Consumer Safety Complaints

Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 deaths.

2,245,377 Total Complaints
140,173 Reported Crashes
56,794 Reported Fires
8,580 Reported 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 2,245,377 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›
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Showing 35,035 complaints for SUBARU

SUBARU IMPREZA (2012) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 12, 2022
Incident date: Jun 9, 2022
The car will not allow me to turn it off and remove the key from the ignition. This is apparently caused by a known issue with the gear box/transmission stick not making proper contact with a metal plate within the box.
SUBARU IMPREZA (2012) - POWER TRAIN Jun 12, 2022
Incident date: Jun 9, 2022
The car will not allow me to turn it off and remove the key from the ignition. This is apparently caused by a known issue with the gear box/transmission stick not making proper contact with a metal plate within the box.
SUBARU IMPREZA (2015) - STRUCTURE:BODY Jun 12, 2022
Incident date: Apr 27, 2022
Hood flew open on interstate. After driving around town running errands I drove onto the interstate got like a mile down the road. I was in the left lane going about 60 mph the hood flew open. Smashing directly into the windshield. I thankfully was able to hit my four ways and get to a stop without any collision. I couldn’t say exactly when the hood had been opened last but certainly was not rec... Read more
SUBARU IMPREZA (2020) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 11, 2022
Incident date: Jun 9, 2022
I own a 2020 Impreza Hatchback with 18k miles. A significant crack appeared in the windshield out of nowhere, literally while parked in a safe environment. I was advised by Subaru corporate and my local dealership that this is not covered by warranty and would have to make a claim with my insurance. I can provide pictures and further detailed information if so required.
SUBARU IMPREZA (2020) - VISIBILITY/WIPER Jun 11, 2022
Incident date: Jun 9, 2022
I own a 2020 Impreza Hatchback with 18k miles. A significant crack appeared in the windshield out of nowhere, literally while parked in a safe environment. I was advised by Subaru corporate and my local dealership that this is not covered by warranty and would have to make a claim with my insurance. I can provide pictures and further detailed information if so required.
SUBARU OUTBACK (2017) - POWER TRAIN Jun 11, 2022
Incident date: Jun 10, 2022
Rear bearing/hub assembly failure. Appears to be a known problem per information readily available online. Failure occurred at 40,746 miles. Replaced at dealership at my personal cost, out of warranty period. Hubs and bearings should not be failing at such low mileage. Could have caused other driveline or suspension problems and poses a safety issue as wheels would be unable to spin freely.
SUBARU OUTBACK (2019) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 11, 2022
Incident date: Apr 27, 2022
Battery drained. Will not hold a charge. From what I’ve been reading it seems there is a problem in the electrical system that is draining the batteries of these cars.
SUBARU OUTBACK (2019) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 11, 2022
Incident date: Apr 27, 2022
Battery drained. Will not hold a charge. From what I’ve been reading it seems there is a problem in the electrical system that is draining the batteries of these cars.
SUBARU ASCENT (2019) - POWER TRAIN Jun 11, 2022
Incident date: Jun 10, 2022
In past 6 months, Subaru has done nothing about NHTSA Recall Number21V955000. No explanation from local dealer that sold the Subaru Ascent to me in January 2019.
SUBARU FORESTER (2017) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Jun 11, 2022
Incident date: May 31, 2022
2017 Subaru Forester- I had arrived to work and stopped at parking spot. Before I could put car in park position.. I heard a car high pitch revving sound. The car throttles forward and hit a building. Now I’m scared of the car.
Crash
SUBARU FORESTER (2017) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jun 11, 2022
Incident date: May 31, 2022
2017 Subaru Forester- I had arrived to work and stopped at parking spot. Before I could put car in park position.. I heard a car high pitch revving sound. The car throttles forward and hit a building. Now I’m scared of the car.
Crash
SUBARU OUTBACK (2020) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 11, 2022
Incident date: Jun 5, 2022
1.car accelerated on its own—very scary. (Took the car to Cochran Subaru of Monroeville, but they said nothing was found wrong.) 2. The very next day, the real door would not latch and car would not lock. I reported these two issues to 1-800-SUBARU3. My case # is: 220610-163479 3. we did a “software” update bc we received a recall notice—it was completed at Cochran Subaru of Monroeville so... Read more
SUBARU OUTBACK (2020) - ENGINE Jun 11, 2022
Incident date: Jun 5, 2022
1.car accelerated on its own—very scary. (Took the car to Cochran Subaru of Monroeville, but they said nothing was found wrong.) 2. The very next day, the real door would not latch and car would not lock. I reported these two issues to 1-800-SUBARU3. My case # is: 220610-163479 3. we did a “software” update bc we received a recall notice—it was completed at Cochran Subaru of Monroeville so... Read more
SUBARU OUTBACK (2020) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 11, 2022
Incident date: Jun 5, 2022
1.car accelerated on its own—very scary. (Took the car to Cochran Subaru of Monroeville, but they said nothing was found wrong.) 2. The very next day, the real door would not latch and car would not lock. I reported these two issues to 1-800-SUBARU3. My case # is: 220610-163479 3. we did a “software” update bc we received a recall notice—it was completed at Cochran Subaru of Monroeville so... Read more
SUBARU WRX (2018) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Jun 11, 2022
Incident date: May 5, 2022
We tool the car to the DMV to get the plates and rhey told us the car had a recall. They stated the Fuel pump may fail. However, we were unaware.
SUBARU OUTBACK (2020) - POWER TRAIN Jun 10, 2022
Incident date: Jan 15, 2022
In January 2022 I received a recall notice on my 2020 Subaru Outback. I immediately contacted the nearest Subaru service facility (which happens to be about 30 miles away in Ft Myers, FL). I spoke w/someone in the service dept., and was advised that they, the svc. dept., have not received parts yet, but expect them in a few weeks. I waited about 8 weeks before calling them again, with the same res... Read more
SUBARU OUTBACK (2017) - VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD Jun 10, 2022
Incident date: Mar 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that there was a crack on the windshield. The contact stated that there was no impact to the windshield that could have caused the crack. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000.
SUBARU OUTBACK (2017) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 10, 2022
Incident date: Jun 2, 2022
2 June 2022 Incident started with tail gate issues (would not respond when the button was pressed, beeped straight about 3-5 minutes). Took car to the dealership, they did the parasitic drain test, and found that the battery no longer held a charge. Replaced the battery and then tested for a draw. Found that there was draw from the DCM (data communication module). That is scheduled to be replaced... Read more
SUBARU OUTBACK (2019) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 10, 2022
Incident date: Dec 22, 2020
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, he was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he jumped started the vehicle and started up as needed. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, whe... Read more
SUBARU OUTBACK (2019) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Jun 10, 2022
Incident date: Dec 22, 2020
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, he was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he jumped started the vehicle and started up as needed. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, whe... Read more
SUBARU FORESTER (2022) - STEERING Jun 10, 2022
Incident date: May 30, 2022
Incident on Highway 80 on May 30, 2020. Entered Highway 80 (East) from Donner Sumit Roadside Rest, accelerated in the slow land and passed a truck and accelerated in the fast lane to 65-70 mph. Began feeling a severe/violent shaking of the steering wheel, a couple of inches or so, side to side. Pulled over and steering wheel was still shaking and brought the vehicle to a full stop. Shaking sto... Read more
SUBARU FORESTER (2022) - LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST Jun 10, 2022
Incident date: May 30, 2022
Incident on Highway 80 on May 30, 2020. Entered Highway 80 (East) from Donner Sumit Roadside Rest, accelerated in the slow land and passed a truck and accelerated in the fast lane to 65-70 mph. Began feeling a severe/violent shaking of the steering wheel, a couple of inches or so, side to side. Pulled over and steering wheel was still shaking and brought the vehicle to a full stop. Shaking sto... Read more
SUBARU FORESTER (2014) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jun 10, 2022
Incident date: May 30, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly, went over a cement post, onto a sidewalk pavement, and crashed into a condo building. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact did not recall whether the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was infor... Read more
Crash
SUBARU FORESTER (2014) - AIR BAGS Jun 10, 2022
Incident date: May 30, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly, went over a cement post, onto a sidewalk pavement, and crashed into a condo building. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact did not recall whether the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was infor... Read more
Crash
SUBARU OUTBACK (2020) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 9, 2022
Incident date: Jun 5, 2022
Battery died and will not hold a charge. Air bags were not engaged due to the elctrical system being impacted. Battery was charged and left overnight and the battery was fully drained in the morning and the car would not start. Battery was charged again and driven to the Subaru Dealer. The dealer fully charged the battery and left it over night and the same thing happened the next morning. Th... Read more
SUBARU OUTBACK (2022) - VISIBILITY/WIPER Jun 9, 2022
Incident date: Jun 9, 2022
Windshield cracked after 1,200 miles. I do not recall any rock hit and do not see any hit point.
SUBARU OUTBACK (2022) - VISIBILITY/WIPER Jun 9, 2022
Incident date: Jun 9, 2022
Windshield spontaneously cracked with no damage occurring to it. Subaru claims they do not cover window repair under warranty.
SUBARU OUTBACK (2022) - VISIBILITY/WIPER Jun 9, 2022
Incident date: Jun 9, 2022
The windshield cracked after only having the car for 10 days
SUBARU ASCENT (2019) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Jun 9, 2022
Incident date: Jun 9, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that the battery was completely drained and the vehicle could not be started. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the battery had drained and that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure reoccurred. The ... Read more
SUBARU FORESTER (2016) - STEERING Jun 8, 2022
Incident date: Jun 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while reversing out the driveway at approximately 2 MPH, the vehicle lost electric power steering assist and became difficult to steer. The electric power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V065000 (Steering). The manufacturer ... Read more
SUBARU FORESTER (2020) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 8, 2022
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
The Windshield broke for no apparent reason. It’s a big crack that affects visibility. I know there is an ongoing problem with other similar suburu vehicles and is currently under a lawsuit process.
SUBARU FORESTER (2021) - VISIBILITY/WIPER Jun 8, 2022
Incident date: Jun 8, 2022
The windshield was parked in my driveway and was fine when I parked it. When I went to start the car the windshield had cracked. It was not hit with a rock or anything - just spontaneously cracked while sitting in my driveway. Vehicle is just over a year old and very low miles.
SUBARU ASCENT (2019) - POWER TRAIN Jun 7, 2022
Incident date: Jun 7, 2022
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 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. VIN tool confirms parts ... Read more
SUBARU ASCENT (2019) - POWER TRAIN Jun 7, 2022
Incident date: May 22, 2022
transmission failed in traffic lane at a traffic light, causing loss of mobility. I called Police to secure seen, they responded and towed vehicle to dealer. my wife and Grandson were in the car and we could not move it out of the traffic lane the dealer has replaced the transmission, and are working to reimburse towing charges. But , so far, they have not offered me a warranty for the new tra... Read more
SUBARU CROSSTREK (2021) - VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY Jun 7, 2022
Incident date: Jun 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 70 MPH, the sunroof exploded without impact. The contact stated that the majority of the shattered glass blew up and out of the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate fa... Read more
SUBARU FORESTER (2022) - AIR BAGS Jun 7, 2022
Incident date: May 15, 2022
The contact owned a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while slowing pulling into the parking space the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove over a curb and traveled up a hill before crashing into a tree. During the crash neither the driver nor passenger-side air bags deployed. The driver and front passenger sustained chest injuries. The vehicle was destroyed a... Read more
Crash 2 injured
SUBARU FORESTER (2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jun 7, 2022
Incident date: May 15, 2022
The contact owned a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while slowing pulling into the parking space the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove over a curb and traveled up a hill before crashing into a tree. During the crash neither the driver nor passenger-side air bags deployed. The driver and front passenger sustained chest injuries. The vehicle was destroyed a... Read more
Crash 2 injured
SUBARU FORESTER (2015) - AIR BAGS Jun 6, 2022
Incident date: Mar 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. While the contact's wife was driving at 30 MPH, she crashed into another vehicle causing damage to the front driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact's wife was injured. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that "there are many types of collision that are... Read more
Crash 1 injured
SUBARU FORESTER (2018) - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Jun 6, 2022
Incident date: Jun 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact pulled over, stopped, turned off, and restarted the vehicle. After the vehicle was started, smoke started coming from the vehicle while several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the... Read more
SUBARU FORESTER (2018) - ENGINE Jun 6, 2022
Incident date: Jun 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact pulled over, stopped, turned off, and restarted the vehicle. After the vehicle was started, smoke started coming from the vehicle while several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the... Read more
SUBARU FORESTER (2019) - VISIBILITY/WIPER Jun 6, 2022
Incident date: Jun 6, 2022
There is a stress crack in the bottom, middle of the windshield that appeared out of nowhere.
SUBARU OUTBACK (2018) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 6, 2022
Incident date: Jun 5, 2022
Gas gauge appears to be out of calibration. Not giving good / accurate readings. It's "50-50".
SUBARU OUTBACK (2018) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Jun 6, 2022
Incident date: Jun 5, 2022
Gas gauge appears to be out of calibration. Not giving good / accurate readings. It's "50-50".
SUBARU ASCENT (2019) - POWER TRAIN Jun 6, 2022
Incident date: Feb 25, 2022
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 not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufact... Read more
SUBARU ASCENT (2020) - POWER TRAIN Jun 6, 2022
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was shaking and the transmission was slipping. There was an abnormal squeaking noise detected from the brakes. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the brakes were replaced but, however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the other failures. The vehicle w... Read more
SUBARU ASCENT (2020) - SERVICE BRAKES Jun 6, 2022
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was shaking and the transmission was slipping. There was an abnormal squeaking noise detected from the brakes. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the brakes were replaced but, however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the other failures. The vehicle w... Read more
SUBARU CROSSTREK (2020) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 6, 2022
Incident date: Jun 2, 2022
Car is a Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Car was connected to its electrical charge cable The connector is a type SAE J1772 When the connector is connected to the car, the ignition is supposed to be disabled, and the car is not supposed to be able to be removed from Park. Neither safety system was operable. When the car was moved, it broke the connector, exposing the bare pins. Hazard - potential exposur... Read more
SUBARU FORESTER (2011) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jun 6, 2022
Incident date: Jun 6, 2022
Driving a 2011 Subaru Forester, about 5mph in traffic on city street when car suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated at full gas and rammed into truck in front of me, with no pressure on the gas pedal. Slamming on brakes and pulling on hand brake was not enough to override the unexpected and unasked-for acceleration. I can only imagine what would have happened if there were pedestrians or if I'd ... Read more
Crash 1 injured
SUBARU OUTBACK (2020) - POWER TRAIN Jun 6, 2022
Incident date: Jun 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made a... Read more
SUBARU OUTBACK (2022) - AIR BAGS Jun 6, 2022
Incident date: Jun 4, 2022
My wife was driving and was involved in traffic accident when the airbags deployed. She is a small person and has the driver's seat pulled all the way forward so she operate the vehicle. I was concern about her seating so close the steering wheel and the airbag, but told by the dealer personnel that airbags where mandatory and any tampering voids warranty, etc. She was in an accident and the air... Read more
Crash 1 injured
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