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: Aug 13, 2025
A major recall has been issued due to possible engine failure. It sounds like a ticking time bomb and the dealer and GM currently refuse to do anything about it because “remedy not available yet.” I’m stuck driving a vehicle where the engine could fail randomly at any minute putting my family in danger and there’s no fix being offered right now despite the massive recall. Replace my engine... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2025
Every time I turn right my car turns off. I am able to restart after. I’ve taken it to several mechanic's and no one seems to know the issue. I’ve had my battery change circuits change a tune up and my gas filter changed and the car still doesn’t work.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
Driving on I 880 south on the fast lane. The car suddenly braked for no reason and began to shutdown. It warned me to pull over before complete shutdown. Luckily there was space on my left and I was able to rolling stop. Nothing on the screen was working. Turned on hazard light. Got out of car with my phone. Accessed Tesla app and ran battery check. After couple mins the error went away. Tried to ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
I’ve had to replace the steering rack, upper and lower control arm for the left wheel, entire computer motherboard. I drove the car for less than 70k miles and zero accidents and zero modifications. Yes I am open for inspection. While driving with fsd lane keep failed causing the car to veer to other lane. The tesla repair shop said the steering rack was sending errors and the whole rack needs... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
I’ve had to replace the steering rack, upper and lower control arm for the left wheel, entire computer motherboard. I drove the car for less than 70k miles and zero accidents and zero modifications. Yes I am open for inspection. While driving with fsd lane keep failed causing the car to veer to other lane. The tesla repair shop said the steering rack was sending errors and the whole rack needs... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
I’ve had to replace the steering rack, upper and lower control arm for the left wheel, entire computer motherboard. I drove the car for less than 70k miles and zero accidents and zero modifications. Yes I am open for inspection. While driving with fsd lane keep failed causing the car to veer to other lane. The tesla repair shop said the steering rack was sending errors and the whole rack needs... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
Brake over heats because of rust caused by rain which builds up causing brakes to freeze up. Explanation from dealer. In fact told us we need to dry brakes off if we drive in rain and park in garage for more than 2 days or we will have it happen again. Brakes freeze and car locked up and can’t move it. We bought the car used had it inspected by a MBD in Atlanta G. Bulkhead , told breaks were lik... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
Brake over heats because of rust caused by rain which builds up causing brakes to freeze up. Explanation from dealer. In fact told us we need to dry brakes off if we drive in rain and park in garage for more than 2 days or we will have it happen again. Brakes freeze and car locked up and can’t move it. We bought the car used had it inspected by a MBD in Atlanta G. Bulkhead , told breaks were lik... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
I have owned this vehicle 10 months and for the third time now it is having the same reoccurring electrical issue. The first time the check engine light came on went to the dealer they hooked it up said just a battery drive it you will be fine. They turned the code error off. Left dealership drove to Home Depot and went to leave got in push the start button and the truck started making grinding no... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
I have owned this vehicle 10 months and for the third time now it is having the same reoccurring electrical issue. The first time the check engine light came on went to the dealer they hooked it up said just a battery drive it you will be fine. They turned the code error off. Left dealership drove to Home Depot and went to leave got in push the start button and the truck started making grinding no... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2025
My 2014 mazda 6 EVAP system pops the p0451 when filling up gas to the first click. It goes away after a while if I take care to not fill up the tank all the way to the top. It is similar to a issue reported by recall 7414D for other 2014 mazda 6s. My car is not covered by the open recall, but it is experiencing similar issues. The p0451 goes on and off depending on how much i fill up the gastank.
Incident date: Aug 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to make the turn, but the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact stated that the failure was initially intermittent but had become a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V433000 (Parking Brake); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed that the windshield was not installed properly and needed to be repl... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
i bought the car used, i took it in for diagnostics on my transmission. they claimed i needed a new one, not claiming i need a new clutch. my car’s model and year match the DCT recall problems. but not the vin. when my car was in the heat or accelerating it had the same issues listed. i believe this is a manufacturing issue.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
I own a 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E affected by recall 25S65 / 25V404. Ford has placed a stop-sale on all 2024 and older Mach-Es for this issue but is allowing current owners to drive the vehicles. The defect can trap occupants or pets inside if the 12V battery discharges, posing a serious safety risk in hot weather (currently 100°F in my area). I contacted Kendall Ford of Meridian, ID, on 8/14/25 ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the message "Repair ABS" and "Repair Electronic Braking System" were displayed. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated ... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2025
I received an email from Honda regarding a safety recall, stating that the defective part is now available. However, when I called different Honda dealerships, they told me to disregard the notice because the part is not available. If the repair cannot be done, I am concerned why Honda sent the notice in the first place.
Incident date: May 12, 2025
I received an email from Honda regarding a safety recall, stating that the defective part is now available. However, when I called different Honda dealerships, they told me to disregard the notice because the part is not available. If the repair cannot be done, I am concerned why Honda sent the notice in the first place.
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
What happened? While driving my 2015 Tesla Model S, the main touchscreen (MCU) began intermittently going black, disabling access to essential vehicle controls, navigation, climate settings, and rear-view camera display. At times when the MCU was functioning, the rear-view camera feed would still display a black screen upon shifting into Reverse, leaving me without any rear visibility. Component ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
Oil pan plug broke off of oil pan. Will need full replacement of oil pan. I'm seeing online A LOT of others having the same issue with this exact model.
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
We have a Buick Lucerne 2010. We went out it would not start. Tow it to dealership they replace the fuel pump. We did. Get it home next day it will not start again. Tow it to dealership again. This time they find melted wire connectors. Under back seat and on a fuse box.They replace them it starts and melt them again. This time they call to junk yards to get a used fuse box and connectors. Becaus... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the digital screen intermittently blacked out and several safety features were inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the resort block remained at 90%, and the same EMMC ID that should have been covered under NHTSA Cam... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time frame for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a f... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
While Driving without a Trailer attached to the truck or anything plugged into the Trailer plugs on the truck, the "Service Trailer Brake System" continuosly flashes up on the Dash and chimes even after mutiple "Dismiss" attempts it still comes back.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
I am reporting a serious safety concern with my 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. What component or system failed and is it available for inspection? The hybrid drive system and regenerative braking system are malfunctioning. The hybrid battery recharging system including the MPI have failed, causing the vehicle to operate solely on the gasoline engine. This results in degraded braking performance due to ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
The rear window shattered spontaneously with explosive force and sound while I was driving and parking it in the subsurface garage of my condominium complex, with my wife as a passenger. I can only surmise that substandard safety glass, combined with unusually high outside temperatures and extremely effective interior air conditioning was involved in the physics of the explosion. The incident was ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2025
I have problems with my reverse camera. When in reverse sometimes it will freeze or show a blank screen other times it will act normal. I went to the Deloris 3 times 1 time they replaced the camera but it kept doing the same thing the other 2 they could not verify.
Incident date: Aug 10, 2025
I had fuel leaking from my carbon canister. I was driving the previous day and noticed a gasoline smell. I thought it was something I ran over. The next day, while performing errands, I noticed the smell even more. Then I exited the vehicle to see the fuel pouring out of the car. The dealership has it now.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2025
Both screens went black during drive - no visuals for mph, safety features including blind spot assist, pedestrian signal and back up camera are included not working. When vehicle is off the radio is still playing. Soft reset did not work. This is second time this has happened. I am taking it to dealer for a hard reset - hopefully this works.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 428I. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the vehicle had an abnormal engine coolant leak. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine temperature gauge was rising abnormally. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repai... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
This car is consuming oil and has the potential to catastrophically fail, or catch fire.
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
have been experiencing extreme shaking and vibration so called “death wobble.” In 2023 I took it to the dealership to look into the issue to which they changed the steering stabilizer. Even though that helped for a few years however it did not resolve the problem. It was still occurring just not to the same degree. Currently I have tried to reach out to the dealership to look into the problem ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
My vehicle displays a persistent warning: “Front Left Safety Restraint System Fault.” A technician told me this fault relates to the driver seat sensor and is the same defect addressed by a previous NHTSA recall. However, I’ve confirmed that my VIN was not included in that recall. Despite the recall fix being implemented for some vehicles, my car still has this safety restraint fault with n... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
The malfunction I am concerned with is the battery and the battery charging system (alternator, engine control module). I purchased this car new in July of 2024. However, last month the battery drained to a point where I had to jump it to start it. I drove with the hope that the alternator would charge the battery. Yet, it did not. Within the last four weeks, I proceeded to have to jump the car al... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
The thermostat failed, causing the vehicle to overheat and die on a US highway with multiple passengers inside. The vehicle subsequently needed to be towed to the dealer for service. This is a known issue but Jeep has not issued a recall. There is a customer satisfaction campaign (CSN 26B) in regard to thermostat failure, but this VIN has not been included, despite having the same engine/year know... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2025
Our van has recently been having issues with the sliding doors. It has occurred while driving and the warning light as well as the warning for a door open, and the door lights have came on. Right before this occurs you can hear a click sound from the sliding door behind the driver's side as well as when you close the door, you can hear a strange sound when it closes, unlike the passenger side slid... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was running, the transmission warning light illuminated, and a "Possible Ice" message was displayed even though there was no inclement weather. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the failure was not replicated. On another occasion while stopped, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the ve... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
Shook violently while pushing brakes and finally caught and stopped after pushing them hard.
Incident date: Aug 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at speeds between 60 MPH - 80 MPH, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer approximately six times however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
Incident date: Aug 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at speeds between 60 MPH - 80 MPH, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer approximately six times however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
Incident date: Aug 10, 2025
Hood flew up and Brakes locked up when I tried to stop causing me to slide sideways unable to control it and flipped four times and the air bags never came out and truck was totaled.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 10, 2025
When driving truck especially in rolling traffic truck has hard time downshifting and clunky and lunches as transmition tries to figure what gear to be in. It is an intermittently happening but now evolved to completely dropping out of gear goes into neutral were you can rev engine without truck moving foward. This has only happened twice both time as I was slowing down to make a turn and the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2025
The brake pedal became stiff. The pedal would depress and eventually stop the car but then occasionally more play would be in the pedal. When the vehicle stopped the pedal would depress further and additional pressure would have to be applied to get the vehicle to stop completely. A service campaign bulletin was issued for my other vehicle ( Feb 20, 2024- Reference Number 13N02), same model, same ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2025
Too fast and too close to stop sign to red light or other cars while in Full Self Drive (supervised).I had to disable it to avoid risks of accident.Even using Chilly Mode.
Incident date: Aug 9, 2025
Vehicle will suddenly shut the engine off and shift into park, even when the auto engine shut off is not active. Typically happens when stopped at a stop light. You will feel the engine shut off, and the car shift into park. It is very scary and unsafe. It has also caused the vehicle to shut off and shift into neutral while it was moving, and the vehicle gave a transmission warning. It sounds... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2025
Vehicle will suddenly shut the engine off and shift into park, even when the auto engine shut off is not active. Typically happens when stopped at a stop light. You will feel the engine shut off, and the car shift into park. It is very scary and unsafe. It has also caused the vehicle to shut off and shift into neutral while it was moving, and the vehicle gave a transmission warning. It sounds... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
I was doing 65 and had to gun it to get out of someone's way and when I did it just didn't go. There was a long pause then it kicked in just in time.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
I was doing 65 and had to gun it to get out of someone's way and when I did it just didn't go. There was a long pause then it kicked in just in time.
Incident date: Jul 3, 2025
I pulled up to a red light in a protected left turn lane. My car is set to use regenerative braking and hold/not roll once stopped. I felt my car roll forward a bit, which shouldn't happen when these settings are on. I quickly checked my rearview mirror, assuming someone had hit me from behind to cause me to roll forward. No one was behind me. I hit my brake and the car suddenly accelerated at ful... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 3, 2025
My transmission is slow when I driving and loss power in hills