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: Dec 20, 2022
obd2 scanner reported Error Code P052E which seems a very common issues on Mercedes C class 2015 or newer and there is no recall issued by Mercedes Benz yet which points out to possible problems with "PCV Regulator Valve components. There are 100s of post in the forum related to same issue
Incident date: Dec 20, 2022
This is a dangerous problem and I expect Honda to have a major recall some day, unfortunately not today. Symptoms were two things, 1) ACC when on would not slow down with another car in front, it just kept accelerating into the car until I put on the brakes. Crazy dangerous. 2) The collision warning light would come on and beep loudly when there was no possibility of collision. Required replacing ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver’s side front seat belt failed to retract as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the retractor was replaced under warranty. The failure reoccurred approximately 2 months after the repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the retractor needed replacing again. The veh... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2019
The car had only 71,000 miles on it when it it had a crank no start situation that immobilized it and had to be towed. After diagnostics at two repair shops, it was determined that the exhaust camshaft was the cause. This model year car has a recall (Mercedes campaign 2015100009 and NHTSA campaign 15V662000) for the camshaft but not for the car's VIN. This failure should not occur in a car with th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
The warning light came on. Car over heated, no steam, but antifreeze leaked by the wheel. There were no leaks to be found, so change the reservoir. Took the car out to test. After 30 minutes of driving car over heated again. I then took the car to the shop. I was told several need a new engine. Several codes showed up on diagnostic test.
Incident date: Mar 22, 2023
There is a recall with Ford of 2018 Ford Focus Recall Item Affected: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEDate Announced: 10/22/2018 The description of this recall is what is happening to my car, but because my vin doesn't show up they won't look at it. There are no codes, but as I turn on the car and go to drive within 45 seconds it's stalls, in traffic or wherever. I need help.
Incident date: Mar 14, 2023
Vehicle smells of strong gas smell in the cab and around the vehicle. Smell is so strong it makes you feel light headed and gives you a headache. This is a huge health concern for me. When parking in the garage it smells so strong that you have to then park it outside for a couple hours after driving so you do not have a fire hazard in the garage. Took it to the dealership to have diagnosed and wa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2023
The infotainment unit on the 2018 Honda Accord does not properly sync up with a music player (such as any given phone) over Bluetooth. This is manifested by the incorrect display of the time the music track that has been played. Honda has been unwilling to properly address the issue via a recall or a software update. Their typical response (to just about every issue) is to take it to the dealer... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2023
The infotainment unit on the 2018 Honda Accord does not properly sync up with a music player (such as any given phone) over Bluetooth. This is manifested by the information from the previous track being shown while another track is playing. Honda has been unwilling to properly address the issue via a recall or a software update. Their typical response (to just about every issue) is to take it t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2023
There was a recall for an airbag problem which would cause the front passenger airbag to not deploy because it did not sense there was a person in the passenger seat. The problem supposedly was repaired in 2021. Recently, the airbag light came on again and I brought it in to the Subaru dealer, who diagnosed an improper sensor under the passenger seat. They said that the airbag could not be fixed p... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2023
Steering wheel seems to be binding at highway speeds. When standing still the steering wheel also cluncks loudly when slightly turning. Making corrections at highway speed becomes extremely dangerous as the steering wheel will unbind and cause the car to over correct.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2023
Steering wheel shakes horribly. I feel every bump in the streets. Sometimes it feels as if I am about to lose control of my truck due to the lack of control. I have replaced the suspension, I have replaced the lower control arm, the ball joints twice and the same thing keeps happening.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
The dashboard melted again, I had the TSB in 2017 to replace the dash. It is now again melted and obstructs your view by shining onto to the front windshield, obstructing the front view of the driver can cause impairment of vision and could lead to collision. The rear view mirror has black corrosion on it making it impossible to see clearly in the rearview and also obstructing your view which coul... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
Upon acceleration above 40 mph, the car starts studdering with little power on acceleration. Releasing and pressing the accelerator until it starts picking up speed. This behavior worsened as the day went on. I had to put my emergency flashers on, while entering the highway ramp. Then it will pick up speed, just not rapidly as normal behavior on the accelerator. The stabletrax light came on... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
Upon acceleration above 40 mph, the car starts studdering with little power on acceleration. Releasing and pressing the accelerator until it starts picking up speed. This behavior worsened as the day went on. I had to put my emergency flashers on, while entering the highway ramp. Then it will pick up speed, just not rapidly as normal behavior on the accelerator. The stabletrax light came on... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
Vehicle is experiencing intermittent fault with air-fuel ratio of cylinder. Problems began at 50,000 miles and the dealer recommended engine cleaning due to carbon buildup. This did not solve the issues. Warranty repair was refused at that time, and has since lapsed out of warranty. This results in a malfunction indicator lamp on the dash. Car has additionally failed to start on occasion, and va... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2022
The radio failed and yes it is able to be inspected.Screeches as your driving it comes and goes . Never sure when it will do it scares you . There was no warning on this just started to do it and then radio was no longer working.Radio is no longer working but sound is still coming out unexpectely you never know when it will come on .
Incident date: Mar 7, 2023
I am writing because I own a 2016 ford f-350 that has had a clock spring contamination recall for months. The manufacturer has NOT developed a fix for this problem and I cannot use the vehicle for rental purposes because of this recall. This situation is coding me hundreds of dollars per week and needs to be resolved or they need to buy the vehicle back. Can you help?
Incident date: Mar 7, 2017
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number related to the Enginehowever, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was/was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was/was not made aware of the issue. The cont... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while at a stop light, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the START/STOP warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who could not find any default codes with the vehicle. The vehicle resumed normal operation; however, after approximately 3-weeks, the vehicle failed to star... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
Friday 03/03/2023 Off hwy 34 was on i25 for about 5 minutes going 75 I accelerated to 80, to get in my right lane and out of the fast lane got over and a pop up came on my dash board, said press start. I then realized my car lost power on the interstate with cars going 75-80+ mph and I had no way of starting or pulling off the side of the road, as there was construction and temporary road w/ bar... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
The car on multiple occasions while driving on the highway with either the cruise control or autopilot engaged, drastically brakes and slows down for no reason. These slowdowns are drastic and have occurred when there are no other cars or conditions to cause the response. The braking is so dramatic that it is unlikely that I could have intervened in time to prevent a trailing vehicle from potent... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 212,900.
Incident date: Oct 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the check engine, traction control, and stability control warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle then stalled and lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle continued to operate normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2023
Low beam lights are insufficient to see the road. Very dangerous
Incident date: Feb 17, 2023
While driving on highway the trim on the side of the windshield flew off .
Incident date: Feb 25, 2023
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer series 1,had 22000 miles and engine locked up with number 4 piston seizing up. New starter put on and also new Cadillac converters. A new motor was installed but will not idle because of timing issues. 64 days later engineer can still not figure out how to help the mechanic to get it running. Prior to this driving home from dealer lot airbag light came on SOS. Would s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V810000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
the window is opening alone
Incident date: Feb 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The contact who is an independent mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while reversing at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle was sputtering. The service vehicle now message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2021
Contact states they were sitting in DRIVE, with their foot on the brake. When the contact took their foot off the brake, they began to let the vehicle coast to about 5 MPH. Then, the vehicle lunged forward unexpectedly to about 25 MPH, when it collided with a rock. The vehicle had previously spent over 10 days in different dealerships to diagnose issues related to the engine running rough, the c... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 1, 2021
LT275/65/R18 Tire developed a massive approximately 18in x 3in bubble on the inner section of tread causing significant vibration and excessive wear in that area in less than 50 miles
Incident date: Mar 1, 2021
LT275/65/R18 Tire developed a massive approximately 18in x 3in bubble on the inner section of tread causing significant vibration and excessive wear in that area in less than 50 miles
LEXUS
HS 250 HYBRID
(2010) — VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
Feb 17, 2023
Incident date: Feb 16, 2023
Panoramic Sunroof Broken, Glass stuck open, Paid to have it closed. Can not find a dealer or body shop willing to fix to re-open the sunroof
Incident date: Dec 1, 2020
My daughters were involved in a highway accident on 2-4-2023 when their rear passenger tire came apart. The vehicle is a 2022 Toyota gr86 premium, came with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tire, was purchased new in August 2022 and had 3008 miles on the odometer just after the accident.
Crash
Incident date: Feb 13, 2023
Multiple occasions I have taken my vehicle to the local dealership I bought it brand new only owner any time it rains my vehicle stops. I have been going down the highway and it has just shut down in the middle of the highway. My vehicle will no longer start after this last rain and snow dealership is not helping and pretty much says I’m on my own still in the vehicle is paid off and I have had ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Car turns off at stop after auto shutoff will not restart
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
Headlight Hi-beams stopped working and is very dangerous at night with a lot of wild animals where I live.
Incident date: Feb 8, 2023
While slowly pulling into a parking slot in a Wal-Mart parking lot, the car experienced an abrupt acceleration causing it to lurch forward at full throttle and it struck a parked vehicle in the next space. The accelerator pedal was not depressed. Upon investigation I discovered that there have been many reported incidents of this behavior with Subaru Imprezas, Foresters, Outbacks and Legacy sedans... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the front passenger’s side airbag inadvertently deployed without warning. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 206,000.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the gear shifter was hard to shift. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping out of gear. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The contact received notif... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2023
Multiple safety issues with truck #1 When driving & using cruise control (CC) at 60 mph & truck is at that speed (60 mph) truck is moving from top speed to E coast mode. Immediately RPM is down (from 1250 to 600) & steering wheel is much harder b/c reduced power from engine . Response time for driver to avoid potential hazardous situations on the road (i.e. animals, rocks, trees, etc.) is longer ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
When I was driving the vehicle on the interstate (approximately 75 mph) the roof rack railing flew off. Luckily there were no cars following behind me. This was a prior recall that was fixed on my vehicle and I was told Ford was no longer fixing that because they found the glue was faulty.
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
The shift knob pulls off the manual transmission shifter shaft under certain driving conditions, such as a fast shift. I believe that the shifter knob retainer clip is loose or broken. This is a safety problem. I first noticed it when I had to make a quick maneuver during a turn. Experiencing the shift knob pull off the shaft while I was downshifting was dangerous and distracting. I reported the i... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2022
Sunroof shattered while driving.
Incident date: Jan 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH and pressing the brake pedal to reduce speed the pedal extended to the floor and the warning "check brakes" displayed. The vehicle was immediately taken to the dealer who performed an unknown service to the braking system. The vehicle was retrieved but later experience the same failure. The was ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 MPH, after having stopped at a traffic signal, the contact heard a clicking noise coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights flashing. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after having a passerby jump start her vehicle. The contact was... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2023
- Shift to park issue when the shifter is in park position and sometimes it will turn off. - Safety is at risk, this might still move or run even it is in park position. - Dealer will not take as manufacturer's defect. - They have not inspected the issues, but I will have to pay the diagnostic first and dealer will charge me with its repair. - The warning message appeared on the panel " Shift t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
The vehicle has experienced an acceleration hesitation issue on a number of occasions. When I depress the accelerator from a stop and take my foot off the brake the vehicle does not respond. If I take my foot off the accelerator then depress it again all the way to the floor the vehicle after 3 or 4 seconds will lunge forward. In an intersection this "stall" may cause a collision with another ve... Read more