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 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the "Service Power Steering" message displayed, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified, and a service appointment was scheduled. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 209,260.
Incident date: Dec 16, 2023
Took car into dealer for the following issue that we have had since purchased new. The Automatic Emergency Braking and/or Forward Collision Warning will shut off. While driving the customer we notice that the Automatic Emergency Braking and/or Forward Collision Warning will shut off and we will see two separate icons on the lower left and right sides on the dash Happens every time it rains, snows... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and was difficult to steer. The contact shifted from drive to neutral before the vehicle shut off and coasted to the side of the roadway. The hybrid battery and engine systems warning lights and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer wher... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and was difficult to steer. The contact shifted from drive to neutral before the vehicle shut off and coasted to the side of the roadway. The hybrid battery and engine systems warning lights and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer wher... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
The contact rented a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH the driver depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle did not stop and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. The contact indicated that during the crash the vehicle was low on electrical charge and was being operated in the "One Pedal" mode and the the air bags did not deploy. The rear passe... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
Valve cover leak or head gasket leak
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
Valve cover leak or head gasket leak
Incident date: Dec 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had been illuminated. The canister purge valve had been replaced; however, the warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The canister purge valve was replaced. The vehicle was returned to th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2023
Traction Control did not function when needed. I had my breaks and rotors replaced two days prior to the accident, which may have had an impact on the performance of the vehicle. Insurance representatives did look over the vehicle, as it is now in their possession. However, I do not feel as though they took the time to look into my concerns. There was no warnings on the Dash.
Crash
Incident date: Dec 30, 2023
Vehicle lighting is downright not safe at night. It's somewhat bright but the beam shape is the real issue. While turning the beam dips 'below' where you are cornering, so cannot see ANYTHING through the turn. Extremely dangerous. Adjusting the headlight up slightly helps, but only after it's adjusted high enough to blind other drivers. I honestly cannot believe the headlight was allowed out o... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2023
Driving to the store and l smell smoke. Pull up to Walmart entrance because l seen a fireman going in. So, l got out to ask him to come help me l smell smoke by time l got back to the car fire started. He was able to put it out but my vent in my second row is burn, side my driver seat a burn a little and rug on the floor. And now my engine stop working mechanics said it a recall on these vehicle... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
Front Passenger airbag always showing it is "OFF" whether someone is sitting in seat or not. The dealer wouldn't fix this unless I paid a diagnostic fee of $185. Also Radio infotainment system doesn't respond to touch, however it has a mind of its own, blaring radio volume up and changing channels on its own. Very distressing and distracting while driving. Also a $185 diagnostic for looking at... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
Front Passenger airbag always showing it is "OFF" whether someone is sitting in seat or not. The dealer wouldn't fix this unless I paid a diagnostic fee of $185. Also Radio infotainment system doesn't respond to touch, however it has a mind of its own, blaring radio volume up and changing channels on its own. Very distressing and distracting while driving. Also a $185 diagnostic for looking at... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside and outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that fuel was leaking from the fuel rails at the fuel injectors. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V961000 (Fuel System, Gas... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2024
Vehicle has hesitation during cold acceleration. If vehicle is started, pulled to end of short driveway, then go to accelerate onto road, vehicle hesitates and stumbles at times, not wanting to move properly and safely enter roadway. Tried accelerator pedal position reset and no change. This is a common VW Tiguan issue. No fix for it and dealer does not want to acknowledge that it exists. Simply ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
It was cold in the morning so I turned the back defrost on and my back windshield shattered 10 minutes later while I was driving down the highway
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
Car started with a light vibration and after driving for a few feet would no longer accelerate when pressing the gas. For the first few days it would violently jolt like if someone hit me before gaining speed, but when i hit the brake it lags to accelerate. Now the fastest it goes it 20mph. If I press the gas pedal the engine makes a loud noise but does not speed. The dealer provided a code P2895 ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
The driver side door of my 2020 Ford Escape is making a popping noise as the door opens and closes. I have researched that this may be caused by cracks or broken spot welds in the left front door at the check arm attachment point in the door assembly.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
THE DEFECT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DUE TO OVERHEATING, RESULTING IN ABNORMAL ENGINE COMBUSTION AND DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE PISTONS. PISTON DAMAGE CAN RESULT IN A STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. IF A PISTON ROD BREAKS AND PUNCTURES THE ENGINE BLOCK, OIL CAN ESCAPE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE. The engine caught on fire while I was driving on the highway. I was sold this ca... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
11/12/2023 Loss of power when driving up a hill.- felt some backwards drift. 11/13-14/2023 Shuttering vibration and engine revving during acceleration but no forward movement. 11/15/2023 Total power loss when attempting to merge with traffic.
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
11/12/2023 Loss of power when driving up a hill.- felt some backwards drift. 11/13-14/2023 Shuttering vibration and engine revving during acceleration but no forward movement. 11/15/2023 Total power loss when attempting to merge with traffic.
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
MILEAGE 73,487 FAILURE OF LEFT CYLINDER BANK CAUSES ENGINE TO STUMBLE OR STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. REPAIR BY DODGE DEALER COST $4621.78. 2 COMPLAINTS (1/11/2022 & 1/09/2023) FILED TO FCA CUSTOMER CARE WERE IGNORED.
SUBARU
XV CROSSTREK
(2015) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jan 15, 2024
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
-BMW X5 2018 ELECTRICAL MACHINE ELECTRONIC (EME) -LOST COMPLETE ELECTRICAL POWER OF THE VEHICLE, NO BRAKES, HARD TO STEERING, NO GAS, NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, IF i WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WOULD HAD ENDANGER OTHER DRIVERS AND/OR MY FAMILY AND SELF. -THERE IS A SERVICE ACTION REPORT DATED MAY 2019 B12 15 19 REQUESTING REPLACING THE ELECTRICAL MACHINE ELECTRONIC (EME) THE VEHICLE IS ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2024
Driving on the interstate with the windshield defrost on due to the winter weather coming from Texas into Arkansas and the in car electrical turned off and the dash screen said “check starter system” and then told us to safely park the vehicle. All electronics in the car turned off but the car system was still going. I was able to drive the car to an exit and park all with the dash and infotai... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
Received notification through my Honda link app that there is recall on my 2019" Honda civic hatchback. Honda Fuel pump motor recall expansion stop sale " Information provided states the danger of this recall.. risk of crash or injury. I contacted my local Honda dealership on 1/10/2024. I actually purchased this vehicle new there in 2019. I was told no Solution has been decided yet. I mentioned... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
The horn button is a safety hazard as it's not in the middle of the wheel but rather a button on the steering wheel. This loses a safety hazard in an emergency situation.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
Defrost on high and the visibility is extremely poor and dangerous while driving because if foggy. The ventilation system is very poor and have reported it already to the dealership.
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
TWO PIECE LUG NUTS. DEALER WILL NOT ROTATE TIRES BECAUSE OF SWELLED LUG NUTS. REASON GIVEN DAMAGE CAN OCCUR AND I COULD NOT CHANGE A TIRE IF I HAD A FLAT, BECAUSE MY LUG NUT WRENCH WOULD NOT FIT THE LUGS. I HAVE ANOTHER FORD WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FO R NEW LUG NUTS, THIS SHOULD BE FORDS' RESPONSIBILITY!
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
I was in a car accident yesterday two cars hit me from behind my daughter was in the third row and my other kids in the second row. The air bags didn't deploy and my daughters seatbelt in the third row didn't lock when the cars impacted my vehicle her seat belt kept going forward with her. Also my seat belt unlocked and came off upon impact of car
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
Vehicle has alignment issues and ruining tires in 2000 miles. Problem started at around 25,000 miles and now at 32,000 miles. and has been at the dealer for over 2 months waiting on wagoneer engineering to figure it out. 2 dealers and Wagoneer blame the issue on the tires and not addressing the issue and saying alignment is fine yet the print out shows red indicating out of alignment, independent... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
Vehicle has alignment issues and ruining tires in 2000 miles. Problem started at around 25,000 miles and now at 32,000 miles. and has been at the dealer for over 2 months waiting on wagoneer engineering to figure it out. 2 dealers and Wagoneer blame the issue on the tires and not addressing the issue and saying alignment is fine yet the print out shows red indicating out of alignment, independent... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2024
On the way home after I purchasing my son his 2016 Hyundai sonata limited, he noticed his oil light come on and he stopped to check his oil and it was almost empty. He got an oil change and called the dealer and they told us that it was probably the oil change place that didn’t tighten the drain cap. We took it to them and they said no issues with the cap. Went back to Hyundai and when you open ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2023
For the past three years I have had to add oil to my car proir to the 3000 mile mark that is recommended. As of the past year, I have had to add oil every 1000 miles. I have had several oil changer businesses tell me that they see this issue all the time with Hyundai vehicles. My car is used to get me to work, doctor appointments, children to school/appointments, grocery store. I live seven minute... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2019
Fuel pump failed while driving causing car to go into neutral with no power. Had to have it towed after risking my safety on a busy road. Had to pay for a new fuel pump and repairs at dealer. This happened in 2023 a few months back.
Incident date: Mar 25, 2019
Vibrating vigorously while accelerating around 50mph.
Incident date: Mar 25, 2019
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle started shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an internal transmission failure caused by the torque converter shudder. The vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
I was driving on the Interstate had car on cruise control set at 70mph it began to slow to 60mph because of a vehicle in front of me so I moved to the left lane to go around and the vehicle just speed up (G5 force) on its own very quickly and reached speeds up to 80mph and would have kept accelerating past 80mph had I not disengaged the cruise control instead of braking. The second issue we have f... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
I was driving on the Interstate had car on cruise control set at 70mph it began to slow to 60mph because of a vehicle in front of me so I moved to the left lane to go around and the vehicle just speed up (G5 force) on its own very quickly and reached speeds up to 80mph and would have kept accelerating past 80mph had I not disengaged the cruise control instead of braking. The second issue we have f... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
My screen went black for my Ford Explorer. I have no access to climate controls, backup Camera, radio, GPS, etc. My local Ford dealership said there was a recall pending but that’s been a few months now. It’s very dangerous driving like that with my 4 and 2 year old in the car.
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
The wrench light on the dashboard comes on I loose all speedometer readings and mpg. The transmission will not go ro 6th gear or down shift past third gear the transmission also jerks and rpms go up really high. This occurs going down the interstate or anywhere really if I turn the truck of and restart it the warnings will go away but later come back
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
The wrench light on the dashboard comes on I loose all speedometer readings and mpg. The transmission will not go ro 6th gear or down shift past third gear the transmission also jerks and rpms go up really high. This occurs going down the interstate or anywhere really if I turn the truck of and restart it the warnings will go away but later come back
Incident date: Jan 8, 2024
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOWER SPEED. THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP WHICH WAS VERY ALARMING. I HAD TO HIT THE BRAKE TO CAUSE IT TO SLOW DOWN. IT HAPPENED ONCE DURING A 4 MILE TRIP. MY SPOUSE HAD REPORTED A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE EARLIER IN THE EVENING. ALSO MANY FUNCTIONS LIKE PARK ASSIST, TRACTION CONTROL ETC SEEMED TO BE AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGING
Incident date: Jan 7, 2024
The warning lights dealing with the braking system malfunctions. All warning lights dealing with the Braking system come on the dash. The brakes failed to engage and the car began to roll backward on a hill had to use the emergency brakes to stop the car. This problem has happened twice since I had the car on 12/6/2023 at which time all warning lights came on dealing with the brake system and on ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
There was no incident. There's a "booster seat" that is claiming to be FMVSS 213 certified. I don't think this seat is certified as they claim or safe for use. Its a pad to sit on with a belt path. The company previously had a Cease and Desist by NHTSA for a product that was almost identical called "Smart Kid Belt". They were restricted from selling in the US. They have modified that product sli... Read more
SUBARU
OUTBACK
(2017) - VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
Jan 10, 2024
Incident date: Jan 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the air conditioner, heater, and defogger were inoperable. The climate control warning light was not illuminated. The contact replaced the climate control module; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
225/60R17 99T
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
In middle of driving, the vehicle suddenly shifts out of gear and won’t accelerate, multiple warning lights appear in dash all at the same time and car at times the vehicle won’t even turn off
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
I got into my car and turned on the climate control as normal. The vehicle is always parked in the garage. It was blowing cold air, no matter the temperature setting, or vent selection. There is a message on screen that reads “climate keeper unavailable due to system fault.” It’s not just that the cabin has no heat, which is uncomfortable, but terrible in much colder climates than mine. The ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
This vehicle has numerous software problems. The biggest one is hat there is no roll away prevention. If the car is placed in reverse, and stars moving, if no other imputs are given by the driver the car will continue to roll. Als, if the drivers door is opened during this manuver, the roll continues. This is also true if the car is in drive and at a stop on a hill. If the brake is released th... Read more