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: Nov 11, 2025
I drove into the parking lot of Walgreens, then drove around and pulled into a parking spot facing the south side of the building and put my foot on the brake to stop and park. Instead of stopping, the car suddenly lurched forward violently and slammed into the brick wall of the building. My wife called 911 since I told her my chest really hurt. When the police came, I told them my foot must ha... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 10, 2025
The car had a recall in 2014 was fixed then went out again same part same problem after being fixed ford dealer said they won't handle the recall again steering torque sensor went bad a second time car only had 110000 thousand mile and the same torque sensor that was recalled and replaced went bad again.
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
I purchased this vehicle new 7/31/25. Within the first week of ownership I noticed a noise coming from the rear axle. Brought into Ford dealer for diagnosis at 723 miles: tech notes indicated that the abs tone ring was not manufactured correctly and was hitting the ABS wheel speed sensor. The sensor had visible impact marks. The rear axle assembly was replaced under warranty. The repair took over ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2026
ABS warning light illuminated and the system failed while driving, causing longer braking distance and reduced steering control during braking. I am concerned this ABS malfunction increased the risk of a crash for me and other road users.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2026
January 25th, 2026 13:30 I was coming to a stop at an intersection with my foot on the brake pedal when suddenly my vehicle lurched forward potentially causing rear end collision with the truck in front of me that was stopped at the red light. My vehicle finally came to a stop when I pressed hard on the brake pedal. This problem happened today, so I have not reproduced it. I have not had it check... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2019
2022 Honda Pilot - steering wheel / front of car started to make a clanking noise when driving over speed bumps / noise started around 35k miles on odometer. Two different service appointments with Honda pointed to shocks and sway bar links; 3rd non honda service appointment found the issue to be a failing rack and pinion. 3rd service appointment replaced the rack and pinion / sound is gone and v... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2019
I leased a 2019 Subaru Ascent (VIN: [XXX] ), which is equipped with the EyeSight driver-assist system. In the Spring of 2019, while driving in a parking lot at night with low visibility and snow, the vehicle struck a pole. Despite the imminent collision, the EyeSight system failed to engage Pre-Collision Braking or provide any audible/visual warning to alert me of the obstacle. The system did not ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
Horn stopped working at 47,474 miles Check Tire Pressure System light is on, poor sensor at 45,650
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
I bought a Subaru Forrester 2025 in March of 2025. I drove this car for almost 9 months to the day. On 12-19 -25 I was driving down the aisle in the Walmart parking lot at less than 10 mph. I turned right into a handicap parking lot and applied my brake as I was settling into the parking space. I was driving less than 5 mph as one normally would when parking and coming to a stop. My car accelera... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
I bought a Subaru Forrester 2025 in March of 2025. I drove this car for almost 9 months to the day. On 12-19 -25 I was driving down the aisle in the Walmart parking lot at less than 10 mph. I turned right into a handicap parking lot and applied my brake as I was settling into the parking space. I was driving less than 5 mph as one normally would when parking and coming to a stop. My car accelera... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
MY 2024 Nissan Altima, with approximately 13,000 miles stalled while driving in 10 degree Fahrenheit weather with snow on the road. My speed was around 45 MPH. The vehicle immediately stalled and all the lights on the dashboard went on. The warning flashed something about an engine error. The brakes seized up while in snowy weather and with cars very close behind me. Easily could have caused an ac... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
I bought a used 2015 subaru forester with 117,000 miles from an auto shop/used car dealer in March of 2024. In September of 2025, 11,000 miles of driving later, a bunch of lights came on my dash. Check engine, traction control, ABS, at oil temp, and incline assist. I took it to Autozone to get the codes read and the part it suggested was the transmission oil pressure sensor. I then took it to a t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2025
Vehicle died and would not move forward or in reverse. The engine locked up and had to be replaced. Recall to test engine and replace with thicker oil was performed 6000 miles previous to engine failure.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
ICCU failed and my car will not charge. The dealer has diagnosed this issue. Parts are not available to fix this issue. The problem has been reported to the manufacturer but they have no expected delivery date for the needed parts. I was told it could be months.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
The infotainment touchscreen in my 2018 Subaru Legacy experiences “ghost touch,” where the screen registers inputs without driver interaction and becomes unresponsive. While driving, the screen changes settings on its own and distracts the driver. As a result of the touchscreen malfunction, critical safety features including Blind Spot Warning and Lane Keeping Assistance became disabled. This... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
The infotainment touchscreen in my 2018 Subaru Legacy experiences “ghost touch,” where the screen registers inputs without driver interaction and becomes unresponsive. While driving, the screen changes settings on its own and distracts the driver. As a result of the touchscreen malfunction, critical safety features including Blind Spot Warning and Lane Keeping Assistance became disabled. This... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
My vehicle recently experienced a sudden flashing check engine light, severe misfiring, and rough engine operation, creating an unsafe driving condition. An inspection by an authorized GMC dealership, Serra Buick GMC Champaign, confirmed a failed deactivating valve lifter on Cylinder 5, documenting that the lifter ceased movement after a single engine rotation. The dealership advised that the fail... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
My 2023 Ford Explorer ST has rolled while parked, turned off, and in Park, with the electronic parking brake engaged. This has occurred multiple times on my residential driveway, which has an approximate 20-degree slope, during light snow conditions. On one occasion, the vehicle rolled backward down the driveway and into the street after being parked and shut off. On another occasion, it rolled f... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V586000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact researched online and determined that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware o... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2025
While driving my Subaru Ascent, a check engine warning light appeared on the dashboard. Shortly afterward, I noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. I immediately pulled over and turned the vehicle off. Within moments, flames began coming from under the hood. The fire spread rapidly, and within 5-10 minutes the entire vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. The fire originated from the eng... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
While driving around 45 mph, the truck down shifted into first gear without notice and almost caused the vehicle behind me to hit me as my vehicle decelerated quickly with no break lights. This happened two other times until I searched to see what the problem was to find out that Ford had a recall on this but it wasn't labeled as a safety one. How is that not a safety recall? Ford only had the ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
Light from recessed LED headlights becomes obscured by packed snow when traveling in a snowstorm. LED lamp does not emit enough heat to keep clear. Loss of light is gradual and can reach an unsafe level almost without notice.
Incident date: Jan 18, 2026
F150 errors shifting, clunky shifts. Transmission rebuild at 105,000 mi, then again at 160,000 mi, then again at 163,000 miles. And total replacement at 163,300 mi.
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
transmission started jerking & went out leaving me stranded.
Incident date: Jun 11, 2025
Upper part to the Front grille detached from bumper while driving, causing loud impact on windshield (cracking it) and scratching hood.
Incident date: Jun 11, 2025
While at a Stop as the engine turns off and awaits decompression of brake to turn on again vehicle moves forward bit, then the engine shuts down while in drive (stalls) had a vehicle hit me in rear but luckily I had my trailer hitch on because it saved me from body damage . I had to place in park and restart this has happened several times before and I’m kinda nervous and makes my wife nervous w... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 11, 2025
While at a Stop as the engine turns off and awaits decompression of brake to turn on again vehicle moves forward bit, then the engine shuts down while in drive (stalls) had a vehicle hit me in rear but luckily I had my trailer hitch on because it saved me from body damage . I had to place in park and restart this has happened several times before and I’m kinda nervous and makes my wife nervous w... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Sienna. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V668000 (Seats); 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 experienced a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
The lane assist system causes unintended steering intervention, actively pulling the vehicle toward hazards and off the roadway. The vehicle forcefully steers toward turning lanes, skid marks, and normal road markings, creating a serious safety risk. This behavior occurs at speed and is terrifying and dangerous. The same behavior occurred in a Range Rover loaner vehicle of a different model, indi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2025
Our 2017 Acura MDX has developed a crank rod bearing knock. Fox Acura in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has advised that our vehicle’s VIN is not included in service bulletin 23 036 concerning connecting rod bearing failure, despite evidence that similar failures have occurred in Acura 3.5 liter engines outside the bulletin’s listed VIN range. I intend to submit a safety complaint to the NTSB regardi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2025
On the morning of December 13, 2026, an incident occurred involving our 2024 Subaru Forester. While attempting to make a right-hand turn, the vehicle failed to decelerate as expected and subsequently struck a utility pole. The vehicle’s safety systems did not appear to activate in an effort to prevent the collision, and the airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries, including ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2025
On the morning of December 13, 2026, an incident occurred involving our 2024 Subaru Forester. While attempting to make a right-hand turn, the vehicle failed to decelerate as expected and subsequently struck a utility pole. The vehicle’s safety systems did not appear to activate in an effort to prevent the collision, and the airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries, including ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
Clutch slave cylinder started leaking leading to a sticking clutch pedal, making it difficult to engage the transmission with the engine, and a lower brake/clutch fluid level which could have caused braking issues if the fluid got too low.
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
1. The under carriage has corroded creating a safety hazard. Senior dealer representative indicated verbally that 2010-2014 models years are the most prone. 2. If the under carriage fails the engine and transmission could fall out of the car potentially creating a serious issue. 3. The dealer brought the issue to my attention after performing an inspection of the car. 4. I was unaware of the issu... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
1. The under carriage has corroded creating a safety hazard. Senior dealer representative indicated verbally that 2010-2014 models years are the most prone. 2. If the under carriage fails the engine and transmission could fall out of the car potentially creating a serious issue. 3. The dealer brought the issue to my attention after performing an inspection of the car. 4. I was unaware of the issu... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
Peterbilt has a recall 24V190 for the right hand shifter stalk. This VIN is not on the recall list however it does have the defective shift stalk and has been replaced 3 times prior to the recall. The most recent replacement was 8/20/24 replaced with the same defective part #. How do I get this truck on the recall list?
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
My Multi-Purpose Camera System has gone bad after only 5 years. Collision mitigation, cruise control, brake system, lane keep assist, among other safety features are failing because of this.
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
Unknown: engine slips, got mechanic to look at it and he showed me where a part of the camshaft is ground down to almost nothing. He says it doesn't work like it is supposed, he has worked on many dodge vehicales that have this problem, and I need a new camshaft. Which entails taking timing chain off and an expensive repair.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
My 2017 Chevy Volt stalled, wont charge, safely concerns. safety-related special coverage is being denied by local Chevy dealer. Check Engine light codes U2603-06, U2623, well known issue in chevy volt community, that points to Chevy faulty BECM. Chevy replace these to some selected 2016-2018 vehicles, but they wont cover mine, while I have same exact issue. Please help to push on Chevy to cover a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH on the highway, the contact was alerted by the message “Eyesight Technology Failure”, before the battery shut down, causing the steering wheel to seize, forcing the contact to come to a complete stop in the middle of the highway. The check engine, air bags, and oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
The paint, there was a recall in the last but my vehicle isn’t apart of it but I have a silver 2018 Hyundai Elantra and my paint is just peeling like crazy! It’s peeling all of the good the roof and now starting in the back of the trunk where the rear window is located. It is starting to rust on the hood.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
The transmission on our 2021 Subaru Ascent is slipping and failing to accelerate, RPMs reving, and every issue indicator notification light is on. We took the car to our mechanic, then to the Subaru dealership service dept for diagnosis. A full transmission replacement is required plus associated repairs for a cost of $14,543.98. Service estimate attached. This repair is more than 2/3 of the val... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
The transmission on our 2021 Subaru Ascent is slipping and failing to accelerate, RPMs reving, and every issue indicator notification light is on. We took the car to our mechanic, then to the Subaru dealership service dept for diagnosis. A full transmission replacement is required plus associated repairs for a cost of $14,543.98. Service estimate attached. This repair is more than 2/3 of the val... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The service shifter warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that when the gear shifter was shifted into park, the vehicle rolled backwards. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
There was a recall on this vehicle from 2022, and we did not own this vehicle at that time. Recall passenger side airbag contact under seat can cause fire or electrical issues. I contacted Subaru and they said the recall was satisfied in 2022. If that's the case, the repair piece must have been faulty as the issue has come back. The dealership I took the car to said they have seen about 4 of this... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
There was a recall on this vehicle from 2022, and we did not own this vehicle at that time. Recall passenger side airbag contact under seat can cause fire or electrical issues. I contacted Subaru and they said the recall was satisfied in 2022. If that's the case, the repair piece must have been faulty as the issue has come back. The dealership I took the car to said they have seen about 4 of this... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The driver was able to restart the vehicle after several minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed, and the vehicle passed the oil consu... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
In reference to Safety Recall N252494000 L87 Engine Loss of Propulsion... vehicle passed the recall test. But 2500 miles after the test the engine failed. Per dealership, awaiting new engine.
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Lexus LX 600. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V767000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer and the manufacturer offered a stipend for a rental. The contact deferred on renting a vehicle. The contact stated that t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Solterra. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V577000 (VISIBILITY) and 25V744000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repairs. However, the contact was informed that the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact stated that the man... Read more