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: Jul 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from under the hood. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that 4 cam shaft phasers had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03; however, t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact received recall notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because she no longer owns the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted.
Incident date: Oct 16, 2023
Since we bought our car, it has had a rattle upon startup. This was originally a recall, which we got repaired, but this repair did not make the rattle go away. I then had a transmission problem and had to have the transmission overhauled due to it having violent, jerky, unpredictable shifting between gears. When I mentioned the rattle again while they were fixing the transmission, they said that ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while stopped at the driveway and waiting for the gate to open, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated, struck the gate, and came to a stop. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
>Refer to investigation PE24018. For reference recall 23V-265 was performed on this truck. >This incident was before the recall work, and it was mentioned to my dealership. There have been no additional incidents. >Driving on a rural road at about 30mph. I slammed on breaks to avoid contact with animal. My vehicle went into park, emergency break activated, and engine turned off. I was able to... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion Energi. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V440000 (Electric System). 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated while accelerating, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the rear axle housing was deformed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while cleaning the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was water coming from the rear passenger’s side door. The contact opened the rear passenger’s side door, and water poured onto the ground. Additionally, the rear passenger’s side door made a sloshing sound while being closed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where Techn... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION!! 2022 GENESIS GV80 2.5T Prestige model. 60 miles after I had the fuel pump replaced due to a recall on the fuel pump, car was totaled. It was complete luck that I or others WERE NOT KILLED. The vehicle was sitting still with engine running and all of a sudden just accelerated up to about 40+ mph. I had to steer into parked car to stop my vehicle. The gear shift would not... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION!! 2022 GENESIS GV80 2.5T Prestige model. 60 miles after I had the fuel pump replaced due to a recall on the fuel pump, car was totaled. It was complete luck that I or others WERE NOT KILLED. The vehicle was sitting still with engine running and all of a sudden just accelerated up to about 40+ mph. I had to steer into parked car to stop my vehicle. The gear shift would not... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 20, 2024
Anti lock brake module repetitively fails. First one replaced 7/2021 with 51,xxx miles. Second failed 7/2024 with 69,000 miles. Loses ABS system, cruise control, electronics affect electronic throttle and stabilitrack.
Incident date: Jul 20, 2024
AC compressor failed within 1000 miles of High Voltage battery being replaced. This is the second AC compressor failure, the first failure occured at approx 70k miles, Nov 2022. The AC is used to cool the battery during high voltage charging and driving. Upon failure speed can be reduced, determined by multiple factors and charging rate is reduced as well. I was told it was an internal failure ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2024
AC compressor failed within 1000 miles of High Voltage battery being replaced. This is the second AC compressor failure, the first failure occured at approx 70k miles, Nov 2022. The AC is used to cool the battery during high voltage charging and driving. Upon failure speed can be reduced, determined by multiple factors and charging rate is reduced as well. I was told it was an internal failure ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS and traction control warning messages were displayed, and the cruise control feature became inoperable. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,000.
Incident date: Jul 24, 2022
Coolant, oil compression, runs hot, to over headlights need replaced frequently
Incident date: Jul 24, 2022
Coolant, oil compression, runs hot, to over headlights need replaced frequently
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
I was parked then backed up to proceed forward. There was a pole with a cemented base in the corner left as I accelerated I ran in to this pole. Peripherally I don’t know how I missed the pole however I do take accountability for that. What concerns me is my front collision system and forward emergency braking system failed and did not activate or message me in any way. In the past if I’ve co... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 19, 2022
When making right turn steering got hard vehicle seem to loose power and stabilitrak light came on
Incident date: Dec 19, 2022
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT continues to experience movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft and has caused input spline teeth to wear off, leading to a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If there was a recall performed on this veh... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2024
Rear shocks are defective, bounces around, diagonal pitch and rough / harsh ride. Dealers Idea of fix is shock Isolator replacement. They don't have in stock and make you wait several days for repair. There should be a recall on this.
Incident date: May 11, 2024
When engaging the accelerator after auto-stop the entire vehicle stalled. Nothing was displayed on the dash or media console, the vehicle cut off, no steering, and no acceleration. When attempting to restart the vehicle it failed multiple attempts until about 45-60 seconds later. Thankfully this occurred at a redlight, but it was a single lane and other drivers behind me were not pleased. This... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
I was driving on a hot day and all of the instrument panel, air conditioning, all controllers, like signaling, windshield wipers, radio and all electronic gear turned off. Without the equipment and tools available, I could not change lanes or come to a stop safely. It would be difficult for me to say if other systems were affected. I was luckily not going very fast at the time and was able to n... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2024
I was driving on a hot day and all of the instrument panel, air conditioning, all controllers, like signaling, windshield wipers, radio and all electronic gear turned off. Without the equipment and tools available, I could not change lanes or come to a stop safely. It would be difficult for me to say if other systems were affected. I was luckily not going very fast at the time and was able to n... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
Hi the two major issues that need to reported. 1. The vehicle would just shut down while driving at highway speeds. It would have trouble restarting and you would have to cost to the shoulder. This issue was random, we took it to the dealership and they drove it for a week until it left them on the side of the road. They kept it for just over a month and a star case had to be opened. 2. 2nd iss... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
Hi the two major issues that need to reported. 1. The vehicle would just shut down while driving at highway speeds. It would have trouble restarting and you would have to cost to the shoulder. This issue was random, we took it to the dealership and they drove it for a week until it left them on the side of the road. They kept it for just over a month and a star case had to be opened. 2. 2nd iss... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2024
My daughter was driving her 2016 CX5 when the coolant temperature warning message displayed on the instrument panel, advising her to pull over immediately. She had just driven on to the expressway, but luckily was still in the right lane and was able to pull over safely. If she had been in any other lane of the busy highway when this occurred it could have been a serious safety issue for my daught... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2024
NOTIFIED OF RECALL AND THAT REAR RIGHT DOOR MAY OPEN WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. TOOK IT IN TO LAND ROVER AND LAND ROVER REJECTED AND FAILED TO COMPLETE AND FINISH RECALL AT LAND ROVER OF LYNNWOOD.
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
On 7/21/23 around 10 am the screens went blank, had no speed or info displayed , after 2 days the screens came back on 7/23/24
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
When driving my fuel gage shows a quarter tank but my tank is empty. Other 2009 Nissan Titans, they have the recall from March 2010. But my vin doesnt have it. Even though im having the exact same issue.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the "Push to Start" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the veh... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
Factory alignment was out of specification causing premature tire wear. The original factory Toe and Camber angle settings for the front wheels caused "feathering" and premature wear on the outside shoulders of the tires. My VIN was not included in the Service Campaign but per the dealer it was the exact same issue they have observed in other Tundras. I contacted Toyota and was not able to get ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while parked and the driver door was opened, he observed a beeping noise and the vehicle began reversing inadvertently. The contact dove into the driver's seat and attempted to move the gear shift but it was already in park (P). The contact was not sure if the brake was depressed at that time. The vehicle continued to reverse and coll... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
Back on February 27, 2024, my car was taken into the dealership due to a malfunction the oil pump gave out and dealership said that due to those issues "shavings were going into the transmission" which could cause further damage to the vehicle in increased risk of an accident. It is not going on to 5 months and nothing has been done I get calls that since it has been park for so long the vehicle i... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
Back on February 27, 2024, my car was taken into the dealership due to a malfunction the oil pump gave out and dealership said that due to those issues "shavings were going into the transmission" which could cause further damage to the vehicle in increased risk of an accident. It is not going on to 5 months and nothing has been done I get calls that since it has been park for so long the vehicle i... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. 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 distributi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
The transmission is stuttering and showing signs of failure.
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving at approximately... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
Check engine light came on. Pulled code, cylinder 1 misfire. Service for spark plugs was already scheduled for 2 days later. Van parked awaiting service. Service performed, CEL off. Van runs as normal for about 1 day. CEL comes back on. Cylinder 1 misfire. Multiple messages display on instrument cluster. Service shifter. Start/Stop unavailable. Some inerior lights turning off then back on later. ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
When driving at night and using the headlight switch's flash feature, the headlights go out completely when in AUTO mode. In manual mode, the headlights will be constantly on bright and will not allow the lights to dim. I took the car to the dealership and they confirmed what I was describing and said that the multifunction switch is faulty. I had a prior year Hyundai that has the same type of ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
On Thursday July 18, 2024 at approximately 5:00pm. I was on my way home from picking my son up from daycare when the screen turned black and my shift knob light (above D letter) began blinking and about 10 seconds later the truck shut off completely. The key wasn’t able to be removed from the ignition. About five minutes later, I was able to turn the key and turn the truck back on. This was a ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
I was driving and my windshield just cracked . Nothing struck my windshield before incident happened
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
The car was not picking up speed on the freeway; having issues shifting. Make me stop on the freeway putting me at risk of an accident. I was able to go to the shoulder. on the dashboard, I have a message saying the transmission overheated, wait for 5 minutes. I did wait and the car started again. I took it to the dealer and they told me it was a failure of the Module. AE8Z*7Z369*FMODULE - TRANSM... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2024
Brand new owner - first owner; Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life. This IS250 Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issues. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns related and has done nothing to compensate me for to date relating to multi-billion dollar law suits.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
- VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT DOWN & LOST ALL POWER TO ENGINE AT MAJOR INTERSECTION - IN TURNING LANE AT RUSH HOUR COULD NOT MOVE CAR- OTHERS SLAMMED BRAKES -RESULTED IN ANGRY DRIVERS & NO ABILITY TO MOVE CAR 3 LANES EITHER DIRECTION. - PROBLEM RECONFIRMED BY CHRYSLER -JEEP DEALERSHIP - INSPECTED BY CHRYSLER MECHANICS TO CONFIRM LOOSE CONNECTION THAT CAUSED FUSE TO BLOW & BURNT (TIPM) CIRCUIT BOARD ALLOW... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
Burnt oil smell started being noticed in the cabin. Checked for leaks and none was found. Took the car to the dealer and it turns out the cylinder head is cracked. Dealer acknowledged this is an ongoing manufacturing issue. I contacted Mazda corporate to see if I qualify for after warranty assistance. No engine lights are on. Car has been maintained properly.
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
While driving, gear will automatically drop to the 1st gear and won't go past the 3rd gear. The vehicle stalls and swerves, gets stuck in 3rd gear. The vehicle will unsafely drop the speed causing danger not only to us driving and our passengers but also to the other drivers around. F150 (2014) trucks was recently recalled for the same problem. No warning lights appeared prior the problem. Servi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2024
I was driving on the highway when my vehicle suddenly lost power and simultaneously the service throttle control and service electronic stability control messages came up as well as the check engine light came on. This also happened last November and the dealer said they fixed the issue (high pressure fuel pump) but it has now happened again. I was concerned for my safety as well as my passenge... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that condensation from the air conditioner unit had leaked into the vehicle causing the carpet to become wet, developing mold and mildew inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the failure was due to a clogged air conditioning drainage hole. The air conditioner drainage hole was unclogged, and the veh... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2024
My vehicle lost all its antifreeze. It was the day before filled to the proper level in the overflow container. The IDLE ENGINE ALERT CAME ON. When I opened the hood, no antifreeze coolant in my square overflow bottle. My vehicle has 58, 000 miles approximately on it. I purchased at Autolenders in Turnersville, NJ at approximately 32,000 miles on it. When purchased Autolenders replaced the air con... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2024
Intermittent MIL stating ABS and TCS service required, started has been going on since I bought the truck in January 2023 at about 50k miles (currently about 75k). Often happens when driving over any sort of uneven terrain - bumps, potholes, seams between concrete and asphalt surfaces, milled asphalt surfaces, speed bumps, debris, etc. Dealer says the ABS module needs to be replaced, and that ther... Read more