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: Feb 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was intermittently consuming twice the amount of fuel while driving at various speeds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact documented that a certain routine trip with the vehicle showed that a 25-mile trip was consuming 55 miles worth of gasoline. The dealer was notified of the failure but could not duplicate ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2024
The cars mileage was altered due to car being wrecked prior and the other car that was used to replace wrecked parts was hidden and vin number was altered. Copart Inc and ICT Sharp Rides are party's involved, I bought car on 12/28/2023 mileage was listed as 132525
Incident date: Apr 7, 2024
The cars mileage was altered due to car being wrecked prior and the other car that was used to replace wrecked parts was hidden and vin number was altered. Copart Inc and ICT Sharp Rides are party's involved, I bought car on 12/28/2023 mileage was listed as 132525
Incident date: Apr 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Gulf Sportwagen. 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 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. Th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2024
My cluster panel went dead and there was a recall for it but the first owner got it fixed and ford wouldn’t do it for me. I couldn’t afford to get it fixed and so it stayed dead. My car eventually broke down on me while driving because I was unable to read the transmission fault warning (because the cluster panel doesn’t work). I just had to buy a whole new transmission and ford is still ref... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2024
My power steering just went out a sensor, a recall i have read.My ABS just went to the floor for no reason, a part that was not made, also a recall I have read. My ignition is faulty, put another in but it isn't fixed. I have a button to start it. Mechanic fixed this contraception up. Air bags faulty passenger side.The car tells me to check it. All of these are recalls on the 2009 Ford Escape xlt... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a right turn, the left turn signal activated independently. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was not diagnosed. The dealer was unaware of how to service the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the fa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2024
Infotainment center won't switch to Radio. No signal for AM/FM or Satellite. Then HVAC system stopped blowing. No defrost, won't blow heat or AC. Blower motors been tested and works, blower motor resister replaced. Everyone I talk to is saying it's an electrical, connection issue.
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
I keep getting Steering Power Low. Visit your Dealer message. There no mechanical issues such as engine getting stopped or steering getting locked. But this is scary situation while you are driving in the highway. I went to the dealer there was no code that they could find related to this issue. I am just afraid that if something happens while I am driving and sterring suddenly locks or engines st... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
The sunroof drains on my vehicle keep getting clogged with debris even though I don't open the sunroof. I have had to get the drains blown out every 1 to 2 months when I find water in the rear cargo area. Attached are invoices from the dealership showing the work done and how often. An Engineer from GM has determined on April 10th that if these drains are frequently clogged, then it is a "Vehic... Read more
TESLA
MODEL S
(2017) - SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Apr 15, 2024
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
The contact owned a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the advanced traction control, 4-wheel drive pre-collision assist, and drive mode assist warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while it was raining. The contact lost control of the rear of the vehicle and the rear of the vehicle and crashed into a rail. The v... Read more
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
In June of 2023, I was driving home and the vehicle became unresponsive, but still powered on. I was able to steer it partially to the side of the road. The gas pedal was unresponsive, all electrical was unresponsive and it also would not turn off. I called my husband, when he arrived about 20 minutes later we were finally able to turn off the truck, but electrical was still unresponsive so the wi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
Abs comes and goes most of the time it doesn’t work had the issue for over a year when it’s not working no cruise control. I had rydell deal ship look at it and said it’s either the module or the pump.
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
Abs comes and goes most of the time it doesn’t work had the issue for over a year when it’s not working no cruise control. I had rydell deal ship look at it and said it’s either the module or the pump.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
Car will read error code for driver assist is reduced. Which then will shut down AC and thermostat will be locked at cold. This is a known issue with gmc if you look at the forums. Should be looked into. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
Car will read error code for driver assist is reduced. Which then will shut down AC and thermostat will be locked at cold. This is a known issue with gmc if you look at the forums. Should be looked into. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
I took my 2024 limited Ioniq 5 to the dealership [XXX] to have a TSB looked at and because on [XXX], I took out the cabin air filter out of the car, as I have been noticing a smell of chemical in the cabin of the car. I noticed that the filter was covered in blue windshield wiper fluid and smelled of the same chemical smell as what my wife and I had been smelling and what I believe has been giving... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
The vehicle has had no other fuel issues and has always been kept up on maintenance at the Toyota dealership. Recently we had issues after getting gas and it stalling. Today after closer inspection the dealership called to say it was the fuel pump. The fuel pump has melted to the gas tank. This is obviously a huge fire and safety risk. There are no after market parts that would cause this.
Incident date: Mar 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, he heard an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the cam phasers, resulting in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The v... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2024
Vehicle is slipping back into natural when driving. Vehicle losses power and won't move almost causing me to get hit from incoming traffic. It's a known problem with ford and should be responsible for the 7k cost for new transmission.. please investigate this. It's too early for a transmission a fault on a 2020.
Incident date: Mar 3, 2024
Vehicle is slipping back into natural when driving. Vehicle losses power and won't move almost causing me to get hit from incoming traffic. It's a known problem with ford and should be responsible for the 7k cost for new transmission.. please investigate this. It's too early for a transmission a fault on a 2020.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
My car shut off in the middle of getting off a highway ramp. Completely shut down, had to push it to the side of the road in the middle of an off ramp/intersection.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
I was driving at around 15 mph down a dark road when I heard a loud pop and it sounded like something hit the top of my car. I then heard crackling above me so I opened the visor to the sunroof and saw it was completely shattered so I closed the visor right before the glass started falling down. I did not report to police or insurance. I can’t afford an expensive fix like this. I know for a fact... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
I haven't drove my car in 2 years because the engine and a/c went out on a vehicle that only have 67,000 miles. I should not have to replace a whole engine and a/c when I got the car brand new off the lot. This is my second buick that has had serious problem GM IS SELLING LEMONS TO THERE CUSTOMERS AND IM LOOKING TO STARTING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IF THIS IS NOT FIXED.
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
These recalls are old: February 7, May 5, and August 25 of last year. My local dealership, Hansel Volkswagen, 2951 Corby Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (1-707-578-1320), is unable to get the parts for these repairs from VW of America, even though WV of America is steadily building new cars. My 2021 ID4 is still not repaired.
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
These recalls are old: February 7, May 5, and August 25 of last year. My local dealership, Hansel Volkswagen, 2951 Corby Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (1-707-578-1320), is unable to get the parts for these repairs from VW of America, even though WV of America is steadily building new cars. My 2021 ID4 is still not repaired.
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
The rear hatch of the vehicle is leaking draining into the trunk area. The carpet is wet and upon lifting the carpet the spare tire well is flooded with water
Incident date: Apr 11, 2024
Car screens suddenly shut down while driving on highway with no instrument cluster and no navigation screen and vehicle lost entire power excluding drive train. The cars screens both began to flash and speakers popped loudly with beeps and headlights began to flash along with interior lights all while going 80mph
Incident date: Apr 9, 2024
The 10R60 transmission is exhibiting a hard downshift from 7-6 gear. I know this has been a problem with several of this year make and model. Ford says its not included in the recall. I have 81,000 miles on the vehicle and have to replace the transmission that is known to have problems. No warning lights no codes were produced. Just started happening and took to the dealership
Incident date: Apr 9, 2024
The 10R60 transmission is exhibiting a hard downshift from 7-6 gear. I know this has been a problem with several of this year make and model. Ford says its not included in the recall. I have 81,000 miles on the vehicle and have to replace the transmission that is known to have problems. No warning lights no codes were produced. Just started happening and took to the dealership
Incident date: Mar 21, 2024
Battery indicator began intermittently flashing on the dash. Then the car shut off mid turn in an intersection with my young kids in the car. Everything shut off without warning including power steering, ABS and so on. Luckily no one crashed into the car
Incident date: Mar 21, 2024
Over the past 100 miles my F250 4x4 has nearly lost control because of a violent shaking, or wobbling of the front end. It has happened four (4) times when driving on paved surfaces at approximately 50-55mph; it has happened once while I was braking at approximately 45mph (this would be the 5th time). I immediately slowed down (without hard braking) when the wobbling occurred, but I believe that... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
When I was driving my steering wheel started shaking I could hear a noise and it was harder to steer. On my dash it showed Drive careful Steering Power Steering assistance system I pulled the car over and turned it off but I could hear the electrical system in the power steering did not shut down and my steering wheel was still shaking. About 45 seconds later it shut down. I went out to my car th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
I took the vehicle in to Kia due to excessive oil consumption. I was told they could not do anything and that I should continue to drive the vehicle. Kia stated that since I am the second owner (purchased at 7,800 miles) that I am not eligible for the original warranty. They stated that if anything were to happen to my engine I would need to provide documentation of oil changes from the first date... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Driving home from daughter's house and service 4wd light came on. Went next morning to dealership and was told the PTU power transfer unit has gone out and needs to be replaced and cannot use four wheel drive until replaced.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Again while driving at highway speeds the vehicle loses power. This is about the 10th time all this has happened. We have to pull over and turn the car off and let it sit for awhile. This time the oil light and the battery lights came on on the dash and then the air bag light and the electric power steering. After turning it off the car had a little trouble starting and then all the lights wen... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2024
The oil pressure sensor, I was in traffic and the vehicle came to a stop with scared the hell out me and this has hall a couple of time and came to find out it was caused by the oil pressure sensor. Why this is not on recall
Incident date: Apr 5, 2024
The oil pressure sensor, I was in traffic and the vehicle came to a stop with scared the hell out me and this has hall a couple of time and came to find out it was caused by the oil pressure sensor. Why this is not on recall
TESLA
MODEL S
(2018) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Apr 14, 2024
Incident date: Apr 14, 2024
Traverse Check Engine light came on and vehicle sounded louder than usual w/ additional rattle. Upon inspection passenger side bracket holding two exhaust pipes together was broken at the weld. Took to Superior Chevrolet (dealer) 4/5/24 who stated right side pipe and bracket were not covered under Special Coverage Adjustment Front Exhaust Pipe N212356540 and only left side is covered despite the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2024
Since I have had this vehicle I have had power steering faults every other week sometimes multiple times a week sometimes they take a couple week break, but the power steering cuts out and I get a power steering assist fault or service advancetrac fault on the display and it cuts out the power steering. If I pull over and shut it off and turn it back on it will go away and I can continue with powe... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2020
All safety system alerts appeared while driving on the highway saying there were failures with all of the safety systems. Electronic steering suddenly stopped working and vehicle slowed down forcibly until its stop in the middle of the highway. I had to call roadside assistance to get the car towed to the dealership. ALL ERROR MESSAGES CAME ON, THE VEHICLE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING,VSA , HILL STAR... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
Navigation system is useless. Constantly telling me I’m on a road I’m not actually on. Thousands of people with the same issue in forums online and VW does not appear to know how to fix. Seems to be a CarPlay/navigation issue. Maps are wrong regardless if phone is connected. Reset of infotainment only fixes problem for a few minutes. Currently it tells me I’m driving off road in the mi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2024
In the past two years my Tacoma has had to have the air switching valve replaced twice. Vehicle going into limp mode is not safe. Dealer tells me I need to drive it more than 5K miles a year. So I need to drive more to make an emission component work better? How does that even make sense.
Incident date: Feb 18, 2024
Ignition coil failure while driving. Loss of power, jerking performance, almost to point of stalling. No check engine lights until failure. Confirmed with scanner what computer was registering. I’ve seen other posts online of this happening.
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
The coolant leaks into the engine. I have already had it fixed before. It did it again and ruined my engine. I am now on the hook to replace the engine and still paying the car off. Looking to Google shows this is a known issue that ford refuses to address and has cost thousands of people a lot of money.
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
Car lost power going 70 on the freeway and started shuttering and jerking when accelerating. The rest of the 20 minute drive home, my vehicle would not stop jerking and wouldn’t go over 30mph.
Incident date: Apr 12, 2024
Dashboard stated engine maintenance required- visit your dealer and it turned out to be a bypass coolant valve malfunction per Toyota mechanic specialists.