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: Jul 19, 2024
With out warning my car lost power and went from 65 mph to 40 in an instant, I was able to avoid hitting the side wall of the freeway and with Gods help avoided hitting any other vehicles. The oil light came on then the engine light soon after, I was able to take the first exit off the freeway and pulled over in a gas station parking lot. Tow truck took it to the dealership, this car has a recall... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
With out warning my car lost power and went from 65 mph to 40 in an instant, I was able to avoid hitting the side wall of the freeway and with Gods help avoided hitting any other vehicles. The oil light came on then the engine light soon after, I was able to take the first exit off the freeway and pulled over in a gas station parking lot. Tow truck took it to the dealership, this car has a recall... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
The engine stalled and overheated. The vehicle has 81k miles. The dealership said it needs a head gasket. The check engine light came on.
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
SEAT BELT IS NOT RETRACTING. FEELS UNSAFE.
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
Vehicle loses traction regularly. In dry conditions, on paved roads, almost always when using the brakes. Vehicle is AWD and traction control loss is happening more and more often even on small bumps. I alerted Toyota to this issue, there are many others in online forums who have also alerted to this issue, however Toyota takes no responsibility. Issue happens every day. Videos have been shared wi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
WHEN STOPPING AND SUDDENLY ACCELRATING JEEP HAS A POWER DELAY AND YOU HAVE TO HIT THE THROTTLE AGRESSIVELY TO GET GOING OR ELSE I RUN THE RISK OF GETTING HIT BY ANOTHER CAR, BUT ONCE YOU HIT THROTTLE THE POWER IS MORE THAN YOU NEED IT OR EXPECTED IT, FORCING ME TO BRAKE OR ELSE I HIT THE PCAR INFRONT OF ME. I AM STILL NOT ABLE TO MAKE THIS WORK. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED, I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2021
My car, since I bought it on and off, would say “shift to park”. It was on park. Lights and radio stays on. Now it does it constantly. I need to ensure my car is on park because I have my kids on the car!!! To make sure it is on park, I put it on drive and back to park like 2 times just to ensure I have it on park. Now every single time I get try to turn off the car, it says shift to park and ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
The infotainment system sometimes has "ghost touches" where random buttons on the screen are pressed without a physical press. This is dangerous because it is extremely distracting to the driver. It often changes songs or calls a random person on my phone contact list. This requires me to quickly and constantly press the "back" button for the infotainment system to prevent it from placing a call. ... Read more
RAM
PROMASTER CITY
(2017) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Aug 4, 2024
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
Fuel filler does not allow fuel to enter at normal rate, causes pump to constantly kick off, annoying at first but now has become a safety hazard as some pumps now make fuel spit back out when filling, no warning lamps, took it to the dealer said it is a common issue, bad rollover valve needs a new tank, would not warranty the item because even though the truck has a decal under the hood stating t... Read more
RAM
PROMASTER CITY
(2017) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Aug 4, 2024
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
Just purchased the 2024 Kia Carnival LX seat package 2 months ago. My wife and I noticed the floor of the Kia in the 2nd row up until the 3rd row gets so hot that it is unable to be touched. The railing system that the seats slide on get so hot that it will burn you. My children cannot stand on it or touch it or it will burn them. Very high risk for causing a fire. We cannot put any belongings on ... Read more
RAM
PROMASTER CITY
(2017) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Aug 4, 2024
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
Safety recall By honda for contamination of fuel system bought used as in motorcycle from powersports dealership, knowing of the recall asked if dealership completed recall, dealer said yes could not provide documentation of completing said recall. With that there was an all stop-No sale of the model with contamination of fuel system recall, dealer chose to ignore warning and all stop no sale my N... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2023
Safety recall By honda for contamination of fuel system bought used as in motorcycle from powersports dealership, knowing of the recall asked if dealership completed recall, dealer said yes could not provide documentation of completing said recall. With that there was an all stop-No sale of the model with contamination of fuel system recall, dealer chose to ignore warning and all stop no sale my N... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
Driving 70mph, driving lights completely shut off. I was going straight with a car in the distance nobody behind. If my wife and kids were driving that would have been scary.
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
The car will not accelerate out of nowhere. When pulling out into traffic it will do a RPM spike but will not gain speed. Has started giving a transmission overheated error. Sometimes the check engine light will come on but not everytime. Have to take side roads and takes longer to get anywhere as I never know if it will accelerate correctly. Waiting to hear from dealer what it is.
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
Backup camera failed and displaying rainbow colors. Persistent issue. Creates a safety hazard due to backup camera being inoperable.
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
As I was driving home 8/2/24 at approximately 12:00pm the engine died in my 2020 Ford EcoSport. The automobile will not start, resulting in my having to get it towed. Powertrain Malfunction/ Reduced Power. P0012 A Camshaft position timing over - Retarded Bank 1 P0014 B Camshaft position Timing Over - Advanced or System Performance Bank 1 P0299Turbocharge/Supercharger Underboost P0340 Camshaft Po... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
The headlight setting randomly changes from “Auto” to “Off” without any operator input. This happens roughly every fourth drive.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2024
I have experienced several instances while driving of Hesitation/Non-Linear Acceleration from a stop. When light turns green, on occasion when I accelerate, the vehicle hesitates then lurches forward into traffic. Have also experienced this issue when waiting to make a turn - car hesitates then lurches forward. I have almost had an accident due to this issue. According to Toyota Crown internet for... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2024
I have experienced several instances while driving of Hesitation/Non-Linear Acceleration from a stop. When light turns green, on occasion when I accelerate, the vehicle hesitates then lurches forward into traffic. Have also experienced this issue when waiting to make a turn - car hesitates then lurches forward. I have almost had an accident due to this issue. According to Toyota Crown internet for... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
While driving in the right lane of an Interstate using Full Self Driving (Supervised) mode (version 12.3.6), I was behind a motorcycle that was traveling slower than I. FSD was gaining on the motorcycle, but failed to move to the passing lane. I had to disengage the system so that the car didn't get too close to, or strike, the motorcycle. I manually moved to the passing lane and reengaged FSD. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2024
When starting the car, the transmission will not respond to the shifter being put into any gear. A computer diagnostic says it is a communications issue. Mercedes, who sold the car to me new, refuses to do any repair work as they have discontinued Smart sales in the US. If the communications for the transmission fails during operation, this will be very dangerous. There are numerous reports on... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2023
Bought 2015 Nissan Sentra SR from Nissan West in Dickson, TN. The car didn't even a lot of miles on it. Not even a month after having the car, the transmission went out. Car started acting up on the interstate. Would not shift gears, wouldn't go over a certain amount of speed, almost caused us to be hit multiple times. Finally got it to Nissan West dealership where they did confirm transmission wa... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2023
Bought 2015 Nissan Sentra SR from Nissan West in Dickson, TN. The car didn't even a lot of miles on it. Not even a month after having the car, the transmission went out. Car started acting up on the interstate. Would not shift gears, wouldn't go over a certain amount of speed, almost caused us to be hit multiple times. Finally got it to Nissan West dealership where they did confirm transmission wa... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2023
Vehicles dash restarted while driving. All error lights came on and the dash cycled back up like when starting the vehicle. This is a safety risk because you cannot see any info on the dash, including speedometer, RPMs and fuel level! I spoke with the dealer, and the dealer stated if they cannot re-create the problem. There is nothing they are able to do and they have not heard of this before. The... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
When you drive the truck for at least an hour then you turn it off the entire front like vibrates or shakes . It almost feels like something is still turning in the transmission but everything is turned off. This particular truck has already had the engine replaced at 14,000 miles bc it was faulty. It also has issues with tires. The radio and lights also all go off for brief time and then it c... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2024
It was mainly the clutch, apparently, but the work order includes a lot more. Yes, it is available for inspection. The car was difficult to control. It was slipping and was having trouble getting into gear. I was driving on a winding mountainess road, parts of it are along a cliff with a reservoir/lake below. Just my usual drive to work here in the Sierras. It go's without saying that others were ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
Highlight: The car was able to be started with a button press and driven away without any key inside the car. (Also, some side information that the car had it's annual check-up on the Saturday before this incident). Normally my wife keeps her purse in the house on the counter (along with the spare key in a drawer under that counter). Previously, if she forgot her purse (and car keys inside the pu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
Pulled into a parking spot put the car in park. Engine stalled check engine light came on with “engine control system malfunctioning warning” . car will not start or completely turn off.
Incident date: May 25, 2023
There was a paint recall for my car that expired in 2022. My car’s paint didn’t start peeling until 2023 and I wasn’t informed of the recall. I found out through a Reddit post. The paint peeling is not my fault and I should not have to pay for it.
Incident date: May 25, 2023
There was a paint recall for my car that expired in 2022. My car’s paint didn’t start peeling until 2023 and I wasn’t informed of the recall. I found out through a Reddit post. The paint peeling is not my fault and I should not have to pay for it.
Incident date: May 25, 2023
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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufa... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2022
We had our vehicle engine light come on, vehicle would shake and misfire, we had the spark plugs replaced. No sooner the vehicle light came on again, vehicle still shake and misfire and had it looked at with Ford service Ford service replaced the power packs. No sooner once again, the engine light came on, this time the vehicle over heated. The vehicle would shake and misfire. Took it in again... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) 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 contact stated while attempting to reverse, the transmission failed to respond as needed. There were no warning li... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was erratically jerking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed torque converter. The contact was informed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
The recall related to the rear backup camera has not been addressed and it is more than a year later. I just got off the phone with a Mazda representative and they still do not have a solution nor know when one might be available. I would like to sell my car but with a defective backup camera and view screen, I will have trouble doing so and/or won't get as much for the vehicle as I should. I have... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Key Not Detected" message was displayed, after which the vehicle independently turned off while in motion. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway; however, upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The c... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rear door latch was not operating properly, and the door failed to close as intended. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the wiring harness had melted. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
Complete loss of power steering around turn. Nearly caused a major incident due to EPS failure.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that the failure persisted, with a sputtering sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who immediately referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to a dealer wh... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated that occasionally while shifting into drive or reverse, the RPM increased to 4,000. On several occasions, the failure occurred while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated when the vehicle was shifted into neutral, the RPM decreased to normal between 750-800 RPM. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not con... Read more
RAM
PROMASTER CITY
(2022) - LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Aug 2, 2024
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a popping sound coming from the front door on the driver's side. The contact stated that the door failed to close completely as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The contact related the failure with an unknown recall; however, the ve... Read more
RAM
PROMASTER CITY
(2022) - POWER TRAIN
Aug 2, 2024
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
The rear axle differential. The rear axle is making a bumping and grinding noise upon acceleration and when turning at low speed as if the axle is going to fail. It happens during right and left turns but right turns are worse. The vehicle was taken in for diagnostics, and there is a TSB for suggested repairs. The parts needed to be ordered.
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated and jerked. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch and transmission assembly. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
VEHICLE ISSUED DTC'S P1326 AND CAR FAILED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY EXPRESSWAY
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
With the ac running it will accelerate it stalls out
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V436000 (Back Over Prevention); 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 ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
For the third time in 3 years we have had to had the timing cover and gasket replaced due to major oil leakage. This appears to be a very common issue with this car, and even after getting it “fixed” the first time it is leaking again.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that coolant intrusion had damaged the engine. The contact was inf... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle shut off unintendedly but was able to be restarted. While at a stop light, the vehicle stalled. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. 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. ... Read more