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: Aug 1, 2024
A week after my routine oil changed at 31K, the check engine light along with flashing "s" pop up. The next day the check engine disappeared. I was some what happy and continue to drive car as normal for 2 days, then check engine light came back again and this time is staying for good. I just can't believed that 4 years old car is having this issue. I've owned so many cars prior to this 2020 S... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
There is a squeak that comes from the front suspension at low speeds. I have taken it in for repairs twice, the last time it was in the dealership for one month. They replaced the bushings and stated the issue was resolved, however the squeak is still present.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
There is a squeak that comes from the front suspension at low speeds. I have taken it in for repairs twice, the last time it was in the dealership for one month. They replaced the bushings and stated the issue was resolved, however the squeak is still present.
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated the steering wheel seized and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, but the failure could not be replicated. The local dealer informed the contact th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Can-Am Ryker. The contact stated that while making left turns at approximately 25 MPH, the rear wheel vibrated abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
Incident date: Aug 4, 2024
I have experienced several instances while driving of Hesitation/Non-Linear Acceleration from a stop. When light turns green, on occasion when I accelerate, the vehicle hesitates then lurches forward into traffic. Have also experienced this issue when waiting to make a turn - car hesitates then lurches forward. I have almost had an accident due to this issue. According to Toyota Crown internet for... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
"Jeep Death Wobble" - I was informed by my mechanic that the Automatic Braking System module will need to be replaced. This was after numerous attempts to fix what is being referred to online as the Jeep Death Wobble online - widespread complaints online and on Jeep forums. Previous attempts to resolve this issue included alignment, new pads, brake pads, new brake rotors, 4 new tires. Despite al... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
While driving on the highway I had decided to tilt my sunroof open. When it opened the sunroof completely cracked/shattered discarding tiny particles of glass all over me. There were no previous compromising cracks nor did anything hit my pano sunroof causing this to happen
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
After replacing the valve body (part of cvt transmission). The car was released to me. Immediately upon leaving the dealership, the car kept jolting and shuddering, but no maintenance lights were lit on the dashboard. Upon returning it to the dealership, we were notified that the whole transmission would need to be replaced. Subaru is aware of the faulty transmission as they increased the cvt tra... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2024
When driving on the freeway, a low oil pressure alert came on, so the vehicle began to lose power and sound very bad. I had to stop on the freeway and pull over to a safe place on the road to check for any leaks or lack of oil. but everything was fine, I took him to a safe place away from the highway but the noise was constant so I had to ask for help from a tow truck to take him home since I was ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
The battery is completed dead after overnight parking. Had to manually open the door from the key and kia roadside assistance was requested to jump start the battery. We kept the car running so that the battery would be charged and drove about 10-15 miles and the battery is dead again the next morning. Did some research and figured out many 2025 Carnival SX prestige owners reported the battery par... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2024
When driving on a straight road (highway, avenue, etc.) steering wheel tends to stay “sticky” at the 12 o clock position and takes some force to get it to move to make minor adjustments in steering. This makes it overcorrect and causes me to constantly gave to be adjusting to keep the car straight
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
Electric tailgate opener button switch on tailgate failed and allowed tailgate to open while traveling. Lost a tote containing tools onto the roadway when accelerating from an intersection. Luckily it was a rural road with no traffic and no one hit tool tote in the roadway. This seems to be a serious safety hazard especially if a motorcycle would of hit lost cargo in the roadway.
Incident date: Mar 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not ex... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
ABS/VSA system module failing because of circuit board. Circuit board does not have all wires soldered onto system. Issue by manufacturer. This affects braking system, abs/VSA module, power steering and tpms sensors. Car is unsafe for driver and other vehicles on the road. Inspected by Honda and given code 123-11 for failing ABS solenoid. Highly dangerous.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
ABS/VSA system module failing because of circuit board. Circuit board does not have all wires soldered onto system. Issue by manufacturer. This affects braking system, abs/VSA module, power steering and tpms sensors. Car is unsafe for driver and other vehicles on the road. Inspected by Honda and given code 123-11 for failing ABS solenoid. Highly dangerous.
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
The automatic windshield wipers will not turn on during rain and mist. Also the wipers will not turn on when there is water and visibility is very poor. For unknow reason the car jammed the brake almost bringing the car to a stop on the freeway on cruise control and nearly caused a pile up.
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Colling) and 24V513000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were 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 contact stated while driving at... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Colling) and 24V513000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were 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 contact stated while driving at... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
Balmar alternator or regulator fails to work as designed. No charging of batteries when idling or driving. This is a Safety Issue because fires have been reported as a result of these electrical system failures. Lithionics (battery) app confirms no charge reaching the batteries, see attached screenshots. Potential Risk of Fire when not working properly as evidenced by others with Balmar failure... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2023
When I reach interstate speeds the hood starts to rattle and makes a very loud noise. It shakes as if it is going to come open. It also does then when I am behind a large tractor-trailer where the wind coming off whips the front of my care. I have checked to see if the hood needed a height adjustment but that isn't the issue. It is up as far as it can go and if I lower it any it gets even worse.
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
My 2015 Hyundai Accent started having issues with oil consumption at about 80,000 miles or so. I was having to check and add oil to the vehicle regularly in addition to oil changes. The oil consumption issue got worse as the vehicle got higher in miles, having to check and add oil every 600-1000 miles approximately. I was not aware of the known issue with Hyundai motors and the oil consumption so ... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-250. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The failure occurred intermittently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact learned that it was a known failure; however, there was no recall for the failure. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
About a month ago my car started acting like it didn't want to restart at traffic lights when the auto idle kicked in. One time to completely did not restart on a major highway and I had to completely turn the car off then back on again. Then last week I tried to get into my car and multiple components had stopped working: my keyless entry, blind spot sensor, parking sensor, entertainment system... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Julio 30, 2024 Volkswagen Customer Care Volkswagen Group of America 3800 Hamlin Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326 Dear Volkswagen Customer Care, I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent recall notice I received for my Volkswagen vehicle, VIN [XXX] 2023 VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 Due to the severe safety issues outlined in the recall, I have been unable to use t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2024
The Instrument cluster in my 2019 dodge ram 1500 Bighorn edition has been dark for about a month no longer see any information as to tire pressure or warnings or alerts to the computer system because it is completely dark. I have seen multiple complaints on this site and I would like to know how to proceed, I can’t continue to drive this way
Incident date: Jun 5, 2023
The contact's grandson owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds and driving over a bump in the roadway, the rear end of the vehicle started fishtailing from left to right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tie rod and control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the fa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2023
The contact's grandson owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds and driving over a bump in the roadway, the rear end of the vehicle started fishtailing from left to right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tie rod and control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the fa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
While driving on a highway at 65 mph, the hood of the car completely opened. When attempting to close it, The latch that holds the hood wouldn't hold it at all. There were no warning lights, when I called the dealership they said that because there were no recalls on it currently, they couldn't do anything. The hood completely blinded us and dented the roof and sides of our car.
Incident date: Jan 7, 2020
Engine started misfiring and when stopped at red light the engine began making a knocking noise.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at speeds of 51 MPH or exceeding that speed, the vehicle experienced the "Death Wobble". The failure also occurred while driving over rough road surfaces. The contact stated that during the failure, the “Traction Control Loss” warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The dealer confirmed that t... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Engine runs fine while driving and then cuts off while coming to a stop. This happened three (3) times last week since 7/23/24. Each time it happened I was stopping at a traffic light! After the failure a warning lamp flashed something about, Do Not Change Gears. Will make appointment to have it checked out as soon as possible.
Incident date: May 1, 2024
I was merging on to the expressway and my truck kept going to the left into traffic towards a concrete median. I turned my wheel to the right to try to avoid it and started to spin out and went back to the right side of the expressway which was four lanes wide and slammed into the guardrail. After the wreck I noticed my ABS light was on I’m not sure if it came on as I was merging onto the expres... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
Car lunched from a traveling in traffic 50+ mph to 39 mph and then had to push the pedal to the floor to get it off the highway and on the side during 5 o'clock traffic. Said something about the hybrid battery and went dead. Dealer has had it for 11 days and still can't get it started. Apparently there are THREE batteries in relation to this hybrid and all 3 don't work and never seen this before. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH and making a left turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled off the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the power steering functionality had not returned. The contact had taken the vehicle to a loca... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
While driving, the transmission will go into limp mode and will not drive over 40 mph. Comes on and off intermittently. Will not show error code. Was almost rear ended by semi trailer when happened
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle began vibrating moderately. The check engine warning light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs and ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was the... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The Eyesight system will malfunction and turn off at random times. The Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning will activate when there is nothing in front of my car causing it to brake abruptly. I have almost been in numerous collisions due to the random safety systems malfunctioning.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The car engine shuts off while in the drive position randomly while at a stop.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The car engine shuts off while in the drive position randomly while at a stop.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
We received the recall notice, advising us to call Hyundai to make an appointment to correct the safety problem. We made an appointment to fix the problem at their Richmond, CA location. When we went there, they told us that they could not fix it because their system was down. We made another appointment in Vacaville, CA. When we arrived there on the day of the appointment, they told us that their... Read more
Incident date: May 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking erratically. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2024
Object, too small to be seen or causing sound on impact while driving on HWY, ruptured the gas tank, making it loose gas / heavily dripping gas. No warning on car computer. I did not notice the leak until arriving at my destination and I don’t really want to think about what could have happened. Gas dripping could have caused car go up in flames, causing severe damage to passengers, other vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was started, and the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was drivable; however, the vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer was contacted, and the contact declined to pay for a diagnostic test to be performed.... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2024
ABS activates when pressing brakes and hit any type or bump. Extreme shaking and shuddering of the whole vehicle and steering wheel until vehicle stops. This has happened more than 5 times since purchase in April
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
While going up a steep hill or mountain the car starts to over heat when you stop pressing the gas the car will start to go back down in to cooler numbers and you can start driving again with no issues until you hit another hill.. car breaks wear out excessively also the car jerks when going into gear to shift
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
TRUCK IS ACTING LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. WILL REV SUPER HIGH WHEN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60, AS WELL AS NOT GOING FROM A STAND STILL. SHIFTING USING THE MANUAL MODE DOES NOT HELP IT AT ALL, AS IT STILL HAS THE SAME ISSUES. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, THE TRUCK IS HAVING HARD SHIFTS AND COMES OUT OF GEAR WHILE MOVING AND STOPPED.
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Enclave. 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with fuel pump failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the parts needed to repair the vehicle was ordered. The manufacturer... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
This concerns a defective transmission control (shifter) assembly. The defective shifter assemblies prevent the vehicles from detecting when the driver places the car in “Park.” As a result, the vehicle goes into accessory mode and one cannot shut off or lock the vehicle, the instrument cluster displays a “Shift to Park” message even though the gear shifter is already in “Park,” and th... Read more