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: Apr 28, 2025
I am writing to express my concern regarding a series of significant issues I’ve experienced with my vehicle, all occurring within a span of less than six months and well within the 3-year/36,000-mile warranty period. 1.Battery Failure in Cold Weather: After the first exposure to below-freezing temperatures, the vehicle would not start on multiple occasions. This ultimately led to a full battery... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2025
The rear tires P-AWS actuators cause the rear wheels to slide sideways causing lose of vehicle control with out warning. There is no rhyme or reason to the loss or when to know its coming. The cars are a ticking time bomb. Upon researching this problem, it seems I'm not the only one having issues with this. It needs to be put on the manufacturer to repair issues with this if there are that many ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2025
My coolant is leaking into the motor. Shop gave me a quote for a whole new engine. I’ve seen so many posts on forums and many friends who own the same car having the same problem. Please please make Ford issue a recall as this is my only vehicle and I got it hoping to finally not have to worry about car problems for a while. It’s been 2 months since I bought it.
Incident date: Apr 2, 2025
My coolant is leaking into the motor. Shop gave me a quote for a whole new engine. I’ve seen so many posts on forums and many friends who own the same car having the same problem. Please please make Ford issue a recall as this is my only vehicle and I got it hoping to finally not have to worry about car problems for a while. It’s been 2 months since I bought it.
Incident date: Apr 2, 2025
1. Subaru 2022 Crosstrek accelerated on its own when foot is on the brake and trying to move the shifter knob to park, instead the car thursted into the parked car in front with such force that ran into the garage. 2. Towed car to Subaru dealer informed to escalate to Subaru of America, opened a case #250402-1600810, please see attached email communication. 3. Subaru will not respond unless I... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the oil level was lower than expected; however, oil was being constantly added. There were no warning lights illuminated. While driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2025
Vehicle with less than 50000 miles has 2 broken flex pipes on the exhaust system that is going to cost me $1,932.66. This should be a warranty recall and GM should allow you to take it to a mechanic of your choice for repairs as the dealerships cannot give you a fair time frame to repair.
Incident date: May 7, 2025
The MMI spontaneously reboots numerous times while driving. When the reboots happen, the screen goes black and key systems such as the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, and navigation, become unavailable until the reboot completes and the systems reload. Restoring functionality requires user input to get through the loading screens. The issue started in mid-February 2025 and the vehicle has ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
The passengers window will not roll down the sound of clicking you can hear though when switch pushed this is a VERY common ongoing issue via KIA SORENTO COMMUNITY THREAD THAT GOES BACK OVER 7 years it’s never addressed or serious it seems for the services dept of several member’s experience to find the cause leading to ongoing hassle and inconvenience for those with one dealer hours away and ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure persisted and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that there was coolant intrusion in cylinder #3, resulting in engine failure. The contact w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2025
The rear lift gate malfunctioned, causing my rear lift gate to get scratch from top to bottom because the lift gate would NOT STOP. I have never had issues with manually stopping the lift gate. I pushed the button and let it come up and then used force to stop it and it would not stop. I do CrossFit 5 days a week and find myself to be strong suit, I physically could not stop this lift gate. It bro... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: May 6, 2025
The charger fails to charge. Nothing happens when it is plugged into the vehicle. The dealer has confirmed the vehicle can be fully charged using the dealer’s level 2 charger. I am able to fully charge the vehicle using the level 1 charger supplied with the vehicle. Enel X Way has discontinued support. Even though I still have one year warranty left on the charger the support page indicates... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
My Car's Driver side air bag sign is on and took it to the Nissan dealer for diagnostic and was told the car seatback needs to be replaced as the airbag is not working. the technician was surprised that this part of the car needed replacement. this car has clean title no accidents and one owner. contacted nissan consumer affairs but they would not help in this issue. the component was never inspec... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
My 2017 Ford Explorer is leaking water through faulty welds in the rear hatch area. A review of many complaints online reporting the same thing shows this is a very common and repeated issue with many Ford Explorer years and has never been addressed by Ford. The complaints are all the same as water leaks in from the faulty welds and causes water to pool in the interior, especially in the spare tir... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2025
High pressure fuel pump failed … theres a recall for some exact model of cars but mines not on the list
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V34000 (STEERING), 19V001000 (AIR BAGS), and 21V158000 (AIR BAGS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time ... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V34000 (STEERING), 19V001000 (AIR BAGS), and 21V158000 (AIR BAGS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time ... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2025
I am experiencing a sticky steering problem. I didn’t even realize there is recall for other Honda crv but it looks like 2022 is not even part of the recall but I am experiencing the exact same issue wheee steering is getting harder to do and the wheel seems to be stuck and unwilling to turn.
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2014) — POWER TRAIN
May 4, 2025
Incident date: May 4, 2025
Consistent issues with the 10 speed transmission. There a delay in shifting from 1st to 2nd gear then slams into gear causing a jerky acceleration of speed. Also constant clunking throughout the gears. Extremely flawed adaptive learning system for their 10 speed automatic transmission.
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2014) — VISIBILITY/WIPER
May 4, 2025
Incident date: May 4, 2025
Dash design makes windshield visibility very poor, especially in conditions where it is sunny. This is very dangerous on a typical day and even more dangerous when the sun is fully shining. After experiencing this, I googled and found numerous Chevy Equinox EV owners mention this problem. There should be a review of this and fix offered by GM.
Incident date: May 3, 2025
Sticking steering wheel at speeds around 60 mph on slight turns been happening over a year took it to dealer said they couldn’t get it to do it.
Incident date: May 3, 2025
1st Engine Failure Dec 2021 due to coolant intrusion and the long block engine needed to be replaced. After the repair I came to look at it & I found, Bolts were missing—including from the undercarriage, battery mount, & power steering reservoir, splash guard, inner wheel well shield. Tools (10mm Snap-on socket & unidentified loose bolts) were left inside the engine bay. The coolant hose came lo... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
My van been giving me some weird issues lately. When I’m going downhill, my brakes don’t seem to work well! I have to push it all the way down, like a spongy. It doesn’t break until I put on the emergency brake. the seat broke only weighed 185 pounds! the wiper blades don’t do a great job cleaning the driver’s side after I bought new ones. Dealership wipers
Incident date: Apr 15, 2025
The motor to the lock in the gas tank makes a very loud sound and doesn’t appear to work properly
Incident date: May 1, 2025
I was driving down the interstate and all of a sudden the blinking lights of the check engine light came on and automatically I went from 75 mph down to 63 mph and when I looked up what it was, it was the knock detection system of the 2020 Kia Optima. I could not accelerate beyond 63 mph and I fear that the engine might stall on me so I went to O’Reillys and have them check it and it says it’s... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2021
The instrument panel just stopped working. Our safety and the safety of others was/is put at risk because you are unable to see how fast you are going in the car. It also doesn’t let us know how much gas we have left in the gas tank so if the car just stalled out on a highway, it could cause a major safety issue. This is also where cruise control is run from. It’s also the panel where any and ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle started shaking excessively, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the lifter in cylinder #7. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccu... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel was turned to the right to follow a sharp bend in the road, and the vehicle turned too wide. The contact turned the steering wheel to the left to straighten the vehicle when the rear of the vehicle started to fishtail. The contact slowed down but had not observed any warning li... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
My back passenger door will not lock. If I lock it from my ford app or key fob that back door stays unlocked. This puts my safety at risk because I’m a young female living in a big city known for sex trafficking. I could be followed to my car and I could lock the door but that door stays unlocked someone could kidnap me. Or what if I’m driving the car and the door flies open, that can cause a ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (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 failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
My car suffered complete engine failure at 25,522 miles. Lexus claims that it is not in the VIN range of the recall. However, it is the exact same problem all other 2022-2023 LX600 are experiencing and being recalled for. Lexus is clearly minimizing the extent of the engine failure issue and my VIN is also part of the problem.
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
This vehicle has significant rust damage on the frame located on the driver's side of the vehicle the rust has gone through the frame causing it to be unsafe.
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
The CVT valve body was diagnosed as defective by the Subaru Dealership service department. The car was taken to the dcealership when the A/T OIL EMP, HILL ASSIST, ABS and TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITY CONTROL lights came up. The valve body is still available for inspection. The car was taken to the dealership for a Brake Light Switch recall that has the same simptoms.
Incident date: Apr 28, 2025
Vehicle: 2021 Chevrolet Traverse Problem: Persistent “Shift to Park” message when vehicle is in Park I own a 2021 Chevy Traverse and have experienced repeated incidents where the dashboard displays “Shift to Park” even though the gear shifter is securely in the Park position. This prevents me from turning the vehicle off and has caused battery drain and confusion about whether the car is ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2025
2023 GMC 1500 Sierra Denali Ultimate tailgate opens without being commanded. This has happened approximately three (3 ) times in the last two months while being driven with the most recent incident occurring today, 04/27/2025. There are no warning lights indicating when a tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven.
Incident date: Apr 26, 2025
So I am driving on the freeway 70mph and I get a message on my dash that says service shifter then every single light on the dash came on and started to make a beeping noise. I pulled over on the side of the freeway and then all the lights dissappear except check engine. I continued to drive to next exit and this time all lights came on again and truck appeared to be shutting off and turning back ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2025
I was nearly sideswiped and instinctively pressed the center of the steering wheel to honk my horn. However, this vehicle only has a touch-sensitive horn button. In an emergency, where milliseconds count, it's extremely dangerous to have to fumble around for a touch button instead of using the control that every car has had for decades. In this case, I was fortunate to be able to evade the inatt... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2025
There is a recall that doesn't include my car. In March before my service due date I got several critical notices on the dash) I-Activsense System malfunction, IActivsense advanced safey and driver support system not operating correctly, Have vehicle inspected. 2) Braking System Malfunction, Stop the vehicle in a safe place, 3)Safety and Driver Support Systems Partially Disabled 4) Vehicle Satus... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
While stopped at a light at a busy intersection the truck wouldn’t drive. There were no prior indications to there be an issue, no noises, no check engine lights. The intersection is a multiple lane route with high speed and traffic with rear end collision possible. The truck was determined to have a blown motor.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
Instrument panel display screen is often blank, or unreadable
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
Bought 2025 Subaru Forester in January 2025. Within 300 miles of driving brought it back to place I bought it, complained about constant vibraton in Sterring wheel at high speeds around 55 - 65 MPH. They said the wheels were out of balance, they re balanced them and the problem was resolved, BUT IT WASN'T. I brought it back to them At 600 miles they looked it over and took it for a ride they said... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
The contact owned a 2000 Ford F-150. The contact stated that her son had parked the vehicle in the residence driveway and had turned off the ignition. The son had exited the vehicle and saw that a fireball had erupted from under the hood. The contact stated that she had reviewed the explosion on her home security camera. The contact stated that the fire department was called and extinguished the f... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an unusual whining sound. No warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the steering rack column was unusually loose. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed steering rack column. The contact was informed that the steering r... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
SOS emergency call button doesn't work. Even though button is show green and technical people at dealership said there are no problems. I actually pressed the button and it said the call can't be made.
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The engine is failing. Our vehicle continues to experience tremendous oil consumption and it's all of a sudden gone into "limp mode" where we lose engine power even after the knock sensor recall update was performed. No check engine lights, no indication of what's happening and it just loses power on the highway as well as city streets. It's a danger to everyone around us and it's a danger f... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
This vehicle was built during the Covid 19 Pandemic. The windshield is leaking at a faulty windshield seal causing water to leak from the headliner onto the driver which will distract the driver causing a safety issue. This 2023 Ram was purchased in June 2024 and is under the 3/36 warranty. The Ram dealership confirmed the leaking seal gasket but would not honor the warranty. Dealership said any ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. While the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver became aware of an extremely loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact's daughter stopped and parked the vehicle. The contact's daughter performed an inspection of the vehicle. The contact's daughter attempted to roll down the front driver's window and noticed that the glass had... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Lexus RX350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was ma... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2025
Why isn’t FREDERICK FORD offering any solutions to BOTH my recalls. Why do I have to drive a car I pay a hefty payment each month not knowing if it will mess up at anytime, and has?!? I have many records and have been having trouble ever since I got the car. This is my 2nd complaint to y’all. When I got the 1st recall back in Jan 2024 and has yet to be fixed. This one started on <3/04/25 a... Read more