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: Jun 25, 2023
Wheels: tires were unidernflated to 25 and no dash warning received. Tires inflated to 32. Within a month severe tire bulge appeared no dash warning. Tires now replaced. Power train: yellow wrench on dash, suv went limp after acceleration, suv had limited forward power to pull over to side of road. Shut engine off, restarted, no yellow wrench, no problem for approximately 20 miles. Identical prob... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
My vehicle recently depicted warnings on my screen showing " Front Left Safety Restraint System Fault" " Service is Required". I also sometimes get a visual warning showing a depiction of an airbag. Now I don't know if anything is wrong, but Tesla is going to charge me $400 to fix this problem. My cars warranty expired in April of this year. My concern is, if this is an airbag problem shouldn't ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2023
The power steering system has an intermittent electric connection and the steering wheel will jerk in opposite directions. There is a recall for the issue with similar year ford explorers but for has told me to contact nhtsa to see if this vehicle can be added to the list for the same issues. Also I am not able to smog it due to bad catalytic converters.
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2013) - ENGINE
Jun 27, 2023
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
Replace my first engine because of overheating and severely white smoke due to leaking coolant. Now I'm about to replace my engine again, same problems. I found out from dealership this problem is on recall , just not my particular car but it's the same motor on the other approved cars.
Incident date: May 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH with the rear defroster activated, suddenly there was a loud banging sound heard. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the rear liftgate glass had shattered. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2023
When at a stop sign the car auto shut off. After releasing the break, the car would not restart and would not go into park. After a few minutes of panic, I was able to move the gear shifter to park and after several attempts, the car barely restarted. This also happened a previous time at a stop light.
Incident date: Jun 26, 2023
When at a stop sign the car auto shut off. After releasing the break, the car would not restart and would not go into park. After a few minutes of panic, I was able to move the gear shifter to park and after several attempts, the car barely restarted. This also happened a previous time at a stop light.
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 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 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
My car is consuming oil at an alarming rate. This is a daily driver family car that my wife uses to drop and pick my daughter from and to school. I am really concerned the car is going to run of oil and could end up in more serious problem. I have informed the dealer twice and they even determined the car is consuming more than one quart of oil in less that 800 miles. That is way above the accep... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
After driving for over :30 minutes steering wheel sticks and is jerky to turn. It has a dead spot that requires a higher breakout force to get the wheel to turn , once wheel is turning there are normal steering forces required to continue the turn.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2023
Prior to the failure of the rear drive axles there were 2 instances of the 4WD lamps coming on. Reset the lever and light went out.Another instance had the ABS light come on.After several miles the light went off. The next morning while driving to the independent repair shop the car completely stopped on a Blvd in the middle of traffic.Luckily I was not rear ended by another vehicle.The car needed... 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
Drivers side valve cover is prone to crack and cause oil to leak into hot turbos.
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
I recently purchased this 2018 Ram Dually for work on our farm. After 1 trip all the ABS/traction control/4wd and cruise control wont work. It seems that this a safety issue that ram will not address. I would like to file a complaint that if I had known about these issues, I would not have purchased this truck. It is unsafe driving and with no ABS and cruise control or traction control. I de... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, the engine started shuddering. The message "Reduced Power" was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and failed to restart. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance. The contact was able to restart... 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 23, 2023
ABS modular failed causing ABS brakes FCW and LDW and Traction control to stop working
Incident date: Jun 23, 2023
ABS modular failed causing ABS brakes FCW and LDW and Traction control to stop working
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his daughter was driving approximately 60 MPH, the check engine light illuminated, and the vehicle started losing motive power and was running rough and vibrating. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was due to coolant intrusion into the cylinders and advised the contact to take th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
An issue with my 2018 Honda CRV was diagnosed as requiring the Steering Gearbox to be replaced. Although my CRV has less than 36,000 miles I have owned it for over 3 years so this issue is no longer covered under warranty. After the diagnosis I discovered that this part was included in a safety recall (Honda Service Bulletin 18-103, recall #'s C2N, P2O). Unfortunately, my VIN was not included i... 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
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
I was driving mid day today and I noticed my display on the dash had gone dim as if the headlights had turned on and the dash lights dimmed expecting it to be dark inside. I then got a ding about the auto shutoff when stopped feature not working (this has been dinging for a few years and hasn’t worked since shortly after I got the vehicle in 2018, however it’s been working the last few weeks).... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
2006 FORD RANGER- Consumer states "2021 I was driving and my air bag deployed as I slightly turned my wheel while driving. It’s hard to remember but The airbag total incapacitated me causing me to hit a tree head on. I am now disabled suffering a traumatic brain injury, and multiple injuries, I am now disabled unable to work and had to leave college. I talked to ford and they ignored me. This is... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
I've had 0 signs of clutch issues in my 2014 dart. All of a sudden. It went. A peice has some how out of no where just fell off resulting in barely able to move it. This went while on the highway out of no where while.driving.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
Started vehicle and plugged phone im to play music/charge. Immediately, there was an incredible loud sound: it sounded almost like a gun shot. There was then a loud crackling sound which sounded like glass shattering. It scared me considerably. Thankfully I was parked. I shut the vehicle off and restarted. There was no more noise, but all audio ceased to work. Approximately 3 hours later, the ... 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 13, 2023
Maryland State Police Report [XXX] says: On [XXX], [XXX] was driving his 2018 Tesla Model S in Maryland on what is known in the DMV as the important highway, "The Beltway". According to Police Report [XXX], "Unit 1 was traveling southbound in Lane 1 on [XXX]. The Autopilot feature on the Tesla was engaged. The Autopilot malfunctioned causing the Tesla to lose control and leave the highway on... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 13, 2023
Maryland State Police Report [XXX] says: On [XXX], [XXX] was driving his 2018 Tesla Model S in Maryland on what is known in the DMV as the important highway, "The Beltway". According to Police Report [XXX], "Unit 1 was traveling southbound in Lane 1 on [XXX]. The Autopilot feature on the Tesla was engaged. The Autopilot malfunctioned causing the Tesla to lose control and leave the highway on... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
Engine was broked. Caused for the oil presure
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
engine stopped. will not turn over. checked oil control valve and full of metal shavings. oil pan full of metal shavings. call kia. not on list. repair yourself. they are not reparing any cars. said they were but denying everyone. check the records. all talk and no action. pleasing the judge with their layer statements. what can i do. i have no help. no kia, no court, no gov. never again will i an... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
My car radio is delaminated causing the radio or other controls to not function properly. Buttons are pressed without me touching the screen. Other Chrysler users have the same issues and it’s a safety problem
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
Honda CR-V head unit or central console refuses to dim. This is a serious safety threat as display is glaringly bright and distorts night vision. I did take the vehicle to dealership for inspection and recommendation was to replace the head unit as they think this is a hardware issue. Professionally, I am a software engineer and I find it very hard to accept that this is a hardware issue. The ha... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
My car unexpectedly caught fire while driving at LAX airport on June 21, 2023 around 11-11:30a.m. The whole car burned within a few minutes. There was nothing I could do.
Fire
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: 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: 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 22, 2023
My 2018 Kia Soul is guzzling oil even after an oil consumption test and a head gasket and valve cover gasket replacement. We are using a quart of synthetic blend oil every 500 miles. We cannot be the only people with this complaint!! Vehicle has less than 95,000 miles on it. The Kia Dealership in Clarksville, TN has been the only place to work on our vehicle since buying it a little over one year ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
I was parked. Pressed brake to start car; brake pedal went all the way to the floor. When the car started warning message appeared that brake fluid was low. I had no prior warnings/signs of brake failure. I had no brakes whatsoever making the car undriveable. Car was taken to Firestone Complete Auto Care where it was determined a rear brake hose had prematurely ruptured, whereby leaking all b... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
Door locks they lock and unlock by themselves and make a noise when locking. Also paint on car doors and back hood paling off car you see medal.
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
2022 Winter - Had to spend 2,000.00 replace the Heater Core. This should of been covered in my books. I called Damion Chrysler to report this issue. They claimed they were not aware of such an issue. But if you look at all the reviews they say factory left extra gunck/sealer is why the heater quit blowing hot air on one side. 2023 Summer - Now my A/C isn't blowing cold air. But gargage was ab... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2023
Driving on the freeway driver cutt me off I had to apply the brakes fast car brakes did not stop the car smooth the brakes grabbed and locked up causing the car to skid off the road did not respond when applied during an emergency to avoid collision. Excessive brake dust and do not stop car.efficiently.
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 50-60 MPH, the check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the brake pedal became firm, and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that she swerved from one lane to the other to avoid a crash. The vehicle then lost motive power in the middle of the highway and ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
As I was driving the car today, I had a car ahead of me at a full stop, so in order to slow down the car I lifted my foot off the acceleration pedal. However, instead of slowing down it sped up. My car has regenerative breaking (and it was turn on) which usually applies break when the pressure is lifted from acceleration pedal. However in this instant my car started speeding up. I then applied pre... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the interlock brakes started grinding and then inadvertently activated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the intake manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made a... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
Driving on the freeway driver cutt me off I had to apply the brakes fast car brakes did not stop the car smooth the brakes grabbed and locked up causing the car to skid off the road did not respond when applied during an emergency to avoid collision. Excessive brake dust and do not stop car.efficiently.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Edge. The contact stated that on several occasions, while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to slow down in a reasonable time frame. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a hissing sound coming from the tires. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake booster neede... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle went into Limp Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to safely move the vehicle to the shoulder of the road before the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A certified mechanic informed the contac... Read more