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 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at various speeds, the brake warning light illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds on the two occasions, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a software update for the side air bag sensors was needed. The vehicle was... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
I have owned my vehicle since 2017 and since then I have had to change the locks over 10 times. this has been ongoing since purchasing my car. Some were originally covered with the warranty but since it expired, i have paid dealerships out of pocket. I have a lock give out almost yearly. Right now my car has 3 of the 4 door locks not working and the 4th just started acting up as well. I have check... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The man... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
Service 4 wheel drive light came on. Went to dealership and after diagnostics was told that PTU was bad. Vehicle had always had jerking acceleration. Told dealership several times but was told that was normal.
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
Second warning from tire dealership that lug nuts are swollen and need replaced ASAP due to swelling. Noted numerous complaints on-line
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
The dashboard camera screen on all 2024 Altima models displays a white foggy haze, which worsens at night and obstructs and distorts image view. The issue worsens in low light (garages, nighttime) where it is difficult to recognize or identify objects. On 7/10/2024, a Nissan dealership master mechanic reported to us that all 2024 Nissan Altimas suffer from this issue; however, when asked, Nissan... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there was a loud rattling sound coming from the vehicle. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with injectors. The contact was informed that the fuel injectors needed to be replac... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
The vehicle intermittently fails to accelerate without warning or notification. The throttle pedal goes to the floor without the engine stalling or rev'ing but also fails to propel the vehicle. This has occurred when crossing lanes of on-coming traffic placing the operator in an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS situation. In addition, the vehicle also intermittently fails to go in reverse. These issues are ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2024
While traveling at a high rate of speed of 75 mph, on the highway, my brakes failed, the brake pedal was pushed to the floor. The car was hesitant to shift/accelerate. Upon trying to get some type of braking remedy i almost crashed from off the bridge that i was trying to merge on to. upon trying to stop the car i went up a small grade which brought the car to a stop with the emergency brake on. W... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 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 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 distributi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while opening the panoramic moon roof, the moon roof functioned as intended; however, the moon roof then failed to close. Later, the contact became aware that the moon roof would open but not close. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the moon roof assembly... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
Gas peddle gets very touchy before incident. RPMs spike to 3-4K, unable to stop car. Brakes do not work. Brakes get very hard and high brake peddle. Have to put the car in neutral, pull over, turn car off, put in park. Let car sit for a few minutes. Start car, something must reset because car is back to normal. My regular mechanic was unable to resolve, therefore took to dealer. $3500 later, ... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and towing a horse trailer with horses inside, there was a message displayed that the vehicle would enter LIMP Mode. The contact was able to drive a short distance to the destination. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it remained undiagnosed and unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
Humans can't be in a trailer while it's towed by a vehicle unless it's not called a trailer but an articulated city bus, that's all right, it's not a trailer? Or is it?
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
Took the car in for a forced recall it was the bushing on the transmission and now our transmission failed when it had showed no problems. The service department is claiming no fault.
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE 2007-2009 ON THE CORROSION OF THE GAS LINES ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS THE SAME THING THATS HAPPENING TO MY CAR.AND THAT THEY ONLY DID THE RECALL ON 2007-2009 COLBALT MODELS .THE LAST COLBALT'S MADE WAS THE 2010 MODELS.WHY DIDNT THEY RECALL THEM ALSO.I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER CHEVY DEALER IN AMELIA AND THEY SAID... Read more
Fire
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2013) - AIR BAGS
Jul 8, 2024
Incident date: Jun 3, 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 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not expe... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
The electrical harness to the variable fan speed switch overheated melting the harness and switch.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Driving at highway speeds, check engine light came on with a warning of "reduced propulsion power" and sudden loss of speed in heavy traffic. Dealer diagnosed issue as failed EGR valve but is unable to source repair part due to frequency of failure causing years-long backorder.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact scheduled and confirmed an appointment and upon arriving, was informed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
There is a very strong musty smell. 80% of the time it's when I turn on AC. 20% just at random driving times. Whenever car has sat longer then a few hours with all windows up. When open doors is has very musty smell. I have done everything to do with cleaning vehicle. This is a hybrid I'm a lil scared when it comes to electrical fire . Do to this musty smell. That means there is some type of fluid... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
Backup camera is showing rainbow of colors.
Incident date: Jun 29, 2024
This is what is going on with my 2021 Ford Ranger automatic 10-speed transmission and the vehicle's drivability. When bringing the vehicle to a stop, the shifting down to a 1st gear is often executed so harshly that I can hear the driveshaft ringing in reaction to the transmission hard shift nearly locking the rear wheels. The whole act resembles "slamming" a shifter into a gear without disengagi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
Car stopped at a light in the middle of the day 4/15/23 and when turned back on the car would not drive forward. There we had to push the car into a safe location and get it towed home.
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
Unknown. Vehicle disengaged from park to neutral while in garage after vehicle was shutoff (approximately 3-5 minutes ). Vehicle rolled out of garage crossed the street and stopped in neighbors yard. No damage occurred. Incident happened within the last hour, so nothing has been inspected as of yet. I have been hearing an electronic hum with the sound of moving parts in the driver side rear end ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
Unknown. Vehicle disengaged from park to neutral while in garage after vehicle was shutoff (approximately 3-5 minutes ). Vehicle rolled out of garage crossed the street and stopped in neighbors yard. No damage occurred. Incident happened within the last hour, so nothing has been inspected as of yet. I have been hearing an electronic hum with the sound of moving parts in the driver side rear end ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
My car, which as of today, July 6, 2024 has a mileage of 45349, and is experiencing issues related to the EVAP purge pump under speed. I see that there is already been a recall on multiple models of the Chevrolet tracks, but not mine as it is a 2021 and not a 2020. I have owned this vehicle for two months, and have kept up with all of the maintenance as instructed. But I figured that this malfunct... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
My car, which as of today, July 6, 2024 has a mileage of 45349, and is experiencing issues related to the EVAP purge pump under speed. I see that there is already been a recall on multiple models of the Chevrolet tracks, but not mine as it is a 2021 and not a 2020. I have owned this vehicle for two months, and have kept up with all of the maintenance as instructed. But I figured that this malfunct... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
On [XXX] at 6 a.m. I was commuting NB on [XXX] , when engine lost power on 5 lane highway after driving over rough patch of road (~1 mile S of [XXX]). I barely got car onto right shoulder from middle lane when car shut off. Glow plug pigtails warning light came on right as I experienced significant decrease in engine power. AAA towed car to VW Dealer. Diagnostic performed on 7/5. I was informed of... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2024
For the third time in less than 4 months, I have taken my car to the dealer because all of the warnings light come on and the car sputters and dies in traffic.
Incident date: Jun 25, 2024
For the third time in less than 4 months, I have taken my car to the dealer because all of the warnings light come on and the car sputters and dies in traffic.
Incident date: Jul 4, 2024
The engine began having a misfire around 58k miles and low coolant levels. No coolant drips or leaks were detected on the exterior. After some research I found that the 2.0 Ecoboost used in these vehicles is prone to coolant intrusion due to a defective engine block. After a trip the car unexpectedly would not start, it would crank over but it would not start. After sending it to my dealer they c... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2024
My Vehicle stopped working all together. It only has 45 thousand miles on it. The dealer found that the ABS module shorted out and caused the whole car to loose communication. the dealer informed me that the replacement part was under review by Chrysler engineers and production has stopped so there is no replacement for this part and so i contacted Chrysler and was told that they don't have an est... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2024
My Vehicle stopped working all together. It only has 45 thousand miles on it. The dealer found that the ABS module shorted out and caused the whole car to loose communication. the dealer informed me that the replacement part was under review by Chrysler engineers and production has stopped so there is no replacement for this part and so i contacted Chrysler and was told that they don't have an est... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle was shuddering. The contact stated that the failure persisted while driving, and the vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair were initially not yet available. The contact then stated that the check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact then received a second notice that stated that parts for the recall were available. T... Read more
Incident date: Apr 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, after 15 minutes of driving, a quarter tank of fuel had been consumed. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 contac... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2024
The transmission doesn't respond several times and could not picking up speed up hill. There were twice the transmission stopped working, the car could not move and stopped in intersection at traffic light. The problem was first reported to Lincoln during 6 years/70,000 miles powertrain warranty Lincoln did the reprogramming but didn't solve the problem and then refused to repair when the problem... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2024
The rubber casing that circles the gear knob gave way and when the wheel came down once car was turned off. That rubber casing made gear wheel get stuck in the down position and now wheel won’t come up automatically like it’s supposed to when car is turned on. The cost is $1500 for a Reverse Gear Shaft: GEAR SHIFT OPERATION STUCK, because of this rubber casing. This is defective and I want t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2022
Upon starting the trucks engine, putting the transmission in gear (either Reverse or Drive), at idle engine speed (approx 700-800 rpm) or very low (near idle speed) the trucks engine starts to surge from idle then drops down to 500 rpms with a voltage drop (5V) too. It will do this a couple of times and then the trucks engine dies (engine stops) while in gear and no codes are shown on the CEL or ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2022
Upon starting the trucks engine, putting the transmission in gear (either Reverse or Drive), at idle engine speed (approx 700-800 rpm) or very low (near idle speed) the trucks engine starts to surge from idle then drops down to 500 rpms with a voltage drop (5V) too. It will do this a couple of times and then the trucks engine dies (engine stops) while in gear and no codes are shown on the CEL or ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2024
The engine is “eating” the coolant causing the vehicle to overheat and break down.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS, ESC, and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the ABS control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hyd... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2024
I was stopped at a red light in the left hand turning lane and when the light turned green I proceeded to accelerate and the engine would rev but the car would not move forward so I continued to push on the gas when the car jolted forward Violently. I am lucky no one was in front of me because this would have cause a car accident. Turns out the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced whi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2024
Was traveling down freeway at 70 mph when truck hit a bump and got severe death wobble from the front end. Brought truck into ford dealer and determined steering wheel dampener was bad and replaced under warranty which Ford extended due to known issue. No warning lamps or prior issue before that day. Almost crashed due to known issue with child in truck.
Incident date: Jun 8, 2024
With a front seat passenger, using the autos seat belt, at the height of 5’ 6” and a 145lbs. The airbag off light will come on, indicating the airbag system has been turned off. This is intermittent and at times the issue can be resolved with pulling the vehicle over. Turning the engine off, asking the passenger to step out of the vehicle (at times on the shoulder of a major interstate), clos... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT. Truck would not start on several occassions. By playing with brake, shift, and steering wheel truck would start again., Also would show warning notices, last one being {engine oil low-add oil}, even right after I just had the oil changed. This last time it would not start I paid to have my mechanic come to me to check it out. He tested a lot and thought it might be t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT. Truck would not start on several occassions. By playing with brake, shift, and steering wheel truck would start again., Also would show warning notices, last one being {engine oil low-add oil}, even right after I just had the oil changed. This last time it would not start I paid to have my mechanic come to me to check it out. He tested a lot and thought it might be t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2024
I was backing up into my parking place in an alley way. I was turning slightly to the right to fit in and the car started to accelerate. I hit the back wall with the rear of my car. I put the car into drive not realizing it was still accelerating. I had my right foot on the brake. When I put the car into drive it accelerate very quickly even with my foot on the brake and I crashed into a door gara... Read more
Crash