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: Mar 30, 2023
I have a 2017 Toyota Sienna that has needed the braked replaced on average every 6 months and I have already replaced the roaters 4x. This car eats brakes and roaters.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
Roof rack design and grommet failure allows for water to flow into cabin headliner and down a-pillars and other areas where curtain airbag and other electrical components are housed. This can cause malfunction and/or failure of the vehicles crucial functions at any given moment. A class action lawsuit is filed on this. You need to step in and make it a recall and hold toyota responsible.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2023
Out of the blue I am getting constant trailer brake system alarms dinging at me. Even if I select dismiss the alarm keeps coming back. There seems to be no way of getting this to stop.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
My car caught on fire out of nowhere when i pulled into my grandmother's driveway. I had smelt smoke maybe 10 minutes before I arrived but assumed it was from someone starting a fire while I was driving. No smoke had started forming while I was driving. The smoke rolled out from the dash board area and kept spreading once I had arrived and got out to get my grandma from inside. My entire car was e... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 4, 2023
I HAVE A FUEL LINE LEAK NEAR THE LEFT REAR TIRE WHICH HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH OTHER VEHICLES SUCH AS THE COBALT AND OTHER HHR'S. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS GOING TO COST ME $1500 TO REPLACE ALL THE FUEL LINES BECAUSE THEY WERE RUSTED REALLY BAD. THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING PLUS IT'S NOT VERY SAFE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS ~156000 MILES ON IT. THANKS
Incident date: Aug 15, 2020
2017 FORD F-150. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION.
Incident date: Mar 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while parked on a flat road surface, the transmission was shifted into park(P), but the vehicle rolled backwards. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
My Ford Focus died on me at a stop sign, when trying to start it sounded it seemed like it ran out of gas, put gas in and it leaked out onto the ground. I had it towed to the Sewell Ford in Fayetteville AR 72703. They replaced the R Tube Asv-Fuel Vapour Separa, Fuel Cannister-fuel vapour store, E Tank Esy-Fuel, Ax Sender and Pump Asy and AA Gasket. They said this happened because of pressure in th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
Snow white pearl paint has suddenly started peeling on passenger door and around windshield
Incident date: Apr 6, 2023
2012 Ford Edge -The passenger door will shut but the alarm that came with the car says that the door is not shut. The alarm will not work when the car detects the door is not shut, so the interior lights will not turn off. Will this affect my battery? When I drive with the sensor on the dashboard states the door is not closed and the interior light will not shut off which becomes a distraction a... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the power steering failed. The contact stated that the ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that she stopped the vehicle and turn off and restarted several times and the vehicle regained normal functionality. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake pedal... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2023
Shift car to park keeps showing up even though I am in park.
Incident date: Apr 5, 2023
Throttle lag on acceleration from a stop. More than 2 second delay
Incident date: Apr 5, 2023
Transmission went out at 5 years
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
Seat collapse. Available to be inspection. Unable to see over wheel or reach acceleration or brake petals. Air bag light comes on due to seat cutting it or disconnecting it when collapses. Dealership. No.
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
My Honda continues to display a transmission service problem warning. There’s nothing specifically wrong with the transmission and this is a reported problem across the Internet. I suspect there is an issue with the torque converter or other part that is causing this error in some cases, passengers have been stranded.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
Truck loses power engine dies while driving after turning at slow speeds. Engine will restart after a few minutes like it never happened does not show any DTC codes or check engine lights. It is intermittent with no advance notice very dangerous to drive. Seems to be a common problem for all GM trucks and SUVS from 2014 - 2017
Incident date: Apr 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experie... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2023
48v mild hybrid system failed, car went completely dead in rush hour traffic putting me and other drivers in danger.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2023
48v mild hybrid system failed, car went completely dead in rush hour traffic putting me and other drivers in danger.
Incident date: Apr 2, 2023
While driving at 70 mph on freeway, driver experienced a sudden loss of power/rapid deceleration with no throttle response and no acceleration. Vehicle drivetrain seemed to be disengaged. TCM Gauge control error indicated on dash, also indicated on dash: ACC Adaptive cruise control system problem, collision mitigation breaking system problem, road departure mitigation system problem.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2023
Car when Accelerator. is depressed The transmission searches bogs Down Loss of power switches gears jerks around Which makes it extremely unsafe when trying to pull out into traffic. Had a mechanic look at it and you stated. This is extremely common with this year in type of Car. Honda put a unsafe transmission in them and should replace. Especially with only 50 Thousand miles on it
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
On 3/30 my steering column started to make a grinding sound when I turned my steering wheel over 90 degrees to make a turn. On 3/31 the airbag light went on and I made an appointment to bring it in to get looked at by my nearest Subaru dealership (Tacoma Subaru). I was told the light meant the airbags would not deploy if I got into a car accident so I didn’t drive my car until I needed to pick u... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 2, 2023
My car was stolen 1week after the recall was performed that was supposed to immobilized the engine. The recall did nothing and now I'm left with the aftermath.
Incident date: Mar 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle the contact heard an unknown sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle started to shake, followed by the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the m... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while accelerating from a traffic light, the vehicle started hesitating. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
The backup camera system on my 2022 Tahoe has repeatedly malfunctioned, causing a safety issue when backing up. This component/system has failed to provide a clear view of the area behind the vehicle, which is crucial for safe backing up. I can make the component or system available for inspection upon request. The malfunctioning backup camera system has put both my safety and the safety of others... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
Motorcycle has brand new battery. Sudden loss of power, engine sputtering, gauges moving sporadically like they were loosing power. Engine backfiring. vehicle would die. be able to be restarted. Known issue with this vehicle. part reported is to be a faulty stator. manufacturer recalled earlier and later year vehicles that use this same part, but did not recall this specific model for recall warra... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
Motorcycle has brand new battery. Sudden loss of power, engine sputtering, gauges moving sporadically like they were loosing power. Engine backfiring. vehicle would die. be able to be restarted. Known issue with this vehicle. part reported is to be a faulty stator. manufacturer recalled earlier and later year vehicles that use this same part, but did not recall this specific model for recall warra... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
Motorcycle has brand new battery. Sudden loss of power, engine sputtering, gauges moving sporadically like they were loosing power. Engine backfiring. vehicle would die. be able to be restarted. Known issue with this vehicle. part reported is to be a faulty stator. manufacturer recalled earlier and later year vehicles that use this same part, but did not recall this specific model for recall warra... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
The Front sway bar on my truck where the welds are rusted out. yes its available for inspection. independent service center has not been inspected no warning lights
Incident date: Mar 26, 2023
This is a heads up, not an incident report. On this vehicle there is a push button starter on the center console. Page 6-11 of the owner’s manual has a warning that reads, “Never press the ENGINE START/STOP button while the vehicle is in motion. This would result in loss of directional control and braking function, which could cause an accident.” I feel this is a hazard with an easy fix: di... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2023
I left work, got into my car, turned the car on and the airbag light turned on, now the light is always on
Incident date: Mar 5, 2023
Somebody just hit my car and left. My car was parked in my community.
Crash
Incident date: Apr 2, 2023
Defective battery, wont charge past 30%
Incident date: Jun 10, 2020
The car has had issues for a long time. It had gone into limp mode multiple times and they fixed it and then would do it again later. Not long ago, it was acting badly again like it was going to die and they had me spend over $1,000 on new coils and plugs. Then the oil light was coming on. Took it in for check and did oil change at valvoline. They said it was empty. It was under 3k miles or just a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2023
During a trip driving home 3/31/2023 at approximately 11:00pm, the car's software system failed. The console that displays the digital speedometer was affected on the car as well as the infotainment system. The message on the console displayed a message "Warnings and Information not available. Drive with greater care!" The digital speedometer displayed three dashes through the rest of the trip ho... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2023
We bought this vehicle brand new in 2016, and it seem to be a nice vehicle until it hit 30,000 miles. When we hit 30,000 miles in April 2020, the brake system failed, causing a passenger side collision, however, there were no injuries. Then in November 2020, the transmission went out. At that time we had to have the front brakes replaced as well. Then in May 2021 at 40,000 miles, we had to replace... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
March of 2021 I purchased a new Hyundai Tucson SEL. I have performed all required maintenance (at the dealer no less). In May of 2022 the dealer performed the recall Campaign 966. Since that time, my Tucson has had to go to the dealer 5 times for a P1326 code. This resulted in the check engine light flashing and the car going into protection or limp mode. The vehicle would not accelerate ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2023
When locking vehicle and arming the alarm up on returning to vehicle in a parking lot no matter where. Upon return to vehicle before unlocking we notice vehicle rear tailgate is wide open. This has happened multiple times with a dealer not finding any cause. Now on our second case to have looked at. This is not good as anything in the vehicle is open to theft with me having no control of it. Happe... Read more
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2015) - ENGINE
Mar 31, 2023
Incident date: Oct 16, 2020
This car has had reoccurring issues related to the engine, ignition module and starter. It breaks down every few weeks. It has left me broken down and stranded on freeways, city roads and most recently on the side of a hill. When the key is inserted, it will not turn over completely and even after the key is removed the engine continues to make clicking sounds as if it is still trying to turn over... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
Pulling into a parking spot, vehicle had a sudden burst of acceleration, as it was still on the road, resulting in an accident. Vehicle drove over a parking curb, hitting a small tree and a sign. Vehicle felt like there was a lag in response timing of the throttle to acceleration response. No one was injured, including myself the driver. Vehicle at this moment is at the VW dealership getting r... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 28, 2023
Cold Start Rattle. Dealership verified it was the cam phasers.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
Infotainment screen has spider cracking from faulty screen when manufactured. Open TSB stating this and Mazda refuses to replace under warranty after 5 months of owning vehicle, spider cracks got worse this year. When i got more spider cracks i contacted mazda support since the first time I contacted a local dealer. Mazda support denied replacement because “ i do not get my car serviced through ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2023
The headliner of the car completely separated from the vehicle. If this happened during driving it would have prevented seeing the road. When presented with the issue the local Jaguar dealer indicated they have had other cars suffer the same issue. It is a known defect that Jaguar has not notified or recalled the vehicle.
Incident date: Mar 30, 2023
The dashboard melted and shines. Having problems seeing during driving against sunlight, also the stickiness of the dashboard makes dirt stuck on the surface of the dashboard. The main issue is safety while driving because of sunlight reflection.
Incident date: Dec 11, 2022
In the last 6 months my driver side window, front passenger side window and back left side window have failed. To date it has cost over $1300, not including the newly defective rear passenger window. The dealer has no explanation, they act as if they have never seen this before. The explanation appears to be the plastic mechanism that turns the window up and down has disintegrated inside the doo... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2022
Error code - Transmission: Secure vehicle with parking brake when stopped. Consult Service Center. I believe this should be a recall taken care of by BMW as it is extremely common among 2016 BMW X1 models.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2022
Piston slapping, engine failing. First diagnosed with Christian Auto Brothers of Concord, NC in December of 2022; then advised to tow to my local Modern Hyundai Dealer in Concord, NC 12:30/22. Same diagnostics, same result. *Hyundai extended their warranty to 140,000 miles for this issue, but refuse to fix since I’m not the original owner. Purchased June 2022 from Keffer Hyundai Dealership in... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2023
I was backing up from the parking lot and heard a clank. I immediately got out to check what happened and saw that the suspension had completely detached itself from the wheel (see pictures). The wheel immediately started to go sideways. If I was on the highway or on the road this would have 100% caused an accident and quite possibly my life. Tesla says there is no recall and is blaming the proble... Read more