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: Aug 23, 2022
This issue has to do with the Auto Engine Idle Shut Off feature. While the issue does not happen all the time, but when it starts to happen, I have to turn the Auto Engine Idle Shut Off feature off. I have not found a way to reproduce the issue on demand, which is why I have not taken the vehicle into Honda. It would be a waste of time and money. I bought the vehicle used and the battery was new w... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2022
I have called the dealerships in Fresno Ca and Clovis Ca asked them to check out my car because of all the recalls that were done by them I'm having problems with it or had to replace it again. I also told them since it was a recall and they supposedly repaired it I wanted them to check into it to see if the wrong was done because anyone could falsify a document I was turned away from both dealer... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
Traveling at 75 MPH with cruise control on the transmission shifted into 1st gear. I slowed down and reset the cruise control to 65MPH. A couple of minutes later the transmission again shifted into 1st gear. This happened after driving for about an hour. There is no recall on my F-150. WHY NOT? Thank you for your help.
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
When making sharp left turn the vehicle makes a scary clicking noise.
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
I was in a blizzard a few days ago on the freeway & got caught in a ditch, but thankfully got out. I wasn’t going that fast & couldn’t due to not being able to see through the snow well so I can drive safely. In order not to crash because there were semi trucks around, I had to whip the steering wheel along with the weight of the car on the snow in order not to crash due to the car being big &... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 20, 2024
My ABS actuator failed. Turns off the boosted braking and cruise control. This is a known issue in Toyotas and it always happens outside the warranty window. This is putting my safety at risk as the brakes don’t work as they’re supposed to
Incident date: Jan 24, 2025
**DANGEROUS STALL OUT ISSUE** RAM 1500. Typically 2-4 minutes into driving on random mornings after warming truck up for 5-10 minutes, I go to give it gas and the engine stalls out in the middle of an intersection, sometimes with oncoming traffic. No check engine light at all. Autobrake engages. Put it in park and restart. No issues the rest of the day…until the next morning. Has happened multip... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2025
While driving down the interstate truck suddenly down shifted causing everyone in the vehicle to fly forward. I shifted truck to neutral and pulled to the side of the road. When I started the truck back up transmission would not shift out of 3rd gear and then went down to 1 st gear the truck and back to 3rd never getting out of 3rd and the wrench light came on. Took to the mechanic they said the l... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2025
The seller tampered with the odometer, my mechanic found the codes stored in the car and printed the evidence out for me. I can provide it if need be and I have the sellers facebook account. Please let me know if there is anything else you need.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2025
I have had to replace the transmission fluid at least 5 times. The vehicle shifts extremely hard and feels like your being rear ended, That is my indicator to change fluid. Also will not shift and continues to run at 4500+ rpms on the highway. The clutch converter my self destruct and I feel that it is a poor design and I should not have to pay for this over and over and hope it does not have a c... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at various speeds, the vehicle occasionally shuts off. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and restarted. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
At start up check engine light, service esc, service parking brake. Code reader shows code P0304 misfire cylinder number 4.
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
Steering wheel mounted turn signal buttons intermittently do not work - even when pressed multiple times, nothing happens. This is not a daily occurrence but has happened often enough to be dangerous ~5% of the time and happens randomly / unexpectedly. To be clear - this issue is separate and distinct from the poor design and placement of these buttons which - even when working as designed - are ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
The license plate light bulbs keep burning out caused by moisture/ wetness in the connectors due to poor design of rear lights.
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
This has been an ongoing issue since I purchased the vehicle in July 2024. It has become so bad that the vehicle is nearly un-driveable. FORD states it is a non-issue, non safety related and there is no know fix at this time. FORD has been buying vehicles back due to this "secret recall" but after numerous calls and visits to both dealers and the Ford customer care line, nothing is being done... Read more
DODGE
CHALLENGER
(2012) — ENGINE
Jan 23, 2025
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling very rough. The contact stated that while idling, the vehicle shuddered and jerked significantly, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The contact was abl... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
There is a fuel smell in the car, for the first 1/4 tank of gas. The smell is really bad in the back seat. After the car is under 1/2 tank the fuel odor begins to subside. Passengers in car begin to have headaches and upset stomachs. After veiwing other chrysler forum's - I believe this to be common with this style of car and an extreme Safety issue
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2018) — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Jan 23, 2025
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
On multiple occasions the forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking have engaged when there is nothing in the lane. On one occasion, the system engaged brakes very hard - which I can only assume was triggered by a pedestrian on a nearby sidewalk. I was traveling 30mph and the vehicle came to an abrubt stop. Traffic behind me was then also forced to slam on their brakes and I feel t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
On the evening of December 5, 2024 my 2012 KIA OPTIMA's engine completely seized out of no where while traveling on a very busy road where the speed limit is 50mph putting my life and other drivers that share the roads life in danger. Thank god I was able to succesfully merge over into a safe place as the car came to a hault. Previous to this incident the car was running perfectly fine with no das... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle shuddered uncontrollably and stalled. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the road. The contact turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle 20 minutes later, the failure recurred while driving, and the vehicle failed to accelerate upon depressing the accelerator p... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to reverse out of the parking spot; while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. A warning message "Park brake fault service now" displayed on the instrument panel. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the VIN not bein... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2024
Jeep Wrangler 2021 death wobble. This is the fourth time I’ve had a death wobble in two years out of nowhere. The vehicle will also of a sudden go into a shaking moving wobbling scenario, which feels completely unsafe to drive. I have brought this vehicle into Jeep four times in the past two years for this problem. I am requesting a buyback. They refuse to buy it back based on this very unsafe s... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2019) — STEERING
Jan 20, 2025
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
UNKNOWN- car makes loud knocking sounds when turning right or left. Not sure what it could be but I read other people say it’s an axle issue. Took car to Honda, they inspected car and said it was fine and cannot figure out why the sound is occurring, but did say all prologues have this knocking sound when turning. Honda is currently investigating why this is happening and as of now, my dealershi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2024
After about twenty minutes of driving the vehicle, the steering wheel will become notchy and sticky feeling, making it hard to perform slight adjustments in the steering while driving in a straight line. This sticky steering feeling causes me to overcorrect in my steering because I am forced to fight the steering wheel. This becomes a larger issue at highway speeds, as this sticky steering issue c... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2024
When driving in or snowy conditions, the recessed headlights fill with snow, slush ice rendering the headlights useless. It can be very hard to see as the headlights are essentially covered.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
-Bearing Failure -My Safety was put at Risk due to the vehicle instantaneously Stalling in the middle of a 4 Lane interstate without any prior warnings. -The vehicle has been diagnosed by 2 dealerships which both state that receiving a new engine is near to impossible due to this exact issue to be happening to a lot more of the same vehicles at the same time. So unfortunately they cannot confiden... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
-Bearing Failure -My Safety was put at Risk due to the vehicle instantaneously Stalling in the middle of a 4 Lane interstate without any prior warnings. -The vehicle has been diagnosed by 2 dealerships which both state that receiving a new engine is near to impossible due to this exact issue to be happening to a lot more of the same vehicles at the same time. So unfortunately they cannot confiden... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2025
I was driving 65mph down the freeway when the truck suddenly turned off and the dash told me to put in neutral and start again so I did just that. Made it about another mile and the truck completely turned off and wouldn’t turn back on there was nowhere to pull over or get off the freeway in that time frame so I was stopped in the middle of the highway with my family in the truck. Luckily a guy ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2025
Unexpected power steering failure, was driving on highway at 70MPH and my power steering failed, I was able to pull off and restart the vehicle, where an error code popped up for “Power Steering Assist Fault” when I begin driving I also get an error for “Service Advancetrac” this happening while driving is not only unsafe for me, but for other drivers on the road if I have to attempt to av... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2025
Shows a recall that could cause me and kids harm but says unavailable remedy. Now I’m feeling paranoid driving
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
When accelerating while turning right or left from a stop, there is a loud knocking sound from both sides in the front suspension. The sound is more severe with harder acceleration.
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
When accelerating while turning right or left from a stop, there is a loud knocking sound from both sides in the front suspension. The sound is more severe with harder acceleration.
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
Backing up from a parking spot it failed to give warning of pedestrians crossing. It also fails warning for lane departures or Collision Alert warnings. All settings are on the console settings for drivers assist. Warning are given too late for pedestrians and Auto crossing while backing up. Forward collision warning does not work at all.
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) system failed. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The failure caused the vehicle to lose acceleration, delay response to the gas pedal, and jerk while driving. These issues made it unsafe to drive, as the car could not maintain a consistent speed, risking accidents, especially in traffic or during merging. Yes, the issue was confirm... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
While driving and starting to brake the whole dashboard lights up stating there is brake failure. And low brake fluid.
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
Didn’t get into accident but a couple months ago my car wouldn’t start , wouldn’t try to the lights wouldn’t come on nothing. Someone cleaned battery terminal it started . Now randomly sometimes it won’t start it will try but won’t so I put it neutral and barley push it toward put it back in park then it will start .
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2012) — ENGINE
Jan 17, 2025
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 2,500 MILES ON IT, AND IT FAILED TO GO INTO GEAR WHEN PULLING OUT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. WHEN IT DID SLIP INTO GEAR, IT WOULD ONLY GO 10 MPH THE WHOLE WAY HOME. MULTIPLE ALERTS WERE SENT TO MY PHONE; SEE BELOW FOR SPECIFIC ALERT INFO. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A LOOSE WIRE AFTER TELLING ME THEY WOULD REPLACE THE CAR, AND OVER 60 SENSORS WENT OFF. ALERTS: SERVICE ENGINE WARNIN... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2019) — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Jan 17, 2025
Incident date: Jan 14, 2025
The steering doesn't return to the center after a hard turn. This requires me to manually return the steering to a neutral forward setup. Additionally, when it's rainy, the emergency rear braking is overly sensitive and will randomly activate.
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2010) — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Jan 17, 2025
Incident date: Dec 28, 2024
When I reverse, from leaving home at our garage, multiple times the car will apply the brakes. It thinks there is something or someone behind me and applies the brakes to avoid hitting something. I ended up turning off the rear braking setting. I was also cruising along on the highway at 70MPH when the car turned off the the system. It shocked me because I wasn't expecting the gas pedal to be let ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a burning odor. The contact stated that later when the vehicle was started, the back over prevention camera display was black. In addition, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a wiring harness failure. The contact w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
While driving my car started skipping from first to second gear and then lowering acceleration. When at a complete stop car would not accelerate and just revs through first and second gear making a pinging clicking sound. Brought to dealership to be told codes p0702 and code p0734 were reading. I've had the car one year and has been maintained. Before I got the diagnosis I drove to the dealership ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
Fuel pump randomly shuts down while driving. Or no start condition. Loss of cruise control hitting bumps in the road. Service 4x4, no tc, no cc, trailer lights disconnect. Dealer has recalls on other same year vehicles w same motor w same TIPM defective part. Not on truck. Warranty will not cover due to common problem. Since fuel relay is part of fuse box, will not cover part. Part alone is $2200.... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2024
Fuel pump randomly shuts down while driving. Or no start condition. Loss of cruise control hitting bumps in the road. Service 4x4, no tc, no cc, trailer lights disconnect. Dealer has recalls on other same year vehicles w same motor w same TIPM defective part. Not on truck. Warranty will not cover due to common problem. Since fuel relay is part of fuse box, will not cover part. Part alone is $2200.... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2014
While driving on [XXX] in Alabama, the pin attaching tow bar to receiver hitch broke appartently due to "ovaling out" of the steel hole on one side of the tow bar. The Jeep Grand Cherokee I was towing came loose as a result and was only secured by the safety chains. Both the Jeep and the RV were damaged and had to be repaired. Fortunately no one was injured but the situation could have easily t... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 1, 2014
While driving on [XXX] in Alabama, the pin attaching tow bar to receiver hitch broke appartently due to "ovaling out" of the steel hole on one side of the tow bar. The Jeep Grand Cherokee I was towing came loose as a result and was only secured by the safety chains. Both the Jeep and the RV were damaged and had to be repaired. Fortunately no one was injured but the situation could have easily t... Read more
Crash
DODGE
HORNET PHEV
(2024) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jan 16, 2025
Incident date: Jan 16, 2025
Dealer did not complete recall while in service Nov 15 2024, service order shows parts are on back order. After 2 months I reached out to Corp who reached out to dealer. Both copr and the dealer ended up calling back just yesterday, however the message from copr stated the part is ordered it's way but the message from the dealer stated software upgrade needs to be done first before ordering parts.... Read more
DODGE
HORNET PHEV
(2024) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jan 16, 2025
Incident date: Jan 16, 2025
Dealer did not complete recall while in service Nov 15 2024, service order shows parts are on back order. After 2 months I reached out to Corp who reached out to dealer. Both copr and the dealer ended up calling back just yesterday, however the message from copr stated the part is ordered it's way but the message from the dealer stated software upgrade needs to be done first before ordering parts.... Read more
DODGE
HORNET PHEV
(2024) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 16, 2025
Incident date: Jan 16, 2025
I leased a 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T from Island Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram on Staten Island on [XXX] The day after I leased it multiple lights including the check engine light came on and the vehicle has electrical malfunctions. After 16-17 service visits the vehicle still does not work to this day and I am still having drivability issues. I have been stranded on [XXX] multiple times as well as broken... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2024
I have both key fobs with me in the vehicle and it will not start. I have a message on the dash stating” key fob not detected” I live in North Dakota and the winters here reach temperature to -40. I find this issues to be very dangerous, potentially being stranded in the middle of nowhere and not being able to start your vehicle manually.
Incident date: Dec 27, 2024
The CV axles have failed and cause my truck to shaking when accelerating.
Crash