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: Feb 20, 2024
Cabin boom noise reported from the first day of ownership whenever driving the vehicle under 50mph. Noise is a low bass frequency below 30hz that reverberates throughout entire vehicle, causing severe ear pain, headaches, nausea, and disorientation. The only way to tolerate driving this vehicle is to wear airplane pressure earplugs, which poses a safety concern for not being able to hear surroundi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 23, 2024
While driving on busy highway the vehicle would not accelerate even with more gas applied. Gave warning to check hybrid system and pull to safety. Vehicle wouldn’t turn off after pulling over and in park with flashers on. Various warning lights all came on, gave message of battery discharge warning, check brakes, check ABS, check brakes then everything complete shut off including hazard lights. ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped; while attempting to accelerate, the steering seized. The Power Steering Assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to dealer and a diagnostic was performed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failur... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2024
I'm getting an error for "Safety restraint system fault" on my Tesla Model 3. When I booked a service appointment it turns out they are wanting to charge $1,955.11 for replacing the Occupant Classification System (OCS) of the front passenger, updating the front passenger airbag, and installing a OCS filter module. This seems to be safety related and should be part of a recall. I have seen similar... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2024
I’ve had issues with the side view mirrors with this vehicle since the day that i took delivery. They were always wobbly. Honda issued a recall on them and the replacement mirrors look like “fun house” mirrors. They are super distorted and make me nauseous looking out of them. This is not an isolated incident. Many people are experiencing issues with the recalled mirrors being distorted. Hon... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2024
I’ve had issues with the side view mirrors with this vehicle since the day that i took delivery. They were always wobbly. Honda issued a recall on them and the replacement mirrors look like “fun house” mirrors. They are super distorted and make me nauseous looking out of them. This is not an isolated incident. Many people are experiencing issues with the recalled mirrors being distorted. Hon... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
Allows driving without speedometer, was just showing Tesla branding in place.
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS RECENTLY ILLUMINATED. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SCAN TOOL READING ON 3/15/24 SHOWS THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TO HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED AND BECOME INOPERABLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY IMPACTS OR COLLISIONS.
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
We are having the same issue as indicated on the Service Bulletin 20-100 but our VIN is not listed as covered by the manufacturer.
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
Car continues to burn oil within a week of getting oil changes, the oil will be black and it will be low sometimes there will be no oil and there is not an oil leak. Right now we had to pay for a combustion test and have to drive 1,000 miles then check the oil at Hyundai again and already our oil is starting to burn and is low. Hyundai said if the combustion test comes back still burnt or low Hyun... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
Car continues to burn oil within a week of getting oil changes, the oil will be black and it will be low sometimes there will be no oil and there is not an oil leak. Right now we had to pay for a combustion test and have to drive 1,000 miles then check the oil at Hyundai again and already our oil is starting to burn and is low. Hyundai said if the combustion test comes back still burnt or low Hyun... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2023
Braking and Stopping - Braking system - Improperly functioning braking systems. I experienced a problem with the brake pedal, brake calipers, and/or any component of a Model 3 braking system. “Model 3 has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that prevents the wheels from locking when you apply maximum brake pressure. This improves steering control during heavy braking in most road conditions…Forw... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at various speeds with an occupant in the passenger’s side front seat, the air bag light off message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that a software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. After driving the vehicle, the air bag off light messa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2023
The brakes just went to the floor causing the car hard to stop. This is my daugthers car with my two grandbabies in the car. She took it to a local Ford dealer and they stated that it just needed to be updated (computer update I guess). The car worked after that until today. She hit a bump in the road and the brakes went to the floor again when she tried to stop. She has no warning lights that app... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
My car spontaneously caught fire while in a parking lot. I had left it for approximately 45 minutes. When I returned and opened the trunk, smoke began pouring out. Frightened, I called 911. The fire department came. When they opened the driver door, much more smoke poured out. My car continued to smoke I believe for a long time. I was ill for several days with headache and asthma as I am a senior ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
Rear spring has broken at 50k miles. This is a potentially catastrophic outcome at speed. Vehicle is not used for towing or any sort of off road use. Estimate from the dealer was $2000 to replace both rear springs. The dealer said that "it happens" and would not cover the failure. The car is driven as a commuting car - really? After some online research, apparently this is a somewhat common issue ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
It is commonly known that the drive shafts on the Model X fail. This is not a wear component and should be a recall. The suspension is also part of this issue and there are after market solutions to fix the suspension that is causing the failure of the half shafts.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Azera. 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 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 repair.... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
I believe my software is hacked. Car was purchased 6 months prior to when the vehicle shows registered to me. The vehicle shows no location with Tesla and has no direct contact from the vehicle with Tesla. My display screen blacks out while I’m driving on the freeway or streets. Leaves me feeling unsafe in bad areas I am driving to pick up drop off kids from college, school, or film school pr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
Cracked or Broken Spot Welds in the Left Front Door At the Check Arm Attachment Points in the Door Assembly - [XXX] - Available for inspection upon request. The door will not open without creating a loud crunching sound, requiring the passenger to squeeze out before the check point. Check points are inoperative. The window often malfunctions. There was no warning. I found the problem by searchi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
On [XXX] we experienced sudden loss of electronic power steering while driving, at the same time the power steering indicator light came on the dash. We were not able to turn the wheel and had to stop in the middle of the road. We had the vehicle brought to Chevrolet of Turnersville NJ on [XXX] and they diagnosed the problem as need torque sensor replaced. This is the exact same symptom/issue and ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2023
Phantom braking has occurred on 4 different occasions nearly causing a rear end collision during one of them. On all occasions it occurred with no other car in front of us. Tesla Service was contacted through their app for service and we were told this is a known issue and to simply apply pressure to the accelerator. No warning lights or other was given before the incident. The problem has not... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2023
The timing chain collapsed while driving. The engine started a loud clanking noise decelerated and would not restart.
Incident date: Mar 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at various speed, the transmission was slipping while downshifting and upshifting. The contact also stated that there was a hard shift, and the vehicle would lose motive power and lunge forward. The wrench warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that a dealer representative went to the residence to perform a softwa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2024
When driving my Kia the steering wheel is sticking. At first it was just ever now and then. But now it it’s happening everyday. There is a recall for 2018 models doing the same thing. I pretty sure this is the same part and should be covered under the recall.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2024
Unintended acceleration after I tried to park take off before I can parked it violently crash into the wall.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 2, 2024
My transmission went out at 70k miles. Ford told me it was the engine causing the transmission to seize but since they didn’t have an official recall on it, they wouldn’t fix it. It cost me 5k to fix and they had to get 3 different transmissions from ford because the first two were defective. I was out of a car for 8 months
Incident date: Mar 2, 2024
Check forwarded collision was on and it has disabled my traction control and abs light was on kia had me make an appointment 3 weeks out. Was leaving for work and it was rainy I was doing 30 in a 40 and I tried stopping to slow down because there was a car in front of me stopped at a yeld so I tired to stop harder but back of car stating sliding our so I had to quickly make a move to get to the la... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 1, 2020
My 2012 Santa Fe check engine light came on a few weeks ago and put the car into engine protection mode. This car is less than 15 years old, has under 150,000 miles, has had reasonable upkeep. I am only the second owner. I was able to check the code myself and did so. It was P1326, which in a Hyundai vehicle means that there's a problem with the connecting rod bearings and it needs to be taken to ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2020
Frame is rusted through
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
The coolant control valve stays open.
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
On [XXX], I was at [XXX] waiting for green light, as soon as the light changed. I hit the drive but the car suddenly lost control and speed up and I couldn’t stop. I try my best not to hit any people or any cars and ended up hitting the board on the right. I never smoke or drink alcohol. never did any drugs, I didn’t hold phone. It was absolutely an uncontrollable incident very unfortunate bu... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
I have been trying for over one year to get the safety recall work completed. Ford tells me to contact the dealership to schedule maintenance. I contact the dealership and they refuse to schedule service and tell me they will call me when they are able to handle the request. I tried contacting ford and they told me they cannot interfere with the dealership's scheduling process.
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
I have been trying for over one year to get the safety recall work completed. Ford tells me to contact the dealership to schedule maintenance. I contact the dealership and they refuse to schedule service and tell me they will call me when they are able to handle the request. I tried contacting ford and they told me they cannot interfere with the dealership's scheduling process.
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
inspected radio and verified radio is delaminating on top off screen. Will need to replace radio
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
Unknown. Drove car in front of garage. Car came to a full stop. About to put car into reverse from drive in order to back into the garage, when car suddenly accelerated forward. Turned wheel sharply to the left in order avoid hitting neighbors fences. Vehicle traveled in an arch and collided with a tree next to an fence and stopped.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage G4. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle began to fishtail and sway left to right, prompting the contact to dramatically reduce vehicle speed, after which the vehicle briefly veered to the right before the contact was able to regain control. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who di... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
Issues with 12v battery dying with only 8,000 miles on vehicle. Knowing Kia requests an all day testing of the battery prior to replacing the 12v, I replaced it with a higher quality one. My car still did not start not long after that. Lots of folks online with similar issue and feels like Kia needs to do a recall with a known good fix. Blame put on 3rd party apps when it’s a design flaw.
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
The steering of My 2023 Crv has recently been stiff when in the center and turning slight left or right. Just today, we nearly hit something because the steering was stuck when turning left. I had to pull it back to the center. The car is dangerous to drive considering that i was with my family. My Crv has been to the dealership numerous times because of issues with the steering, but this is the f... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
Last week of Febr. 2024, I received a recall notice about the above vehicle. Everything seems fine except the part, fuel pmp, will not be available until the fall of 2024. I called every Honda dealers in Sacramento, Davis, California and they do not have the part. The defective fuel pump may cause the vehicle to stall on the freeway, or any road. Everytime I drive this vehicle I have the anxie... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
On March 09, 2024 as I was backing into a parking space, the rear vehicle wheels came into contact with the parking curb at which point the rear window shattered. The pieces of the window flew in many directions approximately up to 5 to 10 feet outside and into the rear cargo area of the vehicle where I had my dogs. Fortunately, there were no other persons around the vehicle at the time and my do... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
Dealers have failed to repair the recalls on my vehicle. Have been told by multiple dealers in the area that remedy is not available.With no information to when there will be a remedy. As Ram website says same thing. One recall has been open almost 2 years. Not only is this unsafe, I am paying on a vehicle that isn’t repaired yet.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
My wife driving our Tesla Model 3. From her report, the car was accelerating on its own and would not stop despite her pressing on the brake pedal. She was unable to stop at the traffic light and crashed into another car at an intersection.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
While driving up the hill it started to hesitate and then stalling. This had happened multiple times on different occasions.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
While driving up the hill it started to hesitate and then stalling. This had happened multiple times on different occasions.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
See attached document for complaint
TESLA
MODEL 3
(2019) — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:THROTTLEBODY/MANIFOLD
Mar 12, 2024
Incident date: Feb 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Steering wheel sticks. Need to jerk it out of a what seems like a locked position when driving. Steering wheel jerks while making a clicking sound.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Steering wheel sticks. Need to jerk it out of a what seems like a locked position when driving. Steering wheel jerks while making a clicking sound.