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: Nov 1, 2024
I was driving to work at 0530 on 11/10/24. I was on the highway driving the speed limit. A light came on that read "service ESC". Within 2 minutes of this light coming on, I heard a loud noise and the tail end of my car started to spin out. My power steering went out, my brakes did not work and I hit the guard rail very hard. The "electronic stability control" system in my car, turned off on ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 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: Sep 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the part to do the 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. Parts distribution disconnect.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Maverick. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V684000 (Back Over Prevention); 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 dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not exp... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Verano. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering failed to function as intended. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle to reset the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the vehicle had be... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
The AC was stuck on hot and would not defrost. Dealership said the blend actuator door needed replacement. Unfortunately this cost is 1700. In addition to this, the fuel line or gas tank keep clicking and stopping when trying to fill. This has been intermittent since we purchased vehicle. In addition, our infotainment center was hacked, someone was changing our settings repeatedly. Dealership refu... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
On [XXX] at approximately [XXX] I was driving down a small back alley/street in Baltimore when my Tesla Model S Plaid sedan stopped operating. It would not restart, including with the emergency restart bar. Since I was unable to restart it, I left it there while I ran into an appointment. About maybe 20 minutes later it started up like nothing was wrong. I did not receive any warnings on the das... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
On [XXX] at approximately [XXX] I was driving down a small back alley/street in Baltimore when my Tesla Model S Plaid sedan stopped operating. It would not restart, including with the emergency restart bar. Since I was unable to restart it, I left it there while I ran into an appointment. About maybe 20 minutes later it started up like nothing was wrong. I did not receive any warnings on the das... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the vehicle started shaking and jerking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the cylinder head needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approxim... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Odyssey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufact... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the bottom half of the front driver’s side A-pillar trim had fractured, and the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim had become loosened. The local dealer was c... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, there was smoke coming from the exhaust with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an extreme amount of smoke as if the vehicle was on fire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
On two occasions vehicle has turned off while in drive. Have taken to dealership without a resolution. After vehicle is off for several minutes (unable to turn anything on including hazards) vehicle starts up and computer resets without any warnings. Unable to put the vehicle in neutral to move off the road while occurring.
Incident date: Dec 4, 2024
I own a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport that more recently in June 2024 received a recall on its Passenger Airbags stating that it may not function properly in event of a crash. I want to point out that this is the only vehicle in the family and teenagers do ride in the front seat. I was informed of the recall via my Progressive App in June 2024 and Volkswagen who issued the recall did not infor... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2024
On my 2016 jeep Cherokee limited my 4WD needs service along with my shifter popping up every now and then ref needing service … all lights turn red and flash… Code: C14A7 - 97 Ptu motor Obstructed or blocked Google shows recall but when I look it up it shows not on my model.. Why ? Miles :114000 I’m very disappointed.. will not recommend a Jeep again…
BMW
X3
(2019) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
Dec 10, 2024
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Auto Zone where it was scanned and the code for the failure of the catalytic convertor was retrieved. Additionally, the contact stated that the catalytic convertor had previously been replaced 3 years earlier. The contact stated... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2024
Our Honda had a failure while driving on the highway. The camera behind the windshield apparently failed all at once and this caused all of the safety features to stop functioning and we almost had a wreck trying to get across the busy lanes of traffic because when this camera failed it caused the service brakes light on the dash to come on and stay on as well as the adaptive cruise control, the l... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2024
Our Honda had a failure while driving on the highway. The camera behind the windshield apparently failed all at once and this caused all of the safety features to stop functioning and we almost had a wreck trying to get across the busy lanes of traffic because when this camera failed it caused the service brakes light on the dash to come on and stay on as well as the adaptive cruise control, the l... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
The contact owned a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while pulling in the driveway the vehicle shut off. Contact mention she was not able to restart the vehicle and when depressing on the brake pedal the brakes failed to respond. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic at contact's residences. where it was diagnosed the brake booster vacuum pump line detached and that ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
Car goes into limp mode on highway. Shakes very bad and I lose power to my car speed going from 65-70mph to 30-40mph forcing the car trying to get to a safe area to see why my car suddenly lost power. After dodging all the close call accidents from me trying to pull over I come to a complete stop and car is shaking out of control so I turn it off and turn it back on but my car still shakes out of ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
While driving the car I press the gas pedal and it loses power or won't accelerate at all, then all of a sudden something happens and it lunges forward fast it is scary I have almost crashed 2 times. This issues is intermittent, thus the driver has no control of when the car is going to drive properly when I doesn't it is scary. I'm have been relegated to 45 miles an hour on the freeway I cannot ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
While driving the car I press the gas pedal and it loses power or won't accelerate at all, then all of a sudden something happens and it lunges forward fast it is scary I have almost crashed 2 times. This issues is intermittent, thus the driver has no control of when the car is going to drive properly when I doesn't it is scary. I'm have been relegated to 45 miles an hour on the freeway I cannot ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2024
Car would not start, all warning lights and interior lights flashing and blinking, strong smell from engine, loud clicking from engine, battery tested and only at 7%. Had towed to dealership.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
Closed passenger side front door and rear glass shattered. Car was not running.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
The RAM trailer brake controller has two problems, causing unsafe operation when connected to a camper or trailer with electric brakes. 1) When coming to a stop and feathering off the brake to stop smoothly, the trailer brakes are released too early, this causes the vehicle to be pushed forward, often into an intersection, pedestrian, or a vehicle opinion front of you! Care must be taken to av... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
Headlights Due to the lack of brightness and deterioration over time, the driver is left with a lack of visibility. UNKNOWN if reproduced. No inspections. No warnings or messages.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an engine misfire, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2024
The contact leased a 2024 BMW X1. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the sun obstructed her driving view, she lost control and crashed into an electrical pole. There were no warning lights. The automatic braking system did not engage. The air bags deployed. The contact was taken by ambulance to the hospital due to head, neck, back, and chest injuries. The police informed her the vehi... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 8, 2024
Since late 2023/early 2024, I started to notice that my liftgate was open, while the Acadia, a lease with less than 15K miles, was parked in the driveway, off. At first, I thought it was a mistake on our part, that we had accidentally hit the button on the remote to open it or had forgotten it open. As time went on, the incidences continued and I realized it was happening on its own, while the car... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2024
I brought my 2021 Nissan Rogue in for service at Jenkins Nissan in Lakeland, FL for a oil change and tire rotation and we have had a light on our dash board indicating a airbag error and they charged us to look that up and said it is an airbag module or sensor that is causing the error message on the dashboard as the paper work said it is a Sensor-Side Airbag Center causing that and said it would ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
PLEASE SEE ATTACH FOR DETAILS 1. Component or System Involved The Fuel Cell System and Accelerator Pedal Control System are suspected to have malfunctioned. The issue is characterized by the vehicle's failure to respond to input from the accelerator pedal, particularly at speeds between 45-65 mph, which may be linked to increased power demand from the fuel cell system. The system is available for... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
Since performing a manufacturer update to the Sync technology system, my touch screen has not functioned properly, including the back up camera. The screen goes black or freezes on the rear view camera even when in drive and moving forward. Each time this happens, the system has to be rebooted.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
This unit is suffering from frame failure. Cargo doors have started opening on the freeway, cabinets are rubbing the wallpaper from frame flex, the forward floor has started squeaking, the forward lower exterior trim panel on the drivers' side is buckling, the forward walls have started creaking and popping when hitching up/unhitching and the pin-box "sinks" more than it ever did in the past when ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
Vehicle Purchase from BMW of Devon Dear BMW Customer Relations Team, I am writing to express my deep disappointment and frustration regarding my recent experience with a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle purchased from BMW of Devon. As a loyal BMW customer, I expected a higher standard of quality and service than what I have experienced. I purchased a 2020 BMW X5 (VIN: [XXX] in October 2023... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
I purchased this vehicle in January 2014 and it’s been giving problems since then. I have replaced the gas cap twice because it always gets stuck and I’m unable to open the door. I spoke to the Honda dealer where I purchased and they told me to contact American Honda. I have replaced my tires twice because once it blew on the freeway and the other time on the street out of nowhere. I’m curre... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
I purchased this vehicle in January 2014 and it’s been giving problems since then. I have replaced the gas cap twice because it always gets stuck and I’m unable to open the door. I spoke to the Honda dealer where I purchased and they told me to contact American Honda. I have replaced my tires twice because once it blew on the freeway and the other time on the street out of nowhere. I’m curre... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
Unknown, Over time, this could lead to a short circuit and, in rare cases, a thermal event or a fire.
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
Backup camera stopped working, giving me a blue screen
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Chrysler Town And Country. The contact stated that while driving on a highway at 45 MPH, the driver's side door caught on fire from the vent window switch. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that she proceeded to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact was able to reach her residence in time to exit the vehicle, and to call her husband who quickl... Read more
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
-PURGE VALVE SOLENOID REPLACED TWICE FOR EVAP SYSTEN, CODE 1450 OCCURED 01/05/2021 & 05/14/2021 AND -LEAK IN RADIATOR, UNKNOWN IF BLOWN GASKET. RECEIVED MESSAGE “HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE STOP SAFELY” WITH ZERO RADIATOR FLUED IN TANK OCCURED 11/2/202. THIS HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BUT I HAVE BEEN AWARE OF CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT RELATED TO THIS ISSUE.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2022
After the car is shut off, the coolant pump will stop with the car but after a min the car will stay off but the coolant pump will kick on. Runs until battery is drained. I do understand there is a feature to circulate the coolant so help mitigate burn/hot spots but this continues until the battery is disconnected by ECU. Then it won't start because the battery is too low. Ongoing issue for the... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2022
Various electrical issues GPS not working also drivers seat electrical
Incident date: Nov 29, 2022
Various electrical issues GPS not working also drivers seat electrical
Incident date: Oct 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated after reversing out of the driveway and shifting into drive(D), the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. Additionally, the contact stated while accelerating from... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound under the contact’s feet, and the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the cooler lines and transm... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, an audible chime was heard, and unknown RED message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while inside the vehicle, there was brake fluid leaking from above the brake pedal. Additionally, while driving, the brake pedal had to be firmly depressed to stop the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a brake booster leak inside the cab, and it was determin... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
I was in a parking lot and parking at an EV charger. As I attempted the brake, the vehicle did not respond, so I tried to pump the brake and still no response. It eventually made contact with the barrier in front of the charger. It caused some damage to the front end and several lights are lit up on the dash that aren't normally lit. This took place over the course of maybe 2-3 seconds, so minima... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
I first heard of the safety recall in October 2024 regarding: "Increased friction between the worn gear and worn wheel can increase steering effort and difficulty, increasing the risk of a crash or injury." I received a safety recall notice from Honda in November 2024 for my vehicle: Manufacturer Recall Number QJT NHTSA Recall Number 24V-744 I then scheduled an appointment for the recall repair w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2024
1 - The car transmission is emitting a whine noise, harsh shift and loss of power. The dealer recommended the transmission be replaced. The car has 54,857 miles. The auto is available for inspection. 2 - Safety is an issue when the transmission loses power and is unable to accelerate. 3 - The issue was reproduced by the dealer and recommended transmission replacement. 4 - Inspected by dealer only.... Read more