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: Feb 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized, with the power steering assist fault and two other unknown messages displayed on the instrument panel. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering) which she linked to the failure. Both the dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
2018 Kia Sorrento died suddenly on the highway. We heard a loud rattling noise, then a pop followed by the engine stopping with some smoke coming out under the hood.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
Total brake failure. Went to park at the bank (luckily was only moving at 4MPH) Went to stop and the brake pedal sank all the way to the floor. I quickly pumped them and was able to stop only inches from going through a fence. Was able to pump the peddle till it was solid again. Has not happened again since then.
Incident date: Feb 21, 2023
Side Object Detection Indicator failure. This was a recall in 2019 after my system failed causing the entire electronic dashboard to go black while driving on the highway. I had no indication of speed while driving. Once I pulled safely off the road and turned the vehicle off, it would not start and needed to be towed. I had it fixed and within months GMC recalled the module kit due to poor design... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2023
Side Object Detection Indicator failure. This was a recall in 2019 after my system failed causing the entire electronic dashboard to go black while driving on the highway. I had no indication of speed while driving. Once I pulled safely off the road and turned the vehicle off, it would not start and needed to be towed. I had it fixed and within months GMC recalled the module kit due to poor design... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2023
The heating system in my 2022 Porsche Taycan stopped working. In addition to it not being able to heat the cabin, I can't defog/defrost the windshield making the car unsafe to drive. I'm told by the Porsche dealer that this is a known issue, and the fix involves ordering a part from Germany with unknown ETA.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Brake warning lights flashed and brakes failed
Incident date: Feb 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the contact started losing control of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension) and advised the conta... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2022
I was notified of the Particulate Matter (PM) Sensor not being installed in the exhaust aftertreatment system of my vehicle on a post delivery survey I received. The dealership's service department has no idea about this sensor not being installed by the factory, and the response from the letter stated there would be a recall soon to have the PM sensor installed, but that has not happened over a y... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2022
I was notified of the Particulate Matter (PM) Sensor not being installed in the exhaust aftertreatment system of my vehicle on a post delivery survey I received. The dealership's service department has no idea about this sensor not being installed by the factory, and the response from the letter stated there would be a recall soon to have the PM sensor installed, but that has not happened over a y... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the oil change warning light was illuminated. The contact changed the oil however, after changing the oil, the vehicle would not shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2023
I purchased this as a used car online and had it delivered to me. It hasn’t been a year of owning it yet and my car is now un-drivable. I was driving down the road and my transmission malf light came in and my car went into limp mode. I had to get it towed and the local shop who has it said it’s a broken timing chain from a failure. I’ve never had any issues and then all of a sudden now I ha... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH after picking up the vehicle from the dealer, the vehicle jolted violently several times. The vehicle then reversed independently. Additionally, the gear shifter was stuck in drive. The bra... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, the vehicle made knocking sounds while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the dealer declined the engine replacement due to the vehicle not having the Knock S... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2023
The issue started 1/24/2022 9:30pm when the car steering wheel buttons features where off and 2 warning lights on. All self driving mode assistance where off. I took the car to Nashua Hyundai 140 Daniel Webster Hwy, Nashua, NH 03060 tel 603- 888- 8080, i believe was the week of the 31, and they ordered the 3 parts. They told me it was safe to drive the car. During Saturday 1/21 I drove to NYC to m... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for routine service, he was informed that the subframe was corroded. The contact also stated that while driving at highway speeds, the rear of the vehicle was shaking while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2023
Vehicle transmission went out/ stopped working.
PORSCHE
911 CARRERA
(2004) — POWER TRAIN
Jan 26, 2023
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
I had been driving my 2017 Santa Fe SE (6cyl, 3.3L engine) for approximately three hours when the battery, oil, and engine lights all lit up and the engine shut down immediately. I'd had no prior warning of an issue and lost power/control of the vehicle in less than a minute. My vehicle was towed to my mechanic who determined a complete engine failure. Tranfer of vehicle to Hyundai dealership f... Read more
PORSCHE
911 CARRERA
(2004) — ENGINE
Jan 26, 2023
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
I had been driving my 2017 Santa Fe SE (6cyl, 3.3L engine) for approximately three hours when the battery, oil, and engine lights all lit up and the engine shut down immediately. I'd had no prior warning of an issue and lost power/control of the vehicle in less than a minute. My vehicle was towed to my mechanic who determined a complete engine failure. Tranfer of vehicle to Hyundai dealership f... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2022
After vehicle warms up good, the transmission shutters when taking off from a stop causing a dangerous hesitation when pulling out into traffic.
Incident date: Jan 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would unintendedly drift to the left. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality. A warning message indicating power steering failure was displayed. The contact was able to continue driv... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would unintendedly drift to the left. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality. A warning message indicating power steering failure was displayed. The contact was able to continue driv... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that upon driving several miles and refueling the vehicle, he noticed that the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) additive gauge remained stuck in the same position. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known failure and that the failure would persist even after the repair.... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
While driving the car on the highway it completely shut off and would not start. My dashboard is black and flashes. This could have been worse and put our life at risk. I have had so many issues on this car ever since I purchased it. I have taken it to a shop before and this will be my third time.
Incident date: Aug 2, 2022
When braking my brakes hit the floor. I had the booster and master cylinder replaced. 2 years later my car has been at the dealer for 2 months. They replaced the booster again and now say I need a HCU unit. The HCU is on stop sale and now I still am without a car. I have paid 1450.00 for the second booster so far and if they can get the HCU then it’s another 1500.00. My car only has 73,000 miles... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
When driving with Autopilot enabled, the brakes suddenly and sharply come on when I crest a hill. It's very disorienting and could be dangerous if the road is busy. The Autopilot should not be beta tested on consumers and other drivers like this.
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
When driving with Autopilot enabled, the brakes suddenly and sharply come on when I crest a hill. It's very disorienting and could be dangerous if the road is busy. The Autopilot should not be beta tested on consumers and other drivers like this.
Incident date: Oct 12, 2021
When downshifting and just before Coming to a complete stop and vehicle lurches/surges forward even though my foot is on the brake pedal. This happens in every drive mode with or without Autostart/stop engaged. It is Significantly challenging in stop and go traffic because it’s difficult to gage when the car will come to a complete stop. I have to make accommodation for the car lunging forward w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2021
When downshifting and just before Coming to a complete stop and vehicle lurches/surges forward even though my foot is on the brake pedal. This happens in every drive mode with or without Autostart/stop engaged. It is Significantly challenging in stop and go traffic because it’s difficult to gage when the car will come to a complete stop. I have to make accommodation for the car lunging forward w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2021
When downshifting and just before Coming to a complete stop and vehicle lurches/surges forward even though my foot is on the brake pedal. This happens in every drive mode with or without Autostart/stop engaged. It is Significantly challenging in stop and go traffic because it’s difficult to gage when the car will come to a complete stop. I have to make accommodation for the car lunging forward w... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2022
The contact is a car seat technician. The contact worked with a family who owns a Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Max Convertible Car Seat, as the technician was inspecting the car seat she noticed the chest clip was not working as needed. The magnetic piece that clips on the chest area comes out easily.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
It appears some part of the steering column in my 2017 Macan has failed. The whole steering assembly has about 10mm of give in the vertical direction. This could be a serious safety hazard if the assembly comes completely loose while driving.
Incident date: Dec 24, 2022
Heater randomly stopped working, defrost won't function and that will cause a safety concern
Incident date: Dec 30, 2022
The heating unit and defrosting unit fail on the Porsche Taycans. I have seen this in other Porsche Taycans and it is nearly impossible to see through the windshield when it fails. I had to cautiously limp it to a Porsche dealership due to not being able to see out of the front windshield. There were no warning lamps or messages displayed simply zero heat and the driver side and passenger side win... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2022
I have 71 documented cases of Porsche Taycan heating systems failing at https://github.com/evstatus/PorscheTaycan/issues/1 The issue affects all Taycan models going as far back as 2020. This is a safety issue that requires that the car be flatbed towed when the heating system fails, as it affects the ability to effectively defrost and defog the windows in cold environments.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2022
Cabin heater in the car failed during very cold temperatures. Making the windows fog up considerably. Limiting my trips to short distances until this problem can be fixed due the safety concern of the windows fogging during longer trips. No warnings to the failure, dealer is aware of this being a common issue on the Taycan.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
My 2016 Porsche Macan Turbo steering column failed w/o warning at 7 years & 39,000 miles. November 2022. Porsche Dealer told me car is not safe to drive with steering column able to move up & down. So, I had to pay to have it towed to the dealer. PCNA denied Goodwill coverage of this manufacturing defect! The Service Manager offered to cover 50% & I accepted this offer. So, I had to pay out of... Read more
Incident date: Sep 12, 2022
We purchased the 2005 Porsche Cayenne from my brother-in-law in August of 2022. He had owned the vehicle for at least a year before I purchased it from him. Shortly after the purchase, I noticed the engine light came on. On 09/12/22 a strong smell of fuel was emitting from the vehicle in a Walmart parking lot in Denton, Texas at approximately 1030pm. I noticed a large puddle of gasoline on the ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2022
No windshield defrosting and defogging in my 2022 Taycan 4S (purchased new a year ago). Impaired visibility. No heat in passenger compartment. Dealer found electric heater failed and needed replacement. The high-voltage electric in-line heater heats the coolant used for windshield defrosting and defogging, as well as passenger compartment heat. See attachment for system description. The Taycan ele... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2004 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that while the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair appointment, he noticed that the steering wheel had a quarter inch of play. The U-Joint connection was severely corroded. The dealer diagnosed that the steering column and steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made awa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2022
Car displayed the following message: Electrical system error Park vehicle in a safe place
Incident date: Nov 4, 2022
While driving my Porsche Taycan 2021 (5000 miles) Nov 4th, 2022, at highway speeds on I-15 to Vegas, the instrument cluster started flashing "Electric System Error" and instructed me to park in safe place immediately and call Roadside Assistance. I had to park on the hard shoulder and wait for a tow truck. It was scary as there were big rigs passing my every 10-20 seconds. Car was towed to the Por... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2022
Spontaneous shutdown of the vehicle while driving. Critical failure of motility while driving. Driving at 50km per hour extremely dangerous as car just shutdown and I had to try to roll off the road but it died so I had to put it in neutral and push it by hand on a busy road. Car has been at the dealer for 3 weeks now. The spontaneous shut occurred and a red light came on.
Incident date: Nov 20, 2022
Spontaneous shutdown of the vehicle while driving. Critical failure of motility while driving. Driving at 50km per hour extremely dangerous as car just shutdown and I had to try to roll off the road but it died so I had to put it in neutral and push it by hand on a busy road. Car has been at the dealer for 3 weeks now. The spontaneous shut occurred and a red light came on.
Incident date: Nov 20, 2022
Spontaneous shutdown of the vehicle while driving. Critical failure of motility while driving. Driving at 50km per hour extremely dangerous as car just shutdown and I had to try to roll off the road but it died so I had to put it in neutral and push it by hand on a busy road. Car has been at the dealer for 3 weeks now. The spontaneous shut occurred and a red light came on.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
When accelerating from a stop the car skips/shutters. This generally occurs gears 2-3. This problem has placed me in danger when trying to accelerate while making left hand turns.
Incident date: Aug 6, 2009
The contact owns a 2008 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started wobbling with a loud sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred several times. The manufacturer was contacted... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2022
beginning in August 2022, I have had repeated problems with the battery in my 2022 Cayenne. if the car is left sitting for approximately 48 hours, the battery dies and must be jumpstarted. we reported this issue to Porsche immediately and my car has been in with the Porsche service technicians at least three times (August 9, Sept 13, Nov 7) this fall with no success at fixing the problem. (we... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2022
There have been four total episodes when the car would not accelerate when the acceleration pedal was pressed. The last time it happened (late October 2022) the acceleration was very sluggish and I barely made it home. This happened on a residential street, and continued for 10+ minutes. If this power loss occurred on a highway, it could have lead to a very dangerous situation. There were no error... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2022
I called the Porsche dealer regarding my open recall and they are unable to check my vehicle for 2 months. That is unacceptable. What are my next steps?