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: Jun 26, 2026
Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning malfunctioned. I started to drive after sitting at a red light and was driving at approximately 35 MPH. The Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning engaged, and the car suddenly braked. Luckily there wasn’t anyone directly behind me, or else I would have been rear-ended. This malfunction has happened on three separate oc... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2026
Lifter failure occurred on dangerous interstate interchange complete loss of power while towing a 14k pound mobile restroom bumper pull trailer in 6 lanes merging traffic from center lane 45 mph exit onto 60 mph interstate speeds XXX going onto XXX/[XXX] my scanner said dpf plugged stellantis mechanic claims lifter failure problem is complete loss of power happened in a dangerous area and waiting ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2026
I Heard a loud noise in the backseat twice and noticed the back seat raise up also the check engine light came on but also the fuel was going down and up (the gauge), is currently at the kia dealership and has been reported fail recall
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
2.0 liter eco boost engine intrusion. One owner, all maintenance records
Incident date: Jun 24, 2026
My 2023 Tesla Model Y experienced a serious front suspension/control-arm fastener failure while I was driving on a road trip from Phoenix, AZ to Los Angeles, CA. The incident occurred in Riverside, CA. The vehicle has approximately 40,000 miles and is still within Tesla’s Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty. One front A-arm/control-arm bolt came completely out, and another related front suspension b... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2026
TIRE HAS PRESENTED A BUBBLE IN THE SIDE WALL. WAS OBSERVED DURING DAILY PRE DRIVING SURVEY BY OWNER OPERATOR.
Incident date: May 12, 2025
Problem 1: I got the car 2 years ago, and it keeps telling me to "Shift to Park" even though its in park. That's been happening for the whole time I've had it. It does throw a code for it on the scanner machine. I have to shift it back and forth sometimes 3 times and sometimes 17 times. It just keeps beeping over and over and won't shut off. I am having a mechanic look at it Tuesday but hoping it ... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2025
I took my 2022 BMW X5 xDrive 45e for concerns of shuddering at low speeds and tight turns under warranty. No warning messages on dashboard. I asked specifically what was causing the shuddering. BMW of Raleigh would not respond. But they found that the Transfer Case was affected so they flushed the oil and put an oil mixture replacement in. According to the most recent BMW service bulletin, the... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2025
I took my 2022 BMW X5 xDrive 45e for concerns of shuddering at low speeds and tight turns under warranty. No warning messages on dashboard. I asked specifically what was causing the shuddering. BMW of Raleigh would not respond. But they found that the Transfer Case was affected so they flushed the oil and put an oil mixture replacement in. According to the most recent BMW service bulletin, the... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2026
On Saturday, June 20, I was driving my son to soccer. We stopped at a stoplight. When the light turned green, I pressed the accelerator and we went forward. However, when I took my foot off the accelerator, the car continued to accelerate. Luckily it slowed down when I pushed on the break. But every time I took my foot off the break the car continued to accelerate. I did not have a good place to p... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2026
High pressure fuel pump failed damaging/ contaminating fuel system
Incident date: May 25, 2026
I was involved a car accident with two other co-workers (USDA-NRCS) on the job in our government issued F-150 by Ford. As were sitting still waiting to make a left turn, we were rear-ended by a 1990 Dodge van on 5/31/2023. During the impact my headrest deployed which led to me having three surgeries( ACDF procedure on C3-C5, right shoulder surgery, deviated septum) surgery and having to put in my ... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jun 24, 2026
STILL NO REMEDEY AVAIABLE FOR THE FOLLOWINGRECALL NEARLY A YEAR LATER!! THIS IS ABSURD AND ANYONE WHO HAS PURCHASED ONE OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE REIMBURSED I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT DAILY Jul 16,2025 Manufacturer Recall Number25S76 NHTSA Recall Number25V467 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary ON YOUR VEHICLE THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A F... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2026
STILL NO REMEDEY AVAIABLE FOR THE FOLLOWINGRECALL NEARLY A YEAR LATER!! THIS IS ABSURD AND ANYONE WHO HAS PURCHASED ONE OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE REIMBURSED I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT DAILY Jul 16,2025 Manufacturer Recall Number25S76 NHTSA Recall Number25V467 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary ON YOUR VEHICLE THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A F... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2026
I have a 2014 Jeep Cherokee that i have had since 2019. Since I have owned it, there have been several transmission recalls. I am currently dealing with a new transmission issue, where it is jerky and fails to go when pressing the gas after being at a stop. I am also dealing with the second oil filter housing leaking. Apparently this is a known issue, due to a plastic housing that cracks and warps... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2026
My air conditioning system has gone out for the third time in 6 years. First one was at 38k miles and was the compressor, which contaminated the system, requiring a system replacement. Second time was at 98k miles and was the condenser, which required a whole system replacement. Third time happend at 148k miles and is the compressor, which will result in another full system replacement. The compre... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving 20 miles away after an hour, the vehicle lost power steering and power braking functionality, and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear. The vehicle was turned off. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle wa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2026
Vacuum pump failure causing hard brake pedal which made near to impossible to brake safely and properly that lead to timing chain issues
Incident date: Jun 22, 2026
Vacuum pump failure causing hard brake pedal which made near to impossible to brake safely and properly that lead to timing chain issues
Incident date: Jun 22, 2026
Less that 100k miles and my transmission already needs replaced. Last year my engine was sputtering making my car jerk while driving went to shop they did a total transmission fluid changed but said my transmission is likely going bad it helped mostly and I had high hopes the problem was solved it was not fast forward to now my transmission went then caused the torque converter to go my car was s... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
The vehicle suffered an unexpected loss of engine compression and dropped into a dangerous Limp Mode while driving due to a Cylinder 3 Misfire code (P0303). The manufacturer dealership misdiagnosed the mechanical issue using an unrelated 2.0L engine service bulletin (SB23-026) to clear the error. Six months later, the dashboard completely illuminated again with code P0299 (Turbocharger Underboost)... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
Vehicle: 2018 Ford Explorer Mileage at Failure: 62,212 miles On [XXX] while driving my 2018 Ford Explorer, the wrench warning light suddenly illuminated on the dashboard. At the same time, the vehicle experienced a significant loss of power and became extremely sluggish in acceleration. When I pressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond normally and did not accelerate as expecte... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
General Motors is using the arbitrary 6,213-mile tracking window of Recall 944 to deny coverage for a diagnosed Cell Section 3 hardware failure at 123,582 miles. However, this vehicle is directly impacted by the failure parameters outlined in the expanded GM Safety Recall N242470160 / N242470162, where GM openly acknowledges to federal regulators that the advanced diagnostic software has failed to... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
General Motors is using the arbitrary 6,213-mile tracking window of Recall 944 to deny coverage for a diagnosed Cell Section 3 hardware failure at 123,582 miles. However, this vehicle is directly impacted by the failure parameters outlined in the expanded GM Safety Recall N242470160 / N242470162, where GM openly acknowledges to federal regulators that the advanced diagnostic software has failed to... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
We were pulling a 5th wheel camper on the highway at 62 mph. We experienced a series of sudden breaking sensations. Engine RPMs did not change during these events. We had been traveling for 45 minutes and decided to cancel our camping trip and return home because we were afraid of getting stranded away from home. The sensation felt like a sudden strong application of the rear brakes. It was v... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2026
THERE is a recall for the year, make and model for driver side airbag, also to do with transmission slipping and both of those I'm currently having issues with on my vehicle but with my vin its not coming up for any of the recalls but I want to request a Investigation on if my vehicle or any other of the same year be added to the recall.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
The vehicle exhibits a chronic, systemic electrical failure characterized by the intermittent loss of critical lighting systems, including turn signals and brake lights. This failur5e has persisted over several years and thousands of miles, independent of battery replacements or specific usage patterns. The issue has been confirmed via multiple independent service interventions. Most notably, in ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
The vehicle exhibits a chronic, systemic electrical failure characterized by the intermittent loss of critical lighting systems, including turn signals and brake lights. This failur5e has persisted over several years and thousands of miles, independent of battery replacements or specific usage patterns. The issue has been confirmed via multiple independent service interventions. Most notably, in ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2026
Engine Code: P090A01 The Hyundai IONIQ Blue lost reverse and while driving I experienced loss of power only to regain then lose then regain (a bucking motion). The drive significantly declined. Fortunately, I was able to get back home without injury. Vehicle towed to dealership where it currently sits.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2026
I received a recall notice for this vehicle stating that the wheels may not be safely attached and could come off back in early May. It's been over a month and Mercedes has no solution for the recall at this time. I'm looking to get help with not having to pay my lease since I cannot use the car safely.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
Took my car in for the seat belt recall and an oil change and the dealership said the recall has been paused. They are still looking into it for me but, this recall SHOULD NOT BE PAUSED. It is a real issue. Real people are having. My seat belt never retracts all the way back into place. I have to manually tighten it when I put it on and it randomly locks up while I’m driving even if brakes were ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 17, 2025
The headlights continusely shot off while driving. The shift solenoid are stuck off causing the check engine light to continuously remain on. This all began 2023.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
our 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid High Voltage (Hybrid) Battery pack experienced a failure. Check Engine Code P0A7F-00 active. The vehicle now refuses to charge the Hybrid Battery in any way other than using the on-board gas generator. The failed component is available for inspection and was reported to the local dealership. Originally the dealership advised the Battery Pack would be covered... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2026
Camera malfunction sign with "NO CAMERA SIGNAL RECEIVED. PLEASE TRY AGAIN LATER" pops up at random times when trying to backup, or park in a lane.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
The engine of this car has been under recall for multiple issues during the time we have owned it. The most recent issue that was experienced was total engine failure and electrical malfunction while driving on a busy street near train tracks. The vehicle was making a loud banging sound moments before this occurred. I wasn't even given time to get to a safe spot to investigate the issue. When it... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2026
CVT bearing failure started a little after 100,000 miles. Toyotas estimate for repair is $14,000 and the CVT is on national back order for at least 3 months. Toyota does not sell replacement parts so even if a transmission shop wanted to do the repair they couldn’t because parts are not available. This totaled our car that we bought new only 8 years ago.
Incident date: Apr 28, 2026
We are having concerning issue with Mazda CX 50, 2026 hybrid. not going into reverse gear or stopping unexpectedly after attempting to shift to reverse. We recently took the vehicle to the Mazda dealership where we bought it.: Luther Mazda in [XXX]. After repeated attempts, they said they had no way to address the problem since they couldn’t re-create it. We reiterated that it just happened sev... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Jayco Octane 255 RV. The contact stated that the carriage bolt was protruding through the front frame. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the failure was a nail pop, and the claim was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 200.
Incident date: Jun 10, 2026
While traveling at cruising speed (70 MPH) on Interstate 95 South, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic electrical and mechanical failure, resulting in an immediate engine stall. The vehicle lost all propulsion. Due to the sudden loss of power, the vehicle could not safely clear the active lanes of traffic, coasting to a stop near an exit ramp and dangerously blocking highway traffic.Upon attemptin... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2026
After using the lane assist the steering wheel becomes sticky when I turn it off. Then if I turn it back on letting the lane assist correct my driving to turning it back off when turning around corners my steering wheel becomes really sticky. Then when driving the vehicle with lane asssist on the steering wheel will feel slightly different then I’ll turn it back off and it won’t stick around ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2026
After using the lane assist the steering wheel becomes sticky when I turn it off. Then if I turn it back on letting the lane assist correct my driving to turning it back off when turning around corners my steering wheel becomes really sticky. Then when driving the vehicle with lane asssist on the steering wheel will feel slightly different then I’ll turn it back off and it won’t stick around ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2026
As I was driving, I heard a sliding sound and something bumping every time I braked. It was hard to tell where it was coming from, but It sounded like it was above the sunroof shade. When I stopped, I pushed the open button to open the shade and a large metal piece that goes between the sunroof glass pieces came crashing down. At the same time, the shade unhooked and snapped back into the headl... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2026
Internal Water pump Failed causing immediate shutdown of vehicle. This water pump is internal to the engine and requires half of the engine be taken apart to be replaced. This affect all 3.5 and 3.7 Ford engines through 2021. Unlike traditional water pumps which are belt driven this one is driven by the timing chain. Thereby when failure occurs the engine shuts down. Coolant also leaks into the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V034000 (air bags); 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 not ex... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Infiniti QX80. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the rear passenger-side wheel began to detach from the control arm, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Despite the failure, the contact was able to pull over to the highway shoulder. Upon inspection, the contact observed that the rear passenger-side tire was resting at a 45-degree angle. The veh... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2026
On May 27, 2026, I was on my way home from work when I went to accelerate the vehicle and all the sudden it started shaking and the check engine light came on with the EBS. I was able to get the vehicle to a repair shop local the next day, who took the car apart. What was thought to be an easy fix of spark plugs and fuel injector, became even more after they put back together and the cylinder was ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the rear subframe, rear axle, and suspension were corroded and rusted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V365000 (STRUCTU... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
Headlights are extremely dim almost always have to drive with my high beams on at night since the lights are so dark. Have tried replacing bulbs on my own but lights are still dim. No warning or anything were ever shown
Incident date: Jun 4, 2026
Main battery drains over period of time with unknown reason or cause. It has been inspected several times and is being linked to the alternate battery.