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 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. 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 con... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500. In 2003, I noticed parts of the dash, starting to break apart. In 2004, I had a major head on collision, and the airbag, did NOT deploy. The damage was extensive, with bent frame. The damage was $17,000 in 2004. I was told by the Chrysler Dealership, that did the repairs, that they could not check the condition of the airbag wiring, because the dashboard was broken. I... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
I turned my vehicle on and it showed a Gearbox Fault Detected message. I was able to put the car in reverse and accelerate to 2 MPH while reversing. The car began to slow down even with my foot on the accelerator as if there was no power. I was fully reversed out of my parking spot and went to put the car in drive as I was in the middle of the very busy parking lot with cars waiting on either side... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, and the contact and his wife were removing groceries from the rear of the vehicle, the tailgate was independently lifted due to the design of the keyless entry feature. The contact and his wife continued to remove items from the rear of the vehicle and the tailgate sensor became enabled, and the tai... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
I need to know about and where I can take to fix it
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
I brought my 2022 Ford Maverick hybrid to Franklin Ford dealership on 10/2/23 for repair with battery issues I was having previously. At random times the car would not turn on from start despite the battery testing at full power. Franklin Ford installed software updates they said resolved the power issue and I drove off the lot with the car on 10/7. 15 minutes later I was driving on the highway at... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2024
For several years now since I received this car from a family member gas gauge has been not working I contacted Nissan they said my year or VIN number was it affected but that's not accurate because it is so what can I do
Incident date: Mar 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2024
My rear windshield on a 2023 Honda HRV just exploded. My car was parked in the driveway, when we suddenly heard a loud sound with a shatter, the center of the windshield was all shattered into pieces. We are currently dealing with the dealership on this matter.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine would rev up loudly emitting a vibrating noise. About 3 months after having the vehicle repaired, while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the battery warning light and the oil warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled shortly afterward. After waiting for a w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2024
The headlights are very dim. Provides limited viewing at night. I see this is a well known issue with similar models, but not this one. I did call for repair and it is extremely expensive for what I feel should be a safety recall. This unfortunately will impact but future decisions and thoughts about the Acura. I love everything else about my experience with this car, but this major safety issue n... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2024
When using FSD beta, vehicle would fail to stop for red lights. Vehicle also attempted to merge me both into a tractor trailer traveling the opposite direction and a jersey barrier. This is a very dangerous and unsafe system that will lead to many fatalities
Incident date: Mar 23, 2024
Airbags failed to deploy at 30-40 mph head on collision. Vehicle had an airbag light come up, was inspected by Ford and the RCM module was replaced as directed by manual. Airbags were also inspected at the time. Lights were cleared after the replacement. Was the car not reading the speed at the time of the accident? My wife and 2 toddlers were in the vehicle at the time of the accident. I have a... Read more
Crash
4 injured
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
I was driving on PA Turnpike in light rain . I never drive fast . Somehow my car start shifting from one side of the rd to another I slow down but I did not feel connection with sterling wheels car start spinning in circles and I crashed with 2 kids in the car.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
The steering wheel feels funny and weird, sometimes stuck and wandering. the car doesn't feel secure driving with this problem. I took it to Honda Dealer service but they said there are no recalls for this car and my car has 20K only.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
We own a 2019 outback, and have had the windshield replaced twice prior this event. The first was a year ago with about 70K miles after the windshield suddenly cracked while going about 70MPH, this happen when no other cares where around. The second time was 2 weeks later when we came outside in the morning and the windshield was cracked while parked in a parking lot. Now for the 3rd time the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2024
Transmission shifting hard, jerking and causing the engine to lose power causing road safety hazards fr e and others
Incident date: Mar 30, 2024
I received the recall notice for Recall 251, NHTSA Recall #23V651000. Per the instructions, I have been parking my car outside while awaiting the remedy. I have checked back numerous times to see if a remedy was available. Yesterday my driver's side lock in the handle was broken in an attempted break-in/theft, which most certainly would not have happened if the car was in my garage. I believe the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2024
The transmission can switch gears at anytime when driving in the highway so I would like to get this repaired before it becomes a huge accident and harms someone
Incident date: Mar 31, 2024
Started my car it was making a tapping noise. I tried driving home the noise got worse and my car didn’t want to accelerate very much. I noticed a recall for other 2018 Kia fortes as mine is doing exactly what others are but my car isn’t included in the recall. I think the recall outlook is bigger than imagined.
Incident date: Mar 23, 2024
Tesla suddenly accelerated forward from a complete stop at very rapid pace and hit a wall
Crash
Incident date: Mar 23, 2024
My reverse camera (the bed camera) quits working at random times. Sometimes it works fine. Other times it shows nothing but a white static looking screen and sometimes the button just doesn’t respond at all when I try to select the bed camera option.
Incident date: Mar 23, 2024
My reverse camera (the bed camera) quits working at random times. Sometimes it works fine. Other times it shows nothing but a white static looking screen and sometimes the button just doesn’t respond at all when I try to select the bed camera option.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2024
The ABS HCU failed and sent a "service electronic brake" warning to the dash. The replacement part was in short supply by Stellantis because there are so many vehicles with this problem. The dealer is limited to one part replacement per week.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2024
Have replace both batteries every year since purchased, the engine start stop acts up alot of the time when you pull up to a red light the engine will turn off and then turn on automatically (shuts the electrical system completely down then it will come back on) the batteries like over heat and swell up will this cause a fire
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
Tesla has refused to fix safety recall items. They asked me to replace the cluster own my own so i can receive updates.
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
I experienced the “Ford Death Wobble” when on the highway at 70 MPH. It has happened three times now. It didn’t stop until I pulled off the road and stopped. It was an unsafe situation trying to get across three lanes of traffic and stop in the shoulder of the road. I did not loose control of the truck but it was close to being uncontrollable. From what I’ve read, this needs to be a Recall... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
I experienced the “Ford Death Wobble” when on the highway at 70 MPH. It has happened three times now. It didn’t stop until I pulled off the road and stopped. It was an unsafe situation trying to get across three lanes of traffic and stop in the shoulder of the road. I did not loose control of the truck but it was close to being uncontrollable. From what I’ve read, this needs to be a Recall... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2024
On two occasions, so far, I have experienced a blank instrument cluster display screen that did not show critical information, including the odometer, transmission gear position, and digital speedometer which could increase the risk of a crash and fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101 The first picture is of the first incident which occurred on [... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
Not sure why my car is not being recalled for occupant detection harness. Subaru telling me it’s the vin number, that’s not the problem it’s I have a defective harness according to Subaru product bulletin wud-98r harness with date prior to 18074 is defective and needs to be replaced free of charge. My harness has a date of 17293. My car has all the criteria of the recall. This started back i... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
UNKNOWN, reared ended an 18 wheeler and the findings do not show that forward collision or steering operated to prevent the accident.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 16, 2023
Transmission slips, into 2nd i believe. Hard shifts, shuddering and shaking at intermittent speeds. Also missed shifts and dtc triggered in performance mode. Started happening last year, 2023, progressively becoming worse overtime. Last summer is when it didn't shift and set off multiple codes that had to be cleared to be able to operate normally. Dealership stated since codes had been cleared th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2023
On November 28, 2023 my brakes went out in the middle of 3 lanes of traffic. Fortunately, I succeeded in not having a traffic accident and pulled off the road. The car was towed to Daytona Toyota. They informed me it was the ABS malfunction. I discovered it has been a known issue. The brake booster pump assembly on certain Prius V vehicles from years 2022 to 2014 are affected. A 'bulletin' had be... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); 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 manuf... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2023
I am writing to file a complaint against Tesla, Inc. for refusing to repair recurring suspension issues that were supposedly addressed through previous recalls. As an owner of a 2020 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [XXX] ), I have experienced numerous problems related to the vehicle's suspension system, steering, and safety restraints, which I believe pose serious safety risks. My vehicle has undergone mult... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2023
Paint failure. Rear drives side door where window seal meets door frame. Dimensions 2 inches high by 3/4 inch wide. No rock chip or other damage that would cause paint to fail. Vehicle is white paint color.
Incident date: Jan 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 M... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2024
The contact owns 2014 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced jerking, lunging, and a hard deceleration without depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the failure occurred without warning. The wrench and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The Service Engine Soon and Hill Start Assist not available messages were displaye... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2024
I want to report what I think is a very dangerous issue with my Tesla Model Y. We have experienced numerous times that the car brakes without warning. I have talked to Tesla about this "phantom braking", and they say it is "normal". The Traffic-Aware Cruise Control cannot be disabled to create a normal manual cruise control. I gave them a hypothetical situation where this could be life-threat... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2024
I took my vehicle to a local dealership to have the "auto stop start" system checked. I had a dashboard warning light indicating the system was not working correctly. No other warnings signals were displayed. The dealership performed a diagnostic check but found no problems with the "auto start stop system". The day after I picked up my car, I drove for ten miles and the car overheated. I contacte... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2024
I took my vehicle to a local dealership to have the "auto stop start" system checked. I had a dashboard warning light indicating the system was not working correctly. No other warnings signals were displayed. The dealership performed a diagnostic check but found no problems with the "auto start stop system". The day after I picked up my car, I drove for ten miles and the car overheated. I contacte... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
The car went forward when in reverse mode. After going to other modes (drive/neutral/park) and back to reverse, the car kept going forward. Reset the system and the issue persisted. Finally resolved after third restart. The car bumped up against the driveway gate because it wouldn’t reverse despite the dashboard clearly indicating being in reverse. Contacted Tesla, who examined the system remote... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
The exhaust manifolds have warped, breaking a nut and stud and causing an exhaust leak. I am finding this is an extremely common failure indicative of a design flaw. Ford will not cover this under any extended coverage, nor offer financial assistance to repair this failure.
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
The vehicle, stopped while driving, overheating, no heat/ ac. It's winter, car stopped at night in an unknown location fory safety. Had it inspected by 2 different auto shops and was confirmed of the issue. Warning lights came on right before the car failed.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2024
I had taken delivery of the truck 4 days earlier and had driven about 250 miles. There had been no warnings or incidents other than an issue with charging at my home. The Charger would fail 20 seconds after each charging attempt at home, but not at a Super Charging Station. On [XXX] a series of alerts went off regarding steering. First the onboard computer notified me that the "Rear axle steering ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2024
While driving the car it randomly turns off and turns back on it also jerks initially. All lights on the dashboard turn off and back on, speakers make a loud BOOM sound! Have experienced the car not starting. Bought a new battery thinking that was the issue, it wasn't.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2024
While driving the car it randomly turns off and turns back on it also jerks initially. All lights on the dashboard turn off and back on, speakers make a loud BOOM sound! Have experienced the car not starting. Bought a new battery thinking that was the issue, it wasn't.
Incident date: Nov 28, 2022
I am writing to bring to your attention a potentially catastrophic accident involving our leased C40 vehicle that happened on [XXX], 3:30pm. (ID [XXX] ) On the above mentioned date, my husband, [XXX] , was parking the C40 in a school parking lot to pick up our grandchild. He experienced an alarming episode of unintended acceleration. Despite his efforts to control the vehicle, the car lurched ou... Read more
Crash
1 injured