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: Jul 7, 2022
The contact’s fiancé owns a 2020 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 MPH, the vehicle was unable to stop while the brake pedal was depressed and the parking brake was activated. Additionally, the vehicle made grinding sounds while the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the dealer reprogrammed the brake system; however, the failure r... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
The turbo malfunctioned and made it not possible for the car to accelerate on the freeway. My safety was put at risk because the car would no longer accelerate at the speed limit which meant I was going slower than traffic. It sounds like this is a common problem for these cars in this year and 2017. The vehicle has been checked out by a mechanic. Nothing appeared until after it happened then th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Feel like the car is loosing drive/power and not accelerating. I was driving and the engine light started flashing. No power to go up the hill, it could have gone backwards. Car does not accelerate made a whirring noise when it was turned off. Dangerous situation. Service Bulletin #N212338400
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Feel like the car is loosing drive/power and not accelerating. I was driving and the engine light started flashing. No power to go up the hill, it could have gone backwards. Car does not accelerate made a whirring noise when it was turned off. Dangerous situation. Service Bulletin #N212338400
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Feel like the car is loosing drive/power and not accelerating. I was driving and the engine light started flashing. No power to go up the hill, it could have gone backwards. Car does not accelerate made a whirring noise when it was turned off. Dangerous situation. Service Bulletin #N212338400
Incident date: Jul 1, 2020
Headlight assembly case on both passenger and driver side fills with condensation and then causes headlight bulb and/or ballast to burnout ,this also could cause a fire
Incident date: Jun 15, 2022
MIL Lamp is illuminated and cannot be turned off or reset. The code displayed on the scanner is for P2138 "Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch D/E Voltage Correlation." There is also a "Reduced Engine Power" message on the dashboard. Available for inspection upon request. My safety was put at risk before the vehicle was serviced because the car shut down in the middle of the street with cars beh... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2022
When I pulled into a parking space at docs office, my car suddenly lurched forward very fast, over the curb and into rocks. I had foot on brake and put in reverse, only to have it reverse very fast and hit a parked car! I was shocked! It had a mind of its own! This has never happened before. I do recall that sometimes when I back out of garage at home, I keep foot on brake and it seems like it wan... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, she depressed the brake pedal but it failed to stop the vehicle, causing her to rear-end a truck. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries nor sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to continue driving to... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, she depressed the brake pedal but it failed to stop the vehicle, causing her to rear-end a truck. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries nor sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to continue driving to... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 29, 2022
I have been dealing with this problem for over 7 months now. My Buick Lacrosse '12, while driving it (doesn't matter the speed) all of the suddent it starts locking and unlocking, immediately after the speed drops and the car comes to a complete stop. I have little children that ride with me in the car- while driving on the interstate this is a HUGE LIFE HAZARD, because I can't control when the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2022
I have been dealing with this problem for over 7 months now. My Buick Lacrosse '12, while driving it (doesn't matter the speed) all of the suddent it starts locking and unlocking, immediately after the speed drops and the car comes to a complete stop. I have little children that ride with me in the car- while driving on the interstate this is a HUGE LIFE HAZARD, because I can't control when the ... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2022
My vehicle still has a delay or hesitation with the shifting of gears while driving, causing a loss of power. At random times the vehicle has lost power while driving. Additionally, when the vehicle is turned off, there is a loud noise (knocking) coming from the front of the vehicle. Also, while driving there has been a burning smell. The vehicle is again scheduled for repair of the persistent is... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2022
My vehicle still has a delay or hesitation with the shifting of gears while driving, causing a loss of power. At random times the vehicle has lost power while driving. Additionally, when the vehicle is turned off, there is a loud noise (knocking) coming from the front of the vehicle. Also, while driving there has been a burning smell. The vehicle is again scheduled for repair of the persistent is... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2022
Turbo charger malfunction. Confirmed by dealership and had to be replaced. Stabilitrak malfunction. Car is stalling out at a red light or stop sign, and/or jerking hard. Stalled out in middle of an intersection with my children in the car. Ongoing problem.
Incident date: Jun 29, 2022
Turbo charger malfunction. Confirmed by dealership and had to be replaced. Stabilitrak malfunction. Car is stalling out at a red light or stop sign, and/or jerking hard. Stalled out in middle of an intersection with my children in the car. Ongoing problem.
Incident date: Jun 25, 2022
Car has 4 trips on rollback and one driving in for transmission problems 3 trips was when coming to a stop the car will will slide to stop almost making us hit dash of car each time there would be a warning about a minute before service transmission . One of the Trip for transmission service light I did drive it in. The car went in yesterday for transmission service again. My thinking of this is w... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2022
Car has 4 trips on rollback and one driving in for transmission problems 3 trips was when coming to a stop the car will will slide to stop almost making us hit dash of car each time there would be a warning about a minute before service transmission . One of the Trip for transmission service light I did drive it in. The car went in yesterday for transmission service again. My thinking of this is w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the instrument panel was inoperable. The battery was replaced several times however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the mileage control circuit had malfunctioned. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2022
The truck pops open on its own when park and while driving.. Had to pull the fuse just to keep it from opening.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Envision. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled at a traffic light. The contact received assistance from passengers nearby and pushed the vehicle to the side of the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact started the vehicle again and it inadvertently stopped again and there were numerous warnin... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2022
Rear windshield is delaminating from the frame on the convertible top.
Incident date: Jun 17, 2022
Steering became stiff while driving and locked up once the car was parked. Could have locked while I was on the road. There was a message "power steering issue - contact service" or similar that appeared after the steering became stiff and before it locked up. The car is currently parked and waiting to be towed to a dealership for repair. 2014 Buick LaCrosse with 67,000 +/- miles and my last Bu... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2022
Stabilitrak warning comes on and car stalls out. Passenger seat belt doesn't clip person in correctly.
Incident date: Jun 21, 2022
Stabilitrak warning comes on and car stalls out. Passenger seat belt doesn't clip person in correctly.
Incident date: Jun 21, 2022
Stabilitrak warning comes on and car stalls out. Passenger seat belt doesn't clip person in correctly.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2022
On June 4, 2022 the radio bar showed a line in the middle of it and the volume of it would not increase. I could not hear anything. I tried everything even going into systems on the radio. Later that day it corrected itself and went back to normal. On June 18, 2022 the front passenger side window I put down approximately 1-1 1/4” and drove for maybe a half mile then decided to put it back up, it... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2021
I was in a traffic jam and had a blowout. My airbags didn't go off no accident was able to pull over. Got it towed to get a new tire. Now I took my car in to get the aribag light off and it's $2000 for seatbelt sensor and another sensor from a blowout that's redicilous. The airbags didn't go off. Now I don't have any air bags because of a tire blowout. No damage to the car either. Please he... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2022
The driver side headlamp assembly has a faulty seal which allows water to leak inside the housing under normal daily conditions. When this happens the water leaks down through the assembly where the headlight ballast is mounted, causing water to collect in the ballast, and killing it (making the headlight go out) as well as the electrical components that power the L.E.D. daytime running lights als... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2022
At 15,238 miles I was at gas station to fill up vehicle only to discover the fuel filler flap was broken and could not get gas nozzle in vehicle for fill up. Immediately had my mechanic look at it and they were able to repair it. They were able to reattach spring but could not attach sealing plate without a disassemble. Had to replace the fuel neck assembly. No warning lights had come on dash ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2022
At 15,238 miles I was at gas station to fill up vehicle only to discover the fuel filler flap was broken and could not get gas nozzle in vehicle for fill up. Immediately had my mechanic look at it and they were able to repair it. They were able to reattach spring but could not attach sealing plate without a disassemble. Had to replace the fuel neck assembly. No warning lights had come on dash ... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2022
While driving stability trac, check engine light flashed and rpm, and speed gauges start going haywire. The car loses power even while accelerating, the steering wheel locks and car stalls. Then after 15-30 minutes the car starts fine and drives. Has happened at least 8 times. Took it to Buick dealer who ran diagnostic but unable to recreate codes but acknowledged a problem. Supposedly fixed it on... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2022
While driving stability trac, check engine light flashed and rpm, and speed gauges start going haywire. The car loses power even while accelerating, the steering wheel locks and car stalls. Then after 15-30 minutes the car starts fine and drives. Has happened at least 8 times. Took it to Buick dealer who ran diagnostic but unable to recreate codes but acknowledged a problem. Supposedly fixed it on... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2022
While driving stability trac, check engine light flashed and rpm, and speed gauges start going haywire. The car loses power even while accelerating, the steering wheel locks and car stalls. Then after 15-30 minutes the car starts fine and drives. Has happened at least 8 times. Took it to Buick dealer who ran diagnostic but unable to recreate codes but acknowledged a problem. Supposedly fixed it on... Read more
Incident date: Jun 7, 2022
Evaporative emission canister purge, solenoid valve, yes. My safety was at risk due to stalling 3 different times on busy roads/intersections after refueling my vehicle. When the Solenoid valve and canister fail when coming to a stop after refueling it causes the car/engine to flutter and completely stall then goes into neutral. It takes multiple restarts in order to even make the car go along wi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 7, 2022
Evaporative emission canister purge, solenoid valve, yes. My safety was at risk due to stalling 3 different times on busy roads/intersections after refueling my vehicle. When the Solenoid valve and canister fail when coming to a stop after refueling it causes the car/engine to flutter and completely stall then goes into neutral. It takes multiple restarts in order to even make the car go along wi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2022
My vehicle would not start and I had no control over the computerized system.
Incident date: Jun 8, 2022
My vehicle would not start and I had no control over the computerized system.
Incident date: Jun 5, 2022
Technical Service Bulletin #13-06-01-003H (TSB 003H) in regards to GM’s 2.4L engines & excessive oil consumption. (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/MC-10116880-9999.pdf) This release not only concedes a persistent issue found in at least six GM models, but more importantly fails to acknowledge the serious and fatal risks as a result of the Oil Consumption Defect. As a direct result of GM... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while placing groceries into his vehicle, an abnormal noise began to emit from the rear liftgate. As the contact moved out of the way, the liftgate slammed down independently without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V415000 (Structure) which he linked to the failure. The contact called the ma... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2022
The wave plate has failed inside the transmission causing the car to not go in reverse. I have done my research and this is a common problem with Buick models and should be recalled. The part is only 8 dollars but the transmission must be dropped in order to replace the part, which the labor is over 2,000 dollars which isn’t fair to the customers. Something should be done as soon as possible.
Incident date: Jun 4, 2022
Three years in a row starting in 2020, the vacuum pump has gone out causing the brakes to malfunction (NO BRAKES). In 2020, I was coming off the freeway when the brakes went out. In 2021, the brakes went out on my daughter. June 2022, brakes out while grandson was driving. No accidents or injuries occurred. Just frazzled nerves.
Incident date: May 27, 2022
Engine stalled multiple times while driving. Fuse box under hood loose and threw a code P1682. Only threw code once. No other warnings. Engine just cuts off with power til to dash and other dash components.
Incident date: May 27, 2022
Engine stalled multiple times while driving. Fuse box under hood loose and threw a code P1682. Only threw code once. No other warnings. Engine just cuts off with power til to dash and other dash components.
Incident date: Jun 5, 2021
Our family was returning home after a trip out of town and as we were pulling into the driveway going less than 5mph the power steering goes out. However, indicator power steering light was already on from a similar issue reported previously where I was traveling in the city limits going 55-60 mph which was fixed by a non gmc dealer about a year ago. Current mileage 100,000 and first initial in... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2021
Our family was returning home after a trip out of town and as we were pulling into the driveway going less than 5mph the power steering goes out. However, indicator power steering light was already on from a similar issue reported previously where I was traveling in the city limits going 55-60 mph which was fixed by a non gmc dealer about a year ago. Current mileage 100,000 and first initial in... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2022
The brake fluid pooled on the floor in the garage. I'm not sure how long it may have leaked out the the brakes seemed mushy the last couple of trips to the store. The indicator lights said I need to service brakes. When I put more brake fluid in, it came right out. There was a split on the right front brake hose, in the rubber section just before the junction. See attached picture.
Incident date: Jun 21, 2021
the airbag lite has been coming on for the last year saying it needs to be serviced. I have had it to the buick dealer for 4 times this last year and they still can not of will not fix it.The airbag lite comes on when we turn the steering wheel to the left.The last time I had it in was March of this year.When we left with the car the first left hand turn I made it came on.I am tired of fooling wit... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the rearview camera would fail to activate while reversing. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the human interface module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2022
Sunroof messing up electrical system clogs up easily radio and everything else don't work right electrical all messed up because it clogging sunroof crankshaft won't relearn