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 1, 2022
Driving on the highway all of a sudden my windshield cracked. It was due to stress nothing hit the window
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Driving on the highway all of a sudden my windshield cracked. It was due to stress nothing hit the window
Incident date: Jun 30, 2022
Three times within a 1 year period, the windshield cracked without an object hitting it. First time in July, 2021, second time in September, 2021, and third time in June, 2022. After the first time, I had the windshield replaced at my own expense. The second time, Subaru completed the replacement at no cost. The third time, Subaru completed the replacement but refused to pay for it, claiming that ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
The front subframe is rusted through on the driver's and passenger side. I am arranging to have it replaced now so it may not be available for inspection in the near future. A collapse of the subframe would obviously be a serious safety issue. I am a fairly competent amateur mechanic and found this issue myself. I've seen several instances of this discussed in online forums. This is the commu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2022
Upon placing the vehicle in park, the key will not be released from the ignition. This has happened intermittently for months. The vehicle has not yet been inspected, but I do believe this is a known issue with this model/year, along with other Subaru models/years. I have had to leave me key in the ignition with the vehicle unlocked, on city streets, due to having to make work appointments on t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2022
I am experiencing battery drain. I have replaced the battery and had the starter and alternator checked. Everything is fine, but the battery continues to drain inappropriately. Yes, the battery and electrical system are available for inspectioon. My son and I have been left stranded on multiple occasions, risking our safety. The vehicle was inspected and the problem confirmed by an independent ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2021
I believe Low Beam Head lights must be carefully inspected in low light environments, when driving at around 60mph at 2 lanes highway where you cannot use high beam lights, the sight is clear at the sides of the road but its to low down at at the speed driven if something shows up at the road it would be impossible to see and to stop at a safe distance. I believe the lights from your car ahead are... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2022
Touch screen began to get bubbles underneath factory glass and is causing spontaneous touch-activation and inability to use touch screen. This also affects navigation and other issues. Might cause an accident.
Incident date: Jul 15, 2022
The gas pedal and brake pedal are not adjustable due to them being digitally programmed. The position of the brake is higher than the gas pedal, which causes stress on my knee, ankle, and hip joints and has caused me significant pain so I can't drive. The gas pedal needs to be pressed hard to get the car going, which has been causing me knee pain. I asked the Premier Subaru of Fremont, where I le... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2022
The gas pedal and brake pedal are not adjustable due to them being digitally programmed. The position of the brake is higher than the gas pedal, which causes stress on my knee, ankle, and hip joints and has caused me significant pain so I can't drive. The gas pedal needs to be pressed hard to get the car going, which has been causing me knee pain. I asked the Premier Subaru of Fremont, where I le... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2022
Battery is draining for no apparent reason. As stated in several class action law suits, defects in these vehicles ( Subaru Outback 2015-2020) cause the batteries to drain, replacement batteries also drain. The Subaru Outback battery drains because of the Controller area network (CAN). When the vehicle is shut off, the CAN system should enter sleep mode so only a limited amount of electrical cu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2022
I have the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, which is supposed to have "Gorilla Glass" for the windshield (which looks like two windshields sandwiched together), but only the outer glass was cracked. The windshield developed a cracked starting from the mid-height passenger side edge, and continued towards the driver side, stopping just prior to the middle of the windshield and then looping under. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Windshield cracked completely without impact
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2013) — STEERING
Jul 14, 2022
Incident date: Dec 9, 2021
The stall led to a collision, bent cam shaft and need for total engine repair.
Crash
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2013) — ENGINE
Jul 14, 2022
Incident date: Dec 9, 2021
The stall led to a collision, bent cam shaft and need for total engine repair.
Crash
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2013) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jul 14, 2022
Incident date: Dec 9, 2021
The stall led to a collision, bent cam shaft and need for total engine repair.
Crash
Incident date: Dec 9, 2021
Recall on my 2020 Subaru Ascent was more than 7 months ago. The remedy is not available at my local dealership because SUBARU of America, Inc. has not sent them the remedy. This is my only vehicle and I must use it but is it safe?
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
On July 13,2022, while easing into a parking slot with foot on the pedal brake, with final stop and reaching to shift gear into parking mode, my 2019 Crosstrek engine suddenly accelerated and made the car surge forward. My brake pedal was on the floor with no response and the car continued to shoot pass the curb and sidewalk onto a vegetation embankment, heading towards the building and its glass ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact heard a ding on the windshield as a horizontal crack formed on the middle, passenger side windshield. The crack expanded to the driver’s side of the windshield and the contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the windshield replaced. After the repair, two small chips were formed on the windshield whi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2021
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE THE CONSUMER PLACED THE REQUEST.*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
Incident date: Jul 3, 2022
The windshield cracks after being struck by minor objects. The windshield does not chip when struck with objects. One crack appeared without being struck by an object. It showed up from the bottom of the windshield is growing.
Incident date: Jul 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked over night under a car port the next morning it was discovered that the front windshield had developed multiple cracks. The contact indicated that no objects had made contact with the windshield to cause the cracks to occur. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contac... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the battery was continually being drained and needed to be recharged frequently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, a cause for the failure was not determined. The dealer recharged the battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure with electrical syste... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2022
My SRS airbag light came on and said it needed to be inspected. Notably, this issue is similar to a prior recall of this vehicle that I had repaired. The Subaru dealership indicated that the bottom of the seat needed replaced and that the airbag may not function properly until this is fixed; however, they also noted that the part won't be in stick until October/November. This seems like a huge saf... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2022
My SRS airbag light came on and said it needed to be inspected. Notably, this issue is similar to a prior recall of this vehicle that I had repaired. The Subaru dealership indicated that the bottom of the seat needed replaced and that the airbag may not function properly until this is fixed; however, they also noted that the part won't be in stick until October/November. This seems like a huge saf... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2022
on 7/9/22 @ 6:00p I was with my wife & 2 grandsons going into a diner parking lot. as I was slowly going into a spot the car suddenly and without warning accelerated causing the car to drive over a cement parking stop, over a 1foot high cement wall, through a chain linked fence which had privacy covering, down into a 12 deep ravine. after shutting off the car my grandsons, wife & myself had to cra... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 9, 2022
on 7/9/22 @ 6:00p I was with my wife & 2 grandsons going into a diner parking lot. as I was slowly going into a spot the car suddenly and without warning accelerated causing the car to drive over a cement parking stop, over a 1foot high cement wall, through a chain linked fence which had privacy covering, down into a 12 deep ravine. after shutting off the car my grandsons, wife & myself had to cra... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 9, 2022
on 7/9/22 @ 6:00p I was with my wife & 2 grandsons going into a diner parking lot. as I was slowly going into a spot the car suddenly and without warning accelerated causing the car to drive over a cement parking stop, over a 1foot high cement wall, through a chain linked fence which had privacy covering, down into a 12 deep ravine. after shutting off the car my grandsons, wife & myself had to cra... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
1. Front Windshield cracks easily instead of chipping. Appears to be under pressure in a strange way and it cracks then starts to delaminate. I had 2 windshields replaced within 30 days. Water also starts to enter the crack and it impacts the wiper blades when in use. 2. Center Info-Tainment system in underpowered to the degree that touch response is laggy to the degree to be dangerous. With all ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
1. Front Windshield cracks easily instead of chipping. Appears to be under pressure in a strange way and it cracks then starts to delaminate. I had 2 windshields replaced within 30 days. Water also starts to enter the crack and it impacts the wiper blades when in use. 2. Center Info-Tainment system in underpowered to the degree that touch response is laggy to the degree to be dangerous. With all ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
Driving and thought I heard slight cracking noises, couldn't figure out what it was. About 2 minutes later a huge crack about 18" spontaneously appeared from the passenger side of the windshield to nearly the middle of the windshield. No rocks or impact, just out of nowhere.
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2013) — STEERING
Jul 13, 2022
Incident date: Dec 9, 2021
involved in a collision, possibly related to the stall issues mentioned in the collision. Reported to the insurance. They are pending repair on the matter due to recall and entire engine was required, which is more than the car is valued for.
Crash
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2013) — ENGINE
Jul 13, 2022
Incident date: Dec 9, 2021
involved in a collision, possibly related to the stall issues mentioned in the collision. Reported to the insurance. They are pending repair on the matter due to recall and entire engine was required, which is more than the car is valued for.
Crash
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2013) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jul 13, 2022
Incident date: Dec 9, 2021
involved in a collision, possibly related to the stall issues mentioned in the collision. Reported to the insurance. They are pending repair on the matter due to recall and entire engine was required, which is more than the car is valued for.
Crash
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
The battery of the car keep dying, leaving us stranded in what could possibly be unsafe situations. We have gotten the battery checked out numerous times at the dealership, plus got a battery replacement in October 2020 but it still keeps occurring. This is a 2017 Outback with less than 30,000 miles, so should not be happening.
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
The battery of the car keep dying, leaving us stranded in what could possibly be unsafe situations. We have gotten the battery checked out numerous times at the dealership, plus got a battery replacement in October 2020 but it still keeps occurring. This is a 2017 Outback with less than 30,000 miles, so should not be happening.
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outlook. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disc... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
On the week of February 24th, 2022 we had a snow/ice storm that caused significant buildup on my windshield and after clearing it off and running the defrost and I noticed cracking on the windshield. I have heard of several consumers that have had problems with Subaru windshields around the same time (2015-2019) and were having the same cracking issues for the same defrost issue and cracking with... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 stated that the transmission was jerking and hesitatin... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2022
The transmission is slipping and lunges forward, I believe this is the same reason there was a recall for my model car in 2019 & 2020. I have reported this to the car dealership and it will be placed in their service department tomorrow... I was carrying five (5) passengers in the car when it lunged forward and I almost rear ended the car in front of me and was also rear ended because I had to a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2022
The transmission is slipping and lunges forward, I believe this is the same reason there was a recall for my model car in 2019 & 2020. I have reported this to the car dealership and it will be placed in their service department tomorrow... I was carrying five (5) passengers in the car when it lunged forward and I almost rear ended the car in front of me and was also rear ended because I had to a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2022
This issue has happen 2 other times one time last year where Suburu Tow Truck had to be called, 2nd time May 2022 in Larchmont, NY and a Police Office Had To Come Help Me. And, the 3rd time on July 4, 2022, in the super market of Key Food, Throggsneck, NY a stranger had to help me. When, I park my car and I turn off my ignition and the steering wheel is to the left it will lock. The manual says ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2022
This issue has happen 2 other times one time last year where Suburu Tow Truck had to be called, 2nd time May 2022 in Larchmont, NY and a Police Office Had To Come Help Me. And, the 3rd time on July 4, 2022, in the super market of Key Food, Throggsneck, NY a stranger had to help me. When, I park my car and I turn off my ignition and the steering wheel is to the left it will lock. The manual says ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2022
My 2012 Subaru forester had a recall on my passenger air bag that I had completed February 2019. It is now July 2022 and it’s displaying the same codes for a faulty air bag per my mechanic. I contacted Subaru of America and they stated that it’s not their problem because they have already complied with the recall. Clearly there is still an issue with the air bag or it would not have the same s... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2022
Rear suspension is garbage, is rusted and broken and seized to the vehicle. The spring has fallen off the strut. Did not know what the weird noise was, but apparently it is the rear suspension. Cannot use the vehicle until repaired, was not notified of the brake sensor recall, and this part should be recalled as well. I want a reimbursement for my expenses to repair this faulty suspension
Incident date: Jul 9, 2022
Windshield cracked for no reason. While driving turning on ram windshield cracked
Incident date: Jul 7, 2022
Rear axle seal was leaking. Found during oil change and tire rotation. Vehicle has 47,000 miles.
Incident date: Jul 9, 2022
Car has repeated failed to start due to drained battery. Battery is drained by system. This has occurred dozens of times since the car was purchased new. Date of most recent occurrence is listed below.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2022
The battery loses its charge so that the car will not start if I don’t drive the car at least once or twice a week. The battery and electric system of the car was checked July 11, 2022 at the Bay Ridge Subaru dealership in Brooklyn, NY and all systems were found to be normal and good, including the battery. The battery is only 1 year old and is under a 30 month warranty. The Subaru service tech... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2022
Windshield development a crack about 12 inches long without any known impact. It just popped and cracked by itself. Conditions were normal, no extreme heat or cold.