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: Nov 1, 2021
My windshield cracked within a few months and few thousand miles of purchasing my vehicle for no real apparent reason.
Incident date: Dec 9, 2021
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 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 stated while driving 40 MPH or above, the transmission... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that upon parking on an incline, the gear shifter failed to move out of the park and excessive effort was needed to move the gear shifter. The contact also stated that an abnormal grinding sound was coming from the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Tr... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2020
I've owned cars for 40 years. And not once in 40 years, has the ash from a cigarette caused a seat to immediately burn. And I mean burn. Not just a burn on the outside of the fabric, but deep down into the padded material within seconds. Thankfully, I was able to put it out in the heavy smoke phase, before it turned into a full blown burning flame, burning the entire car seat and car. After ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Feb 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after driving for about two hours, she switched seats with her boyfriend. While her boyfriend was driving, there was an abnormal odor present. The contact noticed smoke under the front passenger seat. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The driver attempted t... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Feb 15, 2022
Bought the vehicle used from Carmax on 2/14/22, drove 25 miles home and parked in driveway. Next morning battery was dead, put a trickle charger on the battery and the charger detected only 4 volts and would not charge vehicle.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2022
cracking in windshield without any impact
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
Battery draining requiring multiple charging.
Incident date: Feb 11, 2022
Vehicle was in a front end collision, vehicle was able to safely pull over to the shoulder and be shut down. Impact did not result in airbag deployment and damage to vehicle appeared to be moderate. Within minutes of the accident while waiting for police to arrive on the scene, smoke became visible followed by vehicle becoming engulfed in flames leading to a complete vehicle fire and total loss of... Read more
Crash
Fire
Incident date: Dec 2, 2021
A very small ding in the windshield turned into a full size crack quickly.
Incident date: Feb 13, 2022
The battery died after less than two years. There is a class action lawsuit related to recent Subarus draining batteries very quickly due to parasitic power drain because of a faulty electrical system. The 2020 Forester was included in the initial lawsuit, but this model was thrown out of the lawsuit by the judge since none of the plaintiffs owned a Forester. However, it is a known issue. Prematur... Read more
SUBARU
OUTBACK
(2020) - POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Feb 14, 2022
Incident date: Feb 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that he received a recall letter from the manufacturer. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing a software update. The contact reported that the recall letter advised that the vehicle has no remedy for it yet for the CVT chain. The contact said... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that he received a recall letter from the manufacturer. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing a software update. The contact reported that the recall letter advised that the vehicle has no remedy for it yet for the CVT chain. The contact said... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, a crack suddenly occurred in the lower center of the front windshield. After parking the vehicle, the crack extended to approximately 18 inches in length. The contact described the crack as having a spider web effect. The contact indicated that no object had struck the windshield to cause the crack.... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he noticed there was a crack on the windshield. There was no impact to the windshield that could have caused the crack. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,200.
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2014) - STEERING
Feb 14, 2022
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
The vehicle had 51666 miles on it when I last serviced it for an oil change in Oct. of 2021. The owner puts very few miles on the vehicle. The vehicle would be available for inspection by your agency. At this time, no specific component has been identified in the intermittent failure. 2016 and newer Subaru's have recalls on similar symptoms. Owner complaint is that the power steering intermitte... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2022
Battery drains very fast. Sometimes the electrical system won't work properly; the trunk gate won't open, the auto up and down on the drivers side window controls may or may not work. There doesn't seem to be any pattern to this. There are no notifications that say there are any problems. Will have to replace battery soon.
Incident date: Feb 13, 2022
On 2/13/22 I started my vehicle to move it back into the garage. Upon putting it into 'Drive' the engine unexpectedly started to ramp up the RPMs accelerating the vehicle forward. Fortunately I had my foot on the break slowing the progression and I was able to switch the gear to 'Neutral'. At that point the engine began to continue to ramp up the RPMs. I tried depressing and releasing the acce... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2022
On 2/13/22 I started my vehicle to move it back into the garage. Upon putting it into 'Drive' the engine unexpectedly started to ramp up the RPMs accelerating the vehicle forward. Fortunately I had my foot on the break slowing the progression and I was able to switch the gear to 'Neutral'. At that point the engine began to continue to ramp up the RPMs. I tried depressing and releasing the acce... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2022
On 2/13/22 I started my vehicle to move it back into the garage. Upon putting it into 'Drive' the engine unexpectedly started to ramp up the RPMs accelerating the vehicle forward. Fortunately I had my foot on the break slowing the progression and I was able to switch the gear to 'Neutral'. At that point the engine began to continue to ramp up the RPMs. I tried depressing and releasing the acce... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2022
Came out of Home Depot on Sunday February 13, 2022 to find large crack in our 2019 Subaru Outback windshield on drivers side for no reason. This spontaneous cracking happened on this same vehicle on Feb.20, 2021 on the previous windshield but on the passengers side and I reported it to NHTSA ID # 11397305. Had it replaced last year and now same issue with spontaneous cracking. Clearly these Subaru... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2022
I have received numerous recalls on this model and failed to receive WUV-07. Now they have sent WRK-21 to replace WUV-07 and tell me the tools and reprogramming should arrive by May and they will contact me again. This is a drive train slippage issue (something I have been complaining about since I purchased the car) and very hazardous. I was planning 2 trips between now and then and I beli... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2022
I have received numerous recalls on this model and failed to receive WUV-07. Now they have sent WRK-21 to replace WUV-07 and tell me the tools and reprogramming should arrive by May and they will contact me again. This is a drive train slippage issue (something I have been complaining about since I purchased the car) and very hazardous. I was planning 2 trips between now and then and I beli... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2022
I was driving on the highway and my hood opened and flew back into the windshield. This caused my windshield to break. It was very dangerous and scary since I was driving on the highway. I was very lucky that I did not hit anything or anyone and also that no one else hit me. The tow truck driver said that the hood latch was broken. I have never had any issues with my hood closing prior to this and... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2022
I was driving on the highway and my hood opened and flew back into the windshield. This caused my windshield to break. It was very dangerous and scary since I was driving on the highway. I was very lucky that I did not hit anything or anyone and also that no one else hit me. The tow truck driver said that the hood latch was broken. I have never had any issues with my hood closing prior to this and... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
Windshield defective/easily damaged. Minor roadway pebble created a pit. Seems to be an issue with many Subarus.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2022
On January 15, 2020, a very cold morning, I discovered a crack in my 2018 Subaru Forester windshield. Upon further research, I also discovered this issue with spontaneous windshield cracking was an ongoing problem, found in Subaru's in the 2016 thru 2020 issue years. I took my Forester to my local Subaru dealer to inquire about the process to have Subaru repair my windshield under warranty. I was... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2022
I was driving on a normal roadway when a pulley began to make a loud screaming sound. Then I heard two loud pops. I pulled to the side of the road. I found a melted serpentine belt. I replaced the belt and began to drive at a low speed. I noticed the Vehicle started to sputter. I pulled over and checked the engine. When I opened the hood the AC compressor was sparking and 6-12 inch flames were sho... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Feb 12, 2022
I am the original owner of the vehicle in question. I have been experiencing excessive electrical drain issues throughout the life of my vehicle. I have had to jump it at least 10 times and have replaced the battery 4 times throughout my 7 years of ownership. This is quite excessive and has caused safety issues in the past as you never know when the battery suddenly no longer has enough power to s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2022
I am the original owner of the vehicle in question. I have been experiencing excessive electrical drain issues throughout the life of my vehicle. I have had to jump it at least 10 times and have replaced the battery 4 times throughout my 7 years of ownership. This is quite excessive and has caused safety issues in the past as you never know when the battery suddenly no longer has enough power to s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2022
We received the recall notice and do not feel safe driving the vehicle. This problem has the potential to seriously injure or kill someone if the vehicle failed on the highways. They quote May as the earliest time frame that they will begin repairs. This is not an acceptable time frame. Assuming the dealers are prepared in May, there could still be an overwhelmingly long wait list for the needed r... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2022
Windshield cracked while using the defroster. This is a 2020 Outback. I had the same problem on a 2019 Outback that went through 3 windshields in less than a year. These windshields are defective.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
I was driving from Gainesville Georgia to Stuart Florida and all of the sudden the windshield cracked from the top upper left corner to about 6 inches down. It continued to crack for about 18 inches or so within the next 24 hours. I only had the vehicle since September, 2020.
Incident date: Feb 11, 2022
The 2003 Subaru Forester Sub Frame is rusted. I live in Illinois.
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
At a stop, the vehicle shut off, which required a jump start. The vehicle is fairly new, so a discharged battery shouldnt have been an issue.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
on 2/8/22 I brought my car in for service to an independent repair shop. The service was for the 120k standard service. I had been noticing exhaust smells. They checked the exhaust and found "exhaust leak from center exhaust flange, and exhaust leave from exhaust manifold". They recommended a complete replacement of the exhaust manifold "under Subaru recall". They printed the recall for me. It ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
on 2/8/22 I brought my car in for service to an independent repair shop. The service was for the 120k standard service. I had been noticing exhaust smells. They checked the exhaust and found "exhaust leak from center exhaust flange, and exhaust leave from exhaust manifold". They recommended a complete replacement of the exhaust manifold "under Subaru recall". They printed the recall for me. It ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2020
I purchased this car in 2019 and I have brought into into the dealership because it keeps dying and I have to jump it. It will die several times a day and this has been a consistent problem since I purchased the car. I have made the dealership aware and they have inspected the car 4 times and I am always told that there is no issue that they can find with the car.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2022
The windshield has cracked from the outer edge while sitting in the driveway. There was no initiating damage from where the crack started. I see online that there are concers with the integrity of the windshield and am concerned.
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
I have a crack running across the bottom of my windshield. I took the car to SafeLite for replacement. They do a pre-service check of the EyeSsight camera system which provides forward collision avoidance and lane departure warning. The scan revealed History Code P00FF and a Current Code B280AA8. The SafeLite technician advised they could not replace the windshield until the codes were removed. Th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
I have a crack running across the bottom of my windshield. I took the car to SafeLite for replacement. They do a pre-service check of the EyeSsight camera system which provides forward collision avoidance and lane departure warning. The scan revealed History Code P00FF and a Current Code B280AA8. The SafeLite technician advised they could not replace the windshield until the codes were removed. Th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
I have a crack running across the bottom of my windshield. I took the car to SafeLite for replacement. They do a pre-service check of the EyeSsight camera system which provides forward collision avoidance and lane departure warning. The scan revealed History Code P00FF and a Current Code B280AA8. The SafeLite technician advised they could not replace the windshield until the codes were removed. Th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2022
I hand washed my 2015 Subaru Forester using a garden hose with no pressure nozzle on the hose. While drying it I noticed a very strong burning smell. I then noticed smoke coming from the drivers side door mirror. It smoked for 30 to 40 seconds. Afterward my key fob door locking/unlocking functions do not work. Also the dome lights and clock do not work, as well as the TPMS. When I lock the car wit... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2022
I bought my new 2020 Forester in November 2019. It now has 1604 miles on it. Twice already I've had to have it towed to the dealership because the battery was dead from just sitting in my driveway. The first time, February 2021, they said it was a bad battery. The second time, January 2022, they said it's because I don't drive the car enough. Said I have to drive or idle the car for at least ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
On 9 February 2022 I was driving the vehicle when a Crack appeared on the front driver's side of the windshield. No object hit the windshield before hand that had caused a chip or Crack. The Crack extends from the bottom drivers side up about 1/4 of the height of the windshield and then takes a turn towards the passenger side approximately 9 inches.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, he discovered a vertical crack had formed on the lower center section of the windshield without incident. The contact stated that the crack then spread horizontally and was obstructed his vision while driving. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where the windshield was inspected and pictures were taken;... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2021
Windshield cracked around September 10 of 2021. Forward warning went off at times since crack. I had windshield replaced and new windshield cracked 4 months later. I must pay $500.00 deductible. Now the crack on new windshield is 3 weeks old and has spread to approximately 15 inches. Windshield must be replaced again. Forward safety now goes off at times as with previous windshield when it was cra... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2021
Windshield cracked around September 10 of 2021. Forward warning went off at times since crack. I had windshield replaced and new windshield cracked 4 months later. I must pay $500.00 deductible. Now the crack on new windshield is 3 weeks old and has spread to approximately 15 inches. Windshield must be replaced again. Forward safety now goes off at times as with previous windshield when it was cra... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2022
Over the weekend, the check engine light came on and I lost heat in my vehicle instantly (like flipping a light switch) after already driving with full heat for about 30 minutes. In addition to losing heat on a zero degree day, the vehicle also lost the capability to circulate and redirect coolant to the engine properly, causing a significant reduction in engine temperature causing it to run nearl... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
The car regularly drains the battery. We are the original owners and have had to purchase 3 car batteries thus far. The car does not provide any warning messages or report any issues. Every time the battery has been drained it happens without explanation, over a dozen times since we’ve owned the car. We’ve always had the batteries inspected, and they’ve been in good contention with life left... Read more