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: Oct 16, 2023
I got a recall letter in the mail and Burns Hyundai does not want to give me a service or loaner vehicle.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
ADAS sporadically works. It constantly turns off and on. Have taken it to dealer, codes are cleared, camera is cleaned, and am told that should fix the problem. Within 5 blocks of leaving dealership, the problem comes back. The next solution according to them is replace the camera for $1800. This is a safety issue. The safety features are unreliable. I have also researched online and there ar... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The lights spontaneously turned off while driving on a cloudy night on an unlit section of interstate. While slowing the car down, it went onto gravel, semi-circled around and flipped over onto the lower median. No air bag deployed. No protection from shoulder seat belt. Head hit steering wheel, and I briefly lost consciousness. Tests showed skull and cervical fractures. The car was "totaled... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 21, 2023
The engine VCM system is burning oil and destroying emissions systems on the vehicle. Catalytic converters are mainly affected as burned oil goes through the exhaust system. The check engine light comes on and the the engine starts to misfire and very abrupt engine vibrations make it into the cabin.
Incident date: Aug 21, 2023
The engine VCM system is burning oil and destroying emissions systems on the vehicle. Catalytic converters are mainly affected as burned oil goes through the exhaust system. The check engine light comes on and the the engine starts to misfire and very abrupt engine vibrations make it into the cabin.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2023
While driving on highway, I had to break fast to avoid collision. immediately after breaking all the lights in the car lit like a Christmas tree and had the following message “Emission System problem. Avoid heavy acceleration and high speed. See your dealer” I went to the nearest dealer service center and they recommended that I drive vehicle for ten minutes and see if it goes away. If it ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2023
While driving on highway, I had to break fast to avoid collision. immediately after breaking all the lights in the car lit like a Christmas tree and had the following message “Emission System problem. Avoid heavy acceleration and high speed. See your dealer” I went to the nearest dealer service center and they recommended that I drive vehicle for ten minutes and see if it goes away. If it ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, the front driver's side door made an abnormal popping sound while closing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the front driver's side door check arm and welds had fractured while the contact was closing the door. The dealer towed the vehicle to the collision center, where it was determined that the fro... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
coolant leaks from cracked cylinder head which cause the car to overheat and have the engine stalled on the highway.
Incident date: Nov 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced rough starts, overheating and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that there was coolant present inside the engine cylinders and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer wer... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2023
The thermo control valve malfunctioned causing the check engine light to come on which shut down all the safety features in the vehicle including the front eye sight camera, blind spot warning, the rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assistance.
Incident date: Nov 5, 2023
lug nuts are striped and wont spin off.
Incident date: Nov 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 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: Nov 7, 2023
Emergency brake assist, distance sensing and adaptive cruise control randomly and intermittently deactivate while driving. In a recent 8-hour highway trip this deactivation occurred 7 times, sometimes correcting itself with no driver intervention, and other times remaining disabled for hours and hundreds of driving miles. Durning motor off and restarting occasionally reset the issue, but many tim... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). 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 was made aware of the issue. The contact had... Read more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2023
My car began to overheat and enter limp mode, when diagnosed the codes that appeared correlated directly with a safety recall issued in 2017. I brought my car to ford 2x to have them service the recall. I was given my car back, with the check engine light on and still overheating.i went to another dealership, who diagnosed my car again and I paid 712$ for a “water outlet connector “ and this d... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the front wheel turned at a 45-degree angle. The contact was able to pull over. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact who is an independent mechanic installed Monroe strut and coil system part number 173112 on the driver side front, the top nut fractured after two weeks. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2023
As I was driving my car home on 8/31, I looked at the temperature gauge and saw my car was overheating. I make sure to check my temperature gauge periodically while driving so I am positive it’s the first time it’s popped up. I tried to pull over ASAP, but was in nonstop traffic and the car stopped moving. No lights were shown on the dashboard. I had recently gotten an oil change end of July w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
While pulling into a parking spot with my foot on the brake and preparing to stop, the car continued to move up over the curb and then began to accelerate even after I applied both of my feet pushing down on the brakes until I hit our condo building. The car and building received extensive damage, and although the car was not totaled it will cost over 7,000 dollars to repair. Personally I was not ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
The contact owns a Cybex Car Seat Model Cloud Q. The contact stated that the car seat load leg base leveling extension piece had bent affecting the positioning of the car seat. The seat had not been repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, the contact had not received a response.
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
Driving North/East on Highway 87 at 1215pm, kind of into the sun (Sun was to the right of us), the car would not maintain cruise control without constantly applying the brakes forcefully. No cars in the immediate vicinity during the event, though there were other cars on the highway at the time. Returning south on the same road, about an hour later, no issues whatsoever.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
I own a 2014 Ford Explorer. When driving home on November 4th the engine coolant light came on and there was white smoke coming from under the hood and the coolant was leaking under the vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to my local mechanic who said that the water pump needs to be replaced. He does not do this type of work so I'm unsure if there is additional damage since he stopped his inspection ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. 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 contact stated that when she started the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was made ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2023
Blower motor assembly system problems. Have had multiple times replaced/fixed. Issue is ongoing and per dealer is no longer covered my recall. Blower motor does not work. Burnt control box. And per dealer not covered by previous recall
Incident date: Nov 5, 2023
When driving sometimes the AIRBAG indicator light on the dash will turn on. Turning the car off and on will clear the light and it may not return for multiple drives. It's hard to replicate, but seems to happen while driving for a while. The car does not offer any other indication about the airbag's safety so I don't know if it is a faulty airbag system or a faulty indicator.
Incident date: Nov 5, 2023
The headlights are so dim that I have to drive with the high beams on at all times or I can’t see. I even had an Acura dealer try to clean them and it didn’t help. It’s crazy that this is a known issue (according to the Acura dealership) and this hasn’t been recalled. I’m basically driving in the dark or can’t drive at all at night.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2023
Vehicle has a hard shift in the lower gears. I have been told by GM authorized dealers and garages that the official suggestion from GM is a transmission flush, and that this may not resolve the issue. This service usually runs around $350+, and is not reimbursed at all or in part by the manufacturer. This has caused tire spin in parking lots and low speed situations (like crosswalks), and only se... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
On 11/03/2023 my low oil pressure light came on in my 2018 Ecosport and the motor shut down as I was driving home. There was a car directly behind me that had to hit their brakes as I had no power. Luckily, I was able to coast to the shoulder of the road. My car is currently at the Ford dealership and should be checked on 11/06/2023. I've had to go out of pocket for a rental.
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
On 11/03/2023 my low oil pressure light came on in my 2018 Ecosport and the motor shut down as I was driving home. There was a car directly behind me that had to hit their brakes as I had no power. Luckily, I was able to coast to the shoulder of the road. My car is currently at the Ford dealership and should be checked on 11/06/2023. I've had to go out of pocket for a rental.
Incident date: Nov 4, 2023
It has happened twice in 48hrs, driving then all of sudden indicates not in gear. Pull over , will not go back in gear. Will have to wait. Then later on starts. Then is no indication no warning. This is extremely life threatening.
Incident date: Jul 21, 2023
Bought new 2014 In 2019 new transmission cvt issue Dealer replaced and now 90K transmission blown Car wouldnt do anything Driving on 5Fwy Middle lane doin 62 and it just stopped, it jerked so hard and cut all power When stopped couldnt put it in park
Incident date: Jul 21, 2023
Bought new 2014 In 2019 new transmission cvt issue Dealer replaced and now 90K transmission blown Car wouldnt do anything Driving on 5Fwy Middle lane doin 62 and it just stopped, it jerked so hard and cut all power When stopped couldnt put it in park
Incident date: Oct 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle was sputtering and jerking. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she decelerated and drove to the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred while her husband was driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was test-driven. The dealer diagnosed that the torque ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
Upon going to start my vehicle it would not start. I ended up jump starting the car and going to buy a new battery. I replaced the battery even though repair facility stated battery was at 78% and in good state. Two days later I went to start the van again and the battery was again dead. I jumped the car to get it started and have had to continually jump start the car due to no start issue. The al... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
The rear brakes on my 2023 accord started making squealing/grinding noise in reverse each morning. the noise was not the normal noise heard when the brakes are moist in the mornings. I went to the dealer with this complaint 3 times and was told a different story each time. yesterday they informed me that the pads and rotors are in need of replacement. the vehicle has 16,500 miles on it. I believe... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2022
Evidence of corrosion on the rear trailing arms as described in the recent salt belt recall of 07-11 Honda CRV’s. Petition to expand the monitoring and repair scope of this recall to include the Appalachian regions of North Carolina and Tennessee as the use of road salt is also prevalent in these areas.
Incident date: Sep 29, 2023
The check engine light came on and all of the eyesight components on the car were disabled as I was traveling down the highway at 70 mph (this included the adaptive cruise control, the lane departure warning, forward collision warning, etc). In addition, the engine thermostat light came on and the heater and defroster stopped working. It was cold and rainy and the window started to fog up and I wa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel became firm. Additionally, the temperature gauge was rising. The contact pulled to the side of the road and waited for the vehicle to cool down before taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was informed that the failure was due to c... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel became firm. Additionally, the temperature gauge was rising. The contact pulled to the side of the road and waited for the vehicle to cool down before taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was informed that the failure was due to c... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
All of the moulding, seals & rubber windshield trim/gasket around the windshield has failed. It has cracked, broken off and much is now missing off the vehicle. Now when I drive the vehicle it makes scary noises due to the cracked/missing moulding/seals. This has created some scary driving situations that almost caused accidents while on highways. Now I worry my windshield will leak and damage the... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an auto parts store that used a handheld scanner and determined that the vehicle needed to be taken to a dealer due to engine failure. The contact stated that the engine failure wa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
Suspension lateral links attached to subframe became loose causing the lateral links to separate from the sub-frame. Wheel alignment shifted causing instability, which adversely impacted vehicle controllability and nearly caused a collision while driving. Problem was inspected, reproduced, and confirmed by the dealer/manufacturer/service center. Before the failure occurred, the primary symptoms ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
The screen is delaminating a little bit not long after I bought the car. Now the delamination came down to the radio button. There is a “ghost button” which makes the screen jump from the radio to the map nonstop. It is impossible to use the map even map from car play . It is very dangerous to drive on highway.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that electronic power steering intermittently failed to operate as needed. The power steering malfunction warning light was illuminated. After shifting into gear, the message disappeared. While driving, the power steering was operating sluggishly. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated there were no recalls on the vehicle. Th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
1. DRIVING ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY, AT ABOUT 65 MPH, USING CRUISE CONTROL. NO VEHICLES AHEAD ON ME IN MY LANE. TRUCK IN ONCOMING LANE CAUSED DASH TO DISPLAY BRAKE WARNING. BRAKE CAME ON MOMENTARILY, WHEEL WAS IN STAIGHT FORWARD POSITION. 2. HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE. DRIVING AT 45 MPH IN LEFT LANE, CRUISE ON, CAR AHEAD OF ME MOVES TO LEFT TURN LANE, DASH BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AN... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2023
ABS control unit failed as diagnosed by an independent repair shop when the dealer was contacted for parts availability was told part would not be released until April 2024. Currently my vehicle has no ABS, traction control, Vehicle stability control etc..... After doing some online research I have found many, many people that have had this same concern for years now with this same part. How i... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2023
The manufacturer issued recall on 10/2022 and as of 11/2023 part to fix issue is still not available
Incident date: Oct 21, 2023
Front right marker side light malfunction but the light seems to work at times. I see there was a recall on this issue but I don't find my vehicle under this recall.
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
The engine has continuously thrown itself into limp mode, unable to exceed 2,000 RPMS and 60mph. It has been in and out of the dealership for the past 6 months as they have zero idea of what’s going on. This all started a month after some software updates were done. Car had zero mechanical issues prior. Car has no audible knocking or engine failure symptoms. I’ve spent atleast $2,000 out of po... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2023
I was driving at about 40 mph and went to brake and the brake pedal went to the floor with multiple lights appearing on the dash including a warning "brake system failure max speed 43 mph" as well as "service ESC". The brake light went on as well as the ABS light and the check engine light. Brakes were not fully functional and were like old manual brakes that you had to press hard on to slow dow... Read more