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: Aug 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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 discon... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2024
The touch screen is delaminating. Due to the delaminating the truck randomly calls people, randomly turns functions on/off, it can be very distracting. The only way to solve the issue is to turn off the unit, however half the cars controls and controlled through the unit including some of the safety features so if the head unit is turned off I can’t use some of the safety features.
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
Air is bypassing the SR-7 valve, thus charging the brake chambers allowing the park brake to release. Unit was parked in stall, built air, uncontrolled rolled out of stall.
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
The auto start and stop feature on my vehicle is not working. I called the dealer and they said they won't repair it. The recall for this issue is under investigation. When I have this feature on, and at a red light, my car turns off completely. I have to push to start over, but when I'm in drive and people are behind me waiting, it can be a safety issue because it frustrates cars behind me AND t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
Vehicle has under 5000 miles. On 4 separate drives, the warning light came on for the COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM. The warning message told me to go to the dealer. The second time it came on the car made a false brake (there was no car in front of me) I have taken it to the dealer twice and left it with them. The first time they could not find anything wrong and told me to come back if i... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
My steering wheel started making loud rattling and clunking noise. This happened when I turned or slowed down or went over a bump. It got worse very quickly. I suddenly could not steer at all. So I ran into a pole. Thankfully it wasn't another car or a person. Many people have this same issue. This needs to be recalled ASAP. It's either the pinion and rack issue or the steering wheel issue.
Crash
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
My steering wheel started making loud rattling and clunking noise. This happened when I turned or slowed down or went over a bump. It got worse very quickly. I suddenly could not steer at all. So I ran into a pole. Thankfully it wasn't another car or a person. Many people have this same issue. This needs to be recalled ASAP. It's either the pinion and rack issue or the steering wheel issue.
Crash
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
My car was recently fixed and the recall was remedied but still the recall has not been removed
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
While driving truck caught fire left side of engine and in a few hundred yards of getting stopped burning fuel was pouring from left side in the area of secondary fuel filter.
Fire
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
Emergency brakes engage while driving for no apparent reason. This has happened on several occasions over the last 6 months.
Incident date: Nov 30, 2024
The brake/turn signal lights on all of the bolts, including mine, are barely visible during the day. It needs to be recalled. The lights are tiny.
Incident date: Dec 2, 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 local dealer was 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 experi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the left and right turn signals were inoperable. The contact was made aware by another driver that four out of the five rear brake lights were inoperable. The right and left turn signal malfunction and the rear brake light warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the place o... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4XE. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, he was alerted by another driver that there was a fire underneath the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. The contact stated that smoke and flames were coming from underneath the middle of the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire had started u... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
Automatic braking system has came 3 different time with out anything near the vehicle. First two times it happened I thought maybe something ws there I did not see, the third time I had two people witness the event and verified there was nothing behind the vehicle when the automatic braking stopped the vehicle abruptly.
Incident date: Sep 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 128I. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the headlights and taillights became inoperable. The engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V579000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the bulbs. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2024
3 times now the electronic power steering has quit while driving the car leaving the car very difficult to steer. Turning the car off and restarting brings the power steering back. Ford previously had a recall 15S18 and 15N01 for this issue but the recall period has expired. Under 15S18, my car was apparently "reprogrammed" in 9/2015 but is now experiencing the symptoms the recall was originall... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2024
I purchased the car brand new March 2023. I noticed the front driver headlight fogs and has condensation in cool weather. I mentioned to the Dealership and they said it was a known issue but no fix for it. The light was sealed properly. This has been on going since 2023. The condensation has gotten worse and is a safety visability issue.
Incident date: Oct 20, 2024
rearview camera image is blurry and rainbow colored (mainly purple and green). This is unsafe because I cannot see clearly out of my camera. Yes. We have had it in the shop for oil changes, tire rotation etc, where they could see problems with the camera image as well. We did not pursue them to fix at this time, because noticed there was a recall out for the rear camera in 2019 Pilots. Wondering... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2024
rearview camera image is blurry and rainbow colored (mainly purple and green). This is unsafe because I cannot see clearly out of my camera. Yes. We have had it in the shop for oil changes, tire rotation etc, where they could see problems with the camera image as well. We did not pursue them to fix at this time, because noticed there was a recall out for the rear camera in 2019 Pilots. Wondering... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
There is a belt tensioning failure which means the belt doesn’t snug to your body or engage as you apply brakes. I contacted Volvo North America on 10/31 after visiting the dealer and have not heard back regarding this problem. There is a code which appeared regarding this problem which is why it was taken to the dealership Volvo of Lisle in Illinois. They estimate the cost to repair as approxim... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
While accelerating the vehicle began to make an audible liquid grinding sound and three error codes popped up, one after another. The engine light began to flash, however the vehicle kept moving. I limped roughly .5 mile to the closest service station where I subsequently had my vehicle towed to the dealership where it was purchased. Later notified the lifter and CAM failed. Mind you, this vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
CARVANA - SOLD ME A 2ND LEMON. Vehicle has significant oil leak. Front of engine as well as underside of engine is covered in oil. Alternator is saturated in oil. (Eventually burning out the alternator) Serpentine belt is also saturated in oil making it swell and becoming soft. Also makes the belt slippery and outside edge of belt is damaged. Right rear tire is about to come apart very soon. The... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
Mid October 2023, we driving on the freeway and the car started to slow down on its own. We could not accelerate to match the speed of cars around us or to get the speed limits in a 55 to 65 zone, making it dangerous for us and others to continue driving on the freeway at extremely slow/low speeds. We towed it the dealership, who said it was defective spark plugs. This car was only 4 years old wit... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
Mid October 2023, we driving on the freeway and the car started to slow down on its own. We could not accelerate to match the speed of cars around us or to get the speed limits in a 55 to 65 zone, making it dangerous for us and others to continue driving on the freeway at extremely slow/low speeds. We towed it the dealership, who said it was defective spark plugs. This car was only 4 years old wit... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2024
Service due light keeps coming on, Brakes are squeaking, AC not blowing out properly check both front and rear, Back up camera is staying on even when she is in park, light on usb port are not working, emergency SOS call doesn't work, driver side door lock not working properly. Tires keep going down. Symptoms: Service due light keeps coming on, Brakes are squeaking, AC not blowing out properly che... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2024
My car has a water pump recall and BMW notified me on August 13. BMW said they will send a letter out to take my car in to service by October 4th 2024. I called BMW and they sent a letter out saying they still don't have a remedy for my car yet. It's been 5 months and still haven't fixed my car yet and when I call they still don't have an answer. I am highly upset. It shouldn't take this long.
Incident date: Nov 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated several warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel was firm, and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diag... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
Cross member holding file tank rusted through causing the fule tank to not be supported and shock mounts no longer support the shocks to frame causing shocks to bounce around with possibility to puncher fule tank or lines Also rear cross member that holders electrical components rusts off Excessive rust on top of fule tank causing a inability to make repairs without replacing fule tank in en... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2024
Was driving to the store, and it started cutting out jumping and jerking with tremendous loss of power barely made it home had to push it in my DRV way and still no start it says my truck is not in the recall for faulty fuel pump warning check engine lights came on and says malfunction in the throttle body censer and automatic transmission sender
Incident date: Feb 4, 2024
While driving on street lost power in traffic then a loud knocking noise.pulled over to a mechanic shop and they told me that it was engine pulleys was bad plus 2 transmitters was bad . I only had the vehicle 4months .The dealership that sold me the vehicle I don't believe they had the car inspected tried to contact them but no reply . I believe the dealership ripped me off and I'm making payment... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2020
Driver seat is ripped at the base interior The seat frame is not mounted to the base.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2020
The sound of the horn is so low/faint that it can be barely be heard which can ultimately lead to a “major” accident. I implore you to issue a recall in order for the manufacturer to replace the inferior horns.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2020
Subaru Forester engine stalls at an intersection due to auto start stop feature of subaru to save fuel, except that this is the second time when engine is idling it lowers the revs and then it stalls when trying to auto start engine; first time the dealer said is battery issue, I replaced the battery at my cost, and this is the second time. It is dangerous because there are oncoming traffic and I ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
= Customer states that when hitting a bump they have the typical jeep death wobble Conditions?= Found the vehicle to have play in all steering joints and the right front axle joint t9 have play. The vehicle has 31,000 miles on it and has never been in an accident. it started the "death wobble" Oct 2024. I traveled to Michigan, not realizing it was this bad, and it became worse over the course of ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
= Customer states that when hitting a bump they have the typical jeep death wobble Conditions?= Found the vehicle to have play in all steering joints and the right front axle joint t9 have play. The vehicle has 31,000 miles on it and has never been in an accident. it started the "death wobble" Oct 2024. I traveled to Michigan, not realizing it was this bad, and it became worse over the course of ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2024
A week ago, the steering wheel locked and the braking system and airbags and cameras malfunctioned. We took it for service at BMW. They said the battery caused the malfunction. On thanksgiving day, we were going around 25-30miles per hour when we slammed on the breaks and the breaks didnot function and we could not stop the car. The automatic emergency breaks never activated. We lost power of brak... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 28, 2024
We had recall work on the truck done on Nov 14, 2024 for the power train randomly downshifting to 1st gear without warning. Yesterday, Nov 30, 2024, I was exiting the hi-way at approximately 50 mph when the truck jerked, tires squealed, throws me to the steering wheel, and goes to limp mode. I was able to get it into a nearby parking lot and turned it off. The truck will not start now. This is exa... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2024
Rear Windown shattered while car parked for no apparent reason.
Incident date: Nov 24, 2024
The seatbelt was either not assembled properly or installed incorrectly. The strap that’s on the wall does not have a metal piece to buckle into the latch that is in the seat crease. So there is no functional seatbelt on the rear passenger side on the third row.
Incident date: Nov 24, 2024
Car door opened on its own. Sometimes infotainment display goes black and becomes unusable.
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
I took my 2016 Ford Mustang to a local Discount Tire store to replace my front passenger seat tire. A few minutes after my car was pulled into the work Bay I was called to the front desk. The store supervisor advised me at that time that his technicians noted that my Lug nuts were swelling and would soon either burst causing my tire to potentially become dislodged or at the very least many garages... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
Complete power failure of the vehicle occurred while driving on the highway. Vehicle stalled while in a driving lane, and the driver was not able to recover onto the shoulder. Huge safety risk. After towing vehicle to the mechanic, they confirmed it wasn’t a battery issue (battery just replaced 3 months prior). Appears to be a starter system failure - no warning provided. There have been si... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2024
Vehicle’s wireless and cable CarPlay functions skip/lag, and then cause the infotainment system to shut down and restart several times during each drive. Vehicle was taken to dealership (where dealer was unable to replicate). Service department performed a hard reset of the head unit, problem was resolved for 3 days before problem began again and has not been resolved after several system resets... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2024
Car suddenly stalled on the interstate (sudden deceleration, could barely make it to the shoulder; engine and oil lights, loud knocking sound, burning smell); per Hyundai dealership, it is sudden engine rod failure. Hyundai recall 181 described this exact situation. If not for quick thinking and moving to the shoulder/shutting down the engine immediately, there was a high chance of either being h... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2024
[XXX] The power steering column locked up while driving down [XXX] causing an incident that caused the car to become a total loss. A police report was generated where II stated the power steering column locked which caused the incident, I informed my insurance company immediately and throughout the dealings with my insurance company and Honda Collision center I kept stating the steering column lo... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera failed to display an image. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that a software update was required. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The ... Read more