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: Jan 3, 2025
1) On 3 occasions the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) has self activated and the car attempted to come to a complete stop. The 1st incident, 10/19/24, happened while driving 35-40 mph while changing lanes, a red BRAKE light and alarms sounded bringing the car to a complete stop. While there was traffic around me, no one was directly in front of me or close enough to have required this to activ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
1) On 3 occasions the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) has self activated and the car attempted to come to a complete stop. The 1st incident, 10/19/24, happened while driving 35-40 mph while changing lanes, a red BRAKE light and alarms sounded bringing the car to a complete stop. While there was traffic around me, no one was directly in front of me or close enough to have required this to activ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (STEERING); 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 had not experienced a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
The vehicle shifted from drive to neutral by itself while driving at high speeds on an expressway, unable to accelerate for a short period of time, and then shifted back to gear by itself with the driver almost losing control of the vehicle. At low speeds, several times, the vehicle also shifted erratically between gears, such 1 to 4, 7 to 2 and then back 6 etc.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2019
When I started car I heard knocking. Engine failure. According to mechanic the lifter, rod and camshaft are bent. The car was always serviced and had regular oil change according to owners manual. The dealer recommends a new engine
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
My ABS system is not working Anti-traction control and cruise control. Dealer says parts not available for last 2 years. No reasons for manufacturer delays. dealer says part cannot be ordered.
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
I am writing the NHTSA to advise of a harrowing event involving the vehicle named above. I was driving my 2022 Yukon vehicle equipped with the 6.2L Ecotec3 V8 L87 Engine. As I was traveling, the vehicle suddenly without warning shut down. When this occurred all systems in the vehicle became completely inoperable; i.e., no power steering, no power brakes, nothing, Etc. I was lucky to be able to... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving at approximately 80 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the vehicle failed to return to normal operation. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
The front suspension lateral link on our Model 3 came detached from the subframe as the bolts someone loosened. This is a known issue and Tesla has issued a recall (NHTSA Recall No: 23V-235) on this year Model 3, but our VIN is not included in the recall. It seems that this issue is wider than the cars the original recall has included. Upon detachment, the wheel steering did not work, and if it... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
The lifters failed in April 2024 and was replaced by the GM dealer and then the engine failed again in September 2024 however I couldn't afford to pay GM $2000 for a diagnostic and they still have my vehicle and only offer me $1500 off of a new or unused vehicle.
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
Initially, the dash light would not go off once the door was closed. It killed the battery therefore had to take it to dealership and leave it, was told it was the auxiliary battery that was causing this. Batteries were charged but not replaced. The next incident was with fog lights. Carrying it to dealership over 6 times to find out from last dealership that the feature on the car was which was... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
I had Engine Failure in June 2024 with roughly 50,000 miles. I was getting on I75 North in Auburn Hills, MI, when I heard a loud pop. The vehicle began shaking violently with a loss of engine power warning displayed, loss of oil pressure displayed followed by 2 successive limp mode warning. The vehicle would not drive over 25 MPH. Luckily the next exit was only a mile down the road. I was able to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
I had Engine Failure in June 2024 with roughly 50,000 miles. I was getting on I75 North in Auburn Hills, MI, when I heard a loud pop. The vehicle began shaking violently with a loss of engine power warning displayed, loss of oil pressure displayed followed by 2 successive limp mode warning. The vehicle would not drive over 25 MPH. Luckily the next exit was only a mile down the road. I was able to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated with the radiator fan running at high speeds. The contact pulled over and allowed the engine to cool down before restarting the vehicle and continuing to drive. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and DTC: 348A, 387F were retrie... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds or while the vehicle was parked, the message “Engine Coolant Level Low" and "Top off Soon as Possible - See Owner’s Manual” were displayed. Additionally, the message “Possible Engine Damages - Attention Scudding Hazard" was displayed. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test showed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was given an estimate fo... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2025
I have had the car since May 2023 and every winter moisture builds up on my windows on the inside of the car and over night it gets frozen from the inside. There is mold growing on the inside of the door panels, the back hatch window and under the seat and on the seat belts.
Incident date: Nov 30, 2022
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Maverick. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V684000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. One day in an attempt to exit a gas station, the contact realized he had pulled out too far into oncoming traffic. As the contact was reversing the vehicle, the backup camera froze which resulted in the ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Camry. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
On Dec 5, 2024, our 2018 Toyota Rav 4 caught fire in our garage. We had turned on the car for a few minutes and then turned it off. Shortly thereafter smoke came out of the passenger side of the front wheel well and then flames. It just happened that we came back out into the garage and were able to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. If we had not returned to the garage, our house wou... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Sep 22, 2024
I have warning lights stating that there is a problem with the antilock brake system, and another warning about the brakes. The electronic stability light is on , and the truck won't allow me to turn the ESL warning on or off. And also, my cruise control doesn't work, which stems from the ABS . There is an existing recall, which includes the year, make and model of my truck, but for whatever reaso... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2024
Cp4 catastrophic failure which is a known and common problem it caused my truck to die while on the highway almost causing a crash
Incident date: Sep 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the heated steering wheel was no longer functioning as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that a wire located directly behind that air bag control module within the steering wheel had frayed and melted the internal components. Th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
I was stopped at a red light when, suddenly, my car engine completely shut down, a loud and high-pitched alarm began to squeal and many alerts flashed on my screen. one of the alerts stated that the eye--sight was not functioning.The car would not move when the traffic light turned green and I applied the gas pedal. Cars behind me and those in oncoming traffic had to swerve around me. I was in ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
I was stopped at a red light when, suddenly, my car engine completely shut down, a loud and high-pitched alarm began to squeal and many alerts flashed on my screen. one of the alerts stated that the eye--sight was not functioning.The car would not move when the traffic light turned green and I applied the gas pedal. Cars behind me and those in oncoming traffic had to swerve around me. I was in ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2025
Engine died without warning on interstate. Vehicle was towed to Chevrolet dealer where defective rod bearings were found. Engine was replaced by dealer.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2025
This is regarding 24V797. A software update to "monitor" for transmission valve failure is not a resolution to a problem that could pose a sever risk to my safety on a very expensive truck.
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
There are several issues with this vehicles, but here are the two most glaring safety issues: 1.) Emergency Braking System - on two occasions this was activated with no actual emergency. The first was simply turning left at an intersection. I was ~10ft away from the car in front of me and keeping the same speed or less than that car. The emergency braking was activated and the vehicle came to an ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2025
Vehicle had a temporary shutoff when doing a rolling stop. The vehicle temporarily lost power when decelerating to the stop sign at 5-10 MPH, then starting again as I began to accelerate. Can not replicate problem again.
Incident date: Jan 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and attempting to complete a turn, the Auto START/STOP feature activated and turned the vehicle off, with the message "Shift to Park(P) to Manually Restart" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The battery warning light was illuminated. The... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and attempting to complete a turn, the Auto START/STOP feature activated and turned the vehicle off, with the message "Shift to Park(P) to Manually Restart" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The battery warning light was illuminated. The... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
Transmission light frequently comes on, car stalls/sluggish to respond. Has occurred while driving or at rest. No change despite several transmission servicing/towing expenses. Per online research, others experiencing same issues. Often resolves temporarily by turning off engine and restarting car. Recalls issued for other Mitsubishi models, but not for this car. Needs to be addressed to prevent i... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
We may have started a claim already reference number 1592940, this is the first I've been able to write out the details. On [XXX] we were driving through South Dakota on the freeway; which was cold but dry and clear with no hazards and within a mile everything happened or about 45-60 seconds First, it was like the gas wasn't getting through because RPMS went from normal to almost 5000. From ther... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
I have a Kia Niro Hybrid. I had the check engine light come on. I took it to Kia dealership in Cicero, NY (Driver's Village/ Burdick Kia. Upon inspection, the dealership stated the following: "CONFIRM CUSTOMER CONCERN CEL ON, P0401 EGR INSUFFICIENT FLOW EGR PORT BECOMES CLOGGED AT HIGH MILEAGE, EGR REPLACEMENT WOULD CORRECT LIGHT TEMPORARILY HOWEVER CASUAL CONDITION WILL STILL REMAIN, CLOG IN EGR ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
I am a service coordinator at a discount tire. I relearn TPMS sensors all day. I have noticed from 2010-2024 Toyota model years that with OE sensors or new aftermarket sensors, the TMPS light will not turn off on the dash. The sensors will read on the Bartec, then read and program to the vehicle through OBD II. My mangers and I do by best practice and all. I believe it is a problem with the centra... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2025
I was driving on a secondary road that has a 45 MPH speed limit when the vehicle decelerated to 31 MPH on its own. I could not make it go faster with any application of the accelerator. This lasted for about 5 minutes. I called the dealer service and they said it was probably a "glitch" and they could not investigate unless I left the vehicle with them until they could reproduce it. One unusual fa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2025
I just purchased a new truck on Friday and was told on car fax it had a open recall .On 1/20/25 around 0835 I arrived at service entrance and was not greeted or checked in after being told I would be charged a diagnosis fee for a very important safety recall related to ABS . I would like this incident investigated as it jeopardizes my and my family safety . Also told him the truck was under warran... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2025
KSDS system continuously going off saying the knock sensor needs to be replaced and puts the car in limp mode. The car continuously going into limp mode even after knock sensor is replaced.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2025
Toyota sent a letter in mid-2024 that there was a safety recall for airbag issue with 2020 Toyota Highlander. The letter stated that a remedy would be available by the third quarter of 2024. As of January 21, 2025, they still have not provided a remedy for the serious safety issue. I would like to file a complaint against Toyota for failing to remedy the defect within a reasonable time.
Incident date: Jan 16, 2020
Horn has stopped working 3 times in 2 1/2 years. Replaced twice under warranty. Now out of warranty.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
I'VE BEEN OPERATING MY TRUCK SEVERAL TIMES NOW WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS WENT OFF OR DISENGAGED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A SLIGHT PANIC FROM NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THAT MOMENT. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE TOWING, WHICH MADE THINGS EVEN WORSE. MY CRUISE CONTROL IS NO LONGER WORKING AND NOW I AM DEALING WITH THE RECALL WHERE THERE IS A "REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE". THIS WOULD BE RECALL MAN... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
My engine burns oil very bad. Black smoke comes out of my tailpipe and I burn through 5 quarts in less than a thousand miles. I just got my oil changed two weeks again and I just had to add more oil to my car bc it was empty. I’ve had to replace the spark plugs twice due to soot build up. I can’t afford a new car I’m 17 and can barely afford the maintenance let alone a whole new engine. Have... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
My engine burns oil very bad. Black smoke comes out of my tailpipe and I burn through 5 quarts in less than a thousand miles. I just got my oil changed two weeks again and I just had to add more oil to my car bc it was empty. I’ve had to replace the spark plugs twice due to soot build up. I can’t afford a new car I’m 17 and can barely afford the maintenance let alone a whole new engine. Have... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
My wife and I bought our 2020 Ford Escape new from a dealer in 2020. We are the first owners of this vehicle. In the time that we have had it, we have experienced the following issues: 1- the forward camera module that provides collision prevention, lane assist, adaptive cruise control, etc has failed. The dealer claims that the unit “overheated”. The module is no longer covered under warranty... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2025
When I attempted to suddenly brake once I saw the car in front of me braking, my brakes locked and the truck slid into the vehicle in front of me. The failure of the ESC system did not allow the expected intervention that is relied upon to avoid a vehicle crash without prior warning. I was in the deceleration phase of braking quickly, but the brakes did not respond in a timely manner. I was not ma... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 14, 2025
I have a letter for an important safety recall, re: the backup camera. The letter is dated September 2023, and I called today, after experiencing worsening deterioration of my camera, and I was told that there is currently no fix. So, after 1.5 years, I have no fix for my camera? This is a safety issue
Incident date: Jan 14, 2025
I experienced an inadvertent emergency braking action in my 2019 Insight while cruising at highway speed. I was in the right lane, which had just doubled in width due to an on-ramp joining the highway. This situation will sometimes confuse my car's Lane Keeping Assist System, causing a side-to-side shudder or swerve, but in this case the Automatic Emergency Braking activated, causing me to lose ab... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2025
Total catastrophic engine failure. Occurred at roughly 80,000 miles. Engine bearing shattered causing total engine loss. Needed to be replaced. Occurred in May 2023. There were no precursors to the event and the engine had been well maintained. I noticed an investigation of my vehicles engine and thought I should report this.
Incident date: Jan 18, 2025
My truck lost power while driving on the interstate.. had to restart while traffic moved around me.. truck eventually restarted and then again died while getting off exit ramp in traffic. Towed to Dealership and was diagnosed with a "blown" rod bearing. Full Engine replacement.