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: Feb 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for an alternator replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced at 45,000 however, upon retrieval of the vehicle, the mileage was 29,000. While driving, the idle START/STOP became inoperable. The radio failed to shut off and caused the battery to be dr... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for an alternator replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced at 45,000 however, upon retrieval of the vehicle, the mileage was 29,000. While driving, the idle START/STOP became inoperable. The radio failed to shut off and caused the battery to be dr... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
Our Kia Sedona had the cooling fan harness negative Cable melt and caused making our engine overheat. When we took our vehicle to get serviced they told us that the cooling fan harness melted and then it's a common problem with kias. They fixed the pigtail cooling fan harness but are cooling fan does not turn on anymore and they said that it is now an electrical issue and this was from a Kia deale... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the check engine and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who serviced the vehicle however, the failure reoccurred. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the check engine and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who serviced the vehicle however, the failure reoccurred. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
The contact’s wife owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating after driving 20-25 miles. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into the cylinders, causing the vehicle to overheat. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
Electric power steering loss. Message stated to service power steering and ecs. Could not control vehicle.. After powered off for 20 minutes it went away and then was towed to dealer who found nothing wrong. Extremely unsafe!
Incident date: May 5, 2023
While driving at a high rate of speed on a remote road, using cruise control, my vehicle suddenly braked/decelerated for no reason. Could have been the automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, or forward collision warning. The first time it happened, a warning bell sounded, red lights flashed, and the vehicle decelerated VERY rapidly. It happened again about 6 weeks later, but the... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2023
Vehicle is supposed to be able to charge at 48A on an AC charger but it does not do this during the months when ambient temperatures are above freezing. Poorly designed thermal management by the manufacturer causes charging to stop when the local temperature at the charge port door exceeds the threshold. The only way I can charge this car at home outside of the winter months is to lower the EVSE ... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2023
Vehicle has horrible oil consumption due to piston rings being defective upon manufacture. Vehicle will have slew of problems, including stopping in the middle of the street, risking the lives of everyone in the car. Audi Dealer knows of the problem with the model from this year (B8) and they refuse to fix.
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact state that while driving into the driveway, the engine seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil drain plug had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approx... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
The contact owned a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3-4 MPH going up a sandy rocky hill while towing a trailer, he noticed smoke and flames coming from the driver's and passenger's side engine compartments. The contact was able to stop and exit the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated before the fire. The vehicle was burned to the ground when the f... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
Bought the vehicle used from a dealership. The windshield wobbles at highways speeds. Noticed today that the trim on the left side of the vehicle is detached partially. Dealership will not do anything to resolve the issue. Serious safety concern.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2023
The contact owned a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3-4 MPH going up a sandy rocky hill while towing a trailer, he noticed smoke and flames coming from the driver's and passenger's side engine compartments. The contact was able to stop and exit the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated before the fire. The vehicle was burned to the ground when the f... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
This happens every single time we drive our Pacifica: Per many other complaints available online, the current gen Pacifica (2017-present), when equipped with ADAS such as lane keep assist, has a steering issue as follows: -under varying conditions, the vehicle's steering wheel will "stick." This issue typically follows a small steering input of 10-25 degrees in either direction. -When the s... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
While on eastbound I-80, my tire pressure sensor light came on. Approximately 5-8 minutes later, my right REAR tire came off my car. I was in the slow lane; however, when I went to slow down even more, my brakes failed. I had no brakes on I-80 with only 3 tires. I placed my car in neutral and coasted 1/2 in the slow lane & 1/2 in the bike lane until my car would stop.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
My dash lights will dim automatically during day and can’t dim dash lights at night very frustrating
Incident date: Jun 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hybrid alert warning light illuminated, and the vehicle then decelerated. The contact veered the vehicle off the road and turned the vehicle off and restarted the vehicle. The collision alert and check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was info... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
My airbag sensor light went off for no reason. I took it into the dealership and was told that it would cost $3,700 to get it repaired/replaced since the seat needs to be removed. I am concerned that this safety issue is not taken care of and have read that many 2011 Leaf's are having this same issue.
Incident date: May 30, 2023
so i was driving at 70 mph on the highway and my front wheel driveshaft broke and hit the transmission with a potential chance to have and accident, i was researching and bmw x5 have a recall of those shaft up to 2013 and if i don't mistaking same part number as mine.
Incident date: Jun 13, 2023
•Steering assist fault and yes it is available to inspect •Power steering went out while driving. Could not turn properly as vehicle was hard to turn wheel and was almost hit on icy road. Had two children and pregnant wife in vehicle with me. •Problem is continuous and has been verified by dealer as well as an independent service center. •It has been inspected by local Ford dealership •N... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
I have a Exhaust manifold leaking on the drive side lower back side. I'm scared it could catch my truck on fire if a backfire could happen while with my family with me
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
I have a Exhaust manifold leaking on the drive side lower back side. I'm scared it could catch my truck on fire if a backfire could happen while with my family with me
Incident date: Sep 1, 2021
1:Brake fail when trying to stop the car after the accident. The car is available for inspection at Arrow towing service Oklahoma City. 2: After the car accident the car keep going can't stop got Tee boned and my passenger broke his legs and ankles, elbow. 3: No, the problem has not be discussed with the dealer or manufacturer yet. 4: No one, including police, insurance have been inspect it. 5: No... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
Electronic Braking System Failure, was approaching a stop sign at 60 mph, was unable to stop, towed to shop. Shop is replacing brake booster, had to pay out of pocket (same as recall R63, but my model year did not fall into it), just wanted to report in hopes that this model year will fall into the recall, and prevent this happening to others! " The brake booster on your vehicle may experience en... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
Turn signals are blinking at slow/abnormal rate after car was put into repair. Appears to have been after a software update. Multiple vehicle owners reporting same issue.
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
Error - secure vehicle with parking brake when stopped
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
Entry/exit steps failed. While exiting the coach, the entry/exit steps collapsed. I almost fell out of the coach while exiting.
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
I have noticed over the last year or so that the engine was burning oil. This was indicated by Express Oil Change multiple times during oil changes, including today. The oil level today didn't even register on the dipstick, so it seems this is getting worse. I can get oil change records on request from the above company.
Incident date: May 25, 2023
My model y was park in our garage and when we decided to go out to get some food around 7pm and when I started backing out the steering wheel seems “locked” that like 5 seconds after the car start moving… I move it forward so it won’t be in the street or side wall and I tried to walk away and lock it and it happened again. I did for 5 times and I even ask people who we know that have Tesl... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
My wife was out this morning meeting friends for coffee. She gave a friend a ride home and she noticed a crack in the windshield on the drivers side. There was no indication that it was hit with a rock or anything else. I see that there was a lawsuit against Subaru for defective windshields.
Incident date: May 14, 2023
1. My 2022 Explorer limited purchased mid Dec 2022 began having issues during shifting of gears and would stutter before jolting or would drive in the opposite direction when shifting btwn gears starting in Feb 2023. Ford would not give me an appt until may. In March I put the car in reverse in front of my child's daycare, it drove forward, hit a large vase and damaged the front end. Ford was cont... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
as i was drivim back home from engine started a smoke green, smelling like burn wires electricity ect. the shut off , i ran out the car. in the middle of traffic. i contacted mechanic , has inform me that the engine has siezed .will no longer turn on. and maybe some ECM or electrical but dat the engine is locked.oil looks very clean radiator fluid clean aswell. what could have caused this no ide... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jun 10, 2023
Power Steering Assist not operating causing the steering of the vehicle to not operate and not being able to steer the car. I was lucky to get the car stopped off the highway before crashing the vehicle. I was on the I-95 going 70 mph when the steering locked up. I thought we were going to die! The power steering assist warning came on and I could not steer the car going 70 mph. If this isn't a ma... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2023
The car had been going on several local stops. Car was in the middle of a main thoroughfare ready to turn on to interstate ramp when the car completely stopped functioning. Battery light came on briefly before the vehicle became completely non-responsive. Among other things non-functioning, Emergency lights would not work, electric park brake would not engage. Could not get out of car to flee ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2023
When the rear of my vehicle is directly facing the sun slightly after sunrise or before sunset (when the angle of the sun is low), my rear turn signals fail to function properly. When this happens, the turn signals hyperflash on the dash, and in the front of the vehicle. However the main concern is that the rear turn signals do not illumate at all when these conditions occur. Zero illumination com... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2023
There is a fault with the ABS sensors. Everyone I know with same year make and model has the same issue.
Incident date: Jun 13, 2023
Throughout the year, the car had many issues, the blind spot sensors and glass sensors didn't work, and it constantly showed that the stop/start system wasn't working. Twice, the car turned off by itself at a stoplight. Since everything is controlled through the car's large monitor, including the navigation, air conditioning, and all other functions, the monitor frequently shut off and it was nece... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: May 17, 2023
on 4 occasions, my lightening simply died and tow vehicles had to be dispatched. each time it happened, the vehicle was parked and turned off. and would not start. it has been in 3 different ford shops for a total of about 30 days. i took delivery of the vehicle in oct 2022.
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
It wont go in reverse and comes out of gear transmission?
Incident date: Jun 3, 2023
Tire wobble and stutter on left hand turns. Throws VSS fault code C600c and C60063
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
When driving at highway speed and using cruise control, the car periodically applies its brakes. Sometimes it will only do so for a second or two, then return to the cruise control speed; other times it will continue longer and I will have to intervene by applying pressure to the accelerator pedal. In shorter "phantom braking" episodes the speed may only be reduced by five or ten miles per hour; ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
We had just returned from the grocery store parked the car in the driveway and were proceeding to exit the car. My 17 yr old daughter was sitting in the passenger seat when we heard a loud bang and her head was jolted foward by the headrest, upon examination and a quick Google search we learned that it was a safety feature for when rear-ended which had not happened.
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 13, 2023
Ever time I put car in park it say shit to park I have to restart the car 3 or 4 time and move shift stricken more then 3 time to finally make it go off
Incident date: Jun 12, 2023
My BmW I4 M50 was parked and turned off. While I was behind the wheel the car. Suddenly the car took off and hit a curb and went thru some trees. I took my cat to creviar bmw and an engineer from bmw came to check out the vehicle. The engineer checked out the car, BMW had my car for 3 and half weeks and after told me nothing was wrong with the car. I don’t trust bmw. This is my second EV. I thin... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY FORWARD COLLISION WARNING INDICATOR STARTED FLASHING ON MY DASHBOARD WHILE A DINGING SOUND WENT OFF. THERE WAS NOTHING AROUND ME, THEN MY TIRE PRESSURE WARNING STARTED GOING OFF WHILE MY PRESSURE WAS FINE. THE INDICATORS WOULD SWITCH BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN BOTH WARNINGS, THEN MY MIRROR SENSORS WERE INDICATING THAT SOMETHING WAS NEXT TO BOTH OF MY MIRRORS WHILE NOTHING WAS TH... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2023
Automatic transmission failure at only 62,169 miles. No reverse, slipping in drive. Towed 2016 Chevy Traverse to AAMCO Transmission Total Car Care and had to replace the transmission.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
My car year make and.model are under recal..hyundainsays my vin is not..engine failed needs replaxement .hyundai say i am not qualifies..have all records of taking vehicle with extended wareanty to reppace tye engine rod..now they say i need an engine after them having refused the repair..now they say something else caused the engine to fail..i said well had you repqired and nhinored my request t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2023
UNKNOWN 35+ MPH noticeable bounce in front end also 70+ left then front end sometimes begins to wobble and becomes unstable. Dealer 1 checked and found wheels not balanced properly front the factory. Both front and rear wheel had three weights added for balance. Advised bunch is still present and is “normal”. Issue persists. Dealer 2 inspected. Found no issue with wheel or tire with mea... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2023
Windshield crack caused by either a defective windscreen or incorrect installation. -no evidence of damage prior. -cracked overnight. -on both sides of the crack the windshield was offset, one side being higher than the other. The collision center advised that there was likely a 'bad batch' of windshields Subaru installed.