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 15,319 complaints for LEXUS
Incident date: Feb 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65-70 MPH, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was related to the track bar. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the death wobble failure was ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the contact was driving on a snowy road surface. The contact stated that several warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle slid across the road. The contact was able to sto... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2024
On 2/3/25 a warning light came on in my 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid while driving home (supplemental restraint system problem, see your dealer). I immediately called the Honda dealer where I get my car serviced to explain the problem. I was told I would need to bring the car in and pay $200 for a diagnostic and they would have to keep the car for a few days. Well I know the problem, MY DRIVER SEATBEL... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2025
We bought the brand new Lexus (RX450H) back in 2022 (Vin [XXX] ). As of today, February 03, 2025, the mileage on the car is 20,125 miles. The OEM tire size was 235/55R20, all the 4 tires were Bridgestone Ecopia H/L [XXX] . Recently, one of the wheels exploded when it passed a pothole, the tire was damaged and the rim was bent/cracked as well. I brought one tire, same brand and size, and installe... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
We experienced a large oil leak from the vehicle. Towing it to the dealer, we are told the oil feed pipe to the turbo charger part number 282402gta1 has failed spewing oil out of the turbo area. There are many recalls for similar parts on other Kia / Hyundai Models with 2.0T and 3.3 engine models. The dealer is telling me this is not covered by KIA. This is a safety concern of oil spewing from t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the "Stop Safely Now” message was displayed. There was a RED warning light illuminated. While the vehicle was being charged, the Ford app showed a charge fault error. The vehicle was undriveable. While using a diagnostic tool, it showed there was a failure with the BCM and DTC: P0AA2 and P0D10 were re... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the "Stop Safely Now” message was displayed. There was a RED warning light illuminated. While the vehicle was being charged, the Ford app showed a charge fault error. The vehicle was undriveable. While using a diagnostic tool, it showed there was a failure with the BCM and DTC: P0AA2 and P0D10 were re... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2024
While on highway, wipers, lights and horn began on their own. Then car shifted to neutral and brakes failed. I was going 70 miles per hour. I was able to get off the highway and have the car inspected by a licensed mechanic. It is the electrical computer or TIPM. The car is unable to start. This issue is a very dangerous safety issue.
Incident date: Nov 30, 2024
The HORN has been replaced on 4 separate occasions through Hyundai under warranty and it can not be fixed. This seems to be a wide spread issues involving the 2023 and 2024 Hyundai Elantra models and there are multiple TSB's at the dealerships. Hyundai has not done a recall or come up with a fix and it renders the horn useless and can cause a major safety problem or accident.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving and decelerating from 65 MPH to 15-20 MPH to make a turn, the engine made an abnormal knocking sound. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was towed to Pechous Repair to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine was blown and needed to be replaced. T... Read more
LEXUS
RX
(2024) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
Jan 28, 2025
Incident date: Jan 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the catalytic converter was replaced four years ago under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2025
Transmission seal failure caused fluid to leak, transfer case had metal present and had to be flushed, multiple electrical issues where there was no sound and buttons on back left of steering wheel wouldn't function, vehicle put itself in neutral when passing and gave a conditions not favorable for shift change when I tried to put it in park. Eventually put itself in park and I was able to get hom... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2025
Transmission seal failure caused fluid to leak, transfer case had metal present and had to be flushed, multiple electrical issues where there was no sound and buttons on back left of steering wheel wouldn't function, vehicle put itself in neutral when passing and gave a conditions not favorable for shift change when I tried to put it in park. Eventually put itself in park and I was able to get hom... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
Transmission suddenly downshifted from 7th to 1st gear when driving along a highway. This significantly slowed the vehicle down and almost caused a following vehicle to collide with me. The vehicle will also shift from 4th to 3rd violently, revving the engine then slammining into gear. This throws the heads of all occupants a d causes significant early wear and tear on power train components.
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
Equinox Vehicle hit by full size pickup truck, driver to driver impact, with both vehicles estimated to be traveling at or near 40 mph each. The air bags did NOT deploy in the Equinox. Notation of the airbag failure was noted by on scene police, firefighters and paramedics. No other related work, alterations or repairs had previously occurred to this vehicle. No other indications or warning ligh... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
I purchased this vehicle new in August of 2024. Approximately 2 months ago when the temperatures outside temperatures started falling below freezing, I would frequently get a message, "reduced acceleration, drive with care" pop-up on the center screen, and the check engine light would illuminate. This happens almost every time the outside air temperatures are below 28-30 degrees. Occasional the t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
While driving on the highway the truck shut off. A message appeared (Auto StartStop Shift to P, Then Restart Engine) This is an ongoing issue. It has happened three times already while driving. After the error message appears I stop, the turn the truck back on and it works perfectly. The issue is that the truck turns of while going at any speed. I have already replaced the battery.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
I already sent one, and forgot the pictures, pictures included this time
Fire
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
I opened the rear lift gate. I turned around to grab a bag of vegetables. I leaned in to put them in the back of the car... The lift gate hit my head and continued closing pushing down on my head. I was finally able to twist out from under it and it closed all the way. I did not hear any warning beeps. My head and neck are sore. I worry this could kill someone.
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the gear shift lever was shifted to park(P); however, the gear shift lever failed to function as intended. The contact stated that a shift to park error message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed gear shift lever. The contact was informed that the ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); 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 not experie... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-350. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V894000 (Engine), and the vehicle was taken to a dealer for the recall repair. The contact stated that recently upon plugging in an extension cord into the block heater, the plug started to melt. The contact discovered black plastic on his fingers because of the failure. Upon investigation, the co... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle started to warm up and the contact heard a loud pop coming from the rear glass. The contact stated that upon inspection, the contact became aware that the rear glass had shattered. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact called a glass repair company, and the glass was replaced. The local dea... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2025
My truck was put in the shop for loss of power. after 28 days the dealer had diagnosed and repaired the truck. They had to replace all of the valve train lifters along with 1 broken push rod. I was driving home at about 35 - 40 mph when my truck began to shutter and the steering felt like I was going over a washboard road. I was only less than a mile from my home when this started and was able... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2025
I have had the car since May 2023 and every winter moisture builds up on my windows on the inside of the car and over night it gets frozen from the inside. There is mold growing on the inside of the door panels, the back hatch window and under the seat and on the seat belts.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
Safety Recall 15S18 for the power steering control module on my 2012 Ford Fusion. I recently discovered that my vehicle is affected by this recall, and I would like to express my concern that I never received any notification about this important recall. I purchased my 2012 Ford Fusion on [XXX], and, since then, I have not been made aware of any issues related to the power steering control module... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2025
The engine turned off while driving TWICE with NO WARNING. The first time the engine turned off without warning doing around 60MPH but was able to be restarted and ran normally for about a week or so. The second and final time that the engine turned off without warning was about a week after the first incident. The engine would not restart, in fact, it would not even crank. The vehicle was tow... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2025
Rear windshield spontaneously shattered when closing the drivers side door
Incident date: Jan 19, 2025
My 2019 Chevrolet Silverado with a 5.3 V8 developed a "tick" in the engine. The truck has 93,000 miles. Subsequently, the check engine light came on. I scheduled an appointment at David Stanley Chevrolet on the south side of Oklahoma City to have it checked. I explained what the issue was in detail because I have a back ground in engine repair. Also, I'd performed research on line looking for "tec... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
Car will slam on brakes even if car is in opposite lane farther away. We have received sooo many chips amd cracks on windshield with 2 weeks. We purchased used and was informed windshield was replaced once already.
Incident date: Dec 24, 2024
[XXX] driving on the freeway in AZ when had the motor completely fail with only 10,000 miles on it putting my family in harms way at 70mpg trying to get to right side of the road during rush hour traffic with no power. Complete failure due to a lifter I was told by dealer 55days later it was fixed and have still issues. Currently doing a lemon law buyback that’s now over 90days with no respon... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2024
There is a very bad glare from the dashboard to the windshield during the day. It’s very distracting and also makes it hard to see through the windshield.
Incident date: Dec 24, 2024
When turning left or right at low speeds, I hear loud clicking noises. It is available for inspection. I'm not sure if this is a safety issue. There were no warning lamps or other messages prior to the issue. The symptom first appeared around 2500 miles on the odometer. I read on the forums that it could be related to the CV joints, so took it to my dealership and let them know. They did not do... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
Honda link app is extremely slow to respond or doesn’t respond at all. Safety issue if no keys are available. Unable to unlock car, if keys are left in the car, the car will lock with no way to unlock if the app is not working.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
STARTED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE 30 MILES FOR AN APPOINTMENT. WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF THE INTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE EYE SIGHT TURNED OFF, CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED, PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. TPMS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS OCCURED 2 TIMES BEFORE. THE FIX FOR THE PREVIOUS ISSUES WAS TO CLEAN THE BATTERY TERMINALS.
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
The car seat foam headrest detaches, Nuna told me "We do have a solution for you in the meantime while waiting! You can hot glue the foam back on the shell, let this dry, then reinforce with strong packing tape. We have safety tested and approved this method for use." Noticed pulling on the seat months before but thought it was just the liner, then I realized the entire foam portion was nearly di... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2025
The vehicle brakes have stopped working on this vehicle three times. The Integrated brake system has been worked on several times with loss of brake power happening while I have infants int he car with me several times. The BMW dealership, BMW Fort Washington in Pennsylvania, ahs failed to repair it several times despite requests. I lost braking power today and almost hit two different vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2025
1. Driver’s side door locked up and it is impossible to unlock from the inside of the car manually or electrically. The door cannot be manually opened up from the outside OR the inside of the car. 2. My safety has been put at risk because of not being able to exit the car in case of an emergency. 3. Not yet. I have an appointment on 1/15/25 to get it looked at. 4. The car part has not been offic... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2024
Leaking gas from gas tank where the fuel delivery pipe enters the tank
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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. Parts distribution disconnect... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2024
The Transmission failed. Before the mechanical light went on. As I was driving the vehicle it was having issues switching gears. And at times would loose power and then rev up and speed up. Loss of power and speeding up is a dangerous and frightening situation in a vehicle going at any speed and even more so while traveling on a highway. I had the vehicle towed to the nearest Ford dealership. In s... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2024
My vehicle received a new engine due to a component failure, which there was a recall specifically describing the failure, recall 17v224 (SC147). After the new engine replacement, April 2024, while driving my car I began to notice a faint smell of gas with inside my car. As time passed the smell grew heavier. Drove the car to the Pueblo Colorado Dealership and had the service department take a loo... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2024
My vehicle received a new engine due to a component failure, which there was a recall specifically describing the failure, recall 17v224 (SC147). After the new engine replacement, April 2024, while driving my car I began to notice a faint smell of gas with inside my car. As time passed the smell grew heavier. Drove the car to the Pueblo Colorado Dealership and had the service department take a loo... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2024
Received regenerative braking must be serviced notice, followed by loss of motive control. Push accelerator, would not accelerate and actually rolled backwards, multiple notification lights came on, car started to move after 5 seconds, happened again. pulled over to turn on/off car, car would NOT turn on. tried several times and resolved to get it towed. After 5 min, tried one more time to start ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
The issue I encountered was with Tesla's Smart Summon Feature. While using the feature, the car crossed the parking line and crashed directly into a car parked beside it. Happening so quickly I could not react in time. All of the cameras and sensors were in working order and it seems to have been a software related issue. The safety of anyone around the vehicle could have been at risk thankfully n... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 28, 2024
It was snowing day, I drove in a local road around 10mph. When facing with a curve, I hit the brake yet the snow cause the tail tilted to the curb. Three of the passenger side airbags exploded and no body damage was detected. I'm not sure if the speed was fast enough for the airbags to deployed.
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while attempting to close the doors of the vehicle, the doors failed to latch securely. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
12,000 mile VW Taos coolent light went off. Faulty Engine coolant gasket failed. Took it into the dealership they also needed to replace the back brakes! Entertainment/radio screen randomly goes off as well. This is the second time it's been taken in because of an issue. Will not bee keeping this car.