Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 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 2,245,377 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 23,203 complaints for TESLA
Incident date: May 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Continental. The contact that while attempting to open the rear passenger’s side door, the door failed to open from outside. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V077000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the recall repair had previously been performed. The contact stated soon after the repair the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2024
I was driving and all of a sudden my car was shaking and I lost my traction control and I could not stop my car with brakes. I have ABS and Traction control warning lights on in my vehicle.
Crash
Incident date: Apr 28, 2024
When I first drive it with battery-only mode (about 15 miles), it is quiet. When the engine kicks in, there is a loud whining noise when driving it on the streets or on highways and even on idle. I took it to Ford dealership they said it is the transmission and they can not repair just some parts of it, so it needs a brand new transmission to the tune of $8000. At only 110k miles, I could not driv... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the back over prevention camera failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera displayed a black screen. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
The Eyesight system on my 2023 Subaru Outback will suddenly stop working. It will go out in all conditions, mornings, afternoons and evenings. Sometimes it will go out a a minute or two. Other times it will be out for hours. Since the feature is involved with automatic braking, this poses a safety hazard if there is any kind of driver distraction that occurs, even if it is from an external so... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
The Eyesight system on my 2023 Subaru Outback will suddenly stop working. It will go out in all conditions, mornings, afternoons and evenings. Sometimes it will go out a a minute or two. Other times it will be out for hours. Since the feature is involved with automatic braking, this poses a safety hazard if there is any kind of driver distraction that occurs, even if it is from an external so... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
My F250 was in service for fuel system replacement and to fix both side mirrors which wouldn’t go down after going up. Shortly afterwards I noticed the rapid turn signal you get when tail lights are out. This happened while using a trailer. The trucks rear lights weren’t working at all but trailer lights were. Also was getting the blinds spot and cross traffic alert faults on instrument panel.... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
My F250 was in service for fuel system replacement and to fix both side mirrors which wouldn’t go down after going up. Shortly afterwards I noticed the rapid turn signal you get when tail lights are out. This happened while using a trailer. The trucks rear lights weren’t working at all but trailer lights were. Also was getting the blinds spot and cross traffic alert faults on instrument panel.... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
On model years 2008-2010 of the CBR1000RR there is a acknowledged issue by Honda regarding the crankshaft and primary driven gear in the engine. These crankshafts were not properly produced causing deformity and emitting a whining noise. My motorcycle is one of the bikes that emit the crank noise. Honda did a 5 year warranty extension but that did not fix all instances of the issue as not all bike... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2024
After parking right after a paid car wash, the truck wouldn’t start and had no power to any component. Couldn’t get vehicle out of park. Batteries fully charged and no issue with terminals. There would be random moments when power came back but when starter was pressed, a clicking sound would occur and all power shut down again. Truck had to be towed to dealership where they were unable to dup... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2024
Steering feels stiff. A times feels sticky.
Incident date: Apr 14, 2024
Service ABS SYSTEM warning light came on dash - July 2023. ABS is not functional. Traction /stability control is not functional. Scanned codes - OBDII code C0020. Took to RAM dealer 7/2023- RAM dealer stated and confirmed ABS module required replacement but the part was not available and unknown when it would become available. I have called several times every few months for updates- no parts a... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2024
2018 ford focus shit down while driving down a main road in December 2023 Had it towed at our expense to a ford dealership, they told us the engine needs replaced, estimated around $9000 Recall came out a week or so later, for the oil pump causing the engine to seize. Still waiting to hear from ford about the recall, and have been out of a car for 5 months, and they declined offering me a temporar... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
Continental 235/40/r19 This is what I sent to Consumer Affair website: My personal experience reflects exactly the same as the poor rating of this brand. Tire has separation at 32k miles on the Tesla 3. I first noticed a thumb thumb sound. I ignored but it got worse then the vibration inside cabin started to occur. I pulled the tire off and inspected. My God i have a tire separation with steel... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
Continental 235/40/r19 This is what I sent to Consumer Affair website: My personal experience reflects exactly the same as the poor rating of this brand. Tire has separation at 32k miles on the Tesla 3. I first noticed a thumb thumb sound. I ignored but it got worse then the vibration inside cabin started to occur. I pulled the tire off and inspected. My God i have a tire separation with steel... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2024
Unknown Overall something within while driving my truck i had starting hearing a grinding sound while turning and then the steering started to lock up, very unsafe and while my children were going to school had me in panic mode in which i never experience out of all the vehicle ive had and paid off.
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
As a result of the aforementioned recall, my car stalled in March 2024. The letter I got from Ford stated, word for word, “Ford has not issued instructions to stop driving your vehicle under this safety recall.” I feel they are responsible and should assist me with transportation. This has cause a huge hardship in my family.
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
Tech foud rust all over the undecarriage and to fix the issue with the torsion axle assembly, it was decide to replace all the torsion axle assembly and other items. The Campaign 992 recall was initiated because Hyundai acknowledged that the underbody corrosion protection applied to certain vehicles was insufficient. The torsion axle assembly was before the Campaign 992 recall. A rembusment for th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
Footwell Control Module was recalled on 12 May 2023 NHTSA Recall Number 23V337. This item has been outstanding for almost a year and I am not able to repair it yet because a manufacturer remedy is not yet available. In rare cases corrosion could result in short circuit, thermal runaway and injury. Please compel the manufacturer to develop a remedy immediately.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2024
Purchased used 2020 Grand Cherokee at Christmas time 2023. Vehicle had 25640 miles on it. On April 24, 2024 while driving home maybe 2 miles from home, I was lucky not to crash when losing steering response.A Warning Message appeared on the Speedo, stating, “POWER STEERING UNAVAILABLE SERVICE REQUIRED “. 28K miles is about 2,400 miles driven to date. I drove straight home and made an appointm... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2024
ABS, traction control, cruise control, 4WD works intermittently ABS and traction control warning flash, wile ABS light is on you can not use traction control ABS system does not engage and cruise control is inoperable. Seen by dealer (benson CDJR) in April and June of 2023 and parts to repair were NOT available. Being seen again as new part is currently available to be repaired 4/6/24. After 1... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
rear axle bolt snapped that holds the rear differential to the subframe. there was already a recall on this before and my explorer had it snap before. this is the second time it snapped in less than two years.
Incident date: May 2, 2024
On April [XXX] at about [XXX] a.m., upon returning from exercising at the Peter Blum YMCA in Boca Raton, I was very slowly parking my car in the garage. The car was half way in when it suddenly accelerated forwards, impacting two bicycles standing on their racks at the end of the garage, the washing machine, the dryer, the water heater and through them, the garage back wall, where cracks were crea... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 2, 2024
While having Autopilot on, Tesla’s version of adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, vehicle suddenly breaks while driving at 65mph. The software erroneously detects oncoming vehicle shadow as an object and suddenly breaks. This has not been the issue with their Full Self driving software. Tesla knowingly has a safer, more advance software, but decided to not release them to the general p... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
While having Autopilot on, Tesla’s version of adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, vehicle suddenly breaks while driving at 65mph. The software erroneously detects oncoming vehicle shadow as an object and suddenly breaks. This has not been the issue with their Full Self driving software. Tesla knowingly has a safer, more advance software, but decided to not release them to the general p... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2024
For the last year or so, we have had a major issue with oil consumption, there are no oil spots on our driveway yet the oil just disappears and we are constantly having to add more. I have spoken with Hollar Hyundai about the issue and they acknowledged there is a problem and that the SUV now has a lifetime warranty for the engine. We have all records of oil changes and my wife is very religious a... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2024
Air bag light came on showing both driver and passenger airbags off without having any collision then pulled into gas station, car was fine pumped gas and tried to start vehicle and couldn't turn key further than interior lights. Was locked in ignition. Also had all brake pads and rotors replaced 1.5 years ago, now service center says they need replaced again already. Diagnostics from VW shoe ig... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
At 4 years and 1/2 old car 2020 Corolla XSE an Engine Maintenance Required SEE DEALER light turned on. Did diagnostic with OBD 2 scanner at two locations auto body shop and Uto zone. Nothing appears. It is in fact a NEEDED future recall since thousands if not more people have encountered the same. It is a Coolant By Pass Valve. Cost is only $99.53 + tax at dealer. Problem is that should be under ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
I have been trying to get my car fixed for the tire rod recall and to this date 5/4/2024 they cant fix it and send me on my way this is outrageous i already had this replaced once a few years ago when i was originally leasing this they need to be quicker 9 months really? This isnt okay
Incident date: May 2, 2024
The contact's son owned a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while the driver was driving 5 MPH, he noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that the driver opened the hood, and noticed that there was fire under the hood. The fire was extinguished by the fire dep... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 19, 2024
Check engine warning light appeared on dashboard. When servicing the vehicle at dealership, they found catalytic converter not burning up exhaust gases properly. Need to replace y-pipe, part #86781749. I found NHTSA document N232419720 - Emission Recall Incorrect Catalytic Converter Service Part, that references my car make and model. I am requesting an investigation to have this included in a rec... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving 86 MPH in the middle lane, the vehicle shut off on five occasions. The vehicle was restarted, the steering column was locked, and the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact stated that the rear axle had disengaged. The suspension leveling system had failed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The veh... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact became aware of an abnormally strong gasoline odor. Additionally, there was white smoke coming from the tailpipe. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the engine was blown. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was dia... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2024
The Plug that connects to the AC control Unit is burned and damaged. In fact, When I replaced it its smells like smoke. It is the third time since 2018 that I changed the unit. I decided to officially make a complaint because I saw that this vehicles and exact models from 2014-2016 where included but My year not ( 2013). I called the Hyundai and they told me that I needed to buy the unit and go ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 35-38 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and there was a strong gasoline odor coming from the A/C vents. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
Received and error message, Lane Departure Avoidance features unavailable and steering assist reduced simultaneously while driving between 65-75 mph. Steering will required extreme effort to turn. I was about 5 minutes from home exited the highway and took the backroads. Steering did require extreme effort. The following morning, car worked fine.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
Coolant intrusion into engine. This problem is known to Ford. See CSP Letter #21n12 and Technical Service Bulletin 22-2229. Ford only would fix problem if it existed in a 6 month window in 2022. Ford will not help with any costs even though it is their fault. Was advised by many other 2017 Ford Escape owners to report this issue to NHTSA.
Incident date: May 2, 2024
Safety recall update was NOT done to my car when I brought it in for that service. I had a service appointment in which one of the tasks was to update my icons to the "larger icons". Upon taking receipt of my vehicle, I noticed that the icons did not appear different. I messaged the service center that performed the work and THEY TOLD ME THE ICONS WERE THE UPDATED ONES WHEN THEY ACTUALLY WERE NOT.... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
I financed this car 3 months ago, and I received a safety recall notice from Honda. Unfortunately, they don't have the necessary part until 2025. As a result, I've been unable to rent out the car on Toro for the past 2 months to make finance payments. Additionally, due to a previous car accident, I don't feel safe driving the car, which causes me anxiety. Now, I'm unsure what steps to take. I want... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
I financed this car 3 months ago, and I received a safety recall notice from Honda. Unfortunately, they don't have the necessary part until 2025. As a result, I've been unable to rent out the car on Toro for the past 2 months to make finance payments. Additionally, due to a previous car accident, I don't feel safe driving the car, which causes me anxiety. Now, I'm unsure what steps to take. I want... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2024
Truck failed inspection due to cracked frame and excessive rust.
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
SVC 4WD WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND NOW THERE'S A SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END AND LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELLERATING
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
Rear window leaks badly, when raining causes the interior to fog up making it difficult to see. Turning on A/C clears most the fog, but the rear window is still not clear enough to see what's behind or on the sides when making lane changes. This is not an isolated incident, Jeep repairs with the same process which leaks again after a few months. Need a permanent fix to this design flaw.
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Recall Airbag/electrical and cylinder won’t change to next gear m, know several people with the same truck and same issue.
Incident date: Apr 6, 2024
The ABS / HCU ELECTRICAL BRAKE SYSTEM HAS THE SENORS BLINGING AND WANT STOP. Done had this truck in the shop 4 times fir this same problem it quits and starts back but now its on all the time.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
No idea where the problem lies due to inconsistent trouble codes, the truck will randomly start jerking and sometimes kill itself after throttle won’t respond no matter the speed. Every time I’ve had somebody drive it, it does not act up for them. I’ve had several parts replaced with the same problem coming back 50+ miles later. When it gets ready to shut down it throws the check engine ligh... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
6 months ago FORD replaced my blower motor (ONLY) per the recall, it still only worked intermittently so on a return visit they diagnosed a need to replace their (Motorcraft) YH-1829 A/C Blower Motor Switch / RESISTOR AND the pigtail connector SINCE THE CONNECTION PINS HAD FUSED FROM OVERHEATING. THOSE were NOT covered by the recall notwithstanding 100's or more complaints to FORD. However, The ... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
When applying the brakes, the brakes sometimes feels as if though it "slips" and the brakes momentarily release causing the vehicle to feel like its suddenly accelerating. This has happened on several occasions -- on downhill and on flat roads. After the brake feels like it slips, then the brake returns back to normal.
Incident date: May 2, 2024
After acclerating twice to avoid an accident. The car had a check enine light appear. No other warnings, not even high temperature. the car engine stopped and I pulled over off the highway.White smoke appearing under the hood. My mechanic does a pressure check and determines it is not repairable. He suggsts a new engine, My 2016 Jaguar XFS at 70k miles needs the engine replaced.
Incident date: May 2, 2024
Passenger outer seat belt/retractor failed to retract. The belt has to be manually ratcheted back. Licensed repair shop removed & inspected mechanism for obstruction. Found no cause for failure, out of vehicle retracts properly. In a sudden stop the front passenger is not protected as the belt does not lock or retract without manual procedure. No warning lamps or codes. Contacted local dealership ... Read more