Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 15,069 complaints for VOLVO
Incident date: Aug 3, 2023
I lost my ability to steer my vehicle. I attempted to step on the brakes and nothing happened. I hit a box truck in front of me going at least 30mph and only my shin airbag deployed.
Crash
Incident date: Aug 3, 2023
I lost my ability to steer my vehicle. I attempted to step on the brakes and nothing happened. I hit a box truck in front of me going at least 30mph and only my shin airbag deployed.
Crash
Incident date: Aug 9, 2023
Numerous problems for a year have been: engine dies while driving, car totally dead with new battery, display partially black randomly or totally black along with radio display black, park assist is turned off. Headlights turn off and on by themselves; The latest is driving up a hill @ 25 mph, the steering wheel jerked hard to the right at 2 different times. Had I not had a solid grip on the wheel... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2023
Numerous problems for a year have been: engine dies while driving, car totally dead with new battery, display partially black randomly or totally black along with radio display black, park assist is turned off. Headlights turn off and on by themselves; The latest is driving up a hill @ 25 mph, the steering wheel jerked hard to the right at 2 different times. Had I not had a solid grip on the wheel... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2023
Passenger side frame on windshield flew off my car while I was driving on the highway.
Incident date: Aug 6, 2023
When putting the vehicle into park it either shifts rite into park, shows -- on the dash, says R and it's in P for example my husband drove my car put it in the park or so he thought turned the car off and came in the house we all left a little while later I get in my car and it won't start and I look at my dash and it says vehicle not in park and it was clearly in park, went to a friend's house p... Read more
Incident date: May 17, 2023
On May 18, 2023, the vehicle was not driveable and it was not able to be taken out of the park mode. The vehicle had no power so the engine would not start regardless of what the tow truck driver tried. The car had to be pulled onto the tow truck so the tires did not move. On June 10, 2023, Due to a backlog. The Volvo dealership was finally able to look at the vehicle. They stated "error codes ... Read more
Incident date: May 17, 2023
Continued loss of trailer lights and brakes. This truck has the tow package installed by the manufacturer and apparently the truck doesn’t recognize or see LED lights causing it to lose the connection between the truck and trailer
Incident date: May 17, 2023
Subframe rusted only on passenger side front where the weld is to hold/ support the passenger front wheel. It snapped and wheel was completely free/ had no control over it and causing the front axle to snap.
Incident date: Aug 2, 2023
I own a 2016 XC90 that was regularly serviced by the Volvo dealer we bought the car from. My son and I were in my car on 08/02/2023 and we were at a stop light and something smelt a little off so my son put his window down to get fresh air. Then, we accelerated when the light turned green. Within 100 yds of accelerating my check engine light when on and simultaneously I lost acceleration. It was c... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 2, 2023
I was stopped before turning left into a parking space. I was driving slowly. The car stopped but I did not engage the brake as a Tesla will stop once the foot is removed from the accelerator. At that point the car leaped forward at full speed hitting parts of a building and a fence. I did NOT step on the accelerator. No one was injured. The airbags did not deploy even though there was $17,000... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 2, 2023
I was stopped before turning left into a parking space. I was driving slowly. The car stopped but I did not engage the brake as a Tesla will stop once the foot is removed from the accelerator. At that point the car leaped forward at full speed hitting parts of a building and a fence. I did NOT step on the accelerator. No one was injured. The airbags did not deploy even though there was $17,000... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
Coolant was found to be infiltrating cylinders 2 & 3 of the engine. The engine was idling roughly and just about died before the check engine light came on. The service center did a pressure check and used a bore scope to confirm that there was coolant in the cylinders. My understanding of this problem is that the engine begins to misfire as coolant and oil mix and the cylinder walls start and oth... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
My Wife and I purchased the 2017 GMC Acadia All Terrain in August 2017. It always had some low gear hard engagement issues. It also had issues of not locking into park when placing in Park. If we released and re-shifted it would engage. On two occasions we had the GMC dealership Durand GMC Leominster MA. check the transmission. Around 34,000 miles and again around 55,00 0 miles On both occ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
A little over 100K miles in my Honda and the ABS module has gone out. This part is over $2200 from Honda and on backorder. This is a known issue from Honda and yet, no recall. This unit is incredibly expensive and without fixing it, the safety of my family is as risk.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced high oil consumption. After adding oil to the engine, the message "Oil Level Low" was display within three weeks. Additionally, while operating the vehicle the message "low engine function" had displayed and the vehicle would not properly accelerate and was jerking. The contact also discovered puddles of water ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
Driving down interstate at approximately 75 mph when I heard a loud explosion similar to a gun shot. The sun shade began shaking in my head liner. Once I regained my composure I was able to stop on the side of the interstate and inspect the roof from the outside. The whole middle section of the sunroof has exploded upwards and out of my vehicle.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
check engine lights display periodically. The main one involves the fuel injectors. It has been an on going problem for 6-8 months. When I contacted the dealership I was told the part is not available Nationwide at this time and not sure when it will become available. While driving the car can go into "limp" mode where it doesn't let you go above 30 MPH. This problem first started approximately Oc... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
Previous issues with brakes, suspension, leaking sunroof, electrical and gauges. Vehicle became disabled due to defect with coolant system, smoke from engine compartment, towed to Monterery Volvo (dealership/service center identified issues with coolant leak present turbo & cooling Plastic pipe. Cruise control-Vacuum Pump: Found vacuum pump leaking oil. Estimated repair $5,414.38
Fire
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving out of a parking space, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of electric power steering assist. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
Vehicle vibration and not switching into next gear. Engine light flashes when this is happening. When not flashing engine light stays on.it is scary that it is going to quit in traffic.
Incident date: Jul 24, 2023
Engine burned two quarts of oil between scheduled oil changes. Vehicle has 88,200 miles on it. Engine could sieze up on the highway and cause an accident.
Incident date: Dec 3, 2022
At approximately 55,000 miles I started to experience intermittent heavy vibration at Highway speeds. According to the Volvo technical journal this is a known issue called the Ghost Shaker. There we no warning lamps or car messages that displayed while the shaking occurred. Typically, the car would shake when above 45 MPH, especially on interstate. While the Ghost Shaker is happening, it was very ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the driver's side air bag erroneously deployed. The contact stated that no collision had occurred to cause the air bag to deploy. During the failure, the driver sustained a neck injury that required medical treatment. A Police report was filed at the scene. The cause of the failure was not yet determined... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 3, 2022
I've had two problems both dealing with the truck's infotainment system. The first problem was that the software "glitched" and the screen became unusable (see attached pictures). The headlight controls are exclusively accessed through this screen and I had to remove the negative battery cable for 10+ minutes to recover this screen and access my headlight controls. The second problem was an ove... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cab... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
As I was trying to make a turn into the parking lot of a convenient store, my Tesla Model X started accelerating suddenly and unintendedly without my foot being on the accelerator. I kept pressing on the brake to stop the car, but it would not stop. I had no control and while it accelerated for 15-20 yards eventually it hit two other cars that were parked there. This happened so quickly. We all we... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 21, 2023
Headed home from camping and my tire blew on my 5th wheel trailer. Tires were inspected before leaving, tire pressure was 80psi per manufacturers recommendation. We were able to pull over, but the damage done to my camper includes damage to the fascia and fender skirting. We were going approximately 35 mph at the time the tire blew.
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
While driving on freeway with adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle suddenly slammed on the brakes with the wheels initially locking up (there was an audible screech from the tires). There was no traffic obstacle that would have suggested that there was a reason to do this. It was daytime and the weather was clear. I was able to immediately take control of the car and re-accelerate to preve... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at night at an undisclosed speed, the lights on the instrument panel and the headlights became inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the headlights and instrument panel lights turned on independently. The contact stated that while attempting to unlock the vehicle with... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, an abnormally loud sound was coming from the front undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact steered to the side of the road where it was observed that the undercarriage cover was detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the undercarriage cover needed to be replaced.... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an air draft sound coming from the interior of the vehicle with all the windows closed. While washing the vehicle, the contact observed water leaking into the interior of the vehicle however, the contact was unable to locate the origin of the leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred on two occasions. The contact stated that on the third occasion, a mess... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2023
Major driveability/safety issue. The vehicle started skipping and jerking on highway I-93 on the New Hampshire/ Massachusetts line. I was accelerating to 65 mph and merged with traffic, when the car engine began stalling intermittently. The check engine and maintenance indicator lights turned on. As I coasted to the side of the road, the vehicle continued to jerk and slow/speed up.
Incident date: Jul 16, 2023
The infotainment system has locked up and has shut completely off while driving. When it shuts down (screen goes black) or glitches, the car actually loses power. Luckily it powered right back on but it was scary and could happen again and be much worse. The screen/ infotainment system has had this issue for awhile. We’ve even told Volvo of Tulsa about it when it was in for service but they said... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2023
When driving at night with the light switch in auto position, headlight will turn off. Sometimes, turning the switch to off and back to auto will make them work. Sometimes wiggles the switch will make them work. Sometimes you have to switch them to on to make them work.
Incident date: Jul 16, 2023
Bought this vehicle 4 months ago first month the tire loosing air went on a trip park in a garage left it there for the week end came out passenger front tire was flat put spare on notice crack on inside of the rim...2 month later took another trio on the way home tire was loosing air change out again Crack on inside of rim driver rear different one then first time
Incident date: Jul 15, 2023
I’ve had to change my fuel injection pump and catalytic convert twice on one year.
Incident date: Jul 15, 2023
Vehicle transmission went out. I had only had this vehicle for a couple months. So I purchased it in June of 2023
Incident date: Jul 15, 2023
7/1/2022 The warning came on the dash as brake failure. Towed to the dealer, RideNow PowerSports of Daytona Beach Florida , stayed with them for almost 5 months, returned on 11/23/2022. I called CanAm customer service and was given a case#02973019. I was told the brake module was replaced. On 2/16/2023 there was another warning on the dash of brake failure. Towed to dealer. On 5/21/2023 another wa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that he became aware that the front passenger’s side floorboard was soaked with water. The contact also stated that water was leaking from the windshield trim panel. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights were extremely dim, making it difficult to see the roadway properly while driving night. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The con... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
On June 17 I was driving on the highway in Tupelo,MS with my sister and three children. I was going about 80 mph when the entire engine shut down spontaneously. The dash lights said plug into a power outlet. I was driving in hybrid mode with a half tank of gas. I briefly lost control of the car because it was such a powerful jolt when it shut down. I was able to pull over to shoulder of the highwa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
On June 17 I was driving on the highway in Tupelo,MS with my sister and three children. I was going about 80 mph when the entire engine shut down spontaneously. The dash lights said plug into a power outlet. I was driving in hybrid mode with a half tank of gas. I briefly lost control of the car because it was such a powerful jolt when it shut down. I was able to pull over to shoulder of the highwa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2023
While driving, lost power very suddenly. A turtle comes across the dash. My vehicle wouldn’t start for roughly 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes, it starts up, but the check engine light is on. Nervous that my car isn’t safe to drive, I contact corporate Volvo, since there is NO information in the manual for what this means- they told me to contact my local. So I call them and they state it’s... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2023
There's a piston slap ,the engine block is damaged to the risk pin bushing ,connecting rods needs replacing the piston slap noise is in the upper end of the engine ,the gas tank want hold gas
Incident date: Mar 10, 2023
There's a piston slap ,the engine block is damaged to the risk pin bushing ,connecting rods needs replacing the piston slap noise is in the upper end of the engine ,the gas tank want hold gas
Incident date: Jun 25, 2023
High Coolant temperature warning came up on dashboard and engine shut off while I was driving my vehicle through an intersection. Car had plenty of coolant and other fluids, car was not overheating. About 5 minutes later the car turned back on.