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 2,780 complaints for PORSCHE
Incident date: Jun 27, 2022
In the center of the lane on a straight highway, vehicle will suddenly brake without warning. There are no vehicles ahead. A warning light comes on the dash and says “Driver Control Required,” yet both my hands are on the steering wheel. The feeling is that of a brake check performed by the electronic sensors of the car, and not at the driver’s command. Had there been a car following behi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2022
Windshield washer hose has snapped at the hood hinge which is preventing clearing of the windsheild of debris and obscuring forward visibility. This part was replaced by the dealer in 2016 during the first annual service for reasons unknown to me and has now failed.
Incident date: Jun 5, 2022
On Sunday June 5, 2022, I had to remove my 2019 Porsche Macan S right rear tire because it had a screw in it. I ahd to do it that day because its leaking had increased and it went totally flat, while I had been waiting many days for my purchased tire and road hazard service. I removed the tire and put in a temporary plug so it could be taken to the servicing dealer, Porsche Silver Spring, MD, o... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Coolant warning light on - seeing leak Coolant warning light for coolant level comes on. Seeing a leak at a hose. Leaking at coolant bypass hose under intake. Coolant pipes in thermostat housing are coming loose at the epoxy joint. Chassis system failure, The car will stop abruptly on roads. And if here's that these problems that are reoccurring have been recalls before, That have not been... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Coolant warning light on - seeing leak Coolant warning light for coolant level comes on. Seeing a leak at a hose. Leaking at coolant bypass hose under intake. Coolant pipes in thermostat housing are coming loose at the epoxy joint. Chassis system failure, The car will stop abruptly on roads. And if here's that these problems that are reoccurring have been recalls before, That have not been... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Coolant warning light on - seeing leak Coolant warning light for coolant level comes on. Seeing a leak at a hose. Leaking at coolant bypass hose under intake. Coolant pipes in thermostat housing are coming loose at the epoxy joint. Chassis system failure, The car will stop abruptly on roads. And if here's that these problems that are reoccurring have been recalls before, That have not been... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2022
2013 PORSCHE BOXTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-679. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, BUT THE DEALER DENIED HAVING THE PARTS.
Incident date: May 27, 2022
The engine oil started leaking on the timing case over bolts. The current mileage is 20500. This happened right after the regular 40,000 mile maintenance. The dealership said it's out of warranty but on a bit of research the aluminum bolts seem to break easily with a lot of similar cases.
Incident date: May 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Porsche Panamera. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the transmission failed to shift as designed. The contact stated that the transmission and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. ... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2022
The vehicle shuts down when stopped in traffic, have to try and re-start it. Has happened 3 different times.
Incident date: May 29, 2022
The vehicle shuts down when stopped in traffic, have to try and re-start it. Has happened 3 different times.
PORSCHE
MACAN TURBO
(2016) - AIR BAGS
May 27, 2022
Incident date: May 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Porsche Macan Turbo. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign ... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2022
After the most recent recalls were repaired (all software) on my vehicle the brakes in the car were terrible. Soft /dead pedal feel. I almost rear ended other cars multiple times wen braking at slow speeds. Occasionally the pedal would go all the way to the floor when slowing to 3-5mph - This was consistent over multiple days after I got the car back from recall updates. Also , the first in... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2022
the vehicle is hard to steer, which includes an intermittent manual to power feel in the steering so that pulling hard on the steering causes the vehicle to veer in direction of the steer. While pulling hard, the steering will suddenly feel "powered" but then immediately return to feeling manual. This puts anyone at risk in the vehicle, as it is dangerous to make turns. An appointment for diagnosi... Read more
Incident date: May 17, 2022
Car would go in to P or N during slow moving situations. Could of been rear ended or stuck in the middle of a intersection. Many Taycan owners have had the same issue. First time I was in stop and go traffic, as I let off the brake the car went into N. Second time after a few lights, car was in hold. Noticed the car did not go when light turned green when giving power. It was at P.
Incident date: May 7, 2022
Car went from drive to neutral without any input from the driver. Occurred at a stop light when the car was static.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2022
Multiple times, after coming to a full stop, the car has silently shifted from D to N or P. I often only notice once I want to drive off again, and am unable to. It happened the first time after only around 100 miles, now with over 3500 miles on the car it still happens from time to time.
Incident date: May 16, 2022
Car shifted into park unexpectedly mutiple times. First was pulling into a parking spot, going about 2mph and car jolted to a halt, noticed it was in park. Second time I was already stopped, waiting at a red light. Car shifted into park. Both times I was able to put car into drive and resume my driving.
Incident date: Apr 23, 2022
At low speeds the vehicle removed itself from drive D and shifted into neutral N. The vehicle started jerking forward and back while still moving. Once I put it back in drive it went away. No one was behind me so no accident resulted.
Incident date: Mar 31, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Porsche Cayman. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the rear housing axle carriers repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V679000 (Power Train). However, upon picking up the vehicle, the rear suspension was unstable and drifted all over the road while driving. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2022
Over the past 5 months, approx 6-7 episodes of car putting itself into park or neutral or 'hold' while stopped at traffic light. No loss of power while accelerator engaged.
Incident date: May 9, 2022
Rear camera view is distorted when backing up. Unable to safely see behind you when driving.
Incident date: May 9, 2022
Rear camera view is distorted when backing up. Unable to safely see behind you when driving.
Incident date: Apr 11, 2022
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -THE TRUNK How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON, THE KEY WAS ON TEH VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION THE TRUNK POPPED OPEN ON IT'S OWN. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -NO Has the vehicle or... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 11, 2022
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -THE TRUNK How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON, THE KEY WAS ON TEH VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION THE TRUNK POPPED OPEN ON IT'S OWN. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -NO Has the vehicle or... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. On one occasion while driving, the failure occurred and nearly cause the vehicle to be rear ended by a vehicle speeding from behind. The vehicle was taken to the local... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2022
Vehicle erratically switches to Park unintentionally. This is an intermittent issue but does occur several times during a drive, pretty much daily. Porsche service couldn't find source of issue, said it was a known issue, but had no fix for it.
Incident date: Apr 24, 2022
My car got stuck and then it caught fire and now is fully demolished
Fire
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
THERE'S AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE (it is an E-Hybrid) with ERROR MESSAGES THAT RUN IN A CONTINUOUS LOOP (ACC NOT AVAILABLE, PAS RESTRICTED, DRIVING LIGHT CONTROL ERROR, HIGH BEAM ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE, LANE KEEP ASSIST RESTRICTED). THE LOCAL DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A MONTH. WE WERE CALLED TWO TIMES TO PICK UP A "F... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
THERE'S AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE (it is an E-Hybrid) with ERROR MESSAGES THAT RUN IN A CONTINUOUS LOOP (ACC NOT AVAILABLE, PAS RESTRICTED, DRIVING LIGHT CONTROL ERROR, HIGH BEAM ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE, LANE KEEP ASSIST RESTRICTED). THE LOCAL DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A MONTH. WE WERE CALLED TWO TIMES TO PICK UP A "F... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
THERE'S AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE (it is an E-Hybrid) with ERROR MESSAGES THAT RUN IN A CONTINUOUS LOOP (ACC NOT AVAILABLE, PAS RESTRICTED, DRIVING LIGHT CONTROL ERROR, HIGH BEAM ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE, LANE KEEP ASSIST RESTRICTED). THE LOCAL DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A MONTH. WE WERE CALLED TWO TIMES TO PICK UP A "F... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2022
I got an “Electrical System Error. Park vehicle in a safe place” while I was on the freeway. I had to exit the freeway and shut down the vehicle and the error went away. I am hesitant to drive the vehicle, I am in the process of having the vehicle flat bedded to my dealer.
Incident date: Nov 5, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Porsche Macan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V131000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconne... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The air-conditioning system quit after 2000 miles of a brand new Macan-s. It starts blowing Hot air as soon as the A/C is turned on.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The air-conditioning system quit after 2000 miles of a brand new Macan-s. It starts blowing Hot air as soon as the A/C is turned on.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The air-conditioning system quit after 2000 miles of a brand new Macan-s. It starts blowing Hot air as soon as the A/C is turned on.
PORSCHE
BOXSTER (987)
(2009) - TIRES:TREAD/BELT
Apr 20, 2022
Incident date: Apr 20, 2022
TIRES ARE 235/40 R18 REAR TIRES. This is the second set of these tires that have worn out after about 3500 city/highway road miles. No racing, no drifting, no tire spinning on launch. Porsche dealer replaced both sets as part of CPO process; now I need a third set. Current mileage on the car is 63590; I purchased it in Sept of 2021 with 57K miles. Tire wear is even across the tread; no alignme... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2022
Suddenly my vehicle showed "electrical system error", then it can't move, no matter forward or reverse, luckily it was parked in my garage, I can't image if it was on highway when your vehicle suddenly lost power. I don't remember how many times my Taycan was recalled in past 1 year, but it looks Porsche still haven't figure it out, maybe it's still a prototype.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2022
I call to your attention the potential safety issues resulting from manufactories furnishing only one key. the single key fob won't start traveling with no dealer access lost or stolen key fob battery dies etc., etc. Duplicate key fobs are essential Porsche Cars USA is negligent
Incident date: Jan 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Porsche Macan equipped with Continental Tires, Tires Line: ContiSportContact, Tire Sizes: 265/40/R21, DOT Number: HW43D3JM4320 and 295/35/R21, DOT Number: HW7DD3JK4820. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 MPH, the front passenger's side and the rear passenger's side tires experienced blowouts, causing the vehicle to spin out. The contact was able to veer to... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2022
On 3 separate occasions while at a stop light the car shifted itself into neutral from drive. It’s very unsettling and unsafe. This is a brand new 2022 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.
Incident date: Mar 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Porsche Taycan. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle shifted into neutral independently, and the vehicle came to a complete stop in the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated the electrical functions on the console was inoperable. The contact was unable to shift the vehicle into gear. The contact stated that dur... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Porsche Taycan. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle shifted into neutral independently, and the vehicle came to a complete stop in the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated the electrical functions on the console was inoperable. The contact was unable to shift the vehicle into gear. The contact stated that dur... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2022
I receive a latter from Porsche Cars North America, Atlanta, Georgia, after that i went to the Porsche Dealer in Irvine, they told months ago that they where ordering the part, i went back and they just told me that they will call me when the part arrived, this is been before December of 2021.
Incident date: Mar 19, 2022
The Taycan offers what Porsche calls Porsche Innodrive (PID). PID once activated, the car uses navigation information and road signs to automatically adjust the vehicle's speed to the maximum speed limit of the road. In some locations, the vehicle abruptly reduces its speed because PID misreads a Truck Speed Limit sign, e.g.: the vehicle is moving at 65 mph, then it abruptly reduces the speed to 3... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2022
This vehicle is fully electric, and it uses regeneration while braking. With regeneration on, the braking distance is much shorter than without. The driver does NOT have any means to turn regeneration off while braking. In some instances, the first time the braking system is engaged, regeneration does not kick in, and the braking distance is unexpectedly longer than usual. This has always happen... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2022
The Taycan offers what Porsche calls Porsche Innodrive (PID). PID once activated, the car uses navigation information and road signs to automatically adjust the vehicle's speed to the speed limit of the road. In some instances, the system speed freezes at, e.g., 50 mph and no longer adjusts to the speed limit of the road. When this happens, the vehicle will accelerate to the speed it froze at. ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
Passenger Airbag Fault light is on and has been steadily on for 1 month. Was told my vehicle is not covered by the recall even though it is the same exact part "Passenger seat occupancy detection seat foam mat faulty, replace seat occupancy sensor." that requires repair. The repair cost is almost $4000 including waiting up to 4 weeks for the parts to come in. The maker is not offering a loaner ve... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2022
My Taycan 4S has now on two occasions, while I’m driving, on the freeway, during the daytime, had all the instrument cluster displays go blank for 20-30 sec then reboot… Very disconcerting at best... dealer tells me this is NORMAL!, hard to believe its normal.... for me it's a safety issue.