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 9,743 complaints for INFINITI
Incident date: Jan 11, 1998
RECALL 98V284000. FRONT SPEAKERS LOCATED IN THE FRONT DOORS HAVE THE SAME AMPLIFIER BOARD AS SPEAKERS LOCATED IN THE REAR, THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE BECAUSE THEY DEVELOP THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE FRONT. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Incident date: Nov 14, 1998
REAR STEREO SPEAKER INTEGRAL AMPLIFIER SHORT-CIRCUITED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE.
Fire
2 injured
Incident date: Dec 18, 1998
RADIATOR CAP LEAKS, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE ENGINE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Incident date: Jan 3, 1999
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE HIT A WATER OIL SPOT IN THE ROAD, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPIN, FRONT OF VEHICLE HIT A WALL AND CONTINUED TO SPIN, THE SHIFTING WAS OFF LINE. AS CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN WHEEL SHE COULD NOT, VEHICLE STILL CONTINUED TO SPIN. THE VEHICLE HIT THE WALL ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 3, 1999
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE HIT A WATER OIL SPOT IN THE ROAD, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPIN, FRONT OF VEHICLE HIT A WALL AND CONTINUED TO SPIN, THE SHIFTING WAS OFF LINE. AS CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN WHEEL SHE COULD NOT, VEHICLE STILL CONTINUED TO SPIN. THE VEHICLE HIT THE WALL ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 1, 1996
POWER WINDOW FAILED CAUSING IT NOT TO GO UP OR DOWN.
VEHICLE HYDROPLANED THREE TIMES CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND NEAR ACCIDENT DUE TO DESIGN FLAW.
Incident date: Oct 21, 1998
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN COLLISION WITH MULTIPLE VEHICLES, NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 21, 1998
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN COLLISION WITH MULTIPLE VEHICLES, NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 15, 1998
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR COLLISION DRIVING AT 7 MPH WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY, RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANT AND SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK.ET.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 10, 1995
BUSHINGS FAILED CAUSING NOISE.
Incident date: Jul 10, 1995
BUSHINGS FAILED CAUSING NOISE.
Incident date: Apr 19, 1998
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS CAUSING INJURIES TO CONSUMERS AND DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
2 injured
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN COLLISION.
Incident date: Oct 20, 1998
ON MAY 6, 1992 CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW. WAS DRIVING UP STEEP HILL WHEN FELT TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE STOPPED. CONSUMER CALLED AAA WHO TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM, AND CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO JOE MACPHERSON INFINITI--33 AUTO CENTER DRIVE TUSTIN, CA. PHONE #92780---717-832-6111, CONTACT # FOR SCOTT LARRICK, SERVICE CONSULTANT. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THERE AL... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 1998
ON MAY 6, 1992 CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW. WAS DRIVING UP STEEP HILL WHEN FELT TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE STOPPED. CONSUMER CALLED AAA WHO TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM, AND CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO JOE MACPHERSON INFINITI--33 AUTO CENTER DRIVE TUSTIN, CA. PHONE #92780---717-832-6111, CONTACT # FOR SCOTT LARRICK, SERVICE CONSULTANT. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THERE AL... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 1997
AIR BAG ECM FAILED CAUSING INDICATOR TO FLASH.
Incident date: Dec 18, 1996
LEFT REAR SPEAKER IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
Fire
Incident date: Nov 6, 1998
MOTOR BURNED OUT, AND THE SUN ROOF WON'T MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR SERVICE. *AK
Incident date: Nov 6, 1998
MOTOR BURNED OUT, AND THE SUN ROOF WON'T MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR SERVICE. *AK
WHILE LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPACE AND FOUND IT, TURNED INTO IT AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE. VEHICLE ACCELERATED, HITTING ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE THAT WAS PARKED, DRIVING IT UP ON A GRASS HILL. VECHICLE DID NOT STOP. *AK
Crash
Incident date: Jan 29, 1998
VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION RESULTING IN PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 19, 1998
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH AIR BAGS CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMERS NECK AND DAMAGE TO INSIDE OF VEHICLE.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER). 541615 DUP OF 541875; POSTED ON 09-07-1999. ALSO 542009 DUP OF 541875; POSTED ON 09-07-1999.*AK
2 injured
Incident date: Aug 1, 1997
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT TRACK HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER ONCE, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. THE MOVEMENT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT ASSEMBLY CONTINUES TO GET WORSE (FORE AND AFT MOVEMENT IN THE SEAT WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES AND BRAKES). THE INFINITI DEALER AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE. THE INFINITI CASE FILE NUMBER IS 2715532.
Incident date: Jul 14, 1997
TIMING CHAIN LOOSE CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE.
Incident date: May 31, 1997
SUN ROOF BLEW OFF OF VEHICLE, CRACKED INTO HUNDREDS OF TINY BLEMISHES.
HOOD HYDRALIC RISERS/HINGES STICKS, THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO HOOD (CREASED WHEN CLOSING).
INFINITI
M30
(1990) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Oct 14, 1998
Incident date: Dec 1, 1997
EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND GASKETS CRACKED RESULTING IN LEAKING OF FUMES.
Incident date: Dec 1, 1997
EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND GASKETS CRACKED RESULTING IN LEAKING OF FUMES.
Incident date: Dec 7, 1997
PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS STICK AND FAIL INTERMITTENTLY.
Incident date: May 1, 1998
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE, ALLOWING EXHAUST GAS TO LEAK.
Incident date: Sep 21, 1998
TRANSMISSION EXPLODED, POSSIBLY DUE TO IMPROPER OIL FLOW.
Incident date: Apr 14, 1998
DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILED.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 1, 1998
CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF WHEEL RIM BEING OUT OF ROUND, CAUSING THREE SETS OF TIRE REPLACEMENT; TWO DEALERS NOTIFIED A ND REFUSED TO REPLACE WHEEL RIM WITHOUT COST TO CONSUMER. *AK
Incident date: Mar 1, 1998
CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ACCIDENT WWHICH COULD RESULT AS A RESULT OF THE SUDDEN LOST OF POWER WHICH COCCURS WHEN A FUEL INJECTION FAILS.
Incident date: Oct 22, 1997
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION.
Crash
1 injured
INFINITI
G20
(1996) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Jul 31, 1998
Incident date: Jul 1, 1998
BRAKES MAKE SQUEAKY SOUND FROM THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN.VEHICLE BEEN IN /OUT OF DEALER SHOP FOUR TIMES. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE SQUEAKY SOUND FROM THE BRAKES WAS NORMAL. *AK
Incident date: Mar 1, 1998
TIMING GEAR FAILED.
Incident date: Jan 18, 1998
ENGINE BURNED CAUSING FAILURE.
INFINITI
M30
(1992) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Jun 24, 1998
Incident date: Feb 28, 1998
ANTI LOCK BRAKE PUMP FAILED.
Incident date: Jun 1, 1997
LEATHER UPHOLSTRY ON WINDOW PANELS ARE CRACKING.
FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS VISIBLITY PROBLEMS. OWNER CANNOT SEE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 DIFFERENT TIMES. CAUSE OF PROBLEM UNKNOWN POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW. *AK
CAR PHONE GOES ON/OFF WHEN PLUGGED INTO CIGARETTE LIGHTER SOCKET. LIGHTER WAS REPLACED, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.
Incident date: May 20, 1998
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION . UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 27, 1997
VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE BRAKE PADS. WHILE DRIVING AND PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT GOES DOWN METAL TO METAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHT. SPEED LIMIT IS AT NORMAL OR BELOW, WHEN GOING DOWN HILL THE VEHICLE IS IN SECOND GEAR, DEALER CONTACTED DEALER, AND STATES THAT THE PADS ARE SUFFICIENT FOR THE VEHICLE. *AK
Incident date: Mar 1, 1998
VEHICLE DOES NOT REMAIN IN FIFTH GEAR. GEAR WILL DISENGAGE PERIODICALLY WITHOUT WARNING, TYPICALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO REACH EXTREMELY HIGH RPM, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. THIS ALSO CAUSES A MOMENTARY LOSS OF THE DRIVE'S CONTROL OF THE SPEED AT WHICH THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING.
Incident date: Jul 1, 1997
STEREO SYSTEM FAILED.
INFINITI
Q45
(1990) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Apr 22, 1998
Incident date: Dec 15, 1997
VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKES, LEAKS BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. THE CONSUMER HAS SPOKEN TO VARIOUS DEALERS, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM STARTED IN 1990-1992. IN MOST OF 1993 MODELS THE DEFECTS STARTED WITH THE VENDORS. ABS HOUSING OF METAL CASTINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND STARTED TO BREAK AWAY INTERNALLY. *AK. SECOND ABS UNIT IS BEING INSTALLED IN VEHICLE.