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: Jan 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH with the cruise control engaged and towing a trailer, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway and the ABS warning light illuminated and the vehicle independently decelerated to 35 MPH. The accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The driver's side rear window appears to have spontaneously shattered completely while the locked vehicle was parked in the driveway in front of the house. Two guard dogs were sleeping inside the house about 20 feet from the vehicle, and they never barked once. The back seat and floor were covered with chards of glass as was the driveway as far as 8 feet from the vehicle. The window appears to ha... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2024
My radar to let me know i was going to hit something didn't go offer. It has never failed before and has been overactive actually which I appreciated before. I was doing 60 with my paraplegic wife (luckily not our 5 year old as well though) in the right lane because it's safer to go slower and be there. I was distracted by a strange machine being transported on a truck to my left. This was my fau... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2024
My radar to let me know i was going to hit something didn't go offer. It has never failed before and has been overactive actually which I appreciated before. I was doing 60 with my paraplegic wife (luckily not our 5 year old as well though) in the right lane because it's safer to go slower and be there. I was distracted by a strange machine being transported on a truck to my left. This was my fau... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
Power steering goes out when it wants to, will go back on if you turn the car on and off , my safety for me and my daughter was at risk I couldn’t stop to turn it on and off because I wasn’t at a red light , it has not been inspected but it seems like the problem is we’ll known ,theirs a warning message that will pop up on the radio that you can’t hear go on or see until it’s to late
Incident date: Feb 4, 2024
Vehicle is leaking exhaust into cabin. Had it inspected and was informed that my front catalytic converter is cracked. Mechanic informed me this is a common flaw in gm vehicles that happens regularly and that there were already some existing recalls related to this.
Incident date: Feb 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle vibrated violently, and the contact heard an abnormal sound underneath the vehicle, prompting her to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection underneath of the vehicle, the contact observed that the driveshaft had detached. Several unknown warning lights were illumin... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2024
There is a recall on other 2019 traverse, but not mine, for the message shift to park. This is what my car is doing now. It will not shut the car off and it has a potential to roll while in park because the car reads that it is not in park. I'm not sure why my car is not included. It is doing the exact same thing as what has been recalled on other 2019 Chevy traverse. I was told by dealership not ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
I purchased this vehicle with 79k miles less than a year ago and it has barely 90k. My engine light is on, vehicle stalls, and the error codes are revealing misfire involving cylinder #3. I go to the dealership for maintenance, and have kept up with it. Replaced the ignition coil and spark plug for this cylinder and nothing is working. It stalled in the middle of the intersection and I nearly was ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. 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 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 manufact... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
2019 Subaru outback many issues bought the car for safety for my newborn child in 2019. Has had multiple issues windshield keeps cracking. The steering column manual lever keeps collapsing causing unreliable steering and safety issues could possibly cause injury/death due to accident. The other major issue is there is now a head gasket leak in a car that only has 55,000 miles it's under on the mil... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle in a driveway, it failed to turn over and start. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the start-stop button again, but it failed to start. After another attempt, the vehicle restarted, inadvertently accelerated, and crashed into a wooden fence. There were no reported injuries. There was no air ba... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. 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 the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
Incident 1: Seatbelt was fastened as I returned from picking a child up from school. As we turned into our driveway my seatbelt unlatched unexpectedly. In addition, none of the warnings sounded that typically notify you when someone has taken off their seatbelt prematurely. Incident 2: I was pulling onto a main road from a side road when my seatbelt unlatched. None of the safety warning sou... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
I bought the car from auction. The car was Represent like "Run and drive". But the car come with a lot of rust into the frame and this problem means a structural damage. The car it is not good for driving and it is not possible to be registered.
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
My 2019 GLC 300 had water coming out of the trunk interior body panels when I opened it. I looked it up online and apparently it’s a big issue happening to many mercedes Benz owners and there is no active recall for this although there should be. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
My 2019 GLC 300 had water coming out of the trunk interior body panels when I opened it. I looked it up online and apparently it’s a big issue happening to many mercedes Benz owners and there is no active recall for this although there should be. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated on the instrument panel while driving at various speeds. Over time, the air bag warning light remained illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with a defective air bag module. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2024
[XXX] while I was driving the low oil pressure warning came on. The car lost power, made terrible loud noise. I parked. The car was towed. It’s been sitting at James Ford Service, 100 Seymour St, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 undriveable awaiting repair. It needs an engine which is not available. 7 months they have been telling me the parts are on backorder with no etd. My safety and others safety was... Read more
SUBARU
IMPREZA
(2019) - EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:VIDEO (TOUCH)SCREEN/MONITOR/UNIT
Feb 8, 2024
Incident date: Aug 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that when he purchased the vehicle, the Infotainment screen was delaminating, potentially causing issues with the display and communication of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contacted was informed there was no recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2024
12/30/2023 at approximately 5:30pm I drove home with the iPedal engaged. The iPedal was installed as a download to the car in August 2023. My daughter was in the passenger seat. I began to back into my driveway but shifted to Drive to straighten out the car. The car began to roll forward I took my foot off the accelerator but the car did not stop in spite of the iPedal being engaged. I put my foot... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
I was driving down a country road, and suddenly the engine stopped working, all systems shut off, and dash started flashing. Luckily, there was no one around me, and I was able to coast to a stop. However, it would have been terrible if this had happened on a busy road. Nothing worked including brakes. Had the car towed to the dealership, since we were just over 100K miles they would do nothing, a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
Power train system (po299) A turbocharger harnesses the flow of exhaust gases that spins an internal turbine. This turbine then forces or packs air into the engine faster than normal .This action increases the horsepower of the engine. When it doesn’t work!!!!A failed turbo charger will cause a decrease in engine performance which isn’t for family . (Manufacturer recall number:A212338300 reca... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
Computer system failed on multiple occasions since we purchased the vehicle NEW. The first time, the entire touch screen display went black and could not control the climate or radio, second time the touch screen display was not showing that it was not attached to the GPS, no time or weather readings, and the instrument panel had no readings (such as oil/speed, etc). The dealership reset the car's... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
Intermittent loss of powersteering around turns almost causing vehicle to go off road or head on into oncoming traffic
Incident date: Sep 25, 2020
My daughter has a 2013 Kia Sporage. Last week she was driving and the engine kept cutting off on the highway. She has had the recalled engine replaced last year and has 33,000 miles on it. When we took it to be checked out the guy said it could be the timing chain. The dealership said that was unlikely. It sounds like it’s not getting gas, so we put fuel injector cleaner in and it still isn’t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
My rear window has shattered twice in 1 year 11/22 &12/23.. @ no fault of my own..both times I get in car close door & window just shatters, I had kids in truck bck seat, Acura should take accountability for this issue something to do wt rear defroster, but when will it happened again it’s dangerous, & they will not recall those bck windows
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
Brakes developed excessive travel and a soft feel which makes driving at high speeds dangerous. Replaced master cylinder and new front disc pads and rotors, two power bleeds performed but brake shop unable to correct or identify the problem. No warning lights came on. Online research indicates many others with the same problem on their Escapes. Problem appears to be same as a recall issued for o... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
On Sunday, January 4th, the tailgate of the truck began unlatching and opening on its own. It has done this repeatedly since that date. Only unlatches when the vehicle is in park and unlocked. The electronic latch will continue to cycle (click) after the tailgate has initially opened. Exterior taillights and side markers flash as they should with each cycle. This issue is identical to the war... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
My youngest son was away at college, using the vehicle to go to and from class. He was driving the Jeep home for summer break when suddenly, the wipers turned on and the dashboard warning lights lit up the dash like a Christmas tree. He did not know what to do, who would? Then the dashboard went completely black. He tried turning off the wipers and then suddenly the car shifted into park in the mi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at various speeds on five separate occasions, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted but remained in idle mode. The vehicle was towed to a dealer three times and was diagnosed and it was determined that the reductant heater, and the front and rear knock sensors, needed to be r... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2024
My steering wheel locked while I was driving and it was very difficult to pull the car over to stop, as the steering wheel became very tight. I was in a roundabout and almost crashed. My EPS light came on and went off once I turned the car off. I have had the car looked at by a mechanic and the entire steering column needs to be replaced.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
ADAS system is not working due to internal camera failure.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Accord. The contact stated that after the battery was replaced, the headlight and low brake fluid warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
10/4/2023 (55K miles), the vehicle suddenly lost power at interstate speed and dropped to three cylinders. Warning lights came on disabling all automatic safety systems. I took the vehicle to a parts store and OBD indicated an oil pressure sensor in VTEC Bank 1. After restarting the vehicle I once again had all 6 cylinders, but all safety systems failures were still indicated on the dash. I re... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
The steering wheel feels sticky at speeds over 15 mph. It is not easy to make a small correction when driving on the highway.
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Dec 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 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 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 stopped at a traffic light, t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
Vehicle. cuts off when running, check engine light came on. Had vehicle checked and replaced 02 sensors and filter. After replacing it ran worse than it did before replacing them.Check engine light will not go off.
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
Vehicle. cuts off when running, check engine light came on. Had vehicle checked and replaced 02 sensors and filter. After replacing it ran worse than it did before replacing them.Check engine light will not go off.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2022
Transmission shifts from 3rd to 5th gear very hard and downshifts from 10th to 8th very hard also.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2022
Transmission shifts from 3rd to 5th gear very hard and downshifts from 10th to 8th very hard also.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
It is no reason why my car got stolen. My car has a Anti theft system in it and it was not triggered when it was stolen. I had to file a police report and the police are out looking for my vehicle right now. I went to a nail salon I come back out my car is gone. Its no reason why the alarm did not go off. Honda Accords and other Hondas are being stolen and it is ridiculous. Times are hard it is ex... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
Recall for driver side view mirror completed. However the replacement mirror is distorted and causes blurred, wavy, double images. This replacement mirror needs to be addressed as soon as possible since proper representation of objects is distorted and poses a high safety concern. This issue has been reported in several forums as well.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
shot
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
My incident is related to Keyless system problem, it is drained out the battery and I can't be able start on my pickup. Because it is turn on and off the instrumental panel several times until the battery is drained out of power. This Keyless system, shouldn't affect the battery, because his function is only for turn on the vehicle. I never thought this kind of new turn on system buttons.
Incident date: Dec 22, 2023
P 265 45 R 21 I have a set of pirelli scorpion tires on my 2018 Land Rover velar. All the tires on the vehicle have an issue with the tread . The rubber is breaking off in chunks. Tires have lest than 50% wear on them they have been properly inflated and rotated . There is not signs on uneven wear from an alignment issue. I have contacted the manufacturer concerning this issue and I get no respon... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2023
P 265 45 R 21 I have a set of pirelli scorpion tires on my 2018 Land Rover velar. All the tires on the vehicle have an issue with the tread . The rubber is breaking off in chunks. Tires have lest than 50% wear on them they have been properly inflated and rotated . There is not signs on uneven wear from an alignment issue. I have contacted the manufacturer concerning this issue and I get no respon... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2023
I was driving my small child to school and my car had a service message pop up that said engine power reduced and then my brake pedal became stiff to the point where I could not push it down at all to stop at a red light. Luckily by quick thinking I push down my emergency brake to avoid from hitting other cars. From doing research this is not the only complaint about this same similar situation on... Read more