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: Jan 22, 2025
Back when I bought this vehicle in November, I noticed an excessively loud noise when breaking. This noise takes place when it’s cold and or wet (snow makes it worse). I have contacted 2 Dodge dealership and both claim nothing is wrong. After months of hearing this horrific sound when it’s cold and or wet, I contacted Dodge themselves to get this resolved. Dodge has the absolute worst customer... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on both sides of the windshield started to detach. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that parts were not yet availab... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
Driving vehicle on road and the accelerator pedal no longer working vehicle. coasted to the side. Car had to be towed. Vehicle cranking without problem but will not accelerate pedal goes to floor. At consideration of purchase of vehicle, car fax and all details about vehicle were viewed for possible purchase. Items on recall are now a concern as a safety issue.
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
I have had 2 rebuilt transmission and a manifold replacement and my vehicle still does not run at 100%
Incident date: Jun 15, 2019
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while attempting to activate the heating system, the heating system failed to activate. There was an abnormal coolant odor entering the vehicle through the vents. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2019
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle was emitting white smoke from the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that her husband had not observed any warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled, and her husband had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2019
Since purchasing the vehicle in April 2020 with 19,195 mile on it, the transmission would always hunt to shift gears around 40 to 43 mph. When I asked the dealers about it they said it was at a shift point and with the eight speed transmission that was normal. Going faster of accelerating or going slower was always pretty good. Around the first of November 2024 it changed to all shifting below 40 ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
# 11644630 This is the reference number to the representative I spoke with. I am attaching the latest letter I have received stating our tires was recalled. This letter attached was received on February 25, 2025.
Incident date: Dec 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); 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 contact stated that the A-pillar trim had started to detach on the driver’s and passenger’s side of the wi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the gearbox assembly. The vehicle was rep... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
Cylinder 5 failure and cam shaft miles 78k. Have to replace full top end or brand new motor cost $10k up to $13k to fix at dealer
Incident date: Feb 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-voltage battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer reset the check engine warning light. The contact stated that the following day after the re... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-voltage battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer reset the check engine warning light. The contact stated that the following day after the re... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side windshield trim detached and flew off. In addition, the contact stated that later the driver's side windshield trim fractured and was loosely flapping. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the parts were on backorder. The contact received... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2020
While the person was driving the wheel suddenly became stiff and very difficult to turn but luckily was in his neighborhood to park it. This could have been a very deadly crash if it happened anywhere else or suddenly on the main road. The person could have been seriously injured due to this malfunction or other people as well. This problem has been confirmed by ford and they issued a recall in 2... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2020
While the person was driving the wheel suddenly became stiff and very difficult to turn but luckily was in his neighborhood to park it. This could have been a very deadly crash if it happened anywhere else or suddenly on the main road. The person could have been seriously injured due to this malfunction or other people as well. This problem has been confirmed by ford and they issued a recall in 2... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
The fuel filter housing cracked and started pouring diesel out the top and back of the engine. No warning lights going to dealer for replacement. This can be very dangerous for vehicle occupants and another motorist.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
The 2016 silverado LTZ 5.3L flex fuel lifters went out at 83k miles. I was left standed and had to be towed. I have researched that this is a known GM issue with the 5.3L motors, but I was told because I was outside the warranty that I had to pay the $8000 repair bill for a new motor. This is one a GM issue and a safety issue because I had sudden no power while I was driving and with no warning. T... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
Unknown. The OEM wipers have a large streak in the main field of vision on the drivers side. They only last a FEW weeks with new OEM parts. I’ve tried getting aftermarket replacement s and they don’t fit properly.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
The screen started to glitch out for periods at a time. Now it is just black and nothing works on it now, including the backup camera (safety issue). The seat warmers and steering wheel warmer is on but now there’s no way to turn them off. The amount of people that complain of the same issues online is insane, this needs to be recalled.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
When starting my car, it started rumbling and then the following alerts came on: transmission, emissions, power, and blind spot sensor. I took the vehicle to the dealer and they noted that cylinder 4 fuel injector went bad and also cylinder 4 spark plug went bad. It was covered under warranty; however the car was not safe to drive until the above parts were changed out to working parts.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
The engine light comes on randomly. And causes the transmission to bog down and unable to accelerate. We have to pull over and shut the vehicle off and cycle it a few times to get the engine light to come off and then it drives fine. Has happened multiple times and has happened on the highway while driving. I’ve also had the vehicle completely shut off while driving. I’ve taken it to 2 dealers... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from sixth gear to first gear. The speedometer and RPM fell to zero. The accelerator pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The check engine and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The wrench symbol was displayed. The contact stated that the fai... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
I was driving on the highway and heard a very loud crash/explosion noise. Glass fell all over the inside of the car, the panoramic sunroof exploded. I believe this is the spontaneous explosion issue that has been reported in other rav4s, as there was no known road hazard seen or found, no overpass where anything fell, and there is no clear impact point on the broken glass, no other body damage any... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
Engine or something is making a noise every time turned on and now while turning off
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
Upon acceleration the engine began to sputter with a clanking noise. After turning around to pull back into my drive way the engine began to work properly. I had the vehicle towed to Master GMC Augusta,GA. After the car was at the dealership for several days, I was told the issues could not be duplicated and there were no error codes. While returning home from the dealership the car began to sputt... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
Complaint: I took delivery of my new Tesla Model 3 on [XXX], and noticed it pulls hard to the right from day one. The steering shakes constantly, feels unstable, and loses traction—sliding sideways and lurching above 40 mph. It’s dangerous on highways; I’ve nearly lost control multiple times. Service wait times delayed my first visit over a month. Service History: Tesla Service, Dedham, MA... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2025
Just randomly if I have to brake the brakes go all the way to the floor. Sometimes have to pump the brakes to stop. Last couple of days when there’s rough road it feels like the brakes are on when accelerating and car begins to shake.
Incident date: Feb 26, 2024
RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHEN ACTUATING HANDLES INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. UNABLE TO REMOVE CHILD OR ALLOW PASSANGERS SAFE EXIT OF VEHICLE. IF YOU PULL THE HANDLES TWICE OR SIX TIMES IT WILL SOMETIMES OPEN. INTERMITTANT ISSUE, ACUATORS ALL APPEAR TO WORK AND BE IN GOOD CONDITION.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
The brakes have been repaired and replaced repeatedly. The vehicle locked down yesterday 2/25/25 when the driver was headed to school to pick up the children. The car came to a complete halt and was a danger to others with a "transmission engine" warning light on the dash. This vehicle has numerous repairs in addition to being too dangerous to drive down a two lane road due to the severity of the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that there was fluid leaking on the passenger's side rear wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured passenger's side rear wheel bolt. The contact was informed that the passenger's side rear wheel bolt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the transmission started slipping while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V628000 (Power Train, Electrical System). The contact called an independent mechanic who provided a printout of a recall. The l... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. T... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
Issue Summary: Since December 27, 2024, my vehicle has experienced a hybrid malfunction and leakage issue three times. Each time this occurs, the vehicle becomes completely inoperable and cannot move, requiring a tow truck to take it to the dealership. Since December 27, 2024, my car has been in the shop four times, yet the issue persists. This raises serious reliability and safety concerns, as t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
Issue Summary: Since December 27, 2024, my vehicle has experienced a hybrid malfunction and leakage issue three times. Each time this occurs, the vehicle becomes completely inoperable and cannot move, requiring a tow truck to take it to the dealership. Since December 27, 2024, my car has been in the shop four times, yet the issue persists. This raises serious reliability and safety concerns, as t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2025
This vehicle has been deteriorating since around the 10-15k miles. One of the recalls should have fixed something that was happening to my heater /ac not turning on. I would turn on the vehicle and the fan wouldn't turn on. I had turn off and restart the vehicle. this has happened multiple times. The display panel will turn off randomly while driving. the main problem is my car drifts to side. rea... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2024
My digital cluster that displays how many miles my vehicle has, how many miles I have until I am out of gas and how much gas I have does not display correctly. From my own research this is due to the solder used during manufacturing being lead free. Because it is lead free it cracks in cold weather and causes a poor connection causing the display to be unreadable. I have read online and thousands ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated upon further inspection, the contact became aware that the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim was loose. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceed... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2025
In April 2022 after owning the car for 4 weeks the Eyesight went out. I was told it was due to the thermal control module. That was replaced. I’m n June 2023 the AC went out. They said it was the blower motor. That was replaced. In September 2023 the AC went out again. At that point they found the cause was actually a fully melted fuse box and fuses. They replaced the fusebox and the entire AC s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and stalled in the middle of the road. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact attempted to pull over to the side of the road, but the gear shifter failed to shift to neutral. The tow truck operator disassembled the dashboard to shift the vehicle into neutra... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2025
The rear hatch unlocks when I start the vehicle. Then the rear hatch is open indicator comes on
Incident date: Feb 18, 2025
I had first took car to get first free Oil change from ABC Nissan and the service department couldn’t do it under 5000 miles and just topped of the oil. I had went back like few days later for an air filter replacement and they did not have to part and sent me over to ford right across the street. I had ford dealership run a code diagnostics on vehicle and found it needs computer updates and an... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2025
While operating vehicle at 45 MPH, engine crankshaft seized and vehicle broke down in the middle of the roadway. This diesel engine was serviced routinely and oil changed with specified land rover oil per manufacturer specs. There is a class action lawsuit in UK over this motor for defective crankshaft issues.This is a 2016 RR TDV6 Gen 2 diesel motor with about 145K miles. There is a Range Rover s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2025
Sunroof will not close. This is a know issues that Kia is aware of, and they have created performance step for technicians and also created replacement. Consumers are having to pay out of pocket to have issues corrected. Wind deflector has broken and railling system as well. No open recall in the 2020 Kia telluride for this issue. Please view attached youtube video link of this issue. [XXX] IN... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2025
Driving home going 60-70 miles an hour I lost power in the middle of the highway and cruised off to the emergency lane. Engine completely shut off out of nowhere. Spedeometer went down even though i was pressing the accelerator . Starter burned out as well. Dealership says there was metal in the engine. Ordered a new engine and that engine was also defected. Now going into my third engine. In le... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
I was at a stop light in a busy area and I got a message saying critical engine malfunction warning, engine power reduced. I had to floor the car to get it to 5 mph, then when I got it in the only minimally safe area I could the emergency braking system was the only thing that stopped it. My brakes failed too. My car has only 71K miles and is not quite 5 years old. It's been meticulously maintai... Read more
Incident date: Feb 23, 2025
In July 2024 all the cameras on the Tesla Model S except the rear stopped working after a failed software update. This meant that all of the driver assistance systems as well as GPS, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, forward collision warning etc stopped working. The lack of availability of this system meant that the car no longer had any advanced safety fea... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler 300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was 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 experienced ... Read more