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

Incident date: Jul 21, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle and shifting into drive (D), the gear shifter moved to sport (S) unintendedly. The contact stated that at second attempt to shift into drive (D), the gear shifter moved to park (P) unintendedly, and the gear shift indicator displayed that the transmission was in neutral (N). The contact engaged the electronic parking... Read more

Incident date: Jul 26, 2023

The coolant bypass valve is defective on a 3 year old single owner, well maintained under 50,000 miles vehicle. This is a wide spread and known issue for Toyota which can result in engine overheating, causing potentially unsafe situations to occur for the driver. This can also severely damage the engine.

Incident date: Jul 26, 2023

The Fuel line connector at fuel pump started leaking and spraying fuel onto the hot engine and exhaust pipes causing the Motorcycle to catch on fire! the 2nd fuel pump the recall was not done yet. The best I can tell the owner did not get the 2nd recall or didn't forward it to the next owner. The person who was riding the motorcycle at the time escaped from being burned! He put it out the fire wi... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Jul 26, 2023

Fire

Incident date: Jul 26, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently taken to an undisclosed dealer for a routine oil change; however, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to the undisclosed dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil level was l... Read more

Incident date: Jul 25, 2023

abs module failing causing brake pedal to shake and harden up to where you cant press brake pedal down and doesnt come to complete stop right away abs kicks in while driving or at times when abs should not engage causing vehicle to not stop properly. called dealership to replace and statement given that the abs module is under investigation of engineering and can not be sold

Incident date: Jul 17, 2023

The alternator failed at 65k miles. Lost headlights, steering, all ability to drive on the interstate with children in the car. Thankfully my husband was able to safely get us off of the road and out of traffic without incident. Driving at 70mph when the battery light flashed once, then all dash lights started flashing then car lost power. No warning other than what happened in just a few seconds.... Read more

Incident date: Jul 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH at nighttime, the headlight turned off independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the taillight turned off intermittently and the rear driver’s and the front passenger’s turn signal light was flashing quickly. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it... Read more

Incident date: Jul 17, 2023

The car has continued issues with the “Shift to Park” defect that prevents drivers from shutting off and locking their vehicles. This keeps happening when the car is in park and for some reason doesn't read that it is. This a tremendous issue with this vehicle that GM should be covering because it's for multiple models and a huge safety concern. Customers should not be spending any money out o... Read more

Incident date: Jul 25, 2023

Unknown, this is what I remember, As I was traveling on this highway I pushed the lane correcting button on because it was raining and I don't like being out in the rain. I had put on my Cruse control and after about halfway to the exit I turned the Cruse control off so that the vehicle could slow down and I could cost to the exit however out of nowhere my steering wheel starts pulling to the left... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jul 25, 2023

Crash

Incident date: Jul 25, 2023

For the third time in two years my trunk opened while I was driving. Today, it opened while I had lumber in the trunk. Had I been on the freeway this could have caused a serious accident. I confirmed that the button on the dash was not being pushed and the emergency release in the trunk was not pulled either. This seems to be a somewhat common issue with Ford Fusions based on online commentary. Pl... Read more

Incident date: Jul 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact stated that water was entering the motherboard and fuse box. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campa... Read more

Incident date: Jul 25, 2023

Bought my 2020 Honda Civic si at 48 k miles. Noticed mild clutch slip and vibration on the shift knob. Dealership states I don't know how to drive manual transmission. I've driven manual transmission for 18 years. I'm not stupid. Dealership states it's wear and tear and not part of the warranty. My window motor auto feature does not work. Bluetooth connectivity issues. Collision braking system ac... Read more

Incident date: Sep 15, 2022

My BMW is signaling “Secure vehicle against rolling” notification when put in reverse. The Mechanics are saying that BMWS e springs are defected. Very dangerous for me and my children.

Incident date: Jul 10, 2023

I change my oil religiously on my 2020 Grand Cherokee, which has 67,000 miles on it. I went in today to change it at Bettenhausen Dodge (Bettenhausen Motor Sales Inc - Jeep, 8355 W 159th St, Tinley Park, IL 60477; [XXX] ; Phone: [XXX] ), and [XXX] , the service manager manager, told me I had no oil left in my car. He said something went wrong with a pump or something, and as a result I have no eng... Read more

Incident date: Jul 21, 2023

The left bank intake camshaft and roller rockers have failed. It has cause the check engine light to come on and go off reading a misfire in cylinder 2. After costly repairs to coil packs and plugs, Chrysler is now going to replace with a cost of $1,900.00. This is the same issue in the 2013 Jeep that Chrysler extended the warranty on and won’t do it now on this year model.

Incident date: Jul 21, 2023

The cover to the hitch flew off (never taken off) while going up the interstate

Incident date: Jul 21, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to adjust the front driver's side seat when the seat adjuster failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat track assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaire... Read more

Incident date: Jul 21, 2023

Phantom Braking occurred almost 40 times on our recent trip from Northern NV to California and return. We left on July 16 and returned on July 21. Our route was from Minden NV to Las Vegas on Highway 95 and then onto Temecula CA on Highway 15 and 215. The return trip was on Highway 15 to CA 138 to Highway 14 to Highway 395. All travel was during daylight hours. Sometimes phantom braking was so... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 2022

DRIVING ON AUTOPILOT ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY BRAKES WITH NOT APPARENT REASON.

Incident date: Mar 3, 2021

Vehicle stalls/doesn’t start when gas tank is full. This has happened while driving.

Incident date: Mar 17, 2022

I live in Colorado and on one than more occasion I have been driving at elevation (crossing a mountain pass) and the vehicle loses any power to the gas - the pedal is literally on the floor but car loses speed. The last time this happened (this past May), I was trying to climb one of the passes, and my car would not go faster than 35mph, in an area with a minimum 60mph speed limit. I had to move i... Read more

Incident date: Jul 1, 2023

The contact owned a 2022 Kia Telluride. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the odometer became inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 60 MPH in the rain, the front and side sensors started beeping and the automatic headlights turned off. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster nee... Read more

Incident date: Jul 24, 2023

The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and shut off without warning. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the 12-volt battery was not being used enough and rebooted the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. Th... Read more

Incident date: Jul 12, 2023

While driving I received a message stating the automatic emergency braking, steering assist, lane keeping assist, braking assist, hill hold, adaptive cruise control all we turned off. Additionally regenerative braking was also turned off. This system problem did not clear after the car turned off and back on. The dealership addressed the issue, but unsure of the cause. All codes were cleared an... Read more

Incident date: May 31, 2023

EL VEIGULO APLICA LOS FRENOS AUTOMATICAMENTE MIENTRAS ES CONDUCIDO NORMALMENTE Y PRENDE DODO EL TABLERO DE LUCES DE EMERJENCIA Y NOTIFICA (FALLA EN EL SISTEMA VER EL MANUAL DEL FABRICANTE Y FALLA EN EL SISTEMA DE FRENADO). SE A LLEVADO EN DOS OCASIONES AL DILER Y EN LOS CUATRO MESES QUE LA TENGO SOLO LAE PODOTO CONDUCIR POR MAS O MENOS UN MES AL MOMENTO DE ESDA QUERELLA SOLO ME NOTIFICAN QUE NO DA... Read more

Incident date: Jul 23, 2023

As a result of code P26A3 (engine coolant bypass valve), the cars Eye Sight system is turned off as well as lane departure, reverse automatic braking, and pre-collision braking system. While code P26A3 may in fact refer to a serious problem with then engine, there is no reason why a safety system should be shut off!

Incident date: Jun 5, 2022

Was changing drivers thought I had put the vehicle in park passenger got out I got out and the truck began to run backwards it knocked us both down and hit a telephone pole with the passenger side door passenger was able to run and catch vehicle in time before it ran backwards into traffic

Crash

Incident date: Jun 5, 2022

Water coming in from somewhere to the driver side front and rear floorboard only I've checked everywhere and taking it to a couple of shops replaced heater core and crossover holes checked for air condition leaks all checked out good windows seals good so ot must be a defect somewhere. 03

Incident date: Jul 22, 2023

WHEN IT RAINS HEAVY WATER GETS INSIDE THE CAR ON BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE LEAVING THE FLOOR EXTREMELY WET. IT IS GETTING THE WIRES WET. MANY INFINITI OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AND BELIEVE INIFINITI NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL.

Incident date: Jul 22, 2023

Today, July 22, 2023, my son (21 years old) was sitting in the driver's seat of our Jeep Grand Cherokee 2015 parked in a parking lot and he felt like someone punched him in the back of the head. It turned out to be the headrest (active head restraint) whacking him in the back of his head. The active head restraint pushed out and can't go back in. He was not driving, but his head and neck hurt from... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: Jul 22, 2023

While merging onto a freeway from the on-ramp into traffic, the transmission has trouble shifting and getting up to speed i’ve only owned it a month now and haven’t had it serviced yet, but it most definitely is a problem.

Incident date: Jul 22, 2023

1: convertible top needs replacement. The glass is separating from the actual convertible top. there is also a plastic trim piece that also breaks constantly. This part could fly off with the top down. The glass could also come off causing me and others to be at risk. The dealer has confirmed the issue but wants me to pay out of pocket when my car is used but only a year old. This is not the first... Read more

Incident date: Jul 22, 2023

Incident date: Jul 19, 2023

Electrical malfunction system and car can stop while driving without warning

Incident date: Jul 19, 2023

Electrical malfunction system and car can stop while driving without warning

Incident date: Jul 19, 2023

While driving my 2022 Sierra elevation in April of 2023 my check engine light and a reduced power light came on and onstar diagnostics gave me a code of P30B2. Made a service appointment and was told there was an issue with the wiring. Problem was fix so i was told by the dealership, but the check engine light has come on 3 more times for the same reason.

Incident date: Jul 10, 2023

When I stop at a red light and begin to to go the vehicle jumps and jerks forward before going

Incident date: Jul 18, 2023

Vehicle is not accelerating, have to push the pedal hard and while doing it the engine started making sounds and the vehicle stopped. There are weird sounds coming from the engine that’s making the vehicle to not turn on.

Incident date: Oct 14, 2020

My c300 2018 only has 50k and suddenly the engine light is on, when I check it shows that I need the Positive Crankcase ventilation valve replaced. it cost $2300. As I know a lot of people who own Mercedes have the same problem. Three mechanics claim it on almost all C, CLA, and GLA models. Please make Mercedes recall it finally.

Incident date: Jul 21, 2023

I had 2 dealerships look at my vehicle and both gave me an answer that is blowing me off. As now I have seen it’s a major issue with a lot of people. Oil consumption progressively increased until it was 2 burning 2 quarts of oil for every fill up. That’s ridiculous especially when I was very religious about taking care of my vehicle. I cannot understand how a manufacturer can get away with... Read more

Incident date: Jul 8, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after an oil change was performed, the vehicle overheated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the thermostat was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinders and that the engine nee... Read more

Incident date: Jul 21, 2023

My boyfriends mom was up north driving and the latch on the driverside door stopped working. She's 60+ and still years later has to tie her door close and climb over the passenger seat to get in the car. I can get it closed if it's accidentally opened just like an inch but the door absolutely cannot to opened any further.

Incident date: Jun 30, 2023

Lifter failure in cylinder 1. It is a known issue 8 speed transmission shutter and hard shifts.

Incident date: Jul 20, 2023

The gas petal broke while accelerating to get on the highway. My safety was put at risk as I was unable to move out of harms way. I was shocked to find out the gas pedal was plastic. It was the original gas pedal provided by Nissan and I am the original owner.

Incident date: Jul 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving out of the driveway, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated at high speed without warning. Additionally, while in traffic, the vehicle started to stall with a delay while accelerating. The contact attempted to shift into reverse however, the vehicle failed to respond with the transmission warning light illuminated. The contac... Read more

Incident date: Nov 15, 2022

The frame on my 2004 Chevy Colorado has rusted/rotted to the point that it snapped, causing the bed to rub against the cab. Mechanic said it is not fixable.

Incident date: Jul 20, 2023

Toyota service bulletin: T-SB-0079-20 (August 14, 2020) Outer Rear View Mirror Image Vibration While Driving (Causes distraction and could lead to and accident because image in side mirrors are unusable due to vibration) Dealer refuses to do this repair because it was only covered under a 36mo or 36,000 mile warranty. My car currently has 23,500 and this repair should be covered...or be a r... Read more

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Consumer Safety Complaints

What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?

How to interpret what you read

If you've experienced a defect

Read more from our blog