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: Sep 9, 2023
Engine stalls and shuts off at speeds between 50-60mph and requires you to shift to neutral or park to restart. No check engine light or any other sort of warning light is on after restarting the vehicle. Happened four times in a two mile stretch after having been driven to, and around town approximately 20 miles.
Incident date: Sep 9, 2023
Clockspring Failure. 2016 hyundai elantra, 123k miles. Airbag light on, horn does not function. Likely unavailable for inspection due to being replaced soon. Inability to use horn to alert reckless drivers swerving into my lane. Airbag will not deploy if needed in an accident. The dealership seemed aware that the clocksprings go out in Hyundai's and is confident this is the issue. Warning lamp ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2023
This issue has been experienced by 100's of folks as found researching the issue on the internet. NHTSA has logged many of these including 11240893, 11302469, 11397199, 11438476, 11461046, 11488489, 141547651, 11523078, 11522464, 11518015, 11515091. You have a recall notice, 10197651 and Honda SB is 21-055. Issue: alarm goes off intermittently when the door is locked. dash electrical system an... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received a recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000(Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The ma... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
The gear shifter on my truck separated in two. This has been a past problem with this vehicle and was subject to a recall for all G56 equipped ram trucks from 2015-2016. However, the problem still occurs and the replacement part is just as faulty. Previous recall is under Customer Satisfaction Notification T-13. However, these recall does not cover 2017-2018 trucks, despite the shifter being just ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
The brakes fail and the ABS module stops working correctly and when I go at a speed of 60 MPH the brakes lock until the speed drops and they work again. The problem is with the ABS module and I went to the dealer and the repair value is $3450 dollars.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
Error codes P0016 and P0017 camshaft out of alignment and vehicle will not pass smog test, also loss of power of the engine.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
After only 19,000 miles driven the left and right side rear seat belts ripped. This is a 3rd car and not driven often. Both belts ripped from inside the recoil device. It is possible they broke previously and I only discovered it recently when putting my kids in the car.
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
My 2021 Bronco failed our family on Friday. The Bronco failed to start upon pressing the start and brake pedal. The main console panel started flashing then cycling through all kinds of failure alerts. There was a series loud noises from the engine, the headlights flashed off and on for over 3 minutes and then the engine started smoking. The doors would not open and we were stuck inside while the ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
CALLED MY DEALERSHIP FOR MY DOOR PROBLEM, SAYS THERES BEEN ISSUES WITH THE DOOR CHECK , BUT IM A MONTH AND HALF OUT OF WARRANTY AND FORD DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE WITH THIS... SO I WILL HAVE TO GO PAY FOR THIS ON MY OWN AND GET A RENTAL CAR.. I FEEL AS THOUGH THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE!!!
Incident date: Oct 3, 2023
I went to work at 5 in the morning, I turned the heater for the first time after last winter. I noticed that the heater was struggling to warm the cabin. After 10 minutes driven I got an overheating alert on the dashboard. I pulled over on the freeway shoulder and it started to notice a lot of steam coming from the exhaust and a really strong coolant smell. I waited for the engine to cool down and... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2023
I had just had my inspection done 8/31/23 (96,759 miles), they checked all fluid levels as a curtesy and engine oil was fine. on 9/17/23 my vehicle went into safety mode and would not go over 40 mph. No engine oil lights or check engine lights came on. I pulled over and checked the oil and there was barely any. I added two quarts of oil and it started running fine immediately. The next morning... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention). 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 contact stated that while driving in reverse mode, the back-over prevention camera displayed ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln MKC. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V378000(Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the i... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
Passenger air bag light is on saying off
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
2017 Jeep Compass has been having an issue with either the start-stop mechanism or the brakes. I was at a single lane red light. The engine went through the start-stop sequence, but when the light turned green and I released the brake, the car struggled to come to life at all and began to stall out. I had to wiggle the steering wheel and shift the gears to multiple places before returning it to ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
The automatic transmission jumps and tries to go forward when the truck is started. Even though it is still in park. I’m afraid that it will actually go forward and hit something or someone. My investigation online has found a lot of complaints regarding the 10 speed automatic transmission in this vehicle.
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
Pearl white paint is peeling off in chunks. Not normal.
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED ONCE 3 MONTH'S AGO AND NOW I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER AGAIN FOR THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM NEED REPAIR AGAIN WARNING KEEPS GOING OFF BUT DEALER SAID ITS SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. THE TOLD ME NOW THEABS PUMP FAILING.HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT NEEDS REPLACED AND ITS ON BACK ORDERED TILL 2/21/24. I TOW A 32FT., RACE CAR TRAILER AND I NEED THE ABS BRAKES TO... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
Driver's side door the spot welds broke off, door was making a popping sound whenever opened. Driver's side window also wouldn't go down all the way. Took to dealer to check on it and they knew about this issue right away, advised us to take the car to a body shop because we would need a new Driver's side door put on.
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
I have replaced my thermostat four times in the last 18 months and I had it towed to the dealership again this morning for the same overheating problems.
Incident date: Sep 29, 2023
Unknown what caused the issue but our vehicle erupted into flames in our driveway not 10 minutes after we pulled in. No warnings, no indication anything was wrong. We smelled smoke and went outside to find the hood completely engulfed. It took fire department to extinguish it. They’re not certain of cause yet but said likely an electrical short
Fire
Incident date: Sep 29, 2023
The Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) consistently provides a false positive when approaching a particular railroad crossing near my home. When about 20 yards away from the crossing (a single set of tracks) approaching at 30-35mph, the BRAKE warning flashes and beeps for a second or two, but it's not clear that any actual braking is applied. This does not happen if I slow to about 20mph... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2023
Vehicle DIC displays a low oil pressure warning and zero oil pressure repeatedly. Oil pressure returns to normal shortly thereafter. Vehicle also displays many other warnings and cautions intermittently.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
The driver's side sliding door was stuck and I was struggling with it. Suddenly, the quarter panel window shattered (the window between the door and the back of the car) and the door came halfway off the track. It's important to note that this was not the window of the door I was struggling with and nothing visible hit the window. Luckily, my baby was not yet in his seat which is right next to the... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2023
While at posted highway speeds through twisting roads, the vehicle developed a wheel vibration. Stopped to inspect the wheels, found right rear wheel missing 4 of 5 lug bolts. Lug bolts were sheared off. Vehicle has 81,000 miles, tires rotated 7 months prior to this event.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
Back up camera goes in and out, fuel pump started making bad sounds a few month after buying it like screeching sounds got the car around 39000
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
Occasionally while driving warning lights will illuminate on the dashboard and the vehicle will lose both power steering and StabiliTrak traction control. Turning the vehicle off and restarting it resolves the problem but it eventually happens again. This has happened at low speeds and at 70 mph on the interstate. When this situation occurs steering the vehicle becomes very difficult creating a sa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
Jeep Wrangler JK is required to replace clockspring due to dust that could compromise airbag circut causing potential non-deployment of the driver airbag. Currently, the jeep is available for inspection. Non deployment of the airbag can cause bodily harm or life threating injuries that put at risk driver and others. Jeep owner bring multiple times the vehicle to the dealership but they didn't have... Read more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2023
I was driving and a rock hit my front windshield. While the rock didn’t penetrate my windshield, glass shards hit me in the face and covered my cab. Windshield aren’t supposed to send shards of glass into the cab. This could’ve caused a multi vehicle crash had I not been wearing glasses.
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
The horn stops working. It is not a fuse related issue. It is the horn itself. There are multiple reports of horn failure in this model, 2021 and 2022, on the internet and social media. There are people reporting that dealerships are also seeing a lot of cars with horn failure. This is a serious safety issue. Someone could go off the road into the woods and crash, unable to signal with a horn that... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
Passenger headlight light fills up with moisture resulting in the HID module filling up with water and shorting out. The high beam starts flashing when you try to use your turn signal and eventually the headlights completely stop working. Is a known problem, but GM won’t do anything to help if you’re outside of the 3year/36,000 mile warranty. Currently unable to get a new headlight because of ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
I have had a coolant leak issue with my car, which I bought brand new, multiple times. My mechanic has had to replace the water pump and or fix coolant issues multiple times. It happens every year around the same time. I called Chevrolet a couple years ago begging them to research for a recall. If you look online, there are multiple forums, webpages, and discussions of the same issue with the s... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
Purchased 4 runner from a Toyota dealer in 2018 with 130k miles. During routine maintenance in 2021 with 160k. The frame was found to have several holes and wide spread corrosion. It is absurd that Toyotas was let off the hook for frame replacements. I bought this truck from the dealer and it had structural frame issues that were not disclosed at the time of sale. Frames don’t just fall apa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2023
Antilock braking systems does not work
Incident date: Oct 6, 2023
The Transmission failed, yes it is available for inspection upon request The car was jerking extremely hard from 1st to second gear. Doing damage to my back. The car has been confirmed by a dealership. The vehicle is set to be inspected by the manufacturer on 10-16-2023 There was leaking from the transmission coolant lines. 01-31-2023
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 28, 2023
I was driving my Honda hrv on a normal day like any other and had my defroster on and out of no where heard a loud pop and my whole back window shattered
Incident date: Oct 6, 2023
Abs traction control light is on again this is the second time this has happened dealer replaced abs module lasted a little over two years now problem has started again.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
Numerous times, this 2018 Honda Odyssey would shift into neutral when trying to downshift at highway speeds after a long trip. The push button gear indicator would state the vehicle would be in "D" drive, but the vehicle would actually be in neutral. The only remedy would be to apply the brakes to allow something to reset, and the transmission would then engage as normal. This is very unsaf... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
- The component that has failed is the front passenger seat occupancy sensor, as indicated by an OBDII scan showing fault code 93C3, seat-occupancy detector, passenger. - The safety of any person in the front passenger seat is compromised because the passenger airbag will not deploy while this sensor is not operating properly, as indicated by the "passenger airbag off" light which is now always i... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
- The component that has failed is the front passenger seat occupancy sensor, as indicated by an OBDII scan showing fault code 93C3, seat-occupancy detector, passenger. - The safety of any person in the front passenger seat is compromised because the passenger airbag will not deploy while this sensor is not operating properly, as indicated by the "passenger airbag off" light which is now always i... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
ABS constantly fails. Check ABS and traction control fail light constantly appearing. Suspected ABS module failure.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger door opened independently. The contact stated that the failure had occurred about six times while he was driving. The contact stated that he contacted the dealer by phone and was advised that the program that covered the failure was 21N10 which had expired two days prior to his... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
About 3 months ago my steering wheel started rattling and continues to get worse I haven’t had it looked at yet but I think I need to also my dash lights come off and on all the time do you think I have a problem
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
At approximately 74,000 miles, our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate with the 3.3L V6 exhibited a total loss of power from the engine, while driving at non-highway speeds. As the vehicle decelerated to pull off the road, a catastrophic engine failure occurred with loss of all power and drivability. The vehicle was towed to our local repair shop, where it was diagnosed to need a full engine replacemen... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
RAV4 2019- Engine maintenance required visit dealership alert. Toyota dealership said it was the coolant valve. As I’ve seen online most 2019 rav4 are having the same issue.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
Brakes front and rear suspension this suv has had rear struts put on within 2 months twice when coming to a stop it is hard to stop had front brakes rotors installed but when braking it continues for a minute then it stops I have had this suv checked and it's wearing brakes and rear end issues
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
Vehicle randomly keeps accelerating past the set speed when cruise control is set. Problem was first noticed in March. Have a video of the cruise set at 69 mph and the vehicle continued to accelerate to 87 mph before I disengaged it. Vehicle has been to two different Hyundai dealers for the issue but were unable to duplicate or find the issue. One moth ago were on a road trip and the cruise would ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
Sudden feel of a misfire putting truck into reverse, definitely caught my attention as vehicle has under 140k miles! Just had new Ford spark plugs and lifetime warrantied coil packs in the last 20 to 25k! it's had at least two if not three oil changes in the last 20k to 30k miles! Put vehicle into drive same felling of a misfire and doesn't take long it flashes the check engine light at me so I tu... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2023
The contact owned a Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power. Various unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was veered to the side of the road and the vehicle was shut off. The contact stated that smoke was observed emanating from the engine compartment. The fire department extinguished the fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. The ... Read more
Fire