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: Aug 4, 2024
The rear seatbelts metal ends are disintegrating with extreme corrosion. Discovered just before 25,000mile service. No corrosion in any other part of the vehicle.
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
In the document (ZD8), although my VIN does not appear, I have unfortunately encountered the SAME EXACT problem. My Jeep first exhibited this issue back in 2022, and I managed to repair it at that time without being aware of the existing recall. As it stands, my vehicle is now at the dealership again, plagued by the SAME recurring issue. In trying to resolve this, I have tirelessly reached out to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
In the document (ZD8), although my VIN does not appear, I have unfortunately encountered the SAME EXACT problem. My Jeep first exhibited this issue back in 2022, and I managed to repair it at that time without being aware of the existing recall. As it stands, my vehicle is now at the dealership again, plagued by the SAME recurring issue. In trying to resolve this, I have tirelessly reached out to ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Summon mode did not detect a pole where the car parked under a shed and ran into it resulting in damages to the driver’s door and side fender. Contacted Tesla through the app and was only told to take it to a bodyshop.
Crash
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
My touchscreen stopped working and is showing black lines and will go completely black
Incident date: Dec 20, 2024
New car making 65-75 db loud constant clunking noises when turning steering at stopped. 1st dealer visit, it said it’s normal because they have other of same model making same noises. 2nd visit, dealer said it’s noises from brake binding and it’s normal and showed me another car of same model making same noises. Problem is not resolved. When brake pedal is pressed, there shouldn’t be bind... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal of the vehicle was applied inadvertently without any vehicles surrounding the vehicle. The contact stated that simultaneously a " Pre collision braking system was activated " message appeared. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the fa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
At approximately 57,000 miles, the cylinder head cracked. It was leaking oil and white smoke was coming out of the engine bay. There were no warning lights. I have since gotten the cylinder head replaced.
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 35 MPH, the engine stalled, and all of the warning lights were illuminated. The contact proceeded to pull over onto the side of the road where she attempted to restart her vehicle however the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had exper... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
Leaking sunroom. I cleaned tube's couple times and it is still happening. Ever time it's been raining my floor mat is soaking wet
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
On [XXX] I took the truck to Ford dealer after noticing the front floor passenger side carpet was wet and door locks and electronic tire pressure indicator failed to operate correctly. Ford service dept found a/c drain was letting water back into passenger compartment and caused body control module (bcm) failure. Bcm was replaced after 2 1/2 months in the service dept. Returned on 8/26/24, 9/18/24... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Fit. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that the paint all over the vehicle was delaminating and rusting. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed to be repainted. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer wa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
I was pulling out of a gas station onto the main road and the truck started shaking and died, parking brake came on and the battery right came on….1st incident Second incident I was baking out of a parking space and the same thing happened, truck started shaking and died, parking brake came on and the battery light lit up on the dash…. Dealership told me they couldn’t do anything about it b... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
I'm not quite sure what component was affected, some module of some sort got water in or near it that wasn't supposed to. It is available for inspection. Yes my safety and others was out at risk. Yes the problem was fixed by service center supposedly. Yes the car has been inspected by the manufacturer. There were no warnings. What happened was on 12/29 I was driving the car and out of absolutely ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
I'm not quite sure what component was affected, some module of some sort got water in or near it that wasn't supposed to. It is available for inspection. Yes my safety and others was out at risk. Yes the problem was fixed by service center supposedly. Yes the car has been inspected by the manufacturer. There were no warnings. What happened was on 12/29 I was driving the car and out of absolutely ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
Yesterday, halfway through the freeway, I stopped speeding up and the troubleshooting lights turned on at the CVT at Lus from Check Engine, I was able to step aside and the transmission box stopped working and I had to request towing service to the dealership and today they called me to tell me they need to replace the transmission.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
In December of 2024 the backup camera on my 2019 Ford Flex started failing intermittently. Sometimes when I put the vehicle in reverse, I get a blue or black screen instead of the camera view. I have seen other complaints with this same issue.
Incident date: Jan 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); 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 contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard cau... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2025
Cooling Temperature Sensor not working. Car Temp Gage stuck at C, fan always running. This has happened a couple time before My Chevy mechanic on South Orange Blossom Trail say he gets a lot of Camaros with same problem. Asked me to report so there may finally be a recall on this model. When I look up on Google i get this..... "A common issue with a 2019 Chevy Camaro convertible 6-cylinder experie... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2024
My 2014 F150 was recalled for a software patch pertaining to the lead frame in the transmission because the vehicle would abruptly downshift at any speed. After having the recall performed by a dealership, it continued to have the same issue. I was told by the Service Manager the lead frame was bad but the recall did not cover the repair. For my safety I had the repair done and it cost me $18... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2024
I remote started my vehicle about 5 minutes prior to getting in. After I got in and placed the key in the ignition, I started to smell smoke. I see in my rear view mirror the entire cab of my truck started to fill with smoke. When I turned my head around the interior of my rear window was on fire and my entire truck cab filled with smoke. I get out of the vehicle and immediately try and look for h... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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 dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The cont... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
I was driving on a city street and slowed to turn right onto a driveway at at a private residence. As my car entered the driveway and near the end of the right turn, my car had a sudden unintended uncontrolled acceleration, continued the turn, went over a low hedge of shrubs on the right side of the driveway, continued down a short rocky incline, and landed on a large rock where the car stopped.
Crash
Incident date: Nov 21, 2024
Tailgate warning beeps. Tailgare Will NOT open or Close. Dashboard lites flash. Vehicle will NOT START ! CANNOT START or move Vehicle!
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
Truck will not shut off. Had to disconnect the battery. ESC - Electronic Stability Control Warning came on Scheduled for inspection at dealer. No warning signs just happened suddenly. Would not start, had to jump the truck, then would not shut off followed by ESC warning. My VIN does not come up under the 85B recall but my truck has the issue
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
I was involved in a front end collision [XXX] that caused my vehicle to be totaled and me to be transported to the hospital via an ambulance. I purchased the vehicle with the understanding that it had numerous safety features including airbags throughout. During this accident my impact completely crumpled my engine compartment and left portions of my engine were left lying around. The only air... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
I was involved in a front end collision [XXX] that caused my vehicle to be totaled and me to be transported to the hospital via an ambulance. I purchased the vehicle with the understanding that it had numerous safety features including airbags throughout. During this accident my impact completely crumpled my engine compartment and left portions of my engine were left lying around. The only air... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Hydraulic brake unit failure. yes part is still available for inspection as it is still n the vehicle. I was driving to work at 21:30 hours on 1/1/2025 on a snow covered road. I gently applied the brakes and my truck went into a spin. I was going 25 mph. the abs unit failed and there was no pulsating in the brake pedal and rear brakes locked up sending the truck into an uncontrollable spin. my fro... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Any time I get into the car and immediately start driving before the car has time to catch up with what I am doing, the NHTSA mandated safety sounds played when the car is in reverse or drive does not play until the cars computer can catch up and begin playing the sounds. Most times this can take 3 seconds or so but today I had an incident where it took over 30 seconds before it would start playin... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Any time I get into the car and immediately start driving before the car has time to catch up with what I am doing, the NHTSA mandated safety sounds played when the car is in reverse or drive does not play until the cars computer can catch up and begin playing the sounds. Most times this can take 3 seconds or so but today I had an incident where it took over 30 seconds before it would start playin... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
Windshield began to crack in the lower right corner (sitting in drivers seat) over a year ago, was replaced and just noticed a crack again recently starting in the same spot.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
Windshield cracked on the second day I owned the car. No visible incident but it is cracked all the way left to right. The windshield is impossibly thin.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
BMW updates the car software by sending Remote Software Updates (RSU) using the the Over The Air (OTA) method. The updates include Driver Assistance updates and fixes. My car amongst many other BMW owners worldwide are reporting on the internet that the RSU process is not working and that the updates download OTA to the car but they do not do the final installation step. FYI OTA is currently the o... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325I. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V513000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer offered an inspection but declined to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2024
I was driving for uber and I smelled something biting along with my passengers, we had just gone through an area with a lot of smoke, so we figured it was that. After I dropped them off I noticed smoke billowing from my engine. The next day I had noticed my car was low on coolant, so I drove to Ace Hardware to grab some. After I put the coolant in the car I went to Publix to get some groceries and... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, there was a rattling sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the cam phaser and the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2024
I am writing to formally express my concerns and dissatisfaction regarding the handling of Recall SC176 on my 2016 Kia Soul. The vehicle is currently at the Kia, yet there are significant discrepancies and unresolved issues related to the recall service history and the persistent problem described in the recall notice. Issues and Concerns: Lack of Recall Service Documentation: According to Kia Mo... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the cruise control became inoperable. The contact stated that the cruise control inadvertently disengaged. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake light failed to illuminate. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not di... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the cruise control became inoperable. The contact stated that the cruise control inadvertently disengaged. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake light failed to illuminate. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not di... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2025
I was participating in a funeral procession ride for a fallen fellow law enforcement officer with approximately 20 plus riders. During the procession I was riding my motorcycle at highway speeds of 75 mph when my motorcycle shut off completely. Luckily I was able to alert the riders around me and I was able to pull over to the shoulder. At the highway shoulder, I was able to restart my motorcycle ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2022
According to Tesla the AI4 computer experienced an internal short circuit. This has rendered all cameras including backup camera, GPS, parking sensors, and automatic wipers inoperable. The visibility out of the vehicle is very poor to the rear without the backup camera. Parking without the rear camera and parking sensors is difficult. Not having physical controls for the wipers makes turning them ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2025
purchased this car in June 2024.didnt notice it was leaking oil until having oil changed.the mechanic said the engine was dry with not much oil.the mechanic told me the oil pan seal is bad.i checked and it doesn't take a gasket,and the oil pan must be removed and a sealant must be applied rather than a gasket form.this 2012 Chevy equinox ls ,and does not have a gasket form only the sealant.if the ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
Parking my car in a space with other cars. Nowhere near the car in front of me and the car just locked up the brakes. It was jarring and really strained my neck as I wasn’t expecting it. My daughter was in the car as well and was jarred.
Incident date: Nov 12, 2024
Ram has an issue with the electronic brake module. It effects the anti-brake, anti-slip, trailer brake, and cruise control. They are aware of it and it is documented on many forums as far back as 2016 on my model. My son has a 2018 2500 and is starting to have the same issues. This is an $1100 job but they don't have the part and can't get it. They say it is on back order? No real guarantee ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
Ram has an issue with the electronic brake module. It effects the anti-brake, anti-slip, trailer brake, and cruise control. They are aware of it and it is documented on many forums as far back as 2016 on my model. My son has a 2018 2500 and is starting to have the same issues. This is an $1100 job but they don't have the part and can't get it. They say it is on back order? No real guarantee ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
Driving down the road several large pieces of pain flaked off on the driver side door. This is a 2014 Kia Optima with 61,000 miles on it. None of the other questions apply. I am filing this because I see on other forums that both KIA and Hyundai cars with the Snow White Pearl paint have this problem, so it seems to be a failure by the manufacturer.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
None of the safety sensors were working.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
The rear differential appears to be an issue on these vehicles. 2021-2022 models/vehicles were recalled for having an issue with the rear differential. Fortunately there was not an accident with my vehicle as I was able to determine that it shouldn’t be driven. However, I’m told by the dealership that there are 155 vehicles waiting for the same repair (a rear differential replacement), and tha... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
The rear differential appears to be an issue on these vehicles. 2021-2022 models/vehicles were recalled for having an issue with the rear differential. Fortunately there was not an accident with my vehicle as I was able to determine that it shouldn’t be driven. However, I’m told by the dealership that there are 155 vehicles waiting for the same repair (a rear differential replacement), and tha... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2024
Since buying our 2016 Ram 1500 ecodiesel, we have had nothing but problems. In 2020 there was an EGR/coolant leak that was supposedly done. Upon getting the recall done, they said that the manufacturer has not yet made any equipment to fix the issue. They replaced our hose, but we have had to get it fixed almost annually since then. This is a lemon of a truck and FCA should be ashamed releasing a ... Read more