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 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated there was water and condensation accumulating in the exterior cab mounted third brake light. The contact stated that water was leaking into the cabin of the vehicle from the brake light. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake light and the rear window needed to be... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed with the defroster activated, within two hours, the contact observed that the front windshield had cracked just above the defroster vents. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the temperature difference between the interior and exterior of the vehicle resulted in therma... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2023
The car stalls out at stops. It shutters and them stalls like a 5 speed car. I have almost been rear-ended on a couple occasions. It is now in the shop for a torque converter replacement
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
ABS and traction control light. Continue to flash on and off cruise control will not work when light is on and traction control does not work. One light is on. I Heard there is a class action lawsuit in California trying to have my vehicle fixed. It continues to beep whenever I hit a bump or take a turn. Sometimes it's on. Sometimes it's off
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
The air bag light came on in April of 2022 indicating that the air bag will not deploy in the event of a car accident. We took the car to the Honda dealership and the mechanic diagnosed it as a bad seat-belt tensioner and confirmed that the part is under warranty by American Honda. The dealership requested the part from American Honda and they have failed to provide the part to the dealership stat... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2022
Hello, My name is [XXX] and I had 2022 Tesla Model Y performance. I had an accident on [XXX]. Car just took control itself, we hit the tree. It was in residential area, it happened so fast, that I could not to react to prevent it. After we hit the tree, car catch the fire, It was a nightmare for me, I had my best friend with me at the time of accident on the front passenger seat. Both of us were ... Read more
Crash
Fire
1 injured
1 deaths
Incident date: Jul 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal metal sound detected. The vehicle began to shake abnormally and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed her the failure was due to the axle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal metal sound detected. The vehicle began to shake abnormally and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed her the failure was due to the axle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
At 9:37 a.m. on January 26, I was driving on Freeway 60. The three cars in front of me braked suddenly. I stepped on the brake quickly, but after I stepped on the brake for 3 seconds, the speed of the car still did not slow down, and it directly hit the rear of the car in front.Afterwards, on the Tesla app on, an alarm was displayed, saying that at 9:37, there was a problem with the steering wheel... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
Air Bag warning light stays on.
TESLA
MODEL Y
(2023) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Feb 2, 2024
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the contact enabled the snow traction feature. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
Driving in traffic this afternoon, I was turning right at a controlled intersection. I stopped my car during the turn before entering the stream of right-bound traffic. Abruptly my steering wheel was frozen: I was unable to turn the steering wheel and the car would not drive forward. There had been a dash warning light on with the message: 'Steering Assist Reduced!'. This message had been coming o... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
The tire is a Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season and the size is: 255/45 R20. While driving on the freeway, I heard weird sound and the tire blowout suddenly causing dangerous movement of the car to the right and left and the car speed decreased quickly to 18 mph with no possibility to increase the speed (looks like this is a safety measure that is taken automatically by the car's computer in such c... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
I drove my car to a parking garage yesterday. As I was pulling into a parking spot slowly, my car started to accelerate. I then pressed the brake pedal harder and the car went faster. The car stopped by hitting the wall in front. All airbags came out. The police came for the investigation. The car was not functioning so the police called the towing company to remove my car. No one was hurt, excep... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
At approximately 645 this morning my vehicle began hesitating and jerking as I pulled away from a stoplight. Approaching cars from behind nearly impaled me as my vehicle went from 10 mph to 20mh, then quickly decelerated to 10mph without engaging the brake. I turned my hazard lights on and slowly pulled into the closest neighborhood. There, I parked the vehicle, turned off the engine, and restart... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts wer... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the passenger's side occupancy sensor and occupant classification system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not ass... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
The rear back up camera continues to adhered road salt and sand debris that blocks the camera's ability to project a clear view in the dashboard monitor every winter season here in upstate New York from early November through last snow in Spring (April-May). I addressed with Toyota office ( I 800-331-4331) at least four times and told to go back to the area Toyota dealer as I previously had done t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
The rear back up camera continues to adhered road salt and sand debris that blocks the camera's ability to project a clear view in the dashboard monitor every winter season here in upstate New York from early November through last snow in Spring (April-May). I addressed with Toyota office ( I 800-331-4331) at least four times and told to go back to the area Toyota dealer as I previously had done t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
I leased a Tesla Model 3 on [XXX] in Tampa, Florida On [XXX] the car went into Sudden Unintended Acceleration as I was coming out of a "Hold" at a Yield sign where I was at a complete stop waiting for traffic to fully clear for a right hand turn onto a two lane street. I was coming off of [XXX] onto [XXX] in St. Petersburg, Florida. As I started the turn, the Tesla tossed me onto the curb and alo... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, prompting her to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an i... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
I took my Escape to the Dealership for routine oil change and tire rotation. (almost 43000 miles). I received a call from Dealership that I had "swollen lug nuts" and to rotate my tires these needed to be changed. I had never heard of such a thing. My Significant Other had not either and he spoke to the Dealership Representative who said that this was true and that in order to rotate tires the lug... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
Trunk pops open randomly often. It’s popped open while driving and will cause accidents if items fall out, it’s happened multiple times without any possibility of button being hit.
Incident date: Jan 28, 2024
I was driving in the left lane of the highway. Just up ahead I saw something sitting on the guardrail to my left which was jutting into my lane, right about eye level. It looked like a long wood 2x4. I swerved to my right to avoid hitting the piece (scared it would shatter my windshield) and the steer correct safety feature (probably wrong term) quickly threw me back to the left and into the guar... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 28, 2024
Service shifter light comes on intermittently. Have noticed a “catch” that occurs at times when accelerating when the light is on but not every time.
Incident date: Jan 28, 2024
Service shifter light comes on intermittently. Have noticed a “catch” that occurs at times when accelerating when the light is on but not every time.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
This reports a recurring Safety Restraint System (SRS) airbag warning light issue for no apparent reason other than potentially defective components. Please investigate this! Any issues with the SRS system of a vehicle by default puts the safety of the vehicle's passengers at risk. The SRS airbag warning light first turned on randomly in June 2023 and remained on for a few weeks every time the ca... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2024
Vibration at lower speeds felt in steering, pedals, driver seat and front passenger seat. Posses danger to operator and other traffic as this vibration could be mistaken for departure warning. Notified Toyota cooperation but they seem eager to close the case.
Incident date: Jan 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a loud pop and the tachometer redlined, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where he observed that the engine block had separated from the engine with oil covering the entire engine compartment. No warning lig... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer for a routine maintenance check, and it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS and Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) needed to be replaced; however, the local dealer did not have the parts to do the repair. The v... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer for a routine maintenance check, and it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS and Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) needed to be replaced; however, the local dealer did not have the parts to do the repair. The v... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the gear shifter was shifted into reverse(R), but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the electronic selectable one-way clutch (SOWC), was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Schicker F... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
The lighting on the entire interior infotainment area will randomly go bright and dim all by itself. I was almost in an accident on the interstate due to this. It was blinding and distracting to have the lighting dim and then go bright. It has been randomly doing this for about a month. I called GMC and they said they had no record of this happening on other vehicles, however when I searched for... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
The steering wheel feels like it is getting stuck when making small adjustments. It requires a momentary increase in force to overcome the resistance which causes the car to not drive smoothly. It seems like the issue is getting worse as time goes on. I am worried that this will eventually lead to an overcorrection and potential crash. I have reached out to the service center at the dealership and... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
Low beam reflector has failed and the low beams do do not provide safe/adequate lighting making it nearly impossible to see while driving at night creating danger for the driver as well as others on the road. This seems to be a known issue that Acura will not address
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
Failure of panoramic moon roof gasket, and in adequate drainage system installation. This causes substantial water intrusion into vehicle. Flooding of drivers side floor causes extremely slippery and wet conditions when operating the pedals. Water migration into vehicle has potential to impact electronics, causing further damage and dangerous driving conditions. Vehicle has been inspected and pr... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently turned off while the vehicle was idling. The contact shifted the gear shifter into park and then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
The seatbelt looks as though it has been cut partially through by the fixed seatbelt guide on the middle row of seats. Those seatbelts hold in place two car seats for a young child and an infant. The seatbelts rarely get moved because we keep the car seats secured to the two middle row seats. The seat belts were briefly inspected by a service advisor at the Chrysler dealership, Taris, who stated t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, another driver who was driving approximately 55 MPH ran the red light and crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle then made 180 degrees spin. The contact stated that the fender, the bumpers, the hood, the front driver's side suspension, and the front and rear driver's side doors, were damag... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 30, 2023
I decided to take my first road trip in the new Telsa Model 3. The trip was from Seattle to Portland down [XXX] which is a pretty straight and easy road. Because of this I decided to use the Autopilot feature (I purchased the FSD package) to help take the stress out of driving. (Note, this is my first Electric Vehicle AND even my first vehicle with a screen, so I stayed very aware and present the ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 125,0... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. 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 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 had not experienced a fail... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2024
When driving in slowed traffic the car would not accelerate for 3-5 seconds. No warning lights appeared. I had slowed to 5mph and upon pressing the gas pedal the car had no response and put me in danger as all traffic around me accelerated and the Venza would not respond to gas pedal. I removed foot from pedal and tried again and after sustained gas pedal for 3 seconds the car slowly resumed mo... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2023
Unknown
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
vehicle caught fire while driving
Fire
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
vehicle caught fire while driving
Fire
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the electronic power steering failed, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. After immediately turning the vehicle off and restarting, the power steering failure was corrected and operated as designed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
Ever since Tesla updated my vehicle to 2023.44.30.8, the autopilot has become effectively unusable. It now nags and beeps at me whenever I am not looking straight ahead. It is ridiculous that Tesla has ruined one of the best aspects of my car due to (ostensibly?) NHTSA pressure. Please allow their previous driver attentiveness system with the steering wheel to be reinstated. It is so miserable to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that there was a misfire in cylinders #1 and #3, requiring the replacement of the spark plugs and ignition coil. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred.... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
A few times there has been condensation collecting in the passenger front head light. This time the condensation has damaged the headlight to where it does not work anymore.