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 30 complaints for EQUIPMENT
Incident date: May 1, 2026
The lifters on my 2023 GMC Sierra failed and damaged my engine. The truck has approx 78,000 miles. I do have an extended warranty to 100,000 miles. I got the truck to my GMC Dealer who confirmed the problem was lifter failure. There might be camshaft damage but will have to tear the engine down. It seems like GMC is dragging there feet. It is known the lifters are a problem on this engine but G... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
My Jeep Wrangler 4xe now has controlled/limited electric propulsion while driving in electric only mode after 68c recall was performed. With no warning while driving in electric only mode, my vehicle will not accelerate without accelerator press almost to the floor to activate the internal gas engine. This behavior on a cold run starts out fine, but as the vehicle(electrical system) warms, the l... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the battery warning light and other unknown warning lights temporarily illuminated, and the vehicle almost shut off. The contact stated that the failure had recurred while driving on two other occasions. Additionally, the contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle shut off. The... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4XE. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V741000 (Electrical System) and 25V766000 (Engine). The contact stated that the air conditioning system was blowing hot air. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contac... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Forest River Flagstaff RV equipped with a Magic Chef 21-inch Built-In Range Oven, Model Number: MCFR21TTB2. The contact stated that while his wife was cooking, the stove's glass top cover exploded into pieces and shattered in her face. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was received. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the RV was not diagnos... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2023
While driving on the highway, the BLIND SPOT INFO SYSTEM PROBLEM and TRANSMISSION SYSTEM PROBLEM came on. Vehicle was driving normal but I notice all the BSI alert, Rear Camera stopped working. I drove the vehicle to Autozone. I had them.pull the DTC code which was P0741. While reading the ODB, the dashboard lit up, I clouding brake failure, the PRND came on. Once I got home, 49 miles later,... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes Sprinter 3500 equipped with the Tyron Multiband Runflat Tyre Protection system on the inside of the front driver’s and passenger’s side tires. The contact stated that while driving above 60 mph, the vehicle would shudder as if the front driver’s and passenger’s side tires were out of balance. The Tyron Multiband system was installed on the inside of front d... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2021
IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET BUT I'D LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I CALCULATED THE TENSILE STRENGTH ON COBALT AND IT IS 1928 POUND FEET OF TORQUE AND IF I'M NOT CORRECT IT TAKES 35000 POUND FEET OF TORQUE IF AN AIRCRAFT WHERE ARE JET ENGINE AIRCRAFT OFF THE GROUND IMAGINE WHAT THE PLAN IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE ! THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE CALCULATED THE TRUE TORQUE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET I JUST DON'T UNDE... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2017
2013 POLARIS CREWMAN 500 ATV SAFETY COMPLAINT. *TR
Incident date: Apr 3, 2020
MY CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL RECALLS , I HAVE TAKEN CAR TO JDA AUTOMOTIVE FOR REPAIRS AND ALSO THE CHEVY GMC IN COLUMBIA SC HARBISON BLVD.THE CAR IS NOW BEING VANDALIZE BECAUSE OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE RECALLS AND THE CALLING TO LENDMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES .THE CAR HAS ALMOST KILLED ME AND OTHERS WITH THE SLOW DOWN OF THE ENGINE SPEED AND STOP IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. SOMEONE HAS DONE A HIT AND RUN BECA... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 3, 2020
MY CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL RECALLS , I HAVE TAKEN CAR TO JDA AUTOMOTIVE FOR REPAIRS AND ALSO THE CHEVY GMC IN COLUMBIA SC HARBISON BLVD.THE CAR IS NOW BEING VANDALIZE BECAUSE OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE RECALLS AND THE CALLING TO LENDMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES .THE CAR HAS ALMOST KILLED ME AND OTHERS WITH THE SLOW DOWN OF THE ENGINE SPEED AND STOP IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. SOMEONE HAS DONE A HIT AND RUN BECA... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 5, 2019
PURCHASED A MOTORCYCLE BATTERY FROM ADVANCED AUTO PARTS ON 8/3/2018. ON 7/5/2019 THE BATTERY FAILED WHILE RIDING AT 70MPH AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JAGUAR X TYPE EQUIPPED WITH EZ AUTO M1ZKA LUG NUTS, SIZE: 12MM/1.5, MODEL NUMBER: M1ZBY ML. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE ORIGINAL LUG NUTS FROM THE WHEELS AND REPLACED THEM WITH THE NEW LUG NUTS; HOWEVER, THE NEW LUG NUTS FRACTURED INTO PIECES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MATERIAL ON THE LUG NUTS WAS SCRATCHED AND WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2019
HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT BEING KEPT TO THE CORRECT STANDARDS. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STANDARDS OR WITH ENFORCEMENT, BUT I CANNOT DRIVE AT NIGHT NOW WITHOUT BEING BLINDED BY ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS FROM AT LEAST 1 OUT OF 3 CARS. THERE ARE A FEW ISSUES: BRIGHTNESS INTENSITY, DIRECTION, AND COLOR TONE. STUDIES INDICATE THAT BEING EXPOSED TO BLUE-LIGHT WHEN WE'RE IN THE DARK CAN DAMAGE ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2018
2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE DASHBOARD CLUSTER DIGITAL DIALS
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
(9999) - EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
Aug 7, 2018
Incident date: Aug 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA CR-V. WHILE ROTATING THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE, THE FACTORY EQUIPPED JACK FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE EQUIPMENT WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE JACK SPECIFICS WERE UNKNOWN.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE PROPANE TANK IN THE VEHICLE BECAME RUSTED AND CORRODED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MAKE AND MODEL OF THE PROPANE TANK WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000.
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
(9999) - EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
Mar 3, 2018
Incident date: Mar 7, 2017
SOFTWARE WAS INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE GNU/GPL FREE SOFTWARE.ITS SAYING LINUX ALOT OF COPYRIGHT NAMES.RADIO IS CHANGING TO AM AND TIME CHANGES. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP AUGUST 11,2017. THEY GAVE ME A QUOTE TO FIX IT COSTING $3500.00. I CONFRONTED MY SOON TO BE EX HUSBAND WHO IS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED AND HE ORDERED LOCKPICKSETS TO BREAK INTO MY CAR AND A WINDOW WEDGE. I'VE CONTACTED POL... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2017
SOFTWARE WAS INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE GNU/GPL FREE SOFTWARE.ITS SAYING LINUX ALOT OF COPYRIGHT NAMES.RADIO IS CHANGING TO AM AND TIME CHANGES. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP AUGUST 11,2017. THEY GAVE ME A QUOTE TO FIX IT COSTING $3500.00. I CONFRONTED MY SOON TO BE EX HUSBAND WHO IS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED AND HE ORDERED LOCKPICKSETS TO BREAK INTO MY CAR AND A WINDOW WEDGE. I'VE CONTACTED POL... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER HERITAGE GLEN TRAVEL TRAILER, WHICH WAS STATIONARY AT A CAMPSITE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FURNACE WAS TURNED ON, WHICH WAS LOCATED UNDER THE KITCHEN COUNTER, THE COUNTER TOP WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT. THE CONTACT CALLED WIEST RV (8178 PA-25, SPRING GLEN, PA 17978 (717) 365-3133) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE AND THAT ANOTHER TRAILER W... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER HERITAGE GLEN TRAVEL TRAILER, WHICH WAS STATIONARY AT A CAMPSITE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FURNACE WAS TURNED ON, WHICH WAS LOCATED UNDER THE KITCHEN COUNTER, THE COUNTER TOP WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT. THE CONTACT CALLED WIEST RV (8178 PA-25, SPRING GLEN, PA 17978 (717) 365-3133) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE AND THAT ANOTHER TRAILER W... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2017
I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHETHER THERE ARE GOING TO BE RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON THE BRIGHTNESS OF HEADLIGHTS? THE NEWER VEHICLES HAVE LIGHTS THAT ARE FAR BRIGHTER ON LOW BEAM THAN OLDER HEADLIGHTS ARE ON HIGH BEAM. I FEEL THAT THE SAFETY ISSUE OF BLINDING ONCOMING DRIVERS MAKES THIS MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN VISIBILITY GIVEN TO DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES. NOT ONLY AM I EXPERIENCING D... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID WITH AN ALLSTATE DRIVEWISE DEVICE INSTALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVEWISE DEVICE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEVICE WAS REMOVED AND THE ECU WAS RESET. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVIS... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID WITH AN ALLSTATE DRIVEWISE DEVICE INSTALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVEWISE DEVICE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEVICE WAS REMOVED AND THE ECU WAS RESET. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVIS... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID WITH AN ALLSTATE DRIVEWISE DEVICE INSTALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVEWISE DEVICE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEVICE WAS REMOVED AND THE ECU WAS RESET. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVIS... Read more
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
(9999) - EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
Nov 8, 2016
Incident date: Jul 27, 2015
BACKUP CAMERA WILL NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL NAVIGATION SYSTEM STARTS UP. SYSTEM SOMETIMES TAKES TAKES 30-90 SECONDS TO START AND SOMETIMES LOCKS UP LONGER WHEN STARTING UP. I CAN BE BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND A BLOCK DOWN THE STREET BEFORE IT COMES ON.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2016
2006 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THE PASSENGER AND CENTER SEAT BELT JUST KEEP GETTING TIGHTER AND TIGHTER. WE HAVE HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND GET OUR GRANDDAUGHTER UNHOOKED BECAUSE IT WAS ABOUT TO CUT HER IN TWO. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER BELT. I HAVE GOT LITTLE CLAMPS TO HOLD THE SEAT BELT FROM GOING IN SO FAR. IT IS NOT COMFORTABLE NOR IS IT SAFE.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY AN OBJECT THAT FELL OFF OF A GREAT DANE TRACTOR TRAILER. THE CONTACT DESCRIBED THE OBJECT AS A 10X10 FOOT PAD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MUFFLER WAS FRACTURED, THE FUEL TANK WAS DAMAGED, THE UNDERBODY WAS FRACTURED... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 29, 2015
ATTEMPTED TO LOCK DOOR AFTER 'DOOR AJAR' CHIMED ON. SLAMMED DOOR SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE WARNING DID NOT GO AWAY. DROVE TO WORK LIKE THIS AND THE DOORS DIDN'T LOCK AFTER GOING 10MPH. THIS OCCURS EVERYDAY. I DON'T KNOW IF MY DOOR WILL OPEN IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR WHAT. NOTHING HAS BEEN CORRECTED AS OF THIS WRITING.
Incident date: Nov 4, 2014
WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE 10/16/2012 AND RECENTLY NOTICED THE REFLECTION IN A STORE FRONT GLASS THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE NOTICED THE LIGHTS GOING OUT.. WE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED LAST WEEK AND MENTIONED IT TO THE SERVICEMAN. HE SAID HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I HEARD APPROX 2 WEEKS AGO ON T>V. THAT THE ? - 2009 BUICK LACROSSE HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT. WOULD THIS I... Read more