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: Apr 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V146000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, after the recall repair was completed, the trunk latch no longer opened the trunk as designed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that a fee would be charged to complete the repair. The vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Genesis GV80. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently turned off with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V282000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES. While the contact's wife was driving at unknown speeds, the messages stating "vehicle notification system, a malfunction in the vehicle notification system has been detected, contact dealer", and "notification system malfunction visit your dealer" were displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel automatically maneuvered to the left side of the lane and t... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
Power steering is intermittently not functioning while driving. There is a open recall for other year Ram 1500's with the exact same power steering module and set up. This needs to be recalled before someone else is killed.
Incident date: Apr 20, 2024
Engine failed without warning while driving on a busy highway on 4/20/2024. The engine suddenly stopped and tried to automatically restart itself only to immediately shut down, simultaneously dashboard lit up with multiple warning lights ( eyesight disabled, check engine light, RAB off, brake light etc). No power to the car with inability to accelerate. My husband driving the vehicle was able to m... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2024
The car's front and back sensors will trigger for no reason. In a drive-thru it'll tell me that I am going to run into something after I've been sitting there for three minutes and not moving. The brakes slam on consistently, this happens at least three times every time I drive the car, as I'm driving down a road not about to run into anything or anyone. It's quite scary, and luckily, I haven't be... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2024
The car's front and back sensors will trigger for no reason. In a drive-thru it'll tell me that I am going to run into something after I've been sitting there for three minutes and not moving. The brakes slam on consistently, this happens at least three times every time I drive the car, as I'm driving down a road not about to run into anything or anyone. It's quite scary, and luckily, I haven't be... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2024
While driving on the freeway the autopilot kept turning on, I would immediately turn the autopilot off. The autopilot came on and turned my steering wheel to the left into the highway barrier, thus causing me to take a corrective action. The weather on the freeway way wet and traffic was moderate. The monitor displayed autopilot, which I turned off many during my trip as I am not comfortable wit... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 26, 2024
Had a front end collision airbags did not deploy car was total
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
While using autopilot with beta self driving installed and stopped at a traffic light, left or right turn traffic signal turning green causes car to move into oncoming traffic (moves straight through intersection).
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
Sunroof just exploded
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
BMW G30 chassis vehicles equipped with the optional Bowers & Wilkins stereo have multiple owners reporting on Bimmerpost owners forum that water incursion damages the front door midrange speakers on both sides of the vehicle due to poor water drainage design. Water is causing the speakers to short out and stop functioning. This is also happening to owners of the BMW F90 chassis with the Bowers &... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2024
16 warning lights came on. Blinkers are t working, side cameras not working and many other features. Then the check engine light came on.
Incident date: Apr 22, 2024
While towing our camper that has solar power our trailer brakes would randomly disconnect. Sometimes for a few seconds but several times for several minutes. After checking all wiring, doing some research and trial & error we discovered that it is a problem with the truck and the solar on the camper that is making the brakes disconnect. This happens randomly but quite often and it happened to us s... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2024
We Americans need you to stop auto manufacturers from using blinding headlights on their cars. This will cause accidents and you will be liable for allowing this to begin with.
Incident date: Apr 25, 2024
The engine locked up on the highway My daughter got over to the breakdown lane . We had it towed to a garage and was told the engine locked up — we called Hyundai and got the run around. So we moved on and paid for an engine and got it installed . Then I have been reaching out to see if we could get some type of reimbursement for motor and labor ( something — 91,000 miles when it locked up en... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 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 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 m... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and lurched forward. The service vehicle wrench icon was displayed. The vehicle then started to experience reduced engine power. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the front axle actuator and intermediate sh... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2024
both the 12v battery and the ICCU failed while driving. The dashboard light gave us 1 minute to pull over before the battery system died and the car stopped fully dead. Needing towing to dealership service.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that the windows of the vehicle failed to roll down intermittently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer lubricated the windows tract; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was appro... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that the windows of the vehicle failed to roll down intermittently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer lubricated the windows tract; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was appro... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
I was driving on 4/24/23 going 75 MPH. The car made a rev up noise and be RPM’s suddenly increased and the speed was decreasing. The car was losing power. I had to pull over to the side of the road and shut the car off and let it sit for awhile. The. When I started it back up it ran fine. This is a safety issue as I had to pull over on the highway and sit on the shoulder and could have been... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
Left rear caliper bracket broke on my 2023 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe. The lower caliper bracket bolt was completely loose causing damage to caliper bracket, brake pads, and rotor. Caliper bracket,, pads, and rotor were replaced at dealer as well as items in Safety Recall 10B.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
Getting a code of misfire on cylinder one and it’s got antifreeze on top of the cylinders blowing white steam out of the tail pipes
Incident date: Apr 24, 2024
When driving at 70-75 mph with adaptive cruise set, the steering wheel feels like it locks and won’t turn But when you add force, it breaks loose. This is not lane keeping assist, it is something different. It is getting worse but the Honda Dealership says they can’t replicate it. It appears to be getting worse over time and I’m afraid it could cause an accident by completely locking up th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) 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 m... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2024
Rattling and lost of power
Incident date: Apr 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Ram1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V160000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 17V821000 (Power Train) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were 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 contact stated that the dealer had confirm... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2024
DEFECTIVE headlamps. Excessive moisture builds up in housing effecting performance of lights in evening. Was stopped by DPS for having bad headlamps. Dealership says it normal, no its not. It's very unsafe to drive at night with moisture in lamps. Had it looked at or inspected by independent shop and DPS. My safety is at risk for you can't see at night with all the moisture in lamps. This is a com... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V65200 (Services Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
All the following safety systems were getting failed lights on vehicle: - Adaptive Cruise control - Collision Mitigation - Road Departure Mitigation - Vehicle Stability Assist - Hill Start Assist - Electric Parking Brake - Tire Pressure Monitoring. We were replacing the battery thinking it was a battery issue as it was diagnosed prior. Took it to dealer and they confirmed fuel i... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering was inoperable, and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized. Additionally, the power steering reduced warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
The head unit for the sound system begins a reset loop when navigating radio station and/or connecting bluetooth device. Seems to be a glitch in the head unit software. This is preventing use of navigation/GPS screen, backup camera, and Bluetooth connection.
Incident date: Apr 9, 2024
A/C condensor AND evaporator inspected and found leaking at no fault or damage to the car. Original owner, 5 years, 50k miles which us an abnormality for failure in these parts. Many reported the issue on forum [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Apr 24, 2024
Antifreeze is leaking into the engine and now the engine needs replaced. Ford is aware of faulty 2.0 turbo engines but has not recalled it. I bought an extended warranty and they won't cover it. I have been a Ford guy my whole life but that will change because Ford knows about the issue but won't do anything about it.
Incident date: Apr 24, 2024
GM still does not have a remedy for the open recall of my vehicle but has determined that it is unsafe. I called today to several GMC/Buick dealers as well as the manufacturer. They refuse to provide a timeline of when any remedy will be available. It has been more than 11 months and I am afraid that something bad will happen as my vehicle has been deemed unsafe. Is there a way to request paym... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2024
Every dash warning lights come on, radio cuts off, steering loss occurs, have to fight steering to get pulled over, turn it off and back on, sometimes resets but not always. Issue happens at random but the last time it occurred around a curve, nearly went off the road because of the steering loss. Had all the wires and grounds cleaned & checked, all batteries are good, alternator is good, all... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2024
The front valve cover is exposed to extreme temperatures from the catalytic converter mounted next to it. There is nothing to protect the rubber components inside from the catalytic converter's excessive heat which is causing them to fail. The steel components inside the cylinder (e.g., the seal ring) are insulated by these rubber components. When these rubber insulators fail, the steel components... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was flashing constantly. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Occupant Classification Sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken to an independe... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
My car keeps shutting off completely in the middle of driving on highway or any road it’s becoming a safety risk this car once had an open recall for the same issue but I didn’t receive memo but according to bmw handbook emissions recall don’t expire for NJ registered vehicles but BMW won’t honor it
Incident date: Apr 23, 2024
Currently gas is pouring from back right bumper. The pump is siphoning gas from the tank & onto the pavement. In the garage & on the driveway. We cannot fill our tank more than 1/4 at this time.
Incident date: Aug 22, 2022
My engine started to slow down while driving down even though gas pedal was to the floor on the road at peak hour of traffic at 4pm and was barely moving then my high temperature alert came on my dash board and told me to pull over as soon as possible. Once I pulled over saw that coolant was leaking from my emergency spot on tank. Had to have car towed home and then to deal ship to heritage val... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2022
My engine started to slow down while driving down even though gas pedal was to the floor on the road at peak hour of traffic at 4pm and was barely moving then my high temperature alert came on my dash board and told me to pull over as soon as possible. Once I pulled over saw that coolant was leaking from my emergency spot on tank. Had to have car towed home and then to deal ship to heritage val... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2024
Exhaust smells started coming through the air vents while driving, after the catalytic converter was changed. I discovered through my own inspection, that exhaust was leaking at the connection point between the catalytic converter and the turbocharger. The fumes were entering the airflow for the passenger cabin through the cabin air intake drain valve because it is in the engine compartment. I rea... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2024
1. The engine seized and lost total power at 74,795 miles due to faulty rod bearings manufactured by KIA and due to metal shavings left within the engine compartments. Yes, I have the vehicle in my possession. It is stored at my apartment garage and it is available for inspection. 2. I was driving my vehicle on the highway prior to sudden engine seizure and loss of power. The check engine ligh... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2024
The 5th wheel hitch mount has large cracks were it attaches to the frame.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2024
Without warning the car completely shuts off. This is very dangerous because it happened on the freeway (luckily the cars slowed down behind me). It is intermittent and two different mechanics have not been able to detect the problem. Was there a recall on this issue? What can be done to make this vehicle safer to operate. This has been going on for about 2 years.