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: Nov 20, 2025
I am reporting two severe 'phantom braking' incidents involving my Tesla vehicle while driving without autopilot. In both instances, the vehicle initiated hard emergency braking on a high-speed roadway with no obstacles, pedestrians, or vehicles in my path. This sudden, uncommanded deceleration created an immediate risk of a rear-end collision from following traffic. Incident 1: November 2025 a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
The vehicle is undriveable due to a high‑voltage enable safety lockout triggered by ECU identity/MAC mismatch after a software/update window; local service instructed me to ‘safely disregard’ active safety alerts contrary to vehicle telemetry, creating a safety risk. Chronology (key timestamps) • Jan 28, 2026 — Low‑voltage undervoltage precondition recorded (DIF_a018). • Feb 2nd, 20... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
The vehicle is undriveable due to a high‑voltage enable safety lockout triggered by ECU identity/MAC mismatch after a software/update window; local service instructed me to ‘safely disregard’ active safety alerts contrary to vehicle telemetry, creating a safety risk. Chronology (key timestamps) • Jan 28, 2026 — Low‑voltage undervoltage precondition recorded (DIF_a018). • Feb 2nd, 20... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
There was no incident, it is a safety feature that has been removed from Tesla Model Y's since October 2025 and the service center declined to add it in during a service request even at the expense of the owner. This feature being removed poses a safety concern for children or smaller people being trapped in the frunk (front trunk) compartment with no way of being able to get out of the compartmen... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
I am advised by VW to not charge this vehicle using the L3 super chargers along with not to charge it "inside" a garage. However, there is no way to charge the vehicle then without spending thousands to have an electrician move the plug outside. So I am forced to have this vehicle not usable and VW offers zero fix. I have written them a formal demand letter over 3 weeks ago requesting a fix or ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
One only needs to google or ask an AI about "Tesla Model Y Juniper" front end suspension noises and you will find links to hundreds of complaints and at least two YouTube videos now. Based on reports from recent 2026 Tesla Model Y owners, particularly those with the Juniper refresh, the front-end noises over rough or bumpy roads at very slow speeds sound like a widespread suspension-related issue... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
One only needs to google or ask an AI about "Tesla Model Y Juniper" front end suspension noises and you will find links to hundreds of complaints and at least two YouTube videos now. Based on reports from recent 2026 Tesla Model Y owners, particularly those with the Juniper refresh, the front-end noises over rough or bumpy roads at very slow speeds sound like a widespread suspension-related issue... Read more
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) — ENGINE
Mar 1, 2026
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
The vehicle’s original engine began producing excessive white smoke during startup. The vehicle was diagnosed by AutoNation Ford, and it was determined that the passenger-side cylinder head was cracked near the exhaust port. This defect allowed coolant to intrude into the passenger-side turbocharger. Due to the extent of the damage, the engine required full replacement. The engine was replaced w... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
Complete engine failure. Car was burning oil, wasn't aware. Since I am an on the road salesman I travel alot and get oil changes consistently. Then recently the engine oil light keeps coming on when rounding bends or stopping on a hill. I checked the dip stick and see oil is Half gone in between oil changes. The car stalled as I was approaching a dangerous intersection. Thankfully I was able to st... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
Hello. I brought my Tesla Y to Tesla service local at 7077 W. Sahara Av., Las Vegas, NV. To fix noise in the breaks on Aug 28, 2025, After that on the same day i went to drive Tesla and I started feeling severe ear pressure, heart pressures, severe body pain from high EMF exposure, also severe electric shocks from the floor, seats, back of the seat, wheel, it has been constantly ongoing for alrea... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
Hello. I brought my Tesla Y to Tesla service local at 7077 W. Sahara Av., Las Vegas, NV. To fix noise in the breaks on Aug 28, 2025, After that on the same day i went to drive Tesla and I started feeling severe ear pressure, heart pressures, severe body pain from high EMF exposure, also severe electric shocks from the floor, seats, back of the seat, wheel, it has been constantly ongoing for alrea... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
Torque sensor. No warning. Has not been looked at by a mechanic. Was working fine when I parked it. Came back out and it was steering funny and making a grinding sound
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
I bought my vehicle used, in May 2025. Then, in October (if not earlier), a safety recall was issued relating to the fast charging of the EV battery. This recall tells me that I’m not to use the CHAdeMO charging port due to battery fire risk. Now, almost 6 months later, there still isn’t a remedy available. Not being able to fast charge puts a huge restriction on where I’m able to go in my ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
Around 02/10/2026, all of ADAS functions of my 2022 Tesla Model Y has suddenly stopped working, and the rearview was just black. On 02/27/2026, Tesla service diagnosed the car and tole me that the car computer should be replaced and its total repair cost would be about $3,200. My car's mileage was 51,000 at the onset of the problem, so just passed the standard 50K warranty. My car has total loss... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
Around 02/10/2026, all of ADAS functions of my 2022 Tesla Model Y has suddenly stopped working, and the rearview was just black. On 02/27/2026, Tesla service diagnosed the car and tole me that the car computer should be replaced and its total repair cost would be about $3,200. My car's mileage was 51,000 at the onset of the problem, so just passed the standard 50K warranty. My car has total loss... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
Around 02/10/2026, all of ADAS functions of my 2022 Tesla Model Y has suddenly stopped working, and the rearview was just black. On 02/27/2026, Tesla service diagnosed the car and tole me that the car computer should be replaced and its total repair cost would be about $3,200. My car's mileage was 51,000 at the onset of the problem, so just passed the standard 50K warranty. My car has total loss... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2026
the catch mechanism in passenger middle row and driver middle row are not working you cannot wear a seat belt currently as the latch will not catch my children sit in these seats and its unacceptable for such a mandatory safety feature not to be covered by ford in 55 years i have not scene a malfunction on a seatbelt receptor Ford needs to be alerted they have a problem and start a recall and fix ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2026
There are two major safety issues that came with the vehicle upon the new car delivery. The problems existed even before the delivery as I found the first issue during the new car delivery and the second issue upon leaving the delivery center. First is the non-operational FSD (Full Self Driving). FSD never worked from the beginning. The Tesla advisor noticed it at the delivery center but insisted... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2026
There are two major safety issues that came with the vehicle upon the new car delivery. The problems existed even before the delivery as I found the first issue during the new car delivery and the second issue upon leaving the delivery center. First is the non-operational FSD (Full Self Driving). FSD never worked from the beginning. The Tesla advisor noticed it at the delivery center but insisted... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormally loud clicking sound. The contact received notification of Ford Campaign Number: 22N12 (Rattle Noise at the Transmission Bellhousing Area Flex-plate Cracks), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair in 2022 and 2023; however, the dealer informed the contact that ther... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
The vehicle's Autopilot/Full Self-Driving (HW3) computer has failed at approximately 70,000 miles. Tesla Service has diagnosed the vehicle as requiring replacement of the HW3 computer. As a result of this failure, multiple safety related systems are inoperative, including collision avoidance, lane assist, lane departure warning, automatic wipers, and other driver assistance features including ad... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
The vehicle's Autopilot/Full Self-Driving (HW3) computer has failed at approximately 70,000 miles. Tesla Service has diagnosed the vehicle as requiring replacement of the HW3 computer. As a result of this failure, multiple safety related systems are inoperative, including collision avoidance, lane assist, lane departure warning, automatic wipers, and other driver assistance features including ad... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
Driver of the 2022 Ram 3500 pulled out of a driveway onto a street and ran over a pedestrian who was crossing in front of him. Driver states he did not see the pedestrian. I understand the 2022 Ram 3500 is equipped with front ParkSense Sensors, but these sensors failed to deploy. The pedestrian suffered very serious injuries requiring weeks of hospitalization and additional outpatient rehabilitati... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the parking brake seized while leaving a charging station, and the vehicle screeched into oncoming traffic and stalled. The parking brake warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle had not been charged prior to a snowstorm, and the battery became fully drained. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the parking brake seized while leaving a charging station, and the vehicle screeched into oncoming traffic and stalled. The parking brake warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle had not been charged prior to a snowstorm, and the battery became fully drained. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The auto cold error message was displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel violently jerked back and forth three times. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road and turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the ve... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2026
Vehicle will suddenly apply brakes while using standard cruise control for no apparent reason. This is extremely dangerous as it has almost caused several accidents on the highway. I have almost been rear-ended several times. This is a very common problem and well documented problem referred to as "phantom braking" on Teslas and something needs to be done immediately.
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado LTD 1500. The contact stated that the tailgate was opening unintendedly while driving and while the vehicle was parked. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not no... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
My truck has harsh shifting when I accelerate and when I slow down. It skips out of gear into neutral and then goes back into gear. I believe the problem is that my system isn’t communicating with the transmission correctly.There weren’t any warning messages before or after this problem started. I did some research, and my model and year of my truck do have a problem like this no dealership or... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
This is a plug in hybrid vehicle. The (ECH) electric coolant heater is prone to failure. This failure can lead to loss of power and might cause the hybrid battery pack to not regulate its temperature leading to a fire. This is a high failure rate with some saying it has failed more than once. Jeep 4xe Fans on Facebook has been doing some tracking of numbers and shows a 50% failure rate with some f... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
Vehicle: 2023 Tesla Model Y VIN: [XXX] Mileage: Approximately 40,531 miles Software Version: 2025.45.9 FSD (Supervised) Version: v14.2.2.4 While driving on [XXX] near the [XXX] entrance in Mission Viejo, California, the vehicle was operating under Full Self-Driving (Supervised) mode. As the freeway lane ended/merged, the vehicle unexpectedly performed a sudden full stop at freeway speed. There w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the TPMS, red brake light, and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was jumping and jerking during acceleration and deceleration. After restarting the vehicle, there was resistance while accelerating, and the jerking persisted. The contact stated that the failures starte... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2026
The front lower lateral link (rearward lower control arm) fastener/bolt completely backed out and fell off the vehicle while in motion, causing the lateral link to separate entirely from the subframe. This is the exact mechanical failure described in Tesla Recall Campaign 23V-235 (Service Bulletin SB-23-31-001), however, my specific VIN was not included in that recall. The vehicle and components a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
While on the road driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle started to "bog" and losing power and/or acceleration. Had to immediately drive off the road as there were several vehicles behind. As soon as driving off the road, the vehicle died down and would not start again. The check engine light came on. After several minutes the vehicle started again and drove to a secure area to call the tow truck. If the... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2026
Symptoms appeared in January 2026. Check engine light is on-HAD P0301 & P0316. Ran misfire monitor & Relative compression and cylinder 1 is the issue with 70 PSI. Performed cylinder head leak down test- exhaust valve leaking replace cylinder head assembly. Problem confirmed and diagnosed by Ford dealership. The safety issue associated with the car are: sudden jerking or hesitation, loss of accele... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2026
Vehicle has a 10-speed electronic controlled transmission that has been identified having issues in other models. The vehicle is experiencing jerking, hard shifting, and shifting delays. I want my model of vehicle to be included in the recall. Recently had the engine replaced due to another recall.
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
I was driving my vehicle after dropping my son off at school and my back windshield exploded without warning. I was unsure what to do and there was nowhere to pull over. I drove home and called my local Nissan dealer who I was leasing the vehicle from and they said the repair would not be covered. I used a local windshield replacement company and paid out of pocket to have the windshield replaced.
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
Component/System: Braking System (Caliper Bolt) and Suspension (Control Arm/Linkage Bolt). Description of Incident: While traveling on a tollway at 70 mph, I heard a faint noise followed by a severe metallic scratching sound coming from the front driver-side wheel. Upon inspection at a tire service center, it was discovered that a brake caliper bolt had fallen out, causing the caliper to displace ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2026
(FIX INFO BELOW) The Issue: The ignition intermittently fails to rotate to the "OFF" position, locking the key fob in the column despite the vehicle being in "Park." This is a known flaw in the Dart’s sensitive electrical/shifter interface that can lead to total battery drain and theft risk. <>Quick Fixes to Release the Fob<> I. The "Re-Park" Movement: Simply shifting gears is of... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2025
I have had my car since January of 2023 and I have had no significant issues. I bought the car with roughly 30,000 miles, fast forward to February of 2026 it has about 123,000 miles and the engine is burning oil very fast. My car loses oil so fast the oil light comes on way early before my next oil change is due.
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle started. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle drove abnormally rough. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The cont... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
In autopilot mode on 1/28/26 the vehicle without any warnings went through a red light causing an accident. A week prior it failed to adjust speed in a 35 mile per hour zone maintaining 71.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V655000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that due to the recall, she was forced to rent vehicles to avoid experiencing the failure stated in the recall. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet availab... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2026
When driving at normal speed, my truck completely shut down with no warning. The instrument panel went dark and the engine shut off. I do not believe I was able to steer, though I think the brakes allowed me to slow the vehicle to a stop. I was near an intersection, so I was lucky to not have been hit from the rear or run in to traffic in front of me. The vehicle was unresponsive and would not tur... Read more
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) — SEATS
Feb 24, 2026
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V668000 (SEATS); 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not exp... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2026
"CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE & INEFFECTIVE RECALL REMEDY (NHTSA 19V-204): While traveling at highway speeds, with my two children and boyfriend, the vehicle went completely black. Car loss complete power, going into a limp mode( 'Loss of Motive Power') The Check Engine Light began flashing before going solid. When I was able to pull to the shoulder, I tried to start the car and noticed the radi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2026
The vehicle display flashed red and then the vehicle turned off completely while in traffic with no ability to change gear, operate the electronic door releases, or turn the hazards on. Safety was put at risk because insufficient notice of failure was given so it was impossible to get out of traffic, the vehicle could not be put in neutral so could not be pushed out of traffic, further the hazard ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2026
The vehicle display flashed red and then the vehicle turned off completely while in traffic with no ability to change gear, operate the electronic door releases, or turn the hazards on. Safety was put at risk because insufficient notice of failure was given so it was impossible to get out of traffic, the vehicle could not be put in neutral so could not be pushed out of traffic, further the hazard ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2026
car has 56K miles. went to dealer for the recall on the bushing and cap. left dealer and next couple days the car slid twice in my driveway a few feet even with parking brake on. went back to dealer and they said cant duplicate problem. Drove home and car continues to have shifting issues and going out of gear.. have to shift to park or neutral and then reengage and to try to get it to work... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2026
While using Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and other highways, the vehicle’s automated steering system repeatedly malfunctions by failing to maintain lane centering. Specifically, the car drifts or actively steers across double yellow lines into the lane of oncoming traffic. This issue is a persistent failure of the Advanced Driver Assistance S... Read more