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 10, 2023
While waiting in a parking lot, I was reviewing the settings available on the lower center display, one of those options was for "Camera." Inside this menu I found and made adjustment for options like brightness, contrast, tint, color, and black level... and while most of those seemed to work well, and I was able to make suitable adjustments to the camera--the tint and color options seemed to ha... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
While waiting in a parking lot, I was reviewing the settings available on the lower center display, one of those options was for "Camera." Inside this menu I found and made adjustment for options like brightness, contrast, tint, color, and black level... and while most of those seemed to work well, and I was able to make suitable adjustments to the camera--the tint and color options seemed to ha... Read more
Incident date: Jun 7, 2023
Latest incident (7/21/23) resulted in check engine light code: P1DD2 - “Torque Request Signal from TCM denied”. Check engine light came on - Jeep felt like it was going to stall. For several months now, I’ve had intermittent issues with the Jeep “shifting” on its own while driving without me touching the shifter. I then get an alert that I can’t change gears while driving & I have... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure) 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 and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was mad... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
4 of the exhaust manifold bolts were broken, so exhaust manifold was leaking and making vehicle very loud. Both sides of engine had broken bolts. Safety of me and my passengers was not at risk, if you were to exclude our eardrums. I had an independant service center fix the issue. the failed component was not inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance representatives. The shop that did th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
While driving, the passenger airbag system would initiate an alert that it needed service, at which time the passenger airbag would turn off with somebody sitting in the seat. My, and my passengers', safety was at risk by the airbag turning off with a full-grown adult sitting in the seat. A Subaru dealership confirmed the alerts and reset them. The code they captured was 'occupant detection senso... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2023
The front passenger seat belt light was not going away even when the passenger was in the seat with the belt on. The dealership kept the car for 8 days to fix these issues. They offered no loaner or rental for us to use during this time. The seatbelt light was coming on due to a failure of the airbag sensor. The dealership and Kia have advised the part needed for repairing this issue is back-ord... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
Approximately half a dozen times this year on highway journeys between California and Las Vegas, when the vehicle is on cruise control at approx. 70-75 mph, I have experienced brief instances of unnecessary, automated braking. Each time apparently in response to large black patches in front of the car, either a mismatched repair of the highway or a dark mirage type reflection of the sun on the hig... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon start up, there was a rattling sound coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a grinding sound while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the solenoid, VCT solenoid, ECM, and crank case needed... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon start up, there was a rattling sound coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a grinding sound while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the solenoid, VCT solenoid, ECM, and crank case needed... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2023
Phantom Braking occurred almost 40 times on our recent trip from Northern NV to California and return. We left on July 16 and returned on July 21. Our route was from Minden NV to Las Vegas on Highway 95 and then onto Temecula CA on Highway 15 and 215. The return trip was on Highway 15 to CA 138 to Highway 14 to Highway 395. All travel was during daylight hours. Sometimes phantom braking was so... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2023
The water pump suddenly started leaking and the mechanics I talk to said this is a very common problem with this vehicle and type of engine. Sounds like owners are left to foot the bill for this costly and difficult repair of a defective product. Hopefully more owners come forward and report their experience in this regard
Incident date: Jul 16, 2023
At low speeds, the rear control arm on the driver side disconnected from the wheel causing instability and a near accident. When looking into this issue, it appears it may be more common than what is published. This could have caused a serious accident if I were going highway speed.
Incident date: Jul 22, 2023
APIM Module is bad
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
Between 3 and 4 gear on a 10 speed transmission. Accelerating on a cold start or going up a hill after start. Has a lunging gear shift and hard shift then after and catching the correct gear. Have taken the truck in multiple times to ford. All they do is just reset the transmission. I’ve had issues on the rentals they give me of the same vehicle. New issue is between 7-3 when braking hard from 6... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH around a corner, the steering wheel became firm without warning. The contact turned the steering wheel from side to side for the steering wheel to start operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure re... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the vehicle had not yet been taken to a dealer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, as she started slowing for a traffic signal, as she depressed the brake pedal it went to the floorboards. The contact stated no warning light was illu... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
The contact owned a 1999 Ford F-150. The contact stated that he had parked the vehicle and was standing outside of the vehicle, between the driver's side door and the vehicle; however, the vehicle reversed independently at 5-7 MPH onto the highway. The contact's back was slammed against the pole of a speed limit sign and he hit his face against the door. The contact stated that he was crushed betw... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
Car lurches when put into gear, Transmission make loud chirping noise when place into gear from park, transmission shudders when turning. Car has had all recalls updated. Symptoms have been reported to dealer numerous times. Currently vehicle is at Subaru Dealer in Temecula Calif. Dealer states a know transmission problem is being addressed thru a Subaru Engineer. Have been without the vehicle for... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
ABS / Traction Control turns on and off intermittently without warning when this happens the cruise control turns off creating sudden loss of speed control
Incident date: Jul 22, 2023
There are four safety concerns I have with the 2016 Hyundai Tuscon: 1.) The Check Oil light failed to illuminate indicating the need for more oil. 2.) The excessive oil consumption may have caused my catalytic converter to misfire and melt. 3.) The Check Engine light failed to illuminate when my catalytic converter misfired and melted. 4.) The Knock Sensor (if it is bad), which is installed on my ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2023
As I was trying to make a turn into the parking lot of a convenient store, my Tesla Model X started accelerating suddenly and unintendedly without my foot being on the accelerator. I kept pressing on the brake to stop the car, but it would not stop. I had no control and while it accelerated for 15-20 yards eventually it hit two other cars that were parked there. This happened so quickly. We all we... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 9, 2023
I was driving on the highway when all of a sudden my car just shut off. No warning or anything. My speed went from 75 miles to 0 in less than a minute.
Incident date: Jul 9, 2023
I was driving on the highway when all of a sudden my car just shut off. No warning or anything. My speed went from 75 miles to 0 in less than a minute.
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
Total Erosion of front and rear subframe. Replaced front 2021 rear rot 2023 so bad mechanic shop wouldn’t let me drive it after needing a inspection sticker( couldn’t get). Never was notified for extended warranty about replacing this part. Huge safety issue.
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
ABS module and, hydraulic control unit bad at 36,500 miles on vehicle
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
Today my 16 year old daughter drove my 2010 Nissan Altima. At 45 mph it started to jerk. She pulled over to check things out and saw nothing. She went to put it back in drive and the gear shifter wouldn’t stay in proper drive position, but she started driving. It continued and began jerking, making a popping sound, and then started pouring smoke. She pulled over, got out and got my 10 year old d... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 17, 2023
This issue has been persistent for at least 4 times a week for the past 4 months since getting the vehicle. The issue starts right after starting and driving the vehicle within about 5 mins after start-up the speakers start making an EXTREMELY loud/piercing abnormal sound while the vehicle is driving or even parked. I immediately have to pull over (while the loud noise is still happening) and turn... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
While driving on freeway with adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle suddenly slammed on the brakes with the wheels initially locking up (there was an audible screech from the tires). There was no traffic obstacle that would have suggested that there was a reason to do this. It was daytime and the weather was clear. I was able to immediately take control of the car and re-accelerate to preve... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
My husband was driving down a mountain highway when suddenly he heard a loud noise. He pulled over and found the moonroof glass had shattered. There were no cars around and no signs that something had hit it—we think it was glass failure due to a pressure change. Ford has had issues with moonroof glass spontaneously shattering on other vehicles and there are a few reports online about it happeni... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
My husband was driving down a mountain highway when suddenly he heard a loud noise. He pulled over and found the moonroof glass had shattered. There were no cars around and no signs that something had hit it—we think it was glass failure due to a pressure change. Ford has had issues with moonroof glass spontaneously shattering on other vehicles and there are a few reports online about it happeni... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2022
MINI was totally destroyed by fire after driving for 15 minutes. It was parked in a parking lot and was in flames 5 minutes after my wife entered the store. This is comparable with problem requiring recall (with no remedy). No warnings
Fire
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
on a recent 800 mile road trip, there were no less than 7 incidents of the vehicle suddenly braking on its own while on cruise control with no vehicles in front of us. one incident occurred with a semi truck behind us that almost caused an accident. the car went from 80 mph to 45 mph before I had time to react and press the gas pedal.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
This whole vehicle has several recalls, looking at what the recalls stated, those are all safety issues that could occur at any moment. The engine has failed in said vehicle. The issues at hand have been confirmed by a registered mechanic. He was unable to locate any engine for this vehicle and it was taken to a dealership, in which they will not fix. Also, have been in touch with Stillantis, howe... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
This whole vehicle has several recalls, looking at what the recalls stated, those are all safety issues that could occur at any moment. The engine has failed in said vehicle. The issues at hand have been confirmed by a registered mechanic. He was unable to locate any engine for this vehicle and it was taken to a dealership, in which they will not fix. Also, have been in touch with Stillantis, howe... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
The Fuel Injectors in this generation of Honda CR-V's (2017-current), have widespread reported issues related to clogged injectors - mostly in 2017-2019 models at approx. the 75,000 mile range. This causes the vehicles computer to illuminate multiple warning messages on the dash board (Emission System Problem, Brake System Problem, Brake Hold System Problem, Power Steering System (EPS) Problem, V... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
ABS / electric brake assist turns off and on randomly
Incident date: Jul 15, 2023
On, June 24th and July 15th my vehicle experienced multiple errors while driving. Indicator lights stated the following: stability control disabled, dash cam disabled, traction control disabled, regenerative braking disabled, emergency braking disabled. On July 15th the front motor was disabled, causing the vehicle to not have enough power to continue up the mountain. The vehicle stopped in the mi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2023
The shift started locking, followed by consistent tugging while driving above 20 mph. It stutters and pulls when driving down hill which has caused me to pull over and restart the car in heavy traffic on the freeway. Now the car pulls so much it is not safe to drive above 20 mph. I have taken it to two service centers and both have confirmed the CVT transmission is faulty. No lamps or messages ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2023
The shift started locking, followed by consistent tugging while driving above 20 mph. It stutters and pulls when driving down hill which has caused me to pull over and restart the car in heavy traffic on the freeway. Now the car pulls so much it is not safe to drive above 20 mph. I have taken it to two service centers and both have confirmed the CVT transmission is faulty. No lamps or messages ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2023
I have noticed that the car makes a knocking sound when stopped at signals or in heavy traffic. I have taken my 2018 Highlander LTD many times to the dealer and they cannot hear it nor find anything under the car. This has been going on since I took delivery. The service manager said it might be a bearing going out or a loose bracket (I do not know which bracket he was referring to one as he wasn'... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2022
While driving at low speeds the steering becomes difficult like the electric power steering is failing. It’s intermittent but is becoming more consistent. Feels like the power steering system is failing.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact state that while her niece was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact’s niece was able to restart the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the crank shaft sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, after t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
my son-in-law went straight off country road and into a tree car burnt to ground was burnt to death date was [XXX] sheriff Spokane county investigating teal front suspension repaired 1 month before at local Tesla shop Spokane wa INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6
Crash
Fire
1 deaths
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
Rear camera is malfunctioning. It blinks and then goes black.
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V440000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive and electrical power, and the instrument panel, power steering, and the brakes failed to function as needed. The contact pulled over an... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
Without any warning indicator my 2022 Hyundai Tucson (11850 miles on car) stalled on the road. I received an alert on my phone from Hyundai, after the car shut down that there was a system failure. Car was towed to Pugi Hyundai dealership (where I purchased in new in Jan. 2022) and after several days I was advised the following: Cause: P0303 Cylinder #3 misfire active. Hyundai technical service ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the front passenger side air bag wiring harness; however, the part was discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The fail... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while refueling, the contact smelled an abnormal fuel odor. The contact stated that the odor was present whether the vehicle was turned off or running. 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 70,000.
Incident date: Jul 14, 2023
Car misfires and shuddering at certain speeds. It was determined that coolant was leaking into the engine. $7500 bill to replace the 2.0L engine. Car had around 130km. Ford would not cover any of the costs. This should not be happening with a car of the age/mileage. Ford needs to do something about this and cover the cost.