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: Dec 5, 2023
On two different occasions and in two different places my vehicle stalled.Once on a highway in a traffic jam and once coming off a highway exit on my way home. In both cases the vehicle simply lost power. It is a 2019 Pacifica Touring L. I looked it up and saw similar complaints concerning the hybrid model but none for a non-hybrid. The vehicle is available for inspection. It is an extreme safe... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2023
As I was driving the vehicle caught fire and I lost brakes. The vehicle had to be put into a retention pond to stop it.
Crash
Fire
2 injured
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
I just bought a 2018 ram 2500 tradesman yesterday and had the abs light came on today and stayed on. Read comments online and was advise to report this issue as a safety issue and possible class action law suit potential. Seems like many people have the same issue even with a barely use vehicle.
Incident date: Dec 5, 2023
2011 Ford Explorer - trim around the windshield has separated and pieces have disconnected when driving. Sections become loose and are slapping the windows which is a driving distraction. Will windshield be secure if trim around edges comes off?
Incident date: Dec 4, 2023
All three brake lights stayed illuminated during car operation regardless of brake pedal pressed. I was able to shift and start my car without pressing the brake putting my family and other pedestrians at risk of being run over if the car shifted out of park unexpectedly. Also no warning lights were on at all, so I drove on the road with my brake lights illuminated increasing risk for injury or de... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
For the third time, the brake booster has failed on our GMC Terrain. We had the first replaced with an OEM part. That booster failed after 2 weeks. A second OEM brake booster was installed. That one lasted about a year until it failed as well. This time we were traveling down the interstate and interstate speeds. There were no indications of an issue until trying to slow down when attempting to ex... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The contact's wife owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound and experienced rough driving. The next day while pulling out of the driveway, the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 1975
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. T... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat belt failed to lock securely in the buckle. The contact called the dealer who was unable to schedule an appointment to diagnose the vehicle until January. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V782000 (Seat Belts) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for service, he was made aware that the driver’s and passenger’s side front wheel lug nuts were severely deformed. As a result, the dealer declined to complete the service due to safety concerns. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The fa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2023
As I was driving home at around 45 mph, I noticed a flashing light on the dashboard. The light was instructing me to switch to 'P' to start. Additionally, there was a light indicating a plug-in, and the 'D' was flashing. I wasn't sure what was happening, but I knew something was wrong. Gradually, the acceleration slowed down, and I started to feel uneasy. I quickly pulled over to the side of the r... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V727000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manu... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2023
The hood popped open at 35 mph causing loss of sight. I was in traffic and luckily was able to pull the car off the road. I am taking it to the dealer as soon as I can get an appointment. There were no warning lights or messages prior. I will secure the hood with something before I drive it to the dealer. If I had been driving on the Interstate I am sure the hood would have smashed into windshield... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2023
when traveling at highway speed the side fins fly off. i have had them replaced 3 times now at dealership. thank God there was not someone behind me - especially on a motor cycle it could of killed them
Incident date: Nov 22, 2023
Rear shock absorbers are not functioning properly after 70,000 miles. I have had no success after no less than 10 attempts to purchase replacements from dealers and online Hyundai parts suppliers. Hyundai is aware of the defective shock absorber issue but has not corrected the replacement issue.
Incident date: Oct 16, 2023
The steering wheel usually vibrates when using the brake and it dies the same thing when going 60mph or 70mph.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
The truck had an airbag malfunction notice on the information center. We took the truck to the dealer and was told that it was an electrical problem with the airbags. That the only way to have it covered under warranty was for the vehicle to be under the bumper to bumper warranty. The truck at the time the mileage was 39844. We had the truck fixed since it was a safety issue. It cost $420+ to fix ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
Brake pedal goes to the floor with no braking power. Grinding sounds, then finally brakes engage, but feels like the emergency brake. Super dangeraous, happened on the freeway. Checked 12v battery, based on what I read on line, battery had and still has strong charge. Next day, brakes work just fine. No problems. Happened again on highway a few days later, again, no braking power until just... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
Panoramic Roof exploded without any outside influences causing this...many on your radar...dangerous...not sure why the NHTSA has not ordered a recall...there have been thousands of these same issues across many manufacturers. Almost caused a crash due to the startle effect of the explosion. MBZ does not make a replacement part for this. Why is that? There's a reason behind this. It's the gov... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2023
My high beam lights have been replaced but still arent working
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
It says a recall on my car was fixed 2014 I purchased vehicle 2022, but just recently it has started just shutting off while driving it. Completely dying. Simular to the alternator recall P60
Incident date: Feb 2, 2023
On four (4) separate incidents, my car has either abruptly stopped running (waiting at a stoplight) or not been able to start. When I push the Engine Start/ Stop button to restart the car, it does not start and several random warning and dashboard lights flash on and off like crazy. These incidents occurred twice before the recall was fixed and twice AFTER the recall was (supposedly) fixed. P... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2023
I only have 61k miles and my dealer is recommending to replace water pump and all coolant components because of the leak. Also to replace front both side bushings Also replace front motor mounts I am worried given only 60k mile all of this has to be replaced
Incident date: Aug 16, 2023
Car shuddered while driving, started making metal clanging noises’ and stalled in the middle of an intersection. I just had it worked on and had to fully replace the transmission (approximately $4000) due to the torque converter shredded metal in the transmission and seized up. Car after stalling would not go into reverse or drive. Would start up, but once in gear would make loud metal clanging ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2023
When having to brake hard, the lining of the pressure line from the pump to the hydro booster comes apart and causes the brakes to not work and the power steering to act up. The plastic lining shoots into the booster causing it to fail. They don’t make a replacement line so I was forced to fabricate one. Very expensive fix.
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. 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 made aware of the issue. 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 and confirmed ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2023
The power steering in my car stopped working and I received a Power Steering Assist Fault error on my dashboard. I only have 60,000 miles on my car. I took it to a local Ford Dealer, who advised the steering rack needs to be replaced, which would cost $2,400.00 to fix. I googled the problem and found recall# 15S18 for the same make and model, but my VIN# was not included. I called Ford about it an... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Shortly after purchasing this, my daughter was driving it and the check engine light came on and it said it was overheating. The dealer was contacted and it was taken in for repairs. We got it back and was told that it was a broken wire in the wiring harness and they ordered a new harness but had fixed the wire so it should be good to go. 2 weeks later it did the same thing and actually went into ... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2023
My engine went out, and I had to have it rebuilt. There was a check engine light on. My steering goes out and in without warning while driving. I have talked to the dealership, and they stated that all safety recalls were done on my vehicle. My safety and those of others were put at risk when the steering failed. I almost crashed my vehicle in traffic. There were no warning messages prior to the f... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise and noticed that the rear driver’s side door had intermittently became inoperable. The check fuel cap warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle had not repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the fa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2023
2020 Ford Escape hybrid titanium: Complete electrical shut down of every electrical component, all interior/exterior systems inoperable, including inability to start engine. Manual key required to open door. Initial attempts to jump start do not work - takes numerous attempts to jump start until car by chance ‘wakes up’. Battery charging will not help and low charge on starter batter is not ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2022
I have noticed brake fluid leaking under the driver’s side engine area underneath my car for quite some time. Then I received notice of a safety recall that has not been remedied, however I am very concerned about fire of my abs braking system failure. Please provide immediate response to repair this safety concern for Hyundai Azera owners.
Incident date: Jul 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist, and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road. When the contact arrived on the scene, he noticed that the generator pulley had detached. Th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
When driving sometimes the AIRBAG indicator light on the dash will turn on. Turning the car off and on will clear the light and it may not return for multiple drives. It's hard to replicate, but seems to happen while driving for a while. The car does not offer any other indication about the airbag's safety so I don't know if it is a faulty airbag system or a faulty indicator.
Incident date: Nov 5, 2023
I have had my car in the service center 5 times for the same reason they tell me it is fixed but the problem keeps happening. I have tried to be cooperative . the car has been in the shop on and off since the 18 of July at one point they had it almost a month. This last time they gave it back to me said it was fixed. This is why i'm writing to you I had the car a week and I was driving on interst... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2023
Oil filter Housing and Intake Manifold had to be replaced dues a coolant leak. "Common" issue on Jeep's they said. But Despite knowing about this issue, the company has never issued a recall, instead, they redesigned the oil filter housing.
Incident date: Nov 4, 2023
This is the second time my 2013 Ford Focus EV has just shut down while traveling. This time in the middle of an intersection. A Stop Safely Now warning came on first and then, in the middle of a stop sign, after getting off a late afternoon busy highway, the car shut down and refused to move. I turned on my emergency flashers to keep people moving around my car.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2023
Ford has still not provided a satisfactory fix for this recall. It has been 139 days since the recall was issued. Now Ford is putting a stop/hold on their initial recall fix and has instructed their dealers to return recall parts AND to put a stop sale on any vehicles in their inventory. This has resulted in a drastic depreciation of my vehicle. Not only does Ford not have a solution to the prob... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2023
Ford has still not provided a satisfactory fix for this recall. It has been 139 days since the recall was issued. Now Ford is putting a stop/hold on their initial recall fix and has instructed their dealers to return recall parts AND to put a stop sale on any vehicles in their inventory. This has resulted in a drastic depreciation of my vehicle. Not only does Ford not have a solution to the prob... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2023
Truck did not start and kept flashing 2 errors back and forth: "Full Accessory Power Active" and "Stop Safety Now"
Incident date: Oct 13, 2023
When I drive a Tesla Model Y under Self-Driving mode at night inside YellowStone NP, there is another car on the opposite side with a high beam turned on, and just near that car there is a bison on the road, the Self-Driving computer fails to detect the bison in the beginning, and too late to do emergency break, the car hit the bison after passing that car. The bison died but driver is safe, the f... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 13, 2023
Ford Motor Company David J. Johnson Service Engineering Operations He sent Customer Satisfaction Program [XXX] on November 19, 2021, to all U.S. Ford and Lincoln Dealers. This program extended the warranty coverage of the engine cam phasers. I purchased my vehicle on 11/22/21. It is my belief that this repair should have been covered by Ford/Lincoln before this vehicle was sold to me. We purc... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2023
Coolant intrusion into engine causing sudden loss of power and overheating. Almost caused an accident, required tow services. Confirmed that this is a known manufacturer issue with the Ford ecoboost, but no remedy but to pay out of pocket for another potentially faulty engine.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
I was parking in marked space. I had turned into space, my foot was off the gas pedal. The car was 3/4 into the space when it malfunctioned and rapidly accelerated into a hardened snow bank. i instantly braked but there was not enough space to avoid collision.
Crash
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
The driver door panel is not welded properly which cause the door to crack when you open it and the arm of the door is broke. I took the vehicle to the shop and they stated that it a welding problem with Ford my issues and now I have to pay for the door. I feel ford need to recall the vehicle and fix the issue free of charge
Incident date: Oct 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, he became aware that the electrical system was not functioning properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the body control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related it t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2022
This car is putting my life in danger! It feels like the gears are slipping in the transmission. When I accelerate, there is a metal grinding noise and the car has no power. Most recently, I was doing 70 mph on the highway when I went to pass someone and I lost power to the transmission. I heard an awful metal grinding noise. I could smell the metal grinding. The vehicle didn’t engage the gear a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
At 90,000 miles the Engine Timing Crankshaft Sprocket (i.e Crankshaft Gear,Part #: BE8Z6306AD) holding the timing belt on the vehicle has failed. This resulted in the timing belt backing off the cam gears and coming in contact with and melting through the plastic timing belt cover. Luckily, there was an audible grinding noise coming from the engine that alerted us the problem before the timing bel... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
I was sitting in my car after just driving from a destination. I had used the rear defroster previously to the back windshield exploded. I had just turned the car on was about to put it in drive when I hard a loud pop then the spidering sound of glass. After that the glass proceeded to start falling into the back hatch. There was nothing around me I was in a parking lot at 6:45ish am. I looked for... Read more