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: 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
This travel trailer has a significant vibration that has cause numerous items inside and outside the travel trailer to come loose. Most significantly the spare tire attached to a rack on the rear bumper of the RV was found to be loose and on the verge of separating from the RV on 6 occasions. In addition, a vent cap located on the roof of the RV did come off, and a 2nd vent camp was ready to com... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2023
Upon entering parked vehicle and closing doors, the rear windshield spontaneously shattered leaving a large gaping hole.
Incident date: Sep 16, 2023
With all the known issues involving the failing CP4 fuel pumps out in the field, why hasn't there been a nationwide recall on this issue? We're being proactive in getting our LML repaired to save our engine. We want our costs reimbursed. This isn't a "small" matter. It's freakin' huge.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Defective daytime running light, passenger side, that does not fully illuminate. I’ve noticed this on several of the same make, model, and body style (with the same DTRLs).
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Within the first 1000 miles my windshield chipped. Now at 8000 miles, there is another crack. Seems to be a common issue with this vehicle that the windshield is soft and not durable.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2023
The electronic steering went out while driving making stearing very difficult and dangerous. I found out this is an issue that many ha e had and they have not recalled this dangerous part.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Secondary Collision Brake System Malfunction
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
METAL-TO-METAL CLANK TO ENGINE. This is the last incident that occurred while traveling to my job in Richmond, Virginia and back home to Fredericksburg, Virginia on 12/20/23. I traveled a total of 100 miles that day. I have reported this same issue previously 4 times to Sheehy Ford of Ashland in Ashland, Virginia to the Service Shop Associates where I purchase my vehicle. They told me to continue ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
METAL-TO-METAL CLANK TO ENGINE. This is the last incident that occurred while traveling to my job in Richmond, Virginia and back home to Fredericksburg, Virginia on 12/20/23. I traveled a total of 100 miles that day. I have reported this same issue previously 4 times to Sheehy Ford of Ashland in Ashland, Virginia to the Service Shop Associates where I purchase my vehicle. They told me to continue ... 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 24, 2023
Approximately five times over six years, my 2016 Ram pickup engine will shut off on its own with no warning. It has always happened on the highway at high speed. This puts others at risk as I must put on hazard lights and coast to a stop with minimal control of the vehicle while other motorists try to avoid hitting me. The instrument lights remain on and once stopped, I can put transmission into p... 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
Car wont accept gas, the gas tank becomes vapor locked, particular in cold weather. When you try to fill it you have to keep the gas at a triggle or the system will over flow. Takes like 5 minutes to fill up a tank easy in the winter if your luck.
Incident date: Dec 31, 2023
I saw a puff of smoke then the engine started knocking while I was driving, I had the car brought home and I called Joey Griffen dealership and they told me it will be a four month wait that I would have to come out of pocket $7000 to have it fixed, that's when I found out about the recall I should not be coming out of pocket for something totally out of my control I saw metal parts on the ground,... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
within 24 hours or purchasing this brand new truck (5 miles on it) sensor issues began and slowly escalated from a service door latch system error to auto braking engagement for absolutely no reason at 35-40 mph and side mirror warning sensors turning and staying on causing all windows not to move. There have been other issues as well however those are the most alarming as they directly effect the... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
within 24 hours or purchasing this brand new truck (5 miles on it) sensor issues began and slowly escalated from a service door latch system error to auto braking engagement for absolutely no reason at 35-40 mph and side mirror warning sensors turning and staying on causing all windows not to move. There have been other issues as well however those are the most alarming as they directly effect the... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2023
My horn started going off continuously, I got messages on my digital dash system, saying that my lane assist had a fault, my adaptive speed control was faulty, and other system. Safety features were inactive. Ford has an issue, and they acknowledge the issue of the fuse box under the hood randomly coming off, which allows water to get into the fuse system, and start corroding wires which start sen... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
Service Electronic Brake System Warning. This warning started coming on sporadically. When the warning appears in my dash, I will lose abs function, traction control, and cruise control. This appears to be a common problem with this year Ram truck. The fix is an abs module, and or, a hcu module.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
Service Electronic Brake System Warning. This warning started coming on sporadically. When the warning appears in my dash, I will lose abs function, traction control, and cruise control. This appears to be a common problem with this year Ram truck. The fix is an abs module, and or, a hcu module.
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
I was driving the car home from work and all of the warning lights on the dashboard came on- the check engine light, tire pressure light, traction control light, brake warning light, and the park emergency brake light. The "park" sign and p/r/d light lights were flashing. The car would not accelerate past 35 miles without it kicking back. I was terrified to drive the car on the interstate due to ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2023
The Anti-Lock Brake & Electronic Braking System error caused the internal Trailer Brake system to shut off trailer brakes just like it shuts off the cruise control when warnings come up on the dashboard. The incident happened Aug 28, 2023 while following my son and my wife in a vehicle ahead of me. I had to change lanes to try to avoid something that suddenly came across in front of my vehicle. I ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 30, 2023
Broken bolt in passenger side rear axel. While pulling off the tire the bolt fell to the ground. It is evident it had been broken for quite some time. I think it prevents lateral movement of the axel.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
I have a 15 Hyundai Tucson that has been shutting off on me while driving on a highway going between 55 mph to 70 mph. Engine went into limp mode, CEL is on and flashing. Knocking noise heard from engine and consuming oil. Diagnosed with P1326 code. Brought to local Hyundai dealership. Even though road test stated normal operation, technician notes that vehicle DID stall, shut off, on return to t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2023
Dave at Beard Auto Repair in downers grove, Il told me: Whole rear subframe rotted away from the main frame Shock support rotted away Suspension completely detached - not safe to drive AT ALL. Not even for 5 minutes. Subframe holds all your suspension One severe bump could make wheels fall off and roll away Im thinking the recall on the older CRVs should probably be extended to Pilots a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2021
When using Apple Car Play for navigation and approaching traffic circles, instrument cluster always indicates the driver navigate to the left of the circle into oncoming traffic.
Incident date: Dec 26, 2023
ABS and traction control light comes up randomly. Sometimes comes on then off with a chime each time rapidly for the entire time the truck is driven. Or the lights will come on and just stay on. At times the brakes become hard to stop the vehicle. Also does not allow the cruise control to work. I use this truck to haul goose neck 8 ton dump trailer and a 36' fifth wheel not knowing if the tru... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2023
MDPS component in steering column is making noise due to premature failure.
Incident date: Dec 26, 2023
Me and my wife cut the finger on vehicle door handle. The thin chrome covering the handles has peeled off cousin hazard. Can you fix your website, I’m unable to upload photos.
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
The car quit running when my wife was driving the car when the mileage range went down to 4 miles range remaining. The car was towed to the local Chevrolet dealership who charged over $1,000 to reset the electronics so car would run. I was advised that if battery range was run down to a low mileage range that car would quit running again and that it would have to be towed back to the dealership ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2023
The truck slams to a complete stop with no rhyme or reason. It senses something that doesn't exist. This has happened MANY times... I-76 through Philadelphia during rush hour. Cross Bronx Expressway during rush hour. Route 30 in Magnolia NJ. Has happened in drive-throughs. Driving around town.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
Manufacture paint failure of the “blizzard pearl white” color. Existing recall for the 2005 GX 470 models needs to be extended to include more vins experiencing peeling paint on the roof, hood and doors.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
Manufacture paint failure of the “blizzard pearl white” color. Existing recall for the 2005 GX 470 models needs to be extended to include more vins experiencing peeling paint on the roof, hood and doors.
Incident date: Dec 29, 2021
Steering wheel gets very stiff and while driving and I do not feel safe driving my car. I already took it in to the dealership for a diagnostic but they said everything is fine. They didn’t repair anything and my car is still having the same issue.
Incident date: Dec 29, 2021
While driving on the interstate going 70mph, my Ford EcoSport's Engine oil pump light illuminated. Shortly after, the car began to slow down even though I was attempting to accelerate. This put me at a safety danger due to being in front of another vehicle who was also going around the same speed as I was. I was fortunate enough to be able to get off the road without getting in danger. When taken ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2021
While driving on the interstate going 70mph, my Ford EcoSport's Engine oil pump light illuminated. Shortly after, the car began to slow down even though I was attempting to accelerate. This put me at a safety danger due to being in front of another vehicle who was also going around the same speed as I was. I was fortunate enough to be able to get off the road without getting in danger. When taken ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2023
Oil pump belt failed at a little over 50,000 miles
Incident date: Dec 22, 2023
Vehicle parked faced in in a tight fitting space in a hotel underground parking area. When leaving the knob was in the park position, push button start, vehicle started in the park position, looked behind and the people across from me had just loaded their van. They were now on the side of their van. It was now clear. I then placed the transmission from park to reverse still with the foot on ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 25, 2023
In November, the engine stalled at a light when it was raining and the wipers were on. Warning noises were activated and the console read "steering Power Low." The car had to be pushed out of the intersection by other drivers. After a half hour the car was able to be restarted . The Car taken to dealership and they ran diagnostics on it and declared that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle.... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2023
In November, the engine stalled at a light when it was raining and the wipers were on. Warning noises were activated and the console read "steering Power Low." The car had to be pushed out of the intersection by other drivers. After a half hour the car was able to be restarted . The Car taken to dealership and they ran diagnostics on it and declared that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle.... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2023
I AM WRITING TO REPORT URGENT SAFETY CONCERNS WITH MY 2018 TESLA MODEL 3, SOFTWARE VERSION 2023.44.30.5.1, AFTER THE NHTSA RECALL ON AUTOPILOT FUNCTIONALITY. I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE FOR OVER 4 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD CONCERNS WITH THE ADAS / AUTO-PILOT / AUTO-STEERING FUNCTIONALITY UNTIL THE NHTSA REQUIRED CHANGES IN DECEMBER 2024. WHILE DRIVING ON I-405 IN GARDEN GROVE, CA, MY VEHICLE WHILE IN ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2023
I AM WRITING TO REPORT URGENT SAFETY CONCERNS WITH MY 2018 TESLA MODEL 3, SOFTWARE VERSION 2023.44.30.5.1, AFTER THE NHTSA RECALL ON AUTOPILOT FUNCTIONALITY. I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE FOR OVER 4 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD CONCERNS WITH THE ADAS / AUTO-PILOT / AUTO-STEERING FUNCTIONALITY UNTIL THE NHTSA REQUIRED CHANGES IN DECEMBER 2024. WHILE DRIVING ON I-405 IN GARDEN GROVE, CA, MY VEHICLE WHILE IN ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2023
Almost all body parts including doors and windows have alignment gaps resulting in air leaks into and out of the car creating too much wind noise and very had to keep warm in winter and cool in summer thus overburdening the heating and cooling system causing excessive wear and tear
Incident date: Dec 26, 2023
Sticky steering at highway speeds. Seems to be worse when turning the wheels slightly to the right. Started right before 12k miles.
Incident date: Dec 26, 2023
Display MCU1 is unsafe or at end of life and unsafe locks up goes dark and unresponsive for long periods of time, unable to drive sometimes my my car is under warranty either they should fix it or upgrade it, I was told I need to upgrade it but my car is still under new car bumper to bumper warranty either fix it or replace it, if MCU1 doesn’t work then replace it with MCU2 and honor the new c... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2023
Display MCU1 is unsafe or at end of life and unsafe locks up goes dark and unresponsive for long periods of time, unable to drive sometimes my my car is under warranty either they should fix it or upgrade it, I was told I need to upgrade it but my car is still under new car bumper to bumper warranty either fix it or replace it, if MCU1 doesn’t work then replace it with MCU2 and honor the new c... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2023
Display MCU1 is unsafe or at end of life and unsafe locks up goes dark and unresponsive for long periods of time, unable to drive sometimes my my car is under warranty either they should fix it or upgrade it, I was told I need to upgrade it but my car is still under new car bumper to bumper warranty either fix it or replace it, if MCU1 doesn’t work then replace it with MCU2 and honor the new c... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2023
Car sensors don’t seem to work hits other cars and doors close hard on a human before stopping very unsafe for a child
Incident date: Dec 25, 2023
Car sensors don’t seem to work hits other cars and doors close hard on a human before stopping very unsafe for a child
Incident date: Dec 25, 2023
The power steering has failed to work on multiple occasions and I’m worried that it may happen during a tight manuver and possibly cause a wreck. This is very dangerous. When this power steering stops working it is way harder to turn than a car with no power at all.