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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints

140,173 Reported Crashes

56,794 Reported Fires

8,580 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 2,245,377 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

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 33,654 complaints for MERCEDES-BENZ

Incident date: Apr 21, 2026

On two occasions I've attempted to have this recall work done at a Ford dealership. Today after holding the vehicle for the entire day, the service department at Koons Ford in Falls Church returned the vehicle without performing the recall replacement. Further, they did not notify me the work was not done leaving it to me to call to inquire as to whether the work was done. This is the second attem... Read more

Incident date: May 6, 2026

I purchase a 2019 CRV at 80.00 miles. it had problems in the first year. I was driving the car stop while was driving in a residential area with no warning sign. I have pics, the next things my rear view mirror fell down I just stop driving to tape it up, next my wire harness broke blacken my dash broad. After that my hatch back stay up it couldn't get it down I drove with it up until I got t... Read more

Incident date: Apr 2, 2026

During driving all safety systems shutdown and give warning of fault Has happened multiple times at different speeds.

Incident date: Jun 23, 2024

The vehicle exhibits multiple, unresolved safety-critical defects across software and mechanical systems that create an unpredictable and dangerous driving environment. Despite multiple repair attempts, the manufacturer has failed to certify the vehicle as safe for operation. 1. Critical ADAS Failures (Forward Collision/Lane Keeping): Automatic Emergency Braking (Pre-Sense): The vehicle suffers f... Read more

Incident date: Jun 23, 2024

Headrest on driver seat ejected at a stop and threw my wife’s head forward.

Incident date: Jun 23, 2024

Headrest on driver seat ejected at a stop and threw my wife’s head forward.

Incident date: Feb 5, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while stopped and attempting to turn to exit a highway ramp, he observed a loud banging noise emanating from the engine compartment. An "engine reduced power" message appeared. The vehicle then went into limp mode, and when the brake pedal was depressed, it was stiff as a rock. The vehicle coasted while he continued attempting to depress... Read more

Incident date: Oct 2, 2025

The vehicle experienced repeated engine-related failures associated with the P1326 error code, which indicates a potential engine defect. The issue first occurred around February 2023 at approximately 51,500 miles, when a warning light appeared. The problem has recurred multiple times despite inspections and service attempts. In January 2024, a dealership performed a software update related to th... Read more

Incident date: May 3, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while parked in his driveway, the rear hatch glass exploded without any contact. The contact stated that the window explosion was caught on video. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,252.

Incident date: May 1, 2026

My Pathfinder has 19798 miles and I was informed that the brake pads are 3mm or less need replaced and the rotor resurfaced. The front brakes are at 7mm at the same mileage. I do not tow anything and use for city and highway driving. My complaint is that at this rate I will have to change my rear brakes twice as often and have them inspected more often. The cost for brake replacement at twice ... Read more

Incident date: May 6, 2026

Unintended acceleration incident. I entered the parking lot of a business where the Salvation Army is located to drop off a donation. The parking spaces were on the left side. As I pulled into a parking space and was in the process of parking, the vehicle suddenly lurched/accelerated forward unexpectedly and struck the concrete wall of the building. The airbags did not deploy despite the frontal ... Read more

Crash

Incident date: May 6, 2026

The transmission has a history of harsh shifting and slipping. At 101,600 miles being told this is a known issue with the transmission and likely needs to be replaced.

Incident date: May 8, 2026

When slightly braking, steering becomes heavy and resistant. Steering is slightly vague. Sometimes the lane departing warning shows up stating “check lane departing warning system” on my dash.

Incident date: May 1, 2019

Instrument cluster anti-glare film or delamination on center and left instrument cluster. The film is wearing away in certain irregular sport and shapes. The overall wear is impacting the visibility to the center cluster under certain conditions leading to obscure visibility to important information, including vehicle speed or other warning light. It has been raised to the dealer, then to Porsch... Read more

Incident date: May 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Edge. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: (example: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) 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 con... Read more

Incident date: May 11, 2026

My cars check engine light keeps coming on and the first time it came on with an engine under boost failure and I took it to a 3rd party shop to get fixed and they had to replace the turbo charger. I paid $2500.00 for that. 2 weeks later the same light came on and they had to replace it again. Well now the light came on again after a month for the same thing and I am taking it back into the shop ... Read more

Incident date: Feb 11, 2026

My transmission shift cable disconnected and prevented me from shifting my vehicle into park which is preventing my vehicle from shifting or my vehicle even being able to start. When calling the recall hotline for Dodge they said that a remedy is not available and there is nothing that they can do to repair it temporarily until a permanent fix is available. This recall has been acti6since October ... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2026

I was driving vehicle and it all of a sudden get stuck in gear in either park gear or some other gear that wont allow me to turn engine off. Sometimes it just slow down to a stop and will not go into gear again for a while or appears the gears are not engaging putting me at risk for accident on highway. Once it slowed down in traffic and I nearly got hit trying to drive it off the highway. The gea... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed engine, lane departure modular and the brake master cylinder. The contact was informed that the engine, lane departure modular and the brake master cylinder needed to b... Read more

Incident date: Apr 24, 2026

My 2019 Ford F-150 was subject to Safety Recall 21B10. In June 2021 the dealer documented the cam phaser issue but could not perform the repair. I received the recall notice in October 2021 and step one of the recall was completed in December 2021. In June 2023, still within mileage coverage and under warranty, I returned with the same complaint. The dealer acknowledged the problem and ordered pa... Read more

Incident date: Apr 24, 2026

Spontaneous windshield crack

Incident date: Apr 24, 2026

The air bag warning light illuminated when the front passenger seat was taken. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed air bag sensor. The contact was informed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the failure could be repaired, but it might not resolve the failure. The manufacturer was made aware... Read more

Incident date: Mar 30, 2026

The door and body moulding have become loose and are coming off

Incident date: Feb 11, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number. 26V237000 (Power Train) however the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced any failure regarding the unrepaired recall.

Incident date: Feb 11, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving on the highway, the vehicle began to unexpectedly drive slowly. The dealer was contacted ;however the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Incident date: Feb 11, 2026

First incident April 9 2024 not even a month after purchased. Vehicle dashboard lit up light a Christmas tree all warning lights while driving on highway. Vehicle shook and sputtered and turned off. The vehicle was serviced explanation given was loose spark plugs on a new vehicle. 2nd incident roughly month after recall repair for engine propulsion campaign. February 26 and 27 2026 . While dr... Read more

Incident date: Apr 30, 2026

THIS IS AN UPDATE TO EXISTING NHTSA ODI COMPLAINT #11735718 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, TXXI Theta II engine defect. UPDATE: On May 7, 2026, Hyundai Case Manager acknowledged in writing "Your case is important to us" and "2.4L THETA concerns" for Case #42623761. This is written admission the vehicle has the TXXI defect covered by warranty extension to 120,000 miles. I gave Hyundai 48 hours to... Read more

Incident date: Apr 30, 2026

I turned my car on one day and warning lights for all of my safety sensing features came up. Intermittently they work for a little bit. I brought it to the dealer, and they said that there was damage to the sensor, but there has been no damage to the front end of the car. Their reply was perhaps a pebble came up from the road while I was driving. It seems to me that that is a fault in the manufact... Read more

Incident date: Apr 23, 2026

While driving down the road goin around 45 mph all of a sudden my steering wheel got so stiff I could hardly steer the car off the road and out of traffic. I didn't hit anything, my power steering just stopped. I put the car into park and turned off the ignition after a few minutes I started it back up and my steering was back to normal. This has happened to me 2 times driving my 2016 Buick Lacros... Read more

Incident date: Apr 23, 2026

The Infotainment Head Unit (IHU) on my 2024 Volvo XC90 has experienced repeated total system blackouts, spontaneous power-cycles, and critical thermal failures while operating at highway speeds (46–77 MPH). The IHU displays a "Cooling Infotainment System" critical warning and fails completely, resulting in total loss of the federally mandated rearview/backup camera (FMVSS 111 violation), GPS nav... Read more

Incident date: Aug 9, 2023

4-28-2026 - Service ABS illuminated, Emergency Brake Warning Light Stays Illuminated, and Electronic Stability Control Warning stays Illuminated. Had it at dealer on 4-30-2026. They tested system and said ABS CONTROL MODULE was working but sensor was bad and there was a backlog or over 20,000 customers waiting for replacement OEM parts. Engineers developed a replacement in 2023 but the replacement... Read more

Incident date: Apr 28, 2026

The driver’s seat is making cracking, clicking, popping, and creaking noises from the lower seat frame, seat rail, or mounting area where the seat attaches to the vehicle body. The noise is most noticeable during braking, acceleration, turning, driving over uneven roads, and when shifting body weight in the seat. It feels as though the seat has movement or play, as if the seat rails, frame, or m... Read more

Incident date: Apr 28, 2026

Sunroof shade came off track while driving and I had to hold it the whole way home so I could see out the back window to safely drive. Upon research I found this is a common defect on the escapes and ford has done nothing to prevent this. Repairs cost thousands of dollars and this is not ok. This needs to be a recall to be fixed for all escapes affected.

Incident date: Apr 28, 2026

dash lights do not come on, the turn signals do not operate the horn does not sound. There's no display for speedometer or tachometer or odometer no reading for anything.

Incident date: Mar 2, 2026

The power steering and Stabilitrak systems intermittently fail while the vehicle is in operation. The issue occurs unpredictably, both immediately after startup and while driving. On several occasions, the systems have failed during turns, requiring sudden corrective action and increased steering effort to maintain control and avoid veering off the road or colliding with nearby vehicles. No warnin... Read more

Incident date: Mar 2, 2026

While driving at night, the LED headlight beams on my 2026 Subaru Uncharted GT exhibit excessive vertical oscillation/shaking after normal road impacts and bumps. The movement is significant enough to create a distracting flickering/bouncing effect within the driver’s field of view and reduces nighttime driving comfort and confidence. The condition is reproducible at all speeds and on normal ro... Read more

Incident date: May 2, 2026

I have been attempting to get recall 25S91 resolved at Cavender Ford of OKC in [XXX] since early March 2026. On March 3, 2026, my contact at the dealership [XXX] ) told me the repair would be completed within a few weeks. The recall exists because 'a B-pillar trim applique that detaches while driving can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.' This is exactly... Read more

Incident date: May 2, 2026

Oil has gas in it.

Incident date: Jan 30, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V162000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) and 19V632000 (STEERING), but the failure persisted. A month after the recall repairs were completed, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake warning light was illuminated and blinked, and the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The contact used forc... Read more

Incident date: Apr 30, 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV. The contact stated that while driving on the highway, the message "Caution: Vehicle will turn off soon" was displayed on the dashboard and the check engine light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to t... Read more

Incident date: Apr 30, 2026

Incident date: May 8, 2026

My car is a 2019 Audi Q8 3.0L V6 with only 41,831 miles. My emergency light went on and I brought it my locat Audi Dealer. The inspection revealed that the coolant pump was leaking internally, contaminating the entire vacuum system with coolant. This is not a maintenance failure or the result of owner neglect. It is a well-documented, inherent design defect in the EA839 3.0T engine platform that... Read more

Incident date: Aug 28, 2025

My 2021 Tesla Model Y HW3 experienced complete failure of all cameras, GPS, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Adaptive Cruise Control following the installation of software update 2026.8.6.1 — the OTA remedy update issued by Tesla for NHTSA Recall 26V283000. The vehicle was fully functional prior to this update. The failure was confirmed and reproduced by Tesla's authorized service center. The s... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2026

Transmission suddenly jerks into another gear and has randomly downshifted at highway speeds to lower gear including 1st gear, then fails to get back into 10th gear.

Incident date: May 4, 2026

I had the recall performed to reinforce the upper grille deflector on my truck because there was risk of it flying off at highway speeds. Last week driving down the highway my grille deflector flew off and had the car behind me not swerved, they would have been struck by it. I have an appointment at my dealership tomorrow.

Incident date: May 4, 2026

-Transmission locked - broken output shaft ring gear weld. -Yes its available for inspection. -Vehicle came to complete stop in middle of freeway as if emergency brake was applied unknowingly. Could be bad if going around corner or downhill -Problem confirmed by dealer -No -No warning signs or check engine light

Incident date: May 4, 2026

This 2022 Bronco Sport Outer Banks lost it's alternator pulley and that caused the serpentine belt to break. Since the vehicle could not be driven it was towed to Joe Myers Ford in Houston, TX. The dealer wanted a extremely expensive price, $1800.00, to replace the alternator and belt. The vehicle was offered to the dealer for trade to determine value and see if it was possible to upgrade to a ne... Read more

Incident date: May 7, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V789000 (Electrical System) and 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention) and 26V117000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that the remedy parts were not yet available. The ma... Read more

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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