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: Aug 8, 2023
The rear window on my 2006 4Runner suddenly shattered. I had just cleared the car of snow, put my son in the car and left the house. Less than 1/10th of a mile down the road it exploded. Glass could have gone all over the child in the backseat. There have been past issues. Toyota offered an extended warranty on the part until 2018, so they are aware of the problem. Not yet. No warnings.
Incident date: Jan 8, 2024
Purchased HRV new and at approximately 3900 miles all warning system lights starting flashing while I was driving. Took car home and checked oil and there was NONE at all. Put oil in and took to dealership who found the Honda manufacturer had not installed the oil filter properly and the car had sprayed oil across the undercarriage of the car while I was on the interstate. If the car had locked up... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The fuel warning light was illuminated. Additionally, a fuel odor was detected while driving. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was n... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
The spring in the cable that operates the recline and fold function of the passenger captain’s chair failed. The seat is perpetually stuck in “loose” causing the seat back to recline and fold forward freely. Because this function is also part of the fold and move forward function, the seat also becomes unsecured and glides forward and backward on the track freely. This spring failure happene... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2022
ABS, Electronic control system malfunction. Constantly failing causing safety to driving.
Incident date: Sep 11, 2022
ABS, Electronic control system malfunction. Constantly failing causing safety to driving.
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
Problem with the braking system brakes fail! Piñon is junk Wipers shot Engine has always sounded like it was its last ride Won’t shift then the rpm’s go up Sometimes gotta use the safety lock key to get it in gear
Incident date: Jan 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle lost motive power. A message indicati... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the steering wheel was loose while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the front axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the transfer case had previously been repla... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2024
Both hydraulic forward slide rooms creep out at will. This unit was purchased new in July 2023 and was in the shop for 3 months having issues addressed. The main issue is that these slide rooms creep/drift out on their own. The dealership says that we don't have the cylinders that were part of a recall. So they bled the existing cylinders and told us to hold the retract button for four seconds... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2023
Greetings, after 3 dealership attempts to correct the TIPM - NHTSA 19V813000 recall, my Jeep still stalled 4 times at highway speeds. I narrowly averted being rearended several times. I am terrified to drive the vehicle! I have yet another dealership appointment Friday, January 12, 2024 to correct the issue. Previous visits could not reproduce the problem or show any code errors. There were no war... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2023
Greetings, after 3 dealership attempts to correct the TIPM - NHTSA 19V813000 recall, my Jeep still stalled 4 times at highway speeds. I narrowly averted being rearended several times. I am terrified to drive the vehicle! I have yet another dealership appointment Friday, January 12, 2024 to correct the issue. Previous visits could not reproduce the problem or show any code errors. There were no war... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2023
Honda Motor Co. is recalling certain 2017-2020 model year Acura vehicles. The fuel pump impeller was improperly moulded, resulting in low density impellers. Over time, the low-density impeller can deform and interfere with the fuel pump body, rendering the fuel pump inoperative. If the fuel pump is inoperative, the engine may not start or can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2024
Radio not turning on at all
Incident date: Jan 9, 2024
Radio not turning on at all
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
It was a snow/ rain day I had my wipers on and was stopped at a traffic light when my engine stopped and I got a message on my dashboard “ engine stopped power steering low”. This vehicle is new with less than 5000 miles. I had to turn off the engine and restart the car in the middle of traffic.
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
The contact called on behalf of a client who owns a 2024 Apollo Street Bike. The contact stated that while his client was sitting on the motorcycle with a hand on the throttle, he pressed the button for Rocket Mode simultaneously with the blue button on the brake lever on the handlebar. The contact stated that there was a defect that was not disclosed in the Owner’s Manual if the blue button o... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 4, 2024
The liftgate goes half up then back down multiple times I have gotten hit in the head because it does that
Incident date: Jan 4, 2024
Vehicle has severe death wobble that began around teh 90K mile mark. Have spent several thousand dollars replacing front suspension components, shocks, etc...and nothing will correct the issue. When talking to the local dealership, they indicated that they had a fix, but would not guarantee that if I spent XYZ dollars on said fix that the problem would be corrected. There are zero modifications to... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while driving around a traffic circle and making a left turn at approximately 20 MPH, the power steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle and turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to regain power steering functionality. The... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle began to lose motive power and was making a loud abnormal sound coming from under the floorboards. The contact stated that the transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and turn off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted and shif... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and a case was opened. The m... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2023
I have moisture and water leaking into my racetrack light bar on my back lift gate I only have 28,000 miles on it I believe there should be a recall on this issue
Incident date: Jan 7, 2024
The engine began knocking on a crowded roadway. The Kia dealership noted an engine recall, but that engine replacement claim was denied because a KSDS sensor update was not completed prior because the corporate office did not have my updated address, and I never got the recall letter.
Incident date: Jan 7, 2024
I have had car serviced faithfully since ownership in 2013. Last visit to dealer I was informed that the VSA modulator control unit has malfunctioned. It’s very concerning that there has not been a recall on this since it impacts brakes, tires, steering. I am requesting a replacement of this modulator at no charge.
Incident date: Jan 7, 2024
I have had car serviced faithfully since ownership in 2013. Last visit to dealer I was informed that the VSA modulator control unit has malfunctioned. It’s very concerning that there has not been a recall on this since it impacts brakes, tires, steering. I am requesting a replacement of this modulator at no charge.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
My car started sounding like a diesel truck. The car didn’t want to changes gears right. It was shutting off randomly. I got on the freeway and it wouldn’t shift out of 3rd gear the way it was suppose to, the car speedometer was reading 60-70 mph but when I switched it to manual it was only in 3rd gear. I almost got rear ended by a diesel truck with a trailer due to it not wanting to shift. I ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
My car started sounding like a diesel truck. The car didn’t want to changes gears right. It was shutting off randomly. I got on the freeway and it wouldn’t shift out of 3rd gear the way it was suppose to, the car speedometer was reading 60-70 mph but when I switched it to manual it was only in 3rd gear. I almost got rear ended by a diesel truck with a trailer due to it not wanting to shift. I ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
I received notice about NHTSA Recall Number 23V-651 a few months ago. According to the Hyundai Recall website (their recall # is 251), the recall started September 22, 2023 and the status is "Incomplete. Remedy not yet available." I think over 3 months is long enough for Hyundai to be able to find a suitable remedy FOR A FIRE RISK. I would like to be able to have the recall completed and my car s... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2021
Our car was stopped and then engine started intermittently lunging forward for no reason. Rear ended the car in front of us and had to use the emergency brake to stop the car. Jeep Corp sent an independent inspector to check the car but only shared the car was drivable and didn't say there was a problem. They wouldn't share the computer findings with us or the dealer, only that is was drivable. ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 6, 2021
Our car was stopped and then engine started intermittently lunging forward for no reason. Rear ended the car in front of us and had to use the emergency brake to stop the car. Jeep Corp sent an independent inspector to check the car but only shared the car was drivable and didn't say there was a problem. They wouldn't share the computer findings with us or the dealer, only that is was drivable. ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 6, 2021
Three recall notices have been mailed to me. The BMW dealers say “remedy is not available”. My BMW has not been fixed. I have to drive 854 miles. Who is responsible if this VANOS assembly gives way on this lengthy drive?
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
The trunk has leaks coming in. It happened 1 year ago and it is now happening again. Last year jeep charged me almost 4 thousand dollars to replace the computer system because of a leak coming in and shorting the wires. It took 3 months for them to fix. I now see a similar issue was recalled in a year previous model of my car.
Incident date: Jan 5, 2024
When in motion and at higher rates of speed, the vehicle’s steering wheel gets stuck and requires additional force to turn which causes an over correction. This is a consistent problem that happens.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
Frequently while traveling at 35 mph to highway speeds, while needing to accelerate slightly to avoid traffic, change lanes, pass, etc. the Navigator needs to downshift. It drops out of gear and seems to fail to find a lower gear resulting in a neutral like gear, loss of power, engine revving sometimes to redline. This was happening frequently during a family Thanksgiving trip in 2023. It is ver... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2024
When driving on the interstate the truck suddenly downshifted causing the tires to lock up and the vehicle to swerve out of control. There is already a recall for this issue for Lead Frame in 2011-2013 vehicles. The recall needs to be extended to the 2014 model vehicles as well.
Incident date: Jan 5, 2024
When driving on the interstate the truck suddenly downshifted causing the tires to lock up and the vehicle to swerve out of control. There is already a recall for this issue for Lead Frame in 2011-2013 vehicles. The recall needs to be extended to the 2014 model vehicles as well.
Incident date: Jan 5, 2024
high quantities of water leaking through the rear glass in amounts so great it even soaks the rear floor carpet in water after only a few minutes in the rain from running down the back wall of the cab. Water leaks down the inside of the back window directly onto and over the 48 Volt lithium ion battery pack, equipped in my ram Etorque model. this occurs even after small quantities of rain, after ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
The auto idle feature cuts out the engine in stop and go traffic and will not restart. This has happened on numerous occasions, creating unsafe conditions for traffic.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
The auto idle feature cuts out the engine in stop and go traffic and will not restart. This has happened on numerous occasions, creating unsafe conditions for traffic.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
I remember having my keys in my hand and my car was slowly reversing out the driveway. I panicked, i was stomping on my brakes for a while jerking back and it took me about 2 minutes to finally get the key back in and try to put in park again. I went to a shop the following weekend because all the jerking and jabbing to get my key back in seems to have caused my ignition switch to misfire or whate... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2023
After getting some repeated "propulsion power is reduced" display warnings, my 2018 Chevrolet Volt literally died without warning while I was driving it on New Year's Eve and could not be restarted.
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
The AWD module (LX6Z 7P238 AANP MODULE) went out on my 2020 Ford Escape. One day when starting my car several warnings popped up on the screen. The warnings were “AWD off”, “Pre-collision assist not available”, “Service Advanced Trac”, “AWD fault service required”, “Up hill assist not available” “Traction control system fault or not available?” and the wrench on the dashbo... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2023
WHEN DRIVING MY CAR WILL SEND OFF ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS, SOUNDS. LOSE ACCELERATION. PULL OVER, RMPS FLY UP AND WON. TURN CAR OFF AND TURN BACK ON TO REGAIN ACCELERATION. ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS FOR MY EXACT CAR TYPE, BUT THE RECALL DOES NOT SHOW UP UNDER MY VIN. AFTER A PHONE CALL WITH NHTSA, I WAS TOLD TO REPORT MY VEHICLE TO THE WEBSITE. MY SAFETY AND OTHERS IS ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2023
I purchased this Vehicle in February of 2023, I had a problem shortly after with the oil always being low. I was adding oil to it all the time. 7 months later the engine blew. This is a very faulty problem with this engine that I am NOW finding out. This problem needs to be addressed and fixed. Now I am stuck with a vehicle that I still owe money on that will cost me 6 to 9 thousand to replac... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2024
Toyota is aware of the situation. Dark shadows and cloud markings appearing only on left side of the vehicle when driving at night. Videos and pictures were given and shown to this Toyota service department this being done after an employee at the Toyota at the avenues driven with me at there closing time when it was dark stated this is a defect that Toyota is already aware of and other customers ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
Component failure was steering column module. Safety issue was air bag could inadvertently deploy while driving. Recall NHTSA # 17V627 was issued. Vehicle inspected by Stargate Garage, Caliber Collision and Mercedes of Pompano Beach FL. Message displayed was front left malfunction and red warning light for SRS system. Warning message and red light appeared 18 months after dealer supposedly repaire... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
Rear sliding glass window spontaneously exploded while parked in enclosed space. Have read multiple accounts of similar things happening to this generation Ridgeline
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
transmission is slipping, can’t find replacement anywhere seems that even dealers don’t have replacement parts was told that there are a lot of 2018–2019-2020 that have same problems when i called Chevy they said they are sure there are parts
Incident date: Dec 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and then to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced due to a lack of engine oil. The vehicle was not prepared. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failur... Read more