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 22,185 complaints for TESLA
Incident date: Aug 9, 2024
Windshield has severe cracking without being struck by anything
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
Driving [XXX] enroute to Houston from Peoria, AZ, on cruise control, the auto braking activated aka ghost braking, causing the car to extremely brake. No other cars or trucks near us and no signs in area that might affect cruise control. I thought this was fixed! Totally unsafe. Luckily no one was behind us. This happened a lot back in mid 2021 and to have it still happen is hazardous. INFO... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that there was mold on the front passenger's side floor and underneath the front passenger's side seat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that water had leaked into the vehicle due to a clogged sunroof drain. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the front dri... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact rec... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
My car was left on the driveway for a weekend where I was out of town. Upon returning, as I got into the vehicle and started reversing to get out of my driveway; several alerts popped up on my car. The alerts included "Steering assist reduced", "Stability control disabled", "Automatic emergency braking unavailable" and lastly, "Parking brake Fault." Immediately the power steering was gone and it ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 W4. The contact stated that when his wife was parking the vehicle at approximately 5 MPH and when she depressed the brake pedal, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that his wife said that the brake pedal failed, and the instrument cluster was black. The contact stated that his wife had observed that the brake warning had been illuminated before th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
Headlights flicker every five seconds at night. Could be a hazard to oncoming traffic.
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
I purchased vehicle 4/11/2023 with 41,000 miles. I started to experience concerns with acceleration periodically and clunking in the rear end prior to warranty ending, ford dealership inspector stated that they didn’t find anything. After 80, 000 miles it occurred more often, shuttering between 2-3rmps. Lack of ability to accelerate was a safety concern. A different Ford Dealership inspector rep... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
Received several "Steering Assist Reduced" alerts when stopped in traffic last week, followed immediately by the failure of the power steering after each alert. Power steering resumed after a soft restart. Tried to make appointment at Tesla Service Center last Friday to get this addressed, but they said they had no appointments available and would not be able to diagnose my vehicle until today, Au... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
Electronic braking system alarm and antilock brake system alarms keep coming on and off. Based on research HCU is faulty.
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
While driving on a major highway, several warning lights, including the brake warning, appeared on the dashboard. Simultaneously, the vehicle lost power steering, making it extremely difficult to steer and creating a hazardous situation for the driver and others on the road. The driver managed to pull over and turn off the vehicle. Upon restarting, the warning lights were gone, and the steering re... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
Safety issue: Got a "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault" (code RCM_a056) out of a sudden. Apparently, the passenger's occupied-seat sensor is not communicating with the system, leading to potential hazard in airbag deployment scenario. Upon reaching out to the Tesla Service Center, got a quote for $1600, which includes a replacement not only of the passenger's seat sensor, but there's ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
When I purchased my 2014 Volvo XC 60 I was told that it was in good overall condition and believe that after driving it for the vehicle in full and brought it back because it needed a current inspection. Within four days of taking it home after the inspection, the PCV valve went bad and I had a minor leak in the middle center top of the windshield that dripped in and left watermarks on my headline... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
When I purchased my 2014 Volvo XC 60 I was told that it was in good overall condition and believe that after driving it for the vehicle in full and brought it back because it needed a current inspection. Within four days of taking it home after the inspection, the PCV valve went bad and I had a minor leak in the middle center top of the windshield that dripped in and left watermarks on my headline... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2024
Engine reduce power power keeps coming on been to 5 dealers they say 200 hundred and 1 to 2 days on it but can't pay that to them on fixed income. Had two strokes been to dealer to gets parts .and also parts stores still the same part from different places still engine reduce power keeps coming on. On 8/10. Had throttle body taken of and cleaned l am at wit end Had to with this car oh l mean le... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2023
The power steering turned off while driving. I have an electrical power steering system. Almost crashed because it was too hard to turn. No warning lamps or inspection done
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
Nothing happened my cameras just stop working I was told it was a defective sensor.
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
Safety features on my car are currently unavailable. I called the dealership and was told it was due to a defected sensor in the back windshield. And I would have to pay to replace the entire windshield. Even tho the sensor is defective.
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
Safety features on my car are currently unavailable. I called the dealership and was told it was due to a defected sensor in the back windshield. And I would have to pay to replace the entire windshield. Even tho the sensor is defective.
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
Safety features on my car are currently unavailable. I called the dealership and was told it was due to a defected sensor in the back windshield. And I would have to pay to replace the entire windshield. Even tho the sensor is defective.
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
I own a 2016 Sorento SXL AWD and this issue just started. I work evening shift and get off at 11pm. I always have the lights set to "auto", while driving home on a rural road at night and the headlights switch off on their own. I have to manually switch the lights off and back to auto for them to come back on. Potentially dangerous situation and Kia should issue a recall. Can find any recall but ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
The rear back up camera works intermittently and the car will not start intermittently cannot find the issue it has left stuck at places because it would not start. Changed the battery and all electrical checked out ok.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
I've had this thing less than 6 months, I've already had the engine rebuilt with 34 parts a month and a half in and the drivers side rear door handle replaced during this time because it would not open from the outside and only the inside despite being unlocked. All of this occurred at the beginning of May 2024 and it sat for 3 months due to the engine being basically rebuilt with most parts being... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2024
Experienced it a number of times intermittently. When making a stop from about 25-30 mph, just before making a full stop (~10mph) while foot on the break, the vehicle lunge for a split second. The feeling of loss of braking power. At number of times, I thought I was going to rear end the veh in front of me. The last time I experienced it was last Aug 7.
Incident date: Aug 10, 2024
Vehicle stalled and stop running while accelerating at a busy intersection and created a hazardous situation in traffic. Had to push the car off the road. Car would not start again so called for a tow. The Equinox was taken to a nearby Chevrolet dealership. I ran a tester on it and the error code was P129F, Fuel Pump Driver Control Module, Fuel Pump Speed Signal Incorrect. In doing a search, I ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
On [XXX] we charged enough more than 80% limit to travel towards Knoxville . The vehicle indicated we have enough charge to reach Knoxville supercharger. Kindly note our vehicle has set like that it can’t go more than 80mph. While we’re closer to severville, the vehicle still indicated that I need to drive to Knoxville but indicated battery percentage will be -2% means we will not be able to d... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
Sunroof would operate without touching switch, or fail to operate if switch was touched. Similar to 2022 Golf R recall: NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V542000 I took multiple videos of the problem and VW replaced switch module under warranty.
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
I was driving on the highway at 70 mph and for no reason the emergency brake activated and stopped the truck. I am very scared because it has happened so many times. I always drive with my child on board, I am afraid that this will end in a rollover or death. At the time of the incident the truck is already done all recalls and updates softwares
Incident date: May 15, 2024
April 2024: Tesla Model X repeatedly failed to download firmware updates, although offered via the car’s UI. The car uses the connected WiFi to download several gigabytes of data every month, but ultimately does not apply any updates. This is a serious safety issue, since it prevents all future software update recalls from being available to this vehicle. May 15, 2024: Tesla failed to fix this... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
I bought this car brand new and I’m the only driver. I have my oil changed every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. Boiling Springs Tire is the place I get it changed but I have had it changed a few times at Hyundai in Spartanburg. About a year or so ago my oil light came on and I was shocked because it hadn’t been long since I had oil changed. I checked it and it was almost out. I put oil in it and t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
We were on the freeway with cruise control on and the car slammed on the brakes. It automatically slowed 15mph while in front of another vehicle. The cause was that it hallucinated a person in the lane of the road, I could see the "person" on the screen of my car. However there was no person or hazard in the way.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
Intermittent failure of ABS system. Causing cruise control to suddenly shut off at highway speeds as well as having a non-functioning ABS system.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
We were driving on a 2 lane highway, when we came to an intersection with a center turn lane the car panicked and swerved left and then braked and disengaged the autosteer/cruise control. This was not with autopilot, just autosteer.
Incident date: Jul 7, 2023
We were driving on a 2 lane highway, when we came to an intersection with a center turn lane the car panicked and swerved left and then braked and disengaged the autosteer/cruise control. This was not with autopilot, just autosteer.
Incident date: Jul 7, 2023
My 2008 Nissan Altima's dash is degrading and has caused a sticky residue to form on it. This stickiness is very shiny and causes a glare to occur on the windshield. I live in Kentucky and when the sun is shining, and actually basically anytime driving, the glare makes it nearly impossible to see. I almost hit another vehicle because I could not see but instead went off the road to avoid a collisi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2023
Battery drain and dead battery when parked overnight.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2024
The problem started 3 months after purchase. It has a very loud noise that comes from the engine i think. It has been inspected by two different dealerships. Both insisted the noise was normal. After going more than 10 times to the dealership where i purchased my Rogue, i called nissan directly and open an investigation. Nissan sent an engineer and he said that the noise was weird but he didn... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2024
Engine began unpredictably running rough. Would lose ability to accelerate, in traffic. Engine light came on. Originally took to dealership, computer indicated a “misfire cylinder 2” was told by mechanic at dealership it was possibly “bad gas” and they cleared all codes. Continued to get worse. Took vehicle to a licensed “Mercedes Doctor” mechanic who had to replace cylinder head to co... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
I continuously receive a notification on my car that the there is a fault with the passenger restraint system and includes a red income with the airbag. I have found hundreds of Tesla drivers that have reported the same issue. Tesla is claiming that my airbag needs replaced as well as other safety components with the seat that need retrofitted in order for the airbag to work properly. They quoted ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 BMW X1. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes) 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 contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and attempting to depress t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 BMW X1. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes) 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 contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and attempting to depress t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2024
This is a duplicate of the letter I sent to Tesla on June 25, 2024. “For the past two weeks I have traveled to New Jersey and back to North Carolina. I’m writing to you because of my experience with TESLAS FSD. On one occasion I was traveling on [XXX] (NJ) heading to [XXX] -with my navigation and FSD engaged, I approached north and south exit ramps, my Tesla could not make a decision - I had t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2024
I was driving this car down the road 50mph when the engine turned off. The dash board indicated no rpm, no warning lights and to shift the car into park. When I rolled safely to a stop, the engine would not crank over with the key and none of the dash board warning lights were on. The issue with this was the 50a BCM fuse #9 opened but did not blow. Wiggling the main wires by the battery caused... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2024
Stalls while driving stability track and traction control shut off
Incident date: Aug 9, 2024
EGR cooler leaks and slowly burns off engine coolant resulting in the car overheating while driving, forcing a quick exit from the road, or stopping in traffic not to damage the engine. Google search shows this is a very common issue with these hybrids.
Incident date: Aug 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at highway speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from sixth to third gear. During the failure, the vehicle abruptly decelerated, causing the driver to almost lose control of the steering wheel. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2024
Since I purchased my car in July 2023, I’ve had multiple false forward collision warning resulting in my insurance premium increasing by sizeable amounts and has caused me undue stress. I’ve reported this problem to Tesla but to no avail. Today 8/9/2024, between 5:17 and 5:21 pm, while driving my cars forward collision warning was activated while no vehicle was in front of my but instead to a ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2024
Prinx HiCITY HH2 175/65R15 84H Bought this tire in November 2022. About 15000 miles into it, on Aug 6, 2024, the passenger front tire just busted. After swapping with the spare tire, and upon inspection, there was no nail nor it hit the curb, but the side wall is busted. This is a manufacturing quality issue.
Incident date: Aug 9, 2024
Prinx HiCITY HH2 175/65R15 84H Bought this tire in November 2022. About 15000 miles into it, on Aug 6, 2024, the passenger front tire just busted. After swapping with the spare tire, and upon inspection, there was no nail nor it hit the curb, but the side wall is busted. This is a manufacturing quality issue.