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: Feb 3, 2023
Vehicle steering vibrates uncontrollably at speeds generally over 50 mph. This only subsides if you slow the vehicle down and or bring the vehicle to a stop on the side of the road. This has done this since approximately 5,000 miles. I was told that there was no problem found. After contacting “Jeep Customer Care Service” to get them involved as we will NOT continue to put our young son and ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2023
The alternator malfunctioned and was not available for inspection upon request My safety was put at risk as the car ceased to move while driving on high speeds on the hwy The problem has been reproduced by several other audi owners. This is a widespread issue putting multiple lives at risk The vehicle component has been inspected by the manufacture There were no malfunctions happening prior ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2023
Onstar(R) vcim draining my battery, it’s not my battery or alternator and already replaced connections too. I have a recall sample that was sent out 04/15/2013 Bulletin no 11-08-44-003A
Incident date: Feb 7, 2023
Every time I am driving dusk or night, I am being flashed by oncoming drivers as if I have my high beams on. Every time this happens I am using low beams. I am not usually prepared for their brights and it is difficult on my eyes. I have only had the car since November, but it has happened ever time I drive at night. I am sure it is annoying for the oncoming traffic as well, if they think I have m... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2023
At different times, while driving at a low speed my steering wheel will not turn. Additionally, all these random drive assistance system lights are reflected on the dashboard. I believe it's the Electric power assist system that has a recall with the 2014 Lincoln MKZ not the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. For example, Hill Start Assist Not Available, Check Adaptive Headlamps etc. This started December 1, ... Read more
CADILLAC
CTS
(2019) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
Feb 7, 2023
Incident date: Jun 14, 2019
The contact owns a 2010 Lexus RX450H. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine cooler line fractured and the vehicle lost oil very quickly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine cooler line needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but the vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2019
Garage kept and WELL maintained escape threw one code on February 4th,2023. Code said High engine temp. Come to a safe stop! We only rode less than 300 feet and immediately called for a tow truck. Had it hauled to dealer (Haag Ford in Lawrenceburg, IN). Engine was pronounced dead by salesperson and maintenance staff. Said car was in limp mode and antifreeze was in the engine. Car only had 87... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the traction control and stabili-trak warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was jerking intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing needed to be replaced. The part was replaced on two different occasions; however, the failure reoccurred. Additiona... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2021
I was driving my 2011 Ford Fusion home with my new born baby and my power steering locked up on me. It started beeping stating assault steering over and over. Leaving me stuck in the middle of the highway.
Incident date: Feb 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the engine coils and the radiator were replaced however, the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and the head gasket was replaced but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the independent mech... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle was slow to accelerate. The driver was able to pull over. The check engine warning light was flashing on and off. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the vehicle had experienced transmission failure. The ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2022
Since I bought the vehicle in Nov 2022 it has been in the repair shop 3 times for the check engine light being & the traction light being on. The Cam Shaft Sensor has been changed . At least twice. Place Codes have been reset
Incident date: Feb 27, 2019
The contact owns a 2022 Jayco Jay Flight SLX. The contact stated that the RV was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V773000 (Equipment) however, the recall repair failed to fix the failure. The contact stated that the recall repair blocked the airway to the stove, causing an inverted flame. The stove was a Graystone Gas Hob Model CF-RvHOB12. The RV was taken to the dealer, where th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been taken to a local dealer on multiple occasions for various unknown failures; however, the cause of the failures could not be duplicated. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact then stated that after starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster was inoperable. The contact made the dealer aware of ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2023
1) repeated incidents of Tesla ghosting braking on the highway in autopilot. Sometimes with no cars in sight 3) braking from a high speed to 35 or 40 mph - would have definitely caused a crash if auto close behind me 3) all incidents have been reported to teslas with time date stamps and they have never gotten back to me and ignored all my warnings that this will cause an accident ( which I now ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 20-40 MPH, the vehicle started shaking. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver began to depress the accelerator pedal and after exceeding 45 MPH, the vehicle stopped shaking. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing all four tires to be r... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
Plastic Trim piece, which covers the windshield rubber seal on driver side “A” pillar, fell off my 2014 Ford Explorer Limited. Incident happened about 2018.
Incident date: Jan 23, 2023
Left windshield trim suddenly detached while driving on freeway, which presents the risk of flying debris striking other cars; since I was in the left lane during the incident in the middle of Nebraska and it landed in the median, no others were known to be struck. Since the problem was a known issue within a Ford Explorer owner's group on Facebook, I simply ordered a replacement part soon after ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
Windshield trim piece on right side flew off while driving down the road.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
Water pump failure. This can lead to catstrophic engine failure if not addressed. Dealer has confirmed the failure. No fault codes appeared in any scans. Only warning signs were rapid coolant loss & the smell of burning coolant.
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
My lights have conditions and when it rains one of my lights do not come on until it is dry. I have replaced two bulbs since 2020. Now my steering wheel warning light came on, I had steering wheel fluid put in, and it's still hard to turn, and the warning light is still coming on with StabiliTrak warning light
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
ABS Brake Module and Electronic Braking Module are issues warnings. Unknown
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
ABS Brake Module and Electronic Braking Module are issues warnings. Unknown
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
First Issue: Wheel lug studs and nuts have failed on two separate occasions. Second Issue: The C/S brake, hill assist and traction control emergency lights went on and off and usually stayed on after the lights went on. The O2 Oxygen sensor was replaced. Then after this didn't fix the problem with the emergency lights coming on, the hydraulic unit module was replaced. This fixed the problem.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
On Jan. 27, 2023, I was driving my 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (31,440 miles on the odometer) on the interstate, going about 65-70 mph in high volume traffic. Suddenly my right front tire started wobbling like it was going to fall off! I have never experienced anything like this. I was extremely frightened, fearing I might have a wreck or cause someone else to wreck if control of my Jeep were los... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2022
Since 6/2022 and again 7/2022, 10/25/22 1/31/23 Constantly stating service error codes for stabiltrak, antilock brakes, and brake assist not functioning and need service urgently. However when I take it to the dealership they find nothing wrong and further investigated at another Cadillac dealership they also state they found nothing. These errors continue to pop up intermittently and my Cadillac... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light would illuminate, the vehicle would drive rough and would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the coolant had intruded into the engine. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2022
Drove a 2,000 mile road trip on exclusively divided highways, I-25, I-40, and US 287. Sixteen times (average once per 125 miles) the car braked hard when the adaptive cruise control was on, twice dropping from 75 mph to 45 mph. Any of these incidents could have caused an accident if someone was following closely and was not paying close attention. My notes suggested that the vision-based system ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2020
ive had my cherokee for over a year now, the transmission in it isnt great. Shifts funny alot. (hard shifts, late shifts). I was driving on a back road and after a sharp curve where i had to slow down. After exiting the curve i tried to speed up and the transmission jerks so hard it nearly sent me into the opposite lane with incoming traffic. its happened serveal time now over the last year. I h... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2020
The contact's husband owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost motive power and the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2023
2015-2019 model year Nissan and Infiniti vehicles suffer from an on-board computer algorithm defect that can cause the side curtain airbag to spontaneously deploy.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
I was driving at approximately 35mph when my vehicle loss power and the steering wheel locked and gas pedal did not work almost causing me to be rear ended. I put my hazard lights on and started my vehicle back up and tried to continue driving but my vehicle delayed in acceleration and has now continued to delay ever since that incident. I have parked my vehicle and have not moved it due to the da... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Quality Cargo Trailer. The contact stated while hauling the trailer, the front driver’s side of the roof detached from the trailer. The contact continued driving to his destination. The contact took the trailer to the local dealer, who took pictures of the failure and sent them to the manufacturer. The trailer was not repaired. The contact stated the trailer had been stat... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2021) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 25, 2023
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the headlights were very dim while activated; there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where she was informed that there was an unknown recall on the headlights; however, the parts for the repair were on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repai... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated before the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2023
I own a 2015 Honda Odyssey EX-L purchased new at the Pacific Honda dealership in San Diego, CA. I wrote to American Honda Motor Co. requesting a partial reimbursement for the cost of significant engine repair work required on my Odyssey over the Christmas holiday, even though the car was well-maintained and had only been driven for 88,700 miles. Specifically, on or about December 14, 2022, my wi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2023
I observed a small protrusion under the upper deck of our fifth wheel when we left Texas heading to Florida. When we arrived in Florida the protrusion was much worse. After I removed a plastic panel I discovered the frame was broken where the wall has been traveling up and down and broken the frame supporting the wall. If I didn’t notice this so soon it would cause the wall supports(lower fram... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2019
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving various speeds, he heard an abnormal whistling sound coming from the vehicle. One day upon exiting and returning to the vehicle, the contact's girlfriend had passed out in the back seat. Upon approaching the passenger’s side to wake her up, the contact smelled carbon monoxide odor coming from her side of the vehicle. The contac... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2023
While stopped at a red light, the passenger door opened unprompted & by itself twice. I tried to lock the door on the driver panel, however that seemed to not work as the light did not illuminate signaling the doors locked. When I began driving, the same door opened again by itself. This is a major safety risk to have the doors open by themselves while driving.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
I bought this vehicle and NHTSA made GM release an extended warranty on this vehicle for excessive loss of engine oil. In 2019 I had to take this vehicle and pay several thousand dollars for the pistons to be replaced in my engine because I was 1 year past the extended warranty. Now 3 years after spending thousands of dollars through a certified GM store I am having the same problem excessive loss... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2021
THE BATTERY is completely unreliable - I have had 3 batteries since I purchased the car in 2015 - REPEATED RECURRENT DISCHARGE WITHOUT APPARENT CAUSE - SUCH AS LIGHTS LEFT ON - PARASITIC DRAIN IT SEEMS In recent research have discovered this is not a new issue and there is a class action lawsuit settlement - I did not exclude myself and somewhat now wish that I had, in order to attempt to get so... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, several unknown warning lights were intermittently illuminated and the Back Over Prevention screen turned white. The contact stated that the v... Read more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2022
The car needs an EBCM or EBTCM depending on which. dealer I'm talking to. The stability control service and power steering are turned off and the anti-lock brakes are disabled. I have been to two dealerships and the part is on nationwide backorder and is not being manufactured. One dealer has 15 clients waiting for the part the other 14 they are not taking new orders. I was told my best bet was to... Read more
CADILLAC
SRX
(2014) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
Jan 18, 2023
Incident date: Nov 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle, and the rear crankshaft seal was leaking oil onto the ground. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a clogged PCV system c... Read more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH around a curvy road, the brake pedal became stiff, and the contact pressed the brake pedal desperately causing the brake pedal to operate normally. The contact also notice that two unknown brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis, and they stated that the vehicle was exp... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
Service Shifter warning keeps going on. The car's transmission went out at 74,000 miles and I paid for a brand new OEM transmission. 20,000 miles later on the new transmission, it has service shifetr red lights on like other 2014 & 015 Jeep but mine doesn't show as part of that recall
Incident date: Jul 17, 2020
I was driving my truck and needed to use the horn to warn another driver of a potential collision. My horn did not work. I later noticed that the horn only stopped working when the steering wheel was in the forward position. I researched this online, and it was stated that this was a known issue with many Toyotas including the 4runner. It is the clock spring in the steering wheel which needs repla... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving at high speeds with the auto pilot feature activated, the vehicle experienced intermittent phantom braking. The contact stated that no warning light appeared on the instrument panel prior to the failure. The contact attempted to notify the service center of the failure but was informed that he could only report the failure soo... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
I have a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. It has been well taken care of. To my disappointment, this vehicle has been a money pit since day one. We have had to have all shocks replaced two times since January 16, 2020, costing thousands of dollars.The front cross bar was replaced the first time the shocks were replaced. The airconditioning system went out in the summer of 2020, replacement cost over 2... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
There's a recall that may cause my car to explode and there's no solution and I can't get an inspection done until April