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 28,307 complaints for BUICK
Incident date: Nov 14, 2024
The transmission failed. Yes, it is available for inspection. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk because the vehicle lost all forward propulsion as I was pulling into busy, fast moving traffic. The vehicle is pending repair at this time. There were no warning lamps or other symptoms. There was a loud pop, the rpm's immediately skyrocketed until the rev limiter was activated, ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2025
My vehicle (and I've heard from others with a Sportage) has been burning oil with no errors. I regularly get my oil changed. My last oil change, I had no oil and didn't know (oil change every 5000 miles or less). After this oil change and before next is due, I looked and oil is burned up again. Concerning due to the age of vehicle and this should not happen. Again, I'm seeing this happening to oth... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2025
Below is the email that I sent to both the manufacturer and the dealership: I hope your Christmas Eve was better than mine. My son and I were driving up to the Poconos [XXX] to go skiing and I noticed the sonar detection light come on. When we were driving back from the Poconos, the transmission would not catch around the second or third gear. The RPMs would shoot up. The dash / warning lights lit... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2025
Below is the email that I sent to both the manufacturer and the dealership: I hope your Christmas Eve was better than mine. My son and I were driving up to the Poconos [XXX] to go skiing and I noticed the sonar detection light come on. When we were driving back from the Poconos, the transmission would not catch around the second or third gear. The RPMs would shoot up. The dash / warning lights lit... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2023
While driving and starting to brake the whole dashboard lights up stating there is brake failure. And low brake fluid.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
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: Jan 15, 2025
On September 11, 2024, I took my vehicle to BMW of Great Neck for a tire and rim job under insurance. BMW failed to return my lug nuts, leaving my vehicle in an unsafe condition. It took nearly a month for them to provide the missing lug nuts. Upon inspection, each wheel had fewer than the required 5 lug nuts, creating a serious safety risk. On September 24, 2024, I had to return to BMW due to a T... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
On September 11, 2024, I took my vehicle to BMW of Great Neck for a tire and rim job under insurance. BMW failed to return my lug nuts, leaving my vehicle in an unsafe condition. It took nearly a month for them to provide the missing lug nuts. Upon inspection, each wheel had fewer than the required 5 lug nuts, creating a serious safety risk. On September 24, 2024, I had to return to BMW due to a T... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2024
Yes, my vehicle is available for inspection upon request. When I go to put my 2019 GMC Acadia in "park" the shifter states it is in park & the dashboard shows it in "P." However, when I turn the vehicle off, an error message comes up reading "shift to park" and my car wont fully shut off. You can feel the car move forward or backwards a tiny bit (depending where vehicle is parked). This makes me ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
When I take my foot off the brake to accelerate, the car jerks backward and shudders. It feels as though it’s about to stall. When pressing the gas pedal, the car also has delayed acceleration. Both of these issues create dangerous driving conditions. The car hesitates when accelerating from a stopped position, nearly causing me to be rear-ended at traffic lights on multiple occasions. I’ve al... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle failed to start as intended while using the push-to-start feature. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was dia... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2025
In March of 2018, a recall came out for the electric motor and and mounting bracket on the driver side seat adjustment. We purchased this Pilot new in September of 2018. The seat motor has quit working, but we cannot find the recall anywhere. It seams to me like we should be able to get it recalled and get the motor and bracket replaced!!
Incident date: Jan 4, 2025
The car has not been able to charge since April of last year. I have taken it to the dealer to diagnose but they want to charge $200 per hour to diagnose. They already suggested that the charge receptacle should be replaced. I purchased the part and replaced it myself. I have tried asking if it could be the BECM like with other model years and they said they could only determine that after testing... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2024
Received letter on February 2024 regarding recall notice 24S02/NHTSA Recall 24V031. The exterior pillar trim which borders the right side of the windshield flew off while driving on the interstate and could have caused a major accident. We went to our local Ford dealership several times to inquire if they could assist with getting the needed parts in also. I called the vehicle safety hotline and r... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 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 not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
I was scheduled to receive the 2.2 software update November 12 and noticed a low voltage battery warning some time earlier in the day, November 11 - this is not the main battery, as it was charged around 70%. Was this related to the download maybe? From reading threads, the best way to charge is to drive, so I went for a drive through local parks for about 30 minutes. Fast forward to later that ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 10, 2025
Completed NHTSA recall 24V-868 at my dealer December 13th 2024. ICCU failed on 1/1/2025 and I am awaiting on the 3rd ICCU for my vehicle in less than 2 years. Similar issue happened December 2023, completed the ICCU recall and had the ICCU fail in a similar fashion.
Incident date: Jan 24, 2023
I started my bmw up one day after working 16 hours and white thick smoke came from the back tailpipe. Tok it to bmw and they said my car is leaking oil on to the turbo and I need to replace the pump, shocks, valves and others because of this leak. And the car started to issue a transmission fault code on the screen.
Incident date: Dec 22, 2024
(1) 12/23/2024, Transmission clunk between 3 rd and 4 th gear, ( replaced main control valve body). miles 42,110 11/27/2024, Transmission clunk between 3 rd and 4 th gear, ( found code p2705 found valve sticking-worked valves manually to unstick). miles 41,442 3/13/2024 Transmission stuck in 5 th gear , would not go in reverse either. this problem started after driving 233 miles after repair, o... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
Tesla has told me the AP4 computer has failed in my car which has resulted in them having to replace it. I had this issue start right around [XXX]. I scheduled the soonest appointment available for 12/30 however Tesla contacted me and moved my appointment because they stated that the part was unavailable at this time and should be delivered by 01/9/25 but now it has been pushed back to 1/20/25. No... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
Tesla has told me the AP4 computer has failed in my car which has resulted in them having to replace it. I had this issue start right around [XXX]. I scheduled the soonest appointment available for 12/30 however Tesla contacted me and moved my appointment because they stated that the part was unavailable at this time and should be delivered by 01/9/25 but now it has been pushed back to 1/20/25. No... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
Tesla has told me the AP4 computer has failed in my car which has resulted in them having to replace it. I had this issue start right around [XXX]. I scheduled the soonest appointment available for 12/30 however Tesla contacted me and moved my appointment because they stated that the part was unavailable at this time and should be delivered by 01/9/25 but now it has been pushed back to 1/20/25. No... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2023
Toyota manufacturing issue-fuel line is manufactured incorrectly-had gas seeping into cab of vehicle and tailpipe. Severe safety issue Steering wheel/column sticks and almost lose control when driving due to a worn out coupler-poor design and manufacturing.
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while her husband was driving approximately 25 MPH downhill, the driver heard an explosive sound and noticed that the rear window had exploded. The contact stated that upon pulling to the side of the road, the driver noticed that a significant amount of shattered glass had fallen inside the vehicle. The driver drove to the residence. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2024
- Vehicle showed error message for high voltage battery on 1/3/2025 at less than 5,000 miles. Vehicle was able to drive unrestricted (full speed and acceleration). Vehicle was able to fast charge even though the vehicle was coding for high voltage battery issue. Was informed via Chevy EV that it could be a "glitch" and to continue to drive it, charge it, and see if it would just go away. I did no... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); 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 confirms parts n... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
Unable to get an appointment with dealer to fix the safety recall until the October of 2025.
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
It has been more than a year later, Ford has not resolved the issue with the exterior A-Pillar. The response at the dealership has been, A) we do not have the parts or B) If you pay for them out of pocket, we can fix the issue. Which tells me they can fix the issue but chose to not do so because they are banking on owners paying for this recall. What recourse do I have?
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
Shortly after starting the vehicle and stopping at a stop light after driving approximately 50 yards, the vehicle jerks, feels like engine/drivetrain is shuddering, and attempts to lurch forward. To stop it I have to apply additonal pressure to the brakes. This has occurred 4 times that I detected after driving on a daily basis since 12/20/24 (when vehicle was purchased) and today 01/01/25. I h... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2024
A dangerous cam shaft failure led to sensors near the cam shaft and a piece of the metal housing being broken off due to the cam shaft failure. The cam shaft failed at normal highway speeds and stopped the engine on the highway. Vehicle is still undergoing repairs at “Automotive Tech, Inc.”
Incident date: Dec 29, 2024
Cameras not working suddenly, navigation software hung in last location coordinates, auto pilot and it’s safety features not working Backup cameras not working , creating blind spot while reversing the car Not sure what caused the issue , there was an over wire update few days back maybe that is causing it Reported to Tesla service but appointments are backed out seems many cars has this i... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2024
Vehicle Drive Shaft makes clicking noise at the CV Joint. Vehicle part is backordered due to nationwide shortage caused by vehicle defect on numerous 2024 Honda Prologues. There is no code on dashboard. Honda service has looked at vehicle and stated noise is caused by the CV joint for the drive shaft. Still says to drive due to backordered parts with no resolution. Vehicle has less than 6000 miles... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2024
Car keeps turning off every time I start it and won’t stay on
Incident date: Dec 24, 2024
The sensor on the EGR cooler failed. I have had my EGR cooler replaced two times. The most recent time was in September of 2024. In December of 2024, the engine light came on and the warning messages showed in the Fordpass app stating there was an issue with the exhaust system. After the dealership reviewed it, they had to replace the EGR sensor.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2024
Please see attached, and advise if you need additional information. As you will see, I've tried to contact someone on multiple occasions in regards to this issue. And as of yet, I have had NO response.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2024
The Driver side rear outer wheel bearing seized and the wheel including drum came off the axle while driving about 30mph. The wheel rolled down the road but fortunately did not hit any other vehicles. The RV was towed to RV dealership. Dealership could not determine root cause of failure. The RV had approximately 10,000 miles on the trailer before incident. The bearings has been inspected and re... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2024
While traveling on [XXX] eastbound in the St. Louis, MO area I heard a pop and noticed my passenger side A-frame trim body piece was free from the top mooring point. This caused me to have to exit the freeway earlier than expected. Fortunately, the trim piece did not come completely dislodged and cause further danger on the freeway. I still need to drive this vehicle with a trim piece that is o... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
The vehicle stalls while driving. I’ve had 6 occurrences all intermittent. The truck is in motion and at any speed. It happened in a roundabout, uphill at 45 mph, while doing a Detroit left, while coasting when approaching a stop light at 30 mph, while turning left into my neighborhood and on the highway with the cruise control on. When it happens I lose steering and power brakes. It terrifyin... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2024
The contact owned a 2019 Honda Civic Hatchback. 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 contact stated that while stopped at a traffic ligh... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 27, 2024
Upon starting the vehicle, the electronic dashboard comes on, declares “Reduced Driver Assistance” then about 15 seconds later, the entire dashboard goes dark and won’t come back on until the car has been shut down for several minutes. This sequence of events happens 95% of the time that I start the car. Upon restart, the dashboard will stay on about 40% of the time, the other 60% it shuts... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2024
I got my car out of the shop a week ago for my brakes the car was in the shop for a month and this past weekend my car is doing the same exact thing a week later I was on I 75 also hit a semi truck
BUICK
REGAL TOURX
(2018) - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Dec 30, 2024
Incident date: Dec 30, 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced... Read more
BUICK
ENCLAVE
(2019) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER:SENSOR/SENDING UNIT
Dec 29, 2024
Incident date: May 1, 2023
Turned car on, dashboard read 2 errors of "rear cross traffic sensors fault" and "blind spot monitoring fault". They cleared, drove the car, while driving the dashboard and infotainment went dark. Drivetrain and brakes still functioning but without speedometer and state of charge. Was able to turn around and go back home. Attempted reboot, so far nothing has fixed it.
Incident date: May 1, 2023
Turned car on, dashboard read 2 errors of "rear cross traffic sensors fault" and "blind spot monitoring fault". They cleared, drove the car, while driving the dashboard and infotainment went dark. Drivetrain and brakes still functioning but without speedometer and state of charge. Was able to turn around and go back home. Attempted reboot, so far nothing has fixed it.
Incident date: Sep 11, 2024
Driver side mirror vibrate while driving, causing a distorted view and dizziness
Incident date: Sep 11, 2024
[XXX] my car i just bought and financed was damaged. Carfax shows incident in Waco Tx. I financed my car 07/2024. Went and had my oil and tire rotation and found out my front Sub Frame is cracked and bent. This was never reported to carfax Jenkin Nissan found the problem.. I attached the last owner on carfax where the incident happened INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AC... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2024
[XXX] my car i just bought and financed was damaged. Carfax shows incident in Waco Tx. I financed my car 07/2024. Went and had my oil and tire rotation and found out my front Sub Frame is cracked and bent. This was never reported to carfax Jenkin Nissan found the problem.. I attached the last owner on carfax where the incident happened INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AC... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control - ESC) 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienc... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the warning light indicating the hydraulic control unit had failed was illuminated.... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
On mornings that the temperature drops close to freezing, the nozzles for the windshield wiper fluid freeze and do not operate. Not until the car is at operating temperature does the windshield wiper nozzles work. This is especially dangerous when roads are salted and a salt coating on the windshield leaves drivers blind without fluid to remove it. It also appears that the line to the rear wiper... Read more