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: May 29, 2023
2014 Mini Cooper Countryman - Engine Low Oil Failure and yes the vehicle is available for inspection. Had an engine oil pressure electronic message come up on the car: Engine Oil pressure too low. Possible Engine damage. Swith off engine. Continued driving is not possible. Please contact mini dealership. Had the car towed to dealer. Was told there is an engine oil leak somewhere. The provided ... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2023
Purchase an alternator from AutoZone and I had the alternator installed the alternator was faulty as I was driving the power in the car started to dim the car cut off I was in traffic I had to swerve over and get out of traffic I had to call AAA to told me home and I could not continue to work after that as I have made delivery driver I went back to AutoZone had the part tested I was told by the e... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2023
I was driving on Interstate 25 north towards Santa Fe NM at about 75mph with the cruise control engaged. The car abruptly slowed down to about 60 mph for no apparent reason. The slow down was so quick that passengers were pushed forward in their seats. This has happened before when cruise control was engaged. I had hoped that this was resolved by Tesla. There was not any vehicles in front of me fo... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2023
While driving the car when slowing for a stop, or just closing down in traffic the car/engine at times will jerk and lurch while braking. If I am not a safe distance from a car in front of me I could cause and accident and hit a car, so I try to keep a good distance when in traffic and refuse to drive the car on long distances on the highway. I can't predict when it will happen and when it does ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
The engine developed a sudden coolant leak on the rear of the engine. A warning comes up stating that the car could overheat and lose power. After a few minutes and no sign of the car overheating, the car loses power and slows down on its own. The car has not yet been seen by the dealer or a repair shop due to no appointments available. Mazda USA has issued a TSB stating the issue with the eng... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without any warning. The contact stated that the instrument panel was not illuminated. The contact shifted into neutral and was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
I was driving going about 35mph and the steering wheel locked up and it crashed into a curb. There were no warning lamps. The car has been in the service center due to the part is no longer being manufactured we are waiting on the part, electronic steering rack. A mechanic has serviced and diagnosed.
Crash
Incident date: Nov 16, 2022
Steering components broke when turning the truck around, this happened 30 miles up a Forest service rd. while out sightseeing. Had to be towed a long way ($1200) for the towing. and the steering repair for $1150.00, if this would have happened at speed when we were towing our camper it would have been terrible. This truck has no off-road usage other than for snow. Head light low beam on the driver... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2023
Driving at 45MPH alone on a paved road. Outside temperature 85F. Suddenly a crack appeared on the driver side of the windshield (about halfway up from hood). Crack was initially about 3 to 4 inches long. By the time I got home (10 miles - about 15 minutes) the crack was 24 inches long and still growing. Failed component: Windshield Risk? Degraded driver vision, possibility of glass flying in... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2023
Windshield randomly became extremely hazy in one section to the point where Eyesight forward facing obstacle detection turned off. Cerium oxide rubbing compound was required to clear the haze enough for Eyesight to work again. Other sections have less significant haze. It appears to be hairline cracks in the outer layer of the windshield or the windshield scratches extremely easily without any obv... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2023
Delamination of touch screen to radio/electronic control panel. This causes the system to touch random portions of the screen, deeming it uncontrollable. The system will also make phone calls I’m not trying to make. More importantly, when I try to make phone calls, it will immediately disconnect the call. I had an emergency on the road recently and needed to make and receive calls but was unable... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2023
My 2022 VW Tiguan 2.0T has delayed acceleration, hesitation, and often bangs into gear at start up. This issue can easily cause an accident when merging into traffic due the lack of reliable acceleration. I have had the vehicle to the dealer and they have found no problem. However, when pressed about internet reports of such problems with the 8 speed transmission they do acknowledge they have hea... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
On the morning of May 16 2023 while making a turn at 17 th Avenue and Bayshore Drive my car continued to accelerate in spite of me trying to brake. I was projected into a stone wall and knew I was going to crash . I crashed into the wall,all my airbags were deployed and the car smelled like smoke. My accelerator got stuck and was sideways .I was unable to get out of the car from inside but a Good ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
On the morning of May 16 2023 while making a turn at 17 th Avenue and Bayshore Drive my car continued to accelerate in spite of me trying to brake. I was projected into a stone wall and knew I was going to crash . I crashed into the wall,all my airbags were deployed and the car smelled like smoke. My accelerator got stuck and was sideways .I was unable to get out of the car from inside but a Good ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
On the morning of May 16 2023 while making a turn at 17 th Avenue and Bayshore Drive my car continued to accelerate in spite of me trying to brake. I was projected into a stone wall and knew I was going to crash . I crashed into the wall,all my airbags were deployed and the car smelled like smoke. My accelerator got stuck and was sideways .I was unable to get out of the car from inside but a Good ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 18, 2023
I purchased my car 3 years ago from a dealer. I maintain maintenance on my vehicle faithfully. I was coming from work I had stopped at the stop sign, when I went to accelerate to make a left turn. My car started to decelerate as if I was in the wrong gear. I tried to drive and it would drive to maybe 10/15 mph and sound as if I’m in the wrong gear. The car is automatic so I was completely lost... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2023
Engine noise and rattling as well as coolant levels dropping dramatically. Mechanic advised head gasket repair and upon further inspection a NEW ENGINE on a 2018 vehicle. With more research, I see this has affected other Pacifica owners.
Incident date: May 26, 2023
Repeated alert to service electronic braking system. Had code read it said right front wheel erratic response from wheel speed sensor. Had sensor changed no change to error code, now the traction control light and passenger seat airbag light has come on. This is a 2017 ram tradesmen with approximately 70k mileage
Incident date: May 26, 2023
Repeated alert to service electronic braking system. Had code read it said right front wheel erratic response from wheel speed sensor. Had sensor changed no change to error code, now the traction control light and passenger seat airbag light has come on. This is a 2017 ram tradesmen with approximately 70k mileage
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
My car is at 86k and the block cracked causing the antifreeze to leak out into the exhaust system, and overheat. The incident left us stranded. There was a check engine light that came on when the vehicle overheated. We took the car to the mechanic and he told us that there is a flaw in the engine block that caused this problem. We have not had the vehicle inspected by our insurance company or the... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2023
Lights are too dim to drive at night. Bulbs have been replaced with 6 different styles but the lights are too dim. Bright lights shine too high to be useful. Spoke with numerous people who have had the same problem.
Incident date: May 29, 2023
When I bought the truck (in Feb 2022), the dealership had just fixed the abs module. It had 87,000 miles on it when i bought it. About a year later (Feb 2023) it started dinging and flashing the abs error again. Shuts off or prevents cruise control from working, constantly dings and flashes the error while driving. Dodge said the part is on backorder and I'm waiting for them to be able to get it ... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2023
When turning off engine it displays "shift to park" and won't shut off. This has been ongoing since I purchased vehicle but is much worse now
Incident date: May 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V650000 (Electric System) and 22V930000 (Structure, Seat Belts) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact ha... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V650000 (Electric System) and 22V930000 (Structure, Seat Belts) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact ha... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50- 55 mph, the vehicle caught fire. There was an abnormal burning odor detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver was able to use her fire extinguisher and extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries, police reports filed, or air bag deployments. The vehicle was towed to an independe... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH the vehicle started overheating with the "Vehicle Overheating - Pull Over" message displayed. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that coolant was leaking into the engine and that th... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2023
Ever since I got my car I’ve had black oil since the start . Second my car breaks on its own at times 3rd my car system keep breaking down as the sparks leaking in some where has this issue since bought it 2 years ago low miles
Incident date: May 5, 2022
Purchased new Tesla in November 2022, however noticed bulging in the side wall in Left rear tire. Went to Tesla service center again was told that they do NOT provide warranty tire - again purchased new tire again again I do not feel that I did anything to contribute to the bulging in the tire wall I believe the tire was defective and I am very dissatisfied with this brand of the tire replaced... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. Additionally, the contact stated that unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the contact was unaware of the diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The fai... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH or less, the vehicle was losing motive power and the vehicle decelerated and came to a stop. The contact waited several minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a banging sound coming from the transmission. The speedometer was blinking and the Service 4WD warning message was displayed on ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V378000 (Seat Belts) and 16V798000 (Seat Belts). The dealer also repaired an unstated electrical failure. The contact stated that the cells in the battery were faulty. T... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2022
The contact owned a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the brake pedal to slow the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to engage. The contact had to apply pressure to the brake pedal to glide the vehicle to a stop. Additionally, the contact added that the front passenger side door became stuck and failed to open and the front driver’s side ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check Hybrid Propulsion System warning light illuminated, and the vehicle the stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the inverter module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number:... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2023
"Phantom braking:" Vehicle has braked Multiple times on the freeway while using adaptive cruise control, when no objects were In the vehicle's path. Typically occurs when driving on curved section of freeway at speeds above 50 mph.
SUBARU
FORESTER
(2020) - POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
May 31, 2023
Incident date: May 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while parking, the vehicle failed to shift to the drive position. The contact opened the hood and pushed the cap back on the bushing. While driving, at an undisclosed speed the vehicle stalled. There were no warring lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer where it was diagnosed transmission bushing cap detached. The veh... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2023
On at least 8 occasions the car unintentionally shifted into cruise control and accelerated immediately. This usually happened while driving under 30 mph and rapidly accelerated to a much higher speed, sometimes set as high as 70 mph. On 3 occasions this happened in a parking lot and 2 occasions in a bank drive thru with a vehicle only a few feet in front of me. Immediate emergency braking was req... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who retrieved a code indicating a failure of the fuel separator sensor. Further investigation determined that the sensor was stuck in the open position, potentially exposing the vehicle occupan... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2023
This concerns a Honda motorcycle with a Dual Clutch Transmission (aka, automatic). This motorcycle has had an NHTSA recall for my specific issue (see below [22V-622 JPH added 01Jun2023]) and has had the recall performed. The issue prompting the recall is still happening to me and others who have had the recall performed. The engine sometimes stalls when given gas after idling (for me, it has alw... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2023
ABS & Traction light flickers and stays on. Brakes have pulsed. This is very dangerous for my family and myself. Ram wants to charge me $$ for a manufacturing defect that they are all to aware of. This not fare.
Incident date: Jan 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the service power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that the service power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on another occasion whil... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2023
On February 10, 2023 I purchased a 2022 Nissan Maxima with a little over 19,000 miles on it. Which has a warranty for up to 104,000 miles. Currently at a little over 25,000 miles. Maybe a week later I noticed a noise coming from the rear, so I informed the Finance Manager, Paul. He then goes on to tell me that he's going to schedule a service appointment. The day I went to Barnes Crossing of Stark... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2023
A severe crack formed around the full circumference of tire near where the sidewall joins to the tread. The tire started leaking air and the severe crack was found while mounting the spare tire. The crack was present on the inside of the tire and therefore not visible until the wheel was removed. This crack was on its way to a catastrophic failure of the tire. The crack was found at 23500 miles on... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2023
Three times this month while driving my jeep the car stalls and a bunch of warning lights comes on. It’s always in the middle of traffic and can be a hazard while driving
Incident date: May 26, 2023
When using cruise control from Las Vegas to Reno Nevada and also going back the car will brake extremely hard over 80 times one way which almost caused alone 4 major accidents with stopping abruptly for no reason causing the cars behind you to almost rear end you. This is tremendously dangerous and it s happening so often you can even use the cruise control. This does happen on other trips as well... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while making a left turn at a slow speed, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where oil was added; however, the failure returned after several weeks. The contact stated that while driving at a slow rate speed, the vehicle los... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while making a left turn at a slow speed, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where oil was added; however, the failure returned after several weeks. The contact stated that while driving at a slow rate speed, the vehicle los... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2023
My vehicle is still leaking oil bad after paying over $700 to get the oil pressure switch and gasket replaced on March 1, 2023. I was promised a reimbursement of my funds spent to fix the issue and have not heard back for over a month nor have they addressed the issue with the vehicle still leaking badly. As others are having the same issue it is not fair to us costumers we are left with a defecti... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2019
First occurrence happened in October 2022 when I was on the freeway at speeds over 65mph. The vehicle suddenly lost speed, all dash lights came on, a loud helicopter like sound started and would not go more than 40mph. I was lucky enough to exit the freeway without causing a collision. Dealer could not duplicate the incident and no computer codes. Second time was almost identical to the first ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2019
For last several months my 2021 Tesla Y is experiencing phantom braking while using cruise control. Happens about once every 50 miles on the highway and occurs on straight roads with no traffic in front or behind and no road hazards. Braking is sudden and hard and represents a significant hazard . Thanks