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 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 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 not 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 experie... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
Headlights began flickering two days after purchase of vehicle. Infotainment screen that operates the headlights, as there is no physical headlight knobs or buttons, also malfunction and is inoperable. So I can not turn my headlights on or off, they're set to auto and I can not adjust it. Service department at my dealership has been able to replicate my issues and are trying to fix them, but part... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
Car keeps randomly dying out while driving sometimes it comes back on sometimes It has to pull over and start the car again has a lean code pretty sure its the fuel pump noticed they have a recall on other is200t for fuel pump issues believe mine should Definitely been part of the recall it's very dangerous when it dies on the highway
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
When I went to do my 5,000 mile oil change at 91,000 miles; my dipstick was completely dry. After some research, I found that there is a TB on this issue, but I have to pay to have it fixed.
Incident date: Jul 13, 2024
The passenger side frame rusted through. The bolt holding the frame collapsed through the rusted frame while I was driving on the highway and I lost control of my car as I was entering an exit off the highway. My mechanic said the air conditioning system drips on this area of the frame causing the rust and failure of the frame to hold the bolt. There were no warnings prior to the incident excep... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2024
I was driving about 40 mph when my car slammed on the brakes. There was no vehicle in front of me. There was no warning message. The word "emergency " appeared on the dashboard. This could have been a serious accident had I been on the beltway. This problem needs to be addressed immediately.
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
Electric tailgate opener button switch on tailgate failed and allowed tailgate to open while traveling. Lost a tote containing tools onto the roadway when accelerating from an intersection. Luckily it was a rural road with no traffic and no one hit tool tote in the roadway. This seems to be a serious safety hazard especially if a motorcycle would of hit lost cargo in the roadway.
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
When driving the car, the engine began to violently shake and fail. The engine ended up having a piston failure due to a small wrist pin and needed the entire engine block replaced. I was lucky that I was not on the freeway or in a more dangerous spot when the engine failed while driving.
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
Passenger headrest deployed without an accident.
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 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 contact stated that the message "Service Air Bags" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable am... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
My transmission keeps sticking when I shift into drive or reverse. Just a couple of days ago, it happened the worst it has ever done before. I shifted into reverse and my vehicle was completely stopped when I shifted. I began to let off of the brakes and gently push the accelerator to start moving back, my vehicle then punched itself into reverse. I felt after that incident, something had to have ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel was very difficult the turn in either direction. The contact stated that the failure lasted for approximately 10-seconds before self-correcting. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the steering rack and power steering module ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac Lyric. The contact stated that the brakes erroneously activated while attempting to reverse. The contact stated that the failure occurred only while it was raining. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was suggested to deactivate the Back Over Prevention and Cross Traffic Alerts while attempting to reverse. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac Lyric. The contact stated that the brakes erroneously activated while attempting to reverse. The contact stated that the failure occurred only while it was raining. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was suggested to deactivate the Back Over Prevention and Cross Traffic Alerts while attempting to reverse. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2024
Warning light keeps coming on the gauge saying clean windshield or your safety features will not operate. Comes on as soon as I drive car into my garage. Came on even after washed the car by hand. Been to the dealer twice and the second time they changed the camera in the windshield. Light came back on 3 days later. There is an electrical issue because the rear led cargo lights remain glowing even... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine had seized, resu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that the check engine and oil pressure warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
In March of 2024 warning lights for abs, hill assist, traction control came on while the car was driving. We stopped driving and had the error codes checked at a autozone who said the sparkplugs where misfiring on cylinder 3. it was changed and when we started the car it blew white smoke and the engine seized. The repairs were over $6000. We were told ford had a class action suit which closed on N... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
I was driving on the freeway [XXX] my car speed was slowing down even as I had the gas pedal pressed to the floor. I was heading off the freeway when the speed picked up and car was working again. On a separate incident March 2024 my daughter borrowed my car and she described the same issue and again. The car would not speed up despite her pressing the gas pedal. Most recent [XXX]. Put car in reve... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
Front headlight (high and low beam) is extremely unsafe and does not provide sufficient illumination for rider when operating at the posted speed limit. The beam of the headlights have dark spots that creates a very unsafe condition. Riding with low beam is extremely dangerous, and when the high beam is activated, it does little to solve the problem. I was forced to install auxiliary forward fa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler 200. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a diagnostic test, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
I was driving with family (2 adults - including myself, and 5 kids - ages [XXX] ) The truck started to flash warnings and my brakes disabled. We couldn't stop and almost had an accident. I kept pumping the brakes and the E break I didn't give it any gas and we slowly came to a stop after some time. I shut the truck off as I was beyond terrified and tried to start it back up. The lights came on b... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
I parked my 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe in a hospital parking garage on the morning of July 30, 2024. I was getting ready to leave after my doctor’s appointment. I slowly reversed my car and hit a pillar behind me. As I put the car into drive to come forward slowly, the car accelerated forward at a very fast speed. I took my foot off of the gas and kept pressing the brake pedal, but the car kept s... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
Two years ago the paint started to fall off the hood , sides and the top. The dealer inspected and refused any correction in the problem
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
Brand new tires installed on vehicle by Americas Tire store on 7/29/24. Received a phone call from our son 7/30/24 7pm of complete tire blow out on hwy. Lost control of vehicle but managed to pull off hwy where he proceeded to contact us as well as AAA. Took back in to Americas Tire said they would replace tire but had no explanation as to why this happened on a brand new tire. According to AAA a ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2024
Sometimes when I'm driving the car starts idling as if I'm going fast that's how it sounds and I'm making a turn and it's sounds like it's accelerated but it won't go as much as I step on the gas it will not go so I got to pull over to the side wait for a little bit turn off the car and let it sit and then I'll go back tomorrow and it's every time this light turns on the dashboard with a car with ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2024
A month after I bought the truck, I took it to the dealer to have the brakes fixed because they were making a lot of noise. To this day, they have not found a solution to the problem. More than two years have passed since the date of purchase. The only thing they tell me is that Toyota knows about the problem but they still don't have a solution
Incident date: Jul 14, 2024
Michelin Primacy AS 235/55 R19 - OEM tires on Hyundai Ioniq5 acquired new in September 2023 - mileage at the time of incident 10,800 miles Front tire started went off balance causing steering wheel vibrations and shaking that increased with speed - car was not drivable above 55MPH due to excessive shaking and vibrations of steering wheel - this presents safety concern as it may lead to loss of con... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the engine was making an abnormally loud revving sound that was louder than normal. While attempting to accelerate, the vehicle was lagging and hesitated before accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the cam phasers had f... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 15 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed due to parts not being available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2023
Rear camera and cross traffic warning system malfunctions randomly, working less than half the time. When the vehicle is put in reverse the system and camera often do not work and issue a notice that it needs serviced. On several occasions it did not warn me of a person behind my vehicle or another vehicle behind me. I have avoided accidents but the system is not working. I have been reading a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
Engine code P2681(15) which after lookup is the coolant bypass valve which is a common faulty part that Toyota seems to not care about and charge upwards of 700$ at the dealer to fix. I took the part out and it indeed has a crack around the case
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine was misfiring and there was coolant intrusion in cylinder #1. The dealer determined that the long block needed to be replaced, and the dealer related the failure to TSB Number: 19-2346. The vehicle was ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
The engine caught fire and exploded after I parked it and exited the car and the recall repair was done on the engine July 5 2024 by Kia dealership.
Fire
Incident date: Jul 14, 2024
Third time the ABS module has been replaced in 29,000 miles. Took months for our dealer to acquire the part. Second one with the "AB" suffix. Truck only used for livestock towing hence the low mileage. When the ABS-STC go out the warning indicators come on along with a "Service Electronic Braking" system message. When this occurs, not only are the two mandated important safety systems inoperative,... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2024
I was driving down I90 with no one in front of me and a clear road. Unexpectedly, the right side passenger airbags exploded and struck me in the face and shoulder. The car immediately braked and I saw a semi truck pass me on the right with pieces of what appeared to be tire debris flying in the air. I pulled over and my car become inoperable. I inspected the outside of the vehicle and there was no... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2024
I was driving down I90 with no one in front of me and a clear road. Unexpectedly, the right side passenger airbags exploded and struck me in the face and shoulder. The car immediately braked and I saw a semi truck pass me on the right with pieces of what appeared to be tire debris flying in the air. I pulled over and my car become inoperable. I inspected the outside of the vehicle and there was no... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
Engine popped started to shake would not go over 2000 rpm. Pulled over and had car towed home.
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
I did not crash the vehicle I bought it preowned
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
Excess frame flex. Contacted Grand Design, they scheduled an inspection and then preformed followup repairs. New bracing and support were added by Grand Design.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2024
Passenger seat has several spots where it has burned through. Unable to heat seat because of this.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
When driving, without AND more importantly, WITH, a passenger in the front passenger seat, the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) light goes on and indicates that the passenger air bag has been deactivated. I looked on line and saw that Audi has already recalled certain 2015-2019 Audi A3 Sedans but apparently my car is not part of the initial recall. I think the recall is BIGGER than ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2024
The JBE (junction box electronics) has failed. This has caused the fuel pump to stop responding. I'm not sure if my mechanic still has the original part. It did this in the street after backing out of the driveway. It could have been deadly had it happened on the interstate at 70mph. The unit has been inspected by a third party electronics repair shop and cannot be repaired. There were no warnings... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2024
The JBE (junction box electronics) has failed. This has caused the fuel pump to stop responding. I'm not sure if my mechanic still has the original part. It did this in the street after backing out of the driveway. It could have been deadly had it happened on the interstate at 70mph. The unit has been inspected by a third party electronics repair shop and cannot be repaired. There were no warnings... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel began to shake violently, with the low tire pressure warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and discovered that the front passenger’s side tire had detached from the vehicle. The contact's father was called to the scene and the spare tire was placed on the vehicle.... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2024
I purchased 2021 4 months ago. Two weeks ago on a very hot day my driver side visor broke. I called Nessan holiness and told them the visor drops. It obstructs vision of driving. I called today and first was put on hold, then call was disconnected. I recalled back and informed Nessan about driver side visor. As we were talking she asked me if I bought car with extended warranty. I said no. Car was... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine overheated causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine manifold was faulty and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the transmission shifter failed to properly shift into gear. The dealer diagnosed that the shifter and shifter nob we... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined on three occasions that the turbo charger and engine needed to be replaced. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact's fiancé who is an independent mechanic, diagnosed the failure as a rear brake line leak. The contact stated that the brake fluid was pouring out of the rear brake line when the brake pedal was depressed. The cont... Read more