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 29,895 complaints for MAZDA
Incident date: May 15, 2024
I have had numerous issues with the transmission on this truck. The truck has been to dealerships ever since I bought it for transmission issues. New issue occurred this week while going 75mph and continually as I decreased speed down to 60mph. While driving at the high rate of speed the transmission would go from gear 10 straight to 1, causing the RPMs to spike and Redline once. This occurred 5 t... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
I have had numerous issues with the transmission on this truck. The truck has been to dealerships ever since I bought it for transmission issues. New issue occurred this week while going 75mph and continually as I decreased speed down to 60mph. While driving at the high rate of speed the transmission would go from gear 10 straight to 1, causing the RPMs to spike and Redline once. This occurred 5 t... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
My vehicle has been affected by Hyundai Recall #251. Hyundai sent mixed messages in the recall saying park the car while also saying the car is safe to drive. My brakes have began locking up, pulsing and vibrating at stops, and declined power braking. Recently, the warning lights are flicking on and off and occasionally I think I smell it burning. I immediately shut the car off. This recall was an... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
Steering wheel becomes "jerky" and sticks, then suddenly releases causing car to move quickly in one direction. Difficult to keep in place. Also makes loud popping sound when turning. This can cause car to come in contact with whatever is beside you, a car in another lane, or a barrier or ditch on the opposite side. This can obviously cause an accident putting driver and passengers in danger and... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
When driving the vehicle over 40 mph's the car will not allow for you to readjust the lane alignment without having to jerk on the wheel. When making a turn on an exit ramp the wheel will "stick" into place instead of naturally moving with the turn. This causes you to jerk your wheel in turns and potentially lose control of the car.
Incident date: May 15, 2024
Car started acting strangely on the way to work one morning, rpms would jump all over, it started to jerk, judder, slow to accelerate. That evening it did the same a few minutes after driving it. Got it to a local trusted mechanic who test drive and ran an OBD2 diagnostic check, which returned a P17F0 code. He told me it's serious CVT issues and referred me to the local Nissan dealership. The next... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while working underneath the vehicle, he noticed a hole in the frame rail, passenger's side, rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was inspected under a Service Bulletin however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the manufacturer confirmed that the veh... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the low battery warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact heard a rattling sound coming from the engine before the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed hybrid system and that the hybrid system ne... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the low battery warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact heard a rattling sound coming from the engine before the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed hybrid system and that the hybrid system ne... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The sensor just abruptly went out and is a known issue on these cars yet Nissan refuses to issues a recall instead they want to charge you $2000 to get it fixed, and it’s a safety concern being since it’s supposed to alert you and help brake if you approach a car to quickly
Incident date: May 5, 2024
When driving, an acceleration would sometime cause the car's RPMs would drop to zero with the throttle of the vehicle responding poorly. A lose of power occurs and the takes about 15 seconds to feel some power return to the throttle. The feeling of no throttle occurs which is very scary when your reason for accelerating is to pass a vehicle but the sudden lose of power makes it difficult to accele... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2024
This past year my 2017 Jeep Cherokee has started to randomly turn on the Service Shifter light and at the same time all the shifter lights turn red. The transmission starts acting differently as well when it comes on. If I pull over and shut the car off and then turn it back on it will be normal again. I cannot bring this into the dealership as my warranty is no longer available and I will not pay... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2024
Backup camera has consistently poor function and is a safety hazard. Camera often cuts out multiple times while backing up. Sometimes the camera will not display images at all. It is completely unpredictable and unreliable. This has been reported to Polestar during a service visit and they states camera operating normally. I have heard of numerous other Polestar owners experiencing similar issues ... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2022
Unknown. The vehicle shutters tremendously while traveling between 40 and 60 mph.
MAZDA
CX-90 PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2024) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
May 9, 2024
Incident date: Mar 17, 2024
The frame is completely rusting out.There needs to be something done about this please
MAZDA
CX-90 PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2024) - SUSPENSION
May 9, 2024
Incident date: Mar 17, 2024
The frame is completely rusting out.There needs to be something done about this please
MAZDA
CX-90 PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2024) - POWER TRAIN
May 9, 2024
Incident date: May 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of a failure with the transmission. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into second gear and was stuck in first gear. The contact stated that there was transmission fluid coming from the transmission. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to... Read more
MAZDA
CX-90 PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2024) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
May 9, 2024
Incident date: May 9, 2024
On several occasions vehicle while in EV mode has lost all propulsion at highway speeds creating an unsafe condition.
Incident date: May 8, 2024
The front sensor is too sensitive. If there is another car using a turn lane, the Civic will try to brake and will not pass the car. If another car is ahead on a curve, the automatic braking kicks in. This tends to only happen when using cruise control. It is dangerous on the freeway. The sudden braking could cause me to be rearended. I've been lucky, so far, and have only received dirty looks fro... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
NHTSA 19V-757 recall was performed on 06/09/2020. Diesel EGR Cooler started leaking, again. I have a filing that dealer is still using defective part.
Incident date: May 7, 2024
I do not have a SiriusXM subscription, they sent an unsolicited offer for a 3 month trial and activated Satellite system on radio, model 430N, in vehicle. This happened sometime after March 4, 2024. I did not listen to SiriusXM on vehicle until sometime mid April. I noticed changes in the way some safety related systems worked and finally realized they started with the trial activation. What chang... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance front camera became inoperable. The pre-collision, the braking control, and the Lane Departure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaire... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2024
When using cruise control, my 2023 Tesla Model 3 will aggressively brake without warning or apparent cause. The braking is near maximal - as though the vehicle is attempting to prevent an imminent collision. This defect poses a hazard to occupants of vehicles behind mine as well as myself and my passengers as sudden braking could cause a rear-end collision and cascading loss of control. Inclement ... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2024
the integrated trailer brake controller does not perform enought to actually engage the trailer brakes on multiple trailers. this should be a recall issue for ram. we have two ram trucks with the same issue.
Incident date: May 4, 2024
Unknown. Cold morning with defroster on, rear windshield spontaneously shattered while driving on freeway. No evidence of external factors. Large hole and cracks all the way around edge.Notified CHP. Do not know if report filed.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to park the vehicle in the driveway, he noticed a strong fuel odor. The contact’s husband inspected the vehicle and noticed a fuel leak from the fuel tank pump. The contact husband refilled the fuel tank, however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The coolant system contuiously leaks which cause my vehicle to over heat and shut down while im driving. I have to add coolant daily sometimes multiple times a day. I have been on the highway and my vehicle starts to overheat and stal. I have almost gotten into wrecks. This has been going on since I brought the car
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving from the driveway, the front driver's side control arm detached from the vehicle. The vehicle made an abnormal scraping sound. While making a turn, an abnormal clicking noise was heard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
Windshield breaks way too easy. Rock chips happen easily, then they spread across the whole windshield. I am on my 2nd one and this one needs to be replaced too.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Rear Passenger door does not open.
Incident date: May 4, 2024
ABS, traction control, cruise control, 4WD works intermittently ABS and traction control warning flash, wile ABS light is on you can not use traction control ABS system does not engage and cruise control is inoperable. Seen by dealer (benson CDJR) in April and June of 2023 and parts to repair were NOT available. Being seen again as new part is currently available to be repaired 4/6/24. After 1... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
I have run into issues with the auto start/stop or brake hold being on while the windshield wipers are on. I get a "steering fluid low" message that comes up on the dashboard and the car becomes inoperable. I have to turn the car off and turn it back on in order to drive it again. This has been going on since I purchased the car in March 2023. I have not gone to a dealer around this issue as I've ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
I discharged the battery to 7% then recharged to 100% using my home charger. When I got into the car, I had an error message stating: 'electrical system error park vehicle in a safe place'. The message disappeared later that day and I was able to drive the car to the dealer.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
The "Travel Assist is currently not available" warning and chime constantly comes on. The chime and constant alerts are extremely distracting and from looking it up online it appears other drivers are experiencing the same issue. It happens randomly and cleaning the sensors has not solved the issue.
Incident date: Aug 14, 2020
My 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee would not start. The power connection on the starter burned and I could smell smoke emanating from the vehicle. My jeep required a tow to a local garage to be fixed. Upon my Mechanic examining my vehicle, he discovered the engine also had a blown head gasket. To fix these issues is estimated to cost $5k - $6k. My jeep only has 82,000 miles on it.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2024
While driving noticed a burning smell (at first, I thought it was the car in front of mine) and smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. Then engine malfunctioned & reduced power light came on. Parked car and inspected the engine. Noticed strong smell of burning and found melted parts of the engine intake manifold with holes. Took photos, had vehicle towed to BMW dealership.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the speedometer became inoperable, the vehicle hesitated to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle shifted sluggishly into gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle shifted into first gear unintendedly. The contact stat... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
While driving, the roof top trip came off. There was a recall for this problem in 2020 but mine was not part of the recall. Yet the problem was the same and Tesla will not honor their manufacturing defect and repair it.
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
Following an inadvertent engine stall on [XXX], the vehicle unexpectedly entered into an extremely low power state, sometimes referred to as "limp mode". I was unaware of the existence of this issue when I subsequently attempted to merge into traffic. Consequently, I was nearly rear ended by a tractor trailer. An internet search quickly revealed that there are numerous cases of other affected veh... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
I got my recall done already, however, the problem is getting worst after 2 weeks of regular driving. The steering will suddenly gets hard/stiff when driving. It makes it hard to turn and it's dangerous when driving on freeway. I almost got into an accident on the freeway because the car in the front change lane last minute without signalling, and at the time my stiff steering acting up and caus... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
I got my recall done already, however, the problem is getting worst after 2 weeks of regular driving. The steering will suddenly gets hard/stiff when driving. It makes it hard to turn and it's dangerous when driving on freeway. I almost got into an accident on the freeway because the car in the front change lane last minute without signalling, and at the time my stiff steering acting up and caus... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2021
While driving in cruise control on two lane roads, vehicle will brake hard during curves and going up rolling hill sections even if there are no vehicles or obstructions ahead. This vehicle experienced an overheated camera system at 4500 miles and was in the shop for 3 months for repair. The above described condition occurred before complete camera failure made all safety features not function.... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
My 2019 Toyota Sequoia Platinum with air suspension is leaning to the left. The driver rear measured from the center of the tire hub to the bottom of the fender is 1and 1/8 inch lower than the passenger rear. There was a similar Toyota T-SB-0179-17 with a similar issue that was issued for 2013-2016 Toyota Sequoia Platinum vehicles with air suspension. Please look into this and potentially exten... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, the steering wheel became firm. The contact stated that the steering wheel warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel remained firm. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Incident date: Apr 27, 2024
My transmission started slipping really badly. Had never happened before, and then suddenly wouldn’t shift above 3rd gear. My reverse gear stopped working. I had to have my valve body replaced which fixed the drive gears but the reverse still didn’t work. After months without my car, my dealership had to replace the transmission.
Incident date: Apr 29, 2024
Date: [XXX] | Location [XXX] Leaving Costco 1 ½ after entering entrance headed to Savannah. I was traveling at approximately 60 miles a hour with heavy traffic alongside me and a tractor trailer behind me when I felt my Truck quickly de-accelerate on its on. Then I saw the “Sudden Warning on Dashboard, “Reduced Acceleration – Drive with Care” then the 2nd Warning on Dashboard, “ Serv... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2024
Several Dashboard lights came on. Electric Steering ,Tire Pressure Sensor, Traction Control, ABS, Brake lights. Paid 300 dollar diagnostic fee for Honda dealer to tell me this is a known issue on Hondas and would cost 3,000 dollars to repair. Final verdict, ABS module needs replacement. Also seems to be causing issues with the transmission shift points due to the Vehicle speed sensor having an err... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2024
Several Dashboard lights came on. Electric Steering ,Tire Pressure Sensor, Traction Control, ABS, Brake lights. Paid 300 dollar diagnostic fee for Honda dealer to tell me this is a known issue on Hondas and would cost 3,000 dollars to repair. Final verdict, ABS module needs replacement. Also seems to be causing issues with the transmission shift points due to the Vehicle speed sensor having an err... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure persisted. The contacted stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a malfunction with the g... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2024
Engine inconsistently stutters and stalls. Ignition coils, fuel injector, and spark plugs all had to be replaced multiple times. Problem has been reproduced by repair places but not fixed and the source of the problem has not been found. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership, they advise to replace ignition coils again for the fourth time and still do not know what is causing the proble... Read more