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 16, 2023
Vehicle stalled while on the highway at 60+ MPH, no warning, almost no brakes, or steering, almost got into an accident, emergency pulled over on the side of the road, started back up, this issue has occurred two times in the last couple moths. Also after fueling, vehicle idles hard and stalls a couple times, starts back up and runs normal.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the instrument panel lights were dimly illuminated, the horn was inoperable, and the radio was not functioning properly. The contact stated that the steering assists warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact stated on March 8, 2023, the steering wheel seized. The contact tu... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
My own words, That my vehicle didn't stop, the car driver in front stop short my vehicle just ran behind the car. My 2018 Chevy equniox I have purchase last year for it safety reason pay extra now and days, those safety is not there very disappointed with GM What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Automatic Emergency Braking - Togethe... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 14, 2021
I awoke to find the passenger side windshield cracked from the bottom, near wiper, extending upward and the moving horizontal in an Upside down L shape. I did a search and found that this incident is similar to others who own Subaru Foresters which is the vehicle I own. It is a 2021 model. I called my Subaru dealer and recommended that I take it to Wilson Auto Glass in Wheeling WV where I live. H... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2021
I need to address a safety concern! On 3/13, I was driving back home. my 3 year old daughter was sitting in her car seat (behind the driver seat). She pulled the seatbelt from the middle seat and wrapped it around her neck choking herself. I had just got home and thank god I did because this would have been a totally different story. I pulled up to my mailbox to get my mail. I happen to look back... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side seat belt failed to buckle when the passenger was attempting to insert the seat belt. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2022
Had large paint chip come off hood and stuck on windsheild. Was driving on interstate which caused blind spot while driving 60 mph. Had to pull to side of road to clear windsheild.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
It's like the transmission has hesitation before it decides to go. I step on the gas and it doesn't go right away, it takes a couple seconds and then the rpms go up really high. There has been no accident but this has happened many times.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
Several 2023 BMW models now feature a new infotainment system called iDrive 8. This new iDrive 8 contains a crucial bug that I believe affects the safety of the driver. This new infotainment system randomly loses the car’s exact GPS location, which makes the car think it’s somewhere else. The location marker just slowly drifts away from its real coordinates to nearby roads for example, withou... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
In the last year, randomly, when starting the vehicle, the yellow check engine light comes on. Turn the vehicle off, it is gone. The side view mirrors have the yellow lights lit up on them when driving down any road, the red warning lights that tell you there's something behind or in front of you start going off for no reason while driving down any road, all the "safety" and lane assist feature... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2023
In the last year, randomly, when starting the vehicle, the yellow check engine light comes on. Turn the vehicle off, it is gone. The side view mirrors have the yellow lights lit up on them when driving down any road, the red warning lights that tell you there's something behind or in front of you start going off for no reason while driving down any road, all the "safety" and lane assist feature... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2023
Vehicle position in drive waiting for for a Walmart customer to vacate parking spot when I tried to proceed into the parking spot the car just stopped,tried to restart after putting the truck in park, when the key was turned to start, nothing...hazard lights would not come, could not move the shift into neutral to push to safe location, passenger door and backdoors would not unlock, truck would no... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
Prior to the incident a message appeared in the car indicating that the Lane Departure Avoidance features unavailable - Features may be restored on next drive. TACC was activated on the car. Auto Steer was not activated. The car is equipped with Autopilot only. It was traveling in the furthest left lane. A truck in the center lane attempted to merge into the left lane where our tesla model y was... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the front windshield trim separated and detached from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the warranty did not cover the trim replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 82,300.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
Exploding sunroof. While driving on a normal day no rain or bad weather on open highway I here what was like a gun shot and see glass explode upwards and out of vehicle then I hear pebbles falling on my sunroof visor. My back sunroof window exploded for no reason.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
The steering wheel is sticky when driving on the highway and city streets. Its more noticeable on the highway though. The steering feels like its stuck and takes some pressure to move it even a little.
Incident date: Jan 28, 2023
At the low speed, the car suspension failed (most likely the control arm) and the vehicle swung to the right and crashed into the car bridge rails. As a result of this, the right front wheel dislodged completely, which would not be possible if there were no mechanical problems with the suspension. Tesla Dublin had worked on my suspension three weeks prior to the accident. The full video from the d... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 28, 2023
The contact's daughter owns a 2019 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while her daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, her daughter attempted to stop for traffic and lost braking functionality. The contact stated her daughter saw an unknown warning light illuminated but was focused on steering and braking to be sure what warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she was pumping the brake... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2023
INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF POWER STEERING AT SLOW SPEEDS SUCH AS WHEN TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION. THERE WAS A RECALL S19 FOR THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CIRCUIT BOARD FOR SELECTED S/N BUT THIS S/N WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE BUILD DATE WAS IN THE DATE RANGE OF THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THEY FAILED TO IDENTIFY THIS UNIT. I CALLED FSA AND THEY WOULD NOT RETROACTIVELY INCLUDE THIS IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer’s notification indicated that an internal engine component had failed and advised to have the vehicle serviced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine cam phaser was faulty and needed to ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact was informed by the dealer that the manufacturer was only allowing dealers to order one part per week, therefore, the approximate wait time would be over 2 months. The contact stated that the manufa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2023
the vehicle has brakes with out cause. Two times I was on the street no cars in sight and the car just brakes without notice or cause. Then it happened again yesterday on the freeway. It was raining no cars close and it just brakes again in the middle of the freeway.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2022
I was traveling on the interstate at a rate of 75 mph. I signaled a lane change and pressed the gas pedal. I heard the engine respond and the rpm surged. The drive train went dead. There was no power at all. I checked it was in drive and it was. The car began to slow and I began trying to get off the road. Suddenly with a bit of a jerk, it drove normal.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2022
I have had this vehicle for 10 years. The paint started to peel in or around 2017. I was in a hail storm and within the last year and now it looks like my car was 100 years old. I put in a claim to my insurance and they denied coverage due to kia having a paint issue. Peal white specifically. I also took the car in December 2022 for all the recalls on the engine. Since then it's literally falling ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2023
A Unknown component has failed with the vehicles fuel system. The service center at the Kia Dealership was unable to clear the associated Check engine light after numerous attempts. This is the Third time I tuned in for this same reason. The First time they attempted to resolve by replacing O2 sensor. After a Few weeks the Check engine light returned. Then I was told it was my Spark plugs. After o... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle was pushed into the driveway after stalling on the street. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a leak in the evaporative emission control and EVAP purge valve. The contact stated that the check engine warning ligh... Read more
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2014) - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Mar 13, 2023
Incident date: Mar 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal odor detected. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). 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 45,000.
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2014) - ENGINE
Mar 13, 2023
Incident date: Mar 12, 2023
After owning this car for four years and performing regular oil changes, it suddenly started knocking and stalling. I immediately checked the oil, which was not even registering on the dipstick (despite an oil change not due for another 2,800 miles). I added almost 4 Qt of oil. We were able to make it home and have a mechanic confirm that it needs a new engine. It has only 82,000 miles. I'm glad t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
Excessive vibration, speeds above 50mph vibrates the entire vehicle.
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
Excessive vibration, speeds above 50mph vibrates the entire vehicle.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
THE MIDDLE REAR SEATBELT FAILS TO LOCK WHEN RETRACTED, THEREFORE I CANNOT USE MY GRANDCHILD'S BOOSTER SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ORDERED A REPLACEMENT, BUT COST NEARLY $300. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN DECEMBER 2018, BUT HAVE NEVER HAD TO USE THE REAL SEATBELT UNTIL NOW. THEREFORE I DID NOT KNOW IT DID NOT WORK PROPERLY UNTIL NOW.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The check engine warning light and the ABS warning light illuminated immediately. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Ho... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2023
Backup camera system inoperable. Results in inability to see when backing up vehicle. Dealer diagnostic procedures pointed to defective camera. Display screen has message "System Inoperable," otherwise blank. Camera was replaced but did not solve the problem. Not offered any other remedy. Recall 21V411addressed this problem in 2020 and 2021 Mercedes (this chassis is 2021). Called MB support severa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2023
On multiple occasions I have been driving to work (45 min drive) when all of my dash lights and emergency lights go on. I am then notified on the dash of start /stop system failure(which is off), The emergency hand brake light is on, electric stability control failure, service antilock break system, auto park disabled and my radio volume going to max. This is then followed by my power steering or ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
My 2022 Ram 5.7 with etorque (25k miles) decided to park itself in the middle of a state Highway. I was coming to a stop at a light and heard some beeping noises from the truck, I looked down and it was trying to put the truck into park while my wheels were still turning. Once I was around 2-3 mph it jammed into park and applied the parking brake. I couldn’t move the knob to drive, and my batter... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2023
EPS warning light came on while I was pulling into a local gas station. When I came out and started vehicle, wheel would not turn. Realized with EPS assist off it reverts to manual steering and, with great difficulty, made it to garage. Rack and pinion replaced ($1514.77). Now EPS warning light still continues to come on randomly with sudden loss of steering, once at 70 mph on interstate and anot... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
On7/2022 when I came out of my house in the evening my 2018 4Runner was not been running for hours But I heard my Fuel pump running with no keys in the switch Would not stop running until I turned the switch on and then turned it back off and then fuel pump stopped running I reported to my dealer but they didn’t seem interested so I am Sending this to you any thing I tell the dealer where... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
On7/2022 when I came out of my house in the evening my 2018 4Runner was not been running for hours But I heard my Fuel pump running with no keys in the switch Would not stop running until I turned the switch on and then turned it back off and then fuel pump stopped running I reported to my dealer but they didn’t seem interested so I am Sending this to you any thing I tell the dealer where... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
I received a notice of recall on the ABS for my Hyundai Santa Fe 2014 Sport. My ABS light recently illuminated, I went to the Hyundai site to make an appt. I was given one a week out, while waiting for the appt my brake lights wouldn’t turn off unless I disconnected the battery. I took the vehicle to the dealership in Brevard Fl, the guy kept trying to upsell me $180 for diagnostics and that I h... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, a message indicating “Service Needed” was displayed, and the traction control and ABS warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, an alarm was audible. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the ABS module was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 72 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road safely and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle momentarily started operating normally, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated no failure was found but the mech... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2023
This car is experiencing the same issues of the engine shut off malfunction from the 2022 Corolla Cross model. I just got this car and it’s been happening where while i’m stopped at a intersection, the malfunction happens, tells me that something is wrong with the steering fluid, i have to put the car in park, turn off the entire car, turn it back on, and it works. This is has been a huge conc... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
The stable link light came on with the engine light and showed the car symbol with tread lines. This is the second time the stable link came on since my ownership. On accelerating the gas pedal, the car starts to studder, and the engine will not pick up speed on the highway. So cars are held up behind you, until it accelerates slowly to the highway speed limit. Between 44mph it starts studderin... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
The car is currently in the shop at Jim Shorkey Gainesville Kia and is available for inspection. They have contacted me to tell me the transmission/engine failed. I was driving on interstate when I suddenly lost the ability to accelerate and was forced to get off of the highway. After coming to a complete stop I pressed on the gas pedal but the car would still not accelerate. I tried putting into... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
The car is currently in the shop at Jim Shorkey Gainesville Kia and is available for inspection. They have contacted me to tell me the transmission/engine failed. I was driving on interstate when I suddenly lost the ability to accelerate and was forced to get off of the highway. After coming to a complete stop I pressed on the gas pedal but the car would still not accelerate. I tried putting into... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
At about 45 mph front end will start shakin and have to come almost a stop then resume down road I havesteering arn, tierod ends replace, front end align by front specialist and still doing this also tires were rotated.Ford did all work except independent wheel alignment. No insurane notified.
Incident date: Feb 17, 2023
2022 2.5L HTRAC Tucson (Current Mileage: 27,088) This issue became notably clear roughly around the 12,000-to-15,000-mile mark on the vehicle. It's also worth mentioning that since month one of ownership, the vehicle has displayed some unnatural characteristics. Under hard throttle the engine created a tone that was very much discomforting and not confidence inspiring. It was abundantly clear the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2023
While driving down the road, the power door steps will spontaneously extend. This extends close to the ground and out to the side, and could catch on a curb, pothole, another vehicle, etc. This could cause an accident many different ways. It has been to the dealer for service multiple times, details below. The issue persists. I have learned from Facebook groups that this issue is quite wi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2023
I started my car this morning and I got a message saying Supplemental Passenger Error contact the dealer. Also, this car once a week will brake like if another car is in front of me on a busy highway I travel going home from work. This will cause someone to have a heartache especially when there is a big rig coming at speed behind you. Please look into these problems!