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: Sep 13, 2023
While driving and happened multiple times, vehicle senses phantom objects or nothing at all but hard brakes on its own which also causes the seat belt to tug on abdomen (wife was pregnant at the time, unfortunately had a miscarriage at 14 weeks which could have been a cause). After the second time, the forward facing camera was replaced per Honda/Acura technical support. Once camera was replace ve... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
While driving and happened multiple times, vehicle senses phantom objects or nothing at all but hard brakes on its own which also causes the seat belt to tug on abdomen (wife was pregnant at the time, unfortunately had a miscarriage at 14 weeks which could have been a cause). After the second time, the forward facing camera was replaced per Honda/Acura technical support. Once camera was replace ve... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2016
I was recently involved in an accident driv'g 2018 Jeep Compass: no significant injury (so far) to a jogger, who was invisible due to a blind spot @driver-side A-pillar/mirror. I touched him w my car (5mph per police rept). It has taken me a month to understand why the accident occurred. I didn't see the jogger— he was NEVER w/in my scope of view. I was ticketed for failing to stop; I did stop b... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 9, 2023
ABS , traction lights are on and cruise control , ABS and traction control doesn’t work. Safety issue. I understand that there is a recall on 2019 , 2020 models and wondering why the 2018 ram 2500 are not included in the recall .seems like a common problem says the dealership.
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
Jiffy Lube reported PLASTIC oil pan and plug broke when removing plug for draining. Manager at shop reported he had seen this before in another Nissan and he believes it is a common problem with the plastic oil pan. Internet search of forums describes similar problem and that replacements are the mid-$400s, just for parts, not labor. Sounds like a recall is needed.
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
Keep makes a loud grinding noise when I turn right or left. Sounds like it’s coming from the back & underneath. Took it to a mechanic & he checked every thing. It’s not the brakes. He couldn’t figure out the problem. I’m scared to drive it. Don’t want to have the bottom fall out; which is what it sounds like is going to happen. There are recalls that sound like what the problem is but of... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
I was traveling east bound on 161/16/37 near Raccoon Valley Golf Course in Granville OH. I was near MM 104. It was approximately 8:13PM and the road conditions were clear. No other vehicles were in front of or behind me. I heard a screech, the wheel jerked out of my hand to the left, and the wipers came on. I tried to regain control and keep the vehicle on the road. The wheel kept tugging to the l... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the door latch made an abnormal screeching sound and the contact had difficulty while closing the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the door check arm attachment and advised that the entire door needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the fa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
My 13 month old can unclip the chest buckle. When I contacted the manufacturer they said there were other people who reported this issue with the carseat and that if the strap was tight it was good.
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
Brand new vehicle, the vehicle cameras do not seem to be conveying the correct information to the control systems resulting in all related safety features like forward collision, parking assist, lane departure, automatic wipers, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, green light chime, etc are not working. In the last few months these features have not been operational for more than a few da... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
Brand new vehicle, the vehicle cameras do not seem to be conveying the correct information to the control systems resulting in all related safety features like forward collision, parking assist, lane departure, automatic wipers, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, green light chime, etc are not working. In the last few months these features have not been operational for more than a few da... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
WHILE DRIVING HOME, ABOUT 30 MPH, MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT IS SHIFTING ODDLY, THE STEERING GETS HARDER TO STEER THE LONGER YOU DRIVE AND IT GOT HARDER TO BREAK LIKE THE BRAKES WERE FREEZING UP.
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
When im driving I get my "Check Engine Light" that turns on, and it says "Check charge system" which I assume is possibly referring to the recall of the battery cable. When I make frequent stops my car suddenly will turn off, as if it lost power, and I will have to then exit the vehicle, to adjust the cables for the battery, therefore its putting my life in danger, as im having to turn the car bac... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
I WAS SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP FOR MORE THAN 45 MINUTES BEHIND A FATALITY ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY THEY HAD CLOSED WHILE OCCASIONALLY REMOVING FOOT FROM BRAKE TO INCH FORWARD A FEW FEET A BEST AND THEN STOP AGAIN NEVER TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR WHEN I REALIZED AT ONE POINT TRAFFIC BESIDE ME WAS MOVING, I THOUGHT, IT WAS MY RX 350 WHILE PRESSING BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE I A... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
Our Tesla seems to be experiencing regular phantom braking events. We just had an event today while traveling on the freeway. Our Tesla unexpectedly applied the brakes without warning as if it was trying to avoid a collision. No objects were in sight. Our cruise control was active and we don’t have autopilot.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
Our Tesla seems to be experiencing regular phantom braking events. We just had an event today while traveling on the freeway. Our Tesla unexpectedly applied the brakes without warning as if it was trying to avoid a collision. No objects were in sight. Our cruise control was active and we don’t have autopilot.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
Car turned on and no driving yet. All vehicle alert signs popped up. This is brand new car. Warning signs including: Anti-lock brak system advanced ultrasonic detection parking braking system pre-collision system blind spot monitor These signs are constantly popping up without any hazard condition. Lexus keeps refusing to do thorough exam because they keep stating there is no issues with the ve... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
When in eco mode the vehicle will occasionally shut off at a stop light. The vehicle "jumps" and then all of the warning signals come on followed by the vehicle shutting down. It takes about 20-30 seconds for vehicle to be able to restart again. The dealership had the vehicle for nearly a month and the only solution they came up with was to turn eco mode off every time I start the vehicle. They sa... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
When in eco mode the vehicle will occasionally shut off at a stop light. The vehicle "jumps" and then all of the warning signals come on followed by the vehicle shutting down. It takes about 20-30 seconds for vehicle to be able to restart again. The dealership had the vehicle for nearly a month and the only solution they came up with was to turn eco mode off every time I start the vehicle. They sa... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 15, 2023
The vehicle has a manual transmission and is equipped with a hill start assist feature. This holds the brake on a hill so the clutch and gear may be engaged and keep the car from rolling back. The feature in this vehicle does not release the brake when the vehicle starts moving forward and holds it for a set amount of time based on hill gradient. This had led to stalling of the vehicle, as the clu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
Abs and traction control lights come on and off cruise stops working
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
Driver side window stopped working , then passenger window is glitchy, driver side door buttons are not working along with windshield wipers. Replaced battery and did testing to make sure power was getting to components . No check engine lights , no codes or warning issues.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
Windshield trim falling off and deteriorating - windshield rattling - took to dealer to replace windshield trim - paid 642.00 to replace deteriorated trim - want a recall on this as it is very dangerous/ I also want reimbursement of 642.00 for repair
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Accord. The contact stated while her husband was at a stationary at a traffic light, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been experienced several times. The contact stated that her husband depressed the brake pedal to fully stop the vehicle; however, intermittently he had t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON THE 57 FREEWAY AND MY CAR STOP RUNNING AND I PULLED ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR CATCH ON FIRE. EVERYTHING STARTED IN THE ENGINE. I CALLED KIA AND MADE A COMPLAINT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT HELP ME.
Fire
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35-37 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear, and was jerking significantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was inspected for fluid leakage, but no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring whil... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the engine made an abnormal knocking sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was n... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2015
On three separate occasions, I was driving on the highway and lost power to accelerate causing a safety issue as I was on a fast-moving highway and had to find an exit or pull over. The three times were September 22, 2022, March 23, 2023 and July 23, 2023. The first time I had it towed to Hennessy Honda in Woodstock, GA. They were unable to determine anything was wrong. The second time, I pull... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while parked with the engine idling the message "Engine Too Hot to Operate" was displayed and the engine temperature gauge indicated that the engine had overheated. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the water pump and timing chain were faulty and needed to be replaced. The water pump and timing chain were r... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
Lexus issued a Warranty Enhancement Program sometime in 2022. It stated that if the check engine light would illuminate due to moisture and cold in the air injection pumps and air switching valves. The warranty would be good until 10 years from first use which is 10/23 for this vehicle. I was not experiencing the problem at the time I received the notice so I files it. A few months later I started... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while slowing to a stop from 5th gear to 1st gear, the vehicle bucked forward. Additionally, the vehicle would jolt forward while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who reset an unknown module in the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacture... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
In October of 2022 my welding to my door came apart on the driver door. It started and continues to make a really loud popping noise whenever it’s opened. Since then, my window has not been able to roll down either. When I’m driving the door will open on its own randomly and it’s extremely dangerous. I’ve taken this matter up with ford multiple times and they refuse to address it or fix it... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
Driving in clear conditions in the evening, the collision mitigation braking system suddenly engaged and activated the brakes bringing the car to a very sudden stop. There were no obstacles, cars, or any reason at all for the system to activate. Nothing was in front of the car, there were no other vehicles in the other lane, there was no glare from the sun, no animals, nothing. I was traveling a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
Driving in clear conditions in the evening, the collision mitigation braking system suddenly engaged and activated the brakes bringing the car to a very sudden stop. There were no obstacles, cars, or any reason at all for the system to activate. Nothing was in front of the car, there were no other vehicles in the other lane, there was no glare from the sun, no animals, nothing. I was traveling a... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
Had a passenger restraint system malfunction error warning light. Took the car to the dealer for service and they replaced the air bag repair wiring harness from the ACSM (air bag control unit) control module to both knee air bags. This did not fix the error, so they then replaced the air bag control unit. Error message is now not present. Dealer stated air bags would not deploy unless I had ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V445000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) 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. Th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2022
Approximately six months to one year ago, a screeching sound was audible anytime I would lock or unlock the doors in my 2008 Honda CR-V. I researched the issue and found out that this vehicle has a known problem with its actuators, and that Honda was successfully sued in 2015 resulting in an extension of the warranty on the part. I inherited this vehicle from my grandmother, and I found out from H... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2022
On July 15, 2022, my 2022 RX450hL drove itself across approximately 150 feet of rugged desert terrain and ended upside down in my neighbor's driveway. No one was in the car and no one was in the driveway where it landed. I had parked the car on the side of my house, after several seconds the car took off across the desert to self-destruct. I contacted Lexus, someone from their legal dept. conta... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 15, 2022
Transmission issue. Transmission is leaking fluid. Vehicle is currently at my home waiting to go to dealership during normal business hours. Car started smoking and running hot while getting off the interstate. I was in a travel lane when this happened. Huge safety risk. Fire department was called to ensure there was not a fire that started. Car was towed to my home until it can be towed to a ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2022
Paint peeling on roof , there is an existing issue regarding mdx pearl white paint peeling but only covered 2014 to 2016. My 2017 pearl white mdx also has the same issue, and a lot more people complaining as well online. I contacted acura and they said that my vin number is not part of the issue . Which is BS. My car has only 31,000 miles eventhough its almost 7 yrs old , it is well kept , garage... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
You can feel the steering wheel stiffen and lock into place at highway speeds requiring some force to unbind it and turn.
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
When driving my vehicle, the engine seems to be stalling as a switching from one gear to the other jolts. The engine is slow in responding to speeding up. I feel unsafe specially when attempting to go on the freeway because the car seems to momentarily stop and between switching gears. I called the dealership where I purchased the car and they said that there is no recall for a similar experience... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
When driving my vehicle, the engine seems to be stalling as a switching from one gear to the other jolts. The engine is slow in responding to speeding up. I feel unsafe specially when attempting to go on the freeway because the car seems to momentarily stop and between switching gears. I called the dealership where I purchased the car and they said that there is no recall for a similar experience... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2023
All instruments and control of window wipers stopped responding to their switches. Wipers will not turn off, no horn, no working switches on steering wheel, communication to abs system, trailer brakes, data from abs not being received. Dash cluster flashes out for about 10 seconds while driving not knowing if the vehicle is still running while on the highway or freeway. Everything is pointing to t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2023
All instruments and control of window wipers stopped responding to their switches. Wipers will not turn off, no horn, no working switches on steering wheel, communication to abs system, trailer brakes, data from abs not being received. Dash cluster flashes out for about 10 seconds while driving not knowing if the vehicle is still running while on the highway or freeway. Everything is pointing to t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2023
The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the front driver's wheel detached from the vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The air bags did not deploy. The insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled. The contact was injured; she had a concussion. The contact received medical attention. The vehicle was towed... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: May 3, 2023
11/2022 dash air bag warning light started flashing in 2014 Nissan Maxima. Dealership said air bag sensor (part #873009DH5B)was bad and seat needed to be replaced est cost~$1600. In January, I called dealership to schedule seat replacement and was told part was on back order with no timeline for availability. Called Nissan Consumer Affairs, as recommended by dealership, and was given 3 locations w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Jayco Alante RV built on a 2020 Ford F-53 chassis. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V202000 (Suspension, Power Train) and 22V731000 (Suspension) however, the dealer was unwilling to repair the RV. The contact stated that the manufacturer and the RV dealer were not cooperating with repairing the RV under the recalls. The contact stated that the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2013
My car, a 2019 X3, displayed a malfunction notification "Driver Restraint System Malfunction" along with the airbag indicator glowing in red in my dashboard all of a sudden when I turned-on my parked car. The malfunction notification has remained ever since, whenever the car is turned-on or driven. My local BMW dealer inspected & diagnosed the issue as a harness failure, requiring a replacement of... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2023
The lane departure camera is mounted to the windshield and the glass between the windshield and the camera becomes fogged over time. This results in the lane departure system becoming less sensitive or inoperable - in particular in low-light or when sun was shining toward the camera (dusk/dawn). It also results in the adaptive cruise control becoming more erratic (abrupt in stops). This design put... Read more