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 ›

Clear

Showing 49,794 complaints for VOLKSWAGEN

Incident date: Feb 8, 2023

When I am stopped the vehicle routinely lurches as I touch the gas. I’ve complained to the dealer about it and they can’t reproduce the problem. It does lurch for my husband also. It hasn’t caused any injuries or damage, so far.

Incident date: Feb 9, 2023

The car has 1,360 miles and is only a month old since I bought it. Car sat for 8 hours at my work parking lot. When I went to start it it ran rough like an engine misfire for about 10 seconds then normal. When I drove off with engine cold... the transmission would not shift up and was at 4,000 rpms. The accelerator pedal was not responsive.. even flooring it yielded no acceleration and the ... Read more

Incident date: Feb 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 60-70 MPH, the vehicle began to shudder significantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that as he temporarily released the accelerator pedal, the failure decreased. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The contact rece... Read more

Incident date: Feb 9, 2023

The car spontaneously came to a stop in the middle of the road and would not start again. The displayed showed plenty of battery charge/miles of range left, meaning the issue was not a dead battery. There were several error messages, notably one indicating that the car could not be put into drive because it was still connected to a charging cable. Being that the car was in the middle of the road, ... Read more

Incident date: Feb 9, 2023

The front headlights are dangerously dim. It is all but impossible to see the road at night. Using the brights puts others at risk. This problem was diagnosed by the dealer as buildup inside the plastic light covering. The car is only 7 1/2 years old and is a premium brand. No warnings whatsoever. The lights were not great when I bought the car, and it has only gotten worse. If there is a defect i... Read more

Incident date: Feb 9, 2023

at any speed the Explorer would go into "limp Mode"....NO THROTTLE...Terrian Management Error would appear and the wrench sign,,,,,dash lights and terrain knob light would go off....at highway speeds, with no warning, this could be a deadly situation.....taken to our local Ford dealership.....they had no idea what happened....COULD DO NOTHING...after some research we decided to have them replace t... Read more

Incident date: Jan 11, 2023

Low beam headlights are so dim it is extremely dangerous to operate during dark hours. Purchased this car this date from Charlottesville Mercedes Benz. The contact stated that there was a previous recall for the headlight issue but it expired in June 2022. Although the low beam headlights are too dim, the vehicle somehow still passed state inspections.

Incident date: Feb 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into cylinder #3, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,747.

Incident date: Oct 11, 2022

When I placed the car in the reverse the backup camera screen went black. I needed to stop and restart the vehicle for the backup camera to start working again.

Incident date: Jul 20, 2022

The touchscreen for the UConnect and all on board systems (ac/heat, audio controls, back up camera, clock, phone and device interface, etc.) is delaminating. This began at about 53,000 miles and has worsened (currently at about 56,000) to the point that it creates phantom button pushes. This presents a safety hazard as it can change radio and volume settings, cause repetitive, unpredictable menus ... Read more

Incident date: Feb 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, a message indicating an air bag error was displayed. Additionally, an audible message indicating the same failure was heard. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Nu... Read more

Incident date: Aug 14, 2022

Engine code P052E - PCV REGULATOR VALVE PERFORMANCE. Common faulty Mercedes Benz part integral to the car. Just took in the car to MBSeattle.

Incident date: Aug 14, 2022

Fuel leaking due to corrosion of fuel lines located near driver side rear wheel.

Incident date: Jan 27, 2023

Travel Assist (ACC)light and emergency braking systems are turning off and on repeatedly and intermittently. This happened 5 or 6 times on my 15-minute drive to work a few weeks back. I heavily rely on these safety systems so the vehicle is much more unsafe when those systems are inactive, not to mention the annoyance or dinging when the system deactivates which takes my focus off the road. The ve... Read more

Incident date: Jan 27, 2023

Excessive frame rust, resulting in a weak spot.

Incident date: Jan 27, 2023

The smell of gas is so strong inside and outside of the cabin of the vehicle, that it is causing health issues. Nissan told me to put the car on air circulation as a temporary fix, but it is not working. My entire body is shaky and I’m suffering from migraines and nausea.

Incident date: Jan 4, 2023

The bushing that attaches transmission shift cables disappeared. The car flashed "shift sys fault" and kept turning on the emergency brake and disabled the engine from starting. After googling the warning, I found an article about the recall from ford and what the problem was. After finding a picture of the problem I was able to verify that the bushing was gone and cable was detached. Once the cab... Read more

Incident date: Feb 5, 2023

I was in a head on collision where the other person crossed the line and two empty lanes to hit me head on. This WAS in may 2021. Not one single warning was used by forward collision sensors. No emergency braking was applied. My airbags were not deployed and this man hit me doing at least 35 miles an hour and also I was forward moving even though I was applying my brakes. The car was totaled. Yet... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Feb 5, 2023

My front catalytic convertor has gone out at 160,000 miles heard it could possibly be die to ECM?

Incident date: Feb 5, 2023

My front catalytic convertor has gone out at 160,000 miles heard it could possibly be die to ECM?

Incident date: Dec 1, 2022

My vehicle has been to the dealer multiple times for a well-known and common error: Travel Assist Unavailable. My dealer is saying that the steering wheel needs to be replaced, but the parts are 200+ on back order with no update on when they will come in. This is a major design flaw with this vehicle.

Incident date: Dec 1, 2022

We bought a vehicle as is from a dealer and when we drove away the air bag comes on and off

Incident date: Dec 1, 2022

GM recall N222378380 Vehicle was taken to dealer for the recall for "Surround Vision". Dealer performed the recall yet the backup camera continues to work intermittently. Not having a reliable back up camera is a serious safety concern.

Incident date: Feb 1, 2023

The power steering system of the car (68000 miles on odometer) abruptly stopped working while pulling away from the curb at the airport. Car was turned off and restarted; the steering warning light which had appeared went away. Steering worked well for a couple of weeks when it failed again while driving 60 MPH on the interstate. This was very scary and dangerous to myself and other motorists! F... Read more

Incident date: Aug 10, 2022

Driving on highway and car engine light came on then car engine kicked down like it was going to stall then drove normally then kicked down again . Kept kicking down , drove it home and shut it off. The car starts but is knocking and the engine light comes on and blinks constantly .

Incident date: Nov 9, 2022

While driving, the steering wheel power steering intermittently goes out. It does not matter whether the car has been warmed up or not. When turning or shifting lanes, it is very difficult to turn the steering wheel. On the highway this has almost caused an accident. The incident has been reported to one dealership once and to another dealership twice. Neither has experienced the issue while drivi... Read more

Incident date: Feb 3, 2023

Since new (1/12/2022) the vehicle looses power when shifting between 1st and 2nd and/or 2nd and 3rd. This has been to the dealer several times and they always claim they can not duplicate the issue as it tends to be intermediate. I had to go to the dealer, drive the vehicle with the service manager and show him exactly what it does. I did that 3 weeks after the car was left with the dealer, this l... Read more

Incident date: Feb 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while the vehicle was idling or after the vehicle was started there was a loud rattling sound coming from the hood. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the variable camshaft time unit PCM reprogram for cam phaser rattle needed to be performed. The vehicl... Read more

Incident date: Feb 3, 2023

We have a 2022 Toyota Venza Limited with 5,020 miles. We have had the car for around 7 months. The windshield has excessive pitting and chipping. When the Sun hits the windshield at a certain angle the pitting and chipping causes visual impairment. The Venza is driven mainly on local street.

Incident date: Feb 3, 2023

Engine cuts off at slow speeds or at a stop. Engine failure requires placing vehicle in park and restarting. This occurs at least once per day. Display notes that vehicle requires manual restart. Took to dealer and they advised nothing was wrong.

Incident date: Feb 3, 2023

This issue most likely plagued our Model X during it's original factory warranty based on the class action, NTHSA inquiry, and NTHSA and Tesla recall for the same issue which affects Model X buil between 2016 and 201. These are the things we have personally experienced 12 times over our short ownership, 6 times these nearly caused accidents - this catastrophic malfunction has occurred (on averag... Read more

Incident date: Feb 3, 2023

Incident date: Jan 29, 2023

On December 26, 2022, after running errands for an hour or so and parking outside in parking lots, I restarted the car and pulled out of a parking lot. 3 dashboard warning lights flashed, one after the other: Engine malfunction, have vehicle inspected; Dynamic stability control malfunction, have the vehicle inspected; Safety and driver support systems partially disabled, drive safely. Vehicle was ... Read more

Incident date: Aug 5, 2022

Every since I bought this vehicle back in December 2016. I've had major problems that consist of the battery lasting a year an half. In 2018, Ford had it for two weeks due to a major problem that they repaired but never told me what the issue was. Still, to this day, I don't know what they repaired. In 2021, My water pump went out, something is wrong with he fuel injection that may be causing t... Read more

Incident date: Jan 10, 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and a service appointment was scheduled. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was 25,000.

Incident date: Jan 10, 2023

Sudden loss of power steering is the issue. I was driving the car home and it was about a 5 mile trip. About half way home I tried to turn left and it took all of my strength to turn the wheel. I made it around that corner and the car did the same thing when I made a right turn. It continued for two more turns and something in the steering seemed to break loose when I arrived home and steering... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2022

Sunroof drains are not draining correctly causing vehicle to flood when there is precipitation, flooring is wet/molded, seat belts have mold on them, unpleasant smell, and condensation collects on the windows. Also causing water marks/stains on vehicles exterior body.

Incident date: May 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side windshield trim detached. Additionally, the driver's side door handle had also detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

Incident date: May 1, 2022

Started vehicle in driveway to warm up for a minute. Sitting in vehicle with front defrost turned on medium fan, 75 degrees settings. After a few minutes, while still in park, I heard the windshield crack and noticed that a 12-18 inch crack appeared from the bottom middle part of the windshield.

Incident date: Jan 19, 2023

Incident date: Aug 17, 2022

The contact owned a 2017 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving from a stop sign, another vehicle driving at 40 MPH stuck the vehicle on the front passenger side, causing several damages to the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was injured and had to seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not contacted.... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Apr 12, 2018

Randomly I get malfunction light, check engine light, caution light and and low power lights that flash and beep in the car. It affects the pressure I need to use when pressing down on the gas pedal. It requires more pressure and does not let me surpass a certain mph (I have only gone 40mph when this has appeared). It will randomly shut off and turn on. Since it has started it has been happening m... Read more

Incident date: Dec 12, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V723000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had... Read more

Incident date: Dec 12, 2022

Vehicle shudders and stalls occasionally especially after a period of driving.

Incident date: Jan 17, 2023

I was driving home from work and was changing lanes when all of the sudden the swerving road,two cars crashing, and check engine light came on. I couldn't accelerate and car lost power. I was in the lane next to the fast lane and cars started honking. I was able to pull over eventually. I waited 10 minutes and started the car and the same thing happened but this time I was stuck in between the HO... Read more

Incident date: Jan 9, 2023

The passenger airbag is faulty, the airbag will now not deploy in the case of a collision. Initially before the airbag light was on, the sensor would classify the seat as empty when it wasn't, similar to one of the existing recalls Nissan has on Rogues, that this VIN is not included in. Now it has progressed where the SRS air bag light flickers on regardless of resetting it. This is a safety hazar... Read more

Incident date: Jan 31, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving at a slower speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the engine knocks sensor. The vehicle... Read more

Incident date: Jan 6, 2023

With only 80,000 miles on my volt, the dash is intermittently ringing and telling me to service my airbag, and turning off passenger airbags even though the car is clean accident free and damage free. Apparently this is a know issue, and very common. I’m confused why this $1000 repair and safety issue is not being recalled to be serviced by Chevy. It’s very hazardous and costly, as well as inc... Read more

Incident date: Aug 15, 2022

The truck shows a code indicating the ABS Control Module and ABS Hydraulic Control have failed. The warning lights come on intermittently while driving. These warning lights disable the trucks ABS functionality along with traction control and cruise control is disabled while these warning lights are on. This problem is very widespread among this particular model. Enough so that replacement par... Read more

Incident date: Aug 15, 2022

There is an open recall on the Halogen headlights on my car. Notice was mailed to me in Oct 2022. Why is this not resolved? I need to sell my car but I cannot due to the open recall. It’s been 4 months !!!!

Previous 1 2 3 4 5 ... 184 185 186 ... 995 996 Next

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

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