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: Sep 18, 2025
Sync Infotainment system freezes and has the same symptoms as listed in the recall that was issued in May of 2025. The screen will occasionally freeze when powering up or even driving, resulting in loss of use of navigation. Infotainment screen will also occasionally freeze when in reverse not showing accurate information from the back up camera.
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Steering the vehicle in a low gear causes the vehicle to tremble or shudder. The dealership identified the problem to be the transfer case fluid. In manufacturing, BMW put a fluid which did not meet the specifications of the vehicle. The transfer case fluid is documented in the manual of BMW X5 M50i (2021) to be something which does not require replacement in the lifetime of the vehicle. I raised ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Steering the vehicle in a low gear causes the vehicle to tremble or shudder. The dealership identified the problem to be the transfer case fluid. In manufacturing, BMW put a fluid which did not meet the specifications of the vehicle. The transfer case fluid is documented in the manual of BMW X5 M50i (2021) to be something which does not require replacement in the lifetime of the vehicle. I raised ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
While driving at highway speeds the vehicle suddenly dropped into "limp mode" causing the vehicle to start slowing down very quickly since I had regeneration breaking set to level 2. Causing the vehicle behind me to almost rear end me but they moved out of the way quick enough that no collision happened. I was able to turn on my hazard lights and roll to safety. After powering off the vehicle, e... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
My 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan (purchased used) has a recurring and unsafe issue related to acceleration and the automatic start/stop feature. When accelerating from a stop or while maintaining slight pressure on the gas pedal, the vehicle lurches forward as if aggressively accelerating, even though my foot pressure has not changed. Additionally, when the start/stop feature re-engages after idling, th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not expe... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
Check engine light came on. Code was P219D mixture formation is irregular on cylinder 2. Informed today, the cylinder will need to be replaced entirely for about $10,000. Concerned that although this did not happen to me, others have stated the vehicle completely stalls while driving.
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
While moving at a very slow speed parking the vehicle in my driveway, I was slowly turning to the left. The vehicle accelerated suddenly and quickly. This cost the front end to strike the deck and steps to the deck of my home. It also damaged the lower front end of the vehicle.
Crash
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
The factory headlights are not capable of safely illuminating the roadway while operating the motorcycle at night.
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine failure. I’ve been reporting engine stalling since around 34,000 miles or so I purchased the car and immediately had battery issues before 25,000 miles as well. While I was driving on the road the engine stalled about 34,000 miles with me and my pregnant daughter in the car. The seatbelts ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
Unknown The infotainment system started malfunctioning on its own
Incident date: Jul 28, 2025
My 2025 Lexus LS500, with only 500 miles, has two serious defects in the front passenger seat, creating a safety hazard. The massage function is non-functional, grayed out in the infotainment system, and the seat belt fails to tighten or retract, leaving significant slack when buckled. Issues appeared during normal city driving (dry conditions, <10 mph, no accidents or modifications). The seat bel... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
I was sitting in my car, and the entire steering and brake system went offline and the car had a bunch of hazard lights on and said to tow to a dealership. I tested the steering, and didn’t feel the wheels turn with the steering wheel, and the brakes went to the floor. When I went to shut off my car, it did the emergency shut-off (press 2xs or hold for 3 seconds). I attempted to restart the car ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
while driving 25mph-49mph, the hood unexpectedly opened and flew back into the windshield causing the windshield to crack/shatter. No warning lights had been illuminated. Driver pulled over safely got out of the car along with 2 passengers. Driver contacted the police and had the car towed to the nearest auto body shop. calling NISSAN on monday 9/22/25. seems like there was a MAJOR recall in 20... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
The check engine light has come on multiple times, indicating an engine failure defect, a known and recurring issue among this vehicle’s model. The problem first occurred on [XXX], again on [XXX], and is ongoing since [XXX]. The vehicle has been inoperable since [XXX], and remains at the dealership. The defect puts the safety of the driver and others at risk because the vehicle can become inope... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
The Volkswagen dealership advised they could not fix the airbag recall. They said that the parts are on extreme back order, they can’t schedule an appointment for me to get it fixed, and they have no time estimate on when it can be fixed. I’m very concerned since the airbag recall lists that the driver airbag can explode and cause severe injury or death.
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
The ABS and and electric circuit lights came on, on the dash. Then a week later my Transmission started acting up. I had it into the shop and they are saying the 2 are related. They have given me the paperwork showing how the code that comes up is from the recall and the paperwork showing it can trigger the transmission control module. The manufacturer made the recall back in December of 2024. Th... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
The in-dash backup camera stopped functioning about 2 years ago. The errors are random and range from glitching video, delay in activating, not switching off(driving forward with rearview camera activated), and a error code pop-up to contact the dealer. 100 percent of the time, the image is displayed in reverse making backing up impossible.
Incident date: Sep 17, 2025
See attached document for complaint. Unfortunately, I purchased the referenced car from Tasca Ford in Yonkers. The problems about the engine losing oil pressure, lights flashing, and the engine going dead are well known. The car's engine is dead and the car has been sitting in my garage for more than one year. I was told by Ford back in 2024 that the problem would be fixed. Then I was told in abo... Read more
Incident date: Sep 17, 2025
I have observed significant glare from the dashboard reflecting onto the windshield, especially during daylight driving and when sunlight hits at certain angles. The reflection obstructs the driver’s forward visibility, making it difficult to see the road clearly and creating a potential safety hazard. This issue occurs regularly in sunny conditions and has not been resolved by adjusting seating... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
Reference my NHTSA complaint # 11681607 dtd 8/19/25 regarding the problem with Autosense wipers that I’ve had since I bought my Aviator 2.5 yrs ago. As I previously reported, problem was finally resolved in April when dealer replaced the Autosense sensor. I have come to learn that the plastic covering dealer found on the sensor (see attached pic) is actually a protective film for part shipment ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
Vehicle failed to start in dealer's service stall. Fault was corrected 6 days later. Repair order described fault as "2 wires touching under driver's seat". Service desk stated the problem was pre-existing. I would be fearful of the consequences if those two wires "touched" while driving.
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
24E08 for catalytic converter. Ford has a customer service program for other VINs. This is not included. This is a widespread failure based on forms I have read across various year. I have 95k miles and have owned for 4.5 years. They also stated the PCM software needs to be updated related to the catalytic converter. This is about a 3k repair. 24E04 covers this exact issue, but my VIN was on... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2025
keep quit working when i was driving , i just pick up from delearship for i another issue with on-star and is not part available is been there for over month not fix and now the brakes issue
Incident date: Jul 5, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Crash
Incident date: Jul 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle went into limp mode. In addition, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that a nearby driver honked the horn, and the contact was in... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
Power steering lights up and I am unable to turn the steering wheel. When I shut the motor down and start back up, the steering starts working again. This has been doing this for about 4 years now. I took it to White Allen Chevrolet when it first started happening and they told me that they drove it around and that it did not happen while they test drove the car. It happens intermittingly. I ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
Car seat is installed rear-facing with a seatbelt method. Car seat continues to be come loose even after proper installation.
Incident date: Aug 6, 2025
I was driving on the highway with my children and the engine started to knock and lock up. I had to swerve onto an exit and roll into a gas station. My check engine light was on. I had it serviced in 2023 at a kia dealership. I had electrical issues to my battery that I opted to get fixed elsewhere. The dealership was aware of the recall on my engine, when I had it towed to them in 2025. Dealers... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2025
The PTU AND PTU Actuator have failed. The repair is estimated to be App $3000 at a local independent repair shop. The parts are unavailable to do a timely repair. We still have to drive it because it cannot be repaired until parts are available, we were told it could be months because there are so many jeeps failing from the same thing. ( "a similar repair was done today after waiting for 3 months... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2025
Our 2015 Prius suffers from the Brake booster/master cylinder defect as outlined in TSB T-SB-0024-19. Which is a well known an pervasive issue for this vehicle. We were unable to medically drive when the vehicle was still under the time frame and mileage which would have allowed it to be covered by Toyota. Despite requesting an extension due to extenuating circumstances (medically unable to dri... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2025
The carseat comes with a stroller attached, i was pushing my granddaughter in the carseat stroller into the elementary school to pick up the older 2 siblings when the leg of the stroller snapped in half. Causing that side of the strollet to collapse. Yes the infant was put at risk. I have not had the carseat/stroller inspected as it was not in a vehicle accident of any type.
Incident date: Sep 13, 2025
The carseat comes with a stroller attached, i was pushing my granddaughter in the carseat stroller into the elementary school to pick up the older 2 siblings when the leg of the stroller snapped in half. Causing that side of the strollet to collapse. Yes the infant was put at risk. I have not had the carseat/stroller inspected as it was not in a vehicle accident of any type.
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
Hey I’ve Recently Wrecked My Vehicle Due To Malfunctions This Year Just A Few Months Ago & I Reported It To The Dealer Before I Crashed It. That Something Was Wrong With The Engine And Also Sent The Dealership I Purchased It From Videos Before Hand But Nobody Would Listen To Me. Now My Car Is Sitting In A lot Engine Blowed And I Can’t Afford Another One. I Have Proof , Names And Also Couldn’... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
Hey I’ve Recently Wrecked My Vehicle Due To Malfunctions This Year Just A Few Months Ago & I Reported It To The Dealer Before I Crashed It. That Something Was Wrong With The Engine And Also Sent The Dealership I Purchased It From Videos Before Hand But Nobody Would Listen To Me. Now My Car Is Sitting In A lot Engine Blowed And I Can’t Afford Another One. I Have Proof , Names And Also Couldn’... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
The vehicle experienced a premature failure of the head gasket; it was blown at 130,000 miles. I was close to home when I received a dash alert stating not to accelerate as the engine was nearing a critically high temperature. If I had not been able to get home so quickly, my safety may have been compromised as my car could have overheated forcing me to pull over on the shoulder of a busy bridge. ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
The vehicle experienced a premature failure of the head gasket; it was blown at 130,000 miles. I was close to home when I received a dash alert stating not to accelerate as the engine was nearing a critically high temperature. If I had not been able to get home so quickly, my safety may have been compromised as my car could have overheated forcing me to pull over on the shoulder of a busy bridge. ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
While driving my car suddenly felt like it was braking. The car beeped but no brake light appeared as when it thinks i am going to run into something. There were 2 incidents with nothing in front of me. One was at a low rate if speed and one was on a freeway. The car went back to normal after a second. The incidents were around 3 weeks apart
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
Brakes making honking sound when applied even when stopped. My brake actuator is failing and has been confirmed by the LEXUS Dealership. Noise and stiff breaks has been going on for a while. There is no recall, but Lexus put out LSB to dealerships May 15, 2023 and revisions earlier. This information should be provided to owners IMMEDIATELY, if the actuator fails, this is a safety issue.
Crash
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
Recall 19V-645 / N192268490 was performed on my 2014 Chevy Silverado, prior to me purchasing the vehicle a month ago. A computer adjustment was completed in 2019. The vehicle has brake problems, ie: vehicle will ease forward with brakes applied or while stopped. Upon re-applying brakes I have a HARD brake pedal. Dealer stated that recall was completed and I will have to pay to get vehicle fixed.... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2025
So this morning as soon as I started my 2018 Ford escape up and instantly temp gauge went to hot and threw up a sign stating high temp. Safely stop . I turned it off . And I started googling what was happening and upon doing some searching I started seeing multiple people complaining about the same things that I have going on as well with their 2018 Ford escape having the same problem with their s... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2025
My driver seat suddenly stopped working correctly when trying to move the seat forward or backward. It would make this lagging noise and feel like it was jumping. We had to keep the seat in the position that would be safe for me to sit in and operate the car effectively, but needed to get it fixed because my partner could not sit in the same position and operate the vehicle safely from that positi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2024
On [XXX] at around [XXX], the vehicle a fee a metal clinking noise then suddenly lost power and stalled in the middle of the road([XXX] , Del Mar, CA 92014). After stepping on the gas pedal a couple times, there was no response and no power. The dashboard displayed "engine and transmission problem" and contacted dealership immediately. The vehicle was finally towed to the dealership the next day. ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2024
The oil pan has a rtv gasket from factory and started leaking, I’ve replaced it twice and is still leaking. It’s expensive and cumbersome. It runs the risk of oil starvation, this would cause catastrophic engine failure, ford has TSB for this issue. UNKNOWN UNKNOWN
Incident date: Aug 4, 2024
My Car ocassionally comes with Code P0101 and P0102 when the check Engine light comes on. And when it does come on, The Traction Light and Head Collision warning lights show as well. These affect how the car drives and I have to stop and shut of the engine for a couple of minutes and then restart the engine. Changing the Mass Air flor sensor does not seem to have helped anything and it seems based... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
my vehicle is roughly 40k miles. The temp gauge was stuck on C the cooling fan was running continuously even when the car was off and the checked engine appeared. The mechanic at the dealership said the thermostat is stuck in open position causing the computer not to know if the engine is cooling properly. For a vehicle less then 5 years old with upkept maintenance and doing a bit of research... T... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
Summary of Complaint: My 2023 Tesla Model Y has had two roof glass failures in three months (two glass roof replacements). Both times, the glass cracked from small road debris while driving under normal city conditions. Safety Concern The roof glass appears unusually fragile and prone to cracking, raising concerns about whether it meets industry standards for impact resistance and occupant safet... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
Summary of Complaint: My 2023 Tesla Model Y has had two roof glass failures in three months (two glass roof replacements). Both times, the glass cracked from small road debris while driving under normal city conditions. Safety Concern The roof glass appears unusually fragile and prone to cracking, raising concerns about whether it meets industry standards for impact resistance and occupant safet... Read more