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: Jul 30, 2023
Loss of power/misfire on cylinder 6 Diagnosis is cam/lifters. 8/4/2023 120k miles. Shift to park warning at 60,000 miles. continues. Max speed held to 65mph due to abs system???? for 10 minutes at approximately 90k miles. Park assist failure (complete) at approximately 80k miles.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
Loss of power/misfire on cylinder 6 Diagnosis is cam/lifters. 8/4/2023 120k miles. Shift to park warning at 60,000 miles. continues. Max speed held to 65mph due to abs system???? for 10 minutes at approximately 90k miles. Park assist failure (complete) at approximately 80k miles.
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
I was turning left into a parking spot at work with my foot slightly on the break when my engine revvved and my car accelerated at face pace and my brakes were unresponsive causing me to hit a parked truck in front of me. Upon impact my vehicle kept trying to accelerate causing me to keep pushing the truck until my front right side of my car broke off. My car STILL kept accelerating and went acros... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
The steering sticks around highway speeds which causes me to over correct. The vehicle feels unsafe to drive and I am being told it will cost close to $4,000.00 to replace the electronic steering rack.
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
The steering sticks around highway speeds which causes me to over correct. The vehicle feels unsafe to drive and I am being told it will cost close to $4,000.00 to replace the electronic steering rack.
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
This is a known issue with GM 2016-2019 various models including my 2017 Acadia . the shift mechanism does not know that it is in Park position and so indicates "shift to park" on dashboard lights. Therefore ignition switch stays on and accessories that are on will run battery down in a couple of hours. Sometimes the engine will not cut off until you turn it on and off many times. The dealer estim... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact parked and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was slow to accelerate. After refueling, the fuel dissipated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the throttle body and valve needed to be ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
The contact owned a 2017 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly fishtailed, causing the contact to briefly lose control. As a result, the vehicle collided head-on with a concrete barrier. No other vehicles were involved in the collision. No warning lights were illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. T... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
The car just shuts off without warning while driving. We’ve had this car for 6 months and had to put in the shop 4 times on different occasions without a resolution. This causes a major safety risk which could lead to a catastrophic accident. This has not been inspected by the manufacturer as of yet.
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
While traveling down the road, suddenly the steering gets hard to turn and the antilock brake system goes out. Usually, you can correct the problem by stomping on the brake or turning the car off and back on. Several warnings come up including Advancetrac failure. It’s a very dangerous situation when your power steering goes out while traveling down the road. This same issue has occurred more th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2023
I’m driving with cruise control on the highway at 65 and all of a sudden it shuts off. The check cruise system light comes on along with a triangle with an exclamation point in the middle of it in the lower left side of dashboard and the letters EPB lights up on the lower right side of dashboard.
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
ABS warning light came on, this also shuts down the cruise control system. ABS traction control is inoperable, my understanding the problem is the ABS/HCU pump/Module.. I only have 9087 miles on this truck. It’s a Dodge 3500 Dully. I garage keep and baby this truck, as I paid a lot of money for it. It is my understanding, based on all the internet feedback, that this is a major safety issue a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2023
Hi, I was on cruise control (not autosteer) on highway and I just applied turn signal and my Model Y suddenly applied brakes and speed was reduced to around 50MPh from 70MPh. We might get into some serious accident if there was a car behind us. Need someone to look into issue please.
Incident date: Jul 31, 2023
Car just hit 100000 miles. Engine light came on . Took to Barnes Crossing Ford in New Albany. After inspection was in formed coolant was leaking into engine and block needed to be replaced.The car did not overheat but the coolant leaking into engine could have ignited a fire due to other chemicals present such as oil, and other fluids needed to operate motor. TSB was already issued regarding this... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
Car just hit 100000 miles. Engine light came on . Took to Barnes Crossing Ford in New Albany. After inspection was in formed coolant was leaking into engine and block needed to be replaced.The car did not overheat but the coolant leaking into engine could have ignited a fire due to other chemicals present such as oil, and other fluids needed to operate motor. TSB was already issued regarding this... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
Power steering stopped working when pulling out of parking spot. Then warnings about blind spot and check engine lights came on.
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
On May 22, 2023 I had an annual physical exam at the doctor's office at 9:00 am. Upon completion of the visit, I drove my model 3 from the parking spot (3rd level) towards the ground floor. At the final turn, at the ground floor, I felt that the car had an unusual resistance when I tried to navigate the turn. The steering wheel felt as if it were locked. As a result of not being able to turn the ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 4, 2023
I was driving when I noticed a light on as I turned the car on as I was driving I saw 4 numbers showing which were the numbers for each tire but the one that was going down at a fast speed was the tire on the driver front tire. I had no blow out ,I had nothing for tire to go flat on me . When I was going to put on the spare that the card had I was not able to do that because I didn't have a jack ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2023
I was driving when I noticed a light on as I turned the car on as I was driving I saw 4 numbers showing which were the numbers for each tire but the one that was going down at a fast speed was the tire on the driver front tire. I had no blow out ,I had nothing for tire to go flat on me . When I was going to put on the spare that the card had I was not able to do that because I didn't have a jack ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2023
I was driving when I noticed a light on as I turned the car on as I was driving I saw 4 numbers showing which were the numbers for each tire but the one that was going down at a fast speed was the tire on the driver front tire. I had no blow out ,I had nothing for tire to go flat on me . When I was going to put on the spare that the card had I was not able to do that because I didn't have a jack ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
I have a 2022 Can-Am Ryker 900 sport. when I purchased it around a week or two later, my left brake and wheel started squeaking loud. I returned it to the dealer. One of the service men said its brand new brakes and tires give it time to wear down.low brake warning came across the screen and my handlebars started feeling loose,a lot of play. I returned it again. They checked my handlebars and fixe... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 6, 2023
There is an active recall on 2016 Kia Catalytic Converters. I was told my VIN is not included, even though I have this make and model. The car consistently struggled at 60 MPH, and was driving rough at lower speeds, but randomly. I had to travel no more than 45-50 MPH. This was dangerous since i was on the Highway when the car started to struggle at 60 MPH. Kia said my Catalytic Converter is clogg... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2023
On August 5, 2023, my car charge got too low for me to make it to a charging station in Lafayette Louisiana. I had the vehicle towed on a flat bed. I put the car in Tow Transportation mode. While we were towing the car, I opened the car to check the battery level and somehow the frunk was activated (perhaps I accidentally hit it, I'm not sure). The frunk opened while we were going about 60 mph... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
The auto compression release on the front cylinder came loose and stripped the hole in the head that it was screwed into. The caused the head to have to be replaced. The total bill was approximately $2000. This caused a sudden loss of power on the road as the engine effectively had a hole in the top of it. This put my life at risk if I was unable to pull over to the side of the road. I have r... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
On July 24th 2023, at approximately 2:15pm my wife and I were completely stopped at a red traffic light on 66th St N that crosses Ulmerton Rd in Pinellas County Florida. We were talking and listening to the radio, when all of a sudden, a loud shotgun or explosive sound filled the vehicle. I got hit with something in the chest that felt like a punch or a kick, knocking me out of breath. But my wif... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
On July 24th 2023, at approximately 2:15pm my wife and I were completely stopped at a red traffic light on 66th St N that crosses Ulmerton Rd in Pinellas County Florida. We were talking and listening to the radio, when all of a sudden, a loud shotgun or explosive sound filled the vehicle. I got hit with something in the chest that felt like a punch or a kick, knocking me out of breath. But my wif... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
We were notified that our engine was leaking coolant into it’s cylinder with the only caused listed as a ford bulletin saying that these engines experience and need to be replaced. With the threat of the engine over heating, I feel that this design malfunction is not something I am directly responsible for. I have maintained this car exceptionally well.
Incident date: Jul 21, 2023
Vehicle has auto stop/start. When at a red light and vehicle stops moving engine will shut off. When light goes green and foot is removed from break, vehicle starts up. Sometimes when starting back up it goes into neutral automatically. Other times the vehicle attempts to start. But shifts into neutral and shuts down completely. At this point you must manually restart the engine. This has created ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2023
Vehicle has auto stop/start. When at a red light and vehicle stops moving engine will shut off. When light goes green and foot is removed from break, vehicle starts up. Sometimes when starting back up it goes into neutral automatically. Other times the vehicle attempts to start. But shifts into neutral and shuts down completely. At this point you must manually restart the engine. This has created ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2023
Vehicle has auto stop/start. When at a red light and vehicle stops moving engine will shut off. When light goes green and foot is removed from break, vehicle starts up. Sometimes when starting back up it goes into neutral automatically. Other times the vehicle attempts to start. But shifts into neutral and shuts down completely. At this point you must manually restart the engine. This has created ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
This is a bran new vehicle. Power train failure indicated on screen. The transmission started jacking off leaving me with no acceleration. The truck was put in the dealership shop and repair. I picked it up about 4 weeks later. Drove it about 20 miles and the same thing happened again twice with in the 20 miles I drove. It’s back in the dealership shop been there about 3 weeks wanting on differe... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2023
Leaking 90% of my coolant within a 60 sec time period
Incident date: Aug 4, 2023
Jeep caught on fire on the interstate. 17 year old boy had to pull over and escape vehicle. Vehicle left the side of the road even after being in park and brake. Vehicle continued unmanned on interstate into oncoming traffic engulfed in flames. It has not been confirmed by a dealer. Vehicle was inspected by State Farm. NO warnings given prior to incident.
Fire
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
I am an owner of a 2013 Chevy Avalanche and must say that i enjoy driving this vehicle. The problem that i have is the vehicle has been going into Engine Power Reduced Mode. This mode makes the vehicle hard to accelerate to highway speeds. The vehicle will have a code of P2128 or P2138 which is an accelator pedel ciruit problem. I changed the acceleator pedal and did not solve the problem. I chang... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
I am an owner of a 2013 Chevy Avalanche and must say that i enjoy driving this vehicle. The problem that i have is the vehicle has been going into Engine Power Reduced Mode. This mode makes the vehicle hard to accelerate to highway speeds. The vehicle will have a code of P2128 or P2138 which is an accelator pedel ciruit problem. I changed the acceleator pedal and did not solve the problem. I chang... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
I had no prior knowledge of this problem. When backing my van out of the garage my front driver side tire blew out. This was caused by the strut spring breaking and poking a hole through the sidewall of the tire. I also discovered that the bottom control arm needed immediate replacement as it has rusted so much that a failure was imminent. I also discovered that the sun-frame mount for mounting... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2023
Our Vehicle is currently at the Dealership for a Power Liftgate electrical issue. There is a documented recall for 2016 Jeep models regarding the Power Liftgate. Our vehicle does not show any open recalls but this should be investigated as being associated with the active recall for Power Liftgate.
Incident date: Jul 26, 2023
I was parked when my driver-side headrest activated and hit me in the head. I have had a headache ever since.
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 26, 2023
While driving on the interstate at speed of around 65mph, plastic piece that is mounted between windshield and passenger side door detached and flew into following traffic
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
Shift to park problem. When the car is in park there is an error message stating ‘shift to park.’ I am unable to get out of my car, the car does not turn off or lock and I am trapped in my car in Florida heat with a car beeping or honking if I leave it
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
At about 60k miles I noticed the check engine light would come on and so I checked the oil only to see it completely empty. I get regular oil changes and have documentation. I took into Hyundai to get recalls fixed and mentioned the excessive oil consumption to them and the service manager stated that it was not enough oil consumption and I would have to pay to diagnose further. Well I have contac... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
Driver rear p 195/65 r 15 continental conti pro contact tire had an unexpected blow out. Driver was on the highway driving at highway speed. Did not hit anything. Did not run over anything. Tire pressure light came on and immediately tire blew. Incident happened in less than 5 seconds. Tire blow out happened on 8-4-2023. Current mileage on car 85818. Tires purchased 2-17-2023 at a mileage of 80124... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
I have had my vehicle in for the same problem at least 6 times, since August of 2022. The battery keeps dying. This is a know problem with this model. If it is not started for more than one day it will not start. The dealerships have replaced the batteries, main and auxiliary, multiple times, they have replaced the cable and wires, connectors and alternator. It still happens and no aftermarket ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
Electrical interference with USB audio. There are loose connections that travel on the headliner all the way to the back of the car rear top speakers. Audio source suddenly gets disconnected and make a huge buzzing sound on the rear left speaker mounted to headliner. A potential fire hazard.
Incident date: Aug 4, 2023
On July 10 I was driving my car and then suddenly all the brakes came on. There were no objects in front of the car or behind the cars it was early morning at 7 o'clock on my way to the hospital for work. There was no warning that there was an object in front of me or anything. Two days later around the same time in the morning the car could start but the electronic brake system was ON. you can't ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
The side mirrors on the vehicle are melting and deforming. This happened with the vehicle being less than 1 year old. Nowhere else on the vehicle is melted but the dealership claims it’s “solar convergence” however none of this damage is happening to older model Toyotas that have been exposed much longer to the elements/sun. I have read online numerous people’s vehicles from Toyota sufferi... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2023
Fuel pump failed
Incident date: Aug 2, 2023
The rubber coupler in the steering column has failed and is causing play in the steering wheel. This was diagnosed by a third-party service center, not a Hyundai dealer. When this was reported to the dealer's service center, they said that Hyundai would only replace this component under warranty for vehicles with a milage under 100,000.