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: Apr 25, 2023

The contact owns a 2000 Chrysler 300M. The contact stated that the lift support struts of the hood and the trunk had failed, causing the trunk and the hood to close on her head when raised. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Incident date: Sep 7, 2022

On two separate occasions on local roads while driving under 15 miles an hour I was drawing near an intersection and the car in front of me was actively turning onto a side street and I had ample distance from that car and my car suddenly decided I was about to get in an accident and slammed on the breaks. Its a good thing the cars behind me were responsible and were able to break in time or ther... Read more

Incident date: Apr 21, 2023

SAFTE CONCERNS: 1. Vehicle has sever severe pulsing/shaking/jerking behavior in motion. So far I have encountered this problem when the vehicle was under 20 mph; 2. Vehicle lightly pulsing/vibrating when braking and does not stop smoothly; 3. Stepping on the gas pedal for 100% acceleration, the vehicle only went up to 30~40% power. BACKGROUND: I purchased this vehicle (with 25miles shown) on 4/2... Read more

Incident date: Apr 21, 2023

When starting the car there was a loud audio pop that transitioned into a deafening static sound that I could not stop. I had to drive 80 minutes to the dealer with the windows down so I didn’t end up with hearing damage. The stereo could not be turned down or off. The volume knob would turn but the level showed as though it were turned off. After 80 minutes of it my ears were ringing and st... Read more

Incident date: Apr 21, 2023

Incident date: Apr 19, 2023

The check engine light comes on every time there is low fuel in tank. BMW will not address the issue even though there is previous recalls on earlier years. Please recall before someone is hurt or killed.

Incident date: Feb 10, 2023

Lower control arm bracket failed. Yes available for inspection. The adaptive cruse lane assist function malfunctioned. Yes available for inspection. I was injured. Police inspected the wheel and called it into question a manufacture defect in the police report. Manufacture (Jeep) acknowledges it but has been unresponsive. No warning when the wheel assembly disengaged (wheel, brake, tie rod, con... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Apr 21, 2023

After a 170 mile trip in roughly 50F temperatures, I pulled into my destination and noticed 1 tire was rounded across the tread instead of flat. After closer inspection it is clear the tread is separating from the tire and the steel belt is visible. The tire was probably only minutes from completely blowing out. TPMS did not indicate any abnormal pressure or temperature for any tires, and the tir... Read more

Incident date: Apr 7, 2023

SRS Safety Issue: 2019 Subaru OUTBACK Limited purchased New on Jun 2019 from Austin Subaru in Texas. NO Accident or minor collision AT ALL. SRS warning light illuminate since Jan 2023, three and half years after purchase. No other warning light illuminate before. Front Passenger Seat SRS malfunction and falsely detect present or absent of passenger. The on/off status even alters during the ve... Read more

Incident date: Dec 12, 2020

Unknown other than I requested Vernon Chevrolet in CT repair my recall on January 2, 2023 but have yet to hear back

Incident date: Apr 14, 2023

This incident is related to the previous incident that I filed with NHTSA issue is 11514358 on March 28, 2023. I had my car serviced at Tesla service on April 14, 2023. I shared all the data and my complaint with the service center located at 22400 Davis Dr., Sterling, VA. I was told the issue is fixed. But, I had exactly the same problem: AI/Deep learning technology based Tesla Forward Collision ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 13, 2023

There is a "metal" splash guard (approx. 2ft x 2ft) under the engine that is secured by 4 steel bolts/screws and steel U-Clips. If the metal splash guard falls off it could puncture the gas tank, cut gas and brake lines or take someone's head off. This guard is more than just a piece of thin tin. The Bolts/Clips secure the metal guard to the remaining "plastic" splash guard under the rest of th... Read more

Incident date: Mar 13, 2023

I have an intermittent grinding noise coming from the rear brakes. I've had the vehicle to the Nissan dealership (Sid Dillon Nissan, Lincoln, NE) on three different occasions to address the problem. To date, they have been unable to find a problem. On one such visit, the mechanic heard the grinding noise but was unable to find its source.

Incident date: Sep 30, 2021

i have sing of transmission fault service now

Incident date: Apr 17, 2023

Fuel Tank Filler Hose Collapse - unable to refuel and vehicle remains stranded.

Incident date: Apr 17, 2023

Having difficulties to get our vehicle repaired by Ford Motor Company. Two out of three Safety Recalls for our car have not been solved. Attempts for arranging services have been made through online scheduling at our local dealership, as well as through contacting them by phone at different times, but still no final solution is been granted. First, DOOR LATCHES: Manufacturer Recall Number 20S3 & N... Read more

Incident date: Apr 15, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, she became aware of a coolant leak. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the coolant bypass valve to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 29, 2023

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK350. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the rear taillights became inoperable and would not illuminate as designed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 49,000.

Incident date: Mar 29, 2023

The contact owns a 1994 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was shaking with the brake pads abnormally grabbing. The contact stated that he had to lightly depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from shaking and the brake pads grabbing. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contac... Read more

Incident date: Oct 1, 2020

Incident date: Apr 3, 2023

The chassis on my truck is rusting apart.The truck has never been on the beach. I recently Had shocks replaced and this was pointed out by the mechanic. I went on line and found that this is a common problem. I .am the original owner. .

Incident date: Apr 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were 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 th... Read more

Incident date: Apr 16, 2023

The cruise control is activated by the slightest touch of the button. Running the heel of your hand over the button will activate it. The button acts like a screen touch rather than a button.

Incident date: Mar 18, 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that a few months after she purchased the vehicle, she noticed an abnormally strong gasoline odor inside and outside the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was inspected, but no failure was found. The contact stated that the odor became extremely strong. The vehicle was taken to... Read more

Incident date: Apr 17, 2023

Cross wind assist kick on for random reason, not able to disable this feature. It slams on the brake dropping my speed by 10MPH with vehicle almost rear ending me. At times it steers the vehicle in such a way that it almost fish tail.

Incident date: Apr 17, 2023

Car gears are sluggish when accelerating in between 15 to 25 mph. It does not accelerate and there is lag when accelerating stop to go.

Incident date: Apr 17, 2023

The Brake Actuator and Brake Accumulator were covered under a customer support issue until 5/18/22 On our car they are charging me $2600 to fix this issue. The car was at Toyota years earlier for a recall but Toyota never told us about this issue. That is not fair in my opinion. And now we are being charged $2600 to fix this issue Best [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFOR... Read more

Incident date: Apr 20, 2023

Car shuts down for no reason. At low speeds, the car shuts down, oil light, check engine light and battery ligh illuminate. Have to stop, place the car in park, restart engine and drive again but car keeps stalling

Incident date: Feb 8, 2023

Tesla removed the parking sensors and replaced them with a "Vision" system. My last Tesla has the parking sensors and the parking distance and chimes worked great. The new Vision system works rarely. I've run into stuff in the garage while parking, it doesn't sense walls, doesn't work in the rain, you have to wait for an extended period of time for it to "load" and it randomly doesn't work. Yo... Read more

Incident date: Apr 12, 2023

The display operates by itself. This is a known issue commonly called “ghost touch” and Mazda has issued service bulletins for 2014-2016 model year cars. Unfortunately other cars including my 2017 CX-5 are also affected. This is a safety issue as the navigation will stop working and the constant beeping from the ghost clicking is very distracting and can lead to the driver not focusing on the... Read more

Incident date: Apr 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the emergency brake and traction control warning lights remained illuminated, and the stopping distance was extended while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the hydraulic brake booster was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaire... Read more

Incident date: Apr 15, 2023

2014 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 17V-209. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AN 1.5 HOURS TO THE BEACH BACK AND FORTH THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACKED ENGINE AND OVERHEATING.

Incident date: Apr 18, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Sport Contact, Tire Size: 225/40/R19, DOT Number: LMJAD5UR (Front Tires) and Pirelli Tires, Tire Line: P Zero, Tire Size: 225/40/R19, DOT Number: 93X2Y082 (Rear Tires). The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware... Read more

Incident date: Mar 18, 2023

Stopped at left turn lane light. Light turns green and vehicle engine revolutions increase as I press on gas pedal but car does not move. Cars behind me lean on their horns and take evasive maneuvers to go around me. Car finally goes very slowly and transmission disengages in middle of left turn leaving vehicle in middle of intersection with oncoming traffic. Luckily everyone stopped and vehicle v... Read more

Incident date: Apr 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal; brake fluid was seen leaking from underneath the front passenger’s side wheel. Additionally, the vehicle would not immediately start while pressing the brake pedal and START/STOP button. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The... Read more

Incident date: Oct 20, 2022

While just entering the freeway my hood flew open at approximately 65-70 mph, hit and broke the windshield, causing me to run off the road. The vehicle exhibited no prior indications that the hood could fly up. The vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealership and we were told that we needed to contact Hyundai Customer Care that the dealership could not do anything until a Claims Manger contacted them... Read more

Incident date: Apr 15, 2023

When I turn left or right, I slow down to turn and when I accelerate after turning, the engine shuts down and the parking brake auto-engages. This has occurred twice in heavy traffic scenarios, endangering myself, my passengers, and the drivers behind me. According to blogs with posts of this same issue with other Ram 1500 owners, issue has not / cannot be reproduced due to its arbitrary nature of... Read more

Incident date: Nov 6, 2022

08 Apr 2023 vehicle hit a pot hole and we almost went into ditch when it began to wobble uncontrollably. We were traveling on the hwy and almost caused an accident to the vehicles behind us. Very frightening. 16 Apr 2023, hit a small pot hole vehicle began to wobble uncontrollably, took us again almost into the ditch. It occurred four more times trying to get home from airport. We scared traveli... Read more

Incident date: Mar 13, 2023

Just bought vehicle during march. Still Winter in Northern Michigan. And this month in April I've noticed with the warmer days the steering sticks directly dead center at highway speeds. And requires a bit of force to be able to maintain direction. Once getting it "unstuck" it usually causes oversteering. Causing panic and almost getting me pulled over numerous times. My drive is an hour home from... Read more

Incident date: Jun 10, 2022

My engine is having the same issue as the other Hyundai Engines that have an active recall for it. The piston oil ring recall. My car is consuming 1qt of oil in roughly 800-1000 miles and burning it into the exhaust. I fear this will continue and cause issues and possibly be a fire hazard like the recall states.

Incident date: Mar 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while doing a routine tire check underneath the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was corrosion under the rear driver’s side of the subframe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated there was a hole in the rear driver’s side mount. The contact was informed that the fuel strap mount on the front driver’s side an... Read more

Incident date: Apr 10, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gasket was fractured and had caused oil to leak onto the spark plugs. The mechanic diagnosed that the valve cover gasket and... Read more

Incident date: Apr 13, 2023

My brake line broke in three pieces while I was driving on the highway visiting my son I almost lost my life the brakes did not work all of the fluid came out thank God I didn’t die there was no sign on the dashboard also my brakes even when I change the pads the rotors and calipers they always make noise. I change brake pads every year and that’s not right I don’t think so. I always buy the... Read more

Incident date: May 2, 2022

2018 Forester: front windshield. Second crack in windshield in 14 months. First crack: A minor rock strike caused small crack in windshield, within several days, spider web of cracks evolved from initial small impact. Windshield was examined and replaced at Subaru dealership: cost: $1674.00. (02/25/22). (including eye sight system as needed) Second strike: 03/31/2023: Same scenario, small impact... Read more

Incident date: May 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 72 MPH with the cruise control activated, the cruise control button became stuck, causing the vehicle to accelerate unintendedly. During the failure, the cruise control could not be disengaged using the cruise control button or while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle would decelerate w... Read more

Incident date: Apr 11, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that the ABS, check engine, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that they could not diagnose the vehicle as the diagnostic link connector was missing from the vehicle. The contact stated that she verified that the diagnostic link connector wa... Read more

Incident date: Apr 11, 2023

The screen in the middle of Mazda vehicle starts selecting menu, change the radio station or selects/plays whatever it likes. It suddenly activates some functions on its own. Most likely similar issue as in this document - https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10164268-0001.pdf This is dangerous for the driver as the automatic change in the screen and menu items distracts the driver whic... Read more

Incident date: Apr 11, 2023

Incident date: Apr 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel became very firm, with the vehicle independently jerking to the right. The contact had to use excessive force to return the vehicle to center lane. The contact pulled off the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact s... Read more

Incident date: Apr 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after noticing that the seat heaters were inoperable, he saw that the heated seat module connector had melted. The contact also stated that the front passenger’s side seat controls were inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or a local dealer to be diagnosed or re... Read more

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Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

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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