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 29, 2024
Backup camera shows purple and green. Hard to see to backup car. Very dangerous using it.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
Backup camera flickering
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
when the vehicle is put in reverse when it is dark outside the screen goes to full bright blinding the driver no matter what the brightness settings are. This makes it almost impossible to see when backing up. This more than negates any saferty gains made by having the backup camera in the first place. I have contacted ram concerning this issue with no response. There are multiple threads on the i... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that upon closing the hood, the hood failed to latch securely. The contact released the hood release lever on the secondary hood latch, allowing the hood lock release cable to hold the hood in place and to prevent the hood from unexpectedly opening. Additionally, the contact stated that the front driver's side sun visor clips had fractu... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
The oil level burns down to next to nothing approximately every 2 months, with no oil light warning or engine light. However, the engine light does periodically come on but shuts down itself before able to get it checked. The same issues occured with my son's 2017 hyundai which caused the engine to blow and catch fire. His was recalled and repaired. His was a different model. The oil burn on my c... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Infiniti QX60. The contact stated that while making a left turn at a low rate of speed, another vehicle attempted to drive around the contact's vehicle. As the vehicle attempted to drive around, the contact was hit by the passing vehicle. The contact stated that they could not recall the immediate events after the accident; however, they did note the side air bags did deplo... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
I was told by the Suburban Ford of Ferndale dealer that I have a coolant intrusion problem in the engine. The repair is $13,000. I was advised that there could be engine fire, failure, etc. Prior to my taking the vehicle to the dealer, the check engine light illuminated, then the temperature gage climbed to indicate overheating.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
UNKNOWN The transmission malfunctioned. While in motion, the car failed to shift gears smoothly, would jerk, rev high, with acceleration not maching the high rev, and the check engine light came up. The car's erratic movement impacted other drivers on the road as well, who had to slow down and or try to pass. The stalling and the dragging from the transmission were random and made it harder to man... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2024
Over the last 5-6 years, the 2016 Tucson has experienced an acceleration issue. When making a turn after a stop, the car will not accelerate above 30 mph. The RPMs will go up to 3000-4000, but the car will not go above 30 miles per hour. This has happened 5 times. I have had my mechanic look at the car, but because it was intermittent, they could not determine the cause. The fuel pump as well... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
One morning, I tried to back my door out of garage and I couldn’t. I found front tire could not be turned. Found that front tire steering tie rod is snapped into 2 pieces. Further inspection showed that the steering rod had some deflects before broken. I took the photos to show the evidence.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
One morning, I tried to back my door out of garage and I couldn’t. I found front tire could not be turned. Found that front tire steering tie rod is snapped into 2 pieces. Further inspection showed that the steering rod had some deflects before broken. I took the photos to show the evidence.
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
The brake lines and fuel lines were corroded. The corrosion of the brake lines would lead to brake failure and the corrosion of the fuel lines would lead to a fire. The Hyundai dealer was the first to find the brake problem and after inspection by my mechanic, the fuel lines were also found to be corroded. I took my car in for a recall service at the dealer and after the service my brake light wo... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2024
On November 25, 2024, the dash and infotainment screen went blank while at the traffic light. A few seconds later the car stalled shutting completely off while making a left turn onto Cox Rd in Evans, GA. We were able to coast out of traffic and came to a complete stop on the side of the road. We attempted to restart the vehicle and multiple warnings appeared on the dash such as check forward saf... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2024
I had a recall on a fuel pump in the previous years. After that, if I was trying with about half a tank of gas and let’s say speeding up to get on the highway, the car EPC light would come on and say can’t go over 4000 rpm . Then my car would speed would be so slow. I told the dealership about this before. Heard nothing. It is dangerous because I can’t speed up going onto the highway. Now th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while at the car wash, the running boards extended downward and fractured. The contact stated that the running boards failed to retract as intended. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the running boards were extending and retracting independently. The contact engaged the running boards to extend down. The contac... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while at the car wash, the running boards extended downward and fractured. The contact stated that the running boards failed to retract as intended. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the running boards were extending and retracting independently. The contact engaged the running boards to extend down. The contac... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2024
I noticed the camper was not pulling straight pulled over a found the spring hangers for leaf springs had broken and others bent and frame was bent. The camper has a correct track system from Lippert co. And now from past problems was discontinued due to failures a video is out on you tube showing the hangers flexing in motion. I have frame damage an new hangers can not be installed by my welder t... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Front radar camera is broken after 100000 miles. Errors include: adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, brake system, road departure mitigation system, auto high beam, collision mitigation.
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, upon coming to a complete stop at a stop light, the vehicle inadvertently stalled and initially failed to restart. The contact stated that after approximately 10 minutes the vehicle independently restarted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2024
On going issues with 2019 Hondas and their reverse cameras dying after warranty expires. Lots of complaints, not associated to cable recalls. Documented history of color on backup camera going sepia/florescent. Previous complaints to NHTSA made.
Incident date: Nov 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently hesitated while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the engine block was cracked, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2024
I just want to provide support for others that have this safety issue, as my 2021 F150 Powerboost also has this issue. When making a turn, usually a righthand turn, onto a busy road, the vehicle will fail to accelerate. The delay is not turbo lag, but more so a dead space or lag of any response from the power train. I have found that if I disable the advance trac and traction control, the issue ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
My Lexus TX 500h has an intermittent problem. It seems to have trouble shifting between 1st gear and second gear. Sometimes when I try to drive from a stop, the car will go a tiny bit and then feels like it switches into neutral instead of the next gear, leaving me stopped in the middle of traffic or an intersection. I have been stuck pulling out of my street onto a busy street with traffic bearin... Read more
Incident date: Sep 26, 2024
My car alerts shift to park when it is already parked and will not shut off. The battery has to be disconnected to turn the car off. It won't start and the dash displays multiple lights park, check engine lights, tire lights and more
Incident date: Sep 26, 2024
My car alerts shift to park when it is already parked and will not shut off. The battery has to be disconnected to turn the car off. It won't start and the dash displays multiple lights park, check engine lights, tire lights and more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2024
I purchased this 2018 Honda Pilot in spring of 2024. Two months after driving it, it started hesistating to restart after idling. At the end of July an emissions warking appeared on the dash and the car would not restart after idling a few times and I would literally have to restart the vehicle by putting it back in park. I took it back to the dealership and they said it was a gas fuel shutter a... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
Like the recall states, I have lost oil pressure so the engine is not running properly. I have lost the ability to brake properly as well.
Incident date: Nov 25, 2024
The material (most likely) plastic used as a trim on the vehicle is melted or started to melt. This is the trim (b-pilar) between the driver's door and the rear passenger's door. We believe the quality of the material used for the trim is defective and should be addressed by the manufacturer.
Incident date: Nov 26, 2023
The lower latch/tether fails to secure the car seat. Any time that the lower latch is tightened for installation, it becomes loose within an hour of installation. The car and car seat were taken to the local fire department to be installed by a certified installer and it still came loose within a hour of installation. The lower latch will not remain sufficiently tightened and the unoccupied seat c... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2023
The engine seized due to an issue with the oil plug and another part, leading to a lack of oil in the system. The vehicle is currently with Hyundai and available for inspection upon request. How Safety Was Put at Risk: While driving on the highway, I suddenly lost acceleration (below 40mphs). I was forced to pull over to the left side of the highway where it was shallow, where I risked being hi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2024
Frame failure on fifth wheel deck. Noticed when hooking RV to tow vehicle that the pin box would move upward roughly 1 inch. Also when hitched to tow vehicle would notice that all cabinets in front bedroom would move to the point of damaging walls and causing the doors to bind and hit the ceiling. Once I learned of many other Grand Design RV owners having this same problem, I removed the front ski... Read more
Incident date: Sep 26, 2024
When making a right turn, and turning speed, our new cars braking system activated, locked the brakes, and steering wheel, causing the vehicle to slide into oncoming traffic. The cars safety system overrode the driver, now allowing me to maneuver away from on coming traffic until the vehicle came to a complete stop. I believe the reason it did this, is the cars safety system thought it was about t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 26, 2024
When making a right turn, and turning speed, our new cars braking system activated, locked the brakes, and steering wheel, causing the vehicle to slide into oncoming traffic. The cars safety system overrode the driver, now allowing me to maneuver away from on coming traffic until the vehicle came to a complete stop. I believe the reason it did this, is the cars safety system thought it was about t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
Headgasket issue, coolant leaking into engine. Therefore CEL on with missfire on cylinder 3. Had multiple repairs done before issue was found, current quote for head gasket repair is 3.700 USD. Ford issued a repair note but hasn't recalled this knows safety concern for this mark and model (earlier models with this issue have been recalled to mely knowledge).
Incident date: Nov 26, 2024
My truck downshifted from 5th gear to 1st as I was going on a highway ramp . I was inches from being hit from behind by an 18 wheeler. Tbis started a few months ago it would downshifted when accelerating went from a few time a month to it happening weekly . I have counted ford and they hav said there’s no recall for my year .
Incident date: Nov 26, 2024
Brake actuator failure. Have to manually brake, stopping distance significantly increased. 3,145$ to replace at Toyota dealership.
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
My camera has not worked for at least 2 years. At first it was intermittent. Sometimes working, sometimes dark. Now I have an inverted image 100% of the time.
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to shift to revere, the vehicle jerked and hesitated before shifting into reverse. The contact stated that after shifting to drive, the RPM revved; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact released the accelerator pedal, shifted to neutral and back to drive while slowly depressing the accelerato... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to shift to revere, the vehicle jerked and hesitated before shifting into reverse. The contact stated that after shifting to drive, the RPM revved; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact released the accelerator pedal, shifted to neutral and back to drive while slowly depressing the accelerato... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while his wife was driving from a complete stop and releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate unintendedly until the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated the vehicle experienced hard shifts from first gear to third gear. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping while driving in the higher gears... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to shake with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was n... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2024
I have a notice that a sensor went out in my passenger seat. I took it into Tesla to get a quote to repay rid and was quoted $2,000 to fix it. When I asked why it is so expensive I was told it is be cause Tesla has to retrofit my car to fit the new sensors because they stopped making my years sensors, my car is only a 2021. This is safety issue that should be a recall, I have several other friend... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
Center display sporadically resets while driving causing loss of speedometer information and loss of rearview camera image and parking sensors. This vehicle fails to comply with regulatory requirements. There is an increase risk of crash or injury when driving or backing up.
Incident date: Nov 18, 2024
Abs service abs lights come on with traction lights keep flashing and ringing.
Incident date: Nov 18, 2024
ABS, Traction Control and Brake lights on. Diagnosed by 2 mechanics told ABS module is bad, which affects braking and is hazardous. Also told this should not be happening with so little mileage on vehicle 50K. There needs to be a recall for this issue!!!!
Incident date: Nov 18, 2024
ABS, Traction Control and Brake lights on. Diagnosed by 2 mechanics told ABS module is bad, which affects braking and is hazardous. Also told this should not be happening with so little mileage on vehicle 50K. There needs to be a recall for this issue!!!!
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
ABS, Traction Control and Brake lights on. Diagnosed by 2 mechanics told ABS module is bad, which affects braking and is hazardous. Also told this should not be happening with so little mileage on vehicle 50K. There needs to be a recall for this issue!!!!
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
The connecting rod bearing seized up. Connecting rod broke and puncture through the engine housing. No recall notice was received from manufacturer about the issue. I was driving on the highway when my car made a sudden stop and smoke came from the hood along with a slight metal sound. There have been no professional inspector yet. My brother in law is a car mechanic and found the problem for us. ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2024
Rear camera works intermittently. It says it's temporarily unavailable and then it restores when car is started next time after exiting. Seems to be a sensor or camera cable issues because camera works fine when it does.