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: Oct 22, 2025
The car, with no known or evident driver, stopped the lane awareness, cruise control, etc. All of those just stopped working and per Tesla that's expected which is surprising since it's all part of the safety systems. The car's visual cues stopped identifying lanes and as a byproduct of that, none of the dependent features work.
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
The car, with no known or evident driver, stopped the lane awareness, cruise control, etc. All of those just stopped working and per Tesla that's expected which is surprising since it's all part of the safety systems. The car's visual cues stopped identifying lanes and as a byproduct of that, none of the dependent features work.
Incident date: Nov 30, 2025
My 2023 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid has experienced repeated high-voltage battery safety issues and prolonged loss of intended function. In February 2025, Ford notified me under recall 24S79 that I must immediately stop charging the vehicle due to the risk of internal battery cell short, potential battery thermal venting, and fire. That “do not charge” instruction lasted approximately six month... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2025
The vehicle presents a compounded safety defect creating a risk of passenger entrapment and high-voltage fire. 1. High Voltage Manufacturing Defect: On September 3, 2024, authorized Tesla Service technicians diagnosed a critical safety fault. The service record states technicians 'found A/C compressor HV harness was incorrectly routed, rubbing against the steering column' and 'found sand inside t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2025
The vehicle presents a compounded safety defect creating a risk of passenger entrapment and high-voltage fire. 1. High Voltage Manufacturing Defect: On September 3, 2024, authorized Tesla Service technicians diagnosed a critical safety fault. The service record states technicians 'found A/C compressor HV harness was incorrectly routed, rubbing against the steering column' and 'found sand inside t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
Spark plugs have been replaced twice- fuel injectors cleaned and now I have another misfire in cylinder 3 and have to replace all four fuel injectors.
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
The engine lost cylinder 3, piston came loose and broke the spark plug. This happened because the rod bearing came loose which has been a known issue with Kia. There’s already been a class action law suit, and recall with warranty. Now the Kia dealership in Lynchburg has refused to honor this warranty. Stating they can’t do the required rod bearing clearance test because the engine doesn’t h... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2025
Issue 1: I reported transmission issued to the dealership/service center where I purchased the car. They assured me its just the electronic transmission trying to find the right gear while driving. Continued to complaint about the jerks and shifting. Dealer warranty expired, then they agreed that I needed a new transmission. Fortunately I had an outside extended warranty otherwise they'd probably ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
There is no low fuel light on the dash. I just found this out because it is the first time I ran the gas that low. Brakes- When braking the transmission jumps. It makes the car hop. These are both safety concerns because you won’t know you have low fuel unless you shut the car off and turn it back on. With the brakes, no component should be making a car jump when you hit the brakes
Incident date: Oct 24, 2025
The high-voltage battery on my 2022 Nissan Leaf is subject to Recall 25V655. The recall notice states that the battery cells can develop excessive lithium deposits, which increases electrical resistance and can cause rapid battery heating during Level 3 fast charging. Nissan instructs owners not to use Level 3 charging at all until a “remedy” is available. EVGO, one of the major lv3 chargers ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2025
My 2024 Tesla Model Y hit a parked vehicle on the right side of the street during FSD self driving. The car suddently slanted to the right and hit the parked vehicle. During FSD drive, it did not give any warning before the accident. My dauther was injured on her face. Clearly the new version FSD v14.1 software is very defective. I am located in San Jose, CA.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 24, 2025
My 2024 Tesla Model Y hit a parked vehicle on the right side of the street during FSD self driving. The car suddently slanted to the right and hit the parked vehicle. During FSD drive, it did not give any warning before the accident. My dauther was injured on her face. Clearly the new version FSD v14.1 software is very defective. I am located in San Jose, CA.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 5, 2025
1.The component that failed is the load index rating and both inner and outer sidewalls of the tire. Yes, the tires are available for inspection, they are off the car and stored in my garage. 2. I believe the safety of others and my self were at risk, I went for a tire rotation and saw the damage and asked the shop if tires were good and they said its good. Later my father points out this will ki... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
From the moment I purchased the vehicle, HGreg Nissan withheld essential information and misled me about its condition and warranty status. They told me the vehicle had a “bumper-to-bumper” warranty valid until October 2025 because it was a 2022 model, but they never informed me about the actual manufacturer warranties (5-year and 8-year EV warranties), which remain active and override any ext... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2025
My 2022 Ford E-Transit has experienced repeated electrical, propulsion, and powertrain failures that cause the vehicle to become completely inoperable. On September 8, the van displayed multiple critical alerts including powertrain malfunction, brake system failure, vacuum pump failure, and full electrical system fault, and it would not start. The next day, the same failure occurred again and the ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2025
Rear emergency release cable does not open the trunk. The latch mechanism failed with a trunk full of groceries, I pushed down the rear setts to access the trunk compartment and crawled back and popped open the emergency release cable and it did not function. I have a service for the car scheduled for Dec 2nd to repair/replace the latch mechanism.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
While driving in the highway vehicle lost power and gray smoke came out off the exhaust, it was hard to accelerate and TCS warning light and check engine light popped up. TCS warning light extinguished but check engine light still on. Cars behind me could have hit me from behind, because it was a sudden loss of speed, it made other drivers switch lanes creating the risk of crashing others or mysel... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
Today (Saturday) was the coldest day since I got my car and I used the remote starter to heat up the car. When I got into the car 15 minutes later there was a crack in the side mirror that was not there the last time I drove it (Thursday) and the car was parked all day yesterday (Friday). I believe the cold temperature combined with the heating element in the mirror caused a crack in the glass. It... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2025
2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV VIN: [XXX] Dealership: Jim Coleman Cadillac, Bethesda, MD I am reporting a brake safety failure involving severe and abnormal brake component wear that created an immediate safety risk with breaks completely failing while driving at high speed on the highway. During normal driving, I discovered that the right front brake assembly had worn down to bare metal. The brake... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2025
My 2020 Tesla Model X experiences severe vibration, shaking, and rattling during acceleration, especially between about 20–45 mph and at higher suspension settings. The vibration is strong enough to affect steering stability and safe control of the vehicle during acceleration and lane changes. Tesla has already replaced the front half-shafts twice under warranty for this same problem, but the i... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2025
My 2020 Tesla Model X experiences severe vibration, shaking, and rattling during acceleration, especially between about 20–45 mph and at higher suspension settings. The vibration is strong enough to affect steering stability and safe control of the vehicle during acceleration and lane changes. Tesla has already replaced the front half-shafts twice under warranty for this same problem, but the i... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
Dashboard warning "High Voltage System Service Soon" came on while driving. Phoned dealer. Made service appointment. Started car and warning notice had disappeared. Drove car to dealer, who checked and told me there were "multiple error codes relating to various electrical issues" and "the case is going to be elevated to Honda's tech/engineering team." The car will be at the dealership for 7 days ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Service ABS light constantly is on and off with dinging and kicking cruise on traction control off. I feel this isn't safe with my children on car. It has been a year I feel this is plenty of time to make it right or replace my vehicle
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
My vehicle’s auto-high beam system does not properly recognize other traffic. It specifically fails to substantially dim the high beams when approaching oncoming vehicles or when behind other traffic on roadways. I have reported this to the manufacturer and attempted to have the dealership fix this on multiple occasions. The dealerships insist that the vehicle dims the required number of pixels ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2025
This vehicle is going through coolant constantly. I couod not find a leak. I did find a recall FORD had for a cup plug and the cylinder head that leaks. My vehicle is outside the date range it looks like but looking under cylinder 2 coil pack I found that the cup head is visually leaking. Trying to see if this can be fixed under that recall.
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
Reat seatbelts become twisted and are not safe. Tesla claims this is a maintenance issue and not a defect in the mechanism. I disagree and this should be investigated by the government as it is a safety issue.
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
As a result of recall 94b and FCA US LLC’s failure to act/provide remedy for over 1 year. I am reporting an ongoing safety issue with my vehicle involving the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. Since January 2025, the vehicle has intermittently spun out, particularly in cold or wet conditions, creating a serious safety hazard. FCA acknowledged the defect but repeatedly stated no remedy w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
Incident date 11/27/25 Incident Location: CA State highway 101between San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles. Driving Conditions: Daylight/dry roadway. Description of Safety Defect / Complaint: During a single approximately 400-mile highway road trip, while using Tesla’s Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) feature enabled, the vehicle abruptly and forcefully applied the brakes on at least six (6) sepa... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the messages "Gear Shift Reset", and "Loss of Stability Control" were displayed, and the check engine warning light, the brake system warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the power steering feature suddenly failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2025
My 2024 tundra with 33000 miles is part of the latest recall, I called the dealership and was told I got to wait ( wait for what a XXX accident to happen) until Toyota sends me a letter and then dealerships get the parts! My truck is ticking, and not even running rite and no parts to fix it? Does anybody know how dangerous this is? XXX I drive myself and family in a $70000 truck that can litera... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2025
In my 2026 Tesla Model Y Long Range, there is no emergency release in the frunk (front trunk). I do believe there is a law that requires this. What if the unthinkable happens and someone gets stuck inside of it? I have seen others post about not having it as well, so it is definitely not limited to a small number of vehicles. I do not even see the harness for the emergency release inside of the pa... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2025
In my 2026 Tesla Model Y Long Range, there is no emergency release in the frunk (front trunk). I do believe there is a law that requires this. What if the unthinkable happens and someone gets stuck inside of it? I have seen others post about not having it as well, so it is definitely not limited to a small number of vehicles. I do not even see the harness for the emergency release inside of the pa... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V655000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the unrepaired recall was dangerous. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was advised not to use the Level 3 quick charging because the vehicle might catch on fire. The manufactu... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
On thanksgiving day i drove to train station in the morning, and had no issue. After work i got in the car started to drive, i was going 25-35 miles per hour in the maplewood township, and i wanted to slow down just in case i dont see any kid or person at dark. I almost had no brake! I was so scared and i pushed th brake pedal so hard, i was very dangerous for the society at this moment. I just wi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
This is a supplemental filing to my prior NHTSA complaint (#11697718) regarding a high-voltage isolation fault and shutdown risk. The vehicle displayed warnings including “vehicle may shut down during driving,” “may not charge,” and repeated BMS isolation fault messages. It became inoperable at a public charging station. The manufacturer confirmed isolation faults in the drive unit and th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
This is a supplemental filing to my prior NHTSA complaint (#11697718) regarding a high-voltage isolation fault and shutdown risk. The vehicle displayed warnings including “vehicle may shut down during driving,” “may not charge,” and repeated BMS isolation fault messages. It became inoperable at a public charging station. The manufacturer confirmed isolation faults in the drive unit and th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2025
When accelerating from a stop the truck stumbles and does not take off. This is dangerous as people may run into you. I have asked many times at dealership if there is a fix yet and the answer is no.
Incident date: Nov 18, 2025
The vehicle has a manufacturing defect in the charge port body seal allowing water intrusion into the vehicle cabin and near high-voltage charging components. This has resulted in dampness and potential mold growth, posing a respiratory health hazard to occupants.
Incident date: Nov 18, 2025
The vehicle has a manufacturing defect in the charge port body seal allowing water intrusion into the vehicle cabin and near high-voltage charging components. This has resulted in dampness and potential mold growth, posing a respiratory health hazard to occupants.
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
Hesitation and throttle lag when accelerating the vehicle from a slow speed.
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
Component/system that failed: Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software version 14.x (2025.38.x and later). The issue is software-only and remains installed on any vehicle updated to v14. Description of safety defect: FSD v14 deliberately removes the driver’s ability to set or adjust maximum speed offset using the right scroll wheel (feature present in all prior versions including my curren... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2025
Engine failure. Started making a knocking noise on road with my whole family in the car, no lights or warnings on dash and had to pull over and get it towed to nearest dealer. Took a week to get a diagnostic done. Dealer found metal shavings in oil filter believe to be from a connecting rod bearing. Recall 252494000 was done 2,000 miles prior to engine failure. Now dealer must replace engine assem... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
CV joint clicking. Both had to get replaced at 5K miles.
Incident date: Oct 7, 2025
I am reporting a safety issue with my 2019 Subaru Legacy that hesitates and nearly stalls when accelerating from a stop and is now undriveable due to stalling and shaking. I bought the car new from AutoNation Subaru Carlsbad in 2019. It has about 65,000 miles and I have driven it less than 2,000 miles since its last dealer visit in August 2025. Since around August 2025, the car has intermittently... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
Mechanism for rear window on left side does not stop going up. Pushes rubber seal off the car and window falls out from going up too much.
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
The front trunk (frunk) on my 2026 Tesla Model Y Juniper lacks both internal lighting and an emergency safety release mechanism. This design flaw creates an unnecessary and severe safety risk, as a small adult or child could easily become trapped in the frunk with no way to signal for help or escape. In low-light conditions—such as at night or in a garage without adequate illumination—the abse... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
I am writing to formally file a report regarding the severe mechanical damage to the vehicle I purchased on June 14th, 2024, identified as A 2017 BMW- X1 sDrive28i, with VIN NUMBER [XXX] . It has come to my attention that this damage was not disclosed at the time of purchase, which constitutes a violation of consumer protection laws. As a consumer, I have the right to receive truthful and accurate... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
The turbocharger cracked at only 50,000 miles. My mechanic stated it is a common issue with this engine size.
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
The front trunk (frunk) on my 2026 Tesla Model Y Juniper lacks both internal lighting and an emergency safety release mechanism. This design flaw creates an unnecessary and severe safety risk, as a small adult or child could easily become trapped in the frunk with no way to signal for help or escape. In low-light conditions—such as at night or in a garage without adequate illumination—the abse... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2025
My care had issue and showing message on dashboard for "service shifter" and was diagnosed by the Ferman Dealership on US 19, New Port Richey, FL. After dealership fixed the issue, Paid around $800, I picked up the car and drove around and took on freeway, after sometimes I got the message of service shifter again on dashboard and steering became hard and other function were stopped working. It fe... Read more