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: Mar 19, 2024
Horn button is not in center of steering wheel. This makes sounding of the horn by a driver less accessible in an emergency or urgent situation to avoid a collision, accident, or pedestrian. Please request a recall for a standard center horn location I'm the steering wheel.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
Car was being driven and coils snapped caused, tire to pop damaging front end. Car was being driven and randomly shut off in middle of road. Driving vehicle shifting into gear lags, check engine light is on, had reader and said that valve 2 has low pressure. As a result clanking and loose noise sounds are heard when driven from drivers side.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
Car was being driven and coils snapped caused, tire to pop damaging front end. Car was being driven and randomly shut off in middle of road. Driving vehicle shifting into gear lags, check engine light is on, had reader and said that valve 2 has low pressure. As a result clanking and loose noise sounds are heard when driven from drivers side.
Incident date: Jun 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Kia EV6. The contact stated that while driving 72 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the console displayed that the drive mode independently switched from rear wheel to front wheel only. The vehicle was driven to a safe location and parked. The contact allowed the vehicle to s... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool con... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
When putting the car in reverse, the rear camera displays briefly. As you start to reverse, the camera cuts in and out and you're unable to see what is behind you on the screen. It flashes to black for at least a minute, so you're unable to use the backup camera for up to 60 seconds after you put the car in reverse.
Incident date: Jun 17, 2024
Rear back up camera keeps going in / out, freezing and I have almost hit cars/people because I thought the car was stationary (screen frozen). The screen flickers constantly making backing up very treacherous.
Incident date: Jun 16, 2024
RDM clutches are failing internally Rear Drive Module must be replaced at a total cost of around $4000 dollars. Part to repair this defect is not available with no anticipated supply date. Tried to find the part with any US auto parts supplier to no avail. The last parts supplier said that with no anticipated supply date from the manufacturer, they had 700 of the items required on back orde... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2024
It has been hard for me to signal right and left in a timely manner due to the fact that the turn signal stall has been replaced with two buttons on the left side of the steering wheel. To make this new design even more complicated to learn, when the steering wheel is turned 180 degree (ie when parking or exiting a parking space) the right/left signal buttons are on the opposite side of the wheel ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2024
I was driving along thankfully at a low rate of speed when suddenly my passenger seat head rest popped really loud and sprang open. Scared the Crap out of me, and caused me to swerve really hard and almost out of my lane. Thank God no one was sitting in the passenger seat at the time!!
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
My tranmission is not liable. My vehicle jerks, steering wheel vibrates when I hold it at a speed like 45. I have written you before. Nothing will be done. I waiting for it to just die and not move. I know a lot of Nissan Roque have Transmission problems and there is a recall out there. But since mine doesn't show any codes nothing will be done. I don't understand why wait before it does leave me ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2024
Back camera stopped working
Incident date: Jun 13, 2024
Purge value. Code p1450. It tries die on me. Everytime I get gas my car has hard time starting. While driving last few days car tries die or make a surge forward. I'm still having trouble with this transmission ever since I bought it. I been back 3 times for them to adjust something.it has died on me while driving.
Incident date: Jun 14, 2024
Electrical rear brake system. My rear driver side brake like sometimes fails to operate properly. Brake warning light on dash comes on. This happens on and off. After researching the issue I found numerous owners are having the same issue. Some replace the bulb multiple times while others have had dealerships replace the harness. Both solutions only temporarily fixed the problem for a short time
Incident date: Jun 14, 2024
We bought this vehicle with 15,000 miles in January 2023. Since then, we have made close to 30,000 miles, currently sitting at 44,000 miles. Today, I discovered another crack in the windshield. This would be our 5th windshield since we own a car. I had numerous vehicles but never had a crack. Further investigation on my part revealed that this is an extremely common problem with the VW Atlas. It i... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2024
I'm frequently seeing a "Service Power Steering. Drive with Care" message on my dashboard. This has happened multiple times (e.g., 6-8 times) on single 20-mile drive during heavy downpour . I had the issue checked immediately by the dealer. While they couldn't replicate the exact scenario (they only saw the message once), they did apply a pending software update. Unfortunately, the message reappe... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2024
My car has caught on fire with smoke at least 4 times, 3 times with my minor child inside of it. I have video to show you just how dangerous it is. All components of the vehicle have failed. I have put thousands of dollars into the vehicle and it only has 80,000 miles on it. My safety and my son and elderly mother's safety has been at extreme risk and my car is NOT SAFE TO OWN OR DRIVE. Carl Grego... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2023
My service engine came on took to dealership they said my coolant bypass valve no good and iam always have to change out my brake pads on the front
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the engine block. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the fai... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Winnebago Vita built on a 2024 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 chassis equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: VanContact A/S, Rear Driver’s side Tire Size: 215/85/R16, DOT: HW0PHNKU, and Rear Passenger’s side Tire Size: 215/85/R16, DOT: HW0PHNKU. The contact attempted to check the tire pressure of the rear passenger’s side tire, but it was discovered that there was n... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Winnebago Vita built on a 2024 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 chassis equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: VanContact A/S, Rear Driver’s side Tire Size: 215/85/R16, DOT: HW0PHNKU, and Rear Passenger’s side Tire Size: 215/85/R16, DOT: HW0PHNKU. The contact attempted to check the tire pressure of the rear passenger’s side tire, but it was discovered that there was n... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
At first I thought this was an electrical problem but now it looks like it is the fuel pump. There is a struggle to turn the vehicle on. There are time that I step on the accelerator and it stalls. There are times while driving that it seems that the vehicle is just going to turn off. I am scared that it might turn off while I’m driving. This can cause me to have an accident. I know there has be... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
When the vehicle turns on there are times when the screen just remains all black, only time it changes is when the reverse camera is activated. When the vehicle is in Drive the screen doesn’t turn on. Also Bluetooth constantly disconnects all devices once the vehicle is turned off.
Incident date: Jun 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shuddering and failed to start. The battery charge was low. The HEV warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that a field expert would be determining the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not... Read more
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) — POWER TRAIN
Jun 13, 2024
Incident date: Jun 13, 2024
Rear differential has failed/malfunctioned. The vehicle is available upon request. It is a road safety issue as it will stall/ hesitate when accelerating and has a jerking effect. It has been confirmed by an independent service center. It had not been inspected by anyone, other than an independent service center mechanic. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2024
Engine light comes on every time I put gas in the capless gas tank. It’s a brand new truck, only put gas in 3 times since owning it and engine light has come on each time, light goes off when gas level reaches around 1/2 a tank. Paid short of $60,000 for the truck should not be happening.
Incident date: May 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35-45 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power while shifting gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to a software update issue. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed by and independent mechanic or local dealer. The m... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
Three incidents in the last few weeks. My 2017 Chevy Volt today has about 84,000 miles. First incident, While driving on an interstate at about 50 mph I suddenly lose ability to accelerate. There was some beeping, dashboard turns yellow, I get a low fuel warning and I cannot accelerate. I pull over on interstate. Re-start vehicle and car restarts. Second incident, driving about 20 mph leaving ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2024
I was traveling on autopilot in left lane with autopilot engaged on 06/13/2024 on HW 101 at around 9:40am my car all of the sudden slammed on brakes and dropped speed from around 65mph to 30mph before I was able to react and recover speed. Reached out to Tesla on their app about this and they are sending me estimate of $275 to check it out
Incident date: Jun 13, 2024
My car had trouble starting then shut off while driving. Engine light was on and the RMP's stayed at zero. Code was for camshaft. Camshaft was replaced and the car shut off three more times while driving. I only have 83,000 miles on my car.
Incident date: Jun 13, 2024
My car had trouble starting then shut off while driving. Engine light was on and the RMP's stayed at zero. Code was for camshaft. Camshaft was replaced and the car shut off three more times while driving. I only have 83,000 miles on my car.
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
WE WERE TRYING TO PARK THE CAR IN OUR GARAGE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP. AND HIT OUR THE FENCE . i RELEASED THE PEDAL BUT IT KEPT DRIVING UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKE. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR?S FRONT WAS SMASHED. OUR FENCE IS ALSO BADLY DAMAGED. I HAVE ASKED TESLA TO INVESTIGATE IF IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE AUTOPILOT TAKING OVER BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THEM YET AFTER MORE THAN A WEEK... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 BMW X7. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issu... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 BMW X7. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issu... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
The recall on the oil pump has really put a halt in my life. I was driving home when my vehicle cut out. I lost control of the vehicle for a second. Thank goodness I was not on a highway and was able to get it going again to drive home. My dash lit up with all different lights, one being low oil. The vehicle is now sitting at a Ford Dealership where we wait for parts for the EcoSport. This was sev... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
The recall on the oil pump has really put a halt in my life. I was driving home when my vehicle cut out. I lost control of the vehicle for a second. Thank goodness I was not on a highway and was able to get it going again to drive home. My dash lit up with all different lights, one being low oil. The vehicle is now sitting at a Ford Dealership where we wait for parts for the EcoSport. This was sev... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had started to become a recurring failure. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she was no lon... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2024
Vehicle suddenly and violently lost power to its front drive units while driving steady on neighborhood street at low speed, <25 mph. Vehicle shuddered to a stop, then put itself in park, rendering it immovable in the middle of the street. Vehicle indicated a critical failure on its screen. Vehicle towed to Tesla service center. Vehicle had front drive unit inverter and pyro fuse replaced. No prio... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2024
Window Adhesive Failure Adhesive failure may cause the vent portion of the window to detach, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V571000 Manufacturer Newmar Corporation Components EQUIPMENT, STRUCTURE Had to purchase 4 windows from Newmar For the window failures in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V571000. Newmar denied the recall claim. This problem goes well beyond 2108 mo... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 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 vehicle was making an abnormal sound while idling. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had excee... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
My 2018 Model 3 started giving me the error "RCM_a056_passengerFrontOCS" today. This is caused by a faulty passenger occupancy weight sensor. This has been an ongoing issue in these models evidenced by SB-23-20-002 being revised 6 times. Tesla has resisted fixing this safety issue because the air bag also needs to be replaced to maintain compatibility with the redesigned Occupant Classification Sy... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
My 2018 Model 3 started giving me the error "RCM_a056_passengerFrontOCS" today. This is caused by a faulty passenger occupancy weight sensor. This has been an ongoing issue in these models evidenced by SB-23-20-002 being revised 6 times. Tesla has resisted fixing this safety issue because the air bag also needs to be replaced to maintain compatibility with the redesigned Occupant Classification Sy... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
My 2018 Model 3 started giving me the error "RCM_a056_passengerFrontOCS" today. This is caused by a faulty passenger occupancy weight sensor. This has been an ongoing issue in these models evidenced by SB-23-20-002 being revised 6 times. Tesla has resisted fixing this safety issue because the air bag also needs to be replaced to maintain compatibility with the redesigned Occupant Classification Sy... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
When I was driving I heard big boom sounds in my backseat which ended up being my fuel tank which expanded and raised the back seat. It slowly got worse impacting my car’s fuel sensor and the tank expanded more and more I drove.
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
When I was driving I heard big boom sounds in my backseat which ended up being my fuel tank which expanded and raised the back seat. It slowly got worse impacting my car’s fuel sensor and the tank expanded more and more I drove.
Incident date: May 21, 2024
The car issued me a "front left safety restraint system fault" saying service is required. The code it flashed was RCM_a021. I am able to get the code to go away by adjusting the seat, however, if i shift my weight or i hit a bump in the road, the warning will appear once again. This leads me to believe that there is a component in the seat that is defective. I took vehicle to the Tesla servi... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
Three of the four windows will not roll up and down.
Incident date: May 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while in reverse(R), there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions. The contact stated that unknown repairs were performed on the vehicle, but the vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2023
Failure of all steering wheel controls. with random cruise control suddenly activating ...transmission gear control self activation (will drop into lower gear causing driver to fly forward and vehicle behind to take evasive action). radio changes channels by itself. i found info that lead me to believe it was a clock spring issue. was taken to dealer. they diagnosed it as a steering wheel harne... Read more