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.

2,215,138 Total Complaints

138,663 Reported Crashes

56,255 Reported Fires

8,561 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›

Clear

Showing 33,200 complaints for MERCEDES-BENZ

Incident date: Sep 10, 2023

Suffered a “ stop safely now” error message. The battery warning light came on. Vehicle was parked at the time and suffered this error which wouldn’t let me start or shift into gear. I already had the HVJB replaced last year, September 2022.

Incident date: Sep 7, 2023

While driving the "Service Shifter" warning appeared in the center cluster notification area repeatedly. There was reduced vehicle performance and a continuous chime alert from the vehicle. Turned the vehicle off, waited several minutes and then turned the vehicle back on and the "Service Shifter" warning appeared again with the continuous chime audio alert.

Incident date: Jul 20, 2023

The right side started clicking out of no where when I turn the steering wheel

Incident date: Sep 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 had not exp... Read more

Incident date: Sep 4, 2023

The adaptive cruise on the Mercedes has a habit of harsh braking during stop and go traffic. It's not a natural braking manev8, instead it's jarring and I feel like it could cause a rear end with how jarring it is. Many other users are experiencing the same.

Incident date: Sep 4, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image turned blue. Additionally, the image was distorted. The contact stated that the failure recurred while reversing. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage wa... Read more

Incident date: Sep 4, 2023

I OWN A 2017 HONDA PILOT EX-L. I KEEP UP WITH ALL MY MAINTENANCE AND VEHICLE MAINLY HAS HIGHWAY MILES. EMISSIONS SYSTEMS PROBLEM LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW. HONDA DID EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO COVER THIS ISSUE TO 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. MY LIGHT CAME ON WHEN MY MILEAGE WAS AROUND 171,000 MILES SO IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. LAST NIGHT... Read more

Incident date: Jun 8, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and sputtering and was consuming an excessive amount of coolant. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle was leaking coolant into the engine block. The contact stated that DTC Code:... Read more

Incident date: Sep 7, 2023

The vehicle locking system malfunctioned, locking itself with the keys inside the vehicle. The vehicle was in park, the engine was off, I was only out of the vehicle for 30 seconds to 1 minute in time while filling my gas tank. My dog was inside the vehicle, in the back with no access to door locks or keys, it was 90* outside, he was locked in the car for 30minutes until the fire department arrive... Read more

Incident date: Jul 17, 2023

The 2022 and 2023 toyota tundra trd pro model comes out of the factory with the wrong alignment specs from the factory causing Excessive tire wear on the front tires resulting in unsafe driving tires. Toyota has been “fixing the alignment with the wrong specs resulting in not fixing it “ now they have the correct specs but not issuing a recall as they should .

Incident date: Jan 24, 2023

This appears to be a non compliant travel system that claims to be compliant. https://www.maternitymiracles.com/products/deluxe-3-in-1-baby-stroller-travel-system

Incident date: Sep 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and attempting to decelerate, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, but the vehicle failed to stop as needed. After pumping the brake pedal, the vehicle was able to come to a complete stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure wit... Read more

Incident date: Sep 2, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated while attempting to reverse out of a parking space, the rear-view camera display was foggy or displayed a distorted image. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bu... Read more

Incident date: Sep 4, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the alarm erroneously activated. The contact clicked on the key fob to disarm the alarm however, the alarm failed to turn off. The contact walked outside to the vehicle and noticed that the rear driver’s side window had shattered without impact. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not conta... Read more

Incident date: Jun 25, 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: Jun 25, 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: Jun 25, 2023

Incident date: Aug 14, 2023

While driving at about 25mph, the engine suddenly shut off without any warning. After the engine shut off the collision warning, battery and oil light indicators came on. The car remained in drive and started to roll backwards. When pressing the engine start button, nothing happened. After a few minutes the car was able to be restarted.

Incident date: Sep 6, 2023

Drivetrain malfunction warning comes on when the car runs for a few hours in the heat or when randomly driving. Sometimes the warning will clear itself after waiting a few minutes, but it might come back after a few minutes driving or not. In other instances, the drivetrain will not clear itself and will take more than a few hours. Took it to the repair shop 3 times and they indicated it could be... Read more

Incident date: Sep 6, 2023

Incident date: Jul 4, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while his wife was parking, she depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to stop. A message displayed on the instrument panel “Parking brake failure see dealer”. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a wall. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact’s wife sustained injury to her neck and shoulder. Medical attention... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Feb 6, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the low-beam headlights failed to provide adequate illumination while driving. The contact activated the high-beam headlights to be able to see the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the fa... Read more

Incident date: Jul 28, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH on a busy highway, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. During the failure, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that th... Read more

Incident date: Jan 19, 2021

Vehicles harness leading to auto dimming rear view mirror was defective and a wire split rendering all my braking capability. The ABS system felt like it was reversing the brakes EVERYTIME I stepped on the pedal. I hit my garage door because of this: Honda wanted me to pay to fix the wire because "I had a handicap plate that probably broke the wire" yet I never put my handicap placard on my mir... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jan 19, 2021

Crash

Incident date: Sep 6, 2023

The rearview camera on the Volvo continually freezes, is delayed to start or blacks out. Since I have had the car for the last year there have been multiple times a week where reverse is selected and the rearview camera loads, then when I start backing the camera image freezes two to three times before jumping and resuming normal operation. I've also experienced where the camera image is displayed... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2023

I was driving no warnings lights to shutting down on the road to black smoke came out of the back luckily a guy was going by and helped me move my car

Incident date: Aug 31, 2023

When locking and unlocking the doors or using the automatic lock when the car is in drive, the driver side sliding door either will not unlock at all (even manually) or when it automatically locks and unlocks it makes an aggressive vibration sound and does not work. I have to go through the passenger side sliding door to take the car seat out of the van. If it were an emergency and I needed to ope... Read more

Incident date: Sep 5, 2023

I have approximately 7K miles on my truck. The problem I am reporting is the omission of a warning light or some other method of warning if the tailgate which is electronically controlled by a button center near the console, central to and just above an area provided for storage of loose personal items, and also activated by a electronic key FOB which I keep in my pocket while driving. I have h... Read more

Incident date: Sep 5, 2023

Service ABS electronic brake indicator light continues to illuminate on various occasions. Dealerships has no answer for issue

Incident date: Sep 1, 2023

There is an active recall for the power train control module for this car but it is not showing up in the NHTSA list. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCRIT-18V524-1313.pdf identifies the specific recall for the powertrain control module for the Fiat 500X https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/FIAT/500X/SUV/2WD#recalls lists the recalls done for the vehicle and it does not list the powertrai... Read more

Incident date: Oct 19, 2022

Incident date: Apr 30, 2023

Honda Pilot 2023 Elite shows 15+ error messages on the instrument panel. Messages indicate emissions systems, breaking systems, power steering and various risk mitigation systems experiencing problems resulting in reduced performance. Errors show up when the vehicle starts and are easy to reproduce. Dealer has looked at the vehicle 3 separate times. Problem occurs again in few days after dealer vi... Read more

Incident date: Aug 1, 2023

Not just not repair for faulty fuel pump as they continue to mfg vehicles but has electrical issues going to limp mode without warning causing dangerous issues driving with no power and lack of operational system. Stellantis refuses to honor warranty or repair. Asked me to fix issues myself. A 50k vehicle I can't use and pay $900 per month.

Incident date: May 1, 2023

TIMING CHAIN RATTLE/ PRE MATURE FAILURE

Incident date: Aug 30, 2023

The airbag clockspring is defective. I know other years have a recall on the defective part. The cost of labor and the cost of the part is too expensive. I consider this a safety issue and feel like it should be under a recall like the previous model years.

Incident date: Aug 31, 2023

TELURIDE 2021 OWNERS MANUEL, PAGE 5-64, 5-63 AND THE KIA” FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS GUIDE. “PAGE 15, SHOWS DIRECTIONS FOR USING THE FCA, OR FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE. BUT THERE IS NO SUCH SAFEY OPTION IN THE CAR. FURTHER THE DRIVERS ASSIST - - - FORWARD SAFETY OPTION, SHOW IN THE OWNERS MANUEL, IS NOT ON MY ONBORD SCREEN. THERE IS NO DISCLAIMER SUCH AS “IF SO EQUIPPED”. FOR ME THIS ... Read more

Incident date: Apr 30, 2021

After coming to a full stop at a stop sign. I proceeded to hit the gas to enter the intersection. The vehicle left the stop sign fine but when I got into the middle of the intersection, the vehicle died. Had to be put in park and restarted. This is the 2nd time this has happened to me. Seems it possibly cause an accident if there was ever traffic coming from the opposite direction. Vehicle only ha... Read more

Incident date: Jun 28, 2023

The engine under caver

Incident date: Aug 31, 2023

The transmission was making noise and missing and the vehicle was not picking up speed.

Incident date: Sep 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air conditioning blower became inoperable, and the front windshield could not be defrosted, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. Also, the front driver's side seat adjustment became inoperable, and the seat could not be re-adjusted back and forth. Additionally, the driver's side and passenger’... Read more

Incident date: Aug 28, 2023

The steering nut is torqued to tight and it makes the handle bars stick and not rotate smoothly

Incident date: Aug 30, 2023

Warning that the cruise control function was not working. The the car would not go more the 5 miles an hour until it had switched out of 1st gear, it kept changing gears. I was scared to death of driving it. I had to use my emergency blinkers everytime I had to slow down and the try to regain speed. The transmission was making a clunk noise and the engine was reviving like crazy. I was afraid of b... Read more

Incident date: Aug 30, 2023

The concern is more of a cosmetic issue than mechanical. The paint or primer has a defect which is causing my vehicle to peel from the paint throughout the panels. Kia did decline the roof pillar when it first started but then the hood & left rear door is peeling. I paid out of pocket to have it repaired but other panels started to peel which it will not stop.

Incident date: Aug 21, 2023

Engine does while driving; when accelerator pressed there is often a delay of several seconds before the car speed will increase as the engine will rev but the transmission will not engage for several seconds. This is occurring sporadically but with increasing regularity. Dealer cannot find any error codes. Seems like it’s a fuel pump and/or computer chip issue.

Incident date: Aug 21, 2023

Due to a leak in either the sunroof or the windshield water continuously drips down every time it rains onto the floorboard of the driver side of this vehicle, creating a sopping wet floor board that has 2 inches of water, which in turn soaks the whole electrical system for this vehicle. I mean the water continuously drips from the time you purchase this vehicle until forever I guarantee that anyb... Read more

Incident date: Aug 21, 2023

Incident date: Aug 31, 2023

The "UCONNECT" touch screen infotainment system is delaminating which causes rapid and continuous "ghost" touches. This is extremely distracting and unnerving. This will occur on any screen. Radio, navigation, climate control, sos, etc. are all affected by this. When this occurs it is very difficult to concentrate on driving due to the rapid succesion of ghost touches.

Incident date: Aug 29, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving normally one day, the vehicle randomly lost power steering. There were messages for the brake assist and the rear sensors displayed. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering rack failed and... Read more

Incident date: Aug 29, 2023

Check engine light came on. 65,000 miles with documented regular maintenance. Took to dealership where i purchased the vehicle new. Engine code (P0172). Was told gas was getting into the oil and i would need a new high pressure fuel pump. This is a common issue and should be repaired free of cost.

Previous 1 2 3 4 5 ... 102 103 104 ... 663 664 Next

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

Consumer Safety Complaints

What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?

How to interpret what you read

If you've experienced a defect

Read more from our blog