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: Jul 3, 2023
There was a pump in the heart of the transmission. The dealer said told me that was leaking fluid. Apparently this was a faulty hose within the transmission which leaked fluid in the transmission. Therefore, my transmission died. This was a severe I could have been a very dangerous situation if my kids had been in the car. I’ve had to pay almost $8000 for the transmission to be fixed and yeah I ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
Drivers side door inner shell became unwelded. Ford released a TSB technical service bulletin about it, but refuses to call it a recall. Out of pocket $1500
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
The contact rented a 2009 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving 65-75 MPH with cruise control mode engaged, the vehicle became uncontrollable and swerved to the right independently. The contact did not recall whether a warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to swerve back to the left, the vehicle rolled over four times and landed on the wheels. The air bag... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that an independent mechanic had replaced the battery and the alternator twice due to battery drainage failure; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle required to be jumpstarted regularly. Additionally, the contact stated that the passenger's side running light and side-view mirror light, and the tailgate release ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2024
Serious Safety Hazard: 2024 Hyundai Tucson Power Steering Failures I have had numerous power steering failures while this driving vehicle. During these incidents, the steering wheel is extremely difficult to turn. This is a serious safety hazard which could lead to a severe accident and loss of life. During each incident occurrence, I noted a red steering wheel with an exclamation point was displ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2024
Hello I Just wanted to check if my vehicle was ever in a crash. 2/29/24 VIN. [XXX] 03 Toyota Tacoma 2WD 4 cyl. EMail is [XXX] Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Jan 14, 2024
The drive door is consistently not locking properly and the door latch sensor is not reading when the door is shut properly. Causing a "door ajar" and "transmission not in park" warning to pop up while driving. Also, my car alarm goes off several times a day and several times all through the night due to the door sensor not working properly. The doors not locking is a huge safety risk. The interio... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2024
The drive door is consistently not locking properly and the door latch sensor is not reading when the door is shut properly. Causing a "door ajar" and "transmission not in park" warning to pop up while driving. Also, my car alarm goes off several times a day and several times all through the night due to the door sensor not working properly. The doors not locking is a huge safety risk. The interio... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2024
The drive door is consistently not locking properly and the door latch sensor is not reading when the door is shut properly. Causing a "door ajar" and "transmission not in park" warning to pop up while driving. Also, my car alarm goes off several times a day and several times all through the night due to the door sensor not working properly. The doors not locking is a huge safety risk. The interio... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
After purchasing my 2007 Pontiac G6 from a private seller, I quickly noticed a significant decline in steering responsiveness within just four days. A mechanic later confirmed that the entire steering rack needs replacement, and the cost of this exceeds the current value of the vehicle itself. This abrupt failure of such a critical component renders the car unsafe to drive. The specific component... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Airbags did not deploy on time of the accident that I was very injured and hospitalized for 4 days in the iCU
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
I have a 2018 Honda Accord 1.5t Sport. It has 113,000 miles on it. And I took it in for a diagnosis due to an inspection made by Walmart and I was told by the Honda dealership I have a blown head gasket. After much research and discovery, I found out this is a common and typical issue with this model car and that Honda corporation knows about it but refuses to issue a recall. I never experienced a... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2023
I was driving on the highway going 70MPH in 6th gear. Myself, my wife, and my 6th month old son were on our way to a doctors appointment when in the middle lane on the highway my truck decided to completely downshift into 1st gear. With doing so my truck locked up and I lost control of the vehicle almost colliding with a semi. I was very lucky to not have wrecked and got onto the shoulder safely w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2023
I was driving on the highway going 70MPH in 6th gear. Myself, my wife, and my 6th month old son were on our way to a doctors appointment when in the middle lane on the highway my truck decided to completely downshift into 1st gear. With doing so my truck locked up and I lost control of the vehicle almost colliding with a semi. I was very lucky to not have wrecked and got onto the shoulder safely w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2023
I was driving on the highway going 70MPH in 6th gear. Myself, my wife, and my 6th month old son were on our way to a doctors appointment when in the middle lane on the highway my truck decided to completely downshift into 1st gear. With doing so my truck locked up and I lost control of the vehicle almost colliding with a semi. I was very lucky to not have wrecked and got onto the shoulder safely w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
My windshield just split across the driver side in my brand new 2024. I just made the first payment last week. My 2021 did the same thing and had 11 different places it cracked. It's as if anything touches them they split!
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V3858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V3858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
On Friday evening, February 23, 2024 , I pulled onto my driveway and came to a complete stop before driving into the garage . I reached up and hit the garage door remote. When the door began to go up I took my foot off the brake. Instead of creeping up the driveway the car took off like a proverbial "bat out of hell" It was as if I had pushed the accelerator compltely down.to the floor board. ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 2, 2023
Due to an inability of the Buick auto manufacturers to provide parts to my 2022 Enclave, after becoming disabled to drive in auto accident..since November 27th, enduring a 3 month wait with rental car fees, and emotional stress strickly because unable to obtain parts! How does a company sell a car without the ability to pro ide ANY customer service in a timely manner.. I've made 4 car payments w... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The Hydraulic Control Unit Chrysler part number 68143491AA failed and has not been replaced yet. This causes the Anti-lock braking system and Traction control system to no longer function limiting function under wet or slippery conditions. This puts the driver and others at risk. The vehicle/component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. Ther... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park, the brake was released, and the vehicle lunged forward and collided with a Rental Movie machine coming to a stop at a building. No safety features were activated. The air bags were deployed. The contact sustained leg, hand, stomach, breast, and chest injuries. Medical attention was sought. A police report wa... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
January 28, 2024 I had a car accident and the air bags on my left side never deployed. The other vehicle crashed into the right side (passenger side) of my 2019 mini clubman which caused my 2019 mini clubman to spin around and hit another car on my left rear bumper. As a result, I suffered a fractured rib and a brain hemorrhage.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 17, 2024
The car has revved high rpm's since purchase, with multiple attempts to get it resolved . Since then, the steering wheel has jerked out of my hand's multiple times, unexpecting, causing the car to jerk while being stopped. The car has also not budged in the middle of traffic while being in drive and the pedal down to the floor until at least a 10 second delay and when doing so the screen that incl... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2024
The exhaust resonator failed only a few hundred miles after warranty (60,300) and not covered by dealer under warranty. It creates a noise and reduces power/performance, which could inherently create a safety concern. The vehicle was inspected by an independent service center. The following code for the rattle noise is PIT5863.
Incident date: Feb 17, 2024
The supplemental air bag warning light came on the dashboard. My local mechanic coded it at B1018, occupant sensor failure. At his suggestion, I brought it to a Nissan dealership (Infiniti is over an hour away from where I live.). They indicated I need to replace both seat sensor and OCS module. They say the seat must be replaced. Checking the Internet, there is a recent recall for Infiniti ... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2013) - SEAT BELTS
Feb 26, 2024
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed with his sons in the rear seats, one of his sons informed him that his other son who was occupying the rear driver's side seat had playfully put the seat belt around his stomach and could no longer breathe. The contact stated that he pulled to the side of the road and immediately unbuckled the seat b... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
When driving down the road and it does not matter what speed I am going, is when this issue is happening to most. I will be driving and out of the blue the tachometer will just drop to zero (0) and I lose all power and the vehicle starts shaking vigorously back and forth until it decides what gear the transmission wants to be in. It is doing this every single day, and it almost made me wrecked the... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. While the contact's wife was driving at a moderate rate of speed, the check engine warning light initially flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed which showed several defective engine sensors. As the contact's wife proceeded to drive home, several additional messages appeared on ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2024
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Electrical malfunction errors came on, brakes, and engine control warning lights came on. The speedometer dashboard went dark. The car started shaking. The car started to slow down on its own. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was traveling at 76mph on a six lane highway. Th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2024
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Electrical malfunction errors came on, brakes, and engine control warning lights came on. The speedometer dashboard went dark. The car started shaking. The car started to slow down on its own. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was traveling at 76mph on a six lane highway. Th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2024
There is a vibration sound that occurs when the brake is pressed or depressed. When driving the sound is not present. I brought it to the Smithtown Toyota dealership and they couldn’t find anything and said they heard nothing in the video I sent. After countless hours troubleshooting I traced the sound to the driver well area by the brake and gas pedal. The sound and vibration seems to be tr... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2024
Just purchased vehicle not too long ago and noticed light was dim. From researching online, many people have the same issue. Headlight projector is ruined from halogen. Low beam is very dim and hard to see at night.
Incident date: Aug 2, 2023
The car was sitting in the parking lot and randomly black smoke started coming from it and then it turned into fire within in minutes. No one was in the vehicle and 911 was contacted.
Fire
Incident date: Aug 2, 2023
The car was sitting in the parking lot and randomly black smoke started coming from it and then it turned into fire within in minutes. No one was in the vehicle and 911 was contacted.
Fire
Incident date: Aug 2, 2023
Engine knock, called multiple dealers… told it sounds like connected bearing engine issue, and it’s due to blow, try to make it here, if light comes on for engine.. stop do not touch car it will blow. Drove slowly to swap for a rental on highway as told. Engine blew as engine light flashed, car got louder, smoke came out of car, and a piece from engine blew underneath to behind my car on highw... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Backlights on instrument cluster went out. I can no longer see my speedometer, tachometer, or fuel guage on my hour ride home from work which is always in the dark. The backlights are nonservicable which makes no sense to me. I feel like this is dangerous not being able to tell how fast you are going, and the way people drive these days, you can't use them to pace yourself. I also feel that being ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2024
The vehicle without warning lost power as I was driving in the middle of a road way. The engine stayed running but only revs. No check engine lights or messages. Thankfully I was headed down hill and was able to coast through the intersection that was turning yellow and had just turned red as I coasted through. I coasted and pulled over to a side street and proceeded to put vehicle in park and shu... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Oil light comes on intermittently due to faulty sensor. Apparently this is a recurring issue for this model.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
HVAC vent electric motors inside the dashboard are creating cracking sounds when operating. I’m worried it may not be safe. The manufacturer hasn’t addressed the problem after being notified twice already.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
DEF fluid froze leaving crystals that obstructed computer reading of DEF tank. This would have forced vehicle into emergency 5 mile an hour limp mode. Taken to local Dodge/Ram dealer that had nearly THIRTY other diesel trucks with same problem ahead of me. Once repaired to OEM specs, the service manager stated it will happen again. Dodge/Ram acknowledges this has been an issue for years. In Alaska... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
DEF fluid froze leaving crystals that obstructed computer reading of DEF tank. This would have forced vehicle into emergency 5 mile an hour limp mode. Taken to local Dodge/Ram dealer that had nearly THIRTY other diesel trucks with same problem ahead of me. Once repaired to OEM specs, the service manager stated it will happen again. Dodge/Ram acknowledges this has been an issue for years. In Alaska... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
The second row passenger seat belt will not retract. Also, all three passenger seats on the second row would not lock when trying to install a car seat.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
I purchased a brand new 2023 Santa Fe hybrid in August 2023. So far, on four separate occasions (Oct ‘23, Dec ‘23, Jan ‘24, Feb ‘24) I have lost accelerator/gas pedal power while driving down the highway. There is no warning, no lights on dash, nothing. I just all of the sudden lose power. On one occasion in particular, [XXX], I was driving on the highway with my 5 year old in the back sea... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
Every time I press the brakes, there is a hissing sound and the brake pedals go all the way to floor. This causes the vehicle to have low braking power and barely stop. The problem has been reproduced by an independent service center. There are no warning lamps or messages on the vehicle.
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
The steering wheel has been sticking when turning left and right, resulting in a not smooth turn. The steering wheel also sticks when making minor adjustments to direction while driving straight. Most noticeable at highway speeds of 65+mph This has happened every time I've driven the car for the past few months. I took it to Honda this week, 2/19/24 and they stated they could not replicate it, bu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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 experienced a failure. VI... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2019
I often experience significant lag for rearview camera and the turn signal indicator lights. Sometimes it takes up to 10 seconds for the rearview camera view to come up. It's dangerous because it's hard to tell if the car is in reverse or not. Sometimes it takes multiple attempts to change gear. I have similar experience with the turn signal indicators. It takes multiple attempts for the signals ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while making a right or left turn, there was friction and a rubbing sound coming from the steering wheel. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle had been repai... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2024
The transmission gives out and loses power to the wheels. This is very unsafe!! Was taking a left turn and lost all power and was almost hit. This happens all the time but the other day was almost my last……