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 14, 2024
Stalling with no power transmission is putting me at risk since I first purchased this vehicle. Transmission needs to be replaced because of the defective drive shaft on all 2017 models . Really serious problem with a hard shift and multiple misfire. Just not sure what to do at this point. I’m still paying for a truck that’s not working.
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
This vehicle was sold to us with this issue. The dealer knew that this problem existed. We took the vehicle in for service when a warning light about the steering came on a few weeks ago. The dealer said that there was not a problem with the steering other than a wire that had been chewed by a rodent for which the dealer charged $650 to fix.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
When driving about a month ago my car all the sudden started making a clinking noise not so much knocking in the engine or near the engine. And then it died all the sudden at a red light out of no where. Well I put the car into park and started my car again when I accelerate the rpm takes a lot longer to catch up to the speed I'm trying to go, so it takes longer to accelerate which is dangerous be... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
yes when start the car and drive from 0-20 mph from the start you will hear a lound noise when applying the brake and now getting louder and louder everywhere you drive the vehicle. took it in the dealer 2-3 time and they are telling me is manufactures design. don't have this problem from day one I purchase the vehicle but now after 40k. miles start this problem specially brake, its scare me to... Read more
TESLA
VEHICLE CHARGER
(9999) — STEERING
Mar 11, 2024
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding noise detected while making a turn. There was a crunching noise detected while entering the driveway. The contact stated that the passenger's front seat was not moving. The driver’s side rear inflator seat belt failed to latch. The rear seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not e... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Maverick. The contact stated while in the process of towing a trailer, he connected the trailer electrical cable to the vehicle; however, while towing the trailer and engaging the driver's side turn signal, the driver's side turn signal on the trailer was inoperable. An "Error" message was displayed. The contact stated that when he towed the trailer with other vehicles... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
In March 2023, my vehicle was in a major front end collision on the passenger side and the airbag did not deploy. In January 2024, a warning light appeared on my car’s screen that reads “Safety Restraint System Fault” I then took the vehicle to a Tesla service center who determined that the front passenger airbag and OCS needed to be replaced to maintain compatibility….
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Car first started showing issues with the charge system. The car would randomly not start and would require a jump start. I replaced the battery and the car worked fine for 2 weeks and then it just wouldn't start at all. A new alternator was put in and the care drove fine for 1 month. Took it back to dealer mechanic and he said he needed a new alternator. Got the alternator replace and care w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Driving fine with no problems then all of a sudden a bell starts chiming about 6 to 8 times then the steering light comes on and the ABS light comes on in the dash and starts blinking , then I lost power to the steering wheel ,was very hard to steer. I pulled to the side of the road and turned the engine off and waited a few minutes to crank it , every thing went normal and I drove home, but befo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2024
While driving [XXX] on [XXX] in Texas, the Tesla autopilot abruptly and forcibly applied the brakes while I was driving approximately 77 mph. I was almost rear ended by a semi truck due to this issue. This happened again about 20 miles down the road and I disengaged the cruise control and autopilot altogether at that point. This is a continuous problem that needs to be addressed. INFORMATI... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2024
Hello! I just had RECALLS completed on [XXX] and drove car on [XXX] at 75mph speed (in Texas) and within 1 hour of driving the vehicle began flashing same issue mentioned and brought speed down to MAX 35mph with NO FOOT on pedal. Almost got hit by 18 wheeler! Took it to dealer and 300 miles plus they drove and could not replicate issue. Gave vehicle back and it happened again [XXX] at 70mph ... D... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2024
Hello! I just had RECALLS completed on [XXX] and drove car on [XXX] at 75mph speed (in Texas) and within 1 hour of driving the vehicle began flashing same issue mentioned and brought speed down to MAX 35mph with NO FOOT on pedal. Almost got hit by 18 wheeler! Took it to dealer and 300 miles plus they drove and could not replicate issue. Gave vehicle back and it happened again [XXX] at 70mph ... D... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
After washing my '23 Kona N in a hand car wash, I experienced a sudden, complete loss of power as I was pulling into traffic immediately afterwards, nearly resulting in a rear-end collision. There was a flashing check engine light (CEL or MIL) on the dash, and I had to have the vehicle towed to a dealership. The stored OBD-II code is P132600 (knock sensor). The car has only 16k miles on it. This i... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Was driving down the road car completely loose power check engine light started blinking pulled over turn the car off. Turn it back on check engine light disappeared. Vehicle did fine feels like vehicles constantly losing power runs fine acceleration and it starts to cut out hook the check engine light system up and as most 2018 through 2019 Honda Accord error pops up Fuel rail/system pressure-too... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
My service air bag light comes on and passenger airbag remains off while sitting in seat.
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
Upon starting vehicle, loud pop sound and then excruciatingly painful white noise throughout the sound system. No controls will work to turn audio down. Upon shutting vehicle off, painful white noise continued for another 10sec or more. Waited a few minutes tried again, same thing happened with sound. Unable to drive vehicle with sound this loud. Tried 5x to shut off vehicle and restart, whit... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2024
The engine has had a head gasket failure at 40,000 miles less than 7 years old. This is caused by the FORD engine design according to the dealership. The dealership tells me that it is a "ticking time bomb". Ford covers the 1.5 l engines but not the 2.0 l ones in a TSB 22-2134. This is a 9500.00 fix which I cannot afford. The check engine light has been on since Sept 2023 and the Ford dealership t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
My issue is with the vehicle's car seat latches. The latches in the Chevy Trailblazer (Manufactured) are designed in a way that is unsafe and also hard to install a car seat for children who are 2 and under or under 40 pounds. Car seat safety is important for all children as it could lead to damages of the head, neck, and or spine. I have installed 4 car seats in my vehicle (Chevy Trailblazer) wit... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2020
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact noticed a loud popping sound and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was driven to the place of employment. At the end of the workday, while the contact was driving and approaching a stop sign, the brake peda... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2020
The "check engine" light has come on at least three (3) times. The first time, the car went into slow down mode. We stopped at a mechanic, who reset the computer so that we could drive it. We then had it towed to our mechanic, who told us about the problems these Hyundai engines are having. He told us that engine replacement was inevitable. It happened two (2) more times. This time, we had ... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2023
Lifetime Tracking Data Displayed Incorrectly with higher data results. High rev's max speed 131mp. I have never gone over 89 mp. MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: 09-79-21 Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING NHTSA ID Number: 10201791 Manufacturer Communication Number: 09-79-21 Summary This bulletin announces availability of ECM reprogramming files to address isolated concern... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Dec 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly jerked, after which the vehicle lost significant motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to shift out of first gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a fa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
A/C evaporator is not reliable and is expensive repair. My car is 2018 model year and had its A/C evaporator replaced twice already (Nov 2020 and Mar 2024).
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
My 2017 Hyundai Sonata is using oil at a ridiculous rate. The rapid oil consumption has caused me to be left stranded twice & I had to have it towed to a mechanic both times. I’m having to take it every 2 weeks to be checked by a mechanic & it’s low everytime I take it to him. He’s had to replace all the spark plugs 2 different times since October of 2023, which is very costly for me. I’m ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
After stopping and then go, like at a light or stop sign, on acceleration SUV will go slightly forward and stalls and high rev for a second and car feels like it’s dying or losing power and starts back up. I feel unsafe and that the car might stop middle of intersection from stop-and-go. Sometimes while driving I lose power driving and stepping on gas pedal has a few second lag time to pick back... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
The car was driving perfectly fine until last week heading to drop my kids to school and the vehicle stopped on the middle of the street. I had no previous issues or notice. I had multiple warnings on the dashboard and now the car won't crank. I have seen several post with people with this same issue and can't find a clear answer. I had to push the vehicle out of the road with traffic behind
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
The car was driving perfectly fine until last week heading to drop my kids to school and the vehicle stopped on the middle of the street. I had no previous issues or notice. I had multiple warnings on the dashboard and now the car won't crank. I have seen several post with people with this same issue and can't find a clear answer. I had to push the vehicle out of the road with traffic behind
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
My Model 3 intermittently has the steering wheel locked in position, which sometimes resolves temporarily after rebooting the car. I always get a steering assist reduced error on the car, regardless of rebooting. It also no longer has lane keep capabilities or Autopilot, which involve the car automatically moving the steering. I have not gotten this inspected by a dealer or service center. The i... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
While driving the oil pressure light came on. Within seconds the check engine light came on. The car was being backed out of my driveway at the time. It was pulled back in & parked at the end of my driveway. The oil was checked and was not low. I had it towed to a dealership. After a few days, the dealership called & told me I needed a new engine and turbo. I inquired about whether it was related ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
Main Issue: Ongoing issue with stuck caliper causing the pads and wheels to overheat increasing the tire pressure to dangerous levels. The regenerative braking system is actually very effective in slowing the car when driven in L mode. If driven smartly, driver rarely have to use a lot of force using the physical brakes and rotors. Three times now, I have had issues where the front calipers were... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
The oil pump failed at 23,000 miles, then while traveling on [XXX] in New York, the engine failed at 48,000 miles. Fortunately we exited the freeway before a catastrophic failure could occur. The dealer was contacted and I was informed not to drive the vehicle, but to have it towed to the dealership. At the dealership they found the engine had a severe knock and informed me a complete new engin... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
As I'm sure you are aware of the ABS issues these vehicles have had over the last few years without any sort of correction it has been a nightmare. The ABS light and service electronic braking system has been beeping for over a year and the dealers and parts people have no resolve for this. We have recently been able to do what was RECOMMENDED by the dealers and found a used module to replace ours... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
Smell gasoline when tank get filled up. Engine light is on , suspension make a lot of noise , power steering pump also
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
Smell gasoline when tank get filled up. Engine light is on , suspension make a lot of noise , power steering pump also
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Have had multiple issues with my radio deleting my preset channels. There has been a couple of times where when I start my vehicle my radio just says loading and I am not able to control any of my climate controls or radio channels. My usb and usb-c plugs quit working for a while. The radio has been replaced and is still having some of the same issues with not loading the screen and also deleting ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
I was driving on a freeway and my vehicle went into "Powertrain malfunction/Reduced power mode " and slowed me down from 65 -70 miles an hours to under 20 miles an hour. This almost cause a semi to slam into the back of my vehicle missing me by inches. The dealership is unable to recreate this issue but confirmed it did happen. Ford and the dealership have been giving me a run around with this sin... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
I keep getting an Electronic Brake Service message and ABS message that randomly starts dinging and popping up on my display that also disables my cruise control. This obviously is a known issue and I would like to know what is being done to correct this. I have read several and seen over 3000 reports of this problem so why is it not being addressed to make our vehicles safer when it is a known fa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
I keep getting an Electronic Brake Service message and ABS message that randomly starts dinging and popping up on my display that also disables my cruise control. This obviously is a known issue and I would like to know what is being done to correct this. I have read several and seen over 3000 reports of this problem so why is it not being addressed to make our vehicles safer when it is a known fa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
MY 2018 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WENT FROM 50 MPH TO 0 IN SECONDS. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE ENGINE AND OIL LIGHTS CAME ON . CAR DIDNT TURN OVER AFTER THAT GOT IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE AND ONCE THERE CHECKD THE OIL AND THE OIL WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. RECEIVED MY LAST OIL CHANGE ON 1/31/2024 STILL HAD MILES LEFT OVER BEFORE GETTING ANOTHER OIL CHANGE. THERE WAS NO WARNI... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2024
Fue un día martes q venía de traer a mis hijas de la escuela ya para la casa cuand de repente se de tuvo el carro y se apagó el solo de una sola me asusté orrible mis hijas se pusieron a llorar y nerviosa me puse entre en choo me dolía el cuello me asusté mucho después q me calme lo apague el carro lo prendi de nuevo iba manejando con miedo se me apagó de nuevo de un solo gracias adiós q... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
My wife was picking up our daughter from school. The car shutdown as my wife was getting into the left hand turn lane to go onto our main street. The warning dash lights turned on, but she could not turn on the car. She called me and I left work early to help her out. She called me a few minutes later telling me she was able to get the car started but that it sounded as though "rocks were in the e... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2024
When trying to park shift disappears . Parking feature unavailable. Have to try several times to or wait until parking shift appears. System glitch trying to park. Afraid car will run off by itself and hit other cars and crash. Family of four very concerned for our safety. It has been a known issue on several Chevrolet Malibu since 2015 This should have been on a recall since 2015. Why haven’t t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Traverse. 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 a message indicating an air bag failure was displayed. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
My steering wheel recently started "sticking" at 50+ mph when going straight, which appears to be a common issue with 11th Gen Civics that I meet the criteria for, This is a 3 year old car with only 8k miles on it and it started occurring this year in the winter time. It's a very serious issue because it feels like the wheel is stuck in place and it doesn't turn until you kind of pop it out. They ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2024
Vehicle has been scheduled for service 4 times to address phantom braking while set to cruise control on highways. Tesla service center continuously resolves the problem remotely stating that there are no faults in the system and it is operating as intended. I’m an airline pilot and my vehicle poses a safety hazard to me and those around me when operating in any autonomous mode.
Incident date: Mar 3, 2024
Vehicle is driving as usual with no odors or sounds. 4wd unavailable light came on. The code for this states PTU is bad and must be replaced. Dealer quote is $5270 to replace. Apparently there was a recall on these for my car just not my year. Obviously there is a huge issue with this part. This vehicle is well maintained. There should be a warranty to cover this or the very least we should get ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2024
There is a safety design flaw with the dash lights. If the headlights are ON The dash lights are turned down to a significantly lower illumination automatically and cannot be turned back up to full brightness. This is a big issue when driving with your head lights on during daylight rain/fog. The dash lights won't turn up to full brightness and are very difficult to read, especially for anyo... Read more