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 8, 2025
Still encountering occasional "Camera temporarily unavailable", camera video feed stutter, and lag even after upgrading to software 3.6.4.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2020
Subject: Urgent Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2019 GMC Sierra Denali Escalating mechanical and electrical failures — many beginning before 100,000 miles, and continuing as of today, at approximately 110,000 miles. These issues have made the vehicle unreliable and unsafe to drive. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have had it serviced regularly and reported that it was driving rough, jerking into ge... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the digital screen intermittently blacked out and several safety features were inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the resort block remained at 90%, and the same EMMC ID that should have been covered under NHTSA Cam... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
Due to a lack of power I took my car to my mechanic for diagnosis. After performing compression checks he found that 3 of the 4 cylinders had low compression. Additionally the coolant level was found to be low. A check of the Ford web site showed that TSB #22-2229 was issued and indicated that coolant was leaking into the block. The Ford remedy was to replace the short block assembly. This repair ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and towing a trailer, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and inspected the vehicle. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the tailgate had independently unlatched. The contact stated that the tailgat... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
While on the highway, the system reported that engine coolant was low and to pull over safely. I pulled into a parking lot and within a couple of minutes the engine burst into flames. The local fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The car is totaled.
Fire
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
when honda service perfomed the recall repair on 12/12/2024. We notice that there is something wrong with the vehicle and we immediately report to Honda service and return the vehicle the following day for further diagnosis but the Honda service failed to resolved the issue until now. We spend out of pocket payment for their recommended repair @ parts replacement . With hopefull promises to resol... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, after making a turn to the right or the left, the steering wheel failed to return to center as intended. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle was repaired at the local dealer under an unknown recall; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer wa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
I am reporting a serious safety concern with my 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. What component or system failed and is it available for inspection? The hybrid drive system and regenerative braking system are malfunctioning. The hybrid battery recharging system including the MPI have failed, causing the vehicle to operate solely on the gasoline engine. This results in degraded braking performance due to ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
After not driving the car for a full day or so, when I drive down my street about 1/4 of a mile to a stop sign and stop the vehicle will not accelerate from the stop. I press on the gas but the car goes around 5 MPH for the next 50-100 feet or so and will not accelerate before finally kicking in and accelerating normally. This has happened over 20 times since purchasing the vehicle as new in late ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the front driver's side seat independently ejected the contact forward into the steering wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the failure was unidentified. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact sustained injuries to her back; however, no medical atten... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 2, 2025
There was a recall on my vehicle for the skid and emergency braking and was told it was taken care of Feb 2025 at my service appointment. I was involved in a car accident on Aug 11, 2025, everything that was supposed to be fixed in the recall did not operate during my crash. I reconfirmed with the dealership that they did the recall repair and they again said yes but if they did then the repair co... Read more
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
Elsie Fletcher MD OAG Consumer Protection Division 301 386 6210 Regarding notice received dated 5/7/2025 of case closing 5/28/205: Requesting reopening of [XXX]. Please find attached requested documentation of "Ourisman" brand GM auto repair facilities "Chevrolet of Bowie" and "Chevrolet of Marlow Heights". These new, used, and certified pre-owned car dealerships are providing lock-smithing, auto ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
Elsie Fletcher MD OAG Consumer Protection Division 301 386 6210 Regarding notice received dated 5/7/2025 of case closing 5/28/205: Requesting reopening of [XXX]. Please find attached requested documentation of "Ourisman" brand GM auto repair facilities "Chevrolet of Bowie" and "Chevrolet of Marlow Heights". These new, used, and certified pre-owned car dealerships are providing lock-smithing, auto ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
When the vehicle is put into park and I turn the vehicle off I get an alert on my console saying "Shift to Park". I called GM customer service and was told "harness" had been replaced in 2020. I bought the vehicle in 2021. Last year I had to replace the "harness" and it is doing it is now doing it again.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The transmission is occasionally without any warning disengaging while driving. You must then try to get off the road turn the truck off put the key back to run with engine off, shift it to park, start it again and then you can drive it again until it does it again.
Incident date: Aug 7, 2025
When the car was originally going out, the check engine light came on and the engine was making a funny sound, then after we filled up on gas like 10-15 miles later, the engine shut off and stopped accelerating but all of the electronics were still coming on, the battery and oil pressure light came on as well, we pulled it over and when trying to start, it was cranking but not coming on, but the e... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Driver side rear door lock electrical actuator will not lock or unlock the door. Door has to be manually unlocked. In the event of an emergency, it will delay the egress of a passenger in the rear seat. The issue would make it near impossible to unlock the door in an emergency especially if it were submerged in water. This is a safety issue and has occurred on a number of these Nissan vehicles. Th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
VIN# [XXX] My recall has not been repaired because Kia claims the repair parts have not been made available to them yet. This recall is from Sept. 2023. Why hasn't this been taken care of yet? Ridiculous & DANGEROUS!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while making a turn into a parking space, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, drove up the curb, hit and drove over the metallic Bank sign pole, which damaged the undercarriage of the vehicle. The vehicle then crashed into the sides of two unoccupied vehicles that were parked perpendicularly to the contact's vehicle. The vehicle then st... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 12, 2025
I am the owner of a 2019 Jaguar XE with fewer than 50,000 miles on it. On July 11th, 2025, the check engine light came on, prompting me to drive straight to the Jaguar dealership for diagnostic evaluation. Upon inspection, I was informed that I needed a new timing chain, sprockets, and coolant pump. Shortly after, I became aware of Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) #H299NAS2, issued by Jaguar on D... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
The truck started to vibrate or shudder . We are having to deal with replacing the transmission on our truck, which has only 45,000 miles on it. We have noticed numerous complaints about transmission problems with this model and the place that is replacing the transmission said they have had 3 customers in the last couple of months with the same issue on the same GMC model. This is a lot for our s... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2025
Wind deflector snapped on Sun roof causing. Sun roof to get lodged and get off track. Unable to close Sun roof now opening it to all types of weather. Safety issue not being able to close the Sun roof while transporting passengers especially children. Kia dealership aware and refusing to help. Wind deflector is a known issue for the 2020 telluride sunroof as found by the NHTSA bulletin on this ... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2023
After coming to a rolling stop and making a right, I would attempt to accelerate. The vehicle would then throw itself out of gear and I could not accelerate. A message would appear on the dash "Shift to P then Desired Gear." The problem would not be fixed until the vehicle was put in park, then back into drive. I took the vehicle to RAM and they could not replicate the issue, but it would happe... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. An alarm sound was coming from the vehicle. An unknown warning light was illuminated, and there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact's son was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagno... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. An alarm sound was coming from the vehicle. An unknown warning light was illuminated, and there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact's son was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagno... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for new tires. While the vehicle was being serviced, it was determined that the rear shocks were leaking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V025000 (Suspension). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2025
I was driving on the highway & my brakes failed. My brake pedal was completely hard & could not be used. i had to steer onto an exit ramp & be towed to the dealership. There was absolutely no warning of this happening. Once at the dealership, they confirmed it was my vacuum pump that blew up, which damaged the camshaft & caused pieces of metal to be floating around in my engine. The greater portio... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2025
My vehicle displays a persistent warning: “Front Left Safety Restraint System Fault.” A technician told me this fault relates to the driver seat sensor and is the same defect addressed by a previous NHTSA recall. However, I’ve confirmed that my VIN was not included in that recall. Despite the recall fix being implemented for some vehicles, my car still has this safety restraint fault with n... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2025
My vehicle displays a persistent warning: “Front Left Safety Restraint System Fault.” A technician told me this fault relates to the driver seat sensor and is the same defect addressed by a previous NHTSA recall. However, I’ve confirmed that my VIN was not included in that recall. Despite the recall fix being implemented for some vehicles, my car still has this safety restraint fault with n... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
Well my paint is peeling everywhere I only had car 4 years, I can barely wash it because the car wash takes more paint off, I seen Hyundai do a paint recall or something like that so I'm wondering if it's the same for Kia.
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
2019 Honda Accord 1.5L turbo has confirmed cracked head gasket at 94,000 miles verified by certified mechanic. No prior warning light indicator. Car began misfiring and jerking while driving and was unable to accelerate. Took several weeks before the dash displayed any warning light indicator. After doing research, we were made aware there is a class action lawsuit against Honda Motor Company for ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
Rear seat belt passenger side would not unlatch, trapping the passenger. This was and is the only time we have ever used this seat belt.It took two people to help get her thru the upper part of seat belt,had to exit over the top of back seat passenger. This life saving mechanism was and is unsafe and could of caused death if in the event of accident with fire. We have Owned two other Toyota's. Ne... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
This is the second time that we have experienced over heating issues. Currently the car has been out of commission for over a year and half. Every since we purchased the car used it has over heated. The first time of course the head gasket was blown. We paid $1200 to have it fixed. Still ran hot we replaced the water pump. After a year same issues. Car has been parked as we do not have the... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, several unknown warnings lights illuminated, and the vehicle stopped independently. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 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 that the driver's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim had separated from the vehicle, and the passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim had partially detached. The vehicle was taken ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
The vehicle went to catch on fire and the electrical socket burnt so it could no longer charge. The airbag showed malfunction passenger side door. Multiple times the collision warning has malfunction and alerted there was a collision when none occurred.
Fire
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while stopped in a Drive-Thru, there was an abnormally loud sound before the driver’s side head restraint unexpectedly deployed. The contact's head was pushed forward with force and struck the steering wheel. There was no injury reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the head restraint's unintended d... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2025
Linkage seized and no longer moves. This is a recall in Canada but not the US, but my truck was also affected.
Incident date: Jul 17, 2025
I am writing to formally request an investigation into a serious safety defect affecting my 2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio . I believe this issue is part of a broader pattern of manufacturing and design flaws that have compromised both safety and reliability •My vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine failure, resulting in a total repair estimate of approximately $32,000. This failure occurred ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
The multipurpose camera failed bring down all driver assistance functionality including lane keep assist, emergency brake, auto high beam, parking sensors, cruise control, etc. fix is outrageously high $2500+. Internet search finds this to be a very common issue and deserves a recall.
Incident date: Dec 4, 2024
Gas tank expanded and warped the back seat causing my child’s car seat to not be seated properly. Walking near the car you can smell gasoline very strongly. The check engine light came on briefly and then went away. My car is at the dealership currently as they decide what to do about the issue.
Incident date: Dec 4, 2024
Brake master cylinder ECU failed. Illuminated warning lights for BRAKE, FRONT END COLLISION AVOIDANCE, ABS, and ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL. Took the vehicle to dealership and was told about the part failure. They advised that there was no ETA on parts that are on backorder. The codes were removed and the warning lights went off, but came back on the next day. I was told that the vehicle was driv... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
Check emergency, stopping function alert. Check hybrid system stop safely. Both alerts came on the dash the steering wheel vibrated 11 other alerts popped up in the car steered me to the side of the road. It would not start again and This has happened four times in the 7 months I’ve had the car Hyundai cannot figure out what the issue is. In fact they tell me there is no issue because it’s not... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2025
I recieved a Text message months after this happened. They knew about it a month prior. I could have saved alot if they had done there job. Nit following procedures. It says in writing. I was coming to a intersection, proceeding to stop, and it would not let me. I was standing on the brake peddle with both feet( I am 275lb, 6'7 ,) I ran into back of van, was Sued, and my insurance went up. I lost... Read more
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
Vehicle is sputtering and shuddering when driving. No warning lights are present. Dealer did a diagnose test and found bulletin service messages relating to the vehicles concern TSB 25-2154 and the vehicle has an open campaign for this issue. Test drove my car and verified the shudder events were an issue for the torque converter slippage of 220 RPMS. The estimate to fix this issue was $4500.00... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
Vehicle is sputtering and shuddering when driving. No warning lights are present. Dealer did a diagnose test and found bulletin service messages relating to the vehicles concern TSB 25-2154 and the vehicle has an open campaign for this issue. Test drove my car and verified the shudder events were an issue for the torque converter slippage of 220 RPMS. The estimate to fix this issue was $4500.00... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
The Power Transfer Unit in my 2016 Jeep Cherokee failed when it only had 50,255 miles on it. The car was almost 10 years old. In the past month, when I tried to accelerate to 50 mph to merge on the highway, the Jeep did not accelerate normally when I pressed on the gas. Instead, it went slowly and made a revving noise, then when I hit the accelerator again, it made the revving noise louder and rel... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
2020 Chevrolet Impala Premier purchased July, 2015, mileage: + or - 12 miles I started having hard steering and made several trips to the dealer while under warranty and the dealer could not gen an OBD reading and no on dash reading. Right after the warranty was up and at 5,322 miles they were able to get an OBD reading. Information from the dealer invoice: A multi-point inspection ... Read more