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 28,115 complaints for BUICK
Incident date: Jul 16, 2024
The battery in the key fob died. Upon attempting to turn the car on, the car completely shut off. Nothing works and is completely blacked out as if the battery is dead. Jumping the car with jumper cables rebooted the system but the same thing will happen ONLY when the battery in the key fob dies.
Incident date: Jun 16, 2024
I was driving for about 10 minutes at speed 35 mph then noticed the car is in electric mode but unable to accelerate. It feels nothing happened when I depressed the gas pedal. The car came to a complete stop at traffic light but failed to accelerate when I pressed on the gas pedal. I turned off the car and started it back up and everything return to normal.
Incident date: Jun 24, 2024
driving 65mph on interstate, attempted to change lanes to pass slower vehicle and pressed upon accelerator pedal...truck violently skidded to a stop and sent me onto shoulder, many vehicles behind me swerved to avoid my vehicle. GM wont repair and says since they cant replicate its not really happening. this has happened twice in last 2 weeks.
Crash
Incident date: May 10, 2023
The loss of power battery pack issue its been already 4 weeks in the shop
Incident date: Jul 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact sta... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
As I was driving on the highway my headrest made a loud bang and smaked the back of my head/ neck with a lot of force. I almost lost control of the vehicle, and it really hurt. My headrest still is apart. Going to see if a dealership can do anything tomorrow. This was so scary it is a huge saftey issue.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
I was sold a vehicle with an open safety recall on it by General RV in Birch Run Michigan. The vehicle is a 2023 Winnebago Travato 59GL. I had agreed to the sale and was planning on completing the sale once the recall was finished. They forced the sale through prior to the recall being done so they could inflate their sales numbers for that month. They refused to give back a $10,000 deposit. The v... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
"Shift toPark"message is displayed on the dic shifter control leaver
Incident date: Jun 20, 2024
I keep getting an warning that my shifter needs to serviced. After much research, I've discovered that this is a known and common problem with Jeep Cherokees. It should absolutely be a safety recall and fixed at no cost to the customers.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2024
Horn does not function. Trip to the service department and was advised it’s a known issue and they will call me when one comes in. This car is one year old and the horn not working is a major safety concern for me. A search online shows this is an issue for several buyers without a recall notice.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2024
tilt steering wheel usage is causing wires in steering culumb to break
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
There’s a recall for my transmission but my clutch which is also the cause of my transmission failing and overheating and also stopping in its own in the middle of traffic is a major safety issue that Ford says they don’t have a program for and stated that they can’t fix my transmission due to in the recall it doesn’t mention clutch being repaired. I have the paperwork stating that I need ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2024
July 11, 2024 Message alert appeared indash with instructions to service ABS system. This vehicle experienced the exact same issue in April of 2022 and was taken to the dealer(Patterson Dodge-Tyler,TX) for repair, where the ABS Module was replaced. The replacement was not covered by the warranty.
Incident date: May 19, 2024
I put my car to charge at a manufacturer recommended charging station. I went for a short walk and when I came back, the fire department had arrived. They informed me that the car had caught fire and that it was put out by a good Samaritan using an extinguisher. The car was not drivable and there was visible fire damage
Fire
Incident date: Jul 11, 2024
My truck is currently experiencing a Front Camera Fault that is resulting the pre-collision warning/assist, adaptive/normal cruise control, and lane keeping warning/assist from operating as designed. Upon dealer inspection on 7/11/24 it is noted that TSB 23-2146 was issued to correct the issue by replacing cables and ultimately the image control camera and module resulting in thousands of dollars ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2022
ABS light come on and the service antilock brake system light comes on and NO cruise control, happening all the time so NO ABS systems and in south dakota that is a big problem and no parts for 8 months now comes on when you hit a bump all the time 68 times driving 50 miles
BUICK
RENDEZVOUS
(2006) — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Jul 10, 2024
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. In addition, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer where a leve... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2023
Frame failure causing significant issues across entire RV. I first started noticing issues around July of 2022
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
Issue is with Ford 10R80 transmission. While at freeway speeds ( 60/65 MPH) transmission is engaged in 8th/9th gear and you command vehicle to downshift to a passing gear (3rd for example) with a 3/4 throttle input - the gear indicator light shows 1st gear ( which is not possible going 60MPH ), but the vehicle falls into a false neutral basically loosing all power. The RPMs will rev all the way ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
I drove from California to ohio after I bought the truck, I noticed that when stopping to get gas my tailgate was open without me touching it. I drove with cameras showing the truck bed to see what happened and I watched it do it again while driving the vehicle, it just opened on its own while driving. The incident happened again once I was back in ohio when I had my trailor hooked up and it cause... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the dashboard lights were abnormally dim. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to restart. After waiting for a while the contact was able to restart the vehicle with the Push to Start button. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the electrical wiring undernea... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
Dear NHTSA: I recently bought a HYUNDAI SONATA 2013 I got the NC vehicle inspection PASSED the same day. The car has been working perfectly. But, my granddaughter, XXXX, who I share the car with got a terrible experience last Thursday [XXX], she was driving to her job around 2:30 PM when suddenly the car just died, without any light showing on the screen. She was in panic in the middle of a big r... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
Parking brake automatically engaged and left me stranded. I had it towed to the dealer and they found water in the spare tire compartment dealer . The repair tech said that water had damaged the parking brake module as well as others . I do not live in any area that has been flooded
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
Twice while going up a hill in the rain I was changing lanes and the cruise cut out causing the vehicle to slow down rapidly and kick out in the back. The cruise abruptly stops when the “service electronic braking system” and “service abs” lights and dinging come on. Apparently this also stops the traction control from working. Looking on the internet and forums, this is a very common issu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to a fault with the air bag. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was app... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact scheduled and confirmed an appointment and upon arriving, was informed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer ... Read more
BUICK
ENCLAVE
(2017) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
Jul 8, 2024
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving uphill and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it diagnosed that... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2023
Hi: When I was driving yesterday, the engine warning light and brake warning light both turned on. The car was like frozen on the road cannot be moved no matter how to press the gas pedal. The police helped to call tow and move my car out of the road. The tow driver left my car at a flat parking lot. On the lot, when I tried to restart my car, the car started to shake side to side and up and down... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
I was driving around 70 mhp and my truck shifted from 6th to 4th and back to sixth... I had to take it to the shop and it was a bad output shaft sensor code p0720. This new recall about the 2014s ford f150 sounded to similar to what my truck did.. I am hoping my truck is fixed and not another issue that is going to get me into a wreck.
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
As I was driving my vehicle last Sunday the "Power Steering and the Service ESC" warnings came on my dashboard as well as the "Traction Control light" I audible sound came on and I lost power steering. When I went to drive my car to my service station everything worked fine for a few blocks the problem came back. I drove it to my local service mechanic and his scan tool gave an error code of CO545... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
When we started the engine, the awning deployed and almost injured one of us. We have already supposedly had this problem repaired due to a recall. Obviously it is still a danger to ourselves and others.
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
3 weeks after buying the car, I turned it on and there was an awful clicking noise. I turned the car off and the clicking was still happening and then both door started smoking. We had to pull the battery and have the car towed. Dealership had to replace electrical panels in the doors.
Fire
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
I took my Buick enclave into the gmc dealership two years ago for an service airbag light that kept coming on. They sent me home twice saying it was just a computer issue. Now this recall is out and I asked for my car to be serviced as I’m a mother of 4 and can’t stop driving my vehicle. They said that the part isnt out yet and nothing they can do. I’m having to drive a dangerous vehicle aro... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2024
Upon starting the car, all warning lights came on as disabled for the ACC/LKAS system and could not be reset by the driver. Mechanic shop stated that the battery was dying, needed replaced then driven 50 miles for the ACC/LKAS system to reset. A few weeks later there was no change. Independent mechanic stated that the error code "U300049 Multipurpose Camera Unit Internal Electronic Failure" wa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2024
Upon starting the car, all warning lights came on as disabled for the ACC/LKAS system and could not be reset by the driver. Mechanic shop stated that the battery was dying, needed replaced then driven 50 miles for the ACC/LKAS system to reset. A few weeks later there was no change. Independent mechanic stated that the error code "U300049 Multipurpose Camera Unit Internal Electronic Failure" wa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2024
The instrument panel intermittently blacks out during vehicle startup or while driving. I haven't had my vehicle for 30 days and it's happened many many times, almost caused an accident due to the distraction it has caused. No warning signs prior to the screen blacking out. Service calibrated/reprogrammed the radio but issues have continued. I have several photos and videos of the numerous times t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2023
Dealership never contacted me after recall stated they didn't have part available.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing rough idling while in drive(D) and reverse(R). Additionally, the contact stated that while driving from a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while responding. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal closer to the floorboard, the vehicle responded ... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Verano. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that all four doors would not properly open nor close and remain secured. Additionally, the front driver's side window would not roll down as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who discovered that the subframe of the vehicle was corroded. The contact was informed that the ... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2024
The steering system on our 2019 Honda Civic "sticks" when operating the car. When driving on the interstate, even a small adjustment to stay in one's lane requires a significant force. This causes the car to over-correct once the steering breaks free. At times the force is so high that the lane keeping assist system (LKAS) feature is unable to provide the necessary force to make the correction.... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Odyssey. 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depress... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2024
My 2019 Ford Edge is at 90,000 miles. The RPMs between 2-3 have been stuttering any time I try to accelerate up to 40 mph and the car has been jumping as if trying to reach the next RPM. I took it to a Ford Dealership and they stated that it was an internal failure in my transmission (cause unknown) and that the transmission would need to be replaced for $10K.
Incident date: Jun 27, 2024
I need to address a serious issue regarding the car I purchased in 2020 from a private vendor. Upon taking the car to Crown Dodge Dealership in Ventura County for repair, I had to pay roughly $700 out of pocket for the service and rented a car from Hertz for the days I was without my car. However, upon receiving the car back, it still had unresolved issues with the electrical components and dashbo... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
Transmissions are failing. They have a faulty CDF drum. In the 10R80 transmissions. Ford knows it. And they aren't recalling it. Transmissions are failing at low mileage. Some are out of warranty for the age. People are having to pay for 2 and 3 Transmissions. Pay for outrageous extended warranties just to be covered. They are jumping gears and completely dying on highways. I belong to an expediti... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the transmission shuddered and all the gauges on the instrument panel fluctuated intermittently. In addition, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was dia... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2024
As of a month ago, when doing left turns the vehicle turning was increasingly stiffened. When driving, the steering wheel slightly locks requiring extra force to take turns even if slightly. Recently, there has been increased stiffness when making right turns and a clicking noise when turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was brought into the local Honda dealership and after diagnosis, it was di... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2024
Shift to Park Error. Then the battery goes dead.
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
While driving, vehicle shift down to 1st then back up to 4th, then back down to 1st then up to 10th. While doing this, it also causes transmission to over heats.
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
The contact called on behalf of his grandparents who owned a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his grandfather was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that due to the failure the vehicle crashed into a huge stone flowerpot outside of the dealer. The huge stone flowerpot then struck a parked ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2024
St235 80/R16 Today a tire under proper pressure blew traveling with a 30% load at 70mph. The tire split from the rim to the tread causing the tire and tread to fail. The trailer was less than a year old and around 5000 miles on the tires. Tires are checked for wear and proper inflation pressure with each trip. This is the second tire from this trailer that has failed. The first the belt fa... Read more