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 1, 2020
Spontaneous windshield crack that has slowly spread across entire windshield. Driving with NO vehicles around and crack just appeared. Windshield is defective.
Incident date: Sep 10, 2024
1) Exhaust Manifold and exhaust bolts. Cause exhaust leak and puts me at risk of exhaust coming into passenger area. Ticking on cold start up til warms up. It's been reproduced and diagnosed at dealership. Exhaust manifold and exhaust manifold bolts are a well known issue that's has been reported multiple times and seems to be ignored. 2) Ignition Lock Cylinder on start up intermittently it sounds... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2024
There is a recall on this vehicle and is very dangerous to drive. The screens go dark and we are unable to see how fast we are going. When this happens we also do not know if any of the safety features work. I have been told by the local VW dealer that as of right now there is no fix to this recall. I feel that VW should have better options for the consumer to be taken out of this vehicle. This... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2024
There is a recall on this vehicle and is very dangerous to drive. The screens go dark and we are unable to see how fast we are going. When this happens we also do not know if any of the safety features work. I have been told by the local VW dealer that as of right now there is no fix to this recall. I feel that VW should have better options for the consumer to be taken out of this vehicle. This... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2024
The driver side windows control buttons are breaking off for no apparent reason. Ford refused to fix faulty windows controls which could cause harm to a person attempting to roll windows up or down. Two buttons have broke off within a matter of a week and are in the shape of a W which could lead to injury. A 3rd button appears damaged as well.
Incident date: Sep 21, 2024
1)BODY- The body of the vehicle (paint) seems to be chipping and/or rusting at an increasingly rapid rate with no known causes. This rusting is causing the value of the car to plummet as I am trying to sell the vehicle. It first appeared in about 2019 and has been getting steadily worse without any way to stop it. 2) SUSPENSION- On every single Toyota I’ve owned (4) the struts wore very quickl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2024
There is a common warning message on Tesla Model 3 and Y that states “Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault” I just received it on mine. Tesla service advised that the passenger airbag and safety system may not function in the event of a crash. I searched online and can see in forums that many people receive this warning. Tesla also confirmed that if someone receives this message w... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2024
There is a common warning message on Tesla Model 3 and Y that states “Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault” I just received it on mine. Tesla service advised that the passenger airbag and safety system may not function in the event of a crash. I searched online and can see in forums that many people receive this warning. Tesla also confirmed that if someone receives this message w... Read more
Incident date: Sep 12, 2024
Air suspension
Incident date: Sep 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 65 MPH, there were several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was losing motive power. The contact stated that his daughter depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle continued to lose motive power. The contact stated that his daughter pulled over ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
On Mon, [XXX], my father was involved in a single car accident in the family's Mercedes-Bens EQE 350 (all electric) vehicle. When he was in driveway, he claims he was on the brake when the car suddenly accelerated on its own. It destroyed the garage door and then went through the garage destroying property, the attic staircase, and the frame of an interior wall into a bedroom. We have pictures ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 20, 2024
Service electronic braking system continues to flash along with Service Antilock brake system--This is a failure of the HCU (hydrolic control unit) that should be a RECALL. Thousands of people are having the same issue.
Incident date: Sep 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (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 not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approxi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2024
Shift selector failed. Could no shift into gear Drive, low or Reverse. Locked in park but could shift to neutral. no power steering or AC. If this design flaw failure occurred while the car was on the highway, it could cause an accident. I have contacted General Motors and reported the potential safety issue and awaiting there response.
Incident date: Sep 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was a loud banging sound coming from the roof of the vehicle, prior to the glass sunroof panel being ejected from the roof panel and landed on the roadway. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.
Incident date: Sep 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-450. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the transfer case exploded, and the front windshield shattered. No injuries were sustained; however, several other vehicles sustained cosmetic damage. No warning light was illuminated. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. T... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact discovered that the front driver side curtain air bag cover panel was loose and unsecured. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the front driver’s side curtain air bag had partially deployed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle had not been involved in a crash to cause the partial deployment... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2024
Main digital display behind the steering wheel didn’t turn on. I had to drive home for one hour with no information on speed, range, cameras, proximity sensors, etc.
Incident date: Mar 28, 2023
My ABS light came on and then shortly later I noticed that my stability control system was disabled and its warning light came on. I also lost the ability to use my cruise control. Took vehicle to the dealer and they determined that the ABS Control unit needed to be replaced. They trouble shot the issue and replaced the ABS Hydraulic Control unit. This repair is for the same recall as 85B for... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2023
Nothing has happened so far, however it has come to my attention that the grid heater bolt will eventually deteriorate until dropping into the intake and then into the number six cylinder. This could be a serious safety issue for me when pulling our 2970 RL Imagine Travel Trailer that could possibly weigh upwards toward 10,000 pounds fully loaded. We have traveled and likely will again Interstate ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2023
No incident has occured at this time however it is highly likely to due to the loud wind noise coming from driver side door when traveling more than 60mph. Concern has been addressed multiple times with no solution.
Incident date: Sep 20, 2024
ABS module failure. Lights up emergency brake, tire pressure warning, Electrical power steering, and Vehicle Stability Assist indicator. Did some research and the failure is caused by faulty soldering inside the ABS module.
Incident date: Sep 20, 2024
These 3 things may be related to each other because they all are connected to the steering wheel. My car can be scheduled for an inspection regarding these safety problems. 1. The Airbag warning light is sometimes on when I drive the car. I'm worried it won't work if I'm in a wreck. 2. The horn doesn't work when I press on the part of the steering wheel that should make it work. It does make a l... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2024
These 3 things may be related to each other because they all are connected to the steering wheel. My car can be scheduled for an inspection regarding these safety problems. 1. The Airbag warning light is sometimes on when I drive the car. I'm worried it won't work if I'm in a wreck. 2. The horn doesn't work when I press on the part of the steering wheel that should make it work. It does make a l... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle downshifted with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred, and the transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The ve... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Acura RDX. 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 contact stated that occasionally the vehicle was difficult to start. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact state... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the transmission downshifted unexpectedly. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed to shift to the intended gear while depressing the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to respond.... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2024
On our 2016 BMW 528i, the valve cover had to be replaced at 82,723 miles. We took the car in to Galleria BMW in D'Iberville, MS on [XXX] for an oil change and the mechanic reported there was oil on the engine and that he needed to replace the valve cover because this was a fire hazard. I was surprised the valve cover needed to be replaced and not just the gasket. Their service advisor said due to ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled and failed to immediately restart. The vehicle was eventually restarted; however, while driving approximately 50 MPH on a freeway, the vehicle stalled again. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2024
We have had multiple failures of the slides, the tsb that was supposed to fix the sagging problem in the kitchen has now also failed. Presently one of kitchen slides won’t extend. We have excessive frame flex. Recently Grand Design inspected the hitch area and re-welded 3 areas that had cracked and broken welds. Added the larger lag bolts per their service bulletin. They were unable to check the... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
I have received 2 letters from manufacturer, than I had appointment dealer service, I went there and worker sad to me we don't have it, than I tried another services , they same answer, than I contacted ford, ford told to me car is good condition don't need replacement
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
Continually getting ABS warning and "Service electronic brake system soon" warning. Electronic Stability Control suddenly shuts off without warning to include cruise control if engaged. ABS and ESC lights remain on most of the time with constant chiming. This is a widely known problem. Recall just came out for later model years but not these.
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated while driving on the interstate 70-75 MPH, on the inside lane overtaking other vehicles, the passenger’s side power mirror closed without driver input. The contact depressed the mirror button, but the mirror failed to respond. The contact pulled over and adjusted the mirror. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the ABS and Service Electronic Stability warning lights illuminated. The contact had previously taken the vehicle to the dealer for the same warning lights being illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer for the first failure. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the ABS module had failed an... Read more
RAM
PROMASTER 2500
(2021) — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Sep 19, 2024
Incident date: Sep 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the ABS and Service Electronic Stability warning lights illuminated. The contact had previously taken the vehicle to the dealer for the same warning lights being illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer for the first failure. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the ABS module had failed an... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal squeaking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while hauling a trailer... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal squeaking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while hauling a trailer... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
Service ABS Brake, Service Electronic Brake Throttle, Service Electronic Trailer Brake & Standard Brake dash lights are illuminated at all times. I have no Anti Lock Braking & Sway /Stability Control Light is on and I have No Stability nor anti sway control. This disrupts the Cruise Control from working. It has been confirmed by a local trusted mechanic shop. The Warning Lights have been on s... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
I was driving the car home on 8/20/24 at roughly 50 MPH, and I felt this brief bucking motion with the vehicle and a loss of power to the motor. The vehicle did not fully shut down and continued to drive, but it struggled when trying to accelerate. When I got home, I checked the Engine code through MyHyundai, which showed code P219CF0. I reached out to the dealership, leaving multiple voicemails, ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-350. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle in the morning during a rainstorm, he observed that both the driver’s and passenger’s side windows had rolled down independently. As a result of the failure, the vehicle had become rain soaked overnight. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The m... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2024
12volt battery is too small Ford replace the battery with another small battery that one failed Vehicle went into sleep mode twice I payed for a AGM battery about a month ago I haven’t had trouble since I want Ford to pay for the larger battery $308.32
Incident date: Sep 17, 2024
I received a warning indication that the engine temperature is too hot while driving the vehicle to work. I opened the hood of my vehicle and discovered the vehicle’s coolant reservoir was empty which led me to believe there was a coolant leak. I took the vehicle to be inspected and diagnosed by an independent repair shop (non-dealership) and it was explained that there was in fact a coolant lea... Read more
Incident date: Sep 17, 2024
I received a warning indication that the engine temperature is too hot while driving the vehicle to work. I opened the hood of my vehicle and discovered the vehicle’s coolant reservoir was empty which led me to believe there was a coolant leak. I took the vehicle to be inspected and diagnosed by an independent repair shop (non-dealership) and it was explained that there was in fact a coolant lea... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
Was in a car accident was hit from left front side and left rear passenger door. Other vehicle was going 62 mph when impacted. None of the air bags deployed in the vehicle. I hit my head twice on the window and was knocked unconscious. Insurance will be inspecting vehicle. No lights or failure before accident about airbags.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Aug 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 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 contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The deale... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2024
Several times I’ve been backing up and for no reason the truck jerks to a stop and some kind of alarm or buzzer goes off and it jerks to a complete stop even when I’m not close to anything.
Incident date: Sep 16, 2024
My coolant exploded while in the middle of the road, engine stopped accelerating. Warning light turned on right as acceleration was reduced to nothing. No prior warning & temp gauge was normal it’s I lost acceleration. Had to turn on hazards to warn cars behind me as it was sudden. No warning lamps prior to the coolant leak besides the low tire pressure.
Incident date: Sep 16, 2024
I discovered my car was leaking a small amount of oil on 08/26/2024. I made a service appointment to get it looked at and found out that the crank case oil separator and the upper timing case were both leaking. These were both found at my local Volkswagen Dealership. I was told to continue driving it but to check my oil levels weekly. On 09/14/2024, I put oil in my car that morning and at 4:30pm m... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
Front suspension has a popping and creaking sound when driving and turning steering wheel. Safety issue as sounds something is loose but Tesla says no issue it’s the body flexing which is even scarier to hear the panels rattling if this is in fact true. Tesla will not do anything about it. Additionally the brakes and rotors squeal when pressed at slow speeds coming to full hard stop. Both fron... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2024
I got a oil change in June 2024 and in September 2024 it said change engine oil soon so I go to Walmart get it done they informed me my engine was very low on oil which they said was odd being I just had a oil change 2 months ago and then they informed me I have coolant leaks and the dealer who I lease from had to known about this and sold me this car without full knowledge of what was wrong and m... Read more