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 13, 2023
My daughter was driving the vehicle on the highway, probably 65 mph. she said that a sheet shaped piece of metal struck the front bumper. It is not clear if this was on the road or fell from the car. It seems to have happened fast. the vehicle sustained no obvious body damage but the frame and bracket holding the milliwave radar module were damaged. The milliwave module was intact. the cover for... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2023
I BOUGHT A 2109 RAM BIG HORN MAY 2020 NEW. SEPTEMBER 2022 WARNING SYSTEM SHOWED THE SHIFTER NEEDED SERVICE. TOOK IT IN TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF DEALERSHIP. IT TOOK THREE WEEKS TO GET IT BACK. THE NEXT MORNING THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP. FOUR WEEKS PASSED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS READY. DROVE IT HOME AND PARKED INDRIVEWAY. THE NEXT MORNING WOULD NOT START. THEY KEPT THE T... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2023
The gear will not go into Park. I put the gear in Park and the car started to roll. I looked at the dashboard and it said it was in Reverse. With the car in the Reverse position, it will not start.
Incident date: May 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V648000 (Visibility, Electrical, System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or ... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V648000 (Visibility, Electrical, System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
Rear bumper assembly separated and blew off into traffic while driving the legal speed limit (85MPH) on Texas Interstate highway. Road conditions were dry and windy. The vehicle had had no known or observable damage prior to this incident and had been maintained and inspected annually by Tesla.
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2007 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, an unknown component detached from the vehicle and the vehicle began to steer to the right independently. The contact stated that the Traction Control Malfunction warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to her destination. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2023
The contact owned a 2022 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle; however, no air bags were deployed and the seat belts failed to lock. Additionally, the contact stated that on the instrument panel the air bags deployed warning light was illuminated. The contact sustained unknown injuries and received medical a... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
The automatic windshield wipers came on and would not shut off. The car was clean, the day was sunny, and the camera lenses were free of dust or anything else that could cover them. While driving along, the wipers started and would not shut off. I went into the main monitor/screen that has the wiper settings but I was not able to activate the wiper/off button, so the wipers kept working. Pressing... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
My sunroof exploded while driving.
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to downshift and was jerking and hesitating. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the transmission was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle wa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60-65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The battery, TPMS, ABS, and AWD warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The co... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2023
The issue I'm about to describe has occurred multiple times during the seven (7) months I've owned the vehicle - including again today. In all cases, I was attempting gradual acceleration to merge onto a highway or high-traffic street (e.g., when exiting a mall parking lot onto a busy city street). When I press the accelerator nothing happens - NO power whatsoever for at least two seconds! And o... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2023
The issue I'm about to describe has occurred multiple times during the seven (7) months I've owned the vehicle - including again today. In all cases, I was attempting gradual acceleration to merge onto a highway or high-traffic street (e.g., when exiting a mall parking lot onto a busy city street). When I press the accelerator nothing happens - NO power whatsoever for at least two seconds! And o... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2023
Mini coopers have faulty transmission problems, and well mine today it's transmission went out when I had my AC on, the car stalled in the middle of the highway in the middle of the road with oncoming traffic and refused to budge, like seriously this is highly dangerous on the interstate
Incident date: May 12, 2023
Mini coopers have faulty transmission problems, and well mine today it's transmission went out when I had my AC on, the car stalled in the middle of the highway in the middle of the road with oncoming traffic and refused to budge, like seriously this is highly dangerous on the interstate
Incident date: May 28, 2023
My 2007 c230 has a problem with the smell of gasoline when you fill up. I have seen alot of complaints about the gas tank and its system on line. An when I talked to medcedes I was told they have had alot of issues with the mercedes in the past and that issue. They replaced alot of them at one time I dont know which model. I have seen alot of people with my style of mercedes with similiar issues. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with the Adaptive Cruise Control or Autonomous Self Driving feature activated, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximat... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with the Adaptive Cruise Control or Autonomous Self Driving feature activated, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximat... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with the Adaptive Cruise Control or Autonomous Self Driving feature activated, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximat... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2022
Have a previous complaint lodge, dealer replaced my steering rack about 3 months ago. within the last 500 miles or so the beginning signs of the issue are returning as this rack is also defective. Honda needs to figure out the problem and issue a recall immediately.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2022
CRV was running fine with zero problems prior to this incident. Stopped at a red light and when the light turned green the car would not move. Transmission would not go into gear. Dealer has vehicle and stated that the belt in the transmission broke, 2nd shaft not moving. Requires a brand new transmission
Incident date: Dec 31, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00D000 (Electrical System, Visibility, Back Over Prevention) 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 made aware... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2021
While driving all these systems will start flashing and no longer work. The dealer's fix it to simply reset the codes. So this can happen at any time and be a risk to the driver and people in the vehicle and around it. This has happened numerous times in the 5 years I have owned this vehicle.
Incident date: Dec 31, 2021
While driving all these systems will start flashing and no longer work. The dealer's fix it to simply reset the codes. So this can happen at any time and be a risk to the driver and people in the vehicle and around it. This has happened numerous times in the 5 years I have owned this vehicle.
Incident date: Jun 6, 2023
Manufacturer is unable to remedy NHSTA Recall # 15V 285, also known as GM Manufacturer Recall # N 140491. It was brought to the GM Dealership, T&T Coast 2205 Highway 35, Sea Girt NJ 08750 THREE times. The first time they could not properly install an airbag, claiming the airbag they were trying to install was defective. The 2nd time another new airbag was installed but the SRS/Airbag dashboard li... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2023
I was driving on Hwy 146 at a high rate of speed and my engine died. I almost crashed with the car behind me. It was a very scary situation and I thank God no one was hurt. Traveling at that rate of speed it was a miracle. I got my car over to the side of the road and had it towed to the closest mechanic. My car just got paid off in Feb and only had 58,000 miles on it. I thought it wou... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2023
pearl white paint chipping away. also both power mirrors went out. one replaced with after market and other one available for inspection
Incident date: Jun 8, 2023
pearl white paint chipping away. also both power mirrors went out. one replaced with after market and other one available for inspection
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
The rear passenger windows have a cloudy / hazy look to them, making it difficult to see out at certain times. This is a known defect on the 2023 Palisade models. This defect is between the glass panels. It is not a film tint.
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
When braking, often it feels like the brakes are not engaged, not right away, but during the braking process. This causes the vehicle to surge forward like there are no brakes. Immediately you feel like the brakes failed, then you push them again, they work. It is very random with no reference to different speeds, inclines, never know when it may happen. It has caused many near misses for our fami... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2023
When driving in heavy rain and you put the wipers on High (or even Low), they automatically switch to Intermittent after about 1 minute. They actually stop wiping at a high speed and pause between wipes for several seconds. In order to keep the wipers going in heavy, blinding rain you have to keep switching the wipers from Low to High to keep them moving. This is a safety hazard since you honestly... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2023
When ever I try to charge my Jeep grand Cherokee 4xe summit reserve it fails to charge on a level 1 or level 2 charger and then they check engine light comes on and a electrical burning smell from the hybrid battery and says service charging system. When ever you bring it to the dealer they just reset the code and says it works only for the problem to come back it also affects how the jeep drives ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2023
Car under adaptive cruise control braked hard after changing lanes from behind another vehicle to an open lane with no traffic. Went quickly from 65 to 20 mph until driver started accelerating manually
Incident date: Jun 2, 2023
I have a 2019 Jeep wrangler. Within the first 3 months of having my jeep I experienced issues with the battery. I came to a stop at a stop sign, the auto on/of turned the vehicle off but then it wouldn't come back on when I tried to drive. It showed a battery light and the auto on/off sign with an exclamation mark first then all lights on the dashboard started flickering, windshield wipers came on... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2023
I have a 2019 Jeep wrangler. Within the first 3 months of having my jeep I experienced issues with the battery. I came to a stop at a stop sign, the auto on/of turned the vehicle off but then it wouldn't come back on when I tried to drive. It showed a battery light and the auto on/off sign with an exclamation mark first then all lights on the dashboard started flickering, windshield wipers came on... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
When I’m towing my small boat, my temperature gauge starts to rise on my engine and there are no warning lights and it has caused me to have to pull over. I have told the dealership about this. Everyone seem to act like it’s no big deal but when I’m having to pull over, because I’m afraid my motors getting too hot, it’s a problem. And not only that even when I’m not towing anything my ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2023
Phantom braking at highway speed. Maybe a shadow or line on the road confuses the system and slams on brakes. Is more common if the cruise is engaged. Happens every day. My commute is about 30 miles happens once or twice every drive. Increases risk of being rear ended. The car is not FSD enabled.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2023
Phantom braking at highway speed. Maybe a shadow or line on the road confuses the system and slams on brakes. Is more common if the cruise is engaged. Happens every day. My commute is about 30 miles happens once or twice every drive. Increases risk of being rear ended. The car is not FSD enabled.
Incident date: Jun 3, 2023
While driving on an interstate, the voltage suddenly began to decrease. Within a few minutes, the car died on the highway. we were able to get it to the shoulder. No electrical equipment worked, including the emergency lights. After taking it to a garage, the mechanic said the alternator was working fine, but the battery was drained. He was able to start and run the car, but the computer indic... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2023
While driving on an interstate, the voltage suddenly began to decrease. Within a few minutes, the car died on the highway. we were able to get it to the shoulder. No electrical equipment worked, including the emergency lights. After taking it to a garage, the mechanic said the alternator was working fine, but the battery was drained. He was able to start and run the car, but the computer indic... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
99% sure the vehicle’s rod bearing is what is knocking
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
Driving on a clear, sunny day in Arizona on interstate 8 at highway speed with the Tesla AutoPilot engaged. There were no vehicles in front of me and no obstructions in the road when the car did heavy braking (aka phantom braking) for no known reason. I immediately had to override the braking with pressing on the accelerator. This occurred multiple times on the same road. If a vehicle had been tra... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
Can't use turn signals and can't lower windows to use hand signals, almost got rear ended.
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
Can't use turn signals and can't lower windows to use hand signals, almost got rear ended.
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
My MCU (onboard computer system) glitched out and the screen began flickering. I lost all of the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, navigation, music, phone link, sunroof venting, climate control, including defrost. The screen froze and I had no functions. This has happened 4 times, possibly a 5th time, while driving in the last 6000 miles. I put in a service request to Tesla and they ran a ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
The transmission fails and defaults to 3rd or 4th gear when downshifting or hitting a pothole. The vehicle then has to limp to a service center for evaluation and repair. At such low speeds during the limp for service, the highway driver is at significant risk or accident
Incident date: Jun 4, 2023
Blower module, a/c module and yes it’s available anytime. For starters my a/c doesn’t work completely and I have a newborn that cannot be in this vehicle due to that issue. Also with my first encounter with the issue, my car turned off and all the lights came on then turned off and warned that autostart/stop didn’t work, and my emergency brakes didn’t work along with my traction control. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2023
my jeeps (2020 4door wrangler unlimited sport JL) VIN does not come back to any recalls on the NHTSA but it has the old aluminum steering gear part# (P68250506AE) and needs to be replaced by the new part# (68507569AA) and a EHPS software eopdate per TSB 08-003-21 REV. A. some dealers are not honoring the TSB if the VIN does not come back to a recall. this issues causes unsafe steering wander and ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
Although this vehicle is 10 years old it has only logged less than 17k miles (near new condition). A few months back it was noted that the backlighting on the console, steering wheel, interior door panels and overhead console were inoperative under non-daylight conditions. At night, it's driving blind from an instrumentation perspective. Controls cannot be located as they cannot be seen. This back... Read more