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: Jul 6, 2022
Touch screen driver information system has random display and audible warnings. Audio and navigation display cannot be controlled and does random radio channels and map displays. The screen developed bubbles under the front panel that appears to activate the touch sensor for the display. This condition is very distracting to the driver and might cause unsafe vehicle operation. The constant displa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2022
windshield suddenly cracked and I need to replace it
Incident date: Aug 14, 2022
We notice on the morning of 8/14 /2022 that our Subaru Outback 2020 had a substantial crack in the windshield .The car was parked overnight in the garage. We called the Burlington Subaru dealer( as per advice from Subaru Consumer line) The dealer spokesperson(Erika) took our information and said a pre - approval person from the dealer ship will call us to discuss if the windshield would be cove... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2022
My windshield cracked and I got it repaired on 7/7/22. The tech said it was a caused by a stress fracture. I got the windshield replaced and within a month on 8/4/22, I got another crack. I thought it must be an installation problem but Safelite told me it was another stress fracture. That same week I got another crack in the windshield, said to be another stress fracture. It seemed strange to me ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the key was in the ignition with the transmission in park(P) with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle moved inadvertently. The failure occurred while the vehicle was on an incline. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not ma... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2022
The electronic parking brake disengages on it's own after being set. After putting the vehicle in park and pulling on the EPB switch, the light comes on for a short time, then turns off. Attempting to re-engage it results in the same thing, it comes on briefly then disengages without being touched.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2022
Tires worn to wear bar 2/32 to 4/32 in in 28,000 miles. At severe risk for hydroplaning and possible accident related to all tires with premature wear. This is second full set of Michelin tires that have worn prematurely. The tires have been inspected by Costco tires which is the purchasing dealer. I have called the manufacture also Aug 18, 2022. They have started a warranty but was told it would ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2022
It was a few days ago, the vehicle suddenly have shuttering or sputtering type of noise when accelerating from a stop. During the drive, I also started to hear a creaking type of noise. This became worse when accelerating uphill. I took the car to a Subaru dealership, and the service technician reproduced these problems. He then detected an transmission related error code P0841. He replaced the se... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2022
Persistent battery drain. Car was jumped a week ago because it wouldn't start at all. It has been sluggish to start (turns over a couple times before catching) since and had a major error with the rear hatch today despite starting up. Power rear hatch will alarm as open but then cannot be opened with key fob, button in car, or button on hatch. The rear alarm will ring consistently until car has be... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
I was driving home and heard loud creaking and grinding noises from the front of the car, especially when I was turning or braking. I did use it the next day and it sounded worse. I brought the car to my local repair shop and was told that the problem was a crack in the front sub frame. I did not have an accident or hit anything.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where an inspection was performed but nothing was replaced. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speed, the lower control arm cracked. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the l... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
Pulled into parking space in shopping mall. The car accelerated over the curb and ran into a store front knocking out a wall. The car was still in Drive when it came to a stop. No one was hurt in the car, on the sidewalk or in the store. There is a class action law suit on this model of Subaru for uncontrolled/sudden acceleration while coming to a stop, but Subaru does not acknowledge any prob... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
BATTERY DRAINS constantly and car will not start. This has happened several times the past month. I understand that it is an ongoing issue with other Subaru's. This is dangerous and must be fixed. This issue has happened 3 times in 2 weeks. 8/1, 8/13, 8/15/2022
Incident date: Aug 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while attempting to park her vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The vehicle ran through both the parking lot fence and a fence located on private property. The contact made multiple attempts to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle continued accel... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while attempting to park her vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The vehicle ran through both the parking lot fence and a fence located on private property. The contact made multiple attempts to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle continued accel... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 18, 2022
The front windshield developed a crack. It was not struck or damaged in any way - it appeared out of nowhere. The crack spreads quickly and the windshield must be replaced. This has happened to countless other Subaru Outback owners. The volume of broken windshields must be caused by some defect on the manufacturer’s side.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
My 2021 Subaru Outback vehicle is subject to a recall for engine harness and ECM replacement, according to Subaru. I took my car in twice to the dealership and it was unable to perform the recall repair. That dealership told me that the issue presents no safety problem - is that true? (The current recall of 2022s sound like there is a safety issue.) Your website says my repair was performed. Tha... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
My 2021 Subaru Outback vehicle is subject to a recall for engine harness and ECM replacement, according to Subaru. I took my car in twice to the dealership and it was unable to perform the recall repair. That dealership told me that the issue presents no safety problem - is that true? (The current recall of 2022s sound like there is a safety issue.) Your website says my repair was performed. Tha... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2022
I was driving down the highway with no other vehicles around me. Suddenly, the middle of the windshield cracked from the bottom edge up and toward the passenger side. The car was parked overnight, and the crack spread further toward the driver side, directly in my sight line. There are 4,300 miles on the car.
Incident date: Aug 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated the low lever oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and he stated that the oil was low in the engine and more oil was added to the engine. The contact stated that in less than 5,000 miles the vehicle had burned all the oil in the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side front seat and air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side front seat and air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side front seat and air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2022
There are various lights on on the dash of the vehicle when nothing is seemingly inherently wrong with the vehicle. I notified the dealership about this issue, the dealership claimed that special parts were ordered but I still have not been notifed of their arrival. This puts my safety at risk due to the fact that I am not sure wether the car actually has an issue, or if it is a mere malfunction. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2022
There are various lights on on the dash of the vehicle when nothing is seemingly inherently wrong with the vehicle. I notified the dealership about this issue, the dealership claimed that special parts were ordered but I still have not been notifed of their arrival. This puts my safety at risk due to the fact that I am not sure wether the car actually has an issue, or if it is a mere malfunction. ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2022
Purchased car on 8/15/2022 and encountering issues with: 1. oil in the air when engine is turned on 2. Onion smell when engine is turned on 3. AC if affected by oil and onion smell ; too hot when sitting in car with engine on ..sulfur? 4. Please check the gas tank for possible leak. 5. 3-yr old grandson is affected by onion, oil and possible exhaust fumes leaking into the interior of the car. Dayc... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2022
Purchased car on 8/15/2022 and encountering issues with: 1. oil in the air when engine is turned on 2. Onion smell when engine is turned on 3. AC if affected by oil and onion smell ; too hot when sitting in car with engine on ..sulfur? 4. Please check the gas tank for possible leak. 5. 3-yr old grandson is affected by onion, oil and possible exhaust fumes leaking into the interior of the car. Dayc... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2022
Purchased car on 8/15/2022 and encountering issues with: 1. oil in the air when engine is turned on 2. Onion smell when engine is turned on 3. AC if affected by oil and onion smell ; too hot when sitting in car with engine on ..sulfur? 4. Please check the gas tank for possible leak. 5. 3-yr old grandson is affected by onion, oil and possible exhaust fumes leaking into the interior of the car. Dayc... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2022
My battery continues to drain prematurely. It’s been replaced twice within the year, and I just took it in for a 3rd time and the Subaru service department cannot diagnose the problem claiming my batteries were bad. There has to be an electrical problem. I’ve never owned a car with this issue and it’s less than 3 years old. It’s left me stranded with my children.
Incident date: Aug 14, 2022
Windshield is extremely soft and cracks easily. In less than 1.5 years I've owned the car I've gotten 3 chips/cracks and now a 4th major one that requires a full replacement. No car previously owned ever had this issue, not even the previous Subaru. After searching online this seems to be a common problem in Subarus, as there was a class action suit for earlier models. Yes, car is currently availa... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated after entering the vehicle it was discovered that the front windshield had developed a crack extending approximately four inches from the top of the windshield to the rearview mirror attachment. The contact indicated that no object or rocks had made contact with the windshield to cause the crack. The cause of the failure was not determin... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
Battery discharges too quickly, leaving me with a car that won't start. I've already replaced the battery once - to the tune of over $300 because I needed roadside assistance - and I'm looking at having to do it again. I've been stranded multiple times and have had to find someone to jump start my car. I just ordered a $200 car jumper so I don't get stranded again.
Incident date: Aug 16, 2022
Battery dies every couple months despite nothing being on without vehicle on.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
Over the last month or two the battery has been going dead over night, and sometimes almost immediately after parking it. I understand that there is a class action law suit pending on this issue, and I understand Subaru will replace the cheap small battery with another cheap small battery which is only kicking the can down the road since as far as I know not fixing the underlying electrical issue... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2022
Windshield has a known cracking issue
Incident date: Aug 16, 2022
UNKNOWN- Car electrical system drains battery to the point, after short drives, does not have sufficient amperage to start motor. No problem with battery, replaced many times, Took vehicle to dealer to trace issue and was told no issue. I found a class action Lawsuit that describe the same issue on multiple car models including mine. My spouse is a handicapped driver and has been left stranded,... Read more
Incident date: Feb 23, 2022
Windshield cracked starting in the lower middle of the windshield. Crack started from underneath the rubber edge and grew straight up, then out to either side within a matter of days.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, a small rock hit the bottom, driver side of the windshield. The next day, the contact stated that the crack had formed and spread vertically along the driver-side windshield. The crack had obstructed the contact's vision while driving at various speeds. The dealer was notified of the failure and... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
Replaced 2 new batteries in 6 months. Batteries went totally dead. Batteries wer replaced by independent shop. Dealer changed battery to a subaru oem battery, checked system, said everything ok. Read about complaints about subaru batteries going dead months apart. Want to find out if there is a defect in subarus.
Incident date: Aug 9, 2022
2019 Subaru Outback. On 8/9/22 I was Driving on interstate and a tiny crack appeared in mid to lower left corner of windshield. Called dealer immediately because it is my second windshield—the first one was covered in 2020 under warranty after It spontaneously cracked. On 8/9/22 I called my insurance while driving (hands free) and they made same day appointment but Safe Lite could not repair th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2022
2019 Subaru Outback. On 8/9/22 I was Driving on interstate and a tiny crack appeared in mid to lower left corner of windshield. Called dealer immediately because it is my second windshield—the first one was covered in 2020 under warranty after It spontaneously cracked. On 8/9/22 I called my insurance while driving (hands free) and they made same day appointment but Safe Lite could not repair th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
The car set overnight (was fine) next AM no electrical. Everything locked except driver's door and passenger door. No battery charge at all. Everything DEAD.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
The car set overnight (was fine) next AM no electrical. Everything locked except driver's door and passenger door. No battery charge at all. Everything DEAD.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
The car set overnight (was fine) next AM no electrical. Everything locked except driver's door and passenger door. No battery charge at all. Everything DEAD.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
steering wheel drifting to the right, wabbly, unstable car dealer AppleFord in MD) checked and stated on Saturday August 13, 2022 that no problem with car, i am still having this problem, called Subaru at 844-373-6614, talked to Alex and issue Case #220815-22645 i am not comfortable to drive this car with issue, please advise
Incident date: Aug 13, 2022
This vehicle has had two batteries replaced since it was bought in 5/2016. I believe is the same issue with the other newer models already in a lawsuit. I has left me stranded by failing to start without any warning, over four times because the car will charge work fine and then it died.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2022
Ignition key can not always be removed. If I turn the ignition back on it will usually release the key.
Incident date: Jun 28, 2022
After coming to a complete stop, the vehicle, a 2017 Subaru Forrester suddenly and without driver input surged forward. It crashed into a large garbage can directly in front of the vehicle, crushing it. It then continued forward crushing two whole-home air conditioning units and driving one of them into a brick wall, dislodging and breaking some of the bricks. The vehicle suffered considerable ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 2, 2022
Windshield cracked, what appears to be originated from the inside near the heating coil. Has spread horizontal about two-thirds of the windshield. Available for inspection upon request. Has not had any inspections yet. Can inhibit the eyesight if continues to spread.
Incident date: Nov 4, 2021
I drive this V little, but the steering wheel has repeatedly tried to jerk me into the left lane when tuning right and right when turning left! I stopped using cruise, but it still does it. I am an advanced driver, but don't low, if I could overcome this if it acted like some other 2020 Foresters I've read owners state have gone off the road and rolled over! Also the auto stop - start often shuts... Read more