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: Aug 6, 2022
Front subframe has rotted away in several spots. This makes the vehicle extremely unsafe to drive. With possible wheel loss or control of steering. Problem has been confirmed by independent repair shop during state inspection. No warning lights are on or possible for this issue. Issue was first noticed from noise coming from front of vehicle like rocks bouncing around, followed by strong pulling... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2022
Failure on multiple lug nuts due to rust and corroding bolts. The vehicle is mostly garaged, and exposed to the elements only when driven. For a < 68000 mile vehicle, this type of failure is on the higher side. Additionally, the lug nuts break when trying to open using company specific torque. The repair facilities advise me that it is a known Subaru issue. This is a safety hazard in that, if I am... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2022
I had to replace my windshield 4 months ago from a random crack that appeared for no apparent reason and I am now having to replace it again. It seems like this is happening to a lot of people with Subarus. I believe it is a safety issue.
Incident date: Jul 5, 2022
windshield cracked easily
Incident date: Aug 22, 2022
The front window delamined on the edge and per the Subaru glass expert it started on the edge, and now covers the window. Subaru is denying the claim.
Incident date: Aug 20, 2022
The car got overheated on 8/20/2022, because of the mechanical and design issue, specifically the coolant pipe and hose connection which got disconnected and blew up with force ejecting hot coolant liquid. The incident almost killed my husband. The hot liquid burned his abdomen and my face. He got transported by an ambulance, got admitted to a hospital, and got a 2nd-degree burner. This entire inc... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 2, 2022
Hey NHTSA! This needs to be looked into ASAP!! My windshield has broken twice now after getting hit with debris so small I couldn't even hear it hit. I've been driving for 24 years and I've never broke a windshield. The windshield on these is hilariously weak. After they get chipped the crack spreads to the whole windshield in a matter of a couple days. The cracks are also delaminating and letting... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2022
Spontaneous 18" windshield crack on the driver's side with no impact point noted. Completely unprovoked.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
Crack formed in windshield. Did not notice any chips or impact points. Crack formed on front right corner through the heated wiper blade rest. This seems to be an ongoing issue with Subaru.
Incident date: Aug 19, 2022
On August 19, 2022, approximately 11:30 a.m., after parking my 2022 Subaru Outback Limited in a private driveway, the windshield began cracking from the bottom edge and has grown 25 inches toward the center of the windshield. There was no impact to the windshield. The weather was moderately cool--74 degrees, slight mist precipitation (wiper use minimal), and no wind. And, my previous drive (as ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2022
Crack appeared on lower passenger section of windshield for no apparent reason. Windshield was replaced by certified repair center due to same issue a month ago with less than 2000 miles of driving.
Incident date: Aug 22, 2022
I purchased this vehicle brand new in August 2021 (so 1 year ago exactly). There is an issue with their windshields and cracking immediately the second you even get the smallest rock impact. Just today I got another one cracked across my entire windshield within seconds and the impact point is smaller than 1cm. This is my FIFTH windshield crack and replacement in ONE year. I am in insurance and in... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2022
The STARLINK 7-inch Multimedia Plus unit gets locked-up, sometime not responsive to touch, skips around to different songs, in a phantom way scans different radio stations, disconnects phone calls.
Incident date: Aug 20, 2022
The STARLINK 7-inch Multimedia Plus unit gets locked-up, sometime not responsive to touch, skips around to different songs, in a phantom way scans different radio stations, disconnects phone calls.
Incident date: Aug 21, 2022
We discovered a crack in the windshield this morning across the lower half of the passenger side. There was no sign of any impact, just the crack. The crack was not there when the vehicle was parked yesterday afternoon.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
Car accelerated unexpectedly causing a front end collision. Sudden acceleration had occurred previously without collision. No warning lights or emergency braking engages before collision
Crash
Incident date: Aug 20, 2022
I replaced my windshield in March 2022 due to a stone chip that immediately cracked to over a foot in length while I was driving. The chip was in the lower quadrant on the driver's side and ended up extending to about the center of the windshield. Five months later, I have another very large crack. I have no idea when this occurred and remember no instance that may have caused the crack. It starts... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2022
During small front end collision, car’s engine failed and car sparked a fire resulting in total loss of vehicle. California highway patrol was called and a report was filed. Insurance was contacted and conducted own investigation to rule car as a total loss. No prior warning lights or messages appeared prior to accident.
Fire
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
Our Subaru Forester is slow to respond on acceleration and then surges quickly. This problem just started to surface. Our concern is when stepping down on the accelerator the car is very slow to react and then surges forward quickly, creating a serious concern over a potential accident. On August 17, 2022 I was reversing up my driveway to the garage and as I depressed the accelerator the car f... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
Our Subaru Forester is slow to respond on acceleration and then surges quickly. This problem just started to surface. Our concern is when stepping down on the accelerator the car is very slow to react and then surges forward quickly, creating a serious concern over a potential accident. On August 17, 2022 I was reversing up my driveway to the garage and as I depressed the accelerator the car f... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
Our Subaru Forester is slow to respond on acceleration and then surges quickly. This problem just started to surface. Our concern is when stepping down on the accelerator the car is very slow to react and then surges forward quickly, creating a serious concern over a potential accident. On August 17, 2022 I was reversing up my driveway to the garage and as I depressed the accelerator the car f... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2022
I pulled into a parking space with a friend and as I turned the wheel to pull in and had the foot on the break, as soon as I let up on the brake the car lurched forward. Luckily, I slammed back on the brake since my foot has just come off it. This was very scary as I came close to ramming into the car parked in front of me. There is no way that I hit the gas and made it lurch like it did. The car ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2022
I pulled into a parking space with a friend and as I turned the wheel to pull in and had the foot on the break, as soon as I let up on the brake the car lurched forward. Luckily, I slammed back on the brake since my foot has just come off it. This was very scary as I came close to ramming into the car parked in front of me. There is no way that I hit the gas and made it lurch like it did. The car ... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2018
Since 2018 we starting noticing random power loss and every time we took vehicle to dealership for maintenance, they could never find an issue. The loss of power began at random as well went up hills. It felt as if there was something blocking the engine from preforming as intended. Maybe poor air flow or turbo lag. We would let go of accelerator because it felt as if the car was going to stall. T... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2018
Since 2018 we starting noticing random power loss and every time we took vehicle to dealership for maintenance, they could never find an issue. The loss of power began at random as well went up hills. It felt as if there was something blocking the engine from preforming as intended. Maybe poor air flow or turbo lag. We would let go of accelerator because it felt as if the car was going to stall. T... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2022
Noticed sputtering in my car. Took it to dealership. I was told I needed condenser and compressor. When googled, there was a recall for condenser for Subaru Forester 2017 model. The dealership told me that it’s only vin# specific for that reason not covered under recall. That was a shock. Same model and year but they would only cover certain vin #? For the same known issue? Why? It should cover ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2022
I recently purchased a used Subaru Forester with about 92k miles. About two weeks after purchase, I took it to a Subaru dealership and a multi point inspection revealed a cracked catalytic converter. The tech stated that this was discovered by visual inspection. This failure causes a safety issue by leaking exhaust vapors into the cabin. This failure occurred with no warning lamps or messages/... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2022
I recently purchased a used Subaru Forester with about 92k miles. About two weeks after purchase, I took it to a Subaru dealership and a multi point inspection revealed a cracked catalytic converter. The tech stated that this was discovered by visual inspection. This failure causes a safety issue by leaking exhaust vapors into the cabin. This failure occurred with no warning lamps or messages/... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2022
I recently purchased a used Subaru Forester with about 92k miles. About two weeks after purchase, I took it to a Subaru dealership and a multi point inspection revealed a cracked catalytic converter. The tech stated that this was discovered by visual inspection. This failure causes a safety issue by leaking exhaust vapors into the cabin. This failure occurred with no warning lamps or messages/... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2022
Battery has died 3x in 7500miles of driving Subaru states battery is fine.
Incident date: Aug 6, 2022
Battery has paracitic draw caused by ECU problem. Battery dies if not driven every day.
Incident date: Aug 18, 2022
I arrived at my destination. I turned the ignition OFF. The engine turned OFF. I opened the driver's door and the engine turned ON. I did not turn the ignition ON. I again turned the ignition OFF. This time the engine remained OFF.
Incident date: Aug 18, 2022
I arrived at my destination. I turned the ignition OFF. The engine turned OFF. I opened the driver's door and the engine turned ON. I did not turn the ignition ON. I again turned the ignition OFF. This time the engine remained OFF.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
Crack in windshield while car was parked overnight on 8/17/22. It is an upside down U-shape crack starting in the center, and one side propagating all the way down and other side about half that. The crack can be felt. There is no evidence of a rock or anything else hitting the windshield. Planning to have it replaced in two days.
Incident date: Aug 18, 2022
Electrical (dead battery) issues. On 4 or 5 different days during the last 3 years, I have attempted to start my car and found the battery completely drained. In March of 2022, I replaced the battery at my own expense ($235.30). I assumed this would surely cure the problem. However, another dead battery on 8-18-22. I learned (at that time) there are numerous 2019 Subaru Ascent owners with sim... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2022
When starting it blows blue smoke out of tail pipes that lingers in the air. I Bought used on 7/23/22 and previous owner just said it did the same with them. It was taking to Subura dealer to be fixed and they don’t know what to do to fix it.
Incident date: Jul 23, 2022
When starting it blows blue smoke out of tail pipes that lingers in the air. I Bought used on 7/23/22 and previous owner just said it did the same with them. It was taking to Subura dealer to be fixed and they don’t know what to do to fix it.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while accelerating and shifting gears, the transmission was slipping. The contact stated that the vehicle would not immediately accelerate as designed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that the vehicle was serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the failure persisted.... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2022
The contact's wife owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was stopped in traffic when a semi-trailer collided with another vehicle, causing that vehicle to crash into the front end of her vehicle. It resulted in a four-vehicle collision. On impact, the contact's wife hit her head on the steering wheel. The air bags were no... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 6, 2020
Pretty much from day 1, Ascent smells of gasoline in the cabin after parking the car either inside or outside, shade or shine, hot or cold, day or night, flat or not surface.. after having parked it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a quick trip or a long one, it can still happen after parking. Fumes come out of the vents up front. The concerning part is we have a toddler, which I suspect the NHTSA w... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2020
Pretty much from day 1, Ascent smells of gasoline in the cabin after parking the car either inside or outside, shade or shine, hot or cold, day or night, flat or not surface.. after having parked it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a quick trip or a long one, it can still happen after parking. Fumes come out of the vents up front. The concerning part is we have a toddler, which I suspect the NHTSA w... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had n... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2022
Had the car for about 3 months, I was driving and the window chipped pretty easily. Got that window chip repaired, and not long after that, I noticed another chip happen, small one but the windshield should not be chipping this easily.
Incident date: Jul 5, 2022
My vehicle had the WUM98 Safety recall completed on March 09, 2020. In July 2022, the SRS system started giving error messages that the system needed to be checked. It seemed to reset when the vehicle was turned off and restarted. When it happened for the 3rd time in 3 weeks, I took it in to the Subaru Dealership where they found this: B1650 Perform Diag TSB#07-108-16R. They claimed that the s... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2022
My vehicle had the WUM98 Safety recall completed on March 09, 2020. In July 2022, the SRS system started giving error messages that the system needed to be checked. It seemed to reset when the vehicle was turned off and restarted. When it happened for the 3rd time in 3 weeks, I took it in to the Subaru Dealership where they found this: B1650 Perform Diag TSB#07-108-16R. They claimed that the s... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2022
My vehicle had the WUM98 Safety recall completed on March 09, 2020. In July 2022, the SRS system started giving error messages that the system needed to be checked. It seemed to reset when the vehicle was turned off and restarted. When it happened for the 3rd time in 3 weeks, I took it in to the Subaru Dealership where they found this: B1650 Perform Diag TSB#07-108-16R. They claimed that the s... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2022
Driving through a parking lot under 5mph, and the glass cracked with no warning or sign of anything hitting the windscreen.
Incident date: May 2, 2022
Intermittently unable to remove the keys from ignition after placing the car into Park and shutting off the engine. (Instances where keys remain stuck/locked in the ignition requiring someone to 'muscle' them out of there). I believe this is linked to a faulty sensor not allowing the keys to be released. Second complaint: The headset unit on the car, (starlink), has a touchscreen that no longer ... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2022
Intermittently unable to remove the keys from ignition after placing the car into Park and shutting off the engine. (Instances where keys remain stuck/locked in the ignition requiring someone to 'muscle' them out of there). I believe this is linked to a faulty sensor not allowing the keys to be released. Second complaint: The headset unit on the car, (starlink), has a touchscreen that no longer ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and coming to a stop, the vehicle shuddered and shut off. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact’s husband, an independent mechanic, replaced the spark plugs, ignition coils, and fuel filter; however, the failure reoccurred several times w... Read more