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: Apr 11, 2024
My front collision alert system has stopped working, I have taken it to multiple dealerships within my certified vehicle company. Next, my automatic High beams do not function at all, which is difficult to navigate at night without them. I have tried to update my vehicle and sent it to other dealerships and they cannot figure out what is wrong. And lastly, my lane assistance system is not working ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2022
Toyota has a Customer Support Program for white Toyota vehicles with peeling or chipping paint. The program covers vehicles in Blizzard Pearl or Super White that are within 10 years of their production date. The Tacoma is not listed on that recall. However, I am experiencing the very same issue with my Toyota. I took it to the local Toyota dealer and they confirmed the issue.
Incident date: Jul 20, 2022
Intermittent steering issues. Some times the electric steering kicks off and back on. Sometimes It doesn’t work at all. Sometimes it works fine. Brought it to dealer they want 3k to replace the whole rack and pinion even though they have recalls for this same problem just not mine. I have a vehicle I’m paying every month for that’s too unsafe to drive, and to expensive to fix
Incident date: Jul 20, 2022
Only one of the headlights works at full brightness the other is at 30% at best. The company sent me another set and they have the same issue. Poor visability for on comming traffic
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
ABS notification light and traction control light keep beeping.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
Transmission jerks, jumps, skips, etc., I was scared when trying to accelerate while trying to pass other people, car felt like it was giving out on me, there where no warning lamps, until after the first encounter, and that's when it first appeared...
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
I was accelerating on the highway when my engine started making a rattling sound and the check engine light came on. I took my car into a specialty European auto shop and they determined my timing chain and tensioner needed replacing. The price is going to be over $5k and there are only 113,763 miles. I’ve always taken my car to a VW dealership for scheduled maintenance. As others have mentio... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
Steering doesn't return to center when driving around 40mph on turns. You must manually move it back.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
Mercedes refuses to come up with a solution. I have been dealing with this for 8 months now. I asked that they buy the car back since it is a safety concern. I do not feel safe driving it. yet i have to keep paying for the car that sits there? They are not coming up with a solution and i already had this replaced last October when it broke for the first time. i am really upset with owning a ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN TRAFFIC (MY VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE STOP MODE), MY CAR SIMPLY DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART WHEN THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TRAFFIC. IT TOOK NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RE START THE VEHICLE WHILE STUCK IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC BEFORE IT GAINED POWER AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD. MY SAFETY WAS COMPROMISED I WAS IN THE MIDD... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent dealer where it was diagnosed that camshaft phasers had failed, and metal shavings were discovered inside the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was contacted, but th... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The Passenger door Check assembly is making alot of noise. I see there is a problem with the weld of the bracket to the door which could cause the door to fall off the vehicle
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Entegra Launch. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V160000 (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 manufac... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
The contact's grandson owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds and driving over a bump in the roadway, the rear end of the vehicle started fishtailing from left to right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tie rod and control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the fa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
The contact's grandson owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds and driving over a bump in the roadway, the rear end of the vehicle started fishtailing from left to right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tie rod and control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the fa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the rear axle suddenly fractured causing the rear passenger’s side wheel to separate from the vehicle. During the failure, the rear end of the vehicle began to fishtail, and the vehicle almost crashed into an oncoming semi-truck. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who replaced the rear axle. Afte... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the rear axle suddenly fractured causing the rear passenger’s side wheel to separate from the vehicle. During the failure, the rear end of the vehicle began to fishtail, and the vehicle almost crashed into an oncoming semi-truck. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who replaced the rear axle. Afte... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the rear axle suddenly fractured causing the rear passenger’s side wheel to separate from the vehicle. During the failure, the rear end of the vehicle began to fishtail, and the vehicle almost crashed into an oncoming semi-truck. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who replaced the rear axle. Afte... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
Heard and felt a loud clunk from underneath truck while driving 70 mph on interstate. Pulled off and next available exit with a hotel and parked truck. Cranked truck to move and it would not move forward or backward except for about a foot. Loud grinding noise. Had to call tow truck to tow us to nearest Chevrolet dealer. Dealer service department says transfer case has seized up and must be replac... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
Heard and felt a loud clunk from underneath truck while driving 70 mph on interstate. Pulled off and next available exit with a hotel and parked truck. Cranked truck to move and it would not move forward or backward except for about a foot. Loud grinding noise. Had to call tow truck to tow us to nearest Chevrolet dealer. Dealer service department says transfer case has seized up and must be replac... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated while his granddaughter was driving 10 MPH and attempting to leave a parking lot, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. After the failure occurred, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" message was displayed. The vehicle was parked, and then the contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The contact was awaiting a diagnostic t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
All warning lights came on (check engine, emissions problem, brake problem, tire pressure monitoring system problem, cruise control problem, brake problem, steering wheel problem, and lane keeping assist problem). In addition, sometimes the vehicle will vibrate or shake when first turned on and at times, when braking, the car will shake or vibrate.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
All warning lights came on (check engine, emissions problem, brake problem, tire pressure monitoring system problem, cruise control problem, brake problem, steering wheel problem, and lane keeping assist problem). In addition, sometimes the vehicle will vibrate or shake when first turned on and at times, when braking, the car will shake or vibrate.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, a message advising to pull over and to park the vehicle was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing several times. The dealer replaced the HECU and the battery inverter assembly; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that while his son was driv... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2020
All warning lights turn on intermittently and stay on for an undetermined time. I have taken it to service shops and the dealer multiple times over the last couple of years. Finally, I was able to get into the dealer while all warning lights were on so they could diagnose. I was told it was a fuel injector issue and not covered for repair. Upon researching, there are many reports of this issue... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2020
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and stalled. The check engine warning light and brake warning light repeatedly illuminated on and off. The vehicle was difficult to control, causing the contact to drive over a pothole, causing the rear window glass to shatter. The contact's two children were in the rear seat... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 13, 2020
The recall letter states: 'If you believe that American Honda or the dealer has failed or is unable to remedy the defect in your vehicle, without charge and within a reasonable period of time (60 days from the date you first contact the dealer for a repair appointment), you may submit a complaint to the Administrator..... www.safercar.com' I requested a repair appointment using Honda Auto Center ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
Sudden stop entrance to an exit ramp. The engine stalled and started leaking the fluid caused some and flames - fire department had to be called. . Had to replace the engine for approx. $6600 We are still waiting on parts for the seat belts this has been over a year with jeep. The parts are backordered. The seatbelts come undone constantly on both the driver and passenger sides. Parts are $3... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
Sudden stop entrance to an exit ramp. The engine stalled and started leaking the fluid caused some and flames - fire department had to be called. . Had to replace the engine for approx. $6600 We are still waiting on parts for the seat belts this has been over a year with jeep. The parts are backordered. The seatbelts come undone constantly on both the driver and passenger sides. Parts are $3... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
My F150 has had the VCTS Units replaced four times. Two times at my expense costing me over $2000 each time. Ford fixed the problem under warranty once while it was still under warranty. They also did a reprogram that was to fix the problem but the problem did come back. I have now had to replace the VCTS twice at my expense for a total of four times since purchasing the truck and each time I am t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
on two occasions the vacuum pump booster failed causing the vehicle to lose braking ability while traveling on a highway at highway speeds. The vehicles brake completely failed and were unable to be engaged. the part was initially replaced by the dealer at the owner's expense and then the same issue occurred only a few months later. the second occurrence cause additional damage to the camshaft and... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
ABS Control Module short and failure occurred. Trouble codes generated include 01325 - Tire Pressure Monitoring Control Module No signal/communication and 01130 - ABS Operation Implausible signal static. Upon visiting an Authorized Volkswagen dealer service center was charged $200 for ABS diagnostic fee and told the ABS Control Module has failed and I will need to pay >$2900 to replace. ABS, ESP/A... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
I was driving on the highway and my engine violently started to shake and I pulled onto the shoulder and the engine shut off. I’ve had oil leak and engine problems with this car for 2 and a half out of 3 years! I’ve had to buy countless gallons of oil. Multiple spark plugs, coil packs, etc. You can’t drive the car for one whole minute without it stalling in traffic and almost causing acciden... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2024
I was driving on the highway and my engine violently started to shake and I pulled onto the shoulder and the engine shut off. I’ve had oil leak and engine problems with this car for 2 and a half out of 3 years! I’ve had to buy countless gallons of oil. Multiple spark plugs, coil packs, etc. You can’t drive the car for one whole minute without it stalling in traffic and almost causing acciden... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2024
I was driving on the highway and my engine violently started to shake and I pulled onto the shoulder and the engine shut off. I’ve had oil leak and engine problems with this car for 2 and a half out of 3 years! I’ve had to buy countless gallons of oil. Multiple spark plugs, coil packs, etc. You can’t drive the car for one whole minute without it stalling in traffic and almost causing acciden... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The car says FCW system fail as well as ABS and LDW lights came on. The car looses power as it drives and lags. I got a diagnostic done on the car at autozone says VSA solenoid valve malfunction code 123-11 and 121-11. These problem started the 100,000 mile plus range
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The car says FCW system fail as well as ABS and LDW lights came on. The car looses power as it drives and lags. I got a diagnostic done on the car at autozone says VSA solenoid valve malfunction code 123-11 and 121-11. These problem started the 100,000 mile plus range
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
Upon stoping the vehicle, unlatching the seatbelt and with the ignition off you need to pull the door handle 2 to 5 times before the door opens to allow you to exit. The vehicle never allows exiting on one pull. Dealer said no problem found and it’s operating normally but this is a daily occurrence.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
My truck wheel does not turn and I’m getting the service power steering on my dash with the red wheel and exclamation mark!!! Please advice why isn’t there a recall yet this been going on for a couple years now
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
Abs and traction control lights come on, simultaneously canceling cruise control. Vehicle speed immediately slows, and traffic behind me catches up quickly as it takes a few seconds to react and get the vehicle back up to speed. Also, no abs in wet condition, etc. Bumps in the road cause the system to go out and come back on. It's become such a problem that I've had to pull the fuse for abs, which... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
Abs and traction control lights come on, simultaneously canceling cruise control. Vehicle speed immediately slows, and traffic behind me catches up quickly as it takes a few seconds to react and get the vehicle back up to speed. Also, no abs in wet condition, etc. Bumps in the road cause the system to go out and come back on. It's become such a problem that I've had to pull the fuse for abs, which... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
Check engine light blinks on and off intermittently, vehicle shakes and feels as if it’s going to stall. From time to time when going to accelerate I pulled out on a main roads and the vehicle lost all power my kids and I flew forward. While idling at a red light, the vehicle started to shake as if it was going to stall and jerked forward and hit the car in front of me. I brought this to the att... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 17, 2024
Check engine light blinks on and off intermittently, vehicle shakes and feels as if it’s going to stall. From time to time when going to accelerate I pulled out on a main roads and the vehicle lost all power my kids and I flew forward. While idling at a red light, the vehicle started to shake as if it was going to stall and jerked forward and hit the car in front of me. I brought this to the att... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 17, 2024
Check engine light blinks on and off intermittently, vehicle shakes and feels as if it’s going to stall. From time to time when going to accelerate I pulled out on a main roads and the vehicle lost all power my kids and I flew forward. While idling at a red light, the vehicle started to shake as if it was going to stall and jerked forward and hit the car in front of me. I brought this to the att... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 17, 2024
Vehicle just started running rough and then the check engine light came on and almost immediately temperature indicated excessive heat. I looked in the rear view mirror and noticed excessive white smoke coming out of the tail pipes. I stopped the vehicle and opened the hood and notice there was no coolant in the reservoir. I had the vehicle towed to the Ford Dealer in Spring Hill, Florida ($125.00... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2023
The vehicle shudders Jerks and feels like it shifts hard I’ve been doing my research I just bought a car with a defective transmission year 2012-2018 I would like it repaired it’s not fair that I’ve spent all my money on this car and it’s a lemon by ford
Incident date: Dec 9, 2023
The infotainment center screen has what is deemed a 'ghost screen' problem automatically raising/lowering the volume of music, changing radio stations without my guidance, adding and subtracting radio stations, a screen change from the Navigation screen to the Music/Phone screen and auto dialing people in the bluetooth cell phone list. This is a well known defect in throughout the Mazda community... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2023
First, I purchased my 2022 VW Taos (VIN [XXX] ) brand new from Rudolph VW in El Paso, Texas on [XXX]. For the most part, the vehicle has maintained its integrity until it was brought to my attention that the rear brakes needed replacement at 7, 230 miles. The brake replacement occurred April of 2023 and replaced by a warranty extension that was offered by VW and at no cost to me. As you can ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2024
Unintended acceleration event. Initial condition: Cruise control off. Steering wheel turned 270 degrees ccw, turning left, at a complete stop, released brake, rolling forward at less than 5mph in a confined parking garage. Continuing to turn wheel to left, my right palm accidently engaged the cruise control button on the steering wheel. Cruise control automatically set to 15mph and began to acce... Read more