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: Jan 15, 2023
Child window and door locks malfunction along with mirror controls and all window controls from driver door panel. Repeated random events have occurred
Incident date: Jan 15, 2023
Shift System Fault: transmission shifter cable bushing wore out, cap fell off, shifter cable got detached, so I cannot shift the car out of Park. I have a 2017 Ford Fusion and it was not included in the recall, even though this Shift System Fault problem is the same problem that the Ford Fusions included in the recall are having.
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
I purchased my Tesla Model Y in January of this year. Tesla removed all ultrasonic sensors from the car, and is instead relying only on "Tesla Vision". However, 9 months later and I still don't have several safety features Tesla promises. Rear Cross Traffic Warning and Blind Spot warning don't work at all. The Lane Departure warning only works over the solid outside line, and doesn't warn at a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the front windshield molding became fractured and started striking the front passenger’s side door glass. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that there was no recall. The dealer advised the contact to report the f... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the front windshield molding became fractured and started striking the front passenger’s side door glass. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that there was no recall. The dealer advised the contact to report the f... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2022
Traveling on the interstate five days ago, the vehicle (2016 Kia Soul) started knocking and I could not accelerate. Was able to safely get off the road and had the vehicle taken to the closest dealership. Vehicle has had significant oil consumption. Diagnostic test concluded ignition coil replacement was needed due to code P0302. Other recommended action was fuel induction service. I've read on... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2023
This vehicle is extremely unsafe to drive and will cause an accident. I am constantly having to fight the steering as the car constantly fights the direction I wish to turn or maneuver. In addition several times I tried to break to slow the vehicle and the brakes did not allow me to engage them. I have been driving since 1980s. If something is not done to get this vehicle off the road quickly... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
I have noticed while driving straight I can feel the steering wheel jerking and slightly pulling. Almost feels like the steering is trying to correct itself while driving Even though I'm going straight and no steering assist is on.
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
Car is not driving well, roaring sound and jerky acceleration. Transmission pump is faulty on a new car with less than 3000 miles.
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
While driving on the highway at roughly 50 MPH there was a violent shake and sudden loss of engine power. Driver had to immediately pull off of the roadway. The oil light came on. Car was unable to drive and was towed to local mechanic. Catastrophic engine damage due to a connecting rod failure was reported as the cause. This occurred at a mileage of 148,306.
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
Since new the vehicle intermittently fails to shift in or out of reverse instead going to neutral and free rolling. Cycling the shift selected multiple times or performing a battery reset temporarily resolves the issue. This results in the vehicle being unable to move out of the roadway when backing onto a road.
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
I was pulling into a parking space at approximately 5 mph and the car unintentionally accelerated causing me to jump the curb, go over a grass median and land perpendicularly onto a one-way active road. There were trees and other items on the median I could've hit had I'd been pulling into a different parking space. I also could've hit cars on the road. I quickly got off the road and parked the c... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
I was pulling into a parking space at approximately 5 mph and the car unintentionally accelerated causing me to jump the curb, go over a grass median and land perpendicularly onto a one-way active road. There were trees and other items on the median I could've hit had I'd been pulling into a different parking space. I also could've hit cars on the road. I quickly got off the road and parked the c... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2023
Abs/traction control errors Alarm keeps coming in and going off This is the 3rd time this truck has had the same issue
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
I had no warning lights or messages and then the engine threw a rod and my car just died on the side of the road. It had apparently been burning oil. I get it back after 2 months and it needs a battery. Now the check engine light is on and it has affected the catalytic converter.
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
I had no warning lights or messages and then the engine threw a rod and my car just died on the side of the road. It had apparently been burning oil. I get it back after 2 months and it needs a battery. Now the check engine light is on and it has affected the catalytic converter.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
My car caught on fire while driving.
Fire
2 injured
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
My car caught on fire while driving.
Fire
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 5, 2023
Lightly leaned on door when it was shutting, making it so it wouldn't shut all the way, soft close system engaged jamming the door and making it impossible without destroying the door/motor to open even with the emergency release latch in the map compartment of my vehicle (driver side under the electronic release button) the door eventually threw up an error letting me know the door was malfunctio... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
While driving to work the power steering stopped. There was a faint audible chime and a warning comes on and there is no power steering. This happened two separate times this week and one other time approximately three months ago. I was able to exit the highway. I turned the vehicle off, took the key out of the ignition, and exited the vehicle. There's no smoke or unusual smell from the engine. Wh... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the instrument panel failed to illuminate. The contact believed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V053000 (Power Train, Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 7, 2022
1)MCU1 flash memory failure in production from 2012 to 2018, part is available, but would require downing the car to remove/replace. 2)The symptoms of this failure include the loss of indicated gear state and reduced driver visibility from the loss of rearview camera, defrost/defog and exterior signal lighting which increases the risk of an accident. Driver display is black or booting up slowly d... Read more
Incident date: Jun 7, 2022
VSA ABS Module on 2016 Accord, throws all sorts of codes and millions of people are having the same ISSUE around the same time & milage, ranges from 2013-2017 Honda Accord. Can cause loss of traction, brake assisast. I've tried to have this repaird and there is also none anywhere to buy and honda doesnt want to issue a recall. THIS should be investiagted and honda be held accounatable.
Incident date: Jun 7, 2022
VSA ABS Module on 2016 Accord, throws all sorts of codes and millions of people are having the same ISSUE around the same time & milage, ranges from 2013-2017 Honda Accord. Can cause loss of traction, brake assisast. I've tried to have this repaird and there is also none anywhere to buy and honda doesnt want to issue a recall. THIS should be investiagted and honda be held accounatable.
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
Transmission issues
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, he became aware that the vehicle was not in park(P) but was instead in neutral(N). The contact had to shift the gear shifter back and forth to shift the transmission to park(P). The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check transmission and transmission symbol warning lights would ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
I was driving my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe with 70,039 miles on the odometer. The engine shut off without warning while I was driving it. No check engine or any indication of a problem was displayed. This created a dangerous situation for myself and my 5-year-old daughter as I had no choice but to manage to push the vehicle out of the roadway to a safe place without power steering. Exiting the vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle began to vibrate and hesitate. The contact stated that the transmission and hybrid warning lights and several other warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned the vehicle off. The contact turned the vehicle on and was able to place the vehicle into drive (... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
I purchased the truck 2 weeks ago brand new and it has a total of 570 miles on it. After not being used for one day, the truck would not start at all. I receive a warning indicating that I should stop safely now, that full power accessory mode is on and a check engine light. I connected a OBD scanner but no codes were generated. The truck should no signs of a dead battery as all electrical func... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2023
car is doing jerk moves and it stopped working when i was driving around 30 mph in a hospital area. Ive been told that car is burning oil since day one. The only ppl changing the oil is the kia dealer and i've been told to change the oil to get it fixed but i need to change the oil every 4k miles and car is brand new from 2021... I already been in dealer reporting that car needs engine replacement... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, a rock was kicked up and struck the passenger’s side of the windshield near the middle of the windshield. The contact owns a modified wheelchair accessible vehicle. The vehicle was equipped with multiple sensors and a wheelchair ramp for the contacts husband. The contact stated that she first took the vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2023
On August 28, 2023, driving back from golf at Tijeras Creek, the vehicle noted several faults: cruise control disabled, autopilot disabled, parking brake disabled, and others. We parked in Newport Beach and the vehicle failed to move—appears the parking brake locked up. The vehicle was taken to Tesla for repair; the vehicle had 4,423 miles on the odometer when it was taken to Tesla for repair. T... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for an oil consumption test and oil change. The contact stated that the engine needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage wa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for an oil consumption test and oil change. The contact stated that the engine needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage wa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
One month latest Tesla Model-Y owner. Tried all means in last 3 days to submit several concerns, but tesla had made it impossible to file written complains. 1. Automatic Emergency braking was applied with kids in back eat to school on an internal 35mph road in broad day light with a solid cement divider in left and no vehicle around anywhere. Everyone was hurt someway or other due to this phanto... Read more
3 injured
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
This 2019 truck feels like it just doesn’t want to go. It struggles to go up ANY hill no matter how small. The engine jumps feels like it’s got a heart beat while riding. The gas mileage is horrendous and awful the 2015 was all around a better truck I read somewhere that Toyota recalled a bunch of 2019 trucks for a gas line rip was causing fires and whatever else. I thought for sure it had to ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
This 2019 truck feels like it just doesn’t want to go. It struggles to go up ANY hill no matter how small. The engine jumps feels like it’s got a heart beat while riding. The gas mileage is horrendous and awful the 2015 was all around a better truck I read somewhere that Toyota recalled a bunch of 2019 trucks for a gas line rip was causing fires and whatever else. I thought for sure it had to ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2023
THE CAR HAS HAD 4 BATTERIES IN FOUR YEARS. THERE IS A VOLTAGE DRAIN TO THE "CAM" COMPUTER MODULE, AS IT FAILS TO GO INTO FULL SLEEP MODE. i WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE THINKING THEY WER BAD BATTERIES. YESTERDAY IT WAS DEAD AGAIN BUT THE BATTERY WAS GOOD JUST NEEDED CHARGING. HOWEVER, THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT OPEN AND BEEPER ALARM WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE ALARM WOULD GO OFF IN DRI... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
Backup camera not working at times. Has been going for 3 years
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
My AWD module went out and several features of my vehicle were in-operable. I have read that this is a common problem with this vehicle, and it tends to happen around the same mileage. The failure of this module makes the pre-collision assistance fail
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
-Rear doors, at separate times, would not lock or unlock either by using the key fob or control located on driver's door. It is available for inspection. -Rear door(s) cannot be opened from the outside of the vehicle using electronic features. Small children, elderly, and handicapped persons' safety are compromised with this restricted access. -Both doors have had this occur at different times. T... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
I was driving down a country road with my kids in the car and my vehicle started to stall and then the engine turned off while the vehicle was still moving. Lucky I was not driving on a busy road and was able to get it safely off the roadway onto a dirt shoulder. The lightening bolt symbol on my truck was on as it was stalling. I contacted the dealership and was told there are no fixes for the... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
While driving on 4 lane Pkwy at 45 mph then slowing down to move into left turning lane, my model 3 gave warning of "parking brake failure" and stopped working at the same time. This means it slowed down to a stop on its own. I was "manually driving" the vehicle when this occurred. Luckily for me I was able to be in a "slower" left turn lane and I knew where the emergency blinker button was locate... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
Dear, I am writing to formally document a complaint regarding the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) warning lights actuator in my 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid, I noticed an issue with the ABS system, which prompted the activation of the warning lights on my vehicle’s dashboard. The problem I encountered involves the following: 1. ABS Warning Lights: The ABS warning lights, including t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
Dear, I am writing to formally document a complaint regarding the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) warning lights actuator in my 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid, I noticed an issue with the ABS system, which prompted the activation of the warning lights on my vehicle’s dashboard. The problem I encountered involves the following: 1. ABS Warning Lights: The ABS warning lights, including t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2023
I received a warning message that displayed, “Front Left Safety Restraint System Fault.” This is an engineering problem as the cables associated easily detach under the driver’s seat. Tesla has been long aware of this problem. They came out to my home and replaced the wire connection by installing sturdier connectors. I was subsequently was charged $329.40.
Incident date: Oct 19, 2023
Vehicle low fuel indicators remained lighted up even after fulling up the vehicle tank. it appears is a faulty gas sensor, which if is not replaced can lead to false gasoline levels.
Incident date: Oct 19, 2023
Vehicle low fuel indicators remained lighted up even after fulling up the vehicle tank. it appears is a faulty gas sensor, which if is not replaced can lead to false gasoline levels.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
While driving in second lane from Left on I-90 at approximately 60 MPH an indication of 'tire pressure low - Pull the car over' was observed on the screen. Car was pulled over and it was noticed that driver side rear tire was blown. It was separated at the wall. Tire pressure was per the recommendation from manufacturer as there was no deviation indication prior to the incident. After driving on s... Read more