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 29,025 complaints for RAM
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
As you prepare to stop or tap the brakes, the transmission shifts into a different gear, such as the "tow mode" or the "sport mode" independently. This would down shift, throwing occupants forward. Then, to return to "regular" drive mode I would need to either tap the brake brake until reaching the desired "mode", or depress the gear button located at the end of the shift lever. This action jerks... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The m... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
ABS module malfunctioned, auto maker has no available replacement. No ABS module available, vehicle is undrivable, no parts being made to fix.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
I have had issues with the brakes on my brand new 2025 Hyundai Palisade. The first incident was in a parking lot. I was driving up to the exit of the parking lot, driving very slow. When I pushed on the brakes, the brake pedal shook, the car lurched forward and did not stop as it should. From what I have read online, this seems like an ABS system failure. Similar things have also happened on b... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
Our Mazda CX-9, having roughly 86,000 miles, had catastrophic engine failure while driving. This is caused by coolant leaking at the cylinder head and around the exhaust manifold. This in turn caused a crack in the engine block. Mazda refused to fix this as it wasn’t a “recall” and only a tsb sent out. 1000 of people have reported this issue, causing failure while driving but Mazda will not ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
Over the course of ownership the chassis of this vehicle has gotten horrendously corroded, which has caused structural components of the frame to begin to develop rust holes needing repair. These holes in the chassis are caused by the incorrect application of the factory chassis wax coating and has caused the entire frame to become deeply rusted through in many areas. Additionally I have been thr... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the power steering became inoperable. The contact stated that the message to service the power steering was displayed. The contact stated that the check engine, service ESC, power steering failure, and service back over prevention camera warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an indepe... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the message "Camshaft Acceleration Error" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact used an OBD2 scanner and retrieved ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
My vehicle has a production date that falls within an existing safety recall J07 but Toyota is denying coverage. The cvt is making a grinding noise consistent with the torque converter issue described in the recall and my door has a stamp with being produced in 10/2018 when this recall was in effect. However they are denying coverage.
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
Rear camera blurry and unable to view. One has to get out and open and close the rear liftgate in order for the camera to work correctly. This may have to be done a number of times before camera is returned to normal operation. Dealer stated it may take $1000.00 dollars to repair.
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); 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 stated ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2020
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, with the check engine, Service ESC, and the “Service Parking Brake” warning lights were flashing. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine was blown, and the engine needed to be taken apart for additional diagnostic tests.... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
The Engine has unexpectedly spun a rod bearing causing the engine to run erratic, low power and knocking. I have taken it to a automotive repair shop and that is their diagnosis. This is the 6.2 liter that has the issue that has recently had a recall issued but my VIN does not show a recall
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
Hello my vehicle developed a knock and it has become so much worse, I will not drive it. Hyundai has played games with me. My vehicle has been at Jenkins Subaru three times at Hyundai request. This third time my vehicle had to be towed to Jenkins Subaru. Now Hyundai tells me they will not repair my vehicle even though they have been aware with this lifter knock piston slap issue for quite some tim... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
When driving my Jeep Compass, there have been numerous instances of the vehicle stalling out when slowing down or stopping at a light/stop sign. This has happened on busy roads, at busy intersections, and on country roads. When it happens, I cannot control any aspect of the vehicle; the breaks no longer work, I cannot turn the wheel, I cannot change gears or easily put it into park, and it takes m... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
When driving my Jeep Compass, there have been numerous instances of the vehicle stalling out when slowing down or stopping at a light/stop sign. This has happened on busy roads, at busy intersections, and on country roads. When it happens, I cannot control any aspect of the vehicle; the breaks no longer work, I cannot turn the wheel, I cannot change gears or easily put it into park, and it takes m... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
The head rest exploded out of no where - sounded like a gunshot while I was driving and pushed my whole head forward .
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
The head rest exploded out of no where - sounded like a gunshot while I was driving and pushed my whole head forward .
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
While traveling Vehicle intermittent hard shifts, or no shifts, goes into neutral unexcitingly, sometimes no reverse. SES light on. 77,278 miles Dealer advised stored code - TCM P0733-00 Gear 3 Shift Incorrect Ratio. Dealer also advised vehicle needs Transmission replaced, Repair estimate $5970.28 Previous issues include ABS system repair and engine coil pack issue.
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while using the rear seat belts, the occupant was unable to adjust the straps, and while moving in the seats, the seat belt straps erroneously became tighter. The contact stated that the failure was present with the rear driver's side seat belt and rear passenger’s side seat belt. The cause of the failure has not yet been determined. T... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated while her daughter was driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine, when the gas tank expanded, and the back seat popped up. The contact stated that two teenagers were in the back seat, and one was injured. The contact's daughter pulled over and waited for a short while. The vehicle was restarted; however, the vehicle drove ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
While driving on the highway with cruise control engaged, the system became stuck and would not disengage. I attempted to cancel cruise control using the button, tap the brakes, and shift to neutral, but none of these actions worked immediately. The truck continued accelerating beyond the set speed, putting my life and the lives of others in serious danger. I eventually regained control after repe... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim detached and struck other vehicles on several occasions. The contact stated that the other vehicles were able to continue driving on each occasion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); and the vehicle was taken to the d... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
The transmission is jerking and sometimes it will not shift enough to get out of others ways. Severe slippage in the transmission I have taken the truck to the shop 3 times for the same issue. Now they tell me I need a new transmission.
Incident date: Feb 20, 2025
The star connector on the CAN C BUS will start to have communication problems with the all the systems on that star connector approximately after about 15 to 20 min after driving. Systems that were constantly going in and out were the front and rear parking sense, ABS and traction would go out. Service shifter message, caused the transmission to up shift while driving at a constant speed. After g... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2025
The transmission (powertrain) on my 2016 Ford Focus SE (VIN: [XXX] ) has had persistent issues since shortly after I purchased the car in April 2022. It has not completely failed yet, but the symptoms — including shuddering, slipping, jerking, and hesitation when accelerating or shifting — have worsened over time. It uses a dual-clutch transmission with no dipstick, making it difficult to prop... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2025
While driving, the car did an automatic hard brake for no reason. Traffic was accelerating after being stopped at a red light. The car in front of me was not braking and was accelerating away from me when suddenly the car hard brakes with no warning beforehand. It braked hard enough to throw me forward and cause traffic behind me to have to hard brake in order to keep from rear-ending me. There wa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2025
Computer reads CC2200-49. ABS internal electronic failure. Brake,ABS,traction control lights came on and electric trailer brakes and cruise control deactivated while pulling 5000# camper putting my family in danger. Dealer and Ram Care have been of no assistance locating new part. Part has been under engineering review for 2 years and is unavailable from Mopar.
Incident date: Apr 27, 2025
Audi mmi keeps turning off even when driving. Wu e I drive it turns off multiple times leaving me with no connection to the car info system.
Incident date: Apr 27, 2025
The AFM system is a faulty system that starved my lifters of oil and they ended up collapsing causing a flat spot on my cam. The engine code would come up as a misfire but the code is caused by the flat spot created on the cam by the lifter it's a faulty system that cost me $7,000. My 8spd transmission also has a hard shift from 1st to 2nd pushing the vehicle forward and jerking it when it shifts.... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
While driving warnings for adaptive cruise, blind spot, forward collision, front camera, park aid etc start and then all the system quit. I have pictures. I took my car to dealership to be checked. At first I was told they could find nothing wrong. I showed them pictures of my alerts and messages on my ford pass app. I was told a software patch would be sent. I contacted them again to ask if ther... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q7. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V201000 (Electrical System); however, the repair failed to prevent a failure from occurring. The contact stated that two days after the recall repair, several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the fuel gauge failed to provid... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while attempting to adjust the steering wheel, the steering column failed to lock into place. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed and determined that the steering column was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provid... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
While driving the freeway at 70 mph, the truck flashed a message to service shifter. Windshield wipers starting going on their own, all messages popped up on dashboard, and the vehicle started gradually slowing down posing a safety issue. Speedometer was going from 0-50 mph back and forth and steering wheel was hard to maneuver. I was able to get off the freeway and into the frontage safely. Howev... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
An electric bike rack during its third use had a part of its frame crack causing the back of the rack to drag on the ground. The rack is supposedly rated for 200 lbs capacity and at the time it broke had 130 lbs of electric bicycles on it. There was not warning prior to the back of the rack dragging on the interstate. The rack is in my garage and available for inspection. The safety of others beh... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, her husband noticed an abnormal tapping sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who determined that the drive belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Gerry Lane Buick GMC (6615 Florida Blvd., Ba... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
My engine shut off (would not turn back on!) and displayed message: “Engine Stopped. Steering Power Low”. I brought it to the dealership the next morning. I was told that the power steering was electric, they could not duplicate the message, and to bring it back if it does it again. I’m concerned because what happens if it occurs again while I’m driving on the interstate?
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
The component in question is the steering assembly. The vehicle which currently has approximately 55,000 miles has started having what I would describe as "sticky steering". The steering wheel does not operate smoothly, instead you have to force it out of a turn or merge. The vehicle issue has been confirmed by my local dealer where we purchased the car new. There are no warning lamps associated w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2025
Very often, when I put my car into park, it doesn't seem to fully engage, and I either can't remove the key (until I put it back into drive, and then park again), and in some instances I experience a "rollaway" as soon as I remove my foot from the brake pedal. I believe there is already a recall for the Kia Telluride model for this issue.
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
On two separate occasions, I was a stop light in high traffic. I was unable to drive my vehicle when the light turn green because of no power. A message display prompting me to "shift to P or N to start engine." Unfortunately, that didn't work. I had to sit there for a few mins, signaling other motorists to go around me. Eventually, I had to restart my vehicle. I panicked because I felt unsafe a... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the contact noticed that the gear shifter was inoperable, and the vehicle would not shift into gear properly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the gear shifter had failed and needed to be replaced. The ve... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving on the highway at 65 MPH and driving over a pothole, the vehicle started violent shake and the steering wheel seized. The contact pulled over, came to a complete stop and was able to continue driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
The 2011 Acura MDX has a problem with the pistons in the engine which causes excessive oil consumption. This was subject of the matter of a class action suit described on the website entitled Acura Oil Consumption Settlement. This defect should be subject to recall and American Honda should be required to repair or replace this pistons.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine had experienced coolant intrusion and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, sev... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
I am writing to bring to your urgent attention a recurring and serious issue with my Porsche Taycan (VIN: [XXX] ). On multiple occasions while driving, the vehicle has suddenly lost all power and displayed the error message: "Engine control error. Stop the car in a safe place." When this occurs, the car becomes completely unresponsive and unable to move forward, posing a significant safety risk, ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
The battery in our car has repeatedly drained for no reason. There seems to be an issue with the battery not charging the alternator correctly. At times this causes electrical components to go out.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
Car is making a knocking sound. Car is going thru more oil than normal. Causing the motor to get hot.
Incident date: Jan 16, 2025
Safety Recall in January 2025, it is now almost May 2025 and still no remedy has been made.
Incident date: Aug 9, 2021
My car started shaking while driving at high rates of speed. Also while hitting bumps at high speed or the brakes. I took it to the VW dealer and they told me the steering rack was going out. When trying to get it fixed I was told the part is on back order for months. They told me there was 400 people ahead of me. This seems like it should be a recall with so many people reporting the problem. And... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
One of the back doors Will not open. Lock is stuck on. This is VERY Dangerous if need to get a child strapped IN/ OUT!!!! I googled this and see it's been a problem for many years on this make/model. HIGH FEES from dealers per door for their manufacturing Defect! Easy fit for a husband who will pull the door apart to fix the issue! Which MINE IS NOT!