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: Sep 5, 2023
Exterior automatic door handles sometimes automatically close on a person's fingers. My child's 4 fingertips were caught by the automatic door handle closing and I had to frantically find a way to release the door handle. My own fingers have come close to being crushed by the automatic door handle closing. Its a flaw in the design. Safety of myself and others who operate the door handle are all at... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the spark plugs, and ignition coils were replaced. After the repair, the engine started to misfire and jerk while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was discovered that coolant had leaked into t... 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: Sep 10, 2023
An ABS system that was designed to save other people. And your life is now not operating functionably. And putting me and other people in danger. Or else why would they have made it way back in the day? Receiving vehicle message of serve ABS braking system. Code C0020-01. Dodge knows of the issue and needs to recall and repair.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
I picked up a new Tesla Model 3 on July 29, 2023. On July 31, I received a steering reduced alert as I was backing out of my driveway and could not move the steering wheel. After I did a hard power off, the alert went away. I called Tesla service, and was told that this was not a typical issue but to schedule a service appointment and cancel if the issue did not recur before the next available ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
My right side A pillar flew off of my car while driving on the highway. Luckily this did not cause an accident but very much could have. I have seen numerous other Ford Explorers with the same piece missing from their windshield. Very dangerous! I uploaded my car (the black explorer) and another car I seen on the highway with the same piece missing. I also have a friend who has an Explorer and h... Read more
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
this yukon is leaking water into the cabin and mold has developed. i do not know when this issue started but i noticed the mold under the passenger rubber mat on 8/26/23. i contacted the local dealer, koon's gmc and they told me that they would charge me to just look at the car even though it is under a bumper to bumper 3 year warranty. the dealer was unable to locate the source of the leak, so ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
First notices that volume control on steering wheel and temp and directional display stopped working about a year ago. Now air bag light stays on when car is started and alarm for seat belts quit working.
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: Sep 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the roadway. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove to the residence. Additionally, the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was runn... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2023
The backup camera display is very bright with little or no dimming at night. Backing during the day in any scenario (trailer or not) is acceptable. The camera display being this bright at night reduces rearward visibility with the mirrors due to a loss of night vision. The bright backup camera display is especially an issue when backing a trailer at night since you must use the side mirrors (tr... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated while reversing, the back-over prevention camera failed to display an image. Additionally, the message "Camera Unavailable" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the back-over prevention camera needed to be replaced, and the software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufactu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
Transmission problem. Car stopped in the middle of the highway. Lost acceleration. Doesn’t change gears.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
The car door won’t latch & the door pops open while I’m driving. There is suppose to be a recall on the door that no one will honor !
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
I have 2017 Dodge ram 2500.12/09/19 the anti lock brake system control and hcu module was replaced under warranty. Now august 2023 with 27,900 miles the same problem has occurred with the dealer recommending the ABS control module and HCU be replaced. the parts will not be avaiable until January 2024. If a Abs module failure is not serious what is. A check of the internet shows a tremendous amo... 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
Steering feels sticky and hard to move the steering wheel on high speed.
Incident date: Feb 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering and there was an abnormal thumping sound coming from the floorboard. There ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2015
Car has a fuel pump or fuel system and Central Florida Toyota has not fixed it even after taking it 2 times to the dealership.
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
When I apply brakes the car accelerates instead of stopping. This occurs randomly and not all the time. It has occurred at traffic lights or when I am at a location to park the suv. I was in a accident in May which caused damages to another car. I reported this to GM back in May of this year and they stated that they sent a engineer to inspect the car and could not find anything wrong. at that... 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: Mar 1, 2023
The rear taillight has gone out. The LED board has a crack in the soldering causing the entire unit to malfunction.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
My engine light malfunctioned, never lit up to report a clogged catalytic converter.
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
This happened twice before I took the car back to the dealer for service. Both times I was driving the vehicle and it suddenly stops accelerating. The car suddenly comes to a stop. I continued pressing the accelerator and the car continued to quickly slow down to a stop. Both times I was in traffic and could have been rear ended or certainly could have caused an accident. The car is currently... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
This happened twice before I took the car back to the dealer for service. Both times I was driving the vehicle and it suddenly stops accelerating. The car suddenly comes to a stop. I continued pressing the accelerator and the car continued to quickly slow down to a stop. Both times I was in traffic and could have been rear ended or certainly could have caused an accident. The car is currently... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
Well, I don't really know what to do.. Last night the car was sitting in the garage on. And playing a seminar I was watching.on my phone. The keys were nowhere around the car, and the door was unlocked and the car was just sitting there on in the garage. We've only had the car five days, but this worries me.. It reminds me of [XXX] . This is the first year of this body styles and I hope it never d... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2022
Brakes stopped working while in drive
Incident date: Nov 22, 2022
Vehicle died while on a city street, it could not be restarted. It was in the middle of the street with oncoming traffic on both sides. The vehicle would not start for Firestone or the Hyundai dealership. After signing over the car to the dealership on 6/30/23, it was inspected by the service department over a month and a half later (8/9/23). They now say it was part of a safety recall and Hyu... 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: Jul 15, 2022
Headlights do not work. I have replaced the low beams bulbs 3 times since purchasing my car over three years ago and each time the lights only work for a brief period of time them seem to short out unexpectedly, for no reason whatsoever. The high beams have been replaced multiple times as well. I purchased the fluorescent bulbs for better night vision. The lights were bright for a short period th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2022
Headlights do not work. I have replaced the low beams bulbs 3 times since purchasing my car over three years ago and each time the lights only work for a brief period of time them seem to short out unexpectedly, for no reason whatsoever. The high beams have been replaced multiple times as well. I purchased the fluorescent bulbs for better night vision. The lights were bright for a short period th... 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 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
Structure of rear windshield failed catastrophically during commute to work. I used the rear defroster this morning for about 10 minutes. As I continued to drive to work my rear windshield spontaneously shattered. I need to have the entire rear windshield replaced.
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
On August 12 2023 on a trip to hershey PA my rogue felt like she was barely stuttering. I was passenger at the time, asked the driver if they felt that and if it was the car or the road because it felt almost like vibrations on uneven road. Then the rpm's dropped at highway speed like it needed to downshift, paused just above 2k and popped back up. Minutes later the transmission light came on.... 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
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she attempted to open the sunroof, but when she looked, she noticed that only the left side was open. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred on two occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
I'm having a problem with I believe it's the fuel sensor my truck gets up to a certain temperature and it just dies and it's not just my truck it's in a lot of the newer model Colorado's as well I have a friend who's having the same exact problem as I am when it gets up past 95 degrees, the truck just all of a sudden stops in the engine turns off, and you have to try and steer your truck without a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2013
Just had the vehicle in for the it’s 60k mile service and no issues reported. Today, at 63k miles I had the same dealer look at a headlight malfunction and the service technician reported the rear coil springs are failing and need replaced.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2023
My vehicle sound system sometimes makes ear splitting squelching noises. It has caused my ears to ring. It has done it twice in the last week.
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 13, 2023
BCM Failed causing an electrical start problem and the car will not completely turn off. With BCM failed doors will not unlock with the remote and the car fails to start or starts and fails to turn off. This is a known problem with these cars that honda will not address and a safety concern for my family as the car has turned itself off while in motion.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2023
--Unwanted Reduction in The Front HVAC Blower Speed and Loss of Radio, Auto AC not working as designed --driver seat vibrating as the lane departure warning activated; I had turned the seat vibrate function off on 25 June 2023. I then went into settings to turn the function off again, and the system would not allow to make the change, it stayed in vibrate function --the passenger front window wil... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated driving 30-35 MPH, the ABS warning light, the check engine warning light, the traction control warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The odometer became inoperable. The vehicle lost power steering functionality and shifted into Accessory Mode. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stat... Read more
Incident date: Aug 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
CONCERN: This is the second time the engine does not shut off. All warning lights go off, unsteady steering wheel and odometer/odograph failed. This is not just a malfunction issue it is a severe safety concern. Back in January of 2023 it happen for the first time and was told Control Unit IPDM, Engine Room needed to be replaced and it was. But once again while driving the steering wheel went u... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2023
Rear lift gate drains battery to the point where the vehicle won't start. The tailgate will beep three times, but will not open. Within 24 hours, the battery is insufficient to start it. You have to do a manual override to open the lift gate. The battery, starter and alternator were all tested and had no issues. I have to keep a jump pack in the car as the issue has become more frequent. The... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the cam phasers. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to Customer Satisfaction Program 21N03, but... Read more