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 12, 2025
During backup the car, most of the time me the camera is temporarily unavailable.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
Power Steering went out, light came on. Truck was difficult to steer. To my understanding there is a recall on the 2015 with same make and model. I stopped the truck. Problem was resolved when I restarted it. No sure if that is a permanent solution.
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
Vehicle having issues with A/C. Engine light comes on and gives code P0070 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit "A". Replaced A/C sensor and issue persists. Took to local mechanic who determined it was a circuit in the control module. Repairs should be covered under manufacture warranty. Car is currently at local Kia dealership for inspection. Dealership stated they might not cover, even though ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2025
The MMI system, which displays navigation and other controls, shuts down and restarts frequently while the car is in motion. The problem occurs at least once every trip, and typically every 10 minutes. In my case, I use Apple CarPlay as my navigation system, and the sudden and unexpected loss of navigation poses serious safety risks to me and others, because I either need to pick up my phone to... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2025
This only happens on the freeway but happens every time on the freeway. When using adapted cruise control and you hit the brake, when you reengage the cruise the LKA comes on and the steering wheel begins to assist. I do not want the lane assist to ever be engaged. I turned it off in the system settings. I believe it is a safety issue for drivers who are not aware that this will happen to them w... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2025
Defrost not working (HVAC)
Incident date: May 12, 2025
Steering Gear Rack - Steering control rapidly diminished over a short amount of time. Initially was okay but steering began to intermittently stick and wouldn’t self-center. Issue became nearly full-time within a month. Got to the point that it required a ‘tug’ to re-center. Took to a shop to additionally find that the boot clamps had broke themselves loose, causing the boots to separate and... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2025
About 2 years ago, I paid close to $4,000 to repair the coolant system in my Jaguar XJ. I now have the same issue.
Incident date: May 12, 2025
I recently received the new update (version 3.6.4) for our Polestar 2 that was supposed to fix the issue (recall 25V-280) of the rear view camera not working. It did not fix the issue in the safety recall. Since the update the rear view camera works even less often than it did before. I either get a black screen that says the camera is temporarily unavailable, or it displays the 360 view. It happ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS450. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera image was black. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V232000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
When I first saw the pictures on the internet, I noticed that the front underside appeared to have rust issues. (Frontal shot) I contacted that sales person and he blew me off when I requested photos of the underbody. After several attempts, he finally sent a couple of pictures. The pictures obviously did not show the major rust issues as I have provided. The pictures were carefully fabricated not... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
The passenger seat occupancy sensor (OC3 mat) on my 2006 BMW 3 Series (VIN: [XXX] ) has failed. As a result, the front passenger airbag is disabled, which poses a serious safety risk. BMW issued a 15-year warranty extension for this issue, acknowledging it as a common failure, but my vehicle is now slightly outside the coverage period. This part is vital for detecting front-seat occupants and ena... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2025
The Start / Stop fuel savings system stopped working in 2021. The engine idles constantly whether the drives are long or short. Ford said they would fix the system when parts were available. No fix to date when I set an appointment for basic service.
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
Purchased vehicle 06-25-2025 with 6 miles on the odometer. Now has 78 miles. Whenever applying slight throttle pressure the vehicle lurges back and forth. As you applying accelerator pedal pressure the vehicle hesitates and then lurges forward.
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
My Bronco died and would not restart. Beach Ford diagnosed it as a fuel pump replacement. Luckily, I was in a car wash drive approach lane when this occurred. I was not on any roadway when the Bronco stalled. The Engine light appeared on the instrument panel.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
On [XXX] I went out and started my car and it said. Power steering was my function so I turned it off and tried it again. And it said the same thing. Power steering malfunction read the owner's menu which I did is said if you can steal it. Drive it to the nearest dealership. You can't park it Well, it was already parked in my driveway. So on June 13th. I had a toll to Feldmann Import in Bloomingt... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
On [XXX] I went out and started my car and it said. Power steering was my function so I turned it off and tried it again. And it said the same thing. Power steering malfunction read the owner's menu which I did is said if you can steal it. Drive it to the nearest dealership. You can't park it Well, it was already parked in my driveway. So on June 13th. I had a toll to Feldmann Import in Bloomingt... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic pending repairs after the contact was involved in a crash, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The independent mechanic requested a Carfax report and found the discrepancy, and that the vehicle had been involved in a crash in the past. The vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while started and running, the convertible top release button was depressed; however, a wire snapped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the convertible top cable had snapped and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
Vehicle will stall out while driving at speeds Loss of braking capability and steering capabilities all lost when this happens. Vehicle will roll until stop. No control to steer or brake
Incident date: Jun 15, 2025
When driving home in the rain going 65+/- MPH my truck just shut off and turned back on, but was not able to accelerate. Had to pull off on the side of the road and the car started back up. This happened at least 5 more times on my 30 minute ride back home. When I finally got it home the truck would not cut off. I had to disconnect the batter which still did NOT stall the truck. Luckily I found a ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Firestone Service Center, where it was diagnosed with cylinder #4 misfire, a coolant leak, and a blown head gasket. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a crack in the engine block, and the engi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2025
Engine coolant mixing into engine and oil and coolant mixing and leaking internally. Ford service has determined the only fix is too replace the entire engine. Diagnosis codes: P0303 and P0316 with a repair estimate of $9,620. The reason I brought the SUV in for service is the Check Engine Light came on. My 2017 vehicle has the Ecoboost engine
Incident date: Jun 14, 2025
I purchased this new vehicle on the morning of Saturday, June 14, 2025. At the time of purchase the vehicle had just 25 miles on it. The drive home from the dealership was about 87 miles. A few miles from home, the truck began to shake violently when the gas pedal was pressed. The engine or transmission light was on. The faster the truck went, the harder it would shake. The shaking stopped w... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2025
The A-PILLAR TRIM has flew off on the freeway on 4 separate occasions. 3 different times I paid out of pocket to have it repaired, not knowing this was a manufacture defect. Ford keeps saying that they do not have the parts to repair it.
Incident date: Jun 14, 2025
Burning oil internally. Adding 1 quart about every 1000 miles.
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
We bought our 2024 3500 Dodge RAM in Florida in late March. Last weekend the truck started to feel like it was jerking while we were pulling our 5th wheel. On Monday we schedule an appointment in Brockton Massachusetts at a dealership. We were told there need to be a system update and that it was all set. On Wednesday we started our 3 hour drive to Maine when suddenly while we were on the highway ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
The electical system seems to have a bad connection. This can sometimes be triggered when releasing the parking brake. Most often the issue occurs when driving where all gauges go offline and numerous errors are thrown on the display. Most times you can reconcile the issue by wiggling the wiring harness under the stearing wheel located near the parking brake. This vehicle has not been inspected. I... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
This has been happening for over 6 months but it's getting worse. When moving at a lower speed, 10-20 mph, the motor or transmission is jerky and sluggish. This makes it very slow to move when pulling out from red lights or when in stop and go traffic on the highway. (Might as well be pulling out from the light in an 18 Wheeler.) I haven't taken to the dealer because from my experience, unless... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
Bosch CP4 High Pressure Fuel Pump failed in transit cost $10,713 to repair only 155k miles on new engine. Diesel fuel spilled from engine on highway, lucky no fire. Ford no help.
Incident date: May 27, 2025
The license plate lights were not working and they needed replaced. The sockets were bad. My mechanic purchased a replacement two light cable, which also plugs into the back-up camera in this Ford Transit., from the local Ford dealership. After replacing the cable with light sockets and pluging in the back-up camera, the camera went to a blue screen and no longer works. The ford garage stated tha... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
The electronic power steering component itself is failing. When turning the steering wheel one way the wheel will jerk the opposite direction and be very difficult to turn due to the power steering failing. An indicator light on the instrument panel comes on that states to service the steering control system and then shuts off by itself. This impacts the safety of all those in or around the vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
Inner shade visor for sun roof has become detached from rail mechanism, causing material to sag and bunch up and get stuck when retracting sunroof. Visibility issues caused could cause safety hazard.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
Inner shade visor for sun roof has become detached from rail mechanism, causing material to sag and bunch up and get stuck when retracting sunroof. Visibility issues caused could cause safety hazard.
Incident date: Mar 16, 2024
The car was unable to charge using level 3 DC fast chargers, necessitating the use of a level 2 charger for an extended length of time in order to be able to return home. A Hyundai dealer replaced the charging inlet lock actuator (invoice attached).
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
My accident on [XXX] with my 2025 BMW X3 VIN [XXX] was avoidable and caused by either failure in design, or in execution in two BMW systems, I'll discuss rear emergency braking here. Pictures and videos (even one of the crash) can be downloaded here: [XXX] . I was driving the car in what I believe to be an assisted parking situation, but the car did not follow the assisted path. I've filled o... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
GMC refusing to provide new engine and repair. GM sent letter with no date for repair. GM will not provide alternate transportation. GM states engine failure could cause loss of power resulting in an accident but will not provide alternate transportation.
Incident date: May 19, 2025
When I come to a stop, in an attempt to park, I will shift into park but a message will appear on my dash saying to shift to park this prevents me from shutting off the vehicle. The issue is persistent at times, but happens intermittently.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
The concern is a rear end collision. At road speeds, vehicle changed to neutral (popped out of gear). Engine continued to run. Vehicle had to cost to a safe spot. At stop the vehicle was turned completely off and restarted with no issue. This is a repeatable but intermittent issue. This issue has also occurred at stop signs and slow speeds. The engine check light and ABS Light did come on. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
Unusual engine oil consumption. Engine using 1 quart of engine oil every 1000 miles. Not normal.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2025
For about one week now. The BLIND SPOT MONITORING SYSTEM FAILS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. IT WORKS WHEN YOU START THE CAR, WORKS IN LITE TRAFFIC. BUT ON THE HIGHYWAY OR HEAVER TRAFFIC IT STOPS WORKING. THE DEALER SAID IT WORKED WHEN TEST DRIVEN FOR 10 MINUTES. AFTER BLIND SPOT STOPS FUNCTING THEN THE CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT FAILS. OUR CARGO BAY DOOR REFUSED TO CLOSE YEATERDAY. ALL BUTTONS JUST CAUSE A BEEP TO ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. While contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated. The contact's son drove the vehicle to the intended destination. The contact's son inspected the tires and determined that the front passenger’s side tire was cracked and needed to be replaced. The contact arrived at the location. The contact and son ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
After the 919A recall My screen experiences the issue that recall was supposed to fix more often now once it shut down for 10 minutes. While I was driving on the highway another time, it decided to reboot the screen and it was unable to adjust. Any of my air conditioner controls which distracted me from driving and another time it messed up while I was trying to get navigation information which al... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2025
the vehicle randomly stalls, causing it to through it in park regardless of speed and puts on the parking brake causing a increased risk of an accident. The battery light then comes on. It has been in the shop 5 times for the same problem. This last time was the worst of them all. After restarting it on the way to the dealer it started shutting down the radio, then the ac, and then in middle of a ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2025
The parking assist camera reports an error when trying to reverse. I have already received a recall notice (25V-280) and had the software updated at the dealer to v3.6.4. However, I still get an error that the "Camera is temporarily unavailable" when putting the car in reverse. This error does not happen every time, but it typically occurs when I put the car in reverse immediately after getting... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2025
Garavel Chrysler Jeep Dodge 300 Westport Ave Norwalk, CT 06851 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 2015 06/12/2025-... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
On June 5 th the vehicle was going approximately 50 miles per hour in the middle lane. I placed on the brakes suddenly and car lost power and stalled out. Unable to restart vehicle for 5-10 minutes on the freeway. Significant safety concern due to vehicles sudden stall out in mid the highway traffic and unable to restart car. Almost hit from behind as well as others that followed from behind. On... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
Engine shuts off occasionally whilst cornering at very low speed. No warning. Been happening for several years.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
On 6/16/2025 I was driving home and my car dinged and a light came up on my dash All Wheel Drive System Problem and felt funny. I was almost home and when turning off and back on it went off. Two days later I was almost home and the same thing and did not drive right. I got it to a Honda dealer and they determined it was the rear differential pump motor based on the code. They replaced it yest... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2022
The dashboard leather on my 2020 Ram Longhorn (VIN [XXX] ) has severely bubbled and separated from the underlying structure. The warping creates dangerous glare and distortion in the windshield, compromising forward visibility. Additionally, the deformation extends over the passenger side airbag panel, raising serious concerns about whether the airbag can deploy correctly. This is a well-documente... Read more