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 30,183 complaints for RAM
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
Vehicle (engine) shut off while driving on highway. Would not restart. Had vehicle towed from highway to repair shop. No check engine light ever came on. The engine was replaced and old one had to be returned in order to avoid paying a $5,000 core charge. I found out after replacing the engine that GM issued a recall but I read it starts with 2019 models and only reimbursement for original owne... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
The engine light comes on and then the rpm's drop to 35 and a notification comes up that says "reduced acceleration. driving with caution". If I stop and turn of the vehicle and restart the rpm's will be better but the truck still seems to have a difficult time increasing in rpm's and accelerating gears. It's incredibly dangerous as if I'm driving at a substantial speed on the highway or freeway ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 4500. 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufact... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2025
When going on uneven terrain then trying to brake the ABS kicks in and makes the brakes unusable. I’ve almost hit the car ahead of me several times now. I have taken the car to the dealership and they cannot duplicate the problem.
Incident date: Aug 18, 2025
When stopped at a stop light the auto idle stop turned the car off. When we tried to go at the green light the car wouldn't move. The transmission shifted to neutral and was stuck. We couldn't put the car in park, we couldn't turn the car off, we couldn't put it in gear. We considered calling the police for help since we were stuck in an intersection. The car eventually turned off and we trie... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
I own a 2012 Toyota Prius C with approximately 156,578 miles. The vehicle has been diagnosed with C1391 – Abnormal Leak in Accumulator, which causes the brake actuator to lose hydraulic pressure. This results in frequent buzzing from the actuator pump, illuminated warning lights (BRAKE, ABS, Traction Control), and loss of ABS and stability control. The condition increases stopping distance and c... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
While pulling out of a parallel parking spot going slightly uphill, I braked as I looked around the back of a double parked truck. I saw a car coming, braked hard, and suddenly my car surged forward across the street and hit a parked car. I looked down and saw that my foot was squarely on the brake pedal pressing down as hard as I could. The parked car was unoccupied, and I was uninjured. There ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
While pulling out of a parallel parking spot going slightly uphill, I braked as I looked around the back of a double parked truck. I saw a car coming, braked hard, and suddenly my car surged forward across the street and hit a parked car. I looked down and saw that my foot was squarely on the brake pedal pressing down as hard as I could. The parked car was unoccupied, and I was uninjured. There ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Vehicle caught fire. Fire in the engine compartment after heavy fuel smell/odor.
Fire
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Ride quality is so bad and uncomfortable i am struggling to drive it straight and makes me so tired been in service 3 times for this issue and everyone says they can replicate the issue. Even bought brand new tires and doing the same
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
The paint has been chipping from the hood and top.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
Rear, side and front camera system complete failure. No seemed cause to the issue. Cannot use any of the cameras during the driving session until a power cycle is completed Around 30mi: Dealer inspected once and power cycled it. System fixed. Around 650mi: I power cycled the system and reset it.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2025
My F150 constantly needs oil and seems to lag when the oil tank is low. 163000km on the engine. I've heard other 2019 f150 drivers have the same problem. It also has a hard shift after sitting for the night, it will drop gears while going uphill which seems to be from third gear to fourth but instead drops to 3rd again creating a clunk noise. It hasn't caused an accident or anything yet but from m... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
Fuel injector failure. Car was losing power completely when pressing the gas pedal then would suddenly catch and go again. Then go very slowly with little power, almost got into an accident because of the loss of acceleration. They replaced the fuel injectors and it is now happening a second time with the check engine light coming on again. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE MADE! SEVERAL OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2025
My car began flashing a bunch of warning lights, including the passenger air bag and the blind spot warning and locks working on the inside. I took my car to the dealer and had them diagnose it. Turns out it needs to parts that are connected; one part they have, another they have tried to order from corporate. This part has been on back order for 8 months.
Incident date: Jul 15, 2025
My lane assist camera is not functioning and Volkswagen is telling me the part is now obsolete and can't be repaired. It is part #7p6907217bxz1y. I took it to Pompano Volkswagen on 4/4/24 and have been waiting for the part which has been out of stock and they (Gunther Volkswagen since Pompano closed) just told me on 8/8/25 the part is no longer available and offer no solution to fix this issue. Se... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2025
My lane assist camera is not functioning and Volkswagen is telling me the part is now obsolete and can't be repaired. It is part #7p6907217bxz1y. I took it to Pompano Volkswagen on 4/4/24 and have been waiting for the part which has been out of stock and they (Gunther Volkswagen since Pompano closed) just told me on 8/8/25 the part is no longer available and offer no solution to fix this issue. Se... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2025
Currently I am having issues putting my car in park. Even when it shows that it is parked there is an “Action Required” that pops up saying “Shift to Park”. This has been happening all week and as I am able to toggle the shift stick it is no longer allowing me to which leaves my car somewhat on when I leave. I’ve contacted the dealership for repairs since I’ve seen this is a common rec... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2025
I own a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado Lt Extended Cab 2WD. The rear differential has failed prematurely at 70000 miles. the failure caused loud whining/grinding noises, vibration, and unsafe driving conditions. After researching online, i found many other 2021 Colorado owners reporting the same issue with rear differential failure, often at relatively low mileage. This indicates a widespread defect in t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2025
La guagua se apagó corriendo motor trancado quiero saber si tiene recall de la bomba de aceite es una kia sportage 2016 motor gdi [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
La guagua se apagó corriendo motor trancado quiero saber si tiene recall de la bomba de aceite es una kia sportage 2016 motor gdi [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the RPM was elevated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accele... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
I received a a notice of recall from Volkswagen for my airbag. In my 2012 Passat. I made an appointment with AutoNation Mall of Georgia Volkswagen service department for repair. I brought my car in on my appointment date and was informed upon my arrival that there is a back order of these airbags. Their recall says that the airbag May deploy at any time due to temperature and or humidity changes. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
hesitation during acceleration, jerking, shuddering, and delayed / rough shifting. Constant whirring noise, rattling noise when accelerating. RPM above 1 even when parked. Struggles to gain power when accelerating. Sounds and issues listed above have increasing gotten worse over time.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while her husband was operating the tailgate, he became aware that the driver's side gas strut had exploded and was visible on the outside of the vehicle but was still attached to the vehicle. There were only minor scrapes to the paint job on the tailgate. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and de... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
After shifting into park and turning vehicle off -warning beep "place vehicle into park" comes on. It takes several "jerks" of gear shift to turn off. I'm scared its not in park and may roll.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
On [XXX] at [XXX] Pacific Time , I was entering my garage when my vehicle had a surge of acceleration and went through thee wall seperating the garage from the kitchen. There wasn't any emergency braking , even with myself applying the brake , my vehicle refused to stop. My vehicle was totaled by Progressive Insurance .I am now furnishing the Progressive claims name and adjuster"s phone number: G... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that the passenger’s side seat belt had seized. The contact stated that the seat belt was inoperable and could not be used safely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE). The local dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts to repair the vehicle were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but was unable to provide a timeframe for when parts would be available. The contact had not e... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E. The contact stated that a message was received from the Ford App to check the 12-Volt battery. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that a service appointment was needed to have the battery checked. Later, while parking the vehicle, the vehicle lost power and the vehicle shut off, and the instrument panel went black. During the failur... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
While parked my 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, front passenger seat airbag deployed unexpectedly without any collision or impact. The deployment caused damage to the seat and could be a serious safety risk. I later learned there is a recall for similar models due to improperly secured side airbag connectors, but my VIN is not currently included. I believe my vehicle may have the same defect and reques... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. The contact ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2025
While parked all day with the ignition off and lights off, I returned to find the brake lights and third brake light illuminated. The lights stayed on even after moving the brake pedal. I discovered a small broken plastic bumper on the floorboard, which appears to be the brake pedal stop bumper associated with recall 22V011. This failure causes the brake light circuit to remain closed, leaving the... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Driving on I 880 south on the fast lane. The car suddenly braked for no reason and began to shutdown. It warned me to pull over before complete shutdown. Luckily there was space on my left and I was able to rolling stop. Nothing on the screen was working. Turned on hazard light. Got out of car with my phone. Accessed Tesla app and ran battery check. After couple mins the error went away. Tried to ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
I’ve had to replace the steering rack, upper and lower control arm for the left wheel, entire computer motherboard. I drove the car for less than 70k miles and zero accidents and zero modifications. Yes I am open for inspection. While driving with fsd lane keep failed causing the car to veer to other lane. The tesla repair shop said the steering rack was sending errors and the whole rack needs... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
The unit has been taken to Chrysler dealers in Puerto Rico three times. On each visit, we were charged $120.00 for a total of $360.00 for the computer scan. We were charged for an electrical module, part no. 68442478AB, worth $406.59. The situation has not been resolved. The vehicle has abnormalities in the braking system, which consequently affects other functions and even drains the batteries. I... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
The unit has been taken to Chrysler dealers in Puerto Rico three times. On each visit, we were charged $120.00 for a total of $360.00 for the computer scan. We were charged for an electrical module, part no. 68442478AB, worth $406.59. The situation has not been resolved. The vehicle has abnormalities in the braking system, which consequently affects other functions and even drains the batteries. I... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to park the vehicle, after placing the gear shifter in park(P), while attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
My motor bearing is knocking very loud I was refused service upon arrival dealer was making my service very complicated asking me to go dig up old receipts and various other things that was not actually caused for and I was at risk by driving the car there until it shut off due to engine failures when the car has fire risk and could possibly explode and they have confirmed it’s the engine but ha... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2023
The steering rack started to make a clicking noise after I received an oil change and tire rotation. Driving itself wasn't affected, but the noise continued.
Incident date: Aug 6, 2025
Transmission has been shuddering since 15,000 miles till now. Dealerships says it's normal on these transmissions, 6 fluid and filter changes and now at 72,000 miles the transmission is failing just outside of warranty. They scammed me and kept my transmission barely alive until warranty ran out and now they want 8k-10k for a replacement. They knew. Dash goes crazy from the touch screen to the d... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated there was an abnormal sound coming from the windshield while driving. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the re... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2025
2016 Honda civic has 28 000 miles and the air conditioning went out. took it to Honda dealership, compressor, and evaporator and gasket is not working. everything but the evaporator is covered. Been driving in hot weather and unable to maintain comfortable temperature. Unsafe during hot weather to be driving in a car that has no air conditioning, may lead to heat related illness such as heat stoke... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Car stalls out without warning. The electronics (radio, dash, lights, etc...) all are still functional, the engine light comes on while the car is still "on" with the engine stalled out. I pulled over, put the car in park, turned it off, and then restarted the car without issue. After restarting the car, the check engine light is not longer on. This first occurred once about a year or two after i ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
My Mercedes Benz is a C300 2019, and have 42,000 thousands miles, and the vin number is: [XXX] . I have almost all the problems that are reflected in this page ( Recalls 18 ): [XXX] I live in Puerto Rico, and the authorized dealer in Puerto Rico ( Garage Isla Verde ) is telling me, that I have to pay for the Recalls. I have been a Mercedes Benz fan for 48 years, and for 48 years, the only car ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
My Mercedes Benz is a C300 2019, and have 42,000 thousands miles, and the vin number is: [XXX] . I have almost all the problems that are reflected in this page ( Recalls 18 ): [XXX] I live in Puerto Rico, and the authorized dealer in Puerto Rico ( Garage Isla Verde ) is telling me, that I have to pay for the Recalls. I have been a Mercedes Benz fan for 48 years, and for 48 years, the only car ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
The Audi Pre-sense is activated by weather. I was driving during a thunderstorm and Audi Presence activated causing the car to come to a hard stop due to precipitation. It happened again backing out of my driveway the Audi Pre-sense was activated and the car came to a hard stop. I thought I had back into another vehicle. This is very dangerous.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that he was unable to utilize the vehicle as needed. Additionally, the warranty on the vehicle might expire before the vehicle was repaired. The local dealer was ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
I purchased the vehicle Oct. 19, 2023. I use the vehicle likely more than 99% of other owners. I drive for Amazon flex and had 54546 miles when I did my last oil change. I have changed the oil every 5000-7500 miles, including changing air filters regularly and spark plugs at 50,000. I also have always used higher quality oils from Mobil1 and ACDelco in the engine. This past weekend, a check engine... Read more