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: Jul 30, 2024
I am writing to express my concern regarding recent design changes implemented by Tesla Motors in their Model 3, Model S, and Model X vehicles. Tesla has removed traditional turn signal and shifting stalks from the steering wheel and replaced them with buttons. While innovation in automotive design is crucial for progress, I believe these changes have significant implications for vehicle safety an... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
I bought a 2023 Honda HR-V on Monday, 9/2/2024. and then on Wednesday, 9/4/2024, while driving to work my read windshield shatters out of nowhere. The glass remained in tact while I continued to drive and then completely shatter when I opened my car door. It sounded like an explosion and it startled me. I called the dealer that sold me the car and he proceeded to tell me that this is a known issue... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
Regen braking sometimes disengages at times creating what feels like sudden acceleration. Several malfunctions of the electronic system, including faulty alarms to go off all the time. There have been recalls on this vehicle, but Fisker has done nothing to repair any of these issues. List of authorized service dealers was promised by end of August and there has been no communication. The support n... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
Regen braking sometimes disengages at times creating what feels like sudden acceleration. Several malfunctions of the electronic system, including faulty alarms to go off all the time. There have been recalls on this vehicle, but Fisker has done nothing to repair any of these issues. List of authorized service dealers was promised by end of August and there has been no communication. The support n... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (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 disconne... Read more
Incident date: Jun 7, 2024
My Ford F 150 is a 2014 Eco Boost with 65,302 miles on it. I took it in for the recall and an oil change and the engine light was coming on intermittently. They said it had a timing chain issue. I have been buying Ford F 150's since 1980 and never had this issue. My extended warranty company denied the claim to repair the issue. The dealership said it would cost around $5,000 to repair. I ch... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2024
Out of nowhere, I couldn’t get the car to start. It keeps saying “Low Braking Power”. I had someone checked with Code Scanner and nothing shows up, and it’s not battery issue neither. The car guy said there’s a very high chance the issue is from the brake booster vacuum pump.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2024
ABS / TRACTION CONTROL AS WELL AS SERVICE ABS SYSTEM. AT TIMES IT COMES AND GOES AND MOST TIMES NOW IT STAYS ON. DISABLES CRUISE CONTROL AND AT TIMES EVEN SAYS 4 WHEEL DRIVE UNAVAILABLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY YEAR MODEL RAM AND I'D LIKE TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE ASAP.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2024
ABS / TRACTION CONTROL AS WELL AS SERVICE ABS SYSTEM. AT TIMES IT COMES AND GOES AND MOST TIMES NOW IT STAYS ON. DISABLES CRUISE CONTROL AND AT TIMES EVEN SAYS 4 WHEEL DRIVE UNAVAILABLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY YEAR MODEL RAM AND I'D LIKE TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE ASAP.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2024
On [XXX], on or about [XXX], while leaving out the garage the steering wheel locked-up and would not turn unless exceptional strength was used. We immediately notified Garlyn Shelton in Temple, TX dealer and had the 2017 GMC Denali towed with AAA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Sep 2, 2024
I first noticed the sound of water running in the dash each time I started the car. At that time I don’t recall an engine light on. It would sound like bubbles and water running for 10 seconds or so and then it would go away. That lasted a while before I was driving home from work and on two consecutive mornings my car lost acceleration power. This is dangerous in that I have to cross traffic on... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2024
Faulty sky light drainage design directs water directly into the rear under deck compartment where the company located electric lift gate equipment the water shorts out the entire electric system. The total loss of power occurring at highway speed could be deadly.
Incident date: Aug 28, 2024
On May 11, 2024, we took our 2015 Kia Optima to Hutchinson Kia Service Center 3931 River Pl, Macon, Ga. due to brakes not working. When you apply brakes the vehicle would not stopped you would have to apply the emergency brakes for a complete stop. On that day, I was told no one was there to check my brakes due it was a Saturday and would need to schedule another appointment when they could do a b... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
Rocker arm on left (as you are facing engine from outside vehicle) back rear left is making a cherping noise when engine gets warmed up. Dealership & 2 separate mechanics say the cam shaft and lifters need replaced, or the whole engine should be replaced. Vehicle has 162500 miles on it. Noise started about a week after my last oil change on 6/11/24.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
Batteries continue to go dead, have had at least 8 batteries since 2012. Nissan started charging me for batteries got too be expensive & told them this is a huge concern because I travel alone & if I get stranded this is unsafe for me. Gave me all kinds of excuses as to why batteries are going dead. Again, my car is in the driveway with a dead battery. Thank goodness I wasn't travelling, stopp... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2024
Failure of the Front windshield mounted monocular camera from overheating causes all advanced driver assistance systems to shut down such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, etc. This is a very common occurrence in not just the Honda Odyssey, but other Honda models as well. A new part can be anywhere from one to two thousand requiring dealer calibration. The heat ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
Headlights flash intermittently while driving. I have not reported this to manufacturer since this is a known issue. Wanted to report to ensure vehicle is listed for safety recall/repair when available.
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
Headlights periodically turn off and on while driving automatically, randomly, and without warning. Causes other drivers to become confused, disoriented, or enraged. Drivers think they are being intentionally flashed or harassed and respond with brake check or moving to another lane and becoming visibly distressed. This is a new truck, with less than 500 miles, and no warning lights are issued.
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
Exhaust flange clamp improperly installed during manufacturing process causing exhaust leak not identified until consumer noticed after approximately 40 miles of use. At time of writing dealership has not inspected. No warning lights or indicators. Audible sputtering heard when gas engine runs. Hybrid vehicle.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
Driving on the highway heard large rattling noise coming from engine loss of power engine light came on battery light came on no acceleration cause to slow down on highway fortunately I was able to get to shoulder had it towed to service shop had p0012 code tensioner may have broken off on timing belt causing low oil pressure and causing engine rattling noise and engine shut down but service garag... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
Driving on the highway heard large rattling noise coming from engine loss of power engine light came on battery light came on no acceleration cause to slow down on highway fortunately I was able to get to shoulder had it towed to service shop had p0012 code tensioner may have broken off on timing belt causing low oil pressure and causing engine rattling noise and engine shut down but service garag... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
Our 2018 Ecoboost Ford Explorer started releasing smoke from the tailpipe when starting in April 2023. I took it in to the Ford of Kirkland dealership in early May 2023. They kept my car for 9 weeks, and then said there is nothing wrong with it and gave it back in July 2023. The car kept having the same issue. This was while it was still under warranty about 96,000 miles. Fast forward to February... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2024
The vehicle will randomly hit the brakes hard and the collision warning system goes off. This happens when there is no obstacle or vehicle near the vehicle. It happens on 6 lane highways and the interstate. It almost caused numerous accidents before Paramount Kia's solution was to disable the navigation assisted automatic braking system.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2024
Car began pausing/stalling/ now will not start
Incident date: Aug 30, 2024
No accident everythink working perfect
Incident date: Aug 30, 2024
Headlights flicker repeatedly while driving. About every 1-2 minutes
Incident date: Aug 30, 2024
I had 2 fuel injectors fail on my car within a 3 week period. The car is only 2.5 yrs old and has 48,500mi on it Both instances where when I was on a highway. I had the 1st fuel injector fail on [XXX] and then the 2nd one failed about 3 weeks later on [XXX]. When the 2nd fuel injector failed, I was barely able to drive the car to a safe place to get it towed. I spoke with a Hyundai Corp case worke... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2024
Was driving down the highway and I heard a loud banging out of nowhere from my engine. Whole truck shut off in the middle of the highway I pulled it over to side of road and called a tow truck. They took it to a dealer ship and I was told my crank was broken and they wanted 20,000 to replace whole motor. There was no warning lights nothing it just happened out of nowhere at 101,000 miles so I miss... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
My radio is going crazy. Like going through every radio station, calls people. Its a distraction. And after researching how to fix I noticed thousands of people have the same problem. Almost cause an accident because of the distraction and this is obvious problem in GMC.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
My radio is going crazy. Like going through every radio station, calls people. Its a distraction. And after researching how to fix I noticed thousands of people have the same problem. Almost cause an accident because of the distraction and this is obvious problem in GMC.
Incident date: Aug 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the message "Steering Assist Loss - Service Now" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality while driving 20 minutes later. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2024
Toyota dealer contacted me; said my car will cost $15000 to fix. He said people at Toyota who has my exact car costed $15000 to fix! it’s known in automotive circles this year make model & engine size has this factory defect of the rear head studs stripping out and becoming loose. This causes combustion failure of the head gasket and engine block. The cylinder heads will be warped & cracked.... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2024
After a drive from Denver to Breckenridge on snowy roads the car was parked in an unplowed parking space. When the car was moved 1 hr later the car had no ABS--flashing on dash, no traction control--flashing on dash and steering was ineffective. Car was only drivable by backing into a space. 20 hrs later the car was to be moved again...again, everything flashed on dash...no ABS, no traction con... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2024
After a drive from Denver to Breckenridge on snowy roads the car was parked in an unplowed parking space. When the car was moved 1 hr later the car had no ABS--flashing on dash, no traction control--flashing on dash and steering was ineffective. Car was only drivable by backing into a space. 20 hrs later the car was to be moved again...again, everything flashed on dash...no ABS, no traction con... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2024
As of 10May2023 the Driver Front Airbag Inflator May Rupture and could cause death to occupants of the car. All in my car are at risk for metal parts flying in the cabin of the SUV if the airbag inflator ruptures. This could cause death per recall notice. I called all the dealers near me and GM no one can get the parts to fix this potentially life threatening defect. Please help them get the pa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2024
Having same issue as NHTSA Campaign ID: 20V682000 Fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealer won't fix because they can't get it to duplicate issue. Multiple codes showing fuel pump P12B501, P107B.
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2013) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Aug 28, 2024
Incident date: Aug 18, 2024
A few months ago my jeep started giving a "stop safely vehicle will shut off soon" message on the dashboard. It comes and goes randomly, I could be started the car or driving it. I had to get it towed when it did it on the highway. The dealership said it was the batteries, we had those replaced. It was fine for about a week and then started doing it again. Took it again and now they are saying it ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2022
Our VW ID.4 was leased in December 2023. The vehicle unexpectedly went into "turtle"mode or limp mode, which according to VW happens when the battery is very low. Notably, we had 80% of battery charge at the time (which is the optimum charge). Unexpectedly, the yellow turtle display came on and, worse, the vehicle lost power while driving. The speed was greatly reduced, the power was also greatly ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
Was heading home from work and the 2006 Hummer H3 shut off while traveling in the middle of traffic was able to cruise in Nuetral until I could stop to start car again started car and yet again I receive a cylinder misfire code which has been repaired on multiple attempts still no success. I am going to end up either crashing or an emergency vehichle will be trying to get by and I can't move becau... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
Air bag light will not go out. Looking to see if there is any recall for airbags. No accidents or impact to vehicle. Light came on about two weeks ago
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
Driver Rear suspension coil spring broke in half while vehicle was parked. I just got out of the van and there was a loud nose and the van dropped a few inches If I was driving at the time I could have lost control and crashed. Has not been inspected Is unavailable for inspection because no replacement part available from Honda part is on back order Multiple reports online of the same part b... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
I have had this car for 2 years (13K miles)....intermittently the car stops short when backing up. This has happened at least 15-20 times, backing out of my garage. It also happened twice backing out of a parking space. The most recent incident was driving on the hwy at 70MPH and the emergency brake warning light came on causing the car to swerve, stop for a few seconds. Needless to say this was ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
I have had this car for 2 years (13K miles)....intermittently the car stops short when backing up. This has happened at least 15-20 times, backing out of my garage. It also happened twice backing out of a parking space. The most recent incident was driving on the hwy at 70MPH and the emergency brake warning light came on causing the car to swerve, stop for a few seconds. Needless to say this was ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
For the past month or two my vehicle hesitates to start on the first try. I can smell an odor at times when this occurs. Most recently it seems to occur more frequently when the outside temperature is warmer.
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
Crankcase Ventilation Valve Problem code P052E71
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
panoramic sunroof stuck will not close. generally dealer purportedly recalled select vehicles acknowledging issue, however oem states this particular vin is not included in recall, not making any sense, if they acknowledge problem but decline to resolve for others
Incident date: Aug 27, 2024
On August 23rd 2024, I drove this vehicle all day. But, upon reaching our final destination (ER department entrance) smoke began rolling out from under the hood. Once getting out to inspection the vehicle someone hollered for a extinguisher. I turned to look at the vehicle and I could see underneath of the 2012 kia sorento had flames. My son was still in the car so my mother and I ran to get him o... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
Starter went bad which lead to shortage within the lithium ion battery and regular battery. Car came to a stop and did not move in an intersection, blocking both lanes of traffic. Furthermore, car could not be put into neutral as it could not be started. There was smoke emanating from the engine on further restart attempts. Car had to be towed where it was determine this was the problem. Warning m... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2024
Brake lights don’t function brake switch bumper broke off and lights stay on but not bright when brake is depressed. Loss of power random misfire cut from loss of power. Brake switch fault in computer