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.
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
Showing 97,402 complaints for NISSAN
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
Lack of Access, Inability to Use Vehicle, Out of Pocket I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the ongoing issues that are being seen with the NHTSA recall campaign numbers 24V865000 and 24V623000 and the OTA (Over-the-Air) update process for my vehicle. The current OTA process left me needing to replace my 12-V and forced me to pay out of pocket to get a manual update installed, which... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
Lack of Access, Inability to Use Vehicle, Out of Pocket I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the ongoing issues that are being seen with the NHTSA recall campaign numbers 24V865000 and 24V623000 and the OTA (Over-the-Air) update process for my vehicle. The current OTA process left me needing to replace my 12-V and forced me to pay out of pocket to get a manual update installed, which... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, the "Depress the Brake pedal" warning light illuminated and the message "Brake Inactive" was displayed. The contact towed the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. An unknown brake part wa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2025
My 2018 Jeep Compass has an oil pump issue it seems. I read about previous scenarios and forums that had issues with this vehicle like mine. I would drive the vehicle and not within 5 minutes it will turn off half way down the road in the middle of an intersection that could have caused the lives of others and my child and myself. This vehicle is not safe at all! I have contacted and informed the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2025
My vehicle smokes when starting it. A lot of white smoke that can fill a parking lot. The smoke has a strong chemical smell.
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
The 10R80 transmission on a 2019 F150, with 56,000miles failed on multiple times. It would slip out of gear especially in the lower gears. It has even shifted from 10/9 gear into neutral and then back into 4 gear and stall on the highway. The transmission , make noise, grinds through t the gears all the time. The engine warring lights are on. The vehicle is unsafe to drive with transmission fail... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
The forward over cab section is separating from the primary house box because of extremely poor designed/engineered assembly process. The cheep screws used in production are breaking.
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
The forward over cab section is separating from the primary house box because of extremely poor designed/engineered assembly process. The cheep screws used in production are breaking.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
Passenger safety restraint system fault is occurring and Tesla service has noted this is a very common issue on the vehicles. It poses a risk to whoever is sitting in the seat since safety systems may not work or deploy airbags.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
Rear subframe is rotted out prematurely, other vins had this issue recalled but my vin was not included in the recall even though I have all the same issues as the vehicles that were recalled
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
A few weeks ago, I started noticing a purring, kind of sound coming from my vehicle when I would turn it on. I took it in to Chevy and they said there was a leak or a hole in the exhaust that they needed to be replaced for over $1600 and that wasn’t covered through warranty that it was normal wear and tear. My vehicle has 53,000 miles. They said that it’s common for a vehicle of over five year... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Car was driving fine went into a store came out a couple hours later car wouldn’t start. After jump starting it check engine light is on and AWD system failure reads across the dashboard. The 2 back doors no longer lock/unlock unless you do it manually. Drove car home it is now shifting funny like a hesitation or slipping feeling while driving. There’s a little over 15k miles on it.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Car was driving fine went into a store came out a couple hours later car wouldn’t start. After jump starting it check engine light is on and AWD system failure reads across the dashboard. The 2 back doors no longer lock/unlock unless you do it manually. Drove car home it is now shifting funny like a hesitation or slipping feeling while driving. There’s a little over 15k miles on it.
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
Rear differential failed at roughly 80,000 miles. Depending on failure, unexpected loss of traction or a locking up of the drivetrain could occur. We were lucky to catch it before then. Dealer confirmed issue with no clear cause. No warning lamps/messages/etc indicated that the part was failing. The only thing we noticed was increased highway noise, which could easily be ignored by someone who ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
Constant overheating , I have replace the cooling system 3 times
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
May 2023 we took the car to the GM dealership for a electronic recall. We reported a rattling noise at that point in time. Whatever repair was done that the car ran w/o any noise for nearly a year. April 2024 the catalytic converter failed at just 61K miles on this vehicle. The mechanic at the same dealership noted a broken mounting bracket and replaced the catalytic converter. October 24 202... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
On [XXX], I was pulling into my driveway when I heard a loud “clunk” and an error message came up on the dashboard saying “Check Electric Vehicle System.” I checked the 12V battery which was at 11.9 volts, so I first tried charging it with an external battery charger. However, the error message still came up, and when I tried driving on my street it was limited to 25 miles per hour, and ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
On [XXX], I was pulling into my driveway when I heard a loud “clunk” and an error message came up on the dashboard saying “Check Electric Vehicle System.” I checked the 12V battery which was at 11.9 volts, so I first tried charging it with an external battery charger. However, the error message still came up, and when I tried driving on my street it was limited to 25 miles per hour, and ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2025
Items inside bed caught on fire due to exhaust cleaning system getting so hot to burn off pollution in DPF pipe. Dangerous truck to drive contacted ford. No one contacted me. Other ford diesels caught on fire due to this. I’m retired military and don’t have money to buy 50k trucks. Only 80k on truck.
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
When riding down the road once the car heats up it jerks like it's going to cut off going down the road and you can smell has it has just recently started doing this.
Incident date: Jan 31, 2025
I was towing my 44'camper entering the highway and during excellration there was a loud bang and the truck shuddered no lights on the dash. Pulled over and did a visual check of the vehicle and did not see anything out of ordinary. Continued on our journey and during the the week noticed clunking noise when shifting into park and into drive with no camper. We shortened our trip and returned home w... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2024) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 28, 2025
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
The brake booster and ABS system failed requiring replacement of the entire system. A Toyota dealer service center examined the vehicle and deemed it unsafe to drive until the repairs were made. It was held for months due to part availability.
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2024) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 28, 2025
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
The low beam headlights are so dim they cause me to practically stop when faced with an oncoming car because I am not able to see. I am not able to drive this vehicle at night because of this. I have had the bulbs replaced but there is no improvement. From all I have read online it is a defective reflector. Please do something about this. It is an extreme safety issue to drive a car without headl... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2024) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 28, 2025
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
While using reverse camera system has burly image and grid lines in front and rear are missing with a light blue hour glass showing in the top left corner.
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2024) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 27, 2025
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
During braking the vehicle will lose braking force and “lurch” forward before regaining braking power. It usually happens at about 15-20mph decelerating. There are no warning lights associated with this. The dealer recommended we brake harder to prevent the issue. It still happens and the extra braking force leads to unnecessary wear on braking and suspension components. This caused us to have... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2024) - AIR BAGS
Feb 27, 2025
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not 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 expe... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2024) - STRUCTURE
Feb 27, 2025
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
In 2024 Grand Design repaired cracked welds and separated wall structures related to frame flex. One year later, the unit is back in the shop at Grand Design for the same symptoms, they updated there is a crack near pinbox and separation at bulkheads.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the same diagno... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
Emergency Call System Malfunction warning message showed up on dashboard. Got it diagnosed at a BMW Dealer and they said there is a leak with the sharkfin antenna that allowed water to seep in and short the telematics control unit. Quoted $2500 by BMW to replace and reseal antenna. In the event of an accident and the driver becomes unresponsive, the vehicle won’t automatically call emergency ser... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked at the residence, the contact raised the hood to inspect the engine and became aware that the coolant bypass valve was leaking coolant. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the coolant bypass valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was n... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
Horn Failure. Does not work at all. This in now the third time my horn has failed and requires replacement (again). In addition, FORD still does not have replacement parts for the A-FRAME recall. It is unsafe to be driving this vehicle.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The manufactured seat belt and alarm system failed. My seat belt alarm for the 3rd row rear seat fires intermittently while driving when the seat is empty (no one or no items are in the seat) since I purchased the vehicle. I had this issue evaluated at a Kia Dealership, but they ran diagnostics and "no codes" came up so they did not fix anything. The issue persists. Recently, I had my rear pass... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The manufactured seat belt and alarm system failed. My seat belt alarm for the 3rd row rear seat fires intermittently while driving when the seat is empty (no one or no items are in the seat) since I purchased the vehicle. I had this issue evaluated at a Kia Dealership, but they ran diagnostics and "no codes" came up so they did not fix anything. The issue persists. Recently, I had my rear pass... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, several unknown warning lights were flashing on the instrument panel. The contact stated that after receiving an oil change, the engine oil was low within a week. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where the oil level was topped off, and the contact was informed that the engine oil co... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
When I first start the car the engine revs and the tachometer or the RPM reader stays above 2 while reving for over a minute which is too long. The needle eventually goes to 1 but it seems like when I change gears to drive it "hits hard" then almost skids out and almost glides at times. It doesn't happen every single time but it happens often enough where I don't feel safe driving. The steerin... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Feb 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the RPM dropped, and the vehicle was unable to accelerate. The contact stated that the RPM then suddenly increased and the vehicle quickly accelerated. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who w... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2014) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Feb 26, 2025
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
Not power, lot blue smoke, excessive consumption of engine oil, noise in the motor, like something is broken in it.
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2014) - ENGINE
Feb 26, 2025
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
Not power, lot blue smoke, excessive consumption of engine oil, noise in the motor, like something is broken in it.
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2014) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Feb 26, 2025
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, smoke was coming from under the hood, entering the vehicle through the A/C vents. The local dealer was not contacted. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
Brake lights staying on and when pressing down on gas no acceleration. Car stalls and when pressing on gas again acceleration accrues.. very dangerous
Incident date: Feb 11, 2025
Brake lights staying on and when pressing down on gas no acceleration. Car stalls and when pressing on gas again acceleration accrues.. very dangerous
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
Lifter failure in the motor ALso, leaking in back window
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
Lifter failure in the motor ALso, leaking in back window
Incident date: Dec 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V763000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 not experienced a failure. Parts distributi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
We purchased our 2023 Taos in Jan of 2024. The vehicle had approximately 24,500 miles when a grinding noise began terminating from the rear wheels. At the time of appointment at Ontario VW vehicle had 25147 miles. we were told that the rear brakes were bad, at 0%, and the rotors were damaged as well. 1. Brakes on cars do not wear rear wheels first. The dealer admitted not that is not normal wear... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train), ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2025
Replacement of cracked head cylinder diagnosis completed by Mazda dealer Fred beans in Willow Grove Pennsylvania Mazda is claiming they cannot cover the repair cost due to carfax not reporting all my maintenance services. After speaking to mazda customer service they confirmed that it is illegal to use carfax as documented proof. I provided proof of the maintenance aka oil change that was not ee... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Kona. The contact was away from the residence for several weeks, and after returning, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact called for Roadside Service who was also unable to start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The dealer determined that the battery had failed and needed to be replaced, al... Read more