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 2,690 complaints for PORSCHE
Incident date: Jun 20, 2024
The steering is compromized. The wheel pulls or "locks up" and is not smooth when attempting to steer the vehicle into traffic or from lane to lane on the highway. I looked up any recalls and there is a recall for the steering rack for similar jeeps but not my speciifc VIN number. I took the car in for service. Certified mechanic checked the tires, the alignment, the shocks, etc. and determined th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2024
Drivers seat is moving all the way forward & inclining all the way towards steering wheel while operating vehicle and I am unable to stop stop it or move it back. This has happened to me 4 times now, 2 of them at high speeds & there is no rhyme or rhythm to when or if you can adjust the seat back. It stayed all the way up after parking & sitting in my driveway for about 14 hours, I was able to mo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
I was driving back from Montana and my passenger side sun visor disconnected and was hanging from the wire causing a visibility issue when driving. Approximately 1 year ago the same thing happened to my driver side sun visor. This also caused problems with visibility while driving because it wouldn't remain in the locked position. It would hang by the wires. Both times I had the visor replaced at ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2023
The vehicle began making a knocking sound upon starting. I contacted the local dealership for a service appointment and learned that they were out a couple of months on their appointment schedule. A day or two later, my vehicle shut off while driving, I was fortunate to have enough momentum to pull of the road safely. Upon having it towed to a local mechanic, I learned that the engine seized and n... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2024
The contact owned a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced abnormal gear shifts. Additionally, the contact noticed a gasoline odor and a burning plastic odor coming from the A/C vents. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop at the stop sign, the vehicle failed to respond. The message "ABS Failure " was... Read more
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 8, 2024
My Gas tank has Expanded in Size and has made my back seat Pop up and gas leaking when it does because the ring around the Gas pump would Loosen Up. I noticed this issue first around April of Last year when it got Warmer. I would have horrible fuel efficiency, and my gas hand acted very Crazy. A few times it felt like I had been hit by a car from the Back a large Boom! When I am have a problem m c... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2024
When the car stops the auto stop turns on, but when the car is ready to move the auto stop will turn the car off or lose power. Another issue is that when the car is in park an error message says shift into park. This will not allow you to turn the car off. The car is in the park.
Incident date: May 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to maneuver. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failu... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
After driving a car through a rainstorm, and trying to back up into a parking space on a city street, Big blobs of water drops appeared on the rear camera making it impossible to see backing up. Many people report this on social media sites.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2022
What system Failed: Hydraulic Control Unit within the braking system. Brake Pedal and Master cylinder in good working order. Safety Concern: Vehicle failed to stop. Peddle completely to the floor. Accident avoided. Problem Reproduced or confirmed by Service Center: Yes, at a cost of $1,699.00 Inspected: Yes. Vehicle has low miles. Odometer: 114,591 Warnings: No lights or warnings, attemp... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 1999
I was driving on highway, speed was about 70mph. All the sudden the dashboard said “ Stop Safely Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon”. Then the car start reducing the speed immediately no matter how hard I tried to accelerate. I stopped in the emergency lane. Shutdown the car. Then restart, I could drive about 30s to 60s, then the error came again. It occurred 6 times in total while I drove out the hi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2023
Purchased our 2014 CR-V [XXX], used one owner, 55301 mileage. Very little driving the next three years due to the pandemic. Summer of 2023 we were driving from Buffalo to [XXX] , first 30 miles, severe hesitation, amber lights on, until reaching 70mph. Hesitation stopped but lights stayed on. By August the TPMS indicator, malfunction indicator lamp and other lights came on, again. We reset accord... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the instrument cluster was inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 15 MPH in a parking lot, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH while driving. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2023
Transmission is pulling during shifting. Dealer updated Transmission software twice already during warranty. Car is doing it again. This can be a safety problem when pulling in front of traffic and Transmission fails to shift smoothly and it jerks/delays.
Incident date: Mar 26, 2023
On 3/26/23 my 2022 Porsche Taycan Turbo self-ignited in our garage and created a lithium fire literally incinerating itself and completely destroying 3 other cars, the garage and approximately 35% of our home. The resulting fire filled the home with smoke, soot and required us to leave the house immediately and we have yet to return. The car was not being charged at the time of the fire; the charg... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train); 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 w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V835000 (Power Train); 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts w... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, an unknown belt fractured, and the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, who informed the contact about diagnostic testing, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure m... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2024
I ran into the existing issue described in "Part 573 Safety Recall Report" NHTSA Recall Number 22V-011, but in a state not listed under the recall (vehicle purchased used in Pennsylvania in 2017). As a result of this part failing, my brake lights remained engaged permanently, and the car's engine power would increase and decrease rapidly (presumably because it thought I kept hitting the breaks). ... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Collision warning failed. Automatic emergency braking failed. Unknown if brakes were delayed or had issue stopping. I rear ended the car the in front of me, going from a stop while attempting to make a right hand turn. There were no system warnings or emergency braking applied although the car is equipped with those and many more safety features. During the accident the air bags were not d... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 10, 2024
I have a 2020 Jeep Wrangler JL that I purchased in October of 2023. Since the day I bought it I noted that it wanders down the road and requires constant steering correction, left/right right/left left/left right/right and so on. It has excessive freeplay at top dead center of the steering. Mfg issued a TSB acknowledging the defective steering boxes that Jeep installed in our wranglers from 2018-2... Read more
PORSCHE
MACAN TURBO
(2017) — TIRES
May 9, 2024
Incident date: Dec 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V482000 (Tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experien... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
While driving I get a return for service and all my dash lights and rear view mirror goes blank with light flashing and aural warning. Have taken to dealer and they replace backup camera, simplest fix for them, then it did it again when I picked up and continues to do while driving home. I have not driven in over 4 months waiting on parts which Ram says are not available.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2024
Check engine warning light appeared on dashboard. When servicing the vehicle at dealership, they found catalytic converter not burning up exhaust gases properly. Need to replace y-pipe, part #86781749. I found NHTSA document N232419720 - Emission Recall Incorrect Catalytic Converter Service Part, that references my car make and model. I am requesting an investigation to have this included in a rec... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
Brought the car in April 1st for oil consumption, was told to bring it back at 1000miles for oil consumption test. Drive the car for 700 miles and it started to sputter while driving on expressway. Car died and was smoking. Checked oil level and it was at L on dipstick. Kia is saying it is the fuel injectors and are still not taking care of the oil consumption. Was told fuel injectors are not cove... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2024
I made a hard brake when first got car. Warning lights for ABS and traction control came on. Battery disconnected. Battery reconnected and codes cleared, but warning lights remained. Code 2400201 on OBDII read. I didn’t check ABS pump for leakage as I don’t know where that is. I can see the ABS Pump module unit aka ABS Hydraulic Control Unit. When I hard brake there is no ABS pumping action. ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2024
While driving suddenly in the middle of the road the car stopped with the warning Pull over immediately. Rear motor disabled. The biggest safety issue was the vehicle would not respond to any shift in gear drive , reverse or neutral. It wouldn’t move at all. I had to call 911 and cops also tried but the vehicle would not respond to any movement
Incident date: Apr 18, 2024
A/C condensor AND evaporator inspected and found leaking at no fault or damage to the car. Original owner, 5 years, 50k miles which us an abnormality for failure in these parts. Many reported the issue on forum [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Apr 18, 2024
Driving on busy road and the engine cut off completely without warning on a busy Highway. The first time it happened vehicle could be restarted and get to dealership and no code and unable to figure out the cause. Second time driving again on a busy road and happened on a curve and it shut down and would not restart and then had to wait for a tow and call for police to help due to busy traffic are... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
There have been many complaints about the rear end of this truck and it says they been waiting for a recall for 6 years over the rear end of this truck and mine went out wile on the high way at high speed I defnatly feel my life was in danger and many others also how do I get this handled I need my rear end fixed I can not go to work I am fixing to be homeless over this issue and it could have end... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
Purchased the car certified preowned from a Kia dealer with 45,000 miles on it, meaning I would have the the remaining 55,000 miles of the 100,000 mile powertrain coverage. At 77,000 miles a small ticking noise started on the way to work and became a knock on the way home. I pulled over where it was safe and towed it to the dealer. They replaced the engine under warranty. Now at 154,000 everything... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2024
We Purchased the Dodge Hornet GT on 04/17/2024 drove it home and parked it. My Husband tried to drive it on 04/18/2024 and the steering failed and the dash board lit up with: Service Power steering, Drive mode unavailable, Park sense disabled, Service Engine, Auto Dim High Beams unavailable, Service forward collision Warning and ESC Hill Start Assist with warning lights/Icons on the left side of t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2024
Due to a Ford design flaw my car has experienced what is called "coolant intrusion". TSB 19-2346. My check engine light appeared, solid in color and I brought it in for service/check on [XXX] at Apple Ford in Shakopee, MN. Diagnostics showed a P0302 Cylinder 2 misfire detected. The car was running rough on start-up and idle but once warm would run fine. Replaced all spark plugs & boots as it app... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
The hood of this vehicle is supported by reinforcements from the underside. They are attached with some caulk type adhesive. The adhesive has failed causing the hood to flutter when you go over bumps or when you are on the highway. I am not sure but if the conditions are right, can the hood become detached from the supports and peel back or rip away from the vehicle? The dealer inspected the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2024
Airbags notification is on
Incident date: Apr 6, 2024
The engine cooling failed inside the block on cylinder #2. The cooling system is not operable and resulted in blue smoke under acceleration. The car is no longer under warranty and only has 65K miles on it and is otherwise in good working order. I am told the whole engine needs to be replaced.
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
The cylinder head and timing cover are leaking oil and need to be replaced. It is at the dealer and available for inspection. The car started smoking and lost oil obscuring my vision. The problem appears to be well known by the dealer and they were able to diagnose the issue. The vehicle has only been inspected by the dealer where I purchased it. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symp... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2020
The contact's wife owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while his wife was driving and making a left or a right turn, the steering wheel locked inadvertently. The contact stated that while forcefully turning the steering wheel, the steering wheel made an abnormally loud grinding sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurri... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2020
The contact owns 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, and on other occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle drove over a small bump on the roadway and the vehicle unintendedly surged forward, accelerated, and then decelerated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
My 2016 Hyundai Genesis has several open recalls. I cannot get a dealership to help me get these issues resolved. One recall in particular Hyundai recall number 254 is causing major safety issues. My car does not start 90% of the time without being jumped and now the car will die out while driving. It has caused me to almost wreck several times. I have called all of the local Hyundai dealerships n... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
I have had several Ford Focuses and I’m not sure why I keep buying them. The transmission shudders or slips. Makes awful noises like grinding or something hitting the fan blade. I currently have 7 codes stored in the car but no check engine light. My garage thinks maybe it needs a new ABS control module. The display screen goes black all the time and doesn’t come back on. Ford is aware of thes... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
Wireless cell phone charger doesn’t work. Light just blinks and the phone never charges.
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
The exhaust pipe, gaskets and muffler. Yes, at times we do smell the exhaust inside the vehicle and a loud sound coming from the engine when the vehicle is in motion and on standby. Yes they were notified and are still waiting for parts to have it repaired. They advised to continue driving my car and refused to provide a rental to use during the downtime due to my ‘issue’ not covered by my war... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2020
My car has a recall, and the dealership is unable to fix it. There is also an issue with the oem control module that they are unable to get the part and unable to fix this because they do not have the correct software.
Incident date: Mar 24, 2024
Confirmation from Ford dealership that 2018 Ford Focus has worn out clutch replaced at 57,547 miles. Clutch issue was causing delays in shifting, and consistent shuddering when accelerating from an idle position. Repair covered under 5-year 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. There is a recall on this same issue on the 2012-2016 models. At 68,488 miles (approximately 11 months from former repair) the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
This vehicle is missing along with a 25 year old driving it We need GPS data to locate this vehicle however Toyota motor corps is not cooperating in getting this data to us, please help us.
Incident date: Mar 3, 2024
My complaint relates to Campaign Number 07V435000 We are the original and only owner of this vehicle. While driving the vehicle I started to notice a fuel smell, after several attempts to locate the source, one day I added fuel, I noticed a small puddle in my driveway the following morning. I removed the wheel and the fender well cover to find the fuel filler neck had rotted through and fuel had w... Read more