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 23,203 complaints for TESLA
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
Reverse starter keep going out Had replace two time in one year
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
Pressure switch on the brake master cylinder is leaking brake fluid while braking.with brake fluid being introduced into the engine bay while running could cause a fire.
Incident date: Dec 22, 2024
Several time While driving on the interstate my vehicle loses power and low coolant light came on then went off. Light constantly does that even though there is plenty of coolant in the tank. One day [XXX} when trying to pick up speed, I was going 60 and my car went completely limp then picked back up causing me to panic as I had truckers on the highway as I was trying to merge. I pulled over to t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2024
MANUFACTURER HAS RECALL DATED DEC 20,2023. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPT WITH DEALERSHIP FOR FIXING THE RECALL still waiting AS OF NOW for remedy to be available.
Incident date: Dec 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the Lane Keep Automatic Steering feature was overcorrecting the steering wheel. The contact stated that the Lane Keep Automatic Steering feature was correcting the steering wheel to the right and the steering wheel failed to return the vehicle to the desired lane and was continuing to steer the ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
The multi-information display" (MID) which indicates information like the odometer, trip meter, outside temperature, fuel economy, and warning messages goes blank or presents as gibberish. It may only "come to life" randomly.
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
Increased oil consumption with needing oil added and or changed half way before date or milage stated, oil changes performed by Kia dealer. Car staling and engine knocking while driving. Burnt smell while driving.
Incident date: Dec 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 not experienced a failure. Parts distrib... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
Radar structed ,blind spot off,brake system light on
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
I bought a new Chevy Equinox EV on 12/13/24. The day I bought the car, I found that while driving home on interstates and other roads listed by GM as mapped for Supercruise, the system will work for a few minutes, then cut out. There is no warning in advance of this shutdown. When all this happens the car immediately brakes in the middle of traffic and loses steering control, red lights go off, an... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
Earlier in 2024, Volkswagen of America issued a recall for the Suction Jet Pump, on the 14th of December i went to VW of Pompano Beach in Florida, to get the recall done, however, after they delivered back the car, it started to leak fuel after i put gas on it. On December 17th I took it again to the dealer to get it fixed and they gave me back the vehicle on December 19th. On [XXX] I put gas on ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
The battery on this vehicle is absolutely worthless. If tales 8 hours to charge and on a full charge it will get 37 miles. The dealership refuses to replace it and the I owe over 10k on the vehicle.
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
This has been a constant problem with this car. The battery is dead within 3 days. Has a constant battery drain. Subaru service can’t find it. Big safety problem in cold weather. Car leaves wife stranded. The problem is clearly evident on the web blogs.
Crash
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
When driving straight on a highway, probably 40+ mph, the steering wheel does not respond to small left or right adjustments to maintain a straight line. It feels like the steering wheel is sticky, and takes extra effort to break through the "stickiness." This results in an overcorrection when the steering system finally does respond. This can cause the vehicle to veer slightly into another lane o... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
The instrument cluster screen panel went black without any warning. No information, just a solid black screen. I could not determine vehicle speed, fuel level, or see warnings/alerts for tire pressure, oil or transmission function. Vehicle is still in possession of dealership and not repaired.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
Ecm pd128my16-17 Nissan has no cure
Incident date: Dec 12, 2024
Car will start surging and then will stall out. First noticed when car was purchased, but was told it was normal for the car to do. I will start the car and it'll run for a few seconds then die. Sometimes for only a couple times and then the car will run okay. There are times it'll surge then die up to 7 times in a row. Only a couple times it has surged and died while out driving. The car would... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2024
Car will start surging and then will stall out. First noticed when car was purchased, but was told it was normal for the car to do. I will start the car and it'll run for a few seconds then die. Sometimes for only a couple times and then the car will run okay. There are times it'll surge then die up to 7 times in a row. Only a couple times it has surged and died while out driving. The car would... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2024
my car 2015 Hyundia Veloster has been under recall since 2021 for connecting rod failure in engine and oil leaking around spark plugs that could cause a fire plus what the other recall is. Hyundai Corp refuses to repair my car, it has ksds, oil consumption, refuse to do engine inspection, wanting to charge me for items related to a recall. my car as stated with you before eating oil, poor compress... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
Steering issues, Suspension issues when reversing, power steering, braking system locking. recalls on other edges but not this vehicle
Incident date: Dec 19, 2024
Steering issues, Suspension issues when reversing, power steering, braking system locking. recalls on other edges but not this vehicle
Incident date: Dec 19, 2024
Steering issues, Suspension issues when reversing, power steering, braking system locking. recalls on other edges but not this vehicle
Incident date: Dec 19, 2024
My check engine light came on and I was told it set a code for a flash update . Dealership did the update and told me if the light came back on it was the fuel pump . Light came back on and I took it back immediately to dealership . They said perfectly safe to drive , it’s the fuel pump . My jeep truck only has 22,000 miles on it . Three days later I was driving home and the vehicle engine li... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2024
We learned of the Nuna Rava recall and the next day while driving our daughter to daycare, we noticed the buckle was considerably loosened during the ride. Upon testing the buckle as noted in the Nuna video, the harness loosened very easily while the loosen button for the tether was not engaged. This is a serious safety risk as the car seat harness can no longer remain firmly tightened. In the eve... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2024
All brake lights on Dashboard came on. Almost got into an accident because brakes were not responding. Brakes started responding but lights remained on. At time it will contibue to beep and Brakes do not respond. I am seeing that this is a common issue happening to most Prius vehicles after a certain period. It is extremely expensive to repair. Since this is happening on quite a lot of Prius vehic... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2024
The car experienced a sudden loss of boost power and, at the same time, and MUCH more concerning and dangerous, a total loss of brake power assist. The brakes were firm (hard), but had ZERO power assist, and I could barely stop the car at idle in my driveway, much less on a highway or open road. I thank God that my son, who was driving at the time, was not in a dangerous situation when this failur... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2024
The car experienced a sudden loss of boost power and, at the same time, and MUCH more concerning and dangerous, a total loss of brake power assist. The brakes were firm (hard), but had ZERO power assist, and I could barely stop the car at idle in my driveway, much less on a highway or open road. I thank God that my son, who was driving at the time, was not in a dangerous situation when this failur... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2024
My 2019 Toyota Camry SE experienced a transmission failure due to slipping gears. The issue became apparent when the car started hesitating during acceleration, with noticeable jerking and a lack of smooth shifting between gears. Despite routine maintenance, the transmission’s performance progressively worsened, with the slipping becoming more frequent and severe. Now i'm unable to drive my car... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2024
My 2019 Toyota Camry SE experienced a transmission failure due to slipping gears. The issue became apparent when the car hesitating during acceleration, with noticeable jerking and a lack of smooth shifting between gears. Despite routine maintenance, the transmission’s performance progressively worsened, with the slipping becoming more frequent and severe. Now i'm unable to drive my car anymore... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
My front passenger seat belt has started to not latch. I have to push the button and insert the seatbelt in order for it to latch. Sometimes it will release on it’s own.
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
Breaks squeal while in reverse.
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
Rear wheel explosion on the road
Crash
1 injured
1 deaths
Incident date: Dec 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the engine started to overheat with the check engine and power steering warning lights illuminated. The temperature gauge indicated that the vehicle was running hot(H). There was white smoke coming from the engine. Due to the failure, the contact pulled over and initially had the vehicle towed to the. The vehicle was lat... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the engine started to overheat with the check engine and power steering warning lights illuminated. The temperature gauge indicated that the vehicle was running hot(H). There was white smoke coming from the engine. Due to the failure, the contact pulled over and initially had the vehicle towed to the. The vehicle was lat... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the battery, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repair... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution discon... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
My car is constantly burning about 4 quarts of oil in 2 months. It stalled on me 2 months ago, 2 months after an oil change because there was no oil in my car and I do not have a leak. it is a safety issue if my motor blows up or my car just stalls on me in the middle of the highway. I have had it inspected to see if there were any leaks. I only got a low oil pressure signal after I would make a ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle sputtered. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was scheduled for a service appointment to have the recall repairs performed. The contact st... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2024
Driving on gas on the highway, the adaptive cruise control suddenly disabled with a "Reduced Propulsion" message on the dash and a check engine light. The car started struggling in its propulsion. We found an AutoZone and scanned the codes, and multiple were returned. A Google search pointed us to the "walk home" fuse, which indeed had been blown. Replacing that fuse and disconnecting/reconnecting... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2024
Driving on gas on the highway, the adaptive cruise control suddenly disabled with a "Reduced Propulsion" message on the dash and a check engine light. The car started struggling in its propulsion. We found an AutoZone and scanned the codes, and multiple were returned. A Google search pointed us to the "walk home" fuse, which indeed had been blown. Replacing that fuse and disconnecting/reconnecting... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2024
Front driver side door started clicking when open/closed about a month ago. Yesterday it started a loud thumping sound when opening. Upon closer investigation, four points where the door was welded to the arm mechanism have broken. The loud thumping sound is the internal brace hitting the door.
Incident date: Dec 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
Hands free connection from cell phone to vehicle speakers and mic won't work properly. I consider this a safety issue as it requires me to pickup phone and turn off Bluetooth and work phone manually, looking at it, rather than hands-free. Dealer says corporate has no resolution. Ford consumer line said they're aware but no idea when or if a resolution will be available.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
Hydraulic brake booster pump abs actuator has been on a service bulletin around 2015 with a definitive timetable. I have had numerous notifications with warning lights that are indicative of the booster pump failure for more than 10 years and every time I bring it to the Lexus dealer they said it is my battery. They replace the battery and reset the computer and it repeats itself over and over. M... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
So on Oct 25, 2024 I took my car to get an oil change at the moss bros Honda dealership. I always get all maintenance done there. Then a week later on Nov 3, 2024 my suv pilot broke down on the freeway it just started jerking and the screen kept glitching then right after the engine light went on. I was not aware of any signs for it to happen but Luckily there was a cop and a tow truck close by be... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2024
I went to go start my vehicle to commute home from work and had no power steering. I did some research and saw that my vehicle model from 2007-2016 was recalled for this issue
Incident date: Nov 30, 2024
I GOT THE RECALL NOTICE. STILL ITS NOT RECTIFY BY Bennet Honda, Lebanon, PA What is the next procedure Please advise? [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Nov 30, 2024
vehicle shakes uncontrollable on the front passenger side when driving over 50 mph. took to the repair shop and was diagnosed with the death wobble. told it's unsafe to drive until repaired and repair will be over 1,600.00
Incident date: Dec 20, 2024
Computer system failure causing all cameras to fail, mirrors to stay darkened even in daylight, navigation system not updating, collision and lane departure feature failure. Issues were reported to Tesla and an AP 4 computer replacement were scheduled, however service has been delayed for several weeks ( now 9 Jan 2025). The car does not feel sufficiently safe to drive with the impaired mirror vi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that there was a ticking sound coming while starting the vehicle. The contact stated that the ticking sound was consistent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Number: CSP - 21N03 - Supplement 4. The manufacturer was con... Read more