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: Jul 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the rear driver's side tire was at an angle. The contact also stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the rear end of the vehicle was rocking back and forth. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a rusted sub fram... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle after the vehicle was started. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Midas, and the contact was informed that that the cam phaser needed to be replaced. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 BMW X7. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes); 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 not made aware of the... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
The vehicle, while on (P)ark, will move forward on its own. The vehicle will move either millimiters at a time or up to a quarter inch in a single incident. These incidents are continuous in nature and can be duplicated by simply putting the vehicle in Park after driving it shortly after start. The vehicle has been taken in several times to the dealership, where the Service Director has claimed... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2024
Tesla has confirmed that the firmware of the high-voltage controller of the Model 3 is known to occasionally go "missing in action", causing regenerative braking to entirely cease to function and the driving performance of the car to drop considerably. This was expected to be resolved in a firmware update, but the problem continues. The service representative advised that they (Tesla employees) a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2024
Tesla has confirmed that the firmware of the high-voltage controller of the Model 3 is known to occasionally go "missing in action", causing regenerative braking to entirely cease to function and the driving performance of the car to drop considerably. This was expected to be resolved in a firmware update, but the problem continues. The service representative advised that they (Tesla employees) a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
The pressure coupler that connects the propane line to the pilot light of the refrigerator was not torqued and was not affixed to keep in place and was fingers strength loose letting propane gas leak. Our camper trailer caught fire after parking , the smoke alarms did not go off, we were in the forest , luckily we acted quickly and used the extinguisher to stop the fire from spreading. At the tim... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
The pressure coupler that connects the propane line to the pilot light of the refrigerator was not torqued and was not affixed to keep in place and was fingers strength loose letting propane gas leak. Our camper trailer caught fire after parking , the smoke alarms did not go off, we were in the forest , luckily we acted quickly and used the extinguisher to stop the fire from spreading. At the tim... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
3 OF 4 VEHICLE DOOR LOCKS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY CAUSED DIFFICULTY TRYING TO SECURE THE VEHICLE. APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY VIOLATION IF VEHICLE CAN'T BE SECURED PROPERLY BY THE DRIVER. APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NISSAN VEHICLES
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
The vehicle is equipped with Pirelli 21 inch tires. All four tires have lost air and had bubbles on the sidewall. The first tire went flat after hitting a 2 inch pothole. It was replaced. However, tires 2, 3 & 4 all had bubbles on the sidewalls. The tires placed on the vehicle are deficient. the vehicle weight exceeds the capacity of the Pirelli tires. In the second defect tire situatio... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
Our 2017 Pacifica has been in for diagnostic review/repair several times. While traveling between speeds of 50-70 miles per hour after a period of anywhere between 35-90 minutes when making easy right corners the steering sticks in place between 11 & 1 positions. Has been noticed on shorter distances in hotter weather than and on longer trips farther into the drive. We recently had the electronic ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
Our 2017 Pacifica has been in for diagnostic review/repair several times. While traveling between speeds of 50-70 miles per hour after a period of anywhere between 35-90 minutes when making easy right corners the steering sticks in place between 11 & 1 positions. Has been noticed on shorter distances in hotter weather than and on longer trips farther into the drive. We recently had the electronic ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
Our 2017 Pacifica has been in for diagnostic review/repair several times. While traveling between speeds of 50-70 miles per hour after a period of anywhere between 35-90 minutes when making easy right corners the steering sticks in place between 11 & 1 positions. Has been noticed on shorter distances in hotter weather than and on longer trips farther into the drive. We recently had the electronic ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
The 2024 Accord EX front passenger seat sits too low and has no height adjustment. Many adult front passengers are positioned extremely low to the floor with zero height adjustment. I believe the airbag may not effectively protect or even cause injury to these passengers as many can not see over the dash. This abnormal low position also causes leg discomfort and cramps during longer trips. I r... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2024
I pulled in a parking spot came back an hour later started my truck put it in reverse I had no steering, I pulled forward put in park then reverse. My steering was not there. Turning the trick off and back on no warning lights. After sitting for 2 hrs I turned the truck on a red light started flashing. Service power steering . I just bought the truck so I took it back to the dealership big Joe's... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
Since 2011/2012 at times Altima won't start. Stopped going to dealer because of excuses & expense after warranty expired. Have been calling AAA. Have had at least 8 batteries replaced. This is a safety issue for me when I travel alone. When I turn the car off I pray evertime that the car starts. I have to pull my paperwork for exact date this started. I only have 92,000 miles on my Altima.... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
Driving on [XXX] in New York State and the car started to break and no objects or cars in front of us. Dash-broad light came on and it said Break. Traveling doing 70 MPH and car went to 50 or so in seconds. This goes on about once a week in different areas. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
I was driving down a busy highway when my car decided to die I pulled into the turning lane cause that was the closest thing to me I turned my car off and went to turn it back on in hopes that it would just fire back up and smoke went rolling from my engine. I ended up having to contact a tow truck along with an officer to block the road come to find out my engine was completely blown, I contacted... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated while having a routine oil change, the check engine warning light illuminated. While driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light flashed on and off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that cylinder #3 had misfired and there was coolant leaking and recommended that the engine be replaced. The vehicle w... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
I was in traffic and we slowed down to a stop. Suddenly my car went to neutral and it didn’t want to go to Drive. I put emergency lights, as many cars were behind in the highway. I turned the car off and turned it back on. Then I was able to drive again! This has happened twice in the last 3 months.
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
I was in traffic and we slowed down to a stop. Suddenly my car went to neutral and it didn’t want to go to Drive. I put emergency lights, as many cars were behind in the highway. I turned the car off and turned it back on. Then I was able to drive again! This has happened twice in the last 3 months.
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
While driving and all seat belts buckled the seat belt and air bag indicator chimes.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
Driver’s headrest deployed, popped open while vehicle was turned on but in park. My safety was at risk , had I been driving not exactly sure how I would have reacted. Especially since when it deployed ( exploded open) it did so to the back of head causing blunt pain from back of head down neck. Initially thought I had been rear ended due to loud noise and force of head being pushed forward. The... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
The cover and insulation material around the steering shaft came off and it is interfering with the brake and acceptation pedals. It looks to be a safety risk. TOYOTA claims that it is not cover under warranty, but I am concern if this can eventually cause an accident. Refer to the picture attached.
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle in the rain, the windshield wipers were activated but failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove to the residence at 30 MPH, while the windshield wipers remained inoperable. The contact replaced the windshield wiper fuse after reading the Owner's Manual; however, the failure pers... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
EGR valve failed. When switched from Battery to gas car stalled and we were stuck. Dealer said it needs a new EGR valve. But it was on back order. This was a year ago and Chevy still claims the part is on back order! Now the car is ready to renew registration. But it cannot pass inspection because it must have been driven on gas for many miles for the inspection to work! The part is obviously no l... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V404000 (Electrical System) and 24V405000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an u... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); 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 manufactur... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
Car abruptly shut off after start up. Then car started and ran normally for 2 days. Then after start up CEL came on for emissions problem. Took to dealership and said it had a P0546 (small evap leak) code. Performed a leak down test and no leak was found. Then said fuel was present in charcoal canister. These are same issues and complaints that other Honda owners have had about vehicles that fall ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
Seat occupancy system failure received. June 27, 2022 Mobile service inspected for wiring damage, as common cause. recommended appt at service center. Sep 2, 2022, could not fix issue, had to replace entire passenger seat. July 23, 2024 took car to service center for seat occupancy system failure received. Tesla stated I needed to pay for lumbar seat occupancy system sensor as it was failing. This... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
2020 TOYOTA COOLANT BYPASS VALVE. $800 estimate to repair
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
The crankshaft sensor tone wheel is damaged. I found that there was a recall on this item on our make/model and year of our Jeep. It's recall number W68/NHTSA 20V-475 and W58/NHTSA 20V-475. The dealership is refusing to follow the recall and make the repair and quoted us over $3,000 out of pocket to fix a known and recalled problem with our vehicle. I'm not understanding how it is legal for them t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the RPMs were significantly reduced while driving. Additionally, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light was flashing on and off. An independent mechanic diagnosed the ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
Over the air software updates failed and rendered the vehicle inoperable twice within a 3 day period. Both instances rendered the vehicle unusable and required a tow to the dealership. First occurrence was on 7/21/24, the second occurrence was on 7/24/24.
Incident date: Jul 16, 2024
Few month ago, I received a paper from the manufacturer saying that the car was on recall. I brought the car to the car dealer and they said that there was a problem with the battery. They changed the battery for a new one. Later on, I received a letter from the Jeep saying that they used my factory limit warranty to replace the battery. And saying that next time if I see a form like this it could... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2024
Upon traveling we noticed a loud engine knocking when the car was at idle. We immediately pulled over and checked the engine. The coolant level was lower than normal and the engine oil level was fine. We immediately returned home and parked the car. While returning home the front camera continued to display an error message that it was not working and would repeat every 30 seconds. After doin... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V880000 (Fuel System Gasoline) 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 stated while driving approximately 10 M... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2024
The contact’s mother-in-law owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the power steering function was inoperable while starting the vehicle. The vehicle owner had to restart the vehicle several times for the power steering function to operate as designed. The contact stated that the vehicle owner had possibly received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering), and the ve... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
After the car was sitting in a parking lot without shade, unable to shift car out of park. Driver in seat, doors shut, seatbelt on--all normal circumstances; ready to drive. Brake pressed, rotary shifter stuck in P. No warnings or lights on dash Brake lights illuminated when pedal pushed. Temp on dash reads 103 degrees. After sitting with the car running for 30 minutes with AC on; attempted ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
The main display on vehicle providing speed, gas level, mileage and all gauges and vehicle information and notifications has gone completely black. Screen has not been able to turn back on after troubleshooting with Ford. Dealerships have been booked up for a week or two in a 2 state radius and ford has denied to provide a loner vehicle so I am stuck driving without knowing how much gas or how fas... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2024
>Refer to investigation PE24018. For reference recall 23V-265 was performed on this truck. >This incident was before the recall work, and it was mentioned to my dealership. There have been no additional incidents. >Driving on a rural road at about 30mph. I slammed on breaks to avoid contact with animal. My vehicle went into park, emergency break activated, and engine turned off. I was able to... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2024
I have a coolant intrusion. CEL came on a couple weeks ago. The code it gave was a cylinder 3 misfire. I took it to Perry County Tire in Hazard KY and they said it needed a new ignition coil and 4 new spark plugs. They replaced the coil and all spark plugs. The CEL came back on a few days later, giving the same cylinder 3 misfire code. I then took it back and they replace the ignition coil again. ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2024
Airbag warning light and blind spot failure warning lights are on and staying on.
Incident date: Jul 21, 2024
Airbag warning light and blind spot failure warning lights are on and staying on.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission experienced rough downshifting. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission had previously been replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with torque converter failure, and it was determine... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred two times since July of 2023. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion and engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aw... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2024
The stereo has a safety issue where it can suddenly produce loud static and squeaky noises, even when the volume is turned down or off. There is no warning before this occurs. I can’t upload videos that have where is insanely loud.
Incident date: Jul 23, 2024
This complaint is about a Tesla rental car from Avis which has just shown up in the salvage yard. Because the VIN of the wreck can not be identified I have used the VIN of another wrecked Tesla. Here is the wreck in question. [XXX] It is available for inspection. The front wheels have clearly fallen off BEFORE the crash since they are shown in almost undamaged condition apart from popped ball joi... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
The headlights in my car both went out because of this wiring issue. The wiring insulation inside the headlight is very prone to cracking and subsequently breaking which causes the headlight to not function. I have repaired this issue myself on both headlights for almost every wire going into the igniter. No headlights is a major safety issue at night, and due to the cracking along all of the wiri... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2024
I bought a 2024 Colorado Trail Boss on May 31 and after a week the truck broke down I made a stop in a T intersection, once I had a clear path I started to accelerate and in that moment the truck jerked and at the same time I heard a loud noise under the back of the car. It felt like if I had been accelerating in neutral and suddenly changed gear to drive. After that, the car continue moving but... Read more