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: Sep 13, 2024
Adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, collision avoidance, regular cruise control, and more all shut down after my cars Honda sense camra died.
Incident date: Sep 13, 2024
Adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, collision avoidance, regular cruise control, and more all shut down after my cars Honda sense camra died.
Incident date: Jan 31, 2025
Power steering motor went I have no power steering
Incident date: Jan 31, 2025
Had to have the PTU replaced in May of 2023 due to the sv 4wd light that came on. Now fast forward to January of 2025 I needed to replace the rear differential. Also new tires once again! Correlation? Who knows. I keep hearing from dealerships I’ve dealt with this is a common issue for the 2019 Jeep Cherokees. I’m hoping enough customers put in complaints so we can get compensated. It makes... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2025
Had to have the PTU replaced in May of 2023 due to the sv 4wd light that came on. Now fast forward to January of 2025 I needed to replace the rear differential. Also new tires once again! Correlation? Who knows. I keep hearing from dealerships I’ve dealt with this is a common issue for the 2019 Jeep Cherokees. I’m hoping enough customers put in complaints so we can get compensated. It makes... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2024
Third row seat headrest on passenger side will not stay up, so actually does make the seat unusable. Numberous complaints have been posted on line as a manufacturing defect, and a service bulletin was issued. I do not think it has ever worked I purchased the car in March of 24 with only 27,000 miles still under Honda Warranty. Discovered the issue when trying to use the third row seat. Deale... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2024
We are experiencing the error code "Rear Axle System Off" multiple times per day with this vehicle. The code will appear and then disappear and the car will make beeps consistent with those heard when there is a fault code or error message with the vehicle. The "Rear Axle System Off" code does not stay on permanently. When this occurs, it can delay the acceleration of the vehicle, cause shaking,... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2025
I was entering the highway when without warning, my car stopped moving. I hurriedly shifted into Park so I would not drift into the highway, and thankfully I was able to safely drift into the exit lane. I tried to troubleshoot by turning the engine off and shifting into neutral to move the car out of the way, but it was completely undrivable. At 115,000 miles, this came as a shock to me, as I purc... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
The 2023 Jeep Wrangler has been inspected by two different dealerships 6-7 times, and I have submitted four cases through Jeep Wave, including a request for a buyback. While driving on the highway or on city streets, the vehicle experiences a speed reduction to 5-10 miles per hour, with a stiff steering wheel and hard brakes. Warning messages appear, including: "Engine Light," "Service Transmissio... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
As many other Ford escapes have been recalled due to power steering issues. Mine has been going out while driving and causing a very dangerous safety issue. Ive contacted my local ford dealership and noticed my 2009 ford escape is not on the recall list. Im requesting a change to this as my vehicle is a real safety issue for not just myself but for others. No warning lights appear whenever it goes... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
As many other Ford escapes have been recalled due to power steering issues. Mine has been going out while driving and causing a very dangerous safety issue. Ive contacted my local ford dealership and noticed my 2009 ford escape is not on the recall list. Im requesting a change to this as my vehicle is a real safety issue for not just myself but for others. No warning lights appear whenever it goes... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH and lowering the sun visor due to the sun glaring into his face, the contact stated that the sun visor detached from a retaining pin on the sun visor arm and hit the contact in the face. The contact stated that he was so startled from the strike of the sun visor that he swerved to the left and almost into ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and attempting to shift into drive(D), the vehicle failed to shift or respond as needed. The contact became aware that the vehicle also failed to shift into reverse(R). After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, and the contacts son was able to shift into drive. The ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
The steering relay rod or drag links that connect to my idler arm is giving very loose steering and have been known to go bad. It randomly pulled when going on the highway. It also clunks when maxing the steering wheel and sometimes pulls me towards one side. The tie rods are loose as well. I hasn't been inspected by Toyota but there was an act in 2005 for a recall for this particular reason, same... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
The steering relay rod or drag links that connect to my idler arm is giving very loose steering and have been known to go bad. It randomly pulled when going on the highway. It also clunks when maxing the steering wheel and sometimes pulls me towards one side. The tie rods are loose as well. I hasn't been inspected by Toyota but there was an act in 2005 for a recall for this particular reason, same... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
We are experiencing the error code "Rear Axle System Off" multiple times per day with this vehicle. The code will appear and then disappear and the car will make beeps consistent with those heard when there is a fault code or error message with the vehicle. The "Rear Axle System Off" code does not stay on permanently. When this occurs, it can delay the acceleration of the vehicle, cause shaking,... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2025
We have had several times where we are on highway and our truck like slams on the brakes causing us to lose control. It was a recall on it and GMC fixed it and within the same week of them fixing it it happened 3 times back to back. Making my truck to force another car to steer out of my way and actually went off the highway. Thank god it was just dirt snd he didn’t get hurt or anything. But I a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2025
We have had several times where we are on highway and our truck like slams on the brakes causing us to lose control. It was a recall on it and GMC fixed it and within the same week of them fixing it it happened 3 times back to back. Making my truck to force another car to steer out of my way and actually went off the highway. Thank god it was just dirt snd he didn’t get hurt or anything. But I a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2025
RPM surges intermittently upon deceleration while in the sport mode. Began a few months ago.
Incident date: Jan 29, 2025
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 while driving at various speeds, the passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim detached and was flapping against the windshield. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2024
Dear NHTSA Team, I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2010 Toyota Prius (VIN: [XXX] ) due to ongoing brake system failures. My vehicle is affected by Safety Recall D0H (Brake Booster Pump Assembly – Accumulator), but Toyota refuses to replace all necessary components for a proper repair. Issue Summary: •My brakes have intermittently failed, requiring excessive pedal pressure and causi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2024
Confirmed that the Oil Pressure Switch had to be replace. Kia had a recall begin July 3, 2019 that the part was faulty and did extend to eligible vehicles to 15 years or 150,000 miles. This part is known problem in the make and model of the Kia Stinger. My 2018 Stinger GT2 was not included in the recall. The dealer did replace and confirmed that the part number is 24V169000 which was included in... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
Battery failed exactly as described in Ford recall 25S02 NHTSA# 25V019. On 11/1/24 drove vehicle 125 miles home on a return trip and parked car in garage. Morning of 11/2/24, vehicle would not start, battery is dead. Tried to charge battery with external charger, would not take a charge. Called dealer, scheduled appointment for 11/4/24. Morning of 11/4/24, started vehicle with a jump box, too... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2020
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted with the check engine and transmission temperature warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2024
There is a courtesy replacement on the main fuel injector. I just recently had to replace my turbo. No my car bogs down won't go and smells like eggs which is the catalytic converter. The injection brakes the converter which brakes the turbo and Ford is not interested in helping very much. How can
Incident date: Dec 18, 2024
There is a courtesy replacement on the main fuel injector. I just recently had to replace my turbo. No my car bogs down won't go and smells like eggs which is the catalytic converter. The injection brakes the converter which brakes the turbo and Ford is not interested in helping very much. How can
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
While driving the vehicle between 30 - 40 mph, the vehicle will intermittently studder. I have mentioned this issue multiple times to the dealership and they have attempted to fix the issue but the problem still continues. The issue is occurring more frequently and I’m concerned this may create additional engine/powertrain problems down the road.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
While driving the vehicle between 30 - 40 mph, the vehicle will intermittently studder. I have mentioned this issue multiple times to the dealership and they have attempted to fix the issue but the problem still continues. The issue is occurring more frequently and I’m concerned this may create additional engine/powertrain problems down the road.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
It happened twice this month already. Once while driving, the car lost power (as if engine was never turned on), and the gear changed to N so I tried to slow down, then the power came back on, and then I was able to shift to D and continue my trip. Second one happened this morning. It was on auto-shutting idle position and when I put my foot on the accelerator, it completely lost power again (I... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2025
I was trying to reverse the car from my Garage. I turned on the Engine and put the vehicle in Reverse Gear. The vehicle just zoomed out of the driveway leaving me without the ability to control it and hit a tree on a neighbor's house and stopped. Then I tried to bring the Car into the Garage by engaging the Drive Gear. Again, the vehicle zoomed into the Garage, hit a few objects in the garage and... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 14, 2024
While sitting at a stop light my vehicle started malfunctioning and put itself into park. Several different warnings came across the screen and I was unable to change gears or start my car for a while. Finally my car allowed me to push the break and restart the vehicle. A warning light came on with an “A!” But then was no longer on the screen once I turned my vehicle off and back on.
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions however, the dealer failed to duplicate the fai... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic and the steering rack, steering gears, and the stabilizer bar... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2023
Stalking, harassment, identity thief, stealing of snap benefits and tampering
Incident date: Jan 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); 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 manufac... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); 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. Parts distributi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure due to coolant intrusion into one of the cylinders. The contact was provi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure due to coolant intrusion into one of the cylinders. The contact was provi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (Air Bags); 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 not exp... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
The 2 items that were listed on the recall caused the transmission to fail. In turn, I had to replace the transmission. If it weren't for the recall, the transmission would have been fine. I first noticed there was a problem when it wouldn't allow me to shift gears. When the dealership fixed the items listed on the recall, they stated that the transmission wasn't a part of the recall so they were... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
REAR PASSENGER DOOR IS MARKING OPEN WHEN DOOR IS LOCKED
Incident date: Jan 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff, and difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact was able to veer into a parking lot for an errand and upon restarting the vehicle the vehicle resumed normal function. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was no... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was water inside the rearview camera, causing the camera to become inoperable and fail to display images. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 2... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
The vehicle has a standard installation of a kick sensor for the rear hatch. I purchased the vehicle used and was able to start the vehicle and drive it for a period of time hoping to charge up the 12V battery. However, upon stopping the vehicle I could not restart it. Even after repeated jumpstart and driving the vehicle for over 45 minutes, the 12 V battery could not restart the car. I read abo... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2025
While Driving on Highway engine lost power and check engine light went on so i had to pull over turn off engine wait a few minutes and restart this happened on 3 occasions
Incident date: Jan 28, 2025
While Driving on Highway engine lost power and check engine light went on so i had to pull over turn off engine wait a few minutes and restart this happened on 3 occasions
Incident date: Jan 28, 2025
vehicle started @ around -15 F, drove it for 15 minutes, parked and turned it off. 90 minutes later with temps around -5 to -10 F it would not turn over. Messages on dash included : full accessory power available, and something about a steering assist fault. Jumping battery did not help. Vehicle hauled to shop. Shop disconnected battery and reconnected it and vehicle started. Fault codes w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
Whenever the car engine isn't warm and I slam on the brakes, they barely respond. I have replaced the master cylinder, abs hydraulic module, brake booster, calipers, pads, and rotors, and it still has about 20% normal braking power when the engine is cold. Just got it back from the dealership again. Dealer said no vacuum leak found, no leaks found, abs module checks out fine, and said the chec... Read more