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 9,875 complaints for INFINITI
Incident date: Aug 21, 2024
The power train failed to accelerate and completely disengaged. While trying to avoid being t-boned by another car, the vehicle failed to accelerate when required. The RPM gauge showed the acceleration demand but it did not transfer to the power train. Luckily the car running the red light swerved to miss us because we were not able to proactively avoid the collision. Ford first replaced the t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Oct 7, 2022
When driving on hills or moving from a stop to get into traffic the vehicle will go from 4th gear to 1st and won’t accelerate. After this happens I’m alerted with “Powertrain system fault”. This causes a safety issue for me and others because on hills it won’t accelerate and it rolls backwards. From a stop trying to get into traffic it won’t move and becomes a collision waiting to hap... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
Bought car with 36k miles on it in July 2023. In Jan 2024, engine light came on and we noticed loss of power shifting between gears, had fuel injectors replaced/cleaned. In Feb 2024 at 51k miles, car made knocking noise, pulled over and shut car off, would not restart. Towed to KIA dealer, told the engine was seized and crankshaft snapped. I had regular oil changes every 5,000 miles as recommended... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
While braking the car hit a bump causing car to lurch forward and hit a car infront of me
Crash
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The front facing camera was working intermittently. When it wasn’t working all the advanced driving features would not work. After several months the car would intermittently go into limp mode per the dealership due to electrical confusion with all the codes/lights from the camera malfunction and shift while driving into neutral nearly causing me to have an accident while making a left hand turn... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
My car has been having this issue since it was purchased in 2018. An alert appears on the screen which says, "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault/Service is Required." I had the car serviced four times by Tesla under warranty. It has now appeared a fifth time and Tesla says the airbags need to be replaced for over $1,600. The prior repairs included replacing wiring harnesses and occupanc... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
30 amp ZAMP solar fuse melted and almost caused a fire 🔥
Incident date: Jul 12, 2024
Unlatching & False Latching back seat located in the middle of the seat. Incident was discovered after recent purchased from my little sister who also just got the vehicle as well and decided to sell it to me without being aware of the defective unlatching and false Latching buckle.
Incident date: Jul 12, 2024
For the 4th time in a year, my headlights automatically turned on while vehicle was parked. I have the headlights set to turn on/off when vehicle is started or shut off. I do not have a DLR options to set the lights to. All four times the vehicle started and I have no idea how long lights were off. Two of the 4 times, I noticed they were on in the middle of the night. The other two times, the neig... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2024
Electric Vehicle had 59% and then suddenly dropped to 0% and gave a charge message.
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) 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 was made ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the low battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the 12-volt battery had been replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the fai... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz C320. The contact stated that the sunroof had failed to open, and the sunshade cover failed to close, causing the sunrays to penetrate the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown assessment was made. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the horn was inoperable. The SRS warning light was illuminated. The veh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2022
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Mar 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 750i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Active Protection Restricted" was displayed. Additionally, a message advising to drive the vehicle slowly and carefully was displayed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side front seat belt was f... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the front driver’s side air bag cover was cracked along the seem of the steering wheel. The contact stated that the horn was honked, and the front driver’s side air bag cover fractured. No warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the costs. The manufacturer was mad... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2023
Starfire Solarus AS All-Season 225/60R16 98H- Car started shaking violently while I was driving it- seemed to be coming from rear tire. Limped it home, removed driver side rear tire, and noticed substantial bulge where tread was separating. Replaced tire with another brand. Several months later, same thing happened, and removed the remaining Starfire Solarus AS All-Season 225/60R16 98H tire, the... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
There are/were no warning lights or errors that popped up. When I am coming to a stop (last couple seconds of slowing) I will often feel like there is suddenly no brakes, then a harsh braking suddenly. There has not been an incident where this has resulted in an accident, but it makes me feel like I don't have control of the vehicle if I can't anticipate braking behavior on perfectly dry, smooth s... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander equipped with a Kuat Transfer V2 Bike Rack. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact noticed that the bicycle was lowering from the rear windshield. The contact inspected the bike rack attached to the vehicle and noticed that the shorter tray where the second wheel had turned in a vertical direction had caused the bike's wh... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
WHEN STOPPING AND SUDDENLY ACCELRATING JEEP HAS A POWER DELAY AND YOU HAVE TO HIT THE THROTTLE AGRESSIVELY TO GET GOING OR ELSE I RUN THE RISK OF GETTING HIT BY ANOTHER CAR, BUT ONCE YOU HIT THROTTLE THE POWER IS MORE THAN YOU NEED IT OR EXPECTED IT, FORCING ME TO BRAKE OR ELSE I HIT THE PCAR INFRONT OF ME. I AM STILL NOT ABLE TO MAKE THIS WORK. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED, I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
2 weeks after purchase, battery died with no warning. Nothing was left on in the car. Called roadside assistance who inspected the battery and alternator which are in good health. Roadside assistance said most likely a parasitic draw.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
Ella tuvo realmente la culpa
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
Have there been complaints about the Pirelli tires with foam inlays falling apart because the foam comes unattached, then causing misalignment. Car becomes unsafe to drive as the tires start to disintegrate. My car started shaking so bad it became difficult to drive. Turned out foam inlay had become unattached which caused uneven wear and some tire disintegration along with the alignment getting o... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Accord. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at 10 MPH and distracted, she crashed into a lamppost on the front driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags deployed. During the impact, the driver's seat belt failed to retract and secure the driver. No warning lights were illuminated. There was cosmetic damage but it was not severe due to the collision bein... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Accord. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at 10 MPH and distracted, she crashed into a lamppost on the front driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags deployed. During the impact, the driver's seat belt failed to retract and secure the driver. No warning lights were illuminated. There was cosmetic damage but it was not severe due to the collision bein... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 13, 2024
BRAKE FAIL'S DUE TO LEAK IN BRAKE BOOSTER, BRAKES STILL WORK BUT EXTREME PRESSURE ON PEDAL REQUIRED TO STOP CAR AND EXTRA TIME AND DISTANCE REQUIRED TO STOP OR SLOW CAR. CAR GARAGED ENTIRE LIFE AND ONLY JUST TURNED 100K ON ODOMETER. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS AND NO ACTION ON FORD'S PART TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS HAS BEEN TA... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exterior A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reas... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds in the driveway, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power but continued running. The contact became aware that the vehicle was unable to shift into gear, prompting the contact to turn off the vehicle. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
I urgently need your assistance regarding a critical and unsafe situation concerning the PCM/ECU. Recently, while driving, my car began to shudder as if it was on the verge of stalling. To add to the alarming situation, every warning light on the dashboard illuminated. The speedometer and thermostat suddenly stopped functioning, leaving me without crucial information about the vehicle's speed an... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2024
My backup camera has flickered from a black screen to visible and the backup guidelines will also occasionally flicker. My vehicle is not listed under the 2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport affected by this backup camera issue.
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
Watch this report: [XXX] There was less than 1/2 a pound of refridgerant in my vehicle. The dealership - Mercedes Benz of Boerne inspected it. They extracted the refridgerant from the vehicle and hooked up leak system and monitor the gas to see if there is a leak and picked up in the center vent and the hose that goes to the vehicle's AC evaporator. There is a leak from the evaporator. This is... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
I was in a car accident
Crash
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
This first appeared on or about 7/2/24. Saw dealership on 7/9/2024. First driving the cruise control failed and showed malfunction. The next morning truck started but numerous things didn’t work like Radio and rear emergency braking. Rear braking was a Malfunction. Also trip A/B were erased.on 7/9/24. Dealer found some previous codes and said might be due to storage switch issue. But the codes s... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated before returning to normal functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who observed a misfire in cylinder #2, due to coolant intrusion, resulting in engine damage. The contact was informed that the long block needed to be... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2023
Abs module and pump goes on and off about to put the third one on the truck and only has 74,000 miles
Incident date: Dec 2, 2023
Abs module and pump goes on and off about to put the third one on the truck and only has 74,000 miles
Incident date: Dec 2, 2023
The rear passenger seat has a major safety issue. The back will pop forward and then the entire seat moves forward pushing the passenger into the back of the passenger seat. I have brought this to the dealership two times now and it is still an issue that they now refuse to repair. I have video but can't load it here.
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
There is coolant intrusion in cylinder 3. My engine needs to be replaced and it has 95,000 miles on it. Ford only covers it to 84,000 miles.
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
On the morning of July 14, 2024 I noticed a crack on the driver side on the window. The crack appeared on the bottom of the window and travel upwards where it ended. This morning July 15, 2024, the crack spread across towards the passenger side of the vehicle. Nothing hit the window for it to develop a crack as my car was parked in the driveway and there were no markings on the window. I do p... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2024
1. COLLISION WARNING SENSOR ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING IN THE #1 LANE( CLOSEST TO THE CEMENT HIGHWAY DIVIDERS) AND AGGRESIVELY BRAKED AND SLOWED WHILE DIVING AT 77 MPH. NOT SAFE!! 2. EVEN THOU I PURPOSELY TURN THE RADIO "OFF" WHEN EXITING MY CAR, UPON ENTERING MY CAR AFTER A SHORT DURATION OF TIME, THE RADIO TURNS "ON" WITHOUT ANY ASSISTANCE BY ME....VERY FRUSTRATING!! VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
General electrical failure of abs pump motor control. Intermittent issue causes loss of traction control, stability control and abs functions.
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
On Sunday, July 14 at approximately 1:00 PM Eastern standard time the front passenger Active Head Restraint deployed. The vehicle was being operated at the time and was not involved in any sort of collision at the time of the deployment. Our local Dodge dealer provided me the number for the Dodge customer advocate group, who are not open on Sundays. The passenger in the front passenger seat was st... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
1 problem happen several times last year 2024 my radiator fan stay on for long time after the car was turn off it should shutoff after 15 min but it stay on when I try to start my car the battery is dead, So I took to Carroll Chevrolet and they look at the car couldn't find any problem no light can on the dash board, No indicator light can on, So they told me there was nothing wrong, When the batt... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
Driving on the highway in the fast lane, vehicle suddenly lost all power. A message on the car said “ pull over safely “. No prior warning of anything wrong with the vehicle. I managed to dodge traffic with my hazard lights on and came to a stop on the side of the highway. I inspected the car with no signs of anything wrong. I shut down the car and restarted. Everything came back on and was dr... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2024
As I was driving down the road, doing about 40-45 mph, the airbag in my driver's seat headrest deployed. I was jolted forward and suffered neck and back pain, as well as a headache. Due to the neck and back pain, I had to visit the ER and have a CT scan done. There were no lights on the dash at the time of this happening to indicate it was going to malfunction. This has not been investigated yet, ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2024
ABS light come on and the service antilock brake system light comes on and NO cruise control, happening all the time so NO ABS systems and in south dakota that is a big problem and no parts for 8 months now comes on when you hit a bump all the time 68 times driving 50 miles
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
Safety features did not work. I was parking and when brakes were pressed car accelerated instead of stopping, plowing into the car ahead and two additional cars. No automatic braking, no manual braking. The car is now in a BMW shop for repairs and evaluation. My warning features did not activate.
Crash