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 11, 2021
When vehicle slows down to a stop, the engine fails. No check engine light is illuminating. Have taken it to a Kia dealer who does not know what is wrong with it. The car is still available for inspection. The vehicle has done it several times. The Kia dealer said it was unsafe to drive and so they have kept it. Kia is unwilling to look further because the mileage is 4,000 over warranty. There ar... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Power steering unavailable total fault at 140,000 miles. Warning came on that power steering assist was not available. Starting at 64000 miles this error would happen and it would clear by restarting the car, or disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes and restarting the car. This time it did not clear, and manual steering without power assist is unsafe and difficult. NHTSA recall 15V340 000 d... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Power steering unavailable total fault at 140,000 miles. Warning came on that power steering assist was not available. Starting at 64000 miles this error would happen and it would clear by restarting the car, or disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes and restarting the car. This time it did not clear, and manual steering without power assist is unsafe and difficult. NHTSA recall 15V340 000 d... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
I purchased the car in April 2022. Did not have any issues until February 2023. Initially, the engine light came on with a turtle icon in the dash screen. I was driving and the car would not go over 45 mph. on a busy street . The car was hesitating badly and also said something about the propulsion? Volvo Ontario towed it from my business and supposedly fixed it. Fast forward the following w... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2022
Passenger side front seat headrest airbag deployed while driving. The airbag feature deployed while my 13 year old daughter was sitting in the seat. When the safety feature deployed, it hit my child in the back of her head causing pain and injury. This safety feature deployed without warning or cause. The headrest broke when it deployed is now just hanging from the seat.
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 5, 2023
When using the remote start feature the cabin smells like exhaust. This smell can be smelled coming through the vents into the car.
Incident date: Jan 28, 2023
No remedy for Subaru Impreza recall WRG22. THE HEADLIGHT RECALL WAS ISSUED IN AUGUST OF 2022 AND SUBARA DOES NOT HAVE THE PART(S). EMAIL FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA ON 3/3/2023 Dear XXXX XXXXXX: Thank you for contacting Subaru. Please continue to work with your Subaru Retailer about the WRG22 recall and part number. We do not have the approximate date when the parts will be available. That inform... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2023
Truck turns off when going in reverse, sometimes when brake is applied, sometimes when turning left and when left turn signal is on. It usually happened when stopping at a traffic stop or light or when turning left. This time it turned off when changing lanes on the freeway and almost caused a pile up. It was scary and it could have caused a lot of unnecessary mishaps. What happens is the engine ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her son was driving at 30 MPH, he ran a red light and hit the passenger side of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. No injuries were reported at the scene and a police report was vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent auto repair shop where it remained in their possession. The deal... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
At highway speeds (50-65mph), the transmission would jutter/shudder when trying to either accelerate or decelerate from constant speed. The issue incrementally got worse and got to the point where the van was undrivable on the highway. I found the service bulletin 14-043 and brought the van into my Honda Dealer with a copy of the service bulletin. They test drove my vehicle and agreed this was... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2023
The coolant pump failed causing the engine to over heat which I was informed is a known issue with this year model. Plus my ABS system failed which makes the bike unable to operate.
Incident date: Feb 22, 2023
The truck battery connection is faulty causing it to loose complete power to the vehicle after driving and turning off it won’t restart. No power means no hazards, complete blackout on the vehicle. This is reported on YouTube by so many other’s experiencing the same issue. They replaced my battery which was not the issue, the next day I experienced the same dead vehicle issue. Ford also di... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2023
The ignition key started the car but the car continued to stall out when the clutch was released failing to propel the car leaving me stranded with a running(ideling) but non functional vehicle.I could not move the vehicle and it was subject to traffic crash. I need to have the vehicle retrieved by the dealer for repait. It is non-operable. There weree no warnings to me on the vehicle that the p ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2023
My vehicle had a rear seat air bag recall. i brought the vehicle in for the recall and during a test of the airbag system the driver side air bag had a fault and the harness was replaced. Ford indicated that the vehicle airbag system is operational. I got a airbag light come on the dash and an appointment was made. They told me that the passenger side airbag harness is defective. They would... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2022
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500. The contract stated while driving 20 MPH, the front driver's side air bag deployed with no impact. The contact stated that the battery warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after the inadvertent deployment, the front passenger side of the vehicle crashed into a barricade. The contact stated that he sustained a concussion; how... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 6, 2023
SMELLS strongly of GAS. Location of smell is strongest on driver side closest to windshield under the hood. Vehicle is currently with 2280 miles. Purchased in December of 2022. Smell began mid January 2023 with mileage approximately at 1700.
Incident date: May 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not ex... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was vibrating. The rotors then overheated, causing the brakes to seize. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the calipers, brakes, and rotors; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the oil and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he pulled over and checked the oil level and there was no oil in the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced after an oil consumption test was completed. The engine was n... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was difficult to start and remained running at restarting. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was c... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2022
Driving at approximately 45 mph when emergency braking system activated when there was nothing in front of my vehicle. Fortunately no cars were following me, otherwise I likely would have been rear ended.
Incident date: Dec 19, 2022
There was no accident but due to the manufacturer not using a rust propellant coating on the frame I have a severely severely damaged frame the structural integrity of my vehicle is compromised and dangerously unsafe the frame is rusted in so many spots there's a few places where it is broke the back end of the vehicle sprain is starting to crumple this should be something that is fixed by GM as a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Volvo XC40. The contact stated while dropping off her niece at school, the vehicle was at a complete stop with the brake pedal depressed; however, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and drove over the pavement. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The vehicle crashed into the wall of the school and crashed into the school fence. The curtain air bags were d... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
The Body Control Module has failed and there are no replacement parts available except used parts. The BCM is hard coded with the VIN. If you use a BCM from another car, certain safety systems are deactivated such as the air bags. The BCM is central to the electronic architecture so all other systems are at risk. The unit can be responsible for the car not starting, the headlights not working, the... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
The Body Control Module has failed and there are no replacement parts available except used parts. The BCM is hard coded with the VIN. If you use a BCM from another car, certain safety systems are deactivated such as the air bags. The BCM is central to the electronic architecture so all other systems are at risk. The unit can be responsible for the car not starting, the headlights not working, the... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Forest River Coachmen. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rubber seal detached from the vent and shattered without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the second vent was partially detached. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V523000... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Forest River Coachmen. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rubber seal detached from the vent and shattered without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the second vent was partially detached. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V523000... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2022
When starting to drive 2 days ago multiple braking warnings went off on the vehicle, including Advance Trac warnings. The vehicle became extremely difficult to stop, requiring high pressure on the pedal. It was able to be stopped safely as there was an empty parking lot nearby. It was taken to a Ford Dealership (Tri-County Ford) and diagnosed with a failure of the ABS Control Module. The part was ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2023
I was operating the motorcycle in a typical fashion and the engine died several times. I had to try to find a safe spot to pull over and restart the motorcycle. After restarting it twice it just died again as soon as the clutch was pulled in. The motorcycle is practically new, less than 1000 miles on it. I did some research online and found that many many other people ran into the same issue a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
Noticed a fuel vapor odor for a couple of weeks. After filling the fuel tank the odor intensified. Drove the vehicle about 20 miles to my house. I could smell fuel when I exited the vehicle and noticed fuel leaking from the fuel tank. Took vehicle to the dealership, and when the tank was removed found the fitting for the evaporative system connection cracked. (See photos) There is no apparen... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2022
The van just stopped like it ran out of gas. It did not restart until the next day. I can drive for days, then without warning it will die. I changed the Drummond fuel vapor leak detection pump and the fuel pump relay. it stopped again a few days later. same thing, it acted like it ran out of gas. It will restart a few hours later or the next day. It has happened 4 times so far.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2022
The van just stopped like it ran out of gas. It did not restart until the next day. I can drive for days, then without warning it will die. I changed the Drummond fuel vapor leak detection pump and the fuel pump relay. it stopped again a few days later. same thing, it acted like it ran out of gas. It will restart a few hours later or the next day. It has happened 4 times so far.
Incident date: Feb 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that she noticed a trail of fluid leak on the driveway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that no issues were found. However, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, the traction control, the hill start assists, and the ABS warning lights illuminated. Additionally, ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
* Feb. 6, 2023, both vehicle batteries went dead and had to be jumped by our USAA Insurance roadside assistance person in the home parking lot. When batteries were checked at a local auto store, they confirmed both batteries were dead due to an excessive draw to both batteries of 13.5 volts without any explanation as to why. We had to replace both batteries and reported this to the cerified deal... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while approaching a stop, the contact attempted to accelerate however, there was a delay in responding. The contact stated that after a while the vehicle accelerated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who admitted knowledge of similar failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not co... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2019
My 2013 Kia Soul was diagnosed with engine failure. My mechanic stated no trouble codes, all fluids full. No diagnostic codes at all. At above 30 mph my vehicle blows black smoke. My mechanic found Kia TSB 222 Excessive Oil Consumption. He wrote up that he warned me not to drive vehicle and have towed to KIA dealer. Contacted KIA dealer and was told my vehicle not covered as I was second owner. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2019
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V880000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle started to shudder violently, and the driveshaft detached. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact noticed that the transmission fluid w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2022
Our 2018 Ford Explorer windshield trim panel is partially detached. The detachment is on the passenger side lower corner of the windshield and continues up for 9 inches. No crash has occurred as of this time. I reported the detachment to our local Ford Dealer and they were unconcerned. We first noticed a litter detachment late Fall of 2022. The detachment had since extended up the windshield.
Incident date: Jun 15, 2014
Sync is having issues... No rear camera, only 1 station on radio available, radio stays on when engine off and door is opened. Horn beeps on its own. Doors lock themselves, Sync screen goes blank etc
Incident date: Feb 8, 2018
2016 Subaru Outback has a flawed electrical system that drains the battery. We are on our 3rd battery. Prior to a road trip in Nov. 2022 we had our car fully serviced. Day two of the road trip we had a dead battery. Got a jump and had a new battery installed at Reno Subaru dealership. We went on another 7 day trip in Jan. 2023, left our car at the airport only to return to another dead batter... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2018
Faulty engine coolant thermostat causing cooler than normal range engine. Engine light code P0126
Incident date: Feb 7, 2023
My trunk continues to open when the release button is not being employed. This morning, on my way to work, it happened about 8 times. I had to bungee the trunk latch to my license plate so I could drive. I found a forum online that this has been an issue w/ several other Fusions
Incident date: Feb 4, 2023
While driving 65 mph, the power steering assist, traction control, lane assist, emergency brake, backup assist, air bags, and check engine warning lights all illuminated, and the vehicle failed to operate and function as needed. Had to used excessive force to steer the vehicle off the road and had to repeatedly pump the brake pedal. Additionally, the turn signals and warning lights failed to opera... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2023
My rear main seal blew out and leaked all my oil out of my engine, due to my PCV being clogged or frozen, causing it to lose power and knock really loud. There was no warning light for the pressure build up or for low oil until it blew out the seal. This could of caused me an accident on the highway at 65mph if the engine had locked up due to no oil. There is a special service bulletin for the iss... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2023
The vehicle went into "turtle mode" on the freeway, abruptly started vibrating, reduced speed to a crawl, and then shut down. My family and I were trapped in the vehicle on the center divider of the freeway.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Tha car is burning engine oil, around 1/4 gallon each week and the motor don't have any oil leak and no black or blue smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe
Incident date: Feb 13, 2019
The backup camera display will occasionally not display what is behind the vehicle (the screen is blank with a strange icon in the middle of it). This is not a consistent problem. It sometimes works, and sometimes it doesn't. I almost backed over a child who wasn't visible. In my research this problem also happens to other GM vehicles.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
The transmission and or converter on the vehicle continue to have harsh vibrations in all gears. The unit has a difficult time finding the right gear for the traveling speed. Some times accelerates slightly from a stopped position which requires excessive force on the brake. At highway speeds downshifts are very slow and sometimes not at all when trying to pass slower vehicles. Employee's refu... Read more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V482000 (Tires) 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2022
According to the garage Piston Ring failure causing engine damage and oil consumption. Vehicle shut off while excelling on a high traffic route. Vehicle has been in the garage since 1/13/23. As of today 2/1/23 still awaiting news of engine replacement.