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 17, 2024
In January, 2024, my vehicle (2023 Hyundai Santa Fe) started shuddering when brakes were applied at high speed, on quick or hard stops, in stop and go traffic, and especially going downhill. I had only been driving the vehicle for about 5 months. I took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, who explained that my front rotors had burn spots. He recommended that I have them resurfaced. I did not w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
During acceleration to pass another vehicle, my engine had lost all power and acceleration and I had to make a split decision to brake and maneuver my vehicle back into my lane behind multiple vehicles who were behind me before I attempted to pass. Had there have been oncoming traffic within that mentally unaccounted time that I was in the opposite lane, I could have been in a very large deadly ac... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
During acceleration to pass another vehicle, my engine had lost all power and acceleration and I had to make a split decision to brake and maneuver my vehicle back into my lane behind multiple vehicles who were behind me before I attempted to pass. Had there have been oncoming traffic within that mentally unaccounted time that I was in the opposite lane, I could have been in a very large deadly ac... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2024
This was the third time I have had my vehicle in the shop for the same exact issue - stalling while driving. This time we decided to take it to a Chevy Dealer who very quickly diagnosed the PCV System Freeze "causing the rear main seal to push out causing a major oil leak". Seeing as this issue is known in prior years, it is baffling why Chevy has not addressed this design flaw, which causes engi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2024
I am financing a 2016 Kia Sorrento from the Burns Ford of York by here pay here of South Carolina I had the car for less than two weeks and the car would not go in park and sometimes it would not come out of park . I am trying to find all recalls that have been fixed on the car before vin# [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Sep 11, 2024
Excessive frame flex in pin box area of fifth wheel. Forward left cargo door unlatching while towing. Vehicle is currently at Lazydays dealer in TN for inspection and TSB for excessive frame flex. Inspection has revealed major structural cracks and structural failure in upper deck steel frame structure. Vehicle has been deemed unsafe to transport and must be repaired in place or partially repa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2024
Excessive frame flex in pin box area of fifth wheel. Forward left cargo door unlatching while towing. Vehicle is currently at Lazydays dealer in TN for inspection and TSB for excessive frame flex. Inspection has revealed major structural cracks and structural failure in upper deck steel frame structure. Vehicle has been deemed unsafe to transport and must be repaired in place or partially repa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Dec 4, 2024
The passenger side rear brake hose is leaking severely, causing soft breaks. Making it very difficult to stop. This happened suddenly and did not experience any issues prior to the hose starting to leak. It will be towed to Ford for inspection and repair. We had no warning lamps or messages prior to the hose leaking.
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Passport. 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 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 h... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2024
As we were driving down a main road and taking off from a stop light on NW Expressway we had no warning before the car seemed to die and shift itself to N. It said to press the start button, that did nothing and the car would not power back up besides the lights and dash that were still working. We coasted to a stop in a neighborhood entrance. I'm so thankful I was not on the highway during rush... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
While driving, the vehicle lost its brakes and rolled to a stop on [XXX] at that point the vehicle compartment began to fill up with black smoke and soot and flames started to come out of vents. My daughter immediately grabbed her dog and exited from the vehicle to a safe spot away from the car. Within 10 seconds the vehicle exploded and erupted into a 20 ft fireball. If my daughter would have ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 50 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power, and decelerated to 30 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, with the “Low Coolant” message displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. Th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Acura ZDX. The contact stated after his wife had pulled out of the driveway and depressed the brake pedal, the messages "Complete Outer Brake Failure", "Top Speed 43 MPH" and "Stabili-trak Failure" were displayed. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver shifted into drive(D) to return into the driveway. The driver depressed the brake pedal,... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 60-65 on the highway, changing lanes, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from eighth gear to first gear. The vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The message to “Service Immediately” was displayed and then turne... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
Steering wheel very stiff after driving 70 miles an hour Sometimes very stiff when vehicle is started.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
While driving several times since purchasing it the vehicles steering had completely locked and I've had to slam on brakes in middle of traffic before i crash several times, very close to causing serious injuriesto myself or others and possibly death. This has happened numerous times since i bought it. I took it to the dealership where I purchased it, they said they fix it in 2021 it has happend ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Sep 7, 2024
86,000 miles on the vehicle and transmission and oil leakingproblem
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
To the best of my knowledg The front LH drive shaft came off the transaxle case leaving me no power of steering or breaking forcing me into the center divider. if this happened on a freeway driving speed limit or a busy street the accident would be fatal. Problem has been confirmed by Nissan themselves the year and make of my car has been recalled for this issue. A few days prior I did smell oil... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 14, 2025
It has been almost 1 year and there is no remedy available for the important safety recall campaign no. 24V-104: Integrated Brake (IB) Module.
Incident date: Jan 14, 2025
“Frameless”, rear, fixed, upper window pane (Lippert brand), detached from its bonding and flew off the motorhome while in motion on the highway. Fortunately no one was struck with this. Unable to retrieve since we never knew exactly where and when it happened..
Incident date: Jan 14, 2025
“Frameless”, rear, fixed, upper window pane (Lippert brand), detached from its bonding and flew off the motorhome while in motion on the highway. Fortunately no one was struck with this. Unable to retrieve since we never knew exactly where and when it happened..
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owned 2021 Mazda CX-30. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle in the parking garage at her workplace, the contact reversed and then straightened the steering wheel; however, after shifting to drive and attempting to drive 6-10 feet forward into the parking space, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into a pillar before coming to a stop. The contact stated... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
Door latch failed and will not unlock the front passenger door. Dangerous situation if the battery dies. Similar recall but Lincoln said there's nothing they can do only 2019 was recalled for that. Would not make an exception. Dealer was surprised and advised me to report.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH in a parking lot, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle jolted forward. The contact stated that the vehicle was also hesitating before moving forward when the gear shifter was shifted into drive. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure and there was an abnormal sound co... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
I have had 2 incidents, and paid for repairs both times. When put in park, SHIFT TO PARK warning lights come on. First time, Oct 4, 2021. Second time Dec 16, 2024. In 2021 I was told there should be a recall, it happens a lot. I'm not seeing recall, and think I should get my money back.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
I have had 2 incidents, and paid for repairs both times. When put in park, SHIFT TO PARK warning lights come on. First time, Oct 4, 2021. Second time Dec 16, 2024. In 2021 I was told there should be a recall, it happens a lot. I'm not seeing recall, and think I should get my money back.
Incident date: Jun 17, 2020
2016-17 have multiple recalls for the PTU defects. I have had the exact same problem with mine. While driving i lost all power to the vehicle after making a turn and I was unable to keep the car from rolling while in park without the aid of the parking brake. Upon inspection and removal of my PTU that I preformed myself I was able to ascertain that the splines of my PTU input shaft were almost com... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2025
I was driving east on [XXX] in Bourne MA using the Tesla adaptive cruise control system called "Autopilot" in very light traffic conditions. The sun was low on in the sky (behind and to the right). The system automatically engaged the brakes while crossing the bridge without obvious reason, decreasing the car speed about 10 MPH in less than a second before I overrode by pressing the accelerato... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and the vehicle jerked abnormally with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaire... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission jerked intermittently. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer; Greenville Mitsubishi (325 W... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
Engine light came on with code. Was for 3 way coolant heater valve. Purchased part and replaced a few weeks ago. Engine light is back on . I see online chrysler had a recall for the same issue on the 2017 Dodge ram. I called NTSB to check on recall they said could be internal recall at chrysler. I tried to call Chrysler and I am put on hold. I would like Chrysler to authorize this to be fixed fu... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
Truck has hesitation when throttle is pressed. Worse when cold and/or when truck starts nose down from a stop. Dangerous when pulling into traffic.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
On Monday, August 5, 2024 when I started the vehicle and began driving to work I noticed upon startup the engine was clearly noticeably louder. It also made a strange bogging downshift type noise when idling. Upon driving, the noise seemed to go in and out but once reaching approximately 40mph the noise got noticeably loud again and the vehicle seemed as though it was having gear shifting issues. ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact used the parking brake to assist in slowing the vehicle before pulling over... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2024
All Toyota Highlanders with the LED projector headlights come from the factory with the lights aimed far too high.
Incident date: Sep 9, 2024
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, she was informed by an individual if she was the owner of the vehicle since it was smoking and caught on fire. Prior to the fire, unknown warning lights would illuminate and un-illuminated intermittently. The Fire Department was on the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 10, 2025
Purchased the 2020 traverse on [XXX] from Basswood in Ft. Payne Alabama. Under the guise of the salesman I was assured that the vehicle was in great shape, with no issues at all, and a very clean Carfax. Well I'm new to purchasing a car via financing with a co-signer in which he was assured the vehicle was in great shape. Well unbeknownst to us my household the car was nothing of the sort. Within ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); 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 confir... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2025
Engine Code P10D9. Electrical harness to the DEF tank melted. My truck was not part of the GM recall but clearly effects more vehicles than they believe. See NHTSA report N212342980. Spoke with Chevy customer service today and they stated the wiring harness melting is not covered under warranty. This is a fire hazard that GM should remedy. The recall is clearly larger than 38,000 vehicles. Are we ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
For the last two months nearly every time the front passenger seat seat belt unbuckles when it is used.
Incident date: Jan 12, 2025
Excessive hesitation in acceleration from stop or slow start. No warnings displayed car has less than 18000 miles. The excessive hesitation poses a real danger when pulling into traffic or trying to avoid an accident. The truck can randomly take several seconds to respond to accelerator input. This issue halls been reported my many 2022 and later Tundra owner.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2024
The car's dashboard has a patterned design (stripes or bars) which casts an extremely distracting glare onto the windshield. It is noticeable in all conditions, but in sunny conditions I have especially noticed this interferes with my ability to see the road and/or pedestrians. I had one incident where I was turning off a road and into a parking lot and nearly missed a pedestrian on the sidewalk b... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
Smell of Gas coming from the the fuel line, and the radio changes stations on its own
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
Trim parts came off roof traveling on highway.
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
While traveling at low speeds, power steering fails. Dash indicates a warning message “Power steering service unavailable”. There is a recall for this exact issue, same year and model, but my VIN is not included. Diagnostic at dealership shows issue is same as recalled issue but is not able to repair under recall due to VIN. Dealership states cost to repair is $3400.
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
When vehicle is in rain or sub-freezing conditions, the horn completely stops functioning. Took vehicle to Tesla Service and was told, "Technician inspected and found the vehicles horn to be working as expected at this time. Technician noted that under heavy rain/snow the vehicles horn may not work as expected due to water accumulation in the cut out for the horn." The issue is reproducible every ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2024
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -The engine failed. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -The vehicle stalled in the middle of a two lane road at the top of a hill, as well as in the middle of the highway. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -Yes, the vehicle... Read more