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: Oct 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle with the headlights illuminated, the interior instrument panel lighting and display screen lighting became extremely dim, and it was difficult to read the display screen. Additionally, the vehicle started jerking and hesitated while driving at various speeds. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2024
Recall history for my car says that the recall has been taken care of for the power steering, but the car has power steering issues very badly
Incident date: Oct 14, 2024
Recall history for my car says that the recall has been taken care of for the power steering, but the car has power steering issues very badly
Incident date: Mar 31, 2025
Engine seized and now we need a new motor
Incident date: Mar 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that over time the transmission was difficult to shift into gear. The transmission warning light was illuminated, and the message "Internal Transmission Failure" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
The 2024 and 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander has excessive hood shaking and vibration at the rear of the vehicle. It is directly under the projection area of the windshield and directs your attention to the movement. At highway speeds the shaking is excessive. Toyota has not been able to find a repair for this issue.
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
The dealership is unable to identify the failing component or system. The vehicle shuts off while driving above speeds of 60mph, which causes the power steering pump and power brake pump to fail. This symptom of shutting off while driving creates a significant life safety risk for the driver, passengers, and other motorists. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership over 4 times in 3 months... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
The dealership is unable to identify the failing component or system. The vehicle shuts off while driving above speeds of 60mph, which causes the power steering pump and power brake pump to fail. This symptom of shutting off while driving creates a significant life safety risk for the driver, passengers, and other motorists. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership over 4 times in 3 months... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
Engine light keeps coming on... took back to dealer twice coil misfiring had to be replaced Car was bought in 2018 Coils were replaced twice in 2020 because of check engine light and car not running In 2024 coils had to be replaced again because of engine failure 2025 blinking check engine light on again engine failed needs to be replaced Maxon Hyundai refused to replace the engine.,. Car h... Read more
BMW
I4 EDRIVE40
(2025) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 29, 2025
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
Power steering leak(took it 3times to get it serviced), breaks(leak), transmission fluid leak(have to refill transmission fluid every week), electrical (dash board lights go off and on sometimes and do other funny stuff), back up My camera doesn’t work(car has blind spots so I need the camera to work), roof windows (work when they want), trunk door (closes by itself hitting me at closing). Che... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
electric controller is failing causing the power system to fail
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
My sunroof on my subaru outback 2018 exploded while going north on the 5 from sea world drive to balboa exit. thankfully my cover was on and debris didnt fall on my while driving. Saw online many subaru outback owners have had similar issues. i want to file a claim and have the manufacturer pay for the damages
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while it was raining, water was leaking into the vehicle through the front windshield. While making a turn, water entered the vehicle, and the front seat passenger became wet. The seat was damaged by the water. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact ordered a power window switch online. The contact received notification ... Read more
BMW
X7
(2024) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:UREA INJECTION SYSTEM (DEF)
Mar 28, 2025
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and hauling a trailer, the "DEF Empty, Refill Now" message displayed, while the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system was full. The failure reduced the power and speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a second dealer, Young GMC of Burley (325 Overland Ave, Burley, ID 83318), where it was determined that t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
Service Campaign 9B1 That my gas tank has explanded/exploded due to the issue noted in the subject line. As you can see the whole bottom of the backseats have been raised up imcluding the part that connects to the gas tank itself. My car is immobilized and not drivable during this time. What is the next step to take?
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
Service Campaign 9B1 That my gas tank has explanded/exploded due to the issue noted in the subject line. As you can see the whole bottom of the backseats have been raised up imcluding the part that connects to the gas tank itself. My car is immobilized and not drivable during this time. What is the next step to take?
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
Vehicle will downshift from 10th gear to 1st gear at highway speeds. Vehicle lunges forward after stoplight restarts. 3rd to 4th and 9th to 10th gear shifts are extremely delayed and transmission slips during shifts. Transmission makes very loud noises and clunks when driven. Transmission lags and delays when going into reverse.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the air bag and seat belt failure warning lights were illuminated. After filling the fuel tank and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the battery and fuse box water pump had failed and were replaced. The failure persisted. The dealer inspected the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the air bag and seat belt failure warning lights were illuminated. After filling the fuel tank and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the battery and fuse box water pump had failed and were replaced. The failure persisted. The dealer inspected the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
I have had my car taken to Honda dealerships with an issue of all my warning lights would come on. No one has been able to fix the issue. The spark plugs, battery, air filters, have been replaced and diagnostic tests were done. The warning lights would stop for a couple of months and then start again. The last time all the warning lights came on my car began to stall and not got over 8 - 10 mph wh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
I have had my car taken to Honda dealerships with an issue of all my warning lights would come on. No one has been able to fix the issue. The spark plugs, battery, air filters, have been replaced and diagnostic tests were done. The warning lights would stop for a couple of months and then start again. The last time all the warning lights came on my car began to stall and not got over 8 - 10 mph wh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that an abnormal sound was coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed. The vehicle was then towed to the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
Transmision will suddenly down shift from 6th gear to 1st gear while traveling at speed of 50 - 60 miles per hour. Yes vehicle is available for inspection. Vehicles rearend locks up and causes loss of control of vehicle. Has not been inspected by a Ford dealer or independent. Vehicle has not been inspected by Manufacture, Police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warni... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
Transmision will suddenly down shift from 6th gear to 1st gear while traveling at speed of 50 - 60 miles per hour. Yes vehicle is available for inspection. Vehicles rearend locks up and causes loss of control of vehicle. Has not been inspected by a Ford dealer or independent. Vehicle has not been inspected by Manufacture, Police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warni... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2025
Truck sputter to start or does not start at all. When I put fuel in my car it doesn't start for two days. Mechanic believes it's fuel system but couldn't be sure since there weren't any codes throwing from his diagnostic machine
Incident date: Mar 27, 2025
My 2016 chevy Trax has had 4 replacement of the the thermostat housing assembly with sensor. It causes the engine light to come on and can make the car idle rough, die at a red light, can cause the car to suddenly just go to 5 miles an hour. I have 79,900 miles on this chevy trax and this is the 4th replacement in less then 2 or 3 month.
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into 1st gear and the speedometer fell to zero. The contact pulled over onto the shoulder of the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle. The “Service Vehicle Soon” message was displayed when the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was take... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2025
On the FREEWAY. The engine-icon lit up on the dash screen. Shortly after, I realized that the car was slowing down. Pushed on gas pedal and nothing happened. Started going slower and slower. Put on the emergency flashers, changed lanes to the far right and managed to coast it to a spot with a shoulder large enough to get me 100% on the shoulder. Turned off the power button and sat there for ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2025
I was driving with my [XXX] son and my car just stalled out in the middle of the road. I couldn’t start it and we were stuck in the middle of the road. My husband arranged for a tow and the repair shop (safe auto repair Mont Belvieu) told me that this type of thing they have seen a lot of. The fuel pump power control module needed to be repaired and they said when that happens it sometimes shor... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. 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 while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a family member's residence, and then towed to a ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Lincoln Corsair. The contact stated that while his wife was attempting to park while shifted into reverse, the vehicle launched forward, accelerated independently, and collided with another vehicle that was parked, colliding with the other vehicle's front passenger side. The other vehicle was moved forward approximately three feet. The vehicle kept moving forward, the conta... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
While I was driving to work, with Cruise control set at 65, I hit a deer head on. All airbags deployed and engine ceased and I was able to brake car to a stop on the shoulder of the road. Within minutes, the engine erupted in fire and thankfully I wasn't trapped inside and was able to get out, because by the time I got 4-500 feet from the car, it had been totally engulfed in flames. From the time ... Read more
Crash
Fire
Incident date: Mar 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); 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 ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud clanking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that both sides of the suspension arms had fractured. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign to Number: 24V840000 (Steerin... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
While driving to work before daylight the jeep lost all electrical power and cut all lights inside and outside so I couldn't see. There were no other lights to guide me to a pull off. I almost hit a concrete barrier because of this. I just got this vehicle back from replacing the hybrid battery from a recall. There are no check engine lights on and I was able once stopped to restart in gas mod... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
While driving to work before daylight the jeep lost all electrical power and cut all lights inside and outside so I couldn't see. There were no other lights to guide me to a pull off. I almost hit a concrete barrier because of this. I just got this vehicle back from replacing the hybrid battery from a recall. There are no check engine lights on and I was able once stopped to restart in gas mod... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 1999
I bought a used Ford f-150 from Toyota used care dealership on [XXX]. On [XXX] while vehicle was being driven on [XXX], north of Santa Clarita, on the way down to San Diego. I was in the backseat, my friend who was the driver notified me. That we had to pull over and check because he was noticing smoke, then we pulled over and the truck was leaking a fluid that was on fire for about 20 minutes. We... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 30, 1999
I bought a used Ford f-150 from Toyota used care dealership on [XXX]. On [XXX] while vehicle was being driven on [XXX], north of Santa Clarita, on the way down to San Diego. I was in the backseat, my friend who was the driver notified me. That we had to pull over and check because he was noticing smoke, then we pulled over and the truck was leaking a fluid that was on fire for about 20 minutes. We... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 30, 1999
I bought a used Ford f-150 from Toyota used care dealership on [XXX]. On [XXX] while vehicle was being driven on [XXX], north of Santa Clarita, on the way down to San Diego. I was in the backseat, my friend who was the driver notified me. That we had to pull over and check because he was noticing smoke, then we pulled over and the truck was leaking a fluid that was on fire for about 20 minutes. We... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Altima. The contact stated her son was driving on the highway at 70 MPH, when an abnormal smell of garbage was followed by smoke being emitted from a hole in the rear side of the front passenger seat. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was an occupant seated in the front passenger seat when there was a burning sensation was felt. The contact's son immedi... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
The dealership performed the software update from the Hyundai recall 275. After the update, when using the e-shift feature in N mode the car sometimes will accelerate out of control on its own without the accelerator pedal being engaged. Hyundai also changed the motor sounds and e-shift feel.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
Fuel injectors failed. It's been 3 weeks and it hasn't been fixed yet. It is still under warranty. But it's been 3 weeks.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
The doors do not close when cold i have to use the seatbelt to rap around doors to keep them shut. I have brought to ford multiple times no fix. The transmission erratically shifts through multiple gears and downshifts into low gears when at high rate of speed. Which i have been told is due to a faulty cdf drum in transmission that ford wont take responsibility for. It is a very dangerous vehicle
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
Operating around New York City there’s a lot of potholes. Attempting to avoid potholes, I have hit a few and every time I may have hit one my bike feels as the tires are going to bust. The bike hits very hard.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
In August of 2024, the ABS light came on in my 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (manual transmission). I took it to my mechanic who reported that the error code indicated that the ABS module was bad and needed replacing. We authorized the repair and waited for him to call with a timeline for it to be ready. He was unable to locate any parts from any of his normal suppliers and called the Jeep dealersh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
I bought pre owned 2019 f150 5.0 with the 10 speed transmission. The truck didn’t even make it home from the dealer. Transmission was leaking fluid and lights came on. Shift would go from 10th to 1st gear.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
On the afternoon of [XXX], my son and his fiancé were driving home from college (Lamar University) when my sons 2020 Ford F-150 suddenly downshifted from 10th gear to 1st gear. This sudden unexpected downshift through them both violently forward in the truck and almost caused them to be rear ended by an 18-Wheeler. They immediately pulled off to the side of the Interstate ([XXX]) to gather their ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V091000 (VISIBILITY); 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had n... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle downshifted with no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the steering wheel seized with no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, w... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the instrument cluster independently changed radio stations and made phone calls. In addition, the contact stated that the instrument cluster independently switched between icons. The contact stated that the failure was pers... Read more