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: Jan 14, 2019
The driver’s seat will work fine on one side but the other side will not go back and forth. This causes problems while driving as my knees are toward my chest and my ability to break is impaired.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
Headrest deployed with no occupancy or impact. Vehicle was parked in the garage when this occurred.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
Tack welds on vehicle roof rusted out along passenger side, causing water and other structural damage to electrical components, vehicle body, and other vehicles components. Water leak caused mold and mildew damage to headliner, carpet, etc. Air quality in vehicle diminished for passengers, variety of children age ranges.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
The steering rack and intermediate shaft in the steering wheel Go bad and what happens is it makes having an alignment impossible Not only that but the vehicle clunks with every turn [XXX] Being a Pontiac it was a joint venture between Toyota And GM Thus Affecting many Toyota Corolla Prius and matrix As Toyota got a recall Pontiac did not INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM O... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
Dash light warning lights come on and causes the cruise control to stop working. A total of 6 fault lights comes on and also causes the Adaptive Cruise Control to not work. This is the 3rd Freightliner Cascadia that I have driven in the past 3 and a half years and every single truck has had the same problem. Freightliner has refused to acknowledge that there is a problem. Nobody seems to know what... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
Dash light warning lights come on and causes the cruise control to stop working. A total of 6 fault lights comes on and also causes the Adaptive Cruise Control to not work. This is the 3rd Freightliner Cascadia that I have driven in the past 3 and a half years and every single truck has had the same problem. Freightliner has refused to acknowledge that there is a problem. Nobody seems to know what... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
Air bags failed to deploy and vehicle is not available for inspection. Vehicle was a total loss and is in the proces of becoming proprty of Copart.com for auction (I assume). I hit my head very hard from the T-bone type of collision and my side airbags did not deploy. I have a severe concussion and internal brain bleed. ICU stay was required. Problem was confirmed by the police report, etc. No... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 23, 2014
Car stalled and was hot and battery light turned on.
Incident date: Oct 23, 2014
Car stalled and was hot and battery light turned on.
Incident date: Oct 23, 2014
Our braking system on this car failed us, and is probably crushed by now at no fault of my own. My safety was at–risk when the brakes lost pressure and if it wasn’t for our seatbelts, I could’ve been thrown through the windshield. I hereby declare that [XXX] deliberately caused our accident and lied about being blinded. [XXX] lost her son—[XXX]—and was jealous of my opportunity to d... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
The air conditioner stopped working and a warning message was displayed on the dash stating service hybrid system, immediately after the Vehicle shut off while driving above 70MPH. Fits symptoms of 03A recall. Vehicle at dealership for service. 80 miles driven by Customer total since purchase
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
The air conditioner stopped working and a warning message was displayed on the dash stating service hybrid system, immediately after the Vehicle shut off while driving above 70MPH. Fits symptoms of 03A recall. Vehicle at dealership for service. 80 miles driven by Customer total since purchase
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
Debra J. Westfall—neighbour—loves controversy, and won’t back down from expressing her anger or bafflement exhibited from half–assed parenting. Funny how she hates us snowflakes for sharing her entitled, materialistic narcissism. Five porch monkeys were using electric scooters on our street when one of them vandalised our driver side taillight. Turnpike commissions can confirm that la... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2014
While we were driving to the store, the front sunroof popped and then exploded. Glass shards fell onto my husband and myself and the loud bang sounded like a gun.
Incident date: Oct 17, 2014
The power steering light came on and we lost our power steering afterwards.
Incident date: Oct 17, 2014
Body, Brakes, and Electrical concern me. My family owned a 1999 same model vehicle, and the brakes failed us in an accident from its’ left driver seal being punctured. Here is what’s going on with the 2003 aside from the latter mentioned. Exhaust from manifold to catalytic converter followed by muffler rusted out by 175,ØØØ miles and now broke apart. Frame and rocker panels are rusted o... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 22, 2022
My rear brakes are metal to metal at less than 25,000 miles. Second issue when I im driving my car will not accelerate and the warning light comes up. I have to completely stop turn it off in the middle of the road and then it will start going. I called vw and they told me that they didn’t know what it could be. Maybe water got in a sensor. This issue has happened twice and it’s scary. Third ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
My vehicle just randomly shuts off, mainly when making a turn. I took it in to the dealership and had several repairs made but none of them fixed the problem. It’s definitely dangerous I almost had a accident at least 3 times. I feel it’s electrical due to the fact everything shuts off, the dash usually flashes before it shuts off. All electronics shut down and the vehicle turns completely off... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
My vehicle just randomly shuts off, mainly when making a turn. I took it in to the dealership and had several repairs made but none of them fixed the problem. It’s definitely dangerous I almost had a accident at least 3 times. I feel it’s electrical due to the fact everything shuts off, the dash usually flashes before it shuts off. All electronics shut down and the vehicle turns completely off... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2020
The vehicle is starting to lose power steering function. The vehicle is at 102,000 miles. This is happening any time I turn my wheel. This is a very hazardous safety issue. This issue has not been seen by any other professionals. It just started happening a couple weeks ago. I called the dealership and they said my Vin was not part of the Dodge Ram 1500 year 2015 -2016 recall. I called the manufac... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2022
While driving the brake warning light came on and immediately lost all braking. My safety and the safety of other vehicles around me were put at risk. Vehicle was towed to a repair facility and upon inspection the brake master cylinder was leaking and had leaked into the brake booster. Brake master cylinder and brake booster had to be replaced.
Incident date: Jul 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine) 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 not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not e... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V358000 (Seat Belts) 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was m... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2023
Starting 6 months ago air bag light is on constantly. Horn stopped working, speed control doesn't work. The whole steering wheel and buttons with horn doesn't work.
Incident date: Jun 25, 2023
I have a white 2013 Kia Optima the paint is chipping, coming off in chunks. After it falls off seeing the panel below is smooth and does not appear to have been roughed up prior to painting to allow the paint to properly adhere. I know of thousands of other Kia owners to have paint issues exactly like this.
Incident date: Jun 12, 2023
08/22 car with 3800 miles died slowly while driving. Fuel pump replaced. 06/23 with 11,700 miles died slowly while crossing major highway at peak travel time. Fuel pump failed again. Crash / fatality risk.
Incident date: Jun 12, 2023
I purchased a 2017 Kia Sorento new from Kia of Puyallup. I have taken the vehicle for all changes to Kia of Puyallup. The last two oil changes (9/16/22 and 03/18/23) have shown that within two to three months there wasn’t any oil in the car. During my last oil change 9/16/22, I asked service consultant - Karsten Malin why there was no oil in the car and he stated that it was normal for Kia’s ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
My navigation system is stuck in a reboot mode where is flashes a very bright white screen. I was driving at night and the screen is so bright, and there’s no way to turn it off or adjust the brightness. It was bright that I could not see the road and hit the ditch when I went to turn onto my road. Its very hard to drive at night with this bright light flashing from the entire radio screen it ma... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
I was driving my car at a normal rate of speed when all of a sudden it slowed down to a crawl and almost caused an accident, reduced engine power and engine came one after getting the codes they were 2122 and 2097
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
my 2006 prius has 170000 miles, recently has abs brake actuator making sounds everytime when turn off.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
My car went into Sudden Unintended Acceleration when I shifted from neutral to drive. I was in a gas station that was perpendicular to highway traffic. When I attempted to come out of the car wash tunnel to get my car dried off, the car accelerated out of control, the gas pedal was stuck and the brakes would not engage. The car flew out of the tunnel and into traffic. The car hit a curb before ent... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The gas gauge will show full then without warning quickly drop to “E” and the low fuel indicator will ding and the light will come on then just as quickly as it started it will go back to full or 2/3rds the slow creep back to the full position. (The tank was not full) While driving all the electrical components start going wild, everything goes on and off quickly. The accelerator will rev(whi... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2023
Headlights are dangerously dim. Replacing the bulbs did not help. I am forced to either use high beams or not drive at night.
Incident date: May 25, 2023
Car would not start this morning. It’s driven every day, so it had not been sitting. Last service was 3/23 (today is 6/2/23), and the battery passed dealership inspection with no issues. Roadside serviceman stated this was the fourth “relatively new” Subaru he’d had to jump this week. Jumping the battery fixed the issue (for now), but the Subaru dealership, themselves, advised submitting a... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2023
The car steering wheel gets super loose over bumps. The car shuts off at anytime when driving. I got it check, there’s a unknown problem with electrical system
Incident date: Apr 6, 2021
Car seat “leather” burned/melted from mirror left in car for two hours. Outdoor temp was max 75° and windows are tinted from manufacturer. I am reporting because material is too flammable and worried if left longer would have started car fire.
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2002) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 29, 2023
Incident date: May 27, 2023
Headlights are dim, even after replacing it is something faulty with the original design. I have nearly been hit by cars turning into the road at night because of how dim the lights are. I have to have them on bright to be seen which creates further issues eith cars flashing their brights. I have researched online and found this is a common problem that acura refuses to issue a recall for. ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2021
Software Version: 2023.12.10 Over the past month, I have experienced a recurring problem with my vehicle's auditory notification system. The issue first began a couple of software updates ago and has persisted through the most recent update. The problem manifests sporadically, having occurred three times within the past month. When this issue arises, all system sounds, excluding radio and media, ... Read more
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(1998) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
May 26, 2023
Incident date: May 5, 2023
My vehicle keeps running extremely low in oil and not alerting me with any warning lights. My vehicle starts to shake like it is going to stall and the engine makes a rattling noise. This is a safety concern.
Incident date: May 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on several occasions, an abnormally loud clattering sound was heard after starting the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was adv... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that after he entered the vehicle, he depressed the brake pedal to start the vehicle. After the vehicle was started, he shifted into reverse(R) while the brake pedal remained depressed; however, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated without warning. In a desperate attempt to stop the vehicle from crashing into another vehicle, the contact s... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2023
the engine failed at 152000. it had a recall .so i took it in at 91000 and complained of the rod nock.and was told they checked the rod bearing clearance .and found nothing .i again took the car in again at around 111000 miles and complained of the rod nock again.and again was told they see no problem now im with out a car
Incident date: Apr 27, 2023
Shannon bell private dealer is selling this car with a unrepairable cv axel. I purchased it and di my home work he rolled the miles back. He's falsely advertising it as clean tie and 190 something miles. That's even less then when I had it. Air bag lights are on and he unplugged the wires along with seatbelt so the lights don't show.
Incident date: Apr 27, 2023
Shannon bell private dealer is selling this car with a unrepairable cv axel. I purchased it and di my home work he rolled the miles back. He's falsely advertising it as clean tie and 190 something miles. That's even less then when I had it. Air bag lights are on and he unplugged the wires along with seatbelt so the lights don't show.
Incident date: Apr 11, 2023
Rear passenger side coil spring failed during vehicle operation. Vehicle has only 61,000 miles and has never seen any heavy duty including trailering anything.
Incident date: Apr 24, 2020
This is a very common problem with GM vehicles produced from 2015 to 2019 and is occurring in 5.3L and 6.2L gas engines. The engine coolant temperature sensor is failing and defaulting to a fail safe that turns the electric cooling fans on to full speed because it thinks the vehicle is overheating. When this sensor fails, the engine temperature gauge will not work. When the vehicle is turned of... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2020
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side sliding door failed to open using the remote or manually. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure cause was not diagnosed due to the cost of the diagnostic fee. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,900.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2023
Vehicle stalled while driving 60mph , vehicle overheated upon restarting
Incident date: Apr 19, 2023
Randomly (maybe twice a month) when I am stopped at a light (vehicle in drive with brake on) my truck will suddenly surge forward. The dash will say "Shift to park to start", but the truck is already started and running with brake only on. It would be possible to hit someone or something if the brake isn't fully down. I have notified the dealership and they state "NO PROBLEM FOUND AT THIS TIME" ... Read more