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 27 complaints for MCI
Incident date: May 3, 2017
WHILE CHANGING LANES AT FREEWAY SPEED TO GO AROUND A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE, THE "COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM" SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE BUS! THESE SYSTEMS THAT SENSE SUPPOSED DANGER AND TRY TO DO THE DRIVING FOR YOU ARE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND NEED TO BE BANNED!
Incident date: Sep 15, 2015
COACH SIDE GLASS IS BOWING (CHANGING SHAPE) AND DE-BONDING. ALL GLASS ON COACH SAYS "SI-GI", WHICH IS THE DEFECTIVE GLASS SUBJECT TO A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL #10V373000). CONTACTED MCI IN 2015 AFTER 1 OF THE PIECES OF GLASS ACTUALLY ALMOST FELL OUT. MFGR REFUSES TO HONOR WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY SHIPPED REPLACEMENT GLASS TO THE PREVIOUS VEHICLE OWNER FOR THEM TO INSTALL THEMSELVES. DEFECTIVE SI-GI GLAS... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2015
COACH SIDE GLASS IS BOWING (CHANGING SHAPE) AND DE-BONDING. ALL GLASS ON COACH SAYS "SI-GI", WHICH IS THE DEFECTIVE GLASS SUBJECT TO A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL #10V373000). CONTACTED MCI IN 2015 AFTER 1 OF THE PIECES OF GLASS ACTUALLY ALMOST FELL OUT. MFGR REFUSES TO HONOR WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY SHIPPED REPLACEMENT GLASS TO THE PREVIOUS VEHICLE OWNER FOR THEM TO INSTALL THEMSELVES. DEFECTIVE SI-GI GLAS... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A MCI 1988 MOTOR COACH EQUIPPED WITH A SMI AIR FORCE ONE (NA) BRAKING SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE SMI AIR FORCE ONE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED TO DECREASE THE BRAKING DISTANCE DURING BRAKING. THE SYSTEM WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND WAS FOUND TO BE WORKING CORRECTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2. *TR
Incident date: Aug 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A MCI 1988 MOTOR COACH EQUIPPED WITH A SMI AIR FORCE ONE (NA) BRAKING SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE SMI AIR FORCE ONE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED TO DECREASE THE BRAKING DISTANCE DURING BRAKING. THE SYSTEM WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND WAS FOUND TO BE WORKING CORRECTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2. *TR
Incident date: May 16, 2014
AS I WAS TRYING TO EASE MY WAY PAST ANOTHER VEHICLE BY USING LITE ACCELERATOR PRESSURE TO ACTIVATE AUTOMATIC CLUTCH, THE CLUTCH SUDDENLY ENGAGED CAUSING THE BUS TO LURCH FORWARD. IN DOING SO THE SPOT MIRROR ON THE RIGHT SIDE STRUCK THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE SITTING NEXT TO ME BREAKING THE GLASS. THIS BUS IS EQUIPPED WITH A ZF 12 SPEED TRANSMISSION WHICH I THINK IS THE PROBLEM. WHEN MOVING IN SLOW... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MCI E4500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V498000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO DIRECT THE CONTACT IN ORDER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.
Incident date: May 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MCI E4500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V498000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO DIRECT THE CONTACT IN ORDER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. IN MAY 2011, THE CONTACTS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE OF THE EQUALIZER IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE DAMAGE AT HIS ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Nov 16, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MCI 102DL3 BUS. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH AND TRANSPORTING CHILDREN WHEN A BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE FAILURE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TAG AND THE DRIVE WHEEL WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BY USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 2, 2012
THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON AT LEAST 4 OUT OF 10, MCI MOTOR-COACHES MANUFACTURED FROM 2006 TO 2013. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED NOR INVESTIGATED BECAUSE IT REMAINS UN-DETECTED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS OR BY ANY COMPANY MECHANICS. THE ISSUE ONLY BECOMES APPARENT AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF CONTINUOUS DRIVING A (MINIMUM OF 400 MILES ) MCI PASSENGER MOTOR-COACH. NO FACILIT... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2010
A BUS COMPANY, POCONO TRANSIT SERVICE AND TOURS, AKA POCONO PROGRESSIVE, LLC OPERATES WITH TOTAL DISREGARD FOR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SAFETY. THE COMPANY IS LOCATED AT 46S 20TH ST. IVINGTON, NJ07111. THEY KEEP THE BUSES REGISTERED IN PA. TO AVOID NJ INSPECTIONS. THEY FALSIFY ALL MAINTENANCE REPORTS. ONE BUS HAS GONE THROUGH PA INSPECTIONS AT LEAST 3 TIMES WITH HALF DRIVERS MIRROR MISSING. MIRRORS H... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2010
A BUS COMPANY, POCONO TRANSIT SERVICE AND TOURS, AKA POCONO PROGRESSIVE, LLC OPERATES WITH TOTAL DISREGARD FOR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SAFETY. THE COMPANY IS LOCATED AT 46S 20TH ST. IVINGTON, NJ07111. THEY KEEP THE BUSES REGISTERED IN PA. TO AVOID NJ INSPECTIONS. THEY FALSIFY ALL MAINTENANCE REPORTS. ONE BUS HAS GONE THROUGH PA INSPECTIONS AT LEAST 3 TIMES WITH HALF DRIVERS MIRROR MISSING. MIRRORS H... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2010
A BUS COMPANY, POCONO TRANSIT SERVICE AND TOURS, AKA POCONO PROGRESSIVE, LLC OPERATES WITH TOTAL DISREGARD FOR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SAFETY. THE COMPANY IS LOCATED AT 46S 20TH ST. IVINGTON, NJ07111. THEY KEEP THE BUSES REGISTERED IN PA. TO AVOID NJ INSPECTIONS. THEY FALSIFY ALL MAINTENANCE REPORTS. ONE BUS HAS GONE THROUGH PA INSPECTIONS AT LEAST 3 TIMES WITH HALF DRIVERS MIRROR MISSING. MIRRORS H... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2011
FIRST GROUP ALLEGES TO HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL DRIVESHAFT FAILURES BEGINNING IN MARCH 2010 WHICH WERE NOT CONTAINED BY THE SAFETY LOOPS ON THE SUBJECT MCI BUSES. THEY BELIEVE THAT TWO OF THE EVENTS RESULTED IN MULTIPLE INJURIES AND FATALITIES DUE AN "UNLOCKED CONDITION" OF THE STEERABLE TAG AXLE AND A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE DESIGN IN QUESTION HAS BEEN IN PRODUCTION SINCE THE EARLY 1990S... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACTLOST CONTROL OF A 2004 MCI F3500 COACH AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 250000. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A FACILITY IN ST. LOUIS, WHERE HE WAS TOLD UPON ARRIVAL THAT THE STEERING PIVOT POINT RIPPED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE, AND WAS INOPERABLE. HE CALLEDF THE MANUFACTURER THEY HAD IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR CENTER. THE FRAME WAS WEA... Read more
Crash
MCI
D4500/102DL3
(2001) — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Aug 23, 2006
Incident date: Jul 15, 2006
2002 MCI GREYHOUND PASSENGER BUS LEFT FRONT COMPARTMENT DOOR OPENED HITTING THE TOLL BOOTH. *TS THE OFFICER STATED IN THE POLICE REPORT IT LOOKED AS THOUGH THERE WAS SOME TAPE ON THE DOOR AT ONE POINT, IN HIS OPINION THE DOOR OPENING MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO A FAULTY LATCH. *JB
Incident date: Apr 14, 2006
GREYHOUND BUS FIRES- UNSOLICITED REPORT. *TS GREYHOUND CONFIRMED THAT THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF THE COACHES ARE RECURRING ORIGINATION POINTS FOR BUS FIRES: TAG AXLES AND BEARINGS, TURBO CHARGERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BRAKE SYSTEM AND FUEL HEATERS AND FILTER. THE TAG AXLE WAS REDESIGNED. THE NEW DESIGN USED SMALL WHEEL BEARINGS. THE LOAD RATING FOR THE SMALL WHEEL BEARING DECREASED BY APPROXIMATEL... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 14, 2006
GREYHOUND BUS FIRES- UNSOLICITED REPORT. *TS GREYHOUND CONFIRMED THAT THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF THE COACHES ARE RECURRING ORIGINATION POINTS FOR BUS FIRES: TAG AXLES AND BEARINGS, TURBO CHARGERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BRAKE SYSTEM AND FUEL HEATERS AND FILTER. THE TAG AXLE WAS REDESIGNED. THE NEW DESIGN USED SMALL WHEEL BEARINGS. THE LOAD RATING FOR THE SMALL WHEEL BEARING DECREASED BY APPROXIMATEL... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 14, 2006
GREYHOUND BUS FIRES- UNSOLICITED REPORT. *TS GREYHOUND CONFIRMED THAT THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF THE COACHES ARE RECURRING ORIGINATION POINTS FOR BUS FIRES: TAG AXLES AND BEARINGS, TURBO CHARGERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BRAKE SYSTEM AND FUEL HEATERS AND FILTER. THE TAG AXLE WAS REDESIGNED. THE NEW DESIGN USED SMALL WHEEL BEARINGS. THE LOAD RATING FOR THE SMALL WHEEL BEARING DECREASED BY APPROXIMATEL... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 14, 2006
GREYHOUND BUS FIRES- UNSOLICITED REPORT. *TS GREYHOUND CONFIRMED THAT THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF THE COACHES ARE RECURRING ORIGINATION POINTS FOR BUS FIRES: TAG AXLES AND BEARINGS, TURBO CHARGERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BRAKE SYSTEM AND FUEL HEATERS AND FILTER. THE TAG AXLE WAS REDESIGNED. THE NEW DESIGN USED SMALL WHEEL BEARINGS. THE LOAD RATING FOR THE SMALL WHEEL BEARING DECREASED BY APPROXIMATEL... Read more
Fire
MCI
102D3
(1997) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
May 31, 2006
Incident date: Apr 14, 2006
GREYHOUND BUS FIRES- UNSOLICITED REPORT. *TS GREYHOUND CONFIRMED THAT THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF THE COACHES ARE RECURRING ORIGINATION POINTS FOR BUS FIRES: TAG AXLES AND BEARINGS, TURBO CHARGERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BRAKE SYSTEM AND FUEL HEATERS AND FILTER. THE TAG AXLE WAS REDESIGNED. THE NEW DESIGN USED SMALL WHEEL BEARINGS. THE LOAD RATING FOR THE SMALL WHEEL BEARING DECREASED BY APPROXIMATEL... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 14, 2006
GREYHOUND BUS FIRES- UNSOLICITED REPORT. *TS GREYHOUND CONFIRMED THAT THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF THE COACHES ARE RECURRING ORIGINATION POINTS FOR BUS FIRES: TAG AXLES AND BEARINGS, TURBO CHARGERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BRAKE SYSTEM AND FUEL HEATERS AND FILTER. THE TAG AXLE WAS REDESIGNED. THE NEW DESIGN USED SMALL WHEEL BEARINGS. THE LOAD RATING FOR THE SMALL WHEEL BEARING DECREASED BY APPROXIMATEL... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 14, 2006
GREYHOUND BUS FIRES- UNSOLICITED REPORT. *TS GREYHOUND CONFIRMED THAT THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF THE COACHES ARE RECURRING ORIGINATION POINTS FOR BUS FIRES: TAG AXLES AND BEARINGS, TURBO CHARGERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BRAKE SYSTEM AND FUEL HEATERS AND FILTER. THE TAG AXLE WAS REDESIGNED. THE NEW DESIGN USED SMALL WHEEL BEARINGS. THE LOAD RATING FOR THE SMALL WHEEL BEARING DECREASED BY APPROXIMATEL... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 1, 1901
DEFECTIVE AIR BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON MCI D4500 BUSES.*MR IF THERE IS LESS THAN 90 PCI IN THE AIR SYSTEM THERE IS AN AUDIBLE BUZZER AND THE HAZARD LIGHT ILLUMINATES INDICATING LOW AIR. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK UNTIL THE AIR PRESSURE IS ALMOST "0" ON THE MANOMETER ON THE DASHBOARD. *BF *NM
MCI
RENAISSANCE
(2001) — TIRES:SIDEWALL
Mar 24, 2003
Incident date: Feb 14, 2003
TIRE PUT ON 11/5/02 AT 158,624 MILES. FAILED AT 175,576 MILES. MOTOR COACH WAS TRAVELING FROM BARABOO, WI TO MILWAUKEE, WI. DRIVER HAD NO ADVANCE WARNING WHEN RIGHT FRONT BLEW OUT, AT 65 MPH. VEHICLE DIVED TO THE RIGHT, BUT DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND MOVE THROUGH TRAFFIC TO SHOULDER AREA. *JB
INDSHIELD WIPERS OFTEN HAVE TO BE STARTED FROM OUTSIDE OF BUS