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: May 6, 2025
There is a noise coming from the interior of my car, near the brakes that makes a high pitched noise and is causing the brake to feel a bit hard when pressed. It is believed that the brake booster has malfunctioned. There is a customer satisfaction program listed as 13N02 in regard to the extended warranty coverage for brake boosters. Is my vehicle eligible to be covered on this warranty?
Incident date: May 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that the transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that the ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2025
Siempre se le prende la luz “atiende airbag” Hace 2 años la compuse que fue el sensor y ahora tengo 2 semanas que se se le prendio la lleve al dealer y que la bolsa salió defectuosa de fábrica y es muy caro .
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The passengers window will not roll down the sound of clicking you can hear though when switch pushed this is a VERY common ongoing issue via KIA SORENTO COMMUNITY THREAD THAT GOES BACK OVER 7 years it’s never addressed or serious it seems for the services dept of several member’s experience to find the cause leading to ongoing hassle and inconvenience for those with one dealer hours away and ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2024
The passengers window will not roll down the sound of clicking you can hear though when switch pushed this is a VERY common ongoing issue via KIA SORENTO COMMUNITY THREAD THAT GOES BACK OVER 7 years it’s never addressed or serious it seems for the services dept of several member’s experience to find the cause leading to ongoing hassle and inconvenience for those with one dealer hours away and ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
While driving, engine stop and dash had message to put in neutral and hit start button to restart, but dash would gest go dark and did not restart. Vehicle towed to Wilson and Bell Automotive. After get engine reset I was told engine has loud knocking sound and needs to be replaced. I been going to this shop for over 30 years and trust there description. New engine was ordered. Then found out... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Audi A5. The contact stated that while driving 30-70 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving for an hour or stopped at a light. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact waited for 10 minutes to restart, but the vehicle shut off again. The ECP warning light was illuminated. After the vehicle cooled off and the battery was disco... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
Vehicle randomly shuts off during normal operation. Same as if the Start / Stop button were activated. Vehicle coasts until it self applies the emergency brake at about 3mph causing a sudden, jerky complete stop. Switches itself to Park. Dash indicates “sterp on brake to restart”. Vehicle restarts normally but may randomly shut down again. Safety risk is loss of steering, loss of power brake c... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle was difficult to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manuf... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart but went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the cylinder head had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer ... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2025
Purchase truck and noticed on test drive steering wheel was off centered to the right by about 10-15 degrees.When Lane Assist was activated truck would drift right only to be alerted by the assist which would over correct steering to the left side of the lane.Lane Assist would just continue this effort to keep truck center.Truck has been aligned twice already and steering is still off centered to ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
Transmission shutter, not shifting correctly. Had to replace transmission
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH in the rain and attempting to clean the windshield, the windshield washer fluid failed to operate as intended, and the windshield wipers became inoperable while driving approximately two weeks later. Additionally, the contact stated that she had noticed a fluid leak on the rear passenger's side interior door... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
Epas steering efforts Campain #15N01 Power steering goes out sometimes and the Ford dealership will not honor the recall to fix this and said it was past 10 years old?2011 Ford fusion
Incident date: May 5, 2025
Was stopped at a red light behind the car in front of me. I was stopped at a appropriate distance from the car in front of me. I had my right foot on the brake pedal, when the car accelerated on its own. It launched its self into the car ahead of me. I looked down and my foot was still on the brake pedal. None of the air bags inside the car deployed.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Nov 30, 2020
Wiring harness problem resulting in loss of power to a/c, and other electrical components such as radio scrolling without being called for, only small portion on left side of touch screen works. Problem previously reported under 11516530. Dealership that sold me the vehicle and other automotive shops want $75 or more just to look at the problem. Current mileage on this vehicle is just over 50,0... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2025
Sudden power steering failure multiple times while on the road (at both higher speeds of ~55mph and lower speeds of ~20 mph). There was a warning light and notification on that dashboard about 10 seconds before it happened each time. The vehicle will be taken into the dealership tomorrow to be looked at, but after doing some online research this seems to be a very common issue for this year, make ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2024
My auto start/stop wouldn’t restart my car in traffic. I ran the battery down trying to restart it and finally had to jump it off
Incident date: Dec 5, 2024
A vehicle randomly shuts off when stopped in a red light and you have to start it back
Incident date: May 5, 2025
The padding on the headrest part of the car seat is broken.
Incident date: May 5, 2025
The car has been in the shop on and off for two years because of coolant leaking but the coolant pressure test show no leaks. As of March 2025 the car was checked again and showed no pressure leaks. Over the course of time, The radiator was replaced and several other things have been attempted. We are at the point where we don’t want to put more money into the vehicle because we are afraid it is... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2025
I am having an oil burning issue in my 2021 GMC Yukon Denali 6.2L engine and understand that some Yukon's have been recalled for this, but not all. GMC directed me here. My check engine light went on last week and when it was plugged in it showed critical oil life despite being well below my next scheduled oil change (which has also resulted in me having a Rejected state inspection sticker due to... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2025
the person i bought the vehicle from switched out the gauge cluster and lied about the vechiles mileage
Incident date: May 3, 2025
I jumped in and turned the car on and started driving. Right away I noticed most of the warning lights were on. The first speed bump in the complex made me realize I had lost 80-90% of my brakes as if I had a broken brake line for example and steering was a little hard and pulling a bit to one side. I check underneath I did not have any leaks. I decided to take it to the Dealer to have it checked.... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
Reporting that, in September 2024, Nissan publicly suggested March 2025 would be the estimated timeline for recall service resolution. Now in May 2025, I'm still unable to use the Level 3 charging due to recall 24V-700. Until September 2024, we could safely use this feature for longer term trips, and we are still waiting for Nissan to resolve this recall so we can resume trips.
Incident date: Apr 25, 2025
The automatic “hill assist” is dangerous in that it makes it easy to stall your car when trying to use your manual transmission. It’s unintuitive and truly frustrating and can cause you to stall your car when you are pulling into traffic. The previous implementation of this on the Mk7 VW GTI’s worked well but VW made this way too intrusive and complicated - and dangerous - on the Mk8 VW... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2025
I was traveling in heavy traffic on [XXX] I was coming to a stop light so I tapped the brakes nothing there I had a choice hit the guy in front of me or go to the driveway to the right and I chose the driveway on the yard hit the e brake to prevent going into the building…the dealer Sanderson ford found the whole braking system imploded there repair is to put the same product back on..I’m wor... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
I am currently making very expensive car payments for this car and was not informed this car was on recall. I pay 375 every other week. And I have been having electricitial issues. I was seeing about some short of reimbursement.
Incident date: Feb 6, 2025
December 2017 I was driving my 2016 Honda pilot back from Florida and the car immediately reduce speed to about 25 to 35 mph. I had my OBD2 in the car so I reset the code and the car start driving fine and every time I will leave the gas station it will do the same thing dealership took the car said it was a throttle position sensor fixed it and the car broke down two days after getting it. I was ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
My lifters collapsed and camshaft got damaged AND my cylinder in the bottom of my engine failed also. I know there is a recall for engine failure on the exact year make and model as my vehicle, the only difference is the liter engine. Mine and my 3 children’s safety were all put at risk when we were left stranded on the side of the road 6 hours from home The problem was inspected by GMC themsel... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
The SRS airbag light keeps coming up and does not show up as an error when a diagnostic is run on the car and they need to pull tge system apart to figire iut what the issue is. Secondly the capless gas tank nozzle keeps falling off.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
"Driver Assisted Reduced Use Drive With Care Message" comes on when it is over 70 degrees outside. The temperature gage reads zero, A/C does not work, when the car is turned off the fan runs on high for an extended period of time. Showing code P0128 Used car purchase, came on 3 days after receiving vehicle from the dealership. Reset the code came on again 2.5 weeks later (5/3/2025) when the outsi... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2025
Straight to the point, I backed the vehicle up, pushed the brake peddle in and shifted into park. The engine begun to increase in RPMs and I could hear the engine load increase, maybe about 2,000 to 5,000 rpms higher than idle or first start building vacuum idle, as if I was pushing on the accelerator. I literally looked down at the peddles, as I was just doing a quick spot change in my driveway, ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2025
In Feb 2025, I was driving, a day after a snow storm, on the highway when without warning my car stopped accelerating, and just shut down. The mechanic said my oil was all over the ground. He also stated that there's a defect in the 2.4l ecotec motors and the pistons broke on my vehicle. Now I have to pay $3500 to rebuild my motor. He stated that the vehicle has a higher oil consumption rate/ leak... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufac... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that, while in reverse, the back-over prevention camera displayed a black screen. The back-up prevention camera alarm sounded off, and the safety system advised the driver to look out for objects in the rear of the vehicle, without the transmission being shifted into reverse. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagno... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
While driving 75 on the highway the vehicle shut off completely, shifted to neutral and a message flashed on the dashboard to "press start again". This has happened previously when my 16 y/o was driving but we chalked it up to user error. Scheduled appointment with dealership. There were no warning lamps, no lights illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle just cut off and I have not been able to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
While driving 75 on the highway the vehicle shut off completely, shifted to neutral and a message flashed on the dashboard to "press start again". This has happened previously when my 16 y/o was driving but we chalked it up to user error. Scheduled appointment with dealership. There were no warning lamps, no lights illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle just cut off and I have not been able to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
Left rear sub frame cracked in half while driving car . 2017 they did work to the under belly in reference to corrosion of the car . Has therr been any other complaints about this vehicle type ?
Incident date: May 2, 2025
10 speed transmission is defective. Vehicle would not shift when going from a stop and almost caused several accidents when entering flow of traffic from a side street.
Incident date: May 2, 2023
The back up camera stops working for awhile. Sensors work but no rear camera pops up when in Reverse.
Incident date: May 2, 2023
Turbo charger has gone out 4 times since I purchased it in April 2021. I have been on the interstate driving and suddenly my car slows down and a message that says “engine power reduced” comes up and my check engine light comes on. This is dangerous as I was on the interstate with 18 wheelers and could’ve been rear ended and badly hurt or killed. My grandchildren could’ve been in the car w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
Every time it rains our Rav 4 gets water in the back doors. It sloshes around and you have to manually pull the seal back to drain. It happens every time. my understanding is this is a known issue.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
Every time it rains our Rav 4 gets water in the back doors. It sloshes around and you have to manually pull the seal back to drain. It happens every time. my understanding is this is a known issue.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket on cylinder #3 needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
Fuel leak from factory fuel pump housing
Incident date: Apr 25, 2025
Car started to loose power and wanted to cut off had to drive with both feet put in the shop a few times but couldn't find any wrong finally stopped driving it and then I started back to driving it and still doing the same thing, finally the motor went out.Have notice more Malibu's in this area and surroundings area having problems with the motor.
Incident date: Nov 26, 2024
Available for inspection. The "brain" of the truck is in the stereo system. the time on the call varies, but, the call will drop the Bluetooth or wired connection with the truck, the radio will reset, and go to a broadcast radio station, from which it will stay for about 5-30 seconds while resetting, and then the call will recommence on the in-house system again. Neither party knows until I start ... Read more