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 14, 2025
While traveling on [XXX] in Van Buren, Arkansas, I was involved in a hit-and-run accident. The impact caused significant front-end damage and resulted in physical injuries. The vehicle’s dashboard/electrical system indicated AIRBAG:ERROR, and the police report reflects that airbag deployed yet we have photo evidence that the airbag did not deploy. However, photo evidence clearly shows that no ai... Read more
Crash
4 injured
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
While traveling on [XXX] in Van Buren, Arkansas, I was involved in a hit-and-run accident. The impact caused significant front-end damage and resulted in physical injuries. The vehicle’s dashboard/electrical system indicated AIRBAG:ERROR, and the police report reflects that airbag deployed yet we have photo evidence that the airbag did not deploy. However, photo evidence clearly shows that no ai... Read more
Crash
4 injured
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
Description of the Problem: I am reporting a severe vehicle fire that occurred with my 2015 BMW X4 (VIN: [XXX}) on [XXX], while I was driving on [XXX] in Orlando, Florida. This was a life-threatening incident. I narrowly escaped death as flames suddenly engulfed the front of the vehicle while I was on the road. For nearly two hours, it felt like a horror show. I am still in shock. After checkin... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while at a red light, the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the braking system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
Interior lights stay on much too long after turning vehicle off, even several hours. Dash and bell indicators indicates doors are open when they are not. Door locks operate open while driving.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the “Service 4WD” warning light illuminated. While accelerating, the transmission was slow to engage before shifting into the next gear. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the PTU nee... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
Vehicle will display on dashboard “Shift to park” while the vehicle is placed in “P”. The engine will turn off, but the power remains on until the battery is disconnected from the vehicle. Codes have been verified by the Chevrolet dealership.
Incident date: Feb 10, 2025
The APIM has a known software issue that blanks out the main display and control screen. While not a safety issue for the Radio. It Does eliminate the climate control system. It makes it impossible to turn on, adjust or turn off defrosters. So if windows start to fog there is NO control. The results are attempting to navigate to the side of the road. Secondly this is draining the battery shu... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V093000 (Seat Belts); 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 vehicle was leaking oil near the front wheels. Additionally, the vehicle was shaking while driving at various... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
I currently have 5K miles on the bike. All 5K miles I have had stalling issues. These issues mostly happen when lightly feathering the throttle while pulling out. This issue is not in my clutch work. It seems to be in the throttle sensor. The bike has began to randomly shut down on my while riding. This is always random and cannot be reproduced at will. It does however seem to only happen with a z... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
Everything I turn the steering wheel, rather it’s to the left or right, there are clicking noises coming from the area of the wheel well. My dealership states there’s no fix to the issue, but it’s louder and louder by the day.
Incident date: Apr 12, 2025
I have been having problems with a coolant leak that’s been fixed but then leaks again. Got it fixed 2 different times now since I purchased the car.
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
Dec 17, 2024 2022 Wagoneer was dropped of for service for a slight rattle in the engine. It was determined that the cams and shifters were “over-torqued” and had thrown metal shavings into the engine. This would require a full engine replacement which was conducted over the course of nearly 4 months. This is a reported and known issue/defect for Wagoneer. It was picked up March 28, 2025. On Ap... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the transmission became stuck in second gear. The contact pulled over the right side of the road and turned off the vehicle for two minutes. The vehicle was then restarted and there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the gear shifter. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and dete... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
Roof rail attach to the vehicle is appears to be loose. Can cause a safety hazard if it rips off vehicle while driving on the highway
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Took car to dealer because the dash light came on what looked like airbag needed replacement.? I had had that done so they checked and told me it was a weight bar in passenger seat that was lighting up. Does that not protect person from collision and trigger airbag if u have accident.?? Would that not be a necessary fix even if cars out of warranty? They could not answer that and said I would have... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
Coolant intrusion. Coolant leaking internally resulting in smoke from exhaust and fumes inside cabin when heater is on.
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
FORD ALREADY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH ENGINES IN THE SE ECOBOOST,, THERE IS A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 3.INSTEAD OF THEM RECALLING ALL OF THOSE ENGINES THEY ONLY RECALLED A FEW PUTTING EVERY ONE ELSE SAFTY AT RISK .PLEASE HAVE THEM RECALL MY ENGINE . THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES I HAVE BEEN CALLING THE LOCAL FORD SINCE LAST YEAR TO CHECK ON RECALLS FOR THIS ENGINE. I WAS TO... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2025
Vehicle failed to start due to a faulty wiring harness connecting the 12v battery to a component of the engine. This left me stranded with no warning, and I was unable to jump the vehicle through normal means. This is a known issue with the 2022 Ford Mavericks, as demonstrated by Ford's TSB 22-2340, and according to Ford, does not fall under their hybrid warranty.
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 20 MPH with a message was displayed "School Zone, 20 MPH", however the contact was not driving in a School Zone during the failure. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds, the instrument panel and the center console display went blank. The vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2025
Transmission failure; See attached Customer Support Program Bulletin No. POL19-04 [XXX] (for 2018 Highlanders). My vehicle is a 2019, same body style, same transmission type, etc. Toyota dealership diagnosed my vehicle today and confirmed that the issue is the same as listed in the bulletin. I filed a case with Toyota (corporate). I have located thousands of other customers online reporting t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
brand new 2025 jeep grand Cherokee less than 3 weeks old - I just got into an accident last night on the freeway my car began to decelerate and accelerator completely stopped working. I noticed an AEBS alert and engine light on the dash but came close to no other cars for this to have come on. Came to a complete stop and I look down and the car is in park. I was unable to put the car back in drive... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving in the parking lot and attempting to park, a sudden unintended acceleration occurred. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who informed the contact about the release of the EDR data. The failure mileage w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 124 Spider. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V694000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not 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. The contact had not exper... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
I was entering 4-lane highway from a side street. While accelerating, the engine suddenly stopped. The dashboard went black, except for a red outline of the car. In the second or two that I was looking for a place to get off the highway, the car restarted, and all indicators returned to normal on the dash. I completed my errands without incident. Since the original incident on Monday, [XXX], I ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2025
The instrument panel cluster assembly (screen behind steering wheel) needed to be replaced because it would intermittently stop working and I had no idea of how fast I was going, what gear I was in, how much fuel I had or whether the lane assist and other safety features were working. Without knowing speed, I may have followed cars too closely to safely stop or I could have run out of gas and lef... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2025
The instrument panel cluster assembly (screen behind steering wheel) needed to be replaced because it would intermittently stop working and I had no idea of how fast I was going, what gear I was in, how much fuel I had or whether the lane assist and other safety features were working. Without knowing speed, I may have followed cars too closely to safely stop or I could have run out of gas and lef... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2025
While driving on the interstate, the car in front of my stepped on their brakes hard and immediately let off. I was several car lengths behind the car, but my emergency braking activated. The brake pedal went out of reach and I tried to step on the gas but the car would not accelerate. Two cars passed me on both sides, but luckily there was no one behind me or they would have hit me. The car w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2025
I was pulling into a friend’s driveway. I had my foot on the brake was barely creeping forward. Without any yellow warning, the car slammed on the brakes for me. It hit the brakes so hard, I had smoke coming out of my front, middle vents and when I got out of the car, it smelled very bad and I had smoke coming from my brakes. There was nothing in front of me. The same incident also happened to m... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2025
grille shudder broke
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2015) - AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT
Apr 9, 2025
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the message "SRS Air Bag Malfunction detected" was displayed. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V8650... Read more
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2015) - BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Apr 9, 2025
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
Camera/navigation randomly cycling, not dependable with alerts and crash detection. Has caused several close calls.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2025 Volvo New VN. The contact stated that the electrical outlets were inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering and brake line functionality, and the alignment was off. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the contact was advised that further diagnost... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
Glass roof was cracked in December by what looked like a shell dropped on the top. Had it repaired by insurance on January 16, 2025. Less than two months later, there is another crack that appeared out of no where. Was not at work that week and the car was parked in my garage. I never felt any impact of any kind. Sent pics to insurance (sunroof express) and they are refusing to cover it under w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
I took my car to the dealership for the recall on the airbag and was told they are unable to replace it at this time due to a parts issue. I live in Hawaii and from my understanding high temperatures and humidity exacerbate the issue and I am concerned for my safety and the safety of others.
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after adding diesel particulate filter fluid in the vehicle, the message that the vehicle was low on fluid was displayed, and the vehicle would unintendedly decelerate to under 50 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the DPF pump and burner. Approxim... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
PHEV vehicle: charging interrupted in the middle of the night. When attempting to reconnect the charger, a "Charging unsuccessful" message was given. A warning with "Check Hybrid System" appeared, as well as the check engine light. I cannot charge the car anymore and had to leave it at the dealership.
Incident date: Jun 28, 2022
Excessive outer wear on front tires
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
2024 Honda Prologue has been having service high voltage system, reduced acceleration, no heat or AC in while in the rain and with toddlers in the car. Car has had this issue twice before and just got the car back from the service on April 2, Had issue in December, Feb 2025 for 11 days. The vehicle was just returned 3 days ago for the same issue. Service keeps stating they don't know what the prob... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
buttons such as the selector wheel on the left side of the steering wheel stick and it keeps wanting to cycle through settings because of it. There is no way to pop it back out, and it remains stuck. From reading online many people have had this issue and the only thing Nissan will do is offer to supply you with a new steering wheel. One person has a 2023 and they are on their third or fourth stee... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
6.2 L Engine Failed and is at the Dealership. Technician said a lifter had dropped damaging the intake and the cylinder wall. The problem has been identified by a Dealership Service Center. Only inspection has been by the Dealership. No warning messages pryor to failure. Engine light and some messages came up right when it happened.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
THE PAINT ON MY PEARL WHITE CAR IS PEELING OFF.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 23V86500 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and Northridge Toyota (9550 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91324) were contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amou... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) and 15V269000 ( SEAT BELTS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the steering wheel vibrated and seized. The... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) and 15V269000 ( SEAT BELTS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the steering wheel vibrated and seized. The... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) and 15V269000 ( SEAT BELTS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the steering wheel vibrated and seized. The... Read more
SUBARU
FORESTER
(2024) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM)
Apr 3, 2025
Incident date: Mar 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled; the contact stated that the vehicle was jumpstarted and the vehicle to returned to normal operation; however, the failure reoccurred on several occasions. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the Batter... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormally loud ticking sound on cold starts, while idling, and while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the sound was associated to a cam phaser failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 21B10. The manufacturer was ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2025
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) module on my 2015 Jeep Wrangler failed at approximately 100,000 miles, causing a complete loss of ABS functionality. The component remains installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. This failure significantly impacted my safety and the safety of others, as it compromised braking performance, making the vehicle more difficult to control... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2025
2018 Subaru Forester Safety air bag recall I drive my grandchildren in front passenger seat. There’s a safety recall. No incident yet. What has to happen before this air bag problem is fixed?