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: Aug 1, 2024
Steering wheel sticks when trying to slightly move it side to side, Honda dealership has told me 2 times that the steering rack and pinion recall does not apply to my vehicle. I work at a ford dealership and the foreman drove the car and agreed that there is something wrong with steering.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
While driving high speed such as are on the highway vehicle jerks and has gotten worse now so aggressively it almost jerks from my grip to the left. It’s without notice and over correcting at those speed could cause my vehicle to roll, or jerking into on coming traffic or into another vehicle to the left of me and the direction each time it’s occurred it’s jerked to the left. I’ve previous... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
While driving high speed such as are on the highway vehicle jerks and has gotten worse now so aggressively it almost jerks from my grip to the left. It’s without notice and over correcting at those speed could cause my vehicle to roll, or jerking into on coming traffic or into another vehicle to the left of me and the direction each time it’s occurred it’s jerked to the left. I’ve previous... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
The vehicle moved forward with the shifter set in reverse. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk because the vehicle moved in the opposite direction from that indicated both by the position of the shifter and by the audible backup warning. Pressing the accelerator caused the vehicle to move forward instead of reverse. This problem has not yet been reported to manufacturer. Ther... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
To utilize apple car play with the ride command head unit it requires that Bluetooth headphones must be connected along with the phone being plugged in. In Wisconsin it’s illegal to have headphones on while driving. I’m am at risk of breaking the law and receiving a citation if I use the software the way it’s intended.
Incident date: Aug 10, 2024
The "Service Safety Restraint System" warning light appears on the dashboard and warning chimes continually sound. To my knowledge GMC had a recall for this in 2018. I purchased the vehicle in 2021. I contacted GMC and told them this issue and they informed me that there are no recalls on the vehicle. My concerns being that airbags are fully functional.
Incident date: Mar 16, 2023
EPB and auto hold lights come on intermittantly/randomly.
Incident date: Mar 16, 2023
EPB and auto hold lights come on intermittantly/randomly.
Incident date: Mar 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle stalled and failed to immediately restart. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the canister purge valve had failed causing the fuel tank to collapse. The contact was informed that the purge valve, fuel tank, and fuel tank m... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic Hatchback. 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 shuddering while driving at various speeds. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
I purchased my vehicle early March from Carmax. They offer a 90 day guarantee on anything that will go wrong with the vehicle full coverage. My daughter was having my grandchild so what a great opportunity but to drive my new vehicle from Chicago to Florida to give it a good run when I arrived I was having problems with the Eco drive, which is the start stop enabler. The car would die out. Also, t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
I purchased my vehicle early March from Carmax. They offer a 90 day guarantee on anything that will go wrong with the vehicle full coverage. My daughter was having my grandchild so what a great opportunity but to drive my new vehicle from Chicago to Florida to give it a good run when I arrived I was having problems with the Eco drive, which is the start stop enabler. The car would die out. Also, t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the engine warning light was illuminated. The message to “Turn Off the Vehicle Immediately” was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, opened a case... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
I have a fault in the ABS Control Module. I have been waiting on a replacement part since September of 2023. The current part number for repair has been discontinued and it sounds like the ABS Control Module is under engineering review. When the fault is thrown it turns of traction control and does not allow the use of 4 wheel drive. I have serious safety concerns when driving my vehicle when the ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle unintendedly shut off. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the body control module (BCM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that BCM failure was caused by internal corrosion to the unit due to condensation leaking from the HVAC water line, whi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on both sides of the windshield started to detach. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that parts were not yet availabl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The failure occurred on several occasions and the vehicle was allowed to cool down for approximately 15 minutes before returning to normal operation. The check engine warning light along with several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was tak... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2024
As I was driving on a local highway going approximately 50 mph, the hood of the vehicle released and hit the windshield with full force. Luckily there was no traffic on the local highway at the time of the incident. I did not release the hood at all, and the dealer reports verbally to me that the hood latch is damaged. The incident could have resulted in my death if it happened on the highway.
Incident date: Sep 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V493000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2024
There is a recall for the year after this when many Audi owners of this model have the same issue per the Audi forums. We have the coolant leaking issue as well and it should have been included in the recall
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
On 9/18/24 I was driving my Chevrolet 2018 Volt on a freeway, traveling at approximately 55 mph while starting to exit the freeway. In the middle of fast-moving traffic, on the freeway offramp and starting to decelerate, the car suddenly displayed a message saying "Propulsion Power is Reduced." A micro-second later, the displayed message changed to read "Action Required: Shift to Park" and in that... Read more
TESLA
MODEL Y
(2021) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
Sep 30, 2024
Incident date: Sep 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shut off while on the interstate, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the driver’s side door became inoperable, with the plastic frame hanging off the door of the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted on the third attempt; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle w... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2024
I can not see at night. I have replaced the bulbs several times, and tried the most expensive bulbs. Nothing helps. You can only see with the high beams on, and that’s not safe for other drivers
Incident date: Sep 30, 2024
I purchased this new motorcycle (2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800de) from the dealership in March of 2024. I had read numerous post on Facebook and other message boards regarding a pending recall covering the rear tire and how the tread was separating from the tire and cause a collision. Like numerous others, I stopped riding it and waited for the recall. After more than a month with no notice, I called... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
Unknown. The transmission service light comes on and the vehicle drags until you turn the car off and restart it. I noticed online there's a CVT transmission recall and was wondering if this is what is happening to my vehicle.
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
BSM works when it want to and sometimes not at all
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
The car has a screen which contains the speedometer, battery charge level, odometer miles, turn signal operation and other information including the parking collision warning and the forward collision warning. The screen went blank and dark
Incident date: Sep 19, 2024
The car has a screen which contains the speedometer, battery charge level, odometer miles, turn signal operation and other information including the parking collision warning and the forward collision warning. The screen went blank and dark
Incident date: Sep 20, 2024
The check engine light recently came on, and there was an issue with starting and idling, so we replaced the battery and the light went off, but would randomly come back on. One day notice the vehicle as overheating, and found the coolant tank to be completely empty. Refilled the tank, and several days later the problem arose again. Checked under the van immediately after refilling, no leaks detec... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2024
The check engine light recently came on, and there was an issue with starting and idling, so we replaced the battery and the light went off, but would randomly come back on. One day notice the vehicle as overheating, and found the coolant tank to be completely empty. Refilled the tank, and several days later the problem arose again. Checked under the van immediately after refilling, no leaks detec... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2024
The grid heater bolt can fail and fall into cylinder number 6 and cause catastrophic failure causing an accident. The 68RFE transmission is prone to failure and should be repaired/replaced. The hydraulic liters are subject to failure and should be replaced with solid lifters.
Incident date: Sep 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact attempted to turn on the air conditioner and the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The fa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
Infotainment systems makes a crackling sound then the whole system will shut down and screen goes black. Nothing with the system will work including the back up camera.
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
While stopped at a light the engine completely shut off and put itself into neutral. Nothing worked. Had to press and hold the ignition button for at least 5 seconds to shut down and restart the vehicle.
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
While stopped at a light the engine completely shut off and put itself into neutral. Nothing worked. Had to press and hold the ignition button for at least 5 seconds to shut down and restart the vehicle.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
1. Both driver and passenger front seat latches that allow seat to fold forward to access rear seats have broken at approximately 70,000 miles. This will be the second time for the driver side to be repaired. It was repaired back in 2018 under warranty when brand new and has now failed. Currently the cost to repair is approximately $500. The replacement parts are made of flimsy plastic that wil... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Audi R8. The contact stated that the vehicle had been experiencing failures with the engine overheating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the coolant tank had expanded resulting in thermostat failure. The dealer advised the contact to replace the expansion tank and thermostat to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2024
Had car over 5 years from 11/2019 to current and had no issues at all. No check engine lights, nothing, and kept up on all routine maintenance. Car started up just fine drove on interstate from about 10 miles came to my exit and vehicle turned off and tried to restart itself. Car never started again. After getting it towed home replaced the started and that wasn’t the issue towed it again to Fir... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
On September 8, 2024, I started getting intermittent ABS and Traction Control light with “Service Electronic Braking System”. Code C0020. When the light is on I lose cruise control. There is no specific condition that will cause the light to come on; i.e. bumps in the road, a certain speed, or setting at idle. The first instance of the light coming on, I was turning around in a parking lot, le... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil light and engine warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had been consuming excessive engine oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed crankshaft and rocker arm. The contact was informed that the crankshaft... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Lexus ES300 Hybrid. The contact stated that upon investigation, the contact became aware that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact had not received notification of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
I have been a victim of a known defect in Toyotas Coolant Bypass Valve as of recent when approaching my 40000 mile service maintenance.
Incident date: Aug 24, 2024
The way I can best describe it is my vehicle falling apart, either due to cheap parts. Or poorly being put together. I was driving down the highway at about 65 miles an hour, when suddenly I hear something smack what seemed to be my headlight, then again snack into my drivers side mirror. I had not seen anything on the road previous to this or anything in the air so it seemed strange to have “h... Read more
Incident date: Sep 24, 2020
Both of the front driver and passenger side flip down sun visors have broken within one week of each other. Each visor is attached to the ceiling of the cab by a metal arm with a plastic retaining clip. That plastic clip has broken on both visors within one week of each other and my truck only gets very light use. Since the retaining clip is broken both visors fall out of the ceiling and hang i... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2024
2018 Georgetown RV Motorhome equipped with G670 RV UTL tires/245/70R19.5. The tires on the front (D&P side) have the DOT data omitted (see photo) and the two outer rear tires have the DOT data, and the inter two rear tires are unknown at this time. Since I had tires with the DOT data missing, I contacted Goodyear Customer Relations at Akron, OH on Sept 17, 2024 with my concern. Goodyear replied w... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the tailgate failed to open while using the tailgate handle. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the speedometer became inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that while the vehicle was at a stop sign, the speedometer was misread and stated that the speed was 80 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaire... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The engine block cracked and coolant is leaking into the cylinders at 55k. Car is at the dealers and Ford says it knows this is a defect but won't recall or make it right. The repair is a total engine replacement for over $8k!! This set off a check engine light off which is how I found out. This could've caused the engine to stop running at any speed and cause an accident. I want Ford to pay for t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2024
Brakes stopped working suddenly. All of the brake system started flashing warnings. electric parking brake light is on when parking brake is not engaged. Warning lights all flashed: Electric Parking Brake Problem, Brake System Problem, Brake Hold System Problem, Adaptive Cruise Control Problem, Collision Mitigation System Problem, and Road Departure Mitigation System Problem. This car has 50k mile... Read more