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 8, 2024
Was driving my Maverick in a 35mph area an it felt like it had a 'sloppy" transmission shift and immediately lost power. It did not shut down, but with the gas engine running it had a top speed around 35mph and extremely slow acceleration, I had to use my 4way flashers. When it went into electric mode (hybrid) it would accelerate without any pressure on the throttle. Very dangerous. Check engine l... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
Leaving a parking spot, after about 75 ft of travel, wrench and engine indicator light lit up along with scrolling warnings instructing service engine soon, service adv trac, hill start assist not available and pre collision assist not available. Vehicle abruptly slammed on the brakes and would not release. After several attempts to resolve the stopping issue, I was able to engage drive and the ve... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal rumbling sound was coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that there was a defect with the engine. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engin... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal rumbling sound was coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that there was a defect with the engine. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engin... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed the 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 not... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2024
When braking the engine goes into an uncontrolled fast idle that smokes the tires. Need to shut off engine immediately. This is intermittent. It is the 2nd time I had in to the dealer. Had it towed.
Incident date: Oct 22, 2020
2019 RAV4 with persistent check engine light. Dealership states it is a faulty coolant bypass valve. Valve is not leaking, it appears to be an issue with the part.
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
When refueling, and having the fill nozzle locked on for auto shutoff, the fuel overflows and drains out of the fuel fill cavity and drips on the right rear tire. This usually results in gasoline smell in the car. This happens on most fuel nozzles. I should have reported it years ago.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The car has a rapid war of rotors and break pads. The car inspected authorized dealer ship and they mentioned this is a very common issue on outlanders as the rotors, calipers, and breaks did not properly design for the wight of the car. It seems the manufactures and authorized dealer aware internally form the defect but do not take necessarily actions which may cause safety issue to owner of this... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2024
I keep having issues with AEB system. The emergency braking system that is supposed to sense cars in front of you and brake for you if you don’t brake yourself. I was doing about 70 mph no one else on road sunny day and my car starts beeping loudly and my brakes lock up for no reason. 3 times just today this happened. Oh and you can’t turn the system off so I just keep praying it doesn’t kil... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2024
I keep having issues with AEB system. The emergency braking system that is supposed to sense cars in front of you and brake for you if you don’t brake yourself. I was doing about 70 mph no one else on road sunny day and my car starts beeping loudly and my brakes lock up for no reason. 3 times just today this happened. Oh and you can’t turn the system off so I just keep praying it doesn’t kil... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2024
On the day before Easter, while driving down W. Colonial Dr., a car suddenly pulled out in front of me, causing me to slam on the brakes. immediately after, it seemed like the brake booster blew out, as my brakes started making a hissing sound and felt like they were losing pressure. Additionally, I noticed a clunking noise coming from my car. Three or four days later, while driving, my brakes fai... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
The shift lever lights are all illuminated red, the shift Service message appears on the dashboard, the error appears and disappears.
Incident date: Aug 14, 2023
My vehicle is 3 years old and has roughly 52000 on it. After a recent software update (within the past month or so) all of the automatic safety features such as automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, cruise control stopped working on the vehicle. I brought it to Tesla and they confirmed the issue and said the entire ECU needs to be replaced, a $2700 expense on a 3 year old car. There is a warni... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2024
Signs of frame flex/failure Lag boats through frame beam into exterior walls, are protruding and coming out. Countertop and cabinet, rubbing against the walls, lots of cracks in the Front Cap. The RV as less then 5000 miles on it and only used maybe once a month during summer months. Per my research these are signs of frame flex/failure.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
"Sticky" steering. The issue of sticky steering in our 2023 Honda CRV Hybrid Sport Touring is becoming more and more of an issue - difficulty maintaining lane control without constant jerking corrections back and forth of the steering wheel. The concern is on slick road surfaces (i.e., ice, snow, gravel, etc.) of being able to maintain control of the vehicle with the possibility of overcorrectin... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65-70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked for a while. The contact stated that while continuing to drive, the warning light was no longer illuminated. The contact stated that approximately two days after the first failure, the failure reoccurred; a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
Vehicle shuts off due to fuel pump relay connection problem which is due to the back seat rubbing against the fuse box
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
The engine is consuming oil very fast and needing oil way before the next oil change. The oil consumption test Kia did stated that it was 2 quarts low after the first 1000 miles. Car does not have extended warranty but this a manufacturing defect. Suggestion was new motor. Also it's recall for the forward collision safety feature but my car vin is not included even though it goes off when nothing ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
The engine is consuming oil very fast and needing oil way before the next oil change. The oil consumption test Kia did stated that it was 2 quarts low after the first 1000 miles. Car does not have extended warranty but this a manufacturing defect. Suggestion was new motor. Also it's recall for the forward collision safety feature but my car vin is not included even though it goes off when nothing ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
Rear window is leaking into truck came home from vacation and it rained while vehicle parked outside found both my key fob could not be detected and UCONNECT would not respond to commands thru phone. Vehicle totally inoperable could not start. Had towed to Shivley Motors where it currently sits. Found out that water leak could ruin the rf module and electrical componets behind rear seat to include... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while coming to a stop, the brake pedal became stiff while being depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure milea... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
The contact's daughter owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle independently decelerated and failed to exceed 45 MPH. The contact stated that the traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle, then the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated, with a message stating to check the engine. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed. The mechanic stated that the high-pressure pump created metal debris that traveled through the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2024
There have been many issues with my Fisker..Since the first day I got it I have had problems trying to get the car doors to open. I have even been TRAPPED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE CAR unable to get out because the doors won't unlock to let me OUT. Since the first day I got the car I have been sending messages to fisker. Also, The first day I got the car, The Brakes system malfunction warning comes on... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) 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 had not e... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle in the morning, the vehicle was idling roughly. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent, but the vehicle took longer to run smoothly without the vibration at start-up. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
unknown.. Steering feels sticky while at highway speeds. Normal Speeds feel fine but once you’re up to 55-70 Mph you have to force the steering wheel back to center after making a slight turn on the highway (lane assist is off).
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
The passenger front seat airbag sensor is malfunctioning on a large number of these vehicles. Doing an Internet search for my fault code, 93C3 reveals a lot of discussion about the problem. there had been a recall on earlier Mini Coopers for the same problem. I suspect they have not solved the problem and there should be a recall for this R 56 model.
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
At only 9000 miles, intake camshaft and follower catastrophically damaged. Routine valve clearance check at 4th oil change (much more frequent than recommended). KTM ultimately provided the parts as “goodwill”, but refused to cover labour. Numerous other reports of similar failures being reported in group forums. Also note that clutch also failed catastrophically at 3k miles. Similar situat... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds downhill, the vehicle jerked, hesitated to accelerate, and stalled. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving uphill, and the vehicle stalled; however, the vehicle was still running. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
I purchased my vehicle from Southern Pines NC and at the time it had 12k miles on it. At about 40K I started having transmission problems. It would hard shift in 1st and 2nd gears. It also would not go into reverse. Hendrix Chevy had my vehicle multiple times attempting to fix things. Telling me it was not the transmission etc etc. My power train warranty expired at 60K. I have asked for my comple... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2024
There have been several times when slowly backing up when monitoring the mirrors and backup camera that the car had a very violent stop. I wasn't going fast at all and was within two feet of objects that I'm very familiar with. My old car handled backing up fine and didn't stop so violently. The warning on the old car got quicker as I got closer. This Volvo does have an increasingly rapid beep to... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 21, 2024
The transmission abruptly failed while traveling down the interstate. With zero prior indications of an issue, drive train power was lost abruptly on all four tires. I was able to safely pull off to the shoulder with my hazards on and come to a stop. Two mechanics confirmed no other issues in the vehicle other than the transmission breaking for no known reason. They presume it is software related ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2022
Had 3 instances of loss of power steering while driving, first time at 5-10 mph, 4/2/2024, then on way home 2 times speeds approx. 45 mph. When checked with a vehicle diagnostic machine it was learned that I had a Loss Of Power Steering Assist. I was then informed that there was a recall for the same problem in 2021, however the recall was VIN specific, and my VIN was not part of the recall, yet ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
When driving on the interstate, the sunroof (aka, the moonroof) spontaneously shattered. It was most certainly NOT stuck by any object.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
I have a 2016 F150 built in Kansas City that has the lead frame transmission issue noted in the attached PDF. I am being told that my truck does not qualify for the warranty coverage. Would like to understand why when this is a known is with these transmissions and my truck meets the requirements less than 10 years old and under 150,000 miles. VIN: [XXX] MILEAGE: 95,500 Please explain why my tr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the radio console suddenly became inoperable. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, the front windshield defroster and turn signals also became inoperable. After restarting the vehicle, the failures were corrected but later reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnose... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
On my 2021 Lexus RX350L, the left-hand side outer rear-view mirror vibrates. This can be observed when the car is driven >35mph or when driving on rough roads. At freeway speeds, the mirror vibrates to such a degree that it is difficult to see from it and causes perception issues. I noticed this issue even more pronounced on some other 2021 RX350 vehicles that I test drove before purchasing the on... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
For over 3 months the ABS Brake warning, the anti skid control and the cruise has not worked in my truck. I have had it to two different dealers, and opened a case with Ram. Case#89336043. They told me part is not available and has not been for the past year. Just drive my truck like it is??? I dont really know what options i have at this point. Please help!
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
Purchased a 2015 jeep grand Cherokee. At around 65k miles vehicle started making a ticking sound. Vehicle was also stalling when accelerating from a stop, usually when making a right turn but also when trying to press gas to gain speed quickly like when entering the highway. There is a known issue with this model where the rocker arm fails and damages the cam shaft. Engine light went on so contac... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
I was sent a Recall Notice back in October/November 2023 regarding the ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) Module. This is a very serious fire hazard. I called the dealership today and they reported that the remedy is still not available. This is unreasonably negligent. It has been 5/6 months. The starter and sensor wire harness are now damaged and need to be replaced. The dealership also does not ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
My Nissan Versa 2024 began going into “limp mode” and the power is significantly reduced. The car barely accelerates and only on flat surfaces when this happens. The check engine light came on and I took it to the dealership and they changed the cam shaft sensor they believed to be the problem, however, when I drove it off the lot the power was still reduced and not what it is normally like. I... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2024
On March 29 2024, vehicle had rough idle on start, problem remedied with restart. All fluids appeared to be within normal levels with coolant reservoir indicating just below half-full. On March 30 2024, vehicle idled rough on starting. Attempted restarts led to multiple stalls with failure to start after third attempt. Inspection of engine bay found coolant reservoir to be empty. Upon towing to d... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
Car went in limp mode then in full lock down. ABS control module failed After research a very common issue. Hundreds of Ram vehicles affected. Just escaped being hit as the truck went in limp mode. After Gear selector locked car in park, I was in the middle of the road with cars approaching. Had to stand behind the vehicle and wave, so no one would crash into me. Chrysler/ Dodge/Ram is aware of t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
The Safety Recall Notice that I have received from Honda (relating to my 2019 CRV) states that the fuel pump may fail and that could result in an accident. Then they state that the replacement parts will not be available until the Fall 2024. A copy of the recall notice is attached. I am concerned that I will be driving a vehicle, for many months, which might cause an accident. It is irresponsibl... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
Noticed slight coolant leak, took car to mechanic, he stated cylinder head was cracked, & causing coolant to spray everywhere. Towed car to dealer. Was given repair estimate of over $11,000, for a new engine. I see a safety bulletin online for my year make & model car. This overheating can apparently cause an engine fire. So far, Mazda seems to be showing negligence & not properly addressing the ... Read more