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 13, 2018
My car was parked in the parking lot and when I came outside it would not start. I had it towed to the dealer and the battery default light came on for the Jaguar I pace . The car is not consistent . I tried to start it 4 times before I had it towed.
Incident date: Nov 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated before the failure; however, the check engine warning light was illuminated after the failure. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with crankshaft se... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
My screen is delaminating on a 4 year old vehicle. This should not be happening and was told by my local Dodge dealership that it is not covered under a warranty, nor my extended warranty or a recall. This is poor manufacturing. My vehicle does not sit in direct sunlight.
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
I started hearing a clunk coming from the front of my truck and had it checked and the CV shaft broke. My truck isn’t even 10 years old
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
On December 31, 2001, I was driving 2020 Toyota Camry LE at 20mph and the engine stalled. I kept pressing the gas but my vehicle wouldn't go. The check engine light was also on so we took it to a local shop where they mentioned the Toyota fuel pump recall. We then took it to a local Toyota dealer where they said my specific Camry was not included in the recall and I had to pay $1, 655.69 for a new... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
While turning left on a snowcovered road, my passenger airbags deployed when I slid into the curb. The only damage was to my rear passenger wheel. The force to the vehicle should not have been hard enough for the airbags to deploy. No warning lights prior to the accident.
Crash
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
The contact owned a 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 The contact stated while the driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated causing the vehicle to veer off the road, and control was lost. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a ditch, over a sound barrier, and in the middle of a neighborhood road where it came to a stop. The air bags did deploy. No warning lights were il... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
The contact owned a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle experienced a sudden jolt. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle erroneously accelerated to a high rate of speed. The contact depressed the brake pedal, shifted to neutral, and to the park position but the vehicle continued to increase speed eventually crashing in... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
There was no major safety issue in this instance. My concern is this poses a severe risk if it happened while driving. The car was on and in ready to drive mode but was parked in the garage with climate control on while loading it for going to school. At somepoint between trips to the car over 20 minutes it died with no warning. Some lights behind buttons, the interior lights, and the screens ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
The dashboard speedometer is configured in 10 MPH increments from 0 up to 40 then jumps to 20 MPH increments after that. Using the dashboard speedometer, the driver gets a different speed when transitioning from 40 to 60 and then back down to 40. The digital heads-up-display gives a consistent change through this speed range. Other speedometers on other models from this manufacturer do not have th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while attempting to reverse at 2 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound. Additionally, the contact stated that the high-beam headlights were failing and were independently deactivating. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights switch had to be held manually for the high-beam headlights to remain activated. No warning light ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while attempting to reverse at 2 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound. Additionally, the contact stated that the high-beam headlights were failing and were independently deactivating. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights switch had to be held manually for the high-beam headlights to remain activated. No warning light ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. After several attempts to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Jaguar I-Pace. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine maintenance and was informed that the main battery charge had been set to 80 percent of the maximum charge. The contact was not provided a reason for the main battery charge limitation. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V633000 (Electrical System). The co... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2022
In July 2024 after having my Bosch CP4 Injector pump and fuel system replaced by my dealership due to the injector pump failure, I went around a corner and when I went to accelerate the truck wouldn't. After several moments and the truck just coasting down the road without any power it started to respond to the accelerator pedal. It did the same thing in November of 2024 while I was towing my trav... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. No warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. The vehicle was not repaired and remai... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2025
Driving on the interstate without cruise control on at 70 mph. I had a vehicle passing in the fast lane and a vehicle in front of me slowing down so I applied a little pressure to my brake peddle and my truck automatically began to accelerate on its own. I kept pushing on the brake peddle and it was stuck in a acceleration. The brakes tried slowing it down but it would not stop acceleration once I... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2025
For the last two months nearly every time the front passenger seat seat belt unbuckles when it is used.
Incident date: Jan 12, 2025
Passenger seatbelt does not latch to the buckle. Therefore I am unable to have passengers in my vehicle. And when I do it becomes a huge safety issue. No mechanic can seem to figure out what is wrong with it.
Incident date: Dec 29, 2024
I have a 2014 Kia Sorento 4DR LX AWD with snow white pearl exterior paint. I bought the vehicle new with 91miles on it from the dealership in Mentor Ohio. The vehicle has always been in my garage when not driving. Just before Christmas I noticed a small (dime size) piece of paint missing from my drivers side pillar then a few days later on the passenger side pillar almost half the paint was gone... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2025
battery dies when plugged in and charged past 100%
Incident date: Jan 12, 2025
When accelerating from a stop, occasionally my truck has a delay in acceleration. Typically worse when cold and consistantly reproducable within 5 minutes of cold start. My concern is primarily when turning into traffic on cold mornings. Earlier this week the delay seemed to be 2 or 3 seconds and I had to make a split-second decision to not pull out when previously I had plenty of space to get ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2025
Water pump, that was just replaced in June at Ford dealership, is leaking. This is ridiculous that Ford cannot put quality products in there vehicles.
Incident date: Dec 26, 2024
Had vehicle towed to Orange Coast Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Ram 11/4/24 due to vehicle being unable to start. Error message in vehicle indicated "Service Hybrid System"" and "Service Charging System" Vehicle was left at dealership pending inspection. 12/5/24 I contacted dealer asking for update and was told Chrysler STAR case was opened for vehicle for hybrid battery. No further information was pr... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2024
My Jeep Wrangler 2020 Sports Unlimited started malfunctioning on the road and the Jeep stopped, started smoking, caught on fire, and Blew up
Fire
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
Drivers side mirror vibrates and blurs view. Subaru replaced mirror assembly but the issue persists. Dealer said they can’t fix it
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
While I was driving on the highway the sunroof (just the window) flew off. I had the sliding roof door closed and only heard a gust of wind initially thinking it just became ajar somehow, but nope the entire window was gone, like the adhesive deteriorated I assume. The sunroof mechanism works perfectly fine. Fortunately if was really early in the morning and to my knowledge no one was on the roa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
2024 COLORADO TB purchased new on [XXX]. About 3 days later with 150 miles logged parked in my driveway I noticed OIL spots and leaking. Drove to dealer and they kept it for around 3 days. Dealer contacted GM to supply data points and information. GM had a bulletin placed for REAR MAIN OIL SEAL AND GASKET failure they attributed to faulty parts from original plant inside U.S. Dealer receive... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
Vehicle has experienced several times a severe hesitation from both complete stop and rolling stop. Seems as though it is stalling. Then will accelerate.
Incident date: Jun 24, 2024
When putting vehicle in PARK and releasing the foot brake it rolls back an excessive amount of space sometimes it rolls back so much we begin to get scared thinking we are still in DRIVE and jump back in vehicle just to learn we are in PARK. We have had this issue since the day of getting truck in August of 2024 and how much it rolls back is never consistent on the length of the roll back. Sometim... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2024
When putting vehicle in PARK and releasing the foot brake it rolls back an excessive amount of space sometimes it rolls back so much we begin to get scared thinking we are still in DRIVE and jump back in vehicle just to learn we are in PARK. We have had this issue since the day of getting truck in August of 2024 and how much it rolls back is never consistent on the length of the roll back. Sometim... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving the transmission would randomly downshift into 1st gear causing the vehicle to abruptly reduce speeds. Also, the speedometer had intermittently malfunctioned and did not properly display. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer was contacted and informed that the vehicle was previously serviced und... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2024
A thermostat failure displays a "steering assist" warning while driving. The thermostat housing has been replaced twice in 3 years after this warning.
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
When vehicle is in rain or sub-freezing conditions, the horn completely stops functioning. Took vehicle to Tesla Service and was told, "Technician inspected and found the vehicles horn to be working as expected at this time. Technician noted that under heavy rain/snow the vehicles horn may not work as expected due to water accumulation in the cut out for the horn." The issue is reproducible every ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2025
The power Train Unit failed. My wife is a nurse that drives from PA to MD on the back roads everyday, The part will not be avaliable until 5-22-25 if I order it today. Are people expected to rent a car for 3 months while the part might come in? We are very frustrated. Thank you , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Jan 10, 2025
While driving in wet snow, the front windshield wipers stopped working. The windshield was clear, interior was warm, defrost was running, all normal winter settings. From my internet search, seems like this is a known issue, snow building up between the blade and the home position not allowing the wiper to complete its cycle, disabling the motor. Once cleared it will work again, but stopping wi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
I bought this vehicle used at around 105,000 miles. I have since spent almost $22,000 on repairing of the diesel exhaust system.. my vehicle is actually in the shop now it’s been in the shop since middle of October on and off as they cannot effectively diagnose the problem. Actually they can diagnose the problem. They just can’t fix the problem. I have all my receipts, but they are in the truc... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
The wrap material on the front driver side and passenger inside door handles is separating and is very sharp. I noticed it a couple of days ago when I went to get out of the vehicle and I reached to open the door, and it sliced open my finger. I told my passenger what had happened, and he checked the passenger side inside door handle, and he said that his was the same way.
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
The radio became scrambled and it is malfunctioning. it puts others at risk due to rear camera not working control of heated seats and steering wheel ect. i have read multiple reports of others who have had the same issue
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
I experienced an incident related to the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) yesterday afternoon. I was driving on a highway at ~40mph and as I went through a (clear) intersection, my car suddenly decelerated, jerking me forward. Thankfully, I was wearing my seat belt and the car behind me left enough room between us, so there was no impact.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
On Thursday [XXX] I was driving my new 1500 Big horn ram truck. I only had it for 6 days at that point. I started noticing a noise coming from inside the dashboard and the check engine light came on. I kept driving as usual because i figured the light would go off. All of a sudden a big metal ring the size of my palm fell on my shoe and all the warning lights came on the dash ( the brake failure l... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
In the beginning of December 2024, the low headlight warning light started coming on for the right light, intermittently. I took the car to the dealership to get the light fixed, I was told there were some loose wires and they fixed it. 2 weeks later it started happening again, I returned with the car and got another appointment, before the appointment date, the left low headlight warning light ca... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
I had my vehicle for about 2 years. I noticed that after I went over a certain amount of mileage, my car went into an engine power reduce mode. With the engine power reduce mode my vehicle could only go 25 mph. This was happening to me when I was driving on major highways, etc.. I would have to pull over and stop the vehicle because after certain amount of time it also would tell me oil pressure l... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
About About a year ago I received notification that The fuel pump impeller was improperly moulded and this could cause the car to shut down. This could cause accidents. Well, I have called Acura and Honda dealerships a multiple times and they give me the run around. Some say wait for mail stating that I should schedule an appointment. I never received such letter. Other dealers didn’t even look ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
My GMC is in the repair shop for the alert (shift to park). I was once again unable to turn off my car and place it safety in park. This is a known issue and GMC Dothan states the 2019 GMC Acadia with my vin number is not on recall?? This is a know dangerous safely issue.
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
Transmission is not going into fifth gear correctly.
Incident date: Aug 4, 2024
The issues started with the sunroof not closing. And the uconnect touch screen inoperable ( it went black and no options available ) It seemed to be a fluke and resolved itself. But within a few weeks the icons for the driver and passenger seat heaters were no longer on the screen. Now that the season has changed and temps have dropped, the drivers side heater will automatically come on when ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2024
Light keeps coming up for restraint warning for airbags not working properly