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: Mar 17, 2023
The vehicle's safety system (not sure if it's the camera mounted behind the windshield or something else) will periodically interpret a road speed sign as showing 100mph speed limit. This has happened before and will have happened again (I am filing this complaint after some time has passed). As with a number of other issue with the 2018+ Honda models, Honda's response has been "take it to the dea... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2023
The vehicle's safety system (not sure if it's the camera mounted behind the windshield or something else) will periodically interpret a road speed sign as showing 100mph speed limit. This has happened before and will have happened again (I am filing this complaint after some time has passed). As with a number of other issue with the 2018+ Honda models, Honda's response has been "take it to the dea... 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: Mar 14, 2023
My own words, That my vehicle didn't stop, the car driver in front stop short my vehicle just ran behind the car. My 2018 Chevy equniox I have purchase last year for it safety reason pay extra now and days, those safety is not there very disappointed with GM What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Automatic Emergency Braking - Togethe... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 15, 2023
2020 FORD EXPEDITION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-250.
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 2, 2022
My vehicle is often showing a "service Advancetrac" warning, another warning that the hill start assist is disabled, and simultaneously the antilock brake warning light and the seatbelt warning light on the dashboard will light up. When this happens, the traction control shuts down and steering becomes more difficult. It seems to be a sensor malfunction or a problem with the powertrain control mo... 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 UConnect radio has delaminated and is available for inspection. Due to the delamination of the UConnect system it will randomly change channels, replace channels, and will skip around to other parts of the system. This issue does not always occur and is random and unkown when it may happen. When the system does this it is a distraction to the driver and could cause a potential incident. Th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2023
The contact's grandmother owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver's side door failed to operate as needed. Additionally, the driver's side window failed to roll down. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 15-0052 (Door Latch). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2017
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving 20-25 MPH, the vehicle temporarily lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V093000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle was designed with the Push Start/Stop butt... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2023
My wife was driving the car with her 2 friends on highway left lane , all the sudden the engine light flash and the engine was stalling (cannot accelerate). She was driving 55mph before , all the sudden she only can driving 20mph even she gas up. Luckily she was able to pull over to the right lane and parked on the right side zebra lane. Then I went to help my wife I was only 5-10 minutes from w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
Steering Wheel Clock Spring has gone out on my VW Tiguan, driver air bag is on which means the airbag wont come if we get in a accident. Pressure light is on as well. This will be the 3rd Steering Wheel Clock Spring installed.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
I have replaced the front suspension and the back suspension. I have replaced the driveshaft and the muffler and tail pipes. Now they say the entire undercarriage and the brake lines are all rusting out. This car is 2011 and has just 34,607 miles on it and has been keep in a garage its entire time. Now it is unsafe to drive. Drive Shaft fell off in December.2022.
Incident date: Feb 17, 2023
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: 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
While driving on highway the trim on the side of the windshield flew off .
Incident date: Feb 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ford E-450. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel felt loose, and the vehicle was difficult to control. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated no failure was found, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the vehicle was repaired. The contact was unsure w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2023
I was driving with the Autopilot on, traveling about 65 mph on the freeway when the automatic emergency braking system kicked in for no reason. There was absolutely nothing in front of the car when it aggressively braked, very suddenly. I was very lucky no one was behind me. I have not reported this directly to Tesla, no one has inspected or confirmed this event.
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
the window is opening alone
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
the window is opening alone
Incident date: Feb 21, 2023
2017 bmw x1 secure vehicle against rolling light is coming on. dealer wants 7 hours of labor to replace a $13 part
Incident date: Feb 16, 2023
Got oil changed at Genesis dealership at 79K miles. Within a day, Low Oil Pressure light began to turn on and off sporadically. Usually showing up when idling and turning off while accelerating. Took car back to dealership and they identified a faulty oil switch (which appears to require a significant amount of labor to access/replace). This has already been recalled in Korea as it has been happ... 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
Incident date: Jan 28, 2023
Complete brake failure when exiting freeway resulted in crashing into a concrete barrier and guardrail at a high rate of speed before impacting another vehicle. Vehicle has an electronic emergency brake that could not be engaged. Vehicle could not be put in reverse or park to slow impact. There were three prior issues with the vehicle regarding brakes and acceleration. The car had less than 250 mi... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 6, 2023
The windshield has started cracking due to a seal defect. The crack started on the bottom driver's side. Upon inspection of the crack it was discovered that the seal on the interior of the windshield is defective, it sinks down unlike the rest of the seal. Note that after an online search it was found that other georgetown owners have had the same problem in the same area of the windshield. I si... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2023
Back up sensors not working. Truck also not having a vin number even though it was bought from the the Chevy dealership. Also was told the electrical system is not working properly
Crash
Incident date: Jan 27, 2023
Car shakes and shutters and is very reluctant to accelerate at low speeds, even with gas pedal pressed down. Then acceleration kicks in and it wants to bolt off.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2023
It seems as this comes in as a common issue with heated seats. The wiring harness Carrie’s only 1 ground wire to transmit connection to the heated seat module. This causes the wire to over heat after time and create a short and burn the wiring. Research has shown this issue has melted plastic harness to the module to where consumers have to pry the connector off the module. Consumers are rewirin... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2023
My car cut off right as I was stopping at a stop sign. It wouldn't even let me turn off the car to try and restart. I couldn't steer the car either. It took a minute and then I was able to turn it off and then restart it. By the time I got to the third stop sign it cutoff again. The second time around it read to shift to park before restarting. Thank God I was in my subdivision! There was no warni... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2023
Car just stalls or cuts out and loses power. Dealership says it’s not pulling any codes.