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: Dec 15, 2021
Windshield on 2019 Outback cracked without being chipped. This is the same as many, many other owners are complaining about. Lower passanger side of windshield cracked while setting at wifes work. Subaru knows about this defect and will not fix .
Incident date: Dec 7, 2021
IN OUR 3 YEAR OLD SUBARU LEGACY THE BATTERY IS DYING IF WE DO NOT START THE CAR EVERY TWO DAYS. ON THE THIRD DAY THE BATTERY IS DEAD AND NEEDS TO BE JUMPED. i TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BATTERY WAS FINE AND THERE WAS NO ISSUES FOUND.. i HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ONGOING FOR OTHER SUBARU MODELS WHERE THERE IS A ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2022
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t68632_ds1061822 I figured that out after reading all the previous threads on this site. Not happy! I will be getting back to them, and Subaru America as well. What doesn't seem to be clear from this thread is whether replacing the battery with a heftier one will make a difference if there is this parasitic draining going on. The dealer did the required so... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2018
I am trying to submit a complaint to the electronically with no success. Is there an email address that I can send my complaint directly to? The complaint in its entirety takes up one 8.5 by 11 inch-sized paper, I need enough space for 3494 characters. Not enough space given to explain my situation. In order for the context of the complaint to be understood, it must be read from top to bottom. ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
Started the 2022 outback on very cold Midwest winter day. When the car warmed up, the windshield proceeded to crack. ( It only has 7,500 miles on the odometer.) The crack is about 18 inches long and is across the drivers side making it a visual hazard. The windshield used by Subaru must be of poor quality and surely I cannot be the only person who has had this issue. No reason for this to occu... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, her vehicle would fail to start up without warning. The contact had taken her vehicle to the dealer numerous times and had several battery replacements performed; despite each replacement, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failu... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving into a parking space at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, which caused a collision. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle crashed into a traffic signpost, a boulder, and then a tree, which stopped the vehicle. No injury was sustained and no medical treatment was received. No ai... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving into a parking space at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, which caused a collision. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle crashed into a traffic signpost, a boulder, and then a tree, which stopped the vehicle. No injury was sustained and no medical treatment was received. No ai... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 7, 2022
Front windshield spontaneously cracked running from bottom edge of windshield vertically up window for approx 10”
Incident date: Jan 13, 2022
Recently, when trying to park and turn off the vehicle, the key gets stuck in the battery position. The engine will turn off, but the car doesn't fully turn off so you can remove the key. The shifter is in park and there is no steering wheel lock or anything else that might ordinarily prevent the vehicle from being turned off. This process is no different from every other time I've turned the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2022
Vehicle was purchased new by original owner. Battery died at 5,709 miles and was replaced by dealer. I purchased the vehicle as a CPO. Second battery died at 8,077 miles and was replaced by dealer. Third battery died at 8,836 miles and was replaced by dealer. Old batteries were disposed of by dealerships, surely, and are not available for inspection. Safety concern is chiefly of failure when the ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that after a heavy rain and starting the vehicle several warning messages appeared on the instrument panel such as the assist braking and eyesight driver assist needed servicing. The contact also stated that the steering wheel was hard to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that a sensor in the wheel caused the failu... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that after a heavy rain and starting the vehicle several warning messages appeared on the instrument panel such as the assist braking and eyesight driver assist needed servicing. The contact also stated that the steering wheel was hard to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that a sensor in the wheel caused the failu... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that after a heavy rain and starting the vehicle several warning messages appeared on the instrument panel such as the assist braking and eyesight driver assist needed servicing. The contact also stated that the steering wheel was hard to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that a sensor in the wheel caused the failu... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician informed the contact that the failure was the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the CVT transmission needed to be repaired. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving and approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact released the brake pedal and the vehicle slowed down. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2022
The SRS Warning light triggered on 1/12/2022. I took my vehicle to Hendrick’s Subaru in Hoover, Alabama on 1/13/2022. The service technician, using computer error codes, determined that the airbag control unit had failed. This repair will be approximately $1600.00 and I believe that my Outback should have been part of an airbag recall campaign WUX-09R. It was explained to me that the control mod... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2022
Cracked windshield for no reason. Saw a current lawsuit that I wanted to add to my claim. Crack is at the bottom of the windshield
Incident date: Sep 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, a crack developed at the center of the front windshield. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front windshield to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but on 12/24/2021, he had experienced the failure for a second time. The vehicle wa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The contact stated that the battery in the vehicle had been replaced three times. The contact stated that two batteries were replaced in one week and the last battery was replaced a week ago. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer however, the conta... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2022
Got in the car to drive to work and the front windshield just cracked on its own with nothing hitting it.
Incident date: Dec 30, 2021
On December 30, 2021, I was driving on I-95 S around 4 pm about 1/2 a mile from exit 43B when my 2019 Subaru Forester with 64,000 miles stalled in the middle of the highway. I was going about Highway speed during rush hour 55-65 pmh when the check engine light came ON, the EyeSight feature light came ON, and the emergency Brake light came ON. Scariest moment in my life. The vehicle stalled, th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2021
On December 30, 2021, I was driving on I-95 S around 4 pm about 1/2 a mile from exit 43B when my 2019 Subaru Forester with 64,000 miles stalled in the middle of the highway. I was going about Highway speed during rush hour 55-65 pmh when the check engine light came ON, the EyeSight feature light came ON, and the emergency Brake light came ON. Scariest moment in my life. The vehicle stalled, th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2021
On December 30, 2021, I was driving on I-95 S around 4 pm about 1/2 a mile from exit 43B when my 2019 Subaru Forester with 64,000 miles stalled in the middle of the highway. I was going about Highway speed during rush hour 55-65 pmh when the check engine light came ON, the EyeSight feature light came ON, and the emergency Brake light came ON. Scariest moment in my life. The vehicle stalled, th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2021
My windshield shattered when hit by a small rock that apparently came from across and bounced up and hit the windshield. Subaru does not replace windshields... so you have to get Insurance to cover. The wiring in a Subaru is attractive to rodents - what the wiring is made of depends on who you speak with - most common answer is Oat Based Covering. I have spent over $4000.00 to have the wring in th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2021
My windshield shattered when hit by a small rock that apparently came from across and bounced up and hit the windshield. Subaru does not replace windshields... so you have to get Insurance to cover. The wiring in a Subaru is attractive to rodents - what the wiring is made of depends on who you speak with - most common answer is Oat Based Covering. I have spent over $4000.00 to have the wring in th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2022
On Jan 7th, during rush-hour traffic on the highway, without any warning all of my vehicle lights began to dim. The power steering and brakes went out. I was able to steer to the side of the road. Then, all of the lights went out and the car shut off. I was unable to shift the vehicle into park, and as I was going up a hill at the time, I was forced to roll backwards slowly and engage the emergenc... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2022
On Jan 7th, during rush-hour traffic on the highway, without any warning all of my vehicle lights began to dim. The power steering and brakes went out. I was able to steer to the side of the road. Then, all of the lights went out and the car shut off. I was unable to shift the vehicle into park, and as I was going up a hill at the time, I was forced to roll backwards slowly and engage the emergenc... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2022
On Jan 7th, during rush-hour traffic on the highway, without any warning all of my vehicle lights began to dim. The power steering and brakes went out. I was able to steer to the side of the road. Then, all of the lights went out and the car shut off. I was unable to shift the vehicle into park, and as I was going up a hill at the time, I was forced to roll backwards slowly and engage the emergenc... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2022
The car fails to start in cold conditions (~20 degrees F). This behavior started less than 18 months after taking possession of the vehicle and ~6000 miles.
Incident date: Jan 4, 2022
The component that has failed twice is the windshield. They current windshield is available for inspection but not the first. In fact, I am taking it my Subaru dealer tomorrow so they can look at it. This is the second windshield in 13 months that has failed. The first one became heavily pitted across the entire windshield. This one has a crack starting from the passenger side, 2/3 of the way up ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2022
* Battery charging system damaging battery resulting failure of battery. Suspecting overcharging or constant draining of battery below cycling. * Improper charging of battery could result in catastrophic battery failure which may cause battery to catch on fire. * Failure of battery in inclimate/severe weather may impede egress from elements and/or not allow for certain functions of the veh... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2020
Battery is draining and needing replaced far more often than is typical. Constant corrosion build up on the battery.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2020
Battery is draining and needing replaced far more often than is typical. Constant corrosion build up on the battery.
Incident date: Jan 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing out of the garage, the rearview camera froze. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact’s wife was able to reset the rearview camera with the assistance of his daughter who looked up the information on the internet. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found. The... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. Additionally, the vehicle would make abnormal sounds and the gear shift indicator light would disappear from the instrument cluster. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to four independen... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2022
Windshield cracked in the bottom left corner
Incident date: Jan 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the windshield cracked without impact. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while approaching the vehicle in the morning, she noticed a L-shaped crack in the windshield which originated on the passenger’s side of the windshield. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that an issue with the windshield wiper had caused the fracture. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2021
I'm having continuing issues with premature discharging of the battery even though I now have a heavy duty battery and also carry an emergency jump start battery in case. My Outback is equipped with Onstar so it does draw power at all times, my relatively new Optima battery has shown being drawn down to 25% charge on the Optima battery charger after only 24 hours. Of non use.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2021
The battery failed for no apparent reason. After getting it jumped, it would fail to keep a full charge. Starting the car, it was always a gamble as to whether it would start-up or not. This lasted a month or so until the car battery was completely dead. I then had a tow truck come from my insurance to replace the battery.
Incident date: Jan 8, 2022
While driving down the interstate, no other vehicles in sight, heard a pop and immediately a crack formed in the windshield (at the bottom in the exact middle of the glass) which spread vertically and has since branched out horizontally. A matter of seconds before this happened, I engaged the defrost button. This is the SECOND windshield to crack spontaneously since I purchased the vehicle in De... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2022
Front Windshield crack so easily that I have to replace it two times already. The first time the windshield crack from using the defrost in the snow, and the second time was a small rock while I was driving on the highway. I've driven many cars in the past and have had rocks strike my windshield all the time and never experienced anything like this. I'm surprised the windshield recall isn't ext... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that there was a crack on the windshield. There was no impact to the windshield that could have caused the crack. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that a rock chipped the windshield. The dealer informed the contact that the windshield crack was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2022
Parasitic battery drain. Car is rendered inoperable after periods of non use. The batter has been replaced and the problem persists.
Incident date: Dec 31, 2021
The front windshield on the passenger side cracked for not apparent reason. The vehicle had been parked in my carport all was fine. Next morning upon entering the vehicle I noticed the crack. Within 2 days the longest crack had grown from about 2 inches towards the drivers side to about 10 inches. I called Subaru of America customer service with a complaint. They suggested taking it to the dealer ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2021
The RCTA system operates very poorly. When backing up and we see a car in the rear camera screen approaching from the back side of our car, we cannot hear or see any allert. My wife and I are both seniors in our seventies and I suffer from normal age-related hearing loss....my wife not so much. Her hearing is quite normal. But we cannot hear the alert alarm. Also, the visual alert is located ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2021
I have a large crack that started below my field of vision on the passenger side.
Incident date: Jan 8, 2022
My battery drains rapidly on many occasions, and as you can assume it is never a fun time being stranded. When you own a car this expensive, you expect it to work. We have replaced the battery twice already in our 2019. The car completely shuts down with the drained battery and leaves you stranded and begging for a battery jump. With two kids and being a women this leaves me vulnerable to many dan... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2022
Brake pedal of my Subaru Legacy 2020 stopped working suddenly. It kind of gets stuck. It happened to me twice and that is why I am reporting it now. Luckily it happened when I was starting the car not while driving on the road. But I am a little afraid to drive the car on roads now thinking that brake may get stuck again.