Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 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 2,245,377 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 30,183 complaints for RAM
Incident date: Nov 28, 2024
The error popped up randomly and states "front left safety restraint system fault." This has been a common problem with Tesla and should be a recall as it's a manufacture defect with a safety system.
Incident date: Nov 13, 2024
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while his husband was driving approximately 70 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that as the driver was pulling to the side of the road, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that several driver... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
In Re REPEAT complaints, 22S09 NHTSA Recall Number22v087 Stephanie at Ford Recalls arranged for Lenoir City Ford to do a quick inspection of the UNDERBODY INSULATION. We agreed no other work was to be done. L.C. REFUSED to inspect the underbody insulation in re this NHTSA Recall. The Service Writer was caught LYING TO ME 4 TIMES, demanding they could not do the Inspection without an appointment... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
11/19/2024 Check engine light came on while I was driving. Got home, checked oil and it was down about a quart. Oil had just been changed on 10/17/2024. Only approximately 1800 miles put on vehicle since last oil change. Vehicle was at approximately 62,000 miles. Also tire pressure light always on. Scheduled appt with VW dealer. Dealer invoice states "P04F000 Checked Purge valve and found oil in ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
We were driving on [XXX] near Norcross, GA about 200 ft from exit [XXX] at a constant speed of around 70 mph, when suddenly the vehicle displayed 'system malfunction' and started veering on its own and the brakes wouldn't work. It kept veering to the right and crashed into a vehicle 2 lanes away and rebounded back to the original lane and came to a halt with a message displayed 'Shifting to P'. Th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 14, 2024
11/22/24 shift to park issue appeared. Happens constantly. I just bought car on 10/26/2024. I know by looking up shift to park issues there was a recall on 2017 an 2018 cars.
Incident date: Nov 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the steering seized. In addition, the contact stated that a warning indicated a low voltage and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled in the middle of a busy road. The contact called the Police to assist with moving... Read more
Incident date: Nov 14, 2024
The oil filter housing w/sender unit leaks oil under the upper intake plemun. The oil filter Chrysler installed in the vehicle is plastic.
Incident date: Nov 14, 2024
Improperly manufactured EPS gearbox worm wheel and improperly worm hear. Received notice via USPS. Only purchased car Augusta 2024. Local dealer doesn't have the part in stock.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
The back up camera has stopped working. If you read google, yelp, and other forums, a lot of back up cameras have stopped working as early as 24k miles. My vehicle is 2 years old and back up camera has died. I drive a lot of miles for work but cameras do not use mileage. The is a safety hazard as we had a 7 year old killed from a vehicle with no back up camera years ago. I do not agree with h... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2024
Driving on the road when the power transfer unit failed. Car would was not in gear, was able to get to side of road but could have been very dangerous. Towed to dealer and was told that part is on back order and would be 1-2 months to get it and there are55 on back order. Factory has hold on them. This is warranty under the power train and should be in stock . This type of failure could cause a c... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2024
Flex plate cracked at 84000 miles. It is currently at a Ford dealership being repaired at my expense. The car exhibited a rattling noise at idle near the bell housing. Had the part in question shattered at highway speeds, the results would have been catastrophic. There were no warning indicators other than the rattling noise. From researching this issue, it seems to be a widespread problem with th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2024
My Maverick had to have both CV joints replaced at 18,000 miles. Bad shaking vibration when accelerating. I told Byers Ford of vibration they said both CV joints needed replacement. I was told this is a common problem with Mavericks.
Incident date: May 15, 2024
I have a 2017 Ford Explorer with a water pump that needs replacing per a Ford dealership. It has 59K. It should last at least 150k. There should be a recall as there are thousands of these vehicles with the internal water pump. Apparently it's a problem if they are no longer making them internal. I want to file a complaint and would like some type of compensation.
Incident date: May 15, 2024
I have a 2017 Ford Explorer with a water pump that needs replacing per a Ford dealership. It has 59K. It should last at least 150k. There should be a recall as there are thousands of these vehicles with the internal water pump. Apparently it's a problem if they are no longer making them internal. I want to file a complaint and would like some type of compensation.
Incident date: Aug 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 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 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 not experi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the left and right turn signals were inoperable. The contact was made aware by another driver that four out of the five rear brake lights were inoperable. The right and left turn signal malfunction and the rear brake light warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the place o... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2024
The Instrument Cluster and the Infotainment Display blanked out for about 3-5 seconds while driving one evening. I'm not certain of the time interval. Just noticed both went blank, then returned.
Incident date: Nov 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving uphill at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the abnormal shaking occurred at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was dia... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2024
I brought the car in the dealership for the recall (251). The dealership was not able to fix the recall, which affected other parts of the car. The dealership could not fix the other parts. The vehicle was inspected by the manufacturer. The dealership did not allow to pick up the car from their parking lot. The manufacturer refuses to pay for the car or other expensives caused by this recall.
Incident date: Apr 29, 2024
I brought the car in the dealership for the recall (251). The dealership was not able to fix the recall, which affected other parts of the car. The dealership could not fix the other parts. The vehicle was inspected by the manufacturer. The dealership did not allow to pick up the car from their parking lot. The manufacturer refuses to pay for the car or other expensives caused by this recall.
Incident date: Apr 29, 2024
I brought the car in the dealership for the recall (251). The dealership was not able to fix the recall, which affected other parts of the car. The dealership could not fix the other parts. The vehicle was inspected by the manufacturer. The dealership did not allow to pick up the car from their parking lot. The manufacturer refuses to pay for the car or other expensives caused by this recall.
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
Vehicle was going around 55 mph and dropped out of gear and into limp mode or 1st gear. Happened yesterday as well around 55 mph with cruise control on. Used a scan tool and no codes given.
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
Our Jeep will shift into neutral at random while driving. This has happened 5 times with in 2 years and twice on the same day. The most recent incident occurred on [XXX] while driving my wife and 3 week old daughter to Orange County. On this day, the Jeep shifted into neutral twice. The first time it happen, we were heading to Orange County and I was on the offramp when it shifted and I was able t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2022
[XXX] the motorcycle accelerated on its own and then stalled out in the middle of the street. [XXX] the next time the dealership was open was May 14, 2024 the vehicle was returned to House of Kawasaki (HOK)_May 15, 2024 HOK told me to pick up my bike that they could not find any issues. On [XXX], I went to pick up the bike and when Kevin the service person pulled it to the front it stalled on him... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2022
One of the many times my car would not start. I was trying to leave work and my Honda HR-V would not start. [XXX] at [XXX] - I got in my car to drive to work, and it gave a stuttering sound. I contacted Honda on November 18th 2024 about the recall and was told my name would be put on a list and I’d be contacted when the part became available. My mother went into the Dover, Delaware Honda locat... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2022
One of the many times my car would not start. I was trying to leave work and my Honda HR-V would not start. [XXX] at [XXX] - I got in my car to drive to work, and it gave a stuttering sound. I contacted Honda on November 18th 2024 about the recall and was told my name would be put on a list and I’d be contacted when the part became available. My mother went into the Dover, Delaware Honda locat... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Acura ILX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); 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. Parts distributio... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
I am writing to report a serious safety concern with my newly purchased. I believe this issue, if unaddressed, could lead to accidents. Specifically, when I am stopped at a stop sign with another vehicle behind me and the light changes to green, I begin to drive forward. However, as the vehicle behind me starts moving toward me, my car suddenly and violently applies the brakes. The force is so s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
Confirmed by the Ford Dealer, coolant leaked into the engine causing complete engine failure. No warnings, car began to shake, lost acceleration. Known issue with Escapes, we did not receive ANY notification of this known problem which has been confirmed due to this VIN not attached to this known Ford Escape problem. After multiple attempts with Ford Customer Service, they confirmed Ford has a cu... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
There was a coolant leak in to the engine that caused a head gasket issue. When we got the headgasket replaced, a month and a half later the same issue came back but this time it caused a crack in the engine block and we're now being told we need a new engine. The car only has 83000 miles on it.
Incident date: Nov 25, 2024
Two Front Tires 235/55R18 100V wore down to completely unsafe condiotion and had to be replaced. Tires were on vehicle less than 8 months and had less than 10K miles on them.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The engine is burning oil at a rate of a 1 quart and a half every 1000 miles if this engine locks up with my wife and kid driving this could cause an accident Kia is not standing behide this and it needs to be replaced please look into this
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The headlight design, being behind and slightly above the front bumper, allows snow to accumulate in front of the headlights while parked and while driving. This prevents visibility in low-light conditions for both the vehicle driver and for other drivers.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
From day one when entering a roadway it would start to move putting me into traffic then just refuse to go leaving stranded for about ten seconds then move again, the whole time it would shudder and shake by engine and the transmission and it was like the system were all fighting for control. Next when entering a freeway I pulled on to the on ramp and immediately got up to 50mph and started to mer... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2023
Car will drive on interstate then will be unable to accelerate on interstate warning, “Propulsion power reduced” light turns on and vehicle speed decreases and car does not accelerates and loses speed. I had to stop vehicle multiple times to reset the car per advice on the internet but car continues with drastic decrease in speed on the interstate and message “Propulsion Power Reduced.” C... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2023
Car will drive on interstate then will be unable to accelerate on interstate warning, “Propulsion power reduced” light turns on and vehicle speed decreases and car does not accelerates and loses speed. I had to stop vehicle multiple times to reset the car per advice on the internet but car continues with drastic decrease in speed on the interstate and message “Propulsion Power Reduced.” C... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2023
Front right (passenger side) shock absorber assembly rusted out and separated from shock strut mounting bracket.Shock strut retaining nut is stick attached , but entire upper mounting bracket is separated from strut mount.Car only has 65,000 miles and is not operated in excessive salt area.
Incident date: Sep 18, 2024
A week ago, the steering wheel locked and the braking system and airbags and cameras malfunctioned. We took it for service at BMW. They said the battery caused the malfunction. On thanksgiving day, we were going around 25-30miles per hour when we slammed on the breaks and the breaks didnot function and we could not stop the car. The automatic emergency breaks never activated. We lost power of brak... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 18, 2024
A week ago, the steering wheel locked and the braking system and airbags and cameras malfunctioned. We took it for service at BMW. They said the battery caused the malfunction. On thanksgiving day, we were going around 25-30miles per hour when we slammed on the breaks and the breaks didnot function and we could not stop the car. The automatic emergency breaks never activated. We lost power of brak... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 18, 2024
We had recall work on the truck done on Nov 14, 2024 for the power train randomly downshifting to 1st gear without warning. Yesterday, Nov 30, 2024, I was exiting the hi-way at approximately 50 mph when the truck jerked, tires squealed, throws me to the steering wheel, and goes to limp mode. I was able to get it into a nearby parking lot and turned it off. The truck will not start now. This is exa... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2024
On start-up the check engine light came on and the vehicle will vibrate at lower speeds, such as within a neighborhood. When going faster, it seems like it would act more normal. Took it into the dealer on 11/18/24. Dealer points out that this engine has a common known problem. Same applies to the year/make/model/engine which is on recall for coolant intrusion cylinder 3. However, my vin does n... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
Will engage brakes when nothing is present, when going around a curve, or certain times when the sun shines just right. The other day it did so causing a jarring pain to now be present in my back.
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
I drove from NC to Philadelphia in early October 2024. I parked at Delta Hotel near Philadelphia airport and stayed the night for a 6am appointment with my physician. At approx. 5:30 am, I exited the hotel to drive to my physician appointment. When I started the truck, a dashlight flashed (service power steering) and I had no power steering. The weather was about 40 degrees and winds about 20 mph.... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2024
I started the car to warm it when ambient temperature was approximately 24F. The car revved up then nearly stalled about 3 times then threw a check engine light for a random cylinder misfire and disabled the forward collision warning system. The car has always had issues with nearly dying during cold starts below about 40F but this is the first time it has thrown a code.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
Due to a faulty malfunctioning manufactured back up camera and front dashboard display, my sister backed into another car while parallel parking, resulting in a damages on the paint of the back bumper and further indentation. Additionally this issue happens all of sudden no matter what the weather condition or temperature outside is which increases the risk of a crash with vehicle behind or injury... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
Due to a faulty malfunctioning manufactured back up camera and front dashboard display, my sister backed into another car while parallel parking, resulting in a damages on the paint of the back bumper and further indentation. Additionally this issue happens all of sudden no matter what the weather condition or temperature outside is which increases the risk of a crash with vehicle behind or injury... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
When driving early in the morning while it was still dark outside, the car had what seemed to have been a sudden loss of electrical power. The audio for the radio cut off, then the screen for the radio and speedometer went blank, and the headlights also went out. This all lasted for a couple seconds when this happened and then everything came back on fine. I normally would think that this is a def... Read more