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: Dec 15, 2022

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V663000 (Trailer Hitches) 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 manufacturer... Read more

Incident date: Dec 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while idling with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that cylinder #4 misfired, leading to engine failure. The contact attempted to reach the manufacturer, but his calls were not answered. The vehicle was not rep... Read more

Incident date: Jan 9, 2023

The contact owns 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the "Check Hybrid System - Turn Off Engine" message displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled. On two occasions, the vehicle shifted to LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the engine was replaced twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was file... Read more

Incident date: Jan 9, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and inadvertently decelerated to 10 MPH. The vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved fault code: P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System) an... Read more

Incident date: Jan 9, 2023

In early October of 2022, the engine failed in our 2018 Soul. We deposited the vehicle at the dealership service center and we’re told the engine failure was due to a recall issue. They placed an order to replace our engine and to this day, the engine has still not arrived, nor can the dealership inform us on when the engine is due to arrive. We have been passed around from department to departm... Read more

Incident date: Aug 23, 2021

Hi, the stereo sound on My Toyota highlander keep going in and out, I can start the car in the morning and the radio will work no problem but if I turn off the car or the radio sound or music will go away. after the car is off for about 3 to 4 hours period of time the sound will come back on when the vehicle is turned back on. This is the original Stereo system. Thank You

Incident date: Jan 8, 2023

At approximately 10:30 p.m. on January 8, 2023 I, and three passengers (my wife, and another couple), were completing a one hour drive returning from an event in southern California. We traveled on the freeways as we headed home. The speeds on those freeways average between 65 and 75 miles per hour with the flow of traffic. I exited the freeway and pulled up to a traffic light. I made a right turn... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: Jan 8, 2023

My steering becomes "sticky" at highway speeds. It causes you to constantly correct your steering. This started as a subtle thing. Gradually I noticed it is more and more difficult to keep my vehicle between the lines and it feels dangerous. Now, the problem is also occurring at lower speeds. In February 2022, I took it to the KIA dealer and had them check it out. They said everything was normal ... Read more

Incident date: Jan 8, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that upon returning to the vehicle, she noticed that her sunglasses case and tennis can located in the interior of the vehicle had been chewed. The contact stated that upon looking further, she noticed that the third row seats leather coating had been chewed. However, the contact had not transported pets on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken t... Read more

Incident date: Jan 10, 2023

Starting especially so on this date, and on occasion before this time, The vehicle would abruptly brake very aggressively when I was passing a semi truck with his emergency lights on or when perhaps passing a shadow or for no reason at all. I would have to slam on the gas to avoid a collision or being rear ended.

Incident date: Dec 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission module and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. While driving, the vehicle continued to jerk and there w... Read more

Incident date: Dec 23, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the engine misfired, lost coolant, and overheated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact also stated that the backup camera and ti... Read more

Incident date: Dec 23, 2022

On or about 9 am on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, I entered a parking garage facility and drove up the ramp and continued on a level parking area and begin to turn into a parking space beside a large cement column. Just as I entered the parking space at a low rate of speed without my foot on the accelerator, I experienced sudden unintended acceleration which caused the vehicle to narrowly miss the ce... Read more

Incident date: Nov 15, 2022

The Power Conversion System is failing, this makes charging the car difficult. The charge rate is reduced and charging fails without warning. There is no warning from the vehicle that the part is failing but instead says the power grid is the issue. The issue started while the car was still under warranty, but falsely claimed the problem was with the evse or the wiring to the evse. Had the failure... Read more

Incident date: Jan 9, 2023

Traveling at approximately 75 mph on interstate and check engine light began to flash, car lost power directly in front of tractor trailer, car was pulled over onto an exit ramp, car was rattling/knocking, brakes would not stop the car when applied. The car was moving slowly enough up the exit ramp that once it came to a stop it began to roll backwards. Unable to stop the car from rolling by app... Read more

Incident date: Jul 30, 2022

while driving in an emergency braking situation the car went left...so much so i lost control and spun 360 degrees. i thought that wasnt rite...upon investigation it turns out the right rear torque arm was no longer connected..the cradle or sub frame. it was rotted thru causing the arm to break off !!....car is not drivable and mercedes wont repair it... someone is going to get killed if it hasnt ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 30, 2022

Incident date: Jan 6, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes Benz GLK250. The contact stated while driving at a slow speed and seeking a parking spot, the vehicle accelerated independently and caused her to crash into a parked vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated she did not sustain any injuries and her daughter (front passenger side) was feeling dizzy ... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Nov 9, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being State Inspected, the vehicle failed due to a rusted subframe. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was sway coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. There was also a slight vibration coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufactur... Read more

Incident date: Dec 23, 2022

"Front Right Malfunction Service Required." Recently purchased vehicle, dealer performed recalibration before sale (error did not display during test drive or before purchase). 30 minutes after purchase notification popped up, dealer agreed to pay for repair. Took to non-purchasing Mercedes dealer, they were able to reproduce and quoted for $4179. Repair included seat replacement and height adjust... Read more

Incident date: Apr 28, 2022

The contact owned a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the dealer for 12 days for an oil change. The contact's son drove the vehicle 2 days later, at an undisclosed speed when the vehicle started smoking from the engine. The contact's son pulled over when the vehicle caught fire completely. The fire marshals came out to extinguish the fire, there were no injuries... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Dec 12, 2022

The manufacturer service dealer (Mercedes) has been unable to clear a VIN recall notice, even though they say it has been updated. The system still says it's recall. They have had the vehicle for almost 30 days, and have not been able to fix the issue. The recall is for a software update, and the dealer says they've done everything at Mercedes of Ft Lauderdale, and the Manufacturer, (Mercedes) ... Read more

Incident date: May 9, 2022

I was driving on a highway at between 60 & 65 mph, the wheels crossed an expansion joint in the highway and the steering started vibrating and violently and shaking from side to side. It felt like both wheels were bouncing long after I crossed the joint in the road. I almost lost control of the vehicle. I had to slow down and upon doing so the shaking abated.

Incident date: Dec 23, 2022

UNKNOWN There are recalls for the vehicle and the Kia dealership hasn’t sent any letters notifying I had to find out online.

Incident date: Jan 9, 2023

Mercedes no longer supports the sos ( tel-aid) system, so this system no longer works...each time you start the car, the sos inoperative warning light is on, and it blocks other safety features ( speedometer etc..). You have to reset the light each time you get in the car. Without the support of the system there is no emergency alert theft tracking ,airbag deployment sent to MB etc etc. Mercedes n... Read more

Incident date: Jan 9, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had... Read more

Incident date: Jan 9, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the AWD warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and the warning light turned off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where there was no evidence of corrosion, but lithium grease was added after inspecting the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle w... Read more

Incident date: Feb 18, 2022

Something is malfunctioning in the steering of this car...About a month ago I was driving my car and noticed it would not accelerate, it kept stalling but not shutting off, as well as it was swerving on it's own with the slightest bumps in the road, and I am not able to control the steerring. I called the service dept. at Colter Infiniti in Mesa Az where I purchased it and they towed it to the... Read more

Incident date: Jan 9, 2023

Water is entering my tail light without a crack or hole anywhere.

Incident date: Jan 9, 2023

On four occasions my car has stalled while in traffic very early in my ownership and then it happened again today with my family in the car and nearly caused an accident. The entire dash lights up with every warning when it happens. Sometimes the check engine light comes on after I shut the car off and restart it. My Mercedes dealer has had it in multiple times for this reason. The last time i... Read more

Incident date: Jan 9, 2023

5.3l v8 model needs to be added to the PI1384A campaign. recently fried my fuseblock because the relays melted. i am an ase certified technician For Firestone complete auto care, this is the exact problem that all ls4s will face.

Fire

Incident date: Jan 9, 2023

Since I bought the car in 2018, the car has stalled two times while I am driving on the road. That was very dangerous because other drivers almost hit me from behind. The first time I had the problem, the Toyota dealer told me that it was likely caused by bad gas. It happened again this time today. I am bringing it to the dealer again, but likely not able to get a solution. At the same time, I am... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 2023

The vechicle was recalled for door locks that failed to work. Within weeks 3 of the automatic windows failed. One of the windows won't stay closed and can be easily opened by anyone simply pressing on the window and pushing it down. Its impossible to lock the vehicle for protection. The other windows won't roll down its impossible to use them to exit the vehicle in an emergency.

Incident date: Jan 1, 2023

The car was suddenly stopped by the automatic braking system at a time when there was nothing else around me and I was moving forward under normal driving conditions. This happened during acceleration around 20-25 mph. Thankfully, there was no one behind me as that might have caused a rear end collision.

Incident date: Dec 21, 2022

2017 Mercedes Benz GLC 300 Coupe 27,700 miles. I was driving on MD I-95 when the Power Steering Malfunction warning light came on and I lost power steering. I got off the next exit. Steering was very difficult especially when the car slowed. The Mercedes Benz dealer is replacing the electronic steering power control unit, power steering motor and steering rack. Cost $4910. Mercedes Benz has h... Read more

Incident date: Dec 29, 2022

there’s a recall, and I need it fixed asap, i called mercedes and they said they don’t know when they’ll be able to do it, that it could take “years” ??????

Incident date: Nov 11, 2022

Failure of seals and or bearings in the electric motor causing coolant to leak into the electric motor, creating an internal electrical fault, seizing electric motor.

Incident date: Nov 11, 2022

Failure of seals and or bearings in the electric motor causing coolant to leak into the electric motor, creating an internal electrical fault, seizing electric motor.

Incident date: Jan 6, 2023

These cars have a known wrist pin failure, mercedes refuses to cover the cost of repairs as its not a recall. My vehicle is the specific model and year this is known for, and my car is making these piston slapping sounds, worse everyday. Worse on deceleration, goes away when warmed up, just like the reports. I am afraid I'll lose power while driving and hurt myself or others.

Incident date: Jul 7, 2022

This recall was issued on July 7, 2022, nearly 6 months ago. The recall involves a sticker. This vehicle is rented out on Turo. Turo delisted this vehicle due to this open recall costing us over $1,000 in lost rental income for our business. Payments on this van are nearly $800/month. This is causing enormous financial pressure on our business with no end in sight. We do not believe it shoul... Read more

Incident date: Dec 29, 2022

Malfunction of rear subframe and control arms due to rust causing the subframe to crack. When breaking the rear wheels swerved almost causing a collision on the highway. My mechanic inspected the car and deemed it unsafe for driving as this can cause injury or death to me and others. The car is currently being repaired. This problem is being ignored by MBUSA, however MB in Europe acknowledges ... Read more

Incident date: Dec 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated he noticed an abnormal fume odor entering through the air vents of the vehicle. The contact self-diagnosed the vehicle as having a fuel leak from the fuel pump. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000... Read more

Incident date: Dec 1, 2022

Incident date: Mar 1, 2020

I needed a new electric motor. It was covered by the warranty but would not be if it fails again, and it's known to happen again. This is a very common issue with the Mercedes B250E from 2014-2017. I believe this should be a recall. The cost to consumers for repair is around $20,000. There is a problem with coolant leaking into the electric motor causing it to fail. see all the other owners on t... Read more

Incident date: Nov 20, 2021

The brake lines and subframe were completely rusted and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. Dealer confirmed at regular service appointment. I have documentation and competed all regular maintenance. Dealer would not cover costs for what appears to be a major defect. I had another shop replace the brake lines and subframe.

Incident date: Nov 20, 2021

Incident date: Dec 19, 2022

1. The component that failed was the rear subframe for the rear transaxle and wheel suspension system. It was inspected by a licensed MB service department and determined the drivers side of the rear subframe had rusted completely through and was separated from the frame. The passenger side of the rear subframe was also severely rusted and at risk of breaking. The subframe is currently being repla... Read more

Incident date: Nov 16, 2022

The roof panel on my car separated from the body of the vehicle during normal highway driving. This failure is similar to recent prior recalls on other Mercedes Benz models where, due to failed glue bonding, sliding panels on those models detached from vehicles during driving conditions. At least one news article described those component failures as being due to a "defect." In my case, the ent... Read more

Incident date: Dec 21, 2022

I have an emissions related Check Engine Light (P052E71) relating to the Evaporative/Crankcase ventilation system. I think this should be a Recalled/Warrantee item on the 10 year/100,000 miles federally mandated guarantee. Please advise...

Incident date: Dec 21, 2022

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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

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