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: Apr 16, 2022
On April 16, 2022, around 6:45PM, I drove my new Mazda CX5 (@ 3500 miles) into our church parking lot and turned right down the first row of cars. It was light out and the weather was pleasant. I turned right into a parking space with my foot on the brake. The car was facing and perpendicular to a sidewalk that was about 10 feet away. It was separated by a grassy median. When I depressed the b... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Apr 16, 2022
On April 16, 2022, around 6:45PM, I drove my new Mazda CX5 (@ 3500 miles) into our church parking lot and turned right down the first row of cars. It was light out and the weather was pleasant. I turned right into a parking space with my foot on the brake. The car was facing and perpendicular to a sidewalk that was about 10 feet away. It was separated by a grassy median. When I depressed the b... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Apr 25, 2022
2018 Mazda CX5 with 62000 has an oil leak coming from what the Mazda dealership in Barre VT say it is the cylinder head and gasket have gone faulty for a repair price of $4,191 and that this is a known issue. I had no lights letting me know of an oil leak, the only way I knew it was leaking was because I smelled burnt oil and then looked under the car to see the drops from the leak. My complaint i... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
My son was driving the car when it suddenly lost power and would not shift correctly. This occurred without warning while in moderately fast traffic that was moving at 40-50 mph. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to the problem occurring. Upon reviewing trouble codes, it is likely that the low pressure fuel pump located in the fuel tank has begun to fail. When the tank gets low on f... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2022
When you shut the car off the radio and other components do not shut down. You have to start the car back up and put in gear then back in park and shut the car off (sometimes two or three times) to get everything to shut down. This is getting worse over time.
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
Mazda has termed the issue Ghost Touch in their CX-3 models, which the NTSB issued a Technical Service Bulletin. It is dangerous as the infotainment system begins to switch between functions on its own, without driver or passenger input, and while the cars is in motion; changing radio stations, dialing phone numbers, turning the system display to Night Mode making it impossible to read while using... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2022
Purchased vehicle new at dealership April 15th 2022 w/ 17 miles on the odometer. After 500 miles on the odometer, began receiving multiple daily warnings through the MyMazda app indicating airbag/seat belt pretensioner malfunction. Subsequently noticed the same warning lit up on the dash while driving for approximately 10 seconds and then light went out. Discovered technical service bulletin dated... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2022
Purchased vehicle new at dealership April 15th 2022 w/ 17 miles on the odometer. After 500 miles on the odometer, began receiving multiple daily warnings through the MyMazda app indicating airbag/seat belt pretensioner malfunction. Subsequently noticed the same warning lit up on the dash while driving for approximately 10 seconds and then light went out. Discovered technical service bulletin dated... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
TRACKING NUMBER 11461728 ADDED INFORMATION EMAIL FROM MANUFACTURE MITSUBUSHI ELECTRIC INCORPORATED
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
TRACKING NUMBER 11461728 ADDED INFORMATION EMAIL FROM MANUFACTURE MITSUBUSHI ELECTRIC INCORPORATED
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
TRACKING NUMBER 11461728 ADDED INFORMATION EMAIL FROM MANUFACTURE MITSUBUSHI ELECTRIC INCORPORATED
Incident date: Mar 3, 2022
On several occasions, the system would activate the panic braking while driving at low speeds in a few different situations. One situation is while pulling into a 2 car garage with objects along the garage walls, i.e. shelves in front of vehicle, lawn equipment on the side, grill on opposite side. While entering the garage the system would engage well before the front of vehicle is close to the ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2022
The TCM - Transmission Control Module defected - gear lights disappear, down shifting problems, driving, stop in the middle of highway or road while driving, kick / jerk when ATF lights comes on goes off then check engine lights comes on all fluids has been changed drove good for a few days started again took to advance auto parts and auto zone codes stated electrical TCM computer issues, delaye... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2022
The TCM - Transmission Control Module defected - gear lights disappear, down shifting problems, driving, stop in the middle of highway or road while driving, kick / jerk when ATF lights comes on goes off then check engine lights comes on all fluids has been changed drove good for a few days started again took to advance auto parts and auto zone codes stated electrical TCM computer issues, delaye... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2022
the vehicle started surging at low soeeds and accelarating and control module issues for the transmission
Incident date: Apr 6, 2022
the vehicle started surging at low soeeds and accelarating and control module issues for the transmission
Incident date: Apr 6, 2022
the vehicle started surging at low soeeds and accelarating and control module issues for the transmission
Incident date: Mar 7, 2022
I am attaching documents to report 11461223 submitted April 18,2022
Incident date: Jan 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool co... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2022
On December 14, 2015, I bought, a Mazda CX-9, at Sentry West Mazda located at 940 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury MA 01545. Unfortunately, the car's engine contains a defect in design, manufacturing, materials and/or workmanship that causes the water pump to suddenly and prematurely fail well-before the end of the useful life of the engine, which leads to catastrophic engine failure or a costly replac... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2022
2018 MAZDA CX-5. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING FUEL PUMP RECALL ON VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FINDING A REMEDY FOR THE FUEL PUMP RECALL.
Incident date: Apr 12, 2022
When I’m driving the car, electricity of the car goes off, including headlights. The steering wheel gets locked. It doesn’t do that regularly. Sometimes, it takes weeks to do that, but sometimes it happens once in every five minutes. The red airbag light on the odometer turns on or off randomly. But, the worse case is that the airbags are not working while my steering wheel gets locked at the ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2022
When I’m driving the car, electricity of the car goes off, including headlights. The steering wheel gets locked. It doesn’t do that regularly. Sometimes, it takes weeks to do that, but sometimes it happens once in every five minutes. The red airbag light on the odometer turns on or off randomly. But, the worse case is that the airbags are not working while my steering wheel gets locked at the ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2022
When I’m driving the car, electricity of the car goes off, including headlights. The steering wheel gets locked. It doesn’t do that regularly. Sometimes, it takes weeks to do that, but sometimes it happens once in every five minutes. The red airbag light on the odometer turns on or off randomly. But, the worse case is that the airbags are not working while my steering wheel gets locked at the ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2022
Follow up! I originally posted I thought this was an engine issue. However, after reading about the huge recall with Mazda due to a faulty Denso fuel pump I quickly realized this is 100% issue. This causes my car to stall on the highway and stop accelerating at 65mph. Huge safety issue! Many other car dealers have been hit with too. However, my VIN is not part of the recall. There are claims on ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2022
Was letting car slow down for red light. No cars in front of me. Suddenly the car braked and the brake warning came on. I was pretty far back from the light. I took the car to the dealer and he said the occurrence did not show on the computer. There was a recall for this problem but not for my car. If someone had been behind me or if this happens on a busy street, I would be rear ended. There have... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2020
Seat belts fail to retract or tighten properly. I have to hand feed the belt slowly back into the housing when I put the seat belt on to get it to properly tighten. It also fails to retract when I remove the belt, once I got caught in the loop almost falling onto pavement when I was exiting the vehicle. My dogs have on occasion gotten snarled in the belt while entering or exiting the car. A dealer... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph when another vehicle abruptly stopped causing the contact to need to suddenly stop however, the brake pedal failed. The contact stated that the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard then the emergency braking system began chiming. The vehicle failed to stop causing the contact the crash into the vehicle... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 4, 2022
When the vehicle is running, but not moving the touch screen display randomly jumps/changes the display. This malfunction has changed the current radio station, navigation map screen, and/or the maintenance warnings/alerts. I believe this "ghost touch" poses a safety hazard not only due to the distracting beeps and screen changes but also the random change/reset of important maintenance alerts s... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2022
A have a new 2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback with 3,500 miles. As I was driving and approaching a traffic light to stop, my car shut down completely while in traffic. I turned on my hazard lights, put the car in the park position, and restarted the vehicle. As I proceed with driving, when I made a right turn onto the blvd, a minute after turning when I came to another stop, the vehicle shut down again... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
I had engine failure with a complete loss of power and a shuttering of the steering wheel while pulling into a parking lot and going less than 30 miles per hour. The temperature gauze went from cold to hot suddenly. There were no leaks of coolant or oil and no signs that the engine was out of water or that the water pump had "melted". On the final car repair trip we found out that the engine has a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
I had engine failure with a complete loss of power and a shuttering of the steering wheel while pulling into a parking lot and going less than 30 miles per hour. The temperature gauze went from cold to hot suddenly. There were no leaks of coolant or oil and no signs that the engine was out of water or that the water pump had "melted". On the final car repair trip we found out that the engine has a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
I had engine failure with a complete loss of power and a shuttering of the steering wheel while pulling into a parking lot and going less than 30 miles per hour. The temperature gauze went from cold to hot suddenly. There were no leaks of coolant or oil and no signs that the engine was out of water or that the water pump had "melted". On the final car repair trip we found out that the engine has a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2021
My car started to show a warning on the dashboard that the airbag system is malfunctioning. The alarm would come on for a few seconds, then turn off, then repeat like that multiple times every drive. At the time it started, my car had less than 500 miles on it, and it continued after that until I got it fixed. I took it to the Mazda dealership where I bought it, and they said it was a short circui... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2022
Sunroof exploded while on the highway. Nothing hit the glass. Glass was facing outward and no evidence if anything striking it. Major safety concern, easily could have blinded my wife or I.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
My gear box was popping out of gear at highway speeds into neutral. The service provider informed me the transmission in the car was bad, adding that it the bad transmission caused excessive wear on the clutch-and-flywheel assembly. It later came to my attention that there is an ongoing class action lawsuit in the state of California, represented by Cafferty Clobis Meriwether & Spengel regarding... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2022
In 2020 I was sent a recall notice for my headlights. I took my car into Foothills Lincoln Mazda in Spokane, WA for the repair. They stated that my headlights were the wrong production dates so they did nothing for the recall yet marked the repair as "completed" according to Mazda. Now both my headlights are having issues with the daylight running lights with one light flickering and the other not... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
Mazda Infotainment system operates without user input, "ghost touch" issue reported. Automatic input causes volume to turn to loudest setting, re-routes navigation, dials phone numbers through connected USB and bluetooth devices, all with no user input to the touch screen or control knobs. System can not be turned off, ghost touch issue turns system back on without user input. Severe safety con... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-30. The contact stated that the low engine oil warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the app used for alerting vehicle failure also notified the contact of the failure. The failure occurred twice. The dealer was contacted and informed her that it was a known issue however, there was no recall. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. Th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2022
The Mazda SCBS (Smart City Brake Support) system malfunctioned in my vehicle. This system can inadvertently apply the brake if the system malfunction. It was told to me by the dealership that it was a known issue with the CX5s around this model year and I really think it should be a recall. Not having this safety-critical system working properly because of a manufacturer defect isn't a great thing... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2022
The Mazda SCBS (Smart City Brake Support) system malfunctioned in my vehicle. This system can inadvertently apply the brake if the system malfunction. It was told to me by the dealership that it was a known issue with the CX5s around this model year and I really think it should be a recall. Not having this safety-critical system working properly because of a manufacturer defect isn't a great thing... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2022
Hello, I contacted Fremont mazda dealer to fix the below recall. I booked multiple appointment with this dealer to fix the recall but after visiting there service center location they give me reason they are unable to fix it by saying they don't have a part required for fixing the recall Manufacturer Recall Number5321K NHTSA Recall Number21V-875 Please help me to fix this recall as soon as poss... Read more
MAZDA
B-SERIES TRUCK
(2007) - AIR BAGS
Mar 29, 2022
Incident date: Mar 29, 2021
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2007 Mazda B-Series Truck. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V162000 (Air Bags) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park, the vehicle failed to turn off as intended. The contact continuously pressed the START/STOP button and brake pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2017
This is relating to NHTSA Investigation PE 14-005. Although this car is a 2012 Mazda CX9, my wife driving the car had the same issue where she heard a hissing noise and the brakes were very difficult for her to depress or to stop. A brake issue is a major defect where the NHTSA should have initiated a recall in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 30118-30120, which required notification of all owners. ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Mazda Mazda 6 equipped with a Yokohama 125/70r17 spare tire, DOT number unknown. Upon inspection of his vehicle, the contact discovered that the original spare tire that was placed in the vehicle by the manufacturer was 2.8 inches lower than the original tires placed on the vehicle. The contact stated that this failure could lead to hazardous driving conditions when placed ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2017
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V082000 (Seats) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact was advised to try again in July or August. 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 c... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2022
Car won't start due to PCM/TCM lost communication.