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: Dec 28, 2023
When driving about 30mph the steering wheel begins to “stick” and has some resistance when steering. Subtle now, but fear it may get worse .
Incident date: Dec 31, 2023
When shifting into park, an error message shows as 'shift to park'. This isn't every time I shift into park, but when it does occur, I have to shift into reverse and then drive (possibly several times) before the transmission acknowledges the 'park' designation. I do not believe I can exit my vehicle safely as the transmission may allow the vehicle to disengage and move from the parking area causi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
My tailgate has opened without activation 3 times while on roadways sending cargo to the road. This fortunately has not causes an accident (that I know of) but the potential obviously does exist as a vehicle may need to make an emergency lane change to avoid hitting a toolbox, crate, or other cargo that I may be carrying as I use my truck to work with. 2 of three times I was made aware and retur... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
My car slowed, smelled hot, and then transmission overheat light came on approximately 130 miles from my home. I had it towed to nearest Kia service due to my warranty, Lehighton Kia dealer by AAA (Kia roadside wanted $293). Dealer claimed it was Clutch Actuator (said nothing about recall) and claim to be attempting to confirm warranty with Zurich for days with no success, I had no issue calling... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
Auto would not go into reverse or drive gears at startup in regular parking space. Received a Bluetooth message that Drive Train would not function. Towed to dealership where problem confirmed. Electric engine ordered along with high voltage wires. Upon installation of these parts it was discovered that the Assay Harness was severely crimped during construction of vehicle at the factory and had cr... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
Steering is sticky. Difficult to maneuver away from straight, particularly at higher speeds (45+). Car does not center in lane when LKAS is engaged, and will often drive out of the lane by itself.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
Steering is sticky. Difficult to maneuver away from straight, particularly at higher speeds (45+). Car does not center in lane when LKAS is engaged, and will often drive out of the lane by itself.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
During highway driving, on two separate occasions that were two days apart, while using cruise control set to ~72MPH the vehicle suddenly tried to stop. It quickly decelerated by ~25MPH before I intervened by pressing the accelerator. There were no obstacles in the road and on the second instance there weren't any other vehicles in site (was in remote northern NH/VT). Had someone been driving behi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
I started experiencing problems with my 2019 ford edge jerking when changing gears and over a few weeks it got worse. The jerking starts no matter what gear and no matter the speed, once you begin to accelerate or slow down and pick up speed the car has a horrible series of jerks! I took the car to a body shop and they told me it was the transmission so I scheduled an appointment with a transmissi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. 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 contacted. The contact stated that the "Service Tire Monitor System" message was displayed. Add... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
Driving 75mph on cruise control. Car sensed a vehicle in front of me (which there were no vehicles in sight) my Tesla started flashing the red car light and making the alert noise. My vehicle automatically slammed on the brakes dropping me to about 40mph instantly. My greatest fear continuing to drive this vehicle is if I use cruise control, and it senses a vehicle in front of me without their a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
When the sun is out and there is no clouds obscuring the sunlight my vehicle has night time lights running, dimming the interior of my car making it difficult to see the speed and other dashboard requirements while perfectly bright and sunny outside and 0800AM as well as 1500PM. This has been going on for two months and I took it in to two dealerships. One told me check your manual and the other w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
When the sun is out and there is no clouds obscuring the sunlight my vehicle has night time lights running, dimming the interior of my car making it difficult to see the speed and other dashboard requirements while perfectly bright and sunny outside and 0800AM as well as 1500PM. This has been going on for two months and I took it in to two dealerships. One told me check your manual and the other w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
I purchased my 2017 Ram 2500 truck new in October of 2017 from Champion Dodge in Gulfport, MS. Since then, I have been experiencing a reoccurring problem with the truck's ABS braking system. I have had the truck in the shop repairs on this ABS system five times since I have owned the truck. The first two repairs were covered under warranty, the next two visits I had to pay for, and the fifth visit... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
My Tesla Model y is installing the same updates multiple times. The updates installing multiple times is causing erratic functionality issues with the car's software. Tesla has been unwilling to resolve the issue and claim the car is working just fine. When I asked the local service tech I was told the car shouldn't be installing the same update multiple times. I don't feel safe in my car when I d... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 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 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 not experienced... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
The contact's uncle owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle previously had an oil change performed; however, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The fail... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Unknown, I have Pacifica 2020, it’s reported to the dealer and to independent car repair company with electric issues. The electric issues put me and my children in danger, I have to call 911 to get them help me in the middle of the road. The car stopped suddenly putting on park and suddenly shutdown. Even did not allowed me to use the emergency light / hazard warning lights. I felt trapped and ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH on the interstate, the RPM dropped to 0. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled while pulling off the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that the failure persis... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
The vehicle's steering wheel vibrates regardles driving on highways/freeways and/or city streets. It happens since day 1 of ownership and has been owning for 4 months now. The vehicle's screen got blacked out twice when it was moving; thus, i couldn't read speed and perfom other functions such as turn on AC and/or heat. The regenerative braking/one pedal driving sometimes does not work. It some... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that during the initial start-up, there was a rattling sound coming from the engine department. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired: however, the failure recurred after several months. The contact stated that a year later the failure became persistent. The vehicle was taken to the dea... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that during the initial start-up, there was a rattling sound coming from the engine department. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired: however, the failure recurred after several months. The contact stated that a year later the failure became persistent. The vehicle was taken to the dea... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
Got into car after update, screen blacked out, could not to hard reboots. App could no longer see car. Tech support couldn't remote into vehicle or get in touch with it. Had to have it towed to service center. It's been sitting there for 6 days with no diagnosis just an estimate for $530 to troubleshoot the car. This update caused my car to completely be unresponsive and undrivable. I also had a c... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
heavy vibration and pulsation from brakes when stopping from 50 mph. Steering wheel jumped out of my hands on a panic stop one time. I would say this is a safety issue that apparently Ford already knows about with service bulletin #22-2023. Ford refuses to make the repair under warranty because they say it's a wear and tear issue-even thought they admit to faulty brake pads. The problem was co... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
The engine timing is wrong. The camshaft and the reluctor misalign and cause the engine to loose performance. The problem was diagnosed by a Chevrolet dealership because of the illuminated "check engine" light. This seems to be a major historical issue with these type engines produced by Chevrolet. The engine was replaced.
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
Driver assisst function for cruise control/autosteer failed/malfunctioned. Applied Emergency braking systems while autosteer/driver control active. Multiple times on freeway. OTA software Updates require additional data downloading and are not required to install. Never received update and safety issues resolved via OTA are already being exposed and they are not allowed to do anything to preve... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
The car has now 3 times over the last year suddenly lurched forward while braking and pulling into a parking spot. The first time it went over a curb and into a yard. We thought it could be a mistake, but my wife, driving, has never had an accident in 40 years driving. Happened again, and we thought maybe it had something to do with cruise control and hepatic sensitive buttons. But we keep t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
The car has now 3 times over the last year suddenly lurched forward while braking and pulling into a parking spot. The first time it went over a curb and into a yard. We thought it could be a mistake, but my wife, driving, has never had an accident in 40 years driving. Happened again, and we thought maybe it had something to do with cruise control and hepatic sensitive buttons. But we keep t... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
I was at the post office on Redwood Road in South Jordan, in the dropoff mailbox lane. At the end of the lane is stop sign. The stop sign is for the traffic coming into and leaving the post office. I was sitting at the stop sign when I turned east towards Redwood Road, as I was pulling up behind a blue SUV, the Frontier lurched forward and the RPM’s rev’d all the way up and the truck shot fo... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
I was at the post office on Redwood Road in South Jordan, in the dropoff mailbox lane. At the end of the lane is stop sign. The stop sign is for the traffic coming into and leaving the post office. I was sitting at the stop sign when I turned east towards Redwood Road, as I was pulling up behind a blue SUV, the Frontier lurched forward and the RPM’s rev’d all the way up and the truck shot fo... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 23, 2023
While driving on active roadways (including major highways during rush hour, a major downtown city at intersections with crosswalks during rush hour, and while exiting a parking garage), the vehicle suddenly stops, sounds a brief alarm and flashes one of 3 error messages on the dash board ("Shift to Drive", "....to shift", "...vehicle must be stopped"), while the "D" on the dashboard and the shift... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
We bought a 2012 Nissan Rogue with 88,000 miles for our daughter last year. Out of nowhere the car/transmission would not accelerate in rush hour, on the highway. The engine light came on but the message was vague as to what the issue was. I don't need to restate the obvious, as far as safety concerns. Thankfully she made it to the shoulder and we had to have the car towed. This could have ha... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2023
I had FSD engaged and the Tesla MY was navigating to my sister’s house in Falmouth, MA. My brother was in the passenger seat and witnessed the incident. The MY stopped on a road to wait to make an easy left turn onto another road. There was a vehicle in front of us waiting to make this same left turn. Another vehicle approached at high speed (my estimate is 60 mph) in the opposing lane. With the... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2023
Drivers side rear tire 255/50R19 tire sidewall split out going 60 MPH leading to rapid loss of tire pressure.
Incident date: Dec 31, 2023
Drivers side rear tire 255/50R19 tire sidewall split out going 60 MPH leading to rapid loss of tire pressure.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Incident occurs on most highway drives when lane assist is activated and then deactivated. Steering tends to “stick” and not allow smooth motion. Can also be felt at a complete stop from occasion.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Incident occurs on most highway drives when lane assist is activated and then deactivated. Steering tends to “stick” and not allow smooth motion. Can also be felt at a complete stop from occasion.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2023
My engine light came on reading stated #2 misfire. I have had spark plugs, wires, coil boot intake gaskets replaced. Now #2 misfire is reading a permanent code. I need to know why this is not a recall on my van there are reports of thousands of Dodges having this happen and has become quite costly for me. I'm afraid to drive the vehicle because it could apparently cause my valves to crack and co... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Driving down the highway on a clear day with nothing in front of me, with adaptive cruise control turned on, the car suddenly started braking as if it was in full regen braking. I had to hit the accelerator pedal to override the braking.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Secondary Collision Brake System Malfunction
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Secondary Collision Brake System Malfunction
Incident date: Dec 24, 2023
All of a sudden, the eyesight and collision prevention stopped working, the check engine light came on, the blue light thermostat indicator came on. We had no heat. The flashing "S" (sportsmode indicator) came on. We were driving on the highway and still over an hour from home. It was snowing, we could not adequately clear the windshield of fog so our visibility was severely compromised. We ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2023
All of a sudden, the eyesight and collision prevention stopped working, the check engine light came on, the blue light thermostat indicator came on. We had no heat. The flashing "S" (sportsmode indicator) came on. We were driving on the highway and still over an hour from home. It was snowing, we could not adequately clear the windshield of fog so our visibility was severely compromised. We ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
6 months ago our car’s auto stop/start feature started to malfunction. The car will stall and sputter on the start after coming to a stop. This is very dangerous! On multiple occasions, the car would not accelerate through a turn on a light stalling out in the intersection. we have also been nearly rear-ended at red lights because the vehicle will not accelerate on a green light. This issue is w... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
Passenger airbag notifi action blinks and will not show it is activated to function in a crash. Airbag has never worked. Also driver seat belt keeps releasing without being pushed to open. Seat belt issue just began Dec 2023
Incident date: Dec 31, 2023
My 2016 Nissan Frontier is leaking axle grease from the driver side rear tire. The grease/oil got all over the brake pads, rotor, and emergency brake. This seems to be a very common issue that was supposed to have been resolved several models prior.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
The first symptom was the steering wheels failure to return to center after going around a corner. That went on for about 3 weeks before the Service Advance Trac warning came on. The vehicle started to have a terrible noise when turning the wheel which can only be described as the sound of bones breaking. The sound is increasing louder at slow speeds. Then the Advance Trac System Failure message c... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
My RAM truck stalled about 2 months ago. When towed it to the dealer they diagnosed a high pressure fuel pump failure which was due to an open recall. I had attempted to take care of the recall multiple times but I was told that the part was not available yet. Now that it caused a bigger issue with the truck, it has been over 2 months and the truck is just sitting on the dealer. It has been imposs... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2023
The vehicle was being driven normally on city street and I heard a thump in the rear end of the vehicle. Very soon after, got a message on screen to check electrical charging system with the indicator lights for 12 volt battery and EV system illuminating. Parked the vehicle a kilometer after thump to deliver something to a friend (the car sat for 10 minutes). Resumed driving and then within a ki... Read more