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: Oct 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 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 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 contact had not experienced a failure. The m... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 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 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 contact had not experienced a failure. The m... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
Bright sunlight and direct sunlight can cause the dashboard to reflect off the inside of the windshield, severely reducing visibility of the rodea.
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
Bright sunlight and direct sunlight can cause the dashboard to reflect off the inside of the windshield, severely reducing visibility of the rodea.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2024
The snow white pearl paint on my 2013 Kia Sorento is chipping and peeling off due to a latent effect .. starting at the front bumper .. grill assembly..a pillars .. hood ..roof and is now starting to chip on back latch.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated before losing motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning l... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2024
While driving in light traffic, speed at 45 mph, my Tucson alerted me with a beep, steering wheel vibrated and a red alert on the dash was present for about 3 seconds then the speed automatically slows down to 15 mph all on its own while my foot is still on the accelerator. This has occurred at a minimum 6 times. I purchased this vehicle brand new and driving it off the lot it had 22 miles on it. ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2024
While driving in light traffic, speed at 45 mph, my Tucson alerted me with a beep, steering wheel vibrated and a red alert on the dash was present for about 3 seconds then the speed automatically slows down to 15 mph all on its own while my foot is still on the accelerator. This has occurred at a minimum 6 times. I purchased this vehicle brand new and driving it off the lot it had 22 miles on it. ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2024
The entire computer screen is stuck on the downloading picture. Then it will restart itself and do it all over again. Nothing works. No radio or anything. I’ve been looking online and seeing there is a lot of people with the same issues a but no solutions. How has Toyota not fixed this issue yet.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact heard an audible chime. The contact stated that the message "Driver Side Safety Restraint System Fault" was displayed. Additionally, the passenger’s side air bag warning light intermittently illuminated and after a week remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The man... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and making a turn in either direction, there was an abnormal groaning sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear differential had malfunctioned, and the differential fluids were replaced. The manufacturer was no... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
We have periodic driver assist faults coming up , started at 1700 and now has has 3400 miles on it, dealer still cannot fix and BMW either .
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his daughter was driving approximately 35 MPH over a bump in the roadway, the steering wheel turned to the left while driving straight on the roadway. The contact stated that his daughter had not seen warning light illuminated. The contact drove to his daughter location and drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The mechanic di... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed to upshift or downshift as intended. Additionally, the RPM was rising independently. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contac... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
Auto headlight high beam extremely errati on dark country roads I live on. Highbeams come on with oncoming traffic blinding them. VERY DANGEROUS!
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
I recieved a letter stating that the integrated brakes are not working functioning properly and there is no remedy . This has been going on for a while I am scare to drive the car
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
I recieved a letter stating that the integrated brakes are not working functioning properly and there is no remedy . This has been going on for a while I am scare to drive the car
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); 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 manufacturer was not... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while coming to a stop, the vehicle lost motive power with the “Shift to Park” message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the PCM software had failed and needed to be updated. The vehicle was repai... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2023
I have pinging sound coming from the engine when I accelerate. Transmission seems to skip during acceleration. Took it to the dealership for repair since the car is under warranty. Dealership replaced a bearing in the axle and replaced the turbo. I’m still having the same issues. Dealership had my car for 5 weeks dealing with this issue. I feel they don’t know what’s causing the problem.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2024
I have pinging sound coming from the engine when I accelerate. Transmission seems to skip during acceleration. Took it to the dealership for repair since the car is under warranty. Dealership replaced a bearing in the axle and replaced the turbo. I’m still having the same issues. Dealership had my car for 5 weeks dealing with this issue. I feel they don’t know what’s causing the problem.
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
October 10, 2024, I was pulling out of my job’s parking lot when I was attempting to brake before pulling out into traffic on the Main Street. My vehicle would not stop despite my having the brakes to the floor. I was almost in traffic before the brakes started to work. On October 18, 2024, I experienced the same problem when I was pulling out of a gas station and tried to stop before pulling in... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle hesitated with an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
I was driving on the street with no one in front of me going about 45 miles per hour when the car did "Phantom Braking" and the car tried to stop on its own. It beeped 3 times and BRAKE! flashed on my dashboard as if I was going to hit someone and the car overtook my brakes and tried to stop. There was no one in front of me. The very next day, it did it again. This is extremely dangerous a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. 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. Additionally, the contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate while it w... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto repair shop where it was diagnosed that there was an open circuit in the front driver’s side air bag squib. The contact was informed that the air bag squib needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The m... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while a passenger was seated in the front passenger’s seat, the passenger’s side air bag warning light intermittently illuminated while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with an inoperable passenger’s side air bag sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
engine misfires, using up antifreeze PO302 PO316 Took to dealer, wanted to replace engine but I am 3 months out of warranty
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
On October 18, 2024 I got a check engine light after starting my vehicle when leaving the grocery store. I stopped at a mechanic shop near by and was told the code they pulled stated that there was an “Air Flap Control Malfunction.” I’ experienced this same issue a year earlier on December 15, 2024 when I got an engine warning light that stayed on and it gave this same error message. Before ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the instrument cluster became inoperable and displayed a black screen. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 46,000.
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
I have a 2022 Wrangler 4xe. This weekend I rear ended a car in stop and go traffic. When I used the brake it actually felt like the car jumped forward a bit. I had to stomp on the brake pedal again as if my first attempt had no grab. More details...I was in hybrid mode with <1% battery status and max regen was on. I was going less than 10 miles an hour. Jeep has a max regeneration function th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
When the vehicle is in adaptive cruise mode and tracking a lane with Lane Keeping Assistance, if the lines on the road widen beyond a certain point (perhaps 3-5ft wider than a normal lane), the vehicle will suddenly stop maintaining the lane with no audio warning or significant visual indicator. As the driver should always be paying attention, it is the lack of an audio warning that is the major c... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
When in reverse gear, the backup camera images appear blurred with color distortions. This happens more frequently when it has been raining or there's mud on the roads and less frequent when it's dry.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 BMW X7. The contact stated that while using the key fob to unlock the doors, the doors failed to unlock. The contact was able to manually open the vehicle with the key. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the battery was installed backwards during the vehicle manufacturing process. Additionally, the contact stated that the interior rearview mir... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, upon inspecting the vehicle the contact noticed oil burning and an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V226000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage w... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
On [XXX] my 2014 Kia Soul caught on fire while I was at a gas station. There had been no warning lights, however when I first started it that day it acted like it didn't want to start. A man ran in the gas station and got their fire extinguisher and put the engine fire out. I called 911 , and when the fire department inspected it they said the fire was completely out. They filed a report and I h... Read more
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 22, 2024
On Mercedes GL350, the trunk/ hatch door will not open from outside. It just stopped working. Therefore, I tried to open it from inside, but there is no manual latch inside to open the trunk/ hatch door. It is a safety issue. The dealer, Mercedes Benz of Richmond, 8225 West Broad Street, charged $235 to open the hatch door. The dealership billed total $1322.48 (after 10% discount $1219.66) to r... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and coolant warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the water pump had leaked into the engine and advised the contact to maintain the anti-freeze level at full. The vehicle was taken to another local independent... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Tundra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V381000 (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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
Driving on a gravel road (with small pot holes and bumps) down a slight hill caused my brake pedal to shudder making it impossible to slow to a speed I felt comfortable with. I had to remove my foot from the brake pedal and step on it as hard as I could to slow down. This is a serious safety defect and the issue needs to be investigated especially since many consumers have submitted similar compla... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
I was driving down a wide and straight road with no other cars anywhere around me. Suddenly, the automatic emergency braking system became activated and the car brakes came on for absolutely no reason. This could have caused a major accident if there was any traffic near me and is a very dangerous flaw in my car.
Incident date: May 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that two independent mechanics were sent to the residence to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage wa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 BMW i7. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic); 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 contact had not experie... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 BMW i7. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic); 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 contact had not experie... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 BMW i5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the "Driver Restraint System Malfunction" message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000. The VIN tool confirms that... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 BMW i5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the "Driver Restraint System Malfunction" message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000. The VIN tool confirms that... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 BMW i5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the "Driver Restraint System Malfunction" message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000. The VIN tool confirms that... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
All lights including dash lights turned off while driving at night on the interstate at 82mph. Not sure if my knees hit the light switch or not but not sure why even dash lights went out. Brought vehicle to local Chevy garage, there was no code and they couldn’t duplicate the incident.