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: May 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 issue. The contact h... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2024
I’ve received repeated errors of front right safety restraint system needs service with an indication of the airbags being disabled. Tesla has attempted to fix this on two occasions by replacing various wiring and seat belt parts, but the problem returns each time.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2024
The interior instrument panel horizontal angled trim has a shiny metal surface that when the sun shines on it, reflects into the driver's eyes causing a blinding experience. The driver cannot see the instrument panel, the display, the controls, and causes a total white out/ washout of visibility. Due to a camera's light sensitivity and auto adjustment of same, pictures don't serve well as to the a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2024
I was driving when it stalled out while driving and people helped me push my car out of turning lane to safety. The hood engulfed in flames. It was out the blue I had just bought the car a few months earlier. I was notified later that there was a recall on the car that caused fires but was unaware at the time
Fire
Incident date: Apr 16, 2024
The Turbo is bad in the car at 90,000 miles. It is a common issue among these, lots of other people have the same issue with the “engine power is reduced” message popping up, per the 2021 Chevrolet TrailBlazer facebook group. There needs to be a recall so they can be fixed. It has happened on mine for the past few months and the dealer said the turbo is bad. The purge pump has already been rep... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2024
On 6 separate occasions while operating my vehicle it randomly stops running. The first two were at 40 mph and I was told it was a battery issue. It happened twice less than 4 days after the battery was replaced, once at 25 mph and once at 15 mph. I then had the fuel pump replaced. Less than 4 days later it happened twice again. Once at 10 mph and another time at 45 mph.
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
In a three year period I have had to replace my windshield for cracks causing visibility issues. Each of these cracks have appeared for no apparent reason.
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted about the recall; 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 recal... Read more
Incident date: May 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle decelerated without the brake pedal being depressed. In addition, the vehicle veered to the left independently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact self-diagnosed the vehicle using a scanner the vehicle and... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 20–45 MPH on a six-lane highway, the contact attempted a hard acceleration, and there was an abnormal banging sound heard. The battery was disconnected. The pyrotechnic fuse went into failure mode. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle slowed down, pulsated, and then shut down. The hazard lights, steering, an... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Edge. The contact stated while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was extremely firm while depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop immediately, causing the braking distance to be extended. The vehicle was eventually taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the brake booster and master cylinders were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was n... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that when her son started the vehicle and attempted to turn the steering wheel, the steering wheel had seized. The steering motor sensor warning light was illuminated. The contact researched the failure online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The dealer confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon attempting to close the moon roof, the moon roof failed to close as intended. Eventually, the moonroof was able to close; however, the closing resulted in damage to the overheard liner. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufactur... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. In addition, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was almost involved in three cr... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
Transmission needs to be replaced per mechanic, costing around $3,5000-$5,000 Jerking or shuddering during the normal course of driving Hesitations while attempting to accelerate from a stopped position Engine stalls out or intermittently shutting off Rough start or hard shift and sudden acceleration Hesitations while attempting to accelerate from a stopped position
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Automatic Intervention Collision Avoidance system activated unnecessarily and unexpectedly during a freeway exit. There were no cars ahead within a reasonable distance, but there was a car in the adjacent lane of a “dual” parallel exit lane on the freeway. There was a solid white line between vehicles and the system seemed to interpret both vehicles exiting the freeway simultaneously as a “n... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic 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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The dealer was m... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact became aware that the steering wheel was seizing. The contact stated that several days later, while his wife was driving, the Lane Departure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a steering gearbox malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired.... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2024
In the past 4 months car stalled on expressway 3 times. on the first occurrence dealer informed us that no error code were found. Second time repair shop (dealer) found body control module error code and replaced the body control module. On the third occurrence we are waiting for repair assessment. In all three occasions check engine light will blink and pressing accelerator won't give any power... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2024
There was excessive frame Flexing in the nose section of our 5th wheel. I inspected the lag bolts in the front section of our 5th wheel that hold the wall to the frame and found 4 bolts missing of the 12 that are supposed to be installed. Also, the bolts that were installed were undersized. I also have damage to the inside wall and cabinets from over-flexing during travel. I have not contacted a d... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
I was sideswiped by another vehicle which just joined our direction of traffic coming out of a cutout. As soon as I saw the vehicle moving fast from inside the cutout to join our direction and into my lane, I immediately decided to move to the lane next to me. I was at the leftmost lane at the time. Halfway into the lane I just felt the violent impact of the other vehicle hitting us. My wife and I... Read more
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
On Friday, May 17th around 2:00pm I was driving approximately 25mph when I got an abrupt warning and the truck started to drive differently. I don’t think the vehicle was responding to the gas pedal normally. The first warning said something about selected gear engaging at lower speed. Then there was a message about the pre-collision assist not working, hill ascent not working, and something els... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
On Friday, May 17th around 2:00pm I was driving approximately 25mph when I got an abrupt warning and the truck started to drive differently. I don’t think the vehicle was responding to the gas pedal normally. The first warning said something about selected gear engaging at lower speed. Then there was a message about the pre-collision assist not working, hill ascent not working, and something els... Read more
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) — VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
May 19, 2024
Incident date: May 19, 2024
Driving on the highway and the sunroof exploded. No one around and no overpass. No signs of impact or object in or near vehicle. No other damage to vehicle.
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
My car is experiencing a passenger seat safety restraint error, which is a safety issue.
Incident date: May 9, 2024
My car is experiencing a passenger seat safety restraint error, which is a safety issue.
Incident date: May 9, 2024
As me and my daughter had been out all day on the way home the coolant light comes on it’s overheating so we stop and waited bout 15 minutes started home again same thing happened then the car started misfiring checked coolant it was low put some in then in a couple days coolant was gone again took to shop to look for leak was informed motor was going bad never had issues out car till coolant st... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2024
-Fuel leaks have been occurring since we purchased the car in April 2022. The previous owners never parked on an incline, so they never experienced the issue. -Fuel leaks when the car is parked on an incline when tank is between half full and full. -Leaks occur more often based on (1) the more full the tank is (we never top it off after the pump stops at gas station) and (2) when parked in direct ... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Kia EV6. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly to 25 MPH. The message " Stop Vehicle and Check Power Supply" was displayed. The contact attempted to drive to the residence; however, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2024
I bought a 2023 Tesla Long-range Y in June 2023 at Tesla Santa Fe, New Mexico. I have had trouble with the brakes applying on their own during cruise control. It was very scary the first time it happened, but luckily there was very little traffic on the 2-lane highway I was traveling on. The Tesla dealer in Santa Fe told me they don't have a software fix yet and he simply avoids cruise control. ... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2024
Door actuator fault while driving, door opens slightly ajar while driving. Frequently happens while driving on highway with top up or down. Requires driver to hold door from swinging open around turns until there is a stop that allows driver to open and shut door again.
Incident date: May 7, 2024
Door actuator fault while driving, door opens slightly ajar while driving. Frequently happens while driving on highway with top up or down. Requires driver to hold door from swinging open around turns until there is a stop that allows driver to open and shut door again.
Incident date: Apr 23, 2024
While driving from La Crosse WI to Champlin, MN on [XXX] I noticed car was not responding as much as usual when pressing gas and might have been making some clicking type noises but lots of other noises in and around vehicle could not tell for sure. Then suddenly heard very loud clanking and banging sounds and saw smoke come out of engine, I pulled over. Upon pulling over I discovered a large oil ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked significantly. The contact stated that the failure occurred mostly while shifting into a lower gear. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as needed while driving at a consistent speed. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission was overheating while driving. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shuddering, and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failu... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
I just purchased my 2024 Chrysler Pinnacle Hybrid on May 8 on Monday the 13th I was driving and the Lane Sense and Service Lane Sense went off telling me to keep both hands on the wheel they were it pulled the car to the left and then stopped it was scary, yesterday while driving with cruise control, nothing around us coming back from an appointment on with granddaughter all the sudden cruise con... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Azera. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The m... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2024
In Apr 2024 we had an issue with charging the vehicle at level 1 and level 2 took to dealer and they replaced the ICCU unit. A week later the car was DOA no lights nothing so we had to jump start it. We Took to dealer they did an update , week later DOA again. Took to dealer and found out the MSU part needs to be replaced Back ordered for a month and still at dealer was given a loaner, sound fami... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2024
when I was driving my Tesla Model 3 with FSD exiting [XXX] , the FSD directed me to a wrong routing. I corrected the direction by taking over the FSD, the car then lost its full braking system. I was not aware of it until my car slipped backward at a stop and hit a car behind me. The other driver is good enough to let me go, but my Tesla back bumper was damaged. When I got home and read the messa... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, the low engine oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer but was not serviced. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer, where the contact was informed that the engine was running rough, and the oil pump had failed and need... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon purchase of the vehicle, the rear driver’s side strut was replaced. Recently, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a routine maintenance check; while being inspected, the contact was informed that the passenger’s side rear and driver’s side front struts had been saturated with oil. The passenger’s side fr... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2024
The vehicle would not stop and ran into the back of a friend. I am not safe in the vehicle as we were in a parking lot no way I could’ve reached top speed.
Crash
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
1. My 90 year-old mother-in law got trapped inside the car in very bad weather because my phone key wouldn't open the door after I got out and walked her elderly friend to the door of her house about 20 feet away, and then walked back to the Tesla. I've been able to reproduce the problem repeatedly, of course without my mother-in-law in the car. 2. Several near-misses because, unlike most other... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
While driving at approximately 55 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled and would not accelerate. I was able to pull over onto the shoulder and turn the vehicle off. The engine would not turn over and the brake pedal locked into position, rendering the vehicle immobile. The check engine light also came on at this point. The vehicle was towed and ultimately repaired at the local GMC dealership, where ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with camshaft positioner actuator solenoid at #2. The contact was informed that the camshaft positioner actuator solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the wrench warning light illuminated. There was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The mechanic located a crack in the transmission and noticed that there was transmission fluid leak... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to immediately stop. Additionally, the brake pedal felt spongy, with a hissing sound while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local service center which diagnosed that the power brake booster and master cylinder were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was... Read more