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: Feb 15, 2024
while driving on Interstate Highyway aproximately 65 MPH and passing over a bridge the front end started shaking violently. I hit the brakes and it finally stopped as I slowed. It did this 6 times on the same trip and has repeated multiple times. I took it to the dealer and told them it had done this when I first bought it and they said they would have to evalaute it. When I first bought the car i... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2024
I have had this airbag recall repaired 8 years ago, yet the dealership (Autonation Subaru Arapahoe 9955 E Arapahoe Rd Centennial, CO 80112) REFUSES to submit the paperwork to complete the recall. I have contacted the dealership numerous times, I have had Subaru of America representatives come out to my house to verify this airbag recall has been completed, yet I cannot get the recall status of my ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2024
I was driving back from work on the highway, and I was suddenly not able to accelerate. The car was slowing down, and the engine light was flashing. I pulled over to the shoulder and drove slowly about a half a mile to the exit. I pulled over at the gas station. Left my car there and took Uber home. The next day, when I went to pick it up, the flashing engine light was off and drove fine and I was... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
Honda/Garmin has not provided updates to the integrated navigation system since 2014. As a result, on numerous occasions, the navigation system has given the wrong information to the rider. My motorcycle is a 2006, but I know this problem exists through at least the 2009 model year. Contacted Garmin for updated navigation data. They said there will be none because Honda would not pay Garmin to... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2024
At 8100 miles whenever driving on interstate and hit an uneven patch of road, such as a bridge entry, exit, the wheels start vibrating heavily and requires decreasing speed to get under control. This vibration gets out of hand and creates an out of control feeling that requires sudden deceleration and this gets dangerous with traffic behind traveling at interstate speeds.
Incident date: Oct 9, 2024
All of my safety sensors no longer work. Warning lights for all sensors are on at all times.
Incident date: Mar 27, 2024
During snow and icing conditions the forward collision radar in the logo gets covered up and becomes inoperable. This at the very time that we most need forward collision warning. It would helpful if there was electric deicing in the unit, much like the rear view side mirrors.
Incident date: Mar 27, 2024
Episode # 1: Sunday, [XXX] NEAR-DEATH-EXPERIENCE 2 times in 2 weeks while driving Tesla Model X 2023 with FSD. Both myself and wife were travelling and coming from Toronto to Lake George, NJ All of a sudden car STOPPED in the middle of the highway. Laptop screen was blank. In the mean time, turned on the Emergency Light. After a minute or so, white UTE came (white) color came behind us with in le... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2024
Check engine light came on, when car was plugged in to investigate you get the number one cylinder is misfiring warning. Had a coil pack replaced and within 200 miles, the check engine light returned. Currently my vehicle is at the ford dealership and they are reporting I need a new motor. I am losing antifreeze which is going into the cylinders.
Incident date: Sep 25, 2024
The "Shift to Park" error warning comes on even though the vehicle is in park. The vehicle will not turn off. I had this issue with my 2017 GMC Acadia. They tried to fix it once, but it came back. I see in the 2019 version that they have added an audible dinging to the warning. I would have thought after at least 2 years they would have resolved this issue. They just made it more annoying by ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC)); 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 contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2024
Hello. While driving on the highway at 65MPH and decelerating down to 35MPH ,about to take a single-lane, curved, and elevated exit, the vehicle dashboard emitted a ping and engine turned off. The dashboard showed a message indicating to press the brake and push the ON/OFF button to start the vehicle (as it normally does when it is off). The ON/OFF button showed the RUN signal as if the engine was... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2024
Hello. While driving on the highway at 65MPH and decelerating down to 35MPH ,about to take a single-lane, curved, and elevated exit, the vehicle dashboard emitted a ping and engine turned off. The dashboard showed a message indicating to press the brake and push the ON/OFF button to start the vehicle (as it normally does when it is off). The ON/OFF button showed the RUN signal as if the engine was... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V536000 (Hybrid Propulsion System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unkn... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V536000 (Hybrid Propulsion System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unkn... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2021
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 not yet available. No further information was available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and then stalled. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being parked, the engine independently revved up. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times while his wife was drivi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
While traveling on a bridge with a very steep incline, the forward safety system light came on, which disabled the cruise control. We could not resolve the warning light issue, despite taking it thru a car wash, hoping that the sensor was just dirty. The warning light remained on for several days, then went away. One month later, on a sunny, dry day, the light returned. I made an appt at the loc... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
While traveling on a bridge with a very steep incline, the forward safety system light came on, which disabled the cruise control. We could not resolve the warning light issue, despite taking it thru a car wash, hoping that the sensor was just dirty. The warning light remained on for several days, then went away. One month later, on a sunny, dry day, the light returned. I made an appt at the loc... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2024
My lights on dash come on stablizer,abs, anti slip and 4 wheel drive and it wants to jerk to left like brake activating had it looked at poages Hannibal mo fixed wheel speed sensor didn't help so now said nothing they can do theres no solution. I can't drive my truck to scared of it . Need to get something I don't have a vehicle and making a payment on something I can't drive. Don't know if I can... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2024
THERE IS A LARGE SCREEN IN THE VEHICLE AND THE OEM SENDS MESSAGES TO ME THAT ARE EXTREMELY DISTRACTING AND HAZARDOUS AS THE ONE I RECENTLY RECEIVED WAS RECALL NOTICE TELLING ME THAT THE REAR AXEL COULD FALL OFF THE CAR. I RECEIVED THIS "TEXT" WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND IT SCARED ME AND GAVE ME A PANIC ATTACK. IT IS ILLEGAL FOR ME AS A DRIVER TO TEXT AND DRIVE YET IT SEE... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2024
I was driving down the highway without any vehicles in front of me at around 65mph when all of a sudden my panoramic roof exploded out of nowhere, it sounded like a gunshot going off inside the car and I nearly crashed my vehicle from the sudden explosion, I luckily had the glass shade cover up and glass did not fall in my face, I had my [XXX] daughter and [XXX] son in the backseat and they are ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
This is a hybrid vehicle. I received a recall notice that the vehicle cannot be plugged in to charge or parked near any other vehicles or structures until the recall is repaired. I work at a mall, and I live in an apartment building, so this is not possible for me. It feels dangerous to own this car. I purchased it to save on gas, and now I can’t even do that for the foreseeable future. None of ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
This is a hybrid vehicle. I received a recall notice that the vehicle cannot be plugged in to charge or parked near any other vehicles or structures until the recall is repaired. I work at a mall, and I live in an apartment building, so this is not possible for me. It feels dangerous to own this car. I purchased it to save on gas, and now I can’t even do that for the foreseeable future. None of ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
Unknown I was taking a sharp right turn into a parking spot next to another vehicle. My foot on the brake I was just stopped in the spot and the vehicle lunged forward and ran into a brick wall
Crash
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
While driving on highway with autopilot on . I received the message "Steering Assist reduced .Vehicle will require additional force to steer". I believe I hit a rough patch on the highway and my steering lost power and became very hard to steer the vehicle. Somehow I managed to drive for 20 miles to safety. When I recached home I did power reset few times and the issue went away. I noticed... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
I am getting a warning saying to service the anti lock brakes and the traction control. I have had this same issue before and paid the dealership to fix it. Also when the warning appears the cruise control shuts off. I am concerned about the loss of control of the vehicle.
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a fail... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a fail... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
Car stalls while driving. Sometimes car will not start. Car cranks but doesn’t start. Check engine light and sometimes the traction control light goes on. This seems similar to what is the safety recall S89 but our car was manufactured in September 2015. Root cause seems to be in the relay box with the automatic shutdown being corroded and subsequent issues with the crank shaft position senso... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
ABS module on the vehicle has failed. Took it to be diagnosed and was told the code was that there was an internal component failure and the module would need to be replaced as it is a common issue. Intermittent service power steering message while driving and power steering stops working making vehicle has to maneuver at low speeds. Power steering returns after the vehicle is shut off and restar... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
Radiator fan assembly malfunctioning causing engine to overheat. Upon replacing fan assembly vehicle is still overheating. Water pump and thermostat needs to be replaced as well as connectors. Mileage appr 67,000 Vehicle went into safety mode while traveling on highway
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
Radiator fan assembly malfunctioning causing engine to overheat. Upon replacing fan assembly vehicle is still overheating. Water pump and thermostat needs to be replaced as well as connectors. Mileage appr 67,000 Vehicle went into safety mode while traveling on highway
Incident date: Aug 14, 2023
I own a 2019 VW Atlas SE, purchased it new. The car has never been in an accident of any sort. While away from town this weekend, on Saturday an "airbag error" popped up on the car when starting the car Saturday morning. Had no idea, texted my VW dealership and brought the car in Monday morning. Note: I had to drive home ~80 miles on Sunday. Apparently the drivers side from seat belt assembly... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact had received notification of Manufacturer recall number: 20E-A01 for the engine CO emissions (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer and the dealer refused to complete the manufacturer’s recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2020
My front windshield wipers stopped working suddenly while driving in the rain
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
I am driving around 55K miles in this car, and my check engine light comes up. I head to a local place to get a code check. The guy looks it up and tells me this is pretty much with EVERY Mercedes CLA around that mile point.. So, I look up on reddit and other forums, and it's exactly what he said. Pretty much the PCV valve is faulty and costs around $1800-2500 to fix after 50-60K miles which cause... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
I have been waiting patiently for the recall (24S02/24V031) to be completed for my vehicle as it has been over 6 months since I received a letter. I have called the dealership several times, and they are waiting on Ford to deliver the parts to the dealership to make the repair. I am worried that this issue may get worse if it is not completed soon. What can you help me with to get this issue re... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
The flex flang behind the turbocharger has broken off. This lets the hot exhaust gases blow directly onto the underside of the cab and onto electrical wires. And other parts of the truck
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
The ABS dash light and traction control light started coming on about a year ago. the light is intermittent with a ding sound. Some days it comes on non stop, sometimes it doesn’t come on at all. cruise control does not work, and “park rear” button is not able to get out of the off mode.
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
Power train and engine failure and causing my Kia to catch on fire at 11:30 coming back home from work. I was Driving home and smell smoke and car was shaking and when I stopped at the highway to open and look fire was on while driving and I had to call 911 and stop the fire. I had some fire extinguisher in the car I stopped the fire and towed the car and I replaced engine and powered train For ov... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
Power train and engine failure and causing my Kia to catch on fire at 11:30 coming back home from work. I was Driving home and smell smoke and car was shaking and when I stopped at the highway to open and look fire was on while driving and I had to call 911 and stop the fire. I had some fire extinguisher in the car I stopped the fire and towed the car and I replaced engine and powered train For ov... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
I am afraid of getting myself or someone else killed because there is a 1-2 second lag after stepping on the gas pedal after coming to a stop. This is extremely dangerous. My street empties onto a county road with a blind curve. I have had several instances when the delay between the car moving after I’ve stepped on the gas has lead to oncoming cars needing to slam on their brakes to avoid hitt... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
After getting my suv back i been notice that ticking sound while driving over 40 mph can't pin point were it coming from the dealership or anybody cannot locate it it happens with speeds.over 40 not exxeced over 60 mph
Incident date: Oct 26, 2024
Hi, My name is [XXX] and yesterday while I was at a meeting, my neighbor's gas caps were stolen off of his 18 wheeler truck. Both the metal tanks gas caps were taken and the tanks were left open. I DO NOT KNOW what or who did this. I am writing because maybe you can help? I do not know. Anyways, I would suggest still having gas tank component with locks on them since gas is supposedly "expensive" ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2024
The rack and pinion has gone out on my 2011 ford explorer limited. It is available for inspection. My safety was at risk, it went out when I pulled out of a gas station after getting gas causing me to almost crash into another car. Dealerships claim to not be able to replicate the issue even though other 2011 models have a recall for this specific issue. We have attempted multiple times to have it... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
Intermittent Electronic Brake System and ABS Failure messages. Been dealing with this issue for over a year now. Dealership told me I had to wait almost a year before there would be a fix and that’s if I’m lucky. The ABS pump motor and the software are both faulty and Ram is aware of how to fix it, and haven’t. There needs to be a recall for issue, ASAP.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
I was approaching a stop sign, slowing down to around ~20 mph, then gently applied the brakes. All of a sudden, the car stared to lurch forward and the steering wheel shuddered violently as the ABS braking appeared to kick in. As the brakes were applied, the vehicle kept bouncing forward in spurts rather than stopping and it took almost twice as long to stop than it should have. There was a vehicl... Read more