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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints
140,173 Reported Crashes
56,794 Reported Fires
8,580 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›
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Showing 49,794 complaints for VOLKSWAGEN

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2015) - AIR BAGS Sep 17, 2023
Incident date: Sep 19, 2019
Since earlier in year, continue to get airbag warning light. Stays on for few minutes then goes out. So today checking NHTSA website to confirm if a recall has been issued. As of this date 9/17/23… no information available. So not sure if there is a problem or why the light continues to come on and then off?
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2015) - ENGINE Sep 17, 2023
Incident date: Sep 16, 2023
Vehicle is burning oil at an alarmingly higher amount than it should. Have filled the oil twice in the last month due to it being low. Have been tracking the oil levels for the past month and it is quickly losing oil (no stains in the driveway, white smoke out of the tailpipe, no oil splatter inside the engine compartment). Have been taking pictures of the dipstick while checking it regularly.
VOLKSWAGEN TAOS (2022) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 17, 2023
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
1). 3 days after purchasing the vehicle I wasn't sure but I could tell that something was wrong so I called my husband and told him while driving the car that something was wrong and he needs to notify the dealership. 2). 5 days after purchasing the vehicle I went into a grocery store. When I came out the car was on/running, all by itself. 3). Additional problems occurring on a daily basis with th... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2016) - POWER TRAIN Sep 17, 2023
Incident date: May 17, 2023
Upon further inspection a bushing was needed to be replaced. The bushing that holds the shift connection component together disconnected and popped off the shifting mechanism. The problem was reproduced several times. My safety was at risk, I was pulling into a parking space, put my vehicle in park, my car did not display a 'P' the option was empty (no R or D either was displayed). My car jumped f... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2021) - ENGINE Sep 17, 2023
Incident date: Sep 17, 2023
I took my Kia SORENTO 2017 into my local Kia Dealership. June of 2021 my oil light came on when you turned hard left. They did oil comp. had me come in very 1,000 miles. By the third time they kept it and did deep clean and found the issue and fixed it. Once again my car is burning oil back in march and the dealership did nothing for me but a oil change. Waited until the next oil change and my oil... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2021) - ENGINE Sep 17, 2023
Incident date: Sep 17, 2023
I was driving and car accelerated without warning. Hit partially open garage door, only stopped after hitting and damaging back wall of garage. Significant damage to car, items in the garage and garage wall. There was no warning whatsoever. As of yet the car has not been assessed as to the cause of the malfunction.
Crash
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2022) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS Sep 16, 2023
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
TRUCK HAS DIED GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 40MPH. ALSO HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH RADIO..RUNNING BOARDS OPENING GOING DOWN THE ROAD. NO SOUND FROM RADIO, SIGNALS ...NO CONNECTIONS TO GOOGLE ON STAR LOST. RADIO SCREEN HALF OF SCREEN SHUTS OFF. FRONT CRASH SENSORS GO OFF WITH NOTING IN FRONT OF VEHICLE...LOSS OF CAMERAS NO CONNECTION. SOUNDS LIKE A BUG ZAPPER UNDER TRUCK. GM HAS REPROGRAMMED TRUCK NOW 3... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (2013) - SUSPENSION Sep 16, 2023
Incident date: Sep 14, 2023
Passenger front coil spring broke causing vehicle stability and suspension issues at driving speeds. Item is currently available for inspection. Problem has been confirmed as the part is broken in half. No warnings were presented prior to the failure. This appears to be recurring problem around 30k miles on this vehicle according to online forum post [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FR... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF (2016) - BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Sep 16, 2023
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
The APIM is malfunctioning causing backup camera to remain on, not allowing GPS location of vehicle, inhibiting cameras from working properly. No WiFi functionality, cannot connect phone and I cannot stream music
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF (2018) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Sep 15, 2023
Incident date: Aug 21, 2023
UNKNOWN I had performed preventative maintenance this evening, fuel filter replacement and noticed after I pulled the fuel filter from the housing and tipped housing back upright, there was what appeared to be brass/gold metal shavings in the bottom of the housing in a little puddle of fuel. If there is metal shavings in the filter, that is a problem. Not sure if it would be fuel pump, or lift pum... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF (2019) - ENGINE Sep 15, 2023
Incident date: Apr 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was a rattling sound coming from the engine. Additionally, there was a ticking sound coming from the engine while the vehicle was idling. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine cam phasers were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufac... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2021) - STRUCTURE:BODY Sep 15, 2023
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
The paint on this vehicle is aggressively peeling and I was told by a local Kia dealership to submit a complaint as it is a common problem with the snow white colored Kia Sorrento in this year. There is nothing I can do to stop the paint from continuing to peel, and it has continued to get worse over time.
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2022) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS Sep 15, 2023
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
The BMW front facing kafas camera system is prone to failure in the BMW X3. The plastic piece that holds the camera module in place has small plastic tabs that attach it to the windshield. These tabs are prone to breaking. Once the tabs break the front camera system is no longer in alignment and all front safety systems will be disabled. This puts the occupants of the vehicle in danger as all ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2018) - VISIBILITY/WIPER Sep 15, 2023
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
The dashboard of my 2008 Toyota Camry is shining/reflecting from the windshield, making it clear visibility very difficult for the driver. I called Toyota they mentioned they had a warranty extension for a limited period and now they are not covering/fixing it anymore. It should be a "SAFETY RECALL" and all owners should be sent a notice to get the factory defective product fixed. My daughter wa... Read more
Crash
VOLKSWAGEN TAOS (2022) - STRUCTURE:BODY Sep 15, 2023
Incident date: Jul 26, 2023
Driver's side door check bracket welds cracked and separated. Now there are abnormal, loud popping sounds every time I open or close the door. The care only has 37,000 miles on it and I am very conscientious about maintaining my vehicles.
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2019) - SERVICE BRAKES Sep 15, 2023
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
A few months after I bought this vehicle I started getting abs and traction control lights intermittently. Fast forward a year and it has progressed. Now while I’m driving every few seconds I get and audible chime and lights on the dash. This is constant and extremely irritating and distracting. It is also unsafe. I’m constantly driving which no ABS, no traction control and no cruise control. ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2019) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Sep 15, 2023
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
A few months after I bought this vehicle I started getting abs and traction control lights intermittently. Fast forward a year and it has progressed. Now while I’m driving every few seconds I get and audible chime and lights on the dash. This is constant and extremely irritating and distracting. It is also unsafe. I’m constantly driving which no ABS, no traction control and no cruise control. ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE (2016) - POWER TRAIN Sep 15, 2023
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the shift system fault message was displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle failed to shift out of park. After several attempts, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer. The contact was informed that the shifter cable bushing was missing and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was n... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE (2016) - VISIBILITY/WIPER Sep 15, 2023
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Ford is non-responsive in fixing 3 recalls for my vehicle. I have been attempting to get a repair scheduled for over 6 months and keep getting told I will eventually get a call.
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING Sep 14, 2023
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
While driving, my turn signals, power windows and lights stopped working. I believe this is due to the Footwell Module recall, but the dealer will not replace the module because there isn't a remedy for the recall. It's been 5 months now.
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2023) - ENGINE Sep 14, 2023
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
During low speeds the car stalls out which could cause a safety issue for my family
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2012) - SERVICE BRAKES Sep 14, 2023
Incident date: Sep 14, 2023
HBU failed at 86,000 miles. Caused lose of ABS system, Traction control system, and cruise control.
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2015) - EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) Sep 14, 2023
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-53. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the monitor screen went blank. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the system needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the same local dealer, who diagnosed that the system module needed to be replaced. The vehicle... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2015) - STEERING Sep 14, 2023
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH and following a left curve in the road, the steering wheel became stuck, and the contact had to use excessive force to bring the steering wheel back to center after clearing the curve. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first b... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2015) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 14, 2023
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
The control center of the vehicle (radio) comes on and makes calls and also turns on equipment in the vehicle that distracts the driver from driving. If you power it off it will come back on. It controls your phone and navigation and all climate controls in vehicle. Jeep is aware of the problem but will not do anything to fix it. We tell people not to text and drive and this vechicle does it w... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (2009) - ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) Sep 14, 2023
Incident date: Feb 15, 2017
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the coolant warning light was frequently illuminated due to low coolant. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the engine hose and other engine parts were replaced. Despite the repair, the coolant light returned soon after the initial repair. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where the failure was link... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (2009) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Sep 14, 2023
Incident date: Feb 15, 2017
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the coolant warning light was frequently illuminated due to low coolant. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the engine hose and other engine parts were replaced. Despite the repair, the coolant light returned soon after the initial repair. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where the failure was link... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (2010) - STRUCTURE:BODY Sep 13, 2023
Incident date: Jul 9, 2018
4 door hardtop roof leaks. It is available. There is nowhere, including Ford website, to report non-safety defects.
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE (2015) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 13, 2023
Incident date: Jan 5, 2023
Brakes will lock up a pre collision will activate in forward and reverse when no objects are present. It is a hazard to operate the vehicle since it will randomly slam in the brakes will driving down the road or reversing out of a parking space. Also electrical issues vehicle will no longer lock or unlock
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE (2015) - AIR BAGS Sep 13, 2023
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
Was on vacation and when I returned from a 9 day trip my car, which had not been drove at all, the drivers side head rest had popped out. This is part of the air bag system. That happened July 2023. September 13, 2023 at 6:01 pm I was driving down the road and my passenger head rest popped out hitting my daughter in the back of the head. The noise it made scared me to death. I am no longer covered... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2019) - STEERING Sep 13, 2023
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
My EPS light came on and could not steer the car. It would not turn either left or right. I had car towed to garage who told me power steering rack. I called Honda Dealership who told me I had o have it towed to them. I had towed to them and they told me EPS control unit. The only warning was the eps light. Why is my car not part of 15-550 or 15-056. There has been numerous issues with this year ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2022) - ENGINE Sep 13, 2023
Incident date: Jan 6, 2022
Car abruptly stopped accellerating on the highway, check engine light started blinking, I got over to the side of the road and the car shut down. It had to be towed to a Ford Dealership and they need to replace the entire engine.
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2022) - POWER TRAIN Sep 13, 2023
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
While driving vehicle, engine began to rev and became unresponsive to gas pedal. After slowing to a stop, vehicle began to respond to gas pedal and transmission began shuttering violently. Took to local mechanic and he won’t work on it because he said it is a “pattern problem “. $250.00 to diagnose the obvious. Someone could be killed when the transmission suddenly stops working like that in... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2015) - SERVICE BRAKES Sep 12, 2023
Incident date: Sep 12, 2023
1, break vacuum pump. I have the defective unit available 2. My safety, my passengers and all other drivers were put at high risk 3. Defective vacuum pump verified my independent mechanic 4. Inspected by mechanic. Have not had anyone else inspect. 5. No warning of complete break failure
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2021) - ENGINE Sep 12, 2023
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
I was driving on the freeway in Houston, TX going 65 mph in the middle lane and my engine begin to lose power, and start stalling. Almost causing me to wreck with my 8 yr old son in the back seat. I was advised by my the dealership that Honda has a recall on fuel pumpt with my year and model. I contacted Honda and was advised my car is the year and model of the fuel pump recall, but it wasn’t ef... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2021) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Sep 12, 2023
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
I was driving on the freeway in Houston, TX going 65 mph in the middle lane and my engine begin to lose power, and start stalling. Almost causing me to wreck with my 8 yr old son in the back seat. I was advised by my the dealership that Honda has a recall on fuel pumpt with my year and model. I contacted Honda and was advised my car is the year and model of the fuel pump recall, but it wasn’t ef... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2021) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 12, 2023
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
I was driving on the freeway in Houston, TX going 65 mph in the middle lane and my engine begin to lose power, and start stalling. Almost causing me to wreck with my 8 yr old son in the back seat. I was advised by my the dealership that Honda has a recall on fuel pumpt with my year and model. I contacted Honda and was advised my car is the year and model of the fuel pump recall, but it wasn’t ef... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2020) - BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS Sep 12, 2023
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
Using the self parking feature, the vehicle had controlled itself, with my intervention when prompted. It had backed up perpendicular into the parking space, miscalculated the parking job and smashed the side mirror into a nearby trucks mirror. It had then began to speed up to what felt like about 15 or 20 mph, with no time to react or brake, and smashed into the concrete pole behind us. The autom... Read more
Crash
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2013) - POWER TRAIN Sep 11, 2023
Incident date: Sep 11, 2020
While driving on July 31, 2023 the low oil pressure lamp appeared, loud knocking sound and loss of power occurred. I immediately pulled over, parked, and had car towed to Colma Ford, Colma, CA. The next day they left a vm saying they'll get back to me throughout the week. It probably needs an engine. This was without diagnostics. I then towed it to a reputable shop who also said it needs an engin... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2013) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Sep 11, 2023
Incident date: Sep 11, 2020
While driving on July 31, 2023 the low oil pressure lamp appeared, loud knocking sound and loss of power occurred. I immediately pulled over, parked, and had car towed to Colma Ford, Colma, CA. The next day they left a vm saying they'll get back to me throughout the week. It probably needs an engine. This was without diagnostics. I then towed it to a reputable shop who also said it needs an engin... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2019) - SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Sep 11, 2023
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, added pressure and pumping of the brake pedal was needed to slow and eventually stop the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was currently awaiting diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. Neithe... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2019) - STRUCTURE:BODY Sep 11, 2023
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
Front windshield side panel flew off on freeway. Other side very loose as well. Glue, rubber seal crumbling. I have talked to dealer and they said “It just happens sometimes. They just fall off” Happened within the first week of purchase. Luckily no one was close behind me on the freeway. No warning besides the loud noise of it flying off and now there is a noise of air coming through since ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (2019) - AIR BAGS Sep 10, 2023
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Head on collision driving 40-45 MPH - a Mercedes pulled out in front of me and I slammed into their vehicle. My air bags did not deploy nor was there auto braking system. The crash indicator also did not call the police. My car is totaled. There is no way this vehicle is not part of your recent recalls. I was injured by the seat belt and have chest pain- this could have been avoided had my air bag... Read more
Crash 1 injured
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (2019) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Sep 10, 2023
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Head on collision driving 40-45 MPH - a Mercedes pulled out in front of me and I slammed into their vehicle. My air bags did not deploy nor was there auto braking system. The crash indicator also did not call the police. My car is totaled. There is no way this vehicle is not part of your recent recalls. I was injured by the seat belt and have chest pain- this could have been avoided had my air bag... Read more
Crash 1 injured
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (2019) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS Sep 10, 2023
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Head on collision driving 40-45 MPH - a Mercedes pulled out in front of me and I slammed into their vehicle. My air bags did not deploy nor was there auto braking system. The crash indicator also did not call the police. My car is totaled. There is no way this vehicle is not part of your recent recalls. I was injured by the seat belt and have chest pain- this could have been avoided had my air bag... Read more
Crash 1 injured
VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG (2016) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS Sep 10, 2023
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
In April 2023 we had to bring the car in because the seat belt got stuck engaged to where we couldn’t unbuckle it to get our son out of his car seat. We almost had to cut the seat belt to get him out. We barely were able to squeeze him out of it. My wife was driving the car down a highway and there was a full-size leather couch sitting in the middle of the highway. The car’s Automatic Emergenc... Read more
Crash
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN (2015) - POWER TRAIN Sep 10, 2023
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
Shuddering occurs at speeds between 25-75 mph. GM has s TSB #18- NA-355. This bulletin accurately describes what I was experiencing. They know that there is a problem with their 8 speed automatic transmissions, but will not tell consumers about it. There should be a recall to fix all of the vehicles effected during the time of defective transmission fluid..
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2022) - VISIBILITY/WIPER Sep 10, 2023
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
Driving in a very heavy downpour and had wipers on high about 10 hours from home on a vacation. On a country road, no real burm to pull off on, both wipers stopped up on the windshield leaving no way to see the road. Had to drive not seeing until I could find a semi pull off. Had to sit for an hour with flashers on until rain passed. Stopped at a parts store to spray rainex on until I could f... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE (2015) - SERVICE BRAKES Sep 10, 2023
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
Abs modular gone bad
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE (2014) - ENGINE Sep 9, 2023
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
I took my car into the ford dealership in Temecula. California and I wanted the seat repaired to warranty specific help. Right after I purchased the car I was in really bad traffic on the Temecula freeway and I leaned back and the seat made a popping sound. I’m now being told by ford Temecula Gosch dealership service dept that they will not fix the seat because it’s not a defective seat an... Read more
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