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 14, 2024
My speedometer doesn’t match my actual speed u had my passenger measure the speed by timing the trip from one mile marker to the next and it doesn’t match the stated speed
Incident date: Dec 14, 2024
The transmission in this truck has been an issue since it had 50k miles on it. It doesn’t shift correctly or smooth at all. It shifts hard, slow to engage, studders, jerks, pops without any load. This is my second 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with same issue except it needed transmission replaced and didn’t know when they’d get another transmission in as they’re on backorder and these are... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2024
Once shifting the car in park the car won’t shut off. It keeps stating “Shift to Park” the car has already been shifted to park. I have to shift my car over and over again to get it to cut off. Also when driving it keeps stating something about the track system.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
The auto start function shuts my car off when I am stopped for a certain amount of time and will not turn back on. The first time it happened I was 10/7/2024 at a stop light in traffic and took it to the dealership to only be told it was a battery issue. I got the battery replaced and have since experienced the issue 3 more times. The night before Thanksgiving at midnight I was stopped on a h... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
My BMW started leaking fluid 4 months ago. Lights on dash came on one light was the triangle light which engine light. I had it serviced completely oil & filter change hooked up to machine that checks all components senors everything checked out great. One week later I was driving I was coming to a stop my brakes sounded like they were grinding next day had mechanic check the brakes all good. Next... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2024
My BMW started leaking fluid 4 months ago. Lights on dash came on one light was the triangle light which engine light. I had it serviced completely oil & filter change hooked up to machine that checks all components senors everything checked out great. One week later I was driving I was coming to a stop my brakes sounded like they were grinding next day had mechanic check the brakes all good. Next... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); 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 contact stated that the main control screen had blacked out and the safety features including ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
The sunroofs have a drain which sometimes can plug up. This car was maintained several times a year since purchase by Toyota dealer. When the drain plugged up this fall, water backed up and came down inside of the passenger compartment on top of the electrical fuses, body computer. The leak IS NOT DETECTABLE by owner or occupant. But when it manifests itself, it does so with the Blind Spot Mo... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2024
I purchased a new vehicle from the dealer in 2014 in 2019 the wood grain trim cracked. I had this replaced by the dealer in 2019. Now again, in 2024, the same issue the wood grain has cracked. This should not be happening every few years.
Incident date: Dec 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 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 the driver's side and passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trims had detached and were making an abnormal sound while driving. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not d... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2024
1. The 2019 Transit Connect Wagon transmission would buck or jerk when removing my foot from the accelerator when going 60 mph or more. The brake was NOT press at the time of the jerk. 2. When entering the Ford Service Center for the transmission check appointment, the left front brake seized. There was an odor of burning brake pads. 3. After the brake module was replaced and the service cente... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
On walk through rear awning flew off in slight breeze, took 4 years to get repaired with covid and parts availability, could have just as easily came off on the road, had two 3/4'' screws holding it on and into skin, not frame. Upon looking at bedroom night tables gap at front cap found rub marks on wallcovering and sawdust from rubbing/flexing cabinets from perceived frame flex. back garage man d... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
On walk through rear awning flew off in slight breeze, took 4 years to get repaired with covid and parts availability, could have just as easily came off on the road, had two 3/4'' screws holding it on and into skin, not frame. Upon looking at bedroom night tables gap at front cap found rub marks on wallcovering and sawdust from rubbing/flexing cabinets from perceived frame flex. back garage man d... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
The vehicle's instrument panel automatically dims excessively at dusk and dawn. When it does this, the speedometer and other information in the dashboard are not visible. There is no way to adjust the brightness any higher and no way to disable this auto dim feature. This is, to my knowledge, a known software bug that has persisted for close to two years without any effort by GM to rectify t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2021
Vehicle runs with reduced engine power. Was initially told the turbo needed cleaned, and it continued to happen. Then was told it needed to be replaced. The final result is that the tube that connects to the turbo keeps falling off. Being told there is no fix, and no recall, we just need to keep putting it back on when it pops off.
Incident date: Oct 19, 2021
Vehicle runs with reduced engine power. Was initially told the turbo needed cleaned, and it continued to happen. Then was told it needed to be replaced. The final result is that the tube that connects to the turbo keeps falling off. Being told there is no fix, and no recall, we just need to keep putting it back on when it pops off.
Incident date: Oct 19, 2021
Vehicle runs with reduced engine power. Was initially told the turbo needed cleaned, and it continued to happen. Then was told it needed to be replaced. The final result is that the tube that connects to the turbo keeps falling off. Being told there is no fix, and no recall, we just need to keep putting it back on when it pops off.
Incident date: Nov 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2024
All cameras stopped working. With this, all safety features are not working. I can’t see to back up at night. No collision avoidance, no lane departure warning, high beams don’t stay on, turn signal doesn’t stay on. It has been two weeks and Tesla has no fix. There was no warning, just noticed it one day as I was driving it and was very dangerous in dark snowy conditions. I called Tesla serv... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2024
2017 Ford Escape 1.5 ecoboost with only 50,571 miles. The engine failed as did the brakes due to the booster breaking off at the engine cam. I called Ford Motor Company and they asked me to take it to a Ford dealer because they have a customer service program on that engine which extended the power train warranty period to seven years. I notified Ford of the engine failure in August 2024, made an ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2024
THERE IS A LEAKING GLUE LIKE SUBSTANCE COMING FROM THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS ALL SAFETY COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE WHICH CAN CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL AS HEALTH AND ENVIORMENTAL CONCERNS.
Incident date: Dec 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact stated that the vehicle stopped accelerating after 3-seconds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the tires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the f... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2024
Brake light and several other lights suddenly came on. The brakes became spongy. Taken to a repair place close enough for walking for diagnostic work. It showed that the brake booster needs to be replaced. There was a campaign for this problem, so Toyota knows that it is/was a problem. That campaign has apparently ended. This is a very expensive repair on a car that I expected to use the rest of m... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving in reverse a grinding noise was present when pressing the brake pedal. Also, while operating the vehicle a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle which caused the contact to experience light headiness and nausea. No medical treatment was required. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was una... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving in reverse a grinding noise was present when pressing the brake pedal. Also, while operating the vehicle a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle which caused the contact to experience light headiness and nausea. No medical treatment was required. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was una... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
I was driving and my power steering assist went out making the steering almost impossible. Fortunately I was driving in my neighborhood and was close to home
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
Noticed the vehicle was leaking fluid. The vehicle temperature GAUGE was also running HOT. Went to a garage on 9 18 2024 and was told the 2 transmission hose lines were leaking and needed replacing. Was a significant leak. Was not able to use the vehicle due to HOT temperature gauge and only able to drive the vehicle a short distance and leaking fluids. Had to have both transmission hoses replaced... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
I was driving on the interstate, going 80mph in the passing lane passing a semi. (speed limit in SD) my car died. No noises, no warning lights NOTHING. Just lost ALL power. I was able to coast to the side of the road. I towed it to Kia to find out my engine seized. It IS part of a Class Action Lawsuit but they should be recalling these engines BEFORE they go out. Imagine if an unexperienced drive... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that after driving for approximately 9 straight hours, the contact had turned on the driver-side seat warming feature. The contact then stated that she began to feel burns on her upper right thigh and immediately turned off the seat warmer. The contact stated that the burns were so severe that she went to urgent care for treatment. T... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 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 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: Nov 9, 2024
While driving on the highway, the check engine line came on and my Tucson started loosing power. I quickly moved into the right lane and was able to exit the highway and pulled over. I had previous issues with the vehicle and was told it was the 1 & 2 ignition coils that were replaced. I assumed it was the same issue for the 3 & 4 ignition coils. They were also replaced but the issue was not resol... 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…
Incident date: Dec 4, 2024
My pickup was specifically purchased to pull a duel axle trailer ( brakes required by Fl. Law). The trailer weights more than the pick up. They stopped working with the electric /hydrolic Trailer brake system. I have had the Sierra in three times for Warren Ty repair. They never fixed the system. I have thoroughly test the trailer system - it works fine with another pickup. Dealer won’t retu... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a misfire in cylinder #1, causing the fuel injectors to fail. The contact was informed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer wa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that when it rained the driver's side passenger door allowed water to leak into the vehicle. The contact stated that the water was pooling inside the driver's side passenger foot well. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the door gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repai... 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 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid. The contact stated while driving on three occasions at approximately 30-55 MPH, several unknown warning lights were flashing. The message to shift to park(P) was flashing. The vehicle was shifted to park, and the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The contact's husband assisted with restarting the vehicle. The contact determined that the battery was w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Windshield seal failed, which was supposedly inspected when I bought the vehicle 13 months ago How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Water dumped onto the many electronics in the front center of the vehicle, this could have easily caused a short or failure in those electronics Ha... 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
Rusted brake lines after Sunframe rust. All E350 models are experiencing this issue with the rear brake lines and the dealership is charging upwards of $4300 to replace even when the subframe is already removed from the vehicle due to subframe issues
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT53. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V445000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); 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 made aware of the issue. The contact h... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2024
While driving in Autopilot mode, approx 70 mph in light rain the vhicle began to drift side to side almost crossing over the lane dividing line. Upon grabbing the wheel to take control the vehicle entered multiple 360 degree spins crashing into "K" rail. In the past I have noticed when taking control of the vehicle from Autopilot the wheel jerks.
Crash
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
During this summer (2024), I got a warning with three beeps then warning lights came on, went off for a several months, and now have come on and stayed on (ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE, AIRBAG, Tire Pressure). This has to be an issue with VW. There was close to 63,000 miles on the car at the time. Now there's only 64,000 miles on the car. The dealer service center couldn't really determine the cau... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2024
I was in an area that had received snow and cold temperatures. I started my car to warm it up and began cleaning off the snow. The heat from the rear defroster caused my read window to shatter leaving glass mostly on the exterior of the truck bed but also in the back seat. This is a known problem with Ford model trucks and they refuse to repair the issue or replace my window.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
The front left side marker lighting is defective. This was a recall but only on certain VIN numbers, although it appears the recall should’ve covered more VINs.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH and approaching a stop light the braking system malfunctioned when pressing the brake pedal causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. The contact indicated that the vehicle did not reduce speed when pressing the brake pedal and the collision avoidance feature did not activate.... Read more
Crash
3 injured
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
I was driving down the highway when my tailgate open on its own. This has happened 4-5 times where items could have fallen from my truck bed and caused an accident. There is an active recall for this issue but according to my VIN my vehicle isn’t affected but it clearly is. Dealer has inspected and confirmed it’s the same issue as with other models.