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 12, 2023
the problem with my car is the air conditioning. It blows air but warm air and not cold air. This affects my work since I work on a marine base out in the desert, and the 3 hour drive always overheats everything in my car including my phone and things I try to bring home. I had to pick up another marines family at the airport and their baby kept crying because the car was so hot. At Valvoline I as... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Acura ILX. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH, the vehicle started pulling to the right. The contact was able to steer the vehicle and continued driving. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel abruptly jerked and violently turned to the left, causing the vehicle to pull to the left. The contact stated that he was un... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact noticed that the tachometer was elevated to 4,200 RPM. The contact had not depressed the accelerator; the contact removed her foot from the accelerator pedal and heard an abnormal sound like air rushing into the vehicle coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the instru... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
under the program of 15N01 the 2014 Ford Explorer is not part of it and it should be as my vehicle is experiencing the same issues. The program currently ends for vehicles manufactured January 2014 and mine was manufactured in April of 2014. I would like this added so my vehicle can be repaired under the program. The make, model and body styling is the same as previous years and has the same parts... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2023
My 2020 KIA SPORTAGE WAS STOLEN AFTER THE RECALL WHERE KIA INDICATED THE RECALL WOULD DETECT THAT A KEY WAS NOT INSERTED AND WOULD SHUT DOWN CAR. THIS DID NOT WORK BECAUSE MY CAR WAS STOLEN AFTER THE RECALL!!! CAUSING EXTREME DURESS AND FINCIAL DISTRESS. THIS RECALL WAS JUST A SMOKE SCREEN TO LET EVERYONE THINK IT WAS FIXED AND THAN TACK A COUPLE SECURITY STUFF ON THE WINDOWS. WHEN IS ENOUGH ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
The AWD/4WD is failing in multiple 2023 sportages. I have a 2023 Sportage X-Pro that was purchased 12/30/2022. Current mileage is 7,731. The viscous coupling is faulty/failing in these vehicles. The sensor does come on in the car. The dealer has deemed the car “unsafe to drive”. The vehicle has been at the dealership since 8/29/2023. Currently the car has been dispatched to 4 different Kia mas... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
Transmission has been leaking transmission fluid since date of purchase. At ~13,000 miles, the dealer replaced the entire transmission under warranty. The new transmission is also leaking transmission fluid. Since transmission fluid is flammable, this is a safety concern when the dripping transmission fluid contacts the hot exhaust tubing.
Incident date: Nov 2, 2022
The differential broke. I was unable to accelerate on the road; it froze up. I had to pull over and couldn't drive it. I was just outside of the HOnda dealer when it happened. I took it to the Honda Dealer Service Center in MD and this was their diagnosis.I didn't take it anywhere else. There were no warnings except I heard rattling when I was at a lower speed the same afternoon about 3 hours earl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2023
CURRENT CONDITION The rearview camera do not display an image when driver put it in reverse.
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
Heavy fuel leak
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
While driving on the highway may power steering stopped working. I didnt know it stopped working until I started to steer to stay in the lane. This could have been a major problem if I needed to move suddenly and couldn't. I found on the electric power steering has been a problem in these. I had no warning, no alert, nothing. Just felt it and then noticed the warning light on the dash. I pul... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
The contact's son owns a 2010 Mini Cooper Hardtop. The contact stated that the windows failed to roll down, and the turn signals and the headlights were inoperable. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, where it was diagnosed that the footwell control module (FRM) was severely corroded. The contact later received NHTSA... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
Coolant bypass valve failure my car has less than 50k Dealerships informed me that they fix around 10 a month for that part there is a defect regarding this pump
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fiesta. The contact received notification of Customer Satisfaction Programs: 14M02 (Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage) and 19N08 (Transmission Clutch Shudder - Transmission Clutch Warranty Extension). The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and parked t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2023
While driving with 54,500 miles on car,owned since new 4 miles on it when bought. Steering went real loose, then went back to normal. Checked rack and pinion did not see any breaks or leaks. Checked steering arms and ball joint all checked out.
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by engaging the parking brake. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the brake fluid reservoir was empty. After refilling the brak... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
The bushing for the gear shift is broken causing the lever to disconnect from the cord preventing the vehicle from shifting gears. This caused the vehicle to become stuck in reverse. The car was stuck in reverse when attempting to shift to drive, nearly causing my wife to crash into another vehicle. There are multiple videos on YouTube demonstrating this problem, it is a known issue. The vehicle/c... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2023
Using the self parking feature, the vehicle had controlled itself, with my intervention when prompted. It had backed up perpendicular into the parking space, miscalculated the parking job and smashed the side mirror into a nearby trucks mirror. It had then began to speed up to what felt like about 15 or 20 mph, with no time to react or brake, and smashed into the concrete pole behind us. The autom... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
When I’m at a dead stop, and start to drive off, there is a jerking at around 13 miles per hour. I believe it is when it is shifting from first into second gear. It happens often, but not all the time. This happened when I first bought my car, and I was told that the car has to get to know me. I thought this was true, because it seemed to have stopped at some point for a while. N... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
I was having issues where my car was getting a code that there was an engine misfire occurring (PO302 code). I took it to multiple shops and nobody could figure out the problem. After extensive testing they finally figured out that there is coolant leaking onto my engine. I now have to repair basically half my engine and I have only had the car for 52,000 miles (5 years).
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
The vehicle randomly shuts off as I’m driving. It happened about a month ago on a very busy highway and then again today on a major street in my hometown. I’ve taken it to the shop twice and they cannot duplicate the issue or find a problem with it. I’m nervous it’s going to shut off at the wrong time and something bad happen. I don’t know what to do.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2023
Vehicle looses power randomly. No engine or warning lights. RPMs will rev but car will not go into gear or drive. I can shut off the vehicle for a couple hours then restart and will drive fine until randomly happens again.
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
I petition into USA to request COMPANY TOYOTA AVALON to should be recall AIRBAG , because in the time our car was involve accident Airbag to did not open , after some day the light AIRBAG appear , it is mean AIRBAG none good , All picture our car were damage I submitted into DMV Our car TOYOTA AVALON 2001 Vin [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] I contact COMPANY TOYOTA in USA For complaint , and to r... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
I petition into USA to request COMPANY TOYOTA AVALON to should be recall AIRBAG , because in the time our car was involve accident Airbag to did not open , after some day the light AIRBAG appear , it is mean AIRBAG none good , All picture our car were damage I submitted into DMV Our car TOYOTA AVALON 2001 Vin [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] I contact COMPANY TOYOTA in USA For complaint , and to r... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
When vehicle is cold, I start driving and the first time I try to brake the brake light comes on, an orange triangle with expalnation mark comes on and the brake pedal pushes to the floor without providing braking power. One time, I was on a hill and the car started rolling backward even though the brake was pushed fully to the floor. I had to turn off the car and turn it back on to reset? the... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
The contact was driving a 2023 Kia Sportage loaner vehicle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and pressing the brake pedal the braking system malfunctioned and the brake pedal extended to the floor causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the vehicle sustained front-end damage but the air bag did not deploy. Also, during the crash, ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Patriot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not 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 h... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, the power steering assist failed with the "Service Power Steering Now" message displayed. The contact's husband used excessive force to drive the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the 4WD warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train). The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline f... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
I drive it from Gilbert Az to San Diego California The car lost power all of sudden Almost killed with my family I left at dealer in California and went back to Gilbert Arizona No diagnosis yet by dealer But I suspect gas pump failure Reported on Internet that Cadillac Recalled some 2021 Escalade For gas pump failure But there is no recall on my car It is now at Simpson GMC Cadillac dealer ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes Benz GLC300. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate properly while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dea... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and stated that vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not r... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V263000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted and confir... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
FORD FUSION 2017 DANGEROUS DEFECT ENGINE ISSUES The Engine Light went on in my Ford 2017 Fusion car with only 64,000 miles and I became very nervous about my Family’s safety driving in my Ford 2017 Fusion car. The Ford Dealership was unable to take my car for two weeks, so I had no choice but to take... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
Rear view window spontaneously shattered while driving on the highway. Sending window shards into the inside of the vehicle. Vehicle was NOT in a collision, and no foreign objects were found in the vehicle and no exterior damage showed outside the vehicle to suggest damage caused by an object. CHP responded to the scene and stated this was odd because there was no impact points or foreign object... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V597000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on two occasions. The vehicle was towed to the dealer on both occasions, and the dealer determined that rodents had consumed the electrica... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
Start/stop error lightafter already replaced by dealership Brake booster faulty EPC light comes on-off randomly
Incident date: Jun 24, 2023
I have a death wobble. Ball joints, sway arms replaced, wheels rotated and balanced and still has death wobble
Incident date: Jun 24, 2023
I have a death wobble. Ball joints, sway arms replaced, wheels rotated and balanced and still has death wobble
Incident date: Jun 24, 2023
I have a death wobble. Ball joints, sway arms replaced, wheels rotated and balanced and still has death wobble
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
Ok button on steering wheel got stuck in while driving and it turns off all anti collision systems.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
The contact owned a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, she was rear-ended by another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was later treated for various bruising in an area hospital, as well as receiving a CT scan and an x-ray of her left ankle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 31, 2023
The vehicle experienced intermittent starting issues for a few days, then left my son stranded in the middle of an intersection after it would not crank. Was able to finally get it started and get it home, but had to get it towed to the dealership the next day. I was able to get a code with a scanner that pointed to a fault in the transmission range sensor circuit. I did some research and disco... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2023
The Service Stabilitrak light came on at the same time as the check engine light. When this happened the first time I had it checked, it gave the Code P1101. I payed to having the Massive air flow sensor fix, than a few days after having massive air flow sensor replaced.The Service Stabilitrak and engine light came back on. The engine started to misfire I took it back to the car dealer shop and I ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2023
Shift cable bushing on the top of the transmission was found disintegrated upon inspection and only small remnants were found. Due to this issue, the cable was also found to be disconnected from the transmission. Prior to the inspection, a “Shift Sys” and “See Manual” error appeared on the dash screen with a yellow wrench while changing gears 3 separate times. The transmission then became ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2023
The rotary dial gear shifter has intermitantly malfunctioned for 6 months in two ways. 1) When the rotary dial gear shifter is put into park, very often it won't move out of park. Won't go to D, R, or N.In the beginning I was using the key to the car to stick in a slot in the center counsel and that would pop it out of park. This worked for a few months. Since then I need to hit it firmly with ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 1976
The audio in the truck increased to maximum volume on its own- without user/driver input. The only way to reset the radio is to pull over, shut off the truck, and open the door. This is extremely hazardous and distracting while operating the vehicle. It is an urgent safety concern for the driver and all passengers, as well as other vehicles.
Incident date: Feb 7, 1976
The audio in the truck increased to maximum volume on its own- without user/driver input. The only way to reset the radio is to pull over, shut off the truck, and open the door. This is extremely hazardous and distracting while operating the vehicle. It is an urgent safety concern for the driver and all passengers, as well as other vehicles.
Incident date: Feb 7, 1976
As I was driving the vehicle suddenly braked to a complete stop in the middle of a street as I was crossing railroad tracks. I was at significant risk of being rear-ended as the car came to a complete stop without notice; there’s also risk of being run over by the train as I was stopped in the middle of the train tracks.