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: Jul 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V163000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
Completed a safety recall on Odyssey for a driver side mirror replacement and the mirror Honda provided and installed creates distorted images. It is nearly impossible to focus on traffic and safely change lanes. While driving in Chicago this weekend the mirror made it nearly impossible to merge with traffic or safely observe traffic entering on left side entrance ramps. Honda replaces the mirro... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2023
My brake system failed while driving. I had just left a parking lot when the braking system warning light came on. Coinciding with this the brake pedal pressure got much lighter with each press. Since I was within a mile of home I drove there and by the time I got home the pedal was going to the floor. I checked under the hood and there was no fluid in the brake reservoir. I did not see any leaks.... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal made an abnormal squeaking sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the brakes had failed. The contact stated that the brakes had been replaced twice, including the rotors; however, the failure persisted... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2023
On 8/20/23 heading south on I-294 in Chicago : in center lane with cruise control on and no cars close in front of me when the car suddenly started a hard braking without warning. No orange warning to brake came on but engine warning light of left of dashboard was on. Immediately turned off cruise control. Car would not accelerate and came to a stop on the highway. Tried to start without success,... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
Concern: The "Autopilot" system in my 2023 Tesla Model Y AWD LR has shown diminished performance, particularly in adaptive cruise control, compared to the 2018 Model 3 RWD Long Range. Account: I aim to notify NHTSA about a concerning "Autopilot" behavior in my 2023 Model Y AWD LR. I am comparing this to the performance of my previous 2018 Model 3 RWD Long Range, driven under similar conditions. ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
Since owning the vehicle for over 3 years the brake shave been hissing and inconsistently engage when pressing the brake pedal. I have had several near accidents ranging from rolling into some while in a stopped position (moved vehicle to park to avoid), to almost causing major collisions on hwy do to the inability to come to a quick stop or slow. It is pure luck I have not been in an accident.
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
Re NHTSA recall 21V00D The rear view back up camera of my Tesla 2018 Model 3 went black on August 21 starting at approx 3pm and remained black for the rest of the day through August 22. I'm planning to check today, August 24 to see if the problem still persists. Lack of the backup camera makes it very difficult to park and to see people in the car's blind spots. I've informed the dealer of the... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle for repair, the contact was made aware of rust on the steering shaft and the support arms and the front end of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the contact was informed that there was no fix for the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the fai... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle for repair, the contact was made aware of rust on the steering shaft and the support arms and the front end of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the contact was informed that there was no fix for the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the fai... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2022
The ICCU failed in the car. The car lost power while driving and showed an EV warning and the 12V battery warning.
Incident date: Dec 4, 2022
The ICCU failed in the car. The car lost power while driving and showed an EV warning and the 12V battery warning.
Incident date: Aug 21, 2023
While riding the 2020 Can Am Ryker Rally, going into left turns the Ryker will stutter and shake the right front and rear wheel. Feels as tho it is applying the ABS. This only happens on left turns. No issue (yet) doing right turns. Noticed it not long after i purchased the bike back in 2021.
Incident date: Aug 21, 2023
While riding the 2020 Can Am Ryker Rally, going into left turns the Ryker will stutter and shake the right front and rear wheel. Feels as tho it is applying the ABS. This only happens on left turns. No issue (yet) doing right turns. Noticed it not long after i purchased the bike back in 2021.
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
I'm not repeating everything for your website to erase it again. Duel clutch replacement every 20k miles and unsafe bad TCM behavior.
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
When there is a passenger in my Subaru Forrester, the Occupant Detection System deactivates the passenger airbag. When I researched the issue, I noticed there is a recall for Foresters but my specific vehicle doesn't fall into the recall. When reviewing Product Campaign Bulletin on the NHTSA website, the Harness Label Inspection Procedure states to inspect the label and if its has supplier code 65... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2023
I get error (check power steering now) I've replaced tie rods sway bars steering column and I still have message steering is locked
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
On 8/14/23/ I got the first oil change for my new car at the dealer. On 8/15/23 as I cruised at 65mph on a crowded Detroit expressway, I pushed further on the accelerator to get away from an aggressive driver on my tail. Nothing happened; The car engine shut down. No warning, no lights, no beeping, no alarm, no dash screen message. Dead engine in the middle lane with cars all around. After i mir... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2023
On 8/3/23 on two occasions the vehicle suddenly applied brakes while in cruise/autopilot mode when there was no vehicle in close proximity in front of my vehicle. There was however a large commercial truck behind me on one occasion, which may have been effected by the application of brakes for no apparent reason. On 8/5/23, with the vehicle in the same mode, the system applied brakes.....there w... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had illuminated approximately 6 months after purchasing the vehicle new. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced; however, the failure recurred approximately 5 years later. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the che... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2023
Well, the car check engine light started flashing and my entire car started shaking, my coolant levels went from in between the max and min line to super below the minimum line, from what I've gathered there has been a major issue with your engine manufacturing for Ford Edges in 2015-2018 where the head gasket was not designed or manufactured correctly, thereby allowing coolant to leak out damagin... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
I was sitting at a red light when the light turned green I hit the gas and I heard clunk truck put it on park got out to check andy car rolled backwards into a man's car then wouldn't go forward or reverse and then after awhile mechanic got there and said the right front axle came undone from the ptu some how
Crash
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
The vehicle is shifting rough between 2nd and 3rd gear. It has trouble getting up to speed through intersections.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2019
I hit a medium sized pothole on a freeway in 2019 and cracked 2 rims. After replacing the rims and tires, I still had vibration. Now, over about 100-1000 miles, my alignment goes out and my suspension and steering begins to loosen (or feel that way), leading to steering instability, bounciness and vibration through the steering wheel. There are no warnings to identify this, but the car's own "a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2019
Power steering is going out. Will only turn when rmps are up. Just bought car a few months ago
Incident date: Feb 1, 2019
shortly after starting vehicle, all the warning lights pertaining to brakes light up. Brake pedal goes nearly to the floor, and there is a very noticeable loss in braking power. Possibly related to Safety Recall Notice 19S54 / NHTSA Recall 19V-904
Incident date: Aug 3, 2023
Only when driving on HWY speeds 65 mph and above the steering pulls, while correcting to drive safely the car jerks and is very unsafe during hwy speeds as if i'm fighting to keep straight on the road. Tesla confirmed it was the lower lateral links which was replaced but did not fix the issue. the vehicle continues to have the same issue and now Telsa is saying the steering rack may need to be rep... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2023
On 08/22/2023, I took my vehicle into an auto service repair center to have diagnostics done due to a creeking sound. I was worried something could be wrong, and should any issues not be addressed or resolved, I could do more damage by continuing to drive my vehicle. Unfortunately I was advised that the sound was due to a rear suspension knuckle issue, a part that can't just be repaired based on... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2023
My headrest on my passenger seat employed during the night. My wife noticed it in the morning when she went to turn the car on for work. My safety or whoever would be sitting in the passenger could be compromised if the headrest would’ve went off while driving. We are worried now that our driver seat might activate for no apparent reason. That would put myself or anyone else on the road in dange... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
When placing foot on brake to shift into gear, vehicle goes into multiple faults and disables all safety features. Also mid drive vehicle loses power steering and cause unsafe driving conditions. Brakes also start to behave erratically when this occurs.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
The brake peddle is too small, it feels like my foot is going to come off of it or miss it. Some time's I lose a second or two trying to locate it with my foot, very frightening, and dangerous Every vehicle I have ever owned had a brake peddle twice that size. Yes it's a mini van, but the brake peddle does not need to be mini. This vehicle can carry 8 adults with lots of extra room, it sh... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
2011 C300 4matic Sport I'm very concerned about the front subframe after going over the invoice and everything that was replaced on the rear subframe due to a recall Mercedes issued. But wait doesn't the whole subframe have severe rust corrosion all throughout yes it does per mechanic/technician. I'm having steering issues while driving the vehicle when applying the breaks the vehicle pulls very ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2023
Driving at speed around a curve and lost all power steering without warning. Almost put car in ditch because the steering wheel was yank out of my hands when power steering was lost.
Incident date: Aug 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 e... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2023
Passenger side sensor is faulty. BMW has issued Technical Service Bulletin to repair when found in warranty. The sensor will errantly warn airbag disable when person is not in seat.
Incident date: Aug 19, 2023
Forward Collision warning system continues to engage dangerously and inappropriately, almost causing me to be hit from behind, as I always leave plenty of room in front. This is very scary and very dangerous. Software updates have not remedied the situation. Hyundai motors seems completely uninterested.
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
While using cruise control on a highway traveling between 65 and 75 MPH the brakes slammed on when there was absolutely no traffic in front of or beside us, no overhead obstructions, no upcoming corners, nothing at all but straight road ahead. If anyone had been behind us we could easily have been rear-ended. The car had only 1500 miles on it the first time it happened. There were 4 such events... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not m... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
I was turning the steering wheel in my vehicle and heard a crunching/clicking sound. After checking what the issue was, I was told that it was the clock spring which was not covered under the warranty or a recall as per the dealership. My airbag light is now on and may not be functioning properly. My horn no longer works along with any of the functions in my steering wheel such as my radio and p... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
A Shift to Park message displayed while the vehicle is in park. The car will not turn off and continues to run. The issue is well documented through GM/Chevrolet, as they have a service bulletin (19-NA-206) for it. That document specifically states that the Voltec Warranty covers this issue, but Chevrolet is refusing to service my car based on its VIN number, despite identifying it as the same iss... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2023
I have filed a complaint to the Honda Motor Company in Torrence, California. I have notifed Honda of a serious defect with our vehicles Collision Mitiagation Braking System. Here are the defects with our Honda Insight 2022 vehicle: 1) On three occasions while my wife Nino is driving on the 470 freeway in Colorado between Lone Tree and Littleton CO. Brake warning light comes on, light comes on ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 18, 2023
My 2016 Subaru Forester is having acceleration and possibly fuel propulsion issues. It stays in low gear, high RPM when accelerating. This happened after a Yellowstone week long road trip from San Leandro, CA. The MPG has dropped from 24mpg to 12mpg and has been at Hayward Subaru since 8/15/2023. They have not provided a known issue. Still trying to figure out what is wrong. There was a low o... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2023
My 2016 Subaru Forester is having acceleration and possibly fuel propulsion issues. It stays in low gear, high RPM when accelerating. This happened after a Yellowstone week long road trip from San Leandro, CA. The MPG has dropped from 24mpg to 12mpg and has been at Hayward Subaru since 8/15/2023. They have not provided a known issue. Still trying to figure out what is wrong. There was a low o... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension) and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly became extremely difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be inspected. The mechanic determined that the rear suspension had a neg... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
The roof console (the console that controls the sunroof) detached overnight and was dangling at eye level by a couple wires. It cracked right at the screws. My guess is it has to do with heat resistance and thin plastic. If this had happened while driving, it would have been an immediate and serious safety hazard as it would have blocked my line of sight through the windshield. A quick Google ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
I bought this vehicle exactly 1 year ago back in June from The BMW dealership in Arlington, Texas Under the assumption that there was nothing wrong with it Mechanically. The dealership Lied to me because not even a week later. I had to take it to a Firestone to see what was wrong with it. And they said that there was coolant loss, They did do a pressure track and said at the time it was not the ga... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2023
I have a safety recall on my vehicle. Mitsubishi says I will have to dry from oklahoma to Arkansas because they no longer have places in Oklahoma that will fix a recall. But there are many dealerships that are selling Mitsubishis. Those dealerships also tell me I would have to take it to Arkansas. This is a huge problem, I bought this car brand new and unable to get recalls fixed on it unless I dr... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
Ignition gets very hot, when I put the key in the ignition, it also gets very hot, car will run for a minute or so and then lose power. The car shut off could be very dangerous if going down the road. Warning to check starter system came on.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while parked, the valet could not drive the vehicle out of the parking garage because the steering wheel was firm. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,359.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) and 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that parts for the recall repairs were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue... Read more