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, 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
Incident date: Oct 6, 2024
The automatic emergency brake system will randomly activate despite there being nothing in the way, no car in front, and no obstruction. It causes the car to slam on the brakes for no reason which I’m afraid will cause someone to hit me from behind.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
I received a Steering Assist is Reduced message and the cooling fan ramped up to full speed. In contacting Cadillac, it seems that it is a below temperature error for the thermostat. Unsure what the thermostat has to do with steering. Also in researching this, this is a wide spread issue and needs to be a recall. My XT5 has 48000 miles on it and the powertrain warranty expired 3 months ago. I... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s and driver’s seat air bags and the front passenger’s and driver’s door air bags deployed without an impact to the vehicle. The vehicle as taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed yet. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mec... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the cruise control feature was intermittently inoperable causing the vehicle to lose automotive power. The Blind Spot mirror sensor warning light intermittently failed to illuminate when another vehicle was passing by the vehicle. The turn signal lights intermittently activated the opposite turn signal light after... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
On three separate occasions (so far), our 2022 RAM 1500, with 23,768 miles on it, has stalled, and completely shut down all driving function while in forward motion. 1. While pulling out from the grocery store parking lot onto a main town road while trying to accelerate from 5-25mph. (May 2024) 2. After restarting the truck, and driving forward a couple feet, it happened again. (May 2024) 3. Wh... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
While driving the steering wheel becomes sticky. It is difficult to turn and requires varying levels of force, reducing accuracy and resulting in jerky movements, difficulty staying in the lines, and increasing risk of crash. No warning lights or errors are coming up for this issue. No other symptoms. Issue has been going on for about a year. If necessary I can get supporting documentation from a ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
The evaporator core is leaking, which is causing reduced visibablility out of the windows due to condensation on the windows, mold-like smells from moisture from the interior cabin (it is available upon request). I took it into the dealer - they examined the issue (the shaft seal had just been replaced in April of this year) and let me know that this time the evaporator core was leaking. For c... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that when the check engine warning light illuminated, the code indicated a possible emissions failure. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The dealer was ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact ha... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
When I was driving my new truck the transmission failed. It would not change gears forward or reverse. The RMP started ramping up in the red. Check engine light on drive start control malfunction. Advanced ultrasonic detecting and ranging system. The led screen was going hoops asking for code and updating while driving day before transmission went. Called dealer. Had the car towed. Later that d... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2024
Complete engine failure, knocking like crazy, fuel smell in the oil, The shop said the fuel in the oil broke it down and allowed the motor to fail. We were driving down the highway when it happened with family and kids which was not safe at all. No warning message at all, no check engine light, the shop has inspected and said it’s failed. The kia dealership has said many of the Kia’s have... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
Check engine light and error message popped up on screen "A possible condition with your Engine Control System has been detected. A full system check is recommended to be done when convenient. Please contact your local dealership to schedule an appointment." Roughly 46500 miles. Contacted BlueLink and they could not help because dealerships were already closed.
Incident date: Oct 16, 2024
Reason is unknown, was driving down road and car yanked to the right cause family to wreck in to a guard rail, no lights appeared before wreck, it was not raining and was not speeding. Clear sunny day. Police report has been made and has made several attempts to contact KIA, car has been in body shop since July. Wreck has happened in July. Car is still at body shop KIA told body shop there was no ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
While driving highway speeds (65mph-75mph) the emergency braking system randomly activated causing my car to slow to almost a halt and swerve itself in the middle of the highway almost causing multiple accidents. It has happened 2-3 times over the past 2-3 months. Brought to a dealer and it could not be "duplicated" so I was sent on my way worried about this car.
Incident date: Aug 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a sudden loss of power steering functionality. The contact coasted to a stop and restarted the vehicle with the ignition key. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle regained power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
Steering assist reduced message comes on and temperature guage goes down to cold not working and after you shut car off fan runs full force for 10 minutes. Shows no check engine light or no codes.
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
Steering assist reduced message comes on and temperature guage goes down to cold not working and after you shut car off fan runs full force for 10 minutes. Shows no check engine light or no codes.
Incident date: Jan 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); 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 con... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 65 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to slow for a vehicle that had passed and switched into the lane she was driving, the vehicle was shuddering. The contact stated that as soon as she had stopped depressing the brake pedal the shuddering ceased. The contact stated there was no warning l... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2024
Recently, the front right airbag impact sensor (part 68284052AA) went bad. So I went ahead and bought a new one (68606357AA) off of Faulkner Ram dealership out of Mechanicsburg, PA. But the new sensor did not work. The old sensor which is part 68284052AA was superseded by 68606357AA. But 68606357AA is not compatible with the ORC module in my truck. I tried 3 different new 68606357AA sensors. None ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2024
MY [XXX] ’S) SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENT [XXX] - TOYOTA RAV4 2021: I was gliding into a parking space with my foot on the brake and as I went to straighten out the wheel to come to a full stop the car lurched forward full speed and smashed into the car parked in the row that was facing me. Good thing there was no one in that car, it had been backed in so I hit the rear end of it. The damage ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
The differential inside the transmission is making a knocking noise and shakes really badly check engine light came on and traction control light both are on and break system light and I have not even had it for a year
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
Transmission failure. Dealership diagnosed CDF drum slipped out of place causing gear slipping, slamming into gear, shuttering. It is available for inspection upon request. Sudden and unexpected lack of power, and unreliable shifting due to slipping gears created safety hazard on the road. Problem has been confirmed by dealership. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or ins... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 equipped with a Roll-N-Lock tonneau cover. The contact stated that the tonneau cover failed to lock and latch securely since the vehicle was purchased brand new. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the latching part of the tonneau cover was missing an... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); 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 n... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the front driver’s side interior door lock switch had intermittently malfunctioned, and the driver was unable to lock the doors while inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who replaced the front driver’s door locking actuator and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, while d... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
I just purchased as 2021 Toyota Venza Limited. The headlight on low beam cast a odd shaped shadow. It is very distracting and often makes you think something is in front of the car. The issue dissappears when headlight are switched to high beam. This is very unsafe and deserves a recall.
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Jun 14, 2024
I am encountering persistent issues with my 2005 BMW 525i. Despite having replaced several critical components, including the ignition coils, spark plugs, mass air flow sensor, and throttle body sensors, the vehicle continues to experience performance problems, specifically failing to advance beyond the fourth cylinder when driving uphill. After conducting numerous diagnostic tests, I have concl... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
About 2013 the 2000 acura rl vsa and abs lights came on then the tilt on the steering wheel up and down stop working then the srs lights and seat belts light came on and want go off. So from then till now I have spent about 15k to correct the vsa and abs issues. Replace rotors bearing wheel sensor tires rack and pinion ball joints and power steering pressure hose. But I found out that the problem ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2023
On several occasions the automatic emergency braking system on my vehicle has engaged for no reason. The vehicle applies the brake quickly with nothing in front or to the side of the vehicle. This sudden braking has almost caused me to be rear ended and has also caused a slight case of whiplash. I’ve contacted my Honda dealer and while they say they’ve had complaints I am told there’s nothin... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The abs and traction control lights flash on and off. They also have remained off and the back on for while. Happens a lot during summer and when driving for a while. While on cruise control and the lights comes sudden loss of power and agrressive engine slow down causing the vehicle to shake. Has happen multiple times.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal became firm while depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that excessive effort was needed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered that there was leak in the brake line that needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the check engine warning illuminated, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the driver’s side of the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that cylinder #3 had misfired and a tune up was needed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The v... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 BMW X7. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), 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 p... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
There is definitely something wrong with the headrests on the durangos. I was vacuuming my seats and i used the passenger lever to push it back and the headrest on the passenger side popped out and now the clips are broke & it wont pop back in. They definitely need to look into the headrests and fix this issue.
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate as intended. The power train warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,0... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while conducting a routine inspection on the vehicle, the contact noticed that the coolant was low in the coolant reservoir. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer where the vehicle was inspected. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer suggested that the vehicle remain at the dealer to be... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2024
There seems to be a wide spread issue with the foam on the interior of Ionic 5 tires, Michelin 235/55/R 19. The foam dislodges from the interior of the tire and causes severe vibrations when driving at over 60 mph. The issue causes the tires to be unbalanced and can cause damage to the car. Wondering why Michelin doesn't address this issue and issue a fix other than stripping the tires of foam. ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the axle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
I came to a stop at a stop sign. The start/stop feature activated and the engine shut off. When I lifted my foot off the brake, the engine did not restart (as it's supposed to), and then vehicle automatically shifted itself into neutral (without any of my doing). I put the emergency flashers on to alert other motorists, hoping to avoid a rear-end collision as I was stopped in the middle of an inte... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
I came to a stop at a stop sign. The start/stop feature activated and the engine shut off. When I lifted my foot off the brake, the engine did not restart (as it's supposed to), and then vehicle automatically shifted itself into neutral (without any of my doing). I put the emergency flashers on to alert other motorists, hoping to avoid a rear-end collision as I was stopped in the middle of an inte... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2024
CRASHNo FIRENo INJURIES0 DEATHS0 Driving to work and the engine oil pressure warning came up and the car began to decelerate and once completely stopped the power train malfunction warning popped up was told it’s the timing chain which has been common problem with this model
Incident date: Oct 7, 2024
On 9/23/24 I was turning into a gas station going up a bit but of an incline and my car died, reduced engine power light came on as well as check engine light. Tried restart car and it would not start. Let vehicle sit for some time and it started and ran fine, the next day I took off it into the dealership and was told diagnostic indicates my fuel pump needs replaced, I replaced my fuel pump and t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2024
Car started to shutter, doing 55 mph and stop pulling..all lights were flashing then shut down, was able to coast into some business parking lot. Had to get towed to shop where was told needed alternator, replaced that and replaced battery…car would start but put in gear and same thing happened shut down and didn’t get but a couple of miles from shop..still no fix. Contacted a Nissan dealershi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while in reverse with the brake pedal depressed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the brakes. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was a manufacturing defect; however, no remedy was available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The ... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at unknown speeds, the engine warning light illuminated. The driver checked the oil and noticed a milky substance in the oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the head gasket was blown. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local deal... Read more