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: Sep 21, 2023
Vehicle cannot engage park. Shift sys fault appears and throws a code that states that park may not be available. Ford has refused to help.
Incident date: Mar 16, 2023
When I stop my auto stop kicks in and when I take my foot off the brake my car rolls up a little and ends up dying. I have to turn it off and start it up giving it gas to get it going. There have been a couple instances when making a left turn I have almost gotten hit. I am no longer comfortable driving my car. There are several people posting about it online but no reason or fix for it as far as ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2023
When I stop my auto stop kicks in and when I take my foot off the brake my car rolls up a little and ends up dying. I have to turn it off and start it up giving it gas to get it going. There have been a couple instances when making a left turn I have almost gotten hit. I am no longer comfortable driving my car. There are several people posting about it online but no reason or fix for it as far as ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the sunroof exploded. The contact stated that the shade shield was closed at the time of the failure. There was no injury sustained. The contact veered to the side of the road and used a plastic bag and tape to cover the sunroof. The contact then continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was det... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
Engine Block Cracked. Coolant all leaked out of water jacket. (concurrent with TSB 10-048) Yes it is available for inspection. Car Over Heated, while traveling at speed. Manufacturer is denying inspection. No warning lamps, or lights.
Incident date: Sep 20, 2023
"Tesla Vision" is the ADAS sensor system in the car which relies exclusively on video cameras with no LIDAR or ultrasonic sensors to measure distance. It is highly inaccurate and prone to failure. It consistently reports false warnings and fails to identify actual threats.
Incident date: Sep 20, 2023
This recall 22V624000 was issued in August of 2022 and it is now September of 2023, over a year since it was recalled and Subaru still does not have a remedy according to NHTSA website and my local Subaru dealer. Does it really take more than 13 months to redesign a few parts in a headlamp assembly and get it manufactured? Covid is no longer an excuse. When will someone put Subaru on notice to g... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2023
Spot welds failed in the check arm bracket for the driver door.
Incident date: Sep 20, 2023
High beam lights do not work. It shows them on but they never turn on. We found out driving on a mountain road in NM that had no street lights. We had to slow down to 10 miles an hour because it was so dark and we couldn't see. It was scary and dangerous. We wouldn't have been able to react in time if a deer or other animal ran into the street. We looked it up and saw it was a known problem. We c... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2023
There is a known issue in the form of a Warranty Policy Bulletin and I believe a recall in Canada for a faulty engine oil cooler line that was made of rubber and fails under heat (now replaced by metal lines). This happened to my daughter after a hot day and she pulled away from the driveway the next day. Almost all of the oil leaked out and we stopped the car and had it towed to a Lexus dealershi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2023
The car Hydroplaned while driving on the interstate, spun out of control and slammed into a tree in the rear end. My son was going approximately 65 mph and upon impact no airbags deployed and the steering wheel was in his hands after impact. His seat broke and collapsed into a laying position. His head sustained a huge blow to the interior side of the car in addition to another head injury in the ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 20, 2023
Makes a noise and oil was low with no leaks
Incident date: Sep 17, 2023
9/28/2023 - As I was slowing the vehicle down at a stop sign, the vehicle suddenly switched from drive to park, and the parking brake was activated. The motor stopped operating and the light indicating the engine was not operating was on. I was able to start the truck without further problem. The truck has a 5.7 e-torque. On 9/11/20213 the truck was left at Moss Brothers Dodge for diagnostic. ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
The passenger safety restraint system fault message pops up when driving normally. The diagnostic came up to replace the whole airbag after communicating with service center.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
The passenger airbag sensor is malfunctioning. When a passenger weighing 115 pounds is seated in the front passenger seat with the seatbelt connected, the vehicle disables the airbag. This has been documented with pictures and video multiple times to Rivian. They had the vehicle at their service center recently and informed me that the sensor was working properly. I implored them to road test it w... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Just now I got out from church and again shift to park message came on please help me it's my only car
Incident date: Sep 19, 2023
I was driving and the steering wheel completely locked up, I could barely turn the wheel even when using all my strength. The car would only go forward and backward. I was fortunately pointed slightly towards the curb so was able to glide the car to a stop on the side of the road. There were no warnings prior to failure and I immediately lost all steering capability. The car was towed by Tes... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2023
My "Check Air Bags" light came on last week. It now stays on. I am unsure as to why. I have never had my air bag deploy. Is this due to the mileage on my vehicle, which is at 81,300+ miles?
Incident date: Sep 19, 2023
STARTED CAR GOT A LIGHT POWER STEERING ASSISTED FAILED STERRING WHEEL WON'T TURN ! YES COULD PUT ME AND MY FAMILY OR OTHER AT RISK! HAD MORE TIMES STARTED CAR AN NO CODE ,STEERING WAS HARD TO TURN
Incident date: Sep 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V480000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts no... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
When driving on a freeway or highway, without cruise control on, & the pavement surface changes color &/or texture (eg: going onto a bridge/overpass) the vehicle will decelerate quickly & without us pressing the brakes. All the systems were checked by Dodge Ram & were showing no errors with software etc, as we thought this was traction control not working properly due to a software problem etc.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2021
The contact's mother-in-law owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond when shifting into reverse (R) and would shudder when depressing the accelerator pedal. The engine revved to 5,000 RPMS, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission clutch actuator was replaced. Additionally, the contact state... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
Loss of Motive Power reoccurrences (2 incidents) AFTER 1803A182 Safety Recall 03A correction was performed, 9 May 2023, by reprogramming Hybrid Control Processor/Aux Hybrid Control Processor on 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid (mileage: 35,180) Experienced a sudden loss of power twice; 16 and 17 September 2023. - 16 SEPTEMBER: Having just merged into one lane from two and speeding up hill (f... Read more
Incident date: Sep 17, 2023
I totalled my car. The steering wheel airbag failed to inflate
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
Three separate reports from car to Tesla: Traction Control Disabled Stability Control Disabled Automatic Emergency Braking Disabled Two hours later my car caught on fire while parked at my home. It was declared a total loss.
Fire
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
Airbag light came on, had tested by local mechanic, informed left rear airbag and to take to dealer, dealer charged $252 to disagnose air bag in left rear shoulder strap. Since already replaced wiring harnesses under TSB 16-0001 back on 11/1/7/16 thought best to clean contacts of harness connectors and apply dielectric grease for an extra 1/2 labor for an addtitional $99 bringing the total to over... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
Airbag light came on, had tested by local mechanic, informed left rear airbag and to take to dealer, dealer charged $252 to disagnose air bag in left rear shoulder strap. Since already replaced wiring harnesses under TSB 16-0001 back on 11/1/7/16 thought best to clean contacts of harness connectors and apply dielectric grease for an extra 1/2 labor for an addtitional $99 bringing the total to over... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2023
THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE (INTERMITANT PROBLEM) AT TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE GEAR SHIFT CONSOLE AND DASH WILL FLASH AND THE VEHICLE IS RENDRED USELESS. I HAVE TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. TEMPORARY FIX. IT KEEPS HAPPENING. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES (DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR OVER A YEAR). NOONE KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM... Read more
Incident date: Sep 17, 2023
Lane keeping assist veers out of highway lane when an unlined entrance- exit appears. Vehicle is looking for the right line and swerves out of the lane to find it. Could cause a collision with an incoming vehicle. 2nd part the vehicle shimmies down the highway for the same reason when space between dashed lines appear. Constantly correcting itself. Solution would be a recall to reprogram all Hyund... Read more
Incident date: Sep 17, 2023
Lane keeping assist veers out of highway lane when an unlined entrance- exit appears. Vehicle is looking for the right line and swerves out of the lane to find it. Could cause a collision with an incoming vehicle. 2nd part the vehicle shimmies down the highway for the same reason when space between dashed lines appear. Constantly correcting itself. Solution would be a recall to reprogram all Hyund... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2023
The truck started shifting hard. Had it towed home. Then towed to dealership. They diagnosed it with a faulty TCM #24256861. Then said it could be up to 18 months for the part. This is unacceptable in our opinion. Additional expenses, time missed from work, etc.
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
I was driving on I-35 from Kansas City to Des Moines on 9-11-23, and three times the car experienced phantom braking (i.e. the car suddenly braked for no apparent reason) while the adaptive cruise control was activated. During these instances the car would suddenly brake and slow down and on one occasion I had to accelerate immediately to avoid possibly being rear ended. On all occasions there ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
I was driving on I-35 from Kansas City to Des Moines on 9-11-23, and three times the car experienced phantom braking (i.e. the car suddenly braked for no apparent reason) while the adaptive cruise control was activated. During these instances the car would suddenly brake and slow down and on one occasion I had to accelerate immediately to avoid possibly being rear ended. On all occasions there ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
I am writing to file a formal complaint against Koeppel Nissan regarding their refusal to service my vehicle for a factory safety recall (tie rod replacement) and additional services upon request such as; clogged drain(water inside car doors), wheel alignment, evaporator core leakage( water on back seat floor), tire rotation, water in spare wheel well & front door check strap repair. I believe it... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
I am writing to file a formal complaint against Koeppel Nissan regarding their refusal to service my vehicle for a factory safety recall (tie rod replacement) and additional services upon request such as; clogged drain(water inside car doors), wheel alignment, evaporator core leakage( water on back seat floor), tire rotation, water in spare wheel well & front door check strap repair. I believe it... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
After having the government approved and MANDATED Phase 1 and 2 Dieselgate fixes performed on my VW Passat TDI it has randomly lost power and or stalled while at highway speeds at least 6 times. The last time my 16 year old son was left stranded in the middle of a busy four lane highway narrowly avoiding being hit and seriously injured and/or killed. Apparently there are thousands of these cases... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2023
My car was purchased Aug 2022. In Nov. 2022 we took a short trip. I believe 5 or 6 times the car braked for no reason. I believe it is called phantom braking. One or two times it was a hard brake that I believe could cause an accident if someone was behind me, or the wrong person driving. It was sudden and hard in those two situations. I took the car in and after they drove it two miles they told ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the gear shifter was in drive (D); however, the vehicle operated as if the transmission was in neutral (N). The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road after persistently depre... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2023
Purchased the vehicle on Saturday. Lincoln motors had issued a stop sale on these vehicles due to back up camera recall issues. The stop sale has been lifted and we were assured that the back up camera recall had been fixed. We were contacted by Lincoln to trade in our vehicle due to the issues with the 2021 model and the unavailability of parts. Upon using the vehicle on Monday afternoon, the bac... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2023
Vehicle visualizations degrade over a few days following a firmware update and eventually show nothing on screen. Features such as auto wipers, traffic-aware cruise control, auto turn signals and blind spot indicators do not function. There is no warning to the driver in the car that these items are not working. While driving I am unaware if other safety features are not working (emergency brakin... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2023
Just noticed coolant leak during oil change. Vehicle has 77,000 miles. Power train warranty is only to 60K. The vehicle is undriveable without major engine work or engine replacement.
Incident date: Aug 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle hesitated and started to shake. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that coolant had leaked into... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 10-15 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and ref... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2023
I have had my Tesla to their shop FOUR times to try to fix a safety airbag issue in the drivers side which they have had my car for weeks and weeks on end, only for me to get it back with the same issue after only a few days of repair! I asked them for a refund and other things and they have done nothing! They still make me pay full price for my lease even though they have had my car in their sho... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2023
For several years now, when someone sits on the front passenger seat, the airbag light will intermittently come on. It also comes on if the person gets out of the seat. I took the vehicle to a dealership and they charged me over $100 to diagnose, and said the cable was loose and they fixed it. The next day it started doing this same thing again, but it doesn't happen when the dealer looks at the v... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2023
For several years now, when someone sits on the front passenger seat, the airbag light will intermittently come on. It also comes on if the person gets out of the seat. I took the vehicle to a dealership and they charged me over $100 to diagnose, and said the cable was loose and they fixed it. The next day it started doing this same thing again, but it doesn't happen when the dealer looks at the v... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2023
Was driving on interstate 24 between Nashville and Chattanooga, sunday Sept 17th around 1 PM, temp was about 80 F, out of no where, there was a loud boom , like a gunshot, between my wife and I ( Im driving ) I look over at her to see if she was OK, then looked up, I saw the first section of my sun roof glass had shattered into a spider web appearance, then suddenly a chunk of the glass, about ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2023
Was driving on interstate 24 between Nashville and Chattanooga, sunday Sept 17th around 1 PM, temp was about 80 F, out of no where, there was a loud boom , like a gunshot, between my wife and I ( Im driving ) I look over at her to see if she was OK, then looked up, I saw the first section of my sun roof glass had shattered into a spider web appearance, then suddenly a chunk of the glass, about ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2023
Dear NHTSA, I am writing to report a safety defect with my Tesla Model 3, VIN [XXX] . On July 28th, 2023, at 3:34 PM PST, My wife [XXX] was driving into my driveway at my home at [XXX] . The weather was sunny and car was traveling at 5-10 mph. The car was not in Autopilot and the driving mode was set to Chill mode. When pressed the brake pedal to slow down, the car did not stop and went straigh... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 28, 2023
Rust at the body below rear door