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 7, 2024
Service Bulletin [XXX] dated [XXX] corrective actions (dual special software updates) where followed and the frequency of incidents dropped dramatically, but after multiple dealership visits (Hardin Honda of Anaheim, CA) the center stack touchscreen still blanks out randomly while driving. Yes, the full vehicle is available for inspection. The screen continues to also “freak out” as shown... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated while reversing, the rear-view camera display was foggy or displayed a distorted image. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, and it was confirmed that the rear-view camera was defective. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
My sunroof exploded while driving on the highway. Glass particles throughout the vehicle, except for the driver's front seat area. No glass particles hit my body - it could have caused serios injury - I was not wearing a hat at the time. The 'explosion' startled me, but my attention to the road was not affected, except for a moment. Waiting to have it replaced by Sunroof Express through my Insuran... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2021
turning the corner door coming open. good thing my child had his seat belt on. brakes. has been making noise since i purchase the vehicle. but stated brake are ok but don't trust brakes making loud noise
Incident date: Aug 6, 2021
turning the corner door coming open. good thing my child had his seat belt on. brakes. has been making noise since i purchase the vehicle. but stated brake are ok but don't trust brakes making loud noise
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
My car failed PA State inspection due to a hole and rusted rear subframe. I have determined that there is a recall associated with this issue but that my vehicle just missed the recall limit. The recall affected 2008-2015 models (C Class with chassis 204). My vehicle is a 2015 C Class with chassis 205. It is evident that my vehicle has the same structural/construction defects as the previous ye... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle then returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manuf... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
My wife and I bought a brand-new 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks edition in Jully of 2023. After about a month of ownership and less than 1000 miles, we noticed when we would press the accelerator, the vehicle would take 5-6 seconds to react to the accelerator. When it finally did, the car would rev up to about 6000rpm and lurch forward. We took it to the dealer and they assured us there was no... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
The flywheel or flex plate cracked. Been to different mechanics, some stating I need a whole new transmission.
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
The 'active fuel management/displacement on demand' lifters failed and caused the engine to run very poorly with a significant lack of power. This occurred while driving and could have caused a crash before I was able to get off the road and out of the way of traffic. The problem was diagnosed and confirmed by an independent repair shop. The vehicle had to have the camshaft and all valve lifters... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2024
Catalytic converter internally failed on April 12th 2023 based on an initial check engine light Part# F2GZ-5E213-F converter assembly under ESP warranty @ 74,408. Returned back for check engine light 22, 888 miles later on 1/31/24 for check engine light . I was advised that although it was determined a part failure of catalytic converter , that it was my responsibility to pay for 2 catalytic co... Read more
TESLA
MODEL X
(2016) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
Feb 6, 2024
Incident date: Jan 24, 2024
Catalytic converter internally failed on April 12th 2023 based on an initial check engine light Part# F2GZ-5E213-F converter assembly under ESP warranty @ 74,408. Returned back for check engine light 22, 888 miles later on 1/31/24 for check engine light . I was advised that although it was determined a part failure of catalytic converter , that it was my responsibility to pay for 2 catalytic co... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 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 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 manufacturer ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2024
This complaint is about difficulties with the horn sensor on the steering yoke under emergency situations. After 14 months of driving the car, I have these safety issues: 1) The horn sensor is difficult to find in emergency situations. It is a single, small area located farthest away from the right-hand rest position and touching it requires a long stretch with the thumb. When turning, it is easy... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2024
The rear subframe and suspension are rusted. I have been hearing a rattling sound for the past couple of weeks, especially when driving over bumps. When I took the car to my mechanic, he detected a cracking in the rear subframe/suspension due to the rust. If this would totally break it would be a substantial safety risk to myself, the driver, as well as other drivers on the road. No warning lights... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2024
The rear subframe and suspension are rusted. I have been hearing a rattling sound for the past couple of weeks, especially when driving over bumps. When I took the car to my mechanic, he detected a cracking in the rear subframe/suspension due to the rust. If this would totally break it would be a substantial safety risk to myself, the driver, as well as other drivers on the road. No warning lights... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery fuse needed to be replaced. T... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2024
I was driving on the freeway at 70 mph when the dashboard went blank. The engine completely shut off so I steered to the side of the freeway and was able to stop the car. It won’t start, won’t lock, won’t do anything now. Had to get towed to the dealership.
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The local dealer was notified of the recall notice and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The m... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V440000 (Electrical System) 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. The manuf... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2023
There is a recall campaign no. 23v-707 Vanos assembly bolts on this car that began with correspondence in December 2023. This is a dangerous situation if the bolts break, therefore I have parked the car upon receipt of the letter. I contacted both BMW of North America and a local dealer in both December and February and they have stated that there is not a remedy for this and have no information... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
Something occurred with the steering, automatic braking, or lane keeping assistance on [XXX] at approximately 6:35am while I was driving my 2022 Tesla Model 3 Long Range North in the carpool lane just south of [XXX] in Sandy Utah. The roads were a little slick so was proceeding cautiously at around 65 MPH when the car turned to the left slightly, then immediately to the right, which caused it to d... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
Transmission has a delay when taking off from a stop (2-3 second delay while accelerating before it shifts), had a message saying service airbag, service transmission, service park break then all messages disappeared.
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
Transmission has a delay when taking off from a stop (2-3 second delay while accelerating before it shifts), had a message saying service airbag, service transmission, service park break then all messages disappeared.
Incident date: Feb 6, 2024
ADAS system is not working due to internal camera failure.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
Vechile started skidding and didn't respond to steering wheel control, ultimately failed to a make a turn and fell off road into a ditch. Also emergency braking wasn't triggered to prevent vechile from falling off road and furthermore upon impact airbags weren't deployed. The driver sustained grevious injuries and was transported away by EMS.
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
The vehicle will sometimes brake even though no obstacle is present. This has occurred at highway speeds. The sudden brake event is jarring, and could cause me to be involved in a collision. The vehicle is relatively new, and covered by a factory warranty. I described the problem to the dealer's service department. The service department representative said he would not be able to repair the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
The vehicle will sometimes brake even though no obstacle is present. This has occurred at highway speeds. The sudden brake event is jarring, and could cause me to be involved in a collision. The vehicle is relatively new, and covered by a factory warranty. I described the problem to the dealer's service department. The service department representative said he would not be able to repair the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2024
High beams no longer work on the front lights.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2024
Vehicle stalls on the highway during longer drive times up to 3 hours. Gas pedal stops working and all dashboard warning lights illuminate. Engine will not restart for several hours but after being towed and some sort of rest period restarts with no issues. Same problem happened on 3 separate occasions. Dealer was unable to recreate or diagnose any issues
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
At speeds between 50mph a howling noise begins and gets louder as the speed increases to 55mph. The howling noise is quite loud. It stops after you get above 55pmh or you open a window. The dealer said he was not aware of this problem.
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
Took my car to a tesla service center to repair the suspension front upper arm in feb2023 for $300 Today the front suspension lower arm/forelink/aft failed and they are making the repair now. Repair costs is $1600. After doing some research, it seems the suspension issue on the model x is a widespread and faulty design issue. They fail with the car being just 5 years old.
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. 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 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 manufacturer was made... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced severe transmission shudder and was vibrating while driving up inclines. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission torque converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the f... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2023
A CAM Phaser in the timing chain area is failing. Apparently the oil is not able to stay on that area and drains out. The symptom is a severe rattle on start up. Since it's part of the power train a failure in this part could result in an engine failure. It is a safety issue if this happens and causes a sudden loss of power at freeway speeds. Ford has repaired many of these as part of some program... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
ABS and traction control lights intermittent flashing. Service ABS warning flashes and chiming occur. Very distracting and makes me unsure of failure of system .Codes and stored messages clear and repeat. Cannot go to dealer every day to have codes read that don’t exist. Parts not available at dealer. How is this fixed?
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
ABS and traction control lights intermittent flashing. Service ABS warning flashes and chiming occur. Very distracting and makes me unsure of failure of system .Codes and stored messages clear and repeat. Cannot go to dealer every day to have codes read that don’t exist. Parts not available at dealer. How is this fixed?
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
While driving on the freeway car pool lane with my wife, a sudden vibration in the front tires was observed, the car felt like it was pushed to the right then to the left even though it was in the center of the lane. Told my wife, "something is wrong with the car!" Thinking that I may have had a flat tire, I slowed down, the car went into a violent flat spin until the right rear end of the car hit... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
The steering “sticks” and while driving it is necessary to oversteer to keep the car in the lane. This is a problem at all speeds but is especially scary at highway speeds. The car has just started doing this and has not been to the dealer yet. We have the same model car that is one year older than the one I am reporting here. It has the same issue and the dealer agreed to replace faulty steer... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
Bought this Model Y lease and had it delivered from Jacksonville to miami after sales guy convinced us from getting the 2024 model since this one was cheaper and was a long range (I wonder why). On that same night, I took the car to the gym and coming back, it shut down on me on the middle of the road. (Screenshots of the error attached). On [XXX], Model Y shut down on my wife entering her aunts... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
I have a fuel pump defect and waiting for the part for months now and my car is running bad. Speed this process up or your going to have a class action lawsuit ahead.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2024
Piece of junk since June when I paid $3,000 for it and have put $1200 into it and still broke down and won’t start (ignition switch/key) and I refuse to pay for it to be fixed nor fixing it myself.. Has to be called home sweet home very soon and I need it fixed by GM asap or lawyer will be involved and I’m not sinking anymore into it then I have.. GM products are junk!!! Repair it
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
Coolant leaking into engine, making it misfire, and eventually engine will lock up. Verified by dealer. Needs engine replaced. This is happening to engines built prior to 2019. Ford has a service bulletin for it. Ford needs to issue a recall. The check engine light comes on due to the misfire as the coolant burns out of the cylinders.
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
My Ford Escape 2 liter ecoboost engine failed and had to be replaced per a Ford Technical Service Bulletin and was replaced by an Authorized Ford Dealership. Engine was liable to fail at any time and a failure could have caused a serious road incident putting my safety and the safety of others at risk. There was no prior warning of the problem until the failure occurred. There were no messages f... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
My 2012 Sorento had the Voluntary Safety Campaign SC141 for additional anti corrosive material performed in 2016. The vehicle had already been driven for 5 years in one of the “snow belt” states they listed. Dealer said no other action needed except the additional undercoating. Now, my rear crossmember is completely rusted and away bar has broken loose. Am going to contact Kia as I feel this s... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
My rear door, driver-side, will not unlock. I cannot open it from inside nor outside. I have cycled door and child-lock actuators and no change to the condition. This is definitely a safety concern as whatever happened to the driver-side mechanism can happen to the passenger side also then how would passengers exit quickly?
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
I have been trying to get into my dealer for months concerning this recall they continue ton give me the run around and have been no help
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
On [XXX], my wife was driving down the highway and vehicle started to "buck" and almost stalled out. Check engine light came. She was able to make it to the dealer. Dealer ran the diagnostics and received the P0032, P0171, P2097 and P0300 codes. The dealer found the attached document with basically no repair available. We contacted Jeep customer service and were told that it needs a software updat... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle lunged forward. While starting the vehicle, the vehicle revved high. While driving at high speeds, the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that several times, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, wh... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The rear window of my HRV shattered for no reason in a snow storm. I was unable to get it to my dealer to fix the issue as I am a [XXX] and it was the middle of a snow storm in Utah. I had to get it fixed at the closest glass dealer to my location. The component was reviewed by the glass company as they were fixing it. This is a safety issue is when the glass shattered it rained down in the b... Read more