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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints

140,173 Reported Crashes

56,794 Reported Fires

8,580 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›

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Showing 67,531 complaints for CHRYSLER

Incident date: Jan 11, 2023

We were diving on the interstate and the RPMs went up all the way up and after it came back down the car wouldn’t respond anymore and came to a stop while on the interstate putting my family safety at risk! There were no notifications before the car came to a stop while on the interstate but when we pulled over to the shoulder we tried to start the car again and then the Check engine light came... Read more

Incident date: Jun 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle overheated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact added additional coolant to the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that an engine replacement was needed. The mechanic informed the contact that coolant was leaking into the engine a... Read more

Incident date: Jun 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, he felt a sudden surge and observed white smoke emitting from the rear passenger seat. As a result of the distraction, the contact stated that the vehicle crashed into a tree at approximately 35 MPH; the driver's steering wheel and driver's seat air bags both deployed. Upon exiting and inspecting the trunk of the ve... Read more

Crash Fire

Incident date: Jun 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, the passenger’s side air bag malfunction warning light illuminated with an occupant seated in the passenger’s seat. The air bag sensor, the air bag, and the air bag module were each replaced on three separate occasions by the dealer. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. After the latest... Read more

Incident date: May 31, 2023

A- arm on rear suspension rusted out.

Incident date: May 31, 2023

Windshield cracked for no reason.

Incident date: Sep 22, 2022

ABSB air bag safety system failed due to wiring harness damage under drivers seat. Wiring damaged by seat moving over harness when adjusting. Subaru dealer claimed that wiring damage was caused by rodent bites. This is an engineering flaw which creates a safety issue.

Incident date: May 27, 2023

Dangerous Phantom Braking: this has occurred many times including very dangerous situations in high speed interstate hwy settings. The car will slam on the brakes for no apparent reason often with cars following closely behind. I have completely stopped using “full self driving” as it is a death trap and people will certainly die because of its use.

Incident date: May 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to shift the gear shifter into park(P), the transmission failed to shift as needed. The contact stated that the transmission would only shift into reverse(R). An independent mechanic flipped an unknown switch, and the contact was able to drive her vehicle to her residence; however, when the contact attempted to shift t... Read more

Incident date: Jun 11, 2023

Car stalled and turned off after a red light turned green and pressed on the gas pedal. Error message popped up: Error: Start-Stop System. The red triangle with exclamation point symbol appeared. The check engine light has been on since. I had to immediately put my hazard lights on, put the car in park, press the start button to turn on again. It happened again immediately afterwards when the red ... Read more

Incident date: Apr 1, 2023

The pneumatic manual liftgate rear door holders by HANI PRECISION CO are defective. From one day to the other, these stopped working for absolutely no reason. I am extremely concerned about having my skull crushed if the temporary stick I am using to hold it comes down when door is in use. I can no longer open the rear lift hatch door because these two pneumatic holders no longer work. My family h... Read more

Incident date: May 15, 2023

I have two complaints. One just occurred while driving down the highway. My hood popped open. I do not go under the hood. I have my car serviced. The last time it was serviced was over a month ago. The hood popped open immediately the alarm began to ring and I pulled over. I got out on the side of the highway to close it. I immediately called the dealer and they say they have to keep my car to add... Read more

Incident date: Jun 8, 2023

Frame rust

Incident date: Jan 1, 2021

When reaching speeds around 20 mph, usually on turning corners, car feels like its 'skipping' not catching (so this could be like when picking up speed after reducing speed). I'm currently having wheel bearings replaced and the certified mechanic working on it says it appears to be transmission related and recommended me to take it to Nissan as he assumed (wrongly!) that it should still be covered... Read more

Incident date: Jun 8, 2023

While my wife was returning home from dinner one evening approximately 6PM in the evening, she was traveling about 35MPH when all of a sudden she heard a soft "POP" sound and the engine died. She had to coast to the side of the road to get out of traffic. There was no warning, no lights on the dash, nothing. Just a soft pop sound & that was it. The engine would not start so we had it towed to our ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 8, 2023

Was driving and tire system went off pulled over and tire was cut all they way around like someone cut it off the rim.

Incident date: Jun 1, 2023

Thermo control valve needed replaced. Check engine light and all safety lights turned on. All safety features were disabled when light came on. Subaru has has a recall on 2019 but not 2020 .

Incident date: Jun 8, 2023

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated, and the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle shut off. The battery warning light, the oil warning light, and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the spark plugs; however, the failure recurred... Read more

Incident date: May 12, 2023

Horn doesn't work..replaced fuse still not working..so I wonder if my air bag will work...how do I fix it no body know not even the dealer

Incident date: Jun 5, 2023

The evap core is known be a faulty part on these cars. It makes it unsafe to drive due to visibility from fogged up windows without it working properly.

Incident date: Jun 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle started to decelerate independently. The driver stated that he started to smell a smoke odor inside the cabin of the vehicle and saw smoke coming from under the hood. The contact stated that no visible flames were seen. The contact stated that the drive train warning light was illumina... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 2023

I was driving to work and was stopped at a red light on a very busy road. The emergency brake engaged and then my car shut off. I sat around 10 minutes before it would restart. My brakes locked up and it wouldn’t let me do anything. I couldn’t even use my four ways. I was very scared that I was going to get hit because it just shut down on a very busy road. The throttle control warning light a... Read more

Incident date: Feb 10, 2023

My mother in law contacted me and stated her 2014 ford expedition’s transmission felt like it was failing. I drove same the next day. As I was test driving the vehicle at approximately 60mph down a U.S. highway, I hear a “clunk” noise and then immediately the RPMs went up and the vehicle downshifted into 1st gear causing the vehicles’s wheel to lock up. I went sliding down the highway and ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 28, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly shut off. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. During the failure, no warning lights were illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted regarding the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 28, 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact then stated that while the vehicle was idling, he heard a beeping sound coming from the front driver’s seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The dealer was not... Read more

Incident date: Jun 6, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the transmission downshifted, and the RPM was elevated. The vehicle then shifted into LIMP Mode and drove erratically. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the fuel gauge was indicating that the fuel tank was empty however, but there was fuel in the tank. The contac... Read more

Incident date: Jun 6, 2023

the car started hesitating when accelerating. The vehicle started to lose power and all the lights came on. Check Engine, Pre-collision warning system malfunction, Vehicle stability control system malfunction. Took my vehicle in and Toyota Dealer said at first they couldn't figure out what was wrong. Then decided to replace the transmission. It has been nearly 2 months and still cant get the p... Read more

Incident date: Jun 6, 2023

While driving the car, I am experiencing a sticky steering wheel. it happens a low speeds but is more noticeable at highway speeds. The wheel sticks and when slightly turning it is causing me to over correct my steering. I have to be very quick because the car wants to jump into the other lane very quick. Then then going around larger curves, the steering wheel sticks and does not naturally reboun... Read more

Incident date: Jun 6, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, the vehicle turned off and on intermittently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the key out of the ignition to completely turn off the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to her destination. The contact called the local dea... Read more

Incident date: Jun 5, 2023

May 27 and May 28: The car turned on the EPC and check engine lights while on parking mode and on. Started to loose power and didnt want to start again. Later on, the lights turned off and it started again. While trying to fill the fuel tank at the gasoline station it stopped and it was only half tank.(The system didnt allowed to continue). While driving in the highway, started to loose power and... Read more

Incident date: Jun 5, 2023

Incident date: Oct 15, 2022

I’ve had my 2017 Hyundai Sonata for approximately 1 year, purchased through a Carmax dealership. With no explanation, while making a left hand turn the steering wheel locked for about 1-2 seconds and all lights related to the steering and braking system appeared on the dashboard, they instantly disappeared and my steering wheel was usable again. This same incident happened an hour later making a... Read more

Incident date: Apr 28, 2023

I was driving 50 mph on 28 E in Pineville, Louisiana when I heard what sound like a gunshot. I pulled over and realized my sunroof exploded.

Incident date: Jun 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving out of the driveway, the contact shifted into neutral the vehicle started rolling forward. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 5, 2022

The contact's son owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle began decelerating independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact parked in a parking lot and called her husband. The contact's husband drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the clutch and the transmission control module (TCM) t... Read more

Incident date: Jun 4, 2023

The vehicle hesitated to move after a stop. I have escaped hitting the incoming vehicles when taking a left turns as my car drives very slow after a stop and there are chances of hitting with the vehicles coming from other direction.

Incident date: Jun 2, 2023

Every possible warning light came on without notice and the car came to an abrupt halt. Ultimately the front tires locked and the car could not be moved out of park. This happened at Yosemite National Park and was very dangerous. Fortunately I was able to glide most of the car to the side of the road (not all) before the complete shutdown of all systems. The car was towed to our Audi dealer. ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 2, 2023

OEM tires that came with original vehicle purchase depleted tread and needed to be replaced by 38,000 miles. Alignment may have been bad from initial manufacturing but is no longer covered by "bumper to bumper" warranty because it is 2,000 miles over warranty. Tire size 245/60R18

Incident date: Jun 2, 2023

[Two incidents involving the same ABS control module. Early January 2023 and Late May 2023] ABS control module failed while going downhill (valve stuck open). Resulted in the brake pedal going to the floor. Had to stop by downshifting and the using hand brake. Whenever brake pedal is pressed after this, it goes a random distance to the floor with no pressure before applying some brake. Ford quoted... Read more

Incident date: May 29, 2023

Starting on June 1, 2023 (odometer 73,200), when I shift to park my vehicle & then attempt to turn off my vehicle, I receive a warning “ACTION REQUIRED Shift to Park.” I am unable to turn my vehicle off or lock it until I repeatedly jiggle the shifter for it to sense that my vehicle actually is parked. This is a know issue with multiple GM vehicles.

Incident date: May 15, 2023

Well was driving fine one day then the next it didn't do nothing an still hasn't done or moved since found that the module in the truck were the spare was got wet an melted then I got another put it in an still nothing changed starter still nothing an found out a recall was found called bmw but they wasn't willing to have it towed to a service provider

Incident date: May 15, 2023

1. Vehicle doesn’t start when sitting just for a couple of days. Battery isn’t dead as lights, radio, etc work. The vehicle will start if jumped. Happened last year and was in and out of the dealership 3 times with this issue. They replaced the battery, but issue still persisted. They ended up doing a “software update “ which seemed to fix the issue. But just a year later I’m having a ve... Read more

Incident date: Jun 2, 2023

The car is totalled. My car tripped 9+ malfunction warnings, after starting and driving. These included rear brake lights, directionals, start/stop system, and more. It appears that the sunroof leaks, and the roof drains were clogged (even though they were specifically checked and cleaned by the dealer 2 months earlier). This led to water accumulating in the areas under the back seat (a prior reca... Read more

Incident date: Jun 2, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the brake line fractured, and there was a humming noise, and the driveshaft disintegrated from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence; however, a month later, the vehicle was towed to the dealer for a scheduled appointment. The vehicle was diagnosed as having a disassembled accelerator asse... Read more

Incident date: Jun 2, 2023

The break booster on my car went out, this part has been reported by several people, because it went out it put myself and my family in danger as the car wouldn’t stop unless you put extreme pressure when breaking. This is extremely dangerous and should be something Ford fixes for free! I had to pay $500 to get this part fixed! I was in fear for my life driving my car and this part is supposed t... Read more

Incident date: May 31, 2023

No warning lights , electric steering failed while turning on a busy Highway. Was able to barely keep control fighting with Manual steering . Took the vehicle into independent shop and they replaced steering rack. $2500 dollars.

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Consumer Safety Complaints

What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?

How to interpret what you read

If you've experienced a defect

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