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: Oct 1, 2024
Their door locks lock you in so you cannot get out which is to me a very dangerous situation I had it replaced and the one they put on it which is new is worse
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
The windshield washer system on my new Honda CRV is not operating to effectively clean the windshield. The washer fluid is sprayed from nozzles on the windshield wipers, only briefly at the far left end of the wiper travel arc. On the driver’s side, the washer fluid sprays only on the far left two inches of the windshield, which the wiper does not contact. The passenger’s side of the windsh... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the contact noticed that the engine oil cooler line was leaking fluid on the ground. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related to the failure of the Customer Satisfaction Program: N212326940 (Engine Oil Cooler Lines Detachi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted by the mechanic and the mechanic was advised that the vehicle should be take... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the back over prevention camera displayed a blank screen. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
While driving, my Jeep has shut off multiple times. When it comes back on it just says “service power steering” and doesn’t have anything come up when diagnosing.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
While driving, my Jeep has shut off multiple times. When it comes back on it just says “service power steering” and doesn’t have anything come up when diagnosing.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
Abs, traction control, and another light come on and goes off intermittent. While reversing feels like brakes are locking up. Transmission shifts different intermittently. I have seen that there is recalls for other 06 commanders that reflect the issues I am having.
Incident date: May 21, 2024
At very low speed like 1 or 2 mph car accelerates when braking, typically when like parking
Crash
Incident date: May 21, 2024
The steering is sticky. When on the highway you have to keep correcting the steering because the wheel seems to be sticking then moving. As a result you can not just go straight down the road but have to keep putting in steering corrections!!!!! This needs to be addressed! This is an ongoing problem , not just on one date.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
While driving the information system screen that shows the speedometer, fuel center, radio, and displays go completely black and stay off for 30 seconds. They will restart and come back on. It will then stay on and then continue to flash on and off throughout driving. This poses a risk because I am not able to see any speedometer, see anything such as the distance between vehicles that show for sa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated 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 was able to restart. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illumin... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2025
My sunroof exploded on my vehicle. I had no idea that this is something that can happen but saw that there was a class action lawsuit about this back in 2011. My sunroof had a giant hole in the middle out of nowhere.
Incident date: Apr 21, 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 unavailable. The dealer was contacted 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 manufacturer was made awa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Engine Power Reduce - Lower Engine Temperature" message was displayed. The contact was continuously adding coolant to the coolant reservoir, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but no coolant leaks were found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer wa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2025
Sold as a certified vehicle and does not meet criteria or certified performance. Cyberstalkers by the use of Unauthorized Wifi screw cameras installed by Toyota employee in the mount of the rear view mirror. Unauthorized GPS tracker installed by Toyota employee and attached to the undercarriage of the vehicle. Unauthorized Wifi screw camera installed by Toyota employee located interior of the f... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Maverick. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicles driving behind contact were getting too close. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V095000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor rep... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2025
Driver's door unlatched during the winter (January 2025) while stopping at an intersection. The incident repeated yesterday April 19, 2025, while driving on the freeway and turning right. The door partially opened and a warning light appeared on the dashboard. Reduced speed / stopped, to be able to completely open the door and close again. The vehicle has approximately 25,200 miles. Vehicle is bei... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2025
ABS control module failed. Dash warning lights are on and error code present for ABS module failure. There is no replacement available and no one can give any kind of estimate for when the part may ever be available. They poses a huge safety risk and is a known problem in which it appears they are doing nothing about correcting.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The wiring is faulty. We have had electrical issues since buying this vehicle. The car is not old- I turned my car on put it into reverse and all these lights popped up saying there’s electrical issues and it can’t work and the brakes legitimately did not work. We almost went into traffic from a business with no ability to break. For a 4-5 year old car this should not even be a thing I feel li... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The wiring is faulty. We have had electrical issues since buying this vehicle. The car is not old- I turned my car on put it into reverse and all these lights popped up saying there’s electrical issues and it can’t work and the brakes legitimately did not work. We almost went into traffic from a business with no ability to break. For a 4-5 year old car this should not even be a thing I feel li... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
I recently purchased my 2025 Honda CRV from the dealership January. I was driving with my 2025 Honda CRV and I noticed that the lane keep assist was having the ping pong affect when I first picked it up but I didn't really think too much about it. I assume my vehicle just needed some drive time since it was brand new and it was the first time it was on the highway. I noticed that this function was... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 6, 2025
Coolant temperature would not read, steering assist malfunctioning, air conditioner intermittent. Wiring harness for sensors loomed together with coil pack wiring interrupting signals.
Incident date: Apr 20, 2025
Power Conversion System (PCS) failed Doesn’t allow car to charge. Car has only 33k Miles on it.
Incident date: Mar 18, 2025
I just bought a 2008 Chevy Corvette convertible and parked in the garage. The next morning the garage has distinct smell of gas throughout the garage. If my heater to the house would have kicked on the house would have blown up. This is a safety issue which should be addressed by Chevy. After researching the issue, it seems to be a common issue, which should be a recall. Even after moving it ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2025
engine coolant intrusion issues, white smoke when you start the car
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
The forward collision warning sensor went out while driving. Took it to Granite Nissan in Rapid City, SD. They replaced it after a year of waiting on the part. The day after it was repaired, it went out again. They said they have no idea on how to fix the problem. This issue is very dangerous when it is icy outside. When the sensor goes out the car is very unstable. You can only drive at 25 MPH an... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
The forward collision warning sensor went out while driving. Took it to Granite Nissan in Rapid City, SD. They replaced it after a year of waiting on the part. The day after it was repaired, it went out again. They said they have no idea on how to fix the problem. This issue is very dangerous when it is icy outside. When the sensor goes out the car is very unstable. You can only drive at 25 MPH an... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
I received an alert to service the sideview sensors. Also, the sideview alert keeps flashing in the side mirrors even when there's no vehicle present.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
I was driving at 60MPH on the highway and my engine failed. The dashboard read "Press Start to Restart" and my engine RPMs were zero and nothing happened when I pressed the accelerator. I was lucky to be driving in the right hand lane and was able to get over. I had to stop the vehicle in a tight area with a guardrail on the right hand side of the shoulder and passing traffic on the left. Luckily,... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
Purchased my 2 tacoma in 11/24 second party learned of leaf spring tested and failed sent me home in rent a car demanding it back 2 min upon my arrival home due to the frame was damaged. Said they put it up on lift but didn't it was too dangerous. Had to he my vehicle out of their shop Saturday morning without the fix. Driving it off the lot from toyota Pittsfield Massachusetts. Called another... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Fire
Incident date: Oct 31, 2024
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle was registered, but after a crash, the vehicle was totaled, and the insurance adjuster discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 130,000, and at the time of the crash, it was discovered that the mileage was 270,000.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact owned a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an unknown speed, when another vehicle suddenly appeared to drive head on, causing the contact's son to swerve, causing a collision. No warning lights were illuminated. The driver-side and passenger-side airbags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. Th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign number: 25V019000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact stated that after depressing the brake pedal several times, the vehicle was able to come to a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while stopped and making a left turn with the A/C unit activated, the rear windshield exploded inadvertently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,572.
Incident date: Apr 6, 2025
I was driving through a parking lot when I received the following warning messages “Brake System Failure,” “Service Stabilitrac,” “auto hold unavailable,” “ Brake assist failure. Press hard to brake. Speed limited.” I then tried to pull over in the parking lot and vehicle was extremely difficult to stop. I had to use both legs on the brake. While sitting waiting on a tow truck, I r... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and shuddered. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs, and air filters needed to... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The vehicle as an active recall that can cause fire. I haven’t received any mail yet, I need to fix it so I can start driving it again.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The back up camera does not work . It is having the same issues in the current recall for newer models. It works very intermittently. Maybe works one out of 10 - 15 times.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
I recently got the catalytic converter and 02 sensor swapped which removed the check engine light. My vehicle was running perfect. The I drive it today. Made a right turn, next thing you know the vehicle starts shaking and such and won’t go over 20 mph. I take it to the mechanic. They’re telling me the reader isn’t picking up the problem. Invalid data. I looked online and multiple people are... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
Today, as my wife was driving home, she heard a "crunch" noise while making a turn. Afterwards, the Airbag light came on, and her steering wheel botton functions are not working, including her car horn. This all relates to the clockspring. This will be the third time we have had the clockspring replaced. This is extremely inconvenient, as the dealership is an hour away. The original clockspring di... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
[XXX] Invoice [XXX] vehicle was taken to HOY FAMILY AUTO DEALER in El Paso, Texas (1.)to inspect brakes noise and parking brake not engaging at all times, there has been times when the parking brake does not engage, and humming noise while braking and exiting freeway. Service personnel did not dismount wheels to have visual inspection on braking system they just checked for gap wear and tear. (2.)... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
Check engine light is on mechanic says it's a fuel tank issue
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
Check engine light is on mechanic says it's a fuel tank issue
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the ABS, traction control, parking brake, and the malfunction indicator warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the brake pedal vibrated while being depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and DTC: C1391 was retrieved. The dealer determined that the brake booster pump assembly and the brake booster a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
Engine blew at 175000. It is not one of the vehicles that is covered under the class action lawsuit but the vehicle itself just blew an engine after an oil change. One of the Pistons let go.
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and was slow to respond as needed. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the exhaust. While driving, the rear end locked up. The contact stated that the vehicle was slipping, and the vehicle shut off while driving. The contact stated that several unknown warning ... Read more