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: Dec 16, 2024
Fuel pump isn't pumping gas.
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
All seat belts of the company that produces seat belts for commercial vehicles in Turkey Kocaeli Kartepe location in FORD TRUCK otosan Turkey, Mercedes Splinter, Grammer Seat systems, ISRI Turkey, ISRI France, Brussa seat systems with vehicles in the UK, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Romania, Poland, all of the seat belts installed in the vehicles are risky. There is a risk that these seat belts and ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brakes and ABS warning lights illuminated the instrument cluster. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake booster and brake booster pump assemblies needed to be replaced. The contact was informed about the Customer Satisfaction... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred within an hour. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the caus... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
Brake system failure message and car was exremely hard to stop. I had to stand on the brake pedal to get the car to stop
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
The contact's son owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 40 MPH, the power steering assist failed without warning, and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact's son proceeded to park the vehicle in a parking lot until the contact arrived. Despite the failure, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to a dealer where the contact was info... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
The vehicle shut off while cruising at 70-75 mph on the highway. A "Press Start Button" message appeared, followed by the Check Engine Light. I pulled over to the shoulder and had the vehicle towed to shop.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Notification of "Service Shifter" light came on. After reading other reviews this is a common problem and not easily diagnosed. Other vehicle owners noted that the car will just stop while in drive and moving! Is this a major safety issue. Others states this is a recall item? Please advise.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Charging system warning light (for 12volt battery) illuminated on left side of instrument cluster. Warning in center of panel said pull over and stop vehicle. Had vehicle towed to dealership and diagnosis was “failed ICCU”. Been at dealer going on 4 weeks
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
The vehicle one week after purchasing has had a tapping noise coming from engine and a rattling noise as well that you hear from the inside of vehicle. I have taken vehicle to two separate GM dealers. The first being where vehicle was purchased and they did not log in visit and basically said nothing could be done until engine breaks. The second dealer was only able to duplicate the rattling nois... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
Special Coverage N242445280 Front exhaust pipe mounting bracket breaks creating a hole in the exhaust pipe. Coverage referrers to Left side pipe, but bracket connects to both left and right side pipe and when breaks can brake on both pipes at the bracket location creating an exhaust hole in either / both pipes. Currently GM is only replacing the left side but needs to replace both.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
My driver heating element in my seat stopped working. I went to get it fixed and that’s when they noticed the charred heating pad in the seat had burnet makers on it. I have picture showing that the electrical part in the heating pad indicator has black marks around the wires and burnt through the pad and the electrical coils. The seat under the leather part had damage to it. This would have cau... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 9, 2024
The brake actuator has stopped functioning properly in my 2013 Toyota Prius that has 124,000 miles. NHTSA is welcome to inspect my car. I took my car to a Toyota Service Center because of a noise that cycles every 15 seconds. The mechanic said the noise "is in fact coming from the accumulator of the brake boosters." He said it's kind of like a battery--it may go out tomorrow or next year and it ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2024
I sent back my original shell and received a replacement but now the latches are not working again. It makes it very difficult to walk with the seat, and even taking it out of the car as the latches catch on to the door, the stroller frame, clothing, the ground etc… This was a very expensive purchase for us and I love the ease of the baseless seat as we use multiple cars. However, I do not thin... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2024
I sent back my original shell and received a replacement but now the latches are not working again. It makes it very difficult to walk with the seat, and even taking it out of the car as the latches catch on to the door, the stroller frame, clothing, the ground etc… This was a very expensive purchase for us and I love the ease of the baseless seat as we use multiple cars. However, I do not thin... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
Self-leveling shocks leaking on both sides.
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
2014 Nissan Sentra. Transmission began inexplicably slipping and failed within a month. 120k miles. Very lightly driven, relatively low mileage car, driven for 2 years by our [XXX] daughter. I see there were relatively widespread recalls on various Nissan Sentra CVT transmissions in this time frame and our VIN isn't included but this is definitely a manufacturer problem. She ended up stuck in t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the front chrome grille deflector erroneously detached from the vehicle and ejected over the hood of the vehicle striking the front windshield before nearly hitting another moving vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V060000 (STRUCTURE).... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud explosion before shards of glass fell from the moon roof onto the rear center seat. There was no impact to the moonroof to have caused the moon roof glass to explode. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent m... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
Multiple times I have reported all of my cluster lights come on randomly while driving. They are distracting and it's difficult to tell if the systems are actually working. The dealership claims it's a rear sensor however they refuse to fix it due to my car appears to have been hit. There's no damage to my vehicle any where. Now I have to wait for the lights to come on again before I can take it t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
Multiple times I have reported all of my cluster lights come on randomly while driving. They are distracting and it's difficult to tell if the systems are actually working. The dealership claims it's a rear sensor however they refuse to fix it due to my car appears to have been hit. There's no damage to my vehicle any where. Now I have to wait for the lights to come on again before I can take it t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
The vehicle had a oil leak that began in 2022 right after I bought the vehicle used. The light continued to come on indicating low oil. Eventually, they found a leak in the pistons. They were replaced. Again in 2023 a leak was found near and around the upper timing gasket and vacuum pump. Now 2025, a new leak is found transmission line and the dipstick.!
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
The battery failed at 2k miles and needed to be replaced. Both axles need to be replaced due to failed CV joint. There is clicking with turns. When backing up, emergency braking engages and leads us to stop in the middle of busy roads. This is a safety issue.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
I was turning into a parking spot in front of the entry doors to a Sheetz convenience store. I was slowing down, and had gotten halfway into the space. All of a sudden, the car surged forward, went over the curb and hit the bollard in front of the parking space. It was hit with such force that the bollard bent and went under our car. My memory is that I was pressing on the brake very hard, once ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
I was turning into a parking spot in front of the entry doors to a Sheetz convenience store. I was slowing down, and had gotten halfway into the space. All of a sudden, the car surged forward, went over the curb and hit the bollard in front of the parking space. It was hit with such force that the bollard bent and went under our car. My memory is that I was pressing on the brake very hard, once ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
Windshield suddenly has crack along mid passenger side.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
ABS Module Failure and no replacement part available for this vehicle. After researching this issue, it should be a recall based on the highly excessive number of complaints and failures on this part. Has been ongoing for over 4 years and dealership says that Jeep Chrysler is aware of the issue and cannot get the part.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
I dropped my vehicle off for transmission service maintenance with no engine issues and no check engine light. The Cadillac dealer called me the next day and said the check engine light was on and the engine was bad and needed $12,000 repair due to faulty bad designed lifter's and camshaft also stated this is a well know defect in the engine and they have replaced many 6.2 engines. Vehicle has 59... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made an abnormal rattling sound, and the vehicle lost motive power. There was thick white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light flashed but had not remained illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that there was no engine oil in the engine. The co... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
When it rains the car hydroplanes and the traction on the tires are no good. Also the door locks don't unlock properly and the door won't open. Also the warning for vehicle collision front and back doesn't work properly and doesn't warn you when a vehicle is going to hit you from behind. I was rear-ended and it didn't alert me at all and the driver of the other vehicle took off.and once in a while... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
In 2020 or 2021 my car started annoying not recording that is was shifted into park. I got it fixed in Spring, Tx. Recently, my vehicle has started saying it needs to be shifted into park every single time I try to park. This really should be covered under power train warranty. Actually it should be recalled because it is all over the message boards.
Incident date: May 27, 2024
The dictation had stopped working, can not longer send messages while driving.
Incident date: May 27, 2024
The dictation had stopped working, can not longer send messages while driving.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
NHTSA states to file a complaint if there has been no remedy in reference to a safety recall in a timely manner. As of to date there is still an open recall on my truck and Ford has stated the recall is incomplete due to no remedy yet available. This recall has been in place since 12/22/23. My truck did have a broken hub bolt and I believe the dealership replaced the passenger rear axle hub. The d... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
NHTSA states to file a complaint if there has been no remedy in reference to a safety recall in a timely manner. As of to date there is still an open recall on my truck and Ford has stated the recall is incomplete due to no remedy yet available. This recall has been in place since 12/22/23. My truck did have a broken hub bolt and I believe the dealership replaced the passenger rear axle hub. The d... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
While reversing into my driveway towards my garage, the rear parking aid did not show the truck with the radar bars on the reverse camera on the infotainment screen. The rear parking aid was on and was beeping, but did not show the radar on the screen. I restarted the vehicle and put the car in reverse and the radar began showing in the top right corner. I will attach pictures to this report.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
While reversing into my driveway towards my garage, the rear parking aid did not show the truck with the radar bars on the reverse camera on the infotainment screen. The rear parking aid was on and was beeping, but did not show the radar on the screen. I restarted the vehicle and put the car in reverse and the radar began showing in the top right corner. I will attach pictures to this report.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, the seat belt fasteners retracted; however, after adjusting the seat belt the seat belt failed to retract properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair, but the failure persisted. On a separate occasion, the rearview camera displayed a half-moon shape and blocked the visibility of the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, the seat belt fasteners retracted; however, after adjusting the seat belt the seat belt failed to retract properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair, but the failure persisted. On a separate occasion, the rearview camera displayed a half-moon shape and blocked the visibility of the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
Was driving car on 3/3/25 with 91,635 miles and lights started flashed saying "Emission System Problem" and "Transmission System Problem." Car slowed down and wouldn't shift gears putting me in danger of being stranded on the street. Screen showing drive mode went blank and wouldn't show if car was in drive or reverse. Luckily was able to get car back to home a few hundreds of feet away but car wa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
4wd light has been on along with engine light. Took it to a mechanic but and a problem with cylinder 2 came up and they checked it and everything was fine. t'll sometimes slightly roll in park before perking to a stop. While driving it'll sputter sometimes.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
The car flashed an error code "Coolant temp to high" and shut the engine down while I was entering the on ramp to the expressway. The car stalled in the middle of the lane. The coolant temp was normal and not high. I was able to restart the car and had no issue for rest of the drive. I checked my coolant levels and everything is normal. This again happened the next day in my neighborhood than... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rearview camera was intermittently inoperative and there was an abnormal sound coming from the infotainment system. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the infotainment system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufactur... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving under 35 MPH, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was shaking abnormally while idling as if the vehicle would shut off. The contact had replaced the battery 8 times; however, the failure persisted. While driving approximately 65 MPH and overtaking other vehicles, the check engine warning light began flashing tem... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
ETorque alternator failure. Driving down the freeway going 70MPH my truck went into complete shut down mode. Luckily I was in the right lane near an exit and was able to get out of a potential bad accident by breaking down on the freeway. Was told by the dealership and Mopar that this was not covered by any extended warranty and that this would be a $2000 fix with an unknown lead time as the ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
Passenger air bag system shuts off with passenger in vehicle. Message displays to service air bag system. It doesn't always shut off. It's very random when it will shut off or be working. This is a hazard to any passenger in this vehicle.
Incident date: Oct 6, 2024
I purchased this car as a certified pre-owned vehicle from Mercedes Benz in December 2024 with 14,000 miles on the odometer. This vehicle has factory 21-inch AMG rims. Since that time, I have had to replace 5 tires on this vehicle, all from Mercedes Benz dealerships. I purchased an additional $2,000 tire insurance policy from Mercedes Benz due to this recurrent issue. Due to the size of this rim, ... Read more