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: Apr 5, 2024
Coolant leaks into the engine. Vehicle no longer operable. Over $8,100 to replace long block.
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
There are no warning indicators or messages. The power mirrors will randomly start adjusting or switching into a position where they start clicking because they're too far over. Even when you try to turn the mirror button off, or close the mirrors and reopen them, the mirror will continue to move. This problem has been continuous for over a year with no problems identified otherwise. This is a maj... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2024
ABS, traction control, cruise control, 4WD works intermittently ABS and traction control warning flash, wile ABS light is on you can not use traction control ABS system does not engage and cruise control is inoperable. Seen by dealer (benson CDJR) in April and June of 2023 and parts to repair were NOT available. Being seen again as new part is currently available to be repaired 4/6/24. After 1... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
The white paint on the vehicle is peeling and bubbling in various areas of the vehicle around the hood, fender and roof
Incident date: May 2, 2024
I was driving behind someone when a suv came over from left lane into the right lane in front of the cars that were in Front of me and made a sudden turn into a business. I was already applying the brake and was the 3 second rule behind the car in front of me, however the car did not stop as I slammed on the brakes as hard as I could. There have been other times that the car will automatically sla... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 2, 2024
On April [XXX] at about [XXX] a.m., upon returning from exercising at the Peter Blum YMCA in Boca Raton, I was very slowly parking my car in the garage. The car was half way in when it suddenly accelerated forwards, impacting two bicycles standing on their racks at the end of the garage, the washing machine, the dryer, the water heater and through them, the garage back wall, where cracks were crea... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 2, 2024
On April [XXX] at about [XXX] a.m., upon returning from exercising at the Peter Blum YMCA in Boca Raton, I was very slowly parking my car in the garage. The car was half way in when it suddenly accelerated forwards, impacting two bicycles standing on their racks at the end of the garage, the washing machine, the dryer, the water heater and through them, the garage back wall, where cracks were crea... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 4, 2024
Upon accelerating from 35 to 55 the engine quit but I was able to pull off the highway onto the shoulder. Vehicle was towed to a local KIA dealer. I was notified today 5/4/24 that the engine had seized up, and they were contacting the manufacture in regards to complete engine replacement. Waiting on results. Vehicle has approximate 133,500 miles. Mileage was 130,265 when purchase from a dealer.
Incident date: May 4, 2024
While driving the transmission lost power and car behaved like it was in neutral while in drive.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
At 4 years and 1/2 old car 2020 Corolla XSE an Engine Maintenance Required SEE DEALER light turned on. Did diagnostic with OBD 2 scanner at two locations auto body shop and Uto zone. Nothing appears. It is in fact a NEEDED future recall since thousands if not more people have encountered the same. It is a Coolant By Pass Valve. Cost is only $99.53 + tax at dealer. Problem is that should be under ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
At 4 years and 1/2 old car 2020 Corolla XSE an Engine Maintenance Required SEE DEALER light turned on. Did diagnostic with OBD 2 scanner at two locations auto body shop and Uto zone. Nothing appears. It is in fact a NEEDED future recall since thousands if not more people have encountered the same. It is a Coolant By Pass Valve. Cost is only $99.53 + tax at dealer. Problem is that should be under ... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
The "Travel Assist is currently not available" warning and chime constantly comes on. The chime and constant alerts are extremely distracting and from looking it up online it appears other drivers are experiencing the same issue. It happens randomly and cleaning the sensors has not solved the issue.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2024
I discharged the battery to 7% then recharged to 100% using my home charger. When I got into the car, I had an error message stating: 'electrical system error park vehicle in a safe place'. The message disappeared later that day and I was able to drive the car to the dealer.
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving 86 MPH in the middle lane, the vehicle shut off on five occasions. The vehicle was restarted, the steering column was locked, and the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact stated that the rear axle had disengaged. The suspension leveling system had failed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The veh... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Zone where the vehicle was scanned and diagnosed with a failure with the knock sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a local independent mechanic where the knock sensor was replaced. The contact stated that the failure had recurred. T... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2024
PROBLEM: It has happened multiple times (about 20-25 times since the purchase of the vehicle in November 2022), always while having the engine running from a stop (variable stop length); when pressing the gas pedal to re-initiate the running, the car doesn't respond to the pressure on the gas pedal for 1-2 seconds and usually responds again during the uninterrupted pressing of the gas pedal. It ha... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
Noticed a noise in the front suspension and took it in to dealership to get looked at. Dealership inspected and told me some internal component of the strut had failed and it wasn't operating correctly. I asked if I could just continue to drive it and they told me it could be a safety issue if I didn't get it fixed. My vehicle only has 39,000 miles and I found it very odd for this component to fai... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
Ever since the first few miles on the car, the forward collision warning (FCW) system triggers all the time for no reason. I cannot drive the car without it triggering, and I use the car almost daily. It constantly thinks I am going to run into the car in front of me when coming to a stop at a light, for example, however I am never anywhere near running into the car in front of me. It also trigger... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
Received and error message, Lane Departure Avoidance features unavailable and steering assist reduced simultaneously while driving between 65-75 mph. Steering will required extreme effort to turn. I was about 5 minutes from home exited the highway and took the backroads. Steering did require extreme effort. The following morning, car worked fine.
Incident date: May 2, 2024
The "auto" setting of the windshield wipers does not work 90% of the time. It cannot sense rain properly. My grandmother's 2002 Lexus had better rain-sensing wipers than my 2023 Tesla. This is extremely hazardous in the sense that at medium speeds, when water from rain does NOT quickly evacuate the windshield, it causes a massive block to the view of all patrons in the car. Do you think it is impo... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
Coolant intrusion into engine. This problem is known to Ford. See CSP Letter #21n12 and Technical Service Bulletin 22-2229. Ford only would fix problem if it existed in a 6 month window in 2022. Ford will not help with any costs even though it is their fault. Was advised by many other 2017 Ford Escape owners to report this issue to NHTSA.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
Safety recall update was NOT done to my car when I brought it in for that service. I had a service appointment in which one of the tasks was to update my icons to the "larger icons". Upon taking receipt of my vehicle, I noticed that the icons did not appear different. I messaged the service center that performed the work and THEY TOLD ME THE ICONS WERE THE UPDATED ONES WHEN THEY ACTUALLY WERE NOT.... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2024
I financed this car 3 months ago, and I received a safety recall notice from Honda. Unfortunately, they don't have the necessary part until 2025. As a result, I've been unable to rent out the car on Toro for the past 2 months to make finance payments. Additionally, due to a previous car accident, I don't feel safe driving the car, which causes me anxiety. Now, I'm unsure what steps to take. I want... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
The bottom electrical panel for the fuse box went out a few months ago for the wipers we have fixed the wiper motor, wiper relay, wiper switch and still nothing was told by the jeep dealership that they had 4 other jeeps have the same issue and it was this part that went out
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
Tesla has a joke feature where a song starts playing that is a parody of Saturday Night Live skit "I need more cowbell". What causes this to be played is pushing down on the right steering wheel stalk 4 times sequentially. Nothing will silence this, however. Not even turning the volume of the car off. It causes a constant, loud, and visual distraction. And it prompts distraction for drivers to t... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Rear window leaks badly, when raining causes the interior to fog up making it difficult to see. Turning on A/C clears most the fog, but the rear window is still not clear enough to see what's behind or on the sides when making lane changes. This is not an isolated incident, Jeep repairs with the same process which leaks again after a few months. Need a permanent fix to this design flaw.
Incident date: Apr 6, 2024
I am unsure of the exact part but it is located in the driver side door. The car was stationary when the problem was noticed. My husband walked out to go to work and noticed that the door had started having issues. It makes a popping sound as the door opens and closes as well as the window no longer opens or closes. The door also doesn't open more than half way anymore, nor does it stay open. That... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, and the steering wheel was stiff and required increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
We have had the car towed twice to and from the dealer to fix the problem and they are telling us the parts are on back order and they cant fix the car but they put in in the system that it has been fixed. This is Colorado Spring time the weather can do anything here this time of year the car is not safe to drive but the dealer told my wife they will not give her a loaner car so she is being fores... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
The main screen on my Tesla Model Y flickers while driving, as well as charging. I have a video of it happening, if you slow the video down it completely shuts the screen down for a millisecond and then turns back on. I have sent this video to Tesla, as well as Tesla technicians has confirmed the issue happening when they had the vehicle. I have had the vehicle into Tesla 3 separate times for serv... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
Discovered that the passenger side seat belt warning chime does not operate when someone is sitting in the passenger side front seat. I contacted the manufacturer just now who told me no one will be in contact with me, they just take the information. I asked the value of their customer care and they responded I don’t know. A case number was assigned but again, I was informed no one will make ... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
When applying the brakes, the brakes sometimes feels as if though it "slips" and the brakes momentarily release causing the vehicle to feel like its suddenly accelerating. This has happened on several occasions -- on downhill and on flat roads. After the brake feels like it slips, then the brake returns back to normal.
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Tesla ADAS detects non existent objects and issues collision alerts and phantom brakes randomly if there is no cars in front of the Tesla, braking abruptly and almost getting me into rear end accidents. Tesla ADAS freaks out when making lane changes randomly, shaking violently and giving the driver and its passengers a fishtailing simulation. Auto wiper triggers randomly while it's sunny, distra... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
My vehicle activates CMBS randomly. There doesn't even have to be cars around me and it'll just lock me up in the middle of the road. I have almost been rear-ended several times now. The dealers won't do anything about it.
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Vehicle braking randomly. Cars can be nowhere in sight and this vehicle will slam the brakes. I have almost been rear-ended several times and almost ended up in a road rage incident due to this vehicle slamming the brakes.
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
Since purchasing the car brand new, the wipers have stopped working mid snowstorm, one time in March and another in April here in Colorado. I have had to take the vehicle in 2x to the dealership and waste hours of my time.
Incident date: Apr 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the speedometer became inoperable, the vehicle hesitated to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle shifted sluggishly into gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle shifted into first gear unintendedly. The contact stat... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00D000 (Electrical System, Visibility, Back Over Prevention) 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 ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop sign, the vehicle sputtered while attempting to accelerate before the vehicle later stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was taken to two different independent mechanics to be diagnosed; however, the c... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2021
My 2018 Ford Ecosport is in recall for oil pump failure which in turn damaged my engine and is not repairable. The recall issued by Ford is attempting to find a fix for the vehicles that have not had the oil pump fail. There's nothing mentioned in the recall about the people whose engines have been destroyed because the oil pump has already failed. We don't have the luxury of being able to cont... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2024
I am reaching out on behalf of my wife who met with accident on 3/24/2024.She was driving Tesla Y model and this accident occurred due to System failure of Vehicle , brakes and Steering wheel get locked and she was not able to do anything and car hit the couple of trees on other side of parking lot . She was not using Autopilot feature and it vehicle didn't stop after applying the brake instead o... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) 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 had not experienced ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2024
honda pilot EXL 2020 with 39,000 miles- purchased new in may 2020. We just had our pilot oil change and multi-point inspection along with safety recall most faker replaced. With less than 40K miles we are getting told the Front control Arm needs to be replaced. The bushing on the right front lower control arm is torn-cracking, CAUSING our tires to be worn and ALSO needing to REPLACE ALL FOUR of th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
Front motor of 3-week-old Tesla Model Y became disabled while driving on a highway at 65 mph. This meant the car also lost power steering, traction control, and ABS braking. Car was limited to top speed of around 40 mph on a busy highway with very little room to pull over. Car was difficult to steer and braking was greatly reduced. There was no advanced warning of this. Was finally able to pull o... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
Front windshield randomly cracked, with number and size of cracks growing as vehicle is driven. Cracked windshield is not a result of any rocks or debris strikes.
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
Front windshield randomly cracked, with number and size of cracks growing as vehicle is driven. Cracked windshield is not a result of any rocks or debris strikes.
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
The Ford copilot 360 is not working on my f150 Raptor The speed limit sign recognition has stopped working correctly some of the time. Vehicle is currently at the Ford dealership in Palmyra Pennsylvania. For he last 45 days as the dealership has been unable to fix the problem. My Vehicle is still under the original 3 year 36k warranty. Purchased [XXX] currently has 18k miles. Vehicle is not a... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The driver and passenger only open all the way now. When the doors are opened it sounds like they are breaking or going to fall off. It is the mechanism that holds the door to the car when the doors are open.
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The driver and passenger only open all the way now. When the doors are opened it sounds like they are breaking or going to fall off. It is the mechanism that holds the door to the car when the doors are open.
Incident date: Oct 12, 2023
Transmissions will not shift out of 1st gear. And puts out a 752 code. This can happen at anytime. Vehicle will suddenly lose power at any time.