Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,224,858 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 139,140 crashes, 56,440 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 2,224,858 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 28,177 complaints for BUICK
Incident date: Jun 5, 2026
The engine, power steering, stabilitrak, and reduced engine power (vehicle would essentially die while driving at random times). My safety AND others were put at risk when I am traveling down the road/interstate and the engine just cuts out and am no longer able to accelerate to any speeds, causing me to have to pull over to the shoulder WITHOUT ANY ENGINE POWER. Yes, the problem has reproduced an... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2026
The engine, power steering, stabilitrak, and reduced engine power (vehicle would essentially die while driving at random times). My safety AND others were put at risk when I am traveling down the road/interstate and the engine just cuts out and am no longer able to accelerate to any speeds, causing me to have to pull over to the shoulder WITHOUT ANY ENGINE POWER. Yes, the problem has reproduced an... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2026
The engine, power steering, stabilitrak, and reduced engine power (vehicle would essentially die while driving at random times). My safety AND others were put at risk when I am traveling down the road/interstate and the engine just cuts out and am no longer able to accelerate to any speeds, causing me to have to pull over to the shoulder WITHOUT ANY ENGINE POWER. Yes, the problem has reproduced an... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2026
2012 Buick LaCrosse V6 (Fairfax Plant). The vehicle suffered a sudden, complete loss of engine power and forward propulsion while traveling at highway speed, cutting off mid-drive with no warning. This occurred alongside a persistent StabiliTrak malfunction; the dash showed repeated "Service StabiliTrak" warnings before the failure, then turned bright orange with multiple warning lights and a mess... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2026
2012 Buick LaCrosse V6 (Fairfax Plant). The vehicle suffered a sudden, complete loss of engine power and forward propulsion while traveling at highway speed, cutting off mid-drive with no warning. This occurred alongside a persistent StabiliTrak malfunction; the dash showed repeated "Service StabiliTrak" warnings before the failure, then turned bright orange with multiple warning lights and a mess... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2026
2012 Buick LaCrosse V6 (Fairfax Plant). The vehicle suffered a sudden, complete loss of engine power and forward propulsion while traveling at highway speed, cutting off mid-drive with no warning. This occurred alongside a persistent StabiliTrak malfunction; the dash showed repeated "Service StabiliTrak" warnings before the failure, then turned bright orange with multiple warning lights and a mess... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that after the vehicle was turned off, residual electrical power activated in the vehicle. The power windows and sunroof remained operational, and the instrument panel remained activated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who diagnosed that the driver's door window switch was faulty and needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle wa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2026
While driving check engine suddenly illuminated following by a "warning reduced engine power" message. Car began driving sluggish and driving over 35mph caused serious trembling. After multiple diagnosis with several engine codes pointing to issues with ECM, and mass air flow sensor, and the wiring affliated . I took the vehicle to the GMC dealership to get vehicle serviced and was told the wiri... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2026
While driving check engine suddenly illuminated following by a "warning reduced engine power" message. Car began driving sluggish and driving over 35mph caused serious trembling. After multiple diagnosis with several engine codes pointing to issues with ECM, and mass air flow sensor, and the wiring affliated . I took the vehicle to the GMC dealership to get vehicle serviced and was told the wiri... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2026
Traction stabilization light comes on very frequently and vehicle loses power, step on gas and it sputters can’t get out of any one’s way, they throw parts at it and never fixes. From feedback off internet a big problem 2008-2017 enclaves
Incident date: Jun 18, 2026
Traction stabilization light comes on very frequently and vehicle loses power, step on gas and it sputters can’t get out of any one’s way, they throw parts at it and never fixes. From feedback off internet a big problem 2008-2017 enclaves
Incident date: Jun 18, 2026
Traction stabilization light comes on very frequently and vehicle loses power, step on gas and it sputters can’t get out of any one’s way, they throw parts at it and never fixes. From feedback off internet a big problem 2008-2017 enclaves
Incident date: Jun 25, 2026
Pcv failed causing rough idle, etc light and squeezing sound
Incident date: Jun 23, 2026
Car purchased new in Nov 2018. Within 3 years needed a turbocharger replacement. At this time this was covered under warranty. Recently had to undergo replacement for the turbocharger again. This time it was not covered under the warranty. In researching this problem I saw that in Feb of 2024, Buick extended the warranty on the Buick 2017-2018 Encores, due to a manufacturer defect in the turb... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
I am submitting this complaint regarding a paint defect on my 2020 Buick Enclave. The passenger-side rear door has significant top-coat peeling and flaking, exposing the primer and metal underneath. This deterioration is not normal wear for a six-year-old vehicle that has been properly maintained and protected from environmental conditions. The pattern of peeling indicates a failure of the top coa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
A squealing sound was coming from the top of my engine and I had low/rough idle and it progressed to a low voltage output and check engine lights. This happened while i was driving on the highway and my speed was eratic and I had to cross 2 lanes to get the next exit. The problem has been reproduced my an indepent service center. The PCV vent constantly pulled vacuum (was stuck open to atmosphe... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
Battery went completely dead during long distance drive, check engine light came on for fuel pump, back right tire went flat only 4k miles on the vehicle
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
Battery went completely dead during long distance drive, check engine light came on for fuel pump, back right tire went flat only 4k miles on the vehicle
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
Battery went completely dead during long distance drive, check engine light came on for fuel pump, back right tire went flat only 4k miles on the vehicle
Incident date: Jun 29, 2026
Vehicle is a 2018 requiring valve cover replacement due to an issue that was recalled on previous years, most recently 2016. Extended warranty was offered for these repairs. TSB Special Coverage N192291620 – Camshaft Cover Replacement (later superseded by N232395320). This should be reviewed for additional recalls.
Incident date: Jun 26, 2026
Driving home from work on interstate, 2 month old 2026 Buick enclave jolted and shut off completely while going 65mph. Barely pulled over safely to the left side (Oklahoma drivers). Restarted car, check engine light illuminated with messages of reduced engine power (limp mode up to 35mph) while stuck on highway, traction control and esc disabled. Was able to get off highway and limp to nearest GM ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2026
Driving home from work on interstate, 2 month old 2026 Buick enclave jolted and shut off completely while going 65mph. Barely pulled over safely to the left side (Oklahoma drivers). Restarted car, check engine light illuminated with messages of reduced engine power (limp mode up to 35mph) while stuck on highway, traction control and esc disabled. Was able to get off highway and limp to nearest GM ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2026
Driving home from work on interstate, 2 month old 2026 Buick enclave jolted and shut off completely while going 65mph. Barely pulled over safely to the left side (Oklahoma drivers). Restarted car, check engine light illuminated with messages of reduced engine power (limp mode up to 35mph) while stuck on highway, traction control and esc disabled. Was able to get off highway and limp to nearest GM ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
a software glitch that causes the instrument panel display to intermittently black out or go completely blank. This safety recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 23V744 / GM Recall Number A232424320) impacts the vehicle's electrical system, specifically targeting the Virtual Cockpit Unit (VCU) module. Core Issue & Symptoms Blank Dashboard: The primary symptom is an instrument panel that intermittently blac... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH on the interstate, the vehicle was shuddering abnormally while accelerating, and the transmission failed to properly shift into gear. The contact was concerned about safety while driving the vehicle at highway speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated, or messages displayed prior to the fa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was firm while depressed, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and several unknown diagnostic trouble codes were retrieved. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, but the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. T... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2025
The turbo in my vehicle has a check engine light come on and than the engine does no act right. The repair shop that looked at car stated that the manufacture knows this is a known issue and they have not made a recall as several cars my year range has this going on. If this is a known issue why is there no recall. I worked had for my car and I can not afford the repair of a know issues with the t... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2025
The turbo in my vehicle has a check engine light come on and than the engine does no act right. The repair shop that looked at car stated that the manufacture knows this is a known issue and they have not made a recall as several cars my year range has this going on. If this is a known issue why is there no recall. I worked had for my car and I can not afford the repair of a know issues with the t... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2025
The turbo in my vehicle has a check engine light come on and than the engine does no act right. The repair shop that looked at car stated that the manufacture knows this is a known issue and they have not made a recall as several cars my year range has this going on. If this is a known issue why is there no recall. I worked had for my car and I can not afford the repair of a know issues with the t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2026
I was driving ~72 MPH on the interstate and my car suddenly downshifted and the dash read “Speed limited to 62 MPH”. I took the nearest off ramp and the brakes completely failed. The dash initially read “service transmission” and “service breaks”. After restarting the Buick Envision, the MyBuick App diagnostics stated “service breaks” only. The car was towed to the dealership this ... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal and accelerator pedal became extremely hot to the touch. The contact became aware that the silver heat shield was missing. Additionally, the contact stated that there was electrical activity or electricity coming from the area. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was tak... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal and accelerator pedal became extremely hot to the touch. The contact became aware that the silver heat shield was missing. Additionally, the contact stated that there was electrical activity or electricity coming from the area. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was tak... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2026
Lateral arms needed replaced at 60,000 miles causing shaking, accelerated wear on tires, increasing misalignment.
Incident date: Jun 24, 2026
Lateral arms needed replaced at 60,000 miles causing shaking, accelerated wear on tires, increasing misalignment.
Incident date: May 18, 2026
Subject: Complaint Regarding Improper Handling of Safety Recall Repair Hello, I would like to file an official complaint regarding a dealership that failed to properly follow required procedures for a federally mandated safety recall repair on my vehicle. Vehicle Information: • Year/Make/Model: 2012 Buick Lacrosse • VIN: [XXX] • Recall Number (if known): Dealership Information: • Dealersh... Read more
BUICK
CASCADA
(2016) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
Jun 23, 2026
Incident date: Jun 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Cascada. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal squealing sound. The vehicle was subsequently taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a PCV valve failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
The turbo failed by reducing speed all a sudden when I was driving on the freeway. Got the problem repaired and not even a month later same thing is happening again.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2026
On June 22,2026, I was involved in a frontal impact collision while traveling at approximately 35 mph. The vehicle suffered a catastrophic failure of the entire occupant restraint system. Despite a severe, high-speed frontal impact, the frontal airbags failed to physically deploy, and the seatbelt pretensioners failed to tighten, leaving the seatbelts completely loose. Crucially, the dashboard ins... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 22, 2026
On June 22,2026, I was involved in a frontal impact collision while traveling at approximately 35 mph. The vehicle suffered a catastrophic failure of the entire occupant restraint system. Despite a severe, high-speed frontal impact, the frontal airbags failed to physically deploy, and the seatbelt pretensioners failed to tighten, leaving the seatbelts completely loose. Crucially, the dashboard ins... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 22, 2026
The vehicle has less than 60,000 miles. Sometimes, when it is shifted into park, the info center states that it is not in park. I have to jiggle the shift or shift it into other gears and go back to park. The shift is definitely in park when this happens.
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
Transmission would not connect with the engine. La Fontaine dealership in Saint Clair. Said I need a new transmission cost $14,000. It has 59823 miles under the vehicle.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
There is a know water leak issues with GM. The below is the tsb, Technical Service Bulletin (TSB #16-NA-073. This is a safety issues because if your not aware it could lead to mold in your car. I noticed my issue about 3 weeks ago when my floor board was flooded. I can tell by how the carpet looks its been leaking for a while. I would like this to be further looked into. This is a know issues and ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
The envision started losing power, the engine would not gain speed or if it did it was very slow, had the booster vacuum sensor changed, Sudden loss of power or sluggish acceleration, In the beginning the noise/whining was not loud however increased from the engine. Took to a repair shop, could not figure it out, informed dealership, was advised to bring it in. As the car was driven into the lo... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
The envision started losing power, the engine would not gain speed or if it did it was very slow, had the booster vacuum sensor changed, Sudden loss of power or sluggish acceleration, In the beginning the noise/whining was not loud however increased from the engine. Took to a repair shop, could not figure it out, informed dealership, was advised to bring it in. As the car was driven into the lo... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
The envision started losing power, the engine would not gain speed or if it did it was very slow, had the booster vacuum sensor changed, Sudden loss of power or sluggish acceleration, In the beginning the noise/whining was not loud however increased from the engine. Took to a repair shop, could not figure it out, informed dealership, was advised to bring it in. As the car was driven into the lo... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2026
Three nuts snapped, which secure the front muffler to the length of the exhaust system. The engine side of the exhaust pipe became disconnected and dragged along road, which occurred while driving the vehicle on a residential road. Steering was not impacted, however the pipe would have eventually come completely free, without driving directly to an auto-body repair shop.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
While driving my brand new 2026 Buick Envista Avenir with only 347 miles on the odometer, the vehicle became difficult to control and multiple warning messages and service lights illuminated simultaneously: “Brake System Failure — Your driving speed is being restricted as braking may be difficult,” “Service Brake Assist — Your vehicle may not brake automatically or assist in braking when... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
While driving my brand new 2026 Buick Envista Avenir with only 347 miles on the odometer, the vehicle became difficult to control and multiple warning messages and service lights illuminated simultaneously: “Brake System Failure — Your driving speed is being restricted as braking may be difficult,” “Service Brake Assist — Your vehicle may not brake automatically or assist in braking when... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2026
the passenger front sidewall of the tire has a bubble. The tire is a Goodyear LS-2 235/45R18 is the model. I felt very unsafe do drive on a defected tire. The tire dealer told me it was not a defect and i would have to replace the tire at full cost. There was no warning of a problem with the tire. i discovered it after a routine vehicle inspection by myself.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle lost motive power and was coasted to the shoulder of the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The cont... Read more