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
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Apr 6, 2025
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
CMBS not working properly. The car automatically brakes without any collision risk even on a clear road with no traffic and clear weather. Have a huge risk of someone crashing the car from the rear due to immediate braking. This issue has appeared several times.
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Apr 6, 2025
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
NHTSA 23V867 was issued on the car after 8 months of purchase for high voltage battery modules protentional for a fire if overheating occurs. It has been over 18 months and recall only has been mitigated by reducing the ability to charge the car. Due to the potential of fire hazard we have had to stop charging the car in the garage overnight like we use to. Wife makes we stay outside with ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
Our pacifica has repeatedly stalled on freeways. The engine will just stop running and will not start for 15 minutes to several hours. If it does start, it often will sputter and stall again if you try to put it in ear or press the accelerator. After some time, the problem will resolve itself and the vehicle will drive normally. This problem is infrequent which is what makes it so vexing. Eac... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
Steering assist reduced, traction control disabled, stability control disabled. When trying to drive steering heavy and car coasts unless holding brake pedal, which is unusual for a Tesla at it normally auto holds. Traction control and stability control also disabled, unsafe to drive.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
While driving my 2025 Chevrolet Equinox, both the digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen suddenly turned off without warning. This blackout lasted for several seconds before both systems rebooted and returned to normal. This has happened multiple times and does not seem related to any specific driving condition, speed, or weather. The vehicle itself continues to operate normally during... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
While driving my 2025 Chevrolet Equinox, both the digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen suddenly turned off without warning. This blackout lasted for several seconds before both systems rebooted and returned to normal. This has happened multiple times and does not seem related to any specific driving condition, speed, or weather. The vehicle itself continues to operate normally during... Read more
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) — POWER TRAIN
Apr 4, 2025
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
I’m having a very difficult time with ford dealership there is a lot of information about this 2016 ford focus automatic transmission that has problems with either its dry clutch or the tcm transmission control module. It is revving high when you stop it doesn’t shift gears properly it jerks hard it won’t go into higher gears it will start reversing out of no were that’s a very very terrif... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
Any of categories are matching with my issue. 3 1/2 years old, 64,000 miles Tesla model y, ECU, which controls Full self driving , and drive assist system, is fault right after warranty expires. The replacement cost is $2,800. Does it make sense that ECU fault on the owner? It is only 3 1/2 years old car. It is definitely defective part, but Tesla service is not replace for free. I am concerning ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
6.2 L Engine Failed and is at the Dealership. Technician said a lifter had dropped damaging the intake and the cylinder wall. The problem has been identified by a Dealership Service Center. Only inspection has been by the Dealership. No warning messages pryor to failure. Engine light and some messages came up right when it happened.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
The tailgate on our truck keeps automatically coming down and up on its own. It doesn’t matter if the truck is in park or drive. It doesn’t matter if it’s locked or unlocked. It will do it several times in a row. It will go half way back up and then just slam down. Unfortunately we didn’t know this was an issue as we just bought the truck a few days before we noticed it happening and it fe... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the engine power was significantly reduced and there was a whining sound coming from the engine compartment. While starting the vehicle, there was a high-pitched whining sound heard. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined there was a failure with the fuel pump. The fuel pumps were ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
1. The Power Conversion System (PCS), still in the vehicle and not available for inspection 2. 2 of the 3 controllers have failed, resulting in limited AC charging (16A out of 48A max). The PCS helps regulate AC and DC electricity and connects the 12V batter to the HV battery. If it fails, it could lead to dangerous situations since the electricity from the HV battery wouldn't be as controlled. I'... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the man... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Honda - In 2016 I purchased a new Honda Civic Tour model from a dealership and currently have 23000 miles (23K) recently the steering became a problem. I took it to the dealer where I purchased the vehicle and was advised that there was an issue known as "notching" where a gear component became defective. It was dangerous to drive and there was no options but to have it repaired. The repair cost n... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2024
1. PTC Heater, old part is available for inspection 2. PTC heater failed while driving, experienced loss of power and slow loss of secondary electrical systems (the 12v battery was not able to recharge itself with the PTC heater not functioning). When attempting to restart car after pulling into a parking lot, the entire car died (12V battery was drained so it couldn't start up) and had to get tow... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on both sides of the windshield started to detach. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); 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 re... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2024
I was driving on the interstate when my vehicle’s display indicated that I needed to press start and that is when I noticed the engine was not running. I had to quickly pull over moving three car lanes all while coasting and I came to a stop. I tried multiple times to restart but the engine would not restart. I still had electrical power and turned on my hazard lights and called for a tow truck.
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became significantly difficult to turn. No warning light was illuminated. An unknown local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts n... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
Honda is not completing this recall in a reasonable manner, and despite claiming parts are available they are not. After two years of delays, and now threats that our registration will be not renewed if we do not perform the recall, Honda still does not have the parts. Furthermore, they want you to bring in the car, have it inspected, after which they will decide if they want to replace the part... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2025
2019 FORD EXPEDITION THAT HAS BEEN IN FOR PAST TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH NO PROBLEMS FOUND. FORD IS NOW TELLING ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND OF COURSE ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. ISSUES ARE WHEN AT A STOP AND ACCELARATING THE VEHICLE SHAKES AS IF YOU ARE GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. ALSO, AT HWY SPEEDS WHEN ACCELERATING TO CHANGE LANES THE TRANSMISSION WILL COMPLETELY LOSS POWER AND ENGINE WILL REV THEN... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2025
White paint peeling off, it looks like Toyota haven’t painted this car with primer before the base coat
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The same exact issue as stated in recall 19S07, I was driving on the highway at highway speeds 75-80 miles per hour, and my truck suddenly and instantly down shifted directly to 1st gear. Catastrophic failure, I am extremely lucky that I did not get in an accident or die, and that my engine did not explode from the sudden RPM jump.
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while reversing in the driveway, the brake pedal was depressed and there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V426000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 24V838000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the parts to do t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2025 BMW X3. The contact stated that while reaching into the vehicle, his jacket became snagged. After a visual inspection, the contact observed a "D-ring" metal sticking out a 1/4 inch from the interior C-Pillar, creating a potential laceration risk. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repai... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2025
In the past two weeks, my car has stalled three times, all occurring approximately 5-10 minutes after starting my drive. Everything works fine until I apply the brakes, at which point the car immediately stalls while in traffic. Fortunately, each time, I was able to turn on my hazard lights, pull over to the side of the road, and restart the car—though it took some effort. Each incident also hap... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
On march 13th I was coming home and my transmission stopped working I had to have it towed and now it’s being replaced
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
I brought my Kia Optima into the dealership in October 0f 2024, because my airbag light came on. It has not been there over 6 months because my passenger airbag module is not operable and rending all my airbags useless; it is also on backorder with no ETA. The dealership wouldn't help with my escalation it has taken me 6 months to get to the escalations department and now they will not offer addit... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle failed to immediately start-up. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The fuel pump control module was replaced but after retrieving the vehicle, while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled. During... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2020
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under Customer Satisfaction Program: 22N17 (Power Window Switch Chrome Tip Replacement); however, the failure occurred with the driver's and passenger's side door handles. The contact stated that the chrome paint on the driver's and passenger's side door handles had peeled, exposing a sharp edge that... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
There is a known issue with the transmission of this vehicle. Ford issued a Technical Service Bulletin to try and resolve the issue by reprogramming the solenoids, but the issue persists & leads to catastrophic drive train failure if left unrepaired. I just purchased this vehicle with only 72k miles & now the dealer is quoting me almost $10k more in repairs. There should be a recall issued to fi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2025
This recall has been out since August of 2024, this recall is extremely serious and should not be taken lightly, a remedy should absolutely already be developed!!!!!!!!!! This can cause serious accidents resulting in death especially at a high rate of speed!!!!!! Solve this issue!!!!!
Incident date: Mar 29, 2025
The 2025 Honda CRV, while driving on the highway, gets stuck, the steering wheel does not maintain a centered position in the lane, and also has strange noises coming from the steering wheel.
Incident date: Feb 13, 2025
Auto idle restart and transmission is unexpectedly put in Park upon restart. On occasion then car goes into limp mode and powers off.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2024
While using cruise control (TACC) or FSD, the vehicle inadvertently brakes until vehicle stops, due to detecting light glare or other things as a collision threat. This happened many times. Reported to Tesla service, they said it is a bug and I should file a bug report. I have previously filed many bug reports about this but no software update fixed the problem. Incident happened many times, Tes... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle at 2 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward. The vehicle jumped the curb, embankment, bushes, and crashed into the building in front. Parts of the vehicle caught onto the bushes, holding the vehicle while still crashing into the building. The air bags did not deploy. The police were not contacted. No pol... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle at 2 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward. The vehicle jumped the curb, embankment, bushes, and crashed into the building in front. Parts of the vehicle caught onto the bushes, holding the vehicle while still crashing into the building. The air bags did not deploy. The police were not contacted. No pol... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
When I accelerate, my car jerks or the shifting is not smooth anymore. Others have been quoted over $9k to fix this issue.
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
RCM_a021 alert: Front left safety restraint system fault. Seems like an issue caused by seat movement back & forth.
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
I was driving on the highway and saw that my RPM was fluctuating a lot even though on cruise control, it was losing its power. It started slowing down and even though cruise control was off, I was indeed in drive and not neutral. when I fully pressed the gas it did absolutely nothing. I was close to home 10 minutes so I had to just put emergency lights on and keep going but at the stop signs and l... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
I was driving on the highway and saw that my RPM was fluctuating a lot even though on cruise control, it was losing its power. It started slowing down and even though cruise control was off, I was indeed in drive and not neutral. when I fully pressed the gas it did absolutely nothing. I was close to home 10 minutes so I had to just put emergency lights on and keep going but at the stop signs and l... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2025
I was driving at approximately 25-30 MPH, accelerating from a stop light and I felt a clunk, heard a grinding noise and my back wheels locked up. It was snowy/icy conditions so the back end of my pick-up slid out to the right a little bit before the wheels unlocked and I was able to regain control. I could have slid off the road or into another vehicle had the wheels remained locked. The computer ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2025
I was driving at approximately 25-30 MPH, accelerating from a stop light and I felt a clunk, heard a grinding noise and my back wheels locked up. It was snowy/icy conditions so the back end of my pick-up slid out to the right a little bit before the wheels unlocked and I was able to regain control. I could have slid off the road or into another vehicle had the wheels remained locked. The computer ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2025
While I was driving the engine started to lose power on the highway going about 70 mph with my four kids in the car. I had to quickly exit the highway and pull over. I was uncomfortable continuing operating the vehicle and had to get it to the closest GMC dealership which was in Killeen Texas. (Patriot Buick GMC). Upon diagnosis, I was informed that the lifters were damaged and needed to be repair... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment, after which the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The engine overheating warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the thermostat and radiator hose. The vehicle was repaired, bu... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2025
I was driving with my [XXX] son and my car just stalled out in the middle of the road. I couldn’t start it and we were stuck in the middle of the road. My husband arranged for a tow and the repair shop (safe auto repair Mont Belvieu) told me that this type of thing they have seen a lot of. The fuel pump power control module needed to be repaired and they said when that happens it sometimes shor... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, there was while smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with oil intrusion into the pistons, causing transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer changed the oil and advised the contact to return every... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
The contact owned a 2024 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized, causing the front passenger side to crash into the front driver side of a commercial vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle ricocheted and rolled over to the driver's side, and did a 180 turn where the tires came to a stop at the bottom of a hill; however... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 15, 2025
I am reporting a serious safety concern regarding my 2019 Honda Odyssey, which poses a risk to me and my family. The issue is intermittent, making it difficult for the dealership to replicate. The problem began when the Collision Mitigation System warning light flashed, indicating a system malfunction. This was followed by multiple warning lights appearing on the dashboard. At times, the entire da... Read more