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: Dec 23, 2021
My husband and I were driving on the freeway at 10:05 am on 12/23/21. Suddenly we heard a slight noise that emanated from the windshield. I 13 1/2 inch crack appeared on the passenger side windshield. Upon closer inspection there is a minute ding mark near the bottom of the windshield that may have been caused by a very small pebble, causing the windshiedl to crack upon impact. The vehicle is a... Read more
Incident date: Nov 19, 2021
I have had to have my battery replaced almost every year since I bought this car and there is always a large amount or corrosion no matter how often I clean it. I just read that this has been a known issue of Subaru. I literally just had the dealership in late November tell me at an oil change that I needed to replace my battery. When I informed them that I had just replaced it in February of of ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2021
Rock hit windshield and cracked windshield, from a small rock cracking the windshield and leaving this much damage if it was a bigger one it could have gone through and hurt us. This will be the second time I’ll have to repair the windshield.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage unattended, the front windshield cracked without impact. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2021
Started having electrical and audio glitches ultimately causing the battery to completely drain
Incident date: Oct 7, 2021
Vehicle had 2,000 miles on it and a very small rock impact chipped the windshield and the chipped spot cracked across the windshield in minutes. I have never had a windshield fail like that before with such a minor chip in it and such a small impact. I had the windshield replaced with factory glass and I now have 6,000 miles on the car and another chip has happened, but not spread.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2021
The windshield had a 12-inch crack starting at the driver's side midway up in an L shape. There was no visible rock damage and the vehicle was sitting in my garage when it cracked. Obviously, no one was hurt but the windshield had to be replaced right away with only 9000 miles on my car. The damage occurred on December 18th, 2021, and was repaired on Dec. 21., 2021.
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2015) — POWER TRAIN
Dec 22, 2021
Incident date: Dec 21, 2021
Driving at night on interstate approximately 70 mph using adaptive cruise control. Suddenly engine revs higher and car slows down. Cruise control deactivates. Applying gas cause the engine to rev but car continues to slows down. Pulled to side of interstate. Infotainment system screen flashes to black then back on. Turned car off and back on again and behaved normally. Was able to continue ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2021
My car's windshield was hit by a small stone while driving on highway speed. At first it seemed to be a small chip/ crack. After a minute or two the crack got bigger. This is the second time I'm facing this issue. Same kind of incident happened a month ago as well. I thought subaru had best safety ratings. But if this happens to someone while driving in the middle of nowhere and the glass shatters... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2021
My car's windshield was hit by a small stone while driving on highway speed. At first it seemed to be a small chip/ crack. After a minute or two the crack got bigger. This is the second time I'm facing this issue. Same kind of incident happened a month ago as well. I thought subaru had best safety ratings. But if this happens to someone while driving in the middle of nowhere and the glass shatters... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while attempting to come to a complete stop, the contact stated that the brake pedal depressed fully to the floor without applying the brakes. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the junction box and brake lines replaced. Upon investig... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2019
Battery draining problem the requires a new battery to be installed Original batter 2016 Car would not start in February 2019 and required replacement Car would not start in January 2021 and required replacement Car would not start in December 2021 and required jumping
Incident date: Dec 20, 2021
Front windshield spontaneously cracked while parked in a parking lot. No trees or overhead objects fell on windshield. Crack developed from bottom middle of windshield & cracked out in 2 directions.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
The left and the right front windows won't roll up when you push the button to roll up the driver side, it goes up and goes down and doesn't shut at all you have to turn off the car to stop it, super dangerous, and the right passenger window doesn't go down or up at all with the driver control on the door. You know what else is INCREDABLY DANGEROUS? THE LED LIGHTS THAT ARE ACTUALLY RETINA BLINDI... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2021
Subaru windshield hit with a tiny object, but resulting crack was over a foot long. I had to pay almost $800 to get a replacement. The crack is in my line of vision. No Subaru OEM windshield are available for replacement.
Incident date: Dec 21, 2021
This is the second time I've had a dead battery problem with my 2020 Subaru Ascent. The first time was 4/2021 and they replaced the battery. The second time is today - dead battery, could not charge or jump start. Tow truck coming to take it to a Subaru dealer.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2021
After having cowl replaced under warranty, at the dealership, I drove vehicle home (3 miles) and placed in garage. Next day, noticed 10 inch crack on lower passenger side of windshield. Took car to have looked at by dealership who stated crack had to come from rock and refused to replace. On my way home, I did not take a rock to my windshield. The Service Manager stated he would call Subaru re... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2021
Sunday, car wouldn’t start. Even though lights and display came on, engine wouldn’t turn over until I got a jump. After car started, center console went black and all infotainment, Bluetooth and rear view camera ceased to work. Drove hour and a half on highway. Monday morning, battery completely dead. Had to jump again. Now, center screen working, but seems to be battery issue. We had s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2021
Steering is so sensitive that it exhausted driver. Lane control is exhausting. Transmission looses power, but mechanics say nothing registering. The car smokes on cold start and white exhaust smells terrible. This is worse in summer when transmission is hot. Hatch can’t be left open when camping because it ran my battery dead. There is no lighting at the back of car and front interior lig... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2021
Steering is so sensitive that it exhausted driver. Lane control is exhausting. Transmission looses power, but mechanics say nothing registering. The car smokes on cold start and white exhaust smells terrible. This is worse in summer when transmission is hot. Hatch can’t be left open when camping because it ran my battery dead. There is no lighting at the back of car and front interior lig... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2021
Steering is so sensitive that it exhausted driver. Lane control is exhausting. Transmission looses power, but mechanics say nothing registering. The car smokes on cold start and white exhaust smells terrible. This is worse in summer when transmission is hot. Hatch can’t be left open when camping because it ran my battery dead. There is no lighting at the back of car and front interior lig... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2021
Today, 12/19/2021, marks the sixth (6th) time my car’s battery has failed and forced me to call Star Link to schedule and wait for a battery jump. Subaru refused to replace my battery after the 3rd and also refused to check the grounding wire upon a service inspection. This battery is faulty and Subaru knows it. My child has been with me in three of th de ridiculous occasions of waiting for jump... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2021
Engine consistently burns oil. Adding pints between factory recommended oil change interval when low oil light comes on. On average, one pint is burned every 1500 miles.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, a crack started forming on the driver’s side windshield and moved towards the center of the windshield. The contact stated that the windshield was not struck by an object to cause the crack to form. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2021
I have had a number of unexplainable dead batteries. I have AAA and had battery jumped or battery replaced. In the last week I've had to call AAA assistance twice. Each time the battery and alternator test came back okay.
Incident date: Oct 23, 2021
Driving on highway, noticed a chip on windshield, has run approx 12" since then. In 35 years of driving, I have not experienced a windshield crack run like this.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA. The contact stated that after warming up the after driving approximately 1/10 th of a mile at approximately 10 mph or less when the vehicle's windshield suddenly fractured under the seal rubber in the lower center of the vehicle. in the lower then suddenly migrated to the left and to the right of the windshield in different directions. The contact contacted ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2021
I have had to replace my battery about every 16 months. Seems like something is draining the battery prematurely. I shouldn't have to keep buying new batteries every year.
Incident date: Dec 19, 2021
My front windshield just cracked, no rock hit it, just cracked
Incident date: Dec 18, 2021
Windshield Glass Break even small debris
Incident date: Nov 26, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact noticed that there was a crack on the bottom middle windshield going upward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact was unable to properly see out of the windshield. The contact mentioned that the bottom of the windshield was clear, but t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2021
Car won't start. Battery drained after in garage overnight. The lights weren't left on and keys far from car. This same thing happened after leaving car with blinkers on for a very short period.
Incident date: Dec 19, 2021
Windshield has cracked for no apparent reason (no rock impact, etc.). Crack begins at edge of passenger side windshield. Newly purchased in November.
Incident date: Dec 17, 2021
My car stalled at a stop light when I attempted to go when the light turned green. The car was in auto shut off mode so the engine was not running at the time. When I took my foot off the brake to go, the car didn’t restart and started shaking and all the lights on the dash came on. There was also a piercing warning sound and the infotainment screen showed that the “eyesight “ and all oth... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2021
Battery drains when car sits idle for more than a week. No lights were accidentally left on. Had to jump start the car four times in less than a week. Subaru dealership attempted to tell me the battery was fine but the service advisor noted it was starting up sluggishly. Service did a full charge. Subaru's own website recommends driving the car at least a couple times a month, which is what I've d... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2021
Battery drains when car sits idle for more than a week. No lights were accidentally left on. Had to jump start the car four times in less than a week. Subaru dealership attempted to tell me the battery was fine but the service advisor noted it was starting up sluggishly. Service did a full charge. Subaru's own website recommends driving the car at least a couple times a month, which is what I've d... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2021
The care continues to drain power resulting in dead battery. We have had continuous issues since purchasing the vehicle. The Dealer even installed a higher quality battery and due to Subaru admitting tot the problem. However this has not resolved the issue. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times at a factory dealer. We can't be in and out of the care while parked for 45 minutes. Subar... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2021
WINDSHEILD CRACKED FOR NO REASON. Noticed crack after car sat in driveway all day.
Incident date: Dec 16, 2021
Wife was in a Collison on the freeway in Phoenix. She believes none of the collision avoidance devices worked properly to help prevent the accident. She heard no alarms or dings associated with the avoidance systems on her outback. She didn't feel the brakes lock up like they normally would. She feels if this truly is an issue, can she trust any of these safety features, which if working, could he... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 16, 2021
Wife was in a Collison on the freeway in Phoenix. She believes none of the collision avoidance devices worked properly to help prevent the accident. She heard no alarms or dings associated with the avoidance systems on her outback. She didn't feel the brakes lock up like they normally would. She feels if this truly is an issue, can she trust any of these safety features, which if working, could he... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
Driving north on I-95 at speed limit. No vehicles in front of me for at least 1/4 mile. Heard a POP and immediately a crack appeared from the bottom outside edge of the windshield approximately 18" from the left hand edge of the window. The crack ran vertically for 5 inches then made a right turn (looking out of the window) and continued on for 3 more inches. This running of the crack occurred in ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2021
Battery Drain....3 different times, car will not start, kills the battery 89 year old lady left to call for help with starting the car.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
A couple of months ago I noticed the airbag lamp stayed on after starting my car. After I had parked and later restarted the car, the airbag light went off as normal. A month or so later the airbag light again stayed on after starting the car. I also noticed that the passenger airbag indicator (on or off) didn’t seem to be working. It didn’t say “on” or “off”. It only said “Passeng... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2021
2016 WRX drains its battery while the vehicle is turned off. After 3 days of being outside in 20-40 degree Fahrenheit weather, the battery was completely flat and would not start. This has happened 2 winters in a row now.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2021
Check engine light came on and code was for the TCV. The dealership said it would be $1500 to repair and was not under warranty…even though my car is a 2019 Subaru Forester with just 17,000 miles. The Subaru forums on Facebook show that numerous other people are also having this problem.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and passing a vehicle, he heard a sound coming from the windshield and the windshield cracked from the driver side to the middle of the windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the windshield. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred at the same spot while driving and passing another vehicle.... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2021
Ever since we purchased our Subaru, the RPM's seemed a little off and then at random times when I put it in reverse, it will just idle and I will slowly press on the accelerator and it will not engage in reverse and then random pop into gear and lunge backwards. It doesn't happen every time, but is scary when it does. This has been happening pretty much since we purchased it
Incident date: Dec 15, 2021
I own a 2012 Outback 2.5 Limited, which I purchased new from a Subaru dealer in Evanston IL in June 2012. It currently has about 76000 miles on it. In the last 6 months my car started to shudder when coming to a stop at a traffic signal, or sometimes while being stopped at the signal. The shudder is significant but typically momentary and happens randomly. From the last 2-3 weeks, the car has star... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2021
I own a 2012 Outback 2.5 Limited, which I purchased new from a Subaru dealer in Evanston IL in June 2012. It currently has about 76000 miles on it. In the last 6 months my car started to shudder when coming to a stop at a traffic signal, or sometimes while being stopped at the signal. The shudder is significant but typically momentary and happens randomly. From the last 2-3 weeks, the car has star... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2021
The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle felt as if there was a flat tire on the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the front driver's side tire was about to detach. Additionally, the driver’s side front lower control arm was fractured. Prior to the failure, the contact had driven over a railroad track and lost control of the ve... Read more