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 1,163 complaints for KEYSTONE
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side front windows and the passenger’s side rear door window regulators were inoperable. The contact stated that the regulators were making a whining sound but failed to roll up or roll down. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no ass... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2023
As I was driving on a heavily trafficked freeway, my engine shut off completely slowing down the car to a stop. I had to make an emergency exit, stop the car and restart it. After a restart I was able to keep driving for a few miles. Then it happened again, I got stuck at a roundabout in a dangerous location so I had to contact authorities for help on guiding traffic away. My car would not start a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH and attempting to pass a slower vehicle, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the pedal suddenly extended to the floorboard causing the vehicle to immediately accelerate faster than intended. During the failure the speed increase... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2023
While driving on highway 394 in Minneapolis on August 19, 2023, my sunroof exploded. It was approximately 4:55 p.m., and I was driving between 60 and 70 miles per hour. It was around 90 degrees outside at the time. The highway was busy. As I was driving in the far left lane with my nearly 3 year old daughter in the backseat, I was startled by a loud bang like a gunshot or an explosion right above ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
I changed the transmission fluid at 60K on my 2017 Nissan Altima SV. At 70,500 miles while driving on the highway my car started slipping, jerking off wears. I had no warning lights or signs that it was overheating. We pulled over for 30 minutes and continued. We were 45 minutes from home. It didn’t take long before it started again. The car would come out of wear and it would only run at 40mph ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.
Incident date: Sep 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently downshifted to first gear. The contact stated that the rear wheels locked up and the vehicle jolted forward. The air bag, fuel, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The m... Read more
Incident date: Sep 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently downshifted to first gear. The contact stated that the rear wheels locked up and the vehicle jolted forward. The air bag, fuel, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The m... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle rear-ended her, causing her to crash into the vehicle in front of her; however, no air bags were deployed. There was an occupant in the front passenger seat during the crash. The contact sustained a fractured arm that required medical attention. The front passenger occupant did not ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 6, 2023
The coolant began leaking into the engine. I was 2 hours into a 4 hour trip and got the sudden message about overheating. The coolant reservoir was empty. I added coolant and made out the rest of the way, but on arrival the coolant reservoir was empty again. The vehicle is at the mechanic’s and I am waiting on a more detailed report.
Incident date: Jan 5, 2023
this car was crashed June 10 2023, owner went to hospital and car was towed and took to an auto pound .After 24 hours they told us a private company tolled it or stole it .we reported it stolen and payed a report and that's how I got the info of an independent mechanic trying to fix it. im trying to find my car and the report told me you guys have it.
Crash
Incident date: Jan 5, 2023
this car was crashed June 10 2023, owner went to hospital and car was towed and took to an auto pound .After 24 hours they told us a private company tolled it or stole it .we reported it stolen and payed a report and that's how I got the info of an independent mechanic trying to fix it. im trying to find my car and the report told me you guys have it.
Crash
Incident date: Jan 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently revved and decelerated to 40 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that timing chain had failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repai... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2023
Transfer Case assembly already needs to be replaced. The part has been on a nationwide back order and our vehicle has been in the shop for over 2 months. I’ve already read that this has been a recalled issue in earlier models.
Incident date: Jul 2, 2022
My passenger air bag is falling it says passenger frontal squib 2 control circuit open it also says check air bag system on the dashboard of the car the car was in an accident it has a branded title but when they fix the cars don't they have to make sure the airbags are safe and the vehicle is safe to operate the car is financed and I am paying for it and my 3rd party warranty does not cover air b... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2022
It want start and has something to do with air control
Incident date: Jul 2, 2022
It want start and has something to do with air control
Incident date: Mar 14, 2023
Brake booster. Have a 2016 f150 that has an open recall, but our 2017 f150 5.0 is the one with the brake booster failure. Wife and kids in the truck and brake fluid sensor went off and within 20 minutes she could hardly brake.
Incident date: Mar 14, 2023
My car has been consuming oil at a higher than normal rate. The engine light came on and they told me it was a PCV valve. My oil smells. I put in 2-4 quarts in-between a 3,000 mile oil change. Even though the recommended oil change for my engine is 4500 miles. So with a standard 5 quart oil change plus 3-5 more quarts, my car is consuming 7-10 quarts every 3,000 miles. This is not normal. I have s... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2022
While stopped at an intersection, the vehicle's Auto Start/Stop technology engaged. When driver attempted to drive, the Auto Start/Stop wouldn't disengage, as a result the car would not start. The vehicle prompted the driver to put the car in park and push the ignition button to start the car, however nothing happened, meaning the car would not start. After about 2 minutes, the car was able to sta... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving up an incline at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk and hesitate as the shift to park(P) warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the vehicle would stall upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. Over time, the failure worsened as the vehicle would fail to accelerate above 35 MPH. ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and driving, within minutes the front driver’s side door erroneously unlocked. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2023
Steering has gone out twice in 2 months. Rack and pinion had to be replaced.
Incident date: May 1, 2023
ABS brakes and skid control is constantly alarming. Replaced ABS module and HCU module in 2021. Started malfunctioning again in early 2022. Have been waiting since then until now and have yet to have ABS system repaired. Was told by RAM that it would be at least end of June 2023 before repair is available.
Incident date: May 1, 2023
- While stopped at a red light my engine turned off. A message appeared that read ' not ready to drive, press break pedal, and push engine switch to start. Then another message appeared that read ' Engine stopped, steering power low.' It also said ignition with a check engine symbol light on. - My safety and others was okay, I suppose. But had I not been able to start my car I would have caused... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2023
2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL.
Incident date: Apr 16, 2023
My truck will randomly start driving in third gear or shift to third gear while driving and stick. It will also hard shift from third to fourth. There have been few instances where it downshifted to first gear.
Incident date: Apr 10, 2023
Trac bar bracket weld separated from axle
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
Vehicle intermittently will show power steering loss warning then stabilitrak loss warning. Have to immediately pull out of traffic and turn off vehicle as it is hard to steer. Usually turning vehicle off helps resolve issue until it appears again. This has occurred previously about 9 months ago for about a week and then again now.
Incident date: Feb 17, 2023
Unintended acceleration from a stop when pushing accelerator. Has happened 2 times in the last 2 days. I touched the throttle from a stop 2 time and it took off like I put the accelerator to full throttle (which I didn’t). Very dangerous situation in parking lots or around pedestrians. I have scheduled an apt with my local dealer.
Incident date: Aug 9, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. P... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
Low oil pressure light came on while driving. I had to pull over immediately after have looked at it is caused by a belt and the whole motor will have to be replaced. This car was manufactured in February 2019 and this is a know issue by ford that should have been communicated to consumers if you look up SSM4920
Incident date: Jan 31, 2023
While driving down 1-10 highway in Arizona, the left side windshield black pillar flew off my 2014 Ford Explorer.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
I’m hearing impaired and cannot get in contact with Honda online. Recall KCK 22V-867 RVC. I already replaced the item 2 years ago and want Honda to reimburse me for the parts.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
Front passenger door opened on its own with a bang while making a left turn. Driving alone, passenger door had been securely locked for over a week, during left turn going 25 mph, a loud banging sound occurred, passenger door opened and indicator warning light in dash came on. Door opened approx 1 cm. Car is not safe to drive for fear of door opening again randomly. VW of America nonchalantly stat... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact became aware of condensation in the headlights and that the headlights were very dim. The contact made an appointment with a dealer and had the recall repair performed; however, the headlights were still dim while in operation. The vehicle was returned... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2023
My 2016 Ram 1500 Sport developed an exhaust leak originating from the exhaust manifold like many other Rams. I noticed it because I could hear a ticking noise upon starting the vehicle, specifically coming from the passenger side front wheel-well. The vehicle was brought to a local Ram dealer and was diagnosed as having multiple sheared studs on the passenger side exhaust manifold. Due to the truc... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2022
2019 KEYSTONE COUGAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-380. THE CONSUMER STATED WANTS CAMPING WORLD TO RESCIND THE SALE OF THE RV, AND SATISFY THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE DUE UNDER THE SECURITY AGREEMENT AND REIMBURSED FOR THE EXPENSES INCURRED RELATING TO THE RV.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2022
In the 2 years we have owned our trailer, we have had two roadside emergencies. The first is that the two rear wheels experienced very early wear in the first year of traveling resulting in a blowout on the freeway. A tire shop manager did inform me that the quality of the tires was low. The second was also wheel related. The front passenger side wheel sheared of the wheel posts and fortunately... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2022
In the 2 years we have owned our trailer, we have had two roadside emergencies. The first is that the two rear wheels experienced very early wear in the first year of traveling resulting in a blowout on the freeway. A tire shop manager did inform me that the quality of the tires was low. The second was also wheel related. The front passenger side wheel sheared of the wheel posts and fortunately... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2022
On 7/29/2020 I purchased 6 Hartland (ST235 /85 R16 ST Radial all steel) trailer tires. On 7/25/2022 I had to replace the one located on the left third axle because the center to the inside of the tread was worn off/gone. Mileage approximately 7,000. On 9/29/2022, I had replace the other two on the left side, 1st and 2nd axles, the first axle the entire center tread was gone and on the 2nd axle... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2021
Awning framing LAG bolts not installed correctly during manufacturing, according to Lippert installation instructions. All LAG bolts were overtorqued, spinning in place & not biting in the side of the RV body, creating a transportation critical safety issue. Removed awning, framing & all hardware to transport RV safely to an RV repair shop. They replaced all LAGS with rivets to ensure safety.
KEYSTONE
ASPEN TRAIL
(2021) - EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:TANK VALVE/GAUGE
Sep 26, 2022
Incident date: Sep 26, 2022
2021 KEYSTONE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-708.
KEYSTONE
ASPEN TRAIL
(2021) - EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS
Sep 26, 2022
Incident date: Sep 26, 2022
2021 KEYSTONE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-708.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
As part of my routine pre-trip inspection I found both trailer king st225/75r15 tires on the passenger side of the camper had bulged in the tread area giving them a larger diameter than the tires on the driver's side. Tires had TPMS and were always monitored and inspected prior to each trip. Required inflation pressure was 80 psig. No curbs were ever run over. Tires were covered in off season. N... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2022
This is the second trailer I've experienced a problem with Trailer King tires. The first time was on a 2018 Keystone Outback Ultra Lite trailer, when I discovered 3 of the tires had rounded tread rather than riding flat on the road. This problem occurred while in Arizona on a trip. Took it in to the nearest tire shop (Discount Tires), who confirmed that the tread ha separated, and replaced a... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2022
2021 KEYSTONE BULLET. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO OVERHEATING BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES DESTROYED THEMSELVES. A TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE HUB WAS PULLED, THE BRAKES AND COMPONENTS FELL TO THE FLOOR IN PIECES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DECLINED ASSISTANCE STATING THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO USER ERROR. THE DEALERSHIP THEN OFFERED ASSISTANCE BY DISCOU... Read more
KEYSTONE
SPRINGDALE
(2016) - SUSPENSION:SUBFRAME/MOUNTING BRACKET
Sep 19, 2022
Incident date: Sep 19, 2022
2016 KEYSTONE SPRINGDALE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO BROKEN FRESH WATER TANK BRACKET. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRING THE CROSS MEMBER SUPPORT, DESPITE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY.
KEYSTONE
ASPEN TRAIL
(2020) - ENGINE
Sep 15, 2022
Incident date: Sep 15, 2022
2020 KEYSTONE ASPEN TRAIL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY RECALL 21V-708. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER CHARGED FOR REPAIRING THE PROPANE ISSUE WITH THE REFIGERATOR. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE REPAIR COST SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE RECALL.