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: Apr 4, 2023
ABS, traction control, cruise control, 4WD works intermittently ABS and traction control warning flash, wile ABS light is on you can not use traction control ABS system does not engage and cruise control is inoperable. Seen by dealer (benson CDJR) in April and June of 2023 and parts to repair were NOT available. Being seen again as new part is currently available to be repaired 4/6/24. After 1... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2023
I experienced a concerning incident while driving recently, and I would like to bring attention to several issues with my vehicle. Firstly, while turning onto a main street at a speed of 35mph, my vehicle's automatic emergency braking system unexpectedly activated, despite there being no obstruction in front, beside, or behind me. This occurred at a green light as I approached the beginning of the... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2023
I experienced a concerning incident while driving recently, and I would like to bring attention to several issues with my vehicle. Firstly, while turning onto a main street at a speed of 35mph, my vehicle's automatic emergency braking system unexpectedly activated, despite there being no obstruction in front, beside, or behind me. This occurred at a green light as I approached the beginning of the... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2024
Fuel leak at filler neck to fuel tank at fuel tank
Incident date: May 4, 2024
After starting my vehicle with foot on the brake and putting the vehicle in gear it will move forward and occasionally roll for 4 or 5 feet before the brake engages. This is extremely dangerous as I'm pulling out of a parking space and merging with ongoing traffic !This has been going on for approximately three weeks. The vehicle literally has no brakes for four or five feet despite the fact ... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2024
On several different occasions my car has stalled in traffic and idled down for I couldn't drive had to pull over and turn it off and turn it back on to go again the check engine light then stability light will come on. Camshaft code I have fixed the cam and crankshaft sensors first time then it failed again so I changed them a second time now it's failed again .I almost got rear-ended a couple t... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
While driving our vehicle (Hyundai 2015 Sonata Hybrid) around 25 MPH speed in city road... the vehicle stopped completely by itself in few seconds. Got the message "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do not Drive" in dashboard and beep beep sounds. Thank god, no accident, the vehicles behand able to stop and avoid the collision. This is serious SAFETY issue, as this could cause accidents if ve... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2023
During Moderate Braking, while driving over a bump, the entire drivetrain and braking system with "let go", and it feels like a surge in the drivetrain. During this time braking is unresponsive until it re-engages the system. If attempting to replicate, and viewing the driver's information console, sometimes you can see the "transmission" switch between Drive and Neutral and back to drive again.... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
The car would not accelerate, nor switch gear while I'm driving middle of the highway. The car engine started to shake after my car wouldn't switch gear. The car engine would not start after turning the car off and caused a engine misfire. The transmission gear has a hard time switching gear from 0-40mph. This same incident occurred twice since purchasing the car in late November 2022.
Incident date: May 2, 2024
The DEF header failed on this truck and it causes the vehicle to be disabled. The DEF header is an emissions part. PART NUMBER 04-31354-004 HEADER-SSI,CONC,6 BOLT,CMNS
Incident date: May 31, 2023
Transmission issues. Jerks and shudders and loss of power, broken motor mounts, PCM issues, misfire issues and etc. Car threw codes, many expensive trips to Ford dealerships, excessive undriveable down time, unsafe to be on a highway or go up a hill when it shifts (automatic), 6F35 Transmission in my 2012 Ford Fusion
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
AEB warning light came on while driving and there was no object in sight.The light remained on the car was driving sporadically. Did not know what was wrong until I got home and looked at my manual. This was the 1st time it happened and it was frightening. This occurred 5/1/24.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Ridgeline. 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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The m... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the front camera fault service required and pre-collision assist not available, messages were displayed. There was an abnormal chiming sound detected. The safety features were disabled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact to clean the camera. The dealer used an ODB scanner ... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a tune-up was performed. The failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak. The contact was informed that the engine needed to ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufa... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Genesis G80. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V107000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was no... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s side window would not remain closed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the front passenger’s side window regulator module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The regulator module was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the sa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the ABS, TPMS, trailer brake control unit, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the part to repair the vehicle was on backorder. The manufacturer wa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
Coolant intrusion into cylinder 2 caused by a design defect. Ford's fix is to replace the engine with a redesigned block. The vehicle is out of warranty but I believe this should be covered as it was a design defect and there are pending class action lawsuits.
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Genesis G70. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V107000 (Electrical System) 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 manufacture... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. While the contact’s spouse was driving approximately 15 MPH, the rear passenger’s side door was unable to close properly. The instrument panel displayed a message that the door was ajar. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the locking mechanism had failed. The driver pulled to the side of the road and became aware that the door wa... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
My check engine light came on, so I brought my car into the Ford Dealership within 2 days (their earliest appointment). I had noticed some jumpiness on startup, and white smoke coming from the tailpipe. The dealership service department diagnosed it with a coolant leak into the cylinder, and requested a repair of $9880. This car has only 45,000 miles on it and has been well maintained. This appear... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
ABS/Traction control unit disabled (light on). diagnosed by dealer in October of 2023 as ABS pump and module as bad. No part available from dealer (dealer only part and ETA of 3/24). Advised to park truck until part came in 6 months. Called Dodge customer care on 5/2 to ask for update. was told no part available and no ETA in the future. I am driving an unsafe vehicle due to faulty brake system de... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
Air ride suspension warning light came on with the ABS electrical warning and lost of cruise control. At the same time the truck became almost uncontrollable.
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
Air ride suspension warning light came on with the ABS electrical warning and lost of cruise control. At the same time the truck became almost uncontrollable.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2024
Air ride suspension warning light came on with the ABS electrical warning and lost of cruise control. At the same time the truck became almost uncontrollable.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and was jumpstarted. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to charge the 12 Volt battery. The contact stated that the 12 Volt battery was recharged; however, the failure recurred while driving 40 MPH a week later. A message advising to pull over immediately was displayed, and the v... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2024
I've had a recall for months that there is no fix for. This is way too long to wait for a fix while there are so many issues with Kia's and Hyundai and getting insured right now. I do not feel safe with this car at this point. 5XXGN4A78DG155676 Sep 25,2023 I've had a recall for months that there is no fix for. This is way too long to wait for a fix while there are so many issues with Kia's and Hyu... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2023
I purchased this vehicle a little less than two months ago… this vehicle is babied and I make sure to stay on top of everything possible as it’s a primary transportation to bring my toddler to his many appointments. While operating on the highway, everything was smooth sailing as expected, until I heard a noise. I glanced in the rear view mirror to see a part flying off of the car and collidin... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
ABS and Traction light on dash. Chiming of alarm. This alarm turns off cruise control and feels like it applies the brakes at 70 mph. Lots of brake dust accumulating on my rims. It happens some days but not every day. Some days there is a constant alarm chime and cruise won't activate. On 10/24/23, parts weren't scheduled to be released until February 2024. Charged over $100 diagnostic fee for th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Noticed a whirring/hydraulic sound that occurred every 5-10 seconds. Could only hear sound if no music was playing and not driving at highway speeds. Sound was noticeable upon parking or exiting vehicle. Only noticed sound because it occurred more frequently than usual. Spouse who is hard of hearing could not hear sound at all. My understanding of sound was that it was normal for vehicle, how... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the contact became aware there was coolant leaking onto the floor. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a water pump malfunction. The contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
After acclerating twice to avoid an accident. The car had a check enine light appear. No other warnings, not even high temperature. the car engine stopped and I pulled over off the highway.White smoke appearing under the hood. My mechanic does a pressure check and determines it is not repairable. He suggsts a new engine, My 2016 Jaguar XFS at 70k miles needs the engine replaced.
Incident date: Sep 24, 2020
At 9,040 miles, display reads “Service Antilock Brake System” along with warning lights for abs and traction control and a loud dinging. It goes off, then back on multiple times until serviced when the dealership replaced the faulty HCU Sept. 2020 under warranty. Diagnostic code C0020-01 ABS pump motor general electrical failure 2023 the problem comes back but nothing done. 2024 after much re... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Was on highway, engine seized, flashing engine light and knlocking noise, car went into limp mode, took to dealership code p1326 was thrown which is engine failure, I have had the knock sensor installed thru kia prior which put me in lifetime warranty for the engine, kia dealership did a diagnostic BCT, which is a 4 to 5 hour job at the most, kia called me in less than 2 hours and told me is pass... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
I was driving doing 55mph on the highway and the hood came lose and flopped back covering my windshield. Luckily there was nobody too close to me I and was able to avoid a collision.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the speedometer became inoperable, the vehicle hesitated to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle shifted sluggishly into gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle shifted into first gear unintendedly. The contact stat... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2023
I was driving my car with the key fob in down right position and the car just shut off while driving and never started back up… took to the dealership they charged me $200 for a diagnosis test and than told me it was not the key but the machine can not read what’s wrong with the key
Incident date: Dec 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact veered over to the side of the roadway; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed a failure with the rubber coating which caused corrosion to the driveshaft. The ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2020
The contact's employer owns a 2023 Ford Transit. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side sliding door failed to latch while the front driver's and passenger's side doors were closed. The contact had to open the front driver's or passenger's side doors or roll down the windows for the rear passenger's side sliding door to latch. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the spark plugs. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who determined that coolant intrusion had damaged the engine. Th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
My car just stopped working, it was towed to a local Lokey Nissan in Clearwater FL where it was purchased. Since it was a defect Lokey Nissan sent it to Lokey KIA in Clearwater FL. Lokey KIA stated the gas can had expanded and also caused damage to the frame and the cost to repair was more than the value of the car so they sent it up to Corporate for further instruction. This was 6 weeks ago. No... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: May 1, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Sep 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 contac... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that a message indicating that the front passenger's side seat belt was not buckled and that the front passenger's side air bag was enabled was displayed, even though the front passenger's side seat was not occupied. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the re... Read more