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: Jun 17, 2023
Power steering, ABS Brakes, and Brakes all went
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
Power steering, ABS Brakes, and Brakes all went
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that the radio, the hazard lights, and the signal lights intermittently failed to operate normally. The contact took the vehicle to an unknown local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the radio wiring harness to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2023
When the car starts all warning lights come on. Hill start assistance, pre collision assistance, all assistance. There is no cruise, no safety collision assistance at all. First appeared on May 19 2023. Ford Dealer is currently trying to fix the problem. They are unsure why it’s doing it. It puts all occupants life at risks as the car doesn’t have any safety assistance.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2023
When the car starts all warning lights come on. Hill start assistance, pre collision assistance, all assistance. There is no cruise, no safety collision assistance at all. First appeared on May 19 2023. Ford Dealer is currently trying to fix the problem. They are unsure why it’s doing it. It puts all occupants life at risks as the car doesn’t have any safety assistance.
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the contact shifted to drive(D) to reverse(R) and the “System Fault – Service Required” message was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to drive or reverse as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the shifter cable bushing was missing, a... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
While driving at highway speeds (50mph-80mph), on 2 lane or 4 lane highways, in the day or night, in sunny conditions and overcast sky's, while using the cruise control (auto-pilot), the car will suddenly and unexpectedly apply the brakes. It happens between 8 and 10 times on every road trip, each way. Not only is it a shock to me as there is never a visual obstacle that seems to be causing the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
Gas tank leak from under heat Shield Recall claims in 2012 it was extended for 15 years
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
Bought this vehicle from Carvana.com and have been trying to get it repaired since then. There is something wrong with the steering/braking/suspension system. According to License Mechanic Derek Hartfield at Monroe (248) 980-3262 after a road test - told me the vehicle is not safe to drive. He attempted to repair vehicle and Carvana denied the repair. Carvana instructed me to take car to Dea... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
The steering is so hard to turn I can barley drive a vehicle I purchased I’ve taking it to be looked at a few times because the code will come on and off but when they run the code it won’t read it so they don’t know how to fix it.
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver's side door hinge welds were fractured. While opening and closing the door, there was an abnormal popping sound heard. Additionally, the window failed to roll down completely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the door and hinges needed to be replace... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
I recently purchase 2010 Mercury Mariner. There is a few errors appearing on the screen in front of the steering wheel. One of the error is "CHECK FUEL LINES." It also has an error about the tire pressure sensor. It also rides roughly, but the wheels are like new, so it feels like the suspension or shocks have something wrong with them. Also, there is a lot of play in the steering wheel when drivi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
I recently purchase 2010 Mercury Mariner. There is a few errors appearing on the screen in front of the steering wheel. One of the error is "CHECK FUEL LINES." It also has an error about the tire pressure sensor. It also rides roughly, but the wheels are like new, so it feels like the suspension or shocks have something wrong with them. Also, there is a lot of play in the steering wheel when drivi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 20 MPH, the power steering seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Incident date: Jun 10, 2023
Shift into park message just started coming on even though car is in park. There are numerous complaints and lawsuits online regarding this. You have to jiggle the shifter to make it go away. Waiting for a response from local dealer regarding a quote to fix issue.
Incident date: Jun 10, 2023
Received recall notice to have vehicle repaired. Scheduled vehicle with local dealer for repair. Took vehicle to dealer on 6/14/2023 for recall repair. Dealer informed me during visit, they had to send a picture/video of what they encountered to American Honda and wait for them to decide how to repair. A little while later during same visit, dealer informed me American Honda instructed them no... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
My wife got in the vehicle after shopping and tried to start the vehicle. She said all displays were dark or blank and no instrument cluster lights, no indication on the touch screen. She said she tried several times to start the vehicle and same thing happened. She stated that after waiting a considerable time she tried calling me about the problem but I didn’t answer. She then tried one mo... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2023
Seat belt not working properly, no fix or remedy as of yet. Do not feel safe driving vehicle with passengers. Called Lincoln certified dealer in area and all do not have a fix or availability for months to service vehicle.
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
I was driving from Palmdale, CA up to Mojave, CA at 7:05PM on June 16. The car was close to Rosamond, CA on the highway when it engaged FULL brakes. I started in the right lane, the autopilot was ON and set to 79MPH. The only cars visible on the highway were my car and the car in front of me. There were no other cars immediately visible to me or autopilot in front of me or behind me - other than ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
Frame rail has rusted out causing this vehicle unsafe to drive. A quick google search showed this a common problem. I know Mercedes Benz have recalled rusting brake boosters and provided extended warranty on rear subframe rust. Toyota has recalled truck frames. Dodge is ignoring this issue.
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
CVT transmission issues persist beyond the limited warranty extension that has now expired from Subaru. Vehicle RPMs regularly drop from 1000 to 500 when coming to a stop, causing engine to knock as it tries to stall. Vehicle then occasionally hesitates when attempting to move under power. Knocking and near stalling occasionally results in a sensation of vehicle being hit from behind while stop... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
While driving in town or on freeway, the engine shuts off and emergency braking system is engaged. No warning lights come on suggesting anything for a code. The dash only says to place truck in park, restart the truck and disengage the emergency parking system. This has been in the shop and they can not duplicate. Dodge is aware of what is transpiring. How is this safe and have not been recalled b... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
I purchased my BMW & got inside to drive off jumping on 275 freeway & the whole car just started smoking out nowhere the whole car was scorching hot & smoking other cars had to literally pull over because of so much white smoke I took it to several certified car doctors & they all refused to touch it because of the PVC recall valve
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
Car slips and jerks when accelerating at any speed as low as 10 mph. Check engine light came on, code is transmission failure. The code came on before routine maintenance was required. The car was not fixed and should have not had this issue happen.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
I was just turning right from a stoplight into a store parking lot when I lost power steering & my brakes were ‘difficult’ to push down. I barely got it out of the way of traffic and I turned the car off, got out, opened and closed my door, and got back in and it started back up and drove to the parking spot like nothing had happened. Sensors reset to 0. It happened again 2 stops away while in... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
When driving during the day on a sunny day, the cluster panel is completely unviewable because of the sun glare on steering wheel hitting cluster panel screen. This happens every time I drive. It isn’t a one time thing.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
Side pillar flew off while driving
Incident date: May 28, 2023
It’s been nearly a year since Subaru issued the safety recall on the Impreza yet they still claim they have no remedy despite the recall notice and the NHTSA website stating that the right and left headlamp housing will be replaced as the remedy. At this point it’s not being handled in a timely fashion and Subaru is dragging their feet and not concerned about the safety of their customers as t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 7, 2023
While I was driving, the vehicle suddenly braked and I did not hit the brake pedal. There was no one in front of me and thankfully, no one behind me. I had 2 other people in the car with me.
Incident date: Jun 7, 2023
We discovered that there was an explosion of some sort inside the car on the passenger side, which seems to have potentially involve the air bag system and/or electrical around the system, but this is not entirely known. The car was parked at the time and had not been driven for approximately 65 hours. It appears there was a fire but we did not witness. The dash is melted leaving a gaping hole,... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
Three car accident. Driver 3 was at stop light (red) driver 2 (myself) was directly behind him (stopped). Driver 1 and at high speed hit me from behind. Airbags didn’t deploy. Causing injury to me and my passenger.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
I had my airbags serviced in 2016 at a Honda dealership to fix the Takata airbag recall issue. In 2023, I was hit on the front left portion of the car at an estimated 50mph, and no airbags deployed. I contacted Honda about this issue, and they said my insurance company had to do an inspection relating to the airbag failure reasons, but my insurance company said Honda would have had to send an agen... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
Waiting to turn at a busy intersection then proceeded to press the accelerator the vehicle lossed power and had shut off. I Shifted gear to park to start engine and it would not go faster than 10mph. Vehicles behind nearly wrecked into me and were honking their horns. It had died again then started back up. I was able to drive home before it died again. Vehicle towed to dealership. Was told they ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
Car throttle stop responding while RPM rev high, have car tow to nearest auto shop and was told that transmission have fail. No warning light or anything before failing. Car is regular maintain.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
2021 Kia Telluride. Driving home from work 6/8/23. Small crack developed in the windshield on passenger side lower corner. Has spread quickly across windshield. Left message with service department of local KIA dealership in Murfreesboro Tennessee inquiring about Kia "Customer Satisfaction Initiative" concerning windshield cracking. No call back after 8 days. Left email on KIA Corporate Customer S... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
When driving the Tesla model 3 in cruise control, It will without warning apply the brakes. I have to then accelerate and then take it out of cruise control. The issue has happened about a dozen times and only happens while in cruise control. It happened most recently today but has happened in previous days.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
The rear drivers side door is locked shut. This is is serious safety issue in an emergency. Especially with small children. This needs to be recalled immediately
Incident date: Jun 18, 2023
The brakes completely gave out while the vehicle was being driven, without warning. The BRAKE light did not turn on until after the car had been stopped and restarted and the brakes had already gone out. Fortunately, the vehicle was being driven on a side street, and it was able to coast into a parking lot. Had the brakes given out before then, when it was on the highway, the outcome could have be... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
Yesterday I drove 1 shift on UberX in chill mode, very carefully and tried to save as much energy as possible. Here’s what happened. I left the house with 100% charged 274 miles range not 303 advertised I track everywhere I go with Everlance GPS. After a couple rides, I noticed the cars augmented reality for auto pilot wasn’t seeing the environment properly and like usual the safety features w... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
On two occasions, both on busy highways traveling at about 65mph the engine just quit running. Very scary but fortunately was able to drift to the side of the road and wait for assistance. The car was towed to the nearest dealer two hours from my home. After the fuel injectors were replaced it was returned to us two weeks later. It only had 9,000 miles on it. This is a very dangerous problem to ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2023
I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM BUT THE TURN SIGNALS ARE POLACED AT THE LOWEST POINT ON REAR BUMPER MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CAR FOLLOWING TO SEE THE SIGNAL. THIS MAY CAUSE A REAR COLLISION. IT NEEDS TO BE IN THE BRAKE LIGHT PANEL. A DESIGN FLAW IN MY OPINION. MAYBE A SIMPLE REWIRE WILL FIX THE DEFECT.03/22/202
Incident date: Jun 3, 2023
When we turn to the left, there's a "popping" noise from the front suspension When the vehicle is turned back to straight the same pooping sound is made. I found a recall for this same vehicle but the years 2014-2016 (NTB15-062c).
Incident date: Jun 6, 2023
The power gave out on the car and Hyundai refuses to fix it. They said a part needs to ship over and they give very little updates.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
I have the same symptoms that are covered under Compliance Recall 12C23, and Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01. Vehicle will sporatically go into limp mode at speed, causing hard shifts. If vehicle is shut off and turned back on, sometimes it will clear the issue on its own. I have reached out to Ford, and they tell me that although they're aware of the same exact issues between 2011 and 2013, m... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2023
The sunroof exploded from the inside while driving at highway speeds
Incident date: Jun 3, 2023
Both automatic passenger sliding doors do not shut completely after last recall was completed to fix them.
Incident date: Jun 14, 2023
Engine is consuming oil at a rate of approximately 1 quart every 300 miles. Odometer reads 108,000 miles (approx). Vehicle was put into 'limp mode' while traveling due to severe oil loss. Upon arriving at repair facility, engine was found to be down 3.8 quarts despite having had an oil change 2 months earlier (1000 miles). No leaks have been detected in system. Frequent checks of oil level is nece... Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the wife was reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle's glass sunroof suddenly exploded and shattered causing glass shards to fall into the cabin of the vehicle. During the failure, the driver sustained bruising and small lacerations to the neck and back area. The injuries did not require medical attention. The cause of the failu... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
We have recently experienced a significant and concerning increase in incidents of phantom braking and have thus far been unable to receive an adequate response from Tesla. We have had at least six instances of this occurring today, 16-Jun-2023 in the first 6-7 hours of our cross-country drive, and I’ve shared these time stamps with Tesla service. This is because we experienced this same thing... Read more