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 67,531 complaints for CHRYSLER
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
Sudden rapid acceleration of car while parking vehicle on December 20, 2023 at approximately 2:00pm. The sudden rapid acceleration caused the vehicle to jump a curb and hit the base of the light pole damaging the right front of the car. Car was towed to the dealership and is currently there. If the car had not hit the base of the light pole, the car could have continued on into a driving lane pos... Read more
Crash
CHRYSLER
PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2019) - ENGINE
Dec 31, 2023
Incident date: Dec 30, 2023
6 months ago our car’s auto stop/start feature started to malfunction. The car will stall and sputter on the start after coming to a stop. This is very dangerous! On multiple occasions, the car would not accelerate through a turn on a light stalling out in the intersection. we have also been nearly rear-ended at red lights because the vehicle will not accelerate on a green light. This issue is w... Read more
CHRYSLER
PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2019) - ENGINE
Dec 31, 2023
Incident date: Dec 30, 2023
I noticed around 100,000 miles that my car was going through oil when I heard a ticking in the engine. I pulled over and checked and there was no oil on the dipstick. No warning lights or nothing. I just kept adding oil after that and thinking that I will never buy another Hyundai again but never thinking my engine would fail full of oil. In June of 2023 my car lost power just as I got off the fre... Read more
CHRYSLER
PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2019) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Dec 31, 2023
Incident date: Dec 30, 2023
After the latest update the Tesla autopilot feature is very unsafe to use. The screen constantly pings and nags the driver to pay attention drawing my attention away from the road. The system has become so sensitive that adjusting the AC down a degree causes the warning to pop up which distracts the driver and in my opinion is significantly less safe than the older version. The warnings are too se... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
The blower fan for heat In my vehicle was replaced in October 2022, recently the Defroster will not engage and it is vital to winter driving. The mechanism that switches between which vent to blow out air was replaced and the Defroster will still not engage, rather it comes out of the heat and face vents. Shortly after the Defroster stopped engaging, the rpms will start fluctuating from 2 suddenl... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
The blower fan for heat In my vehicle was replaced in October 2022, recently the Defroster will not engage and it is vital to winter driving. The mechanism that switches between which vent to blow out air was replaced and the Defroster will still not engage, rather it comes out of the heat and face vents. Shortly after the Defroster stopped engaging, the rpms will start fluctuating from 2 suddenl... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
These 4 warning lights keep coming on such as lane keep assist problem, adaptive cruise control problem, collision mitigation system problem, and road departure mitigation system problem. Many Honda Pilot owners report this ongoing issue with no real solution. This is a serious concern that needs to be looked into further.
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
These 4 warning lights keep coming on such as lane keep assist problem, adaptive cruise control problem, collision mitigation system problem, and road departure mitigation system problem. Many Honda Pilot owners report this ongoing issue with no real solution. This is a serious concern that needs to be looked into further.
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
Transmission died at 128k miles on the highway. Steering wheel locked up. Meticulously maintained car with no prior issues. The problem has no been reproduced by a dealer as the car is undriveable but has been confirmed by a mechanic shop. There were no warning messages or symptoms of the problem prior to the transmission dying and no warning messages even after the transmission died to indicate t... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2006) - STEERING
Dec 29, 2023
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
At highway speeds there starts a sticky sensation in the steering. If I’m holding the steering to the left it also feels like it sticks and fails to come back to the middle, but if I apply a little pressure it loosens immediately.
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2014) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dec 28, 2023
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
The engien keep stalling, prolem accelerating jurky transmisión and this is the only car I have to go work I take the highway everyday I am cosern that something can happend to me.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
The welds have pulled out of my left drivers door check arm. My car has just 45,000 miles, just purchased 60 days ago. Now they want $2600+ to repair. I see many many many complaints about this issue. Add me to the list. This is ridiculous! It’s not like I had anything to do with the welds not holding!
CHRYSLER
PT CRUISER
(2008) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dec 28, 2023
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
Sunroof exploded while traveling at highway speeds causing glass to fall into the cabin. No impact from rocks, just exploded out of nowhere. Massive loud explosions sound
CHRYSLER
PT CRUISER
(2008) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dec 28, 2023
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
When weather began to get cold in 2023, the car's Sync system and all associated electronics (back up camera, usb ports, radio, navigation, touch screen, etc.,) went dark. At first 30% of the time, but within weeks the system was dead. Looking online, we found many other people having similar experiences with Ford products. The Ford dealership who serviced the problem said it was very common in F... Read more
CHRYSLER
PT CRUISER
(2008) - SUSPENSION
Dec 28, 2023
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
The contact owned a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a squeaking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the front suspension system was faulty and needed to be replaced. The front suspension system was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
There is a crack on the left lower part of the windshield. It’s the 3rd crack requiring a windshield replacement and it only has 21,110 miles on it
Incident date: Dec 19, 2023
Noticed for the last year or two that the buttons on my air and best turn on without to touch any button and will not power off also the windows will fog while driving. If heat is on the buttons will dial to air conditioning which causes foggy windows while on busy interstate. Also noticed there are several complaints on the internet from others who experience similarities of what is call ghost ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2023
This vehicle when using the Navigation system will suddenly show the vehicle 50 to 100+ miles from its actual location, often in the middle of a field or just offroad! I returned to the dealer who installed the recommended "fix" from a technical service bulletin. The software fix did bring the locations closer when the system failed, and instead of 50 to 100+ miles off course, it shows 5 to 15 m... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2023
-What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Steering seems to lock when in a constant wheel position, either going straight or slightly turned for a large diameter constant turn. Steering frees with larger than normal force resulting in a jerkiness feeling. The needed effort could ketch the driver off guard and over or undercurrent. -How ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
I was driving on I-20 with cruise control on @ 71 mph (night time) @ 7 min into using cruise control, the suv acted like it stopped for a quick second (scaring me) I remember rubbing my neck afterwards, thinking it was almost like whiplash. I pulled off the road into parking lot. I thought maybe I had a flat or tire issue, no tire issues. I then stopped @ a store, when getting back into the suv, I... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
Check engine light would pop on for a small amount of time periodically since I purchased it, took it to shop where they stated everything was fine..as check engine light was no longer on. Just started smelling burning when drove for long periods of time. Yesterday, on the way home with my 8 year old daughter, in freezing upstate NY temps, the gears totally went out. Thankfully I was right next to... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
Check engine light would pop on for a small amount of time periodically since I purchased it, took it to shop where they stated everything was fine..as check engine light was no longer on. Just started smelling burning when drove for long periods of time. Yesterday, on the way home with my 8 year old daughter, in freezing upstate NY temps, the gears totally went out. Thankfully I was right next to... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was water leaking inside the vehicle while her mother was driving and while the vehicle was parked in the rain. The contact stated that water was leaking in the driver's side of the vehicle and in the trunk. The contact stated that water was settling in the front driver's side floorboard and in the trunk. The contact stated that ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
Failed parts . #1 abs module #2 steering box & intermediate shaft #3 balljoints .available anytime for inspection? # 1 risk brakes locking up or soft pedal #2 steering wheel back and forth to stay on highway #3 knuckle fall off failed balljoint all causing an accident.. all independent shop for all components. Dealer for steering ?? Abs traction lights
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH the engine began to smoke. The engine light was illuminated at the time of the failure. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The engine was replaced. The contact then stated that 4 months after while driving the contact was depressing the accelerat... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH the engine began to smoke. The engine light was illuminated at the time of the failure. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The engine was replaced. The contact then stated that 4 months after while driving the contact was depressing the accelerat... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
Manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner. Vehicle is rendered unsafe with shrapnel potential from crash. Car can't be sold and there has been no compensatory considerations for vehicle owners who now own a vehicle deemed unsafe. Chevrolet customer service nor dealer have updated timelines or assistance programs to help consumers.
CHRYSLER
PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2022) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dec 20, 2023
Incident date: Aug 19, 2023
About 9 days ago our Honda Pilot (parked, off, keys out of ingnition) had a malfunction in the drivers side heated seat and caught fire burning half the seat and the door, this could have happened while driving which makes this a massive safety issue, I had previously had my car checked out only days prior to incident and nothing was found. There was no indication, warning lights anything to tell ... Read more
Fire
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2010) - POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
Dec 20, 2023
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the rear differential needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failu... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2010) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dec 20, 2023
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
Info Entertainment System. It was going on and off I took it to Honda and the price was well over $1,200. I have taken my car for maintenance only to Honda and think that at 120,000 miles after I replaced the starter a month before that this car should be working in full condition. I am a senior and now the radio Bluetooth cameras are no longer available. Called Honda customer service to ask for... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
I was driving the vehicle and stopped at a Sonic drive thru. I shifted the car into park and I began to hear a very loud creaking noise. When I shifted the car into drive, the car wouldn’t move. I called a Firestone mechanic and he concluded that it was the CV belt that is connected to the transmission. Regardless, only a transmission shop could handle this issue. I called CARMAX AUTO, and spoke... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
I was driving the vehicle and stopped at a Sonic drive thru. I shifted the car into park and I began to hear a very loud creaking noise. When I shifted the car into drive, the car wouldn’t move. I called a Firestone mechanic and he concluded that it was the CV belt that is connected to the transmission. Regardless, only a transmission shop could handle this issue. I called CARMAX AUTO, and spoke... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
I was driving the vehicle and stopped at a Sonic drive thru. I shifted the car into park and I began to hear a very loud creaking noise. When I shifted the car into drive, the car wouldn’t move. I called a Firestone mechanic and he concluded that it was the CV belt that is connected to the transmission. Regardless, only a transmission shop could handle this issue. I called CARMAX AUTO, and spoke... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2008) - BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
Dec 19, 2023
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
Twice I had all kinds of safety alerts were scrolling on May 2nd ans august 7th.. First it was a fluid leak and cable. Second there was a piece of metal in the brakes. ABS sensor full of grease. Now sometimes Brakes is flashing for no reason (like going uphill) and if I need to brake at a higher speed on the freeway, the brakes make a sound of pots and pans rattling. As I have no confidence in the... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
Drive unit defect in EV motor/reduction gear. These vehicles have a manufacturing defect that causes a percentage of them to experience a loud noise while under acceleration, loudest at around 30mph. It is described as a "card in spokes", "motor rumble", "wheel of fortune", "clicking/tapping" sound. There is a TSB that Kia has released for this issue, ELE234, but Kia continually denies and obstruc... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
High pressure fuel line leaking, strong gas fumes smell in cabin
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
Power steering assist stopped working, it is available for inspection upon request. Risk of injury or death from potential crash. As driving lost power steering on highway as following a left curve at 58 mph, heard beeping and light came on that power steering assist fault came on, then I was shot across the highway into oncoming traffic lane and left tires hit the gravel and dirt, I was able to c... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2015) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 18, 2023
Incident date: Dec 17, 2023
While driving, a warning came on my dashboard that I was unfamiliar with as it had never come up before. It informed me my oil pressure was low. I called someone familiar with cars and they told me I may need an oil change. As there were no gas stations near where I exited, I continued to my destination another ten minutes from when the warning came on during which my car began making a rattling/g... Read more
CHRYSLER
PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2020) - ENGINE
Dec 18, 2023
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
While driving, a warning came on my dashboard that I was unfamiliar with as it had never come up before. It informed me my oil pressure was low. I called someone familiar with cars and they told me I may need an oil change. As there were no gas stations near where I exited, I continued to my destination another ten minutes from when the warning came on during which my car began making a rattling/g... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 McLaren Artura. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH the "Hybrid System failure, call McLaren Service Center" message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle remained in the dealer's possession for three weeks before the contact was informed that a software update needed to be performed. Once the vehicle was returned to the contact, the dea... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
As I slowly pulled into a parking spot, the car rapidly accelerated (as if I'd floored the accelerator - I didn't), jumping a curb. I slammed on the brakes trying to get it to stop. I ended up running into a parked car before I could get it to stop. I'm worried that it will do it again with someone in front of the car. There's nothing to inspect other than my broken fender from the collision. I d... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Clunking sound in steering column. Steering Coupler in Steering motor defect Has failed in my steering column. Dealer refuses to repair under other agreements.
Incident date: Dec 17, 2023
11/14, 2023 Drove about 2-3 miles when all warning lights on the dash came on like a Christmas tree. I was coming to a 4 way stop, both roads were 55 mph speed limits. There was a car behind me and another coming to a stop from the left. I wanted to get across the intersection to pull over and assess the situation. While trying to get across the intersection there was no response to the throttle p... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2023
My vehicle has been stalling out while driving, to the point of the brakes lock up, once it’s in park you can’t get it out of park, or can’t get the vehicle to turn off while stalled out, literally have to disconnect the battery, and reconnect it to maybe get the car a fresh start to turn over and return power to systems. The check engine light pops on when stalled but not normally and is co... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
Steering does not return to center on its own after a turn. Have to apply a lot of force to steering wheel to bring it back to center.
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
I have noticed a number of times that when I push the stalk on the Fisker, which is supposed to move it from Drive to Park, that it has gone from Drive to Neutral. I have caught this happening probably 6 or so times in the 150 drives I have taken in the last two months. The solution has normally been that I take my foot off the brake and notice the car rolling backwards before getting out, put my ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 23, 2023
2020 AMG GLC 43 coupe here in Harrison, NJ. My driving style with this vehicle isn't different in any relevant way versus with past vehicles. There is an acceleration dead spot which is the default occurrence when I am coasting at a low speed and then go to accelerate. Common scenarios are driving toward an intersection and rolling forward as you determine if you are clear to go and then accelerat... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
ENGINE MADE NOISE. ENGINE STOPPED SUDDENLY ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WITH 3 OCCUPANTS HAD TO BE TOWED FROM HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTED TO HONDA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED AT GUNN HONDA, 14610 I-10 W SAN ANTONIO, TX ADVISED BY THE DEALER THE VEHICLE WILL REQUIRE EXTENSIVE (REPLACE ENGINE) REPAIRS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2016 HONDA PILOT (23V751000) FOR CONNECTING ROD BEARING HOWEVER... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The man... Read more