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 39,131 complaints for PONTIAC
Incident date: Mar 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that a friend had alerted him that his brake lights remained illuminated while driving. The contact also stated that the brake lights would go out upon the depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact then placed some dielectric grease on the brake wiring harness which repaired the brake light connection. The contact also stated ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that a friend had alerted him that his brake lights remained illuminated while driving. The contact also stated that the brake lights would go out upon the depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact then placed some dielectric grease on the brake wiring harness which repaired the brake light connection. The contact also stated ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that a friend had alerted him that his brake lights remained illuminated while driving. The contact also stated that the brake lights would go out upon the depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact then placed some dielectric grease on the brake wiring harness which repaired the brake light connection. The contact also stated ... Read more
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2007) - STEERING
Aug 17, 2021
Incident date: Aug 16, 2021
steering wheel refusing to lock. therefore safety issue as car locks will not lock as a result. no messages or warning lights or behaviors. this happened once a year ago. and was able to lock steering by moving wheel and moving key in ignition.
Incident date: Aug 14, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G8. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the front passenger’s side airbag sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V534000 (Air Bags) however, the vehicle was... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2021
Steering wheel rattle, steering moving back & forth, locks on startup and and audible chime is heard. I believe it has something to do with the original recall repair on the steering. Feels unsafe.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2008
The Alloy wheels are pitted and the metal is peeling off. The hood does not line up with the fenders and the trunk does not line up with the fenders. I contacted GM and they wouldn't honor any warranty after it expired and wouldn't good will any of the issues. It is a 2007 with 8,376 miles. The car is not safe due to the body parts rattling and shaking and the wheels are so pitted that
Incident date: Aug 8, 2008
The Alloy wheels are pitted and the metal is peeling off. The hood does not line up with the fenders and the trunk does not line up with the fenders. I contacted GM and they wouldn't honor any warranty after it expired and wouldn't good will any of the issues. It is a 2007 with 8,376 miles. The car is not safe due to the body parts rattling and shaking and the wheels are so pitted that
Incident date: Jul 26, 2021
1. Loss of power assisted steering making it hard to control car. But I turn off car and turn back on, it works. 2. Steering column knuckle or u-joints are making a loud clunking noise when turning steering wheel. 3. BCM or Body Control Mudule is either bad or needs cleaning because cruise control nor traction controls work. I checked fuses and they are ok.
Incident date: Jul 26, 2021
1. Loss of power assisted steering making it hard to control car. But I turn off car and turn back on, it works. 2. Steering column knuckle or u-joints are making a loud clunking noise when turning steering wheel. 3. BCM or Body Control Mudule is either bad or needs cleaning because cruise control nor traction controls work. I checked fuses and they are ok.
Incident date: Jul 26, 2021
1. Loss of power assisted steering making it hard to control car. But I turn off car and turn back on, it works. 2. Steering column knuckle or u-joints are making a loud clunking noise when turning steering wheel. 3. BCM or Body Control Mudule is either bad or needs cleaning because cruise control nor traction controls work. I checked fuses and they are ok.
Incident date: Aug 2, 2021
Over the years I've received multiple info cards from dealerships concerning this recall. I return their request for having recall work scheduled. The dealerships then return my call usually in a few days saying they are unable to aquire parts for recall work. So far no dealership has been able to do the install due to parts shortage. Where do I go from here?
Incident date: Feb 20, 2020
Something is draining battery. I have a brand new battery in it and battery was checked out at battery warehouse. I run car and about an hour the car is dead. I had problems with this car since I bought it from Koons in Westminster Md. I even paid for warranty but every time I took it back it didn’t cover it. This happened a lot I got a lemon and they refused to take it back. I put soo much... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2021
The power steering has gone out 3 times in the last 3 years. I took my car into an auto repair shop each time as it stopped working and wouldn't come back on. Each time they replaced my rack and pinion. The replacements were on 10-02-2019….....10-06-2020......and July 22, 2021. I shouldn't have to replace the rack and pinion 3 times in less than 3 years.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
A month ago my passenger air bag light came on indicating there is an issue with the Passenger Air Bag system. This occurs even when there is no one in the passenger seat. This completely disables the airbag system in my car for my passengers and I can no longer reliably transport other passengers for fear of getting into an accident and the air bag not deploying. These parts are not normal mecha... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
A month ago my passenger air bag light came on indicating there is an issue with the Passenger Air Bag system. This occurs even when there is no one in the passenger seat. This completely disables the airbag system in my car for my passengers and I can no longer reliably transport other passengers for fear of getting into an accident and the air bag not deploying. These parts are not normal mecha... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2021
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G8. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the ignition key could not be removed from the ignition switch. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
PONTIAC
TRANS SPORT
(1997) - SEATS
Jul 15, 2021
Incident date: Jul 4, 2021
Sliding door on passenger side locked up trapping passenger inside. Door cannot be opened manually or electronically. A loud buzzing noise then a thud was heard prior. Can't open door any way now scary.
PONTIAC
TRANS SPORT
(1997) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Jul 15, 2021
Incident date: Jul 4, 2021
Sliding door on passenger side locked up trapping passenger inside. Door cannot be opened manually or electronically. A loud buzzing noise then a thud was heard prior. Can't open door any way now scary.
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2006) - STEERING
Jul 12, 2021
Incident date: Jul 10, 2021
got cutoff on a busy highway going 70mph and they slammed their brakes. i had 6 car lengths between us and immediately started braking but we were just skidding. I had the choice of hitting the vehicle or swerving left towards the median. I chose the latter. The steering locked up, the abs did NOT kick in and the airbags did NOT deploy. we hit a median at 70mph and no airbags?! I was point of impa... Read more
Crash
3 injured
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2006) - AIR BAGS
Jul 12, 2021
Incident date: Jul 10, 2021
got cutoff on a busy highway going 70mph and they slammed their brakes. i had 6 car lengths between us and immediately started braking but we were just skidding. I had the choice of hitting the vehicle or swerving left towards the median. I chose the latter. The steering locked up, the abs did NOT kick in and the airbags did NOT deploy. we hit a median at 70mph and no airbags?! I was point of impa... Read more
Crash
3 injured
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2006) - SERVICE BRAKES
Jul 12, 2021
Incident date: Jul 10, 2021
got cutoff on a busy highway going 70mph and they slammed their brakes. i had 6 car lengths between us and immediately started braking but we were just skidding. I had the choice of hitting the vehicle or swerving left towards the median. I chose the latter. The steering locked up, the abs did NOT kick in and the airbags did NOT deploy. we hit a median at 70mph and no airbags?! I was point of impa... Read more
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Jul 2, 2021
Passenger Presence System Issue Started Solstice in garage and backed out on to driveway (PPS indicates passenger air bag off. This is Correct) Stop car on driveway and put transmission in park. Passenger enters vehicle sits down and buckles belt. (PPS indicates passenger air bag off This is incorrect) Back out of driveway and put in Drive. PPS still indicates no passenger This is incorrect. Stop... Read more
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2007) - ENGINE
Jul 5, 2021
Incident date: Jun 15, 2021
The TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ITS GOING TO CAUSE A DEADLY ACCIDENT WHILE IN DRIVE LEAVING A STOP LIGHT A CAR NEARLY SLAMMED INTO ME FROM BEHIND WHEN LIGHT CHANGED CAR HAD NO POWER TO GO. ON HIGHWAY IT DOES A SUDDEN HARD JERK WITH LOSS OF POWER SHIFTING INTO NXT GEAR.
PONTIAC
BONNEVILLE
(2005) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 1, 2021
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
My gas gage and tempature gage don't work
Incident date: Apr 21, 2021
My car will flash "POWER STEERING" across the stereo notification screen and alarm and the power steering locks up as you drive and makes steering your vehicle impossible and unsafe! This was a recall which was supposedly repaired at Titus Will (dealership) some years prior when the car was previously owned by Kristena Fulton but it is still very much a problem and a HUGE safety risk. I've conta... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2021
My car will flash "POWER STEERING" across the stereo notification screen and alarm and the power steering locks up as you drive and makes steering your vehicle impossible and unsafe! This was a recall which was supposedly repaired at Titus Will (dealership) some years prior when the car was previously owned by Kristena Fulton but it is still very much a problem and a HUGE safety risk. I've conta... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2021
I just cranked my car up and tried to drive it in the only thing I had done was change my battery out and I watched all the forms on how to do repair this but apparently there's been a recall and it's just going to cost the thousands of dollars we could have died
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present. Upon inspection, it was discovered that fuel had leaked from above the fuel tank. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local unknown dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was n... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2021
My 2009 Pontiac G5 was driven to work this morning 6-10-21and parked in a Michigan State vehicle garage. Security notified me at work that my vehicle had a puddle of gas under and near a rear tire. I removed vehicle frome parking garage and parked it in a remote open parking lot. A gas leak in a car is dangerous, and a safety issue for me and others , especially in a parking garage!!! The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2020
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear brake lights stayed on continuously even when the brake pedal was not depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and an unknown switch underneath the dashboard was replaced however, the failure recurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehi... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2021
I purchased my 2007 pontiac g6 4 cylinder with 40k on the odometer on 5/13/2021. I notice right away it started having problem when i drove it home and it has been almost three weeks now and the problem is intermitten. This issue happens on local road city speed (25mph) and on highway doing highway speed (60mph) intermittently. When this issue occurs the steering wheel shake like crazy and it seem... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2021
I purchased my 2007 pontiac g6 4 cylinder with 40k on the odometer on 5/13/2021. I notice right away it started having problem when i drove it home and it has been almost three weeks now and the problem is intermitten. This issue happens on local road city speed (25mph) and on highway doing highway speed (60mph) intermittently. When this issue occurs the steering wheel shake like crazy and it seem... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2021
my car had a recall on it when I bought it for the air bag sensor in the pass seat. I took it in and they patched it...not fixed it but a patch... it has been sat in about 20 times since and now has the light on. I will not pay them to repatch or fix this as they should of fixed it properly the first time, if you OKed the use of a tape patch than you can pay for the proper fix. these should never ... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2021
my car had a recall on it when I bought it for the air bag sensor in the pass seat. I took it in and they patched it...not fixed it but a patch... it has been sat in about 20 times since and now has the light on. I will not pay them to repatch or fix this as they should of fixed it properly the first time, if you OKed the use of a tape patch than you can pay for the proper fix. these should never ... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2021
my car had a recall on it when I bought it for the air bag sensor in the pass seat. I took it in and they patched it...not fixed it but a patch... it has been sat in about 20 times since and now has the light on. I will not pay them to repatch or fix this as they should of fixed it properly the first time, if you OKed the use of a tape patch than you can pay for the proper fix. these should never ... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2021
GAS SMELLS AT REAR OF CAR
Incident date: May 4, 2021
THE AIRBAG IN MY VEHICLE ARE FAULTY AND HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE SAFETY CODE FOR AIRBAG IS SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY VEHICLE.. I WAS ALERTED TO THIS WHEN I DROVE MY CAR TO A REPAIR GARAGE FOR A SMOG INSPECTION ON 5/4/21. THE AUTO MANUFACTURER HAS NOT MADE ANY EFFORT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE FAULTY AIRBAGS.
Incident date: May 9, 2021
WITHOUT WARNING POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I WAS ONLY BACKING UP DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. VERY DIFFUCULT TO STEER VEHICLE MANUALLY. POWER ASSIST STEERING MODULE, WAS ALREADY REPLACE +/- 5 YEARS AGO. BUT WHEN I RESTART VEHICLE ACTS NORMAL, BUT THEN JUST FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. HESITANT TO DRIVE CAR NOW, DUE TO UNPREDICTABILTY OF STEERING. NO WAY, I WOULD LET ONE ON MY KIDS DRIVE THIS VEHICLE.
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2004) - ENGINE
May 10, 2021
Incident date: May 10, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ENGINE OIL WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AS DESIGNED, CAUSING THE BRAKING DISTANCE TO BE EXTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOS... Read more
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2004) - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
May 10, 2021
Incident date: May 10, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ENGINE OIL WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AS DESIGNED, CAUSING THE BRAKING DISTANCE TO BE EXTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOS... Read more
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2004) - SERVICE BRAKES
May 10, 2021
Incident date: May 10, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ENGINE OIL WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AS DESIGNED, CAUSING THE BRAKING DISTANCE TO BE EXTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOS... Read more
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2006) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 7, 2021
Incident date: Nov 1, 2020
MY VIHICLE TURNS OFF THE LOW BEAMS WHEN I AM DRIVING AND I CAN HAVE AN ACCIDENT
Incident date: Apr 28, 2020
WAS DRIVING TO TOWN, AND WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL, AND WHILE ON A CURVED SECTION OF ROAD, CHIME CAME ON, POWER STEERING WARNING APPEARED ON RADIO SCREEN, CAR BEGAN GOING STRAIGHT INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING THE CURVE. I FORCED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND REGAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR. TURNED CAR AROUND AND DROVE BACK HOME. CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. STEERING WORKS NOW, BUT FAILED SEVERAL TIMES WHIL... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2021
WHILE DRIVING STEERING LOCKED UP, I HAD TO STRONG ARM THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO DRIVE CAR TOO A SAFE PLACE. ONCE I CUT THE CAR OFF AND CUT IT BACK ON IT IT WAS WORKING FINE. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE GOTTEN IT LOOKED AT AND THRU CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE HELP PLEASE
Incident date: May 4, 2021
WHILE DRIVING STEERING LOCKED UP, I HAD TO STRONG ARM THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO DRIVE CAR TOO A SAFE PLACE. ONCE I CUT THE CAR OFF AND CUT IT BACK ON IT IT WAS WORKING FINE. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE GOTTEN IT LOOKED AT AND THRU CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE HELP PLEASE
Incident date: Oct 23, 2020
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A RESIDENTIAL CITY STREET WHEN I LOST POWER-ASSISTED STEERING ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AFTER A FULL-STOP AT A STOP SIGN. SUDDENLY, IT REQUIRED A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO. 14V153000 EXACTLY DESCRIBES THE CONDITION EXPERIENCED WITH MY VEHICLE: "IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, GREATER DRIVER EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ST... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2020
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A RESIDENTIAL CITY STREET WHEN I LOST POWER-ASSISTED STEERING ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AFTER A FULL-STOP AT A STOP SIGN. SUDDENLY, IT REQUIRED A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO. 14V153000 EXACTLY DESCRIBES THE CONDITION EXPERIENCED WITH MY VEHICLE: "IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, GREATER DRIVER EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ST... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2021
BREAK LIGHTS WILL ELIMINATE ON ITS OWN AND WHEN I PUSH ON MY BREAKS THEY SHUT OFF AND MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND MY ESC LIGHT IS ON ALSO
Incident date: May 12, 2020
THE WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM H11 HEADLIGHT HAS MELTED AND SHORTED 3 TIMES NOW, LEAVING THE DRIVER WITHOUT A DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHHT. VEHICLE WAS USING OEM PART NUMBER HEAD LIGHTS, OF WHICH NEVER BURNT OUT OR FAILED AND ORIGINAL HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS THAT IT ROLLED OFF ASSEMBLY WITH. EACH TIME THE HARNESS HAS BEEN REPLACED BY AN APPROPRIATE HARNESS BY A GM CERTIFIED REPAIR CENTER... Read more