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 35,035 complaints for SUBARU
Incident date: Oct 8, 2023
Abs traction control light has been going on and off since truck has had 15000 miles dealer replaced abs pump still has issues light is intermittent when it comes on cruise control shuts off truck now has 53921 miles on it and the dealership doesn’t know why light goes on and off
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
EXCESSIVE Oil Consumption after 87,000 miles. Always had regular/up-to-date oil changes and took care of the vehicle. Had an oil change in June 2023 and in August (not may miles driven in that time frame), while driving I noticed the vehicle started to jerk...after arriving at work I checked under the hood and noticed there was NO OIL on the stick. I also added some antifreeze since I was there an... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel started to shake violently from side to side. As a result, the contact had to depress the brake pedal to diminish the shaking of the steering wheel. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to tak... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
Just now car drove rought made it home to shutting down shift to park message came on I was not on the first recall list
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to overheat, prompting him to pull the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the coolant reservoir was empty. Upon refilling the coolant reservoir, the vehicle briefly returned to normal functionality but the failure... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2023
My Cars Fuel Sender/Pump unit is leaking and it was diagnosed by Mercedes-Benz of chandler. I will attach report for same. they have given estimate for 1800 to repair it. this is common problem across multiple Mercedes vehicles and they have done recall on other models on this but they have excluded my model. since the Problem is generic to many mercedez vehicles they should honor this in safety ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the power steering became inoperable. The contact stated she was able to safely drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
The vehicle throws the abs, esp,break and traction control lights and then while driving completely at random then turns off WHILE DRIVING!!!! which can cause an accident (I and my daughter are lucky to be alive) this is not ok the vehicle drives fine then at random throws those lights and shuts off after restarting it the check engine light comes on and says the transmission shift solenoid b i... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2022
At first I thought I was leaking oil. on my next oil change I asked them about the oil consumption. they had me do an oil consumption study. this was around 95,000 miles. at my next oil change they suggested I talked with Kia. before my next oil change my car shut down while my mom was driving on the highway. and I had it towed to kia to find that the catalytic converter was clogged and need to... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
See attached document from complainant
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
Just now coming home my car made noises when I parked it said shift to park Friday GM said I'm to repair the problem with my studies it's gm hidden defects I was not on the first recall I seen on goggle NHTSA please help me with this car problems and please help 513 complaints as well on the 2018 Chevy Malibu breakdowns
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
Transmission Internal Failure engine revved up and vehicle did not move in the middle of an intersection while making a left turn on coming vehicle had to dangerously steer around our vehicle to avoid a collision. check engine light came on P0729 and P0735 5th and 6th gear ratios issue @92,000 miles ABS and traction control lights came on diagnosed as C0020-01 ABS Pump motor control - General el... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, the pump nozzle continuously shut off. The contact stated that he drove to several gas stations, where the failure recurred while refueling the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was running rough and hesitated to respond while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal. There was ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2023
1. Power steering diminished as I was driving. As the steering wheel was turned their was a "clicking feel" , more than a vibration. I drove slowly and safely returned home. The message on the screen was "steering assist reduced" steering may require increased effort. 2. I did fear for my safety and the safety of others on the road because I did not have full normal control of the steering wheel... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2023
NHTSA Recall Number 22V482 Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available for a very long time. While we can still operate the vehicle physically, it would be out of compliance to share the vehicle within the company while an active recall is not addressed by manufacture.
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
Nothing happened but my vehicle does experience shaking when driving.
Incident date: Oct 18, 2023
Drivers door spot welds damaged. Door creeks, window does not go down.
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Infiniti JX35. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that her husband used an OBD reader and retrieved DTC Code: P17F0, which indicated a CVT transmission failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the cont... Read more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2023
2014 Chevy Traverse - stalls while driving very abruptly. Reduce engine power and service stablitrak comes on. Then traction control warning lights flash. Very very dangerous. Happen while driving car begins to shake violently and recently stalled in middle of busy intersection. No way this should not be recalled it's definitely a known issue. Unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2023
"Front safety restraint system fault" message comes up sporadically and then regularly. Tesla has address this issue at least four times but it has not been resolved. I was told they ordered a new seat but now they are backtracking on this.
Incident date: Oct 14, 2023
See attached document from complainant
Incident date: Oct 6, 2023
Unable to open my gas cap door either by pushing the gas opener button by driver side door or manually from the latch located in the trunk. I was running low on gas and am unable to refill the gas. Others offered to help by forcing the gas door open but said they would definitely damage the car. Gas attended looked at it and was unable to open gas door to refill gas tank. Without gas, my car is... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
My vehicle was stolen. . They broke out window. The problem of kia’s being stolen has increased to the point local officials have filed a lawsuit against kia. The problem of these cars being easily stolen has been all over the news recently. People are getting killed because of reckless driving by the persons stealing the vehicles. I had no idea my car was vulnerable to this and was told when m... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
My vehicle was stolen. . They broke out window. The problem of kia’s being stolen has increased to the point local officials have filed a lawsuit against kia. The problem of these cars being easily stolen has been all over the news recently. People are getting killed because of reckless driving by the persons stealing the vehicles. I had no idea my car was vulnerable to this and was told when m... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
Chassis mounted propane tank disconnect failure (loose nut hardware). Pictures available for inspection. Occurred approximately 02Oct2023. Potential for full propane tank disconnect from chassis. Pre-delivery inspection April 2023. No inspections afterwards. No warning. Found the tank in this condition when performing pre-trip inspection.
Incident date: Oct 6, 2023
Good evening, I’m not sure if I’m doing this correctly. The reason I’m writing this letter is because my wife was currently driving a Nissan Rogue 2016 SV until we purchased a new car this year. I cannot recall exactly when I started to hear the noise or feel my driver seat on my Nissan Rogue rocking back when accelerating and rocking forward when pressing the brakes normally. I verify my... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2023
The parking camera system freezes and flickers on a fresh startup on a fairly consistent basis, all you have to do is let the car go into a "sleep state" then enter the car and go in to reverse. Also, there are false positives from the parking collision system in the rear when going down a sidewalk apron, causing the emergency braking system to trigger. This has happened often enough to the point ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2023
2019 RAV4 experienced a check engine light and was overheating due to a faulty Coolant Bypass Valve made by Toyota. If unchecked and not replaced it could cause catastrophic failure to engine due to overheating. Toyota charges between $600-1100 for replacement and it is not covered under warranty because Toyota claims it is not part of power train. Had to be replaced at dealer who explained that i... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2023
When parked letting the car warm up constant shaking kinda a rough ideal at times. From park to reverse it shifts hard the to drive its ok I guess then on the go it's like driving a boat on land loud knocking sounds seems like the tires are flat or about to explode off the car really nerve-wracking
Incident date: Aug 10, 2023
All electrical warning lights came on dashboard. This is very frustrating and scary. This needs to be a recall on this vehicle because nothing this serious is normal. I thought my car was falling apart. Honda needs to fix this problem and the owner should not be responsible.
Incident date: Aug 10, 2023
All electrical warning lights came on dashboard. This is very frustrating and scary. This needs to be a recall on this vehicle because nothing this serious is normal. I thought my car was falling apart. Honda needs to fix this problem and the owner should not be responsible.
Incident date: Aug 10, 2023
All electrical warning lights came on dashboard. This is very frustrating and scary. This needs to be a recall on this vehicle because nothing this serious is normal. I thought my car was falling apart. Honda needs to fix this problem and the owner should not be responsible.
Incident date: Oct 30, 2022
Steering is notchy/sticky when turning. Has slight grab then it releases. Very subtle but forums say it is a potential recall.
Incident date: Oct 13, 2023
October 12,2023 yellow lights in mirror Came on a message came into dashboard I pulled into garage. October 13 and 14 yellow lights do not come on for a second when I start vechicle nor do they come on in reverse mode when Adjacent to vechicle etc a fault is detected it’s not working properly tge blind spot module and rear sensors
Incident date: Oct 12, 2023
On 9/16/23 in Pierpont, OH, my 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport's engine seized driving 55 mph. No warning as engine lost power. Drifted to side road into parking lot. Engine smelled of electric burning (diagnosed at dealer with burned out battery as well as burned out starter as well as catastrophic engine failure). I have always carried an auto fire extinguisher in this car as they have been known to... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated when the vehicle was parked the key was inserted into the ignition approximately five times before the vehicle started. Additionally, the contact stated on three occasions while driving at various speeds the steering wheel became stiff. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle was taken to a independent deale... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
Vehicle steering wheel shakes when turning hard to the left or right. Sounds like tires are getting stuck on vehicle, but dealership has confirmed that it is an issue with the steering rack. Issue started in April 2023 and after first steering rack replacement, issue persists. Now steering rack software is being updated and possibly parts replaced again. Car is not operating safely.
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
I bought my 2018 Ford Fusion new and it currently has 35,000 miles on it. It began misfiring about 2 months ago, and then the check engine light came on. After a diagnostic exam, I was told the engine needed to be replaced. Luckily I was still within the warranty extension window for this particular problem, so the engine was replaced. However, I spent the majority of this time without my car. The... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
On the computer radio area the screen is showing green and red saying to insert USB drive . Press Power key or ACC off and on. Total Update Mode. Caution! Keep the power and don't remove USB. Kia dealership told me I should receive a USB drive in the mail from Kia corporate to do the update at home at no charge. Kia corporate told me my vehicle is not a part of the current update. Then the Kia dea... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2023
Every time it rains, water comes down im assuming from my sunroof, ive cleaned the drains multiple times, it doesnt make a differenc, the water goes through my fuse box on the driver side fuse box inside the car like a white water rapid and collects in the floorboard. It blows all of my fuses, it also blows out my headlights, brake lights, and turn signals. Not to mention the mold that must be gro... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2023
My vehicle speed up and slow down all that itself. It will not maintain speed even with my foot steady on the gas. It will not accelerate, but the major problem is my seatbelt gets stuck all the time I’m afraid to get buckled. I am unable to remove my seatbelt multiple times so now I have buckled my seatbelt behind me so I can start getting tickets. I’ve gotten like four tickets because I’m ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 8, 2023
My vehicle speed up and slow down all that itself. It will not maintain speed even with my foot steady on the gas. It will not accelerate, but the major problem is my seatbelt gets stuck all the time I’m afraid to get buckled. I am unable to remove my seatbelt multiple times so now I have buckled my seatbelt behind me so I can start getting tickets. I’ve gotten like four tickets because I’m ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
Car completely shut down suddenly and spontaneously without ANY warning while my husband and I were driving on a very busy major highway at night. We were unable to do ANYTHING to control the car and could have died, been seriously injured, or caused death or injury to other drivers. We were then towed off of the highway after calling for help. We don’t know firsthand exactly what failed. We we... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
Car completely shut down suddenly and spontaneously without ANY warning while my husband and I were driving on a very busy major highway at night. We were unable to do ANYTHING to control the car and could have died, been seriously injured, or caused death or injury to other drivers. We were then towed off of the highway after calling for help. We don’t know firsthand exactly what failed. We we... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2023
When I achieved my desired speed while driving on the highway, I turned on my adaptive cruise control as I usually do. This time, the car began accelerating dramatically, set on 110mph instead of my desire 55mph. It did this twice, even after I turned off the cruise control. I parked on the side of the street and restarted the car before it returned to normal. My life was very much threatened whil... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2023
Probable High Pressure Fuel Pump (CP4) failure resulting in the vehicle stalling without warning. This event has not yet occurred, however due to the high number of vehicles involved in the Stellantis recall which are using the same CP4 pumps which are known to fail, I am scared to drive my truck as the CP4 pump may fail at any time. I have spoken to MANY other GM truck owners who have experience... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2023
Probable High Pressure Fuel Pump (CP4) failure resulting in the vehicle stalling without warning. This event has not yet occurred, however due to the high number of vehicles involved in the Stellantis recall which are using the same CP4 pumps which are known to fail, I am scared to drive my truck as the CP4 pump may fail at any time. I have spoken to MANY other GM truck owners who have experience... Read more
Incident date: Sep 24, 2023
On September 22 2023 I drove my car home from work and everything was good. The next day September 23 2023 I started my car and my check engine light went yellow, then red, my car instantly overheated, smoke poured out of my exhaust. I brought it to dealership for inspection and was told coolant had leaked into my engine and the engine cracked. Upon research this is a known problem with ford escap... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2023
Car was parked in residential parking lot overnight. This morning I noticed my vehicle had rolled forward and hit a pole and the curb, cause front left damage to the fender, wheel and wheel hub assembly, and the brakes. Call is currently under recall due to a problem with the transmission slipping out of gear
Crash
Incident date: Aug 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing a rough start. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was m... Read more