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 ›

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Showing 33,200 complaints for MERCEDES-BENZ

Incident date: Aug 21, 2023

Incident date: Aug 17, 2023

The torque converter on my 2018 Toyota Rav4 failed and needed to be replaced according to the Toyota dealership. As an experienced driver, I became aware that something was not right with the drivetrain which prompted a service appointment at my local dealership. The problem was detected early and the torque converter was replaced by the dealer at a cost to me of $3,300. If I had not noticed this... Read more

Incident date: May 25, 2023

My daughter was driving on the interstate and her car lost power while driving. This is a major safety issue. A car losing power in the middle of 80 or higher mph traffic could result in fatalities.

Incident date: Aug 18, 2023

My daughter was driving on the interstate and her car lost power while driving. This is a major safety issue. A car losing power in the middle of 80 or higher mph traffic could result in fatalities.

Incident date: Aug 11, 2023

In the last 4 years the battery has had to be replaced 3 times. Each time the car runs great then is shut off and the next day won't start, no lights and can't even get into the car without the key. The vehicle can't be jumped or battery charged, everything is dead. Upon replacing the battery everything works fine for about 2 years.

Incident date: Aug 14, 2023

Active Emergency Stop Assist Currently Unavailable and Active Blind Spot Assist Inoperative.

Incident date: Aug 14, 2023

Premature starter failure as noted in TSB 07-198-21 due to failed clutch in starter motor. Only had 35, 750 miles. Defective starter. Issue known to Subaru. Could leave drivers stranded and at risk. This known/ common starter motor failure problem should be a recall.

Incident date: Aug 14, 2023

Incident date: Feb 12, 2020

WATER PUMP FAILURE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BY THE TIME I COULD PULL OFF THE FREEWAY (1 MINUTE) THE ENGINE HAD STALLED AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND LEARNED THE PUMP FAILURE HAD ALLOWED WATER AND OIL TO MIX THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINE. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. TOTAL COST BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS READY: OVER $11,000

Incident date: Aug 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacture... Read more

Incident date: Aug 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after the manufacturer performed Service Campaign 993 (Inspect & Anti-Theft Software Upgrade) the vehicle failed to shutoff as needed. Additionally, the alarm was activated while starting the vehicle. The contact disconnected the battery to shutoff the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where pliers were used to remove the ... Read more

Incident date: Aug 10, 2023

Purchased as a CPO directly from a local dealership. Vehicle has experienced multiple (10+), seemingly random failures of the Electronic Stability Control, Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Active Break Assist under varied driving and weather conditions. On two separate occasions (one at 15+ mph and the other at 65+), these system failures were accompanied by a brief "limp mode" and immed... Read more

Incident date: Aug 10, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear second passenger’s side seat belt was faulty. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the rear second passenger’s side seat belt to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage... Read more

Incident date: Aug 10, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag failed to turn on while the front passenger's side seat was occupied. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known issue, and that the front passenger's side seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not ... Read more

Incident date: Aug 15, 2023

On at least 5 occasions the car has not restarted after going into auto idle while stopped. Normally after pressing the brake pedal all the way down while stopped, the engine will shut off and then restart after releasing pressure from the brake pedal. When it doesn't restart, all the lights on the dashboard come on and you can't do anything. It won't restart if your press the start button and you... Read more

Incident date: Aug 3, 2023

While traveling on I-85N at 70mph, the front passenger tire suddenly came apart from both sidewalls. The tire is a EVOLUXX CAPRICORN 4X4 HP, 255/50R20, 109V, XL. The tire blow-out only caused minor damage to the inner wheel well shroud.

Incident date: Feb 25, 2023

at 45.000 miles all of my fuel injectors was replaced due to emission system problem appear on my dash board for free. At 97,000 miles we were on vacation in Houston TX, when the same emission system problem pop up on my dash board. I went to Honda dealership for engine diagnosis-"faulty fuel injectors". Sad thing the replacement fuel injectors are back ordered. So we left the vehicle behind in Ho... Read more

Incident date: Feb 25, 2023

Steering wheel sticks and you are not able to change direction without using excessive force. This happens when driving at highway speeds and seems to be worse (more force needed to turn wheel) at higher temperatures, 80+. The sticking steering causes you to oversteer and may cause you to lose control of the vehicle and crash.

Incident date: May 1, 2023

Windshield cracked and was replaced and has now cracked again. No apparent impact noticed. Not covered under warranty.

Incident date: Aug 14, 2023

As I review events in chronological order, I see that a possible disconnect might be caused by clumping the symptoms together and treating as the “death wobble,” when in fact I may be experiencing two separate issues, the first being a failed steering damper and the second being caused by possible bad ball joint[s]. I first started to experience an issue around 7,000 miles in where the Jeep wo... Read more

Incident date: Aug 16, 2023

On July 31,2023, approximately 8PM, I was driving my 2017 Subaru slowly as I made the 90degree turn into my driveway. Midway up the driveway, the car suddenly —on its own—spontaneously accelerated , burst through the half open garage door, across the garage, and crashed through the garage wall into my family room—bulldozing through two sheets of plywood and large pieces of firewood in t... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Aug 2, 2023

GM has known about the issues with their transmission in the 2014 -2017 Buick Enclave models. They were found under NHTSA Technical Service Bulletin: 18-NA-358 dated October 2020. I have reported this problem to GM, with the information that they requested. The issue here is that the manufacturer currently has a class-action lawsuit filed against it and will have another if they refuse to acknowle... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Aug 2, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle down shifted independently with the check engine and power train warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and shut off the vehicle. After several attempts the contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle would only shift into drive. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the c... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 2015

Had oil changed July 5, 2023, Aug. 14 check engine light came on. Took it to shop and was told Hyundai vehicles are burning oil in the engine and the diagnostic code came back as Catalytic Convert and had to add oil. Have oil spots all over my drive so was told to check oil and make sure it's not low and see if light comes back on. Repair shop checked for recalls and found none for this car, yet. ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated while driving 60-62 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light, the traction control warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact was able to continue driving. The deal... Read more

Incident date: Jul 17, 2023

UKNOWN. DUE TO NHTSA Recall Number 23V215 we are unable to use the front passenger seat of the car. This recall was reported March 29, 2023 and at almost 5 months has no remedy. VW has failed to remedy this safety recall in a timely manner.

Incident date: Jul 17, 2023

In May 2023 a black plastic portion of the roof blew off the car. The plastic part that blew off was around the sunroof. There was no wind or blow to the car or anything like that; there was no prior warning or error message; there were no symptoms in advance. The part simply blew off the vehicle. The part is not available for inspection. Others were put at risk because the portion that blew off ... Read more

Incident date: May 4, 2023

EPS stopped working. The truck has less than 40,000 miles on it.

Incident date: Jul 16, 2023

This 2023 GLC, a newly redesigned model, has a number of issues. The two most severe are the adaptive speed limit and the lane keeping assist. I had to disable the traffic sign recognition feature because I was on I-95 in Maryland where the posted speed limit was 65. The car abruptly slowed me down to 35 because it saw an exit sign speed limit but I was not on the exit. I was lucky the car beh... Read more

Incident date: Jul 16, 2023

I bought my Honda new in 2016 from Space Coast Honda in Cocoa, Florida. It had 0 miles. Since 2016 I have had 5 separate issues with the air conditioner, and have had to repeatedly go back to Space Coast Honda. They released a warranty for the condenser, but refuse to acknowledge problems with the evaporator. There are many many people with a 2016-2018 Honda Civic who experience issues with the ev... Read more

Incident date: Jul 16, 2023

While driving with autopilot at 65mph, a vehicle 500 yards in front of me was turning left. My car suddenly braked to avoid it.

Incident date: Jul 30, 2023

Brand new car that had less than 1500 miles on it, one day went to start it while 20 miles away from home and error messages in dash and beeping "48V battery error, do not change transmission position, reduced functionality of driver assistance features...etc." and car would not start, could not turn steering wheel.

Incident date: Jul 30, 2023

ABS Module failed. Lost abs function. Lost traction control and cruise control i also got 2 warning lights in the dash for ABS and traction control. Was confirmed by genes Chrysler Ram of fairbanks AK. First appeared July 24th 2023

Incident date: Jul 30, 2023

I push my start button and it makes the starting nose and after a few minutes it starts and when I go to move it stalls out and then won't start again or starts and stalls again. But the next day drives fine. And it has been happening now for months even after we fixed the high rich codes it was giving out but now there's no codes appearing.

Incident date: Aug 8, 2023

While driving on highway at 75 mph, the car began slowing down and an alert on the screen said "Stop. Switch off vehicle". Then the alert on the screen showed that the 48 volt system needed to be recharged. The car would not start and had to be towed to the dealership. The dealership says the car was out of gas, but the gauges did not indicated that the fuel was empty, so they will reset all of... Read more

Incident date: Aug 8, 2023

Intermittent starting issues for 5+ years, multiple repairs with no resolution

Incident date: Aug 8, 2023

The right side emergency brake engauged on its own after stopping had to reset the emergency brake to move again

Incident date: Aug 11, 2023

A/C was not working as a result of condenser (covered by warranty) and evaporator (not covered by warranty.). Considered a safety hazard due to unusually hot summer where heat related dangers could be caused without A/C. I found myself driving in 110 degree weather in a 45 minute commute where I felt nauseous after. The a/c is a common problem for many 2016 and later Hondas. My vehicle was inspec... Read more

Incident date: Aug 7, 2023

In differing lighting conditions, the forward-looking sensor that controls my frontal assist becomes disabled. The system automatically retests itself occasionally, and sometimes straightens itself out but on other occasions, it just makes a bell sound, and reminds me that my frontal assist is not available at this time. I have brought this to the attention of my Volkswagen dealer in Kalispell Mon... Read more

Incident date: Feb 10, 2023

The vehicle has, on numerous occasions, gone into a "Check Right Front Turn Lamp" or "Check Left Front Turn Lamp" while operating the turn signals. Vehicle then goes into "hyperflash" on the turn signal indicating a fault when the error message appears and renders the signal non-functional. Vehicle does not return to normal until it is shut off and restarted. Vehicle was taken to dealer for ser... Read more

Incident date: Feb 10, 2023

Incident date: Jun 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started jerking. The following day the vehicle failed to start. No warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that while reversing, the back over prevention camera screen went blank screen and the instrument cluster lights failed to operate as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle... Read more

Incident date: Jun 16, 2023

Incident date: Aug 5, 2023

My car’s check engine light came on and my vehicle shut off while I was driving at 40-45 mph on the highway. It has repeatedly done this. I contacted dealership immediately and was told there is a recall for my vehicle coming out on 08/25/2023. My vehicle isn’t safe to drive and they did not have a repair available or solution available. I reported problem to dealer on August 5, 2023

Incident date: Aug 5, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the body seal under the passenger’s side front windshield had pinholes. There was water entering the vehicle onto the floorboard. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was appro... Read more

Incident date: Aug 5, 2023

A low rumbling noise seemingly situated at the right front (passenger) tire started with no warning approximately two months prior; no warning lights came on, the car did not change its driving--only a low rumbling noise which increased in revolutions with acceleration and quietened with braking and when in neutral--emerged. I subsequently took the car to a local mechanic to evaluate if the brakes... Read more

Incident date: Aug 13, 2023

While waiting at a red light with my car stationary, the lane I occupied divided into two. I gently adjusted my steering wheel to the left, and in an unexpected turn of events, a dashboard indicator illuminated before my steering wheel rapidly veered to the right. This abrupt motion resulted in a collision with another vehicle, causing damage to both cars. Despite my attempts to avert the situatio... Read more

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Jun 9, 2023

I was driving on driver assistance mode. Instead of following the curve to my left-hand side, the car drove off the road and hit a power line pole on the passenger side. The car was totally destroyed. I reported to the company and asked for an investigation about the incident, but I was told that they couldn’t get the car and investigate it. I think for the driver assistance function, similar to... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jun 9, 2023

Vehicle after driving and shutting off, fails to start. Only having an audible click noise. Truck required to be towed to home. Battery provided sufficient voltage and shows to have continuity from starter relay to solenoid. Disconnected the negative battery connector overnight. After sitting unplugged from battery overnight and reconnecting in morning, the truck started 1st attempt, however now h... Read more

Incident date: Jun 9, 2023

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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