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: Mar 23, 2022
My vehicle had a recall on the lower control arms that would rust and and break. That is exactly what happened while I was driving with my family. Control arm broke causing other parts to get destroyed. The fender breaks and other parts. The recall was performed before hand but it obviously wasn’t repaired correctly because it caused me to crash. Dave wright auto Subaru retailer in Iowa is refus... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 23, 2022
My vehicle had a recall on the lower control arms that would rust and and break. That is exactly what happened while I was driving with my family. Control arm broke causing other parts to get destroyed. The fender breaks and other parts. The recall was performed before hand but it obviously wasn’t repaired correctly because it caused me to crash. Dave wright auto Subaru retailer in Iowa is refus... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 14, 2022
Car is 2 years old. Battery has died twice already. Dealership cannot find any issue other than dead battery. Dealer told me that dead batteries in short timeframes is a known issue with this car. Batteries draining for no apparent reason is a safety risk as it indicates a larger problem, namely a possible parasitic drain on the battery and/or faulty electrical components. Dealer cannot replicate... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that there was a crack on the windshield. There was no impact on the windshield that could have caused the crack. The contact took the vehicle to a windshield repair shop. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
I bought this used 2016 Subaru Outback about a year and a half ago from McCords Vancouver Dealership. I've had the battery dying problem ever since I got it. I have had to call AAA for jump starts. I took the car into my mechanic because the "change warning light" had been on when I turned off the ignition the night before, and it was still blinking the next morning when I came out to start the ca... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
I bought this used 2016 Subaru Outback about a year and a half ago from McCords Vancouver Dealership. I've had the battery dying problem ever since I got it. I have had to call AAA for jump starts. I took the car into my mechanic because the "change warning light" had been on when I turned off the ignition the night before, and it was still blinking the next morning when I came out to start the ca... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
I bought this used 2016 Subaru Outback about a year and a half ago from McCords Vancouver Dealership. I've had the battery dying problem ever since I got it. I have had to call AAA for jump starts. I took the car into my mechanic because the "change warning light" had been on when I turned off the ignition the night before, and it was still blinking the next morning when I came out to start the ca... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2022
On April 13th 2022, me and my wife were returning home. We were at a complete stop on a left only turn intersection red light (Spring-Cypress Rd & Telge Rd in Cypress, TX. Coordinates: 29.985660988461188, -95.65465736615674). There was a vehicle ahead of us and also behind us at the light. It was raining lightly and the roads were wet. When the light turned green we started slowly accelerating mak... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 13, 2022
On April 13th 2022, me and my wife were returning home. We were at a complete stop on a left only turn intersection red light (Spring-Cypress Rd & Telge Rd in Cypress, TX. Coordinates: 29.985660988461188, -95.65465736615674). There was a vehicle ahead of us and also behind us at the light. It was raining lightly and the roads were wet. When the light turned green we started slowly accelerating mak... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 13, 2022
On April 13th 2022, me and my wife were returning home. We were at a complete stop on a left only turn intersection red light (Spring-Cypress Rd & Telge Rd in Cypress, TX. Coordinates: 29.985660988461188, -95.65465736615674). There was a vehicle ahead of us and also behind us at the light. It was raining lightly and the roads were wet. When the light turned green we started slowly accelerating mak... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 1, 2022
Rear view mirror fell off while driving. There was no impact or otherwise cause for this to fall off. The mirror took a chunk of glass from the front windshield with it. Very dangerous.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2021
My windshield was cracked about 6” for no apparent reason when I examined the car on the morning of 9/4/2021. The crack expanded to over 18” by the time I was able to have the windshield replaced a week later.
Incident date: Apr 25, 2022
The windshield developed a crack that started at the right A Pillar center of glass and is about 18" long. There are no visible "impact" points from anything hitting the glass. There is no "star" either. I did not hear anything hit the glass. The fissure just appeared one day.
Incident date: Mar 5, 2022
My 2011 Subaru Outback with the automatic CVT transmission has recently started stalling and dying entirely when coming to an abrupt stop. Or even coming to a stop in general, regardless of speed. This having started within the last month or so around the begging of March, 2022. My vehicle has just passed the 10 year mark and is still currently under 100k miles, currently at 96k. After much resear... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2022
That main concern I have is the windshield. My windshield has been replaced once already and it seems no matter what speed or road we are traveling if anything hits the windshield it cracks. I am not talking a chip or little crack either I am talking tiny rock 45 mph crack halfway through the entire windshield. It can’t be that safe of safety glass if a pea gravel smashes it at 45mph. First time... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2022
That main concern I have is the windshield. My windshield has been replaced once already and it seems no matter what speed or road we are traveling if anything hits the windshield it cracks. I am not talking a chip or little crack either I am talking tiny rock 45 mph crack halfway through the entire windshield. It can’t be that safe of safety glass if a pea gravel smashes it at 45mph. First time... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2022
I own a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Premium. Today, I noticed a crack in my windshield as I got in my car in my garage. There was no impact to the windshield that could have caused the crack in the windshield, and the night before there was no crack visible. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired yet, and is pending review from the dealer. The crack began at the bottom right edge, the crack is roughl... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2022
A lot of the times when I am driving the car, it starts stallings until it turns off every time I try to stop. Sometimes when I am driving with my family I am afraid someone will hit my car, because it turn off. When im on freeways and alot of traffic jams im afraid because i have to stop alot and it turns off i have to always check behind so no one hits me. So please help on makeing this a reca... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2022
goodyear all season f1 p225/45 ZR 17 psgr right sidewall looks like a few chunks are missing and some tread from tire to sidewall is peeling
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
A combination of high temperature and exposure to sunlight is causing dashboard to become sticky/melted. The center for auto Safety is calling on car makers and the federal govement to address melting dashboards. The melting plastic coupled with sun glare makes it difficult to see through the windshield under certain conditions. I have the same issue that has been documented in the Nissan Alti... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2022
Windshield developed 12 inch crescent shaped crack overnight while parked under a clear sky.
Incident date: Apr 24, 2022
The vehicle is about 19 months old and has less than 15,000 miles. We were driving on the highway, passed a large truck, and a small rock got kicked up and hit the windshield near the top, just passenger-side of the eyesight camera. A 5 inch crack formed while we were driving and it grew another 2 inches before we made it to our destination. There is now a 7-in vertical crack in the windshield.
Incident date: Apr 27, 2022
Battery unexplainable discharged itself overnight. The vehicle was not running, all doors were closed and locked, and all lights were off.
Incident date: Apr 28, 2022
Over the last two-plus years I have found my 2018 Subaru Outback's battery dead or so low that it cannot crank the engine. I have had to replace the battery twice in that time, and have had AAA out at least four times to jump start the car without replacing the battery. Today, after sitting in my garage for about 10 days, the battery was so low that it would not crank over the engine. This is a t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2022
On my 2015 outback limited my SRVD off warning light is on and I have lost its function. I have not been in any kind of fender bender, it was taken to a state licensed shop and was told and have read in its Manuel it is a dealer repair issue. I have read other posts regarding same issue and the run around the dealer mechanics give to it’s customers. My car is available for inspection anytime if ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2022
On my 2015 outback limited my SRVD off warning light is on and I have lost its function. I have not been in any kind of fender bender, it was taken to a state licensed shop and was told and have read in its Manuel it is a dealer repair issue. I have read other posts regarding same issue and the run around the dealer mechanics give to it’s customers. My car is available for inspection anytime if ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2021
We bought this vehicle new and since we have had issues with the infotainment shutting down multiple times while driving. The infotainment screen along with all safety features associated with the electronic panel turn off. We have taken it to the dealership multiple times and keep getting told that they can't replicate the problem. We have recorded the issue and sent proof but Subaru manufactu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2021
We bought this vehicle new and since we have had issues with the infotainment shutting down multiple times while driving. The infotainment screen along with all safety features associated with the electronic panel turn off. We have taken it to the dealership multiple times and keep getting told that they can't replicate the problem. We have recorded the issue and sent proof but Subaru manufactu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2021
We bought this vehicle new and since we have had issues with the infotainment shutting down multiple times while driving. The infotainment screen along with all safety features associated with the electronic panel turn off. We have taken it to the dealership multiple times and keep getting told that they can't replicate the problem. We have recorded the issue and sent proof but Subaru manufactu... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2022
On average about twice per month, the touch screen will lock up. This causes the entire system to crash turning off cruise control, emergency braking, lane departure, lane keep assist, and almost every other "smart" function of the vehicle. There is no specific action that causes this, it is purely random. The "lock-up" can last anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes. The dash notifications t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2022
On average about twice per month, the touch screen will lock up. This causes the entire system to crash turning off cruise control, emergency braking, lane departure, lane keep assist, and almost every other "smart" function of the vehicle. There is no specific action that causes this, it is purely random. The "lock-up" can last anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes. The dash notifications t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2022
On average about twice per month, the touch screen will lock up. This causes the entire system to crash turning off cruise control, emergency braking, lane departure, lane keep assist, and almost every other "smart" function of the vehicle. There is no specific action that causes this, it is purely random. The "lock-up" can last anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes. The dash notifications t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2022
50% of the time or more, the ignition refuse to release the key. When turning the key to take it out of the ignition, there are three clicks before the key releases. Mine often clicks twice and will not go beyond this point. I searched and found at other people have the same problem. Sometimes if I place my foot on the brake and put it in neutral, then back to park it will release, but this ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact observed a crack at the bottom of the windshield by passenger’s side pillar. The crack then extended up to the center of the windshield just underneath the rearview mirror. The contact observed that the crack increased by a few centimeters every time the vehicle was driven. The contact had n... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2022
Spent 5 hours at a tailgate/beach event with the rear lift gate open. I made sure that interior lights were off to avoid draining the battery with the lift gate open. When we were ready to leave, the car battery was dead. We were panicked because we have a 5mo old and had to track down another driver to borrow jumper cables. Once home, we discovered that the lift gate will always draw power from t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2022
Spent 5 hours at a tailgate/beach event with the rear lift gate open. I made sure that interior lights were off to avoid draining the battery with the lift gate open. When we were ready to leave, the car battery was dead. We were panicked because we have a 5mo old and had to track down another driver to borrow jumper cables. Once home, we discovered that the lift gate will always draw power from t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2022
Something in car drains battery frequently not while the vehicle is running but after it’s been off for a few hours when no lights have been left on, Subaru dealership refuses to admit there’s a problem. This leaves me exposed to being stuck in unsafe situations with a dead battery. No warnings ever come on to alert me the battery is draining. Transmission frequently slips and stutters when a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2022
Something in car drains battery frequently not while the vehicle is running but after it’s been off for a few hours when no lights have been left on, Subaru dealership refuses to admit there’s a problem. This leaves me exposed to being stuck in unsafe situations with a dead battery. No warnings ever come on to alert me the battery is draining. Transmission frequently slips and stutters when a... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2022
Today my vehicle make a single click sound and the car rattle a little while driving on the highway and suddenly everything shut off. All my guages, lights, and I lost power on the vehicle. Within seconds I had power again and my guages came back on and I was able to continue on the highway safely. About 5 minutes later it did the same thing; click, shook and lost all power. Except this time the r... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2022
Walmart sent me email that CYBEX Sirona M with SensorSafe 2.0 Infant Car Seat - Pepper Black UPC 72892545336 was recalled
Incident date: Jul 20, 2020
Rear tailgate fails to open consistently making it impossible to enter or exit the vehicle from the rear, through the rear tail gate door (the 5th door). Nine times we have brought vehicle back to authorized Subaru dealerships over the last two years of ownership in Hanover Ma-Planet Subaru; San Francisco -Serramonte Subaru and lastly in San Diego- Kearny Mesa. The rear tail gate does not open co... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2020
Rear tailgate fails to open consistently making it impossible to enter or exit the vehicle from the rear, through the rear tail gate door (the 5th door). Nine times we have brought vehicle back to authorized Subaru dealerships over the last two years of ownership in Hanover Ma-Planet Subaru; San Francisco -Serramonte Subaru and lastly in San Diego- Kearny Mesa. The rear tail gate does not open co... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2020
Rear tailgate fails to open consistently making it impossible to enter or exit the vehicle from the rear, through the rear tail gate door (the 5th door). Nine times we have brought vehicle back to authorized Subaru dealerships over the last two years of ownership in Hanover Ma-Planet Subaru; San Francisco -Serramonte Subaru and lastly in San Diego- Kearny Mesa. The rear tail gate does not open co... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start-up intermittently. The contact stated that the failure had recurred three times however, she was able to restart the vehicle by jumpstarting the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle w... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2019
Car battery drained. Have had to call AAA twice. Have now purchased another battery and it failed to auto start when I attempted to cross the intersection.
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
My wife's 2018 Subaru Forester was sitting in our driveway and the windshield cracked on its own. Little while later, the crack got bigger. The crack alone should be a safety issue but it also affects the safety features with the camera system and eyesight technology. I'm told this is a common issue Subaru is aware of but they tell me it is not covered.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2022
Since purchasing 2020 Subaru Forester (35K miles) I have now had to replace THREE (3) windshield and have ONE (1) additional suboptimal windshield repair. Three incidents were immediately apparent from road debris from cars/trucks traveling in the opposite direction or passing. One appeared spontaneously. The cracks are all 12-24" long and curiously have only been in the areas directly in front of... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2022
On 04/02/2022, several minutes after having filled the gas tank, I was driving at about 35 mph on a two lane road at constant throttle, when the engine suddenly lost power for several seconds before it regained acceleration. There was a pickup truck following me very closely and it swerved around me to avoid hitting me. On 04/13/2022 , several minutes after leaving my driveway, at about 27 mph o... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2022
On 04/02/2022, several minutes after having filled the gas tank, I was driving at about 35 mph on a two lane road at constant throttle, when the engine suddenly lost power for several seconds before it regained acceleration. There was a pickup truck following me very closely and it swerved around me to avoid hitting me. On 04/13/2022 , several minutes after leaving my driveway, at about 27 mph o... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2022
Windshield chipped while driving 60mph on the freeway. A few minutes later while stopped at a light it developed an 18 inch crack as we watched it happen.