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: Jan 31, 2022
In November of 2018 and again January 31, 2022. In November 2018, I was backing up in small parking lot tap the gas pedal. and my car speed up going backwards, even when I was pushing the brake. What stopped the momentum was another car, my car crashed into caused extensive damage to that car( it was totaled) . The second time; I turned the wheels to back-in as I had a several times into my dr... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
10/2021: The vehicle completely shut-off at the beginning of a turnabout in front of the fire department. Per nearby pedestrians, automobile owners, employees of the fire department and AAA driver, the start/stop battery or alternator malfunctioned. The vehicle only had 51k miles. This was a new vehicle purchase in 2019. The safety of my toddler and I were at risk as soon as we entered the beg... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
10/2021: The vehicle completely shut-off at the beginning of a turnabout in front of the fire department. Per nearby pedestrians, automobile owners, employees of the fire department and AAA driver, the start/stop battery or alternator malfunctioned. The vehicle only had 51k miles. This was a new vehicle purchase in 2019. The safety of my toddler and I were at risk as soon as we entered the beg... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2022
Rear hatch open for more than 10 minutes, the battery is dead. Also, if the radio is left on after the car is turned off the battery is dead.
Incident date: Jan 18, 2020
Windshield cracked while driving for no reason
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2015) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 5, 2022
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
Intermittently, when I go to shut off the engine, I can not remove my key from the ignition. If I put the car back into park a few times, it seems to release the key. This does not happen often, but it has occurred a few times in the past few months.
Incident date: Feb 5, 2022
Entered car d2 after after an ice storm to find Passenger side Windshield cracked from left edge crossing over drivers view.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2022
The battery has started draining while sitting in a garage overnight. I had the battery replaced on 01/27/2022 at a reputable repair shop since the 2 year old battery was dead. This is the 3rd battery placed in this vehicle since I purchased it new in August, 2017. The charging and electrical system were checked every time and found to be working OK. The new battery drains overnight while the veh... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2022
Battery keeps dying in cold weather. I’ve charged it 3 times in the past 2 weeks fully and double check to make sure no lights are on when I leave the vehicle. The next time I drive again it’s dead
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
2017 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5 LIMITED HAS LOOSE STEERING IN THE RAIN AND GOING DOWN HILLS. DRIFTS A LOT WITH CROSS WINDS VEHICLE HAD ALIGNMENT AND TIRE INSPECTION AND SUSPENSION CHECKED AND ALL WAS FINE BUT CAR STILL IS UNSTABLE IN BAD WEATHER. FEELS LIKE IT IS SWAYING AND THE TIRES ARE NOT ON THE GROUND. TIRES HAVE 13K MILES ON THEM AND ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. SHOCKS ARE FINE. REPAIR SHOPS CAN NOT DETERMINE... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
2017 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5 LIMITED HAS LOOSE STEERING IN THE RAIN AND GOING DOWN HILLS. DRIFTS A LOT WITH CROSS WINDS VEHICLE HAD ALIGNMENT AND TIRE INSPECTION AND SUSPENSION CHECKED AND ALL WAS FINE BUT CAR STILL IS UNSTABLE IN BAD WEATHER. FEELS LIKE IT IS SWAYING AND THE TIRES ARE NOT ON THE GROUND. TIRES HAVE 13K MILES ON THEM AND ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. SHOCKS ARE FINE. REPAIR SHOPS CAN NOT DETERMINE... Read more
Incident date: Feb 29, 2020
Windshield durability is questioned. We have had a large crack form near the rearview mirror stem within 3 months of our purchase we have had more than a half dozen other crips and cracks occur during the past 18 months. My impression is the glass used in this vehicle, is not as durable as other windshields from other vehicle manufacturers. I understand other Subaru owners are reporting similar i... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2020
Since purchase, the transmission occasionally slipped and "clunked". Over the past few months, it has become worse, and now, with increasing frequency, grinds vibrates and shakes. It was taken into the dealership and nothing was done to fix the problem. We feel it represents a clear and present danger that could result in a severe accident.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
The Bluetooth hand-free function stopped working. Callers can be heard by the driver, however, the callers can not hear the driver speaking. It failed on both the Subaru calling system and Apple Carplay. It was taken in to the dealer with no resolution. This failure creates a dangerous situation when trying to place or receive calls and violates the legal requirement for hands-free calling.
Incident date: Apr 25, 2020
Car is affected by a known issue with Subaru Outbacks. Almost 100% of the time, when opening the car window(s), they can not be rolled back up. There is a reset function that fails in most instances. This forces the driver to be on the road in driving rain and snow with the driver's window down, creating an extremely dangerous condition.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2020
Smoke and oil burning smell entering cabin through vents. I have two young children. I’m concerned of toxic fumes. Coming from oil leaking onto exhaust manifold and at only 52,000 miles on odometer!
Incident date: Jan 31, 2022
Airbag dashboard warning light stayed on while driving on 1/31/2022 and 2/1/2022. Dealer (Autofair Subaru in Haverhill Massachusetts) confirmed there was a problem in the overhead console. Researching the problem, I came across https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/2006-obw-airbag-light-on-my-fix.42574/ which identified a loose component on the printed circuit board caused by a crack in the solder... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2022
Parasitic drain after car left parked and locked for ~4 days. This has occurred since I purchased the car new in 2016. I have replaced the battery 4 times but it has not helped the issue. I am now forced to leave the car plugged in to a battery tender when parked.
Incident date: Feb 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving over 60 MPH, the vehicle would shudder and produce a loud noise coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the lower control arm bushing and transmission pan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving over 60 MPH, the vehicle would shudder and produce a loud noise coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the lower control arm bushing and transmission pan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2022
We were literally sitting in the car, parked, and the lower left driver side windshield cracked! No visible chips. We will contact Subaru if America and out local dealership as well.
Incident date: Feb 4, 2022
My windshield has cracked for the second time. I didn’t hear anything and there is no mark of impact, just about a 5 inch crack. It’s coming up from the bottom middle of the windshield. I’m not sure what’s causing this. But this will be the second time I have to replace the windshield on my brand new car. Something needs to be done about this.
Incident date: Jan 9, 2022
Windshield cracked at in the center at the base while car was sitting inside garage.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2022
I purchased my Subaru Forester new in 2012. After a few thousand miles it was brought to my attention by the service tech that there was a "small" oil leak coming from the engine. They said it was not significant. No one mentioned that SB 02-131-12R had been issued addressing these leaks because they were so prominent with the engine in my Forester. At a little over 60,000 miles all of a sudde... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2022
The battery dies and needs a jump start very often. Got the battery tested and there is no issue with the battery. My observation is when the vehicle is parked and the parking brake is ON then the battery discharges.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Issue started when one day my battery was dead. I thought I left the door or light one but that was not it. Dealer visit after dealer visit it’s the same thing. Keep getting the battery replaced with the same OEM. Works for a while and then it’s dead. Luckily I have not been stranded but I have been trying not to drive my Outback to avoid it. All the complaints about this battery is a shame... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
I filed a NHTSA report on 7/19/2021 about having to replace my 2017 Subaru Forester's battery for the 3rd time in a 4 year old vehicle. I now am submitting another Complaint as now that #3 battery (all installed by Subaru Dealers) has FAILED, with #3 battery only 10 months old with approximately 6,000 miles driven with that battery. At about 8 months after the new battery install (battery #3), I... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
There is a parasitic drain on the electrical system, including when the vehicle is turned off and nothing is left running. As a result the vehicle will not start. aI replaced the battery and experienced the same problem with a month. This is most problematic when the vehicle has not been used for at least 2 days or it's very cold outside. It's happened at least 10 times in the last 2 years. Th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
There is a parasitic drain on the electrical system, including when the vehicle is turned off and nothing is left running. As a result the vehicle will not start. aI replaced the battery and experienced the same problem with a month. This is most problematic when the vehicle has not been used for at least 2 days or it's very cold outside. It's happened at least 10 times in the last 2 years. Th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2022
Windshield cracks very easily with no outside force inflicting damage. Windshield has cracked 2 times in 2 years.
Incident date: Jan 30, 2022
MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING IN MY GARAGE. THE CRACK IS IN THE LOWER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD JUST ABOVE THE DEFROSTER. IT IS APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET LONG WITH 2 PERPENDICULAR CRACKS RADIATING FROM IT. I AM CONTACTING THE SUBARU DEALER FOR REPAIR.
Incident date: Oct 18, 2018
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, she heard a cracking sound coming from the windshield and saw a minor crack on the driver's side of the windshield. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence and parked it. The next day, the contact noticed that the crack had extended to approximately 5-feet long. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who re... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
Subaru water pump pulley center hole was improperly machined
Incident date: Nov 9, 2020
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that she noticed an abnormal odor coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the seals needed to be replaced. Additionally, the spark plug gaskets and gasket rocker needed to be replaced... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
Upon entering my car I noticed a 7-8” crack on the driver side of my windshield. There was no evidence of anything chipping or causing the crack. It seems to be spontaneous. If the crack continues to spread it will affect visibility and the windshield cannot be replaced on site due to the forward facing camera and anti collision system. I will have to drive over and hour to get it repaired. A... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while having routine maintenance performed at an independent mechanic, he was informed that the control arm and ball joints were rusted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed that the control bushings were worn, and the lower control arm was inspected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2022
Battery Failure for the second time since purchase. Yesterday, 2/1/2022, I took my Subaru in due to the battery they replace about 15 months ago went dead two days ago. I was able to jump start to get back home. After sitting in my driveway after getting home two days ago I trie to start my car and again the battery was almost depleted. Not enough energy in the battery to start the car. Summary:... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2022
Crack in windshield that came out of nowhere and just keeps expanding
Incident date: Dec 31, 2021
Windshield spontaneously cracked
Incident date: Jan 27, 2022
On Thursday evening, January 27, 2022, when I was driving slowly in a parking lot preparing to park, my car unexpectedly accelerated even though I had NOT pressed on the gas pedal. (I would describe it as lurching). After it accelerated on its own, I quickly pressed on the brake pedal, and the car came to a stop. My car is available for inspection upon request. Had this happened when a perso... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2021
In a class action lawsuit filed against Subaru of America, it is alleged that several models have defective Controller Area Network (CAN) modules that cause premature battery drainage. New Jersey Judge [XXX] arbitrarily dismissed two models, Forester and Legacy, from the lawsuit even though they have the same problem because none of the plaintiffs owned either of those model vehicles. I own a 2020... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2022
Subaru windshields still crack. Owned this car for less than one week and a crack on the passenger side appeared overnight. Cracked windshields reduce ability to see and can worsen over time. The dealer refused to replace the windshield. So, we took the car to a shop and they replaced the windshield at our expense for the insurance deductible.
Incident date: Jan 30, 2022
Front windshield developed an 8" crack in one day that continues to grow. Crack is near one front-facing camera, leading to concern that safety features related to the camera may not be effective. Dealer acknowledges a number of complaints about windshield cracking, but will not cover in this case due to it failing a "pen-head" check. In 40+ years of car ownership, I've never seen a crack just ta... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2022
My car spontaneously burst into flames after I parked it. I had left the car parked and locked in a parking lot next to a rental house and went in to prepare dinner. 20 minutes later my friends arrived at the scene and alerted us to the fact that my car was engulfed in flames. It seems that the fire originated in the engine somehow, but exactly what started it is unclear. There was no accident o... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 29, 2022
My car spontaneously burst into flames after I parked it. I had left the car parked and locked in a parking lot next to a rental house and went in to prepare dinner. 20 minutes later my friends arrived at the scene and alerted us to the fact that my car was engulfed in flames. It seems that the fire originated in the engine somehow, but exactly what started it is unclear. There was no accident o... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Nov 20, 2020
The battery keeps draining, leaving us without a vehicle. After numerous jump starts, the dealership replaced the first battery. Within a few months, the new battery has the same issues. So back to the dealership, now with the knowledge that many Subaru owners are experiencing the same issue with their Outbacks.
Incident date: Jan 5, 2022
Battery Failure. Auto-start would shut engine off at light and no restart car. Took 3 trips to Subaru to fails their test. Once replaced car is fine now.
Incident date: Jan 10, 2022
When opening the sun roof cover I heard a "PING" noise like a mouth harp or piece of metal being flicked. Took it into dealer and they found the roof reinforcements (Most likely Part Number: 53700AN03A9P) had come loose and detached from roof structure. They are waiting on Suburu to agree to re-attached it (been two weeks)
Incident date: Jan 31, 2022
I have a 2020 Subaru outback that I purchased brand new one and a half years ago. It has 31,472 miles on it on December 28, 2021 and then again on January 31, 2021 my car would not start on the battery had to be replaced.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2021
The vehicle keeps discharging my battery after multiple short trips. I have reported to dealer, they said it was a faulty tailgate sensor but after the repair, it still happens, with increased frequency over time.