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.
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
Showing 35,035 complaints for SUBARU
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
I parked my vehicle in my garage last evening no Crack in my windshield. Today I went to go out to eat and I had a 3" Crack starting at the edge middle of the driver's side. I drove 4 miles to the restaurant and now it's 8" long. No rock impacts I'm aware of and no chips in the Crack area. From what I'm reading subaru seems to have a windshield issue, and I think these should be replaced at no cos... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2022
2016 Subaru Outback, original owner, the battery constantly drains in this car. I have come out to a dead battery many times, and have had to jump and service my battery several times a year. I have had my battery replaced at least once as well. This seems to be a constant issue, and after reading up on other owners of same and similar models, it looks like it is a software and electrical system... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2022
UNKNOWN. Don’t know how the windshield cracked. It starts at the top edge of glass, goes around the shaded part of windshield in front of rear view mirror and then down middle of windshield. From top to bottom it is 14 inches
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
Vehicles wheel studs and nuts striped. Common complaint with Subaru's. Nuts won't come off and unable to completely put back on to contact with rim. Nuts also won't come off all together, frozen on stud, studs breaks when trying to remove. Unable to remove with extension bar or impact wrench.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2022
On 3 separate occasions, my transmission has switched from automatic mode to manual “Auto-stick” mode on its own with no input from me. There were no warning lamps or error messages, and the gearshift was still firmly in Drive. This has resulted in 3 near-miss accidents because the car landed in 1st gear even though I was going about 30 mph each time. From my experience driving manual transmis... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2022
On 3 separate occasions, my transmission has switched from automatic mode to manual “Auto-stick” mode on its own with no input from me. There were no warning lamps or error messages, and the gearshift was still firmly in Drive. This has resulted in 3 near-miss accidents because the car landed in 1st gear even though I was going about 30 mph each time. From my experience driving manual transmis... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2022
Driving down the road for work, coworker noticed i had a crack in my windshield. At no time did there ever seem to be a strike to the windshield that would cause it to crack. Now a few days later this crack has grown to the length of roughly 16". The windshield seems to be very thin and brittle, which seems unsafe. They are also very expensive to fix, due to the safety system installed in the c... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
Windshield cracked with very little sign of impact.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2022
The contact owned a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, it suddenly accelerated crashing a small tree causing the contact to reverse the vehicle. When placed in reverse the vehicle accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There was damage done to both the tree and other vehicle. The vehicle was towed and deemed total. ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
I walked out to my car this afternoon to find my third cracked windshield since I purchased the car in September of 2019. I have reached out to the dealership and they have denied any issues and are unwilling to say there are any problems. As many reports and lawsuits are pending, I am trying to figure out what to do.
Incident date: Apr 16, 2022
Since last October when a software update was performed on the vehicle I have had multiple(8-10) instances where the EyeSight system caused the emergency braking to activate when no other vehicles were nearby and a crash was not imminent. Usually it has been when entering a left hand gentle curve with a guardrail nearby, but it has also happened going straight ahead. The audible and visual alerts ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2022
I have had to replace the car's battery three times in under 3 years. The most recent battery lasted for under a year. I am attaching paperwork from last year. I just a battery replace this week as well but am awaiting the paperwork on that.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2022
I bought Subaru Outback Jan 2022 brand new. Also, I bought the extended warranty. Last April 18,2022 while I was driving along the parkway I heard a sound hitting my windshield and all of a sudden I saw a cracked on the windshield, about 7inches long. Looking at the windshield, It does not look like a large object hit my windshield. You could tell it's just a small object. I can assume its a small... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2022
The transmission, without warning, stopped functioning.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while approaching her parked vehicle, she noticed that the driver’s side windshield was cracked. The contact stated that there was no impact to the windshield to cause the crack to occur. The contact stated that the crack occurred overnight. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not b... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that his wife had parked the vehicle, and when she returned observed that the windshield had cracked in the middle of the windshield starting under the rearview mirror. The contact's wife drove the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an impact had cracked the windshield. The contact said his wife observed that the crack had spr... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while at a complete stop with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle independently accelerated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000.
Incident date: Apr 20, 2022
THE COMPONENT IS THE REMOTE AND THE BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR THAT CONTROLS THE HATCH. *WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK BUT STILL RUNNING, THE RELEASE BUTTON WON'T OPEN THE GATE. *WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND NO DOOR IS OPENED, THE GATE WILL NOT RELEASE.* SOMETIMES THE REMOTE WON'T RELEASE THE GATE. *THE SAFETY ISSUE IS IT REDUCES AN EMERGENCY EXIT. *I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SET FOR WED. APRIL 27, 2022 FOR ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while warming the vehicle for approximately five minutes, the windshield wiper was activated and the contact noticed that the front windshield had cracked without impact. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2022
The front windshield developed a crack for no reason.
Incident date: Apr 6, 2022
The front windshield developed a crack for no reason.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2022
Windshield was cracked and was repaired successfully by Safelite. Then a new crack started about 18 inches long. Then a 3rd crack just happened. There was no major things hitting Windshield . 3 cracks to a brand new 1yr windshield seems to be very faulty material. Online comments have noted this is a major problem with subaru who don't seem interested in rectifying the situation. This seems to ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2022
The battery died for no apparent reason. I have since discovered that there are/has been class action lawsuits against Subaru for this very reason. This has the potential for putting family members at risk by stranding them. There were no signs or warnings before this occurred, and the dealer told us there was nothing wrong.
Incident date: Apr 19, 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 not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 and referred the contact to t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2022
Transmission broke while vehicle was in motion. I was unable to move the vehicle any further and drifted to a complete stop in the middle of the roadway.
Incident date: Apr 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while entering the vehicle she noticed that the front windshield was cracked and pitted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the windshield was fractured on the lower passenger side and had since migrated towards the middle of the windshield. The fracture measured approximately 8-inches long. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure milea... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2022
Tiny spec of one sand grain instantly put a 14” crack across a windshield of a 2021 Subaru Outback I have pictures, how does a spec of sand crack a windshield?
Incident date: Jun 29, 2011
I believe there is a software defect associated with the infotainment system. The system also includes car information such as car data, audio/radio, navigation as well as other items related to modern car's functionality. The issue is when a mobile is plugged into one of the two from USB port, the infotainment will randomly reboot itself. When this happens the screen turns black/bland while rebo... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2022
I have a 2017 model year Subaru and I've gone through 2 batteries and about to get a third one which seems like a lot considering how many other cars I've seen not get their battery replaced once and older in year than my car.
Incident date: Jan 18, 2019
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V007000 (Air Bags) 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 had not experienced a failu... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2022
Complete electrical failure after battery completely drained during normal driving conditions. Car has required 4 battery replacements since ownership when car was brand new. Subaru has denied warranty claims for this. Battery continues to drain causing car to become inoperable until battery is replaced.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
The rear seatbacks fold forward by pulling a knob on top of the seat beside headrest. Recently, as I was driving, my 6 year old child, who was restrained in a booster seat, reached up and pulled the knob, thus unlocking the seatback. I'm glad she asked, "what's this do?" or I may not have known that her seatback was not locked into place. We immediately pulled over to lock the seat into place. I s... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2021
2019 Subaru Forester My windshield has spontaneously cracked twice (August 28, 2021, April 18, 2022) without being hit by any object. Windshield was replaced after 2021 incident and will again require replacement after today's incident. It has chipped and required repair on 2 other occasions.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2022
The crack at the lower right side of the windshield spontaneously appeared and grew to 12 inches in 9 days & keeps on growing.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2022
I found the windshield cracked for no reason.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2022
Electrical defect in recent Subarus causes parasitic battery drain when the car is not in use. Our battery drained to the point that the vehicle couldn’t start without a jump due to this defect.
Incident date: Mar 11, 2022
This 2019 Crosstrek dangerously malfunctioned. When driving at 75 MPH on the highway it went into in neutral, then it would not go in reverse, and in park it revved to 75 MPH, ultimately it would not start. Based on many codes the car was indicating, the Subaru mechanic tried to replace a cable that communicates the computer to the transmission (turbine?), it did not solve the problem. It has b... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2022
The automatic braking system engaged at highway speed while changing lanes with no other vehicle or object in front of the vehicle. I was accelerating to change lanes when the sensor started beeping and the car slammed on the brakes causing a sliding skid. I was able to maintain control and fortunately there was no one behind me. I believe the eyesight control malfunctioned. I do not believe this ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2022
BATTERY GOES DEAD AFTER A SERIES OF SHORT TRIPS. HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE. DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, STRANDING DRIVER IN POTENTIALLY UNSAFE AREAS.
Incident date: Mar 25, 2022
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System module failed which also disabled the key fob remotes. I had the TPMS module replaced 3 times. The first occurrence was on August 26th 2021 and was confirmed by the dealership Subaru Service Center. During the failure and malfunction of the module, the dashboard warned about not to drive because there is problems with the tires and key fob not working. This worr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2022
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System module failed which also disabled the key fob remotes. I had the TPMS module replaced 3 times. The first occurrence was on August 26th 2021 and was confirmed by the dealership Subaru Service Center. During the failure and malfunction of the module, the dashboard warned about not to drive because there is problems with the tires and key fob not working. This worr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2022
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System module failed which also disabled the key fob remotes. I had the TPMS module replaced 3 times. The first occurrence was on August 26th 2021 and was confirmed by the dealership Subaru Service Center. During the failure and malfunction of the module, the dashboard warned about not to drive because there is problems with the tires and key fob not working. This worr... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2022
I have replaced the battery 3 times since June 2020. The car battery dies after the car has sat for 8-12 days. We have had to get it jumped, towed and called an on call roadside service to replace.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2022
The contact's wife owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that a diagonal crack had formed on the bottom driver’s side of the windshield without incident. The contact then stated that the crack rapidly spread to the upper driver’s side of the windshield. The contact stated that the crack obstructed his wife's vision while driving. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notif... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2022
DRIVE TRAIN, TRANSMISSION ISSUE. CAR WAS RUNNING, IN PARK. I GOT OUT TO PICK UP A FLYER FROM YARD. CAR ACCELERATED AND DROVE THROUGH GARAGE DOOR, AND CRASHED INTO THE BACK WALL OF GARAGE. NO ONE HAS INSPECTED THE CAR, AS IT HAPPENED LATE YESTERDAY. WILL CONTACT DEALERSHIP TODAY. NO SYMPTOMS PRIOR.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
6 month old car with 8000 miles windshield cracked from right passenger side top down and across middle, approximately 18” long crack now with no sign of and damage or impact to the windshield.
Incident date: Apr 14, 2022
2017 Subaru Outback windshield breaks when a small rock hits it. This is the 4th times happen to our Vehicle and a very expensive cost to replace it about $1000. We are very upset about it.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2022
My windshield cracked for no apparent reason (no impact) - in the bottom quarter of the passenger side. The crack spread, requiring replacement of the windshield. I had Subaru replace the windshield. Exactly one week later, the new windshield cracked in exactly the same place. It, too will require replacement.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2018
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that a small circular crack had formed on the lower driver’s side windshield without incident. The contact stated that she had not repaired the small crack since it did not obstruct her vison. Recently, the contact stated that another crack had formed horizontally along the lower edge of the passenger’s side windshield, also without inc... Read more