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: Aug 17, 2023
While on highway service brake system warning light came on,brake became hard to apply almost causing an accident. Vehicle had to be towed to a repair shop(dealer).after paying over $1600 the problem was not resolved and found there are numerous complaints about issues with the terrain and no recall issued.are they waiting til someone dies before a recall?
2 injured
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
Engine start stop does not work anymore when at a stop but is causing a rough idle and sometimes will stall in traffic at low speeds.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
Strong gas Odor from inside the vehicle low pressure fuel pump is leaking from underneath the back seat of the vehicle down the side of fuel tank onto the exhaust it can cause a fire fuel pump is cracked on nipple the pressure line connects to that runs to the motor on the vehicle repair cost is over 1000 dollars to replace the fuel pump to fix the issue
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
Greetings: As outlined in Service Bulletin 05-70-19, Rear Wheel Backing Plate Design change, I am having an almost overwhelming “whining or humming” sound coming from the rear portion of my vehicle. Given the significance of this WHEEL BEARING & BACKING PLATE issue, I respectfully request an RECALL & subsequent repair be initiated. Coupled with a VERY large number of related customer issues ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk or stall upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had appeared on the instrument panel. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had gone into reverse after placing the gear shifter into drive(D). The dealer was n... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and violently shook while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was discovered that the spark plugs, and engine coils were damaged due to moisture from rain or a car wash. ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2023
The dash as a sticky substance that causing a bad glare.Back rear window as a film on it blocking vision.And car as foul Oder when you get in it.
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V842000 (Visibility) and 23V163000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
At around 9:10 p.m. on 7/26/2023, I was driving 2 guests on the I-5 highway from Seattle to the airport. The car’s automatic driving assistance system suddenly failed to work. Tip 1: The steering assistance effect has been reduced 2: Lane departure avoidance function is not available; At this time, the steering wheel suddenly couldn't turn, and I felt locked tightly, unable to change lanes, so I... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
At around 9:10 p.m. on 7/26/2023, I was driving 2 guests on the I-5 highway from Seattle to the airport. The car’s automatic driving assistance system suddenly failed to work. Tip 1: The steering assistance effect has been reduced 2: Lane departure avoidance function is not available; At this time, the steering wheel suddenly couldn't turn, and I felt locked tightly, unable to change lanes, so I... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2023
Van just unexpected shutdown no warming light nothing ! This is a handicap van rear entrance !!! On Tuesday August 8 2023, Daughter and handicapped granddaughter riding in van it just stopped she had to coast in the middle turn lanes until help arrived Did get daughter out in wheelchair push across 3 lanes traffic to safe very hot that day... On the NHTSA says as of January 17,2023 compaints on ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2023
Van just unexpected shutdown no warming light nothing ! This is a handicap van rear entrance !!! On Tuesday August 8 2023, Daughter and handicapped granddaughter riding in van it just stopped she had to coast in the middle turn lanes until help arrived Did get daughter out in wheelchair push across 3 lanes traffic to safe very hot that day... On the NHTSA says as of January 17,2023 compaints on ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (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 ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
While driving on the highway, our car started to make a jerk, like it was having trouble shifting gears, which is weird because we were driving through Kansas and the road was smooth and flat. Then suddenly the car lost power, but did not turn off. Pressing the accelerator did nothing. We turned on the emergency flashers and pulled over to the shoulder, shifted into park and then turned the car o... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
I was driving and out of nowhere this warning came on engine maintenance required, and this now a normal maintenance required that means an oil change. The problem with this warning is the coolant bypass valve, and I’m not the only one with this issue, my car has only 32100 miles only, this a ridiculous for a new car. Plus it seem that this issue only comes on with tha A/C on
Incident date: Aug 10, 2023
There are a couple of issues causing our concerns about the car. 1. Alternator - The alternator was reported went bad after only 4 years of usage, the dealer refused to pay the fixing cost for this. Due to the failure of the alternator, the car lost all the power in the middle of the road with our entire family in the car during the night, very dangerous. The car suddenly stopped at the road with... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
The contact's son owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated while his son was driving 50-60 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact's son veered to the side of the road. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion in cylinder #4, and that the failure ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking with an audible alert and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mile... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and engine temperature warning lights illuminated; however, the contact immediately pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and turned off the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and safely drove to the location where the vehicle had received an oil change service ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle had been idling roughly. The contact stated that the engine would vibrate and shake the entire vehicle while stopped at a traffic signal. The contact stated that she was adding amount of engine oil to the vehicle every week. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact had taken... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while parking the vehicle and shifting into reverse, the back over prevention camera displayed a black screen. The contact discovered that the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
The Esc display came up then sutbality sensor show and my back wheel went right. My car flipped twice and then landed on the guardrail.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
I was driving on the 5 North Freeway near downtown Stockton at around 9:30 AM when, the sunroof on my car exploded. There was no visible objects or debris that had gone airborne that hit the car. The sunroof was closed and the sun shade was opened. The loud explosion sent glass throughout the interior of the car, left my ears ringing for ten minutes, and nearly cased me to get in a car accident. I... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
Roof is bubbling showing signs of delamination. Structural integrity is in question. I believe it is due to the carbon fiber epoxy material degrading due to sunlight exposure.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
Was stopped at stop light jeep still running and all sudden neutral flashing and wouldn’t shift back up into park at all. Had to disconnect battery wait 30 seconds and hook back up for it to shift into park… started it up and everything is now good. For now
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
Just had the vehicle in for the it’s 60k mile service and no issues reported. Today, at 63k miles I had the same dealer look at a headlight malfunction and the service technician reported the rear coil springs are failing and need replaced.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2023
I was driving when my power steering went out on the highway. Ford knows this is a problem. That was the first time I seen the warning light while driving
Incident date: Aug 8, 2023
Check electric charge error displayed, alarm sounding, loss of power to the vehicle while driving (limp mode).
Incident date: Aug 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she stopped and parked the vehicle at the local grocery store. The contact stated that when his wife restarted the vehicle and shifted into drive, she became aware that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that his wife shifted the gear shifter back into... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recommended maintenance inspection; however, the contact stated that upon the technician inspecting the vehicle, the contact was informed that the engine short block needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The man... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recommended maintenance inspection; however, the contact stated that upon the technician inspecting the vehicle, the contact was informed that the engine short block needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The man... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
2014 F-150 has issues with shifting while driving and losing voltage to the transmission lead frame. Safety issue for driving and changing to incorrect gears. When stationary in park, the truck will not start due to loss of voltage and parking sensor issues. Odometer display shows wrench icon shows while driving. Error codes P0706 and P0707 codes show up while driving. Ford dealership has done... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
The engine starts to stall. It’s scary. It slows down to 0 and when you step on the gas it doesn’t want to go. We bought this van last year and it’s done it since we bought it. I’ve read that Honda knows it’s a problem but there needs to be a recall before someone dies in an accident.
Incident date: Jul 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and making a left turn, the traction control and Uphill Assist warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the "Power Steering Assist" message was displayed, and the steering wheel became firm. The contact shutoff and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent m... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
The first issue is that of the fuel gauge displaying wrong and/or acting up. Sometimes it'll go directly from full to 1/4 tank, then randomly go back up to full or anywhere between. It's pretty spontaneous. The second issue is that of the cruise control. While travelling at interstate speeds and after passing another vehicle, I turned cruise control on only for the bike to die right after. I had ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2023
I need to know was there a recall on a oil consumption problem for my vehicle. There was an issue with me having to add oil to my vehicle constantly. I’m hearing stories that there may have been, but I didn’t receive any letter. And I just spent some thousands of dollars on an engine that I could not afford. PLEASE Help Me!! THANKS!!
Incident date: Aug 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking space, the air conditioning suddenly failed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the blower motor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number 22V648000 (Visibility, Electrical System) however, the replacement part failed. The veh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering became firm, making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The contact drove over an elevated surface, and the Hill Ascend Assist and EVAP system warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering assist had failed, and the el... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2023
While driving the rpm needle dropped under 1 and would not accelerate. And while slowing down the car jerks. The wretch light showed up. The codes was read at a service center that it was powertrain control specifically the transmission temperature gauge and pulley system. Currently being diagnosed at the dealership.
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
You have a recall listed for my cart but listed it as fixed. I never took the car in for service to get it fixed and I am experiencing the issue in the recall. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:19V076000. My instrument cluster goes blank for about 5-10 seconds while driving. This has happened several times in the last few weeks. I tried to call ford and have them look into this but they will not even tell me wher... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
2022 NISSAN PATHFINDER SL AWD UNDER WARRANTY. WIFE AND CHILD APPROACHED CAR, THE PROXIMITY UNLOCK DIDN'T WHEN TOUCHING THE DOOR HANDLE. WIFE PULLED OUT KEY FOB AND HIT UNLOCK BUTTON. THEN PLACED CHILD IN CAR SEAT BEHIND DRIVER. THE KEY FOB WAS INSIDE OF DIAPER BAG ON FLOOR BOARD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF CHILD SEAT AND BEHIND DRIVER SEAT. WIFE NEVER INITIATED A DOOR LOCK NOR HEARD ANY AUDIBLE LO... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 14, 2023
I have issues with past recalls, but they are not showing up in this list. I had a Body Throttle recall and 5 minutes after it was fixed it broke down and then again a week after and a month after altogether until the body throttle had to be replaced. I had the knock sensor recall done and now it went off code P-1326 is showing with a check engine light and it only drives 62mph. I mean the eng... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2023
I have issues with past recalls, but they are not showing up in this list. I had a Body Throttle recall and 5 minutes after it was fixed it broke down and then again a week after and a month after altogether until the body throttle had to be replaced. I had the knock sensor recall done and now it went off code P-1326 is showing with a check engine light and it only drives 62mph. I mean the eng... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the forward collision avoidance sensor failed to brake causing the contact to crash into another vehicle. A police report was filed. 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 approximat... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
Excessive Oil consumption. My engine has stalled multiple times WHILE DRIVING. The stall typically happens while turning in the middle of an intersection. I've had several near-misses and I'm terrified of being hit. I continue to have to fill my oil in-between oil changes. This problem continues to get worse.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that due to the placement and size of the sideview mirrors, there was a blind spot. The contact stated that the blind spots were large enough to severely reduce sideview visibility. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who declined to assist. The vehicle was not repaired. T... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
There is a known problem with the level 2 charging according to my local dealer. However, Genesis has not issued a fix. When charging the car over heats and reduces speed of the charge to a very low rate. Effectively making the car 3 to 4x slower than it is supposed to charge according the manual.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
I called the dealership when my car had less than 10,000 miles complaining of the brakes squealing very loudly almost sounding like grinding I took the car in they said the brakes were just dirty they cleaned them the very next day the brakes were making the same noise I call them again they say next time I come in for oil change they will look at them I go in they say they are dirty to drive fast... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
Rod knock, engine failure. Vehicle still runs. Engine was accepted for replacement via Kearny Mesa Hyundai dealership.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
Our Honda Pilot 2016 starting experiencing fuel surging issues in July 2018 and was taken to our nearest Honda Dealership on 7/03/18 in The Dalles, Oregon. Honda stated it was a code C1841-27 which was repaired with no mention of fuel injector extended warranty issues, document included. On September 23, 2023 my car stopped functioning on a busy road way and was brought into our local mechanic.... Read more