Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 153,169 complaints for DODGE
Incident date: Jun 2, 2021
I was driving on I55 this morning and all of a sudden my truck started vibrating really bad, the steering wheel was veering, I had to constantly fight to keep in my lane. And when I touched my brakes it veered. Riding really rough, and has power loss. I took it to the nearest shop and they said my driveshaft was very loose, and that it is affecting everything that I described. The center driveshaf... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2021
I was driving on I55 this morning and all of a sudden my truck started vibrating really bad, the steering wheel was veering, I had to constantly fight to keep in my lane. And when I touched my brakes it veered. Riding really rough, and has power loss. I took it to the nearest shop and they said my driveshaft was very loose, and that it is affecting everything that I described. The center driveshaf... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2014) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 2, 2021
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
The contact owned a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, flames were discovered coming from the rear driver’s side of the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed which indicated that the fire was caused by an electrical fault at the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was destro... Read more
Fire
Incident date: May 30, 2021
Front driver side door wiring caught on fire while driving, which now none of the windows work.
Fire
Incident date: May 30, 2021
Front driver side door wiring caught on fire while driving, which now none of the windows work.
Fire
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
Door panel is separating from the door and window on the passenger side
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
I was sitting in the vehicle while it was in park, idling, and the driver’s seat active headrest suddenly deployed. Nothing struck the vehicle to cause it to jar suddenly. I was sitting in my kids’ school parking lot dropping them off. When looking inside the deployed headrest, it seems like there is a broken plastic piece that possibly works to keep the headrest “latched.”
DODGE
REDUNDANT RAM 1500
(2010) — POWER TRAIN
Jun 1, 2021
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 RAM 1500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the driveshaft detached from the sub-frame of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTS... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2017) — SEATS
Jun 1, 2021
Incident date: May 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that a bolt connected to the front passenger seat had come loose causing the seat belt to become detached from the front passenger seat. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 54,000.
Incident date: May 31, 2021
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the vehicle was hauling a trailer while driving at 65 mph when a loud bang was heard and the steering wheel went in circles, which led the vehicle from the center lane into the median and hit the guard rail. The rear driver's side corner of the vehicle was damaged and the front driver and front passenger side of the trailer were damaged fr... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 31, 2021
Vehicle stalls intermittently, when coming to a stop at a light or Stop Sign.This has occurred on multiple occasions and could result in serious injury or Death. The latest date was yesterday May 31,2021.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2018
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle jerked and automatically engaged into four-wheel drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Incident date: May 29, 2021
The passenger headrest made a loud noise and shot the front piece of it out extremely fast. There was no warning messages or lights. It could hurt head and neck . I have had this vehicle since it was new. Never got a recall warning about exploding headrest from Dodge. It has not been inspected by manufacturer or insurance or others.
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2016) — POWER TRAIN
May 29, 2021
Incident date: May 24, 2021
2016 Dodge Minivan began jerking and attempting to find gears on/about 24 May, 2021. Brought car in to dealership (where car was purchased and serviced for past five years) that evening for a morning assessment. Was told that the transmission pump failed leading to severe transmission damage and a complete rebuild was required. Car was 6 weeks out of warranty (Mar 31, 2021 warranty expiration) ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2021
While pulling a travel trailer I got onto the freeway. As I have been pulling the trailer for a while now with this vehicle my comfort speed is around 45mph but will push up to 50mph maybe 55mph at the most. Anyways while entering the freeway I accelerated and as I got ready to merge I let my foot off the gas but the peddle stayed down and the vehicle continued to accelerate until around 80mph to ... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2021
While driving to work this morning, I was suddenly hit so hard in the back of the head, my face almost hit the steering wheel. The hit to my head caused me to swerve almost hitting two cars in the lane next to me. I thought I had just been in a car accident! Once it was safe for me to pull over I saw that the driver side headrest deployed. There were no signs or warnings this was about to happen a... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently stop as the forward collision avoidance warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) and took the vehicle to a dealer for the recall repair. Upon return of the vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently stop as the forward collision avoidance warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) and took the vehicle to a dealer for the recall repair. Upon return of the vehicl... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2021
Something in the engine is causes the alternator to die. I’ve gotten it changed 3 times within a year. The car has been having multiple issues since I purchased it. The file is to lengthy to upload
Incident date: May 18, 2021
Something in the engine is causes the alternator to die. I’ve gotten it changed 3 times within a year. The car has been having multiple issues since I purchased it. The file is to lengthy to upload
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2017) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 28, 2021
Incident date: May 27, 2021
I was sitting in my van, with it running at Sonic, and i started smelling a terrible smell. I thought the smell was coming form outside so I rolled up the windows and the van started filling up with smoke. My daughter looked at the back seat and noticed the back charger, USB, 12 volt area was the source of smoke and we got out immediately, saw that it was on fire from the inside, it could be seen ... Read more
Fire
DODGE
CHALLENGER
(2015) — POWER TRAIN
May 27, 2021
Incident date: May 8, 2021
The center support carrier bearing for the driveshaft has failed, causing the driveshaft to drop, rub the heat shield causing a bad noise, the rear end is swaying, and there are mobility issues. I know of other people that have the same problem. You cannot replace the center bearing. You have to purchase the WHOLE driveshaft/driveline, which becomes an even bigger problem when they are on ... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2016) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 27, 2021
Incident date: Apr 29, 2021
Rear sliding door locks. The locks on the vehicle have malfunctioned and makes it unsafe for passengers in the rear of the vehicle to exit in an emergency. The driver side door is stuck in the lock position and the door cannot be opened in any way rendering it useless. The actuator on the passenger side has mail functioned as well and cannot be locked/unlocked with the buttons in the vehicle or th... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2015) — POWER TRAIN
May 27, 2021
Incident date: Apr 12, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a loud abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed however, nothing needed to be replaced. The contact wanted a second opinion so she took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it w... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2016) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 27, 2021
Incident date: Apr 1, 2020
Headlamps started leaking water into them a year ago, problem is getting much worse. Unsafe to drive in rain as headlamps dim badly with water inside.
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2011) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 27, 2021
Incident date: May 25, 2021
Van has stalled and quit while at intersections and while driving on busy hwy. Have had looked at and seems that the TIPM is the problem. Same as many over vehicles that was recalled for this same reason suck as the Jeep Cherokees. VERY DANGEROUS for it to stall and quit in the middle of traffic, almost been rearended due to the stalling and hit at intersection due to it cutting off completely... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2021
Fuel Pump Relay inside the TPIM failed as did in the same unit that has been previously recalled in other vehicles.Chrysler Recall P54. Without warning the relay failed while hiking in the desert. I returned to a dead battery and a 17 mile hike back out to cell signal to get help. If this failure happened while driving down the road the results could have been a very deadly crash. Why is this part... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2021
Fuel Pump Relay inside the TPIM failed as did in the same unit that has been previously recalled in other vehicles.Chrysler Recall P54. Without warning the relay failed while hiking in the desert. I returned to a dead battery and a 17 mile hike back out to cell signal to get help. If this failure happened while driving down the road the results could have been a very deadly crash. Why is this part... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2021
Fuel Pump Relay inside the TPIM failed as did in the same unit that has been previously recalled in other vehicles.Chrysler Recall P54. Without warning the relay failed while hiking in the desert. I returned to a dead battery and a 17 mile hike back out to cell signal to get help. If this failure happened while driving down the road the results could have been a very deadly crash. Why is this part... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2021
Was out running errands and returned home. Pulled in garage and vehicle smelled hot, like on fire. Went to start vehicle back up and remove from garage incase of fire. The vehicle would NOT start. Took vehicle to local repairman. I was informed the alternator caught on fire. If this would of happened on the road, I could have been in a bad accident. Also because my vehicle was parked in the garag... Read more
DODGE
CHALLENGER
(2016) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
May 27, 2021
Incident date: May 13, 2017
2016 Dodge Challenger. Consumer stated that when accelerating the pedal became stuck in the down position.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2019
On 07/30/2019, your staff made an error on the mileage. It was reported 111,000 miles which would mean someone drove over 100,000 miles in a year? Which I'm not real sure if that is even possible... The mileage should of been reported as 11,100. The car currently has 27,073 miles. Please assist me on getting this corrected. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF IN... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2019
Just before my warranty was up I got a check engine light and the car started running really rough almost like it was gonna die when I came to a stop. I called the dealership and they told me they would try to get me in at the next availability. With the end of my warranty closely approaching I told them this wasn’t an option. They finally got my car in after I made a few demanding phone calls t... Read more
DODGE
CHALLENGER
(2019) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
May 26, 2021
Incident date: Apr 2, 2021
Back up camera goes out (turns gray/ fizzes out) occasionally and stays on when car is in drive
Incident date: May 25, 2021
Rear differential failure. Right rear drive shaft gets loose and makes continual noise.
Incident date: May 3, 2021
2.7 liter engine should be recalled and replaced because? 1. The internal water pump which have been known to wear out prematurely and destroy the engine regardless how well the owner maintains vehicle. 2. Subframe and rear suspension crossmember should be replace due to rotting out prematurely. 3 Gloss on paint prone to pealing.
Incident date: May 3, 2021
2.7 liter engine should be recalled and replaced because? 1. The internal water pump which have been known to wear out prematurely and destroy the engine regardless how well the owner maintains vehicle. 2. Subframe and rear suspension crossmember should be replace due to rotting out prematurely. 3 Gloss on paint prone to pealing.
Incident date: May 3, 2021
2.7 liter engine should be recalled and replaced because? 1. The internal water pump which have been known to wear out prematurely and destroy the engine regardless how well the owner maintains vehicle. 2. Subframe and rear suspension crossmember should be replace due to rotting out prematurely. 3 Gloss on paint prone to pealing.
Incident date: May 24, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer w... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2021
Been losing power to the car while driving which cause me to lose my steering ability and the 4 wheel drive keeps kicking on and off while driving plus the wiper motor works sometimes and sometimes it don’t. The navigation system comes on and off whenever it wants to and the rear end keeps popping
Incident date: May 1, 2021
Been losing power to the car while driving which cause me to lose my steering ability and the 4 wheel drive keeps kicking on and off while driving plus the wiper motor works sometimes and sometimes it don’t. The navigation system comes on and off whenever it wants to and the rear end keeps popping
Incident date: May 1, 2021
Been losing power to the car while driving which cause me to lose my steering ability and the 4 wheel drive keeps kicking on and off while driving plus the wiper motor works sometimes and sometimes it don’t. The navigation system comes on and off whenever it wants to and the rear end keeps popping
Incident date: Apr 26, 2021
Water in the rear tailgate light(race track)
Incident date: Sep 30, 2019
On May 7, 2021, I was informed by Champion Dodge in Indianapolis, Indiana that a water intrusion point was discovered on my new Dodge Durango. The service department determined that the antenna had a faulty antenna gasket causing water to get into the vehicle through the antenna since I purchased it in September 2019. To date, my vehicle has been in the shop for about 70 days, always returned to... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2019
On May 7, 2021, I was informed by Champion Dodge in Indianapolis, Indiana that a water intrusion point was discovered on my new Dodge Durango. The service department determined that the antenna had a faulty antenna gasket causing water to get into the vehicle through the antenna since I purchased it in September 2019. To date, my vehicle has been in the shop for about 70 days, always returned to... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2019
On May 7, 2021, I was informed by Champion Dodge in Indianapolis, Indiana that a water intrusion point was discovered on my new Dodge Durango. The service department determined that the antenna had a faulty antenna gasket causing water to get into the vehicle through the antenna since I purchased it in September 2019. To date, my vehicle has been in the shop for about 70 days, always returned to... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2021
1st ALL of the interior lights won’t turn off no matter what you do. Doors all closed locked still stay on while driving can’t manually switch them off 2nd yesterday I went to pick up my daughter at school and the car all of a sudden just stopped running. It won’t start. Before it would do that and I had to exit the vehicle and use the remote start. Tried it this time and it said fob deacti... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2021
1st ALL of the interior lights won’t turn off no matter what you do. Doors all closed locked still stay on while driving can’t manually switch them off 2nd yesterday I went to pick up my daughter at school and the car all of a sudden just stopped running. It won’t start. Before it would do that and I had to exit the vehicle and use the remote start. Tried it this time and it said fob deacti... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2021
1st ALL of the interior lights won’t turn off no matter what you do. Doors all closed locked still stay on while driving can’t manually switch them off 2nd yesterday I went to pick up my daughter at school and the car all of a sudden just stopped running. It won’t start. Before it would do that and I had to exit the vehicle and use the remote start. Tried it this time and it said fob deacti... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2020
2018 Dodge Charger with only 6900 miles. Issue began in fall 2020 at about 6700 miles, shortly after the 3 year bumper to bumper warranty ended. U-CONNECT 8.4 System malfunctions as often as twice per second and perhaps 30 times per minute, causing unsafe distractions (multiple beeps) and possibly more. Sometimes it is the radio switching channels, with an annoying beep each time. Sometimes it is ... Read more