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: Feb 18, 2024
The horn, cruise control and radio controls on the steering wheel don't work. The dealership has advised that this repair will cost $1,400 plus if it is not covered by a recall. The diagnostic does not show any codes, but the general consensus is that the symptoms are caused by a failed clock spring. I bought the jeep in this condition.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
The Wrangler will shift out of gear and into neutral and steering become very hard and difficult to maneuver while accelerating from a stopped position and at times at highway speed. On the highway one can coast to the side of the road and shut off engine and restart and move again. This can also be done at an intersection but big safety concerns when pulling onto a highway with traffic, Multi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
The Wrangler will shift out of gear and into neutral and steering become very hard and difficult to maneuver while accelerating from a stopped position and at times at highway speed. On the highway one can coast to the side of the road and shut off engine and restart and move again. This can also be done at an intersection but big safety concerns when pulling onto a highway with traffic, Multi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags) 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 and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted, and the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
there hasn't been an incident per say and these might not be a safety concern. however i would like to list my grievances here just so there's documentation. my radio has some type of glitch where the phone calls get static like its digital, also the mirrors don't fold in all the time when locked with the key fob, the brakes have squeaked since day 1 and the grab handle in the tailgate just slides... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
While driving on busy highway the vehicle would not accelerate even with more gas applied. Gave warning to check hybrid system and pull to safety. Vehicle wouldn’t turn off after pulling over and in park with flashers on. Various warning lights all came on, gave message of battery discharge warning, check brakes, check ABS, check brakes then everything complete shut off including hazard lights. ... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2023
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
failed or malfunction in PCV valve. Common issue in all 2016-2018 C300, E300, and GLE300. Multiple failed complaints on the part. Nationwide backorder on the part. No recall issued for this common problem. No help from dealerships, will just put you on a waitlist for a nationwide back order.
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
OK, the first problem would be that there was a fuse, apparently, that was engineered too small and eventually would burn up, making a bad connection, which would. all of a sudden shut your engine off. Mel, I was at highway speed, doing 6570 miles an hour, and all of a sudden my engine just cut right out. no power steering, no nothing. just shut right off wouldn't exactly call that a safe situatio... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V767000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) 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 ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
A properly secured/closed tailgate popped open causing damage to the tailgate and trailer.
Incident date: Jun 13, 2023
I just bought my 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel mileage with 47,832 miles. My truck was stuck in park and it took me several minutes shutting my truck on and off and messing with the knob changing gears before I was finally able to get my truck in gear. Fast forward three days now I am getting a warning light to "service shifter". In doing research trying to find more information I have discovered several Ra... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2023
On multiple occasions, while riding my Kawasaki the transmission shifts into neutral without any input from the operator. This has happened about a dozen times with a current odometer reading of 1635. The sudden loss of power is a safety risk because if it happens while negotiating a turn, the bike wants to drop. I took the bike into the dealer for warranty service on 2/17/2023. They had the b... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the trailing arm fractured. In addition, the rear of the vehicle dropped to the ground and the driver's rear side of the vehicle was dragging on the ground. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2024
The headlights in this model of the RDX are extremely dim making driving at night impossible. The headlights do not illuminate the roadway in front of the vehicle. I had 1% lux reading as measured by an automotive illumination engineer. After further research into this issue I learned that the low-beam reflector itself oxidizes, is not reflective at all, and no amount of brighter bulbs or clean o... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
Sunroof lets water in and floods in car causing electrical problems, mold, rust, ruining roof interior and carpets. The air bag and horn stopped working and clock spring needs to be replaced. I had no prior warning of that these problems would occur. I have spent thousands of dollars in repairs for electrical trying to figure out why the car stopped working and also how water was getting into car... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
Sunroof lets water in and floods in car causing electrical problems, mold, rust, ruining roof interior and carpets. The air bag and horn stopped working and clock spring needs to be replaced. I had no prior warning of that these problems would occur. I have spent thousands of dollars in repairs for electrical trying to figure out why the car stopped working and also how water was getting into car... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN to... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2024
On Feb. 27, 2024 approx. 04:15 left for gym and work. When arrived at gym and began to park, I put truck in reverse to check back line and noticed I was looking at my license plate. I then put into park and got out of truck and shut tailgate. Thinking not much about it, I must've touched the button the night before and hit a bump on way into work. Since I have a toneau cover, it fits pretty tight ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
After coasting or turning I lose all ability to accelerate for a short period of time. When trying to merge the truck fails to speed up causing a dangerous situation where traffic jams up behind you
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
This vehicle stalled on an Expressway without any prior warning. It was taken to Webb Chevrolet in Oak Lawn Ill. That was [XXX]. It was determined that it needed a High pressure fuel pump. The part was and continues to be unavailable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Mar 3, 2024
Integrated 12V battery dies with no warning and requires manual keyed process to get in to the vehicle. Once inside, the battery reset button needs to be pressed to have the solar battery start the vehicles electric system. After a few minutes the engine takes over to start charging the battery. I have had the battery die 3 times on the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid in one week. Other postings on... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that the steering wheel had fractured. The contact stated that due to the failure, the steering wheel had an abnormal up and down movement. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
All warning lights related to the Honda Sensing driver assist features come on and the assist features are inoperative. Vehicle still drives fine but even normal cruise control is no longer an option. Some warning notifications pop back up while driving even after dismissed which is rather distracting.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
All warning lights related to the Honda Sensing driver assist features come on and the assist features are inoperative. Vehicle still drives fine but even normal cruise control is no longer an option. Some warning notifications pop back up while driving even after dismissed which is rather distracting.
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
My engine went out. Two of the cylinders stopped working while I was driving to the dealership
Incident date: May 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2024
On February 11, 2024, as I was entering my house garage at a very low speed, the car suddenly accelerated and hit the wall of my garage, causing damage to the garage and interior of my house. The car was insured by State Fram. It was towed to a shop for repair at which time the insurance company notified me that the car could not be repaired. The car had been totaled. Over the following several we... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2024
While driving the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross on the highway, my car’s dashboard indicated a warning stating “12-Volt Battery Charging; System Malfunction Stop in a Safe Place; See Owner’s Manual.” I immediately got off the highway and called Toyota Roadside Assistance to get the car towed to the dealership. I was informed the following day, the Corolla Cross is not putting out enough batter... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2024
While driving down the highway at the speed limit in our town on a clear evening with no weather, the sunroof of our 2023 Toyota RAV 4 exploded. There was a loud bang and it shattered as if the glass had been under significant stress or pressure. The glass bowed up in the middle and a section the size of a small saucer dropped out. There was a rigged break along the front edge of the sun roof. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
Went to sleep with car parked on driveway Woke up with passenger side view mirror cracked. No nicks or dings. Overnight Temps dropped to 20s.
Incident date: Oct 12, 2023
I like kids however I purchased a Kia used in 2021, I started to notice that all consumption was going out fast before oil changes was due. I still have this ongoing problem but they say there's no recall on these GDI motors however other people I see informs or experiencing the same issues. I now have to try to get an appointment with Kia for an oil change before it's time for the oil change and ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2024
3 issues: 1. 2 x, driving over a hundred miles the sensors get faults. None of the sensors work. Does not detect other cars. They updated my firmware, wiping the faults. 2. Once stopped at stop light, the sensors can start detecting items not there. 3. When parking the car does not detect items that are there. (I have video, dealerships so far refuses to fix) I am still trying to get them to fix... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel was making an abnormal grinding sound. The ABS, air bags, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the parts were not available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Check engine light appears, also a blue engine and a turtle. The dealer is aware, they have had it 3times for the same issue and this time 23 days and counting. Currently Mercedes has no fix. I purchased the veh 30 Nov 23- first appeared 16 dec and continued going on and off.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Canyon. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V133000 (Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the collision sensor lights flashed, and the brakes were applied inadvertently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The fail... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding numerous premature defects in my 2019 Kia Optima, which have led to serious safety hazards and compromised driving conditions. Firstly, the premature valve cover gasket leaking has resulted in dangerous fumes infiltrating the cabin, posing a significant risk to my health and safety as well as t... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2023
FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THIS RECALL IS NOW 5 MONTHS OLD WITH NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. As a senior citizen I am not confident driving this vehicle with the possibility of a fire while driving. I would like someone to put pressure on Hyundai to get this remedied quickly. I have another vehicle but I should not have to NOT drive this vehicle. I want my vehicle fixed!
Incident date: Feb 19, 2024
The engine stalls for no reason. The transmission does not fully downshift in certain conditions, causing the engine to stall.
Incident date: Feb 20, 2024
The vacuum pump failed, causing the gear to explode, which in turn damaged the cam shaft. Yes, this is available for inspection. The brake was unable to be depressed, requiring extreme force to being able to safely stop at an area that was safe to do so. I turned the car off and it made a funny sound. When I tried to start the car, it would no longer start. The car was towed to my local aut... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2024
The engine stalls for no reason. The transmission does not fully downshift in certain conditions, causing the engine to stall.
Incident date: Feb 19, 2024
The engine stalls for no reason. The transmission does not fully downshift in certain conditions, causing the engine to stall.
Incident date: Feb 19, 2024
NOTE: 628 SAFETY COMPLAINTS has been submitted to the NHTSA. Major Complaints submitted by several consumers for the VIN: [XXX] ; 2014; CHEVROLET CRUZE and this vehicle has NOT been removed from circulation. This vehicle should be considered a SEVERE Safety Violation and removed from the road. My son-in-law purchased this vehicle for his daughter back in Aug 2023 and within the first week the car ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
Horn will honk when steering wheel was turned to the right or left but could not get it to honk when the steering wheel was in the straight or normal position. Took to local Toyota Dealer and it was found that the Spiral Cable in the steering wheel was the cause and needed replaced so I had the dealer replace this Spiral Cable in the steering wheel which then fixed this issue. I found online that ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
This 2019 Jeep Compass, has mixed the coolant and oil causing a blown head gasket, according to the dealership, it needs a new engine, and something that is too common on the Jeep Compass, as mine is shy over 8k it is not covered under warranty. No warning lights came on, no lights of high temperature in the transmission, oil or coolant. The car did stall in the middle of the road, causing risk f... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2024
The vehicle was in cruise control and had a phantom braking event. The vehicle was going at 70 mph and suddenly braked even though there was significant distance between the car in front and nothing on the road. The sun was glaring on the road and possibly the car detected the shadow on the road as an object and braked because of it.
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
The 2020 KIA Telluride was purchased with the "tow package" which included "self-leveling" rear shocks. The self-leveling rear shocks failed early and has created a safety concern with braking/handling/steering in addition to comfort in ride. Concern with the shocks began around 60,000 miles (roughly Jan 2023), but there was no indication of shock failure or leakage. Our independent service ce... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
The 2020 KIA Telluride was purchased with the "tow package" which included "self-leveling" rear shocks. The self-leveling rear shocks failed early and has created a safety concern with braking/handling/steering in addition to comfort in ride. Concern with the shocks began around 60,000 miles (roughly Jan 2023), but there was no indication of shock failure or leakage. Our independent service ce... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
Sticky Steering: Experienced a clunking sound from front drivers side steering the last two weeks. Last night while driving approximately 15mph the steering got stiff then overcorrected, veering off to the left into oncoming traffic. The car came to a rest after hitting a curb and the airbags deployed. Both injuries and damaged sustained. This is the second occurrence of the vehicle suddenly vee... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
While driving the vehicle engine shuts off or goes neutral and I am unable to keep driving. A message pops up on the dash that says “Shift to P and then shift to desired gear.” Car does not drive after doing this. I have to restart engine twice, both times the engine is delayed to start making a loud running noise. This has happened multiple times while driving all while my young children were... Read more