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: Jan 27, 2022
Message "service shifter" pops up on the instrument panel, and a series of red alert lights appear next to every gear on the automatic transmission shifter lever. The dealer is unable to fix the problem! They replace the wiring harness, they replace the shifters themselves, they reset the computers ? And the problem always returns!
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
After using turn signal for a right turn and the wheel straightens back out, the left turn signal comes on for 3-4 blinks. Has caused confusion and have had vehicles turn in front of me. Safety concern.
Incident date: Oct 3, 2024
When parked and opening the drivers door or rear passenger doors, the front passenger door will unlatch. Something is setting off the relay to open the front door when other doors open. Does not happen 100% of the time, but 50%+
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
4wd indicator light is on - PTU MOTOR OR SYSTEM BLOCKED, FOLLOWED TROUBLESHOOTING PER WSM, TRACED TO FAULTY ELECTRONICS IN POWER TAKE OFF UNIT, NEED TO REPLACE
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
4wd indicator light is on - PTU MOTOR OR SYSTEM BLOCKED, FOLLOWED TROUBLESHOOTING PER WSM, TRACED TO FAULTY ELECTRONICS IN POWER TAKE OFF UNIT, NEED TO REPLACE
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was water leaking from the driver's side visor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that water was entering the vehicle through the sunroof and traveled throughout various areas of the vehicle including the visor, dashboard, and door panels. The vehicle was not repaired. After rece... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
The RV has significant frame failure that Grand Design (the manufacturer) is ignoring. I noticed my floors warping and a cabinet crack. There was also some cracking of the fiberglass. I asked the dealership to check it out. The found that the frame is warped, multiple lagbolts are missing and several welds have popped. The RV is unsafe and not road worthy. Grand Design is aware of this issue a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
The RV has significant frame failure that Grand Design (the manufacturer) is ignoring. I noticed my floors warping and a cabinet crack. There was also some cracking of the fiberglass. I asked the dealership to check it out. The found that the frame is warped, multiple lagbolts are missing and several welds have popped. The RV is unsafe and not road worthy. Grand Design is aware of this issue a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 45-60 MPH, the traction control and engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. After several minutes, the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the number two fuel injector was stuck open. The vehicle was repaired, but th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2024
My wife’s Highlander started whining under acceleration. I am not a trained mechanic but know enough about vehicles that I k ew it was the transmission. I checked Google for 2021 Highlander complaints and found hundreds of them. The vehicle has 90k on it but luckily we bought the extended warranty through Toyota. I took the vehicle in for service and told them the transmission was whining and n... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
I took my Ford edge to the service department of Pine belt Ford. They let me know that there was a crack in my engine block, causing coolant to leak into the engine.
Incident date: Sep 18, 2024
Received a recall notice Feb 2024. It is now 9 months later and manufacturer has said they have NO ETA when parts will be available after multiple calls. They are vague with the issues. Told if I think I have the issue, I can bring my car in for diagnosis. If they don't find the problem I have to continue to wait AND they will charge a diagnostics fee for troubleshooting. I am concerned I have a... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the infotainment system display disappeared, the icons on the instrument panel became darkened, the vehicle stalled, the transmission shifted unintentionally, and the transmission sensor was inoperable. Several unstated warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The failure reoccurred on several occasion... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
Other Explorers have a recall for electric steering problems but my VIN is not included in the recall. I only have 52,000 miles on the vehicle with clunking sounds when we back up with the wheels turn to the right. I also have had really bad tire wear on the back with the inside edge completely worn off. Toe in adjustment way off, says that this vehicle already had the fix for that but looks like ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
Transmission cooling lines in the 2009-2014 Ford F150 seems to have a known issue of failing near the connector lines by the radiator. My truck has just over 70k miles and just blew without notice (regular neighborhood driving). Link to discussion forum on the issue: [XXX] Mechanic discussing the issue: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 5... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
Service abs/ service electronic brake system/ traction control alarm flashing on/off intermittently with no specific times or conditions. This first happened in may 2024 on a 6 hour road trip. Occasionally I can take it on a short trip and it may not flash the message during that trip and at other times it is constantly going on and off. I have not had this looked at by the dealer. I have read th... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2024
I would that it's too early for my vehicle with 64900 miles already has an oil pan gasket that causes a leak to my vehicle every time I do oil change on time and also that I have a cooler hose of the transmission leaked and for the transmission to be in service every 60000 miles. So I filed a complaint against the manufacturer who is the cause for this model for the same year to have the same prob... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2024
My subaru outback windshield seems to use low quality glass or have poor windshield mount/frame design. Since purchasing the car new in April 2022, I have had 3 significantly cracked windshields; all of which propagated immediately after getting hit by a pebble mid-drive (not giving any opportunity to fix the chip). I am filing this complaint because I don’t think it should be standard for a wi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2024
Traction control light and ABS light come on and go off intermittently will cancel my cruise control.A warning ding accompanies this.It does this frequently while driving.Electronic braking warning comes on the dash.
Incident date: Oct 5, 2024
Traction control light and ABS light come on and go off intermittently will cancel my cruise control.A warning ding accompanies this.It does this frequently while driving.Electronic braking warning comes on the dash.
Incident date: Aug 16, 2024
I bought a 2019 Lexus ES350 F Sport in October 2023 with 41,000 miles. Almost a year later to the day I went to a touchless car wash and now have excessive condensation in both headlights. Lexus shows these lights at $2500 a piece, plus labor to install. With modest investigating for a remedy I see I’m not alone in this predicament. Due to high cost of replacement I believe this warrants looking... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2024
THE VEHICLE SHIFTS OUT OF PARK ON ITS OWN , IT HAS ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVE AND HIT MY MERCEDES. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, THE STEVENS CREEK RAM DODGE DEALER IN SAN JOSE TOLD ME , THERE IS A RECALL ON THE COMPUTER CAUSING THE MALFUNTION FOR VEHICLES MFG FROM JULY 2018 TO 2022 , BUT ACCORDING TO MY VIN ITS NOT A RECALL, ONLY THE SHIFT CABLE , VIN [XXX] . HOWEVER MY DATE OF MFG IS JULY 201... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 16, 2024
This vehicle stalls while driving due to a faulty purge solenoid inspected by Pep Boys mechanic. There was a recall on the ford focus in 2018 18V735000(recall number) I purchased this vehicle in 2023 with no known recalls. This issue occurred September 2024 I paid for the repair two weeks ago and now the same issue is existing. There were no warning lights displayed when the car stalled while driv... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
GLC 300 was purchased new on May 25, 2023. Multiple 12V battery errors, check engine indicators, and rear hatch closing on owner starting the first week of ownership. 48V battery and Main Fuse Box were replaced. Multiple recalls were addressed. Most significant issue related to false collision avoidance incidents on two occasions that resulted in dangerous situations and extreme stress on the occu... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2024
For the third time in that last 5 weeks, I turned on my Kia EV9, and the digital cluster is blank. I cannot see my speed, battery power remaining, lane change cameras, turn signals, headlight information, etc.
Incident date: Oct 6, 2024
The 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan has a problem with the sunroof leaking and floors being filled with puddles of water in entire car. This have caused the water to cause electrical problems with the vehicle as well as meadow and mold.
Incident date: Oct 3, 2024
Since the latest software update, rear view camera is occasionally unavailable. I have the latest software installed on the car. Since this happens occasionally and I live about an hour away from the service center, I didn't take it to the service center. Before the latest software, the camera was going in and out when I was reversing, and this version of the software was supposed to fix the came... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
The steering knuckles on our 2016 Land Rover Range Rover cracked at the upper ball joint. This issue has been discovered in Canada as well as the UK. Land Rover has recalled vehicles in both Canada and the UK, but not the USA market. The recall in the UK is recall number R/2022/341 (7303). Land Rover wants over $3,000 just for the parts. I spent a lot of money and my time replacing these so my fam... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
1. Consumer is a Permanent and Total Disabled Vet (Unemployable) and this vehicle is the only vehicle Consumer has. 2. I have a 2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk KL (XXX) I have owned since day one with 56k miles. 3. At all times I did not receive any recall notices for correct known safety issues. 5. I have OBD-II tools of vLinker (use everyday for LiveData), BlueDriver and TogDog. 6. For almost as lo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
The key frequently gets stuck in the ignition. It takes several attempts to release the key. Turning the wheel to ensure the wheel isn’t locked and turning the ignition/car on does not help release the key from ignition.
Incident date: Oct 5, 2024
SRS malfunction warning displayed on vehicles dashboard. Vehicle was diagnosed and displayed code B009749 Indicating: the crash sensor on the right hand side has a malfunction. There is an internal electrical fault.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2024
Call module not working correctly which leaves the gps in the vehicle inaccurate and presents a safety issue for vehicle location using sos. VW states it's a software issue and won't even evaluate it.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2024
when purchased from dealer . was told there were no recalls. Called Volkswagen america. said they would fix soon. no repair aviable. Car is unsafe.
Incident date: Sep 9, 2024
I have had my secondary air pump replaced twice already. Now six months later am having the same codes and the truck is back at the dealership. Throws code p2443 valve stuck closed.....on a 6 month old part. This w=has been an issue with this and other toyota models since 2012. Why is there no recall on these?
Incident date: Sep 9, 2024
Had my traverse for two years, second owner. When I received the car, it had to immediately go into the shop as they couldn’t figure out why all sorts of dash lights where coming on. My car was at the dealership for three weeks and ultimately they replaced the chip, stating that was the issue. Two months down the road, I get the shift to park error message starting. Fast forward to 4 months ago ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2024
Had my traverse for two years, second owner. When I received the car, it had to immediately go into the shop as they couldn’t figure out why all sorts of dash lights where coming on. My car was at the dealership for three weeks and ultimately they replaced the chip, stating that was the issue. Two months down the road, I get the shift to park error message starting. Fast forward to 4 months ago ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2024
I was driving my 2018 Kia Sorento up a hill going about 40 mph. It suddenly lost power and I had to pull over. No lights showed up on the dash warning me anything was wrong. I was draining oil like crazy and it was all over the engine. I had it towed to a mechanic and then the dealership. A bolt from inside the engine blew and tore a hold in the valve and head gasket. That’s all I know now. I ha... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the vehicle had backfired, and the dealer determined that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local d... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving out of a parking lot at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power steering functionality. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to drive to the residence, where the contact inspected the vehicle, but could not determine the cause of th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2024
On [XXX], while driving at 10mph in my subdivision, the 2022 Equinox simply died and would not restart. It was towed to Gillman Chevrolet in Harlingen, Texas where it remains today. According to reliable online information, the FUEL PUMP DRIVER CONTROL MODULE failed. I will authorize inspection at the dealership. I shutter to think what could have happened had the module failed five minutes ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had stalled while driving on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that four fuel i... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2002
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal was stiff. The contact pulled to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The message "Brake Assist - Service Required'' was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2002
The lane assist feature will not turn off. It also behave erratic. Today on the highway it lurched me towards an empty flatbed semi. It will also pull towards oncoming traffic and scares me to drive the car.
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
My 2017 Audi Q7 is reporting a "front right side marker light defective" message. This happened after the car was brought into the dealer. The light is functional according to the dealer and visual inspection but I was told this is a nuisance error message. The dealer said even though it is working fine, I can pay $4,000 to have the light replaced to make the message go away. Or the other option i... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the steering wheel locked inadvertently. The message "MultiTaction Failure" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline fo... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
My Jaguar dealer implemented what they said was a H514 interim recall update remedy on my 2019 I-Pace while it was in for other repairs. This remedy action is stated on this web site to "have their maximum state of charge altered to80%". Not less than or more than 80%. My dealer apparently gave a false high temperature signal to the current H441 software in my car and the car tripped to prevent ch... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
The low beam headlights are so dim and weak it is unsafe to drive. I have read where Acura rdx years 2012-2015 have a lot of reports of this problem. I understand Honda has recalled another style of Acura in same time years but not acknowledged this. I have used brand name headlight restoration kit and paid to replace the headlight bulbs(low beam) but there is no improvment This is very unsafe ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2024
Jeep app has failed to inform me of recalls in a timely manner. The Gas Buddy app linked to my vehicle VIN provided information within 24 hours of your published recall. I have checked my VIN in your app to verify that it is part of the recall. Since the battery fires can start without notice and could destroy my house and kill my family this should have been immediately sent via the Jeep app. The... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
This vehicle is part of the 69PZ recall. The manufacturer has still not come up with a remedy for my vehicle. It has been close to four months, and I am not able to have anyone use the passenger seat because of this. The company is unwilling to offer any solutions. My passenger airbag light turns on and off and the check engine light is on and the dealership did not fix it.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
We have had 4 transmissions since we bought the vehicle. It slows down to almost a stop after it hits 30 mph and makes weird noises all throughout the vehicle. The back right tire sticks to the pavement and jerks when i start to drive. The key ignition has been fixed several times and still sometimes won't turn with the key or come out. Yes Warranty told the repaid service company to fix whate... Read more