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: May 5, 2024
On [XXX] on a trip to Florida a light came on my instrument cluster that the forward collision and the side blind spot mirror's were inoperable. [XXX] on the way back from Florida after the car being parked a week I was going up [XXX] and a car swerved in front of me and I almost hit it. This system had been working fine up until this time. After getting back on [XXX] OnStar notified me that my ri... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); 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 had n... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2024
Loose steering wheel issues as described in existing recall Safety Recall 18S08 Dealer repaired at a cost, and was informed that the vehicle was not eligible for the recall. Bolt replaced and retorqued to sped. Service performed by Fiesta Lincoln 1720 S Mesa Dr, Mesa, AZ 85210 on 10/21/2024 with approx cost of $240 (final invoice not available at this time.)
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
My truck first started having trouble starting .when driving engine it would shut-off at anytime making it dangerous to steer and breakdown in traffic. There was no fault codes or warning lights on dash . After doing testing I found that the fuel pump relay was shut-off. Tipm is faulty and all Chrysler that have this style of tipm should be added to recall . I purchased a external fuel pump relay ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
I purchased my vehicle new from Rivian Automotive in November 2023. My rear tire went flat (to 4 PSI) while driving on the freeway on Dec 11, 2023. There was no warning message on the dash that my tire was even low. The truck kept swerving left and right between the lane markers like the lane assist was malfunctioning. Another driver got my attention to let me know my tire was flat. I had my SUV ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
–In the Owner’s Manual, there are numerous items of information not related to this car. By that, I don't mean a different variation (SL vs Rt). I mean it tells you to push buttons that do not exist. For example, in "visual mode", reviewing the steering wheel. –The Owner’s Manual says to accept a call, press the phone button on the steering wheel – no such button exists. The Owner’s Ma... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
Heading down the highway when my car started getting making a shuddering noise that got louder and the RPMs went up. Pulled off and check engine light came on. Ended up towing car and bringing it to auto repair shop where they determined it was a transmission issue, and suggested I take it to the Nissan dealer for more information.
Incident date: Sep 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was coolant leaking on the driveway. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V431000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,0... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2024
My wife thought she locked her keys in the car and I got a hanger to try and get in by putting hanger in window and pulling the latch for trunk and then pull the lever to fold down the back seat and then I crawled in from trunk and when I lifted the back seat to look on seat it latched and I was locked in car! I could not open any doors or windows and it was very hot that day and it was even hott... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2024
Recall on vehicle I just bought for a long trip, has no remedy!
Incident date: Sep 12, 2024
I was in a car accident .A woman failed to yield at a stop sign and rammed into the front of my car at a high accelerated speed. I was restrained but the right side of my forehead hit the rearview mirror .causing two huge knots on my head. My eye glasses also smashed into my right eye and I had a cut above my eye .I was thrown to the right passenger seat area , my right hip hit the gear shift an... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Aug 8, 2024
Whenever the vehicle is driven, despite the temperature, the panoramic moon roof cracks and creaks and sounds like it is going to break. The dealer said numerous people have also complained about this happening and BMW will NOT do anything about it. This is my 3rd X3 of this body style and my other two did not have this issue because BMW didn't "cheapen" out on the window sealant and materials of ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 26, 2024
MY 2022 Ford Escape THE ENGINE SHAKES REALLY BAD THERE ARE NEW BRAKES PADS ON MY CAR AND MY RIMS ARE FILL WITH DUST FROM THE BRAKES
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
The ABS, traction control and emergency brake light all turned came up on the dashboard. I believe a past recall May 16, 2018 was of a wiring issue effecting the cruise control. Since all three lights have came on, the cruise control feature is not available for use. This is a concern within the Ram community and needs to be addressed.
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
Bought the vehicle new in 2019 currently at a dealership to have the third in tank electric fuel pump installed. When it was in the shop for the second fuel pump installation the technician informed me that the pump can go out at any time causing a potential accident. Fortunately truck wouldn’t start and was diagnosed at dealership.
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
Hello, to whom it may concern: My 2012 Toyota Highlander Color Pearl White vin [XXX] ) has a repaint recall before Nov 2024. I was told at the dealer that I have to contact the Toyota dealers until I get the opportunity to get it paint. I was told that I had to contact any Toyota dealer until I get a date of acceptance. Thinking that it was not fair to delegate the responsibility on myself I ma... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2024
On August 17th 2024 my 2014 Hyundai Tucson wouldn't start. I had my vehicle towed to the dealership so that they can figure out why my vehicle wasn't working. I just leased the vehicle in March 2024. The dealership told me there was an engine recall on my vehicle and they didn't handle engine work and it needed to be towed to an Hyundai dealership. I contacted the Hyundai dealership and they told ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
i have a 2017 rav4 with less than 60k miles and the factory back up camera stopped working
Incident date: Oct 19, 2024
Coolant leaking into cylinders 2 and 3 needs engine block replacement causing smoke and misfire
Incident date: Jul 19, 2024
Transmission issues :hard shifts, shift delays , hesitation upon acceleration, trouble on reverse gear. Engine issues: grinding noises , ticking noises ,check engine light turning on, loss of power engine Vibrating in steering wheel when braking.
Incident date: Jul 19, 2024
Transmission issues :hard shifts, shift delays , hesitation upon acceleration, trouble on reverse gear. Engine issues: grinding noises , ticking noises ,check engine light turning on, loss of power engine Vibrating in steering wheel when braking.
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
I have experienced the engine surging while driving 2 times in the last 3 months. 10/18/2024. The RPMs slowly increase regardless of taking my foot off the gas pedal, slowing, or coming to a stop. The engine remains to rev. It causes me to have an extremely hard time keeping a maintained speed and gets difficult to slow down or slow to a stop. The truck was not on Cruise control, it was in 2-wheel... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
3 of my window motors do not work and my windows now will not roll up or down.
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
3 of my window motors do not work and my windows now will not roll up or down.
Incident date: Oct 3, 2023
When ESS is Engaged, car does not want to start from stop/engine off after pulling from a stop. Car then turns off Lane Departure and Blind Spot Warning and ESS says needs service. Battery has been replaced 2x by Jeep.
Incident date: Oct 17, 2024
Complete engine failure while operating the vehicle with our children riding along as passengers. The engine failure nearly caused us to wreck. 2023 GMC Yukon XL Denali with only 15,000 miles. And now, I am being told that I need a complete engine replacement and that GMC is well aware of these engine failures and the product defects, yet GMC has refused to issue a recall. To add insult to injury... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 35-40 MPH, the rear turbo failed. There were no warning lights. There was smoke emerging from the rear exhaust. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, while test driving the vehicle determined that the front turbo blew out and an engine replacement was needed. Additionally, the fan was moved by the turbo fai... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2024
PEARL WHITE PAINT STARTED PEELING ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. ABOUT 40,000 MILES
Incident date: Aug 17, 2024
Vehicle keeps having the service shifter light come on with all of the "PRDN" lights turning red. I have to quickly try and get off of the road and see if I can get my car into "Park" and then turn the car off, let it sit for a few minutes and then turn the car back on. There is not a recall on this, but I can see that a lot of people with this same type of vehicle and same year have had this issu... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2024
I was on the road and I hit a bump on the freeway only going between 55 and 65 mph and the Truck immediately started to whobble out of control I almost hit the car next to me because I could not control it . It was a life and death experience I could never shake off . I spoke to the dealer and they claimed they had never heard of such thing and acted like they didn’t believe me. What ever is wro... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
I was on the road and I hit a bump on the freeway only going between 55 and 65 mph and the Truck immediately started to whobble out of control I almost hit the car next to me because I could not control it . It was a life and death experience I could never shake off . I spoke to the dealer and they claimed they had never heard of such thing and acted like they didn’t believe me. What ever is wro... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
The tire tech at Walmart was attempting to remove the tire when the side wall just blew out on my Yokohama 245 /40 20 tire.
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
The tire tech at Walmart was attempting to remove the tire when the side wall just blew out on my Yokohama 245 /40 20 tire.
Incident date: Oct 17, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
My Airbag Readiness Light started blinking. I took vehicle to dealer for service. No trouble codes were found. Issue was found with Passenger Presence Module. Dealer advised that this is part of the seat that has been discontinued and that no repairs are available for the vehicle. I found a GM Engineering Information bulletin on your website that states the exact conditions that I am seeing with m... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
Oil doesn’t get to the 7th cylinder causing unrepairable damage. It’s a known issue by Nissan
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000(Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the upper part of the driver's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trim was fractured, causing the trim to detach. An unknown local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not dia... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
When backing up, the brakes squeal, sometimes a little bit, sometimes extremely loudly. Initially only happened off of a cold start at the beginning of the day, but now happens about half the time when backing up. This started occurring within a couple of weeks of purchasing the brand new vehicle. It has been to the dealership twice and they have made no repairs because they reportedly cannot repl... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
UNKOWN , DRIVER REAR UPPER CONTROL ARM BROKEN
Incident date: Oct 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Veloster N. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the check the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V258000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 81,000.
Incident date: Oct 6, 2024
Driving around town, I stopped our 2012 Honda Civic at a stoplight. The brake pedal vibrated from the ABS modulator, then went all the way to the floor. I had the brake system checked at a workshop, bled the brake lines, and the same situation repeated. It was recommended I replace the brake modulator and brake pump. I called our Honda dealer and the brake pump is on hard backorder with no ind... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
The headlights are very dim It is like driving your vehicle with a flashlight as the lighting. When you turn on bright lights you can see good but your then endangering drivers going the opposite directions It is very dangerous. If you reserch this issue on the internet it is a well lnown problem. How can people drive their cars like this. I did inquire with GM and they said they did at one time... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
There was a recall for High Pressure Fuel Pump. Part ended up exploding and debris getting into fuel system, which made engine faulty. Found out just today there is a recall for ABS system, which ABS light has been on for 3 months The vehicle has shut off on the freeway 5 times, always on the freeway which was dangerous. The vehicle has been inspection and worked on by Ram dealership but they can... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
Vehicle was in motion the battery indicator and service engine light displayed. Additional warnings for other components (e.g. lane assist, brakes, battery power saver etc.) displayed, stopped at an intersection, applied acceleration and vehicle shut off, put itself into park, became disabled and would not restart. No power to restart or to power road hazard flashers. Complete shutdown of vehicle.... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
Vehicle was in motion the battery indicator and service engine light displayed. Additional warnings for other components (e.g. lane assist, brakes, battery power saver etc.) displayed, stopped at an intersection, applied acceleration and vehicle shut off, put itself into park, became disabled and would not restart. No power to restart or to power road hazard flashers. Complete shutdown of vehicle.... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2024
Truck has been recalled for a lead frame issue with a 19N01 recall for csp ford refuses to fix the issue stating it's outside of warranty but truck will go into 5th gear and then slam down to first while driving, occasionally the transmission speed sensor fails due to this and trans won't shift out of 5th gear at all. This is happening with several years of the f150 series and ford isn't doing any... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH a knocking noise was present coming from the engine compartment, the check engine light had illuminated and the vehicle's speed suddenly reduced to under 30 MPH. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was losing forward momentum. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the engine was revving but the vehicle was not gaining any forward momentum. The contact pulled the vehicle over and turned the vehicle off and on,... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds under 25 MPH, the vehicle experienced jerking and shuttering. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission assembly was replaced but the failures continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while making a right turn into the driveway, the steering wheel had become stiff. No warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was no longer being driven since the steering wheel was too stiff and required excessive force causing control to be lost while driving. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repair... Read more