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: Jun 28, 2024
There is an extreme amount of hesitation/delay from when you depress the accelerator and when the vehicle accelerates. I have had multiple incidences (both from a complete stop and while already moving) where I depress the accelerator and there is a concerning amount of lag time before the vehicle initiates movement. This has almost led to multiple accidents. This defect happens in all drive mo... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2024
I received a critical safety recall regarding side air bags from Rivian regarding my 2023 R1S on June 14. After multiple attempts by me to connect with their Customer Service, I was informed that a mobile service technician would come to fix the issue on August 26, 2024. This would be more than 60 days after Rivian's initial notification. Additionally, on July 6 2024, when I turned on the vehicle,... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2024
Rust thru/failure of the front cross member subframe. I noticed a clicking/rubing sound coming from the front of my 2011 Jeep Compass. Over several days it got worse. I took the car to the same dealership that I bought the car from new and was told it was a rust thru on the subframe and that the car was not safe to drive. At this point there were NO warning lights or other indication that the fron... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
7 Pin Trailer Connector is not transfering power to trailer needs to be repair under warranty vehicle around 17000 miles No rapair was done at Mossy Ford dealer spend 5 days without vehicle Dealership provide me a diagram in order I repleace fuse by myself. no repairs was done problem persist
Incident date: Jul 6, 2024
Complete loss of power assist steering with multiple safety codes causing loss of vehicle control. Was able to pull over in parking lot to get vehicle off the road. Near impossible to steer when incident happened. Frightening experience. As other complaints have noted frame to body ground strap located behind passenger front tire severely corroded and causing loss of ground contact. No servi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2024
Complete loss of power assist steering with multiple safety codes causing loss of vehicle control. Was able to pull over in parking lot to get vehicle off the road. Near impossible to steer when incident happened. Frightening experience. As other complaints have noted frame to body ground strap located behind passenger front tire severely corroded and causing loss of ground contact. No servi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2024
Ford recalled cars with same problem with the 2.0 engine but did not recall on edge which has the problem of coolent sepping into cylinders ,engine light came on
Incident date: Jul 4, 2024
Car doesn't brake as expected over uneven surfaces (pot holes, speed bumps, divots) at low speeds (under 10 miles per hour). Instead of the car braking the ABS system kicks in causing a rumble and the car to continue to travel forward at it's current speed. This in turn causes the driver to engage the brake completely to get the car to stop before rear ending a vehicle in front or proceeding past ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating after a cold start. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle. The contact's husband restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
The forward safety breaking in this model is going to kill someone, hopefully not me as I am careful to manually disable it every time I start the car. Otherwise it applies the breaks at dangerous moments. Most often it happens when trees overhang the road, sometimes it is overhead road signs. I am not always sure what the cause is but having my breaks applied hard in the middle of merging multi l... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
The forward safety breaking in this model is going to kill someone, hopefully not me as I am careful to manually disable it every time I start the car. Otherwise it applies the breaks at dangerous moments. Most often it happens when trees overhang the road, sometimes it is overhead road signs. I am not always sure what the cause is but having my breaks applied hard in the middle of merging multi l... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the infotainment system screen displayed that the vehicle was rebooting. The contact stated that the automatic emergency braking system, the regenerative braking system, and braking system were displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle rebooted again. The contac... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
The propane gas cooktop control knobs can be accidentally turned on by brushing your body against them when sliding past the retracted dinette slide-out when walking from the front of the camper to the bathroom, thereby creating the possibility of an explosion and fire.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
on the 3rd windshield in less than 1 year... the smallest impact breaks the windshield. There is a major problem with fragile windshields in the VW line.
Incident date: May 27, 2024
2016 Jeep JK 3.6l v6 Symptoms brake warning light,abs warning light, traction control warning light on. Cruise control will not function with the above warning lights. Diagnosis: faulty abs module per obd2. Additional problem is the unavailability from Chrysler for the replacement part which affects many Jeep model years. This is a common complaint with Jeep owners. Chrysler contacted with no r... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2024
Upon purchase brand new in 2020 with in a week a cylinder had to be replaced. Since then this truck has been in the shop for almost a year in total over the past 2.5 years. The recalled high pressure fuel pump went out at around 60k miles, this incident almost resulted in a major accident in the middle of the night as the power loss to the engine and brakes left me free rolling down the road into ... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2024
Genesis issued the recall in mid-February and there is still not a remedy. We are supposed to park our auto outside and not in the garage. As we live in Florida and it is very hot and it is hurricane season, it is intolerably hot to park outside and, in the event of a hurricane or thunderstorm with hail, we cannot park outside without risking damage to our auto. It has been nearly five months s... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2024
Driving on highway and SVC 4WD indicator appeared then an alert message on dash saying sensor overheated and 4WD is no longer available. Had a loss of acceleration, poor shifting, and hard grinding noise coming from either the ptu or transmission.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The truck's warning lights indicate ABS module, HCU module, and cruise control failure. The trailer brake controller, ASB system, and cruise control does not function. The truck's warning lights and chime have been going on and off for over 2 years.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The truck's warning lights indicate ABS module, HCU module, and cruise control failure. The trailer brake controller, ASB system, and cruise control does not function. The truck's warning lights and chime have been going on and off for over 2 years.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
I have been having the same problem many people have been having with the same vehicle type. I will be driving and this has happened 4 times now and once on the freeway! Were I am driving, and all of the sudden the power steering cuts out, and I get all the warning lights come on. I had to pull over, or find a spot to pull over and turn the vehicle off and turn back on. Now I see there was a r... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
Difficulties will filling tank with gas spewing back out. I have to constantly check and fill take extremely slow taking 15-20 minutes to fill vehicle up.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
UNKNOWN The sunroof shattered as we were driving down the interstate. To our knowledge nothing hit the sunroof to make it shatter. We did not see any rocks or debris. This is a safety issue as if we wouldn’t have had the inside shade closed we would have been showered with glass while driving at highway speeds and could have been injured.
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
[XXX]. Location : somewhere in rural Pennsylvania. Incident ahead of me in heavy traffic. Applied brakes, more forcefully than usual. Immediately warning lights and audible alarm appeared on dash. “Service ABS system” . Was located in very rural area , no safe place to exit highway. At next exit , pulled off , brakes appeared to be functioning as normal. But dash warning lights proclaimed no A... Read more
RAM
2500
(2018) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
Jul 3, 2024
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and coming to a stop, the brake pedal felt abnormally loose, causing the braking distance to be extended. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS control sensor and ABS control module needed to be replaced. The veh... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
The resolution of a problem by creating another problem. Driving windows down will affect aerodynamic and fuel consumption, the solution, adding a climate control that will make the vehicle consume more fuel. Many safeties issues are resolved by creating another safety issue.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
Check engine light came on, engine started vibrating while driving on highway and lost power. Could not continue driving, vehicle was towed to service workshop.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
Antilock braking system lights started coming on intermittently about 2 months ago. It would occur then stop for a few trips. It has progressed to a constant alert with a notice to have the ABS system serviced. The vehicle has less than 50,000 miles on it and is not used daily. It has been in the shop for over a week and they have not returned my calls as to the diagnosis. I have read that there h... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
Over the past 4 years I have delt with my 2014 Nissan Versa Note SV constantly stalling in the middle of the road. I have replaced the transmission, TCM, and brake light wiring harness. I have had the Nissan dealership assess my vehicle three different times for 3+ days. They have completed wiring diagnostics and determined that the brake light wiring harness is getting water into the wiring causi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds, the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The v... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
Hi, I am [XXX] - owning Honda CRV 2014 model - the vehicle was purchased in Buffalo NY and used in Buffalo from 2014 till 2022 September. Currently I live in Georgia state and when I went for service at local dealer, they shown me most of the places under the vehicle was rusted and not sure how much time it will run. I know Honda has recalled many Honda crvs which ran on coldest places but I am n... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light and the throttle control system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was unsure of the diagnostic results; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle would be repaired under an unstated recall. The dea... Read more
RAM
PROMASTER CITY
(2018) — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Jul 3, 2024
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
I bought my car [XXX] it had 7 miles. I loved my car. Then in January 2021 things just went crazy. It started with park light on. My forward brake assist warning didn’t work, my back up camera in and out . My braking and stability were on and off. Then weird codes like. Engine at half power, unable to shift soon and speed control out. Then if I hit a bump message went away and speed control back... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 27, 2024
abs light and traction control light would come on intermittently while driving then stayed on causing cruise control to not work. been happening for over a year
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
abs light and traction control light would come on intermittently while driving then stayed on causing cruise control to not work. been happening for over a year
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
SRS System light came on. Air bags will not work when this light is on. Safety hazard.
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. 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 while starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated while starting. The contact stated that the failure recurred increasingly, and the vehicle shuddered significantly while starting. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2024
infotainment screens failed while driving. As a result call failed and this makes hands free phone usage unavailable. Kia case manager emailed directly due to open case regarding ongoing electical issues causing accident earlier in year. Kia unable to provide rental/transportation due to "covid" and "shortages". Appointment was missed 10/30/2021 due to unavailable transportation and issues po... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2024
Upon starting the trucks engine, putting the transmission in gear (either Reverse or Drive), at idle engine speed (approx 700-800 rpm) or very low (near idle speed) the trucks engine starts to surge from idle then drops down to 500 rpms with a voltage drop (5V) too. It will do this a couple of times and then the trucks engine dies (engine stops) while in gear and no codes are shown on the CEL or ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and then stalled. The driver was able to pull over safely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to the thermal control valve and produced DTC codes: P2682 and P26A. The mechanic replaced the... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and then stalled. The driver was able to pull over safely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to the thermal control valve and produced DTC codes: P2682 and P26A. The mechanic replaced the... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2024
The Camphasers on my vehicle do not work properly. This component of the engine is vital to acceleration, and if they go out, acceleration is delayed. This makes it very difficult to operate, especially on highways, interstates, and other major roadways. The 2018 Year make of this same vehicle has been recalled for the same issue. Though it is the same engine (prone to the same issues), it is a di... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 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 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 ha... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle then failed to accelerate above 10 MPH. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the intake m... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and towing a trailer, the trailer brake lights became inoperable. The service trailer brake system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the traile... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED BY A FORD DEALERSHIP. THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO COOLANT GETTING IN THE CYLINDER. THERE IS A TSB ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR. NOW FORD IS OFFERING NO ASSISTANCE IN FIXING THE PROBLEM.
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
Between the transmission slipping since 30k, the engine knocking. The check engine flashing. I have changed the coil packs spark plugs, all filters and still nothing, the auto stop/start does not work it flashes Boggs out and loses power. The whole steering wheel and truck vibrates and shakes to a point you feel like you’re on an incline going up a roller coaster. I have replaced batteries 2x t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
Between the transmission slipping since 30k, the engine knocking. The check engine flashing. I have changed the coil packs spark plugs, all filters and still nothing, the auto stop/start does not work it flashes Boggs out and loses power. The whole steering wheel and truck vibrates and shakes to a point you feel like you’re on an incline going up a roller coaster. I have replaced batteries 2x t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
While I was driving, my new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe suddenly experienced issues with the digital dashboard panel and a loss of speed. The dashboard went haywire, and my speed dropped from 60 mph to approximately 25 mph on the highway. The vehicle also struggled to accelerate from a standstill. After shutting off the vehicle and waiting a few minutes, the dashboard appeared to reset, and everything r... Read more