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: Feb 18, 2024
I have a 2020 Ford Explorer that has had intermittent issues with the passenger side losing heat since aprox 11/18/2023. On Friday 2/16 we had snow begin falling at 7AM locally. I park in the GARAGE. 1/2 way to work, on a major highway, my passenger side began fogging up. The heat was all the way up and there was no way for me to aim my driver-side vents to the other side of the car. After 4-5 min... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
In addition to this recall on my vehicle, NHTSA Recall Number: 24V031. This is not the only problem around the windows but the pillars on the driver and passenger doors are coming off as well. When we were looking at other Ford explorers on 1/1/23. We noticed that this is a common issue with all the Ford explorers that we looked at. Please look into fixing that as well! I am attaching 4 pictures t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2024
The rear frame on my 2011 kia sorento rusted and broke.
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
At night, drivers frequently flash their bright lights at my vehicle, "complaining that my high beams are on." Sometimes, they turn on their brights at me and leave them on until our vehicles pass. My high beams are NOT on. This is a safety hazard from my vehicle if the low beams are adjusted too high, an increased hazard when the driver of the approaching vehicle flashes their lights at me, an... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
Driving on the highway approximately 65 mph a rock hit the lower right side of the windshield on the passenger side. This caused a broken round style depression in the glass and 2 cracks that radiated out about 5-6 inches. This is will be the second replacement windshield and 3rd repair within 1 year of ownership.
Incident date: Feb 18, 2024
My car received an oil changed recently and then shortly after my engine went completely out due to having no oil. My timing chain stretched out and broke resulting in no compression to my engine. The light didn’t even come on to indicate that there was an issue until after the car completely broke down.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
I bought this 2009 Dodge ram Laramie about a year ago been riding like new but 4 days ago starting to hear a bad whining noise from the rear end and I see this truck had a recall on the pinion nut I think it's coming lose from the pinion
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
As I was approaching my off ramp (which has a very tight turn), my automatic brakes failed which caused me to slam onto the brakes, and skid into one of the off ramp signs. All 3 of my children were in the back, the back driver side window shattered, I lost my driver side mirror, and there was damage done to the back door and wheel well (all on the driver's side). Although the damage looked minima... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 16, 2024
Hello and thanks, for giving this your attention. 2 days ago, I heard a popping noise when I opened my drivers side door. There is now an issue opening and closing the door. The window also, will now not roll down. Upon, looking closer at the door frame, 3 factory tack welds have completely come loose.
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
The image in my reverse camera on my dashboard is upside down when I put the gearshift in reverse. Impossible to see if anything is behind me. I have not had it looked at yet by a dealership. Just began happening a few days ago. No warning lights at all came on. There are examples of this happening to other cars on YouTube. Seems like a common but dangerous problem with certain Fords.
Incident date: Jan 24, 2024
This vehicle has the standard headlights. No headlight cleaners included. Live in Colorado. When it snows, the front end of the car attracts snow to the point all the safety features shut down and the headlights pack up with snow so bad you cannot drive the car at night. You can’t see the road and other drivers flash their headlights to tell you the lights are not on, even though they are. O... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that a high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was not re... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
Car battery constantly draining resulting in having to jumpstart the car now every time to turn it on. Had the hands free system disconnected by the dealership over a year ago due to them stating it was drawing on battery however it has not changed and went from occasional need to jumpstart to every time you need to turn on car. Have had two new batteries installed and car looked at by dealership ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2024
The paint on my car start peeling out of nowhere… the hood of the car 12/26/2023 and the roof of the car 2/09/2024 peeled off in the rain I have pictures and videos… Kia said warranty only covers 36000 miles or 3 years on the car so they couldn’t help me …plus as the paint peels u can see the car was painted with no primer for the paint to stick …. I paid my car off to have it fall ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
I was traveling at 35 MPH when a bright light blinded me in drivers window, assuming I was about to get T-boned, I pulled hard to the right, went over a curb, and hit an electrical pole. The front air bags all deployed, including the one by my knees. Getting out of the vehicle, I could see approximately 2" of bone exposed on both shins. It looked like my shins got hit with grenades. I located my p... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. 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 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. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2024
The car would randomly stop working while driving. One of the times it stopped, it stopped while driving on the freeway.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH for approximately a mile, the Engine Power Reduced message was displayed. The vehicle lost motive power, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact spoke with an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The contact continued to drive, and the engine... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering shaft bolt was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure was remedied. The contact was informed the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2022
Frame corrosion through out the entire frame. Recently the steering rack broke away from the frame cross member. Now every time I turn the wheel there is a popping sounds and the steering feels loose compared to what it did before the sound accord. There is also a hole in the back of the frame behind the back tire. My attached tow package ripped sections of the frame and caused crack to extend tow... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2022
Frame corrosion through out the entire frame. Recently the steering rack broke away from the frame cross member. Now every time I turn the wheel there is a popping sounds and the steering feels loose compared to what it did before the sound accord. There is also a hole in the back of the frame behind the back tire. My attached tow package ripped sections of the frame and caused crack to extend tow... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
Vehicle does not have the proper software updates needed to clear the two NHTSA recalls for my VIN.
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
Vehicle does not have the proper software updates needed to clear the two NHTSA recalls for my VIN.
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
The part i have narrowed down the problem to is the electric power steering rack. While driving down the highway at highway speeds, +50 mph, the steering will stick / hang up and then once the vehicle starts to sway / push out to one side or the other of its own lane, when you try and correct the steering to get the vehicle back to center in its lane, the steering will somewhat free up, but this ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and descending a grade in the road, the contact attempted to depress the brake pedal to slow down however, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The contact had to pump the brake pedal to slow the vehicle. The contact stated that the check brakes warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact sta... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and descending a grade in the road, the contact attempted to depress the brake pedal to slow down however, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The contact had to pump the brake pedal to slow the vehicle. The contact stated that the check brakes warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact sta... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
GATEWAY MODULE FOR INSPECTIONS DOES NOT READ OR REGISTER WHEN MY CAR NEEDS AN INSPECTION.
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
The Tesla Y 2023 was in the garage. My wife backed the car carefully out of the home garage that she has done many many times without any problem. It is not clear what exactly happened, but over the time of a few seconds, the car jerked or lurched forward. There was moderate damage to the siding of the garage as well as the side passenger panel. My wife quickly pressed the brake pedal to stop the ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed. I informed the Manufacturer , Yokohama, as soon as the incident occurred and had to be replaced by a tire shop. These tires can explode if they hit anything, on the side, at less than 2mph (two miles per hour).
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed. I informed the Manufacturer , Yokohama, as soon as the incident occurred and had to be replaced by a tire shop. These tires can explode if they hit anything, on the side, at less than 2mph (two miles per hour).
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
Tail light assemblies on vehicle develop moisture inside of them when it rains. Tesla claims that this is normal and refuses to service the part. The concern is that the electronics inside the light assembly will be damaged by the moisture. This places the burden on the consumer to frequently test and inspect the tail light for an impending failure of the light which may inadvertently occur durin... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2023
While driving at night, with rain and fog, the low beam headlights became extremely dim which made it impossible to see the road. Surprisingly both low beam headlights went dim, not effective at all, I had to depend on my fog lights for a bit of visibility. Could it be the headlamp, turn signal switch on the column that has gone bad?? So dangerous, my wife was almost shaking as we slowly made o... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
I purchased the vehicle in April of 2023. It has just over 2000 miles on it. I don't drive it very much. Starting in January of 2024, I’ve been having intermittent issues with my fairly new Nissan Kicks vehicle, as follows: •Engine stalling at stop •Forward Emergency Brake (FEB) Sensor activates when no obstruction present – and while driving full speed on road I have taken the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed the vehicle did not immediately stop when the contact depressed the brakes. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed. The dealer stated the eco booster failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The ... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2023
Steering drifts to right. 2 wheel alignments have been done. Alignment checked a 3rd time, showed correct alignment. Steering motor torque input reset. Vehicle drove fine for a few hours but started drifting again to the right.
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
My vehicle has not malfunctioned. However, a safety recall was issued for this vehicle with a completion date of October 2023. As of February 2024, the problem has not been solved. I am submitting this complaint in connection with NHTSA’s notice that vehicle owners can submit a complaint if a recall solution is not provided in a timely manner.
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 stated while driving approximately 30 M... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2024
Power steering no longer works. Getting message on dash as well. I see a recall for my year truck but my vin apparently is not one included. It’s our only transportation and my daughter, my fiancé and myself all have multiple weekly therapy/dr appointments. Please consider adding my vin to the recall. As far as electrical my alarm will randomly go off while it’s not running/parked. Thinks do... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2023
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 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. The manufacturer... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2023
I received a notice of a recall a couple months ago with a note that there was no remedy as of yet. I have been waiting to schedule the repair and driving the car less. I received another notice also stating there is no remedy but to contact them if any questions. I contacted the manufacturer and they told me to contact the dealership. The dealer ship, when I stated there was a recall on the passe... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
Similar issue to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V260000. Vehicle was in park. Shifted the vehicle into drive and the passenger side parking break seized and would not release.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
The product is designed to activate the brakes of a trailer such as a travel trailer or boat trailer through the Lippert OneControl Auto app. I was driving with my trailer connected and felt a slight sway begin so I depressed the trailer brake controller which is displayed on the screen of my iPhone which is secured using a dash mounted cell phone mount. In ideal situations the trailers brakes wou... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
The product is designed to activate the brakes of a trailer such as a travel trailer or boat trailer through the Lippert OneControl Auto app. I was driving with my trailer connected and felt a slight sway begin so I depressed the trailer brake controller which is displayed on the screen of my iPhone which is secured using a dash mounted cell phone mount. In ideal situations the trailers brakes wou... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2024
Had windshield breakage and replacement on 14 December 2023. On 29 January 2024, had an apparent windshield strike (pinhead size) and windshield cracked from middle to top. Within 20 minutes crack had spread all across the top of windshield. While parked crack spread down and completely across the bottom of windshield in about 30 minutes. Vehicle is now in Mercedes dealership for windshield serv... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2024
On Sunday 2-4-2024, at ~2-3am, my daughter & her boyfriend were driving her 2015 Kia Sorento on I69 near Fishers IN (67 miles from their home) when the engine rod bearings failed. Driving at interstate speeds, they immediately pulled over to the shoulder. If traffic had been bad, this could have caused a deadly accident. This created an emergency roadside service issue. Fortunately, my daughter'... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2024
Purchased my car on 1/16/21. In mid-2023, I was having issues with hearing water running in my dashboard. During this time no warning messages appeared. Soon after my car started shutting off without notice again with no warning messages. It would shut off while driving or when stopped. Then it also started running hot with warning messages. Due to this, I took my car to a repair shop and was told... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
After several years of fighting problems with, after braking to a brief stop, the loss of power/abs grinding when accelerating and turning right, now the ABS is completely dysfunctional. Both TRC lights will turn on and usually the parking brake, and when braking at speeds less than 10mph the abs will activate and prevent bring the truck to a stop without pumping them, on dry pavement. When the AB... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The transfer case is shot. As well as the rear differential. As a result of the transfer case messing up, the transmission is tore up. We need struts as well.
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
When shifted into drive or reverse, with brakes applied, and after initial start the vehicle will surge forward or reverse with force enough to overcome standard braking.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2022
The high pressure fuel pump has failed at only 60,000 miles. My Safety along with the safety of others has been put at risk from major loss of power... not safely stopping the vehicle due to fuel pressure malfunction. Certified Chevy Dealer diagnosed high pressure fuel pump Come to find out from the dealer... a warning sign was the electric start button not working. Engine light did NOT com... Read more