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: Oct 5, 2023
-Automatic transmission failed. Slipped, skipped, and bucked while driving. -Taking a left turn into traffic transmission hesitated and just started slipping almost causing an accident. -Dealer confirmed torque converter failed and transmission needed replacement. -No warnings. No towing. Just 89,000 highway miles commuting to work. No heavy loads or abuse. -Had to replace the transmission, ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stall... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
After receiving fault RCM_a094 I discovered that the seatbelt wiring harness had detached. When I took the vehicle in for repair, I was told it was caused by the wire being "tugged" on. Since I have never used the seatbelt in any capacity other than how it was intended, I believe this is a design flaw with the restraint system.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while his daughter was pulling out of the parking lot at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light and the low oil pressure warning light were illuminated. The contact's ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle into reverse, he became aware that the center screen failed to display a rearview, potentially compromising the back-over prevention system. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the APIM. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) 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 repa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
Paint fell off from the vehicle's body, specifically from the front of hood cover and the roof in large patches for no reason. After doing some research, I found I am not thr only one experiecing this problem, this actually has been a wide spread know issue among the 2017 - 2018 Hyundai Elantra models. Although it does not pose any immediate risk, the potential safety threat is obvious due to the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
when i refuel start out in highway car stalls almost results in getting rear ended i found dodge knew about this but i did not get recall i bought car new this just started bout 12 months ago car only has around 65000 miles on it .it happened today 3/20/24
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon attempting to enter the vehicle, he became aware that the driver's side door latch failed to secure the door closed. The door-ajar warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the door actuator. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failur... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
My engine had blown under warranty. They had replaced the engine, which took two weeks once I got my car back, about a week or two later, check engine, lights and warnings pops back on. I return to Ford to assess the problem and they reassured me that the warnings were just because they replaced the engine and they should disappear shortly. Two weeks have gone by and the warnings were still there... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
My engine had blown under warranty. They had replaced the engine, which took two weeks once I got my car back, about a week or two later, check engine, lights and warnings pops back on. I return to Ford to assess the problem and they reassured me that the warnings were just because they replaced the engine and they should disappear shortly. Two weeks have gone by and the warnings were still there... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
The falcon braking system kicks in automatically, and the windshield wiper does not turn on automatically as it would in any basic car now a days. The available autopilot/ adaptive cruise control only gives unteliable cruise control. There were times where in the middle of a freeway the cruise control starts braking, luckily there were no vehicle behind us so there were no collisions so far. The... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2024
The falcon braking system kicks in automatically, and the windshield wiper does not turn on automatically as it would in any basic car now a days. The available autopilot/ adaptive cruise control only gives unteliable cruise control. There were times where in the middle of a freeway the cruise control starts braking, luckily there were no vehicle behind us so there were no collisions so far. The... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2024
Regarding customer satisfaction program 21M05. My tailgate has had numerous recalls for the electrical tailgate. I have been to two different dealerships and they have not fixed the recall now my truck has major electrical issues. The tailgate opens up all the time on its own. Something to do with the wiring system that's connected to that is making all my exterior lights and horn go off constantl... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2024
On around [XXX] around 9-10 pm. I hear a muffled explosion. It even vibrated our house. It scared me and our two dogs. On [XXX] we ran errands in my vehicle. We get home. I open her hatch to get stuff out. I hear broken glass sound. I look up to see her rear window completely shattered. With two holes. One in the same area on either side. The glass actually blew outwards!! I called my local Niss... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
I got a code P1326. I looked online and saw this was a common Kia issue. My engine light is flashing and car went into limp mode while driving. I can’t got more than 60 mph. There is occasional knocking as well.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
The rear view camera has not functioned properly for several months. We did have the rear harness recall work completed, but the camera was working fine at that time and stopped working in Nov sometime after a software update. This is VERY similar to 24V-035, except that is on 2023 year models only. Why is that campaign limited to 2023 only? There are a lot of complaints on the internet about ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Transmission went out and vehicle did not have 99,000 miles on it. Mechanics said dodge caravans are famous for faulty transmissions. Cost over $4,000 yo repair a 2016 vehicle.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated when the vehicle was in the drive(D), and the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
I am unable to open my rear passenger car door from the outside or the inside. Also the rear passenger door also lacks a manual release like the front doors have. This, coming off of [XXX] 's death, and Tesla's service apathy and insistence on first collecting money before solving this problem is incredibly dangerous. So I am now driving a death trap, and this is my only car, and Tesla should have... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
I am the owner of 2018 Mercedes Benz Matrix. The car was purchased in order to use it for business on renting platform. It does have recall which is not active and in review for more than a year. Because of it Im not able to use the car, all renting platforms are blocking the car because it is open recall. Mercedes doesn't have remedy obviously, and just have it pending. Im loosing all business/ m... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
I am the owner of 2018 Mercedes Benz Matrix. The car was purchased in order to use it for business on renting platform. It does have recall which is not active and in review for more than a year. Because of it Im not able to use the car, all renting platforms are blocking the car because it is open recall. Mercedes doesn't have remedy obviously, and just have it pending. Im loosing all business/ m... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
Shortly after an update in December, my 2018 Model S started getting alerts: Driving visualization temporarily degraded, charge port sensor fault, autopilot cameras unavailable, automatic emergency braking unavailable, lane departure avoidance features unavailable, steering assist reduced. The map no longer knows where the car is located and cannot navigate or tell what the battery percentage will... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
2018 Powerwagon intermittent abs traction control light dinging on and off randomly. Does it more in bad weather. During dry sunny days sometimes it never comes on. From what I can tell I don’t seem to have any problem with my brakes.
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, he heard an abnormal popping sound and the sunroof exploded simultaneously. The contact stated that pieces of the sunroof glass fell the on roadway and inside the vehicle. The contact sustained a cut on his leg but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who determined that... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
Power steering and regenerative braking was intermittently work. Steering fully locked up while driving 70 m/hr on a freeway when I was on my way to service appointment. Very scary!! Service detected full steering rack replacement. When they took off the cable connectors water came pouring out. Water ingress caused corrosion to the body harness connector where it connects to the steering rack m... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
I was driving on I95 and the car completely shut down. The RPM went to 0. It started up again after about twenty minutes. I had the car repaired (throttle body replaced) and since that incident I have had this same thing happen four more times. The car seems to “resets” itself. I have had the throttle body replaced twice, the ignition control switch twice, the relay harness and then the relay... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
I was driving on I95 and the car completely shut down. The RPM went to 0. It started up again after about twenty minutes. I had the car repaired (throttle body replaced) and since that incident I have had this same thing happen four more times. The car seems to “resets” itself. I have had the throttle body replaced twice, the ignition control switch twice, the relay harness and then the relay... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
Automatic Breaking System. Driving along at 25-30 mph on a snow covered road when all of a sudden alert system sounded and vehicle brakes abruptly applied putting vehicle into an uncontrollable slide. Fortunately there was no one behind and nom on coming traffic. Notified GM Customer Service, as I have a case open for other issues they claim tyhey do not have a fix for. GM's response to the sud... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
My car started accelerating on its own, out of nowhere. There were no prior indications. No prior damage. It began accelerating on its own. After shutting the vehicle off and turning it back on, the issue has persisted. Anytime it is in drive or reverse, it accelerates at an extreme rate. It also disabled the brake, when the acceleration began.
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
Driving on a two lane highway at 70 mph, the vehicle has applied the breaks extremely abruptly without reason, three times in the past week. Slamming on the breaks suddenly reduced our speed from 70 to 45 mph before I could return to the speed limit. I came very close to being rear-ended last time. The drivers behind me were angry as well, assuming that I was “break-checking” them. I am extrem... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
hello i am a mechanic and have noticed on many of the f150s wiper transmission failure on the passenger side the due to water build up on the cowl the drivers side where the cowl meets the arm has two lower drain holes and 6 drain holes on the right side and a rubber seal around the wiper arm the passenger side only has two drain holes leading to water sitting and rotting the rubber seal allowing ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the "steering malfunction" warning light illuminated, and the contact stated that the steering wheel was nearly impossible to turn left or right. The contact was able to pull off the roadway. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering assist failed to regain functional... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
On [XXX] (a Sunday, 9 pm), my 19 year old daughter was driving our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited when a solid yellow check engine light came on. No other warning lights were on. She called us, but since a solid check engine light should not indicate an emergent issue, we advised her to carefully drive the car back to school and we'd get it checked out the next day (since it was after 9 pm on a S... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2024
It was flashing lights reving up and down was not drivable car was not driving safely and sounded very bad
Incident date: Mar 16, 2024
Abs warning and abs in operational
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
On 03-17-24 My daughter was driving a few miles away from home, when the dashboard system states "High engine temperature, pull over safely." Within 30 seconds of pulling off the road, the flames came out near the windshield from under the hood. Within 5 minutes the car was fully engulfed and completely destroyed. I am so upset and frustrated that Ford is not taking this matter more seriously as ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 17, 2023
My rear backup camera in my rearview. Mirror shows the image upside down sometimes I just get a blue screen. This Has started over a year ago.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
The brake line started leaking and I almost lost braking ability. I was told by mechanic that metal brake line had rusted out and developed a hole. I luckily saw the leaking fluid and stopped driving car. I saw that this problem has been seen in Canada and a recall was issued there. Is there any investigation open in the USA?
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
Engine has seized. Mechanic at local automotive shop stated that the engine seizure is due to engine burning oil internally. Told me to call KIA because they were aware of this problem due to safety recall. I reported problem to KIA dealership but was told there was no safety recalls relating to my vehicle. Check engine light has been coming on sporadically since 2018 along with my vehicle random... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
The front right lower control arm, sub frame, and bolt(s) failed causing unsafe driving conditions while myself and my kids were in the car. There is a recall on this part for many of the exact same year, make, and model as my car: NHTSA campaign ID: 23V235000. Tesla recall SB-23-31-001 (info pulled from NTSB site). My VIN wasn’t on the recall, but there is clearly an issue, so I was forced to p... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
I think it's a software issue. As of today, I've had the problem three times since having my BCM and PCM reprogrammed. The truck will suddenly loose power and go into some kind of limp mode. The dash screen starts throwing notices in quick succession: low gear only, check advancetrac, hill assist not available, powertrain malfunction/reduced power, pre-collision assist not available, the light in... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
The compounder drum in the transmission exploded on me, while driving, nearly causing me to wreck. The 62TE transmission used in many vehicles, but specifically the ram pro master master 2014 to 2021. there is a recall for the compounded drum that I am aware of at least in the 2019, but for some reason my van the 2014 with the same exact transmission does not fall under that recall.
Incident date: Mar 16, 2024
My Check Engine light came on and stayed steady (not blinking). The Cause for it is Unknown to me. I took it to the Dealership and they scheduled me to bring it in 3 days later, 3/12/24, to determine if it was something simple or if would take up to a couple days to fix. They assured me that if the light remained steady, I would be fine to drive the car. If it began blinking, then bring it back i... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2024
Heard a ticking noise while driving. Pulled over, on freeway. It was not a safe situation parked on side of a major freeway. Turned off car to look around the engine and found nothing. Started the car again and it died within 5 seconds. The electric system completely died after and would not crank. Got it towed to dealer after waiting for tow truck 3 hours. I was really scared sitting in my that ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
Heard a ticking noise while driving. Pulled over, on freeway. It was not a safe situation parked on side of a major freeway. Turned off car to look around the engine and found nothing. Started the car again and it died within 5 seconds. The electric system completely died after and would not crank. Got it towed to dealer after waiting for tow truck 3 hours. I was really scared sitting in my that ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Brake Actuator Failure
Crash
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
VEHICLE: 2018 RAM 3500 Dually ISSUE: ABS Module failure RESULTS: Loss of traction control, cruise control, and brakes locking up while pulling heavy loads. A constant chiming from check engine light. INSPECTED: By several independent garages can not find replacement module. Willing to let be inspected if need be. CONCERNS: Brakes lock up and loose control,Cause a accident by rear-ending someone, ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
VEHICLE: 2018 RAM 3500 Dually ISSUE: ABS Module failure RESULTS: Loss of traction control, cruise control, and brakes locking up while pulling heavy loads. A constant chiming from check engine light. INSPECTED: By several independent garages can not find replacement module. Willing to let be inspected if need be. CONCERNS: Brakes lock up and loose control,Cause a accident by rear-ending someone, ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2023
Every time I lock right rear slider with power lock loud buzz is heard.