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 ID.4 (2021) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS Sep 5, 2023
Incident date: Nov 19, 2021
While travelling we got a message on our dasboard stating that the AWD had a fault and needed to be serviced. We called the dealership and they said it was okay to continue to drive the vehicle. However, we made the soonest appointment available with the dealership, thinking we were still under warranty. We received other warning messages: hill assist not working, pre-collision assist not working,... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2021) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 5, 2023
Incident date: Sep 2, 2023
I turned on Cruise Control at 60 mph and it immediately set itself to 20 mph, braking fast to slow down quickly. This caused the car behind me to slam on his brakes so he would not rear end me. I tried increasing cruise control speed to no avail. I had to turn it off. Once I did not have any cars behind me, I tried once again so I could take a video and of course, it worked as it should. Not ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN TAOS (2023) - SERVICE BRAKES Sep 5, 2023
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
When the car was being driven on a surface road, the ABS, Brake and Traction lights came on. The brakes became stiff and hard to press. Braking was also slow. Car was traveling at less than 30 mph at that time When taken to the mechanic shop, and running diagnosis, the code came back to be C1391. The car has 113000 miles and purchased in July 2013.
VOLKSWAGEN TAOS (2023) - SERVICE BRAKES Sep 5, 2023
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
While the Emergency Parking Brake was activated and vehicle in Park in the driveway that is on a hill, the car began rolling down the driveway at a fast rate of speed with no one in drivers seat. 3 young kids were in car seats in the van with it running while we were outside of the vehicle speaking. All doors locked and it flew down the driveway almost flipping over at the bottom. We took the v... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN TAOS (2023) - POWER TRAIN Sep 5, 2023
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
While the Emergency Parking Brake was activated and vehicle in Park in the driveway that is on a hill, the car began rolling down the driveway at a fast rate of speed with no one in drivers seat. 3 young kids were in car seats in the van with it running while we were outside of the vehicle speaking. All doors locked and it flew down the driveway almost flipping over at the bottom. We took the v... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2021) - AIR BAGS Sep 5, 2023
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor error displayed in vehicle information center. Warning restraint/Air Bag not functioning properly. This was taken to the BMW dealership for diagnosis, and it was determined the Passenger Occupancy Sensor has failed and needs to be replaced. There was no recall listed for this issue. I found there was a Service Information Bulletin from BMW acknowledging the issue S... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2021) - SEATS Sep 5, 2023
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor error displayed in vehicle information center. Warning restraint/Air Bag not functioning properly. This was taken to the BMW dealership for diagnosis, and it was determined the Passenger Occupancy Sensor has failed and needs to be replaced. There was no recall listed for this issue. I found there was a Service Information Bulletin from BMW acknowledging the issue S... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2021) - POWER TRAIN Sep 5, 2023
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted with several unknown warning lights flashing on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact pulled over and restart the vehicle. Once the vehicle was restarted, the contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and was diagnosed with a m... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2018) - TIRES:SIDEWALL Sep 5, 2023
Incident date: Oct 1, 2018
Firestone Destination LE 2. 225/65R17. Tire has exploded on highway. This is a brand new car purchased 3 weeks ago and has 1584 mile on it. Tire run only about 1575 mile. When inflated the tire again, it had multiple bubbles, ball shaped swellings.
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2023) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Sep 5, 2023
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
AIR BAG LIGHT RECALL
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2023) - POWER TRAIN Sep 5, 2023
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle downshifted into first gear. The contact then attempted to shift gear manually, and while on an incline or going downhill, the vehicle failed to accelerate or shift into the intended gear. No warning lights was illuminated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not d... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2023) - VISIBILITY Sep 5, 2023
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle downshifted into first gear. The contact then attempted to shift gear manually, and while on an incline or going downhill, the vehicle failed to accelerate or shift into the intended gear. No warning lights was illuminated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not d... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF (2017) - POWER TRAIN Sep 4, 2023
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
Driving on the expressway around 60 mph when the truck went into limp mode slowing me down to 40 and then would not shift gears Tcm went out gm told me that there is a big problem
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2022) - BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Sep 4, 2023
Incident date: Aug 10, 2023
The reverse camera either doesn't work while backing up, or it freezes while backing up. I have video of it screen frozen showing in reverse while driving forward down the road.
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2023) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Sep 3, 2023
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
1 injured
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2021) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Sep 3, 2023
Incident date: Aug 31, 2023
When traveling the car does not accelerate properly sometimes losing power. Feels like engine might turn off. But removing foot from accelerator (gas pedal), then reapply, gets engine to respond, but very slowly. No warning messages.
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2021) - SERVICE BRAKES Sep 3, 2023
Incident date: Sep 2, 2023
When proceeding ahead from a stop with no one in front of me, after traveling ahead at a normal pace, the emergency braking system activated and the truck came to an abrupt stop. This occurred after traveling about 5 feet and luckily the person behind me did not rear end me. After this panic stop the truck then proceeded ahead as normal. This is the first time this has happened to me since pur... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2017) - SEAT BELTS Sep 2, 2023
Incident date: Sep 2, 2023
Unsure to what's causing the issue, dealership will look at it but feel it is a customer issue not a truck issue however among further investigation this seems to be a common issue amongst these model trucks, I have spoken with other people who have experience the same issues as well as researched it online where many people have also experienced the issue. The seatbelt light alongside the airbag ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2019) - SUSPENSION Sep 2, 2023
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
This is in addition to safety report #11540112. While further inspecting the trailer, the right rear shackle bolt was also found to be broken in half. The spring was still on, but it was probably working its way out, which would have cause the same failure as the left side, in the original report.
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2019) - LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST Sep 1, 2023
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
While driving on the freeway at about 65 mph through a gradual left bend in the road, with fully active SuperCruise (lane keeping, active cruise control) and fully hands off, the vehicle suddenly veered into the adjacent right lane. The vehicle moved into the adjacent lane at a high rate, and could have resulted in a heavy side impact to a vehicle driving in that lane (and potentially rippling int... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2021) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING Sep 1, 2023
Incident date: Aug 28, 2023
The headlight disappears when turning corners. The motorcycle is unrideable at night. The dealership inspected it and they were horrified by it's lack of performance. I contacted the manufacturer and they seem to think that it is street legal. I just don't see how this is possible. Does testing/certification involve riding the machine?
VOLKSWAGEN TAOS (2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 1, 2023
Incident date: Aug 28, 2023
my car no longer has ability to use the horn after a software update. I've had two dangerous incidents in the past month where a working horn would have allowed me to make another driver aware of my vehicle.
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (2021) - SERVICE BRAKES Sep 1, 2023
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
Service braking locking system. Intermittent ping of of abs/ebs traction control display lights. Cruise control will not work and shut off when this has been activated.
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2010) - ENGINE Aug 31, 2023
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
A friend was trying to move the car from the street when it suddenly lurched and accelerated and hit a tree, and boulder, and another car. They had not stepped on the accelerator yet. She lost control of the car. It was totaled as per State Farm.
Crash
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2018) - SERVICE BRAKES Aug 31, 2023
Incident date: Jul 13, 2023
ABS system cuts on and off continuously.
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2018) - ENGINE Aug 31, 2023
Incident date: Jul 13, 2023
I have a 2016 Ford Fusion SE Ecoboost wth 1.5 engine. In December 2021, while driving a block from my home, the engine overheated and I pulled over to find no coolant. There has been no coolant leaking under my car. Coolant was added that day, but has continually needed to be refilled. My check engine light had been coming on stating the sensor 2 ignition cable was bad, but we had replaced it alon... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2019) - WHEELS Aug 31, 2023
Incident date: Jun 22, 2023
New car three months old. Did not include spare tire. Tried ordering one and told it was backordered. Told Acura considers spares accessories. I don’t. Now have new car with no spare , no tools to change flat tire, no Jack. No help from Acura other than they’ll let me know when the spare kit is available. I consider this a potentially serious safety problem.
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2019) - STRUCTURE Aug 31, 2023
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Winnebago View RV built on a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 chassis. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 60 MPH, the retractable awning inadvertently extended during transit. No warning lights were illuminated. The RV was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The RV was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NH... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG (2005) - STEERING Aug 31, 2023
Incident date: Aug 31, 2023
Power steering would not work said to service blind spot unavailable and service electronic stability control
VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG (2005) - LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION Aug 31, 2023
Incident date: Aug 31, 2023
Power steering would not work said to service blind spot unavailable and service electronic stability control
VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG (2005) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 31, 2023
Incident date: Aug 31, 2023
Power steering would not work said to service blind spot unavailable and service electronic stability control
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE (2015) - ENGINE Aug 30, 2023
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
vehicle had 65,732 when the timing chain and both turbo chargers seized costing $8,770.46. Complaining because we feel ford is at fault for this failure. engine has hardly any miles. Other Ford vehicles with many more miles had this recall but ford says mine was not covered. then under 2,000 miles later the power steering went costing $3,130.96 which was also another recall on other ford vehicles... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2018) - STEERING Aug 30, 2023
Incident date: Apr 15, 2023
Power Steering Failed all of a sudden while riding around 40mph. put myself and others in danger. Unable to turn without puttting alot of strength into it. No warning lamps or messages about power steering.
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2019) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Aug 30, 2023
Incident date: Jul 24, 2023
The brake lights stay on all the time, thus preventing vehicles behind mine from knowing if I'm actually stopping. Hence, they may stop without reason, and endanger drivers behind them. The manufacturer has likely known of this being an issue in Sonatas from, at least, 2007 through 2013 models. The manufacturer is putting the task of solving the problem (if that's even possible), upon a dealer. ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2019) - SERVICE BRAKES Aug 30, 2023
Incident date: Jul 24, 2023
The brake lights stay on all the time, thus preventing vehicles behind mine from knowing if I'm actually stopping. Hence, they may stop without reason, and endanger drivers behind them. The manufacturer has likely known of this being an issue in Sonatas from, at least, 2007 through 2013 models. The manufacturer is putting the task of solving the problem (if that's even possible), upon a dealer. ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF (2014) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 30, 2023
Incident date: Aug 29, 2023
Tesla is seemingly not producing replacement key fobs for early models. I have been attempting to order one for over two years and to my knowledge new stock has never once become available over that time. I have also checked with multiple dealerships in person. On older models, the key fob is required to operate the vehicle. I only have one working key fob. I am anxiously awaiting the day when it... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2021) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 30, 2023
Incident date: Aug 29, 2023
Car is equipped with Distronic cruise and has maximum 4 car lengths stopping distance. It was set on 4 car length. While driving north on 55 fwy and exiting to 405 fwy in California. Exit (single lane) was dead stop due to traffic and while I was on cruising at 70 mph. Car would not stop and I had to take over to stop- hard braking just in time. The SUV behind me had to swear to emergency lane ( r... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2021) - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL Aug 30, 2023
Incident date: Aug 29, 2023
Car is equipped with Distronic cruise and has maximum 4 car lengths stopping distance. It was set on 4 car length. While driving north on 55 fwy and exiting to 405 fwy in California. Exit (single lane) was dead stop due to traffic and while I was on cruising at 70 mph. Car would not stop and I had to take over to stop- hard braking just in time. The SUV behind me had to swear to emergency lane ( r... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2021) - POWER TRAIN Aug 30, 2023
Incident date: Aug 29, 2023
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift into park(P). The contact stated that when he attempted to shift the vehicle into reverse(R), the vehicle shifted instead shifted into drive(D) and vice versa. Additionally, the contact stated that he had to turn the vehicle off and turn the steering wheel towards the direc... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2021) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Aug 30, 2023
Incident date: Aug 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle stalled and was restarted. On another occasion, while driving at an unknown speed the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was no... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF (2019) - SERVICE BRAKES Aug 29, 2023
Incident date: Jul 14, 2023
Started recently getting an anti-skid warning with a chime. I took the truck to a nearby mechanic to read the code, he said the antilock brakes were bad, and suggested taking it to a dealer. I took the truck to the Ram dealership in Mineral Wells TX and the dealer confirmed the code. I have talked with 3 different Ram service departments and they all tell me the parts will not be available until ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF (2019) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 29, 2023
Incident date: Jul 14, 2023
In the multimple other complaints filed (regarding the Collision Mitigation System, Infotainment, etc.) it become obvious that Honda has really screwed up the firmware/software and how it interacts with the sensors/systems and the user on this vehicle. The issue, this time, was the common occurrence of the battery dying. HOWEVER, instead of simply putting up a message that says "Hello, your batt... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2023) - STRUCTURE:BODY Aug 29, 2023
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
Around June 11, 2023, I took my car to the dealership for a recall item. They washed the car and a large section of the paint came off around the windshield. The Kia dealership said that Kia Corporate is aware of the problem but is not paying to have it fixed. I had to pay the dealership to have it repainted. I now see other small areas on the hood that are starting to chip as well.
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 (2023) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 29, 2023
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
The electrical system keeps throwing a code for short to ground as well as low voltage codes. The voltage gauge on the dash shows either over charging or under charging. The in dash radio and screen shut off and turns back on by itself while driving down the road. Occasionally while backing up or pulling forward the truck completely stalls. The transmission was subject to the shudder issue, we t... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2019) - ENGINE Aug 29, 2023
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
While idling out of a driveway on Friday, 8/25/23, there was a warning on the dash that stated "low oil pressure, shut off vehicle immediately." I immediately shut the vehicle off within seconds of seeing this warning and towed the vehicle home. I've read that these vehicles-Camaro ZL1 are notorious for failed oil pumps. I have babied this vehicle and do not use it as a daily driver. I only take i... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2019) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 29, 2023
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
While driving on the highway my dash kept flashing all these different errors , my car kept changing the way it was driving . I got off went to ford dealer ! They said probably a sensor can’t look at it for 10 days and yes it is fine to drive . I did not think so ! I brought to my mechanic , replaced AWD module ! Which has been found to be an issue in this vehicle ! I felt unsafe . There have be... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2018) - TIRES:SIDEWALL Aug 29, 2023
Incident date: Aug 2, 2023
The tire is a NEXEN 225/45R18 After driving at highway speed on an out-of-town trip for several hours, got off the highway on the way to the hotel using suburban roads. About a mile later, a noise suddenly started at the driver's side front. The "slapping noise" got worse as the car went faster. I pulled off into a parking lot and found a steel bead from the tire had come loose and was hitting... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2007) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 29, 2023
Incident date: Aug 29, 2023
All the warning lights on dashboard light up engine losses power then stop, after setting for two hours the engine restarts, the engine light is only light on. Drive for one or two days light goes off like nothings wrong. Then two or three day’s latter it will do it again. This has been going on for about five months and dealer can not fix it.
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (2017) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING Aug 29, 2023
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
My 2016 Honda Pilot was recently repaired as the Cam-Shaft had move within the care engine. My car has 109,000 miles on the vehicle, and should not have this issue given the cars age and the way that the car is driven. I am a suburban mom, who drives the car to work and with both of my children within my car. This put my entire family as risk driving within the care and could have hurt other dri... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (2017) - STEERING Aug 29, 2023
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
My 2016 Honda Pilot was recently repaired as the Cam-Shaft had move within the care engine. My car has 109,000 miles on the vehicle, and should not have this issue given the cars age and the way that the car is driven. I am a suburban mom, who drives the car to work and with both of my children within my car. This put my entire family as risk driving within the care and could have hurt other dri... Read more
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