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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints

140,173 Reported Crashes

56,794 Reported Fires

8,580 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›

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Showing 6,590 complaints for SUZUKI

Incident date: May 13, 2001

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES BRAKE LIGHT IS POORLY VISIBLE, AND IT IS INSUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO SEE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DOT THAT THE LIGHTS MUST BE VISIBLE AT 500 FEET, DEALER SUGGESTED ADDING MORE LIGHTS AT CONSUMERS EXPENSE, ONE PERSON USED ALUMINUM FOIL TO INCREASE BRIGHTNESS. *SLC

Incident date: Jul 12, 2001

BRIDGESTONE, P205/70R15, DOT UNKNOWN, REPLACEMENT TIRE, MILAGE UNKNOWN ON A 1988, SUZUKI, SAMURAI. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HEARD A NOISE. THEN, VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL, SPUN AROUND 180 DEGREES AND HIT A TREE. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN. NO INJURIES. REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION, A 2 1/2 FEET LONG PIECE OF TREAD CAME OFF, TIRE WAS NOT FLAT. *AK TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO ... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Dec 1, 1998

THESE PARTS WERE REPLACED WHEN I HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

RECALL NUMBER 01V146000. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAD NO PARTS TO CORRECT RECALL PROBELM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Incident date: Oct 1, 1999

AIR CONDITIONING INOPERABLE. REPORTED TO DEALER APRIL 2001 AND NOW REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE YET AVAILABLE! IT IS BELIEVED THE ENTIRE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK, AS THE DEFROSTING WAS INEFFECTINVE DURING THE 200-2001 WINTER!. *AK

CLUTCH KEEP PREMATURELY FAILING ABOUT 6-10 MONTHS DUE TO A WHITE PIECE THAT GOES AROUND CLUTCH THAT KEEPS BREAKING. CONSUMER HAS ALREADY REPLACED CLUTCH 6 TIMES.*AK

CONSUMER CONTATCED DEALER FOR NHTSA RECALL 01F011000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 36 REPAIR. BUT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE WORK COMPLETED BECAUSE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. *AK

Incident date: Jul 10, 2001

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER CAN'T GET KEY OUT OF SWITCH, AND HAS TO LEAVE KEY IN VEHICLE. CONTACT DEALER, DEALER STATED COULD NOT GET PARTS.*AK

Incident date: Jul 6, 2001

PLASTIC WINDOW GUARDS DO NOT SECURELY ATTACH TO WINDOW FRAME. IN EVENT OF HIGH SPEEDS OR HIGH WIND GUARDS WILL JUST BLOW COMPLETELY OFF. *AK WINDOW GUARDS ARE JUST JAMMED INTO PLACE, DEALER HAS DECLINED TO FASTEN THEM TO THE VEHICLE. *SLC

WHEN DRIVING MOTORCYCLE, IT WOULD BUCK AND SURGE. ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF AND CAUSE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHEN THAT HAPPENS.*AK

BRAKES WOULD BE MAKING GRINDING/SQUEALING & CLICKING NOISES WHEN APPLIED. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP THAT BRAKES WERE DIRTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED/CLEANED. ALSO, THEY WERE NON-ABESTOS. NOTHING ELSE WAS DONE TO BRAKES.*AK

WHILE DRIVING MOTORCYCLE IT WOULD LOSE POWER DUE TO FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE SO FAR, BUT PROBLEM SEEMS TO REAPPEAR. *AK

Incident date: Jun 25, 2001

MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALTHOUGH OTHER OWNERS REPORTED INCIDENT. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

Incident date: Jun 25, 2001

5SP SHIFT IN REVERSE GRINDING AFTER 12K+ MILES AND EXTREME VIBRATION ESPECIALLY WHEN SITTING IN NETURAL. DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL AFTER 12K+ MILES OF OWNERSHIP (PURCHASED NEW). DEALER SAYS NORMAL AND MANUFACTURE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALTHOUGH OTHER OWNERS REPORTED SAME INCIDENT.*AK

Incident date: Mar 30, 2001

THE FRONT WHEEL ON PASSENGER SIDE TILTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD,THE DEALER INSPECTED AND DISCOVERED STRUT BOLTS WERE MISSING. *YH

Incident date: Mar 30, 2001

BOTH BULBS OF THE BREAK LENSES WERE BROKEN. *YH

RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE WOULD LEAK OIL WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES IT TO BLOW DOWN ON SWING ARM, AND THEN ONTO REAR TIRE. WHEEL WOULD SLIP FROM UNDER DRIVER ONCE IT BECOMES SLIPPERY.*AK

Incident date: Jan 13, 2001

WHENEVER EXHAUST GOT HOT FUME ODORS GOT INSIDE OF VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED DRIVER TO BECOME SICK. HAD BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR PROBLEM. WAS INFORMED EXHAUST IS SPRAYED WITH COSMOLINE.*AK THE DEALER WAS INFORMED THAT PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY AT ABOUT 5000 OR 6000 MILES. *YH

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1999 GRAND, VITARA.P235/60R16 SIZE DOT: ELKUDMA THAT ON WET PAVEMENTS TIRES HAVE POOR TRACTION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT ON ONE OCCASION, VEHICLE DID A 180 DEGREE SPIN AT APPROXIMATELY 28 MPH ON A SLICK ROAD IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FACE ONCOMING TRAFFIC, BRIDGESTONE DUELER 687. *... Read more

Incident date: Jun 19, 2001

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL #01V146000/ MFR RECALL X4. DEALER STATED THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT RECALL PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

RECEIVED RECALL 01V146000. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL ON FUEL PIPE/FUEL HOSE. WAS INFORMED REPAIRS CANNOT BE DONE DUE TO LACK OF PARTS FROM MANUFACTURER. HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH PROBLEMS ON VEHICLE, INCLUDING FUEL SYSTEMS. NOTHING HAS BEEN REPAIRED.*AK

Incident date: Mar 15, 2001

I DIDNT EVEN HIT A POTHOLE OR ANYTHING THE RIM WAS JUST BENT. THERE ARE ABOUT 20 OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME BIKE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THE RIMS ARE REALLY WEAK NOT SAFE FOR THE STREET IF YOU ASK ME. IT ALSO DAMAGE MY TIRE SO I HAD TO GET A NEW ONE ALSO. IM ALWAYS CHECKING MY WHEELS NOW TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT DAMAGE AND SUZUKI TOLD ME THEY WONT AND REFUSE TO HELP ME THIS MOTORCYCLE ALSO H... Read more

Incident date: Mar 15, 2001

Incident date: May 30, 2001

I TOOK MY SUV TO THE SERVICE DEPART ON MAY 30 BECAUSE THE KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. I AM THE 2ND ONE TO REPORT IT. I AM STILL WAITING ON THE PART FOR IT. NOW, IT'S 4 MORE AFTER ME WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM. THEY DIDN'T WANTED TO PROVIDE ME WITH A RENTAL CAR UNTIL I GOT MY LAWYER INVOLVE. PLEASE HAVE THIS AS A RECALL. I JUST RECEIVED A LETTER ON THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, AND T... Read more

Incident date: May 30, 2001

Incident date: Oct 1, 1999

WHEN TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH TIRES BOUNCE. HALF TIME TIRES ARE NOT ON PAVEMENT, AND AT 55 MPH DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

AT ANY SPEED THROTTLE CABLE IS HANGING AND IS HARD TO MASH. DEALER SPRAYED CABLE, BUT DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Incident date: Jun 2, 2001

TOTALED THE TRUCKIN A ROLE OVER, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Mar 1, 2001

HORN STOPPED WORKING, CONSUMER NOT ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION . NOT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *AK STEREO AND TAPE PLAYER FAILED. *SLC

Incident date: Mar 1, 2001

HORN STOPPED WORKING, CONSUMER NOT ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION . NOT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *AK STEREO AND TAPE PLAYER FAILED. *SLC

Incident date: May 1, 2001

IT SEEMS THESE TROUBLES ARE UNUSUAL FOR ANY CAR OWNER AND VERY COSTLY!! THE SPEEDOMETER WAS RELACED BY MY HUSBAND WITH A PART BOUGHT ONLINE FOR $50 IN ONE DAY, WHERE THE DEALER WOULD HAVE HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND CHARGED US $350. HOWEVER, THE CLUTCH IS A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM. THE DEALER QUOTED THE PART AT $51, WITH LABOR AT $700. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED ... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2001

Incident date: Nov 12, 2000

MOTOR IS BLOWING OIL ONTO CATALYC CONVERTER, CAUSING CAR TO SMOKE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TOOK TO DEALER, AND HE REPLACED A GASKET. BUT, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. CONSUMER IS HANDICAPPED, AND IS AFRAID OF NOT EXITING A CAR FAST ENOUGH IN EVENT OF A FIRE. PLEASE AND ANY FURTHUR INFORMATION.*AK

Incident date: May 8, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH STEERING WHEEL WILL START VIBRATING. CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE OFF ROAD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALER HAD REPLACED TIRES TO CORRECT DEFFECT, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

AS A RESULT OF BATTERY HAVING A SHORT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Fire

Incident date: May 25, 2001

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. TOWED TO DEALER, WHO FOUND IGNITION COIL WAS TOO CLOSE TO ENGINE BLOCK, AND HAD SHORTED OUT. DEALER REWIRED IGNITION COIL.*AK

Incident date: May 19, 2001

2ND GEAR WOULD SLIP. ENGINE FEELS LIKE IS DYING OUT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. HAVE TAKEN TO BIKE SHOP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TOOK TO MC SHOP AND DEALER WAS NOT HONORING WARRANTY FOR REPAIRS. CHARGING TO CHECK ENGINE & TRANSMISSION FOR SLIPPAGE. *AK *SLC

Incident date: May 19, 2001

Incident date: May 28, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE MOTORCYCLE. *AK

Incident date: May 15, 2001

THE CLUTCH BASKET BREAKS PIECES OF METAL OFF IN THE MOTOR WHICH COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE AND LOCK-UP. THIS IS JUST LIKE THE PROBLEM HONDA HAD WITH THE CBR 929. PEOPLE CAN DIE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. SUZUKI WILL NOT RELEASE HOW MANY CASES THEY HAVE HAD, AND SAY THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. *AK

ALREADY HAD ONE RECALL ON THROTTLE CAUSED CRASH, BENT FRAME NO POWER REDUCTION PLATE. *AK

Crash

ALREADY HAD ONE RECALL ON THROTTLE CAUSED CRASH, BENT FRAME NO POWER REDUCTION PLATE. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Mar 28, 2001

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. IT WOULD BLOW HOT INSTEAD OFF COOL AIR. TOOK VEHICLE TO GET PART FOR AIR CONDITIONER & WAS INFORMED THAT PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND ON BACK ORDER. *AK

RECENTLY I HAD NEW TIRES PLACED ON MY VEHICLE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE CENTER OF ALIGNMENT WAS OFF. THAT EXPLAINED WHY THE JEEP DROVE TERRIBLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE NEW TIRES WERE NEEDED. NOW WITH THE NEW TIRES THE JEEP DRIVES JUST AS BAD. IT IS ALL OVER THE WORLD WITH VERY MINOR BUMPS. ALSO, THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS OFF. UPON APPLYING THE BRAKE THE REAR END JERKS FORWARD AS THOUGH THE BRAK... Read more

Incident date: Jul 1, 1998

PLASTIC PORTION OR THE REAR DOOR LATCH KEEPS MELTING WITHIN DAYS OF BEING INSTALLED. NO OBVIOUS REASON FOR FAILURE. DOOR WILL NOT STAY LATCHED. *AK

Incident date: Nov 1, 1999

SUSPENSION IS "LIMP" MEANING IT TOPS AND BOTTOMS. THERE IS NO REBOUND DAMPENING IN SUSPENSION SYSTEM OF THIS MOTORCYCLE. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN WILLING TO ASSIST CONSUMER. HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST FINANCIALLY FOR THIS DESIGN PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT AND REAR SHOCKSARE CHEAP. *SLC

Incident date: Jan 1, 2001

WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS, APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND HIGHER, VEHICLE WILL WEAVE, AND VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL ON HIGHWAY. *NOTE: CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MILES ON IT, AND HAD TO HAVE STRUTS REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 22,000 MILES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

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Consumer Safety Complaints

What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?

How to interpret what you read

If you've experienced a defect

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