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 15,126 complaints for LEXUS
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
- My 2018 Mazda CX 9 started stalling and jittering at idle and then eventually during slow driving. - Next day I got a check engine light, took to Mazda service center at the dealership I have been going to for last 6 years since I bought the car. - Service center diagnosed that there was a coolant leak through the cylinder head which seems to have cracked. - Further investigation indicated that... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); 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 contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a delay in stopping the vehicle. The contact appli... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while accelerating from a stationary position, the vehicle experienced severe jerking, vibrations, and hesitation. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the transmission clutch but later the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the engine overheated and the vehicle stalled. Upon inspection, it was discovered that there was no coo... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2024
I purchased a brand new Honda CRV 2022 ,VIN [XXX] , on [XXX] in Herson's Honda Rockville Dealership, Maryland. Shortly after the purchase the navigation system started to malfunction creating putting me in a danger on the road. After 10 minutes of driving the map goes blurred then screen gets saturated, the map gets smeared. It creates unsafe driving experience. I have addressed this issue to the... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power; however, the engine remained running. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway to turn the vehicle off. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
This vehicle stalls while driving due to a faulty purge solenoid inspected by Pep Boys mechanic. There was a recall on the ford focus in 2018 18V735000(recall number) I purchased this vehicle in 2023 with no known recalls. This issue occurred September 2024 I paid for the repair two weeks ago and now the same issue is existing. There were no warning lights displayed when the car stalled while driv... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2024
Driving on freeway, sudden blowout causing loss of braking ability. Barely managed to pull to shoulder sidewall completely shredded.
Incident date: Sep 25, 2024
Steering wheel locks up when trying to start car. Have to jiggle steering wheel to get it unlocked. While driving steering wheel make clicking sound and catches back and forth while driving
Incident date: Sep 29, 2024
Right front window motor runs but window does not go up or down
Incident date: Sep 29, 2024
Design flaw/safety issue? The dash trim gets reflected onto the windshield and severely impairs visibility.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2024
Sunroof wouldn’t slide back to open, but the back of the sunroof tilted opened. Now it doesn’t close completely and dealership said can’t close it and it would be $4700 to fix.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
Screen began to slowly go black. It started with 1/4 of it black and is now at 3/4 black. Touch still works, but I am blindly touching without being able to see what I’m selecting. This affects the back up camera as well. Soon it will be completely blacked out and I will not have access to system options, back up camera, and other settings I can only access through the screen! This is a safety ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
Coolant leaking in engine. Thick white smoke coming from tail pipe
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
Car parked in driveway; started engine, shifted into gear, and before I even accelerated, the engine roared and the car lunged forward. Lexus traveled approximmately 50 feet and crashed into the neighbor's concrete wall across the street. I was injured (broken ribs, etc.) and the car was totaled.When reporting accident to insurance company (USAA) I asked representative to have car inspected due... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
Our display/cluster, indicators, sensors, emergency lights stopped working in the middle of the ride. Major safety hazard on highway. Have to turn off the car and wait 30-60 mins for things to start working again. I know this has happened with others and to us before but in that case display stopped working the moment you turn on the car. Can't see the car speed, or any other things on display.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and hauling a trailer, the message "Trailer Brake Disabled - Service Required" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was related to TSB Number: 23-NA-113; however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repair... Read more
Incident date: Sep 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact resumed driving, but the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The contact pulled o... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2024
I put Other, as my husband was driving the 2022 EKKO when the sound bar above him fell down...he caught it and had to drive one handed to get to a safe spot to stop. wires were hanging as was the sound bar
Incident date: Sep 13, 2024
1 weeks ago the crv over heated once, shut the car off gave it 5min turned it back on and got it home no further issue, never over heated again Then on Monday the check engine light started flashing took to a shop they said it was due to spark plugs and ignition coils. The very next day flashed again, took back to shop they said it was my head gasket, took to a second shop and they confirmed tha... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2024
I own a 2016 Elantra with around 140,000 miles and the car just stopped going forward the car only goes in reverse, no warning light came on, no other issues or warnings that there was something wrong with the car.
Incident date: Sep 27, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Sep 26, 2024
In 2022 and now in sept of 2024 my entire braking system has failed. Cause you a complete in abilty to stop the vehicle. Upon this failure without any warning peice of the braking system connected to the engine shoots shrapnel into my engine and causes the cam to be destroyed. Now I can't get my car back because of a shortage on this part.
Incident date: Sep 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant intrusion into cylinder #1. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
Incident date: Sep 24, 2024
- replaced catalytic convertor twice - Check engine light on , needs another catalytic convertor - Exhaust fumes are coming back into my car through the AC vents , I’ve had to pull over due to being nauseas and extremely dizzy. - The dealership will not answer my phone calls , but will answer another phone because I have called from another phone and they picked up immediately - Was told fro... Read more
Incident date: Sep 24, 2024
- replaced catalytic convertor twice - Check engine light on , needs another catalytic convertor - Exhaust fumes are coming back into my car through the AC vents , I’ve had to pull over due to being nauseas and extremely dizzy. - The dealership will not answer my phone calls , but will answer another phone because I have called from another phone and they picked up immediately - Was told fro... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle began to hesitate and idle abnormally rough. Upon resuming driving, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was able to duplicate the failure. The dealer deemed the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
I was taking off and i had a warning sign that my hood was opened and nobody didn't even touch the hood
Incident date: Sep 24, 2024
The contact owned a 2024 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was involved in a T-bone crash. The contact stated that the driver's side of the vehicle crashed into it while the vehicle was stopped at a four-way intersection. The contact stated that none of the driver's side air bags deployed. The contact stated that on... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH leaving a parking space, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle in either direction. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stopped and turned off and restarted the vehicle several time however, the power steering functio... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
I was slowing to a stop at a stoplight in traffic when the brake pedal dropped to the floor and the truck was no longer slowing. The ABS, Anti collision, and check brake system lights all illuminated. I was able to slow the truck and place in park to stop. Vehicle was taken to dealership where it was found to be in perfect condition according to the mechanic. I have been told that I should have no... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
I turned on the car and the main gauge cluster screen was black - I was not able to see speed, use turn signals, use advance driver systems, etc. Completely unsafe to drive.
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
While driving all the warning lights for every vehicle system came on. I was just pulling onto a highway when this occured and was not sure to pull to the side for fear vehicle was going to have a problem, especially when the alerts for break system failure came on.
Incident date: Sep 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle was shaking severely, vibrating, and bucking, causing the driver to almost lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle started losing motive power and stalled. During the failure, the "Power Steering" and "Power Brake" failure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was later towed to ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2024
Engine was failed prior to purchase, it is available for inspection. Engine jerks while driving. Dealer changed engine and problem got worse. Vehicle was inspected at Mercedes Benz Manhattan. Engine light keeps coming on and engine oil raises above normal level and warning light comes on and dealer says its normal.
Incident date: Sep 12, 2024
When putting vehicle in park and turning the car off, getting message to place vehicle in park and car "dinging." This started about 2 weeks ago and was intermittent, now it's every time I put the car in park and takes me about 5 minutes of turning the car on and off, placing in park before it finally registers the vehicle is in park.
Incident date: Sep 16, 2024
The MCU in my 2018 Tesla Model 3 failed after a software update, rendering several key safety features inoperable, including the car’s cameras and Autopilot functions. The vehicle currently has 16,600 miles and had previously received an MCU replacement in 2022. This most recent failure occurred during a firmware update, which got stuck at 50%. The Tesla Service Center confirmed that the MCU nee... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control); 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 fai... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2024
My brakes has been malfunctioning since last year November of 2023, the dealership is aware of this. It is putting me and others at risk because I am not sure when my brakes will fail, it has been inspected and confirmed by the dealership.
Incident date: Sep 16, 2024
The GPS in this vehicle constantly gives wrong information and directions. It has consistently shown wrong directions and has tried to make me turn around on the freeway and has sent me down one way streets. This is much more serious at night when a person can’t see road signs and depends on the built in GPS.
Incident date: Apr 9, 2024
The break actuator and booster pump failed while driving, causing the driver to experience an unexpected loss in breaking. This issue has been confirmed by an independent mechanic (issue code C1391 - Anormal leak of ACC press). Additionally, both the mechanic and dealer have confirmed this is a "common" issue with this vehicle. There are also a number of lights on including the red break light, AB... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
I am having to replace the VACUUM PUMP for the second time. Each time the pump breaks it spreads contaminants inside the camshaft compartment causing further issues. This is a common problem according to the many complaints I've seen on auto sites. This should be a recall.
Incident date: Sep 9, 2024
I bought my 2018 Ram Truck in 2019 new from a dealership. the first sign of a problem started at about 25,000 mi. It started sending tones with the message "Service Electronic Braking System" and "Service Antilock Brake System". It would toggle between these two messages and sound warning tones while the truck is in operation. The first shop I took it to replaced my carburetor. That was not it. I ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while her husband was starting the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist had failed and that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2024
Engine may be blown not sure what all is affected. Engine died while driving. Trying to start makes a loud knocking in engine compartment.
Incident date: Sep 7, 2024
Lower part of trailair tri flex pin box was about to fail. If lower flex part of pin box failed trailer would have separated for connection to fifth wheel hitch on truck. Two of the three pins that connect the kingpin to the rest of the assembly had failed and separated. One pin was holding king pin to assembly
Incident date: Aug 23, 2024
Not shifting into gear properly, slipping out of gear into what seems like neutral, downshifting. Also electrical problems, radio not functioning, speakers popping and static sounds even with vehicle completely off.
Incident date: Aug 21, 2024
We purchased a 2024 Chevy Colorado mid June and drove it successfully, without incident until the end of August when the vehicle had complete brake failure. My husband was driving on I-95 in morning rush hour traffic when the dashboard lit up flashing several different indicators and a message saying "Brake System Failure" and "Service ESC" He had no brakes but could slow somewhat by applying as ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2024
Fuse box has a defect causing the AC blower motor to intermittently not work. Appears to be the result of loose connections between the fuse box and the fuse itself. The receptacle for the fuse is clearly burnt/melting, and appears to pose as a fire hazard as a result. The car is currently in the shop for repair on this part, but won't likely be fixed for a month+. I do have photos of the damaged ... Read more