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 21,483 complaints for CADILLAC
Incident date: Jun 25, 2024
My van has 126k miles and regularly gets an oil change. We are the original owners and haven't had any issues with it either. As I was driving up hill, I realized I was losing acceleration power. Where i should be going faster than 65 mph, I was barely going 40. The outside weather was around 100 degrees and I'd already been driving for an hour. I glanced at the other things on my dash. My coolant... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufactur... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2021) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Aug 8, 2024
Incident date: Dec 16, 2023
No warning lamps I believe this is covered under the powertrain warranty, however mine expired 4K miles ago. Excessive shuddering and pull at low speeds while executing turns. Progressively getting worse, inspected by Ford Dealer Shop and told to replace RDU vent hose and fluid. Sooner than later to prevent failure or other damage.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle suddenly shut off and failed to restart. During the failure, the message "System Overheated" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the battery, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the starter motor was faulty and needed to be ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle suddenly shut off and failed to restart. During the failure, the message "System Overheated" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the battery, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the starter motor was faulty and needed to be ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
The radiator cooling fan and cooling fan assembly failed. I do not have the failed fan available any longer. The cooling fan failed during a heat wave, thankfully I was at a gas station when it failed. Had I not been at a gas station, I would have been stranded in Northern Maine with my [XXX] infant, my elderly mother, and my service dog in excessive heat for hours while waiting for a tow truck.... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
Doors make loud buzzing sound every time opened
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
Steering was acting funny, return of the steering wheel to the straight position was becoming difficult. Electronic rack and pinion system then failed while driving. Luckily the issue occurred while in my driveway. Entire system was then replaced for roughly $2500.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
Upon starting car, display control cluster was black. No visibility of speedometer, turn signals, or any other vehicle control are visible. Restarting vehicle did not correct issue.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
I received a letter from GMC in June 2023 (14 months ago) notifying me of a safety recall on my 2016 GMC Acadia regarding front driver side airbag inflator. The letter said the inflator my rupture during deployment sending shrapnel (metal fragments) to the vehicle interior resulting in serious injury and/or death to the driver or other occupants. I have contacted a dealer for recall repair and was... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed, and the contact lost control of the vehicle with the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufact... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2024
On 7/31, we had the HECU Fuse recall fixed at the Federico Kia Dealership. In 8/1, one day later, when driving the vehicle all of the car emergency lights came on, the engine started smoking and eventually caught fire. Fire department and police were called. Vehicle was toed to Kia Dealership. The next morning 8/2 we spoke with the service manager at the dealership, who was no help and gave us a 1... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact was able to drive into a parking lot where the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and the vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and de... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with his 12-year-old child in the vehicle, the steering wheel tightened up, and the vehicle drove straight and crashed into a sand barrier. The air bags deployed. The driver sustained injuries to his chest, head, and shoulder. There was no injury stated for the 12-year-old child who was also in the... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
There were two incidents where the engine sounded sluggish and was difficult to start over the past two weeks (7/22/24 & 7/30/24). After speaking with Kia Service Rep three days ago, an appointment was made to check the battery. On yesterday and today (8/1/24), the engine would not start at all or even make a sound although the air conditioner and radio would work. I had to get the vehicle jumped ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
There were two incidents where the engine sounded sluggish and was difficult to start over the past two weeks (7/22/24 & 7/30/24). After speaking with Kia Service Rep three days ago, an appointment was made to check the battery. On yesterday and today (8/1/24), the engine would not start at all or even make a sound although the air conditioner and radio would work. I had to get the vehicle jumped ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
There were two incidents where the engine sounded sluggish and was difficult to start over the past two weeks (7/22/24 & 7/30/24). After speaking with Kia Service Rep three days ago, an appointment was made to check the battery. On yesterday and today (8/1/24), the engine would not start at all or even make a sound although the air conditioner and radio would work. I had to get the vehicle jumped ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel); 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 stated that the manufacturer was only providing one part per year to the dealer.... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
As I am driving down the street in the middle of traffic the van will cut off and all wheels will lock , I buy a new battery and wires and it continues to happen, not able to drive the expressway scared of causing an accident. The dash will start blinking and the electric will start flashing radio shuts down and the whole car is down for a few minutes like it need to reset.
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
The car goes into neutral automatically when idle. It then needs to be shut down and restarted. This happens in traffic at a light or intersection. Although, I received the idle stop start recall software update the issue persists. The dealer was unable to reproduce the issue and there were no codes when diagnosed.
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
The car goes into neutral automatically when idle. It then needs to be shut down and restarted. This happens in traffic at a light or intersection. Although, I received the idle stop start recall software update the issue persists. The dealer was unable to reproduce the issue and there were no codes when diagnosed.
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
Adding to the many complaints about the '21 Venza windshield and the safety issues presented by the easy cracking of the front windshield.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
Automatic Emergency Braking, Is available 2 different occasions, the emergency brakes were engaged at low speeds in traffic areas, the first time was merging into an empty center turn lane at 10 mph or less. The second was approaching a red stop light with vehicles already stopped, again was less than 10 mph when emergency brake engaged I was approximately 30' from the vehicle in front of me. Ha... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop and up to 45 MPH, the vehicle jerked, lunged, and shuddered while the transmission was shifting gear. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission was slipping while in low gear and in higher gears. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2024
My vehicle continues to accelerate when I press the gas pedal, and it sometimes makes clicking noises from underneath during acceleration. Occasionally, it veers to one side even when I keep the steering wheel straight. At times, it gives a warning and vibrates as if I'm merging into another lane. When I press the gas, the engine revs, but the car doesn't accelerate. Issues have been ongoing but d... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2024
Driver side headrest deployed (AHR system) while driving at a speed of 55 mph with no accident. Driver bit tongue while driving. I have found many complaints of this issue online. Vehicle hasn't been inspected at this time since it happened a little over a week ago while on vacation. There were no warning signs that it was going to happen. Just purchased this 2016 Chrysler Town and County a litt... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2024
Driver side headrest deployed (AHR system) while driving at a speed of 55 mph with no accident. Driver bit tongue while driving. I have found many complaints of this issue online. Vehicle hasn't been inspected at this time since it happened a little over a week ago while on vacation. There were no warning signs that it was going to happen. Just purchased this 2016 Chrysler Town and County a litt... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2024
The contact owned a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that on one occasion when the vehicle was turned on, the brake and ABS warning lights illuminated. On another occasion, while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied for approximately 5 days, there was smoke coming from the front of the hood of the vehicle. The department extinguished the fire and a fire report was filed. A police report w... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 1, 2017
On [XXX] at approximately 5:30p, I was driving normal highway speed when I saw what I thought was exhaust trailing behind. There were NO dash warning lights, engine temperature showing normal range, car was performing normally. I pulled over to shoulder, turned off car, released the hood latch. My husband tried to open hood but it was too hot. We then realized it was smoke coming from under hood, ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65–70 MPH, the trim detached and struck the windshield of another vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel and the contact observed that the steering wheel had become very difficult to turn. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that before the power steering failure, the engine had been r... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
While driving the vehicle it loses power and will not shift gears. This happened in the middle of a busy highway with me and my children in the car. When turning the van off and back on it will then go into gear but then quickly loses power and will not move forward. This happened 7/28/2024
Incident date: Jul 22, 2024
Check engine came on for cylinder 1 misfire. Replaced all spark plugs and ignition coils. Check engine came on again for same problem. Was diagnosed with internal engine problem by independent mechanic. Took to Ford dealer which confirmed coolant intrusion in cylinder 1. They are saying it’s a design defect and it needs a new engine block, but will not cover any of the cost.
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
July 11, 2024 – Odometer – 7,604, Gas – Full, Electric – 19 Miles range - From work to Home, Receive the following errors “Engine Malfunction, Have Vehicle Inspected” and “Hybrid System Malfunction, Have Vehicle Inspected” warning lights come on. Cars behavior – Air conditioning motor running but not cooling air, Loss of power and car very sluggish (have to be careful at intersec... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
My car has has to repair its air conditioner on 3 Ocasion because it stopped cooling. On November 2023 the transition failed sending a code of: SECOND CLOTCH MODE. I TOOK IT TO 3 mechanics and all said it was the transmition and that all CVT cars have the same defect. My car is well care taken but right now it’s not functioning because of this issue. All cars I have seen NISSAN SENTRA fail for t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the message "Engine Maintenance Required - See Dealer" was display on the instrument panel. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. In addition, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the message "Engine Maintenance Required - See Dealer" was display on the instrument panel. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. In addition, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) ... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2019) - WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
Jul 26, 2024
Incident date: Jul 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal vibration in the steering wheel; after which the driver's side front wheel detached and struck truck in the far-left lane. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway; however, there was extensive damage to the driver's side brake caliper and rotor. No warning lights were illuminated... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2023
In addition to the previous problem I reported concerning the intermittent failure of the back-up camera (which was replaced but the problem continues to this date) leading to Park Assist not working, the touch screen freezing and showing no movement of the car, and the speed control not working, I've also discovered on a freeway trip after putting the car into reverse first that navigation was no... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2023
UNKNOWN....transmission issue/failure under 100,000 miles. Recalls on previous models in 2013-2017. Transmission failed in my 2019 with under 100,000 miles.
Incident date: Jul 22, 2022
While driving lost the power brakes making stopping vehicle incredibly difficult having to apply excessive force to brake pedal and shift into neutral to stop. Vehicle could not be driven for service and needed to be towed. If my wife had been driving her car, she would not be able to stop as I (her husband) had to apply leg force as much as I could apply to get vehicle to slow down and had to s... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2022
About a year ago and again a few days ago, I was slowly moving my Prius forward when suddenly it accelerated at full speed. The first time I was pulling into a parking spot beyond which was a grassy area and then a stockade fence. When I felt the car lurch forward, I slammed on the brakes, but was still going quite fast. Fortunately, the collision avoidance brakes kicked in and stopped the car jus... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
I purchased my 2017 in 2023. Within a few months, problems began. When we brought the van back to the Chrysler dealer to have it checked with their OBD2 code reader, multiple codes pulled up… First thing “needing” to be replaced was the hood sensor because the display said the hood was open (even though I was simply stopped at a red light). The auto start/stop light was also coming on and... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield cracked. The contact was unaware if there was an impact to cause the failure. The dealer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to Safelite Auto Glass. The vehicle was diagnosed by Safelite Auto Glass and the contact was informed that the windshield could not... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2024
In Jan 2023 my Jeep experienced the “death wobble” where I hit a bump at speeds above 60mph and the steering started violently shaking. The jeep was less than 2 years old and had less than 20,000 miles; all stock, never lifted and not used for offroad. I took the Jeep to the Gilbert AZ Jeep dealership who determined it was the steering stabilizer and replaced it. This week, in July 2024 the d... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while at the gas station and refueling the vehicle, the contact became aware that the pump nozzle was stopping as if the tank was full. The contact stated that fuel system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the fuel tank. The contact was informed that the fu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (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 experienced ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
Vehicle was found to be overheating, with low coolant. Initial concern for possible hose leak, but nothing visualized on inspection...testing demonstrated a blown head gasket and possible warped cylinder. This is a recurring problem for Chrysler Pacifica's that Chrysler refuses to address. There were no warning signs before hand.
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
This truck has roughly 41000 miles on it. As I was driving home from work on [XXX], I heard a faint noise and then my truck just lost power and died on the freeway. There were no engine warning lights on and did not want to restart and stay running. After a few times of starting and dying the message on the dash said keep driving engine is in regen. This is a diesel truck and the newer ones have a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
This truck has roughly 41000 miles on it. As I was driving home from work on [XXX], I heard a faint noise and then my truck just lost power and died on the freeway. There were no engine warning lights on and did not want to restart and stay running. After a few times of starting and dying the message on the dash said keep driving engine is in regen. This is a diesel truck and the newer ones have a... Read more