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: Mar 21, 2024
Thermo control valve failure, P26A3 code, eyesight safety assistance warning light ,check engine light, pre collision braking light, lane assist light.
Incident date: Mar 21, 2024
unknown cause for internal malfunction of the catalytic converter. Hyundai did have prior issues in 2019 with the publication of a technical service bulletin
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
While driving our 2017 Kia Sorento, it began exhibiting power struggles. Something was just wrong, but we didn't know what. There were no signs on the dashboard. No sensors, symbols, lights, no sounds, no leaks, nothing. Figuring it was just our imagination or whatever, because we continually have issues with this vehicle, we continued driving (looking back at it now, we know it wasn't as powerful... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
I took my truck into the dealership Ford of Upland for recalls on [XXX] (136923 miles) outstanding field service actions [XXX], [XXX] , [XXX] , 21M05, [XXX] . I called to make an appointment and confirm if parts are needed for these recalls that they had them and nothing was on backorder. Cabral Lillian let me know they had everything the truck would be done in 1.5 days at most. About 2hours befo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
I recently encountered a problem with my Tesla where the drivers door opened on its own while operating the vehicle. Tesla reported it was a faulty door handle. I am concerned that the software interlocks related to the door operation have anomalies that create a safety hazard fo car occupants.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
The SOS emergency that is supposed to work when you press the button or if your car is stolen the module failed and on months of back order
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
The thermo control valve on vehicle failed on 2020 Subaru Forester which is causing vehicle to loose acceleration, multiple errors codes displaying on the vehicle instrument dash panel and no heat in the vehicle (see attached photo for reference). The failure of this device could cause a vehicle fire depending on what position/ and or state the thermo valve failed in. There needs to be a manufact... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
The backup camera stopped working on March 19. Because the car is less than a year old, we thought it was a minor glitch and would go away on its own. On March 20, the backup camera was still not working. On March 21, with the backup camera still not working, we contacted the dealership to schedule an appointment to diagnose and fix it but the next available appointment isn't until June (three mon... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
The backup camera stopped working on March 19. Because the car is less than a year old, we thought it was a minor glitch and would go away on its own. On March 20, the backup camera was still not working. On March 21, with the backup camera still not working, we contacted the dealership to schedule an appointment to diagnose and fix it but the next available appointment isn't until June (three mon... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle the emergency brake independently seized. The contact stated that the vehicle abruptly stopped. The vehicle would not drive forward or backward. The contact contacted the dealer and a service technician was dispatched to the location. The service technician connected the vehicle to the diagnostic equi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2024
My honda accord has 68,000 miles on it and the CVT transmission is failing. It's jerking, especially in low gears and rides rough. I've been doing some research on the CVT transmission and it's not good. I've been to two dealers a total of 4 times. Because the diagnostic does not register a problem, nor does engine light come on, I've been told transmission is fine..
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
Tire inner wear which is due to bad design, it is hard to notice but blows up tire randomly, which is deadly while on highway. Its known issue specially with pre-refresh models, there should be at-least a recall to rectify toe/camber issue in alignment, proactively. almost every single model x owner is facing same issue.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
2019 Honda Accord SRS (supplement restraint system) unit light came on. The dealership informed me that the SRS unit and the driver side airbags are defective. The dealership had the car for a week attempting to figure out the issue and replaced both the SRS unit and the driver side airbags. They gave me the car back and 15 miles later the SRS unit light came back on. There is a safety concern wit... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown 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 e... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
My vehicle was stolen due to a jammer that copied my car keys information. I have it on video. It was addressed to acura and honda about the vulnerability for past 3 years and they ignored it. I now am a victim of a stolen vehicle because of this vulnerability that was not acknowledged
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
In for a normal oil change and tire rotation. The lug nuts were swollen and had to be broke off and replaced. with the same one that were on my car. I did not no Ford had a lug nut problem until then. To find out that some people had to have cars towed because of the tire not being able to come off. It is a saftey hazard. Ford know this and keeps making these lug nuts. Saying to replace eve... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
My vehicle has a dash light warning for service that says "Limited Park Brake Function, Service Vehicle" and then applies my parking break on its own. I have at times be unable to get the parking brake to release and will have to start and stop my vehicle numerous times before it will accept me releasing the parking brake.
Incident date: Mar 16, 2024
I was waiting for a light to change to green and the vehicle shut down because of the auto-stop feature, after a couple of seconds the car turned on again and this message came on "stability track off" and this happened like that like 3 times until I turned off the auto-stop. I took it to the dealer the next day and they scanned it for issue and told me there's nothing wrong with the vehicle.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
Was driving on the interstate with cruise set and without warning it downshifted and vehicle quit in middle of the road almost caused a accident. Vehicle won't start up. While pushing car to safety popped up engine over heat but Guage did not show it being hot.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated the front passenger side door handle trim was then separated from the vehicle. The door handle trim was replaced by the owner. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated the front passenger side door handle trim was then separated from the vehicle. The door handle trim was replaced by the owner. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
Received a “4WD System Unavailable” error on dash. Vehicle got stuck in 4WD. Vehicle has been at dealership since 1/13/2024. Apparently part is on back order.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2024
The seat belts do not retract properly, causing a loose seat belt. The vehicle has 10,000 miles on it. This is a common problem with all 2017 to 2020 Fiat Spiders. Replacement seat belt retractors have the same problem.
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
Potential safety hazard ? Engine Auto start/stop feature for gas savings and emmisons control works by applying brakes and Engine shuts off, it restarts when brakes released. Normal operation, BUT I have noticed that unbuckeling the seatbelt or OPENING the DOOR will cause it to RESTART even though brakes are applied..this could cause an accident as it's an unexpected RESTART of the Engine in dr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
My steering wheel is like using manual steering, it is very hard to turn it seems to get stuck in certain positions, easier in another spot when turning, then gets stuck again. It is very hard to turn, no lights on the dashboard, no error codes. This is a huge safety concern if I am driving and can no longer steer my vehicle safely. I see so many other complaining about this problem with 2014, why... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
Very hard shifts from 1st to 3rd gear it's a automatic transmission it's getting worse it will do it at random times and it's getting to the point I'm scared to drive the car. mazda should listen to everyone else's problems with the same transmission it's ridiculous
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
Weak head bolt threads that are easily stripped and causes excessive leaks
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport. The contact stated that while reversing, the back over protection camera displayed a solid gray screen and failed to display an image. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. Additionally, the vehicle would not immediately start while pressing the ignition switch. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local d... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
The steering has at times become sticky for lack of s better term. Turning the wheel, even slightly, feels hard to turn and then will release and cause slight over-correcting. It feels like something is preventing the steering column from turning and then it will let go and turn freely. When this happens it will happen repeatedly on the same outing and is not just a one time occurrence.
Incident date: Aug 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the taillight and signal lights were inoperable. There was water in the lower section of the taillight compartment when it rained or while the vehicle was taken to the car wash. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the taillights and signal lights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the taillight and signal lights were inoperable. There was water in the lower section of the taillight compartment when it rained or while the vehicle was taken to the car wash. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the taillights and signal lights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2024
GM refuses to replace the part, refund the vehicle, or replace it.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, and the parking brake was activated, the vehicle began to roll forward. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that on one occasion, the vehicle erroneously rolled into a tree causing damaged to the exterior body. On multiple occasions when the failure occurred... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2024
The car was involved in a fatal crash where the side impact airbag (side of fatality) failed to deploy and the EDR failed to fully comply with Part 563 requirements. All other airbags and rollover system deployed but the EDR recorded only the deployment of the side impact airbag on the driver side. The EDR included 6 events and some of them have severity less than the threshold required by the r... Read more
Crash
1 injured
1 deaths
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
Back up camera recall was unresolved by previous owner. I’ve tried fixing the issue myself but cannot find it. The camera displays blue and black screens while in reverse.
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
Back up camera recall was unresolved by previous owner. I’ve tried fixing the issue myself but cannot find it. The camera displays blue and black screens while in reverse.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2024
Excessive play in steering due to OE tie rods ends manufactured with excessive play. I have complained on two occasions that the vehicle has excessive bump steer causing it to be difficult to handle at higher speeds on uneven surfaces. At times sharply darting towards oncoming traffic on some two lane roads. My dealer says there is nothing wrong but the service adviser admits there are many compla... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2024
The brake lights keep going off, they have been replaced several times. The passenger airbag deployed on a stop sign and cracked the entire windshield. The steering wheel feels like it’s going to come off. Please help
Incident date: Mar 4, 2024
I want to file a safety complaint against Ford car company for their vehicle in which I purchased which is a 2008 Ford Fusion SEL for excessive and dangerous rot and rust problem on the frame and suspension and under component which can lead to accidents if one of these components fall apart . I purchased a 2008 Ford fusion SEL in Connecticut which used to be a Massachusetts state government vehic... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2024
I’ve owned my 2015 Ford Fiesta for about 7 years now. Within the first year, I contacted the Ford dealership explaining noises when driving and my dual clutch shifting gears. I sent them video sound recordings. They said it was typical of this transmission. The car has never felt smooth but “ok enough,” until 18months ago when I reported gears slipping. No error codes were detected but parts... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) and 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
Both front doors have broken spot welds. The driver’s side window will not function properly— it only goes 1/3 of the way up and down when the vehicle is in use. There is also a loud popping sound when the door is opened.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (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 m... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the brake warning light illuminated. After parking the vehicle, the contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard upon restart the vehicle. Brake fluid was added to the vehicle; however, the failure returned soon after the brake fluid was added. Additional brake fluid was added to the vehicle an... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the engine and catalytic c... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
In March 2024 I received a letter from GM saying "that parts are now available to repair your vehicle" relating to the 2023 airbag recall. However, the local GM dealer advised me that while it placed an order for these parts 11 days ago, it still has not received the parts and told me that GM has provided no "ETA" for when these parts would be received. GM has failed to replace the airbag comp... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2022
The first problem that happened with the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban was we were driving and the 1 of 2 brake boosters gave out. We had to contact with customer service of Chevrolet of informed them about what happened. We took the vehicle to a local dealership to have fixed, then after that we started to have problems with the transmission, fuel pump and the air ride. With the transmission/electri... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
Abs pump failure on a vehicle with 80k miles.
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
See attached document for complaint