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: Sep 10, 2023
I have been trying for over one year to get the safety recall work completed. Ford tells me to contact the dealership to schedule maintenance. I contact the dealership and they refuse to schedule service and tell me they will call me when they are able to handle the request. I tried contacting ford and they told me they cannot interfere with the dealership's scheduling process.
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
Sunroof…I was driving down the road on march 12,2024 at 2pm and was doing 35 mph and had my sunroof open and all of sudden the glass cracked and broke a little at me a little going into my eyes while driving I was the only one on road and nothing was around nothing flew and hit it it just broke and was like what the hell.. I’ve had sunroofs in all my cars and never shattered at me..so I’m fi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
Car completely stopped while I was driving on the highway. Multiple warning lights appeared and stated that they failed. Examples of error messages in the information system were LDA malfunction, secondary brake, collision malfunction and check engine light. Car cranks fine but when shifting to drive or reverse car wont drive. Transmission failed at around 80,000 mile
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
Exterior A pillar trim three off the vehicle while driving.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
Issues with 12v battery dying with only 8,000 miles on vehicle. Knowing Kia requests an all day testing of the battery prior to replacing the 12v, I replaced it with a higher quality one. My car still did not start not long after that. Lots of folks online with similar issue and feels like Kia needs to do a recall with a known good fix. Blame put on 3rd party apps when it’s a design flaw.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
I purchased this truck in 2022 from a Car lot. everything seemed to be ok when we bought it. we have since put less then 7000 miles on it and we took it in for a check up when our mechanic found that the frame is totally rusted out. we contacted the chevy dealership about a frame repair and were told it would need a brand new frame that would cost between $7,000-$10,00 to get it fixed and a 6 mont... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
Message on car states: Service Door Latch System First, the driver door stopped locking and latching. Then, days later the rear doors also stopped locking. The dealership is recommending to replace the door latches on the inside of the door and it is very expensive.
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
I have a 2020 Model X (23k miles) and the warranty just expired 2 months ago. It suddenly developed a loud creaking in the front end. The creaking seems to be related to the movement of the suspension, but I also notice it when I turn either direction. It’s not related to braking except to the extent that the suspension is compressed slightly with braking. From research it may be the control ar... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
I have a 2020 Model X (23k miles) and the warranty just expired 2 months ago. It suddenly developed a loud creaking in the front end. The creaking seems to be related to the movement of the suspension, but I also notice it when I turn either direction. It’s not related to braking except to the extent that the suspension is compressed slightly with braking. From research it may be the control ar... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
My windshield is leaking and has been leaking since manufacturing. The windshield is flexing and is missing the adhesive along the top. Caused electrical damage to the car.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
My windshield is leaking and has been leaking since manufacturing. The windshield is flexing and is missing the adhesive along the top. Caused electrical damage to the car.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
While driving up the hill it started to hesitate and then stalling. This had happened multiple times on different occasions.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
I keep getting a check engine light that reads as cylinder 5 misfire. I have replaced the spark plug and coil pack and it still will read as a cylinder 5 misfire. Often times when we start the van, it acts as if it has engine problems. I know this is very common in 2017-2018 Pacifica's and seems very unsafe. Something is wrong with the engines in those years of Pacifica's. I have had this che... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
When I am braking at low speed my brakes start locking up and eventually do not work. This has happened on multiple occasions. I have almost wrecked multiple times I rarely drive my truck now cause it is unsafe. There is a recall on the brake booster 2014 to 2018 gmc seria but my truck vin is not included on that recall and it’s doing the exact same thing. GM recalls 3.4 million pickups and ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering function was inoperable. The contact stated that while attempting to turn the steering wheel, the steering wheel failed to function as needed. The contact safely drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted the vehicle. The... Read more
Incident date: Feb 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was released, and the vehicle sputtered. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The message "Reduced Engine Power" was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would shut off while idling unless the accelerator pedal wa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
While driving car changed gears Into neutral. Gear shift in park but it showed it was still in reverse.power door would not open while dash showed in reverse.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Headlight assembly’s short out causing blinkers not to work. This is for the 2021 and up Durango’s. I am on my 2nd headlight assembly replacement. I know other 2021+ Durango owners that have the same issue and I also see multiple newer Durango’s on the road with the same issue. Consumers should not have to pay out of pocket for this repair as it is apparently a common and known issue tha... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
- The front passenger door unlatched at speed while driving around 30 mph. It is available for inspection. - The safety of the passenger seated in the front passenger seat is at risk if the door were to fully open, as well as any objects in the errant door’s way. - The problem has NOT been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. - The vehicle and component has NOT b... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
I have always kept up on my oil changes. Driving down the road all of a sudden my engine turned off. No check engine lights or anything. Toed it to the dealer and the said the motor seized. Looking online this is a known problem. Vehicle no longer coverd by warranty.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
7/2020 lifters and cam failure @65k miles. 4+ weeks dealership did repairs. They never disclosed the major engine repair or gave me any paperwork while I waited to pick up this jeep after I purchased it. 8/2020 lifters and cam repaired. 19 miles & 1 day spun crankshaft bearings & damaged cylinder walls. 1.5 weeks for dealership to get a new Mopar 6.4 Hemi long block vvt mds engine. 8/2020 new Mo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding noise detected while making a turn. There was a crunching noise detected while entering the driveway. The contact stated that the passenger's front seat was not moving. The driver’s side rear inflator seat belt failed to latch. The rear seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to t... Read more
TESLA
VEHICLE CHARGER
(9999) - SEAT BELTS
Mar 11, 2024
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding noise detected while making a turn. There was a crunching noise detected while entering the driveway. The contact stated that the passenger's front seat was not moving. The driver’s side rear inflator seat belt failed to latch. The rear seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2024
Code C1391 shows in which the accumulator and the brake booster assembly need to be changed. This is a known defect and was covered through an ‘extended warranty’ due to a lawsuit. Since it results in less than optimal braking, and can result in crashes since function disappears suddenly, it should have warranted a recall. This issue is also known to happen in multiple Toyota hybrid vehicles.
Incident date: Mar 11, 2024
Vehicle was having driving issues for months and dealership could not identify the issue. Van showed "check engine" light, stopped using electrical propulsion (while fully charged), and engine started making a lot of noise during driving. Vehicle was kept off the highway until it could be taken into the dealership for service. Dealership identified issue as battery pack coolant heater and replace... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Driving fine with no problems then all of a sudden a bell starts chiming about 6 to 8 times then the steering light comes on and the ABS light comes on in the dash and starts blinking , then I lost power to the steering wheel ,was very hard to steer. I pulled to the side of the road and turned the engine off and waited a few minutes to crank it , every thing went normal and I drove home, but befo... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Driving fine with no problems then all of a sudden a bell starts chiming about 6 to 8 times then the steering light comes on and the ABS light comes on in the dash and starts blinking , then I lost power to the steering wheel ,was very hard to steer. I pulled to the side of the road and turned the engine off and waited a few minutes to crank it , every thing went normal and I drove home, but befo... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Driving fine with no problems then all of a sudden a bell starts chiming about 6 to 8 times then the steering light comes on and the ABS light comes on in the dash and starts blinking , then I lost power to the steering wheel ,was very hard to steer. I pulled to the side of the road and turned the engine off and waited a few minutes to crank it , every thing went normal and I drove home, but befo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2024
Hello! I just had RECALLS completed on [XXX] and drove car on [XXX] at 75mph speed (in Texas) and within 1 hour of driving the vehicle began flashing same issue mentioned and brought speed down to MAX 35mph with NO FOOT on pedal. Almost got hit by 18 wheeler! Took it to dealer and 300 miles plus they drove and could not replicate issue. Gave vehicle back and it happened again [XXX] at 70mph ... D... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2024
Hello! I just had RECALLS completed on [XXX] and drove car on [XXX] at 75mph speed (in Texas) and within 1 hour of driving the vehicle began flashing same issue mentioned and brought speed down to MAX 35mph with NO FOOT on pedal. Almost got hit by 18 wheeler! Took it to dealer and 300 miles plus they drove and could not replicate issue. Gave vehicle back and it happened again [XXX] at 70mph ... D... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2024
recall from 2014 under Hyundai genesis BH over brake corrosion and leading to HECU /electrical / wheel stability/electrical wire problems /fire Also immobilizer and safety I now have no dash or steering wheel controls Believe car was broken into shows signs of elapsed time/fob and controls inside no longer work Two fuses inside driver side panel spark even when car is not on Took to Sprin... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2024
After washing my '23 Kona N in a hand car wash, I experienced a sudden, complete loss of power as I was pulling into traffic immediately afterwards, nearly resulting in a rear-end collision. There was a flashing check engine light (CEL or MIL) on the dash, and I had to have the vehicle towed to a dealership. The stored OBD-II code is P132600 (knock sensor). The car has only 16k miles on it. This i... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
My service air bag light comes on and passenger airbag remains off while sitting in seat.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
On multiple occasions, the automatic braking has engaged while reversing even though there has been no risk of collision. It has happened with no cars, pedestrians, or other obstacles in sight. The brakes engage suddenly and with no warning causing the car to come to a violent stop. In one case it happened while reversing off a main road into our driveway. The sudden and unnecessary stop meant tha... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
While driving on the freeway, in the fast lane, with children in the car the car lost all ability to accelerate, and lights came on. We had to coast to the side of the road and stop the car on the shoulder. We were almost hit while stuck there waiting for a tow truck. Nothing in the car worked, we were lucky to get one car window down as it was 103 degrees. We couldn't get out of the car bc we had... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2024
Driving our van out of town, we started having problems with the transmission 2 hours into our drive. We have never had problems out of the transmission. When we accelerate from a stop it would give a shutter and sometimes a pop. It was very dangerous turning into the traffic as it was shuttering you loose power and could get hit. When we stopped at a store where i could check things out at turnin... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
My 2015 Acura RDX has shockingly dim headlights on low beam. The bulbs were replaced within the past year, but the light output is still dangerously bad. Very unsafe to drive at night or in inclement weather. My dealer has confirmed this is a known issue, yet there has been no recall. There has been a recall of the same model year for a different Acura model, the RLX sedan, for headlight issue... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2020
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly downshifted and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact would restart the vehicle to reset the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The mechanic linked the failure to ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2020
Hello, NHTSA released a recall warning for BMWs made from 2000 to 2006, regarding Takata airbags. "The risk to vehicle occupants is dire," it said. My 1999 BMW Z3 was made one year before this, and is not included in the recall. I have been trying to determine whether my '99 BMW has Takata airbags as well, thus far with no success. As of today, BMW will only tell me that there are no outstand... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2023
Lifetime Tracking Data Displayed Incorrectly with higher data results. High rev's max speed 131mp. I have never gone over 89 mp. MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: 09-79-21 Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING NHTSA ID Number: 10201791 Manufacturer Communication Number: 09-79-21 Summary This bulletin announces availability of ECM reprogramming files to address isolated concern... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Pop up display "Check Forward Safety System and Check Smart Cruise Control System" during driving on the free way with no reason. 3 month ago same thing happened. fixed that problem with re-calibration to the front sensor. But. same problem happen today. This problem is recalled in south korea on last year.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2022
While driving and must stop due to traffic light, stop sign or intersection and the auto start is on as soon I lift the foot foot from the brake pedal to continue driving the vehicle stumble and it completely stop the engine while the vehicle transmission is still in drive. In order to start again I have to switch transmission to park and turn key ignition switch to start vehicle, it start ag... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
High pressure fuel pump failed while underway causing vehicle to immediately stall in traffic and lock in "Park" making it unable to move. Mechanic (Werner's European Auto) confirmed diagnosis of catastrophic failure of the pump. Part is available for inspection. This part for the gasoline version of the 2014 328 series car is subject to a recall notice but for some reason the notice does not a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
After stopping and then go, like at a light or stop sign, on acceleration SUV will go slightly forward and stalls and high rev for a second and car feels like it’s dying or losing power and starts back up. I feel unsafe and that the car might stop middle of intersection from stop-and-go. Sometimes while driving I lose power driving and stepping on gas pedal has a few second lag time to pick back... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
Hi, the cue screen is cracked which makes it no longer handsfree. It cracked in July of 2023 and it's a 2018, purchased in October 2017, the dealer will not fix it, I don't have $1500 to replace it with a one year warranty and it could happen again. I am not eligible for the class action suit which stopped with cars up to 2017. Please advise since this is an extreme hazard since the screen cracks ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
The car was driving perfectly fine until last week heading to drop my kids to school and the vehicle stopped on the middle of the street. I had no previous issues or notice. I had multiple warnings on the dashboard and now the car won't crank. I have seen several post with people with this same issue and can't find a clear answer. I had to push the vehicle out of the road with traffic behind
Incident date: Mar 5, 2024
Twice in one week the vehicle displayed a powertran error and reduced speed to 30mph. Both instances I was traveling on the highway and was able to exit safely
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
Main Issue: Ongoing issue with stuck caliper causing the pads and wheels to overheat increasing the tire pressure to dangerous levels. The regenerative braking system is actually very effective in slowing the car when driven in L mode. If driven smartly, driver rarely have to use a lot of force using the physical brakes and rotors. Three times now, I have had issues where the front calipers were... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
On three separate occasions the Pre Collision System has inappropriately activated while driving at high speeds. It seems to occur during dusk/dark and when it is raining. Two out of the three times it applied the brake, which easily could have resulted in an accident. I inspected the wiring for one of the sensors underneath the hood which appears fine. The sensors were cleaned off in all of these... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
On three separate occasions the Pre Collision System has inappropriately activated while driving at high speeds. It seems to occur during dusk/dark and when it is raining. Two out of the three times it applied the brake, which easily could have resulted in an accident. I inspected the wiring for one of the sensors underneath the hood which appears fine. The sensors were cleaned off in all of these... Read more