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 153,608 complaints for DODGE
Incident date: Jun 4, 2025
I just got off the highway where I was driving 65mph. I was drive down the road with a passenger making a right hand turn. In the middle of the turn the power steering stopped working and I proceeded to go straight. I was able to stop before crashing into a wall. I couldn’t only imagine the pannic of losing power steering at 65mph on a high way. The dealer said I need a $3,000 rack and Pinion. A... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact ha... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact ha... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the desired direction. The contact stated the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
The vehicle was purchased for the express purpose of towing a 6,600 lbs Travel Trailer. This truck is equipt with the 3 liter Diesel engine. While towing the truck computer counts down milage available based on Def level. The count down is not mile for mile it is an exponential count down. This factor triggers a series of warnings concerning vehicle operation and impending speed restrictions. ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
Noticed one wheel kept leaking down slowly. After a couple of weeks of filling the air in the tires, it was down near the warning pressure again on one rear wheel. Decided to remove the wheel to inspect the cause of the leak. Upon removal of the wheel, there were two noticeable cracks on the inner bead diameter of the wheel. I know this has been a big issue for all the C7 GS corvettes, because thi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
The back up camera has been malfunctioning for nearly two years; if T something that happens randomly I contacted Ford and they said it’s my responsibility to get it repaired because it’s not an issue on our 2015 Ford Flex when in fact many 2015 Ford Flex were recalled for the same issue I have images of the malfunction proving the problem
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
When I am putting my vehicle in reverse the camera at times has blacked out froze or even turned a weird color with lines on the screen I know there was recall for this but my vin was not included
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
Blown head gasket on 1.5T engine. It is a common issue that so many owners of this engine have experienced. It was a safety risk because it happened going at 70mph on the highway, the head gasket blew and it limited the power of the engine. Suddenly, acceleration was no longer possible and the vehicle began limping. I had to drive for several miles at a speed of 35mph (the fastest my car could go ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated and blinking. The contact called the independent mechanic where the vehicle was purchased and was informed that the vehicle needed to be serviced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the air bags were missing. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was not contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
Rearview camera image malfunctioning when the car is in reverse. Multiple issues with the rearview camera are: Frozen display, fuzzy display, reverse imaging, or no image displayed at all. This is creating a false representation of where my vehicle is relative to it's surroundings, thus highly increasing the risk of a crash and/or bodily injury and/or death. There currently are new recall number(s... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
Background: I’ve had my F150 for 7 years. For 6.x years though, the truck was operating with improper software in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) that managed the Emissions system’s control and monitoring. This is according to the Ford Recall Notice in Feb 2025 (2E14) stating the above. To address the Recall, a Ford technician came to my house, performed the software recall update, and im... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
I was on a semi residential-commercial street that turns on to a freeway entrance. I was turning right and unavoidably entered the freeway when the sudden loss of power occurred. The car slowed down to about 20 mph and pressing on the gas medal didn't yield any more power. I immediately pulled over to the emergency lane upon entering freeway to let fast moving vehicles pass me on the left side. I ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
So I was driving down the highway and I went to pass a car, (I never get close when passing) I was probably at least a quarter mile away from the car I was passing. I have every safety feature turned off, as I have, since buying the car almost 2 years ago. All of a sudden, I’m not sure if my sensor was off or what, but I’m assuming it thought I was too close to that car and it just started swe... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
So I was driving down the highway and I went to pass a car, (I never get close when passing) I was probably at least a quarter mile away from the car I was passing. I have every safety feature turned off, as I have, since buying the car almost 2 years ago. All of a sudden, I’m not sure if my sensor was off or what, but I’m assuming it thought I was too close to that car and it just started swe... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2025
My back up camera has flipped the view upside down. Sometimes it glitches like static. I have tried different approaches to fix the issue but it continues to be upside down. It also caused me to back into my other car due to it glitching in the process of me backing up by causing me to lose visibility in a split second. It has been like this for years now with no hope of finding a solution. This i... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2025
My back up camera has flipped the view upside down. Sometimes it glitches like static. I have tried different approaches to fix the issue but it continues to be upside down. It also caused me to back into my other car due to it glitching in the process of me backing up by causing me to lose visibility in a split second. It has been like this for years now with no hope of finding a solution. This i... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2025
Hello my name is [XXX] and I am (was) the owner of a 2013 BMW 528i VIN [XXX] . It was a secondary vehicle for me for until I sustained an injury and it being my primary vehicle. I took it through emissions, updated the registration, and I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. I had driven it without a problem then in Juneit did not run at all. At that time there was a recall on the computer s... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2025
Hello my name is [XXX] and I am (was) the owner of a 2013 BMW 528i VIN [XXX] . It was a secondary vehicle for me for until I sustained an injury and it being my primary vehicle. I took it through emissions, updated the registration, and I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. I had driven it without a problem then in Juneit did not run at all. At that time there was a recall on the computer s... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2025
2022 Ford Explorer Limited issues: 49K miles, when putting the vehicle in reverse and press gas it does not engage, it rolls and takes a few seconds before it engages. Powertrain Failure/Malfunction causes vehicle to bog down, low power, and vibration in rear. Once you turn vehicle off the error goes away only to come up again around 75 mph. Vibration also occurs at 30-40 mph and again at 60-70 ... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2025
It happen 4 times during normal driving on local roads on nice weather and no car infront . My car just stop violently and make a lound noise as if it hit something .It happen very quick and became normal as if nothing wrong .Reported and brought car to dealer after a week there not found any defects.The 5th times happen when car pull out from driveway with no car around. I belived this a saferty ... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2025
It happen 4 times during normal driving on local roads on nice weather and no car infront . My car just stop violently and make a lound noise as if it hit something .It happen very quick and became normal as if nothing wrong .Reported and brought car to dealer after a week there not found any defects.The 5th times happen when car pull out from driveway with no car around. I belived this a saferty ... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2025
ABS hydraulic module went out Brakes go to the floor, however ford has not recall for the part even with the known issue of the part. yes- confirmed by a master tech no warning present, only the symptoms of brakes going all the way to the floor and acting like there is air in the lines
Incident date: May 20, 2025
Passenger door opens consistently when hitting bumps in the road. Door ajar warning comes on instantly and car beeps.
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
Transmission fails to automatically shift into 9th gear. A GM bulletin #21-NA-181 indicates this is normal for efficiency operation, but the information indicated is false. Experiencing 9th gear is allowed to be shifted when manually over ridden or when shift to manual mode (without shifting to 9th gear), then shift back to auto mode, then transmission shifts to 9th gear automatically after this i... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
CHEVROLET COLORADO SLOWS DOWN FOR NO REASON
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
CHEVROLET COLORADO SLOWS DOWN FOR NO REASON
DODGE
CHALLENGER
(2016) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 30, 2025
Incident date: May 16, 2025
Torque converter Transmission! The whole car shudders when going from 10mph to 25/30mph. Shudder/shaking while accelerating Low mileage @ 67k miles
DODGE
CHALLENGER
(2016) - ENGINE
May 30, 2025
Incident date: May 16, 2025
Torque converter Transmission! The whole car shudders when going from 10mph to 25/30mph. Shudder/shaking while accelerating Low mileage @ 67k miles
Incident date: May 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact inspected the battery and determined that the battery needed to be charged. The contact stated that the battery needed to be recharged every three days due to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or ... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2025
I pulled into my semicircle, long driveway as I do every morning, and stopped at the top by releasing my foot off the accelerator (no need for brakes as it is an EV). I opened the garage door and slowly stepped on the accelerator, but it started to go fast, and I felt out of control. I immediately released my foot off the accelerator (which should have stopped the vehicle) and slammed on the brake... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 12, 2022
The coolant control valve is defective and the part is on back order with GM and dealer can’t tell me when part will be available because General Motors doesn’t know. Dealer has had my vehicle for three weeks and because of GM can’t tell me anything new.
Incident date: May 12, 2022
The coolant control valve is defective and the part is on back order with GM and dealer can’t tell me when part will be available because General Motors doesn’t know. Dealer has had my vehicle for three weeks and because of GM can’t tell me anything new.
Incident date: May 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was shaking abnormally with the check engine and stabili-trak warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the warning lights were cleared, and the vehicle drove normally. The contact stated that the failure was interm... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2025
Subject: Formal Complaint – Engine Failure in 2021 GMC Yukon Denali XL VIN: [XXX] Defect Number (GM): [XXX] GM Case Numbers: [XXX] / [XXX] / [XXX] Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am writing to formally report a critical mechanical failure in my 2021 GMC Yukon Denali XL, which resulted in a complete engine failure, rendering the vehicle inoperable and exposing my family to signif... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2017) - ENGINE
May 30, 2025
Incident date: May 16, 2025
I GOT IN MY CAR AND PROCEED TO DRIVE AND THE POWER LOW ENGINE SIGN CAME ON. TOOK TRUCK TO MECHANIC AND PAID $1000 BECAUSE GAS WAS GOING INTO MY ENGINE.
Incident date: May 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while reversing, the back over prevention camera image was reversed, and failed to display the image properly. The contact stated that the displayed image was distorted, flipped upside down, and the screen then went black. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2024
Rod bearing pop while driving on highway. Car stalls out. Only warning was oil light and battery light appearing. Rough idle and sluggish...sounds like it's going to blow .
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
While driving with my family in the car our panoramic sunroof exploded out of now where. Now after a week of waiting and missing work due the dealership waiting to see if warranty is going to cover it. I’m being told to utilize my insurance because the panoramic isn’t covered under warranty.
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2017) - POWER TRAIN
May 28, 2025
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
It won’t let me go over 30 without the rpm’s significantly increasing and transmission light is on
Incident date: Aug 1, 2012
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to detect the odor. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the Forward Collision Avoidan... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2012
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to detect the odor. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the Forward Collision Avoidan... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2012
All 4 of the window regulator motors blew in my windows at the same time, only about 9 years into the vehicle's life. The little plastic pulleys that move the cables degrade over time and then ruin the rest of the window motor when they break, and since they decided not to make this an easily repairable part it requires the entire window regulator assembly which is half of the door to be replaced,... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2025
While driving aout 50 mph in drive truck suddenly downshifted to second gear locking the rear tires up and nearly getting rear ended by another car. The drive indicator light was flickering and the manual M2 was lit up as if it didnt know if it was in manual shift mode. stopped on the side of road and turned vehicle off and back on but problem continued. About a mile or so down the road the proble... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the oil pump drive belt... Read more
DODGE
CHALLENGER
(2023) - ENGINE
May 28, 2025
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the transmission failed to shift as needed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stopped and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicl... Read more
DODGE
CHALLENGER
(2023) - POWER TRAIN
May 28, 2025
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the transmission failed to shift as needed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stopped and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicl... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); 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 manufactu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2021
6.2 liter engine fail- replaced at new cost, 20,000 miles later another 6.2 engine failed. unable to get new engine due to GMC finally recalling the engine. My VIN is not included in the recall. I now have no vehicle to drive but still have a loan to pay.