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: Mar 10, 2025
The auto close feature on the Tesla Model X can quite dangerous. I’ve been hit by it unexpectedly closing several times. The most recent time, the rear trunk closed on me while I was taking out my grocery bag out of it. It hit my forehead, and I got a major bump. I ask NHTSA to investigate if there’s a manufacturer defect, so us Tesla owners are not further injured.
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
2011 Acura MDX Engine Oil Leak from Pan. Oil change and dip stick completely dry after 2 days. Many complaints of this common issue on 2011-2013 Acura MDX and no Recall. Reverse Lights not set properly When going in reverse it's remains dark and hard to see.
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
Leaking anti freeze from back of motor
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
Unknown... I recently got an oil change and not even a week later my oil light came on. There's no leaks, I've been to midas several times and no leak was found. Was told to check to see if it had any recalls, my vin doesn't produce a recall but I know there's something wrong with my car.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
I own a 2016 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4x4. The SERVICE 4WD light came on a few weeks ago. After research and several mechanic's input, I was told the problem was the PTU, and, since Jeep no longer makes the part, I was given the quote of $2700-$3200 to replace the PTU with a remanufactured part with only a one year warranty. According to the mechanics, when driving with a broken PTU it may cause... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2025
CV axles failed at around 28k. Replacement parts not available nationwide. Ford has recognized an engineering flaw in the axles, but have not issued a recall. I was informed it was dafe to drive while waiting for new cv axles.
Incident date: Jan 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that upon accelerating on a main street to 55 MPH, the vehicle started wobbling excessively. The contact continued to drive the vehicle with caution. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2025
The transmission failed. The transmission pump failed and need to be replaced. This year model had a recall for failed transmission pumps. I was told my VIN was not part of the the recall -yet my transmission failed failed costing me over 3 thousand to repair
Incident date: Mar 8, 2025
Charging system warning light (for 12volt battery) illuminated on left side of instrument cluster. Warning in center of panel said pull over and stop vehicle. Had vehicle towed to dealership and diagnosis was “failed ICCU”. Been at dealer going on 4 weeks
Incident date: Dec 5, 2024
When I took my car for tire installation at Walmart on [XXX] , the technician declined to install the tires, he stated "your vehicle is unsafe to lift up for tire installation because of rust". I was on my driving it to a body shop when something snapped near the right rear tire after I hit pot holes. I felt it was unsafe to continue I decided to drive it slowly back home and parked it. I fear to... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving with the cruise control feature enabled at 70 MPH, the contact noticed a loud banging sound. The contact noticed in the rearview mirror that large parts were flying from underneath the rear of the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle independently rolled backward. T... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2025
I own a 2018 Tesla Model S. While it was still under warranty the passenger side door handle quit working and it was no longer possible to open that door. Tesla replaced the door handle at no change with a newly designed mechanism. It was explained to me that they redesigned the mechanism which had a high failure rate, and my car handles would no longer be installed in later cars. I asked if they ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2025
Upon first start up of the day, dashboard notification states “Transmission system error! Check transmission oil immediately”, vehicle will not accelerate over 10mph with this error. After turning vehicle off, error is gone and vehicle operates as normal. Dealership is aware of this notification but states they could not duplicate it & found no issues.
Incident date: Mar 8, 2025
When pressing the accelerator pedal after a near stop (rolling stop, California stop, stop to u der 3mpg and then resume acceleration) or very brief stop (<1 second) there is a significant delay in acceleration or a very brief acceleration then dead pedal and no acceleration for ~ 1 second. No accelerator pedal input variations changes this, i.e. I can release the accelerator pedal, hold the accel... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2025
*(#1)2024 COMPLETELY TURND OFF DEAD STOPEF IN THE MIDDLE FREEWAY HIGHWAY PATROL HAD TO TOW IT AWAY LASY YEAR COST ME $900+ **** AGAIN NOW ALMOST PASSED OUT NO AIR BAG TO SAFE ME***** (#2) 3/6/2025 CAR COMPLETLY CRASHED ,INJURED ,I WAS TAKEN BY 911 TO HOSPITAL. ** BAD AIR BAG DID NOT CAME OUT OR NEVER WORKED TO PROTECTED ME***, I GOT HIT MY CHEST SO BAD , THOGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE THST MOMENT... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 8, 2025
Vehicle has left me stranded multiple times, once over 2000 miles from home at only 26k miles on the vehicle with catastrophic engine emissions and electrical failures. Costing me thousands in lodging and months of my time. My vehicle has stalled multiple times on interstates and busy roads with no shoulders putting me and other drivers at risk.
Incident date: Mar 8, 2025
Vehicle has left me stranded multiple times, once over 2000 miles from home at only 26k miles on the vehicle with catastrophic engine emissions and electrical failures. Costing me thousands in lodging and months of my time. My vehicle has stalled multiple times on interstates and busy roads with no shoulders putting me and other drivers at risk.
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
I left my house & was driving my truck down the highway for about 2.5 miles. All of a sudden the engine locked up & the battery went dead. I barely coasted off the opposite side of the road where the closest side road is & a semi pasted shortly after. I felt very lucky my truck made it off on the side road instead being run over by the semi truck. I then had to call a weaker & have it towed to the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
Backup camera fails regularly. The video will freeze/stutter or the camera will switch off and a ‘camera unavailable’ message is displayed. Pedestrians near the car are at risk of being hit if the camera fails while driving in reverse. The car has huge blind spots in the rear end. The dealership has told me they cannot fix the issue because all Polestar 2s have this defect and it must be fixed... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
Engine was making rattle noises and oil low message appeared. Brought to dealer who changed oil and said they couldn’t detect noises. I asked for a road test and while driving the tech noticed it, then the car died and shifted into neutral without warning.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
Two incidents of the same failure, although a few years apart. Vehicle placed in "Park" (foot on the brake, which is necessary in order to shift into P); when brake pedal released, vehicle suddenly revs and lurches forward. First time, in garage, and so minor damage except to items in garage; second time 3/7/2025, totaled this vehicle plus major damage to another vehicle.
Crash
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
Engine is burning Oil at a rate that requires me to put 2 quarts of full synthetic oil every 2-3 weeks in my car. Hyundai is ignoring this problem and dealership says my engine is burning in a normal range. This is a known issue with these engines at hyundai over the past few years and if it is burning that much oil without any leaks there is no way that is safe.
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
Engine is burning Oil at a rate that requires me to put 2 quarts of full synthetic oil every 2-3 weeks in my car. Hyundai is ignoring this problem and dealership says my engine is burning in a normal range. This is a known issue with these engines at hyundai over the past few years and if it is burning that much oil without any leaks there is no way that is safe.
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud cranking sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the deal... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
The engine block (2.3L ecoboost) has a coolant intrusion into cylinder 3 causing it to miss fire and overheat. This problem almost left my wife and child stranded on the side of the road. If she hadn't had a safe place to pull over to allow the vehicle to cool down it could have had a catastrophic failure while driving. The dealer pressure tested the coolant system and showed leak in the coolant s... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
While reversing into my driveway towards my garage, the rear parking aid did not show the truck with the radar bars on the reverse camera on the infotainment screen. The rear parking aid was on and was beeping, but did not show the radar on the screen. I restarted the vehicle and put the car in reverse and the radar began showing in the top right corner. I will attach pictures to this report.
Incident date: Jan 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and started losing motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed, and the transmission failed to shift as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle restarted after several attempts. The contact s... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and started losing motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed, and the transmission failed to shift as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle restarted after several attempts. The contact s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V763000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); 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 confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed o... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
The oil pump quit and Kia had a service bulletin that indicated that the oil pumps were defective and 10 years or 180k they would repair. Not may case.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The contact was informed of Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03; however, the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
2019 F-150 vehicle is equipped with a 5.0L engine that exhibit excessive oil consumption, to where every month i have to add oil. There are no visible oil leaks. Each time i go for oil change before the 3 months and/or recommended 3,000 miles, im told there is no oil in the engine. After doing research, i found that the issue of excessive oil consumption is caused by high intake manifold vacuum du... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the ABS and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that almost a year later, while driving approximately 30 MPH in inclement weather, the vehicle lost traction and... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff, and difficult to turn in either direction. The contact was able to veer over to the shoulder of the road. The message "Power Steering Assist Failure" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and the contact was informed that the rep... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
purchased a 2023 GMC Denali, 1500 on January 12, 2025. after about a week,Started to hear knocking ticking noises took the truck to the dealership with 20,362 miles . dealership diagnosed that the lifters on the driver side went bad dealership replace driver side bank , picked up my truck drove it a little over 500 miles and still heard knocking ticking noises. Send it back to the dealership and ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
They lied to me made me buy a bad car and then didn't even give me a license plate of anything they stole my money
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
4wd light has been on along with engine light. Took it to a mechanic but and a problem with cylinder 2 came up and they checked it and everything was fine. t'll sometimes slightly roll in park before perking to a stop. While driving it'll sputter sometimes.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
4wd light has been on along with engine light. Took it to a mechanic but and a problem with cylinder 2 came up and they checked it and everything was fine. t'll sometimes slightly roll in park before perking to a stop. While driving it'll sputter sometimes.
Incident date: Dec 30, 2024
The check engine light came on. Upon using a code reader, a code for a misfire in cylinder 3 populated. The ignition coil was replaced for cylinder 3. About a month later, the check engine light came back on and all 6 spark plugs were replaced. My vehicle had some rough starts periodically. As time went on, the rough starts turned into serious shaking. The check engine would come on and be gone in... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2024
The vehicle is makeing clicking noises whenever a tight turn left or right is made from a stop. The noise is louder in cold weather and when the car is first driven.
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 5, 2025
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
The car is losing power when j try accelerate its very dangerous and the handle from driver side door kicked off and don't wanna hold and unlock the car in [XXX] that the car got.nk throttle and power it nukes risk for me my kids and ny family and other passengers Thank you have a fantastic evening
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) - ENGINE
Mar 5, 2025
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
The car is losing power when j try accelerate its very dangerous and the handle from driver side door kicked off and don't wanna hold and unlock the car in [XXX] that the car got.nk throttle and power it nukes risk for me my kids and ny family and other passengers Thank you have a fantastic evening
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) - ENGINE
Mar 5, 2025
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH over a bump in the roadway, there was a huge cloud of white smoke coming from the vehicle and the vehicle started to lose motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and waited for a tow truck to arrive. The contact attempted to start the vehicle aga... Read more
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) - ENGINE
Mar 5, 2025
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
Coolant system leaks in to the engine or exhaust system, which is evident in white smoke exhaust and coolant level dropping. In my situation, I required an entire container of coolant to perform a daily commute, and the reservoir was empty by the time I made it to the dealership. Car is rendered undrivable due lack of coolant and engine overheating. My car was in the dealership repair facility for... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle had shut off unexpectedly. The vehicle was restarted and operated normally, but the failure persisted. The contact replaced the spark plugs, battery, and fuel pump but the failure persisted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
After driving over 15k miles in approximately one year, my 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid fuel tank has never been filled with more than 12 gallons of gas, even when the Low Fuel light is on and the miles to empty are less than 10. The MPG for individual trips can be as low as 10.3 MPG; the overall average MPG has been 21 MPG or less. The advertised fuel tank size is 17 gallons and the MPG is... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
I had the sunroof opened and it almost blew off, if I didn’t pull over it would have. I took it to the shop and was told it is a manufacturers issue.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
Headlights are pointed low. It is hard to see down the road. The top half of windshield is darker than the bottom half. Car may be safe for city driving, but not for country roads. Going up and down hills and around curves the suv is unsafe. Dealer said they recieving complaints but can not adjust the lights. Sorry I bought such an unsafe suv.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2025
Description of Incident(s) On March 5, 2025, I discovered that my 2023 Fisker Ocean had undergone an unauthorized over-the-air (OTA) software update to version 2.2.2 without my knowledge or consent. I received no prior notification from Fisker or American Leasing, the current entity managing Fisker vehicles following the company’s bankruptcy in 2024. Additionally, I have no access to the vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2025
Description of Incident(s) On March 5, 2025, I discovered that my 2023 Fisker Ocean had undergone an unauthorized over-the-air (OTA) software update to version 2.2.2 without my knowledge or consent. I received no prior notification from Fisker or American Leasing, the current entity managing Fisker vehicles following the company’s bankruptcy in 2024. Additionally, I have no access to the vehicle... Read more