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 34,453 complaints for SUBARU
Incident date: Jun 29, 2023
I'm in love with Toyota. In Brazil I always had cars of this brand, but newer in manufacture. I recently purchased a 2007 Toyota Camry from a third party and at the time of purchase I did not realize the size of the problem. The car as always is excellent. But to my surprise your panel is simply melting. Just tap it and it dissolves in your hand. As it is sticky and sticky in the hot sun, it... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2023
I was on a freeway going 75. A guy came across three lanes and cut in front of me going 60. I got the brakes hard and then went around him accelerating sharply and swerved hard in front of him. At that point the car steered itself back and forth for our five times. I was finally able to regain control once it slowed down enough, and continued on my drive. I’m guessing that some accident-avoidan... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2023
My 2019 Subaru Crosstrek surges at speeds around 60 MPH, and swerves the vehicle without my control. I have to hold the steering wheel tightly and steer out of the swerve, which is incredibly dangerous on freeways or mountain roads. Apparently, the lane departure assist is the culprit, so now I have to disable the app before I drive. Why would I allow this dangerous application to drive my car for... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2023
Campaign ID is 23V334. I received recall letter from GM but parts are not available and letter does not state when they will be available. Vehicle has not been driven since read of recall in media in May. Recall stated that rupture of airbag could result in death which with that risk effectively prevents vehicle from being driven. Unacceptable.
Incident date: May 10, 2023
Hi, I bought my car from Honda of Concord in June 2020 and they’re the only ones that have serviced my car. I had my last oil change on 03/24/23 and had 40 days to get my oil changed again. No light or anything came on until my car broke all the way down. When I checked the oil level there was NO oil in the car whatsoever, so I bought some and put it in there and towed it to the dealership the n... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2023
Driving and hit bump in road. At that time the front-end felt like it was coming out from under the truck. Almost caused a wreak but was able to stop. Found no issues but did it again when next bump was hit. WS told it is a know issue with what is called the death wobble. How are you allowed to sell a truck with a death wobble
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
In the past week or two I have noticed the steering in my 2016 Ford Explorer starting to feel "heavy" and that progressed to being really stiff and kind of hard to turn. Called Ford and they advised to have the vehicle examined. Took the car to my preferred repair facility and there were no codes for an issue; they found my battery was bad and suggested changing it to see if that would help the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2022
Vehicle sent for recall repair and service on June 12, 2023 at Northland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 14100 West Eight Mile Rd, Oak Park, MI 48237. Vehicle serviced date release on June 19, 2023. Vehicle was serviced by Nathan Marghalle Lic# M271087 and service advisor 1479 Trevor Szymanski. The service department stated that the vehicle substained a gross malfunction because of bad alternator and bad... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and lost motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was blinking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the spark plugs were replaced, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle had experienced the f... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2023
I'm getting wheel sensor errors and the vehicle goes into limp mode and disables the cruise control, even after replacing the sensors. Very frustrated with this dangerous situation!
Incident date: Jun 14, 2023
The front windshield developed a star crack two inches above the base and in the middle. The crack then expanded upward and to the left, and down to the base. There is no evidence of an impact from any object. The windshield crack was treated with Silicone Repair. After one day another crack developed from the same source went upward and then to the left in one direction and also down to the base ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2023
Engine shut down while on the interstate at 70 mph.
Incident date: Jun 14, 2023
Instrument cluster is stuck in day time mode. There is no way to dim it at night which makes it hard to drive and see during night travel.
Incident date: Jun 23, 2023
My 2019 Ram 1500 will not take more than a few ounces of fuel at a time. It takes well over a half hour to refuel my tank. The pump constantly shuts off and the tank constantly spits gasoline back at me when trying to refuel, it is not safe to have gasoline spilled on you. I have a toddler, and I do not want her exposed to the fumes after I am doused with gasoline trying to refill my Ram 1500. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact self-inspected the vehicle and noticed that the power steering fluid level was low. The contact filled the power steering fluid reservoir; ho... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2023
While driving on the highway in Denver, the engine stalled - I later learned that a valve spring broke and went through the engine, destroying it. I lost all power - lost braking - but was able to steer the vehicle off to the side of the road. I subsequently learned that about 160,000 Subarus - the same vehicle year, the same model car, the same exact engine - have been recalled by Subaru. However... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while reversing the back over prevention object indictor showed that an object was to the side of the vehicle, causing the contact to rear end the object. No one was injured. There were minor damages to the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no failure found and pro... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2023
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed 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 m... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
Issues: Sunroof leaks heavily: during the rain and in car washes, into the backseat, which is ruined now from the constant leaking this past winter 2022-23 *Sunroof replaced 3/2023 Continues to leak heavily Weather Strips: Doors lacking weather strips, or the weather strips are so loose and loosely connected, it serves very little purpose, i.e., the seal attaches loosely to widely spread inte... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
Have contacted GM and they have no estimated date for repairing my vehicle. As a senior I am very concerned that any mistake could have dire consequences. Appears they can repair Chevys and Cadillacs, why not Buick? Recall was in May, we are now approaching two months.
Incident date: Jun 27, 2023
Driving at freeway speed the transmission jumped into 1st gear and the rear differential locked, causing me to swerve and have to take avoiding action in hitting another vehicle. At the same time a check engine light and wrench symbol illuminated in the dash. Upon Diagnosis at my local Ford dealer the memory shows the code PO718 which is a turbine fault on the transmission sensor. This is a Simila... Read more
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2013) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 27, 2023
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
The "basement" storage compartment doors keep popping open. The RV has sic such compartments. I Drove from Maryland (the state of my residence) to Forest City to Iowa to address one of the doors (Propane compartment). The manufacturer fixed that issue free of charge. A few days later (today) while driving, the door to the compartment behind the Propane one popped open. By the time I realized ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
I was driving slowly through a parking lot. I found a spot to park my car and noticed that there was a curb painted bright yellow so I knew I could not pull through. I started to turn into the parking spot with my foot on the brake when all of a sudden my car was speeding towards the curb and a tree. My foot was on the brake but the car did not stop nor did the forward collision feature work an... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
During normal driving operation, the car makes a loud bang and the drive system shuts down. The dash lights remain on indicating that the main drive battery needs to be checked. I've had to coast to the side of the road each time as there is no power at all. When I shut the car down and restart it, it drives normally. This happens at least once a week. I try to drive the car only in low traffic c... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
During normal driving operation, the car makes a loud bang and the drive system shuts down. The dash lights remain on indicating that the main drive battery needs to be checked. I've had to coast to the side of the road each time as there is no power at all. When I shut the car down and restart it, it drives normally. This happens at least once a week. I try to drive the car only in low traffic c... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2023
The vehicle has had recall 14V530000 performed at a local Jeep dealer in Mishawaka, IN. Vehicle still occasionally shuts off WHILE DRIVING. Called Jeep and they offered no relief. I cannot believe a they dont care about the effectiveness of recall for a known defect likely to cause a crash. AGAIN recall WAS PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE (after waiting 6 months for part!) and vehicle still turns of... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2023
Something keeps killing my battery. There’s no lights that come on to indicate a problem. I’ve been stranded twice at work and now today, I get ready to leave and the battery is dead again!! I’ve gotten a new battery three times in a year’s time. I’ve searched for a recall because I see where others are having the same problem, but apparently there’s not one. Hopefully, the dealership ... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2022
odd random surge while lightly breaking and slowing down. Very scary and concerning. Braking while coming to a stop sign or light, it surges forward while brakes are applied. It happens several times a week while driving short distances
Incident date: Jun 24, 2023
I received the notification of faulty airbags from my insurance company. GM has yet to inform me of this recall. I have contacted multiple dealerships about this problem. They would not even do an inspection. I also contacted GM about this recall since it could result in death and I travel about a rental or a push to get the airbags replaced since they know the driver airbag modular has to be repl... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the horn and turn signals were inoperable. Additionally, the windshield wipers remained on constantly and failed to deactivate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the f... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
The car has always had initial take off problems, pressing the gas to accelerate out of my driveway or any place I’m first taking off at when turning on the vehicle again, the acceleration cuts out in the middle of accelerating and then all of a sudden revs up. That’s with keeping a steady consistent foot on the gas pedal. It jerks down and then jerks up and is not able to avoid. Through the l... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2022
While traveling up a steep highway grade my car engine started to make violent knocking sounds before seizing and coming to a stop. I was lucky I was able to "man-handle" the vehicle off to the side of the road before anyone could hit me from behind.
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
Manufacturer and dealership cannot resolve active recalls because the vehicle does not have the part (sports bar with chimsl accessories high brake light) marked in the recall. Vehicle was ordered with the accessory on the window sticker but it did not fit properly and due to this was removed from the truck. Dealership refuses to resolve the recall even though the part does not exist on the truck.
Incident date: Jun 23, 2023
Yet to be diagnosed but possibly the cockpit control computer. Dealer service department has not been able to diagnose. No components have been replaced yet except for a software update that did not correct the issue. Safety systems all report as not functioning, These include all "eyesight systems";the air bags, automatic emergency braking, lane departure and lane keeping. Additionally all cen... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with the "Power Steering Assist Fault" message displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (St... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. The contact stated that the brake pedal had to be manually raised to the normal upright position. Upon visual inspection, the contact observed brake fluid leaking from the rear brake lines underneath the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
I was driving on the highway and the car phantom emergency braked for no reason at all.
Incident date: Jun 13, 2023
Front end collision with car making an illegal left in front of our Subaru. Our car hood, bumper, head lights, grill and parts of the engine were smashed, with liquid draining out of the engine. My husband (wearing a seatbelt) hit his knee and shoulder on impact. Airbags failed - Not a single airbag deployed. A police officer helped him move car parts out of the street. Safety was at risk because ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 13, 2023
Last year my car started overheating for no apparent reason checked coolant reservoir and visibly seemed empty but when I removed the cap antifreeze rose fast. Added antifreeze and it stopped overheating. About 3 months ago Because it overheated I had to get the head gasket replaced, timing components replaced, heads repaired, and engine flushed(antifreeze had entered engine), not to mention labor... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2023
Last year my car started overheating for no apparent reason checked coolant reservoir and visibly seemed empty but when I removed the cap antifreeze rose fast. Added antifreeze and it stopped overheating. About 3 months ago Because it overheated I had to get the head gasket replaced, timing components replaced, heads repaired, and engine flushed(antifreeze had entered engine), not to mention labor... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
Was driving in the right-hand lane on the interstate with the cruise control set, went to change lanes as I was approaching a slower moving semi truck going up an incline. Cruise control deactivated with no inputs from myself. Vehicle began to decelerate. Looked at instrument cluster, the Check Engine Light was on along with Eye Sight Off symbol. Additional symbols for forward collision avoidan... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
Engine was broked. Caused for the oil presure
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
Engine was broked. Caused for the oil presure
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
The horn stopped working. I noticed this in an emergency situation. The horn which is a safety feature should not fail especially for a relatively newer vehicle with less than seventy thousand miles.
Incident date: Jun 23, 2023
Problem # 1At low speeds /parking I loose power that affects steering the radio and windows. I get a message on board stability warning message. Steering become hard and can’t control/turn the vehicle Problem #2 at low speeds /parking my brakes loose power I have to press brake really hard to stop truck.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the recall repair was performed, and the contact stated that several electrical systems malfunctioned after the repair. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to start the vehicle and the windows would roll up and down independently. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
SVRD disabled
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
Vehicle 2 hrs after purchased start/stop failure notice came on. Vehicle died without emergency brakes or any brake system at all take place in middle of the road. Took to the dealer where it was purchased from immediately-4 days later “repaired” replaced a valve stating a flap wasn’t closing correctly. 3 weeks later out of state same thing happened 3 different times traveling 70 mph on the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
Vehicle 2 hrs after purchased start/stop failure notice came on. Vehicle died without emergency brakes or any brake system at all take place in middle of the road. Took to the dealer where it was purchased from immediately-4 days later “repaired” replaced a valve stating a flap wasn’t closing correctly. 3 weeks later out of state same thing happened 3 different times traveling 70 mph on the ... Read more