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 3, 2023
Driver side power seat would no longer move/adjust the seat in any direction
Incident date: Dec 31, 2019
Just replaced water pump and still need to replace positive Crankcase ventilation system hose
Incident date: Feb 14, 2023
Rust is happening at an increasing rate on the rear wheel wells and rear lift gate.
Incident date: Apr 12, 2022
My vehicle failed to stop which resulted to a car crash
Crash
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
While driving down major highway the engine failed and the electrical system started blinking and I lost all power. No warning, dashboard just lit all up and engine seized up.
Incident date: Nov 23, 2022
I'm not sure what happened but it's not tight when putting it in the base it's lose The contact has stated that the car seat has a recall on it.
Incident date: Jan 18, 2023
Back tail track light has water intrusion from a bad gasket that dodge installed on these durangos and I'm scared that it will cause an electrical fire
Incident date: Jan 18, 2023
Engine suddenly shutdown while driving in the middle of the road. Luckily, I was not on the highway. Had it towed to my mechanic and he told me that there was a class action lawsuit on these engines and that they were known to fail after 100,000 miles. I never got any notification about this problem. I am checking with the Hyundai dealership about replacing the engine.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2022
The ABS/HCU control unit failed at 16000 miles and was replaced. At 30000 miles, the same part has failed again. The parts for repair are not available at this time. Hopefully an upgraded part is being designed to fix this failure. I am afraid to drive this vehicle in wet conditions or while towing as a faulty Anti Lock Braking system (ABS) could cause a loss of control. The dealer has diagnosed t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2023
My 2018 Honda Accord Ex-L 91,560 miles has an issue with the fuel pump/injectors while driving on the roadway and/or highway. My vehicle will come to a mid stop abruptly because it is not getting enough power to the engine from the fuel pump. This has caused safety issue to myself, passengers in my vehicle, pedestrians and and other drivers while operating my vehicle. Honda has been made aware of ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
I have been unable to complete recall of rear camera repair.
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
I have been unable to complete recall of rear camera repair.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
Vehicle completely shut off on highway 70mph. Service charging system, D selector was flashing Pulled to a stop and had to restart ignition.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
I have had to replaced two separate times my windshield trim pieces that cover the hardware on windshield. Every time I have lost them it has occurred on the highway where I was going a speed of 65-70mph. When I have had a professional reinstall new parts it has cost me almost $350.00 The parts are coming directly from ford nothing aftermarket and they are being reinstalled by a professional. I sh... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2023
CUSTOMER REAR PASSENGER SETBELT DOESNT LATCH
Incident date: Jan 22, 2023
Recall for water potentially leaking into drivers side dash harness connector…which could cause battery discharge and thermal damage to connector (along with other possible problems). About two weeks prior to receiving the recall letter…my Rogue started having major battery issues - such as, thick blue corrosion on and around both terminals, all down the cables/wiring, and circuit board atta... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2023
Recall for water potentially leaking into drivers side dash harness connector…which could cause battery discharge and thermal damage to connector (along with other possible problems). About two weeks prior to receiving the recall letter…my Rogue started having major battery issues - such as, thick blue corrosion on and around both terminals, all down the cables/wiring, and circuit board atta... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
1. COULD NOT PUT CAR INTO PARK OR TURN OFF. CAUSED BATTERY TO BE DEAD AS IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN PUT INTO PARK. 2. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND JERKED REPEATEDLY. COULD NOT TURN INTO PARKING SPOT. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN AND COULD NOT STOP THE JERK. IT IS DANGEROUS AND SCARY ! 3. AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT THE ROAD. IT IS AS THOUGH THERE ARE NO LIGHTS AT ALL. IT IS D... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2022
The contact who is an independent mechanic, called on behalf of his client who owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while the vehicle was being driven at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic to be d... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2023
I went to the dealer to fix a power steering issue where the vehicle becomes dangerous to drive due to the power steering randomly shutting off. There is a recall associated with this and someone who had the vehicle before me may have replaced the steering column unaware of the recall. They may have replaced it with a vehicle from the junk yard that never went in for the recall on the electronic s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2022
Sudden loss of power steering while driving. There was no warning on both occasions. One time I could not turn the vehicle and ended up leaving the road. Traffic behind me, as well, as cross traffic from the light change, piled up until I was able to run back over the curb and get back on the road. The car is currently at a repair shop for the 2nd time. The power steering recall affected the same... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
I have a 2005 Pontiac G6 that we purchased for our daughter about 4 or 5 years ago. The car has been a great first car and an emergency spare for our family, until recently. I was driving in Oklahoma City in 5 pm rush hour and without any type of warning I had zero and I mean zero power steering, I could not get the car off the highway at all, the steering wheel started shaking rapidly, and jearki... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2022
I had my valve cover gasket replaced fuel injectors serviced and transmission serviced on 12/26/2022. When I picked my car up on 12/29/2022, I was checking my brake lights when the car started Idling up and down on it's own and the check engine light came on. I called the dealer and was asked to bring the car in and they would check it out. I returned on Jan. 2nd 2023 to address the concerns with... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2022
No Low Beam Headlights illuminate now but one low beam headlight had been installed recently and BCM and/or harness was adjusted after which both low beam headlights had been working
Incident date: Jul 29, 2022
No Low Beam Headlights illuminate now but one low beam headlight had been installed recently and BCM and/or harness was adjusted after which both low beam headlights had been working
Incident date: Jan 1, 2000
Had a recall for the airbags a few years ago. I got it "fixed" at that time but soon after getting it done, the "check airbags" light came back on. I've been chancing it each time I get behind the wheel because of the hassle I went through with dealing with the recall. The first GM location I went to wanted to charge me. The second GM location that "fixed" the airbag was over an hour away so I ha... Read more
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(1999) - ENGINE
Dec 12, 2022
Incident date: Dec 12, 2022
1999 PONTIAC GRAN PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS MADE RELATED TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2022
Power steering went out mid-drive last week after the vehicle was purchased Used from Groove Subaru of Littleton, Colorado. The power steering went out again this morning while driver attempted to leave driveway. During both instances, driver turned the vehicle off then back on to get power steering again. The driver is elderly. The driver struggled to pull the vehicle over out of traffic when thi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2022
Power steering failed while driving. Turning was very difficult on snowy streets without power steering. After shutting off the car and restarting, power steering came back on briefly, then failed again. The car did display a warning that the power steering failed while it was happening, but nothing prior to the event. The car model uses electric power assist system. It has not yet been inspected ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2022
gas tank leaking
Incident date: Nov 25, 2022
The electric system appears to be unsafe, the ignition doesn't turn over and drains the battery every day. I'm also worried about the airbags and other recalls on this car. I contacted the dealer "Dave Kirk Automotive" in Crossville, TN weeks ago. They took the vin # and looked up the recalls. This was a month ago. They said they would get the parts and call me. No one at the dealer has co... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2022
The electric system appears to be unsafe, the ignition doesn't turn over and drains the battery every day. I'm also worried about the airbags and other recalls on this car. I contacted the dealer "Dave Kirk Automotive" in Crossville, TN weeks ago. They took the vin # and looked up the recalls. This was a month ago. They said they would get the parts and call me. No one at the dealer has co... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2022
The electric system appears to be unsafe, the ignition doesn't turn over and drains the battery every day. I'm also worried about the airbags and other recalls on this car. I contacted the dealer "Dave Kirk Automotive" in Crossville, TN weeks ago. They took the vin # and looked up the recalls. This was a month ago. They said they would get the parts and call me. No one at the dealer has co... Read more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2022
The power steering comes and goes while driving or even while in park. if i turn the vehicle on and off several times I can get the power steering to work sometimes. This vehicle is unsafe to drive.
Incident date: Jul 25, 2022
I had to replace the fuel pump module assembly because it was leaking fuel out from above the fuel tank and dripping down near the exhaust. A strong fuel smell alerted me to the issue and upon inspection we found fuel dripping out. This is a safety issue because leaking fuel near the exhaust is a possible problem for ignighting. There was no indication from the car itself that the leak was occurri... Read more
Incident date: Sep 17, 2022
BUCKLE CAME UNLATCHED AND LATCH WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL DRIVER AND PASSENGER
Incident date: Oct 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while in reverse, the vehicle continued to reverse and failed to stop. The gear shifter failed to shift to the intended gear, causing the contact to use the parking brake while depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the gear shifter cable had failed and neede... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel started shuddering significantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2022
Power Steering goes out without warning. I was driving my vehicle and the power steering stopped working, making it extremely difficult to maneuver my vehicle around the many curves on the road I live on at the regulated 30mph speed limit. I parked my vehicle and started it an hour later and the power steering was now working. I have not driven the vehicle for 4 days due to the loss of power steer... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2022
2007 PONTIAC G6. CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING VIBRATION AND SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE RECALL ISSUED ON 2015-2017, BUT THE DEALER PROVIDED HER WITH A PRINTOUT OF THIS RECALL.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2022
Steering wheel just keeps shaking real bad and I the power steering goes in and out all the time
Incident date: Oct 4, 2022
Steering wheel just keeps shaking real bad and I the power steering goes in and out all the time
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
The power steering mechanism stopped working, therefore I cannot turn the wheel. The gear shifter/drive train stopped working, therefore I cannot go into reverse, I am stuck in 3rd gear. It is unsafe because when I go to turn I cannot turn the wheel at times. I have issues braking. All of these issues are recalls on the vehicle. GM states that the recalls were performed seven years ago in San Juan... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
The power steering mechanism stopped working, therefore I cannot turn the wheel. The gear shifter/drive train stopped working, therefore I cannot go into reverse, I am stuck in 3rd gear. It is unsafe because when I go to turn I cannot turn the wheel at times. I have issues braking. All of these issues are recalls on the vehicle. GM states that the recalls were performed seven years ago in San Juan... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
The power steering mechanism stopped working, therefore I cannot turn the wheel. The gear shifter/drive train stopped working, therefore I cannot go into reverse, I am stuck in 3rd gear. It is unsafe because when I go to turn I cannot turn the wheel at times. I have issues braking. All of these issues are recalls on the vehicle. GM states that the recalls were performed seven years ago in San Juan... Read more
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2002) - ENGINE
Oct 2, 2022
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
I had just drove about 30 miles home and when I arrived my engine was was smoking a little more than was usual because of oil burn off. So I popped the hood and a fire started in the back of the engine where I was having problems previously with the power steering pump. Obviously when I opened the hood it helped the fire and it grew. Took 30 minutes to put out. Car is now out of commission and I d... Read more
Fire
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2001) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 23, 2022
Incident date: Jun 28, 2021
Not sure if the problem is in the engine or engine or the fuel but I but I smell Exhaust or gas when the engine is running. With the headlights I can barely see at night. Having my brights on Is like having your regular lights on.
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2001) - ENGINE
Sep 23, 2022
Incident date: Jun 28, 2021
Not sure if the problem is in the engine or engine or the fuel but I but I smell Exhaust or gas when the engine is running. With the headlights I can barely see at night. Having my brights on Is like having your regular lights on.
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2001) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 23, 2022
Incident date: Jun 28, 2021
Not sure if the problem is in the engine or engine or the fuel but I but I smell Exhaust or gas when the engine is running. With the headlights I can barely see at night. Having my brights on Is like having your regular lights on.