceleration. Drive with Care" Scanner shows codes P1E00 and U362C
Incident date: Apr 12, 2023
It has been one year from the first recall and they keep putting the repair off I think they have had plenty of time to make these parts I think they don't want to fix these cars in hopes that we will forget or they can blame us for this mistake that they made . At any rate this will be the last Ford I buy . [XXX] Cincinnati Ohio INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FO... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2023
vehicle shifted strange than reduced power which forced me the pull off the road in a unsafe manner
Incident date: Apr 12, 2023
NHTSA ID#89 THERE IS A LINE UP STOP & GO FOR PICK UP ITEM , SO IT SHIFT NUTRUAL AN D FROM TIME TO TIME AS LIKE ON LINE LOADING. ALL OF THE CERTAIN, THE CAR SPEED UP, I CAN NOT STOP IT BY APPLY THE BRAKE, IT HAPPEN 2 TIMES. IT WAS OUT OF MY CONTROL. "UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT INCREASES (THE RISK OF A CRASH )OR PERSONAL INJURY TO PERSONS WITHIN THE PATH OF AROL LING VEHICLE. " I AM HITTING VICHLE... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 12, 2024
My vehicle is burning through oil. I am getting the oil change for the highest amount of mileage, usually driving sparingly throughout the week, and still having to get oil added in between oil changes. I have been told by the company completing oil changes that because of the gdi motor I will need to routinely check my oil, even if there is no oil light on.
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
Throttle lag. When I step on the gas pedal, there is a hesitation or lag which the truck doesn't move forward when asked. Very, very dangerous when entering traffic. Almost caused an accident. Not good. This must be addressed before someone gets hurt or killed. This is no joke and should be taken seriously. I hope this doesn't get ignored as this is a serious problem.