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: Mar 24, 2024
Recall on driver side airbag still without a remedy at this time. I would like to get this taken care of asap if I could. Thank you.
Incident date: Mar 22, 2024
2018 Mazda CX-5 with roughly 52,000 miles on it was emitting a burnt rubber smell and white smoke from the engine. Repair shop thought it was a bad timing lock. Replaced that and car continued to emit white smoke and smell like burnt rubber. Engine then began leaking oil. Took the car back to the repair shop and it was confirmed that the engine had a cracked cylinder head. The repair shop said thi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
This repair fix was suppose to be available by October 2023. We are still waiting, and it seems that this could be a dangerous situation if the car stops running and oil is released and a fire starts. Our local Ford dealership seems to be in the dark about when a fix will be available. Maybe the NHTSA needs to urge Ford to hurry up and find the fix for this situation.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
10 speed transmission when cold jumps / bangs into gear , sometimes slips first start of day . Only when easy on throttle and scary till it fi ds gear. Only after sitting and 1st drive of day.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
I'm hoping to solve a problem or at least get a positive answer why my FEB Warning Indicator Light comes on "SPORADICALLY". I had noticed it quite a few times either driving on the freeway, secondary roads, at higher and lower speeds and especially troublesome, when there are not any hazards or... Now my light stay on all time
Incident date: Feb 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the hood was independently unlatched and opened. The light indicating that the hood was opened illuminated. The contact stated that he pulled to the shoulder of the road and closed the hood. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2021
I've already submitted this complaint before and nothing is done by it and investigator investigated this but I'm still continuing to have this problem and Ford will not fix the issue unless I spend thousands of dollars. I am having an issue with the safety airbag system the AC system not working The windows do not work, passenger windows don't work , ac control system doesn't function...
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
I've already submitted this complaint before and nothing is done by it and investigator investigated this but I'm still continuing to have this problem and Ford will not fix the issue unless I spend thousands of dollars. I am having an issue with the safety airbag system the AC system not working The windows do not work, passenger windows don't work , ac control system doesn't function...
Incident date: Feb 29, 2024
Coolant Leak. An Internet search revealed that this was a common problem among this model (coolant leaking into cylinder #2). I keep coolant in the car at all times in case of overheating.
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal whistling sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown sensor was replaced, and the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 60 MPH with her hu... Read more
7 injured
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
My wife and I were traveling down SR74 mp 12 and rear ended a cow at 68 miles per hour. The airbags did not deploy from impact and yet the car is totaled the hood started through the safety glass of the windshield.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
Dear Sir/Madam: I want to make you aware of the safety recall scam Ford is perpetuating in their rear camera recall. Recall #22S06/NHTSA Recall 22V082. I own a 2016 Ford Mustang which I purchased new in February 2016. I always had issues with my rear camera working intermittently. Finally on [XXX] (mileage 14933) I took it to the selling dealership and told them about the problem. At that time t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
On multiple occasions, while riding my Kawasaki the transmission shifts into neutral without any input from the operator. This has happened about a dozen times with a current odometer reading of 1635. The sudden loss of power is a safety risk because if it happens while negotiating a turn, the bike wants to drop. I took the bike into the dealer for warranty service on 2/17/2023. They had the b... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
In March 2023, my vehicle was in a major front end collision on the passenger side and the airbag did not deploy. In January 2024, a warning light appeared on my car’s screen that reads “Safety Restraint System Fault” I then took the vehicle to a Tesla service center who determined that the front passenger airbag and OCS needed to be replaced to maintain compatibility….
Incident date: Mar 2, 2024
Se acelera y desacelera repentinamente Quiero acelerar para llegar a la mismas velocidad del trafico y no lo hace y eso hase que ponga en peligro la vidad mia y de mi familia por que otro carro puede chocarme. Cuando sucedio eso se activo el CHECK, lo apago por completo y los parabrisas se activan repentinamente , todo esto es muy raro y no es bueno para mi
Crash
Incident date: Mar 2, 2024
Se acelera y desacelera repentinamente Quiero acelerar para llegar a la mismas velocidad del trafico y no lo hace y eso hase que ponga en peligro la vidad mia y de mi familia por que otro carro puede chocarme. Cuando sucedio eso se activo el CHECK, lo apago por completo y los parabrisas se activan repentinamente , todo esto es muy raro y no es bueno para mi
Crash
Incident date: Mar 2, 2024
Front passenger air bag occupancy sensor failure. Sensor is located on front passages seat and activates or deactivates passenger air bags based on occupancy and or weight. The vehicle has less than 90,000 miles. Passenger airbag/seat belt warning lamp on. Passenger airbag off indicator light remain on even when passenger seated. Repair cost estimated over $5,000. Vehicle will not pass insp... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
Alignment Cam Guide Pins sheared off while driving on highway. Alignment went all over the place and car was drifting side to side. Also, steering wheel spun a quarter turn while car was not turning but still driving on highway. Almost caused me to crash. GMC does not want to acknowledge the issue or allow me to file a warranty claim. Car could not be driven to GM dealership safely and had to be... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
A common transmission failure on these trucks is the lead frame. My truck threw two codes related to the input speed sensor failing which resulted in $2,200 in repairs on a truck with 24,500 miles. This is a common issue that is unresolved and could cause accidents, injury, or death due to truck spontaneously going into limp mode.
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
Multiple incidents of car not starting or stalling in rain. 1. After a rainstorm while parked, noticed water on the driver side floor and dripping from the driver door side under dashboard, water coming from defective design of sunroof water drains/tubing which are clogged because the tube is too thin which traps common dirt and dust from rain and road water. A wider diameter tubing or requiring... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2023
The Moonroof/Sunroof’s motor always breaks down in winter due to snow freezing and water entering the roof and engine, I've had it repaired twice at the dealership, but every winter the problem returns, I talked to owners of the same model of vehicle and the same thing happens to them.
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
Experiencing steering issue associated with EPS Gearbox defect as found on Honda Service Bulletin 23-037, entitled 2022–23 Civic EPS Gearbox Replacement. Date for this bulletin is July 6, 2023. Symptom: Steering effort complaint while driving at moderate or highway speeds, with possible complaint of noise at slow speeds, and no MIL illuminated or DTC stored. Steering wheel is notchy and is v... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2022
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Jul 22, 2022
I was driving alone on city streets approx 35 mph when the car suddenly braked for no apparent reason. There was no one close ahead or (luckily) close behind me, but there could easily have been. There was no heads up warning, just sudden braking. I have not taken it to repair shop because I just don't have the time or capacity.
Incident date: Jul 22, 2022
Vehicle jumps when put in drive or reverse
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
I experienced 4 near-death experiences by this car. 1. 10/14/23 Car caught on fire. Car was parked and turned off. Everything inside was shut off. When I stepped out the car, the engine was still running but it sounded loud like a lawnmower. I went back into the car and turned it back on. Several lights and system malfunction messages displayed on dashboard. I turned off the car and everything ins... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
In reverse my brakes dont work, its like they are grinding, ive changed the rear brakes hoping to fix the issue, i have no codes. It has almost made me wreck due to failure to stop with my kids in the truck, also the afm system is defective in order to keep my engine as safe as possible i had to put a afm deactivate plug into the obd port. Ive tried to figure out the brakes but no one can explain.... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
In reverse my brakes dont work, its like they are grinding, ive changed the rear brakes hoping to fix the issue, i have no codes. It has almost made me wreck due to failure to stop with my kids in the truck, also the afm system is defective in order to keep my engine as safe as possible i had to put a afm deactivate plug into the obd port. Ive tried to figure out the brakes but no one can explain.... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
I felt a burning smell in the car while parked. I called the dealer to check if it was related to the recall, but the remedy was unavailable for NHTSA Recall Number 23V652000. .
Incident date: Mar 3, 2024
Electronic power steering failed. The electronic power steering on this vehicle has failed several times, making it almost impossible to steer. When this occurs, steering requires a tremendous amount of force and puts the vehicle and driver at enormous risk of an accident.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
My car engine blew do to an over oil consumption. There appears to have been a recall but I was never notified. My car is at a dealership and the cost is 11k for new engine do I have any recourse? Timing chain replaced june 2023 by libertyville chevrolet. Libertyville il No one mentioned this engine recall to me then either.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
Hello, I am trying to fix the recalled parts of my car. I contacted Honda dealership where I bought my car, Honda Piazza of Limerick. They say they do not have the parts available, and that I should look elsewhere for the parts. What can I do? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Feb 27, 2024
Check engine light appears, also a blue engine and a turtle. The dealer is aware, they have had it 3times for the same issue and this time 23 days and counting. Currently Mercedes has no fix. I purchased the veh 30 Nov 23- first appeared 16 dec and continued going on and off.
Incident date: Feb 27, 2024
Check engine light appears, also a blue engine and a turtle. The dealer is aware, they have had it 3times for the same issue and this time 23 days and counting. Currently Mercedes has no fix. I purchased the veh 30 Nov 23- first appeared 16 dec and continued going on and off.
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
The car has revved high rpm's since purchase, with multiple attempts to get it resolved . Since then, the steering wheel has jerked out of my hand's multiple times, unexpecting, causing the car to jerk while being stopped. The car has also not budged in the middle of traffic while being in drive and the pedal down to the floor until at least a 10 second delay and when doing so the screen that incl... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2022
Stereo head unit has white spots all over screen. Radio skips stations, calls numbers on my phone when connected to the car, touch screen does not work properly not allowing to turn it on or off or stop random skipping of stations or activity. Unable to see back camera when in reverse due to multiple spots on touchscreen.
Incident date: May 4, 2022
Stereo head unit has white spots all over screen. Radio skips stations, calls numbers on my phone when connected to the car, touch screen does not work properly not allowing to turn it on or off or stop random skipping of stations or activity. Unable to see back camera when in reverse due to multiple spots on touchscreen.
Incident date: Feb 16, 2024
This defect causes multiple, non-periodic, but repeated, "Travel assist unavailable" audible and visual alarms at seemingly unrelated and unpredictable times while driving. My favorite times are when you start making a turn after coming to a full stop and it alarms, asking you to take your eyes off the road and look at the dash. There is no way to turn the alarm off. It occurs even if you have... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
Forward collision warning system will randomly locking up brakes.vehicle starts to slide sideways, if someone is following closely this could set up a chain reaction. Vehicle was inspected at dealership, couldn’t duplicate. It has happened several times.
Incident date: Feb 21, 2024
Turned the heated seat on (driver side seat). After a little while the seat felt too hot so I thought maybe my jacket was positioned strange on my back. I readjusted my jacket and turned the seat down to the medium setting. It still felt too hot so I turned it off. After exiting the vehicle I noticed a burn mark through the back of the seat. I checked my jacket and there were burn marks on it as w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2024
When installed with a lap/shoulder seat belt, rock solid (so moving well less than 1" at the belt path), in the rear-facing position using the built-in SnugLock lockoff, the carseat tips completely over to the back when in the side loading position and a toddler-sized child climbs in. When reinstalled using the same method—lap/shoulder seat belt, lockoff, but also switching the retractor to lock... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2024
When installed with a lap/shoulder seat belt, rock solid (so moving well less than 1" at the belt path), in the rear-facing position using the built-in SnugLock lockoff, the carseat tips completely over to the back when in the side loading position and a toddler-sized child climbs in. When reinstalled using the same method—lap/shoulder seat belt, lockoff, but also switching the retractor to lock... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2024
first owner 2017 Kia Sportage SX (NOTE SX specifically) AWD 2.0L Turbo Gas Direct Injection (4-cyl engine) (no recalls found) - EXCESSIVE Oil Consumption since early/mid 2023 and continues still today, [XXX]. We lose over 1 quart of oil every 1,000 miles, did not discover this until an oil change in early 2023 how low our oil was. No leaks then, no leaks now, oil maintenance performed, we have met... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
While driving to work a car crossed over two lanes and pulled in front of me, I had to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision. The truck applied the brakes and that was avoided but at that moment my dash lights came on, no ABS, brake light, engine lights, and traction control all lit up. I was near my exit and got off applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. Basically no brakes, I ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2024
EROR MESSAGE SHIFT TO PARK AND TRANSMISSION SHUTTER ABOVE 70 MILES PER HOUR.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
fuel pump relay module
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
My 2023 Infiniti QX60 Autograph model caught fire in the engine in my driveway while parked on Thursday, [XXX] at approximately [XXX] EST. Fire department was dispatched and fire marshal completed a report. There were no warnings or indications prior to the fire. My vehicle had been parked in my driveway since approximately 12:40 pm EST the same day. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDO... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 7, 2023
Approximately on 2/10/2024 shortly after i added my 2021 Acura to my auto policy my insurance co. GEICO notified me about the open recall. Nobody else has notified me on the open recall. I just purchased the vehicle on [XXX] from Autonation Acura In Torrance California. The recall notice Says "there is no remedy availableI" i purchased this beautiful CPO vehicle and I put $20,000 cash ( debit card... Read more