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: Sep 3, 2024
The vehicle has about 136,000 miles and was driving when the engine just started knocking. There were no engine warning lights or any other indications there might be an issue. We Towed the vehicle to the dealer, and they advised that it needs a new engine. We are the original owners and maintained the vehicle with regular service and oil changes.
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
All at once I have an ABS , Brake, Traction Control on instrument panel illuminated.Service Trailer Brake diagnostic message. Will not set cruise. 06/03/24. Am not driving for fear of failure and presently cannot afford diagnostic repairs. Just turned 100,000 miles and is not used for daily uses. Cannot believe a failure of this magnitude happened with very low mileage
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
In September 2023 went in for an oil change. Next day all My CMBS, ACC, LKAS and Road Departure Mitigation System all light up on my dashboard as well brake system light. I called and took the car in they said that it had something to do with the camera sensor. I left a complaint and the manager called after I explained to him he said he would call me back. 1.5 years later he never called back.... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
In September 2023 went in for an oil change. Next day all My CMBS, ACC, LKAS and Road Departure Mitigation System all light up on my dashboard as well brake system light. I called and took the car in they said that it had something to do with the camera sensor. I left a complaint and the manager called after I explained to him he said he would call me back. 1.5 years later he never called back.... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
when i drive the vehicle, i goes into this shaky mode where i have to completely stop the car and restart it. this happens if i hit any kind of bump. I brake every bump that i see hoping it will stop but today is got so bad i could not move. Also the braking for driving down a curvy mountain. I almost got in multiple accidents this week
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
when i drive the vehicle, i goes into this shaky mode where i have to completely stop the car and restart it. this happens if i hit any kind of bump. I brake every bump that i see hoping it will stop but today is got so bad i could not move. Also the braking for driving down a curvy mountain. I almost got in multiple accidents this week
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but no cause for the odor was found. The vehicle continued to experience failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not 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 no... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2018
The car starts but within a few second, the dashboard starts flashing with all of the warning lights and sounds. The speedometer and RPM needles move up and down frantically. I can drive the car, but I cannot tell at what speed I am going and if I put a turning signal I am not always able to stop it from flashing. Mini service found that the fuse box part # Main Fuse Box – Mini (61-35-9-813-622)... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
My 2019 Honda Pilot Touring was included in the Stop Sale/Safety Recall: 2018-2023 Multi-Model MOST Communication Error. In May 2024, Schomp Honda dealership attempted to fix the recall. In September 2024 my Honda Pilot began experiencing audio and display issues. The display would cut out while driving and I would hear static through the speakers. On September 24, 2024 I took a short drive an... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
There was a recent extended warranty issued by Mercedes-Benz to repair certain vehicle models free of charge that have a check engine light code P052E. Unfortunately my vehicle (2015 CLA 250) was not included in that recall, but the CLA250 models have the same issue and run the same risk of safety being compromised. Now myself, and many others, have to pay a hefty out of pocket price for a malfunc... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V534000 (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 not avai... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
car would not speed up no matter how hard i pressed accelerator, vehicle wouldn't speed up kept going at slower speed had to have towed to dealership. Don't know what is wrong. I was scared someone would hit me, or my speed would cause an accident. Only after issue started did engine light come on.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the A/C unit became inoperable. The vehicle was driven to a dealer and an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a leak in the A/C unit. The contact was informed that the A/C unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2024
We had our vehicle serviced at the Olathe Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram service center between the dates of May 26, 2024 through June 27th, 2024 on 3 separate occasions due to following. Received truck back on June 17th with a blown air suspension after confirming that the air suspension was filled firm when brought the truck in due to an email received for a recall and when driving the vehicle, the pow... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 6, 2024
Keyless entry malfunction. Vehicle not starting at times. Replaced battery. Error lights on dash. A known issue by Honda
Incident date: Jul 6, 2024
2013 Silverado LT 100k miles can't inspect due to frame rot state doesn't allow frame repairing keeps saying to repair the frame. I'm in a northern state with a failed frame costing. I just purchased this vehicle for 11,500 it's worth 15k until the company's negligence to fix the frame issues. Frame swap is upwards of 10k. If the frames were properly coated they wouldn't rot. Also warranty sta... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2024
While driving at approximately 25 mph with no vehicle in front of me and no objects in the road ahead of me, the automatic braking system suddenly and unexpectedly engaged and brought my vehicle to a near stop. This was sudden and unexpected and the vehicle behind me nearly collided with my vehicle. It also caused my head/neck to jolt forward and while I did not sustain an injury it was a signific... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 2500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V060000 (Electrical System), 24V415000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Air) and 24V436000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2023
Service ABS and electronic braking system warnings are on. Cruise control and traction control are disabled.
Incident date: Feb 9, 2023
This vehicle was manufactured with a defective fuel injector pump that has led to excessive wear and damage to the engine. We have experienced catastrophic failure with a repair estimate pending of over $17,000. When the components failed, our driver was on a dangerous section of road. He was not struck by other traffic, but was left stranded for 7 hours. Our company has purchased 6 of these F... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2024
This vehicle was manufactured with a defective fuel injector pump that has led to excessive wear and damage to the engine. We have experienced catastrophic failure with a repair estimate pending of over $17,000. When the components failed, our driver was on a dangerous section of road. He was not struck by other traffic, but was left stranded for 7 hours. Our company has purchased 6 of these F... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
The contact's business owns a 2021 Ford Transit. The contact stated while an employee was driving at approximately 30 MPH, the rear passenger’s side tire detached from the axle and landed into a front yard. The vehicle was stopped immediately. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hub bolts sheared off and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was currentl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
Unknown . Nothing appeared and there was no warning. Should I have been warned? There was no warnings or anything to prevent me from crashing except to make the best decision possible and crash into a less dangerous position.
Crash
Incident date: Sep 9, 2024
.I PURCHASED BRAND NEW VEHICLE FROM CARMAX OF OAKLAWN , WHO IMPORTED THE VEHICLE FROM NAPERVILLE IL IT CAME WITH 90 DAY GAURANTEE OR MONEY BACK.I THEN DROVE TO FLORIDA 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE OF WHICH MY BOYFRIEND [XXX] AT THE TIME CAN ATTEST THE VEHICLE DROVE AMAZING.UPON MY ARRIVAL I WAS HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE ECO DRIVE AND THE COMPUTER CODED AND DISAPPEARED 3 TIMES. I ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
In November of 2020 Ford Motor Company issued a recall on vehicles manufactured in their Chicago plant for transmissions torque converter issues under customer satisfaction program 20B27/20N07 which was in effect until November 30, 2021. It was not until September 2022 that I personally started having issues, I took my vehicle to Bob Bell a Ford Dealership for a check engine light issue and com... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
i have been waiting since February 2024 for the recalled fuel pump to be replaced in my 2018 Honda CRV. I have not heard from anyone. I want to file a complaint, for the delay.
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
Noticed that my floor is getting soaked for no reason. After bring my truck to Arlington Toyota I found out that is was the cabin pressure vent that was leaking. The cabin pressure vent is found between the truck bed and cab. They recalled the third break light in 2019 for leaking water into the cabin but Toyota won’t recognize this pressure vent as a recall which is also leaking water into the ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2024
The illumination of the ABS light and traction control light. The light actives intermittently. The reported problem from a vehicle code reader is “ ABS pump motor control general electrical failure”. With the lights illuminated, I am no longer able to use cruise control. Prior to the warning lights I noticed I was having to depress my brake pedal harder than normally at random times. No signs... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2024
I have experience multiple episodes of the "death wobble"that previous 2021 Jeep Wrangler have reported over the past year. The steering wheel starts to wobble at times going over 60mph or hitting a bump. It appears that that the auto maker does not have an answer given the reports I have reviewed by NHTSA.
Incident date: Sep 16, 2024
I have experience multiple episodes of the "death wobble"that previous 2021 Jeep Wrangler have reported over the past year. The steering wheel starts to wobble at times going over 60mph or hitting a bump. It appears that that the auto maker does not have an answer given the reports I have reviewed by NHTSA.
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
Death wobble at speeds greater than 46 mph. I have to come to a complete stop to make it stop. I almost got rear ended by a semi before I could get off the interstate on the shoulder. My vehicle is a 2014 but I have experienced this several times since I bought it new. Took it to my local ford dealer to see if they can do anything to fix it. It’s really dangerous when it happens on a busy inters... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2024
The ABS module has failed. There was a recall R61 issued previously for this issue of moisture causing ABS module failures. The original recall was completed on this vehicle [XXX]. There is no documentation that the ABS module itself was replaced at that time since this is a tiered recall. The ABS module has now failed and there is evidence on the electrical plug that moisture was present during a... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2024
On three separate occasions, the car started accelerating by itself while speed control was engaged. Once I noticed, I stepped on the brakes and the speed control was disengaged before any accidents happened.
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
While driving on highway , I attempted to accelerate to pass , as I did all warning lights came on and I lost ability to accelerate. The car went into “limp mode “ . Took it to local mechanic, the to Honda dealer . I was told I need a new engine , at a cost of over $16k .
Incident date: Sep 17, 2024
I was driving about 40mph on a sunny, dry day, and approached a red light. I depressed the brake, and rather than stopping, the brake vibrated and the car continued to coast an additional 2 car lengths. On a second occasion, about 2 months later, I was driving about 25mph on a sunny, dry day, and I came to an intersection. I applied the brake, and again, rather than stopping, the brake vibrated an... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
The fitting on the fuel pressure regulator on the engine began to separate from the housing and started spraying fuel all over the firewall and the fuel ran down the firewall onto the exhaust pipes. No check engine light signaled. The only way I knew that it was spraying, was I started to smell raw fuel through the air conditioning vents. Luckily I was able to get it to a dealer before any fuel... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stopped independently. In addition, the brake system warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving on a major city street. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
ABS light comes on, antil lock brakes no longer work and Cruise inoperable. The ABS/HCU module has gone bad again, the dealer has replaced it 2x already. This is the third time it has happened and vehicle has 25989 miles. Dealer states this is a KNOWN issue and parts to repair are unavailable,.
Incident date: Sep 13, 2024
The Power Transfer Unit has been diagnosed by dealer as, "Internal failure within PTU obstructing shift". This unit automatically transfers power to a rear wheel or wheels whenever the front wheel or wheels loses traction/slips due to wet, slick surfaces. This action enables vehicle to regain traction and stabilize control of vehicle. Without it loss of traction cannot be corrected putting the ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2024
I was told there was something hanging underneath my truck and when I looked I found the sway bar had broken. It was not the end links but the sway bar itself. I have never been off roading or abused the truck.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon shifting into drive, the vehicle unexpectedly lurched forward. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2024
I started getting an intermittent error code on my truck with only 36k miles on it. the traction control, abs and cruise control wont work when the service electronic braking system code is present. I have done a lot of reading and this seems to be a very common issue with the 2017 and 2018 ram trucks. It is so common that I called my local dealer and the part is on back order for months. I a... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, fuel started leaking from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering while being started. The failure occurred intermittently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact removed the EVAP hose and became aware that the hose was filled with gasoline. The contact became aware of NHTSA... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2024
I purchased this truck new in 2018. I soon started having problems with very hard shifting and slamming into gear. It has been to the shop and diagnosed and continues to do it. They cant seem to fix it. My ABS lights and alarm are sounding non stop. This happened within 5 miles of my warranty being up. I did diagnostics and they wont cover it and want to charge me 1500 plus i have to wait 8 ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
I purchased this truck new in 2018. I soon started having problems with very hard shifting and slamming into gear. It has been to the shop and diagnosed and continues to do it. They cant seem to fix it. My ABS lights and alarm are sounding non stop. This happened within 5 miles of my warranty being up. I did diagnostics and they wont cover it and want to charge me 1500 plus i have to wait 8 ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
The contact's wife owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 45 MPH, the gear shifter moved to neutral(N) independently and the vehicle stopped abruptly. The contact stated that the driver restarted the vehicle; however, the gear shifter remained stuck in neutral(N). The messages "Service Transmission" and "Service Parking Brake" were displayed. A bystander assi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2024
My brake lights are constantly needing replaced. Sometimes they stay on even when I'm not braking, other times they won't come on at all when I brake. I've gotten them replaced many times but it doesn't seem to fix the problem. I've almost gotten rear ended 3 times now bc my lights have failed to come on when hitting the brakes.