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.
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
Showing 39,107 complaints for PONTIAC
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Hydrolic control unit and ABS module failure. Diagnosed by independent mechanic and confirmed common issue by the dealer. Cannot get the parts to fix.
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Timing Chain making noise...voltage fluctuations throughout all the car...cruise control will shut off if I got to use wipers or blinkers or even turn on the air system and lights will dim if you use power windows or have the radio up loud.
Incident date: May 17, 2024
During the last 3 winters I have noticed the car do something strange when going up an extended highway inclines. The battery % along with the estimated miles left will drop suddenly (~40% in a minute) and when I would go over the top of the hill most of the battery % and miles would return. During the 2021-2022 winter, I noticed this happen only once or twice. During 2022-2023 winter, I noticed t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2024
I was driving in the right hand lane on a two lane road where the speed limit is 30mph. While the road was curving to the left slightly the vehicle's Collision Avoidance System was triggered and swerved the car into the left lane towards on coming traffic and cutting off a car behind me. The road was completely empty in front of me. It created a dangerous situation for no reason. I have dashcam fo... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2024
I was driving in the right hand lane on a two lane road where the speed limit is 30mph. While the road was curving to the left slightly the vehicle's Collision Avoidance System was triggered and swerved the car into the left lane towards on coming traffic and cutting off a car behind me. The road was completely empty in front of me. It created a dangerous situation for no reason. I have dashcam fo... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
THE SAID VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT LOGANVILLE AUTO CENTER. WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP ON FEBRUARY 9, 2024, THE MECHANIC CAME OUT AND SHOWED ME THAT TWO OF THE TUBES WERE LEAKING AND THIS WOULD BECOME A SERIOUS PROBLEM. HE GAVE A RECALL SHEET ISSUED ON DECEMBER 13, 2023 THAT THERE WAS A RECALL INVOLVING OUR CAR FOR THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. I CALLED GM THE NEXT DAY AND THEY STATED THAT OUR CAR DIDN'... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
Tesla has failed to provide a software update to address both recalls, and has made it impossible for me to get support to have this rectified. They cancelled a service appointment I made and are no longer responding to my inquiries.
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
The front head restrains deployed without any impact. One month apart from each other.
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
The engine continues to slip and slows down when driving. The following codes are returned back from the onstar diagnostics, Transmission Control Module Requested Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illumination. The DTC is an informational DTC. The DTC indicates an emission related DTC set in the Transmission Control Module. The vehicle has only 132,000 miles, and I have maitain the vehicle in excellent ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
Starlink system not have service. SOS button doesn't work. My safety and life after an accident may be at risk because the SOS system will not call for help
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
While driving home from Cincinnati to Chicago, approximately 15 miles from my final destination at a stop light, the engine shut down and flashed “service charging system”. I was unable to restart the vehicle. I was stuck in the middle of the road - unable to move. Had to be towed. Currently sitting at the dealership. Told that it has something to do with a faulty power inverter.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) 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 dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not m... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
A notice was mailed to me on [XXX] Recall #[XXX], advising that the hydraulic electronic control unit may experience an electrical short circuit, which can result in engine compartment fire. Park the vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall has been performed. The malfunction indicator light appeared approximately a month and a half ago, and I contacted my KIA ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
A notice was mailed to me on [XXX] Recall #[XXX], advising that the hydraulic electronic control unit may experience an electrical short circuit, which can result in engine compartment fire. Park the vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall has been performed. The malfunction indicator light appeared approximately a month and a half ago, and I contacted my KIA ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
My car says service stabilitrak and my traction control light is still on whether I hit the button or not I just spent a grand for it to be fixed and it I’m still having the same issue my brakes will lock up or my wheel locks up uncontrollably I have almost gotten into numerous accidents because of it.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
Engine burns oils horribly. Cannot sell car due to oil issues. Paint is chipping on exterior of the vehicle.
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2000) — ENGINE
Mar 20, 2024
Incident date: Dec 22, 2022
While traveling on the highway at approximately 75mph the instrument cluster began to flash warnings, (Selected gear will be changed to when speed slows down, precollision assist not available, service engine soon) the accelerator pedal was unresponsive, and the vehicle began to slow. I parked the vehicle, shut the engine off, and restarted. upon restarting the vehicle would only move at approxima... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
At least once a month with lane keep assist on, and a vehicle in the lane to my right, an emergency braking maneuver happens automatically. I have to disconnect the system
Incident date: Feb 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the transmission was shifting gear erroneously. The contact stated that the transmission shifted from 10th gear to 3rd gear and then to 6th gear. The contact stated that the vehicle was bucking while driving. The contact pulled over and there was an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independen... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
The truck last year started flashing the ABS and traction control lights. On the screen it says I have to service my braking system. As soon as that warning comes on, I lose traction control and it’s awful to dry in snowy or wet conditions. The truck just hit 28 thousand miles. I contacted the Ram dealership and they are aware of the issue but stated there is no recall so they’re not addressin... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
Air bag stating it needs serviced the light will come on periodically it is not present every-time vehicle is driven.
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
My steering wheel gets stuck when I’m driving on the highway, causing me to have to pull the wheel to unstick. This happens frequently, every couple of seconds and makes driving feel less safe and I feel like I’m zig zagging while driving. I’ve notified my dealership since late December of last year and still have not been able to get a repair, there is no estimated time for getting the par... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
ON [XXX], at [XXX], i was driving the vehicle in electric Save mode, where the temperature was around -19 degree on that day and i was heading for car wash, During that time, the vehicle in front of me applied a break. i was at safe distance i applied the break as the distance was close Even the anti-breaking system did not work on hitting the vehicle at that time, and then it bumped three times. ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne S. The contact stated that the front of the vehicle was facing uphill, the contact decided not to reverse down the hill and was attempting to turn the vehicle around to drive down the hill. The contact put the vehicle in park and was hanging over the driver’s front door attempting to see where the edge of the hill was to back up the hill and drive down the... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
Something with the brakes and the car performing it’s safety measures when unnecessary It hesitate
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
Something with the brakes and the car performing it’s safety measures when unnecessary It hesitate
Incident date: Jan 31, 2024
Rear hatchback power strut/ shocks. Hatch will go up entire way but comes back down automatically, hitting my head , therefore I do not use hatch compartment because of safety issues. Nissan dealer states needs new struts and to check to see if recalled due to fact should have lasted life of vehicle
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the temperature gauge immediately indicated that the engine was overheating, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact allowed the vehicle to cool down. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the vehicle caught on fire inside the cab. The contact stated that she attempted to put the fire out with a water hose. The fire department was called and was able to put out the fire. No injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local mechanic ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 11, 2023
I would assume the issue had something to do with the power train. 2 days after i had bought the car my wife and i were on our way to the gym and we had just came to a complete stop. Upon entering the highway the car would no longer accelerate no matter how much pressure was put on the accelerator pedal. The engine light also came on. Luckily there were no cars behind me and I was able to pull ove... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2023
I would assume the issue had something to do with the power train. 2 days after i had bought the car my wife and i were on our way to the gym and we had just came to a complete stop. Upon entering the highway the car would no longer accelerate no matter how much pressure was put on the accelerator pedal. The engine light also came on. Luckily there were no cars behind me and I was able to pull ove... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling at a red light, the vehicle lost motive power and shut off. After several minutes the vehicle restarted, and the contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that coolant was leaking underneath the front end of the vehicle, and there was white smoke coming from the exhaust during the initial start... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2023
I have been an owner of a Ford vehicle for 3 generations. My 2013 Ford Focus has only 95K Miles and has had serious Transmission problems. The vehicle has been well taken care of and has been serviced at the dealership several times for regular service maintenance. All recalls have been taken care of. However, Despite the fixes performed by Ford Dealership. The car still has problems of shudderin... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2023
Manufacturer Recall Number 23S33 NHTSA Recall Number 23V-440 Ford denied my buyback claim due to the vehicle being pre-owned, but with the open recall, I believe this vehicle to be a significant safety risk. My vehicle has limited functionality and reduced fuel economy in a model for which I specifically paid extra money. There is no fix in sight until the end of 2024 at the earliest, and there ar... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2023
The contact's son owned a 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact's son was able to restart the vehicle, drove to a local convenience store, and parked the vehicle. The contact was exiting the convenience store and noticed a fire exiting from the front hood of the vehicl... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
Cabin facing camera required for using Autopilot stopped working after software update requiring cabing camera usage. Technician has stated that many cameras have had to be replaced since the update requiring the use of the cameras
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
Cabin facing camera required for using Autopilot stopped working after software update requiring cabing camera usage. Technician has stated that many cameras have had to be replaced since the update requiring the use of the cameras
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The engine block cracked and started leaking coolant. It is clearly a defective manufacturing of the block casting. The same engine was recalled several months before mine, but my manufacturing date fell just outside of the range they recalled in the same year. The problem was confirmed by Price Leblanc Toyota in Baton Rouge, LA, a new short block was installed and I was left footing the bill beca... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence and called an independent mechanic to diagnose the vehicle at the residence. The contact stated that the mechanic determined that the head gasket w... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2023
I’ve been having issues few months after I bought the car from Honda dealership. I took it back and forth to them and they said there was an issue but did nothing. The recalls about the steering came up and I don’t feel safe driving the car but last week I took it and they said there was nothing wrong. Steering is sticky. I’m all over the road having to make corrections 90% of the time I’... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Shifting gears is very hard with it often skipping over gears. When driving the vehicle will jerk or buckle when trying to shift. Transmission is the biggest issue with this vehicle and I seem to have a hard time getting Ford to recognize that.
Incident date: Dec 5, 2019
2014 low beams became dim. I changed out the bulbs for new ones and still cannot drive my vehicle at night. The SRX website states this is a known Cadillac SRX problem but there is no fix except to replace the lights with the same defective lights
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
My car has a warning code saying, “ secure vehicle form rolling”. There is a fault spring within the shift column. BMW is not covering it as a recall even though it could roll and hit someone or something.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
On December 8, 2023 I left my home where the vehicle is parked in a garage to drive to work. About a mile down the road I heard a loud pop and glass was flying off the top of the car. The sunroof of the vehicle had exploded without any direct impact to the sunroof, extreme vibration on the road, or extreme temperature. The car was at about 45 mph and the temperature was above freezing.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
A few months ago, I was pulling out of a parking lot and started to brake , but my car was not stopping. I quickly pumped my brakes and then my brakes worked. All my brake lights came on; ABS, BRAKE, TC, Check engine; and car maintenance light all came on. They periodically would go away but would return when it rained, or if the brakes gave out. Brakes have gone out twice, once while driving on ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
The engine light keeps coming on and off. I had a recall notice but an took the kia to kia dealership but they said they don't have the repair parts. Since recall was issued no repairs yet an it's posing a threat to me an my family using it. If I park the car without using it as kia instructed how I my going to go to job since that's the only car I have? Please can issue recall be fix immediately... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that coolant intrusion had damaged cylinder #2, requiring the replacement of the engine long block. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The subframe corroded causing an unsafe potentially hazardous condition. Also the brake line was were corroded causing imminent brake failure. The rear springs rusted from the corrosion subframe defect..Mercedes required 2800 dollars from me to remedy the problem
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle shuddered with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while the vehicle was idling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where diagnostic codes: P0011, P0012 and P0016 were retrieved. The dealer determined that the crankshaft chain was stretched and n... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 528I. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued driving at an unknown speed and then parked and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine... Read more